Archive

  • A matter of interpretation

    THE lengthy debate over whether Tesco should be allowed to build a supermarket, in return for a new town hall, in Darlington town centre ended in a most peculiar state of affairs last night. A political wrangle developed over Conservative councillor

  • A dog with a dint above its right eye

    QUESTION Our dog has a dint above her right eye which appeared from nowhere. She has been checked by the vets but tests showed nothing. She now has a weepy right eye and her keeps walking into things and generally pacing as though she doesn't want

  • Our dog has developed problems climbing stairs overnight

    QUESTION My Westie developed problems climbing stairs and jumping on the coach overnight. My vet took his temperature and siad he had gum problems. He operated but there was no improvement. My dogs legs then gave way completely. He often panted and

  • A dog with an ongoing limp

    QUESTION My local vet treated my dog with anti-inflamatories for a limp in his left leg coming from his shoulder. As the limp wouldn't clear up, he referred my dog to a specialist for a more thourough examination. He was xrayed and had dye injected

  • A German Shepherd losing her fur

    QUESTION Hello, my German Shepherd bitch is starting to lose her fur on her nose and she seems to be very itchy around her chin and on her nose . She has been to the vets who give her some steroids which took it away but comes back straight away.

  • A German Shepherd vomiting on mornings

    QUESTION For the past four weeks he has started vomiting during the mornings only, we have changed his diet gradually and split the food intake into two sessions. He has had his blood test taken but everything has come back normal. Could he be suffering

  • Driver arrested as crash closes A1

    FOUR people are in hospital with serious injuries after an early morning crash which closed the A1. A van and a lorry collided on the northbound carriageway between the junctions with the A61 at Baldersby and the A168 near Dishforth, North Yorkshire

  • A top-class effort from Yorkshire star

    Former England and Yorkshire spinner Richard Dawson writes exclusively for The Northern Echo throughout the Ashes series. WHAT an effort from my old Yorkshire team-mate Matthew Hoggard! He was top class all day and he's kept England in with a shout

  • Hoggard claims seven wicket haul

    ENGLAND will go into the final day of the second Ashes test with a 97 run lead over Australia. Matthew Hoggard again received the plaudits on day three after he finished with seven wickets to earn England a slender lead at the end of the Australian innings

  • December 4, 2006

    WILLS AND BEQUESTS: THE European Union now wants to control the distribution of British citizens' assets after death. Under legislation working its way through the EU, the law on wills and bequests in the UK would be brought into line with the Napoleonic

  • A blast from the ER past

    Casualty 1906 (BBC1); Victoria Cross Heroes (five): A man with blood pouring from his slashed throat arrived at casualty seeking medical attention. "You'll have to wait three minutes," said the security guard looking at his watch. No, the NHS hasn't

  • Behaviour of local heroes is worthy of our praise

    MUCH is written in newspapers about the stars of football and it is their misdemeanours which often make the headlines: nightclub brawls, sex scandals and the like. But it is important to give credit where it is due and last week's Local Heroes Awards

  • Anger at lack of funding for victims

    MEMBERS of a support group for the victims of violent crime have hit out at the Government after it withdrew its backing. For 14 years, the North-East Victims' Association (Neva) has hosted an event in South Shields, South Tyneside, to support parents

  • hannah celebrates 100th birthday

    FAMILY and friends gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of a much loved great-grandmother. A reception was held for Hannah Rooney in Romanby Methodist Church Hall in Romanby, Northallerton. Mrs Rooney, who lives in Romanby, received a bouquet of flowers

  • New name sign refused permission

    AN attempt to smarten up the main entrance to a North Yorkshire village is not being supported by county councillors. Tanfield Parish Council wants to erect a new name sign for Thornborough, between Bedale and Ripon, to be built from dressed stone and

  • Extra care urged after car key thefts

    POLICE are warning householders to take extra security precautions after a number of break-ins. Officers in Harrogate are becoming increasingly concerned about a number of incidents in which thieves have broken into homes to search for car keys to steal

