Archive

  • Simple win for Loftus (Cricket)

    Cleveland League TWO SIDES failed to make 50 in division one. Hartlepool Camerons were bowled out for 18 as Smithies and Brown both took four wickets before Loftus went on to win by nine wickets. New Marske faired little better and were dismissed

  • Aycliffe youngsters fly at Harrier meeting (Athletics)

    Newton Aycliffe NEWTON Aycliffe Juniors made a flying start to the track season. Chris Gaffney was first up in the 800m, in his usual style led from the start and quickly opened up a 20m lead after 200m and went through the bell in 62 secs, he

  • Sweet cup revenge for Quinns (Football)

    QUINNS gained revenge over Masons Arms with a 2-0 win to lift the B&A Trophy in their first season in the Jackson Anderson Accounatnts Spennymoor League. Less than a week earlier, Division One side Masons knocked Division Two outfit Quinns out of the

  • On the right track (Football)

    A FOOTBALL team representing a North-East train company got up a head of steam to win a national tournament. The competition, held at the Goals Soccer Centre in Glasgow at the end of last month, saw eight teams representing traffic and travel companies

  • Chester-le-Street go for glory (Youth Football)

    A DURHAM deputy head teacher is hoping to cap off his career by leading his side to glory in a national football competition. After 40 years in the classroom Tom Baker retires in July and hopes to lead Chester-le-Street Under-11 District Schoolboys

  • Putting veg on the menu

    NATIONAL Vegetarian Week is almost upon us and people are being urged to be brave about broccoli and adventurous about asparagus. The Vegetarian Society's promotional week will run from May 22 to 28 and is a bid to dispel the belief that vegetarianism

  • Breakfast clubs for schools get £1,000

    SCHOOLS in County Durham have been handed £1,000 each to help pay for healthy breakfast clubs. Durham County Council's Sure Start programme has given the money to 182 primary and secondary schools. The funding will help pay for breakfast clubs to

  • Town that likes to get fruity

    WHEN it comes to getting fruity, some folk in the region simply can't get enough - unlike their stodgy northern neighbours. The North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate can boast the fourth highest consumption of fresh or dried fruit and vegetables in

  • A chance to have a taste of healthy living

    RESIDENTS of east Durham can enjoy healthy living during a day-long event. Villagers of Haswell will be able to sample breakfast smoothies, try cycling, walking and exercises at the Haswell Community Centre, from 9.30am to 5pm, on Thursday. Those

  • Demand for stricter labels

    FOODS high in fat, sugar or salt are able to make misleading nutritional claims on packaging, consumer groups have warned. Which? is calling on the European Parliament to approve new rules which would tighten up product labelling. It says companies

  • Bowlers present Moxon with selection dilemma for Trent Bridge

    Durham v Middlesex (County Championship) : Day Four DURHAM could face a huge selection dilemma if both Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett are available for the championship match against Nottinghamshire starting at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. The chances

  • Willington extend unbeaten sequence

    WILLINGTON extended their 100 per cent record to five games with a comfortable victory following a low-scoring game at Brandon. The rain-affected wicket made scoring difficult and the leaders were grateful for a half century from Chris Slattery who

  • Burnmoor and Shields' records still intact

    BURNMOOR and South Shields retained their 100 per cent records with wins over Durham City and Philadelphia respectively. With only one draw from the programme, it meant first wins of the seasons for Eppleton, Marsden and Whitburn. South Shields produced

  • Lyons find it difficult

    NEWLY-promoted Hetton Lyons are finding life tough in their new surroundings and they suffered a third successive defeat at South Northumberland, who recorded their first win in three attempts. Although Sean Birbeck and Stuart Walker raised hopes with

  • Blackhall take full advantage

    BLACKHALL, unbeaten in six games, lead the table. Their game was the only one to be played on Saturday but yesterday the fixture with Thornaby was abandoned when the rain returned. The Colliers made a disastrous start and amazingly five of the first

  • Easington bring an end to Silksworth's winning run

    SILKSWORTH were confident of making it three wins on the bounce but Easington rose to the occasion to chalk up a deserved five-wickets victory. The Wearsider's total of 155 was reasonable on the rain-affected pitch and when they gained an early success

  • Marton beat Redcar to secure first victory

    FIVE of the seven games failed to start but Marton beat both the elements and Redcar. They celebrated winning their first game since gaining promotion and did so in style sending the hosts back for a mere 52 runs. Mark Ditchburn, Dan Conway and Rhys

