CHRIS WESTWOOD is keeping his fingers crossed that defensive partner Graeme Lee is still at Hartlepool United next season. Lee is out of contract in the summer and is understood to be wanted by former Pool boss Chris Turner at Sheffield Wednesday. The
OPERA stars will converge on a theatre to celebrate a great composer next month. Singers from the Royal Opera House, English National Opera and Opera North will appear in Pure Puccini at the Gala Theatre, Durham, on Monday, June 2. It will feature favourites
It marked a turning point in the English Civil War, but now a new study has overturned accepted wisdom on the course of the Battle of Marsdon Moor. Nick Morrison reports IT'S not much to look at: a vast expanse of wheat stretching almost to the horizon
CHILDREN in Darlington have taken to two wheels to help charity. Youngsters from the town took part in a Blue Peter Bikeathon in South Park to raise money for Leukemia Research. More than 25,000 children nationwide took part in the event yesterday. Darlington
AN exhibition of local artistic talent opened at the Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate over the weekend. Almost 300 amateur and professional artists from across the Harrogate district submitted their art to the Harrogate Open. Selectors Hilary Diaper, curator
CARING Chris Baldock has handed his bride-to-be the perfect wedding gift - the chance of a new life. And his selfless gesture means he and partner, Valerie Lancaster, will be able to spend the rest of their lives together, a wish that might never have
A BIRTHDAY party for toddlers was given a real lift with the help of 2,000 balloons. The highlight of the celebration to mark the first anniversary of the Sure Start programme, in Grangetown, was the release of balloons from a giant birthday cake. Members
MEDICAL chiefs have revealed that the loophole which allowed disgraced surgeon Richard Neale to operate in the UK despite being struck off in Canada is to be closed next year. General Medical Council (GMC) officials have also suggested that it is highly
HOPES are high that the first phase of a multi-million pound extension to a shopping centre will be completed by the end of the year. Plans for the redevelopment of Newton Aycliffe town centre, in County Durham, had stalled after a dispute between the
ALWAYS the bridesmaid, never ever the bride. Three years of falling short in the play-offs and now Hartlepool United fall short at the business end of Division Three. Pool will never have a better chance of winning a trophy than the one which has just
JERMAINE JENAS believes Newcastle's return to the Champions League can be the launchpad for a genuine challenge to Manchester United and Arsenal's Premiership duopoly. The Magpies sealed a place in Europe's leading club competition for a second successive
A NORTH-East surgeon has put his best foot forward to help victims of war. Charles Viva, a retired plastic surgeon from Middlesbrough, took part in a fund-raising walk with staff from Woodlands private hospital, in Darlington. The nine-mile sponsored
A JILTED lover tormented his former girlfriend with "death" songs by rap singer Eminem before starting a fire outside her house, a court was told. The lives of Amanda Hartshorn and her young child were put at risk when ex-boyfriend Stephen Hobkirk set
IT is reassuring to read Dave Pascoe's portrayal of the BBC as the Ministry of anti-British propaganda (HAS, Apr 26). Extremists from left and right have long accused the BBC of political bias, which suggests that the BBC actually gets the balance about
TALENTED teenage violinist Sam Kennedy has received funding to help him pursue a career in music. The 17-year-old, from Redcar, has received a £1,000 grant from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget, following a plea from his grandmother, Kathleen
The 50th anniversary of the school crossing patrol service will be marked with a celebration at Hartlepool's Historic Quay tomorrow. There are 37 school crossing patrols in Hartlepool and 41 lollipop men and women, including casual staff who provide temporary
PEOPLE are being given the chance to delve into the history of their community with the help of the latest technology. The Grindon People and Places project is running as part of Adult Learners' Week, from next Saturday to Saturday, May 17, at Gates Electronic
BBC IT is reassuring to read Dave Pascoe's portrayal of the BBC as the Ministry of anti-British propaganda (HAS, Apr 26). Extremists from left and right have long accused the BBC of political bias, which suggests that the BBC actually gets the balance
A SCHOOL near Darlington is asking local people what evening classes they would like to see on offer when it becomes a specialist college. Hurworth Comprehensive School will become a mathematics and computing college in September. Questionnaires have
DELIGHTED passers-by flocked to a cash machine after it started issuing £20 notes instead of £10 notes. The mistake happened at the Alliance & Leicester, in Pallion, Sunderland, as customers withdrew cash from its dispensing machine. Chaos ensued
History maker Neil Wainwright will have many memories to treasure when he finally hangs up his boots, but Saturday's strike against Leyton Orient must rank as his finest. It was his second half effort which salvaged a point for Darlington but more poignantly
TEARFUL Gordon Watson packed his bags and waved goodbye to Hartlepool United on Saturday. The striker the fans adore admitted Saturday's title-decider at Rushden was his last for the club he joined in September 2001 after fearing his career was over.
