DID you know you can't buy food in Manchester? Even stranger is you can't buy it in Leeds either. What's more, friends tell me that seemingly there are no food shops in York or Newcastle, no chemists' shops in Hull and, most surprising of all, no Marks
THE success of Newcastle and Gateshead's bid to become European Capital of Culture could see 13,000 jobs created across the region. Research by Price WaterhouseCooper showed that up to four million visitors would flock to the North-East, bringing £640m
A project to encourage reading among the under-fours, is being launched in Hartlepool, on Tuesday. Five school nurseries - Golden Flatts, Grange, Owton Manor, Rossmere and St Teresa's - are involved in the scheme, which is supported by Sure Start. Sure
CASH-strapped Durham County Council was last night accused of wasting tax payers money on refurbishments to County Hall. Details of decorating work in committee and members rooms as part of a £300,000 revamp at headquarters emerged with the authority
Kall Kwik Junior League - At the half-way stage Chapel Allerton head the tables in the three divisions, Under-17, 13 and 15. York side Wigginton and Collingham are both mounting strong challenges in the Under-17 table. Collingham are one point behind
Whitby Town are joint top of the UniBond Fair Play league. The seasiders have picked up 17 yellow cards and one red in their 18 league games so far, a 20 point tally which is the same as league leaders Burton Albion. Bishop Auckland are joint eighth with
FORMER Newcastle United hero Peter Beardsley last night fired a broadside at the PFA for choosing Paul Merson as a role model for young professionals. United youth coach Beardsley is outraged that the PFA want the likes of one-time Middlesbrough forward
A novice rider who sued an equestrian centre after falling from a horse during a lesson has lost her claim for damages. Sylvia Hosegood needed surgery to her back after the fall at South Causey Equestrian Centre, near Stanley, County Durham, on October
WIZARDS, magic and big-screen camera crews are returning to the region for the making of the eagerly-awaited second Harry Potter movie. Alnwick Castle will again be doubling as Hogwarts School in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, following the
BCTG. - Jan 28: Dressage clinic with Patsy Bartram (subsidised for members), open to non-members, tel 01325 332685 for details. For membership details, tel Hilary on 01325 326262. Bedale Hunt. - Jan 28: Show jumping, Richmond EC, 11am, details 01677 450229
MIDDLEHAM trainer Chris Thornton recently welcomed visitors to an open day at his new Sharp Hill Farm yard, owned by Peter and Kate Walton. Thornton moved at the start of last year from Spigot Lodge, perched above Wensley, where he had trained since his
FANCY a Jaeger cardigan for around £25? A great design and wonderful classy, subtle colours at about a third of the normal price. There's a catch, of course - you'd have to knit it yourself but there are worse ways to while away these gloomy evenings.
AMATEUR actors in Darlington are hoping to set up a youth theatre in the town to cater for children of all ages. Members of the Back From The Brink Theatre Group have been inundated with inquiries from youngsters who are eager to act. After discovering
All players interested in snooker dream of playing at Sheffield's Crucible but very few can ever raise their game to anywhere near the standard required. However there is a way for these players to appear at the Crucible and that is as a referee. The
AN arrest warrant was issued yesterday for a man who failed to turn up at court to be sentenced for a handbag snatch. Michael O'Brien, 29, of Witton Crescent, Darlington, grabbed the bag from a woman shopping in Angate Street in the Weardale market town
A FORMER National Farmers' Union (NFU) leader has called for a ban on imports of meat from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is endemic. Alan Scott, a county councillor and former chairman of the NFU in County Durham, voiced his concerns at a meeting
A FLOODED road is driving a village to distraction. Not only has it prompted a petition signed by almost every resident, but the chairman of the parish council has taken photographs to prove there is a solution. Now Neasham is ready to do battle with
Reviews - Jak and Daxter. Publisher: Sony. Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. IT MAY have a stupid name but Naughty Dog has deservedly carved itself a formidable reputation for decent video games. The company that gave us Crash Bandicoot, unofficial mascot for
Sir, - I refer to your front page report about Chesterfield in Darlington's Stanhope Road (D&S, Jan 4). Darlington Building Society has stated that it has consulted widely with local residents regarding the proposed demolition of Chesterfield. No-one
A TEACHER has appeared in court accused of ten charges relating to indecent images of children. Martin Andre Pauc, 56, was suspended from his job at a primary school in the Sunderland area in November after the allegations came to light. Following a police
NORTHUMBRIAN Water's telephones were red hot following a fractured main in Darlington - but hundreds of callers received no response. Yesterday the water watchdog, Northumbria customer service committee, heard that a contractor employed by Darlington
Sir, - I agree with Malcolm Rainforth (D&S, Dec 29) that someone should be accountable for all the money Harrogate Borough Council has wasted, particularly in Ripon and Knaresborough. They have ruined these lovely old market towns and driven shoppers
TRIBUTES have been paid to the oldest member of a Swaledale farming family who died shortly before Christmas. Reeth Methodist church was packed for the funeral of Joan Stubbs. The service, conducted by the Reverend Andrew Bell, was followed by interment
