CAMPAIGNERS have lost their fight to save 12 mature pine trees from being felled at a parsonage in Loftus. News that the 100-year-old trees in the grounds of Loftus rectory, Micklow Lane, were to be axed by the diocese of York provoked anger among some
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League: There was no change in the league positions in the top two divisions as the semi finalists in both competitions were decided. In the First Division Cup the performance of the day belonged to Coundon
TWO men have been found guilty of a gay-bashing incident in a Redcar night club. David Hopwood was in hospital for three days after he was beaten unconscious on a night out with his family in Club Kudos. Paul Temple and Alan Bennett were arrested in the
Junior round-up: Billingham Bears had a convincing 9-0 win in English Junior (U16) North A League over visiting Altrincham Jets at Forum Ice Arena, the result never in any doubt after an opening period which saw Bears take a 7-0 led. Robert Dowd gave
THE water vole is the UK's fastest declining mammal - mainly because it is often mistaken for a rat. Pest controllers, builders and the public often poison them or disturb their homes because they think they are rats. But an initiative launched by the
THE Army will only be able to deploy a handful of fire tenders to cover vast swathes of the North-East and North Yorkshire in the event of a national strike, The Northern Echo can reveal. A ballot of more than 50,000 members of the Fire Brigades Union
A SURVIVOR of the Bali terrorist outrage arrived back in the North-East and told of his horror at witnessing the death of his best friend. Still bloodied from the atrocity, Ian Stafford of Greencroft, Annfield Plain, arrived at Newcastle Airport with
I couldn't start this column without talking about Tino Asprilla. Without doubt he is an unbelievable player and it could be a great thing for the North-East and the Third Division for him to play for Darlington - but whether he will fancy playing at
All of the players, staff and fans look forward to the derby games as soon as the fixtures for the new season are released - and I'm no exception. Our home clash with Darlington is on Saturday and I'm anticipating a great game. Both sides have started
I know it's a while back now, but while everyone at the club enjoyed the win over Darlington it was tainted with Gordon Watson suffering a broken leg. It is so sad for Flash, especially with what he has been through before, but I know he will be back
TOMORROW'S Scott Trial has attracted a maximum entry of 200 competitors, the biggest since 1979. Carrying No 1 in the event, organised by Richmond Motor Club, is Alan Kendall from Reeth on his Gas Gas. He will be sent on his way by his father, the chairman
AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to convert a former 1950s ballroom in the North-East into a music and dance academy. Businessman David Cox wants to create an entertainment forum with recording studios, rehearsal rooms and an auditorium at the old Beehive
THIS week's diary comes from Rome. For my wife and I, this was our first visit and after reflecting upon our experience, we realise it was one of the most memorable of our journeys. The wealth of history both ancient and modern, the awe-inspiring works
POOR performances on the pitch were a major reason behind Sunderland Football Club recording its first loss since becoming a public company, said the club. The Premier League outfit recorded a £2.8m loss last season. The figure, for the financial year
A MUSIC entrepreneur who has rubbed shoulders with international pop producers will be giving opportunities to teenagers from throughout the North. Adam Chetter, 21, who put Popstars: The Rivals top ten finalist Chris Park on the road to stardom, is being
FATHER and son Kevin and Michael Melton have taken over the reins at a popular village pub. This is their first experience as landlords and after a week pulling pints at the Bay Horse in Hurworth, they admit it is very hard work. However, for 22-year
A COMPANY which carried passengers, including schoolchildren, on old buses with a catalogue of mechanical defects has been given a warning by a traffic court. The public inquiry in Leeds was told that TWRC (formerly The Wensleydale Railway Company), of
Roy Keane appears to have been making all the headlines recently with his much published book. The question I keep asking myself is did he really need to write the book just yet? He's still playing and certainly doesn't need the money. The one thing I
Tino Asprilla has certainly put himself back in the spotlight at the expense of my club Darlington. Fair play to the chairman for attempting to sign Asprilla because it would have given the fans and the club a lift, but I for one can't say I'm too disappointed
MIDDLETON St George Parish Council is refusing to bail out the village community centre without seeing a business case. The chairman, Coun Brian Jones, has criticised Mike Latter, chairman of the community association, for pressing it to put up the parish
NORTHALLERTON butcher David Moule has won first prize in a new competition for the butchers of the area. Mr Moule's pork pies were judged the best in the competition held by the Northallerton and District Butchers' Association. The competition, held at
Quarter final results: J. Robinson (Whitehill Park Tenants) lost to E. Stephenson (Whitehill Park Tenants); G. Gray jnr (Grange Villa) lost to A. Tarn (Whitehill Park Tenants); B. Smiles (Whitehill Park Tenants) beat A. Buist (Fishburn); R.J. Mulroy (
LIMOUSIN cross-bred females put back to the Limousin bull fit the bill for a low-cost, low-risk system run by Northumberland farmer Richard Thornton. While other breeds have been tried and tested for the suckler herd at Cornhills, Kirkwhelpington, near
REDCAR woke up to a brand new landmark on Wednesday, but some townsfolk were less than impressed. The 18ft steel sculpture, Seven Red Plaice, was lowered into position at the entrance of the new Regent Walk shopping centre on the High Street. But, despite
A police family liaison officer appointed to the family of Jessica Chapman during the Soham murder inquiry has been charged with indecently assaulting a teenage girl, the force investigating him said yesterday. West Midlands Police said Detective Constable
