Archive

  • Tim Wellcok's World

    IT WOULD be interesting to know who is currently lower on Mick McCarthy's Christmas card list: Roy Keane or Jeff Whitley? We will never know whether arrogance or stupidity persuaded Whitley to try to bamboozle the goalkeeper when it came down to sudden

  • Police will listen to public to rid streets of crime

    A MAJOR police campaign has been launched against the crime and disorder plaguing communities across County Durham and Darlington. Durham Constabulary's entire force has been mobilised behind the StreetSafe campaign, which will hand the public opportunities

  • Toby needs a home

    A PLAYFUL dog that has braved the streets needs a new home. Toby, a greyhound-cross, has warmed the hearts of the people looking after him at the Darlington branch of the National Animal Sanctuary Support League with his even temper and playful spirit

  • If a name's worth using, it's worth using three times

    Holmside is located halfway between Burnhope (near Lanchester) and Edmonsley (near Sacriston) and consists of three distinct sites that are all called Holmside. Nearest to Burnhope is Little Holmside Hall, the most westerly of the three Holmsides and

  • Plea for talks to ease air collision danger

    TOP-level talks are being demanded to eliminate dangerous near misses between civilian and military aircraft in the North-East. Pilots have called on British airlines to try to avoid flying in uncontrolled airspace after the report by the Air Accident

  • Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-13 Cup

    The second round took place on Sunday at Durham City and, batting first, Hetton Lyons scored 87 all out with Owen Gwyn scoring an unbeaten 48 runs and Ryan Talbot scoring 26. Durham City bowler Josh Moore took two wickets for one run in four overs. In

  • MPs warn there are 'real risks' in moving jobs to India

    RAIL bosses are taking an "extravagant risk" in moving 600 telephone inquiry jobs from cities, including Newcastle, to India, MPs warned yesterday. A report by the all-party transport committee criticised the decision by the National Rail Enquiry Service

  • Accused 'split my face in attack'

    A WOMAN was left with blood pouring down her face when her domestic violence counsellor slammed a picture frame into her face, a court heard. Melanie Lumsden, 28, started a relationship with former JP Paul Geldart, who she met when he was assigned to

  • Fire chief calls for funding to meet modernisation targets

    THE chief fire officer for County Durham and Darlington has called for help to meet modernisation requirements. The authority hopes to avoid budget restrictions next year by highlighting its achievements and claiming it was not given a fair share of Government

  • Roseberry Group North East Durham League

    In the Iopening game of the season, East Rainton lost for the first time in 40 attempts but the quickly made amends when they visited Kelloe at the weekend. They sent their opponents crashing to just 38 all out as Gary Humphries claimed five wickets for

  • Tooth fairies say lose the juice

    It's National Smile Week but sadly, the North-East has little to grin about when it comes to dental hygiene. DENTAL therapist Lynn Wilkinson keeps it short and sweet when she talks to young mums. "Dental decay is totally preventable. The simple message

  • High street spending is still rising

    INTEREST rate rises to help curb consumer debt have done little to affect high street sales, figures showed last night. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that retail sales volumes continued to increase last month. Official

  • Sex offender walks free

    A teenage sex offender who indecently assaulted two 12-year-old girls at a makeshift camp built on wasteland walked free from court today. Craig Bland, 19, gave the youngsters cigarettes and alcohol and groped them at the lair which he had set up at a

  • Woodham

    In a very tense and tight match on Tuesday, Woodham Men's Scratch Team, sponsored by Turners of Sedgefield Ltd, pulled off a narrow victory over visitors Wearside GC in their North Durham Golf Union League Game. There were resounding wins for Lee McCavanagh

  • Shoptalk

    DO you really know what you're eating? Depends on how good your eyesight is. Manufacturers have a legal duty to tell us what's in the food they have produced. But as we all know, there are different ways of telling the same story. For people suffering

  • Norton and Stockton Ancients

    Playing in the League Cup Final, it's not often Ancients Under-13s B go into a game as underdogs but Yarm had already won the League and had beaten Ancients home and away in the process. The mood was set in the changing room where the boys were quiet

  • Bob Pendlebury Cup

    Evenwood and Houghton were involved in a high scoring tie which Evenwood won by 58 runs, writes Malcolm Pratt. When they batted first, the home side ended 153 for one on the board as James Alderson carried his bat for 63 with nine boundaries and Kirt

  • 'Regional assembly can bring jobs'

    ALAN Milburn yesterday tried to persuade North-East business leaders of the need for regional government. He said: "The vote will not be won unless people understand what a regional assembly will do for them, but thus far, the debate has been about the

  • Adolf Hitler's great escape

    A vivid dream brought on by migraine drugs 30 years ago sowed the seeds for a new and thught-provoking novel about Adolf Hitler. Clive Crickmer reports. A YOUNG newspaper reporter was pursuing inquiries in Whitburn when he was struck by an agonising migraine

  • Call centre jobs are under threat

    ABOUT 100 call centre jobs could be axed in Stockton after the Abbey banking group revealed the work may be transferred overseas. The group is reviewing its mortgage call centres and other operational sites with IT services supplier EDS, with which it

  • September street carnival rejected as 'one fair too many'

    REVIVING a long-lost carnival would be "one fair too many" for Northallerton. This was the view of town councillors as they discussed a bid to bring back a September street event. Members felt the idea would be unpopular with market traders who would

  • Cleveland and North Yorkshire Sporting Clay League

    Week three: Stokesley kept up their 100 per cent record for the season with the highest score by a team in 2004, when they scored a massive 183 to 176 victory over Fox Hall. There were 90 competitors at Stokesley and this is fantastic to see the sport

  • Major award for sympathetic restoration

    RICHMOND'S Georgian Theatre Royal has won a major international award following its £1.4m restoration. The eighteenth century building receives the Building Conservation Award at the 2004 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Awards gala event in London

  • Addison avenge previous defeat

    South West Durham League: Addison Park lost heavily twice to champions Spennymoor A last season but they gained a very good win when the sides met in the second week of the new campaign. Spectrum top the table after a maximum and the only other unbeaten

  • TV review

    Bad Girls (ITV1) A GOOD man is hard to find anywhere, but a good screw is impossible to find in Larkhall women's prison. If warders aren't trying to get into the knickers of inmates, they're being handcuffed for sex by the kinky wing governor (female)

  • Life Down Under uncovers DJ talents

    A NEW life in Australia has revealed a hidden talent for former Darlington resident Lee Kemp. The 34-year-old maintenance engineer, who moved to Australia with his wife four years ago, has discovered he has a talent as a club DJ. Mr Kemp said that after

  • Store goes to Sainsbury's after deal agreed

    SUPERMARKET group Morrison's has announced plans to sell the Whitehouse Farm Safeway store in Stockton. The store is one of 13 Safeway sites in the North and the Midlands which will become a Sainsbury's supermarket. Morrisons must sell 52 stores to comply

  • Traffic fears over Argos centre plan

    PLANS by Argos to build a huge distribution centre in Darlington have led to residents' traffic fears. Members of Archdeacon Newton Parish Council, in Cockerton, said they welcomed the news that Argos would bring 700 jobs, but said there had been little

  • Early glimpse of primary school's design

    THIS is the first image of how a £4.5m Darlington school will look. Work is due to start later in the summer on the project for Skerne Park Primary School, a SureStart base, neighbourhood nursery and other facilities on the junior school site. As well