  • County councillors call for special schools safeguards

    COUNCILLORS have endorsed the principle of a review of special schools in North Yorkshire but have called for safeguards. The county council is responding to recommendations from Ofsted, following its inspection of the local education authority in 2004

  • How to deck your own halls with holly

    TELEVISION gardening presenter Simon Cross is to teach a town how to deck the halls with wreaths of holly. The celebrity will instruct residents at six classes across Middlesbrough on how to make Christmas wreaths and Yule logs. Councillor Barry Coppinger

  • It's show time

    YOUNGSTERS with special needs will put on a performance of music and dance. Stockton Imagination members have spent the past three months rehearsing On with the Show, which they will present at Abbey Hill School, Stockton, on December 12, at 6.45pm. Admission

  • Senior manager threatens to sue authority

    A TROUBLED local authority is facing legal action from one of its own senior managers. Richmondshire District Council's legal officer, Margaret Barry, is understood to be taking advice from solicitors. The move comes after Mrs Barry lodged a complaint

  • Work begins on £30m coast bypass scheme

    WORK has started on a £30m scheme to reduce traffic congestion in a town. The Scarborough Integrated Transport Scheme will provide a 2.7-mile bypass on the A165 approach to the town. Two park-and-ride facilities will be built. The town centre traffic

  • Restoration project reaps the awards

    A TOWN council has been commended for restoring a rare fence and garden at one of its public buildings. Guisborough Town Council received one of this year's Redcar and Cleveland Design Awards for the restoration work at Sunnyfield House, in Westgate.

  • Bus services restored to park

    BUSES are to return to Teesside Shopping Park from today, more than six months after commercial operators pulled the plug on the last daytime service. Since then, Stockton Borough Council says it has been working to find ways of restoring a service to

  • Archbishop drops in to city projects

    THE Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will visit Middlesbrough on Wednesday. Dr Sentamu will spend the morning meeting local clergy to learn about their parishes before getting out and about in the afternoon, accompanied by the Rural Dean of Middlesbrough

  • College returns with a 1920s gangster extravaganza

    STUDENTS are performing at Stockton Arc for the fourth year running since Stockton Riverside College was invited to present the theatre's Christmas shows. The college is performing Bugsy Malone, which is set in 1920s New York, and tells the story of a

  • Masterplan unveiled for the rejuvenation of town centre

    A MASTERplan to regenerate Stockton's town centre and Riverside area has been approved by council chiefs. A report has been compiled detailing proposals to revamp the heart of the town. The report will now be used as the basis for an action plan, which

  • Musical health message by parents and toddlers

    COUGHS and sneezes spread diseases, so the saying goes, but in Middlesbrough the message is being put to music. Parents and toddlers are presenting a musical story exploring how we catch colds and spread germs. They have been working with a professional

  • Teenager's close shave in aid of charity

    A TEENAGER has had his long hair cut off to raise cash for Teesside Hospice. Joseph Gill, of Hob Hill Close, Saltburn, had his locks cut at the Cheveux Hair Salon, in the town's Station Square, on Saturday. The hair cut has so far raised more than £400

  • Murder conviction appeal could make legal history

    A MAN who was convicted of the shotgun murder of a teacher on his own doorstep could make legal history when his appeal begins today. Andrew Adams was jailed for life at Newcastle Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of the murder of Jack Royal.

  • Inquiry into death by heart failure

    POLICE were last night investigating whether the death of a man from a heart attack was linked to an earlier incident. The 45-year-old man collapsed and died at a house in Arcadia Terrace, in Blyth, Northumberland, on Saturday night. A Northumbria Police

  • Election expert becomes an officer of the Queen

    A COUNCIL officer who was instrumental in helping Sunderland win the race to be first with its election result a record four times has been honoured with an OBE. Sunderland City Council's elections officer Bill Crawford received his OBE for services

  • Thumbelina, Northern Stage, Newcastle

    SUCH is the appeal of new-look Northern Stage's productions for younger ones that every ticket sold out days before Friday's launch. With a lot to live up to, Susan Muholland's debut script adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's story does fit neatly