  • Rafique leads run bonanza

    THERE were runs galore at Annfield Plain who despite scoring 272, defeated Ponteland by a margin of just nine runs. New professional Rehan Rafique was in splendid form for the Plain contributing 125, with Graeme Carr (80) and David Maughan (35 not

  • South African Hearle awaits clearance

    Champions Tynedale are hoping for clearance to play South African Philip Hearle in today's Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League game against Leadgate. Their initial application was rejected by the league and they are now awaiting the

  • Davies coup as Durham star joins Richmondshire

    RICHMONDSHIRE have added to the league's array of talented professionals by signing Durham County's Mark Davies. It is a real coup for captain Andy Mollitt, who could not hide his exuberance. He said: "We worked hard during the winter to bring in an

  • Pressure on the batsmen to start South North's revival

    FOR three years, South Northumberland dominated the league and before a ball was bowled they were favourites to clinch a fourth successive championship. But following an ignominious start resulting in two defeats at the hands of Chester-le-Street and

  • Tough times for Newtowners

    IT LOOKS like being another difficult season for Peterlee, who ended second from bottom with four wins during 2005. Three players left for neighbours Horden during the close season and the Newtowners have started with defeats at the hands of champions

  • Double act lead Pool to Hall win

    SRI Lankan Thara Gunarathne and local lad Michael Gough swept Hartlepool to an emphatic victory over Normanby Hall in the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division game at Park Drive on Saturday. It took Pools just 22.3 overs

  • Injured quartet hit RA's chances at Bishop Auckland

    DARLINGTON RA are awaiting fitness checks on a quartet of players for this afternoon's Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division game at Bishop Auckland. Professional Ashar Zaidi, Graeme Hird, Colin Cartwright and Stephen Marr

  • O'Hara leads Kimblesworth to victory

    Shannon O'Hara (80) top-performed in the Kimblesworth total of 206 for nine against Evenwood in The Readers Durham County League. His opposite number Yjoty Yhdav did even better with 84 but Kimblesworth won an exciting game by just three runs as Richard

  • Problems mount up for RA

    THERE was double trouble for Darlington RA in yesterday's Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division game against Guisborough. Not only were they dismissed for a mere 52 runs, but Ashar Zaidi suffered an injury which meant he

  • Dreary draw for Tykes

    Kent v Yorkshire (County Championship) : Day Four AN unbeaten century from Anthony McGrath and 92 from Matthew Wood saved the day for Yorkshire in a dreary draw against Kent at Canterbury on Saturday. McGrath reached 123 off 252 balls with 14 boundaries

  • Kemp wakes up Yorkshire to the threat of yet another defeat

    Kent v Yorkshire (County Championship) : Day Three WATCHING Kent bat was like watching paint dry at Canterbury yesterday until South Africa's big-hitter Jason Kemp launched a late violent assault to put Yorkshire in danger of a third consecutive Championship

  • It's Lehmann's day, but bad news for England skipper

    Kent v Yorkshire (County Championship) : Day Two WHILE Yorkshire's bowlers toiled throughout a wicketless afternoon at Canterbury yesterday, Michael Vaughan ruled himself out of a comeback in next week's Roses match after admitting that he had recently

  • Lehmann and White enjoy game of family fortunes

    Kent v Yorkshire (County Championship) : Day One BROTHERS-IN-LAW Darren Lehmann and Craig White joined forces in a record-breaking stand against Kent at Canterbury yesterday after Yorkshre had slumped to 34 for four on the opening day of the Liverpool

  • Sussex pile more misery on Yorkshire

    Yorkshire v Sussex (County Championship) : Day Four YORKSHIRE were left still searching for their first Championship win of the season after Sussex took only 50 minutes on the final day to canter to a five-wicket victory at Headingley on Saturday.

