Archive
-
Date
Middleham trainer's daughter dies at 24
A RACING community is in mourning following the sudden death of an assistant trainer who was found unconscious after feeling unwell. Jessica Bethell, 24, who was assistant to her father, James Bethell, at the family- run yard in Coverham, near
-
Date
Bishops miss chance to go fourth
Bishop Auckland missed a chance to go fourth in the EBAC Northern League when they were beaten 4-1 at home by Whitley Bay last night. Whitley took the lead when Steve Salvin slipped, allowing Denver Morris to run through and set up Ashley Davis
-
Date
Should be quoit a night…
Saturday 6th October is ‘Cockfield Kings Head Quoits Team’ presentation night. Although the team didn’t exactly set the ‘A’ division alight, we did manage to avoid relegation… by one point! To be fair, with a depleted squad, it wasn’t a bad
-
Date
Mowbray brings in Williams for Boro
TONY MOWBRAY has opted against naming Scott McDonald in his 18-man match day squad to face Derby County tonight. Despite clear-the-air talks between the pair earlier this week and McDonald's return to the first team fold, the Australian has not
-
Date
Anger over Sir Jimmy abuse claims leads to North Yorkshire memorial being vandalised
ANGER over Sir Jimmy Savile's alleged sex abuse, as more women make claims they were victims over many years, has led to a memorial in North Yorkshire being attacked and fears of further reprisals. A historic rape allegation made against the late
-
Date
Rare orchid flowers after ten years
AN EXOTIC orchid housed at a North-East college has started to flower fully for the first time in a decade. The Stanhopea tigrina, named after the Earl of Stanhope – former President of the Medico-Botanical Society, is native to South America.
-
Date
Police find burned-out car in hunt for Newton Aycliffe area armed robbers
DETECTIVES investigating an armed robbery in which a masked gang stole thousands of pounds from a County Durham family have recovered a vehicle believed to have been used in the raid. Four knife-wielding men made off with more than £6,000 after
-
Date
Police hunt motorist who fled accident scene
POLICE are hunting a motorist who failed to stop after an accident in Darlington. The driver was travelling in a car which collided with a silver Renault Megane on the North Road and Thompson Street East junction around 9.30pm on Sunday, September
-
Date
Dyslexia charity to hold fundraiser
A DARLINGTON dyslexia charity is holding a fundraiser to raise awareness of the learning disability. Dyslexia Action, in Woodland Road, Darlington, will host a coffee morning on Saturday, October 13, for parents and carers to find out more about
-
Date
A win-win printing partnership
AN ambitious company has launched a training division to offer students hands-on experience while helping to reduce printing costs for educational organisations. Newton Aycliffe-based Schoolprint, part of the Splash Print Management group, offers
-
Date
Police hunt 20 year old on prison licence
POLICE are hunting a man wanted for recall to prison. Joshua Lee Sargent, 20, was released from prison on Friday, September 14, but breached the terms of his licence by not living at a specified address. He was jailed for three years in April
-
Date
A tip from the top
A CHURCHMAN has launched a book to help fellow clergymen cope with an ever-increasing workload. The Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Cherry, a residentiary canon at Durham Cathedral, said his book, Beyond Business, is packed with time management tips
-
Date
Jobs initiative is right on course to hit target
EMPLOYERS have been praised for embracing the chance to reduce youth unemployment which has blighted the North- East. Foundation for Jobs is on course to hit its targets in creating jobs for young people and inspiring the workforce of tomorrow
-
Date
Hospital failed to follow rules
HOSPITAL staff have admitted that national guidelines issued to prevent an outbreak of a potentially-fatal disease at one of the region’s largest hospitals were not followed. The guidelines, put into place to protect patients from the C-Diff (clostridium
-
Date
Man in court over steak knife stabbing
A MAN accused of stabbing his girlfriend’s stepfather through the heart with a steak knife has gone on trial charged with murder. Nicolas Warrender, 23, is alleged to have attacked 53-yearold Kevin Gaunt on the doorstep of his home in Avenue Vivian
-
Date
Making own decisions is positive experience
JUST over a year ago, in July 2011, we made a significant leap as Hummersknott School and Language College and became Hummersknott Academy. Reflecting on the past year or so, I have only one regret – that we did not do it sooner. Academies
-
Date
Stepping up to follow father's example
THE son of a North-East miners’ leader who died recently is bidding to launch his political career. Stephen Guy’s father David had been president of the Durham Miners’ Association for 27 years when he died of cancer in July, aged 66. Now Mr
