Archive

  • Tribute to men who helped make a dream come true

    JUST as they championed the restoration project from its launch 11 years ago until they passed away, John Woods and Gil Chatfield led the train through the dale on Saturday. Their names grace plaques at the front of each locomotive, an NER P1 Class 060

  • Pensioner in wrong place at wrong time - police

    An innocent pensioner was gunned down in his local pub was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, police said today. Fred Fowler, 72, was enjoying a drink in the Tap and Barrel pub in Salem Street, Hendon, Sunderland, when three men screeched up

  • Mollycoddling makes the man

    PARENTS of baby boys should treat them as gently as girls if they want them to succeed in life. That's the message from experts, who say boys taught to be tough are less confident and more aggressive. Dr Sebastian Kraemer, a child psychiatrist at London's

  • Tales of concealed nests, macabre charms and legendary saints

    PART of the route of my daily morning walk had become overgrown with ground cover and the spreading lower branches of some trees, so I decided to clear the path, armed only with a pair of secateurs. This caused no trouble until I began to snip at the

  • Man's body found on farm

    POLICE are waiting for test results to establish the cause of death after a man's body was found on a farm. The body was found under a hedge at Rudlington Farm, at Plumpton Rocks, between Harrogate and Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, on Friday afternoon

  • Murder probe as bodies found

    AN elderly couple were murdered in their home yesterday morning. Last night, a team of 20 police officers were investigating the murders. A police spokesman said: "Someone has taken the lives of a frail lady and gentleman in their 80s. "It is imperative

  • Artists plan activities for summer

    BUDDING artists are invited to attend an art summer school at the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle this summer. Workshops led by professional artists are available for 12 to 16-year-olds this August, inspired by the exhibition on show at the museum featuring

  • Farmers praised for preserving

    TEESDALE farmers have been praised for their work in helping to preserve the area's flower-rich hay meadows. The upland hay meadows are a national rarity; their numbers fell rapidly in the twentieth century as a result of agricultural intensification

  • Rain plays havoc

    Rain decimated the local programme for the fifth week in a row - but while last month saw cancellations, delayed starts, interruptions and abandonments, on Saturday it was a near wipe-out. All fixtures in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League

  • Grain prices

    by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture: A COMBINATION of weather and the arrival of a few boats has helped the old crop wheat market recover a little. The same applies to old crop barley, which has gone from no buyers to no sellers in a week. New crop prices

  • Community prize for young singer

    A NINE-YEAR-OLD soprano has won an award for his contribution to the community and his performances with a church choir. Ryan Johnson received the Child in the Community award at Green Gates Primary School's end-of-term assembly, in Redcar, on Friday.

  • School's double award

    A DURHAM primary school has been awarded Artsmark Gold status for its work in the arts and also retained its similar award in sport. St Godric's RC Primary, in Framwellgate Moor, is one of seven County Durham primary schools to receive the arts award.

  • When public consultation means something

    THE reaction of most people to the news that a Darlington meeting on elected regional assemblies had been poorly attended was: "What meeting?" One person who had heard about it was under the impression it was an "invitation only" event. The same could

  • Curling event provides sport for all

    A CURLING event for disabled and able-bodied people has been hailed a success. More than 50 people, aged between eight and 80, took part in games at Coatham Memorial Hall, in Redcar. Redcar and Cleveland's Disability Access Group, which organised the

  • Author's surprise for youngsters

    YOUNG readers who helped a library become children-friendly have met one of their literary heroes. Consett Library has achieved Investors in Children accreditation. Staff consulted the library's Chatterbooks reading group on how to improve facilities.

