Archive

  • Foot-and-mouth: School buses shun farm tracks

    THE outbreaks of foot-and-mouth in County Durham have had widespread effects. Although all school transport - buses and taxis - will operate as normal, they will no longer travel down farm tracks. And the county council says parents of pupils who live

  • Tributes to officer Ken, a man of many badges

    A FORMER detective who helped raise more than £500,000 for charity has died at the age of 56. Even as he lay ill in Hartlepool General Hospital, Ken Rowland managed to fund a vital piece of equipment that the hospital needed. The retired detective constable

  • Groups tap in to computer awards

    SCORES of community groups across the North-East are linking up to the web, thanks to a new awards scheme. BT Community Connections has given Internet ready computers to 28 groups in the region. Hundreds of entrants competed for the chance to win a computer

  • Attacker hunt is stepped up

    A PICTURE has been released of the man police want to talk to in relation to a brutal attack on a woman. Last week, The Northern Echo reported how 34-year-old Tracey Todd had declared she would never leave her house again after she was attacked for the

  • Please sir, I want more

    WHILE most people recoil at the memory of school dinners, those wanting to relive the days of mince and dumplings have a treat in store. Bosses at the Uplands Hotel, in Crook, will be throwing the traditional menu out on March 15. It will be replaced

  • Spennymoor Sunday League

    Spennymoor Sunday League CHAMPIONSHIP favourites Newton Aycliffe were pushed to the limit by a strong Browney performance on Sunday. Browney raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from strikers Ian Ambrosini and Shay Richardson. Jason Wing pulled a goal

  • Swimming News

    Hartlepool's Brenda Bland flies to Australia tomorrow (Sat) to replace the team manager, who returning home, of a British swimming squad which is currently training on the Gold Coast, writes ERIC WILKINSON. One of the squad, who have already been there

  • Road show aims to save energy

    ENERGY-conscious people in north Durham can pick up advice at a road show next week. Derwentside District Council's Energy Efficiency Advice Roadshow goes to Consett on Friday. The road show aims to give energy-saving tips to residents and introduce them

  • Ten-year plan for city's fresh face

    COMMUNITY leaders yesterday unveiled ambitious plans aimed at transforming the future prospects of Sunderland city centre. More than £200m worth of development is nearly ready and the Fresh Thinking Strategy outlined at the city's Stadium of Light previews

  • Parking plea for memorial

    THE British Legion has been consulted over additional car parking around the war memorial at Darlington Memorial hospital. South Durham NHS trust wants to create 57 more spaces to help ease congestion. The plan includes the area around the obelisk. Mr

  • Authority under fire over complaint

    THE Health Service Ombudsman has criticised a North-East health authority for failing to adequately investigate a complaint about a nursing home. The unidentified woman, known as Mrs X, complained about the quality of care at a private Tyneside nursing

  • Share your news

    IF YOU would like to contact Northern Echo and Clarion reporter Lucia Charnock, telephone (01642)480397, fax (01642) 498910, or e-mail redcar_editorialndon antheir case for keeping the coil plate mill open. The move will save 124 jobs and retain a fully

  • Students plan tall ships adventure

    A LIFE on the ocean wave awaits ten students from Richmond School who have been chosen to take part in the Cutty Sark tall ships race this summer. Along with two teachers, they will sail 850 miles in the restored 80-year-old trawler Excelsior from Antwerp

  • Wearside League

    Wolviston believe they have carved a niche in the league's record books by scoring the fastest league goal when they hit the target after 17 seconds at Cleadon SC last Saturday. "It was incredible. I've never seen anything like it," said Wolviston secretary

  • Spennithorne hold top team Hawes

    Wensleydale Creamery League HAWES United had their lead at the top cut to only two points on Saturday when they were held 1-1 draw at Spennithorne. There was little between the two sides, until the leaders took the lead through Stuart Dinsdale eight minutes

  • Survey reveals teenagers are tobacco targets

    ALMOST a third of North-East schoolchildren who took part in a new charity survey have admitted that they have received free gifts from tobacco companies, triggering calls for tougher action against the industry. According to the Cancer Research Campaign

  • Day nursery appeals as council prefers industry

    A FINAL decision on whether a children's day nursery can be built on an industrial estate at Northallerton will rest with a government planning inspector. Kids Care, which says its proposal will create 15 full-time jobs and accommodate 70 children, has

  • Teamwork praised by Ofsted inspectors

    TRUE teamwork and quality teaching have led to a resounding Ofsted success for a Stockton school. Inspectors described Fairfield Infant and Nursery School, Glenfield Road, Stockton as "a very effective school with many strengths and very few weaknesses

