Archive

  • Benkenstein leads the recovery for Durham

    DURHAM'S efforts mirrored the weather at Northampton yesterday - awful start, good recovery. Play did not get under way until 3.30 and after winning the toss for the third time in three championship matches, Dale Benkenstein must have wondered if he had

  • Box clever with Fight Your Corner

    RACEGOERS heading to Royal Ascot at York are advised to back Fight Your Corner (3.45) in the big race of the day, the £225,0000 Gold Cup. Officially only Godolphin's second-string to Papineau, last year's winner of Europe's premier long-distance, Fight

  • Drug firm fined £40m over bid to block rival

    DRUGS manufacturer AstraZeneca was yesterday fined more than £40m, after it tried to block rivals from marketing a medicine similar to one of its own products. The Competition Commission found that the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals group had actively

  • MMP wins contract for luxury flats

    CONSTRUCTION firm MMP has won a £2m contract to convert a former girls' school into luxury flats. The group, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has been appointed by Darlington Homes to transform the former Claremont School for Young Ladies in Darlington

  • More recruits will follow at call centre

    THE owners of a North-East call centre that is recruiting 100 staff yesterday promised more jobs are to come. The Albany Group, which provides legal expense road accident insurance services, is hiring 100 workers at its centre in Peterlee, County Durham

  • You write

    Relief road: I have been looking at the plans for a Durham City relief road on the county council web site, and can see two proposed routes at £14m and £25m respectively. In respect to comments made by M Atkinson and R Drion (Advertiser, week ending May

  • £8m prison construction contract secured by firm

    CIVIL engineers Henderson Campbell has won an £8m prison construction contract. The company, based in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, will help build secure custodial accommodation at Whatton Prison, near Nottingham. The contract win follows the firm being

  • Parents plead for research funding

    A COUPLE from the North-East whose ten-year-old son has a fatal disease joined a lobby of Downing Street to plead for more funding for groundbreaking research. Daniel Miller has duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic condition that leaves sufferers

  • Women turn the park pink

    THEY ran in their thousands - young and old, in varying states of health. The annual Darlington Race for Life saw 3,000 women run, jog and walk 5km around the town's South Park wearing pink in aid of Cancer Research UK. Many ran in memory of friends and

  • Storming gig by twin town band

    A LOCAL band has gone down a storm at a festival in Darlington's twin town in Germany. Browser performed at the Vol de Ruhr Festival, which has become an annual event in Mulheim over the past decade. The Darlington band joined acts from France, Poland

  • Safety donation

    PUPILS at Tudhoe Colliery Primary School, near Spennymoor, have received 30 yellow waistcoats from Warburtons bakery to use on school trips and outings. Darren Bond, general manager of the firm's Newcastle bakery, said: "The waistcoats are a mini version

  • Search for man's killer has ended

    THE search for the killer of pensioner James Mulligan has ended, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said last night. The announcement comes just a day after Christopher Eade was found not guilty, at Leeds Crown Court, of causing the 73-year-old's death

  • Rekindling memories

    MORE than 40 former members of a youth club have attended a reunion. Rough Lea Methodist Youth Club, in Hunwick, near Willington, was open from 1944 to 1964 for dances, football and films, and former members met up again at the Victoria Organ Centre,

  • Weardale college secures a gold award for its art work

    A SCHOOL which was recently designated a Performing Arts College has been awarded top marks by a national arts scheme. Wolsingham School and Community College, in Weardale, has earned an Arts Mark Gold standard, which recognises outstanding achievement

  • Call for action as business park becomes dumping site

    A COMPANY boss has called for an end to fly tipping which is blighting a business park. Cases of fly tipping across Sedgefield borough have almost doubled in the last year and a number of businesses on Aycliffe Industrial Estate, Newton Aycliffe, say

  • Hodgson striker search hots up

    DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson will step up his search for a new striker this week after missing out on Colin Larkin, writes Lee Hall.. Hodgson would like to add at least one new forward before the start of the season and will run the rule over several

  • Police search pit shafts for ex-miner

    POLICE are continuing to search mine shafts in attempt to solve the mysterious disappearance of a former miner. Officers have been carrying out an extensive search for Edward Donnelly, who went missing three years ago. On Monday, they began searching

