Archive

  • Wood leads Tykes' reply

    Matthew Wood survived a late batting collapse to end unbeaten on 124 as Yorkshire reached 291 for four in reply to Glamorgan's first innings of 466 at Colwyn Bay yesterday. At 260 for one Yorkshire looked capable of posting a first innings lead, but the

  • Placing our trust in the nation's heritage

    FOUNDED in 1895, the National Trust took 75 years - to 1970 - to gain a membership of just 200,000. But over the following ten years it added 800,000 to reach a million. That number doubled over the next decade, and the three million mark was passed in

  • My grand-daughter was saved by mother's body

    A grief-stricken grandmother told yesterday how her dying daughter shielded her child from the flames in a house blaze which left three dead. Rose Yates described how she tried unsuccessfully to reach her three grown-up children upstairs as an inferno

  • Scottish Tory leader visits N-E with message about devolution

    A MEMBER of the Scottish Parliament was in the region yesterday to give his views on regional assemblies. Leader of the Scottish Conservative Group, David McLetchie, made a visit to the Stockton Conservative Group headquarters as part of a tour of the

  • Bus drivers to strike over pay

    COMMUTERS were bracing themselves for transport chaos today with bus drivers walking out on strike. Hundreds of staff at York bus company First are expected to stay away from work in the first of a planned series of one-day stoppages. Only contracted

  • Diabetic talk by hospital's service boss

    DURHAM diabetics will get a talk on an exercise referral scheme at their next meeting. Diabetes UK's Durham group will meet on Tuesday, September 9, at 7.30pm, in the Diabetes Centre at the city's University Hospital. Dr Gillian Hawthorne, consultant

  • Pony fall tragedy girl named

    THE four-year-old girl who died when she was thrown from a pony was yesterday named as Madeline Eve Jackson. The youngster, who lived with her family in the Kirkbymoorside area of North Yorkshire, died after her tiny mount was startled by something in

  • Suicide verdict on prisoner who was frequently in pain

    A WOMAN serving a life-sentence in Durham Prison hanged herself in her cell, an inquest was told yesterday. Last year, Durham Prison was named as having the highest suicide rate in England and Wales, with the deaths of six inmates. At County Hall in Durham

  • Team tackles street vandals

    BUS shelter vandalism is to be tackled by Stockton Borough Council's community safety security services section. The team has already carried out surveillance in Norton High Street, after several windows were broken in bus shelters and telephone boxes

  • Summer madness arrives

    A DAY of "summer madness" is coming to Darlington tomorrow with skateboarding and circus performances among the attractions on offer. The event, at Eastbourne Sports Complex, aims to get the community involved in providing activities for youngsters. It

  • Praise for people who helped in sea rescue

    A COASTGUARD has thanked members of the public who looked after two men who nearly drowned on a North-East beach. Paul Waugh, an auxiliary coastguard, was called out on Sunday at 2.15pm to rescue two Eastern European men who were in difficulty off Marske

  • Residents' shock at plans to demolish up to 500 homes

    RESIDENTS of a Teesside estate have told of their shock at council proposals to demolish their homes. One disabled woman on the Hardwick Estate, in Stockton, said she would become a prisoner in her home if she had to move and lost the support of her neighbours

  • Police plea after teenagers injured in hit-and-run

    POLICE are appealing for help after four teenagers were hurt in a hit-and-run outside a fairground. The incident followed an altercation involving several young men and women at the scene on the Stray, at Harrogate, North Yorkshire. During the course

  • Rock legend Meatloaf to grab a slice of village life

    ROCK star Meatloaf is to make rock 'n' roll dreams come true for residents of a North-East village when he moves in as their neighbour. Locals in the village of Wolviston, near Billingham, are steeling themselves for the arrival of the US rock legend

  • Mother's vow over hospital death

    THE mother of a teenager who died just days before his 19th birthday has vowed to sue the hospital which she believes left him to suffer. Neil Daniel died of brain abscesses at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, last year after suffering