A CHURCH group has raised more than £2,600 for the Macmillan County Durham Appeal in just four days. Fundraisers from Bishop Auckland Methodist Church handed a cheque to the charity - which announced it had broken through the £100,000 barrier. Macmillan
The Ripon Piscatorials and Thirsk Opens proved the highlight of an otherwise very grim start to the New Year on the match fishing circuit, writes JEFF HERBERT. Artic conditions resulted in the Tees frozen solid bank to bank. Likewise the Rivers Wear and
I FELT uneasy looking at the photograph of a devastated Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah leaving the hospital where, less than an hour before, their baby daughter had died in their arms. As we stared at those faces, frozen in grief, weren't we intruding
A FESTIVE lights display spectacular has raised more than £500 for charity. Raymond and Margaret Lauder decorate their home and garden in Willington with lights every Christmas to raise money for charity. This year, they chose to support the Butterwick
The Northern League have warned Eppleton that they could be booted out of the League if their administration doesn't improve. Eppleton were fined £2,525 last week for failing to return match results and player registration forms, and the league has also
DRIVERS of 4x4 vehicles are often accused by countryside lovers of churning up roads with their huge wheeled vehicles. But one such driver disclaims this and in fact does exactly the opposite; he helps with conservation work to protect ancient country
BUDDING Sven Goran Erikssons have the chance to show off their talents on a football coaching course later this month. The North Riding County Football Association is holding a junior team manager's course in Middlesbrough. The programme takes place on
Stokesley SC may be nine points off the top but they are confident of challenging all the way for the championship and progressing in cup competitions. "I firmly believe that the race for the title will go right to the wire and any one of seven clubs
The harsh reality of life after Pop Idol caught up with Aaron Bayley yesterday. The 26-year-old Geordie had dreamed of superstardom, jetting around the world on the back of a fat recording contract. However, last night he was back in Newcastle sharing
A North-East university's nurseries have been named among the best in the country. In a thorough assessment of daycare provision, the University of Sunderland's St Mary's and Gorse House nurseries have been given a Quality Counts kitemarks by the National
PROPOSALS to work an opencast coal mine in fields between three villages look likely to be rejected next week. Durham County Council's planning committee will be recommended on Wednesday to throw out an application by the Eco Energy Group to mine 750,000
PUPILS at a village primary are arriving at school on a bus with difference. The first "walking bus'' in County Durham was launched at Pittington Primary School. on Monday. The walking bus involves children walking in pairs the quarter of a mile to and
HARROGATE Cricket Club is reeling from a series of attacks by vandals causing almost £3,000 worth of damage to its headquarters. Now club chairman Brian Haines has ordered that the main gates at the St George's Road entrance be closed. Problems for the
AFTER a decade of ensuring the safety of local schoolchildren, Joan Kent is hanging up her lollipop for the last time. Joan, the crossing guard at Helmsley County Primary, is believed to be Ryedale's longest-serving lollipop lady. Until last October,
AN animal sanctuary is to built in the cruelty capital of Britain - the North-East. The RSPCA has successfully overturned a council decision to stop the new centre being built at a former school and college at Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, County
HARD drugs have been seized in the second of a series of dawn raids. Ecstasy and cocaine were among the substances recovered when officers searched 13 homes in the east end of Newcastle, the Lemington area of the city, at Gateshead and on South Tyneside
A CAMPAIGN by North-East MPs to halt the threat to close one of the region's biggest defence factories has received union backing. GMB Northern Region, the North's largest union, has welcomed a Parliamentary motion condemning the plan to shut the Royal
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD leuk-aemia sufferer is enjoying a new lease of life - and it is all thanks to his baby sister. Matthew Algie, of Wellspring Close, Acklam, Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with the life-threatening disease when he was nearly three, and underwent
A CHURCH group has raised more than £2,600 for the Macmillan County Durham Appeal in just four days. Fundraisers from Bishop Auckland Methodist Church handed a cheque to the charity - which announced it had broken through the £100,000 barrier. Macmillan
MIDDLEHAM raiders on both Saturday meetings vied for honours as Patrick Haslam and Karl Burke knocked in the winners. Burke sent down three winners from Spigot Lodge to Lingfield and Southwell, but Haslam had no less than four on the two courses from
MERCHANT Retail, owners of The Perfume Shop and Joplings chains, has celebrated an "outstanding" Christmas performance after like-for-like sales surged 14 per cent. The figure was accompanied by a 27 per cent increase in all sales at its 75 outlets. Merchant
A SPEED hump is to be installed on a busy Consett street despite fears pedestrians will mistake it for a crossing. Durham County Council plans to take the measure to calm traffic using Nile Street, near pedestrianised Middle Street in the town centre.
