DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 149 cattle, 670 sheep. Steers lt to 97.5p a kg or £530.75 each, av 91.38p; heavy to 114.5p or £725.63, av 95.5p, overall av 95.01p; hfrs med to 116.5p or £553.38 av 101.74p; heavy to 120.5p or £848.25p av 99.97p,
AFTER the final credits of The Lord of the Rings had rolled, staff at The Robins said their last tearful goodbyes, switched off the lights, and filed quietly out. Their subdued departure was in marked contrast to when the cinema first opened as The Regal
IT IS all well and good being in a museum, but somehow it's just not cricket. For Guisborough Ted, the first mascot given to Guisborough Ladies' Cricket Club in 1918, remembers his young days as the only man in the all-female team. The cuddly toy has
DARLINGTON caretaker manager Mick Tait may have reached a critical point in his bid to secure the position on a permanent basis. He must lift his shell-shocked troops for tomorrow's daunting assignment at promotion-chasing Oxford United after last Saturday's
PHILLIP Holden describes his life as "a bit of a mish-mash" but the combination secured him the title of Yorkshire Farming Personality of the Year - not bad going for a Tynesider. It was his work with Rejuvenate, a self-help group of Dales farmers hit
A TRADITIONAL village pub has been bought by the Cumbrian firm Jennings Brewery. The Pack Horse Inn in Tanfield Village, near Stanley, dates back to the 1600s and is reputed to have been visited by Oliver Cromwell. According to local folklore one of his
THE activities of homosexual men are putting a rural toilet block off limits to families - and council cleaners. Redcar and Cleveland Council admitted this week that it had issued special guidance to cleaners who have been occasionally prevented from
TWO commercial bidders shortlisted to develop Richmond's old railway station are no longer in the running, clearing the way for a charitable trust to take on the building. One of the original bidders withdrew on Tuesday, two days before councillors held
A COUPLE of days after Brighton's West Pier collapsed so spectacularly into the sea, I visited Saltburn. The tide was in, forcing hordes of people to stumble along the stoneline while many more strode along the pier. The sea thumped against the pier's
A TRADITIONAL village pub has been bought by the Cumbrian firm Jennings Brewery. The Pack Horse Inn in Tanfield Village, near Stanley, dates back to the 1600s and is reputed to have been visited by Oliver Cromwell. According to local folklore one of his
FEARS about traffic hazards could block plans to create a new sports and show ground near Thirsk. Councillors will next week be urged to turn down a plan to change farm land at Knayton for use by Borrowby Agricultural and Horticultural Society. A lack
FLYTIPPING in the countryside is already bad in parts of the country and it will get worse, rural business advisers Strutt & Parker have warned. They believe that the temptation to dump waste illegally will rise because of the increasing cost of disposing
Going along for the official opening of Seaham Hall's Serenity Spa was an education in itself; watching world-weary journalists wowing and cooing as they toured this haven of peace was testament to just how special a place has been created. I remember
VANDALS have brought festive misery to residents in the Stanley area in a spate of attacks on cars and homes. A thug damaged four cars in Nightingale Place and one in Darling Place, Craghead, on the night of Monday, December 23. He is described as wearing
DROP-in sessions are being launched in Derwentside to give help to people with drug and drink problems. The sessions will give people support and help and advice in seeking treatment. Suzanne Forster, social services community development worker for the
STOKESLEY is to the latest market town to get a farmers' market. Following a meeting between parish councillors and Alastair Davy, of Northern Dales Farmers' Markets, it was proposed that there would be a total of 16 stalls initially, the number increasing
A VILLAGE school has won top marks from Government inspectors. Lockwood Primary School, Boosbeck, "is an effective school that provides a good education for its pupils," said an Ofsted report. "The leadership and management of the school are very good
THERE is one thing for certain about the comments of the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor - they will not deter a single burglar. But perhaps we have now reached the stage where judges do not feel the justice system has any role to play in cutting
IT strikes me as very odd that those who wish to sing from the rooftops about a Test match victory in Sydney are generally the same people who in the next breath will say the England team should not go to Zimbabwe. They want to bask in the glory of preventing
Spennymoor Boxing Academy are on their travels yet again, and this time they have a trip to Canada in their sights, writes CRAIG STODDART. The globe trotting club have clocked up thousands of air miles over the last few years and via the internet superhighway