  • Hardly the best, simply the pits

    Simply The Best (ITV1); The 20 Quickest Ways To Make Money On Your Property (five) ; The Last Secret of Dr Crippen (C4); Real Life: Children Of The Miners' Strike (ITV1): CAN anyone at ITV really believe that Simply The Best is what's needed to brighten

  • Wartime tales will not be forgotten

    PENSIONERS are being given the chance to record their memories of the Second World War. Age Concern County Durham is joining forces with the BBC's People's War Project to stage a session for people to relate their experiences for a website. The event

  • Support urged for donor campaign

    A MAYOR has urged a town's residents to give someone the promise of life. More than 7,200 people across the UK are waiting for life-saving organ donations. Ray Mallon, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: "This is one of those issues which perhaps no one likes

  • Liddle on road to full fitness

    DARLINGTON defender Craig Liddle took another important step towards regaining full fitness after playing in Saturday's behind-closed-doors game against former club, Middlesbrough. The influential centre-back came through 40 minutes of Quakers' 1-1 draw

  • Packs will give the homeless

    EMERGENCY packs containing basic necessities have been produced to help homeless. people in east Durham. Several organisations have provided support and funding to produce the packs in the Easington district. Councillor Joan Freak, Easington District

  • Skateboard arena planned

    Young daredevils will have a chance to tackle high speed stunts on skateboards, in-line skates and BMX bikes when a £70,000 arena opens for them this autumn. Work is to start next Monday on the adventure area which teenagers have helped to design in the

  • Countdown begins for loco's big day

    LEGENDARY steam locomotive the Flying Scotsman will this week carry out its first passenger run since being saved for the nation. The television presenter Richard Whiteley, best known for Countdown, will blow the whistle to launch the engine on its journey

  • Bishop dons his walking boots after service

    THE Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, joined walkers who gathered in his back garden for the Traidcraft Great North Walk. The bishop began his ministry with a week-long walk around the diocese. Yesterday, after he hosted a service in the

  • Fashion retailer faces losses

    Fashion retailer Austin Reed was yesterday braced for half-year losses after poor ranges caused sales to crumble further at its Country Casuals arm. The group, based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said tough trading in the retail sector had also contributed

  • Coastguard station axe: call for probe

    UNION leaders have called for an independent inquiry into the closure of a North-East coastguard station, following a damning report from MPs. The Commons Transport Select Committee branded staffing levels at the Maritime Coastguard Agency unacceptable

  • Music event makes return

    A MUSIC event is returning due to popular demand. The Next Generation Music Gig will take place at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, on Friday from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Organised by Darlington Borough Council's Leisure and Arts team, with help from the

  • Feasting from the land

    I HAVE had the first meal of the year entirely sourced from the land. It all started on a trip back to Natures World in Middlesbrough to visit my old place of work. I went to say hello to my colleagues, catch up on the gossip and see how the place had

  • Road with the emphasis on people

    RESIDENTS have a new road where pedestrians are more important than cars. Durham County Council has created its second home zone by giving an unsurfaced street in New Brancepeth a makeover and declaring it one-way. The street that serves Prospect Terrace

  • Motorcycle team shows skills at army day

    THE spectacular stunts of one of the military's most famous motorcycle display teams will be just one of the attractions at the army's annual open day tomorrow in York. The White Helmets Royal Signals motorcycle display team will form human pyramids and

  • Looking Back

    FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Tuesday last was chosen as the occasion for the annual picnic of the Darlington & Stockton Times office staff, Scarborough being selected as the rendezvous. Each department - literary, commercial, composing, lino

  • Bowling a concern, says Byas

    Yorkshire's director of cricket, David Byas, praised Craig Spearman's great innings but also voiced concern at the continuing poor form of some of his fast bowlers. Matthew Hoggard kept things tight with two for 33 off ten overs but Chris Silverwood and

  • Conference to be addressed by journalists

    RENOWNED journalists John McCarthy and Polly Toynbee will be guest speakers at a University of Teesside conference today and tomorrow. The talks for the university's social futures institute will look at the relationship between homes, people and communities

  • Hartlepool fan hit by bus as tragedy follows Holland game

    A HARTLEPOOL football fan was killed and a number of supporters were involved in violence after they travelled to Holland to watch their team play a pre-season friendly game. The unnamed dead man, believed to be 20 and from the Throston area of the town