DEPARTMENT store groups House of Fraser and Selfridges enjoyed significant sales growth over the festive season. At House of Fraser, like-for-like sales rose 7.2 per cent in the seven weeks to January 5. And Selfridges said a strong Christmas performance
A RECYCLING firm is looking to double in size after just two years in business. Foreman Recycling, in Merrington Lane, Spennymoor, started business in November 1999 with just eight staff. But by the end of this month the company plans to employ 36, and
A £1.9M scheme to transform a rundown estate is under way. Construction firm Lovell is working in partnership with residents and Sunderland Housing Group to carry out the programme on the Silksworth estate. It marks the first phase of a five-year agreement
EXPERTS are monitoring work on a new multi-million pound community hospital. As work continues on the site close to the old Winterton Hospital, in Sedgefield, County Durham, officials from Faithful and Gould are checking to ensure the scheme proceeds
A COUNCIL officer offered up his head to help with fundraising for a mayor's charity. Hugh McShane, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's social policy officer, was guaranteed a civic reception after he agreed to have his head shaved. Mayor Vilma Collins
WITH its centenary looming in 2008, the history of the RJF Homes Beckett League is being researched by former player Colin Westwood of Rosedale. He is keen to hear from anyone with any information on the league or any member clubs, with memorabilia such
A SCHEME to help older people who suffer from depression by getting them involved in activities is hoping to get the go-ahead. The Phoenix Project, which already has pilot schemes operating in Redcar and Middlesbrough, is being led by Age Concern on Teesside
SPEEDING motorists who use a housing estate as a short-cut are endangering lives, say residents. People living in Sunnydale, Shildon, say that someone could be killed unless urgent action is taken to prevent drivers speeding along their street. The chairman
The grieving sister of murder victim Julie Smailes has branded as cowards the witnesses whose silence allegedly caused the collapse of a murder trial. Wendy Smailes spoke out after the inquiry was brought to a dramatic halt when the case against the man
AREAS surrounding east Cleveland towns and villages are to be cleaned up, thanks to the creation of a Groundwork Trust. The scheme, which is funded through Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, is one of the country's
COUNCILLORS have been banned from using their own website message board amid accusations that an opposition member used it to criticise senior officers. Wear Valley District Council's Labour leader, Councillor Olive Brown, used the site's Wall of Words
POLICE arrested two people in connection with an alleged assault on a man found dead in a County Durham house, it emerged yesterday. The body of George William Rae, 36, who had been staying overnight with friends in Honister Place, Newton Aycliffe, was
Letters from The Northern Echo INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNALS THE front page comments (Echo, Jan 4) of George Reynolds and Angus Hynd can not go unchallenged by those workers who produce the bulk of the nation's earning power. Mr Reynolds is spitting out his dummy
A CHANGE in forestry management is needed in parts of the North York Moors to prevent cleared areas looking like the Somme battlefield, with dead trees resembling statues, a public inquiry has been told. Objections had been registered to sections of the
A MULTI million pound private finance deal could soon be launched to stop the lights going out on streets in Redcar and Cleveland. Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, reckons that most of the 16,500 lighting columns
CPB TWYFORD has six new varieties on the 2002 recommended lists and now has the highest yielding recommended winter-sown wheat, barley and oats in its portfolio. Elan and Mendel were the only new winter hybrid rapes to make the list. Elan is high yielding
THE worst nightmare has become flesh. Today's column was written, the photographer despatched and the presses inked in anticipation, when the principal subject - former Scottish international footballer, canny tale to tell - rang to insist he wanted nothing
A MAJOR new agricultural event, aiming to show farmers the way ahead following the foot-and-mouth crisis, is to be held at the Great Yorkshire showground. AgriVision North farming business event takes place at the Harrogate showground on Friday, March
THE best form of defence, we are told, is attack. And if that's not necessarily the case during the match, it sure as hell is afterwards, especially if the clubs under fire are owned by millionaire megalomaniacs. Placing themselves on a pedestal this
No games have been played in the League since December 15, resulting in all the first round cup ties, both divisional and in the Kenny Ball Cup, still to be played. In order to facilitate matters, the fixtures that were to have been played on January
Sir, - Gilling West is designated as a conservation village and I am appalled to learn of the proposal to site a telecommunications mast on its Northern sky line. I object that one of the few remaining unspoiled localities in the Richmondshire District
DARLINGTON is on the brink of terminating long waits for GP appointments, the D&S Times can reveal. A bid for money to pilot a revolutionary system using trained nurses to act as the first point of patient contact, has been submitted to County Durham
BRAVE, hardworking or artistic youngsters in the Stockton area are to be rewarded for their efforts under a new scheme. The Smart awards are the result of a pledge by Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Terry Bean, to recognise young people's achievements.