  • 'We must stem tide of rail fatalities'

    NEW figures have revealed the extent of trespassing and vandalism on railways in the region. Almost 600 incidents, including objects placed on the lines and missiles thrown at trains, have been reported to Network Rail over the past two years - almost

  • 'Glimmer of hope' for university newspaper

    A STUDENTS' union hit by financial crisis could have a deficit of up to £100,000. Despite the mounting problems faced by Durham University Students' Union, officials insist there is no need to panic. Last week it was revealed that the dire financial situation

  • Road race

    RUNNERS of all ages will take to the streets for the Aycliffe 10K road race on Sunday. The annual event is organised by the Newton Aycliffe Athletics Club and sponsors include Great Aycliffe and Sedgefield Borough Councils, and 3M Aycliffe. For information

  • For charity

    THREE solicitors took part in a sports day to raise money for a local hospice. Martin Williamson, Mark Lewis and Rosanne Green, from the Latimer Hinks practice, raised more than £250 in the Rotary Funathon. The money will go to St Teresa's Hospice in

  • Top praise for school

    A SCHOOL came top of the class after receiving an Ofsted report. Willington School was praised by education inspectors, who singled out the excellent behaviour of its pupils, the quality of teaching and information technology. Inspectors said that the

  • Tyred out by the cycle of life

    AMID the chaos that is breakfast on school mornings, the headline announcing "Rod Stewart to be a dad again at 60" caught my eye. Rocker Rod is already a father-of-six, with offspring ranging from the ages of 41 to ten. And it was while I was reflecting

  • Midsummer castle treat

    LOVERS of Shakespeare and the great outdoors are being invited to enjoy both at the same time. Some tickets are still available for this month's open-air production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Ripley Castle Harrogate, which runs until June 26. Sprite

  • Fashion showdown for design students

    ART and design students in Darlington are to exhibit the work that marks the culmination of their studies. About 40 National Diploma Fashion and Clothing and Design students from Darlington College of Technology are putting the finishing touches to their

  • New chapter opens for converted 13th Century grain store

    A BUILDING used as a grain store for more than 200 years has been transformed into a library containing 5,000 books. The Great Hall, at Markenfield Hall, near Ripon, was built in 1280. It became empty in 1569, when the Markenfield family were executed

  • Walking buses drive towards new record

    CHILDREN from neighbouring schools yesterday joined a world record attempt to form the longest "walking bus". About 50,000 youngsters from across the country took part in the event, holding hands with parents to walk safely to and from school. More than

  • Van thief 'swinging the lead' to spend ten months in jail

    A MAN who carried out a fraction of a 240-hour community punishment order was yesterday locked up by a judge who told him: "You've been swinging the lead." Paul Arnett did only seven-and-a-half hours unpaid work for the community after he was sentenced

  • Parker pens deal to make a fresh start

    SCOTT Parker last night insisted the last 12 months had been a "temporary blip" on an otherwise upward trajectory for both himself and Newcastle United. Parker's protracted £6.5m move from Chelsea was finally completed yesterday, when he successfully

  • Search for man's killer has ended

    THE search for the killer of pensioner James Mulligan has ended, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said last night. The announcement comes just a day after Christopher Eade was found not guilty, at Leeds Crown Court, of causing the 73-year-old's death

  • Exciting prospect for Elsworth

    SOMETHING EXCITING (3.05) simply cannot be sensibly opposed in the £130,000 mile-and-a-half Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, writes Colin Woods. By finishing a close runner-up to Eswarah in the Oaks, David Elsworth's class act shifted even further up the three-year-old

  • Wellington coach puts the boot in

    Wellington coach John Plumtree tonight put the Lions' latest tour victory into perspective by claiming: ''I think the All Blacks would have scored 60 points against us.'' The Lions, parading a near Test-strength side, bounced back from their defeat to

  • Four million cars and counting as Nissan looks to the future

    EUROPE'S most productive car plant marked another milestone yesterday, as car number four million rolled off the production line. Nissan workers on the morning shift finished work on the model at 7.30am and it was presented to children's charity, the

  • Would you let this man near your third nipple?