  • Tees Valley fly the flag for riding clubs

    TEES Valley Riding Club were asked to provide the display promoting the riding clubs movement at the Voice of the Horse show at Hedley West Farm, near Beamish. Members were also on hand to give any information about the work of the movement and their

  • An open door for Gateman

    GUTSY Gateman (4.15) gets the chance to prove his worth at Group 2 level by picking up this afternoon's £100,000 Scottish Derby. The battling seven-year-old loves nothing more than to eyeball his opponents in the sort of head-to-head clashes guaranteed

  • Police examine connection between double murders

    Police said today they are keeping "an open mind" about whether two double murders, which happened within 25 miles of each other, are linked. North Yorkshire Police said two young women died in a ''vicious assault'' in a flat in the village of Camblesforth

  • Cleveland Show

    WE would like to point out that, contrary to last week's report, the horse classes in the show jumping at Cleveland Show on July 24 take place in the morning, with pony classes in the afternoon. The three horse classes start at 11am and the ponies at

  • Terrific Todd triumphs in play-off showdown

    Todd Hamilton, better known in the golf clubs of Tokyo than he is across America or in Britain, became another amazing, unlikely winner of the Open title at Royal Troon yesterday. The 38-year-old from Illinois, quoted at 250-1 at the start of the week

  • Housing is needed to fuel influx of young workers

    YOUNG professionals could be put off moving to the region because of a lack of suitable housing, according to a report. The report, commissioned by the House Builders Federation, reveals that the North-East lags far behind the rest of the country in providing

  • Conference to be addressed by journalists

    RENOWNED journalists John McCarthy and Polly Toynbee will be guest speakers at a University of Teesside conference today and tomorrow. The talks for the university's social futures institute will look at the relationship between homes, people and communities

  • Dales show for breed enjoying dramatic revival

    THE Hebridean Sheep Society holds its national breed show at Leyburn auction mart next week. Breeders from Holland, the Isle of Skye and all parts of the UK will descend on the town on Saturday and Sunday for their annual symposium and show. On Saturday

  • Story of fight for life goes into print

    THE inspiring story of a young boy's battle against leukaemia has been published to raise money for charity and bring hope to other families. Michael Fogarty, 11, was struck down four years ago, undergoing ten months of chemotherapy before having a bone

  • Boost for musicians as school opens

    A NEW North-East music school aimed at helping the stars of the future is opening this weekend. The Northern School of Contemporary Music (NSCM) is the idea of Stuie Ellerton, a drummer, frustrated by the lack of training facilities for music students

  • Centre to support victims of torture

    A CHARITY that provides support to victims of torture and human rights abuses is to open a centre in the North-East. The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture said it was responding to the need of refugees and asylum seekers who had suffered

  • Murder hunt launched

    A murder hunt was launched after a frail elderly couple were found dead in their home. Police officers cordoned off the red brick detached house after the bodies of the couple- both in their 80s - were found there. Neighbours said that John and Joan Britton

  • New wheats match up to export competition

    GROWERS will need to plant more Group 2 wheats next year if the UK is to maintain its export position. Graham Sharkey, Grainfarmers' wheat director, suggests that, following the introduction of Cordiale this year, growers now have three good, new varieties

  • Gold joy at Newbury

    Frankie McDonald rose to the occasion to prise Richard Hannon's hands away from the Weatherbys Super Sprint Trophy as Siena Gold took the spoils at Newbury. Bidding to win the race for the third consecutive year and the sixth time in all, Hannon had a

  • Tykes cannot dethrone kings of one-day game

    Reports of the death of Gloucestershire as the kings of one-day cricket have been greatly exaggerated, as Yorkshire found to their cost on Saturday when they were soundly beaten by five wickets in the semi-final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy

  • Drugs baron loses court battle for seized money

    drugs baron Brian Charrington has lost his claim to more than £2m found in the loft of his home during a Customs raid more than a decade ago. The money was seized during a search of the former car dealer's house in Weaverthorpe, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough

  • Nervous time for Tomlinson

    CHRIS Tomlinson faces an anxious wait this morning before learning whether or not he has made the British squad for next month's Olympic Games in Athens. The Middlesbrough-based long jumper travelled to Madrid this weekend in one final attempt to achieve

  • Fun cycles on display

    PEOPLE in Darlington were encouraged to get in the saddle on some unusual cycles at the weekend. The Company of Cycles held a Bike Try Out Roadshow outside the town hall where people could have a go on bikes of all sizes and designs for free. A variety

  • Hodgson opens woodland

    DARLINGTON Football Club manager Dave Hodgson has launched a community woodland in the town. He opened the Skerningham Community Woodland, which stretches over ten hectares along the banks of the River Skerne, near Barmpton, Darlington. The woodland has

  • Safety booklet issued

    A COMMUNITY grant is helping to support a scheme to keep Middlesbrough youngsters safe. The £350 award from North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's community dividend fund has helped enable free booklets on health and safety issues to be distributed to a dozen

  • Teacher's latest bid aims to raise blood bank cash

    A TEACHER who has raised thousands of pounds for a cash-strapped hospital in the African state of Tanzania is launching an effort to provide a badly needed blood bank. Joyce Jackson and four friends aim to pay for the life-saving amenity by arranging

  • Competitive youngsters make their school proud

    A SMALL primary school has swept the board by picking up awards in a host of sports competitions. Three different sports squads have secured district trophies for St Charles RC Primary School, in Tudhoe, near Spennymoor. The 32-strong athletics squad

  • Family treasures sought at event

    ORGANISERS of a heritage fair which will be staged in the childhood home of the Duchess of Kent are hoping to unearth some fascinating family treasures. The fair will take place in the village hall at Hovingham, near Malton, on Saturday. Organiser Janice

  • Chance to watch foresters in action

    PEOPLE are being invited to see wood-harvesting machinery in action. Visitors will see the £250,000 machine in action on Wednesday, July 28, at Dalby Forest, near Pickering. They will be given an excellent view of the harvester grabbing a tree with a

  • Packs will give the homeless essential help

    EMERGENCY packs containing basic necessities have been produced to help homeless. people in east Durham. Several organisations have provided support and funding to produce the packs in the Easington district. Councillor Joan Freak, Easington District

  • Probation staff receive praise

    STAFF working for the County Durham probation service have been praised in a report. Andrew Bridges, the chief inspector of probation, said the service was well managed with staff showing positive leadership and a culture of continuous improvement. County

  • Catering team beats the best for accolade

    DURHAM County Council's catering division has won an award. Service Direct was named the general catering team of the year at its first attempt, at the Local Authority Catering Association annual conference, in Birmingham. The national annual award saw

  • Look out for mini-beasts among books

    MINI-BEASTS are set to invade Stockton libraries in the summer months. The borough council's Children and Youth Services have arranged a series of one-hour talks about insects and mini-beasts by Bob Brown, from the Parks and Countryside Service. A number

  • Centre to support victims of torture

    A CHARITY that provides support to victims of torture and human rights abuses is to open a centre in the North-East. The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture said it was responding to the need of refugees and asylum seekers who had suffered

  • To Athens via Hexham

    MORE than 1,800 miles separate Hexham and Athens and, in athletics terms, the two venues might as well be a world apart. But, in the space of three sprints, three jumps, three throws and a final trudge round the track, decathlete Dean Macey spanned the

  • Children's tribute to teen stabbing victim

    A MOTHER, whose son was murdered on her estate last year, is encouraging local youngsters to create a garden in his memory. Theresa Cave, from the Lakes Estate, in Redcar, east Cleveland, lost her son Chris, 17, in June last year after he was stabbed

  • Years in jail for kidnapper

    An attacker who abducted his victim at gunpoint before taking him 200 miles away so he could be beaten further is facing years behind bars. Paul Flannigan was kidnapped by three men wearing balaclavas who burst into his bedroom at Burnhope Lodge in Burnhope

