A 49-YEAR-OLD man will appear before Northallerton Magistrates on Tuesday morning charged with attempted murder. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the appearance was in relation to an alleged incident that occurred in 1985. No further details
MEMBERS of a workingmen's club fled gasping for breath after a noxious gas was suspected to have been sprayed into the premises. Up to 200 people were forced to evacuate the Newbottle Workingmen's Club in Newbottle, near Houghton-le-Spring, after the
Sometimes in this job the boundaries between life and work get a little blurred and that's what happened when I recently underwent past life regression. I volunteered for this for two reasons - firstly, I thought it would make a good feature and secondly
I WAS intrigued to read about the use of honey for healing infected wounds after heart surgery (Echo, Feb 26). The impression given was that this was a new and innovative treatment. However, during my nursing days at Darlington Memorial Hospital
WHAT has gone on at Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution, near Barnard Castle, is a disgrace. Damage said to be estimated at more than £1m, cells destroyed, and the most annoying part of this is that like idiots we will have to repair it. I say
IF you asked the average Englishman the date of St George's Day he couldn't tell you. Now ask an Englishman, or a Scot, or the Welsh, the date of St Patrick's Day and they all would know. It's one of the most celebrated days in the calendar. On
COULD I let Joe Wellthorpe (HAS, Feb 27) know that I am also extremely proud to be British as well as English and that my father fought in Burma underneath the banner of the Union Jack during the Second World War. Mr Wellthorpe's idea of a British
I AM sending this message from Zhuhai, South China, where I live and work as a construction manager. I was raised and spent most of my life in Darlington, I have now lived in China for more than six years. I was appalled to read, via The Northern
HOW nice of Pete Winstanley (HAS, Feb 23) to bring to public notice that BNP members are now smartly dressed and put across reasoned arguments. It was an interesting move then of Nick Griffin to emphasise smart dress, one way to get rid of the
FOR those of us who work shifts there never appears to be much of an issue with congestion on the roads, so I'm not inclined towards the thought of paying to travel on a near-empty road. At the same time, this Government is promoting city regions
ONCE again this country is let down by our supposed European allies. Regardless of the mess in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan must be fought and won. It is a just war. However, when we request extra troops from our European allies to fight in Afghanistan
I AM pleased The Northern Echo is continuing its Don't Stop Dementia Drugs campaign. People with Alzheimer's and their families must be feeling more optimistic, now that the campaign for dementia drugs is escalating. Families like mine, who have
She may be only 5ft tall and far from being an expert skier, but paediatric doctor Beth Cheesebrough has just returned home after skiing to the South Pole. She talks to Women's Editor Sarah Foster. WHEN I make contact with Beth Cheesebrough, she's not
THE invitation came on buff-coloured card: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, requests the pleasure of the company of Peter Barron, for drinks at 11 Downing Street." Well, well. I'd been to Number 10 a couple of times to meet
There are some things you don't want to see and one of them is Matthew Kelly turning his face towards the camera, his lips glistening with fresh blood while more of the red stuff trickles down his chin. If he were still presenting Stars In Their Eyes,
Edward Duncan looks like ignoring all his father's advice in his choice of career. The York University student tells Steve Pratt he's ruled out politics and is considering teaching or acting. When former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith sat down
PLANS to give older people a bigger say in the way their town and services develop will be launched today. Older people from across Middlesbrough will be at the town hall for the launch of Themes For The Future -a ten-year strategy produced by the Older
RESIDENTS have been reminded to move their cars this week because of road resurfacing. Work will get under way in parts of Hartlepool from today, with preparation work being complete by Thursday. Kinbrace Road, Kintra Road, Kirriemuir Road, Kinross Grove
BOOKWORMS have the chance to win a sailing lesson in an initiative to promote reading. Anyone who borrows an item from one of Stockton's libraries between now and Saturday, March 24, will be entered into a free draw to win an introductory sailing session
PEOPLE on Teesside are being encouraged to buy products carrying the Fairtrade mark. The appeal has been issued by the Hartlepool Fairtrade Steering Group to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs until March 11. The Fairtrade concept supports