  • Plea for clues to street fight

    A MAN is recovering after being stabbed in the throat with a broken bottle. The 22-year-old from Middlesbrough was injured during a street battle between two rival gangs in the town centre at 3am on Monday. A total of 18 people clashed in Albert Road

  • Man remanded

    A man appeared in court yesterday charged with a string of sex attacks on a young girl in Sunderland. Rupinder Bandal, 24, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to four charges of rape and one of indecency with a child, under 16. Mr

  • Christmas comes early as gardener grows his favourite flowers

    THE fuchsia's bright for what is now a hardy annual flower show - thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts such as Ray O'Brien. Visitors to this weekend's Durham and Northumberland Fuchsia Society annual show may be confused about the season when they see

  • Housebuilder Persimmon has never been busier

    DEMAND for new homes remains strong, according to Britain's largest housing firm. Persimmon recorded a 29 per cent increase in first-half profits during the six months to June 30. Pre-tax profits rose to £151.7m from £117.2m last year - a record increase

  • Chapel tribute to soldier

    EIGHTY-SIX years after a soldier was killed at the Battle of the Somme a poignant memorial to him is being established in a tiny North Yorkshire chapel. A framed picture of 29-year-old Lance Corporal Christopher Scott Kemp with an inscription will be

  • Police give advice after sex attacks

    Anxious Seaham residents are being offered specialist security advice from a police-led partnership after three recent sex attacks People living on the Westlea and Deneside estates are invited to a security roadshow at the Eastlea Community Centre between

  • Church helps charity

    MEMBERS of a Darlington church have joined forces with a charity that helps people in debt. Parishioners at Kings church, in the town, are supporting the work of Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in Newton Aycliffe. CAP is a national charity that helps

  • Rowing towards charity target

    FOOTBALLERS who wanted to help the community are raising money for children. The football team at the Fighting Cocks pub, in Middleton St George, took part in a 24-hour rowing machine relay at the weekend. The money raised will go to Magic FM radio's

  • Attack led man to seek revenge

    A man took the law into his own hands when he sought revenge against a gang who were terrorizing people living in Darlington. John Fletcher, of Salters Lane Terrace, became so aggrieved after a friend was beaten up that he attacked the home of someone

  • Two charges dropped for sex shop man

    TWO charges against the owner of a North-East sex shop and massage parlour have been discharged by magistrates. John Middleton, 60, of North Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, was accused of procuring a girl under 21 to have unlawful sex with a third

  • The bottom line about J-Lo

    Alibi (ITV1) Jennifer Lopez: The Story (five) THERE was no doubt that Graham loved his wife. "I think it's beautiful, so are you, stuff the mortage," he told wife Linda, handing her an expensive necklace for their 20th wedding anniversary. To be strictly

  • Rescue team's appeal for fundraisers

    A RESCUE team which repeatedly race against the clock to reach lost and injured walkers is appealing for help. The 50 volunteers of Cleveland Search and Rescue have been called to 19 incidents this year on the North Yorkshire Moors. The group is appealing

  • Nurse's success with double role

    BERNI Cardy is believed to be the region's first gynaecology nurse specialist working within a cancer unit. The South Tyneside Health Care nurse's job is to ensure cancer patients receive comprehensive medical and emotional support during their treatment

  • Clarke's new role

    Darlington manager Mick Tait is backing reluctant striker Matt Clarke to cause havoc among Third Division defences this season, writes LEE HALL. Clarke engraved his name into the record books on Monday after his equaliser - the first goal by a home player

  • Tuscan Flyer on the fast track to success

    TUSCAN FLYER, who lived up to his name with a speedy performance to collect at Musselburgh last week, has a clear-cut chance to follow up at Catterick this afternoon. Robin Bastiman's gelding is a fair tool on his day, a point reflected by the fast time

  • Doctor sentenced for secretly filming children in bathroom

    A DOCTOR who set up a secret camera in his bathroom to take pictures of a woman, accidently took footage of children, a court was told yesterday . Video enthusiast Dr Peter Finklestone, 39, who restored old episodes of Dr Who for the BBC, transferred