FIRST the good news: country folk in the North-East are healthier than those living in towns and access to services is better than many other rural regions in Britain. And the bad? Pay in rural areas of the region is the lowest in the country. These are
Tow Law Area League Esh Stag's Head moved to a commanding position when they won their re-arranged match at Tow Law Station by the odd point to move into second place, four points adrift but with a match in hand. The home side took two singles through
DOUGLAS Chalmers has taken over the reins of the North-East region of the Country Land and Business Association. He will move from his present post as regional director for the North-West, where he manages a team of eight, to succeed Antony Haslam, who
SUNDERLAND fans in Chester-le-Street huddled around radios to hear their side given a possible away trip in the FA Cup fourth round. The Black Cats, struggling to stave off relegation from the Premiership, were the only North-East side to go into the
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is hoping that none of his team's away games will be called off over the rest of the season. Bishops were one of just a handful of clubs to be in action last Saturday when they played at Matlock, and Honour was pleased
THE GETAWAY. Pub: SCEE. Format: PS2. Price: £44.99 - SONY has been forced to change one of its top titles following complaints from British Telecom. The Getaway has been described as one of the most ambitious ever produced and is said to have cost Sony
Marcus Trescothick yesterday spoke of his Ashes misery and vowed to come through the mental torment and prosper. Twelve months ago, Somerset left-hander Trescothick was deemed England's premier batsman, a mantle he has handed to opening partner Michael
SCHOOLS are heading for female domination as the male teacher heads towards extinction, union leaders warned last night. A survey by The Northern Echo has revealed that in some parts of the region, women teachers outnumber men by as many as ten to one
NELL McANDREW NELL McAndrew was born in 1973 in Leeds. She rose to fame as a Page Three girl and model promoting the video game Tomb Raider II. She also appeared in Five's version of It's A Knockout and the 2002 hit, I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here
Bad news for our old friend Eric Gates - he's been jointly named as Carlisle United's worst ever player in an Internet fanzine poll. Sharing the dubious distinction are Ricardo Gabbiadini, fleetingly at Sunderland, and John Holliday - "curly hair, crap
A WOMAN died and her two young children were last night fighting for their lives after being pulled from a blazing car. Detectives are investigating reports that the 23-year-old mother may have been trying to commit suicide. Rescue workers made a desperate
NISSAN moved to allay job fears last night after admitting it had scrapped a potential replacement for the Almera model manufactured at its North-East plant. Work on a replacement for the popular mid-sized hatchback started shortly after the current car
Braes of Derwent PC. - Jan 25: Indoor dressage, Holmeside Park, all classes. Send sae for schedule to Sue Forster, Derwent Dene House, East Law, Ebchester. BSPS Area 1A. - Jan 26: Winter qualifying show, Dalton Piercey, sae for schedules to Mrs M Neesam
Van rental specialists Northgate endeared itself to the City with a sparkling set of half-year reports. The Darlington firm recorded pre-tax profits up 16 per cent to £18.8m and turnover up 21 per cent to £164.8m on the back of six months full of progress
WORK has started on a £460,000 scheme to turn derelict land into social housing. The development, in Derwent Street, Blackhill, Consett, will see Dunelm Property Services, part of the Esh Group, build six, two-bedroom detached bungalows, one of which
A VETS' surgery has been inundated with offers of help after two dogs were left to starve to death over Christmas in a stable on an allotments near Stanley. The plight of the 17-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier and four-year-old Doberman horrified
NUNTHORPE tennis ace Sarah Borwell has her sights set on the top ten of the British order of merit as she continues her meteoric rise up the rankings. Now based in Las Vegas, the 24-year-old has risen to 16th position in the British rankings from a world
"Old Man Morrison" is how hard-nosed stockbrokers affectionately refer to the businessman who has propelled a family firm into a leading FTSE 100 player. Sir Ken Morrison is the man at the helm of the original grocer's "rags to riches" tale founded on
Coulby Newham 14 v 2 Black Horse - Mark Salvati scored what is almost certainly the fastest hat-trick in the League's history as his side inficted another heavy defeat upon bottom side Black Horse. Salvati set his stall out in the opening minute by scoring
MOTOR clubs have enjoyed mixed fortunes with the weather over the past two weekends due to the snow and rain. Consett Motor Club were lucky on December 29 when they ran their Bob Davison trial over a three-lap, 12-section course in and around Buttsfield