The Greatest Movie Stars (C4) M.I.T. (ITV1) The Peterloo Massacre (C4) I ONCE had my picture taken with Angelina Jolie, a fact I mention not through a desire to name-drop but because this Hollywood actress was described as "clearly as mad as a snake"
Imagine living in a house where you know someone had been brutally killed only 13 years ago? Viv Hardwick meets the couple who bought the house where mother-of-four Ann Heron was murdered in 1990 FOR 13 years, an isolated white detached home on the edge
Union leaders say industrial action at the North-East's biggest employer of disabled staff is a "real prospect". Workers at Remploy, which employs several hundred people at factories throughout the region, have rejected a pay offer and could be balloted
EMOTIONS were high when soldiers were reunited with their families after months in the Gulf. More than 50 wives and children gathered at Claro Barracks, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, to greet their heroes from 38 Engineer Regiment. And in Germany, Major
Greatest stars laugh all the way to the box office The Greatest Movie Stars (C4) M.I.T. (ITV1) The Peterloo Massacre (C4) I ONCE had my picture taken with Angelina Jolie, a fact I mention not through a desire to name-drop but because this Hollywood actress
DARREN WILLIAMS last night confessed finishing bottom of the Premiership was the worst way to end a "crap season". Sunderland have suffered the final insult by losing their proud record of having never propped up a division in their 124-year history.
DURHAM'S three-day match against the University starting at the Racecourse on Friday has suddenly taken on great significance for the struggling middle-order batsmen. Durham have traditionally filled their boots against student bowling before beginning
FOR 13 years, an isolated white detached home on the edge of Darlington has been known as "the house where the murder was" or simply "the murder house". It's a lot easier to say than its real title of Aeolian House, Morton Palms, for a start. Now the
Fundraising efforts to help a North-East mother receive urgent treatment for her crippling condition have topped the £30,000 mark. Mother-of-four Ann Teasdale had to have her left leg amputated after contracting Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (
MORE than 100 Hambleton residents have signed two petitions calling for safety improvements on roads. The collection of names has been presented to North Yorkshire County Council in the hope that work will be done on the roads in Swainby and Alne, near
SEVERAL hundred re-enactors of the American Civil War are at Kiplin Hall today for their second day of educational entertainment. The grounds of the hall, near Richmond, have been taken over with tents and equipment to take visitors back to the time of
CHILDREN in Darlington have taken to two wheels to help charity. Youngsters from the town took part in a Blue Peter B Bikeathon in South Park to raise money for Leukemia Research. More than 25,000 children nationwide took part in the event yesterday.
