Archive
-
Date
RCA regain top spot over West
Sunderland RCA returned to the top of the STL Northern League on goal difference when they came from behind to win 2-1 at Bedlington last night, their 11th away win of the season in the league. Bedlington took the lead with a strike by Anthony
-
Date
Safety warnings as gales expected to batter the North
GUSTS of wind as high as 100mph are due to sweep the country tomorrow, with the North-East and Yorkshire expected to be badly hit. Scotland and the Northern Isles are braced for the highest winds, while speeds could reach up to 90mph in northern England
-
Date
Man in hospital after street assault
A 24-YEAR-OLD man is in hospital with serious injuries after being attacked tonight. Police were called to Castleford Street in Sunderland at 7pm. A spokesman for Northumbria Police described his injuries as serious but not life threatening. Any witnesses
-
Date
Police officers hurt in stolen wagon crash
TWO officers were hurt when a stolen lorry reversed into a police car today. Police were called just before 4pm to reports of the wagon being stolen from Brotton Road in Carlin How, east Cleveland. Officers spotted the vehicle a short time later on
-
Date
Man has finger bitten off at school nativity play
A MAN has been arrested after a father had his finger bitten off at a school nativity play. Shocked parents looked on as the two men fought at Harton Primary School, in South Shields, South Tyneside, before the Christmas performance on Tuesday afternoon
-
Date
‘My love letter to silent movies’
Martin Scorsese talks to Steve Pratt about falling in love with the film the Magic Box in 1952, and its lasting impact on his career. ASK Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese a question and you get an answer. A very long answer. A full and frank
-
Date
Disney wonderland
Matt Westcott plays Fairy Godfather and takes his family to Disneyland Paris. DISNEY tells us that “When we wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you.” Well all I can say is that the heavens
-
Date
Peak of perfection
As well as a Michelin star restaurant, Holbeck Ghyll offers luxury and lakeside views. Ruth Addicott finds out what else it has to offer. A HELICOPTER tour, Michelin star restaurant, sailing lessons and sunset cruise... add to that a dramatic
-
Date
Meeting to discuss future of recycling in Spennymoor
RESIDENTS views are being sought on possible changes to the county council run recycling facilities. Durham County Council's cabinet are to consult on proposals regarding the future of household waste recycling facilities. The survey being held seeks
-
Date
Elderly motorists offered sessions to improve road skills
ELDERLY motorists are being offered the chance to improve their driving skills so they can stay on the road longer. Safer Driving with Age (SAGE) sessions are held through the year and they are aimed specifically at the over 55s. They are run by Durham
-
Date
Stop heating bills going through the roof
We may have enjoyed the mildest November in 300 years, but forecasters are predicting a dramatic drop in temperatures. Sam Wylie-Harris examines ways to stop your heating bills going through the roof. THE weather, that quintessentially British
-
Date
Fears raised over access to proposed rope bridge
COUNCILLORS have expressed concern that the walking distance to a proposed 265m rope bridge in Teesdale could restrict access for many people. Members of Barnard Castle Town Council raised the issue after receiving an update on plans to build the
-
Date
Store gets green light
PLANS to build a supermarket on an edge-of-town industrial estate have been approved. Developer Terrace Hill has secured planning permission for the 5,100sq m store on part of Salters Lane Industrial Estate, in Sedgefield. Bosses predict the store could
-
Date
Pub caps turnaround by winning town award
A TOWN centre bar is has been crowned Bishop Auckland’s best just two years after it lost its licence for underage drinking. Chris Ball, licensee of The Merry Monk, in The Market Place, said he is “incredibly proud” of being named the overall winner
-
Date
Couple help housing firm celebrate work landmark
A BISHOP Auckland couple have become the 3,000th family to benefit from a £40m investment programme by a housing company. Billy and Lynn Jardine, of Walker Drive, have been given a new bathroom and central heating system as part of the Decent Homes
-
Date
History on record
The touching tale of Teesside’s last surviving record shop is wowing the critics and the public. Filmmaker Jeanie Finlay tells Ruth Campbell how these black, shiny discs are so much more than pieces of vinyl. They hold memories and illuminate our
-
Date
Geordie lass Cheryl tells of North-South style divide
CHERYL Cole has claimed there is "absolutely a North/South divide" when it comes to women's style in the UK. Newcastle lass Cheryl hinted in an interview to be broadcast on ITV1's Lorraine tomorrow morning that she believes girls from up North are more
-
Date
New £200,000 investment for voluntary groups
VOLUNTARY groups across County Durham could benefit from a £200,000 investment programme if it is agreed by councillors. Durham County Council’s cabinet will meet next week to discuss the important role of local community groups and look at a new arrangement