A RIDING school's bid to build an indoor arena to help disabled people could win planning permission despite opposition from councillors. Derwentside Council's development control committee will be recommended on Thursday to grant conditional approval
UTILITY companies are being warned they could be fined if they do not do enough to safeguard traffic and pedestrians during roadworks. Durham County Council has successfully prosecuted Northern Electric Distribution Ltd (NEDL) and Northern Gas Networks
A FIRM of bailiffs which has not paid a former employee more than £6,000 in compensation could itself be visited by debt collectors. In December, an employment tribunal ruled that Philips Recovery Service, of Darlington, had constructively dismissed
A WOMEN'S centre will celebrate International Women's Week with a drama production its members helped to write. Tonic will be performed by the Open Clasp Women's Theatre Group, for the Bridge Women's Education and Support Centre, Chester-le-Street, to
A SUPERMARKET is inviting customers to meet some of its suppliers and taste their produce. Waitrose, in The Gates shopping centre, Durham City, will hold its Meet the Farmer event on Friday, between 11am and 2pm. It is part of a national drive by the
A DIRECTORY of outlets in County Durham which sell Fairtrade goods is to be launched this week. Fairtrade producers from Nicaragua and Uganda will help promote the directory, which has been compiled by Durham County Council, at an event in County Hall
A NOVICE cyclist is aiming to ride 440 miles to raise £10,000 for a cancer charity. Richard Peak, 36, of the Helmsley Group, is taking part in the Irish Cycle Challenge. He will ride the full length of Ireland from its most northerly point, Malin Head
A COUNCIL renowned for its low council tax is levying an increase just under the Government's five per cent capping limit. From next month, Labour-run Chester-le-Street District Council will take an extra 4.8 per cent from residents for its share of the
THE Minister for Social Exclusion faced 70 constituents desperate to tame teenage tearaways at the weekend. Hilary Armstrong, who is also MP for North-West Durham, joined a panel of police and councillors at a public meeting discussing the menace of rowdy
A NEW coffee shop in Bishop Auckland's Newgate Centre will be good for business in the town, councillors have heard. The development control committee gave planning permission for a cafe in the mall, even though it conflicted with the local plan. Liberal
STARGAZERS have been given £10,000 to build an observatory at Ripon Grammar School. The Old Riponians' Association has been granted the funding by the National Lottery's Awards for All. The group, made up of former grammar school pupils, wants the observatory
A TEENAGE boy has described finding the body of a young woman only yards from his home. Aron Spencer, 13, was playing with his friends in Stockton on Saturday night when he noticed the dark-haired woman lying on the ground. He tried to give her the kiss
EXTRA trains will ferry passengers to an Easter food festival, under a sponsorship deal struck with the country's biggest rail operator. Northern Rail is doubling the number of trains running from Darlington to Bishop Auckland on Saturday, April 7, for
A SERIES of classes in traditional crafts is starting later this month. The classes will teach skills such as feltmaking, patchwork, wooden spoons, mats and spinning and weaving start at Howden-le-Wear Community Centre on Wednesday, March 21. They run
MONTHLY advice sessions for pensioners start in Middleton-in-Teesdale this week. Age Concern Durham County is holding the sessions at the offices of UTASS, 1 and 2 Horsemarket, on the first Thursday of every month between 10am and noon. For details,
A DIRECTORY of outlets in County Durham which sell Fairtrade goods is to be launched this week. Fairtrade producers from Nicaragua and Uganda will help launch the directory, which has been compiled by Durham County Council and lists where Fairtrade goods
MORE than a dozen food producers are attending a meet-the- buyer day at a leading hotel. The meeting follows an appeal from the Malmaison Hotel, Leeds, through the Yorkshire Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Head chef John Malia will meet 14
NORTH Yorkshire Police has hit upon an innovative idea to cover the £2m funding shortfall for an increased number of police community support officers (PCSOs). It wants private companies to part-fund them and, in return, they will receive
Darlington Mowden Park 19, Cleckheaton 8. IF MOWDEN are to have Tim Visser available for the rest of the season they will have to persuade the men wearing eight and nine that there are more potent attacking weapons in the side. They had one on Saturday
BARNARD Castle School are going back to Twickenham after coming from behind to beat Wellington College 23-22 on Saturday. No 8 Alex Gray, who was released from England Under 16 training at Solihull to play, crowned the fightback with the decisive try.
