Stories for 5 November 2007

The Northern Echo News

Arsonists attack newsagents shop

POLICE are appealing for information after an arson attack on a newsagents shop.   more...

Cyclist dies in crash

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Five vehicle smash closes A19

THE A19, near Billingham, was closed this morning after a five-vehicle smash.   more...

Man dies in road accident

A MAN has died in a road collision this morning.   more...

Cyclist dies in van smash

A CYCLIST was killed this morning following a collision with a van.   more...

Teenager arrested over attempted post officer robbery

A 17-year-old youth has been arrested in connection with an attempted armed robbery on a County Durham post office.   more...

Sausage firm calls for fair pork prices

AN award-winning North Yorkshire sausage company is coming to the aid of British pig farmers. Debbie and Andrew Keeble, who run the Debbie & Andrew's brand in Thirsk, will pay their pork suppliers 15 per cent above the industry average.The husband and wife team launched the Fair Trade for Pig Farmers scheme at the weekend.They are believed to be the first regional producer in the UK to guarantee a fair price for businesses in its pork supply chain.The campaign comes during a crisis in the pig industry. Feed costs have doubled, meaning producers are losing £23 to £26 a pig.A recent National Pig Association survey found 95 per cent of producers could be forced to quit if prices do not improve.The Keebles say that, if the rest of the UK sausage industry followed their lead, it would put an extra £20m into the British meat industry.The couple have also called for better promotion of British meat.They want the industry and retailers to create a steering group and higher industry average price for pork.Mr Keeble, who featured on the BBC's Countryfile programme yesterday, said the British Pig Executive (BPEX) did a good job.However, he said: "The whole industry should be pulling together to keep the public informed about buying British meat and extolling the benefits of the product."It's not just about farmers asking for more money, or companies launching individual pledges to help - there should be one industry standard." He said customers are more discerning but need to be told why home-produced meat is better than imported. "So far, the focus has been on freshness and regionality, but Britain leads the world in animal welfare and traceability, which is becoming more important in terms of food safety and hygiene."The UK pig industry is in real crisis and will not be viable if it gets any smaller."However, we think we've got an industry worth saving and that everything possible should be done to save it. "We have spoken to our customers and they have said they would be willing to pay more to protect British farmers."The Keebles, whose company's turnover has risen to £2m in eight years, are supplied by family-owned British farms.They still sell at local farmers' markets through to most major supermarkets and have struck a deal to supply Morrisons stores.  more...

80,000 at bonfire night party

REVELLERS turned out in force for one of the region's biggest bonfire parties on Saturday night.Nearly 80,000 people attended the festival of fireworks at Darlington's South Park.The display featured a spectacular combination of fireworks and visual effects - all set to a specially-commissioned soundtrack.The free event included a bonfire, a laser show, children's fairground rides, and food and drink stalls.John Throw, chairman of the Friends of South Park, said: "It was a fantastic evening."There was such a huge crowd there, but everyone was very well behaved as far as I am aware. It was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone."The park looked great and the autumn leaves looked fantastic. It was a great backdrop for a fine bonfire party."Inspector Steve Ball, of Darlington Police, said: "The bonfire party was fine, everyone was well behaved, we had no problems at all. "Last year, we had a few issues in the town centre, but there were no problems this time around and everybody enjoyed themselves."A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We would like to thank the residents near to the park for their co-operation and support, it is appreciated and recognised."We would also like to thank the police, the fire brigade, North East Ambulance, St John Ambulance, Arriva, Stagecoach, Colin Noble, External Combustion, AES Security, officers from the council and all the many other people who ensured the display was a safe and super event."  more...

Football club 'has dodged issue' of EU flag's removal

A EUROPEAN politician has urged a football club to lower his parliament's flag in favour of one from this country.Darlington FC flies the European Union (EU) flag outside its ground on one of three flagpoles.Supporters of the club ran an online poll last season and asked the club to lower the flag and raise the Union Jack or St George's Cross.But club bosses have denied knowledge of the poll and instead asked supporters to contact them if they want the flag replacing.North-East Conservative MEP Martin Callanan asked the club to unfurl the flag after being approached by fans.He said: "Darlington seems an unlikely outpost of support for the EU. Whenever I ask people in Darlington what they think of the EU, their reaction tends to be unprintable."The club says it's flying the EU flag because one day Darlington might play in the Uefa Cup. This mixes up Europe and the EU. They're not the same at all."Uefa has 49 separate countries, almost twice as many countries as there are in the EU, so why not fly the Uefa flag?"I'd love to see Darlington playing in the Uefa Cup, but at the moment that's a bit optimistic."At the moment, the club has come up with no good reason for the EU flag to be flown. If the executives are all supporters of the EU, that's fine, but they should come out and say it rather than try to dodge the issue."Fans deserve to know the truth about why their beloved club is being treated in this way."There are three flagpoles outside the ground. "I suggest they fly the Darlington FC flag, the Cross of St George and the Union Jack."Barry Simmonds, managing director of Darlington FC, said: "This is news to me. In my limited time at the club, I have had no comments at all about the flags flying at the Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena."In fact, the EU flag served its purpose well when we welcomed children from across the EU, who were in Darlington under a multi-national footballing initiative, to one of our matches earlier in the season."If fans really do feel strongly about this, then they can always contact me directly - and if it is an issue then we will reconsider our decision."  more...