-
Date
County Durham man charged with manslaughter
A COUNTY Durham man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a shopper, who was attacked in the street. Anthony Marshall, 50, has been charged with the manslaughter of Michael Marshall, 52, who died while shopping in Sanderson Arcade
-
Date
Save yourself from breast cancer
The North-East has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the UK. Health Editor Barry Nelson meets Dr Linsley Lunt, a consultant radiologist who is passionate about persuading more women to help themselves. DRAMATIC improvements in
-
Date
Salon super-highway
A successful North-East woman is launching her unique mobile beauty business into cyberspace, says Rachel Meek. WITH the dab of a digit, women of all ages can be transported into Kerry Lewis’s retro pink world of beauty, a virtual haven where
-
Date
Prisoners died naturally inquests find
SIX men, including a two-time killer and a child rapist, died from natural causes while in prison in the North-East, their inquests have found. A jury determined the causes of deaths at the inquests in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, yesterday
-
Date
Charity garden store opens
A WALLED garden which provides horticultural training for adults with learning disabilities has opened a shop to sell its produce. The store will open seven days a week at the Palace Road site, in Ripon, and will offer employment to people with disabilities
-
Date
The last shift at Mainsforth Colliery
THE picture on the front cover of Memories 58 showed men starting the last shift at Mainsforth Colliery, Ferryhill Station, on December 6, 1968. But who were the men? Noreen Cooper, of Ferryhill, recognised her father, Charles Johnson, in the
-
Date
Tax-payers to fund drive to revitalise Ripon
COUNCIL tax-payers will pay 33 per cent more to Ripon City Council next year to fund a concerted drive to revitalise the city’s economy. The rise will see the average Band D householder paying an extra 20p a week for the authority’s services. The
-
Date
Cadets awarded training accolade
THE mayor of Thirsk has presented an army cadets group with an accolade after its members gained the most training qualifications of the 46 detachments in North and West Yorkshire. Councillor Cynthia Hesmondhalgh watched the Thirsk cadets on parade
-
Date
Badger baiters punished with work
TWO poachers caught digging into a badger sett have been sentenced to 80 hours’ unpaid community work. James Linsley, 27, of Barnard Castle, and Ian Blakey, 33, of Crook, were spotted disturbing the entrance to the sett at Bolton Grange, Bolton-on-Swale
-
Date
The Drums, Newcastle O2 Academy
THE US’s finest indie exports The Drums, aka “New York’s coolest new party band” hit Newcastle to showcase their second studio album, Portamento. The Drums outline what pure, raw, original music is really about, not manufactured or planned, it
-
Date
Focusing on a strange suicide – and stranger family business
"STRANGE case of suicide in Whitby," said a headline in The Northern Echo in 1880, but the story that unfolded after the inquest concluded was stranger still. The victim was a photographer, John Waller. Since 1861, he had been developing souvenir
-
Date
Robbers attack city centre shop worker
ROBBERS have attacked a shop worker and smashed display cabinets in a raid on a city centre store. The 26-year-old employee of Motor World, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, was punched and forced into a back room after three men entered the shop at 11am on
-
Date
Aycliffe star moves to West Auckland
Newton Aycliffe striker Elliott Gardner has agreed to move to league leaders West Auckland. West submitted seven days notice of approach last week, and after talks with manager Peter Dixon, Gardner has agreed to join West. Gardner scored 18 goals in
-
Date
Keeping her hand in
Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas (C4, 8pm) Phil’s Empty House Giveaway (C4, 9pm) Come Bell Ringing with Charles Hazlewood (BBC4, 9pm) Frozen Planet (BBC1, 9pm) Perez Hilton Superfan: Lady Gaga (ITV2, 10pm) THE future of Location Location
-
Date
Union say bank staff devastated as they face uncertain future
STAFF at Northern Rock's so called "bad bank" are facing an uncertain future after being told its Newcastle site is set to close within 18 months. Although the majority of Northern Rock Asset Management (Nram) employees will be offered alternative
-
Date
Airline does not rule out long haul as it creates jobs
AN airline did not rule out adding regular long haul flights to its North-East schedules as it announced 100 additional jobs for the region's largest airport. Jet2. com yesterday said the roles ranged from cabin crew to ground staff as it introduced
-
Date
Tweet success as Dragon backs crafts company
A budding entrepreneur is tapping into the global market for crafts with the support of a TV Dragon. Rachel Meek reports. WHEN Vicky Lloyd watched Blue Peter as a child, she was too young to appreciate the irony of what fate had in store. Now running
-
Date
Cancer charity honours teenager's star courage
