PALM Sunday, grim and glorious. Sheep graze, if no longer safely, the sign outside the Reeth newsagent's urges customers to disinfect their shoes before entering and across the fields a cock crows, though it may be unwise to stretch the neck of the metaphor
A MEETING takes place next week on a proposal for a permanent skateboarding area in Bedale. As first reported three weeks ago, Bedale community education department is investigating setting up a dedicated area for the growing number of young skateboarders
Anthony Robson has celebrated his 100th game for North Shields and at the same time has committed himself to Ralph Gardner Park for next season, whether or not the Robins gain entry into the Albany Northern League. Robson, who commutes from Teesside,
Worthington CIU Winter League - Cockton Hill and Fishburn A face a play-off for the First Division runners-up trophies after both came through their final matches of the season with an odd point victory. Cockton Hill entertained Witton Gilbert, who were
DETECTIVES are investigating the possibility that criminals from Teesside are travelling to Darlington to commit vehicle crimes and robberies. The link comes after a week of car crimes in a village to the east of Darlington, and a rise in the number of
DARLINGTON produced a display full of character, and no little skill considering the conditions, to win the Durham Challenge Cup for the first time on Saturday. They beat Blaydon 33-19 at Durham City, where two days of rain showed little sign of relenting
IT wasn't just the National which brought great joy at Aintree as several of our heroes triumphed, some unexpectedly, while others were not shamed in defeat in the soft going. Barton returned to glory days as Tony Dobbin partnered Sir Stanley Clarke's
YOUNGSTERS in east Cleveland were making Victorian-style Easter bonnets and hats yesterday, as part of a series of events at the Margrove Park Heritage Centre, Guisborough. The centre is running an exhibition throughout its summer season, which is based
YOUNGSTERS at St John's CE primary school in Darlington have been honoured for being "good citizens". Health Secretary and Darlington MP Mr Alan Milburn visited the school last Friday to present the awards during morning assembly. Hard-working children
AN EVENING held in memory of a Darlington woman has raised more than £1,000 for the hospice that helped care for her. The family of the late Mrs Evelyn Kennedy organised the charity night at the Baydale Beck inn, Coniscliffe Road, in Darlington, to raise
A VILLAGE could be in line for a jobs boost. Councillors have teamed up with employers to draw up plans to extend Esh Winning Industrial Estate. There would also be a new access road, which would remove the need for most lorries to go through the village
PATIENTS are likely to have a cosier stay in hospital, thanks to a £42,000 improvement scheme. The Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust is begin- ning a three-week project at at Guisborough General Hospital to replace all the windows in the Chaloner
A GOAL by Paul Taite earned Bedale Athletic a place in the R T Raine Trophy and condemned Acklam Steelworks to only their third defeat of the season. Acklam, whose losses have all come in cup competitions, had already beaten their visitors 6-1 on the
VOLUNTEERS are choosing a colourful way to make people aware of their work. This is the UN international year of volunteers and the Northallerton and Bedale volunteer bureaux are promoting the orange and blue ribbon to symbolise the part members play
BURGLARS and those who handle stolen goods are being targeted by a series of police operations in a town. Operation Tulip was the latest in a line of crackdowns on house burglaries in Hartlepool. Four people were arrested when the two-day operation started
YOUNGSTERS from schools in Peterlee joined forces to brighten up the town. Pupils from St Bede's Catholic Comprehensive, Shotton Hall, and Dene Community School took part in the World Challenge Programme funded by Peterlee Education Action Zone. They
THE room has a cold, clinical lab-like feel. The impression is accentuated by the sight of a man in a white lab coat pushing a trolley. Inside are a dozen booths, each containing a chair, small ledge, computer screen and keyboard, tissues and sink. Those
SECOND division champions Ampleforth were full value for their 3-1 away win at first division Slingsby in the quarter-finals of the Ryedale Hospital Cup last Saturday. They led 2-0 at half-time and nipped into a three-goal lead early in the second half
The Langbaurgh West Rural District League is the latest victim of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Of the 14 member clubs only Stafford Place and Maltby have not been affected and it has been decided to postpone the start of the season until July. "We hope
Gymnasts in Saltburn are missing out on vital training in a row over asbestos. Members of Saltburn gym club cannot use their facilities at the town's sports centre, for the large mats used for practising were destroyed when a firm cleared asbestos out