  • Darlington team come out on top

    DARLINGTON and District Riding Club's show jumping team went on to victory in a closely-fought competition at a recent Area 2 winter league series event, writes Mark Simpson. Nineteen teams of four competed in the event, which was held at Holmside Park

  • Pupils to pilot free fruit in schools scheme

    YOUNGSTERS at 25 schools across Teesside have been chosen to pilot a Government scheme introducing them to healthy eating. The children, aged between four and six, will each be given a piece of fruit every school day for the next six weeks as part of

  • Parachutist raises £200

    A DAREDEVIL raised £200 for charity in a parachute jump he won in a raffle. Andrew Pickersgill, of Byerley Park, Newton Aycliffe, made the leap on Sunday. The parachuting voucher, given by Ian Rosening, of Peterlee Parachute Centre, was a prize in the

  • Katie's fund work starts

    FURTHER research into a children's cancer is to be carried out in the region, thanks to a charity set up in memory of a Redcar schoolgirl. Katie Neal was six years old when she died as a result of a medulloblastoma tumour, in March 1999. Just two months

  • Rover returns to England rugby duty

    CLIFF Harrison was just 19 when he made his England rugby debut, carried shoulder high from the pitch despite the 6-5 defeat against the Irish. "There were no two opinions regarding the star player of the match, Harrison the Hartlepool Rovers winger,"

  • Old building in line for new role as antiques outlet

    A LOCAL businessman intends to turn a prominent village building into an antiques centre if he is granted planning permission. Mr Brent Stephenson, who owns the listed Central Buildings in Staindrop, has applied to Teesdale District Council to open the

  • Consett & Stanley - Local MP mourns her mother

    LOCAL Government minister Hilary Armstrong and her brother John are mourning the death of their mother Hannah who died peacefully on Sat-urday at the age of 90. Sunderland-born Mrs Arm-strong had supported her late husband Ernest throughout a long and

  • Survivor's tale of rail crash escape

    AN Aiskew man who survived the Selby rail disaster had originally planned to drive to London on Toc H business. When he saw the heavy snow early on Wednesday morning, however, 42-year-old Mr John Dunwell thought it would be safer to catch the 5.59 GNER

  • Prices from last week's markets

    LEYBURN. - Last Fri. Fwd: 64 calves, 4 dairy and breeding cattle and 321 store cattle. Calves: Lim bulls to £180 av £99; hfrs to £55 av £28; BB bulls to £160 av £127; hfrs to £85 av £48; Simm bulls to £138 av £118; hfrs to £70 av £40; Fries bulls to £84

  • A perfect end to a perfect day

    WE knew before we looked out of the window on Wednesday morning that it had carried on snowing all night. Something about the quality of the light and the sound of silence. It was a perfect snowy day. Thick white snow deep and crisp underfoot, heavy and

  • Training is key to future

    THE North-East Chamber of Commerce has added its support to beleaguered Corus workers and to regeneration plans for Teesside. The chamber, which has 5,000 members, said education and training for the young was key to regenerating the area. President Nigel

  • Spectator's Notes: Our national parks as farm-less wonders

    NICK Brown, the hard-pressed Agriculture Minister, is an honourable man who has, arguably, had the most difficult ministerial portfolio to deal with. The present foot-and-mouth crisis is just one of a number he has had to deal with. Initial misgivings

  • Hathaway Auckland and District League

    Hathaway Auckland and District League Black and Decker moved up the table after winning the Spennymoor derby 3-2 against Quinns Inn. They led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Michael Quinn and Lee Thistlewaite. Just after half-time Martin Longthorne pulled

  • Still a question mark over hall revamp

    A QUESTION mark was this week hanging over a controversial scheme to revamp a village hall. The plans for the building at Liverton were approved by Redcar and Cleveland councillors after a site visit last week. But yesterday the scheme - which split the

  • Big change for little railway

    A REVAMP for Saltburn's miniature railway was being signalled yesterday. Redcar and Cleveland planning committee was being recommended to give the go-ahead to changes for the railway in the town's Valley Gardens. A facelift is needed to safeguard the

  • Grocer in court on pub brawl charges

    As metric martyr Steven Thoburn prepared to do battle for pounds and ounces yesterday, it was revealed he had been involved in a dispute of a different kind. The 36-year-old greengrocer arrived at Sunderland County Court to continue a test case about

  • Hair salon boss rejects pay claim

    HAIRDRESSING wars broke out when a salon's top stylist quit to set up her own business - and the ensuing battle ended up at an industrial tribunal for the second time in two months yesterday. Peter Moss, who runs The Hilary Hair, Beauty and Fashion Studio

