SANTA'S MESSAGE: IT is at this time of year more than any other that I look around and I see what old and young feel about me. I see the delight and magic of the young ones who have not yet lost their belief in me or, what is more important, their belief
In his seasonal message, the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Dr Tom Wright, explains how the Christmas story is a signal to us to follow our star. A few years ago I was telephoned by a television station the weekend before Christmas. Would I please go on
THE 1507 Chester-le-Street Squadron has been named as the website Pick of the Month by The Northern Echo's CommuniGate team. The site offers lots of information about how to join the group, with days and times of their parades, as well as details of the
MIDDLESBROUGH'S festive programme has been rocked by news that George Boateng is likely to miss two months of first-team action with ankle ligament damage. The influential Dutch midfielder sustained the injury during Boro's Carling Cup quarter-final defeat
CHIP pans may soon only be seen in museums as shops are asked to take them off their shelves. One shop has already withdrawn them from sale on Teesside, after Cleveland Fire Brigade's concerns about their safety. Pressure is now mounting on others to
Traders last night gave a cautious welcome to a scheme that could help in the battle to preserve a North-East town's market heritage. The future of the markets in Darlington has come under intense scrutiny in recent months after anxious stallholders said
"MARLEY was dead to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he
CHIP pans may soon only be seen in museums as shops are asked to take them off their shelves. One shop has already withdrawn them from sale on Teesside, after Cleveland Fire Brigade's concerns about their safety. Pressure is now mounting on others to
A TENANT involved in a wrangle over rent arrears threatened to rape a council housing officer in poison pen letters sent to her office. Peter Fraser later said he wanted to repay her for the "misery" he claimed she brought him, in her role with Chester-le-Street
A SWAN that was nursed back to health by an animal sanctuary two years ago is again fighting for its life after being shot on the banks of a reservoir. Sam the swan is back in care at Weardale Animal Sanctuary after being shot just below the eye with
WHEN Steve Balmer, managing director of the Balmer Group, decided to move part of the business to Newton Aycliffe in 2003, he admitted that a Government sweetener of £750,000 was an incentive. Regional development agency One NorthEast offered the money
OVERLY eager treasure hunters landed a radio station in a spot of legal bother after they dug up an historic corner of the North-East. Managers at Galaxy Radio this week donned boiler suits and Wellington boots to fill in the damage done to the riverbanks
A JUDGE warned that drink is no excuse for violence when he jailed two teenagers on the eve of the Christmas festivities. Judge Leslie Spittle told Brent Fellows, 18, and Stanley Collin, 19, that they were guilty of "thuggish and loutish behaviour" that
Yorkshire County Cricket Club got the Christmas present they were looking for in the form of a £9m loan from Leeds City Council which will go towards the purchase of the freehold of Headingley cricket ground and its income streams for £12m. The Council
Glenn Hugill, who caught the eye of audiences in his impressive first venture into showbusiness - in the title role in Merry Christmas Mr Snowman at Barnard Castle Primary School - is now making a big name for himself behind the scenes in television.