The Race - IT was the stuff of which sagas are made, ballads are sung. Out of the mud and melee of the 154th Grand National came the sight of red-and-blue colours, a plucky chesnut horse and northern hopes were raised. Norman Mason's Red Marauder had
A RADICAL plan to stamp out anti-social behaviour in Langbaurgh is to be launched. The Acceptable Behaviour Campaign has been spearheaded by Cleveland Police and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, along with a host of other agencies. It aims to stop
THE youngest pupils at Crakehall CE primary school can now see the world from their own height in a new £75,000 classroom. Designs have moved on since the days when old schools were built with windows set high in the stern belief that children should
A DEPRIVED part of Redcar could be in line for extra cash as part of a new national government regeneration scheme. The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has identified 83 eligible areas across the country which could become a
CLEVELAND Police has created its own website and is looking to people to log on, ask questions and make comments. Administrator Andy Gray said: "We are particularly interested in having people contact us via the site with their ideas and comments. All
A PENSIONER died after falling during a visit to his son's new home. John Ballentyne, 87, and his wife, Joan, 86, had travelled from Northamptonshire to see their son Billy's home in County Durham. Mr Ballentyne stumbled on his slipper and broke his leg
FRED and Kathleen Willans believe the recipe for a good marriage is having an argument every day. It certainly hasn't done them any harm because the couple have just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Fred, 81, and Kathleen, 80, who live in Yiewlsey
A MAJOR crackdown on anti-social behaviour was launched in Cleveland this week. The scheme, spearheaded by police, Redcar and Cleveland council and other agencies, concentrates on stopping would-be troublemakers in their tracks before they become a real
TOO many slaughter companies are giving prime cattle finishers an unnecessary caning and finishers with cattle to sell should hold out for higher prices, the National Beef Association said this week. The NBA beef slaughterings dropped from 31,000 head
A GROUP of parents have launched a campaign to reopen their children's favourite skating rink. Sunderland City Council bosses are accused of turning their backs on potential Olympic ice stars of tomorrow. Crowtree Leisure Centre has been closed since
CONCERNED residents have objected to a request to scrap regular monitoring of emissions from a mobile phone mast. Planning permission for the 22.5m mast at Green Lane, Spennymoor, was granted last August, but councillors imposed a condition that a survey
A SIGN erected in Thormanby on the A19 to warn drivers of what locals call Death Hill, may result in the parish council being prosecuted. The sign featuring a coffin and the words Death Hill, is one of two erected in October last year by the parish council
PIONEERING work in Redcar and Cleveland schools is being highlighted by the Government in its drive to raise urban school standards. All secondary schools in the area are taking part in the Government's flagship education programme, Excellence in Cities
A CHARITY is urging people to help support it by donating surplus shares. The Cleveland Alzheimer's group is appealing for shares that are not worth keeping - but not worth selling either - in its ShareGIFT scheme. Fundraising manager, Joanna Cole, said
A NORTH Yorkshire gourmet firm is hoping a secret recipe may have clinched a deal for it in America. Lewis and Cooper's plum puddings, made to a 100-year-old recipe, are acclaimed by food critics as among the best in Britain and recently the Northallerton
A WOMAN suffered cuts and bruises while fending off a handbag snatcher in Darlington last Friday morning. The 54-year-old woman, who has asked not to be named, became the latest victim in a spate of similar attacks in the town while waiting for a bus
IT wasn't just the National which brought great joy at Aintree as several of our heroes triumphed, some unexpectedly, while others were not shamed in defeat in the soft going. Barton returned to glory days as Tony Dobbin partnered Sir Stanley Clarke's
RESIDENTS of an estate have been charting their roots - literally. People living at Hemlington, near Middlesbrough, have found a map of the area dating back to 1839. The Hemlington History Group has put its findings of eight months of delving back into
A NEW abattoir has won unanimous approval from the Yorkshire Dales national park planning committee. Mr Martin McIntyre and his wife, Lindsey, now hope to complete building work at East Borwins Farm, Bainbridge, over the summer months. The couple believe
IT is such a long shot for Newcastle Falcons to clinch fourth place in the Zurich Premiership this weekend that their priority will be the European Shield. They face Harlequins in the semi-final at Headingley next Sunday knowing that winning the Shield
CHRISTIANS marked Good Friday in the towns and villages of the region yesterday. Among them were about 100 people of all denominations who walked in procession through an east Cleveland town in memory of Christ's walk to Golgotha and the crucifixion.