  • Park views sought

    PEOPLE living in Darlington are being encouraged to have their say on plans for a park. About £75,000 is to be spent on Alderman Crooks Park, with equipment for children aged up to 14 being installed. People can visit the Dolphin Centre from Monday to

  • Recycling centre's opening delayed

    THE opening of a North-East recycling centre has been delayed to make the site even bigger. The planned opening last month of the household waste recycling centre at Carlin Howe Farm, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, has been shelved and it is now likely

  • Craven back in action with class victory

    BISHOP Auckland's Barry Burrell earned valuable championship points in the second round of the international BMW Motored Boxer at Le Mans in France last weekend with a fine 12th place finish. In only his second year in the series - which supports the

  • Village green inquiry date set

    RESIDENTS are hoping a three-year battle over a village green will end after a two-day public inquiry. People living in Rumby Hill, Crook, say land adjacent to their homes has been used as a place of recreation for people living in the village and surrounding

  • Energy praise

    Campaigners have welcomed a North-East MP's call for the Government to set a firm target for energy efficiency by 2010. Redcar MP Vera Baird is urging the Government to give statutory back-up to the UK's commitment to save five megatonnes of carbon each

  • Housing partnership agreed

    SEDGEFIELD Borough Council has appointed a partner to help improve its housing stock. Faithful and Gould has entered into a two- year agreement with the council for the project, which is valued at £1m a year. The partnering team's first task will be to

  • Wellock's World: End-of-season fun

    IT WOULD be interesting to know who is currently lower on Mick McCarthy's Christmas card list: Roy Keane or Jeff Whitley? We will never know whether arrogance or stupidity persuaded Whitley to try to bamboozle the goalkeeper when it came down to sudden

  • Jared helps celebrates sports accolade

    OLYMPIC athlete Jared Deacon was the guest when a school celebrated its new status as a specialist sports college. The European and Commonwealth 400m relay gold medallist gave a motivational talk to students at Roseberry Sports and Community College in

  • Speeding ticket case dropped

    A ten-month row over a speeding ticket ended yesterday when the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case due to lack of evidence. Deborah Hodgson, 39, of Brandling Place South, Jesmond, Newcastle, was told she was free to leave by Darlington magistrates

  • Nominations call for buddies award

    DURHAM County Council is looking for school buddies who work to prevent others being bullied. The Karl Peart Award is given annually to a young person who has worked to prevent bullying in their school. The award is in memory of Karl, from Ashington,

  • How can we stop the litterbugs

    MOST modern rural commentators grumble about the dumping of litter in the countryside and I am no exception. The disfigurement it creates becomes increasingly evident during the tourist season, say from Easter until the end of October, when a large amount

  • Rail chaos looms as workers vote for strike

    The biggest disruption on the railways for a decade was looming last night after thousands of signal workers and maintenance staff backed strikes in a dispute over pay and pensions. Members of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union employed by Network

  • End-of-season fun

    IT WOULD be interesting to know who is currently lower on Mick McCarthy's Christmas card list: Roy Keane or Jeff Whitley? We will never know whether arrogance or stupidity persuaded Whitley to try to bamboozle the goalkeeper when it came down to sudden

  • Durham Coast League

    Under-15s: Silksworth posted the highest score of the night when they made 133 for two at Bill Quay who replied with 67 for eight, writes Malcolm Pratt. Scott Davison struck a couple of sixes and nine boundaries ending unbeaten on 79 and Craig Neil added

  • Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-18s

    Chester-le-Street had just a couple of runs to spare defeating South Shields at Wood Terrace, writes Malcolm Pratt. John Coxon, who appeared in the first team at the weekend, top scored with 34 and Stephen McTaggart ended unbeaten on 26 in the visitor's

  • Readers Durham County League Under-15s

    Willington realised the formidable total of 108 for three when they visited Ushaw Moor and won by 63 runs, writes Malcolm Pratt. Harker ended unbeaten on 53 and Broadley contributed 23 not out while for Ushaw Moor Ross Whelpdale captured two of the three

  • Bosses get help to beat arsonists

    FIRE chiefs have teamed up with the police in an attempt to cut down on the number of arson attacks on business premises. A roadshow has been organised for business bosses in the Cleveland brigade area next Friday. Its aim is to crack down on arson and

  • Desperate recyclers are becoming dumpers

    IS this really recycling, or is it just dumping because there's no more room inside? Pulling into what's known as the auction mart car park in Bridge Street, Bedale, on Saturday afternoon, Spectator was greeted by a sight which has become depressingly

  • Grandma's £3,500 thanks to hospital

    A MAYOR has handed over a cheque for £3,500 to the hospital that saved her granddaughter's life. Five-year-old Emily Cooney was seriously ill with meningitis two years ago and her family had an anxious ten-day wait before they knew whether she would survive

  • MP backs initiative to recruit foster carers

    FORMER Health Secretary Alan Milburn yesterday lent his support to a campaign to tackle a national shortage of foster carers. The Darlington MP met carers and social workers in the town's Arts Centre as he gave his backing to Foster Care Fortnight. Mr

  • Yorkshire's Dales 50 years on

    Ask 100 people for a description of the Yorkshire Dales, and you're likely to get as many different answers. This is partly because of the rich diversity of this great national park, and partly because the Dales means different things to different people

  • 96.6TFM

    An article in last week's Local Heroes really struck a chord with me. Yarm School pupils took part in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon during the Easter holiday and I take my hat off to them! 125 miles in a two person kayak on the River Thames

  • Fishburn enjoy win over champs

    Worthington CIU Summer League: Fishburn A moved up to share top spot in the First Division with Willington after they only dropped one point to the visiting champions, Spennymoor A. Paul Biddle took the final frame for the Moors to prevent a whitewash

  • Lumley stay on trophy trail

    THE Lumley Ladies' trophy cabinet is expanding after a second summer festival success was added to Northern League honours from the 2003/4 season. Having won the Ryedale Tournament at Wigginton, near York, earlier in the month, the Lumley seniors dominated

  • All at sea

    Sir, - Well, that's the final straw - this Government has definitely lost its way. It is now proposing pointless, illogical restrictions on legitimate gun owners in its latest Controls on Firearms Consultation paper. Despite in its 2001 Manifesto saying

  • Be a good neighbour and turn it down

    SSSHHH. Next Thursday is Noise Action Day. I totally missed out on International Noise Awareness Day last month, it must have crept by in its carpet slippers. Now comes the follow-up. The pedants among us may feel that Noise Action Day implies 24 hours

  • People get preview of new trains

    RAIL enthusiasts are about to get a close look at the shape of things to come. New trains will enter service with TransPennine Express in two years, and potential passengers are being offered a preview. A full-sized model of a train carriage is to be

  • Police battle against speeding bikers

    Police are sticking to their get tough pledge in the battle against rogue bikers who hurtle along some of the region's most picturesque roads at outrageous speeds. One biker was ordered off the roads yesterday after being clocked through a speed check

  • Tragic blaze remains mystery

    THE cause of a fire which killed three members of the same family will remain a mystery. Lee Yates, 18, and sisters Joanne, 22, and Gail, 27, died in a blaze which engulfed the home of their mother, Rose, in Middlesbrough, last summer. The sisters had

  • Happy faces as village plays again

    THE fight by Hurworth councillors to have play equipment reinstalled in the village reached a happy ending this week when a new playground opened. Parish councillors were outraged when Darlington Borough Council began to remove play equipment from outside