MANY woodlands in the Yorkshire Dales are unmanaged and in poor condition, access is often difficult and, because the timber is low grade, costs for selling it are prohibitive and markets few and far between. But a demonstration day on the Scargill House
BUSINESS in Yorkshire is ready to be of world-class status and should seize the opportunities that a future in Europe offers the region, a conference was told yesterday. Delegates from a broad spectrum of local government and commercial interest met for
ARCHAEOLOGISTS are hailing the success of a dig at the site of an Iron Age settlement. Professional and amateur archaeologists have discovered evidence of a 2,500-year-old settlement, including pottery and farm animal bones, during a two-week excavation
INSURERS Prudential hailed strong sales figures after moves to broaden the reach of the group helped offset difficult market conditions. Group insurance sales using the industry's standard measure rose three per cent to £1.4bn during the nine months to
MIDDLESBROUGH stalwart Colin Cooper is hoping to persuade manager Steve McClaren to hand him a new one-year deal, writes Clive Hetherington. Football has provided a focus for Cooper to help him cope with the tragic loss of two-year-old son Finlay, who
A club record was set at the 40th annual leek show at the Royal British Legion in Newton Aycliffe. Lol Burniston broke the mark for pot leeks with an entry measuring 232 cubic inches. Second in the section was Derek Percival, with Dennis Spooner third
FERRYHILL residents have a week left to let the council know what they would like done with two bus shelters. The brick shelters, outside the aged miners' bungalows at Joseph Patterson Crescent and William Kerr Crescent, were open to the elements. But
TEENAGERS are transforming part of a hospice grounds for a school project teaching them to care about their community. A group of year ten and 11 pupils from King James I Community College are spending one day a week tidying up an overgrown corner beside
DAVID Seaman might not be able to save corner kicks, but he proved as elusive as ever when the post-mortem into his latest calamitous error was being conducted. Having failed to keep out Artim Sakiri's corner at the St Mary's Stadium, he gave the waiting
AN inquest into the death of a heroin user was adjourned yesterday after two witnesses failed to turn up. Darlington and South Durham coroner Colin Penna issued a summons for one of the absentees at the request of the family of Peter Fuller, 35, of Langdale
A WOMAN whose pet dog chewed its own tail off has been banned from keeping animals for ten years. Nicola Harris, of Rydal Road, Darlington, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday, where she admitted a charge of permitting unnecessary
FEARS over the future of holiday operator MyTravel were raised yesterday after the group issued its second profits warning in 18 days and prepared the City for further accounting revisions. At one point shares in the business fell by 73 per cent, meaning
FORMER Durham School star Christian Balshen, who was released by Newcastle Falcons at the end of last season, is back in Heineken European Cup action with Swansea. While the Falcons failed to qualify for the top European event - they are at home to Grenoble
JOY and despair; ecstasy and agony - it all comes neatly packaged in one weekend's action in this sporting life. So, while Paula Radcliffe transports us to the heights of admiration, we are at the same time sickened by the dreadful photographs from Bratislava
CHILDREN and staff at a Stockton primary school are stepping back in time today to celebrate the school's 125th anniversary. Hartburn Primary School first opened its doors on January 12, 1877, and pupils and staff will turn up for lessons dressed as famous
PIG producers have been urged to attend a regional conference to find out for themselves what opportunities there are to improve their businesses. Both the Road to Recovery, produced by the British Pig Executive, and the Acid Test from the National Pig
FOR nearly two decades, come rain, wind or shine, Dot Lazell has ensured the safety of thousands of children. Day in and day out, she has made sure that youngsters in the Bedale area get safely across the road to school. Yesterday, the youngsters at Bedale
CAMPAIGNERS have been celebrating news that the Government is to invest more than £1m in a project to improve safety at an accident blackspot that has already claimed a number of lives. Rainton crossroads lies just south of the A1/A61 interchange, between
A COUNTY Durham breeder has covered herself in glory by getting top points for her skewbald at last week's Horse of the Year Show. It was a dream come true for Clare Martin to even get to the show where Merrigan, her 16.1hh coloured horse, was ridden
ONE of the four bidders hoping for permission to develop Richmond's former railway station has made the details of his proposal public. Richmondshire District Council has called a public meeting at the town hall next week and had invited each developer
THE company behind a website which promotes the Yorkshire Dales, has been short-listed for an environmental accolade Web-crafting specialist, QDK, is in line to win the Edelman Award for the best environmental website, at the British Environment and Media
LIFE begins at 40 - at least it does for one village hall in North Yorkshire's . The centre, at Thornton Watlass, near Bedale, was built in 1962 to replace an old reading room in the village. Now a £9,000 package of improvements is giving the building
A disgraced psychiatrist who sexually molested a female patient 16 years ago faces a further year-long suspension while awaiting a disciplinary hearing before the General Medical Council (GMC). Dr William Kerr, 77, was unfit to stand trial because of
THE Wensleydale Evening Cricket League held its presentation night at the Bolton Arms, Leyburn, last Friday. The awards night was sponsored by the Darlington & Stockton Times and the event was attended by the editor, Malcolm Warne and his wife Sylvia
GREEN-fingered residents are celebrating after winning £5,000 to secure their gardens. South Moor Garden Association will use the cash to improve the allotments in Jane Gardens and North Gardens, South Moor, Stanley. Club official Chris Lowther said:
A NORTH-EAST couple with three boys now have the baby girl they desperately wanted - after going to America for treatment which is tightly restricted in the UK. The unidentified couple are among more than a dozen British families to travel to a clinic