THE family of murdered pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg are still fighting for justice, a year after her murderer confessed to the crime. Mother-of-one Julie disappeared in November 1989. Her mutilated body was found by her mother, Ann Ming, three months
IMAGINE celebrity chef Jamie Oliver magically appearing in your kitchen to cook you up a treat. Well, bar the jarring "mockney" tones and cloying chirpiness, this vision of couch-potato heaven could become reality in the form of Shotley Bridge chef and
A NUMBER of events are planned in the Wear Valley area for the Easter weekend. A children's play, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, is held at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, on Saturday, 3pm. Admission £5/£3. Also on Saturday, an egg show will take place
A MAJOR new arts development is on the way - if Lottery chiefs look favourably on the project. Thirsk-based Rural Arts North Yorkshire left old cramped premises and moved into the town's old courthouse in March last year. And now managers have submitted
DETERMINED Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner last night saluted the managerial talents of Brian Little. Pool entertain Little's Hull this afternoon looking to cement their play-off position against one of their top-seven rivals, who have forced their
Durham League - With one week of the season left, most of the important issues have been decided. Tyneside, without dropping a point from their 15 games, ended their best season, winning the Women's League title, with a 79-64 win over Sunderland Nissan
GUISBOROUGH Parish Church will be running a holiday club for youngsters in the market town next week. The church has had a break from running the club for a couple of years. But its doors will be open again for five to 11 year olds from Tuesday April
FOOTPATHS and bridleways in areas of North Yorkshire will be open for Easter. More than 150 paths are open including Dalby Forest, with access by Thornton Dale only. Also open are the Beckside path in Bedale, and Birk Crag in Harrogate. In the Yorkshire
ONE of the puzzles in the whole Steve Thoburn case has been that the fruit in question in the "metric martyr" case was bananas. Stand and listen at the greengrocery stall and most people ask for "four small" or "six not too ripe", not a pound or even
A VICAR believes the country would do well to interpret the crisis as a judgement on society. Tony Shepherd, of St Peter's Church, Harrogate, North Yorkshire - a former aide to the Bishop of Ripon - said: "We have found it more convenient to shop in supermarkets
THE disinfectant being used in the fight to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth is dangerous to wildlife and the environment, conservationists claim. They are urging its more careful use, following reports of fish dying in polluted watercourses and reduced
PLANNERS have voted to give national pub chain D Wetherspoon permission for a new night spot in Richmond, despite protests from local landlords. Both the old sorting office and the counter service of Richmond Post Office, which overlooks Queen's Road,
THE University of Sunderland celebrates a century of learning this year - and hopes former graduates can help by lending or donating memorabilia relating to the university since it opened in 1901. Any photographs, archive materials or interesting memories
Guisborough Town 2 Billingham Town 0 - LOCAL rivals Guisborough and Billingham Town produced an absolute thriller in terrible conditions on Tuesday night. No praise is high enough for these two teams, who first had to contend with a heavy, energy-sapping
Tow Law Bass League - JEFF Sneath (Billy Row Club) landed the league's singles championship when he beat teammate, George Dodds in the final at Esh Winning Football Club. Quarter-finals: Colin Howcroft (Tow Law New Market) beat Keith Brown (Esh FC); George
Mary Le Druillenec from Heighington took two under 17 titles at the recent Durham County junior closed tournament in Peterlee to add to the pair she won at under 19 level the weekend before. The Richmond school year 12 student, currently coached by Peter
A BURGEONING long-service club in East Cleveland has 23 new members. Twenty of the new recruits to the Cleveland Potash 25-year club, along with families and friends, gathered recently to receive inscribed gold watches from company chairman Mr Keith Jackson
Camerons Teesside League - Acklam Steelworks slipped to their third defeat of the season, but once again it was in a cup competition, beaten 1-0 by Bedale Athletic in the semi-finals of the RT Raine Trophy. Acklam had already beaten visitors Bedale 6-
FACTORY staff had a hairy day yesterday when they set out to raise cash for charity. The Orange Wig Day at Flymo, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was a huge success, with 300 people taking up the offer of a wig in the company colours for the day. Money