  • Village Life: Village at cutting edge of German sword trade

    AS you drive into Shotley Bridge down the country road from the A68, the village looks unchanged from its Victorian heyday. It is a picture postcard view, glimpses of old sandstone buildings peeking through the trees, Gothic spires towering over the Victorian

  • Police target illegal drivers

    POLICE have seized 90 uninsured and untaxed vehicles as part of a week-long campaign against illegal drivers. The figure takes the number of vehicles towed away this year after being identified by North Yorkshire Police's Automatic Number Plate Recognition

  • Police plea after man threatened

    A PENSIONER with a heart condition has told how he chased a woman around a market town after she threatened a shopworker with a knife. Angina sufferer Alexander Webb - weighed down with bags of shopping - sprung into action after he spotted a woman fleeing

  • Caution urged after robberies

    POLICE are urging people to be on their guard late at night after a spate of street robberies. Four people have been robbed in Darlington in the past four days and police say the incidents are possibly linked, with all four committed north of the town

  • Group doubles the cash raised for hospice

    A TEESDALE group has doubled the money it has raised this year in aid of St Teresa's Hospice with a fundraising night. The Clique held a charity night on Saturday, November 25, at the White Swan pub in Startforth, near Barnard Castle, raising £1,665.

  • Sunderland manager tells Murphy he can reach the top

    MATCHWINNER Daryl Murphy has been told he can be a 'top player' after shooting his side to a second consecutive home victory against Norwich City. Murphy capped a fine workmanlike performance with an instinctive strike from the edge of the 18-yard box

  • Late tries seal victories for Darlington duo

    BOTH Darlington clubs were delighted to secure victory with a late try on Saturday, while Blaydon went clear at the top of National Three North with a 24-3 home win against Cleckheaton. No 8 Alan Brown powered over from a scrum in the last minute to seal

  • McCormick joins elite

    COMMONWEALTH Games international Nick McCormick added his name to the list of illustrious winners of the Elswick Harriers Norman Woodcock Memorial race at Newcastle's Gosforth Park. The 25-year-old Morpeth Harrier clocked a rapid 28 mins 51 secs for the

  • Tae kwon do club scores successes

    YOUNGSTERS from a tae kwon do club competed in a national event in Blackpool and won 38 medals. The Oakley Cross Baekho Tae kwon do club, based at Oakley Cross Primary School, in West Auckland, took part in the event. A total of 17 members took part

  • TV star scientist rewarded for work

    A NORTH-EAST scientist has been rewarded for his services to the discipline. Scientist and star of Sky One's Brainiac Dr John Kilcoyne has received an award from a North-East university for his outstanding services to his profession. Dr Kilcoyne is renowned

  • A little effort needed by all

    ONLY two of the North-East council's are failing to meet their targets for recycling their household waste. Congratulations. This is a good news story. The two that aren't - Middlesbrough and Stockton - explain that much of their rubbish is burnt in an

  • Motorist dies after horror accident

    A MOTORIST was killed after his car hit a parked car, crashed into van and then toppled a concrete bollard in a residential street. Last night, police in Darlington said the dead man, Alexander Brian Hayes, 36, must have been travelling at "excessive

  • All aboard the Santa Express

    PASSENGERS travelled back in time to the golden age of transport when a heritage railway line welcomed passengers onto its new steam engine. Weardale Railway, in County Durham, ran the first of its festive services at the weekend, using a recently-acquired

  • Parents' pride at Test 200

    THE proud parents of England and County Durham cricket star Paul Collingwood last night described their joy at watching their son bat his way into sporting history. The all-rounder was the first Englishman for more than 70 years to score a Test double

  • North-East trio are all drawn away in FA Cup third round draw

    NEWCASTLE UNITED midfielder Nicky Butt has been handed a reunion with Birmingham City in the third round of the FA Cup. And Butt will not be the only man reacquainting himself with former employers in the new year after the North-East's other two remaining

  • Councils are set mission to hit landfill targets by 2020

    THE Landfill Allowance Scheme (Lats), which was introduced by the Government two years ago, is aimed at reducing the amount of waste councils send to be disposed in landfill. A directive by the EU will slash the amount of landfill waste by 2020 to only