THE glowering face of Alfred Hitchcock loomed menacingly over drivers from the back of a lorry yesterday. The 18-tonne solid steel mask of the Master of Suspense was slowly driven the length of the country, beginning its journey at first light. The £500,000
METHODISTS are staging a celebration to mark the impending demolition of their Victorian-built church building. Sunday's service of thanksgiving will mark the end of one era and the start of another for Carrville Methodist Church. Once the original 133
A North Yorkshire non-league soccer club has announced it will ban supporters from the ground who make racist taunts against players. Harrogate Town acted swiftly following incidents in the FA Cup Third Qualifying round tie at Accrington Stanley where
THE Chapel of the Good Samaritan at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, is to be extended as part of the programme to develop the Marton Road base into a single-site hospital serving the Teesside community. It is estimated that hundreds
The Beehive ballroom, a popular North-East meeting place in the 1950s and 1960s, could soon be busy again. Liz Lamb reports IT has been many years since the Beehive ballroom was last filled with music and laughter. The vast auditorium, where live orchestras
Alzheimer's disease affects more than 500,000 people in Britain, yet there is no cure and little treatment after the early stages. But a new drug has been released this month which can help people in the later stages of the disease. Lisa Salmon reports
EFFORTS to make Hartlepool a safer place to live have received a major boost. Councillors have approved funding of £10,000 for a programme of improvements to street lighting across the town. The Social Lighting programme was launched in 1999 and since
IT seems strange that, nearly 400 years on, we still celebrate one of the earliest and most notorious acts of terrorism to occur in this country. Guy Fawkes and his band of rebels failed to blow up Parliament but their legend lives on in the form of Bonfire
IT is a mere two inches long and weighs in at just a few grammes - but a tiny pearl-encrusted rodent was at the centre of a remarkable celebration today. The saga of the Bowes Mouse, stolen eight years ago in a daring raid, has reached its conclusion
Incredible sport on the River Swale continues to impress, writes JEFF HERBERT. In the RAFA Leeming Annual Charity Bash the 52 who turned out in support of this popular event were in for plenty of action when they shared over 600lbs of mainly big chub.
SUNDERLAND Council has praised residents for the war-time spirit they demonstrated during this week's bomb alert. Director of development and regeneration Phil Barrett said the emergency had been a real example of community spirit and teamwork. He reserved
COUNCILLORS are being asked to approve security measures at a number of bungalows in Hartlepool. Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's south neighbourhood consultative forum are being asked to approve the scheme for 32 bungalows in Glencairn Grove,
IRATE residents whose homes have been flooded in recent years have told a council to improve its response to extreme weather conditions. A Middlesbrough Council working party set up to investigate flooding found that residents whose homes and gardens
A MASSEUR and reflexologist has been jailed for four months after indecently assaulting two female clients. Stuart Hill, 51, of St Agatha's Close, Brandon, admitted two charges of indecent assault when he appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday. Judge
Spennymoor United are now looking forward to a FA Cup fourth qualifying round trip to Conference side Northwich after a dramatic replay win over Droylsden on Tuesday night. The hero was Anthony Lee, who snatched a dramatic winner in the second minute
YOUTH PRODUCTION: More than 45 youngsters, aged between eight and 16, from the Springwell Village Hall Junior Drama Group will appear in their production of Alice in Wonderland, which is being staged from Monday, October 28, to Friday, November 1. Tickets
A MASSEUR and reflexologist has been jailed for four months after indecently assaulting two female clients. Stuart Hill, 51, of St Agatha's Close, Brandon, admitted two charges of indecent assault when he appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday. Judge
PEOPLE can buy a piece of North-East history now that a Co-op supermarket dating from 1913 has been recreated as a collectable miniature. The Co-op at Beamish is one of the open air museum's most popular exhibits. The store existed in Annfield Plain,
THE Local Hero of 2001 Kip Watson last night sent a good luck message to the contenders for this year's awards. The Local Heroes Awards 2002 - powered by npower - take place at Tall Trees Hotel, near Yarm, on November 14. Mr Watson was 83 when he won
YOUNG performers are being offered the chance to appear in professional Christmas shows. Durham's Gala Theatre is looking for children aged between seven and 12 to play the Pirate 'rattlings' in Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates this winter. There
A SCHOOL which had just days to raise £20,000 to try to qualify for specialist sports status has met its target after an eleventh-hour bid. Roseberry Comprehensive School in Pelton, Chester-le-Street, had been working hard since January to raise the £50,000
Sir, - In your report about the traffic problems in the Quarry Road area of Richmond (D&S, Oct 4), reference was made to a survey of residents made by Coun John Harris on behalf of the Liberal Party. This survey was the last of three, the first two
Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League: SALVINS snatched their first win of the season over Binchester Social Club to haul themselves off the bottom of the First Division. A dramatic last-minute winner from Kevin Gillham bagged three precious
Turok Evolution Publisher: Acclaim. Platforms: PS2, Gamecube, X Box. Price: from £39.99 THIS is a very special Turok game. Not just because the series is now back on track after a ropey old third outing on the N64 but because it brings Turok's comic book
THE A team beat West Hartlepool 10-0 in a thrilling final to lift the trophy and avenge the close defeat West gave the B squad in the early rounds of the U-9 competition at the Gateshead Sevens tournament. The A squad easily despatched Westoe, Luke Edwardson