BRITISH three-day event coach Yogi Breisner will be passing on his expertise when he pays a visit to North Yorkshire next month. He presents a video and discussion on cross country techniques at the Golden Fleece in Thirsk at 7pm on Monday, February 25
WORK began yesterday to pave the way for a scheme to turn Darlington's inner ring road into a tree-lined boulevard. Council workers are felling seven ageing trees and five other trees at the Victoria Road roundabout near Safeway. The 60- to 70-year-old
CONCERN regarding a public footpath in Barnard Castle escalated this week after part of a wall collapsed. The area round the castle in the town has been monitored for some time after part of another footpath was washed away by high water in the River
Durham League - Ushaw Moor Catholic Club made a great start to the New Year with a fine three points home win over Sacriston Daisy Hill. The Club also beat Framwellgate Moor Marquis of Granby in the League Knock Out Cup. Durham Snooker Club only dropped
ONE of the challenges of a country walk is to attempt the identification of trees by their leafless outlines. When they are clad with their distinctive foliage, that is a comparatively simple task but the seasonal absence of leaves adds a new and interesting
CHART-TOPPING disco diva Sophie Ellis Bextor will be visiting Teesside in April as part of a nationwide tour. The 22-year-old pop star, who took Spiller's Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) to number one in the charts, will perform at Middlesbrough Town Hall
South Durham Royals' journey to Winscale was rewarded with a 2-0 victory at the weekend. After just ten minutes Jodie Gwynne slotted the ball through to Tracy Swales who dribbled past the defence to score but it continued to be a tightly-fought match.
Willington Ladies League - The New Year began with a few shocks. The darts leaders, Sunnybrow Brown Trout went down at home to Willington Brewer's Droop, whilst the second placed, Willington Club B also failed against their A team. There was a similar
DID you know you can't buy food in Manchester? Even stranger is you can't buy it in Leeds either. What's more, friends tell me that seemingly there are no food shops in York or Newcastle, no chemists' shops in Hull and, most surprising of all, no Marks
RELIEF cash to help rural businesses recover from the economic blow of foot-and-mouth is set to run out in Richmondshire. Future applications to the hardship relief fund are likely to be turned down as the district council already faces a £28,000 shortfall
THE secrets of ancient Coptic weaving, from Egypt, will be revealed at a special workshop in North Yorkshire next week. The two-day workshop at the Mercer Art Gallery, in Harrogate, will be led by textile artist Sue Lawty. She was inspired by the fine
A PEDIGREE dog nobody wanted has battled back from life-threatening injuries to spearhead a new campaign which aims to train unwanted pets for the benefit of the community. Sally, a black Labrador, has been trained as a guide dog and understands instructions
THE influential Yorkshire Dales Society has raised some interesting issues in its comments on the role of national parks. Defra is currently reviewing the work of all the park authorities and the society has submitted a detailed response to the department
THE Thirsk and Northallerton districts are among the poorest rural areas in North Yorkshire, according to a report published this week. The document, compiled by the Countryside Agency, placed the two market towns in the bottom 10pc of income levels,
So you vowed to live healthily in 2002 - or at least for the first few weeks of the New Year - and never to overeat again. Juicing devotees say the freshly squeezed drinks don't just taste good - they are also laden with nutrients which can boost our
A SCHEME to charge drivers £2 on Durham's peninsula could be up and running by the summer. Durham County Council highways chiefs hope Saddler Street will become one of the country's first toll roads in time for the tourist season. The highways committee
PEOPLE in Derwentside have been invited to talk to a solicitor about making a will and get free expert advice. The service is being arranged by Age Concern Durham County in partnership with Nicholson Martin Legge and Miller Solicitors. Where appropriate
ON the premises of the school there is an information communication technology (ICT) training centre. Teachers from all over Darlington come for ICT training. Known as the e-learning centre, it has a lot of courses to improve teachers' knowledge of computing
Sir, - Mr Artley complains about the recently-published history of Northallerton grammar school and college being an attempt to present "a smooth progression to ever higher standards by conveniently glossing over unfortunate times" (D&S, Jan 4). He
A TEMPORARY ice rink has been hailed a success after helping to boost Christmas trade in Spennymoor. The town centre rink will have attracted more than 4,000 skaters by the time it closes tomorrow night, with a disco on ice party. A German-style Christmas