PROUD parents watched as 350 young soldiers graduated from college this week. The youngsters joined the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in January. The 12-month course combined military skills and vocational qualifications. The
A FAMILY were forced to flee their home after arsonists struck. A fire was started in an empty house and smoke spread into a property four doors away at Hillside Avenue, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough. Steve Waggott, a watch manager with Cleveland Fire Brigade
A GROUP of young people who have stood up to hate crime and bullying are heading to Florida to share their ideas with young Americans. Members of Dash plc - the Drugs, Alcohol and Social Health crew - are going to Florida to find out more about cultural
A LARGE black and white cat has been taken into RSPCA care after being found in the Stanley Crook area. It is hoped that the animal's owner can be found urgently, or a volunteer to foster him. The cat has been nicknamed Stanley and is currently being
AFTER his racing career proved a non-starter, prematurely retired greyhound Billy is spending his first Christmas in a family home, thanks to readers of The Northern Echo. A couple from Crook answered an appeal from a rescue volunteer looking for someone
AFTER his racing career proved a non-starter, prematurely retired greyhound Billy is spending his first Christmas in a family home, thanks to readers of The Northern Echo. A couple from Crook answered an appeal from a rescue volunteer looking for someone
A COMMUNITY-spirited couple have been rewarded for dedication to their village. Wilf and Jeanette Garbutt, aged 85 and 80 respectively, received the Sedgefield Neighbourhood Watch Chairman's Award for 2005 from Ken Saiger. The couple, who have lived in
TRAIN company GNER is to give a railway station a £2m facelift next year. The company, which this year retained the franchise to operate on the East Coast Main Line, owns Durham city's station and plans to carry out work on the southbound platform. Details
A TEESSIDE doctor has offered a substantial reward for the return of his stolen briefcase. Dr Muhammad Shafiq, a GP at the Park Surgery in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, was visiting an elderly patient in Grendon Walk, Park End, when his car was broken into
A MIDDLESBROUGH apprentice has proved he has the chemistry for success after he won an award. Scott Dunnakey has been named as one of the best process industry students in the UK. He was awarded the Salters Institute City and Guilds process plant operations
FOUR community psychiatric nurses, from Clifton House resource centre, in Thornaby, have been handing out plenty of Christmas cheer over the festive period. Thanks to their fundraising efforts, they have been able to provide 66 food hampers, which have
SHOPPERS helped to raise money for a Darlington charity by buying bottles of lager. A fundraising partnership between Asda and Dutch brewer Grolsch raised £300 for St Teresa's Hospice. Asda stores nationwide were urged to increase sales of the lager to
ELDERLY residents in West Auckland have been presented with Christmas hampers. West Auckland Parish Council handed over hampers containing mince pies, sherry, fruit and other offerings to residents of Devonshire House Nursing Home and East Green Home.
HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to be extra vigilant when they dispose of the trappings of Christmas in order not to be the victims of seasonal thieves. All packaging should be kept hidden until refuse collection day or taken directly to the tip, say crimefighters
A DOZEN Hartlepool Borough Council workers have been told their jobs are at risk. The 12 community wardens received the news at a meeting on Wednesday, when they were told that they would only be employed until next March. Council chiefs said the town
A SERVICE is taking to the road to show the people of County Durham how easy it can be to change their lives. The nextstep service, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), provides advice and support to adults aged 20 and over who want to learn
A NEW initiative has been launched to provide support to victims of domestic violence on Teesside over the festive season. Operation Outreach involves domestic violence outreach workers from the Safer Hartlepool Partnership accompanying police officers
A HOMELESS teenager who walked into a police station and asked officers to arrest him, escaped a custodial sentence yesterday. Harrogate magistrates freed Craig Grant, 19, to undergo a 28-day assessment at a hostel in Wakefield, where he will receive
A MAJOR North-East road had to be closed after fire broke out at a £2m windfarm. The fire started in one of the turbines at Nissan's Washington factory at lunchtime yesterday. Both carriageways of the nearby A19 in Sunderland were shut to traffic amid
DELIGHTED youngsters had the time of their lives at their local library - when the staff staged their own pantomime. More than 70 children and their parents were treated to some seasonal entertainment in Northallerton Library. John Troll and the Library
A MINUTE'S silence will be held on Boxing Day as a mark of respect for a football chairman who died suddenly on Wednesday. Frank Ross, chairman of non-league Annfield Plain AFC, died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 73. Players will wear black
TEENAGE athlete Jennifer Crewdson has been placed in the top ten in the country. The Northallerton College student qualified in a regional competition for the British Biathlon Championships, in Sheffield, where she came tenth out of a host of competitors
VITAL railway bridge work will result in the closure of a Middlesbrough road over the Christmas break. Network Rail is replacing the bridge over Ladgate Lane at Marton Rail Station, which means that the road will be closed between the Ladgate Lane/Marton