  • Steam engine creations on display

    A STEAM engine rally held in North Yorkshire this weekend was hailed a great success with more than 700 exhibitors from all over the country. Attractions at the Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally included one of the largest collections of fair organs

  • Girl injured on road

    CALLS have been made for a pedestrian crossing to be built on a busy road after a girl was injured in an accident. The call comes after the eight-year-old was involved in a collision with a car in Filey Road, Scarborough, at the weekend. Police said the

  • Rain fails to ruin villagers' fun

    THE start of the 28th Boltby Felixkirk Sutton and Thirlby gala was delayed on Saturday due to bad weather. The annual inter-village event, this year hosted by Felixkirk, near Thirsk, started two hours late due to rain. This year, the theme for the floats

  • Racing drivers face action after protests

    A STREET which has been turned into a racetrack by boy racers may have a reduced speed limit imposed. Residents of Thirsk have described St James Green as a potential deathtrap as young drivers race round the street at speeds of up to 60mph. Consultations

  • £6,000 council tax bombshell for rich

    THE Government confirmed last night that a council tax shake-up could see bills for the most expensive homes almost treble to more than £6,000 - so that charges for poorer households can be cut. But the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister insisted it

  • Valley's fightback gets up steam

    TWO hugely successful events during an historic weekend have underlined Wear Valley's fightback from devastating job losses. The reopening of the Weardale Railway -- more than half a century after it closed to passengers - created a carnival atmosphere

  • Family face huge bill after road accident

    THE family of a tourist who lost his arm in a bike smash in Thailand face a huge medical bill before they can bring him home. Darren Fenwick, 27, is still in hospital and his parents face the bill because he travelled without insurance. Mother Carol,

  • Design team for college is chosen

    WORK is due to start on the design of a 1,000-place college which should be ready to welcome its first pupils in September 2006. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has appointed Aedas Architects, of Huddersfield, to lead the design team for the Freebrough

  • Hurworth at the double

    A JUBILANT Hurworth Hunt Pony Club celebrated double success at the recent area Prince Phillip Cup Games. The junior team of Brad Rainford-Blackett, Toby Sadler, Scott Mogridge, D'arcy Rainford-Blackett and Harriet Noble steamed ahead to win the competition

  • Talk to our children to help them learn

    JAM tomorrow, pie in the sky, loadsamoney, maybe even hokey-pokey-penny-a-lump - as the summer term drew to a close, every day seemed to bring new ideas on the future path of education from anyone with a hatful of theories to throw into the ring. There

  • Council's low mark in schools spending

    The amount of money spent per pupil in North Yorkshire secondary schools is one of the lowest in the country. A survey carried for the GMB union found that North Yorkshire County Council was in the bottom ten of local authorities when it came to spending

  • 19/07/04

    REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: ONE of the biggest problems for many parents in many parts of the North-East is the poor reputation of some local schools. Some can buy into an area with a good school; others can't afford to. How would the proposed elected regional

  • Teenagers' sporting prowess receives praise from the very top

    TWO teenage champions will today be honoured by the Prime Minister. Luke Rooney, 15, of Ushaw Moor, and Richard Hurst, 14, of Esh Winning, both in County Durham, were runners-up in the Under-17 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in France. Today

  • Pony & riding club dates

    Bedale & West of Yore PC. - July 22: ODE at Newfield, Mickley, PC and open classes, sae to secretary Mrs F Blaine, 7 Stoneybrough Lane, Thirsk YO7 2LS. Braes of Derwent PC. - July 27: Summer show at Wolsingham Country Fair, open to non-members, all

  • Durham Diary

    DURHAM'S floodlit match against Somerset at Riverside on August 11, followed by their four-day clash, will involve future Tasmania teammates in Andy Blignaut and Ricky Ponting. The Australian captain will remember Blignaut from a 27-ball half-century