DAREDEVILS are needed to take part in a challenging abseil, to raise money for the Hartlepool and District Hospice. The 90ft sponsored abseil will take place on Saturday, June 30, at Hartlepool fire station. An initial registration fee of £10 is needed
STAFF at Northallerton's remand centre could be forgiven for wondering what's going on at present. Residents of the county town also may be mystified by the continuing rumours and suggestions that its future in the town is in doubt. Staff have a very
IT WOULD be all too easy to start a column like this every week by asking: "What on earth is the world coming to?" But this week, especially, I'm in the mood for a rant, a tirade, even perhaps a spot of gasket-blowing as I hear all around exclaiming:
THE future of Darlington's Shopmobility scheme has been made more secure through a formal contract with the local authority. The loan of electric scooters and wheelchairs , which is free to registered users, is provided through Darlington association
YOUNGSTERS at a Durham school hope to get to grips with the world of technology in their new computer suite. The suite is being built at St Margaret's Church of England School, in Crossgate Peth, and the race is on to raise the money to equip it with
EX-thespians in Derwentside are trying to get in touch with former stars they once shared a stage with. The amateurs from the Consett Community Youth Theatre, founded in 1985, want to get in touch with anyone involved in the group for a reunion party,
FOR centuries, old seadogs the world over perished on the high seas, taken not by war, nor the weather, but by a mystery illness. The first clues to their malaise were swollen and bleeding gums and a weariness that not even the cat o' nine tails could
CANCER charities throughout the region have joined forces to promote their plans to stage an inspirational fashion show. Unusually, the fashion show will feature past or present cancer patients - a very public demonstration of their determination to fight
PAUL Veazey, the 14-year-old Middlesbrough starlet, continued his tremendous form when he stormed to yet another victory in the Aprilia RS125 Challenge at Silverstone last weekend. Riding the TJW sponsored Aprilia, Veazey qualified in pole position on
NESTFIELD Club, Division Two leaders, lost their unbeaten league record, comprehensively beaten 4-1 by third-placed Green Dragon. Nestfield opened the scoring through Chris Robinson but the Dragon were soon on level terms through top scorer Elliott McCabe
REPORTS that five Ministry of Defence scientists are to be arrested for their part in top secret experiments - including one which killed a North-East serviceman - were denied by police. But a police spokesman refused to rule out arrests in the future
IF THE idea of moving house makes you break into a cold sweat, stop reading now. Imagine packing up all the contents of a three-bedroom family house, all the furniture, carpets, curtains and all the private possessions of mum, dad and the children. Now
Sir, - Why do some cyclists think "road closed" signs do not apply to them? Since March 27, when the first of three outbreaks of foot-and-mouth were discovered in the Danby Wiske area, all the farm livestock including pet animals on 22 holdings have been
Bishop Auckland League - SPENNYMOOR Hillingdon scored enough points in the singles in their home match against Henknowle Manor House to guarantee victory but the visitors fought back gallantly to only go down by the narrowest of margins. There were two
The Race - IT was the stuff of which sagas are made, ballads are sung. Out of the mud and melee of the 154th Grand National came the sight of red-and-blue colours, a plucky chesnut horse and northern hopes were raised. Norman Mason's Red Marauder had
JUGGLING the demands of a family with the success of her exciting new jewellery range means a hectic life for artist Mrs Emma Ropner. Her mosaic jewellery is so distinctive designers have stopped her in the street to ask where she got it from, before
AT the Enron-sponsored Redcar Half Marathon, which was the last counter in the annual club championship series, there was a large turn out of club members with 14 completing the course, several recording personal best times for the distance despite the
BUS passes in Redcar and Cleveland will be renewed at local libraries in the month of the holder's birthday in the future to ease an administrative nightmare. From next year, bus passes will be renewed in local libraries throughout the year rather than
THREE policemen have taken part in a 24-hour badminton match to help build an orphanage in Ghana. PCs Steve Norman and Phil Bird, with Insp Mark Rhodes, played their part in the match at the New Life Baptist church, Northallerton, to raise cash towards
THE leader of a campaign group among petrol forecourt stations is recovering after he was mowed down by a hit and run thief. Ironically, Trevor Davis, who runs the Hollymead filling station at Park Lane, Guisborough, and is chairman of Forecourt Watch