THE Plainsman are back on top of the Consett Sunday League third division after claiming maximum points against the Duke of Wellington while previous leaders Dipton Bird Inn were being foiled at the Burton House. Goals from Stephen Mallett and Gavin Talbot
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Proposed light railway for Teesdale. In response to a resolution passed by the parish councils of Upper Teesdale, Mr Fife, Lord Barnard's chief agent, attended a conference at High Force on obtaining a light railway
Mowden took the lead after five minutes when Number 8 Joe Mercer broke from the scrum before passing to the supporting Luke Kelly, who strode through to score, Daniel Wilson missing the conversion. After ten minutes Mowden took a ball against the head
HOW do you stamp out crime in your community? Get off your behind and do something about it. The mere male who had the temerity to say that to Dorothy Bowman probably had no idea how literally she would take the chance comment. In the past year she has
THE claim that Teesside is a cultural desert is an out-of-date generalisation which insults the many artistic endeavours, amateur and professional, to be found in the area. However, those who believe that a vibrant cultural life is fundamental to the
This week saw the Allstars playing some outstanding football with fantastic substitutions and long range goals. The Under-13s were away to Stockton West-End and pulled off a superb performance with Jamie Hind scoring four goals and Shaun Marshall having
A SESSION on the internet and a pint will soon become reality at a North Yorkshire village pub. Owners have transformed an old store room to create an internet pop-in shop for regulars and villagers. Six computers have been installed in the on-line room
JOY and despair; ecstasy and agony - it all comes neatly packaged in one weekend's action in this sporting life. So, while Paula Radcliffe transports us to the heights of admiration, we are at the same time sickened by the dreadful photographs from Bratislava
THE Chester-le-Street Waldridge Park U8s had a good win against Willington in difficult conditions. Intricate passing between Mark Bell and MoM Andrew Lowes allowed Lowes to cross from the by-line. Matthew Addison narrowly beat the onrushing Jake Lower
RESIDENTS in the Cockerton and Faverdale areas of Darlington have been consulted on the borough council's proposal to demolish a local school and move it to a new site nearer a great deal of new, and proposed, housing. Many of those who received the 6,000
Sir, - We were very excited at the prospect of being able to go to a farmers' market. We, like many others, want to give our full support and backing to farming and local produce which provides quality and assurances we can trust. So with much enthusiasm
A CAT used up one of its nine lives after surviving being shot in the back. Tess, a five-year-old neutered Tom, was discovered crying in pain under a bush in its owners' garden in Little Bridge Court, Pity Me, Durham City. The animal has undergone three
A ONE-MAN protest over the cultural identity of Redcar sparked off heated debates between townsfolk. Barry Gorman triggered the discussions after standing in the middle of the High Street last Wednesday with a banner declaring "Teessiders Support the
CONSUMER services officials are launching a crackdown on illegal firework sales. Durham County Council's consumer services department is targeting firework retailers in a bid to protect children from being injured by the explosives. Philip Holman, head
Darts P W F A T C Red Lion 9 8 50 13 16 6 Royal Hotel 9 8 48 15 16 3 Horndale A 9 8 39 24 15 6 Iron Horse 9 7 40 23 14 7 RBL 9 6 37 26 12 4 Navy club B 9 6 34 29 12 4 Southerne 9 5 35 28 10 6 Dandy Cart 9 4 30 33 8 3 Oaktree 9 3 27 36 6 5 RAFA 9 3 26
PLANS to create a multi-million pound museum and sell off the existing one to a hotel chain have been suggested in a new report on preserving an historic village. A blueprint has been commissioned into the preservation and promotion of Kirkleatham, near
Bishop Auckland: After three successive defeats, Bishop Auckland RUFC first 15 returned to winning ways on Saturday with a deserved 34-24 victory away to West Hartlepool Amateurs RFC in the Durham and Northumberland third division. A much improved performance
CHILDREN attending Yarm, Ingleby Barwick and Egglecliffe schools are missing out on swimming lessons because it takes too long to travel to the new baths at Stockton. Ironically, Stockton Council's case for a new pool was strengthened because its submissions
The membership of the Northern League club has reached record levels. The club, formed only five years ago, has a growing membership from all parts of the UK and abroad, and just two months into the season already has over 250 members, a record. Co-organiser
Stepy's Coaches Durham Sunday League: In the Justsport League Cup second round Houghton Glendale entertained Hetton Lyons Cricket Club, in a very entertaining game the home side were eventual winners 3-2. Chris Hall scored early on for Glendale before
REDCAR stages a seven-race programme today, with racing scheduled to begin at 1.35. The longest race on the card is The Weatherbys IT Services Handicap Stakes over one mile and three quarters, while the European Breeders Fund support The Pickering Maiden
A TRADE delegation is visiting the USA to find out how to develop a technology park in County Durhamm. Leading civic, economic and academic figures left on Tuesday for Durham in North Carolina to view the pioneering Research Triangle Park. The delegation
A BAT signed by Durham County Cricket Club players is being offered to the highest bidder to help to raise funds towards an annual Christmas dinner for elderly villagers. Jim Affleck, sub-postmaster in Newfield Village, near Pelton, on the outskirts of
Billingham enjoyed two full days of swimming at Middlesbrough competing in the first leg of the Autumn 2002 Graded Championship Series. Billingham were jubilant in bringing home medals: 6 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze. Glen Martin, 10, winning gold in magnificent
Womens Football: Tyne Tees Youth League - Under-12s: St. Francis 5 v 0 Seaton Carew This game was a pleasure to watch. In a good spirited local derby, St. Francis came out on top. The goals for Francis came from player of the match Sarah Rowbotham (2)