'Armed' robber foiled after heroic struggle

A POSTMISTRESS threw a cup of tea at a suspected armed robber when he demanded money from the till.Sheila Mulgrew was struck in the face during the struggle with the would-be robber, who fled empty handed when another customer entered the post office.The incident happened at Toft Hill Post Office, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Saturday, at about 9.30am.A male, wearing a motorcycle helmet and dark clothing, entered the post office brandishing an object wrapped in a bag that he said was a gun.He demanded money from Ms Mulgrew, who was alone in the building.The man jumped over a children's security gate and hit Ms Mulgrew in the face.Ms Mulgrew's attacker ran from the building when a customer entered and escaped empty handed. He made his getaway in a silver vehicle.Ms Mulgrew was treated for facial bruising and scratches at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.The post office was shut for the rest of the day as police carried out investigations.Ms Mulgrew was too shaken to speak last night, but Roz Brown, postmistress at High Etherley, near Toft Hill, said: "I spoke to Sheila this morning and obviously she is very distressed."It is a horrible incident to happen to anybody."She threw a cup of tea at the man, but he hit her in the face. He only left when a customer came in."I am rarely on my own in the post office and I have dogs - it is a shame Sheila was alone when the man came in."A resident from the village, who did not want to be named, said: "I think this is an absolute disgrace. This is a reasonably quiet village and it seems nowhere is safe these days."I feel very sorry for the postmistress, who was only doing her job. She must have been terrified."I'm very glad the man left with nothing."Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Call 0845-60-60-365 if you have any information or were in the area at the time.  more...

Stars come out for night to celebrate theatre's anniversary

THEATREGOERS enjoyed an evening of dance, music and comedy to celebrate the centenary of one of the region's best-loved theatres.Darlington Civic Theatre is 100 years old this year, and to mark the anniversary, some of the UK's leading entertainers turned out for a gala evening last night.Top of the bill was TV funnyman Brian Conley, with local support provided by Journey South -the Middlesbrough duo who shot to fame after they starred in the X Factor in 2005.Singer Jane McDonald, the star of BBC reality show The Cruise, treated the crowd to a selection of her favourite hits.Two homegrown talents - Darrien Wright, who rose to fame on Strictly Dance Fever, and Pop Idol contestant Zoe Birkett -took part in the night, and children's favourites The Krankies completed the bill.Lynda Winstanley, the theatre's performing arts officer, said: "It was a truly memorable evening as the stars came out in force to help Darlington Civic Theatre celebrate its 100th birthday."The show was the culmination of a season of centenary events.The venue has hosted shows featuring Ken Dodd, Dallas actress Linda Gray in a production of Terms of Endearment, and EastEnders villain Dirty Den -actor Leslie Grantham -in the play The Decorator.Over the years, the theatre has hosted performances by a list of stars that reads like a who's who of stage and screen. Legends including Charlie Chaplin, Dame Vera Lynn and Mickey Rooney have all appeared at the civic since it opened in 1907.Niki Burgham, the theatre's marketing officer, said after last night's gala performance: "It is a wonderful theatre and the staff really care about it so much."This wonderful line-up was an excellent way to celebrate 100 years of Darlington Civic Theatre."  more...