  • libraries to boost rural employment scheme

    LIBRARIES across North Yorkshire are about to play a major part in a service to boost employment prospects for people in rural areas. The programme provides unemployed people with the opportunity to get specialist job-search help and advice without having

  • Youngsters set roller on a trail of disaster

    JOY-RIDING youngsters left a trail of havoc - after they somehow managed to start up a road-roller. Unfamiliar with the controls, they were unable to handle the hefty piece of equipment and abandoned the vehicle, and ran away from the scene. But the roller

  • Skaters perform

    PROFESSIONAL skateboarders and in-line skaters enjoyed Skatefest at the weekend. The Evolve Skateboard teams and the UK Freesport Academy gave demonstrations at the Dalton Park shopping outlet, in east Durham, on Saturday. There was also breakdancing,

  • FUNDRAISERS dig out their flares for a FANCY DRESS pub crawl

    PUB-GOERS raised hundreds of pounds to help a mother-of-three receive urgent medical treatment, in a fundraising stunt with a difference. A group of about 20 people donned their best 70s gear and set off on a fancy dress pub crawl around Newton Aycliffe

  • Leisure centre gets green energy boost

    A TOWN'S leisure centre and council offices are being fuelled by green energy. Chester-le-Street District Council is running the Civic Centre and its leisure centre partly from renewable energy sources, including wind farms and hydro-electricity stations

  • Sir Bobby's paternal instincts help Ameobi

    SIR BOBBY ROBSON has thrown a paternal arm around the shoulder of Shola Ameobi and backed him to reveal his true self in Newcastle's crunch Champions League qualifier with Partizan Belgrade. The England Under-21 striker was out of sorts in Saturday's

  • Norstead celebrates contract wins

    MECHANICAL and electrical contractor Norstead has announced two successful contract wins in the North-East worth a total of £4.3m. The company, part of the Metnor Group, in Killingworth, North Tyneside, is expecting to achieve a turnover for the year

  • McClaren satisfied with Mendieta bow

    GAIZKA MENDIETA'S introduction to the Premiership with Middlesbrough did not go according to plan last night at Leicester City. The 29-year-old only received international clearance from FIFA hours before kick-off following his switch from Italian giants

  • MCC to visit Intertech

    RUSSIAN firm Mining and Chemical Combine (MCC) will be at Intertech 2003, a two-day meeting and seminar designed to create greater opportunities for North-East companies to develop knowledge-based technology. MCC is promoting The Radiation Technology

  • Store wars as supermarket prepares to open its doors

    TWO supermarket chains are preparing to go head-to-head to win customers in a County Durham town. On Monday, a multi-million pound Tesco supermarket will open in Chester-le-Street Market Place. The project has taken the national chain five years from

  • Tuscan Flyer on the fast track to success

    TUSCAN FLYER, who lived up to his name with a speedy performance to collect at Musselburgh last week, has a clear-cut chance to follow up at Catterick this afternoon. Robin Bastiman's gelding is a fair tool on his day, a point reflected by the fast time

  • Harmison raps out reminder

    DURHAM paceman Stephen Harmison shrugged off a disappointing start in front of the Sky TV cameras at Riverside last night to rap out a reminder to the England selectors. Harmison was unhappy about being left out of the fourth Test at Headingley, especially

  • Reaping benefits of move to N-E

    A GOVERNMENT department in the North-East would boost the regional economy and could save taxpayers millions of pounds, according to an economist. Civil servants would also save thousands on their mortgages, education costs and living costs if they relocated

  • Blow for station updates

    HUNDREDS of rail station improvement schemes are being shelved due to a lack of funds, the Strategic Rail Authority said yesterday. It had been hoped that as many as 1,000 schemes would go ahead, but now only 68 schemes - worth £25.6m - will be proceeded