A SANCTUARY for owls has welcomed two arrivals. Kirkleatham Owl Centre, near Redcar, has taken in a host of animals, which were all mistreated or unwanted by their owners in the past. Now one of them, a goat named Hope, has given birth to two kids. Hope
AN annual swimathon which has raised thousands of pounds for charity will be held at the weekend. The event, organised for the Past 22 years by Rotary, Lions and Rotaract Clubs, has raised £260,000 for charities in the Sedgefield borough. This year's
A DUCHESS and a cricket club chairman were among the guests at a North-East charity's launch yesterday. From today, the North-East branch of the national Down's Syndrome Association will be recognised as a charity in its own right - Down's Syndrome North-East
A DISABLED pensioner has been left without transport by vandals who attacked his car. Police in Bishop Auckland are appealing for witnesses to the incident in which all four tyres on the man's blue Honda were slashed. The car, which belongs to a 78-year-old
MORE than 200 youngsters competed for the honours at the Darlington Primary Schools' Netball Tournament. Year five and six pupils from across the town played High Five netball - a recognised version of the sport designed to be played by seven- to 11-year-old
Determined not to let the old lady down on its big day, Darlington Football Club waved goodbye to 120 years of Feethams history with the kind of battling display any of its former greats would have been proud of. And some were even there to witness it
POLICE are hoping drivers will heed their warning against using excessively tinted windows. While many modern cars have their windows partially tinted by the manufacturer, Northumbria Police are concerned about the numerous DIY kits which are available
A MAYOR is planning a Christmas bonus for thousands of council taxpayers. Residents across Hartlepool will benefit from plans by Stuart Drummond to change the system of collecting council tax so householders enjoy a payment break in December. The tax
THE unenviable task of following in Dave Walsh's footsteps has been handed to his former deputy. George Dunning, who was the Labour leader's second-in-command at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, beat his main rival, Dave McLuckie, by one vote to
LIKE Alan Hansen, Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy subscribes to the theory that you cannot win anything with kids. So while McCarthy has taken great heart from how his young tyros have adapted to life as Premiership players, he is refusing to pin his
A ROYAL Navy frigate, with close ties to North Yorkshire, seems set to continue patrolling the Gulf, despite confirmation some of the British warships will soon be turning for home. HMS Richmond - whose crew visit the market town of the same name every
SLOVAKIA striker Szilard Nemeth welcomed UEFA's decision not to play next month's international at the Riverside behind closed doors - but then called on European football's governing body to treat all its member nations the same. The Boro star was on
Marks and Spencer's new autumn/winter collection takes its inspiration from the 1960s. Women's Editor Christen Pears enjoys a sneak preview WALKING into the former Saatchi Gallery in London for the launch of Marks & Spencer's new autumn/winter collection
A CALL centre worker is looking forward to her wedding after winning £1,000. Rachel Hetherington, a lead training officer at npower's Peterlee call centre, won the cash after beating more than 900 other nominees in a national competition. Titled I own
A SCHOOL where more than half its pupils are taught in temporary accomodation, is going ahead with a bid to secure a new building. Durham North MP Kevan Jones visited St Cuthbert's RC Primary School, in Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street, on Friday to see
SOPHISTICATED fire engines will be swapped for humble bicycles when firefighters cycle the length of France for charity. Fifteen fundraisers are setting off from Calais today for a five-day journey to Monte Carlo. The men, all based at Peterlee fire station
THE last 'man' out of Feethams is a gorilla. He is slouched on a wall beside the twin towers, a Darlo scarf around his neck, sweat pouring from his costume. He's too exhausted even to beat his chest when a couple of passers-by accuse him of being Hartlepool's
FLOWER lovers are being asked to select a wild bloom that will be identified with County Durham for years to come. Plantlife International is hoping to pick a wild flower emblem for each county throughout the United Kingdom. Two flowers from each county
CONCERTS will be held in libraries to take live music into communities that normally do not get it. The third Live in the Libraries series, organised by Durham County Council, will feature clarinet quartet Ensemble 4 who will be playing the B flat and
STAFF at a North-East factory raised more than £1,500 on a madcap charity fundraising day. Flymo, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, decided to donate the proceeds for its annual charity day to the Ann Teasdale Appeal. The mother-of-four, from Newton
A NEWSPAPER informing people of council affairs is to be produced. Durham County councillors have agreed to fund the publication, at a cost of £166,000 a year, to improve the authority's communications with people. The newspaper will be tabloid-size with
YOUNG musicians aged from five to 25 are being invited to take part in a series of musical showcases. The search has been organised by North Yorkshire County Council and is being co-ordinated by the Live and Loud initiative, which is run by the authority's
POLICE have welcomed the results of a national firearms amnesty. Almost 200 weapons were surrendered in County Durham and Darlington during the amnesty, which ran throughout last month. The exact number is not yet available but police said they had received
A MULTI-MILLION pound fraud investigation is being centred on companies in the North-East. The probe was launched by Cleveland Police after allegations that almost £6m of public money was siphoned from a scheme aimed at providing training for adults.