Health bosses have contacted 170 patients after they realised that instruments used at a foot clinic had not been properly sterilised. Selby and York Primary Care Trust has written to patients who were treated at a chiropody clinic in Sherburn-in-Elmet
PEOPLE in North Durham are being urged to give assessors their views on the area's hospitals. The Commission for Health Improvement is running the rule over the North Durham Health Care Trust, which runs the University Hospital of North Durham in Durham
Drunken squaddies face being carpeted after going on the rampage at an international airport. Holidaymakers looked on in disgust as the soldiers hurled abuse at staff and vomited into their drinks. Police were called after staff at Newcastle Airport were
JUST for a moment, the grand old man of football, himself a hero to thousands for generations, seemed like a star-struck teenager. As 68-year-old Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson launched Heroes - an exclusive club made up of the Magpies' stars of
A GUISBOROUGH teenager is set to take a giant step forward this year as boss of his own motorbike racing team. Rising star Dennis Hobbs, who continued his progress in the British Supersport series last year, will step up a level to ride a brand new Honda
THE owner of a fashionable caf in Stokesley High Street hopes to get a live music licence today, despite opposition from the police and a resident who claim the business is in a residential area. Chapter's caf owner, Mrs Catherine Thompson, says jazz
A scheme to tackle the problem of disappearing woodland across some of the region's most picturesque countryside has been given a financial boost. During the next two years the conservation charity, the Woodland Trust, plans to spend more than £500,000
BUBBLY singer Zoe Birkett has stormed her way into the last six of the ITV Pop Idol competition. The 16-year-old student from Carmel RC Technology College in Darlington wowed Saturday's show with her live rendition of Street Life from the film Jackie
A MAN who was questioned for 12 hours by police investigating the murder of prostitute Vicky Glass last night spoke exclusively to The Northern Echo to insist he was an innocent man. Eric Coates denies any involvement in the death of the Teesside vice
A NORTH-EAST schoolgirl who fought off three attackers in an underpass last year, will appear on BBC TV show Kilroy this morning. Heidi Rogan, 15, from Thornaby, Teesside, was 14 when the attack happened, in Darlington. In the debate on the show, filmed
North-East Club Winter League - Great Ayton comfortably defeated Wellfield to enter the play off semi-finals and now receive fancied team Shotley and Benfield side this weekend. The Consett club whitewashed lacklustre New Blackwell of Darlington. The
A FOOTBALL fan was cleared yesterday of throwing a bottle at a police dog. Durham Crown Court had been told that 25-year-old Warwick Page, of Silksworth, Sunderland, was in a crowd of rival fans who police were trying to keep apart shortly before a match
A DRUG addict laid a heroin-filled egg in front of police officers during a strip search, a court heard yesterday. As Jason Lyth pulled down his boxer shorts the officers spotted a plastic egg - of the type used in children's sweets - between his buttocks
A MUSEUM that pays tribute to east Cleveland's mining history is looking for volunteers. The Tom Leonard Mining Museum, in Skinningrove, is closed until Easter, but there is plenty happening behind the scenes in preparation for it re-opening. The museum
Junior round-up - Sunderland Tomahawks won a seventeen goal thriller in English Under-19 North A League encounter against Telford Trojans. Tomahawks came from a 1-3 deficit to defeat their hosts 9-8. Steven Goldsmith gave Sunderland the lead in the 11th
TALENTED young jazz singer Emma Nabarro is to appear with her trio at the Buck inn, Thornton Watlass. The inn, a popular venue for traditional jazz, is hoping to make inroads into the modern jazz scene. Emma Nabarro was born in 1979. She studied music
A COMMUNITY group says it will fold later this month because of lack of support from Darlington Borough Council. Heighington Community Liaison Group was set up four years ago in response to problems with anti-social behaviour by youths in the village.
BRIAN Healy has become the third player to be released by Darlington this week as manager Tommy Taylor continues to cut the wage bill. Healy, 33, who scored the winning goal on his debut against Oxford two months ago, follows Kirk Jackson and Frank van
THERE is an air of resignation about the campaign to keep Richmond's courthouse open. The magistrates' court committee, a little-known body which runs the local courts in the county, signalled some years ago that the Richmond court's future was under
WINTER sun seekers are being urged to order euro notes and travellers' cheques in advance following an unprecedented rush on the new currency. The euro became legal tender on January 1 in 12 popular holiday destinations, leading to an unexpected demand
FANCY a Jaeger cardigan for around £25? A great design and wonderful classy, subtle colours at about a third of the normal price. There's a catch, of course - you'd have to knit it yourself but there are worse ways to while away these gloomy evenings.