  • Wearside League

    It's been quite a week for Stokesley SC who won the Wearside League Cup but then failed to clinch runners-up position. The Teessiders celebrated on Monday when an only goal from Jonathan Newton was sufficient to earn them victory at Birtley Town in the

  • Con Club win again

    THE John Smith's Magnet League fives and threes, Richmond has been won for the second year by Richmond Conservative Club. David Peacock, captain, is pictured, right, receiving the league cup from brewery representative Paul Gilmore. Fourteen teams from

  • Suspension of finance boss is questioned by authority

    THE row between Cleveland Police Authority and the force's new chief constable over a £7.3m "black hole" in its budget deepened last night. Key members of the authority, including outgoing chairman Ken Walker, have been fiercely critical of the way the

  • Durham County

    It was a day like no other for Durham in their final County game at Nuneaton as they went down by 44- 30 in a hard fought encounter with Warwickshire, who had been favoured by the draw for this was their third home tie having played Cumbria and Northumberland

  • Save our club

    Sir, - I am writing as a member of Yorkshire Dales Autograss Club. I have been a member of this club for 21 years, since the age of 14. Autograss racing is a sport for the whole family, I race, my wife races and two of my children race who are aged 13

  • Games

    CIU League: Mark Farmer of Newfield produced a great spell of throwing in the home match against Ferryhill, when he put in four maximums, believed to be a league record. This helped his team to a three points victory. The other maximums of the week came

  • Emergency Services League

    Tyne & Wear Fire secured a league and cup double this past week. Firstly they retained their League title when they took four points from Derwentside and Stockton. They beat Derwentside 3-1 and then drew 1-1 with Stockton to give them a four point

  • Yvonne campaigns in region

    ANTI-WAR campaigner Yvonne Ridley brought her Euro election campaign to the region yesterday. The former Northern Echo journalist is a North-East Euro MP candidate for Respect -the Unity Coalition. The new party's campaign van spent the day in Darlington

  • Concert aid for charity

    A ROCK concert is to be staged in the North-East to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research. The show, called Rock of Ages, will be staged at the Glebe Centre, Murton, east Durham, on Saturday, May 29. It will include performances by the group Clarity

  • Mart prices

    BORDERWAY. - Wed, May 5. Fwd: 192 weaned calves. Lim bulls: £575, £470 Crofton Hall; £500 The Guards; £485(2) High Barns; £460 Askham Hall Farm; £455(2), £448(3) Midtown Farm; £440 The Beeches; £405(2) Birds Park Farm. Steers: £395(3) Todhillrigg. Hfrs

  • The Readers Durham County League Junior Cup

    Evenwood progressed in the Teesside Valve and Fitting Shield Under-15 Cup with a 34 run victory over Tudhoe. Batting first, Evenwood totaled 88 for six which included 41 by Foster while for Tudhoe Lucas Jackson had three for 16 in five overs and Daniel

  • Child porn raids lead to 11 arrests

    ELEVEN men have been arrested in a crackdown on child porn offences. Detectives have also seized 15 computers, as part of the latest operation to curb the downloading of child abuse images from the Internet. Further arrests are planned across the North-East

  • New moves to end fire crews' action

    Fire authority employers last night made moves to end the outbreak of unofficial industrial action that has threatened a national strike by firefighters. The employers wrote to the Fire Brigades Union with a proposal to tackle the row over rest breaks

  • Mike Gough Sports Hartlepool Sunday League

    Durham County Cup Final: Hartlepool Lion Hillcarter 1 Sunderland Plains Farm 2: Lion were left to rue a moment of madness which cost them the Durham County Cup title at Eppleton's Colliery Welfare ground. A goal to the good with just seconds remaining

  • Hurworth lose in final again as East End clinch the double

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said recently that you need luck to win a knockout cup competition - and following last Sunday's disappointment that's a sentiment the players and management of Hurworth Albion would probably agree with. Leading 1-0 in injury

  • Planet Snooker Premier League

    There was a triple triumph for David Lilley as he consolidated his second pace in the table by winning the best match seen in the league to date when he won in the decider against Michael Rhodes at Durham Snooker Club. The Hebburn lad had already won

  • Tykes in trouble after poor show

    Feeble batting followed by another injury to one of their fast bowlers put Yorkshire under the cosh on the second day of their Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Headingley yesterday. Bowled out for 164, Yorkshire trailed by 229 on the first

  • NE title joy for Aycliffe's Chris

    Newton Aycliffe: At the North-East Track and Field championships held at Gateshead stadium on Saturday and Sunday Chris Gaffney stormed to a tremondous victory in the under-13 boys 800m after an opening lap of 71 seconds Gaffney took the pace up with

  • Vintage day for Hawes

    HAWES auction mart is host tomorrow to one of the North's biggest sales of vintage and classic tractors and other farm-related items. Conducted by George F White, it features 40 tractors, many spares for old tractors, and a vast range of other farm implements

  • Player backs charity's helpline cash appeal

    A BEREAVED soccer player aims to see a charity achieve its goal to help others. England footballer Danny Mills, who was recently on loan to the Boro, has been playing golf to help raise more than £30,000 for Asbah, the Association of Spina Bifida and

  • CIU Individual Championship

    First round results: G. Stephenson (Stanley Empire) lost to K. Seymour (New Kyo); G. Burlison (Grange Villa) beat E. Rutherford (Murton Victoria); G. Taylor (Ferryhill) beat R. Cook (Stanley Empire); T. W. Clark (Sherburn Village) lost to N. Mitcheson

  • CIU Pairs Championship

    First round results: T. Bradshaw & F. Carr (Shotton Comrades) lost to R. Foreman & C. Dominney (Leadgate); G. Hardy & D. Gutteridge (Alberta) lost to S. Irland & G. Galloway (Crowtrees); P. Borthwick & C. Boyle (Consett Victoria) lost

  • Festival's own choir makes festival debut

    THE newly-formed Swaledale Festival Chorus makes its debut this month in a performance of Handel's opera Hercules. The group is made up of 15 local singers who have been and assembled especially for this production which is staged at the Georgian Theatre

  • Town's first black Mayor takes up his chains of office

    THE new Mayor of Darlington took office last night, at a ceremony in the town hall. Councillor Roderick Francis, 67, who is the town's first black mayor, takes over from Councillor Ron Lewis. Coun Francis, who has represented the Eastbourne South ward

  • Quito and Vintage Premium bring late York success

    AT YORK, it was a case of saving our best till last as two Yorkshire trainers added to the local scoresheet on the final day of the May meeting, Thursday last. David Chapman's tough 12-year-old Quito landed the six furlongs sprint, while another favourite

  • Middleham trainers on a roll

    RECORDS were falling for Middleham trainers, the guests heard last Thursday evening at the Blue Lion, East Witton. Not only the recent great success of Attraction in the 1,000 Guineas, but also Master Wells was James Bethell's 300th winner on the Flat

  • Court told of bargain deal for stadium

    DARLINGTON Football Club's new stadium was sold to a finance group at a knockdown price, a court was told yesterday. A Guernsey holding company used by the Sterling Consortium - whose millions helped build the former Reynolds Arena - bought the Neasham

  • Tees Valley makes top ten

    TEES Valley Riding Club rose to the occasion when they took part in their first national competition recently. After qualifying for the British Riding Clubs Hunter Trials Championships earlier in the year with a team of four, the eventual team of three