A mob of discerning townsfolk will help to pick the future town crier of Chester-le-Street. The district council and the town's traders' association organised a competition for someone with a 'thunderous yet articulate voice and an approachable character
A JUNIOR golf coaching course is being held at Durham City Golf Club, Littleburn, Langley Moor, during the half-term from October 28 to November 1. It has been organised by Durham City Council, and coaching will be given by Professional Golf Association
A FAMILY are appealing for the return of a horse-drawn carriage stolen last weekend. The hand-made carriage was built six years ago by Mark Bielby for his sister Andrea to use in carriage-driving competitions. On Sunday evening it was securely locked
CATERPILLAR announced last night that it was cutting more jobs at its Stockton plant. The news comes only six months after 98 jobs were lost at the heavy manufacturing site at Preston Farm. The cuts - which are likely to see another 23 people laid off
HEALTH chiefs have negotiated new arrangements with dentists to ensure treatment under the NHS remains available in upper Wensleydale. Patients in Hawes claimed that despite the Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust injecting £18,000 into services
YOUTH leaders were celebrating yesterday after receiving a £22,000 windfall for a drop-in centre project. Consett YMCA will use the cash to refurbish part of its old disco hall in the town centre and turn it into a community centre for youngsters. The
RESIDENTS want a council to back down on its refusal to consider their plans for parking restrictions. Last month Durham County Council tried to introduce mixed permit holder and pay and display parking restrictions in the streets surrounding Durham bus
MOTORISTS travelling north on the A19 to Hutton Rudby are now being encouraged to divert on to an inadequate and poorly-marked lane near Swainby and Potto, it is claimed. Northbound vehicles are diverting on to the A172 at the Cleveland Tontine, and then
THE Chester-le-Street Hilda Park U16s had a 7-0 County Cup win at Sacriston, who battled hard. Michael Smith got a hat-trick, Ross Lowrie, 2, and the other scorers were Steven Lock and Scott Gregory who scored on his debut. MoM: Michael Smith. The U14s
AGE has proved no barrier for a Darlington athlete who has been selected to represent Great Britain in the ITU Duathlon World Championships in the United States on Sunday. Mike Trees, 40, joins the six-man British elite team competing in the event at
businesses will have the chance to trade and network at a one-day event next month. Billed as the 'business equivalent of the dating agency,' Networking for Business is designed to promote trade between local companies and help them to find contacts and
BELLINGHAM. - Fri, Oct 4. Special sale of Blackface & Swaledale ewes, gimmers & ewe lambs. Fwd: 3,079 ewes, 1,130 gimmers, 915 ewe lambs. Prices, ewes. - Blackface 6 yrs FW: Mrs V Armstrong, Carrick, £116 to RJ Coulson High Staward; £110, £70
Tow Law Area League: Tow Law New Market B held on to their top spot despite losing by the odd point on their visit to Hamilton Row Black Horse. The Horse raced into a three-nil lead with singles wins from Barry Sims, Pat Elliott and Steve Wilkie. However
HUNGRY Michael Hunter stoked up the fire ahead of his world championship fight with Sweden's Frankie De Milo last night by insisting: "I've got nothing to fear." The Hartlepool-born boxer is bidding to claim the vacant WBF super-bantamweight title and
Darlington Mount Pleasant Rangers: The Under-12s A team played away against Norton & Stockton Ancients in the league and only managed a 3-3 draw. Rangers scorers were Mikey Smith (2), Kevin Coglan and man of the match Mikey Smith. The B team also
A COUNCIL has signed a pioneering deal that will provide two major construction firms with £140m of work. Durham County Council, Balfour Beatty and Wates have forged seven-year strategic alliances, thought to be the first of their kind in the country.
VILLAGERS have been issued with a "use it or lose it" ultimatum by the small band of volunteers who run their community centre. Without a pub or a school and with only one shop in Toronto, near Bishop Auckland, the centre is the only place for residents
PEOPLE are being urged to make use of a 24-hour telephone hotline to report firework nuisances in the run-up to November 5. Calls to the number - (0800) 3897223 - should be about illegal bonfires, fireworks nuisance or people selling fireworks illegally
THE future of a community centre still hangs in the balance after a parish council failed to make a decision on whether to give it essential funding. Middleton St George community centre is facing a cash crisis after Darlington Borough Council decided
A CHOIRBOY has received the highest possible award for young church singers. Robbie Major, 13, received the St Nicholas' Award from the Archbishop of York recently, during an event at York Minster with more than 300 young singers. The national award is
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture FEED wheat values have remained unchanged despite slightly weaker markets elsewhere in the UK. This is because of a reasonable but limited demand for wheat in the nearby positions.The export market is still well below
PETER Allen built some excellent courses at the recent Stainsby Grange senior show, where Paul Barker took the 1.20m open Horse and Hound Foxhunter on Joanne Tanfield's Stainsby Sponeck, ahead of Katherine Leak riding Lady Boss. Barker had taken over
BUS service cuts and changes on routes to Yarm, Kirklevington, Hutton Rudby and Stokesley have been criticised by passengers and councillors. Arriva has been condemned for cutting late afternoon and evening services, and for not advertising the changes
RELIEVED Kieron Dyer was last night given the all-clear in his bid to return to full fitness quickly. The Newcastle United midfielder received the good news after hearing the results of a scan on the back injury that forced him to withdraw from the England
QUAKERS threw away two precious points at Gigg Lane last Saturday when Bury scored twice in the last three minutes to salvage a draw. Tommy Taylor's side looked to be heading for a welcome second successive win when left back Ryan Valentine's first league