  • Rana's magnificent seven puts Yorkshire on the rack

    Yorkshire v Sussex (County Championship) : Day Three PAKISTANI pace ace Rana Naved-ulHassan destroyed Yorkshire's batting by taking seven for 62 on the third day of the Championship match at Headingley yesterday. The former Pudsey Congs fast bowler's

  • Bowlers present Moxon with selection dilemma for Trent Bridge

    DURHAM could face a huge selection dilemma if both Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett are available for the championship match against Nottinghamshire starting at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. The chances are that England will want Harmison to replace Plunkett

  • Roeder will sanction Milner sale to boost transfer kitty

    GLENN Roeder will launch a mass summer clear-out this week by sanctioning the £3m sale of James Milner to Aston Villa. Roeder, who will be officially unveiled as Newcastle's permanent manager tomorrow, is ready to give Villa boss David O'Leary the go-ahead

  • Easington bring an end to Silksworth's winning run

    The Surridge Sport Durham Coast League: Silksworth were confident of making it three wins on the bounce but Easington rose to the occasion to chalk up a deserved five-wickets victory. The Wearsider's total of 155 was reasonable on the rain-affected pitch

  • Lucky escape as greenhouse blown apart

    A six-year-old boy and his grandfather had a lucky escape at the weekend when a greenhouse was blown apart. The youngster and his 80-year-old grandfather were in the greenhouse when it was shattered by an explosion in a nearby shed. The wooden shed and

  • Activists blamed for fence damage

    ANIMAL rights activists are being blamed after a farmer was left with thousands of pounds worth of damage to miles of fencing. Police are investigating the incident at Thornton Steward, between Bedale and Leyburn, North Yorkshire, where Lewis Booton has

  • 'Samurai sword' victim had planned fresh start

    A YOUNG woman allegedly twice stabbed with a samurai sword then run over as she lay dying had moved home to get a new start, it has been revealed. Carie Burns, 21, moved to Consett, in County Durham, a week ago, from Kendal, in Cumbria. On Friday morning

  • Alonso victory delights the home crowd

    World champion Fernando Alonso scorched to a crushing home win in the Spanish Grand Prix to send a sell-out 130,000 crowd wild in Barcelona yesterday. Alonso received his winner's trophy from King Juan Carlos after a dominant display - but for the blue-shirted

  • Comment from The Northern Echo: Damaging rights cause

    LEWIS Booton, an innocent farmer, is this morning faced with a bill running into several thousands of pounds for damaged fencing carried out by animal rights extremists. His crime? He happens to farm 300 acres next door to a wild boar farm in North Yorkshire

  • 'I did not see anything wrong with killing people'

    Eight years ago this week, Durham Police launched one of their biggest murder investigations after the disappearance of Julie Paterson and the subsequent discovery of her mutilated torso. Reporter Karen Westcott interviewed cannibal killer David Harker

  • Fence fall boy saved - by his footie shirt

    A SCHOOLBOY impaled on a metal fence was saved by his football strip. Arsenal fan John Hough escaped serious injury when he fell on to a 6in metal spike which went into his chest - just missing his vital organs. Despite the 3in tear in his skin, miraculously

  • Gerrard will recharge batteries

    Steven Gerrard promised himself a ''good break'' after his FA Cup Final heroics before unleashing himself on to the World Cup stage. The Liverpool captain scored the two goals that broke West Ham's hearts in Cardiff to take his own tally for the season

  • Dreary draw for Tykes

    An unbeaten century from Anthony McGrath and 92 from Matthew Wood saved the day for Yorkshire in a dreary draw against Kent at Canterbury on Saturday. McGrath reached 123 off 252 balls with 14 boundaries when Yorkshire declared on 263 for two to end the

  • Residents may pay for repairs to green

    RESIDENTS could be asked to help pay for repairs to Hurworth village green. Over recent months, members of Hurworth Parish Council have become concerned over the deteriorating condition of the green. Last Tuesday, the council reported on the areas in

  • A place for dads to play with their children

    A DARLINGTON scheme to encourage dads and male carers to spend more time with their children is celebrating a successful first year. The Saturday SureShots football sessions were set up at the McNay Street Children's Centre to give men a chance to spend

  • Failed test puts cabbie out of a job

    A CABBIE has been left jobless after failing a controversial driving test and being forced to hand over his taxi licence. Joseph Price, from Whitby Way in Darlington, is faced with bills, mortgage repayments and a family to look after and fears that,

  • 60th celebration

    THE Women's Royal British Legion of Consett will celebrate its 60th anniversary at the Consett Rugby Club from 7pm tonight. The event will include a supper and a presentation of awards.