  • Bobby poised for Welsh collision

    NEWCASTLE boss Sir Bobby Robson could be on collision course again with Wales after he declared striker Craig Bellamy a major doubt for the vital Euro 2004 qualifiers next month, writes CLIVE HETHERINGTON. Bellamy, 24, travelled to London yesterday to

  • Fourth for Easterby

    Tim Easterby has almost made Ripon's Steve Nesbitt Challenge Trophy Nursery his own and saddled his fourth consecutive winner of the race yesterday. The 13-8 favourite Mind Alert followed in the footsteps of Samadilla (2000), Travelling Times (2001) and

  • Ex-Toon star's car stolen at knifepoint

    A NORTH-EAST footballer has had his sports car stolen by a gang who threatened one of his team-mates at knifepoint, police said last night. Adam Griffin, 19, had been sitting in a Mercedes SLK belonging to Oldham Athletic team-mate David Beherall when

  • Going one better is Woodgate's Euro aim

    JONATHAN WOODGATE tonight faces his biggest game for three years in the fervent belief that Newcastle can emulate the Leeds team he helped to the semi-finals of the Champions League. England defender Woodgate, who moved to Newcastle in a £9m January deal

  • Families needed to give sick children holidays

    A search is on for kind hearted families who can ensure that sick children from a nuclear disaster area can go on enjoying holidays in a healthy farming area. Boys and girls from Belarus, which was devastated by the Chernobyl explosion in 1986, have been

  • Demand for tickets to see opera star

    MUSIC lovers will be taking a place in history when they attend and operatic concert. There has been such demand for tickets to hear Teesside diva Suzannah Clark sing in the 17th Century chapel at the Sir William Turner Almshouses at Kirkleatham, Redcar

  • Heath flown home after falling ill

    Former Tory premier Sir Edward Heath was in a London hospital last night after falling ill during a visit to Austria. The ex-MP was flown by air ambulance from Salzburg yesterday after suffering a suspected pulmonary embolism - a blood clot on the lung

  • Catching up on the risk factor

    MAYBE we should have let them roam the streets, fall out of trees, jump in rivers... We are raising the most pampered, protected and cotton-wooled generation ever known. From the moment they're strapped into their baby seats until they're delivered daily

  • How I survived the silent attacker

    I WAS drinking a cup of tea when I came under attack. I had just booted up the computer in our office last Thursday and was idly wondering which of the day's tasks to tackle first when it became clear that I was the target of a sustained assault. The

  • Zeus to go for gold off US coast

    AN UNDERSEA exploration vehicle is playing a key role in the salvage of what could be the most valuable shipwreck in history. Soil Machine Dynamics, based in Newcastle, specialises in remote-controlled underwater vehicles. It developed a craft called

  • Catching up on the risk factor

    MAYBE we should have let them roam the streets, fall out of trees, jump in rivers. We are raising the most pampered, protected and cotton-wooled generation ever known. From the moment they're strapped into their baby seats until they're delivered daily

  • £90,000 facelift for 1831 bridge

    A SUSPENSION bridge with a span of 180ft is to be closed to traffic and pedestrians for eight weeks for repairs. The bridge over the River Tees at Whorlton, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, will be closed on September 15 ready for the £90,000 scheme

  • Schools shake-up -welcomed by heads'

    A PLANNED shake-up which could see 23 schools being closed has been welcomed by headteachers, according to education officials. The plan to reshape provision of schools in County Durham over the next 20 years has attracted "great" interest from headteachers

  • Replacing old sewage works with wetland wildlife haven

    ENVIRONMENTALIST Dr David Bellamy yesterday launched a project replacing some of Britain's disappearing wetland that could help a rare visitor return to the North-East. Using a mechanical digger, Dr Bellamy dug the first hole to transform an old sewage

  • Strolling programme

    A FULL programme of walks has been planned under a scheme designed to improve people's health. Volunteer leaders have been recruited for the Hambleton Strollers in all the district's market towns - Northallerton, Stokesley, Bedale, Easingwold and Thirsk