Coastguards got more than they bargained for after taking part in a waxing night for charity. The rescue team from Skinningrove received the complementary beauty session to raise money for the haematology fund at The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
Thanks have gone out to Darlington branches of bakery firm Greggs after they made contributions to a homelessness project. The firm has been supporting the In From The Cold scheme, which was launched earlier this week. The scheme is run from the basement
A CHRISTMAS tree in a Darlington shopping centre will be blessed when it is taken down in tribute to the scores of people who left messages for loved ones. The 'Giving to Life' tree, in the Cornmill Centre, will be taken down early in the new year, after
A POLICE authority chief last night admitted his force had no "Plan B" if it was excluded from a merger of two rival North-East forces. Councillor Dave McLuckie, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said the Cleveland force would be happy to stand
AN attacker who assaulted his girlfriend when she returned home from a drunken night out was spared jail yesterday. Glen Fisk, 26, punched Hannah Metcalfe in the face during a row at their Sunderland home in July 24. Newcastle Crown Court heard how as
ONE of Leeholme's oldest residents celebrates his 101st birthday today. Tom Brown puts his longevity down to hard work after working in pits from leaving school until his retirement. Born in Thornley, east Durham, Mr Brown grew up in several communities
ONE of Leeholme's oldest residents celebrates his 101st birthday today. Tom Brown puts his longevity down to hard graft after working down the pit from leaving school until his retirement. Born in Thornley, east Durham, Mr Brown grew up in several communities
MICHAEL Owen will make an emotional return to Anfield on Monday, with strike partner Alan Shearer admitting the England international could have fired Liverpool into title contention had he joined them in the summer. Owen, an Anfield legend after scoring
DAVID HODGSON may have been bullied into throwing Anthony Peacock a career lifeline during the summer, but any questions the Darlington manager had about the pint-sized midfielder have been answered. But for the intervention of assistant manager Mark
MICHAEL Owen will make an emotional return to Anfield on Monday, with strike partner Alan Shearer admitting the England international could have fired Liverpool into title contention had he joined them in the summer. Owen, an Anfield legend after scoring
MICK McCARTHY would rather pin his faith in the Sunderland players already at his disposal than bring in a 'fancy-dan tart' who is unwilling to show the fight to pull off an unlikely escape. Having already signed his two allowed players from the English
THE future of a £2.5m harbour scheme is in doubt after plans to build boat mooring pontoons and a water resource centre were rejected. The Whitby Harbour development, in North Yorkshire, put forward by Scarborough Borough Council, was in line for funding
MORE than 500 mourners packed into church yesterday to bid farewell to a young firefighter described as a true good samaritan. Dave Harkin, who was just 36 and had raised thousands of pounds for charities, died last Saturday after a short and courageous
It'll be a muted Cocker-knee knees-up in Albert Square this New Year as two of EastEnders' popular couples leave Walford. And for one of them at least, a return is out of the question, unless a Dirty Den-style resurrection can be arranged. I wouldn't
Q We received Pension Credit briefly in February and did not have to pay council tax. Now we have been asked for £817 council tax. My husband has a State Pension of £159.61 a week and Industrial Injuries Benefit of £24.76 a week. I have Incapacity Benefit
CRAMMING my Christmas cards into the pillar box the other day, I remembered how it is the lot of columnists at this time of year, and particularly on this kind of day, to write a seasonal column. The one I'd been toying with was to be entitled "Snotting
The organisers of the 2012 London Olympics insist the city won the right to host the Games ''fairly and squarely'' after suggestions a potentially decisive vote was cast in error by an International Olympic Committee delegate. Senior IOC official Alex
PRIME Minister Tony Blair's consituency was facing a pre-Christmas jobs blow last night as a company told workers its factory was under threat of closure. Transmission & Lighting (T&L), part of the Balmer Lindley Group, said it was looking to
LAURA Humphries is clearly someone who is prepared to get off her backside and work hard. She must have worked hard at school to get into Cambridge and she is now working hard as a student in London to qualify as a doctor. And yesterday, she was out on
A MAJOR North-East road had to be closed after fire broke out at a £2m windfarm. The fire started in one of the turbines at Nissan's Washington factory at lunchtime yesterday. Both carriageways of the nearby A19 in Sunderland were shut to traffic amid
ADAM Boyd is planning his New Year return after stepping up his rehabilitation. The talented Hartlepool United striker has been out of action since damaging knee ligaments in a clash with Yeovil keeper Chris Weale on September 3. After undergoing surgery
A LARGE black and white cat has been taken into RSPCA care after being found in the Stanley Crook area. It is hoped that the animal's owner can be found urgently, or a volunteer to foster him. The cat has been nicknamed Stanley and is currently being
ELDERLY residents in West Auckland have been presented with Christmas hampers. West Auckland Parish Council handed over hampers containing mince pies, sherry, fruit and other offerings to residents of Devonshire House Nursing Home and East Green Home.