A RARE Dracula orchid has had hundreds of visitors flocking to a North-East flower show. The distinctive flower is being exhibited in the region for the first time over the bank holiday. The species has helped increasee numbers at the Raby Castle Orchid
ONE of Germany's top honours was awarded to a North-East council leader - days before he dramatically lost his seat. Brian Stephens learned he was to receive the equivalent of an OBE in recognition of his work to improve Anglo-German relations. But days
TEENAGE arsonists who started a blaze that destroyed a town's landmark building have been described as deplorable. Two youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been sentenced after they admitted setting fire to the former Top Rank bingo hall
Former Darlington FC players have appealed for help in catching a thief who ransacked their dressing room. Darlington Old Boys David Speedie and Kevan Smith said they were prepared to offer a small reward to anyone who helped catch the culprit. The pair
NEWCASTLE may be heading for another £15m Champions League bonanza, but Sir Bobby Robson insists he would have no qualms about keeping the lid on the coffers and sending his fledgling Magpies back into combat with Europe's elite next season. United's
A MINER who worked in the pits for 40 years died from an industrial disease related to his work, an inquest heard. Alan Woodfine, 86, of Barrington Lodge Nursing home, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, had suffered problems with his lungs and breathing
ORGANISED violence blighted Middlesbrough's last home game of the season on Saturday as 30 people were arrested around the Riverside stadium. Another 100 Spurs supporters were detained at Darlington station as they tried to make their way into the town
Substitute Kevin Devine put Horden back into the Albany Northern League First Division after an absence of over a decade with a 2-0 home win over Hebburn on Saturday. Devine came on and scored twice in the last half hour to clinch a notable double for
CAMPAIGNERS on a Darlington estate have launched an urgent bid for European money after plans for a community centre hit a funding crisis. Work on a £1.2m community centre in Firthmoor was due to start last month, but stalled after organisers discovered
A COUPLE who called out plumbers to fix a leaking pipe were horrified to discover they were left with a large hole in their floor and dangerous electrics. John and Sheila Chapman, from Carrville, near Durham used their insurance policy against leaks and
A COUNCIL spent £1,500 flying a candidate more than 20,000 miles for a job - only to give it to a man from just up the road. Looking to find a new chief executive, Hartlepool Borough Council paid the air fare and hotel expenses for an applicant from Adelaide
PROMOTION secured and a title race over and lost, but the work has only just begun for Hartlepool United boss Mike Newell. Newell has yet to have a pre-season at the club - he took over in November - and his first summer in management is going to be a
SO, end of season games don't matter? Middlesbrough started Saturday afternoon in 13th place, and by 5pm they were up to tenth. If they can somehow beat a Bolton side fighting for their Premiership lives at the Reebok next weekend, they could possibly
WEAR Valley Disability Access Forum is launching a drive to support people with hearing difficulties to coincide with National Deaf Awareness Week, which runs from Monday to Friday. Charities Deaf Plus, which offers advice on aids and equipment, and Hearing
STUDENTS are putting the finishing touches to a documentary which has brought young and old together. The final day of filming for the project, involving a group of performing arts students from Greenfield Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe
AN awards programme dedicated to young sports competitors has received a welcome boost. The Darlington Young Sports Winner award scheme recognises the talents of youngsters aged eight to 18 who are involved in sport as individuals, teams or as coaches
AN internationally renowned musician is giving the first public performance on Bishop Auckland Music Society's new Steinway piano. The £43,000 instrument was delivered to the Throne Room, in Auckland Castle, in November after the society was awarded grants
COMMUNITY leaders are celebrating after winning a race against time to complete projects to improve their neighbourhood. Ferryhill Town Council had six months to spend £150,000 on four schemes to improve the community. The money was awarded by the Countryside
A SCHEME to attract more young people to the nursing profession gets under way on Teesside this week. North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust is looking for eight young people to train as nurses after extending its successful nurse cadet scheme into a third