  • Special day as Colin steps down

    A SCHOOL caretaker is making a clean sweep after 12 years as a special constable. Colin Swalwell always wanted to be a policeman and only realised his ambition at the age of 44. "I did go down once to the police station to join - but they were closed,

  • Getting stuck into book day

    BOOKWORMS got stuck into piles of pages during World Book Day yesterday. To mark the worldwide celebration of reading, staff at Chester-le-Street Library placed about 1,000 books in haphazard piles to encourage readers to throw caution to the wind. The

  • Pub regulars raising cash for play area

    DRINKERS are backing a school's efforts to raise money to build a playground. Cestria Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, needs to raise £15,000 for the project. Landlady Irene Boyers, who runs the town's Black Horse and Market Tavern pubs, has enlisted

  • Hurworth girls in golden form

    Kay Stephenson and Pippa Baker from Hurworth Kyosho Karate Club, both collected gold at the Northern Cross Open Karate competition in Leeds. The club's squad performed very well, and apart from the gold medal glory, they also won three silver and two

  • Tow Law Bass League

    Tow Law Bass League Leaders, Billy Row Club crashed to their first defeat of the season when they took a weakened team to Tow Law New Market A and only collected three points when Fred Cockburn, George Dodds and Geoff Pratt won their singles. The New

  • Tees crews shine on the Tyne

    TEES Rowing Club crews enjoyed more success recently at the Tyne Head of the River Race, a three-mile time trial from Newburn to Scotswood. The veteran E (over 55) four of Chris Kenyon, Alan Parsons, John Green, Philip Stephenson and cox Sarah Smith were

  • Letters: Don't be afraid of competition

    Sir, - Although I live in London, my parents live in Brompton-on-Swale and I read with interest an article in the Darlington & Stockton Times a week or so ago regarding the concerns of local publicans about the proposed J D Wetherspoon development

  • The Albany Northern League

    It was an eventful afternoon both on and off the pitch when Northallerton beat Shildon 3-0 last Saturday in a Division Two encounter. Marton match referee Steve McCarten alerted club officials before the game started that he was feeling unwell, and advised

  • West of Yore meeting falls victim to crisis

    THE foot-and-mouth crisis meant that last Sunday's West of Yore meeting was postponed and the current suspension of point to pointing means there will be no meetings this weekend. There was a strong and successful Yorkshire entry at the Brocklesby point

  • Investment in staff earns award

    A SPECIAL school is celebrating after winning an award for the quality of its staff training, development and teamwork. Elemore Hall School at Pittington is the first residential school in the region to be awarded the Investors in People status. This

  • Tim stays in tune with Sunderland

    THE lyricist Sir Tim Rice, whose improbable Sunderland allegiance we mentioned on Tuesday, owes it to prep school days in Harpenden, Herts. Everyone else, he explains, supported big clubs like Wolves, who had Billy Wright, and Bolton Wanderers and the

  • Badminton News

    A school from Stockton has said a big thank you to a car dealership for helping them out in their hour of need. Norton School play in the National Schools Association Badminton Finals next weekend but the squad needed transport for the long journey to

  • Chocolate, chocolate everywhere

    FACED with two of the screen's most beautiful actresses, the inclination is to just sit and stare. This, however, would be a dereliction of journalistic duty - and besides one of them is sitting next to her husband. The film is Chocolat, the screen version

  • Angling News

    The Angling scene has almost come to a standstill as anglers, farmers, country lovers and conservationists join forces to prevent the spread of foot and mouth, writes JEFF HERBERT. Most angling clubs have cancelled remaining match fixtures and closed

  • Amanda on top form at Holmside

    TWELVE hours of show jumping were enjoyed at Holmside Park, Edmondsley recently over excellent courses designed by Chris Jopling, writes Malcolm Bewsher. The 48-starter Scope Festival one-metre open qualifier was won by Amanda Cowan from Elwick on Dovecote

  • Darlington - Health care in spotlight

    WOMEN'S and children's health services in Bishop Auckland and Darlington will be checked out in an external review which will look for ways of giving them better treatment. Independent consultants are being brought in by the South Durham Healthcare NHS

  • Squash News

    A victory of 5-0 was overturned into a 4-1 defeat after Harrogate Squash mistakenly thought one of their teams had reached the finals of the Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire team championship. Harrogate registered a 5-0 win over Knaresborough in the B Plate

  • Marske hit by injuries

    MARSKE United's build up to the FA Vase quarter final tomorrow has been hampered by illness and injury. Neil Hodgson, Dave Markham, Darren Sankey and skipper Michael Kinnair are all facing a late fitness test, while Gary Knight and John Woods should have