A BLACKSPOT crossroads where people are said to take their lives in their hands on the A1 is to be upgraded as part of a £145m programme to improve 92 junctions on English trunk roads and motorways. The Highways Agency announced this week that a temporary
Barton Cricket Club holds its annual presentation tomorrow night at the Jersey Farm Hotel near Barnard Castle: they'd best apply to the magistrates for an extension. The first team entered 11 cups, reached ten finals, won seven. Then there are the seconds
MIDDLETON ST George residents will soon be able to go online at an information technology centre in the Women's Institute building. On Monday, the parish council agreed pay the running costs to get the free service up and running. Coun Doris Jones said
A jealous ex-boyfriend who stabbed his former partner's new lover has been jailed for three years. Gareth Burns, 23, had hoped to reconcile his relationship with Ann-Marie Jackson but 'snapped' when her new man Karl Dodd opened her front door in West
Worthington Durham County CIU Team Knockout Final: Old Shildon completed a League and Cup double after they beat Durham City in the Team Knockout Cup Final played at Crowtrees, where Alan Greener of Sherburn officiated. The Durham team received 121 points
After a bad result against Rushden, it is important that we picked ourselves up and played well in our next game. And I'm pleased to say we did exactly that at Shrewsbury on Saturday. It's at times like this when team spirit comes into play and ours is
Spennymoor Voltigeur scored the first whitewash of the season with a 13-0 victory over Bishop Auckland Bay Horse. Dean Mains, Darren Briggs and David Graham won two singles games each, whilst Andy Mole, Kelvin Anderson, Tony Biddle and Michael Craddock
Blackbourns Garage/Carmel League Bellwoods 1, FNL 4; Barry Barbers 1, KRP 2; Blackbourns 6, Skerne Park 7; Harrowgate 7, Fast and Bulbous 2; Turks Head 7, Roeder Rejects 0; Bells Videos 2, Smith and Allan 2. P W D L F A Pts Barry Barbers 6 6 0 0 49 11
A SURVIVOR of the Bali terrorist outrage arrived back in the North-East and told of his horror at witnessing the death of his best friend. Still bloodied from the atrocity, Ian Stafford of Greencroft, Annfield Plain, arrived at Newcastle Airport with
POSSIBLY the largest dispersal of Swaledale sheep in the North goes under the hammer tomorrow at a farm in County Durham. Moorland belonging to Lord Lambton at Birkhott Farm, Muggleswick, is being sold for shooting, leaving tenant farmers T Bean &
THE Yorkshire Agricultural Society is inviting applications for its Nuffield Scholarship awards. To raise awareness of the awards, the society has arranged for two past scholars to give presentations of their experiences and benefits at the Pavilions,
A 75-YEAR-OLD whose pension was stolen in Redcar High Street has told of his gratitude to a good Samaritan who chased the thieves and retrieved the cash. The man, who did not wish to be named, said that just before the theft he was not feeling well and
Consett 5 Esh Winning 1 CONSETT bounced back from a heavy midweek defeat at Whitley Bay with this emphatic victory over Esh Winning in the Albany Northern League first division. The win lifts the Steelmen off the bottom of the division one table. A win
A NEW version of Moliere's classic comedy Tartuffe is to be staged in Teesdale later this month. The play, to be performed at Mickleton Village Hall on Wednesday, October 30, at 7.30, is described as "the original Carry On film plot - an hilarious and
EASINGWOLD woman Joyce Thackeray has had her first book published, The Woven Basket, an autobiography of her adventures in Africa. She was born in Egypt where her father was a senior colonial prison officer, and the book portrays the unusual and exciting
I along with all other Darlington fans have had better weekends. Everywhere I've gone people have wanted to know what went wrong on Saturday. All I can say is that we were beaten by a very good side who I'm sure will go on and win promotion this year.
Things aren't getting much better down at Feethams. We have now gone seven games without a win and the pressure is on us big style to get a result on Saturday against Bristol Rovers. Hopefully we will have a couple of new faces in the squad to give everyone
LOVE Everlasting won her first Group 3 race at Ascot on Saturday when Kevin Darley, who was in treble form, partnered Mark Johnston's runner in the Princess Royal Wilmott Dixon Stakes. This added to the filly's three Listed wins for her owner-breeders
HOWARD WILKINSON has told a tormented Niall Quinn he must decide where he stands at Sunderland for the good of the club - and his own health. Wilkinson yesterday revealed that player-coach Quinn had been in mental and emotional turmoil since the sacking
SUNDERLAND football fans have stolen a march on their Newcastle counterparts to see their stadium take the top slot on a new Monopoly board. While the club's chances of topping the Premiership may be slim, the Stadium of Light has won more votes than
DAVID Beckham cut through the despondency surrounding England last night when he insisted they remain favourites to qualify for Euro 2004, despite Turkey's runaway start to their Group Seven campaign. England could have to win away to the Turks, 5-0 winners
COUNCILLORS will be accused of "fiddling while Rome burns" if there is more flooding in North Yorkshire. An action group founder said there would be a "payback time" if the area hit more problems this winter and the authorities were still just talking
A GROUP of courageous women took to the catwalk last night in support of a cancer charity. The six North-East women, who are all breast cancer survivors, were part of The Northern Echo Fashion Show, which was organised to raise money for Breast Cancer
FERRYHILL is trying to be upgraded to a main county town, which should give it greater access to funding. Councillors in Ferryhill believe the town should have the same status as neighbours Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Shildon. Durham County Council
A PROJECTIONIST, who worked at the former Pavilion Cinema in Ferryhill, is celebrating 60 years of married life. Stanley and Ida Davidson, of Ellerton Close, Darlington enjoyed a party with family and friends to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary
A JEWEL-encrusted mouse, one of only six in the world, is to be returned to the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, from where it was stolen in 1994. The two-inch long mechanical rodent, made in Switzerland in the eighteenth century and worth about £90,000,
THE willingness to go on strike for the first time in a quarter of century and leave emergencies to be tackled by makeshift crews of military personnel demonstrates the sense of grievance felt by Britain's firefighters. They are a dedicated profession
THE future of Reeth's National Park Centre could be decided at a meeting later today. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has already committed itself to a move from the centre to the old Barclays Bank. However, it has yet to decide what to do
Plucked from National Service, John Urwin claims he became part of an assasination squad which puts the SAS to shame. Nick Morrison gets to grip with a trained killer AS his grip tightens around my head and I hear the bones in my neck crack, I have a
EMILY Bentley will go to any lengths for her mum.The 24-year-old is driving from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her mum, Angela, suffers from the condition. She sets out tomorrow on the 874-mile drive in
NEWS and distribution group WH Smith counted the cost of a sharp fall in sales at its US operations as it suffered a slide in annual profits. Shares fell three per cent as losses in the US division, where airport and hotel stores were hit by the fallout
Things could hardly have worked out any better this year for Seb Sanders, who is lying in third place in the jockeys' championship, writes RICHARD YOUNG. He can make further ground on Richard Hughes, who is second, by riding a double on day two of Newmarket's
POPPY APPEAL: I'M offering everyone the chance to be a record-breaker - and ensure the needs of British ex-servicemen and women and their dependants are not forgotten. Last year the Poppy Appeal raised a record total of £21.46m and organisers are hoping
NORTH-EAST motorists are being targeted in a Home Office campaign aimed at cracking car crime. A £5m advertising campaign - Don't Give Them An Easy Ride - aims to build on successful police efforts to cut the number of cars taken and broken into the region
AGGRESSION management expert Owen Murray has set up a training consultancy to help combat escalating violence in the workplace. Sure Safe, in South Hylton, Sunderland, is designed to help deal with incidents of verbal and physical abuse at work. It is
CHILDREN have spelled out a bleak future for the region, in which high winds blow down the Angel of the North, the River Tyne bursts its banks and soaring temperatures make the Metro railway track unsafe. Yesterday, the school hall at Kingsmeadow School
A BARRIER could soon be installed on a Richmond road to prevent drivers ignoring signs prohibiting through-traffic. Quarry Road links the Gallowfields Industrial Estate with Hurgill Road, and is often used as a short-cut into the town centre - despite
Turok Evolution Publisher: Acclaim. Platforms: PS2, Gamecube, X Box. Price: from £39.99 THIS is a very special Turok game. Not just because the series is now back on track after a ropey old third outing on the N64 but because it brings Turok's comic book
BRICKBAT of the week goes to Thorntons, for truly appalling service. They might make good chocolates but their attempts at delivering them are absolute rubbish. Mistake upon mistake. Confusion, broken promises and ignored telephone calls. Three weeks
WANT to buy Jaeger clothes at Marks & Spencer prices? Then get yourself to Hexham. A lot of people do. It's fast become a favourite spot with Tyneside's ladies who lunch - and who love a bargain. And when you can get names like Jaeger, Planet, Country
When the violence finally has to stop - Falling Apart (C4): The opening caption "one in four women in Britain suffers domestic violence at some stage" signalled what the subject matter of this one-off drama was going to be. Anna Maloney's script, based
LIFE was returning to normal for a North-East community last night after the safe detonation of a Second World War bomb which had wreaked havoc on residents. Following the potential devastation the German 1,000lb bomb could have caused, one of the only
FOOTBALL players Graham Fenton and Stuart Whitehead got the ball rolling for a new superstore yesterday. The Darlington FC stars dropped in at the town's £1.5m Matalan store, on Neasham Road. The cut-price clothing company has taken over the site previously
THE tourism information centre in Darlington could soon be linked up to others in the area. Northumbria Tourist Board is hoping to work with local authorities across the region to create a Northumbria Network of Tourism Information Centres (TICs). The
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues. Fwd: 98 cattle. Cows & calves: D Smith £730; CR Nicholson £570; A Tarn £640, £640, £600, £530, £520, £450; F Lee £600(3); J Oulton £530, £380, £365. Lim bulls: J Wood £615; MC Dent & Son £435; K Hodgson £410. Lim bullocks
For couples with fertility problems, IVF often seems like the only way to have children, but there is a natural alternative. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports MANY couples try for years to have a baby. The desire to have a family often takes over
YOUNG artists were rewarded for their efforts with a tour of a railway station. Seven youngsters from St Albans RC Primary School in Walker, Newcastle, were taken on a tour of Newcastle Central Station after winning a school poster competition. It was
CIU League: Crook Belle Vue won the Team Knock Out Cup after they beat Cockton Hill in the Final played at the Prospect Club by eight points to five with two unplayed. The surprising points for the Crook team came in the pool, where they only dropped
Turkey Trot - Stableford Division One: 1 G Collinson 39 points, 2 P Musgrave 29, 3 N Dodd 38, 4 A Heslop 37. Division Two: 1 M Brown 31, 2 S Steel 41, 3 F Drake 40, 4 R J Barrass 40. Division Three: 1 B Neil 46, 2 T Walker 41, 3 B Coleman 39, 4 M Oliver
RAIL engineering firm Jarvis could be poised to take over Thrall Europa's York wagon-works of Thrall Europa. The company, which has a rail division in York, is believed to want the Holgate Road site when Thrall moves out next year. A Jarvis spokesman
THE elevated position of mayor and mayoress did not stop Eric Jackson and Brenda Forster from getting their hands dirty for charity. The dignitaries assisted behind the counter, stocked shelves and priced goods at the British Heart Foundation charity