  • Carnival fun this weekend

    SOUTH Bank Carnival is being held this weekend. On Friday, there will be an Abba tribute band and funfair at the Asda car park, from 6pm to 9pm. On Saturday, there will be a carnival from noon to 4pm at Harcourt Playing Field. Also on Saturday, there

  • Concerns over holidays entitlement

    A NORTH-EAST recruitment specialist has told of his concerns that workers are not always receiving their full paid holiday entitlement. Graham Leach, branch manager at Newton Aycliffe-based Logistics and Manufacturing Recruitment, said he was alarmed

  • Fracas was 'the result of alcohol'

    A 32-year-old man who swore and lunged at police officers has appeared in court. Paul Turbutt, of Wimbledon Close, Darlington, stuck two fingers up at the officers as they attended a disturbance in the town on August 16. Darlington Magistrates' Court

  • Man died after he plunged into sea

    A MAN who had been drinking died after climbing over a sea wall, an inquest heard yesterday. Mark Kent, 41, of Station Road, Redcar, had been on a night out with shop assistant Shirley Carroll, 39. Mrs Carroll told the inquest in Middlesbrough she tried

  • Concerns over effect of supermarket

    PLANS for a discount supermarket on the site of the disused Scorpion nightclub, near Catterick Garrison, go before councillors on Tuesday. German chain Lidl hopes to build a 1,286sq metre store on the Catterick Road site, at Colburn, following demolition

  • Grant for sports plan

    A CAMPAIGN to create a village sports area has received a £1,000 boost. Residents at Middleton Tyas want to raise £35,000 to enable them to attract a £100,000 grant from the National Lottery's New Opportunities fund. They formed a community association

  • College offers course advice

    ADULTS are being encouraged to return to education. Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington's Vane Terrace, is enrolling adults on evening courses and has organised three advice sessions for people wanting to find out more. The advice sessions

  • Adventure talk

    AN adventurer will be speaking at a North Yorkshire high school tomorrow. Robert Swan is well-known for his environmental work and last year led an international team which removed 1,000 tons of waste from Antarctica. He will speak at Bedale High School

  • Parents warned after children spark blaze

    A FIRE safety chief has called for parents to be more vigilant after a spate of deliberate fires on Teesside. Firefighters went to a blaze on Huntcliffe, in Saltburn, on Sunday, which was spotted by coastguards on their way to another incident. It is

  • £90,000 facelift for 1831 bridge

    A SUSPENSION bridge with a span of 180ft is to be closed to traffic and pedestrians for eight weeks for repairs. The bridge over the River Tees at Whorlton, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, will be closed on September 15 ready for the £90,000 scheme

  • Theatrical outfits will be in demand

    FOLLOWERS of fashion are being given the chance to own a part of theatrical history. A collection of costumes from the Theatre Royal, in York, is going on sale, including the gowns of one of pantomime's best-known dames. Outfits worn by Berwick Kaler

  • Schools shake-up -welcomed by heads'

    A PLANNED shake-up which could see 23 schools being closed has been welcomed by headteachers, according to education officials. The plan to reshape provision of schools in County Durham over the next 20 years has attracted "great" interest from headteachers

  • Eyebrows raised at 'rooms for romance'

    THE owners of a new-look £7m hotel in Harrogate have caused raised eyebrows by advertising spacious suites for lovers. The former Harrogate Spa Hotel, in the town centre, is being converted into a 47-roomed hotel - with four of the rooms being described

  • 27/08/03

    THE NORTH-EAST: WE would like to thank Hartlepool council, the staff at Tescos and other shops, and all the staff at the Historic Quay and museum. We had a week's holiday in Hartlepool to visit my son. Being a wheelchair user, I find it is not always

  • Upgrade for sport fields

    A PROJECT to improve playing fields in the Stanley area is up and running. The £130,000 scheme will pay for drainage works and upgrade facilities on football and cricket pitches at Tantobie Community Centre, near Stanley. Sport England provided a £100,000