  • TV review

    Simply The Best (ITV1) The 20 Quickest Ways To Make Money On Your Property (five) The Last Secret of Dr Crippen (C4) Real Life: Children Of The Miners' Strike (ITV1) CAN anyone at ITV really believe that Simply The Best is what's needed to brighten up

  • Rain or shine . . . show must go on

    THOUSANDS of people converged on the Durham County Show at the weekend. Rain and muddy fields resulted in a fall in the attendance at Herrington Country Park, Penshaw, near Sunderland, on Saturday, but the crowd numbers were boosted when the sun came

  • Road with the emphasis on people

    RESIDENTS have a new road where pedestrians are more important than cars. Durham County Council has created its second home zone by giving an unsurfaced street in New Brancepeth a makeover and declaring it one-way. The street that serves Prospect Terrace

  • Trailers draw the bidders

    THE retirement sale of trailers for Blackburn, Newton Reigny, Penrith, on Saturday, July 3, drew one of the largest crowds seen at a displenishing sale. Buyers from all parts of the UK bid briskly throughout. The sale was conducted by Harrison & Hetherington

  • Tykes cannot dethrone kings of one-day game

    Reports of the death of Gloucestershire as the kings of one-day cricket have been greatly exaggerated, as Yorkshire found to their cost on Saturday when they were soundly beaten by five wickets in the semi-final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy

  • Give in to the delights of Surrender Bridge

    SURRENDER Bridge is heavy with lead mining history. In the summer of 2000, we explored the Old Gang smelting mill a mile upstream. This time we visited the ruins of the nineteenth century smelting mill half a mile downstream. But first up, a warm up,

  • Arcalis defies poor draw to take York showpiece

    THEY said it couldn't be done, that horses drawn high in the John Smith's Cup on Saturday could not possibly win. But Arcalis, at a rewarding 20-1 and drawn in stall 18, did just that under a finely-timed Robert Winston ride for racing's newest and perhaps

  • Westwood set to play through pain barrier

    CHRIS Westwood sailed through his first taste of pre-season, but knows his foot injury is something he will have to live with. The Hartlepool United defender feared he would have to miss a chunk of pre-season after suffering a stress fracture of the foot

  • Hopeful Wilks' bid for hat-trick

    DARLINGTON rally driver Guy Wilks is confident of scoring a hat-trick of wins in the 2004 Kwik-Fit/Pirelli British Rally Championship Super 1600 class as he prepares for the Manx International Rally. Wilks steered the Suzuki Ignis to its second Super

  • Topping meal at family hotel before cuppa woe

    WHETHER you choose to tackle the 1,057ft bulk of Roseberry Topping before or after Sunday lunch at the hotel and restaurant immediately below the Matterhorn of Cleveland is entirely up to you and your constitution. There were several tiny moving dots

  • Feasting from the land

    I HAVE had the first meal of the year entirely sourced from the land. It all started on a trip back to Natures World in Middlesbrough to visit my old place of work. I went to say hello to my colleagues, catch up on the gossip and see how the place had

  • Notes from a big personality

    He's one of the world's best-selling travel writers, but his latest book took him into rather different territory. Bill Bryson talks to Gavin Havery about wanderlust, staying at home and why we shouldn't complain about the railways. CELEBRATED author

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Our heritage, our future

    IF anyone was in any doubt about the value of the region's railway heritage, the proof was in Weardale at the weekend. They turned out in force at Stanhope, Frosterley and Wolsingham and they lined the routes in between the stations. Despite the rain,

  • Duke pays tribute to courage of soldiers

    THE Duke of Edinburgh attended a service at York Minster yesterday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima. He took the salute as Second World War veterans, mostly in their eighties, marched past. The reunion takes place annually in

  • Playing truant

    GIVEN the choice between paying £2,000 and £1,500 for the same holiday, who wouldn't choose the cheaper deal, even if it meant taking your children out of lessons for a week? As the cost of peak time holidays spirals, it's a choice that many British parents