A TEENAGER whose courageous battle with a rare form of cancer resulted in him losing a leg has been recognised with an award from a charity. Kieran Maxwell, 13, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a tumour which attacks bone and soft tissue
-
Date
Seventeen are charged in crackdown on crime
A BOY aged 14 is among 17 people charged during the first week of an operation targetting theft and burglaries in the run-up to Christmas. Darlington Police launched Operation Fernhill to remove key offenders from the town during the festive period
-
Date
Voices to be raised in record bid
A CHURCH holds a 15-minute carol service as part of a world record attempt. Pierremont Church, in Darlington, is joining Premier Christian Radio's attempt to set a new record for the largest number of people singing carols together across
-
Date
Community choirs prepare for Christmas concert
THREE community choirs are to join together for the first time to perform a special Christmas concert in aid of charity. The choirs, which between them have more than 100 members, were each formed this year by music teacher and choral director Carol
-
Date
Nunthorpe Spar shop raid - CCTV images released
POLICE have released CCTV images after a burglary at the Spar Store on Guisborough Road, Nunthorpe. The incident occurred at 12.30am on December 6 when three men gained access to the rear of the property. One of the intruders was wearing dark trousers
-
Date
Time to break up the union?
A RECENT correspondent to Hear All Sides, Tom Cooper, of Durham City, made a striking point about the British Isles: “We are practically separate countries now.” What convinced Mr Cooper of this was the ubiquity of the saltire in Scotland and the
-
Date
Jeremy Clarkson
I HAVE never particularly liked Jeremy Clarkson’s schoolboy humour, but feel obliged to defend him against VJ Connor’s equally puerile letter citing Anders Breivik (HAS, Dec 3). It is obvious from the full transcript of The One Show that he was
-
Date
Treachery
THE use of the word “treacherous” to describe snow, as used on The Northern Echo’s front page story of December 6, and in many other publications and news reports, is just wrong. Treachery is a human trait and it is not possible for any inanimate
-
Date
The thrill of the open road
REGARDING Matt Westcott’s road test of the Mazda MX5 (Echo, Dec 2). My love affair with my Mazda MX5 began in 1991, with a white Harvard limited edition model that had pop-up headlights, and is still ongoing. This year, with mounting excitement
-
Date
Politicians
WATCHING the news recently, I heard a protestor say: “I love Britain, but I hate the people who are running it.” She may have meant politicians, but it also applies to certain bankers, employers and celebrity opinion makers who put personal greed
-
Date
Treachery
THE use of the word “treacherous” to describe snow, as used on The Northern Echo’s front page story of December 6, and in many other publications and news reports, is just wrong. Treachery is a human trait and it is not possible for any inanimate
-
Date
Christmas cheer
I WAS in a state of total panic at Tesco when I realised I had lost my purse with a lot of Christmas cash in it, as well as bank cards. After a frantic search, I discovered that a kind and honest man called Brian, from Crook, had found my purse
-
Date
Twitterers
RECENTLY, some Labour councillors have been seen using their mobile phones to tweet in the council chamber during meetings in order to give a running commentary on proceedings, rather than doing so after the meeting. I questioned this practice
-
Date
Athletics
I FAIL to understand why you publish articles about athletics events in the Newcastle region in the main body of your paper but the events that take place in the main area that your publication covers have to wait for their race reports to appear
-
Date
Printer's Pie
DOES anyone remember Printer’s Pie, written byJune Hawden, published in The Darlington Evening Despatch in the early Eighties? My son Kevin was a member and had a great time. He won a couple of competitions. One of the prizes was a denim jacket
-
Date
Bus bother
ON Friday, December 3, my wife boarded a Number 12 bus at about 4.15pm from Tubwell Row, in Darlington, which was scheduled to run along Yarm Road. After a while, the driver informed them he would not be stopping anywhere on Yarm Road and passengers
-
Date
Crossing patrols
WHEN I went to school there wasn’t a school crossing warden, though we did benefit from the advice of the public service broadcasts which urged us to look out for oncoming traffic. We had just emerged from the Second World War, after which I suppose
-
Date
Day care
AS a result of David Cameron’s harsh cuts, I am being charged for day care placements. Durham County Council carried out assessments and mine was set at £30 a week. I have received two bills of £121 which, despite not attending my day place until
-
Date
Caught in a cleft stick
HEALTH and safety is one of the great bugbears of our time, and Durham County Council must feel it cannot win. It is auditing the play areas under its control and equipment which does not come up to modern standards is to be removed. This has left
-
Date
Has the fat lady sung?