-
Date
Being a small part of such an event made me sing out loud
IT is always nice when something you are dreading is not so bad after all. And when that something is actually highly enjoyable, it is one of the best feelings ever. This sums up my experience at the first rehearsal of the Lindisfarne Gospels Community
-
Date
Transplant swimmer hopes firms will splash the cash
A SWIMMER who had a kidney transplant more than 25 years ago is appealing for sponsors to help her represent her country for the eighth time. Denise Baker, 53, from Darlington, has won more than 50 medals at the British Transplant Games and the
-
Date
Dracula back from the dead at Life...and in 4D
A 4D cinema experience was launched yesterday at a North-East visitor attraction. There were screams all round when schoolchildren from the region came faceto- face with Dracula as the Life Science Centre, in Newcastle, launched its latest ride
-
Date
Fears for 200 North-East drinks jobs
WAVERLEY TBS Limited, one of the UK's largest wholesalers and distributors of alcoholic and soft drinks, has gone into administration, putting 200 North-East jobs at risk. Daniel Butters and William Dawson, partners at Deloitte, have been appointed
-
Date
Harnessing work in an imperfect storm
A STORM is brewing in the offshore energy industry. UK waters have the highest concentration of wind turbines anywhere in the world. Of the 211 built in Europe during the first half of this year, 158 were installed off the UK coast. But only
-
Date
Heritage railway reveals £250,000 plan to extend line
A HERITAGE railway has launched a £250,000 campaign to extend its line and build a new station. The Wensleydale Railway has already begun work to upgrade the track between Leeming Bar and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire, to make it suitable for
-
Date
Theatre Review: Northern Sinfonia, Chamber Music, The Sage, Gateshead
FOLLOWING a concert featuring the first symphonies of Brahms and Schumann, Northern Sinfonia presented chamber music reflecting a more intimate side of the composers. Performing to a capacity audience in The Sage’s Hall Two, Kyra Humphreys introduced
-
Date
Theatre Review: Jesus Chris Superstar, Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
JUST when it seemed the last Hosanna might have sounded for the stage version of this much-revived 1970s musical, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber have come up with a 21st Century version which rocks us from Passion to Crucifixion. Director Laurence
-
Date
Head of imaging firm to address Oktoberfest
THE head of a successful imaging firm will talk about the region’s engineering heritage and the need to encourage businesses to set up here at the North-East’s biggest engineering and manufacturing exhibition. Dr Arnab Basu, chief executive of
-
Date
Merger leads to energy markets
A RENEWABLE energy entrepreneur is exploring new markets following a company merger. Helios Eco Solutions, which was set up by Gerard Harrison with help from Newcastle Science City two years ago, is now trading under the name Rosedale Utilities
-
Date
The Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story (BBC4, 9pm)
OLIVER LANSLEY does an uncanny impression of late DJ and comic Kenny Everett. So much so that Everett’s former wife, Lee Middleton, said: “It’s as if Ev’s come back from the dead”. Lansley was the last person to be auditioned to play Everett in
-
Date
Steelmaker’s loan to build factory
STEELMAKER Tata Steel has arranged a £3.7bn loan from a banking consortium to fund construction of a factory in eastern India. In August, Tata Steel announced an 89 per cent slump in first-quarter net profit from a year earlier, due to falling
-
Date
Working non-stop to repair water damage
LAST week’s floods have left a legacy of chaos, distruption and misery as the clean-up operation and repairs continue. In North Yorkshire, 21 roads, many involving bridges, are still closed although engineers have worked round the clock for seven
-
Date
Sporting students gain inspiration from Paralympic star
SPORTY students at a North-East school were left inspired after a talk from a Paralympic star. Three-times gold medallist Stephen Miller, who also competed at this year’s Paralympic Games in the club throw, gave a talk to about 50 year ten pupils
-
Date
Call centre recruiting for Christmas rush
CALL centre operater Spark Response has launched a recruitment drive for 170 temporary staff to help manage the Christmas rush. With clients, including retailers such as Toys R Us, who see a significant hike in demand in the coming months, Spark needs
-
Date
Green light for green industries
THE lack of a coherent Government policy on "green" industries is thwarting the creation of thousands of jobs in the Tees Valley, writes Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North. Our industrialists are committed, they have investors who believe