IT seems strange that, nearly 400 years on, we still celebrate one of the earliest and most notorious acts of terrorism to occur in this country. Guy Fawkes and his band of rebels failed to blow up Parliament but their legend lives on in the form of Bonfire
George Fawcett lost his marriage, livelihood and much of his memory after he was beaten into a coma ten years ago. Now, the former bodyguard to comedian Chubby Brown has rebuilt his life - and body - to score success in a national body sculpting competition
ONE of the oldest cathedrals in the world has once again retained its status as the region's best loved landmark. Up against the more recent constructions of the Gates-head Millennium Bridge and the Angel of the North, the 900-year-old Durham Cathedral
AFTER 25 years of research the history of one of North Yorkshire's market towns can be told as never before. The highs and lows of town life, and its activity and status since the 18th century, are compiled in Mick Riordan's latest publication, The History
There won't be many clubs - if any - in the country who have had just four secretaries in 112 years but this was the proud boast of Stanley United until Paul Fowler took over before the start of the current season. The club, formed in 1890 by the merger
PEOPLE are being asked to share their memories of three Middlesbrough hospitals for a commemorative book. The book is intended to mark the closure next year of Middlesbrough General Hospital, North Riding Infirmary and the rehabilitation ward at West
EMERGING rock musician Pete Shoulder and his band top the bill at the tenth annual district of Easington Music Festival, which began last night. The Chester-le-Street guitarist and singer/songwriter's Seventies-style blues-rock is at the Rock Bar, in
Young gymnast Rachel Collinson of Shildon is being primed to take part in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. A member of the South Durham Gym Club, the 16-year-old is amongst 12 talented gymnasts from around the country who have been hand-picked to be groomed
AN embittered businessman who carried out a bizarre campaign of intimidation against a couple who bought a fish farm that he wanted has been jailed for five-and-a-half years. Robert Walker, 50, of New Ivesley Farm, Esh Winning, carried out a vicious vendetta
A THREATENED steelworks could soon be fully operational again if its former managing director is given approval to proceed with a proposal he has put to the administrators. Bill Cooper was in charge at Weardale Steel at Wolsingham for seven years, but
A SURVIVOR of the Bali terrorist outrage arrived back in the North-East and told of his horror at witnessing the death of his best friend. Still bloodied from the atrocity, Ian Stafford of Greencroft, Annfield Plain, arrived at Newcastle Airport with
THE SOURCE of an isolated case of e-coli infection which caused the death of an elderly man remains a mystery. John Reames, from Coxhoe, died in intensive care in the University Hospital of North Durham in August. An inquest heard that tests revealed
STANLEY FC showed their battling qualities when they came back from two goals down to record an 8-3 win in the Stanley Sunday League at table-topping Grange Villa. The league's leading marksman Mark Drake continued his brilliant start to the season for
THE CURTAIN has come down on the scheduled reopening of a community theatre after the discovery of rising damp. The staging of a popular pantomime has been thrown into uncertainty, professional shows have had to be reprogrammed and plans for a grand gala
THE next phase in the long run to improve road safety on the A66 at Longnewton is about to begin. The Highways Agency is to publish legal notices detailing the £6.2m improvement scheme, its effects on traffic during construction and how to pass on any
Rally co-driver Michael Wilkinson will be pitting his skills against the cream of the country's rally stars when he contests the Michelin South of England Tempest Stages later this month. Michael will be co-driving for Stephen Petch on the south coast
ROYAL Oaks Sparkling Confetti, owned by Jill Robinson of Norton, was crowned champion miniature at the Horse of the Year show last week. The yearling pinto filly was imported from Florida as a foal and has had a very successful start to her showing career
Scott Carpenter, a member of Sedgefield 75's squad and a pupil at Barnard Castle School, has been chosen to play for Great Britain's over-18 team in a tournament in Eire. This is a remarkable achievement as Scott is only 14-years-old and is the youngest
THE need for a part-time town centre manager at Bedale has been identified in a key document designed to help the area win regeneration funding. Hambleton councillors have been asked to say what response should be given by their authority, in the form
Darlington Simply Lasses and Stockton West End faced each other for the second time in eight days with West End taking the game last week and progressing to the next round of the Cup. This week however Darlington arrived well motivated to achieving a
Newhouse Club, who were hoping to repeat their Championship of last season, slipped further behind the leading Tow Law New Market A when they dropped four points at Tow Law Station. The two trebles were shared and Steven Raine then took the first singles
Sir, - I have been reading with increasing interest over the last couple of weeks your articles about the youth hostel in Ellingstring. As a frequent visitor to the village I am amazed that the Youth Hostel Association is considering selling this hostel
In the Premier, Steels Social Club are the new leaders, they ran riot against Sunderland Catholic Club defeating them 9-0. Leading 4-0 at the interval and then going nap after the restart by scoring five more goals. Derek Cooke grabbed four, Peter Stronack
IMPROVEMENTS to a bridge carrying the A167 over the East Coast rail line on the outskirts of Durham will not be finished before mid-December. Work began on the Nevilles Cross Railway Bridge on Monday, October 7.New barriers are being installed to protect
THE number of arrests and solved crimes is continuing to soar as the result of a major police clampdown. Detectives say Operation Trident is growing as arrested criminals begin to implicate associates in other crimes. More than 60 people have now been