VOLUNTEERS are appealing for help in a bid to set up a new East Cleveland ambulance base. A campaign has been launched to bring in £300,000 for headquarters for a local branch of St John Ambulance. The Marske and Redcar branch started life in a wooden
REDCAR'S Olympic hero Tanni Grey-Thompson was on hand to open a new fitness suite at the town's leisure centre. Tanni opened the Energy Club health and fitness suite at Redcar Leisure Centre. The suite has cost £200,000 and has been funded by Tees Valley
I can't say I spotted her at the time, but I reckon the Good Luck Fairy must have been at Senior Son's Christening. Or maybe he was just born lucky - otherwise known as dead jammy. Tempting fate here, I know, but Friday the 13th holds no fears for him
BECAUSE our nursery reflects Darlington's multicultural character, we value all experiences the children bring in. We enjoy sharing a variety of celebrations, including Diwali, Chinese New Year and Harvest Festival. The school has 130 children on roll
Bishop Auckland kept up their challenge for third place in the UniBond League with a 3-0 win at derby rivals Spennymoor last night. Bishops took a 26th minute lead with a disputed penalty, former Moors player Andrew Shaw scoring after he had been tripped
A THREE-year investment plan to improve services for those with learning disabilities has been announced. Middlesbrough Borough Council's social services department has spent two years working with the health authority, carers and the disabled to produce
A POLICE authority has been given Government funding to silence its plane's noisy propellers. The Home Office awarded £25,000 to Northumbria Police Authority to help buy redesigned propellers and silencers for the North-East Air Support Unit's fixed wing
JACK Watson, the region's most enduring sportsman - and among its most endearing - is 80 on Tuesday. He remains Sheffield Wednesday's chief Scottish scout, drives 30,000 miles a year, seems physically unchanged over four decades and should local league
JACK Watson, the region's most enduring sportsman - and among its most endearing - is 80 on Tuesday. He remains Sheffield Wednesday's chief Scottish scout, drives 30,000 miles a year, seems physically unchanged over four decades and should local league
SUNDERLAND-born agony aunt Denise Robertson has launched a mental health charity's prize draw. Mental Health Matters (MHM), which runs projects in Tyne and Wear, is launching a weekly draw with a jackpot of £500. The TV presenter and author said: "The
THE foot-and-mouth epidemic spread to the borough of Darlington this week with the first confirmed outbreak in the area at Hauxley Farm, Great Stainton. More than 600 ewes and lambs were slaughtered and taken away from the farm, which is owned by Bill
A PROUD father and a canny coach are so sure of a young sportsman's success - they have put a bet on it. So convinced are Nigel Beaumont and Danny Evans that 16-year-old James Beaumont could play for England, they have gambled £120 with William Hill.
PROGRAMME makers, so we hear, have been ordered to breach the North-South divide to correct the Southern bias displayed by the BBC. Director of Television Mark Thompson has dared to admit something politicians haven't - that people in the North and the
IT is business as usual at the Bowes museum over Easter with a series of events to attract families into Barnard Castle and Teesdale. From now until April 22 - the duration of the school holidays - a treasure hunt in the grounds will invite visitors to
NOT even foot-and-mouth can get in the way of true friendship - as a group of youngsters proved yesterday. They showed community spirit by ensuring that three brothers confined to their farm because of the restrictions have a happy Easter. William, Sam
COMMUNITY organisations across County Durham are celebrating after getting grants totalling £85,355 from the National Lottery Awards for All programme. The money is going to 24 small groups in Chester-le-Street, Derwentside, Durham, Easington, Sedgefield
CHILDREN trapped on a farm in an area hit by foot-and-mouth were brought some Easter cheer by village friends yesterday. The Gaudie family of Stamfrey Farm, West Rounton near Northallerton, have been in self-imposed quarantine since the very beginning
A SPENNYMOOR factory is gearing up to go into production - turning out a new breed of scenes-of-crime specialists for police forces across the country. Up to 250 specialists from all over the UK will pass through the unit over the next 12 months, training
A YOUNG lady, aged seven, wrote to me recently from her home near York to ask if I could tell her how the date of Easter is calculated. She needed the information for a school project and pointed out that the other major Christian festival, Christmas,
AFTER 18 months leading Big Game safaris through the wilds of Africa, Sonja Elliot is returning home to a more sedate occupation. The 20-year-old has taken up a post with English Heritage as a seasonal custodian at Richmond Castle, in North Yorkshire.