As Teesside’s Amelia Lily tunes up for the X Factor final, Steve Pratt considers whether such shows, which have been around since the Fifties, still have the talent to amuse. SU POLLARD hoped to wow the audience and find fame singing I’m Just A Girl
-
Date
Darlington Christmas Spectacular cancelled
HIGH winds have forced a four-day market event in Darlington to be cancelled. The Christmas Spectacular Event in Darlington town centre which features market stalls, entertainment, and mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, was planned to take place from
-
Date
Durham gallery plans back on drawing board
ARTS fans planning a £750,000 cultural hub are going back to the drawing board, after missing out on their first choice building. A group led by Durham resident David Mitchell filed a bid to buy a three-storey building on Old Elvet, in Durham city centre
-
Date
Determined Wright is out to honour mentor Robinson
NIGEL Wright is hoping to win a British title in honour of well-known Hartlepool boxing promoter Gus Robinson, who died last month. Wright, who was born in Crook but has spent most of his career training in Hartlepool, takes on reigning British
-
Date
Falcons’ focus is on Wilkinson
ALL eyes will be trained on Jonny Wilkinson tomorrow night as the former Newcastle Falcon makes an eagerly-awaited return to Kingston Park, and Alan Tait is happy to see the World Cup winner hogging the limelight. Wilkinson has been named
-
Date
Pearce backing for crocked Taylor
AS Steven Taylor began his recovery from an operation to repair a ruptured Achilles, the Newcastle United defender has been given a lift in spirits after encouraging words from the England camp. Taylor was in outstanding form for the Magpies
-
Date
Hero worship of Hurley lays O'Neill foundations
IT was an occasion inside the Riverview Suite with a sense of emotion. Presented in front of the media was a boyhood Sunderland supporter being paraded as the club's new manager - already safe in the knowledge he has the fans on his side.
-
Date
X Factor's Amelia Lily returns to her old school
THE youngest ever British X Factor finalist has returned to her old school this morning. The visit was part of her whistle-stop tour of the North-East to drum up support before the winner is crowned at the weekend. Amelia Lily, 17, from
-
Date
Specsavers Rally at Croft postponed til New Year
THE annual Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally, held at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, has had to be delayed by a week. Organisers, the Northallerton Automobile Club Ltd, say due to circumstances beyond their control, it will now take place
-
Date
England job is not for O’Neill
MARTIN O’Neill insists he has no regrets about giving up the chance to be England’s next manager in order to take over at the Stadium of Light. With Fabio Capello set to stand down from his position at the end of next summer’s European Championships
-
Date
O'Neill finally arrives home
MARTIN O’Neill made his first public appearance as Sunderland manager yesterday, and immediately admitted he thought his chance of managing the club he idolised as a boy had gone. Having taken charge of his first training session at the Academy
-
Date
Gang of 30 leaves car driver terrified
A LONE female driver was left terrified after a gang of up to 30 thugs jumped her car, subjecting her to a torrent of abuse and threats. The hoodlums, all believed to be aged about 20, jumped out of the darkness to surround the woman’s car as
-
Date
"No option but to close arts centre"
A COMMUNITY’S business plan to take over a closure-threatened arts centre would have resulted in a “bleak situation” within a year, council bosses have said. Darlington Borough Council said it has no option but to press ahead with the
-
Date
Phone thieves demanded money
THIEVES who stole a mobile phone used it to post messages on the victim’s Facebook page and then tried to extort money from her are being hunted by the police. Police have condemned the actions and are appealing for information from the public
-
Date
Police hit back over funding black hole
NORTH Yorkshire Police hit back yesterday after a report warned it had made little more than half of the cuts required after savage funding review. A study by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found that the force will have to
-
Date