  • Writing competition's call to hopeful authors

    ENTRIES are being sought for a North-East writing competition. Durham County Council's A Novel Approach 2006 Enigma competition invites authors to submit their novels for judging. Writers of any genre can submit the first chapter and the last paragraph

  • 'How I became an epileptic woman'

    Author Ray Robinson was all set to work as a hill shepherd in North Yorkshire until life took an interesting turn. He talks to Lindsay Jennings about growing up with lesbian parents. RAY Robinson has just returned from a reading of his debut novel, Electricity

  • Pupils to turn shed into power station

    A CONSERVATION group is planning to turn a shed into a source of supplying electricity. GCSE and A-level applied science students from Teesdale Comprehensive School will be at the Teesdale Conservation Volunteers (TCV) site in Barnard Castle, conducting

  • Learning centre's gift to air ambulance

    A COMMUNITY learning centre in the heart of Bishop Auckland has raised more than £100 for charity through an open day. Bishop Auckland College's Newgate Community Learning Centre raised £117.10, and donated the money to The Great North Air Ambulance.

  • Seeing pink bunnies turns drinkers into donors

    REVELLERS could be forgiven for thinking they had had one too many when 40 bunny rabbits dressed in pink hit the pubs in a Shildon. The group of women embarked on a marathon pub crawl around the town last month to boost funds for Cancer Research UK and

  • Flexing muscles in hope of making the national team

    A NORTH-EAST pub was the scene of muscle-flexing and posing at the weekend as some of the region's top body-builders competed for a place on the national team. The Walkabout Inn, in Durham, yesterday hosted the World Amateur Bodybuilding Association's

  • Betting on careers in casino industry

    TWO North-East youngsters have hit the career jackpot, training to be dealers at a casino. Sean Robertson and Ruly Haripurnomo are only two of 20 people who are being trained by Aspers Casino, at The Gate in Newcastle, in a range of skills from dealing

  • Businessman attacked thief

    A thief got more than she bargained for after she targeted a successful businessman. The opportunist crook ended up being assaulted after stealing cash from takeaway shop owner Moien Mehra, a court heard. Mehra, 49, had the money in his hand when the

  • Call to town musicians

    THE search is on for performers to take to the stage during a Ferryhill's summer fair. This year's gala will take place on Saturday, August 12, and Sunday, August 13, in the town centre. Singers and musicians are being sought to perform in the marketplace

  • History society to transform chapel into heritage centre

    A RUNDOWN chapel that has been used for storing a council's garden machinery is to be transformed into a local heritage centre. The disused chapel at Duncombe Cemetery, in Ferryhill, will be converted and run by members of Ferryhill History Society. The

  • Expansion of care home gets go-ahead

    A PROPOSED extension to a care home is not over development, but a greatly need service locally, councillors have decided. Planners at the North York Moors National Park Authority recommended that an application by European Care Limited to increase the

  • Exciting times ahead, say tourism partners

    A NEW tourism partnership has been set up to boost North Yorkshire's holiday industry. The Moors and Coast Area Tourism Partnership (ATP) is aimed at attracting more visitor to Ryedale, Scarborough, Hambleton and the North York Moors National Park, through

  • Carjack tragedy suspect in court

    A SUSPECTED carjacker accused of killing a grandmother in her sister's stolen car has been remanded in custody. Paul Wales, 47, of Gorst Street, Liverpool, spoke only to confirm his name and address during the hearing at South Tyneside magistrates on

  • Businessman fined for common assault of female thief

    A SNEAK thief got more than she bargained for after she targeted a successful businessman. The opportunist robber ended up being assaulted after stealing cash from takeaway shop owner Moien Mehra, a court heard. Mehra, 49, had the money in his hand when

  • DJ helps pupils to make music

    YOUNGSTERS at a Stockton school became songwriters for a day when they took part in music workshops. More than 20 pupils at Bishopsgarth School expressed their creative flair under the guidance of North-East DJ and music producer Nicola Zena Lumley. One

  • Guiseppe was no ordinary Joe

    NO ORDINARY Joe, though that's how he was born in Darlington back in the winter of 1945, Giuseppe Wilson played long for Lazio and was three times capped by Italy. Last Friday's column recalled as much following a piece in an Italian football magazine

  • When breast is best...

    A CAMPAIGN has been launched to promote breast feeding in County Durham. The strategy has been developed by the six Primary Care Trusts (PCT) across County Durham and Darlington. Experts claim that breastfeeding for the first six months can make a major

  • From The Editor's Chair: A cocktail of sexual indiscretions

    SEX sells newspapers. That's why juicy affairs or tittle-tattle about the love lives of talentless Big Brother winners dominate the front pages of the biggest selling nationals. The Northern Echo doesn't ignore sex but tries to keep it in perspective.