A SET of talented judo-playing triplets from Darlington are well on their way to making their mark on the international stage. Katherine, Nichola and Sarah James, who are all members of the Dolphin Judo Club in the town, train regularly with the Great
A NEWLY-established firm is aiming to make family law more accessible to the people of East Cleveland. Cygnet Family Law, based in Redcar, will work in partnership with the Legal Services Commission and the Community Legal Service. Mr Peter Medd, who
A NEW school has backed down over plans to introduce a controversial timetable to the school day. Freebrough Community College is an amalgamation of the three secondary schools in east Cleveland - De Brus at Skelton, Warsett at Brotton and Rosecroft at
A SPECIAL kind of driving licence has helped a Teesside council pick up a top national award. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council devised a new road safety policy, including an innovative internal driving licence, and has now been awarded an Alarm 2000
Forgotten urban fishery Locke Park Lake at Redcar looks destined to return to the limelight following the news that Middlesbrough Angling Club have now secured the lease for this picturesque venue. Day tickets will still be available and the club is open
BILLINGHAM Wolves picked up silverware at the weekend returning from Kirkcaldy with the Hockey UK 2001 U-18 tournament title. They defeated Sheffield Steelhawks 5-1 in the final. Wolves were worthy winners of the annual tournament and brushed aside a
YOUNGSTERS in Guisborough have a change of venue for Easter events because of foot-and-mouth closures. Countryside wardens from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council organised a feast of festive Easter fun for children in the market town this week. The
West Auckland 0, Marske United 2. Marske United powered their way into the Albany Northern League Cup final with a 2-0 win at West Auckland. The game took a while to get going with both sides taking few chances in defence, which resulted in a long ball
ELGAR is family, y'know. Well, I exaggerate a tad. The ancestry-by-proxy is via my wife's best friend at nursing school, Auntie to our children and the sort of musical misfit whose tuneless enthusiasm has disrupted many a wedding and funeral. Yet the
AN ANIMAL charity working in foot-and-mouth-infected areas has called in Northallerton Samaritans to help deal with distressed dog owners. Border Collie Rescue, based in Richmond, re-homes collies and working sheepdogs. The epidemic has meant demand for
RESTRICTIONS on a city's footpaths have been lifted to allow a religious walk to take place this weekend. The cross-bearing to the top of Tunstall Hill, in Sunderland, seemed to be at risk for the first time in 36 years. However, the walking ban on Tunstall
THE last chapter in the 54-year history of one of the region's most famous clubs has brought a £27,600 windfall for good causes in the area. The winding up of the Wilton Castle Club, which was formerly the social centre for ICI on Teesside, led to a £38
DURHAM County Council has reopened a number of footpaths, picnic areas and a country park in time for Easter. Hardwick County Park, near Sedgefield, Causey Arch and Eden Place picnic areas have been reopened, along with Greencroft and Low Newton nature
A SHOW tracing black dance from its roots in Africa will take to the stage this weekend. The Custom Made Dance Company will present the premiere of Sign of the Times at the Customs House, South Shields, at 8pm on Sunday. Jazz, hip hop and contemporary
A THREE and a half month long search for a missing pensioner has ended with the tragic discovery of a body. Remains found at a plant hire yard on Todd Point Road, Redcar, have been identified as those of 82-year-old George Winter, who was last seen at
TWO huge communication companies have been accused of being miserly in rural east Cleveland. Janet Borrow, 58, of Shepherd Court, Boosbeck, says because NTL hasn't laid cables in four east Cleveland villages, BT is charging excessive amounts for people
EDUCATION bosses hope youngsters will be bowled over by a £100,000 classroom at Durham County Cricket Club. The after-school facility at the Riverside ground, Chester-le-Street, will help hundreds of children in County Durham and Wearside brush up on
RIPON racecourse makes a belated start to its 2001 season with a meeting on Thursday. After losing their scheduled first meeting on April 4 because parts of the course were waterlogged, the racecourse executive is hoping that the elements will be kinder
MOTORCYCLISTS who are planning an Easter ride through the Yorkshire Dales have been urged to stay on their guard. Police are warning bikers that they could be risking injury by riding at high speed and not taking foot-and-mouth precautions into account
ELDON Lane continued their title push with a comfortable victory over Aycliffe side Horndale. Struggling Horndale, who started the league in blistering fashion with five wins from the first eight games, now languish in the bottom four. But Eldon are still
TINA TURNER was on hand to help Redcar and Cleveland mayor Arthur Dobson with a final fundraising boost to his civic year. Grandmother Maureen Wake and her friends and family are the Copycats, who transform themselves into a variety of stars - including