THE £34.5m redevelopment of Darlington College of Technology is bringing the institution into a new era - with a new name and logo already agreed. Hundreds of people voted to select their choice from a shortlist of four logo designs for the 100-year-old
A consortium of investors set up to take over port operator PD Ports confirmed yesterday that it was not making a fresh offer for the company. Endeavour Ports, a consortium consisting of FTSE 100-listed 3i, and two Australian investment firms, one of
RESIDENTS taking a stand against anti-social behaviour in a town are being asked to step forward to receive national recognition. Middlesbrough people have until January 13 to submit their entries for the Taking a Stand Awards. Now in its third year,
A COMMUNITY-spirited couple have been rewarded for dedication to their village. Wilf and Jeanette Garbutt, aged 85 and 80 respectively, received the Sedgefield Neighbourhood Watch Chairman's Award for 2005 from Ken Saiger. The couple, who have lived in
TRADERS played Santa when they handed over the proceeds of a popular charity event to Durham's Mayor John Lightley. The Grand Durham Duck Race, held on the River Wear last month by the Durham City Forum, raised £5,400 for the Mayor's Charity Appeal, Wateraid
RESIDENTS of Durham City will be having a traditional Christmas tomorrow, according to a survey of shoppers. A total of 400 shoppers at The Gates shopping centre in the city were quizzed on their festive habits - and the survey reveals that the traditional
HOMELESS families on Teesside have received a boost with the extension of a project to take them off the streets. Tees Valley Housing Group is building a two-storey extension that will add an extra first-floor flat, along with ground-floor communal facilities
LEGAL action is being threatened to ensure a town centre remains clean and tidy. Hartlepool Borough Council officials have warned of their determination following a court case against a woman, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Amanda Bates,
FOUR workers from a cold storage company have taken to the skies for a daring stunt to raise money for charity. Administration worker Sandra Scott, shift manager Fergus Todd, store manager Andrew Baldwin and managing director Garry Tilburn, who all work
A NEW service for Stanley opened yesterday with the launch of the Jobcentre Plus office, in Front Street. The town's old-style Jobcentre has been converted by Department for Work and Pensions, into a Jobcentre Plus. The department says it will provide
A BREAST cancer support group has raised £2,000 to buy new equipment for a hospital suite. The group, from the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, raised the money through a series of events. They presented it to staff from the hospital's Scott Suite at
Christmas is a time when we often think about what we can do for others, but as solicitor and hospice campaigner Richard Langdon tells Tony Kearney, it is also a time when we should think about what we can do for others after we're gone. AMID all the
A NEW hospital unit designed to ease the suffering of patients with incurable diseases was officially opened yesterday in a North Yorkshire market town. The new palliative care unit at the Lambert Memorial Hospital, in Thirsk, will be known as the Joan
COUNCIL bosses are considering the feasibility of introducing a monthly parking ticket scheme in Darlington. All 53 members of the borough council and some staff pay £12.50 a month to leave their vehicles in the town hall car park. But members of the
THE £34.5m redevelopment of Darlington College of Technology is bringing the institution into a new era - with a new name and logo already agreed. Hundreds of people voted to select their choice from a shortlist of four logo designs for the 100-year-old
TWO couples are celebrating reaching landmark anniversaries this week. Yesterday, Newton Aycliffe couple Norman and Cora Chambers celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a surprise party organised by their children. And today, Tow Law couple George
FOUR young pub waitresses will appear in a television show watched my millions tomorrow. The girls work at the Royal Oak, in Staveley, near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, where comedy drama Booze Cruise Two was filmed earlier this year. During the show
DEVOTED grandparents Anthony and Pamela Mandry are planning a Christmas to remember after enduring a year tinged with sadness and pain. The doting couple have planned their festivities down to the last detail in a bid to make it as special as possible
TRAIN company GNER is to give a railway station a £2m facelift next year. The company, which this year retained the franchise to operate on the East Coast Main Line, owns Durham city's station and plans to carry out work on the southbound platform. Details
The summer of 2005 will always bring back an indelible image of a blond, brawny colossus throwing his head back, fists clenched, and uttering a conqueror's roar of raw emotion as another Australian began the walk back to the pavilion. There was no better
A TRAINEE doctor told last night how crippling debts had forced her into busking to make ends meet. Laura Humphries has no other choice than to play her saxophone for a few coppers because her university debt has mounted to £12,000 - and is still rising