  • Proms night

    The British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will perform a Last Night at the Proms at Darlington Civic Theatre on Wednesday next week. The concert will include readings and poems from Brit-ish authors, as well as traditional songs such as Rule Britannia

  • New ragwort code gives fresh impetus to action week

    A CODE of practice which can support legal action against landowners will coincide with this year's Ragwort Action Week. The British Horse Society campaign will take place from Monday to Sunday, July 25 and the code of practice, instigated by the BHS,

  • Cram leads tributes to mentor

    STEVE Cram last night spoke of the "immense debt of gratitude" that he owed to former coach Jimmy Hedley who died on Saturday at the age of 77. Hedley, who was heavily involved in North-East athletics for more than 50 years, tutored Cram as he won Olympic

  • Crowds flock to enjoy the 14th Mela

    THOUSANDS of people turned out yesterday to enjoy the fun, fashion, food and culture on show at the 14th Middlesbrough Mela. The good weather played its part in the success of the multi-cultural extravaganza with the summer sun helping to draw the crowds

  • Steam age is back on track

    After an 11-year campaign, the first passengers travelled along the re-opened Weardale Railway on Saturday. Chris Lloyd joined the celebrations on the first train on the line. A LONG, loud toot on a whistle stops the applause. The railway has been officially

  • Fire brigades call for school fire sprinkers

    FIRE brigades in the North-East are campaigning for sprinklers to be fitted in all new schools to reduce the number of incidents. Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service, Richard Bull, wants to see water sprinklers included

  • Prices at the auction marts

    BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 511 sheep. Std lambs to 118p av 114.4p; med to 124p av 117.8p; heavy to 120p av 116.4p. Cast sheep: Cont to £40; Suff to £37; Mule to £35. Wed. - Fwd: 670 sheep. Std lambs to 117.9p av 111.2p; med to 120p av 112.8p

  • Couple's wedding runs with military precision

    AN Army veteran swept his bride off her feet in military fashion - on the back of a Second World War Army Jeep, complete with GIs. Former Sergeant David Simpson, 55, married June Donnelly, 46, at the Methodist Church in Chester-le-Street, County Durham

  • £6,000 council tax bombshell for rich

    THE Government confirmed last night that a council tax shake-up could see bills for the most expensive homes almost treble to more than £6,000 - so that charges for poorer households can be cut. But the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister insisted it

  • Artists plan activities for summer

    BUDDING artists are invited to attend an art summer school at the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle this summer. Workshops led by professional artists are available for 12 to 16-year-olds this August, inspired by the exhibition on show at the museum featuring

  • Durham turn the tables in heart-stopping win

    FOR once the boot was on the other foot yesterday as Durham's full-strength team pulled off a thrilling win against a Middlesex side without any overseas players. In easily the best one-day game at Riverside this season, Durham had to survive some heart-stopping

  • Councillor criticises assembly choice

    A senior councillor has criticised calls for Durham City to be the home of a North-East regional assembly. Coun David Wright, of Alnwick District Council, said he was opposed to the concept of an assembly but insisted that if there were to be one, it

  • Community prize for young singer

    A NINE-YEAR-OLD soprano has won an award for his contribution to the community and his performances with a church choir. Ryan Johnson received the Child in the Community award at Green Gates Primary School's end-of-term assembly, in Redcar, on Friday.

  • Voluntary carers needed

    A BARNARDO'S project is seeking carers for youngsters who have sexually abused other children. Members of the Genesis service aim to provide therapeutic care for youngsters aged between eight and 16. The North-East project is one of only a handful of

  • Yorkshire Diary

    The last thing Phil Jaques did before returning to New South Wales at the weekend was to pick up a cheque for £1,000 which was his reward for finishing up as the second highest scorer in the group stages of the Twenty-20 Cup. Jaques compiled 180 runs

  • Grim message

    MOTORISTS passing through a quiet village at the weekend were given a stark warning about the dangers of countryside roads. Drivers travelling through Middlestone, near Spennymoor, on Friday night were greeted by villager Norman Strongman dressed as the