    Nip/Tuck (C4); The Springer Show (ITV1): THE phrase "physician heal thyself" springs to mind when watching Nip/Tuck, the US drama series about cosmetic surgeons with overactive social lives. The second series has upped the sex and surgery quota with more

  • Inquiry into killer's mental health care

    AN INDEPENDENT inquiry has begun into the care and treatment of double killer Sean Crone. Crone, 26, was sentenced to an indefinite period of detention at Rampton maximum security hospital in January after being convicted of the manslaughter of Sunderland

  • Medic is found guilty of false 999 call

    A MOTORCYCLE paramedic has been convicted of making a malicious 999 call claiming a female colleague was drink driving. Michael Waudby, who is also a magistrate, denied making the malicious call about ambulance worker Kerry Byrne, who was employed by

  • Fall girl 'still critical'

    A TEENAGE girl left fighting for life after falling from the attic window of her home remains in intensive care, where her condition is said to have stabilised. Kimberly Dixon, 16, is still critically ill with the terrible injuries suffered when she fell

  • From Fat to Bat

    Big wasn't beautiful when Christian Bale began his quest to become the lastest Batman. He tells Steve Pratt about his incredible weight gain having dropped to 120lbs to star in The Machinist. But, according to superstar Michael Caine, there's little chance

  • Heads consider schools reform

    AN education chief is to be appointed to drive up standards in Darlington schools. Under the proposal, the super-head will work with headteachers of secondary schools with 'an unrelenting focus on raising standards' - in the first experiment of its kind

  • Council set to make up its mind over homes transfer vote

    THOUSANDS of council tenants will find out this week if they get to vote on the proposed transfer of homes to a housing group. Sedgefield Borough Council hopes to transfer its entire housing stock to a non-profit making organisation, called Sedgefield

  • Assault claim against prison officer dropped

    A PRISON officer's job is secure after an allegation that he assaulted a former partner was dropped on the day of a scheduled trial. Alan Johnson, 44, denied a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, following an incident involving an ex-partner

  • Super aid at Croft for hospice

    SPORTS fans raised money for charity while watching the recent British Superbike Championship held in the region. Fundraising events at the two-day event, held at the Croft Autodrome, included a football match between some of the top Superbike riders

  • Dad At Large: Tyred out by the cycle of life

    AMID the chaos that is breakfast on school mornings, the headline announcing "Rod Stewart to be a dad again at 60" caught my eye. Rocker Rod is already a father-of-six, with offspring ranging from the ages of 41 to ten. And it was while I was reflecting

  • Invite to a ghost hunt

    PEOPLE interested in the paranormal have a great opportunity to help in the hunt for a famous North-East ghost this weekend. The television crew for UK Haunted will be at Preston Hall, in Eaglescliffe,Teesside, in search of the infamous Grey Lady, who

  • "We must stop rail fatalities'

    NEW figures have revealed the extent of trespassing and vandalism on railways in the region. Almost 600 incidents, including objects placed on the lines and missiles thrown at trains, have been reported to Network Rail over the past two years - almost

  • Maternal support for new mothers

    SIX mothers who completed a breastfeeding support programme have celebrated with a night out in Newton Aycliffe. The six-week programme was open to mothers in Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West, who had previously breastfed. A creche was provided and the

  • Brats take action to spread the message

    YOUNG residents who helped clean up their village by forming their own action group could inspire other communities to follow their example. The group of six to 16-year-olds, known as the Billy Row Action Team (Brat), organise regular litter picks and

  • Guilty plea in child porn case

    A MAN has been warned he is facing jail after being caught with more than 16,000 child porn images. Michael Lucas, 36, yesterday pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing indecent photographs of children and 15 charges of making such images. The case

  • Four million cars and counting as Nissan looks to the future

    EUROPE'S most productive car plant marked another milestone yesterday, as car number four million rolled off the production line. Nissan workers on the morning shift finished work on the model at 7.30am and it was presented to children's charity, the

  • Box clever with Fight Your Corner

    RACEGOERS heading to Royal Ascot at York are advised to back Fight Your Corner (3.45) in the big race of the day, the £225,0000 Gold Cup. Officially only Godolphin's second-string to Papineau, last year's winner of Europe's premier long-distance, Fight

  • Setting out stall for real nappies

    A COUNCIL has declared its support for the use of real nappies - by giving a stall to a local company at its regular farmers' market. Ecoboo, based in Heighington, County Durham, will use the stall in Darlington Market Place to sell and promote the use