IF the people of North Yorkshire want a quality police force then they will have to be prepared to pay for it. This was the message the Chief Constable Della Cannings put across at a public meeting held in Thirsk on Monday to discuss the next budget for
THE Yorkshire Agricultural Society enters a new era with the appointment of Adele Hudson as manager of its flagship event - The Great Yorkshire Show. She succeeds David Ward, who retires in March after more than 40 years of working for the society. Miss
The Albany Northern League - Washington Nissan manager Gavin Liddle is looking ahead to a tough month for his promotion-chasers. Nissan, who are nine points clear at the top, have some of the clubs who are hard on their heels to play in the next few weeks
OBJECTORS to a controversial £25m business and housing scheme destined for Stockton Riverside say they are appalled by the way the matter has been handled. The large business park, new 120-home estate and 15-hectare nature conservation area, was given
TWO masked men stole a car and went on a robbing spree across East Cleveland. The pair, both wearing ski masks, stole the blue Vauxhall Cavalier from Normanby Hotel in Middlesbrough at about 3.30pm on Monday. They then snatched a handbag from a woman
OPPONENTS of plans to expand a Yarm pub were expected to lobby councillors yesterday. Objectors claim plans to build a two-storey extension on the New Cross Keys, and expand into a neighbouring building, could turn the town into a "Las Vegas" style place
Jarrow are down but certainly not out, according to manager Mick Hutchinson. The Wearside League side have gained just one point in 17 attempts but Hutchinson is confident of a better second half to the season. Although he played a couple of years for
Sir, - Great concern was voiced at the recent meeting of Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council attended by 32 members of the public who heard of the present position regarding Vodaphone's application to erect two mobile telecommunication masts on the
COMMUNITY groups are being offered free computers, up-graded by a Saltburn firm. The Digital Communities Project has nine computers to give away. The computers were donated to the project by members of the public and have all been reconditioned by technical
A STAMMERER who cured himself of the condition hopes to help others at a free open day. Stephen Hill, 28, whose story has been featured on national television, radio and in newspapers since he cured his own bad stammer, will hold the event in Durham on
CONTAMINATION experts have been drafted in to investigate the risk posed by excavating a site known to contain victims of anthrax. Persimmon Homes is currently demolishing dilapidated farm buildings on land at Quarry Farm, Ingleby Barwick, to make way
A RARE 200-year-old ornamental wooden fence plagued by vandals could be replaced by a metal one to deter further damage. Councillors have decided that the fence, outside Guisborough's Sunnyfield House, should be replaced with a metal one in the same design
A PLANNING battle could be looming over a controversial homes scheme in Northallerton. Councillors and residents look set to challenge Government guidelines on the number of dwellings which can be built on sites. They say the guidelines - which have led
THORNS lead the First Division going into the second half of the season while former champions Newton Aycliffe and hot favourites Old Shildon are in close pursuit. In what promises to be another closely-fought title contest, five teams look to be the
A COMMUNITY project that has gone from strength to strength is now launching a group aimed at 16 to 19-year-old youths. Over the last six months, Chester West Community Project has taken on a new lease of life, after moving into Bullion Hall in Chester-le-Street
IT seems like only yesterday that regional economic development chiefs were consigning Teesside Airport to the back burner as far as its future as a passenger terminal was concerned The future for Teesside was freight, we were told, before a political
GOVERNMENT Ministers are looking at ways of buying more British meat and produce for hospitals, schools and other public bodies. Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State at Defra, told the Oxford Farming Conference this week that ways were being sought to
Tow Law Bass League - Tow Law New Market - A virtually carved their name on the Championship trophy when they only dropped three points to the visiting Sunniside Moss Inn to increase their lead to 15 points with a match in hand and only four left in the
A PROJECT to bring together a range of charities under one roof is to be launched this month. Consett Churches and Neighbourhood Action (CCANA) is launching a one-stop shop in Christ Church hall, Consett, on January 30. The scheme aims to provide residents
A WOMAN has been attacked and robbed of a rare dog - and the theft may have been to order. Until her attacker struck, 25-year-old Jamie Parker owned the only Australian shepherd in the North-East. Jamie, who had a border collie stolen from her garden