  • Joiner gets jail term for drug dealing

    A joiner who was spending £500 a week on drugs was jailed for two years yester- day. Steven Maddison, 44, from Hartlepool, who was addicted to cocaine and amphetamines, began selling drugs to his friends to help fund his habit. Cleveland Police found

  • Business brief

    Harpic-to-Calgon group Reckitt Benckiser raised expectations for the year after new products boosted growth in the first six months of the year. Updated versions of home freshener Airwick and surface care product Dettol helped boost progress during the

  • House blaze sister was quizzed on suspicion of arson

    One of two sisters killed in a house blaze which also claimed the life of their brother had earlier been quizzed on suspicion of arson. Joanne Yates, 22, died in the fierce house blaze in Pelham Street, Middlesbrough, Teesside, alongside her elder sister

  • Market report

    Share prices in London ended the session in the red yesterday despite upbeat US economic data. A positive set of consumer confidence figures did little to inspire Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average, which was down 66 points at 9251 as trading

  • Rock fan angry at concert cigarette smokers

    A CONCERT-GOER was left fuming when fans puffed cigarettes in a non-smoking arena - while security staff did nothing to stop them. Kathryn Harris was even more annoyed after the event at the Telewest Arena, in Newcastle, when she read in The Northern

  • How to protect against a virus

    Viruses seek out computers without virus software, so install protection. Check with your Internet provider if it provides security as part of the package. *Purchase your own software package. Check the phone book for specialist computer companies or

  • A helping hand would suit scorer Stewart nicely

    TWO goals in two games from Marcus Stewart have helped Sunderland enjoy a massive turnaround in fortunes. But the in-form striker last night urged his teammates not to expect goals every game - he wants to see other players chip in to boost the club's

  • Boss sends staff on sunshine trip

    FURNITURE firm staff will tomorrow fly out for a holiday in the sun paid for by the boss. John Marshall, chairman of Durham Pine, is spending about £200,000 to give more than 100 employees with at least a year's service and their families a week in Majorca

  • Appeal for witnesses after rape

    DETECTIVES investigating the rape of a young woman are appealing to the public for help. The assault took place on Friday as the 19-year-old victim started to make her way home after a night out in Crook town centre, County Durham. Shortly before midnight

  • Vandals target school

    VANDALS have struck at a Darlington primary school, leaving officials with a huge repair bill. Springfield Primary School was targeted at the weekend, leaving staff facing a race against time to repair the damage before pupils return on Tuesday. Windows

  • Charlene's her own boss

    A 21-YEAR-OLD has opened a beauty and tanning salon in Shildon with the help of the Prince's Trust and her uncle. When Charlene Dunn left college with qualifications in a range of beauty therapist subjects, she intended to apply for a job, until her uncle

  • Council staff take on the law for funds

    OFFICERS from a council will take on officers of the law in a charity golf match on Friday. The annual tournament is one of a number of events taking place to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research, the nominated charity of Easington District Council's

  • Magpies' legend in charity talk

    TICKETS are still available for a charity talk-in to be given by former Newcastle United striker and now radio pundit Malcolm Macdonald. The event, including a pie and peas supper, will be held at St Cuthbert's RC Social Club, Chester-le-Street, on Monday

  • Burglar sentenced to 27 months' jail

    A BURGLAR who was caught after he entered a house while the owner was cleaning upstairs was jailed yesterday. Father-of-one Paul Will-iams, 21, was spotted by police and arrested after he stole a boy's bike from a playground shed. Newcastle Crown Court

  • Drink-driver behind bars after 999 chase

    A DRINK-DRIVER who raced around a housing estate at night with no lights was jailed yesterday. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Michael Knapp, 28, drove the Rover 600 car at speeds of up to 70mph around the Red House Estate, in Sunderland, in June last

  • Promotion announced

    CHARTERED accountant Chris Beaumont has been promoted to become an associate at Darlington firm Clive Owen and Co. He joined the practice in 1996 and sits on the committees of Darlington Business Club, Business Clubs North-East and the North-East Chamber