WIND turbine technology could be used to solve the flooding problem affecting a village school. The playing field at Bishop Middleham Primary School has been submerged for more than a year. It is one of a number of sites in the village affected by flooding
TWO young soldiers are back on home territory to talk about their experiences. Michael Robe and Simon Eastwick, both 17, and from Sunderland, are spending a week at the city's Army Careers Information office, in Saville Place. They are in the Royal Electrical
The family of a deaf British charity worker jailed for 10 years in India for possessing cannabis today vowed to continue their fight to clear his name. Ian Stillman, 51, who comes from York, lost his appeal against his conviction after a High Court judge
STEPHEN Lyons is an English man making tremendous progress in the world of American football. Not the Grid Iron sport, actually in soccer which they call it over there. Lyons, from Marton in Middlesbrough, has been in the United States since 1998 where
Battling Bill Robson saw red when police accused him of parking illegally on a yellow line. Mr Robson, a keen photographer, took on the boys in blue - and now hundreds of other motorists could reclaim thousands of pounds in fines they have wrongly paid
HUNDREDS of Wearside teachers are being given the chance to log on to the world of computers. Sunderland City Council has won £750,000 of Government money to buy desk and laptop PCs for schools. The funding is part of a national scheme to give teachers
A STOCKTON sixth form student who keeps two dogs, two snakes and a chipmunk, has been offered a place at Cambridge university to train as a vet. Stephen Gosling, aged 18, of Sedgefield, is delighted at the prospect of studying on the six-year veterinary
Sunderland boss Peter Reid has vowed to fight on, insisting he has no intention of walking out on the club. "There's no chance I'd ever resign from this job or any job, it's not in my make-up," said Reid. "This club is in a healthy state financially and
Students at Bedale High School have just completed an eight week Football Association Referees Course and now hope to put their knowledge to use by refereeing school matches. Head of Physical Education Mr Martyn Coombs said: "These courses are wonderful
SINCE the draw for the FA Cup fourth round was made last Sunday, Feethams has understandably been buzzing in anticipation of a visit from Premiership giants Newcastle United. Manager Tommy Taylor faces the difficult task of getting his players focused
Crook & District - A very good team performance at Meadowfield Harrier League keeps Crook in second place overall as they look to bounce straight back into Division One. On a rough frosty surface Geoff Hewitson was first back in 37th place in a time
I FELT uneasy looking at the photograph of a devastated Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah leaving the hospital where, less than an hour before, their baby daughter had died in their arms. As we stared at those faces, frozen in grief, weren't we intruding
AFTER a disastrous season last year due to the ravages of foot-and-mouth disease, local rally fans can look forward to a host of top quality events taking place in the region over the coming weeks. In total, more than 1,300 motorsport events were cancelled
WITH Kelso's meeting hanging in the balance due to frost it might pay to take heed of Huntingdon-bound Royal Beluga (1.20). Trainer Tom George, who had a winner courtesy of Majlis at Wincanton yesterday, thinks plenty of Royal Beluga, a lightly-raced
A LEADING North-East consultant has warned of a resurgence in childhood killer diseases if parents continue to ditch the triple MMR vaccine in favour of single injections. Next month, London-based private health company Direct Health 2000 is to offer
Reviews - Jak and Daxter. Publisher: Sony. Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. IT MAY have a stupid name but Naughty Dog has deservedly carved itself a formidable reputation for decent video games. The company that gave us Crash Bandicoot, unofficial mascot for
A FIVE-YEAR investigation into the murder of Julie Smailes was brought to a halt this week when the case against a man accused of killing her was dropped. A murder charge against Darren Willis, 30, was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service due
A REDCAR equestrian is riding high after turning his hobby into a new career. Jonathan Lewis, 29, has gone self-employed, selling his own oil paintings and pastels of horses and is also selling bridles, saddles and blankets at equestrian events and fairs
A PAINTER and a sculptor have set up a gallery and studio in Yarm for their own work, plus that of other local artists. The contemporary design and art gallery, The Studio, has been opened by friends and business partners painter Ms Alex Paisley and sculptor
A man appeared in court yesterday accused of rape. Gary Field, 22, whose address was given as Oxford Street, South Bank, Middlesbrough, spoke only to confirm his name at Teesside Crown Court. Mr Field is charged with rape and causing grievous bodily harm
LEGENDARY rocker Bob Dylan will play a gig in the region later this year. The 1960s protest singer, who penned classic songs such as Blowin' In The Wind and Lay Lady Lay, will play at Newcastle's Telewest Arena on Wednesday, May 8. Tickets go on sale
WIND turbine technology could be used to solve the flooding problem affecting a village school. The playing field at Bishop Middleham Primary School has been submerged for more than a year. It is one of a number of sites in the village affected by flooding
A novice rider who sued an equestrian centre after falling from a horse during a lesson has lost her claim for damages. Sylvia Hosegood needed surgery to her back after the fall at South Causey Equestrian Centre, near Stanley, County Durham, on October
Firefighters tackled a blaze that badly damaged the first-floor lounge bar at The Glebe pub, Dryburgh, in the Glebe area of Washington, near Sunderland. No one was hurt. It is thought that the fire was accidental.