  • Willington Club clinch the championship in decider

    Willington League: The Championship play-off went to the decider with Willington Club winning through against Willington Lion and Unicorn. Results (Willington Club names first): Alan Walker beat Kevin Bake; Bobby Jackson lost to Kevin Hill; Scott Little

  • Quality effort by quintessential quilters

    MEMBERS of a townswomen's guild have spent eight months painstakingly making a quilt to raffle in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance. The women from Fairfield Townswomen's Guild, in Stockton, began their project in September after discovering how the

  • Energy-saving grants benefit 6,000 homes

    MORE than 6,000 households have benefited from energy-saving measures as a result of Government grants, according to new figures. Since the Powergen Warm Front Scheme began in North Yorkshire in 2000, 6,390 homes have been given insulation, new heating

  • Danny's headshave boost for Joshua

    EVENTS including a sponsored headshave have raised more than £1,000 for a severely disabled three-year-old boy. Staff at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), based in Northallerton, have been fund-raising for Joshua Peacock for the past year. In total, they

  • Girls triumph in thriller football final

    A FOOTBALL team from Chester-le-Street triumphed in a thrilling schools cup final. Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre staged the final of the Durham Schools FA Under-14 Girls' County Cup Final. Hosts Sunnydale took on Park View, from Chester-le-Street,

  • Rescue dogs to lead way on ramble

    RESCUED dogs will go on a sponsored walk to raise money for the service that gave them new lives. The Durham and District branch of the RSPCA has organised a four-mile walk along a nature trail from Houghall College, on the city's outskirts, for Sunday

  • Stalwart chosen to take the helm

    A COUNCILLOR with 24 years' service to North Yorkshire County Council has been chosen as the authority's chairman. Councillor John Dennis, who lives near Northallerton and represents the division of Appleton Wiske, has succeeded Councillor Clifford Wilson

  • Wilks gets back on track

    DEALER Team Suzuki driver Guy Wilks stormed back into contention for the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Super 1600 Rally Championship with a superb drive on last weekend's International Rally of Wales, finishing second in class and tenth overall. Wilks, from

  • Richmond and Zetland Harriers

    Richmond and Zetland Harriers started their tenth season in the Harrogate & District Summer Road Race League on Tuesday, May 4 with a first-ever race at Skipton. In the previous nine seasons, the Club has always come away with a trophy, either team

  • Switch on to charity, MP urges young constituents

    A NORTH-EAST MP has called on young people in his constituency to "switch on" to charitable and community activities. John Cummings, who represents Easington, has urged all 11 to 16-year-olds in east Durham to get involved in the UK-wide Giving Nation

  • Driver rammed police vehicles

    A DRIVER who rammed police cars was disqualified for the 23rd time yesterday and jailed for two years. Malcolm Honeyman terrified three female passengers in his girlfriend's car when he drove through red lights and over pavements at 60mph in Hartlepool

  • 'Fences to mend' after merger vote dismay

    DISAPPOINTED teachers and governors have vowed to make a merger - which will create the biggest primary school in Darlington - work. On Wednesday, the borough council school organisation committee voted unanimously to merge Whinfield Infants' and Junior

  • Willows will power blue-chips

    THE planting of a fast-growing species of tree that will create jobs in the region began yesterday. Sembcorp Utilities, the owners of a power station at the Wilton International site, on Teesside, are planning to burn the willow to provide environmentally-friendly

  • Museums celebrate national accolades

    TWO North-East museums have won national awards. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens has been awarded a commendation in the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence 2004. The attraction won the accolade for its Home Comforts outreach project that involved

  • Farmers risk tax double whammy

    MANY farmers unknowingly face a potential double whammy if they fail to understand the tax implications of the mid-term review. The warning comes from Mike Butler, national director of Tenon Rural Services, who said the MTR was an opportunity to reconsider

  • Durham ARC

    Durham Amateur Rowing Club traveled to Bradford last weekend with the junior girls to take on their Yorkshire counterparts in the Bradford Spring Regatta. The fine weather set the scene for a great day of racing. Wins were achieved by the WJ 14 quad (

  • Worries over village schools traffic congestion to be aired

    A county councillor is campaigning to stop parents from blocking the streets around village schools with their cars. Councillor Caroline Patmore, who represents Stillington, near York, said the congestion was so bad at picking-up and dropping-off times

  • Fundraiser Terry reaches for the sky

    A MAN is preparing for a walk on the high side later this summer to raise money for charity. Terry Glover, who works in the information technology department at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, will do a wing walk at the Old Buckenham airfield, Norfolk

  • Fred Foster Under-13 Cup

    Silksworth had almost 100 runs in hand of Easington after posting the formidable total of 141 for two. Edward Wood led the way with 58 and Ryan Bainbridge carried his bat for 41 before Easington managed only 44 for four which included an unbeaten 27 by

  • Special sales

    HEXHAM. - Fri, May 7. Fwd: 1,300 store cattle & suckled calves for special May term show & sale. Judge: Ricky Alder, Kirkley West Thorn. Champion: D&S MacPherson, Baldersbury Hill, Lim X steer by Shatton Pedro, £900 to Les Oliver, Haswell

  • McCarthy turns his sights on the title

    MICK McCarthy last night set his sights on next season's First Division title after dismissing suggestions that he was about to walk out of the Stadium of Light. The Sunderland boss is still reeling from Monday night's dramatic play-off semi-final defeat

  • Consett Sunday League

    MAGNIFICENT Leadgate Golden Lion ended a devastating season with two more trophies to write their names into the league record books. By clinching the Jackie Grigg Memorial Trophy and the Consett Charity Cup, the Lion have won every competition they entered

  • Unbeaten Spraire miss out on cup glory

    Darlington Spraire Lasses Under-13s had to raise their game for the annual Leeds City Vixens Tournament Under-14s five-a-side competition but were unable to make the quarter finals even though they did not lose a match. Spraire started the competition

  • Shop Talk: Always read the label

    Manufacturers have a legal duty to tell us exactly what's in our food but labelling is often confusing and difficult to read. DO you really know what you're eating? Depends on how good your eyesight is. Manufacturers have a legal duty to tell us what's

  • Grief counselling needed for children

    Experts from all over the country have vowed to do more do more to help youngsters cope with grief following a North-East conference on child bereavement. About 100 delegates attended the third annual conference of Tees Valley Cruse Bereavement Care in

  • Collingwood's fruitless race north

    Paul Collingwood spent much of yesterday travelling from Lord's to Chester-le-Street in order to take advantage of a strange regulation which allows him to join his Durham teammates in mid-match. As long as he arrives before the start of the third day

  • Newton Aycliffe enjoy more glory

    Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre: The final two weeks of the season saw more success for the club. A cup final was first up for the Under-9s against Mount Pleasant and a very close game saw goals from Stuart Cameron, Reece Gowan and Ryan Coles matched by

  • Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League

    Wynyard Veterans defeated North Shields Spring Gardens 2-1 to win the Ironside Cup (Division Two) and have a great chance of achieving a double. They will be Division Two champions if they draw or win when they play Hebburn away this Saturday as they

  • Furniture group under pressure

    FURNITURE group MFI was under renewed pressure last night after UK sales fell further in the wake of a disappointing three-week Easter promotion. Shares in the group slipped nearly seven per cent as the chain said rivals spent more on advertising during