England will begin preparations for their RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against France in a familiar position - with an injury cloud hanging over Jonny Wilkinson. The Newcastle fly-half limped out of his team's 38-12 Guinness Premiership defeat at
London Irish 38, Newcastle Falcons 12. London Irish fly-half Shane Geraghty upstaged England's Jonny Wilkinson with 23 points as Newcastle were thrashed by the Exiles. The 20-year-old was included in Brian Ashton's new look England training squad last
PLANS to build 149 houses on a derelict car park look set to be approved after consultation with councillors and residents. The development, at Snipe House Farm, near Hurworth, would include 149 two, three and four-bedroomed houses. Council officers
NORTH-EAST healthcare workers were among thousands across the country demonstrating over the weekend against NHS reforms. At rallies in Darlington, Newcastle and Sunderland, NHS union leaders joined local politicians to voice their anger at the centralisation
BLAYDON and Darlington will spend the next few days pondering what sort of teams to field for their Durham Cup clash at Crow Trees on Saturday. Neither can afford any injuries as Blaydon struggled to stay second in National Three North with a 33-26 home
ELDERLY residents are suffering because Darlington has too few bungalows, according to a local councillor. At a meeting of Darlington Borough Council on Thursday, concerns were raised that the council's Older People's Housing Strategy ignored suggestions
CAMERAS will be used in a County Durham village after a survey revealed that the majority of drivers ignore the 30mph speed limit. The shocking results of the High Coniscliffe traffic survey also showed that each week, 44,196 vehicles travel through the
PATIENTS with mental health conditions are being asked for their views in a survey. North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) has issued a survey to mental health service users to determine how they feel about their treatment and care. The completed
A PENSIONER is hosting her first exhibition with a display of quilts at the Ryedale Folk Museum. Self-taught quilter Emily Gardner, 92, has donated 20 quilts to the museum for the Patchwork exhibition. The museum, at Hutton-le-Hole, near Pickering, is
RICHMONDSHIRE residents are urged to register their vote before the district and parish council elections on May 3. Only people whose names are on the register may vote in the elections, and applications must be submitted by April 18. Anyone who has moved
EARLY figures show that the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, has enjoyed a promising start since its £5m overhaul was completed in December. The soft play area has been particularly popular, with more than 8,000 children using the facility since it opened
Newcastle Eagles were shocked by Plymouth Raiders, who upset home-court advantage and the formbook to win the BBL Trophy. Their 74-65 win on Tyneside gave them their first title in their two-and-a-half seasons in the top flight. American forward Carlton
Jon Lewis has declared himself fit and ready for the challenge of trying to win a place in England's World Cup line-up. The 31-year-old is one of four seamers battling for two places alongside all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in the team for England's tournament
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL THE letter from David and Kate Davies and Tim Hinton-Clifton (HAS, Page 10, Feb 24) questions the future of Darlington Memorial Hospital (DMH). Over the past several years, the clinical position of DMH has been strengthened. Orthopaedic
EXTRA trains will ferry passengers to an Easter food festival, under a sponsorship deal struck with the country's biggest rail operator. Northern Rail is doubling the number of trains running from Darlington to Bishop Auckland on Saturday, April 7, for
WITH his wife due to give birth any day, Jason Gardener proved he is still the undisputed daddy of indoor sprinting yesterday. Gardener, a relay gold medallist at the Athens Olympics, won his fourth consecutive European indoor 60m title in 6.51 - the
At the end of a week in which David Beckham has been touted for an England recall, two of The Northern Echo's sports writers, Paul Fraser and Scott Wilson, debate whether Steve McClaren was right to drop the former skipper in the first place. NO, McCLAREN
A DECADE after last appearing at Wembley for Middlesbrough, Curtis Fleming is hoping for one final swansong in the capital with Billingham Synthonia. The 38-year-old was part of the Boro side that appeared in both the FA and League Cup finals in 1997.