FARMERS have criticised the Government for its handling of the distribution of Census forms. Stephen Cleminson, of New Hummerbeck Farm, West Auckland, County Durham, said a delivery girl ignored Keep Out signs at his farm. When he asked the girl if she
COUNTY Durham's new sporting hero is wallowing in the glory after his amazing victory in Saturday's epic Grand National. Red Marauder, and jockey Richard Guest, were given a heroes' welcomes on their return to the Brancepeth Manor stables of millionaire
THOUSANDS of holidaymakers made an Easter getaway to sunnier climes yesterday as tourist attractions across Britain battled to pull in the crowds. Poor weather and the continuing foot-and-mouth crisis were believed to be responsible for sending record
North Shields could be set to rejoin the Northern League after a gap of 12 years. They left for the Northern Counties East League in 1989 but the club went under after they were refused promotion to the UniBond League. They reformed and joined the Wearside
A DURHAM police woman won praise for helping to put an end to a bank cash card scam which milked more than £7,000 from victims' accounts in a week. Eagle-eyed PC Gill Moffatt helped to arrest an alleged ringleader of the 'shoulder surfing' operation,
DURHAM County Council has reopened a number of footpaths, picnic areas and a country park in time for Easter. Hardwick County Park, near Sedgefield, Causey Arch and Eden Place picnic areas have been reopened, along with Greencroft and Low Newton nature
MARSKE by-pass will not be made into a dual carriageway following a 25 year campaign. Although only one carriageway has been built, the road has been designed as a dual carriageway and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council needed a court order from Teesside
A LOWER speed limit has been enforced on a road in a bid to cut accidents outside a school. The previous limit of 40mph along Stockton's Harrowgate Lane, from the Mitre Inn to the Horse and Jockey Inn, has been reduced to 30mph. The change has been made
FOOT-AND-MOUTH SOME people condemn pictures on TV and in newspapers showing animals being slaughtered and their bodies being shoved around in a digger because it is too graphic, too nasty to watch. As much as I hate to view it, I think it's only right
YOUNGSTERS in Richmond showed they were the engineers of the future when they made model lorries based on one of the latest concepts in transport engineering. A visit to the town's CE primary school by design engineer Mr Carl Henderson, who developed
THE images which have emerged from the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001 will live in the memory for a long time. They have been graphic, horrific, and sickening illustrations of one of the most disturbing peacetime disasters to face this country. A small
TYNESIDE policeman Paul Reed opened his outdoor season in fine style last Saturday with a comfortable shot putt victory in Shildon R and AC's first open track and field meeting at their new £1m stadium on Sunday, writes FRANK JOHNSON. The 38-year-old
THE chips were definitely down for workers at a frozen food factory when they found a hand grenade in a bag of potatoes. The discovery was made by staff at McCain's headquarters in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. But the tense situation was eased by an
HOME-GROWN midfielder Mark Kilty is hoping Quakers can continue their unbeaten run against Cardiff today - and erase the nightmare of the last visit from a top-three side in the process. Quakers go into the clash against the second-placed Welshmen with
GROUPS from across the region have scooped a massive £4.7m in National Lottery funding. The money, from the Lottery's new Community Fund, will go to 30 voluntary groups across County Durham, Teesside and Tyneside. The aim is to help support those community
ONE of the world's top DJs will be mixing it up at a Durham nightclub later this month. Radio One's Trevor Nelson, renowned as the world's best R'n'B DJ, will be manning the decks at Durham City's Caf Rock club on Saturday, April 28. He played a sold-out
Darlington Spraire Lads - At Under-12 level, Spraire had three games in seven days. A week last Sunday, with a good performance on a difficult pitch, Spraire drew 0-0 with Allstars Colts. They drew 1-1 with Allstars in another good team performance on
A student has clocked up an amazing record by not missing a single day of classes in 13 years. Jacklyn Thackrey, 15, of West Gate Community College, in Newcastle, has spent 2,470 days and 14,820 hours in class. She is the star of the 100 per cent Attendance
A TROUBLED teenager who held a city to ransom during a two-year crime wave is one of the first girls in the country to be given an anti-social behaviour order. Marianne Cullerton, 17, has run up 99 convictions since 1999, including 42 in just 123 days
AN adventurer is preparing for the trek of a lifetime - at the age of 72. Globetrotting John Hassan, of Mackie Drive, Guisborough, east Cleveland, is taking part in the trek through the Himalayas, as part of a trip organised by the British Heart Foundation