  • Looking Back: Mr Atkinson comes a cropper

    FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - On Thursday the Hurworth Hounds met at Welbury, where there was a capital muster. A brace of foxes were soon raised and the hounds settled down to the scent of one which went at a rattling pace around Harlsey, where

  • Snowy debut for memorial sundial

    THE gnomon has returned to Spennithorne churchyard. No-one knew quite what happened to the last one, but without it, the sundial fulfilled no useful purpose. Mr Barry Mildren had often commented that it would be nice to see the sundial by the parish church

  • Tow Law Area League

    Tow Law Area League In the top of the table clash the leaders, Sunniside Moss Inn entertained second placed, Tow Law New Market B and went down in the decider to put three teams equal at the top. The singles were shared with Frank Jobling, John Neil and

  • All the fun of the fair for high performers

    CHILDREN from a city school didn't have to run away to join the circus - it came to them this week. Professor Fiddlesticks, alias John Cossham, visited Manor School, in York, to pass on a few tips in advance of a production of Barnum, which will be held

  • Security boss in court on murder charge

    THE head of a North-East security firm appeared in court yesterday charged with attempting to murder a former business partner. George Doneathy, 34, is accused of trying to kill Martin Manderville, 38, with a sawn-off shotgun. It is alleged that Mr Manderville

  • Flooded families still not home

    TWO families in Guisborough have still not returned to their homes, four months after they were flooded. At a meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council last week, Coun Valerie Halton said they were the forgotten victims of the flooding that devastated

  • Our clients are worse off than we are, says mart

    NORTHALLERTON auction mart, one of the busiest in North Yorkshire, stands deserted and silent. Nothing like it has been seen since the last devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth in 1967. At a typical Tuesday fatstock sale about 300 cattle, 1,500 lambs

  • Army to the rescue as meals get through

    THE Army came up trumps when deep snow threatened delivery of meals on wheels to dozens of elderly people in the Richmond area. WRVS volunteers, who deliver the meals, were unable to use their cars because of treacherous road conditions on Wednesday morning

  • Protestors force rethink on Victorian villa demolition

    PLANS to demolish a Victorian building in the West End of Darlington have been dropped after a public outcry warned that the area's architectural history was being lost. Local people, architects and conservation groups voiced concern over Darlington Building

  • Jail for pair who led £7m raid bid

    THE criminal masterminds behind an attempted £7m armed heist at a Securicor headquarters are beginning lengthy sentences behind bars today. Armed gang leaders Paul Gardner, 29, and Thomas Peacock, 34, stole a Hino six-wheel tipper lorry from Stockton,

  • Why hoarding pills is a prescription for trouble

    A HEALTH authority has issued a warning about hoarding potentially dangerous old medicines at home. Every year, children are poisoned after eating tablets or drinking medicine left lying around the house. County Durham and Darlington Health Authority

  • Basketball News

    Durham League Middlesbrough Mavericks completed a First Division double over neighbours University of Teesside, but only just, winning 80-77. University had the edge for three-quarters of the contest. Tunde Falade was back for his first game for some

  • Pub regulars celebrate their national Lottery win

    GLASSES were raised in celebration at a North-East village pub last night after a group of regulars' numbers came up in the National Lottery. The six-strong syndicate from the Joiners Arms, in Hunwick, near Crook, County Durham, were among the five jackpot

  • Bid to turn stream into wildlife haven

    A BIG improvement scheme is planned for a County Durham stream to enhance the habitat for plants and wildlife. Woodham Burn, which runs through the centre of Newton Aycliffe, is important for the rare wildlife it supports, including wild flowers, kingfishers

  • Consett & Stanley - MP to check claims over centre 'riots'

    LOCAL Government Minister Hilary Armstrong has promised to investigate allegations that young offenders are running riot at a North-East training centre. The move follows claims that up to three incidents a day are being reported at privately-run Hassockfield

  • Homes 'would stress local services'

    A PROPOSED estate on the edge of Leyburn would increase the town's housing provision by 12pc, placing stress on local services, a councillor has warned. Coun Terry Jones, who represents the town on Richmondshire District Council, told the planning committee

  • Activities will promote higher fitness levels

    SENIORS will be benefiting from the facilities at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington, with a range of activities to be held on Thursday mornings, to promote fitness. The scheme, which was thought up by games and PE teacher Mark Butler, will allow pupils

  • Teenage attacker has her sentence reduced

    A DRUNKEN teenage girl who launched an attack on an elderly woman on her doorstep has had her sentence cut on appeal. Kelly Sayers, 19, of Oak Avenue, South Shields, South Tyneside, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months when she appeared