THE North-East economy received a boost last night with news that hundreds of jobs are on the way. About 600 of them will be created by KYE, which makes oil and gas rigs. It has taken over part of the former Odebrecht yard, next to the Riverside Stadium
LAND next to a working quarry next to Catterick Village playing field is to be turned into public open space. Five acres of land will be made available to the public, despite objections from quarry operators RMC Aggregates, who said the chance of trespass
A SERIES of events for senior citizens is being held next week by Cleveland Pensioners' Convention Forum. The Marske Pensioners and Friends will hold a nostalgia show, on Tuesday, at the Cheshire Home on Redcar Road in the town. The trip down memory lane
Enterprise development agency Project North-East called for closer ties between business and education at its annual lecture in Newcastle Civic Centre last night. David Irwin, chief executive of the Small Business Service, and David Grayson, a director
PRICES held steady last month as shoppers enjoyed one of the busiest Christmas trading seasons for years. The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) shop price index showed the high street spending boom had not given rise to inflationary pressures. Prices
A TEENAGER who suffered a fractured skull and vertebrae in a snowboarding accident in the Italian Alps remained in intensive care yesterday. Jack Robertson, 14, was in a ''comfortable but stable'' condition at York District General Hospital following
The crisis in Britain's railway system has prompted calls for the network to be renationalised. Nick Morrison looks at the arguments for taking it back into public ownership. WHEN transport buffs talk about the golden age of the train, they mean the period
Table tops designed on a healthy eating theme by community groups across the North-East go on show in the region, later this month. Common Knowledge, It's on the Table, a display of the best 15 designs, opens at The Customs House Gallery, Mill Dam, South
REFORMED bad boy Noel Whelan has credited Gordon Strachan with saving his career. Middlesbrough forward Whelan admits he went off the rails in his days at Coventry. But former Sky Blues boss Strachan, now in charge of Southampton, put him back on track
RUMOURS that Masham auction mart is to close permanently were scotched yesterday. It was revealed that the directors of the small mart, widely seen as an asset to the town and a focal point for the surrounding rural community, were investigating ways
A BUILDING surveyor looked high and low to solve a ceiling restoration mystery in a listed building. Mr David Lee was forced to turn detective when he was unable to find the blueprint to an ornate ceiling in a County Durham school. In a bid to match the
A MUSEUM that pays tribute to east Cleveland's rich mining history is on the lookout for new volunteers. The Tom Leonard Mining Museum in Skinningrove is currently closed until Easter but there is plenty happening behind the scenes in preparation for
EMBATTLED Transport Secretary Stephen Byers last night admitted that "certain aspects" of the railways had worsened under Labour. The North Tyneside MP made his comments as talks between union bosses and Arriva Trains Northern were set to continue today
A COMMUNITY which was devastated by the closure of its only bank a few months ago has created something positive out of its loss by re-opening the building as a centre for information and learning. The former Barclays branch in Willington High Street,
A REVISED scheme for a house to the rear of Richmond's historic buildings is still too large for the location, Richmondshire planning committee has decided. Talks will now take place in a bid to come up with an acceptable proposal for a three-storey house
A LEADING figure in the development of Durham county cricket in the past decade has become the club's new president. Malcolm Pratt played a "pivotal part" in the establishment of the club's Riverside ground in his role as leader of Chester-le-Street District
POLICE who recovered the body of a man from the River Skerne in Darlington yesterday afternoon are not treating the man's death as suspicious. Officers, along with fire fighters using a rescue boat, were called to a stretch of the river near Russell Street
WORK started this week on a new phase of a long-awaited project to transform an historic dales market place. English Heritage has pledged £300,000 to revitalise the centre of Wolsingham and other funding will bring an investment package up to £500,000
THE longest-serving mobile warden at Richmondshire District Council is retiring after many years of caring for the elderly and disabled. Margaret Hughes, who retires at the end of this month, has worked for the Council's Lifeline Service since its inception
THE best form of defence, we are told, is attack. And if that's not necessarily the case during the match, it sure as hell is afterwards, especially if the clubs under fire are owned by millionaire megalomaniacs. Placing themselves on a pedestal this
The south-westerlies that dominated November continued to blow for a few more days. These drove increasingly energetic, frontal systems across Britain on alternate days. The 5th saw a vigorous depression sweep across our region giving a very wet day -
MR WILLIAM Hague, MP for Richmond, has joined growing protests over the proposed closure of his local courthouse. He spoke out as the executive of North Yorkshire County Council agreed to object to closure proposals for Richmond, Pickering and Whitby