Speed donations go to Sir Bobby's cancer fund
MONEY donated in memory of former Newcastle United footballer Gary Speed will go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, it was announced yesterday. The Wales manager was found hanged at his Cheshire home just over a week ago. His funeral is on Friday
-
Date
Playtime's over - anger as play equipment removed due to health and safety rules
WHERE once there were swings, a see-saw, slides and the sound of children’s laughter, now all that remains of a popular playground is a tiredlooking spring-mounted toy bike. Soon, even that will be gone – the victim of a council health and
-
Date
Businessman who hanged himself was depressed
ONE of the region’s best loved and most successful businessmen took his own life, a coroner found yesterday. Gus Robinson MBE, a 62- year-old father and grandfather who employed 150 people in his home town of Hartlepool, was probably suffering
-
Date
Little Mix are a big hit at the seaside
X FACTOR mania rolled into the North-East last night when finalists Little Mix performed in front of about 2,000 fans. The girl group took to the stage in the Temple Park Centre, South Shields, for a concert and were joined by their mentor, Tulisa
-
Date
Laundry firm job cuts "a devastating blow"
A TEXTILE rental factory’s decision to transfer part of its operation to Cumbria has resulted in 85 job losses in the North-East. The Sunlight Service Group, which provides linen to hotels and the NHS from two separate operations based on the
-
Date
Hospital changes after death of patient
ONE of the region’s hospitals has changed its policy after accepting its mistake may have contributed to the death of a patient. An inquest heard that Hartlepool man Brian Steels was taken to hospital in Stockton after falling off a ladder and
-
Date
Match Report: Kettering Town 0 Darlington 0
THERE was no lack of effort, but a lack of goals cost Darlington last night as they were held to a second successive scoreless draw, this time at crisis club Kettering Town. A number of players have departed both clubs in recent weeks due
-
Date
High-speed rail decision held off amid rumours
A DECISION on the proposed high-speed rail line to the North has been delayed – but ministers refused to confirm it was to allow a £500m tunnel to be drilled, heading off a Cabinet revolt. The one-month hold-up will allow Transport Secretary
-
Date
Ex-trade union official accuses bosses of fraud
A FORMER trade union official who is claiming constructive dismissal against his movement has accused his bosses of condoning widespread corruption and fraud within the organisation. David Short told an industrial tribunal hearing that socalled
-
Date
Hodcroft starts his manager search
KEN Hodcroft, the Hartlepool United chairman, will address club shareholders this morning as he starts the search for a new manager. Pools yesterday sacked Mick Wadsworth from his post as head coach. He signed a new contract in the summer and
-
Date
Wadsworth was Pools reluctant boss
MICK Wadsworth was always the reluctant manager. When the first-team coach replaced Chris Turner, in August 2010, fronting up Hartlepool United was the last thing he wanted. "There are so many issues with taking a manager's job," he insisted
-
Date
New striker for RCA
Sunderland RCA include a new striker in their squad when they go to Bedlington tonight. Manager Neil Hixon has signed striker Glenn Robson from Newton Aycliffe, as Mark Davison is missing because of an ankle injury. Defender Carl Beasley
-
Date
1880: Strange case of suicide at Whitby
IN today's Echo Memories, I've got the conclusion of the story of John Waller, the pioneering photographer who sadly committed suicide on New Year's Day, 1880. He'd had enough of struggling against the lung complaint brought on by years of breathing in
-
Date
More jobs at risk as council budget cuts take hold
THE spending squeeze on local councils is likely to continue for years – putting thousands more jobs at risk, a new report warns today. Nationally, despite 145,000 redundancies in the past year, the impact of council cutbacks has only just begun
-
Date
Fundraiser in the pink
A CHARITY fundraiser hoping to raise £5,000 for Cancer Research UK has convinced her haulage firm bosses to use a pink delivery lorry. Katie Davison, of Katem Logistics, Spennymoor, County Durham, acted after her aunt, Angela Welsh, was diagnosed