  • Prime Minister to announce Trident update proposals

    TONY BLAIR is expected to announce plans today to update Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent - as he was warned the issue was potentially "explosive" for the Labour Party. The Prime Minister will reveal proposals for a new generation of nuclear-powered

  • Leader warns more flooding is 'inevitable'

    A CIVIC leader has warned that more flooding in his town is inevitable. Nigel Richardson, deputy mayor of Kirkbymoorside, said the risk of flash floods was "scaring the hell" out of residents. The River Dove burst its banks in two places following recent

  • A top-class effort from Yorkshire star

    Fomer England and Yorkshire spinner Richard Dawson writes exclusively for The Northern Echo throughout the Ashes series. What an effort from my old Yorkshire team-mate Matthew Hoggard! He was top class all day and he's kept England in with a shout of

  • £50,000 grant takes church fundraisers to their target

    Four years after campaigners began raising funds to repair a village church they have reached their target. Yesterday, the congregation of St James Church, in Coundon, was celebrating a £50,000 grant towards its Under The Roof Appeal. On the same date

  • Santa visit stuns nursery children

    A GROUP of children from a Bishop Auckland nursery was left speechless yesterday as Santa paid a visit to the town. The children, from the York House nursery, had been looking forward to meeting Santa for weeks, but were dumbstruck when he arrived at

  • Tae kwon do club scores successes

    YOUNGSTERS from a taekwondo club competed in a national event in Blackpool and won 38 medals. The Oakley Cross Baekho tae kwon do club, based at Oakley Cross Primary School, in West Auckland, took part in the event. A total of 17 members took part in

  • Third festive tree exhibition held at church

    A PARISH church has entered into the festive spirit with a Christmas tree exhibition. Businesses, charities and residents in Thirsk have contributed decorated trees to the exhibition at the town's St Mary's Church. It is the third year the festival has

  • Teachers take to to the stage

    TEACHERS cast aside their traditional image and became musical stars for a school contest. Hundreds of students turned out to watch the annual Staff Idol contest, at Longfield School, in Darlington. From Oasis and Christina Aguilera to Rod Stewart and

  • Ribbons raise Aids awareness

    YOUNGSTERS helped raise awareness and money on World Aids Day on Friday. A group of young people, led by young men and boys health worker for County Durham Primary Care Trust Carl Bell, took to the streets to sell red ribbons. The ribbons are the symbol

  • Course sets record

    FINE weather this summer helped a town's mini golf course to set a record for the number of people who played rounds. A total of 1,781 adults paid the full fee of £1 for 18 holes, while 4,176 children and pensioners paid the concessionary rate of 60p

  • Junior chefs cook up a storm

    Aspiring chefs have been making a meal of it in the kitchens at Darlington College. A group of 11 to 15-year-old schoolchildren have joined a junior chef's course and are working their way through the menu on Saturday mornings. Darlington College tutor

  • Free cinema tickets offered for opinions

    TEENAGERS and children are being offered free cinema tickets if they share their views with the town's Youth Service. The service will hold two consultation events to find out what youngsters in Lascelles Park think of the activities provided for them

  • Darlington boss handed nostalgic Johnstone's Trophy draw

    DAVE Penney returns to Doncaster Rovers in January after Darlington were paired with his former club in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Penney's past and present employers will meet in the northern section semi-final. Crewe and Chesterfield make up the

  • Ince believes referee got penalty award and dismissal right

    PAUL Ince admits Macclesfield rode their luck on Saturday, after his side made the most of Antony Sweeney's dismissal. The Hartlepool United midfielder was red-carded and Ince's strugglers made the most of their numerical advantage. After losing three

  • Pools heap misery on Boldon manager

    Wearside League: Hartlepool made sure it was not a happy baptism for Boldon CA's new manager Malcolm Reay when they enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 victory on South Tyneside. Simon Duffield, Anthony Storey and Stephen Manson had them three goals up by the

  • Schwarzer incensed by United winker's antics

    WHEN Middlesbrough's Mr Cool became Mr Angry his team-mates knew that there must have been more than a ring of truth about his immediate suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo had dived for a penalty. Mark Schwarzer, so often the reassuring member of the