They're known as Iron Man events, a fearful triathlon of three mile swim, 112 mile cycle race and marathon run. Britain's number one isn't just any old iron man, however - he picks up his old age pension in May. For Arthur Puckrin, indeed, the iron man
Stuart Wearmouth won round 11 of the North East Cyclo-Cross League at Kelloe Law Farm on Sunday, lapping everyone apart from runner-up, Science in Sport teammate Keith Murray, in a field of 47 riders. Wearmouth's winning time for the seven laps was 58
THIS week's diary is a celebration of bonfires. This was prompted by widespread reports that both the Government and local authorities are deeply concerned at the massive amount of domestic waste being discarded via our dustbins and then buried in the
COUNCILLORS have again refused a planning application to turn a former caf on Cockerton Green, Darlington, into an amusement arcade. The revised application by Count Cash, of Middlesbrough, was refused by six votes to two at Wednesday's meeting of the
Loftus Poultry Run Shaun O'Grady of New Marske Harriers won the Loftus Poultry Run in fine style finishing nearly 30 seconds clear of Tim Neill of Hull with Mark Craig of Middlesbrough AC finishing third to lead his team to victory as well as winning
MILITARY heirlooms or shotguns passed down through generations are being sought for an 'Antiques Roadshow' style fair. Holt's auction house is urging people to bring in any guns, fishing equipment or militaria gathering dust in people's attics to a fair
WE called it the Joint Services School for Linguists - JSSL in the abbreviated nomenclature beloved of the military mind. The Russians, then waging a cold war that could turn hot almost overnight, hit back by calling it a spy school. In truth, talking
First round draw: Durham City v Crowtrees B and Coundon v Langley Park. Matches are to be played on or before Monday, January 20 with result cards sent in immediately after the match. The draw for the Second Round will be issued at the League Meeting
AN AWARD-winning restaurant group is closing the first eatery in its growing chain in a bid to concentrate on expansion plans in other locations. The decision by Oldfield's to cease trading in Barnard Castle was taken with a lot of regret, managing director
South Cleveland Garages Teesside League - Division One - Bedale FC 8 v 3 Whitby Town Res The opening quarter of this match was very even but in the 20th minute a penalty was awarded to Bedale which Michael Robinson converted. Six minutes later Adam Bramley
A PHOTO processing company was fined thousands of pounds yesterday after being found guilty of misleading the public with a 49p price claim. The mail order firm was charged on two counts for producing envelopes that gave people the idea that their camera
THE leader of Chester-le-Street District Council has criticised the county council for cutting its gritting budget. Council leader Malcolm Pratt said Durham County Council had made what he describes as a 'retrograde step' in reducing the money spent on
45 years ago - Evenwood FC shake the amateur soccer world by flying a player over from Germany to play in the FA Amateur Cup first round replay at Ferryhill. The expensive amateur, half-back Brian Howard serves with the 7th Royal Tank Regiment but has
THE Braes of Derwent (South) Pony Club has enjoyed one of the most successful years in its history under the guidance of new district commissioner Jenny Deary. Club members Angus Smales and Neil Young were chosen to represent Great Britain in eventing
STICKING with tradition, I thought this would be a good time to look back over the past year which proved to be another interesting one for local birdwatchers. The first winter period was depressingly familiar, with mild and very wet weather predominating
RIPON Cathedral, the oldest in England, founded in 672, has been given £150,000 from English Heritage to help repair its roof. The huge project will cost a total of £500,000, and the shortfall is being raised by the newly-established Ripon Cathedral Development
SIDELINED Middlesbrough star Juninho is confident he will come back 'as good as ever' from a serious knee injury. The Brazilian is yet to kick a ball in the Premiership this season following his £3.8m move from Atletico Madrid in the summer. Juninho suffered
RESIDENTS concerned about the recent loss of old buildings in Darlington have called a public meeting with a view to forming a pressure group for the town. The move follows the demise of buildings such as Chesterfield House and Grantley, which were demolished
A MAJOR study detailing how to create and market Darlington as the "Gateway to the Tees Valley" has been unveiled. The study, which focuses on the development of 75 acres of land near the East Coast railway line next to Haughton Road, and greenfield sites
WORK has started on a new plan to tackle unemployment, crime, transport, health and housing problems in rural East Cleveland. Economic and social strategists in the district are appealing to members of the public to come forward with any fresh ideas.