  • Mother nearer receiving help

    THE mother of a young child suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy is one step closer to having vital adaptation work carried out on her house. Every day Wendy Hepworth, of Rothbury Drive, Darlington, struggles to carry her six-year-old daughter Samantha

  • Children get hooked on big art

    A 5ft sculpture of a fish was unveiled at a Darlington school this week. The sculpture was made by children at St John's CE Primary school, with the help of local actor and storyteller Robin Sellwood as part of Big Arts Week. The sculpture, which was

  • Scheme's collapse -could lower school's standards'

    A COUNCILLOR fears the collapse of a £20m scheme to replace Eastbourne School, in Darlington, will lead to a drop in standards at Hurworth School. Councillor Roderick Burtt, Darlington Borough Councillor for Hurworth said that the collapse of the Church

  • Grim Reaper's message on speed

    MOTORISTS passing through a quiet village at the weekend were given a stark warning about the dangers of countryside roads. Drivers travelling through Middlestone, near Spennymoor, on Friday night were greeted by villager Norman Strongman dressed as the

  • Objections to £3m school over loss of playing fields

    DESIGNS for a £3m school to replace one devastated by fire have hit a stumbling block due to objections concerning loss of playing fields. The plans for Middleton St George Primary School will be considered by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee

  • Meeting set up for safety of village

    FAMILIES in a village cul-de-sac will hold a public meeting tonight in a move to keep their neighbourhood safe. Residents of an estate in Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, are desperate to see plans for a housing development altered so a road is not built

  • Special sale

    HAWES. - Tues. Opening show & sale of ltweight lambs. Fwd: 660 sheep, 2 calves. Lt wt lambs: Cont to 115.3p JM Fawcett & Son, Hawes av 114.7p; Suff to 115.3p LA Booth, Marthwaite av 110.7p; horned to 115.2p PD Marsh, Hurst .Prime lambs std to

  • Talented sporting youngsters receive awards

    GIFTED youngsters from across Hambleton have been awarded cash to help them pursue their chosen sport. Thirty teenagers have been awarded grants under the local authority's Talented Young Sportspeople scheme. They each received a share of £5,000 to help

  • Thousands gather for great day out

    THOUSANDS of people stormed a castle yesterday to take part in one of the region's biggest outdoor events. Starting and finishing at the Bishop of Durham's home, Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, 4,000 walkers took part in the Traidcraft

  • Friends' gathering could become anual event

    NUMBERS are up in more ways than one for a Northallerton school. The second summer ball to be organised by the Friends of Sacred Heart RC Primary attracted more than 50 people - well up on last year. This ties in with school numbers in general having

  • Playing truant for a tan

    Record numbers of children are being taken out of school during term time so partents can avoid paying over the odds for their holidays. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports on a growing trend. GIVEN the choice between paying £2,000 and £1,500 for the

  • Rain or shine . . . show must go on

    THOUSANDS of people converged on the Durham County Show at the weekend. Rain and muddy fields resulted in a fall in the attendance at Herrington Country Park, Penshaw, near Sunderland, on Saturday, but the crowd numbers were boosted when the sun came

  • In training for Olympics

    EIGHT budding journalists, preparing for an Olympic assignment, will meet the British long jump record-holder tomorrow. Pupils from Kings Manor and Hall Garth Schools will meet Middlesbrough-born Chris Tomlinson at the town's Clairville sports stadium

  • Vintage vehicles turn the clock back as rally draws the crowds

    RECORD numbers of visitors and exhibitors attended an historic vehicle rally held at a stately home yesterday. Newby Hall and Gardens, near Ripon, hosted about 1,700 vehicles and thousands of visitors for the Historic Vehicle Rally. As well as cars, the

  • Design team for college is chosen

    WORK is due to start on the design of a 1,000-place college which should be ready to welcome its first pupils in September 2006. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has appointed Aedas Architects, of Huddersfield, to lead the design team for the Freebrough