  • Cousins must pay back drug money

    TWO cousins locked up for drug offences must pay back more than £30,000 they are deemed to have benefited from through their dealing. Wayne Chapman, 29, was jailed for three years and his 20-year-old cousin, Lee Chapman, was sent to a young offenders'

  • Pupils 'urn' themselves arts project praise

    YOUNGSTERS have seen the fruits of their labours take pride of place in a school garden. Pupils at Moorside Primary School, Consett, County Durham, worked with artist Keith Alexander to create a 5ft stone urn weighing three-quarters of a tonne. They have

  • Pony dates

    Bedale & West of Yore PC. - May 30: Fun day at Thorp Perrow, open to all under 16, 11am start. Clear round jumping, show jumping, handy pony, games. All entries taken on the field. Ring 01677 460410 for details. June 13: Team show jumping at Richmond

  • Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League

    At the start of last weekend, the King's Head were 180 minutes away from achieving a Stokesley League treble. By Monday night they had added the League Cup to their Arthur Reed Shield but their league title bid was on hold following a 2-2 draw against

  • Sponsors raise the stakes at Ripon

    STABLE staff of trainers with runners in the four races sponsored at Ripon this season by Black Sheep Brewery of Masham will be in with a chance of winning a special cash bonus of £1,000. As a reward for supporting the quartet of races - the first two

  • Bishop swimming stars head for the 'Olympics'

    Two young swim stars from the region are looking forward to representing their country this summer at a mini-Olympic games. Teenagers Scott Hathaway and Rebecca Golightly, who attend St Johns School in Bishop Auckland, have been selected for international

  • Suffragette medal for sale

    A RARE suffragette medal, awarded to a women's movement heroine, could fetch more than £6,000 when it is auctioned in Leyburn. The silver medal, presented in 1909, is one of fewer than 100 believed to have been struck to mark the courage of women who

  • Alf Armes Under-15 Cup

    Houghton had 90 runs to spare defeating Hylton after posting 125 for three, writes Malcolm Pratt. Top performer was Shaun Hauxwell who made a half century and when Hylton batted and were all out for 35 James Miller claimed three of the wickets for just

  • City students spared car ban

    STUDENTS have welcomed the news that their university is to drop proposals to ban them from keeping cars. The ban was one proposal Durham University had been looking at as a solution to parking problems in and around the centre city, particularly in areas

  • Newton Aycliffe

    At the North-East Track and Field championships held at Gateshead stadium on Saturday and Sunday Chris Gaffney stormed to a tremondous victory in the under-13 boys 800m after an opening lap of 71 seconds Gaffney took the pace up with 300m to go crossing

  • Darlington Church and Friendly League

    CongratulationS go to Tindale WMC who clinched the title when they defeated Stillington The Royal who, for the third year, take the runners-up spot. Tindale won 4-1 in a hard fought encounter, Garry Whittaker opened for Tindale after 12 minutes and Ashley

  • Play-off heartache too much for Humphreys

    RITCHIE Humphreys knows all about the low blows play-offs can deliver. Two years ago, the Hartlepool United favourite was disconsolate after his missed penalty meant Pool were dumped out of contention at Cheltenham. But despite the personal misery suffered

  • Court told of bargain deal for stadium

    DARLINGTON Football Club's new stadium was sold to a finance group at a knockdown price, a court was told yesterday. A Guernsey holding company used by the Sterling Consortium - whose millions helped build the former Reynolds Arena - bought the Neasham

  • Pies and pigs prove a champion idea

    PRIZE-WINNING pie maker Andrew Voakes and his brother have come up with a champion idea. The winner of the Great Yorkshire Pie competition in 1993 and 1997 - when he was also national gold medallist - has set up a pie-making business on the family farm

  • Too funny by half

    Alan Carr's either the funniest man around or an outdated travesty. Nick Morrison meets the man who splits his audience into two camps. ACCORDING to Baby Lucas, he had everyone in fits on his last visit to Teesside. Matt H thinks he's the funniest stand-up

  • McClaren confident of Euro glory

    STEVE McCLAREN has declared that England are in the right shape to triumph at Euro 2004. The Middlesbrough manager, who stepped in as Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant after Brian Kidd was struck by illness, believes the current England squad has more quality

  • Jobs boost for County Durham

    County Durham received a double jobs boost yesterday as two companies announced expansion plans. Walkers Snack Foods opened its new £5.5m distribution warehouse in Peterlee this week, creating 45 jobs. And the Seaward Group, which builds electrical test

  • Unibond League: Bishops team up with St Mary's

    Bishop Auckland have announced a partnership with junior club Bishop Auckland St Mary's. Bishops are keen to improve their links with the local community and to give promising youngsters the chance of playing UniBond League football. Bishop Auckland chairman

  • Sadler heads strong field at Wensley

    AN entry of 152 riders took part in Richmond Motor Club's annual Gerald Simpson memorial trophy trial at Wensley, near Leyburn, over one big lap of 40 observed sections. The first section of any note was the second, a climb up a series of rock steps at

  • Runners urged to enter charity road race

    RUNNERS are being urged to start preparing for the Darlington 10K Road Run. The annual event takes place on Sunday, August 8, with organisers hopeful of avoiding a repeat of the downpour that affected last year's competition. An entry form is published

  • Williams refuses to give up

    EIFION WILLIAMS has refused to give up on his goal of playing for Wales after suffering a cruel double blow with Hartlepool United. The unfortunate Williams' last-ditch slide, as he attempted to stop Christian Roberts from putting Bristol City into the

  • Still time to enter

    THE 19th Eastgate Sheep Show takes place at Eastgate in Weardale on Saturday, May 29. There are more than 45 classes for Swaledale, Blue-faced Leicester and North of England Mule sheep, plus class for any other breed. Exhibitors will compete for 29 trophies

  • What was a hobby is now thriving craft business

    WHEN dry stone waller Lawrence Staley took up glass engraving as a hobby 18 years ago, he never dreamt it would turn into a business. Today, thanks partly to the internet, his skills are in demand and his wife, Joan, has a full time job as administrative

  • Farmers plant SRC for Wilton power station

    PLANTING began this week of a fast-growing species of wood, which will create jobs and revolutionise the way power for industry on Teesside is generated. Farmers, forestry officials and SembCorp Utilities UK, which own the power station at the Wilton

  • Front-line policing will not suffer in cuts

    THE head of Cleveland police says front-line officers will not be sacrificed as part of budget cuts to reduce the force's £7.3m deficit. Police chiefs have set up rigorous budget monitoring after an Audit Commission report highlighted a "spend, spend,

  • Bail bid rejected in fatal crash case

    A MAN accused of being at the wheel of a car involved in the hit-and-run death of a teenage boy on a playing field must remain in custody until his trial. Dean English, 22, is alleged to have driven the Ford Escort that struck 15-year-old Ian Gourley

  • All aboard as community barge is launched

    A NEW community barge is due to be launched from the Tees Barrage, in Stockton, on Monday. The Angus Ferguson was delivered as a shell to the St Ann's Partnership, Enterprise and Skill Share Initiative in September 2002. The project team and volunteers

  • Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Under-18s

    Sacriston enjoyed a ten wicket victory at home to Shotley Bridge when Graeme Stevenson and Malcolm Hubber both produced form, writes Malcolm Pratt. Stevenson returned the magnificent figures six wickets for 12 runs in five overs when Shotley Bridge were

  • Nationwide reports soaring profits

    SOARING demand for mortgages fuelled by the UK housing boom helped Nationwide post a 21 per cent rise in annual profits yesterday. Britain's biggest building society said net mortgage advances grew 81 per cent to a record £13.2bn as it continued to capture