  • Full list of award winners

    Award for Healthy Schools: Gill Hedworth, John Spence Community High School Sports College, North Shields. Distinction: Peggy Swinhoe, St Patrick's RC Primary School, Stockton. Commendation: Linda Russell-Bond, Thornaby Community School, Stockton. The

  • On TV last night

    Nip/Tuck (C4) The Springer Show (ITV1) THE phrase "physician heal thyself" springs to mind when watching Nip/Tuck, the US drama series about cosmetic surgeons with overactive social lives. The second series has upped the sex and surgery quota with more

  • Worker wins settlement

    A SETTLEMENT has been reached in favour of a gay theatre worker who won a tribunal case against his former employers at Durham City Council. The undisclosed figure was agreed between the council and solicitors for Fausto Gismondi, who claimed constructive

  • How to bounce back from sleepless nights

    WIMBLEDON starts on Monday, sending lots of us running to the tennis courts. But when the sudden burst of enthusiasm wears off, don't throw those balls in the bin - they could come in useful if your partner can't stop snoring. Sleeping on your side rather

  • £8m prison construction contract secured by firm

    CIVIL engineers Henderson Campbell has won an £8m prison construction contract. The company, based in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, will help build secure custodial accommodation at Whatton Prison, near Nottingham. The contract win follows the firm being

  • Jane Eyre, Darlington Civic Theatre

    THIS adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's novel was first performed in 1956, and perhaps it could do with updating. I made sure I sat near a fire exit since much of the second half of the plot hinges on the madwoman burning down the house, but the challenge

  • Council pledges to improve further after 'poor' rating

    A COUNCIL has promised to get its planning department in order after the Government stepped in following concerns of poor performance. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned consultants to look at Stockton Borough Council's planning department

  • Supporters to have say in running of Quakers

    BOSSES at Darlington Football Club today pledged to give supporters a big say in the running of the Quakers after forming a new group. The Darlington FC stakeholders' steering group will include members of the Quakers' supporters' club and the independent

  • Rowing For The Record: Recreate the ocean experience at home

    THE crew making a North Atlantic rowing attempt have had another uneventful day. Nigel Morris and George Rock, of Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, along with fellow crew members Steve Dawson and Rob Munslow, are developing severe blisters during the 2,100

  • 'The bride changed her outfit six times'

    How many flowers do you need for a six-day wedding? Bucketloads, flower arranger Cynthia Scott, who was lucky enough to be invited to a Hindu society ceremony, tells Sharon Griffiths. CYNTHIA SCOTT says it with flowers - even half a world away. Already

  • Nurse's tragic final moments revealed

    AN auxiliary nurse spent her final moments biting her wrists in a desperate attempt to stay awake as she froze to death on snow-covered playing fields just yards from her home. An inquest into the death of Shelley Whitfield heard how the combined effects

  • Miller agrees to join Sunderland

    TOMMY Miller last night ended weeks of speculation by revealing he will sign for Sunderland next Wednesday. The Shotton Colliery-born midfielder has been the subject of a transfer tug-of-war since the end of last season, with the Black Cats one of a number

  • Arguments rage over plans for more wind farms

    THE gales that howl across the moors and into town earned Consett its 'Windy City' nickname. The wind blows straight off the Pennines and in winter batters the hamlets which cling to the hillsides of the Derwent Valley and the former steel town which

  • Chairman stays, say Quakers

    BOSSES at resurgent Darlington Football Club have moved to quash rumours about potential new owners by saying chairman Stewart Davies will be staying put for the coming season. The Quakers were facing the threat of extinction just over a year ago, having

  • Chance to have a say

    PEOPLE with mental health problems and their carers are being offered a chance to influence future services at an event next week. The two-hour meeting at the 2D Business Centre in Crook, on Wednesday, from 10am, is for adults in the Wear Valley and Teesdale

  • The bands strike up for annual festival

    THE tuning up is over and the first notes have been struck in the fifth, and so far biggest, Durham Brass Festival. Durham Constabulary Band struck a chord with an appreciative audience in an open air performance in Millennium Place, outside the city's

  • 'It's just like a little family'