  • Survivors tell of eerie silence after the horror

    A SENIOR North-East council official who survived the Great Heck rail tragedy, last night spoke of his sorrow for those who were not so fortunate. David Miller, Durham County Council's head of environment services, was travelling in Coach H of the London-bound

  • Biathlon: Rafferty boys lead the way

    A PAIR of talented brothers from Thirsk have got off to a storming start as they attempt to further their sporting ambitions in the coming season. Joseph and Alex Rafferty finished first and fifth respectively in the recent National English Schools Biathlon

  • Martial arts: Guyll all set to feel the heat

    AN AMATEUR kick boxer from Thirsk will take on the world's best when he travels to Thailand next week as part of the English team entered in the Muay Thai World Games. Chris Guyll, aged 28, is originally from Baldersby, and although he now lives in Leeds

  • Paying the real price of cheap food

    IT SEEMS cruelly symbolic that a 6ft tall plastic hamster at this week's Millennium Dome contents sale went for £3,800 to the owner of a farm visitor attraction in Kent. For it gives us a nightmarish glimpse of the sort of countryside of the future many

  • Meat 'running out soon'

    BUTCHERS fear meat supplies could last just a few more weeks unless restrictions on the movement of livestock for slaughter are eased. Ministers are looking at ways of transporting some animals to abattoirs, under strictly controlled conditions, and Darlington

  • Letters: We have to play fair over pylons

    Sir, - I was both disappointed and surprised to read the comments attributed to Mike O'Carroll, chairman of Revolt, attacking the actions of North Yorkshire County Council (D&S, Feb 23). Disappointed because the county council has met Mr O'Carroll

  • The man who charities pinned their hopes on

    A FORMER detective who helped raise more than £500,000 for charity has died at the age of 56. Even as he lay ill in Hartlepool General Hospital, Ken Rowland managed to fund a vital piece of equipment that the hospital needed. The retired detective constable

  • Young book worms awarded

    YOUNG book worms who also have a flair for writing have been singled out for awards presented by the Inner Wheel Club of Northallerton. Children from schools in and around North Yorkshire's county town were invited to send in reviews of books they have

  • Survey to get views on council changes

    FORMS will be sent to ten per cent of Teesdale residents to gauge their views on which decision-making process should be adopted by the local authority. A call for greater public input into the future structure of Teesdale District Council was made at

  • Priests aid communities

    THE Church is taking steps to help in the rural parishes where the foot-and-mouth crisis is hitting people hard. Clergy in the Ripon diocese, which includes most of the Yorkshire Dales, are being sent letters containing practical advice on offering help

  • Outcry saves town centre house

    PUBLIC and professional outcry has forced Darlington Building Society to do a U-turn on its proposals to demolish an imposing town centre house. It has withdrawn its plans to raze Chesterfield - at the junction of Stanhope Road and Coniscliffe Road -

  • Past Lives: Bally good fun at Colditz and Catterick

    A FRIEND tells me that during the hugely successful night of music hall at Hurworth, the attractive village on the Tees three miles outside Darlington, he felt "humbled". An odd word to use, perhaps, about what was by all accounts a rip-roaring four hours

  • North Yorkshire - NFU boss in urgent virus talks

    NATIONAL Farmers' Union president Ben Gill was due to meet Agriculture Minister Nick Brown yesterday to discuss the spread of foot-and-mouth disease across Britain. Mr Gill, an Easingwold farmer, said the outbreak would 'send a chill through farmers everywhere

  • Boost for learning out of school

    OUT-OF-SCHOOL learning in Sunderland has been given a £1.3m boost by the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund. The money will fund more than 400 activities that will be held in 43 primary, seven special and 13 secondary schools during the next three

  • Church charity shop opens

    ALL SAINTS' Church in Skelton has opened a charity shop to raise money for church funds. The shop, in Skelton High Street, will be open 9.30am - 12.30pm Monday to Friday and 1.30-3.30pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. Audrey Kirby, from the church, said the

  • Marts cancelled

    All livestock markets are now suspended until further notice. Read more about foot-and-mouth crisis and inform people about cancelled events here.