Asbestos scandal report is revealed

THE worker who uncovered an asbestos scandal at a North-East leisure centre blew the whistle on his bosses because he did not believe they were taking the matter seriously, The Northern Echo can reveal.Wear Valley District Council was fined £18,000 in August after it emerged that inspection reports for a sports centre in Bishop Auckland in 2001 were ignored.Fears have been raised about the health of workers based at Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex, who were exposed to the dangerous asbestos for more than five years.Using the Freedom of Information Act, The Northern Echo has obtained a full copy of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report compiled by inspector Richard Bishop.The document reveals:* Council staff felt their bosses failed to treat their complaints seriously when the asbestos report was found in January last year;* Asbestos warning stickers were placed over the affected equipment only the day before HSE inspectors arrived;* The 2001 report was shown to senior managers but "shelved" at council headquarters.Asbestos is the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the UK. People exposed to the substance for long periods can develop a range of diseases, including lung cancer.The case was brought to the HSE's attention by maintenance worker Jim Dawson, who discovered the 2001 asbestos report in January last year.Mr Dawson complained to management that he and his colleagues had not been told about the danger, but later reported the case to the HSE because he was not satisfied with the council's response.In the investigation report, Mr Bishop writes: "They (the maintenance workers) were extremely concerned about the risks to their health for a number of reasons."They complained vociferously to their employer though contacted the HSE when in their opinion the council had failed to act on their concerns seriously enough."Mr Dawson found the 2001 report, which was compiled by Consett-based company MIS, while staff at Woodhouse Close were preparing for an inspection by Quest - a Government- approved sports and leisure assessment service.He reported the council to the HSE on January 16 and the HSE visited the site two days later.The report reveals that the council contracted MIS to carry out a new assessment on January 17 - the day before inspectors arrived - and asbestos warning stickers were put up in the plant room at that stage.Robert Batie, a maintenance worker at Woodhouse Close until 2003, said: "If the HSE hadn't been told about this, the council would have just carried on without doing anything about it."If the report hadn't been found, I would have known nothing about this, and if the HSE had not been contacted, nobody would have been any the wiser."When the case went to court in August, the council's solicitor told magistrates that all senior managers in charge in 2001 had since left their posts.The authority's new chief executive, Michael Laing, and the leader of the council, Councillor Neil Stonehouse, later issued an apology to the staff.Last month, councillors at Wear Valley agreed to hold an inquiry in public to establish why the 2001 report was ignored.Crucial information - including the names of the officers involved - is missing from the report obtained by The Northern Echo. The HSE said names had been deleted because of an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act that bans the release of details that could affect any ongoing inquiry.Legislation states that the exemption can be utilised if the information could later be used to launch criminal proceedings.In the report, Mr Bishop writes: "Following the survey, (name deleted) informed senior managers in relevant departments of the findings and showed them a copy of the report by MIS, though the report itself was thereafter kept centrally in the Civic Centre, in Crook."Mr Batie, 56, said last night: "I am pleased this inquiry is going to be held in public, because we really need to know what went on."Coun Stonehouse said: "This is not really something I can comment on."I am sure the inquiry will look into this, with the help of the documents that have been received."The inquiry is expected to begin in the new year.  more...

Boxing event in memory of fighter

A MEMORIAL Thai boxing event was held at the weekend in memory of a boxing champion who died in a motorcycle accident. Lee Smith, 33, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was killed when his motorbike hit a lamppost in the town on June 3.Mr Smith had attended the King's Cobra Thai Boxing Club, in Newton Aycliffe, since he was 16.He went on to win three British kick boxing titles and was fourth in the world championships. About 800 people turned up for the memorial bouts, held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on Sunday.As well as many local clubs taking part in the match, boxers from the Sian Camp Thai Boxing Club, in Manchester, turned up to support the event and pay their respects.Proceeds made from the event went to the Lee Smith Trust, which promotes Thai Boxing in the North-East. The trust furthers the education and training of Thai boxing students by the provision of grants and donations to individuals, organisations and charities.After 11 fights, the Lee Smith Memorial Shield was presented to Micky Richards, from the Phoenix Thai Boxing Club, based in Shildon, County Durham, by Mr Smith's parents, Anne and Brian.A wide-screen television screen showing clips of Mr Smith taking part in various championship matches was shown during the bouts.One of Mr Smith's closest friends, Lorraine Moore, 29, from Ferryhill, County Durham, organised the event. She said: "I had been best friends with Lee for several years and just wanted to do something which I know he would have loved."Mr Smith's older brother, Karl Smith, 41, who attended the bouts, said: "My parents and I are very grateful to Lorraine for organising this great event and I'm sure Lee will be looking down smiling because boxing was his passion."It is a very emotional day for us all."Boxing master Sean Dooney, of King's Cobra Thai Boxing Club, coached Lee. He said: "Lee was one of the best sportsmen we have ever had at the club and he was like a family member to me. Everybody here loved him, which is why so many have turned up."His death is a very sad loss, but often the shortest candles give off the brightest light."  more...

Veteran of the D-Day landings tells his story

A SOLDIER who survived enemy fire on a Normandy beach on D-Day will tell his story online today.Dick Bowen, 81, from York, is the first former soldier to feature in Veterans' Stories - a Remembrance Day project by The Northern Echo.As a young man, Mr Bowen served with the Green Howards, based in Richmond, North Yorkshire.Fearing he was missing out, he pestered his commanding officer to be permitted to fight on the front line.He was eventually allowed to leave and joined the battle weary soldiers of the East Yorkshire Regiment as they were about to storm Gold Beach as part of 50th Division on D-Day.He recounts the ramp of the landing craft opening and the sudden realisation that people were trying to kill him.Mr Bowen's unit was given the task of capturing a pillbox among the sand dunes.The assault on the German position did not go to plan, but was still successful. The regiment then travelled onwards to Germany. To see Mr Bowen's video, visit www.thenorthernecho. co.uk from noon today  more...

Club stewardess stole £28,000, court told

A CLUB stewardess who stole over £28,000 walked free from court today - because she owned up immediately.   more...

Green lighthouse is world's first

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Hundreds of children evacuated after fire at school

AROUND 300 children were evacuated after a blaze broke out at their Newcastle school this morning.   more...