    With the Government handing over millions of pounds to give all parents access to school-based childcare, Lindsay Jennings visits a school in Darlington which is already leading the way. IT is 8.25am. The school hall is filled with the sound of children

  • 'Children as young as seven are attacking firefighters'

    FIREFIGHTERS in part of the region are being attacked at the rate of one a week, shock figures have revealed. The 54 assaults in Cleveland in the year to the end of March was the highest in the country outside the biggest cities - Birmingham, Liverpool

  • Boss makes charitable deposit

    THE chief executive of a building society has improved a charity's bank balance by taking part in the London Marathon. Peter Rowley, chief executive of Darlington Building Society, handed over £26,600 to Help the Hospices, a national charity that aids

  • Honour for Joyce

    A CIVIC reception was held to mark the achievements of a woman who has dedicated more than 40 years of her life to a Darlington estate. Joyce Standing has served on committees and groups serving the people of Skerne Park. All her work was recognised at

  • Victim of gay taunts reaches deal with former bosses

    A SETTLEMENT has been reached in favour of a gay theatre worker who recently won a tribunal case against his former council employers. The undisclosed figure was agreed between Durham City Council and solicitors representing Fausto Gismondi on the eve

  • Full list of award winners

    Award for Healthy Schools: Gill Hedworth, John Spence Community High School Sports College, North Shields. Distinction: Peggy Swinhoe, St Patrick's RC Primary School, Stockton. Commendation: Linda Russell-Bond, Thornaby Community School, Stockton. The

  • Pubs warned to review their licences

    PUBS in Teesdale have been warned to apply for a new licence or risk not being able to trade. Only 12 pubs out of 170 have applied to convert their licence from an old Justices Licence. There are only seven weeks remaining for licensed premises to convert

  • Calling runners

    RUNNERS of all ages will take to the streets for the Aycliffe 10K road race on Sunday. The annual event is organised by the Newton Aycliffe Athletics Club and sponsors include Great Aycliffe and Sedgefield Borough Councils, and 3M Aycliffe. Race director

  • Gardens are opened

    The gardens at Yorke House in Dacre Banks, Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, will be open to the public on Sunday, July 3. The gardens contain two acres of colour-themed borders and a variety of plants and water features, including large ornamental ponds and

  • Find out about funding from workshops

    VOLUNTARY and community groups wanting to find out about funding sources are invited to an event next week. The funding fair has been organised by Darlington Council for Voluntary Services, Darlington Partnership and the borough council. It will take

  • The School Closure Debate Letters

    So many questions: IT seems that far too many questions have failed to be asked of the people involved in attempting to push their agenda through without proper consideration of, and discussion with, the parents and taxpayers of Darlington, who are surely

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: A crisis for our children

    DARLINGTON Borough Council has insisted the education service in the area is not in crisis, although it accepts there are issues which must be dealt with. Whether it is a crisis or not, it is clear that those issues have become very serious indeed and

  • Rugby club hosts a celebration of the town's childcare

    CHILDREN had an action-packed day yesterday to celebrate childcare in Darlington. Youngsters and their parents attended a fun day at Darlington Rugby Club, which was organised to mark National Childcare Week. Activities included competitions, face painting

  • Proposal to ban smokes on breaks

    COUNCIL workers face a total ban on smoking which could see them barred from lighting up in their lunch breaks or even in their own cars. Thousands of workers at Hartlepool Borough Council are already prevented from smoking in the office and taking cigarette

  • Overturned lorry brings road chaos

    AN OVERTURNED lorry on one of the region's busiest commuter roads caused rush-hour chaos on Tuesday night. The articulated lorry loaded with wood shavings overturned on the slip road leading on to the A690 road at Belmont, Durham City, shortly before

  • Blocking out the sound of the truth

    'I'm going to get tickets for us all," my husband said, full of enthusiasm. "They're really good. You'll enjoy it." Our son and daughter - and their respective other halves - were very doubtful. They gave in, but only under protest and once they'd exhausted

  • 16/06/05

    COUNTRY MATTERS: WHOSE country is this? How low and how greedy can this Government get? We are priced, taxed and conned into submission by legal blackmail and lackadaisical, incompetent nincompoops who live in a world of their own. These three are a funny