  • The UniBond League

    Spennymoor's home game with Bishop Auckland was postponed after just 16 minutes of play on Tuesday night because of heavy snow. Moors chairman Barrie Hindmarch says he thought at one stage there would be a full 90 minutes, but that wasn't to be the case

  • Football: Injuries increase the pressure on Quakers

    QUAKERS go into a crucial spell of five games in 15 days with a lengthening injury list adding to manager Gary Bennett's woes. Reserve goalkeeper Frank van der Geest this week joined midfielder Gary Himsworth in being ruled out for the season. In addition

  • Wind turbine refusal may lead to hostel closing in winter

    A TEESDALE youth hostel fears it may have to close during the winter after its planning application to build a wind turbine was refused. Langdon Beck youth hostel, at Forest-in-Teesdale, had hoped the turbine would provide it with a sustainable energy

  • The Northern Echo Sunday Invitation League

    The Northern Echo Sunday Invitation League Nestfield lost their 100 per cent record when they were held to a 3-3 draw against the Green Dragon in Division Two. Twice they came from behind to gain a point in a very entertaining game. Mark Cockburn (2)

  • Residents asked for green views

    SKERNE Park residents, in Darlington, are being asked for their views on plans to develop green open space around the River Skerne. A "planning for real" exercise is under way to identify a project which could develop the area for wildlife or recreation

  • Durham - City chiefs blasted for 'disasters'

    PLANNERS, university mandarins and traffic experts were all blasted for 'spoiling the historic city of Durham' by a leading conservationist at a packed public meeting at the weekend. Secretary of the Durham City Trust Douglas Pocock strongly criticised

  • Drama student's date in the Far East

    A DARLINGTON student is celebrating a dramatic double achievement. Drama student Alicia McEnzie, 18, of Eastmount Road, has been selected to join the National Youth Music Theatre this summer for its two-month tour of Japan. Alicia is already a member

  • Wear Valley - Starving puppy is put down

    THIS starving lurcher puppy was a sad-eyed bundle of bones when it was dumped at a Bishop Auckland vet's surgery. Shivering with cold, the creature was so weak it couldn't even lift its head when staff at the Kensington Veterinary Care centre took it

  • Foot-and-mouth: Don't visit the country, it's shut

    ALL rights of way in Durham, North Yorkshire and Cumbria were closed once local authorities were given the power to close footpaths and rights of way on Tuesday. The powers followed concern that pleas to the public to stay away from the countryside had

  • Paths closed to stop virus

    ALL footpaths and bridleways in east Cleveland have been closed as a precaution against the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. In moves not witnessed in this country since the 1960s, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has posted warning signs on more

  • Chester le Street - Bail hostel 'doesn't have a chance'

    A COUNCIL leader reassured anti-bail hostel protestors in Chester-le-Street that the Probation Service didn't have 'a cat in hell's chance' of building the facility in the town. Addressing a packed public meeting in the town centre's Greenbank Club, Chester-le-Street

  • Marathon meeting lifts hopes for steel jobs

    STEEL union officials from Teesside say a meeting with Corus managers went 'very well.' Monday's meeting was the latest stage in the unions' battle to save jobs, after the Anglo Dutch company announced plans to shed more than 1,100 jobs at its plant at

  • Rover returns to England rugby duty

    CLIFF Harrison was just 19 when he made his England rugby debut, carried shoulder high from the pitch despite the 6-5 defeat against the Irish. "There were no two opinions regarding the star player of the match, Harrison the Hartlepool Rovers winger,"

  • Durham - Police move in to watch over village

    BEAT bobby Colin Dobson hopes to prove a tonic for villagers fed-up with the late-night antics of unruly youngsters. He has set up a one-man police office above a doctor's surgery in Woodland Crescent at Kelloe and will be keeping a close eye on the rowdy

  • School's high standards rise even further

    THERE has been more official praise for a school, already described as having high standards by Ofsted. Inspectors returned to Great Smeaton Primary, in North Yorkshire, and concluded the education offered is "effective" while the school had "many strengths

  • Sven wins top marks for effort

    T HERE are always people who question sport's relevance at times like these, and generally I dismiss them as tedious twerps. With a rail disaster on top of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, why do we need to concern ourselves with the deeds of someone as shallow

  • Cost to industry of foot-and-mouth goes through the roof

    THE export ban on live animals and meat will cost the British meat industry £8m a week in lost sales. The Meat and Livestock Commission supports all the measures taken by the government but says it is vital to contain and eradicate foot-and-mouth as soon

  • Children betrayed over autism increase, says scientist

    A SCIENTIST from the North-East has attacked the Government for its failure to properly investigate a vaccine scare. Paul Shattock, director of the Autism Research Unit at Sunderland University, said the Department of Health had let down the parents of

  • Squash: National title celebrations for Lumsdon

    David Lumsdon, a Durham and Cleveland veteran for many years, took the men's over 50 title at the national championships in Manchester last week. He defeated Lancashire's Maussa Helal 8-10, 9-2, 1-9, 9-3, 9-2 after earlier knocking out players from Norfolk