  • Eyesore deal

    GREY Street Hotels has signed an agreement to take over the redevelopment of a Grade II-listed eyesore building at the corner of Grey Street and Mosley Street, in Newcastle. The upper floors will be a 49-bedroomed hotel, with a restaurant and bar below

  • Going back in time to era of trams and trolleybuses

    ON June 1 it will be 100 years since Darlington's electric tram and trolleybus network started, and the anniversary is being commemorated with the publication of a book. Darlington, of course, has always been a transport pioneer. It was the birthplace

  • Fletcher happy in pastures new

    Deep in the Welsh countryside, where men are men and sheep very much more plentiful, three times Grand National winning jockey Brian Fletcher emits an air of complete contentment. The former Denys Smith stable lad for whom life both on and off the racecourse

  • Mayor digs deep to help church

    MIDDLESBROUGH'S Mayor Ray Mallon has become a member of an exclusive club. Mr Mallon was one of the first people to put his hand in his pocket to help pay for the renovation of the church where he was christened. St Patrick's RC Church was built in 1891

  • Court proceedings dropped after drink sales operation

    TWO branches of the Co-op have saved their liquor licences after taking tough in-store action to prevent sales of alcohol to people under 18. The North Eastern Co-operative's stores in Middle Street, Blackhall, and Green Street, Seaham, were due to face

  • Pregnant teenager stole from mother

    A MOTHER turned her pregnant drug-abusing daughter in to police after she stole her purse containing £100. Patricia Blakey, 19, appeared in Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday after pleading guilty to the theft in February. David Bryson, prosecuting

  • Burton's Bytes: Burning rubber

    RIDING SPIRITS II Publisher: Capcom Format: PS2 , Price: £39.99: WHEN I was a student one of my favourite arcade games was Sega Hang On. It was a motorcycle racing simulator, sometimes played with a joystick or a full-sized bike you straddled like the

  • Change to council office hours 'a backward step'

    CUTS in opening hours at a council housing office have been criticised by a tenants' group. Wear Valley District Council is closing its reception desk at Old Bank Chambers, in Bishop Auckland Market Place, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and shortening opening

  • Stanley Sunday League

    THERE was a clean sweep of the honours when Stanley Royal added the League Challenge Cup to their impressive haul of silverware. In an excellent final, the Royal just edged it by the odd goal in five when they came up against a Grange Villa WMC side who

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: No time for intransigence

    THE history of our railways in recent times has been dominated by disasters. The names of Southall, Ladbroke Grove, Hatfield and Potters Bar all represent the decline in the train network. However, lessons have been learned from the tragedies. Railtrack

  • Summer carnival

    Traditional fun for all the family will be on offer when a North-East village holds a summer carnival next month. Villagers in Mickleton, Teesdale, turn out for a day of fun and games every year. Organisers say 2004's event is all set to be the best yet

  • Boy and girl die in separate accidents

    TWO youngsters have died after their bicycles were involved in separate accidents involving cars. Ten-year-old Jamie Peter Dermott was involved in a crash as he rode his mountain bike through Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on Sunday morning. He had been

  • D-Day display

    D-DAY veterans have gathered in York to mark the launch of a historical display. The Regimental Museum of the Royal Dragoon Guards and The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, in Tower Street, York, is holding an exhibition charting the Normandy

  • Jacket clue to death

    A MISSING jacket worn by Robin Chard could hold vital clues for detectives investigating his death. The body of Mr Chard, 47, was found in a field near the Safeway warehouse, in Abbotsford Road, Gateshead, on April 24. Two Gateshead men have been charged

  • Backing given for schemes to give homeless a better deal

    A LIST of projects designed to get homeless people out of bed-and-breakfast accommodation has been cautiously approved. Conversion of a hostel in Thirsk and redevelopment of sites in Northallerton, Thirsk, Topcliffe and Easingwold are among measures suggested

  • Wear Valley Sunday League

    Coxhoe Cricketers Arms pulled off a good victory in the final over at PWS (Newton Aycliffe). The home side batted first and made 113 all out with Damon Haley making 25 and Kevin Carr 26. The Cricketers paced their reply and edged through to take the winning

  • Hockey: Durham hosts international

    INTERNATIONAL hockey comes to Durham University's Maiden Castle Sports Centre this weekend. The England and Scotland Under-21 men's hockey squads are playing at 4pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday. On each day, he Durham Youth Academy will also be in action

  • Bedale

    May Scramble: Close scoring in this popular competition to identify the third place tied on 62.4 was decided on the last hole of the first nine. Leading scores 60.3 John & Barbara Webster, Roger Parry and Julie Standen (3.7hcp), 62.4 Mike Ingram,

  • Looking Back

    FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Long and circumstantial accounts have just been published regarding Oliver Cromwell's head, which is stated to be in possession of a gentleman in Kent. This may be correct, but the question of where the body of the

  • Wear Valley Ladies League

    The team Singles Knockout qualifying stage was held at four venues with one winner from each going on to the semi-finals. At Willington Cricket Club, Crook Bar 56 beat Crook Olde Horse Shoe 4-2; whilst Willington Cricket Club beat Crook Mill House 4-1

  • Keep fit with fruit

    HEALTH workers have been encouraged to join the battle against cancer by eating more fruit and vegetables. The Derwentside and the Chester-le-Street primary care trusts marked Cancer Prevention Week last Friday by setting up stands offering a quiz, draw

  • When points mean prize jobs

    IN local government size matters. The larger your population, the more cash you get to spend through the rate support grant. So for local authorities, luring new businesses to an area is essential. It provides jobs for locals, brings new workers in and

  • Wool board asks for idea of future flock numbers

    THE Wool Board is seeking help from its producers to assess the impact of the CAP review on sheep numbers. Chairman Frank Langrish has written to about 1,000 producers, including regional representatives, large flock masters throughout the UK and a proportion

  • Federation Special Durham Senior League Junior Cup

    Grant Parkin took four wickets in four balls leading South Shields to victory over Whitburn in the Under-13 Cup, writes Malcolm Pratt. The youngster went on to finish with figures of six wickets for seven runs in four overs and Andrew Elliott in two for

  • Richmond Dales

    Ten Richmond Dales swimmers were accepted to swim at the Middlesbrough Open Meet held at the Neptune Centre over the weekend. Out of 27 swims 14 PB times were recorded. Janine Phillips was the most successful winning 100m and 200m Breaststroke she also

  • The real problem

    Sir, - I am writing in response to recent articles on motorcylists using roads in the North York Moors National Park and issues on noise. I write as a motorcyclist, car driver, keen walker and countryside lover. Yes, there are a minority of motorcyclists

  • All-conquering Bedale Juniors clinch trble triumph

    Bedale Under-12s have finished off their best ever season with a cup win over Northallerton to seal the treble. The Richmond and District Under-12s League Champions took cup honours two weekends in a row against Northallerton and did it in style in the

  • Psychiatrist wins appeal against rape conviction

    A retired consultant psychiatrist has been cleared by the Court of Appeal of raping a woman patient in a hospital photo-copying room. But Dr Michael Haslam, 70, lost his appeal against his convictions for indecently assaulting the woman on a separate

  • Theatre sets the scene for summer

    A THEATRE'S summer repertory season is about to begin. Ian Dickens Productions is offering the chance to see four very different plays at Darlington Civic Theatre, all by leading dramatists and with all-star casts. The first play of the season will be