-
Date
Knights tribute picture to raise funds for needy
ARTIST Mackenzie Thorpe has donated a limited edition print to charity that celebrates the working men who made Teesside a major industrial force. The Middlesbrough-born artist has released the print called Knights to raise funds for the Middlesbrough
-
Date
New unit 'improves' stroke treatment
HEALTH officials have released figures which show a controversial new centralised stroke treatment unit has improved the treatment of acute patients. Since the new centralised unit was set up at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham
-
Date
Warning after pet Jack Russell savaged to death
AN elderly man whose Jack Russell was savaged by another dog has warned other owners to be on the lookout. Roland Metcalfe, 84, was walking seven-year-old Tiny on wasteland near Wesley Court, off Yarm Road, Darlington, on Thursday morning, when
-
Date
Thousands will save more as auto enrolment starts
NEW workplace pensions designed to help people who are not voluntarily saving for retirement take effect in October, writes Harry O'Connor, Wealth Management Consultant, Pearson Jones Plc in Bishop Auckland. From October 1, business owners, starting
-
Date
Forest setting for music festival
A CHARITY which aims to promote the great outdoors to children and young adults is hoping to strike the right note with music fans. WoodNRock Fest 2012 has been organised by Wood- NWheels, an organisation based in Hamsterley Forest which offers
-
Date
‘I was addicted to painkillers’
ASKED to conjure up an image of a drug addict, most people would picture a stereotypical junkie – unkempt, down and out, with needle marks puncturing their arms. Cathryn Kemp couldn’t be further from that. At 41, she’s smart, attractive, middle-class
-
Date
IN SEARCH OF AGATHA
TESTIMONY Films is producing a new documentary for ITV1 with David Suchet, better known as TVs Poirot, exploring and celebrating the life and work of best-selling author Agatha Christie. We are looking for people with firsthand knowledge of Christie
-
Date
BEES
REGARDING the argument over bees on allotments in Hurworth (HAS, Sept 29). At some point the vice chairman of Hurworth Parish Council asked the opinion of the recently retired Director of Development and Environment for Darlington Borough Council
-
Date
FLOODS
THE Northern Echo asks why couldn’t the A1 cope with the recent downpours (Echo, Sept 27). Reporter Stuart Arnold suggested that the cancellation of the Leeming to Barton upgrade was something to do with it. The cancellation of the upgrade had
-
Date
CUT OVERSEAS AID
HOW much more misery are we going to be subjected to by this insipid bunch who call themselves the Government? While our economy sinks further into an abyss, we are still handing out billions in foreign aid to countries, like India, whose economies
-
Date
APPRECIATION
IN this time of cost cutting and general despondency at austerity measures, it is nice to know that when an urgent request goes to Durham County Council on a potential highways safety issue that officers respond promptly. They erected a traffic
-
Date
BANKERS
HSBC is planning to close its branch in Shildon (Echo, 27 September). Instead of campaigning to keep the branch open, why not bid good riddance to the big banks and instead try to persuade one of the more customer-focused banks to open a branch
-
Date
Making own decisions is positive experience
Pat Howarth, principal of Darlingtons Hummersknott Academy, reflects on the benefits of being more independent of local authority control for over a year and comes to an overwhelmingly positive conclusion. Just over a year ago in June 2011, we
-
Date
ABU HAMZA
I JOIN others who are frustrated at the extradition saga of radical cleric Abu Hamza. Hamza’s extradition to the US has been put on hold pending a further hearing this week (Echo, Oct 1). Surely the charges against him could have been dealt
-
Date
IMPORT EXPORT
IT was heartening to read Lauren Pyrah’s exclusive report that the County Durham manufacturing firm Ebac is hoping to start making washing machines (Echo, Sept 26). However, I was shocked to read that, at present, all our washing machines are imported
-
Date
In Europe and ruled by Europe
VERY good of him, I’m sure. David Cameron has at last promised, or at any rate hinted, that he might allow the public its say on Britain’s continued membership of the European Union. Or has he? Let’s examine his words, uttered not to the British
-
Date
Ever wondered what it's like to be a...voiceover artist
EMMA Hignett's voice is hard to avoid. Her announcements on London's buses make sure the capital's six million commuters and tourists don't miss their stops. For several years she was the voice of Sensodyne toothpaste's TV advertisements.