  • Man threatens to jump off viaduct

    COASTLINE train services were stopped for more than an hour yesterday when a man threatened to jump from an east Durham viaduct. A 33-year-old man climbed onto the viaduct at Horden about 12.30pm. For almost two hours he threatened to jump from the viaduct

  • Attacker is jailed for 21 months

    A man who beat up his girlfriend was jailed yesterday for what the judge called a cowardly attack. Witnesses saw Kai David Anderson, 24, jump three times on the 22-year-old's head as he shouted "die". Then he walked calmly from her home said Shaun Dryden

  • Magical fun at library

    YOUNGSTERS had a spellbinding time at their local library yesterday. A group of children took part in the Harry Potter Show, with Martin the Magician, at Roseworth Library, in Stockton, and at Thornaby Library. They watched magic tricks first-hand and

  • Comment: Safety - the first frontier

    MAN will always have a natural fascination for space travel. Thirty-four years after Neil Armstrong first made his giant leap for mankind by walking on the moon, the mysteries of the final frontier remain as tantalising as ever. But space exploration

  • Reaping benefits of move to N-E

    A GOVERNMENT department in the North-East would boost the regional economy and could save taxpayers millions of pounds, according to an economist. Civil servants would also save thousands on their mortgages, education costs and living costs if they relocated

  • Letters

    THE NORTH-EAST WE would like to thank Hartlepool council, the staff at Tescos and other shops, and all the staff at the Historic Quay and museum. We had a week's holiday in Hartlepool to visit my son. Being a wheelchair user, I find it is not always easy

  • Norstead celebrates contract wins

    MECHANICAL and electrical contractor Norstead has announced two successful contract wins in the North-East worth a total of £4.3m. The company, part of the Metnor Group, in Killingworth, North Tyneside, is expecting to achieve a turnover for the year

  • Pub staff are celebrating beer success

    STAFF and regulars at Blind Jack's pub have every reason to raise their glasses in celebration. Their pub has been named as the regional Pub of the Season by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra). The pub, in Knaresborough's Market Square, in North Yorkshire

  • Icing on the cake for bride-to-be . . .

    A FORMER student has her lecturer to thank for marrying the man of her dreams. Dr Julie Watson first met bride-to-be Christine Thompson when she taught her at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough. Christine was studying part-time towards her BSc

  • Thieves to be banned from shops as retailers fight back

    RETAILERS are declaring war on the shoplifters who plague their stores - by launching their own version of zero tolerance. Shopkeepers in Northallerton say the situation has reached crisis point and they are not prepared to tolerate it any longer. From

  • Water firm's refreshing idea for show

    PLANS for an annual show are beginning to take shape. Thornaby Show takes place on Sunday at the town's Harold Wilson Recreation Ground. The event will feature rides, games and music, and competitors from across the region will exhibit their fruit, vegetables

  • How the smell has changed. . .

    FRAGRANT smells will be filling the air in the coming days as a lavender farm completes its first harvest. Workers will be going back to basics by using hedge trimmers and large sacks to cut down and collect some of the 80 different varieties of lavender

  • Gift to wartime museum sheds light on a kindess from the past

    AN intricate model of a ship and houses in a light bulb is the latest and one of the rarest items donated to a wartime attraction. The well-preserved item was made during the Second World War by an Italian prisoner of war (PoW) at Eden Camp, near Malton

  • Wood leads Tykes' reply

    Matthew Wood survived a late batting collapse to end unbeaten on 124 as Yorkshire reached 291 for four in reply to Glamorgan's first innings of 466 at Colwyn Bay yesterday. At 260 for one Yorkshire looked capable of posting a first innings lead, but the

  • Caravan park plan finalised by officials

    FINAL clearance has been given for a 50-pitch touring caravan site at Masham's former railway station, subject to 13 conditions. The planning application was approved by Harrogate Borough Council members, and planning officers have now finalised conditions