  • Carer is cleared over bath scalding injuries

    A CARE home worker accused of scalding a disabled resident has been cleared by a jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm. Mathew Smith, 24, wept as he left the dock following a three-day trial at Teesside Crown Court. Trevor Morris, a wheelchair user

  • GNER to ban smoking on trains

    TRAIN company GNER is to ban smoking on all its East Coast Main Line passenger services. The York-based company said provision for smokers on its trains would be withdrawn from August 29 in response to the majority of passengers' wishes. GNER said customer

  • Prisoner dies in cell fire

    A PRISONER who died in a fire in his cell has been named by police. Anthony Michael Mola died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon following a fire in his cell at Durham Prison earlier in the day. The 23-year-old, from Gateshead, had arrived in the prison

  • Henman is a major threat - Federer

    Wimbledon champion Roger Federer admitted last night he is hoping to stay away from Tim Henman in this year's competition. Just five days before starting his defence of his title at SW19, Federer said: ''Tim is definitely a threat and I really hope he's

  • On par with best

    Par Petroleum, based at Fencehouses, Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, has won the inaugural Depot of the Year award, presented by The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers. The family firm distributes Jet branded products and solid fuels across the region

  • Top Ten To Rent

    UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (-) The Aviator 2 (1) Closer 3 (2) Ocean's 12 4 (3) Meet The Fockers 5 (-) Assault on Precinct 13 6 (4) Creep 7 (5) Team America - World Police 8 (6) Ladder 49 9 (7) Ray 10 (8) Elektra Published: 16/6/2005

  • Dead sexy

    Viv Hardwick talks to Gateshead TV star Jill Halfpenny about her decision to turn down all other projects in favour of a Tyneside-based drama. THANKS to victory in TV's Strictly Come Dancing, Gateshead actress Jill Halfpenny had the world of stage and

  • 'My dream time with Tom'

    Love is in the air, but for Tom Cruise rather than Batman, Katie Holmes tells Steve Pratt. And her dream of becoming an actress and marrying Mr Cruise might be about to come true. When your new boyfriend is the most bankable movie star in the world, you

  • Students' art show

    STUDENTS are showing off their talents at an exhibition of their exam artwork. The GCSE and A-level artwork from Conyers School, in Yarm, near Stockton, goes on display today. Everyone is welcome attend the exhibition, between 6.30pm and 9pm. Published

  • Fears for school facing closure

    A TEACHER at a school earmarked for closure has warned it has been severely undermined by recent revelations. Terry Bladen, who works at Darlington's Eastbourne Comprehensive School and is the town's negotiating secretary for teaching union the NASUWT

  • Parish plan will help to shape future

    A BLUEPRINT has been drawn up to shape the future of a Wear Valley market town. Wolsingham Parish Council has worked in conjunction with residents to produce a Parish Plan, which contains findings from a comprehensive survey and recommendations on how

  • Region's job seekers must be retrained, Government told

    North-East job seekers must be retrained if the Government is to meet its target of full employment in the region, business leaders warned last night. The claimant count, measured by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), records the number of people

  • Schools' arts awards

    THE Grove Primary School, near Consett, is celebrating after being awarded an Artsmark Gold award in recognition of the arts education they give pupils. The awards are given by Arts Council England for efforts to promote forms such as drama, music, design

  • Kinane the hero with hat-trick

    MICK KINANE was the toast of Royal Ascot at York yesterday by landing a 195-1 treble aboard Azamour, Peeress and Beautyandthebeast The Irish-based jockey hit the buffers when losing one of the top jobs in racing by parting company with Aidan O'Brien around

  • Pain and adversity give Goosen his cutting edge

    GOLFING history is littered with examples of players freezing when the heat has been turned up the most. From Doug Sanders' infamous missed putt to hand the 1970 Open title to Jack Nicklaus to Greg Norman's spectacular capitulation at the 1996 US Masters

  • Crooks pay for war on crime

    POLICE forces in the region will receive a share of millions of pounds after cash and assets stripped from criminals reached a record high. The Home Office announced this week that £13m from the £84m recovered will be divided among forces throughout the

  • Healthy win for village students

    A SCHOOL which has encouraged children to have a healthy body as well as a healthy mind has picked up an award. Gainford Primary School, in Teesdale, has been recognised as being a healthy school by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust. Headteacher Howard