  • Talking Point: Time the authorities put

    JURGEN KLINSMANN was renowned for it long before his move to the Premiership in the mid-90s and Diego Simeone's embarrassing tumble got David Beckham sent off in the 1998 World Cup finals. El-Hadji Diouf recently admitted his cleverness to do it well

  • 'I like the idea of giving money away'

    He's one of the regions' few multi-millionaires. So why would businessman John Elliott want to live on just £11 per day? Mark Tallentire finds out.JOHN Elliott doesn't associate with many millionaires. He'd rather be "normal", he says. "The people I associate

  • The Lifeblood Appeal

    AS part of The Northern Echo Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region:TODAYCommunity Association, Tyne, Road, Stanley, 2pm to7pm.Synthonia Club, Belasis Avenue, Billingham

  • Veteran makes flying visit to wings' presentation

    A SPITFIRE veteran who is a member of one of the world's most elite clubs has presented young pilots with their wings.Tom Hughes, 85, from Ponteland, in Northumberland, was the reviewing officer at a graduation ceremony for eight RAF students and four

  • Music found in archives to be brought to life in region

    FORGOTTEN pieces of music written by an 18th Century composer from the region are being brought to life by a North-East orchestra.More than 200 years after the first cello concertos ever written by an Englishman were penned, the works are to be recorded

  • Football club to repeat successful ticket scheme

    A FLEXI-TICKET scheme that enabled Darlington Football Club fans to hand-pick home matches and save money into the bargain has been reopened.The club is offering supporters the chance to choose ten games but only pay for eight. The flexi-tickets come

  • Yule log on for internet Christmas stories

    AN online Advent calendar was launched yesterday by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.The website - www.advent stories.org - marks the first time the Church of England has launched a national initiative to explore the meaning of Christmas using

  • Keane needs more than scrappy wins to bring back missing fans

    Sunderland 1, Norwich City 0."HE'S romancing you and chancing his arm," sang Morrissey in the opening line of his outstanding 1997 hit single 'Roy's Keen', a George Formbyesque ditty about a hapless window cleaner, but with a pun on the former Manchester

  • Crash victim fighting for her life

    A YOUNG girl is fighting for her life after being left lying in the gutter by a hit-and-run driver.Angeline Malik, 12, was struck by the car at 5.10pm on Friday as she crossed Grange Road, in Hartlepool, and was left lying in a pool of blood for 30 minutes

  • Flood's flair fails to spark try spree for Newcastle

    Newcastle Falcons 21, Harlequins 18IF England's search for a Six Nations fly half is to focus on Kingston Park they will have to wait a while longer before seeing Jonny Wilkinson, but Toby Flood continued to impress on Saturday.Given the Falcons' need

  • New probe into death at star's house

    CONTROVERSIAL star Michael Barrymore arrived in the North-East last night to prepare for the next leg in his comeback - as police announced a new inquiry into the death of a man at his home five years ago.Mr Barrymore, who will be starring as Ebenezer

  • Councils criticised over waste recycling

    SEVERAL of the region's councils have been accused of not doing enough to recycle household waste, The Northern Echo can reveal.But more councils than ever are hitting Government targets for the amount of waste they recycle.And last night, a row blew

  • 'Ban the pan' call after house fire

    FIREFIGHTERS are urging people to throw out their chip pans after a brother and sister made a lucky escape from a blaze at their home.The teenage girl and her older brother managed to escape from their house in Redworth Road, Shildon, on Thursday lunchtime

  • Penney accepts his Quakers team were beaten by the better side

    Darlington 1, Swansea City 3.DARLINGTON have been the talk of North-East football for all the right reasons in recent weeks.Six wins from six, the transformation under Dave Penney has been nothing short of remarkable.But as the old proverb goes, all good

  • Ronaldo: Teesside enemy No 1

    Middlesbrough 1, Manchester United 2.SIR Alex Ferguson has made no secret of his personal belief that Gareth Southgate should not have been given permission to continue in Premiership management without the required coaching qualifications.So it was surprising