  • Police life so special

    MR COLIN Swalwell always wanted to be a policeman - and he finally saw his dream come true at the age of 44. Now, after more than 12 years on the beat as a special, mostly around his home town of Loftus, he has retired. The 58-year-old said his dream

  • Slaughter of horses is not on the agenda

    HORSES on farms infected with foot-and-mouth do not have to be slaughtered along with other livestock. The BHS has been inundated with calls from worried owners because the MAFF helpline said horses would have to be culled. "This is not true," said a

  • Hunt for match violence leader

    POLICE are appealing for help to catch one of the ringleaders of violence at a North-East soccer match. About 60 fans of Sunderland and Derby County were involved in scuffles after the Wearside club's 1-0 away defeat on Saturday, February 3. Police searching

  • Lottery grant will lift gymnasts

    A school has been given a helping hand by the National Lottery as it plans to build on its recent success in gymnastics. Bedale High School, in North Yorkshire, scooped three titles in the Hambleton and Richmondshire Area Championships - scoring victories

  • Pupils' guide to tackle bullying

    A POCKET-SIZED anti-bullying guide written by schoolchildren has been unveiled. The guide, produced by children aged eight to 11, is part of an anti-bullying campaign run by Mountfield Primary School with Newcastle City Council's Play and Youth Service

  • A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League

    A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League Loftus YC edged to a 4-3 win over home side Brotton, a game between two evenly-matched teams. Brotton enjoyed most of the early play and should have taken the lead when Ryan Johnson was brought down in

  • Koi carp fly in as dream is fulfilled

    FISH lover Mr Tom Barker has brought a touch of the Orient to Saltburn with a new venture. His boyhood hobby, keeping fascinating species, has finally become his business. It is set to start soon when 600 of his favourite koi carp are flown in from Japan

  • Rebel councillor must face music

    A REBEL councillor, branded "sexist" after publishing comments on the physical attributes of female council workers in his own newsletter, faces the music next week. Tony Pelton, who represents Catterick Village on the Richmondshire authority, has already

  • Cash windfall helps town's youth

    A MAJOR regeneration scheme is taking effect in Skelton. Projects in the town, which has more than £1m of Single Regeneration Budget cash to spend, are mainly targeting young people. They include a training programme for youngsters, confidence building

  • Yarm 'like an 18-30 resort' at night

    A PUB'S music plans would turn Yarm into an "18-30s" town, it was claimed this week. Campaigners now aim to fight the scheme which would see music being played until 11pm. The Blue Bell pub at Egglescliffe has applied to Stockton council for an entertainment

  • Wear Valley - Take a look, says volunteers' bureau

    A scheme to encourage more people to take up voluntary work is to be officially launched in Newton Aycliffe. The Sedgefield Borough Vol-unteer Bureau, funded by the National Lotteries Charities Board, opened its doors at several satellite offices in town

  • Countryman's Diary: Lasting legacy of Cedd and Chad

    AN OLD weather saying tells us that March always steals three days from the end of February. This arises because the first few days of March can be rather wintry, although we are still within the official season of winter and should not, therefore, be

  • Tenant farmers make plea for information

    THE Ministry of Agriculture has been urged to make information on foot-and-mouth more readily accessible to farmers. Mr Reg Haydn, national chairman of the Tenant Farmers Association, said MAFF appeared to be relying on its web site to provide information

  • Town held to draw

    INJURY-HIT Guisborough were held to a 1-1 draw by Morpeth in the Albany Northern League on Saturday. Michael Todd put Guisborough into the lead with Ian Nickells levelling just after half-time. Guisborough are at Durham City tomorrow

  • Youth centre in change of use battle

    A YOUTH volunteer who helped turn a derelict shop into a thriving youth club says the group is responsible for reducing complaints about teenage nuisance in her village. Langley Park Youth Action Group manager Linda Halliday has come out fighting after

  • Leading article: The crisis deepens

    THE optimism expressed here last Friday that the foot-and-mouth outbreak could be contained was sadly misplaced. The number of confirmed incidents late yesterday afternoon had risen to 30. Despite the best efforts of ministry vets and officials, the contagion

  • Art show at last for man who never gave up

    THE title of an exhibition by a Stockton amateur artist, Unfinished Business, signifies an ambition he is only now able to follow at the age of 60. When he was 18, Mr Alan Wilkinson planned to take a degree in fine art at King's college, Newcastle, but

  • Local butchers may run out of meat by end of next week

    BUTCHER'S shops across the region face closure within a week if the blanket ban on animal movement continues. Panic buying has already led to some shops running out of meat and many are expected to close this weekend as wholesale meat suppliers run dry