  • Music to raise charity funds

    FUNDRAISERS from a north Durham community are getting ready to stage an evening of musical entertainment to raise money for charity. The event, organised by Cancer Research UK's Neville's Cross fundraising committee, will be held at Durham's Gala Theatre

  • Police renew missing woman appeal

    POLICE have renewed their appeal for a missing mother-of-two to get in contact with them as they widened their search. Jeanette Nixon, 27, of Yarm Road, Darlington has not been seen for more than a week after she left a pub at 11pm last Monday (May 8)

  • Silver lining as corps launches 21st festival

    SOLDIERS were on parade and their regimental silverware was on display at the weekend as the 21st year of Ripon Festival got under way. The annual Ripon Weekend celebrations, which signal the start of a series of festival events over the summer months

  • Bigger venue for youth festival

    A YOUTH festival is celebrating its third year of success by moving to a larger venue. The Ryedale Youth Fest draws on the skills of local young people who will perform on stage and run workshops as part of the six-hour event on July 2. Organised by Ryedale's

  • Hall to revise proposed plan

    A GRADE II-listed hall used as a hotel and micro brewery wants to boost its operations. Pinchinthorpe Hall is subject to a plan to extend it and create a tea room, larger letting area and conference facilities. It has collected support from Guisborough

  • Sweepstake packs launched

    A HOSPICE has launched a World Cup sweepstake to raise much-needed funds. St Catherine's Hospice, in Scarborough, is providing special sweepstake packs to businesses, pubs, schools and church groups. Players can randomly pick teams for a £1 stake. The

  • Sports galore in half-term

    ACTION-PACKED sports days are planned for youngsters during the half-term holiday. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's sports development team is offering the choice of three multi-sports days or two-day tennis camps for eight to 16-year-olds. The

  • Centre's leisure facilities are needed says developer

    THE man behind plans for a sport and leisure centre on a Teesside estate has hit back at criticism from a residents' group set up to fight the scheme. Scott Leisure has applied for planning permission to build a Mister Twister's centre on land on the

  • How to help marine life? Build an island!

    ANGLERS have helped to turn a pond into a nature reserve. Charlton's Pond, in Billingham, Teesside, has undergone a facelift over the past year, thanks to volunteers from Billingham Angling Club and funding from Onyx Environmental Trust. The volunteers

  • Rafique leads run bonanza

    Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: There were runs galore at Annfield Plain who despite scoring 272, defeated Ponteland by a margin of just nine runs. New professional Rehan Rafique was in splendid form for the Plain contributing 125,

  • French property highlighted

    PEOPLE looking for French properties are invited to a free exhibition. The event will take place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, from Friday to Sunday. Organised by French Property News, it will highlight thousands of properties in France

  • Tottenham poised to move for Alnwick

    TOTTENHAM boss Martin Jol is hoping to exploit Sunderland's current financial uncertainty by tabling a cut-price offer for teenage goalkeeper Ben Alnwick. But, with third-choice stopper Joe Murphy having been allowed to sign a two-year contract at Scunthorpe

  • Samurai accused in court

    A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a woman who was twice stabbed with a Samurai sword and run over by a car. Hugh Bradford Penrose, 36, of Thomas Street, Blackhill, Consett appeared before Derwentside magistrates today. He was accused of

  • Staff absences costing region £1.2bn a year

    WORKPLACE absence cost the North-East about £1.2bn last year, a report reveals. The annual CBI/AXA absence survey based its findings on an average cost per employee of £531 a year. The indirect costs are £600m and increasing year-on-year. The figures,

  • Lyons find it difficult

    Northern Rock ECB North East Regional Premier League: Newly-promoted Hetton Lyons are finding life tough in their new surroundings and they suffered a third successive defeat at South Northumberland, who recorded their first win in three attempts. Although

  • Marton beat Redcar to secure first victory

    Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Five of the seven games failed to start but Marton beat both the elements and Redcar. They celebrated winning their first game since gaining promotion and did so in style sending the hosts

  • Wright: I will bounce back

    CROOK fighter Nigel Wright has insisted he will bounce back from Friday night's surprise defeat to new British light welterweight champion Lenny Dawes, writes Scott Wilson. Wright, who was ABA champion at the same weight in 1998 and 2000, lost a 117-111