NEWS of a £2.9bn agreed takeover of Safeway by Morrison's supermarkets has caused concern in Darlington. The town has five major supermarkets - two belong to Morrison's, two to Safeway and one to Asda. The merger, due to be complete around the end of
YOUNGSTERS can explore the wonders of the universe as part of a new university programme. East Cleveland schools are among several in the region which, along with Durham and Sheffield universities, are developing a public outreach programme in the north
AFTER the final credits of The Lord of the Rings had rolled, staff at The Robins said their last tearful goodbyes, switched off the lights, and filed quietly out. Their subdued departure was in marked contrast to when the cinema first opened as The Regal
SHILDON rally driver Barry Johnson has announced that he is planning to defend his 2002 Scottish Championship title as well as contesting the Pirelli British Rally Championship in 2003. The Subaru Impreza driver clinched the 2002 New Pig Scottish Rally
Bishop Auckland and District CIU Winter - Cockton Hill made an excellent start to the New Year when they won four section matches and drew one on their visit to Eldon Lane. Their key victory came in the pool section, where they only dropped one point
Sir, - It is easy to understand why Middleham residents rarely attend meetings of Middleham Town Council. They start at 7.30, and usually finish at around 1am. Discussions get quite heated, and members of the public are asked to leave for undetermined
Sir, - There was a time when a planning application to build a house or convert a barn was determined by the relevant authority at a meeting when the merits or de-merits were examined. Provided certain political conditions were met, the decision was made
Hottest news on the North-East match circuit York based Tek Neek along with Italian Tackle Giants Trabucco have just announced they are to sponsor this year's 300 peg River Swale Preservation Society Team Masters for a sensational £2,000, writes JEFF
THE authority administering England's largest county is working against the clock as it tries to gauge the level of grass roots public interest in a referendum on proposals for a far-reaching overhaul of regional and local government. North Yorkshire
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture WHEAT prices have remained unchanged over the new year. The introduction of the import quotas has had no effect as buyers have plenty of wheat in store. Intervention values have improved with weaker sterling. This could
VILLAGERS are celebrating after winning grants totalling more than £10,000 to refurbish their community centre. The Community Association in Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, has won £4,500 from the National Lottery Awards for All programme, backed up with
THE Northern and Borders Sheep Fair takes place at Hexham auction mart on Thursday. Apart from the various breed societies and trade stands, the event also features a series of farmer forums. The fair opens to the public from 9am and will be officially
A YARM schoolboy is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell after landing a part with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Fresh from a local production of Kes, in which 15-year-old Elliott Francis of Conyers School played long-haired
THE great weather imp, whose mischief seems to strike racing at this time of the year without fail, sent so much rain last week that many meetings were off through the sheer volume of water. Not content with a week of squelch, on came the frost, snow
A GUISBOROUGH student has qualified as a football referee after attending a course led by Premiership referee Jeff Winter. Tom Burke, who attends Laurence Jackson School, was recently presented with his full kit after completing the course organised through
THE Royal Shakespeare Company's return to Northallerton next month looks set to be a huge success. And much of the responsibility for that will be down to Guisborough-born assistant director, Samantha Potter. Tickets for critically-acclaimed productions
THE British Horse Society is asking all horse riders and owners to take extra care when riding out and bringing horses in from fields on their own. The BHS web site has recently highlighted a large number of people who have been approached by men when
HOUSE prices in Darlington and Stockton are predicted to soar this year, according to the Nationwide Building Society. Britain's biggest building society believes the housing market will be turned on its head in 2003 with many London boroughs and other
A RARE moss has "flowered" in the Yorkshire Dales for the first time in more than 130 years, scientists have confirmed. Nowell's moss, which grows on old limestone walls, has been discovered producing spores on the slopes of Pen-y-ghent, overlooking Ribblesdale
AN AMBITIOUS bid to win £39m of funding to turn around a deprived former mining town was launched on Monday. A report by Derwentside District Council director Mike Clark lays out bids for cash from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund for a range of projects
THE State of the Countryside report, released over the New Year by the Countryside Agency, contains some interesting facts about how rural parts of our region are doing. Perhaps the most startling statistic is that 75pc of country folk in the North-East
A RESIDENT says she is stuck on a housing estate because conditions are so bad no estate agent will sell her home. Chris Grimwood liked life as a tenant on the Whitehill Estate in Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street, so much that, with her husband, she