  • Freemasons open doors

    LIGHT will be shed on the secretive world of the Freemasons when two of the region's lodges open their doors to the public this weekend. Members of the Lennox and Dales lodges will be available to answer questions and show visitors around the lodge building

  • Concerns grow for missing teenager

    POLICE have stepped up the search for a missing teenager. Officers are concernedabout 15-year-old Paul Clarkson, from Aysgarth, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, who was last seen at Northallerton railway station on Thursday morning. Police have spoken

  • Church retreat

    The Retreat Association is to hold a quiet day entitled Stop In The Name Of God at Blackhall Methodist Church on Saturday. The event, which takes place from 10am to 4pm, offers busy shoppers and workers a chance to take a pause from their hectic lifestyle

  • Hotel site plans lodged

    THE deadline passed this week for the public to comment on the impending demise of a landmark roadhouse hotel on the outskirts of Durham. Proposals to demolish the Cock o' the North, at Farewell Hall, to make way for housing, previously won outline planning

  • 'Pied Piper of Hartlepool' walks away with top award

    DESCRIBED by colleagues as the Pied Piper of Hartlepool, teaching assistant Janice Hutchinson yesterday walked off with a top education award. Ms Hutchinson was among a number of school staff from the region feted for their hard work at the North-East

  • Special team is winning the war

    FLYING squads of Specials are winning the war on yobs, a police force has said. A team of 20 police community support officers is divided between the four Cleveland Police districts, but the force said they could be quickly brought together to concentrate

  • Report praises pilot schools scheme

    A NEW report claims a controversial education reform initiative is beginning to produce results, despite the failings of a North-East city academy. And the Government has vowed to push ahead with plans to create 200 city academies following the publication

  • Three in court following death of cyclist

    Three men have appeared at Teesside Crown Court in connection with the death of a cyclist who was killed in front of his own son. Jan Torka, Martin Gordon Conroy and Thomas Mark Sells are each charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of 58-

  • A wee drama

    ALPHABETICALLY, Zoe comes down the bottom of the list. But Soapland's Zoes - Slater and Tate - are very much top of the pile next week and both have murder in mind. Zoe Slater finally leaves Walford. Her exit from EastEnders (BBC1) has been one of the

  • Student death riddle appeal

    POLICE are trying to piece together the final three hours in the life of a student who died miles away from his home. Nearly three months after the death of Newcastle University chemistry student Richard Hyde, mystery still surrounds his final hours.

  • Council's 'trump card' in land row

    PARISH councillors are counting on the discovery of long lost deeds to help resolve a land row and secure a play area for village children. But after receiving a copy of the vital document, Dene Valley Parish Council faces a race against time to prove

  • Quickfire queen

    Viv Hardwick talks to quick-witted actress Josie Lawrence about her success with improvisation and why Newcastle means so much to her. The TV and stage star is also off to Kilimanjaro soon o another charity trek. 'YOU shout it out and they'll act it out

  • Carnival fun and games enjoyed by all

    A TOWN turned out in force at the weekend to enjoy its annual carnival. People lined the streets of Shildon on Saturday to watch the procession of floats and neighbours in fancy dress parade through the town to Hackworth Park. Families then flocked to

  • Young artists unfurl banner project

    MORE than 150 children from eight schools have created a series of cricket banners. Schools and community groups from County Durham were at Durham County Cricket Club in Chester-le-Street yesterday to celebrate the Riverside International Test Match Banners

  • Support pledged after fire devastates packaging firm

    COUNCIL leaders have pledged their support to a packaging company whose Newton Aycliffe plant was burned to the ground this week. It is hoped that Northern Packaging Distributors Ltd will recover from the blaze and its 40 employees can be back in work

  • Two face attack charge

    Two men have been charged after a man collapsed after a chase through Leadgate. Wayne Kirchner, 21, of Villa Real, and Ricky New, 18, of Delves Lane, are accused of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. They were remanded in custody by Peterlee

  • Guilds and WI news

    Henknowle TG: THE chairman welcomed members and four visitors to the June meeting. David Hughes was the guest speaker. He gave a fascinating talk about his eventful life, which was recentlypublished and has since written three more books. He is also an