  • Survey to examine decline of bees

    A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save the endangered bumblebee in part of the North-East. Durham Wildlife Trust is running the project after recent surveys showed a slow and steady decline in bumblebee species across the UK. In the trust's area, which

  • Police officers raid £10,000 cannabis farm

    A DRUGS unit has uncovered a cannabis farm worth an estimated £10,000. Langbaurgh Police raided the property in Tebay Close, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday lunchtime. A 25-year-old man was arrested and released on bail pending forensic tests on

  • Runaway car caeers across pub grounds

    A FAMILY narrowly escaped being hit by a runaway car as it careered through the grounds of a Guisborough pub on Tuesday. A woman motorist, thought to be in her seventies, is believed to have lost control of her Renault Clio while in the public car park

  • Big names may leave Boro

    MIDDLESBROUGH are prepared to sacrifice star players to make room for major signings this summer. Northern Echo Sport understands no-one is safe from a potential purge that could even include the likes of Juninho and Massimo Maccarone. Ideally, manager

  • Quakers RC

    Four members of the Quakers Running Club competed in the Blyth Valley 10 Mile Road Race on Sunday, April 25. Ian Scott set a new club over 50 record of 56:52 to take 10th prize, followed by Alasdair Tatham who obviously was still recovering from the previous

  • Tutty closes in on title after Howe Hills hat-trick

    A LARGE crowd justified the South Durham's decision to offer free entry to their point to point held at Howe Hills last Saturday. The riding honours went to Nigel Tutty, whose hat-trick has set him well on the way to retaining the men's jockeys championship

  • Quality Moors win puts them on top

    County Super League: Spennymoor went to the top of the table after an eight-point victory at Crook Town A in a match of some high class clearances. Sean Archer set the scene when he took the first frame but Neil Campbell matched the clearance to level

  • Positive results for ports operator despite financial pressures

    THE company that owns Teesport has predicted a bright future after battling financial pressures to report a record year of growth. Ports business PD Ports, Logistics and Shipping (PDPLS) saw group turnover rise by four per cent, to £162.3m, for the year

  • Gael force

    DIRECTOR Pedro Almodovar has no doubt why Gael Garcia Bernal was the best man for the job, playing three roles in his new film Bad Education. "He was very attractive as a boy and as a girl," says the Spanish film-maker. "That was essential for understanding

  • Darlington Harriers

    At the North of England Athletic Association Track & Field championships at Gateshead on Saturday, the young athletes of Darlington Harriers came away with a hat full of medals and personal best performances. After being nominated Athlete of the Match

  • Momentum grows

    Sir, - People are apparently twice as likely to say Yes than No in the referendum on a North East Assembly, according to the most recent poll published this week by The Journal. This is a powerful indication that the Yes campaign is gaining momentum.

  • Durham Hospitals Cup

    On Sunday Ferryhill Surtees Dynamos FC made their own little bit of history as they won the Durham Hospitals Cup for the third consecutive year - an achievement which has never before done in over 100 years of the cup's existence. Surtees Dynamos played

  • House prices rising at a record rate

    THE average house price in the North-East has risen by a record amount in the past three months, a survey has found. The average price for a home rose 5.27 per cent to £87,000 in County Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland

  • Qualitair to make hay at Haydock

    QUALITAIR WINGS (3.40) has ticks in all of the right boxes for the Golborne Rated Stakes at Haydock. Considering the James Hetherton-trained five-year-old missed the break and encountered trouble in running, Qualitair Wings did remarkably well to finish

  • All The Rage, Darlington Arts Centre

    NO-ONE is spared the wrath of Janet Street-Porter in her superb one-woman show. Celebrities, family, old workmates - everyone gets a thorough lashing from her sharp tongue as she picks through the highlights of her eventful life including four marriages

  • Hodgson closes in on big Windass signing

    DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson last night revealed Dean Windass is close to signing for the club. The 35-year-old former Middlesbrough striker has agreed a two-year deal "in principle", after further talks with Hodgson in Wetherby this week. With reported

  • Qualitair to make hay at Haydock

    QUALITAIR WINGS (3.40) has ticks in all of the right boxes for the Golborne Rated Stakes at Haydock. Considering the James Hetherton-trained five-year-old missed the break and encountered trouble in running, Qualitair Wings did remarkably well to finish

  • Centres stay shut in bug clean-up

    TWO North-East leisure complexes at the centre of a health scare remained closed last night. Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and the Spectrum Leisure Centre, in nearby Willington, were closed on Wednesday afternoon when

  • School rockers reach final

    A SCHOOL rock band has proved its mettle by reaching the final of a talent competition. Tanfield School's band 100% Moron brought the house down when they appeared at Stanley's Lamplight Centre to secure a place in the final of Talentstar 2004 at Newcastle

  • Grain report

    by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture OLD crop wheat has continued its decline as it looks as if it is heading to new crop levels. This is mainly because, on paper, we still have about m tonnes to export with very few buyers in the export market. New crop

  • Swainby set a new low

    Swainby chalked up an unenviable record at the weekend when they were all out for just four runs in the Langbaurgh League game against East Harlsey! "Unfortunately, it is the lowest score ever recorded," confirmed League secretary Bernard Newman. "It

  • Pensioner dives for charity

    A PENSIONER celebrated his 80th birthday in style on Sunday by launching himself out of a plane. Fearless Fred Deakin, of Sherburn, near Durham City, took part in a tandem parachute jump from 14,000 feet, with instructor Richard Kalinski at the Peterlee

  • Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-15s

    A magnificent innings by Andrew Smith was the feature of the programme and he led Chester-le-Street to an impressive victory at Eppleton, writes Malcolm Pratt. The talented youngster who previously played for Langley Park ended unbeaten on 104 out of

  • Fears for jobs amid planned cutbacks to health groups

    THOUSANDS of North-East jobs could be at risk as cuts affect health service quangos. The Prescriptions Pricing Authority (PPA), in Newcastle, is on the list of NHS support organisations that are to be closed or merged. The authority, which employs about

  • Hodgson closes in on big Windass signing

    DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson last night revealed Dean Windass is close to signing for the club. The 35-year-old former Middlesbrough striker has agreed a two-year deal "in principle", after further talks with Hodgson in Wetherby this week. With reported

  • If a name's worth using, it's worth using three times

    Holmside is located halfway between Burnhope (near Lanchester) and Edmonsley (near Sacriston) and consists of three distinct sites that are all called Holmside. Nearest to Burnhope is Little Holmside Hall, the most westerly of the three Holmsides and

  • Crook Ladies League

    The fixtures for the first week of the new season are: Tow Law North Point v Tow Law New Market B; Tow Law Station A v Crook Jelly's Bar B; Crook Queen's Head A v Crook Travellers Rest; Crook Olde Horse Shoe v Crook Belle Vue; Billy Row Green A v Billy

  • Burning rubber

    RIDING SPIRITS II Publisher: Capcom Format: PS2 , Price: £39.99: WHEN I was a student one of my favourite arcade games was Sega Hang On. It was a motorcycle racing simulator, sometimes played with a joystick or a full-sized bike you straddled like the

  • Pupils upset by loss of Roman remains

    YOUNGSTERS who were upset when they heard the remains of a Roman villa were to make way for housing had their questions answered yesterday. Archaeologists from Durham University and Tees Archaeology have worked together to dig up a RomanoBritish villa