  • Boateng left out of Dutch squad

    GEORGE Boateng has paid a heavy price for his sub-standard showing in last week's UEFA Cup final after Marco Van Basten axed the Middlesbrough midfielder from Holland's World Cup squad. Van Basten, the Dutch national coach, watched Boateng in action on

  • Burnmoor and Shields' records still intact

    Foster's Durham Senior League: Burnmoor and South Shields retained their 100 per cent records with wins over Durham City and Philadelphia respectively. With only one draw from the programme, it meant first wins of the seasons for Eppleton, Marsden and

  • Festivals celebrate the best of region's beauty

    FIFTY years after Britain designated the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in Wales, three festivals are celebrating environmental protection in the spectacular North Pennine hills. The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB)

  • Legends back charity bid to fight cancer

    Soccer legends Malcolm Macdonald, Eric Gates and Bernie Slaven are urging football fans to back the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. The former Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough stars will be kitted out in red and white Bobby Moore Fund

  • France looking to shine at Redcar

    PROMISING young apprentice jockey Suzzanne France has the chance to showcase her skills aboard Kudbeme (4.20) at Redcar this afternoon. France, who was seen to good effect booting home Dium Mac at Newcastle last week, partners the four-year-old filly

  • Attacks 'will not stop Iraq mission'

    The deaths of two British soldiers in a roadside bomb attack will not divert efforts to rebuild Iraq, defence chiefs promised last night. Secretary of State Des Browne said the loss of seven British servicemen and women in the past week was "very tragic

  • Father-of-seven dies after trying to break up brawl

    A MARRIED father-of-seven died after trying to break up a brawl in a social club. John Lathan, 64, who was known as Jack or Jackie, died in hospital from injuries sustained on Saturday night at the Roseworth Community and Social Club, in Junction Road

  • Where are Julie's missing remains?

    CANNIBAL killer David Harker is to be visited by detectives for the first time since he was convicted of mutilating a mother-of-four, The Northern Echo can reveal. One of the detectives who led the investigation into the killing of Julie Paterson, whose

  • Lehmann and White edge Tykes to victory in thriller

    A thrilling match full of twists and turns ended with victory by two runs to Yorkshire over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road yesterday in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy. Rarely, if ever, have Yorkshire been involved in a one-day game played at such

  • Mother wins £5m claim for disabled child

    A mother's 30-year struggle for compensation after blunders in a Tyneside Hospital left her daughter facing a lifetime of acute disability ended today as she finalised a £5 million settlement of her case. Zoe Marie Blair was born on February 12 1974,

  • Thousands inspired to take part in race for cancer funds

    THREE thousand women, including cancer survivors and women running in memory or celebration of loved ones, pulled on their trainers for charity yesterday. Together, the runners at Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, were aiming to raise £200,000 to support

  • Man dies trying to break up brawl

    A MARRIED father-of-seven died after trying to break up a brawl in a social club. John Lathan, 64, who was known as Jack or Jackie, died in hospital from injuries sustained on Saturday night at the Roseworth Community and Social Club, in Junction Road

  • Whitehaven have edge

    Wearside League: Although Stokesley SC defeated Cleator Moor Celtic, their chances of clinching the championship receded as leaders Whitehaven enjoyed a ten-goal romp. The sides both have three games to play but Whitehaven enjoy a four-points lead and

  • Lucky escape as greenhouse blown apart

    A six-year-old boy and his grandfather had a lucky escape at the weekend when a greenhouse was blown apart. The youngster and his 80-year-old grandfather were in the greenhouse when it was shattered by an explosion in a nearby shed. The wooden shed and

  • Taster courses

    A HOST of taster courses will celebrate Adult Learners Week, from May 20 to 26. Hartlepool's libraries have organised a range of free events, including how to use library online resources, holiday language courses in Spanish, crosswords and family history

  • Heart attack victim's 140-mile charity ride

    A YEAR after suffering a heart attack, a 44-year-old man has completed a charity bike ride in aid of the hospital ward that nursed him back to health. Truck driver Kevin Bostock, from Trimdon Village, rode the 140-mile coast-to-coast bike ride from Whitehaven

  • Dog found impaled on fence at cemetery

    A DOG that had to be rescued after becoming impaled on a metal fence was last night being nursed back to health. The black and tan lurcher dog was trapped on the iron railings for more than an hour before it was freed by firefighters and a vet. Police

  • Searching for the best real ale in the region?