-
Date
Cheesemakers proud as peacocks
A COUPLE who set up a family cheese-making business to secure the future of their dairy farm have won an industry award. Carol and Neil Peacock, of Parlour Made Artisan Cheese, in Mordon, near Sedgefield, County Durham, received a bronze medal
-
Date
York nursery staff arrested following death of three-year-old girl
TWO staff members from a North Yorkshire nursery where a three-year-old girl died after she became entangled in playground equipment have been arrested, police confirmed. North Yorkshire Police said detectives investigating the death of Lydia Bishop
-
Date
Hitting the right notes
NOT a geek, not a nerd, not a wonk. No longer Red Ed. No more the baffling talk of producers, predators and predistribution. Gone was the awkwardness, the gawkiness, the nasal whine. Gone even that strange white badger streak in his black hair
-
Date
Guilty pleas over furnace tragedy
TWO firms have admitted breaching health and safety rules four years after a fatherof- two was killed in a steel plant when a falling metal bar hit his head. Bricklayer Kristian Norris, 29, of Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, died on April 12, 2008
-
Date
A leader emerges
AT the end of last week, The Northern Echo asked the question: Where has Ed Miliband been while the Coalition has been busily shooting itself in the foot? Now we know – he’s been practising his leader’s speech to the point at which he may finally
-
Date
Extreme anglers at 600ft
HOVERING over the edge of a steep cliff with only a rope and a pair of stout boots for safety, this looks more like a mountaineering expedition than a fishing trip. But the North-East coast has become a favourite spot for Britain’s bravest anglers
-
Date
Committee member argues for rates rise
THE North East Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has delivered a majority decision not to change the interest rate and hold further quantitative easing, ahead of the Bank of England's announcement on Thursday. However, one member, Michael
-
Date
Marina body: death 'not suspicious'
THE death of a man whose body was found in Hartlepool Marina is not being treated as suspicious, police said last night. The body was found by a fisherman in the water beside boats at the weekend and a post-mortem examination has been carried out
-
Date
Promise of local jobs for village development
A NORTH-EAST businessman is determined to employ as many local workers as possible if a major retirement village gets the go ahead. Javed Majid has announced that his company Maher Developments has submitted an outline planning application for
-
Date
Firm makes a splash with £5m Olympic legacy deal
A North-East company behind the Tees Barrage white water centre has won a £5m contract to inspire future generations of Olympic athletes. Patrick Parsons Consulting Engineers is about to start work on the Lee Valley site where Team GB enjoyed one
-
Date
Beatlemania - in the kitchen
It's not easy being an editor. Sometimes you end up doing the strangest of things. Like this morning for example, when I had to perform a Beatles hit in front of workmen in our kitchen. You see, we're having a new kitchen fitted over the
-
Date
Welcome to the subsea capital of the world
TEES Valley is fast becoming the global capital for subsea innovation. Darlington may be about 25 miles from the coast but it has a cluster of firms, such as Modus Seabed Intervention and DeepOcean Group, formerly known as CTC Marine, capable of
-
Date
Inquest opens into nursery slide death
A CORONER has said the full inquest into the death of a three-year-old girl will have to wait until a lengthy investigation by police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is complete. The inquest in York was told Lydia Bishop died after being
-
Date
Bannatyne on the mend after heart scare
DRAGON’S Den star Duncan Bannatyne has been discharged from hospital following a heart attack scare. The entrepreneur was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital on Monday morning with chest pains, but was allowed home yesterday after undergoing
-
Date
Murder trial told of man's injuries
A PATHOLOGIST has told a murder trial jury that a man killed in his home suffered at least three blows to his head, as well as one which broke a rib. Dr Mark Egan said victim Jonathan Gilbert died of a subdural haemorrhage – a bleeding to the brain
-
Date
You'd be a fool to miss the Captain's performance
IT’S curtains up for the cast of one of the region’s pantomimes. The star of the show in Middlesbrough Theatre’s production of Peter Pan will be John Challis, who played Boycie in TV show Only Fools and Horses. He will perform alongside established
-
Date
Former ICI building gets the chop
THE demolition of a building which once represented the North- East’s industrial dominance finally started yesterday. The ruined shell of Billingham House, in Billingham, near Stockton, once the headquarters of ICI’s agricultural division, has
-
Date
Unbeaten Poulter showed spirit of Seve – Olazabal
EUROPE’S Ryder Cup-winning captain Jose Maria Olazabal compared the performance of Ian Poulter at Medinah to that of his late countryman Seve Ballesteros. Olazabal led Europe to a remarkable comeback from 10-4 down to beat the United States on
-
Date
170 Christmas staff needed at North-East call centre