  • Drivers flout law with mobile phones

    DOZENS of motorists have been caught using mobile phones while driving since it became illegal. Despite warnings that legislation was being introduced making calls on the move illegal, 71 offenders were found flouting the law over a 16-day period in Teesside

  • Bid to increase public school sexual attack boy's sentence

    A PUBLIC school sex attacker could have his sentence increased after the family of one of his victims launched a legal bid against his term. The Northern Echo can reveal that the Attorney General has been asked to examine the case of the 17-year-old who

  • Housing scheme for elderly is -model for future'

    A NEW housing scheme for the elderly will open this summer. The Hill View Manor development, Knaresborough, will provide 40 apartments. The scheme is among efforts by North Yorkshire County Council's social services to get away from traditional residential

  • Dave chosen for Olympic announcements team

    THE voice of a North-East man will be heard by billions of television viewers this summer. Dave Fletcher, of Sedgefield 75 Swimming Club, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has been appointed an announcer for the Olympic Games in Athens. His job will

  • Work to start on £4m town centre road system

    WORK is due to start on a £4m road system in the heart of Stockton town centre. It is hoped the one-way system, east of the town centre, will improve traffic flow around the town and provide access to the riverside location of the multi-million pound

  • Superhero enlists help from children in fight against pollution

    YOUNGSTERS are taking part in a scheme to defeat the forces of environmental darkness. Superhero Eco Ranger is fighting his arch-enemy Trasher once again, and has summoned the help of 1,600 pupils from 42 schools to help. Now in its sixth year, nine days

  • PC praised for rescue

    A TRAFFIC policeman has been praised for diving into the River Wear to save a drowning teenager. PC David Morgan, 32, a former international polo player, was one of the first officers on the scene after the un-named 19-year-old fell 30ft into the the

  • School closure date brought forward

    THE closure of Sadberge CE Primary School is likely be brought forward to August 31 - ten months earlier than planned. On Wednesday, Darlington Borough Council school organisation committee approved the new date, which has to receive final approval at

  • Villagers lose play area grant funding to 'needier community'

    A PARISH council was shocked by news that its bid for play area funding had been rejected by a Government body after months of work by the local community. A £30,000 project for three safe recreational areas for the young, as well as a meeting place for

  • Plenty in store at Thirsk evening meet

    MONDAY evening's meeting at Thirsk is the prelude to the launch of Herriot Happenings, a full week of special events which begins the following Saturday extolling the attractions of the Thirsk and Hambleton region. The World of James Herriot, the popular

  • When points mean prize jobs

    IN local government size matters. The larger your population, the more cash you get to spend through the rate support grant. So for local authorities, luring new businesses to an area is essential. It provides jobs for locals, brings new workers in and

  • Town's fear for traffic scheme enforcement

    CALLS for a comprehensive traffic plan for Richmond were made as town councillors rejected part of a county council proposal. While members welcomed a 20mph speed limit for the town centre, there were concerns over how it would be enforced. The special

  • Madge becomes town's mayor

    THE first Liberal Democrat to be Mayor in Redcar and Cleveland since 1920 will accept the mayoral chains at a ceremony today. Councillor Madge Moses, who represents Marske's St Germain's ward, is the first Lib Dem mayor since Alderman B O Davies became

  • Save these willing souls from the wrath of Ramsey

    IT looked like a restaurant ready and primed for the arrival of foul-mouthed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey. Like the establishments featured on the Glaswegian's current Kitchen Nightmares TV documentary, McQuays by the River at Stockton is clearly struggling

  • Smudger does the honours

    Darlington Spraire Lads: Former Darlington FC favourite Kevan 'Smudger' Smith was guest of honour at the Spraire Lads Under-15 B and Under-15 C presentation evening at Darlington Cricket Club. He presented trophies to all of the players present, together

  • Driver rammed police vehicles

    A DRIVER who rammed police cars was disqualified for the 23rd time yesterday and jailed for two years. Malcolm Honeyman terrified three female passengers in his girlfriend's car when he drove through red lights and over pavements at 60mph in Hartlepool

  • Award puts Bedale's unsung hero in the limelight

    HE does so much for Bedale Football Club that he literally deserves a medal. That was the verdict on retired motor engineer Ian Anderson, of Bedale, who has been rewarded by the North Riding County FA to mark his achievement as Groundsman of the Year.

  • Sainsbury's buys Safeway store and comes to town

    SAINSBURY'S is moving into Darlington. Supermarket group Morrison's has agreed to sell the Safeway store in Victoria Road to its rival. The store is one of 13 Safeway sites in the North and the Midlands which will become a Sainsbury's supermarket. Morrison's

  • Ice hockey: Durham defeat for Predators

    Durham Dragons v Newcastle Predators: Durham Dragons defeated the Newcastle Predators 4-1 in a well-contested North East recreational match on Sunday. The game started at a frantic end-to-end pace, and only some Vezina-netminding from Alison and Armstrong

  • 21/05/04

    PENSIONS: EA Moralee (HAS, May 19) gives a very jaundiced and, in fact, inaccurate impression of the arrangements for paying pensions and benefits directly into customers' accounts. The vast majority of pensioners who have already converted to direct

  • Fire-hit bakery firm ready to roll again next week

    PETER'S Cathedral Bakers is set to resume production and reopen its chain of shops next week, a month after its Durham headquarters was hit by a major fire. A new temporary bakery site, in Peterlee, should go into operation by midweek, with the family

  • Toby needs a home

    A PLAYFUL dog that has braved the streets needs a new home. Toby, a greyhound-cross, has warmed the hearts of the people looking after him at the Darlington branch of the National Animal Sanctuary Support League with his even temper and playful spirit

  • Students get taste of university life

    THREE year 11 pupils at a Barnard Castle school have won free places to a week-long summer school held at one of the region's universities. Amy Metcalfe, Natalie Charlton and Paula Rogers, from Teesdale Comprehensive School, will attend the Aim Higher

  • Teesside & District Union Inter Club League

    The vagaries of the schedule threw up a mouthwatering match on the first night of the league as Seaton Carew, runners-up for the last three year's played host to the present champions, Bishop Auckland. By coincidence the same fixture started the season

  • Fish Tales

    In the Bradford No1 AA Pauling Cup held on Raskelf Lake near Easingwold fish failed to show in numbers for the capacity entry. In heat wave conditions anglers had to work hard for bites but undeterred Waterline Wibsey's Colin Hardy showed his class not

  • Billingham SC

    Billingham swimmers reaped in the medals at the weekend competing at two competitions. Nine competitors travelled south to compete in the British Triathlon Championships which took place at Wolverhampton. All competitors performed brilliantly against

  • Rhubarb poisening and loose screws

    Bad Girls (ITV1): A GOOD man is hard to find anywhere, but a good screw is impossible to find in Larkhall women's prison. If warders aren't trying to get into the knickers of inmates, they're being handcuffed for sex by the kinky wing governor (female

  • Survivors celebrate life-saving funds

    CANCER survivors have joined with research scientists to celebrate a major advance for the region. Thanks to the coming together of national and local charities, a new cancer research facility is being kitted out with £1.25m worth of equipment. The highly-specialised

  • 'How can I refuse those who need help?'

    The Government recently cracked down on so-called 'health tourists' getting free treatment in NHS hospitals. Now the ban may be extended to family doctor services. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson talks to a GP who works with refugees in the region and