    THE Darlington branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has published its first full guide for drinkers in the area for several years. The 24-page glossy brochure has been published as a supplement to the CAMRA group's regular newsletter, Darlington

  • Second-time winner of pub of the year award

    THE beer was flowing at a Hartlepool pub this weekend after it was named the cream of the crop by real ale fans. The Causeway, in Stranton, followed up its Cleveland Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Pub of the Season award by taking the Pub of the Year title

  • Courses for footballers

    YOUNG footballers have the chance to take part in a coaching course during their school holidays. Darlington FC's Football in the Community scheme is holding three courses across Darlington and the surrounding area for children of any ability aged between

  • Tyres are the focus of safety initiative

    ILLEGAL and defective tyres will be the focus of attention today during a twin-pronged road safety initiative. Police in the Ryedale area will join a team from the Tyre Industry Council (TIC) to carry out checks and offer advice to motorists. It will

  • Drivers' honesty aids town finances

    The honesty of motorists and a continued boost from market rents is ensuring a healthy financial state of affairs for Masham Parish Council. After recently introducing honesty box parking in the Market Place, the parish council said it had been pleasantly

  • Ex-Labour councillor back as Tory

    A LABOUR councillor who lost her seat on Scarborough Borough Council two weeks before she was due to be come mayor, has been re-elected - as a Conservative. Eileen Vickers, of Osgodby, beat Independent Amanda Robinson by 14 votes in a by-election in the

  • When breast is best...

    A CAMPAIGN has been launched to promote breast feeding in County Durham. The strategy has been developed by the six Primary Care Trusts (PCT) across County Durham and Darlington. Experts claim that breastfeeding for the first six months can make a major

  • £3m water mains project refreshes village's supplies

    A £3M WATER project linking Swaledale villages with the mains supply in neighbouring Wensleydale is expected to be commissioned next month. The project takes Yorkshire Water a step closer to complet-ing a supply grid which has helped to ensure customers

  • Group's new home to be drop-in centre

    A RESIDENTS' group in east Cleveland has been given a base by a local housing association. Coast and Country Housing has provided a home for the residents' association on the Westfield Estate, in Loftus. Based at 12 Westfield Walk, Community House will

  • 'I had a very unhappy childhood'

    Julia Clarke has proved her skill as a children's novelist by joining the likes of J K Rowling in the running for the Carnegie Medal. She talks to Women's Editor Sarah Foster. IT'S a beautiful day when I arrive in Harrogate to interview Julia Clarke.

  • Woman heads housing panel

    A NORTH-EAST housing group has appointed a chairwoman. The Tees Valley Housing Group's advisory panel elected Redcar woman Linda Beel at its annual meeting this month. The panel is made up of 14 tenants and is used as a consultation group to help review

  • Planters to bring colour to town centre

    NEW planters are being installed as part of Darlington's £6.5m Pedestrian Heart scheme to create a town centre full of flowers. Five long planters will form a line between High Row and West Row and a curved one will be installed to create a new events

  • Woman, 20, attacked

    DARLINGTON Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a 20-year-old woman was indecently assaulted. The assault happened at the junction of Whinbush Way and Welbeck Avenue, in Darlington, during the early hours of Saturday. The woman had

  • Searching for the best real ale in the region?

    THE Darlington branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has published its first full guide for drinkers in the area for several years. The 24-page glossy brochure has been published as a supplement to the CAMRA group's regular newsletter, Darlington

  • A chance to have a taste of healthy living

    RESIDENTS of east Durham can enjoy healthy living during a day-long event. Villagers of Haswell will be able to sample breakfast smoothies, try cycling, walking and exercises at the Haswell Community Centre, from 9.30am to 5pm, on Thursday. Those attending

  • Football matches pay tribute to Mary

    A CHARITY football tournament held every year in memory of a woman who died from cancer takes place later this month. Hundreds of supporters are expected to take part in the competition on Saturday, May 27, at Langley Park Welfare Football Ground, to

  • Delight at opening today of first section of access road

    AN access road connecting an east Durham town with Sunderland city centre will take a step closer to fruition today. The first section of the Southern Radial Route, stretching between the A1018 roundabout, south of Ryhope, and the Sea View roundabout,

  • Fundraiser gets cancer all-clear

    A RETIRED teacher who has helped raise thousands of pounds for a cancer charity has been given the all-clear from the disease. Mary James is now determined to see her local cancer raise £100,000 fundraising this year. "It will be wonderful if I can celebrate

  • Ecology planting project will be all wet

    WORKERS will be getting their feet wet this week when they plant up an island with wetland flora at an environmentally-friendly business centre on Friday. Staff from Groundwork West Durham, Derwentside primary care trust and other tenants of The Greenhouse

  • Where are Julie's missing remains?