  • Grain prices

    Thursday's prices Kenneth Wilson, Thorpe Arch. - Wheat: Mar £69; Apr £69; May £69.50. Barley: Mar £70; Apr £71; May £72. Oilseed rape: Mar £127; Apr £128; may £129. GrainCo, Tyne Dock. - Wheat: Mar £70; Apr £70.50; May £71. Barley: Mar £70; Apr £70; May

  • Darlington - Mart forced to close

    Darlington Auction Mart was deserted this week, as restrictions on livestock movements prompted by the foot-and-mouth outbreak took hold. Monday's auction was cancelled, a result of last Friday's order banning the movement of pigs, cattle and sheep for

  • Women's Football

    Durham City Ladies Durham City reached the semi-finals of the Northern League, Second Division Cup with a 9-5 aggregate win over NewtonAycliffe. Durham had a four-goal cushion going into the second leg which ended in a 3-3 draw, the match going ahead

  • University department achieves quality award

    TOP marks have been awarded by national assessors to one of Durham University's smallest departments. Philosophy has become the third university department, following on from biological sciences and physics, to achieve a maximum score of 24 from the Quality

  • North Yorkshire - Floods cost county an extra £1m

    BILLS for county council services in North Yorkshire will rise by just under eight per cent in the next financial year. The budget for the year will include an extra £1m which has been set aside in a fund to deal with last year's flooding problems. In

  • Marking 90 years with former pupils group

    A SCHOOL is planning to celebrate its 90th anniversary by forming an association for ex-pupils. Tanfield School, near Stanley, will reach the milestone next year and it intends to mark the occasion by launching The Tanfield Association. The association

  • Junior Football

    Durham County The Durham County Under-18s just failed to reach the semi-finals of the FA County Youth Cup, losing 2-1 after extra time in a hard-fought tie at Durham City's New Ferens Park ground against Middlesex. Durham took a tenth-minute lead when

  • Rooftop burglar bungled store raid

    BUNGLING burglar Guy Payne was forced to leave his haul after falling through the ceiling of a supermarket and off-licence, a court heard yesterday Payne, 30, borrowed his girlfriend's tights to use as a mask and put her socks on his hands to avoid leaving

  • First tenants move in

    THE first tenants of an award-winning housing project have moved into their home. Annette Stangoe and her children Christine, Shaun and twins Rachel and Michelle, are the first to move into the development at Stilton Close, Dormanstown. The development

  • 5,000 petiton for new pool

    A CAMPAIGN to refurbish or rebuild Guisborough's swimming pool is to go to the House of Commons. A petition containing more than 5,000 signatures from people wanting the town's swimming facilities improved was presented to Middlesbrough South and East

  • Late-night noise patrols deluged by complaints

    NEIGHBOURS are so fed up with noisy late-night music that they have inundated their council with complaints. Middlesbrough Borough Council is so snowed under that it shelved plans to stop Friday night noise patrols shifts during the winter. Environmental

  • Foot-and-mouth: farmers on a knife-edge as disesae spreads

    A WEARDALE pig farmer was yesterday anxiously waiting to see if he had become the third victim of foot-and-mouth in County Durham. Vets carried out a routine inspection on the farm in Hamsterley following confirmed outbreaks at Wolsingham and Witton-le-Wear

  • A horseman riding by

    COL Charles W Duncombe's view of the countryside owed much to his twin passions of riding and shooting. Introducing the delights of his native and beloved Ryedale to the wider world, he once wrote: "Certain favoured spots can be visited in a car; the

  • Letters: Why village lane must stay closed

    Sir, - There has been a great deal written in the press regarding Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's decision to close Gypsy Lane. A majority of the residents of Gypsy Lane have lived here for many years, some for in excess of 40 years. They have

  • Cleveland League

    Cleveland League Redcar WMC A guaranteed themselves the Division One Championship when beating Redcar Cons. 5-1. During the match Gary Beckett of the WMC compiled an outstanding 52 break. With only four games remaining the gap between themselves and Carlin

  • It is not enough, says vet

    THE ban on cattle movement may not be enough to stop the spread of foot and mouth says a North-East vet. Vet Graham Chambers, who works with Blythman and Partners Veterinary Surgeons, based in Northumberland and Tyneside, says once animal movement is

  • Athletics News

    New Marske Harriers On a cold, blustery day, 17 Harriers travelled to Pocklington for the Snake Lane ten miles road race. Tony Livingston was first counter in seventh place with a time of 54.43. Other Harriers: 50th David Craggs (61.27), 75th John Rymer