CALL centre operater Spark Response has launched a recruitment drive for 170 temporary staff to help manage the pre Christmas rush. With clients including Toys R Us, Soap and Glory, FitFlop, Micro Scooters and Well Mount who see a significant hike
-
Date
Boost for graduates
BUSINESSES can benefit from an innovative partnership between Teesside University and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to create new opportunities for graduates. A subsidy is on offer for businesses which employ a graduate through the programme,
-
Date
Cats have a point to prove at the Etihad - Rose
HE might not have been at the club last season, but Sunderland defender Danny Rose admits Martin O'Neill's men have a point to prove when they go to Manchester City on Saturday. The Black Cats came agonisingly close to springing a surprise on the
-
Date
Bigirimana is living the dream
GAEL BIGIRIMANA'S career at Newcastle is only a few months old, but already the teenager is earning himself a big reputation on Tyneside. The 18-year-old was part of manager Alan Pardew's summer recruitment drive, which was focused on bringing
-
Date
McDonald set for surprise return
FORGOTTEN man Scott McDonald is set to make a surprise return to the Middlesbrough squad for tonight's game against Derby County. McDonald hasn't featured for Boro at all this season, but after holding talks with Boro boss Tony Mowbray on Tuesday
-
Date
Plunkett hopes to get back in England contention
YORKSHIRE yesterday confirmed the signing of Liam Plunkett, who hopes the move will rekindle his England career. With a year left on his contract, Durham will be happy to offload Plunkett from their wage bill as he has been unable to respond to
-
Date
Major blaze at disused chapel near Middleton-in-Teesdale
Five fire crews were called to tackle a major blaze at a chapel in Teesdale, County Durham. A report of a building on fire was received at 5am this morning near Selset quarry on the B6276 Middleton-in-Teesdale to Brough road. Initial
-
Date
Wensleydale Railway reveals £250,000 plan to extend line
A HERITAGE railway has launched a £250,000 campaign to extend its line and build a new station. The Wensleydale Railway has already begun work to upgrade the track between Leeming Bar and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire, to make it suitable for
-
Date
James Cook University Hospital did not follow national guidelines, inquest hears
HOSPITAL staff have admitted that national guidelines issued to prevent an outbreak of a potentially-fatal disease at one of the region’s largest hospitals were not followed. The guidelines, put into place to protect patients from the C-Diff (clostridium
-
Date
Easington Colliery lad is 'luckiest teenager alive'
A TEENAGER with no history of ill health who collapsed after suffering a heart attack was saved by the quick thinking and actions of his family, neighbours and the emergency services. Emmerson Hird last night said he was “the luckiest teenager
-
Date
Action needed to stop Darlington Civic Theatre going into decline
EXPERTS have warned that one of the region’s oldest theatres is in need of major refurbishment if it is to compete with other venues in the coming years. Often described as the “jewel in the crown” of Darlington, the town’s Civic Theatre was saved
-
Date
Mackenzie Thorpe donates print of the men that made Teesside an industrial force
ARTIST Mackenzie Thorpe has donated a limited edition print to charity that celebrates the working men who made Teesside a major industrial force. The Middlesbrough-born artist has released the print called Knights to raise funds for the Middlesbrough
-
Date
Grandfather's praise for emergency services following Barnard Castle crash
THE grandfather of two children critically injured in a head-on crash paid tribute last night to the emergency services which saved their lives. Ten-year-old Jack Handyside and his eight-year-old sister, Sophie, suffered severe head injuries and
-
Date
Wensleydale musical draws on Royal scandal from 64 years ago
EXTRACTS from “sensitive” letters between Prince Philip and an actress he is alleged to have had an affair with are to feature in a controversial musical opening tonight. The play, Pat Kirkwood is Angry, dramatises the life of the stage and
-
Date
Being a small part of something so big made my heart sing
To mark the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to their spiritual home in Durham Cathedral, members of the public have been invited to join a community choir and perform at a concert on Palace Green in July. Lizzie Anderson joins the ranks. IT
-
Date
East Rainton man's trial for stabbing girlfriend's stepfather begins
A MAN accused of stabbing his girlfriend’s stepfather through the heart with a steak knife has gone on trial charged with murder. Nicolas Warrender, 23, is alleged to have attacked 53-yearold Kevin Gaunt on the doorstep of his home in Avenue Vivian
-
Date
Working flat out across County Durham and North Yorkshire after floods
LAST week’s floods have left a legacy of chaos, distruption and misery as the clean-up operation and repairs continue. In North Yorkshire, 21 roads, many involving bridges, are still closed although engineers have worked round the clock for seven
-
Date
Durham County Council picks 'local' firms for bus services
THE North-East’s largest council has snubbed transport’s major names in favour of smaller, local firms in awarding bus contracts worth more than £3m. Durham County Council has completed a retendering process covering £3.3m-worth of subsidised bus