    CANNIBAL killer David Harker is to be visited by detectives for the first time since he was convicted of mutilating a mother-of-four, The Northern Echo can reveal. One of the detectives who led the investigation into the killing of Julie Paterson, whose

  • Delight at opening today of first section of access road

    AN access road connecting an east Durham town with Sunderland city centre will take a step closer to fruition today. The first section of the Southern Radial Route, stretching between the A1018 roundabout, south of Ryhope, and the Sea View roundabout,

  • Major drums up musical interest

    MILITARY music has been a way of life for Bob Meldrum since he joined the Army 31 years ago. The 47-year-old major, from Bedale, has travelled the world in a distinguished banding career, but at the weekend he returned to his old school to share his expertise

  • Durham Diary

    UNLIKE his predecessor, Durham's new president will not be sidetracked by investigating the death of Princess Diana and Premier League bungs. After an association with the club dating back to 1948, Tom Moffat has taken over from Lord Stevens and plans

  • Willington extend unbeaten sequence

    Readers County Durham League: Willington extended their 100 per cent record to five games with a comfortable victory following a low-scoring game at Brandon. The rain-affected wicket made scoring difficult and the leaders were grateful for a half century

  • 15/05/06

    NUCLEAR POWER: IN a few weeks time the Government appears likely to approve the building of new nuclear power stations, conflicting with its last energy review three years ago which concluded that renewable energy and energy efficiency was the way forward

  • Study reveals seal toll on fish

    HUGE numbers of fish are being eaten by seals as they attempt to navigate the Tees Barrage, a pilot study has revealed. The results of the three- week study, designed to test the effectiveness of a so-called "fish pass" at the barrage, have been described

  • Blackhall take full advantage

    Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier Leagie Division One: Blackhall, unbeaten in six games, lead the table. Their game was the only one to be played on Saturday but yesterday the fixture with Thornaby was abandoned when the rain returned. The Colliers

  • Fears as threatened hotel is put on market for £1.75m

    PROTESTORS fighting the closure of a landmark pub fear their hopes of saving it may have been dashed. Less than two months ago, the Save The White Horse group thought they had won a two-year reprieve for the pub and hotel, in Harrowgate Hill, Darlington

  • The Lifeblood Appeal

    AS part of The Northern Echo's lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of donor sessions in the region this week: Monday l Civic Hall, Medomsley Road, Consett, 2pm-7pm l Vane Tempest Social Club, New Drive, Seaham

  • Prior grabs initiative from Tykes

    Yorkshire v Sussex (County Championship) : Day Two A BATTLING century from Matt Prior seized the initiative from Yorkshire, who then lost two quick wickets on the second day of their Championship match against Sussex at Headingley yesterday. Thanks

  • Second time unlucky as Lewis fails to reach deserved century

    Durham v Middlesex (County Championship) : Day Three FOR the second time in his career Jon Lewis yesterday suffered the agony of falling for 99 at Riverside. But unlike the 133-run defeat by Sussex in 2001, he at least had the satisfaction of knowing

  • Onions brings a tear to the eye

    Durham v Middlesex (County Championship) : Day Two IT WAS just as well for Middlesex that Steve Harmison is not playing in their match at Riverside as they appeared to have little stomach for the fight against Durham's four seamers, who were superbly

  • Maher the rock on which Durham base their hopes

    Durham v Middlesex (County Championship) : Day One IN A contest in which both sides have the words Northern Rock printed on their shirts, Durham looked like earning modest returns on the investment made by Jimmy Maher until Phil Mustard and Ottis Gibson

  • Impressive Durham set up a big day at Old Trafford

    Durham v Warwickshire (C & G Trophy) THE stage is set for a crucial C & G Trophy match at Old Trafford next Sunday after Durham yesterday claimed the first of the two big scalps they need from successive games. They continued to look a very well-balanced