NEWCASTLE United are lining up a £2m swoop for Chinese international Sun Jihai. Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd is booked to fly out for talks with Dalian Shide president Xu Ming a week on Tuesday in an attempt to wrap up a deal. "The Newcastle chairman
LORD Haskins, the government's rural recovery co-ordinator, was in Teesdale last Friday to hear about the problems caused by foot-and-mouth. He was introduced to the dale's foot-and-mouth task group, meeting in Teesdale District Council chamber in Barnard
COUNCILLORS in Yarm are to take a more determined stand on the environment. A new report has been drawn up to take the town council forward on the issue. But in the process, councillors clashed over suggestions for curbing noise nuisance. In his report
A MAN tortured by memories of agonising surgery has joined a North-East campaign to persuade holidaymakers to boycott Greece. Nigel Race said his treatment by Greek hospital staff during what should have been routine surgeryon a cut wrist was a nightmare
Durham League - Fixtures re-start this week after the Christmas break, so the round-up of statistics from the first half of the season finishes with a look at Division One. The first division of the Durham League was seemingly taken over by Teesside this
THE Laminitis Trust has given its official seal of approval to a North Yorkshire firm which has produced a quick-soaking sugar beet feed for horses and ponies. The trust is the country's leading charity raising funds for research into laminitis, a crippling
A NUMBER of allegations were made against a Great Brough-ton falconry owner this week, including a claim that he threatened to slit a neighbour's throat. The parish council heard allegations on Wednesday that Dr Mark Robb, of the Stable, The Holmes, had
Fun-loving Levon Morland "wrote his own epitaph" in an application for the new TV series of Big Brother just before his death at the age of 22. Levon was photographed raising a glass with his twin brother and their friends on a night out, but hours later
A MOBILE business advisory service has begun touring market towns in North Yorkshire. The trailer, staffed by a team of specialist advisers, aims to help businesses hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis. It was unveiled in Thirsk market place on Monday and
A man accused of a New Year's Day murder appeared in court yesterday. Mazhar Ali, 25, of Price Road, Stockton, appeared at Teesside Crown Court accused of murdering Colin Arnold on January 1. Mr Arnold died early on New Year's Day, outside a house in
NEW primary schools being set up on Wearside are to get the latest in facilities for sports and the arts. Sunderland City Council has won money from a Government fund to upgrade provision at the schools, which are being created to get rid of more than
GREAT Ayton's new Roman Catholic church was formally opened on Sunday by the Bishop of Middlesbrough. The building continues a long professional relationship between the diocese and a Cleveland architects' firm. St Margaret's church is octagon-shaped
WE do not deny the right of councillors to have suitable working conditions. Local authorities are major organisations, employ many people and have multi-million pound budgets. Those individuals elected to ensure such organisations are run efficiently
HEALTH professionals have expressed 'major worries' over a private clinic that is offering separate measles, mumps and rubella injections for North-East children. Concerned parents have been swamping Darlington's private Woodlands Hospital for the separate
WHEN it came to rural recovery, Lord Haskins did not have a smooth ride. Mr Graham Gill, a farmer who also runs an off-road driving business, criticised some aspects of diversification, the government's answer to everything. Dairy farmers had diversified
GARETH Maclure is to be given the chance to show his paces at centre tonight as Newcastle Falcons rest their first-choice midfield for the final Heineken European Cup game at Newport. While Liam Botham returns on the wing after his ankle injury, Maclure
PEOPLE in Hartlepool are helping the environment by taking advantage of free house-to-house collections of Christmas trees. More than 150 trees were collected on Monday, the first day, and the service will continue until next Wednesday. All the trees
From this newspaper 100 years ago. Sacrilege in Swaledale. Twice within the last six month, the alms box within Grinton church has been broken open and the contents stolen. The police hold a clue. For years past, the old church has been kept open until
SAMARITANS in Durham are on the look-out for more volunteers to help with their work. The Mid-Durham branch of the organisation, which listens to the suicidal and desperate, is holding a special introductory session at its headquarters. The number of
A MULTI-million pound private finance deal could soon be launched to stop the lights going out in Redcar and Cleveland's streets. Most of the 16,500 lighting columns across the borough have passed their sell-by-date and at least 9,000 are over their allotted
FILMS from the early twentieth century through to the current Harry Potter blockbuster will be shown at the Ritz cinema in Thirsk to celebrate its 90th anniversary. Once a fortnight, The Ritz will set aside Sunday night for special showings of movies
STOCKMEN who accidentally inject oil-based vaccines into a thumb or finger could lose the digit without prompt and expert medical treatment, warns Fort Dodge Animal Health, the UK's largest supplier of pig vaccines. Mr Ian Carroll, pig account manager
ICE hockey and skating have made a nostalgic return to the lake of a castle which last year was transformed into a 20-bedroom country hotel. Family and friends at Swinton Castle, former home of the Earl and Countess of Swinton, often played ice hockey