  • Barn conversion plans rejected

    A PLAN to restore a former farmhouse and convert a barn into a home near a Ripon village has been turned down by officials. Planning officers told the applicants that the proposals at Low Farm, in Sharow, would adversely affect the character of the countryside

  • McClaren satisfied with Mendieta bow

    GAIZKA MENDIETA'S introduction to the Premiership with Middlesbrough did not go according to plan last night at Leicester City. The 29-year-old only received international clearance from FIFA hours before kick-off following his switch from Italian giants

  • New appointments put employees top of the agenda at Energy firm

    EDF Energy has created a new role in a bid to attract high-quality workers to the area. DOUG TURNER has been appointed as diversity and development manager at the Sunderland customer contact centre, which employs 1,100 people. His role will involve working

  • Farm in disease scare given all-clear

    A PIG farm which was hit by a scare over classical swine fever has been given the all-clear. The farm, in the Barnard Castle area of County Durham, was visited by veterinary surgeons from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra

  • Talented artist and designer mourned

    A talented artist and designer, and a niece of Lord Barnard, has died after a long illness, aged 54. Eirenice Gore-Booth, lived for many years in Staindrop and Gainford, County Durham. She died in Kempley, Gloucestershire, where she moved several months

  • Downward trend continues

    DARLINGTON'S businesses showed a continued trend of falling turnover and confidence last month, according to the latest business index. Employment levels remained positive, against the national trend, but the overall picture was disappointing. Peter Hogan

  • Spy chiefs predicted 20-minute Iraq peril

    One of Britain's top intelligence advisors yesterday strongly defended the controversial claim in the Government's dossier on Iraq that weapons of mass destruction could be launched in 45 minutes. Former senior MI6 officer John Scarlett - now chairman

  • NHS infertility treatment

    PLANS to give more couples access to free NHS fertility treatment have been welcomed in the region. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has recommended wider access to NHS treatment for infertility. The move is expected to lead to a

  • TV review

    Alibi (ITV1) Jennifer Lopez: The Story (five) THERE was no doubt that Graham loved his wife. "I think it's beautiful, so are you, stuff the mortage," he told wife Linda, handing her an expensive necklace for their 20th wedding anniversary. To be strictly

  • Gooly chits and a big chief

    JIM Ferguson, who several times had proved invaluable to these columns but never more memorably than in the delicate matter of gooly chits, has died aged 79. We were cousins. Even amid the ghoulish gooly chits, Gadfly remained family reading. Jim had

  • Feeling the pinch

    Pinchinthorpe Hall may have reduced its food prices but there's a sting in the tale when it comes to drinks. IT was the first day of the football season, Guisborough Town v Horden Colliery Welfare. In exchange for the promise of lunch at Gisborough Hall

  • Foley steals the show

    TEENAGE record-breaker David Foley yesterday put £7m Newcastle striker Carl Cort in the shade. The Hartlepool United striker, who became Pool's youngest-ever player when he appeared in Monday's 2-0 win over Port Vale aged 16 years 105 days, netted in

  • Housebuilder Persimmon has never been busier

    DEMAND for new homes remains strong, according to Britain's largest housing firm. Persimmon recorded a 29 per cent increase in first-half profits during the six months to June 30. Pre-tax profits rose to £151.7m from £117.2m last year - a record increase

  • Youngsters set roller on a trail of disaster

    JOY-RIDING youngsters left a trail of havoc - after they somehow managed to start up a road-roller. Unfamiliar with the controls, they were unable to handle the hefty piece of equipment and abandoned the vehicle, and ran away from the scene. But the roller

  • Chance to take part in healthcare reform

    VOLUNTEERS are needed to join health watchdog bodies being set up in the region. More than 100 people are needed to get Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums off the ground by December 1. On that day, community health councils (CHC), which have

  • Soil Machine Dynamics goes for gold off the US coast

    AN UNDERSEA exploration vehicle is playing a key role in the salvage of what could be the most valuable shipwreck in history. Soil Machine Dynamics, based in Newcastle, specialises in remote-controlled underwater vehicles. It developed a craft called