Bishop Auckland's new boss Peter Mulcaster admitted he faces a tough task after watching his new team draw 2-2 with West Allotment on Saturday. Mulcaster, who has managed several Northern League clubs as well as Spennymoor in their UniBond days, has appointed
Wolviston are in with a chance of winning the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup for a third time after reaching the final following a close contest with Birtley Town. The only goal came after 67 minutes when Chris Smith delivered a good cross for Stephen Kilpatrick
West Bromwich Albion 1, Sunderland 2. THE Hawthorns is the highest professional football ground in the country but, on Saturday, Sunderland's players left the home of West Bromwich Albion dreaming of even loftier climes. Goals from Dwight Yorke and Stern
ROY Keane will discover the extent of Carlos Edwards' shoulder injury this morning amid fears that the Sunderland right winger could be forced to miss the rest of the season. Edwards, who has made a significant impression since joining the Black Cats
Newcastle United 0, Middlesbrough 0. AT THE start of the season, the appointments of Glenn Roeder and Gareth Southgate both raised question marks over the necessity of holding the required qualifications to manage in the Premiership. Neither had the UEFA
A TRIUMPH in the 110th Tyne-Tees league derby may have provided supporters from either side with an opportunity to enjoy bragging rights over their North-East neighbours for a season. But for the clubs a win was much more important than that. A victory
KIERON Dyer revealed he lost a wager with a former team-mate after the derby day stalemate. The 28-year-old midfielder made known he placed a bet with one-time United favourite Jonathan Woodgate prior to the Tyne-Tees contest - and lost. "I'll pay up
Bolton Wanderers 1, Blackburn Staniforth 2. Benni McCarthy boosted Blackburn's belated push into European contention - but only after a dramatic twist had brought a dour Lancashire derby to life. The South African kept his cool to fire spot-kicks low
JONATHAN Woodgate believes the race to a UEFA Cup place is still wide open for both clubs after the goalless bore draw at St James' Park. The one point gained did little for either side in their search for European qualification. And other than the clean
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta admits the team have to be prepared for another ''war'' in tomorrow's Champions League clash with Liverpool at Anfield. The club surrendered top spot in the Primera Liga with a 2-1 defeat against Sevilla. That was only
ABOUT 400 runners put their best feet forward at the weekend to help develop sport in an impoverished African country.The 5km fun run in the grounds of Durham University's Graham Sports Centre, at Maiden Castle on Saturday, was held to raise money for
YOUNGSTERS picked up the rhythm at the weekend when Teesside's first academy of music opened.More than 100 children aged six to 11 have signed up for weekly music lessons in Stockton.Under the tuition of Danny Allinson, 20, who runs Blue Square Music,
TWO families are urging a council to remove a controversial road traffic hump after failed attempts to remedy it costing thousands of pounds.Stockton Borough Council has spent an estimated £24,000 twice trying to re-profile the calming measure in Middle
A CONSETT schoolgirl is hoping to be a finalist in a nationwide beauty contest for teenagers.Francesca Gunn, 15, of Shotley Bridge, County Durham, a pupil at St Bede's RC School, Lanchester, is among 22 girls in the 13 to 15-year-old category of Miss
A TEENAGER who refused a double transplant despite a debilitating genetic heart condition has died.Joanne Vincent, 19, was given five months to live when she refused a heart and lung transplant at the age of 12, so she could enjoy what time she had left
EYES turned to the skies across the region at the weekend for one of the most spectacular total lunar eclipses in years.On Saturday night, the Earth passed directly between the moon and the sun and good weather meant the event could be witnessed across
POLICE officers are to turning to pedal power to tackle criminals.North Yorkshire Police has equipped five of its neighbourhood policing teams with new bicycles.They have been deployed in Northallerton, Stokesley, Bedale, Thirsk and Easingwold."Using
PUPILS at a North Yorkshire school have used World Book Day to help pupils who live in Nepal.One aim of World Book Day is to highlight how easy it is for English pupils to get books.So the youngsters at Queen Mary's School, at Topcliffe, near Thirsk,
A NORTH-EAST museum is going full steam ahead with plans to take exhibits on a tour of local schools.Darlington Railway Museum held a Victorian toys and games week earlier this month, and more than 250 pupils from across the borough paid a visit.The sessions
NORTH Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones is backing a local campaign to get a better deal for Third World producers.Chester-le-Street District Council's Fairtrade Steering Group is taking part in the national Fairtrade Fortnight campaign - Change Today, Choose
POLICE are to turning to pedal power to tackle criminals.North Yorkshire Police has shared out new bikes among five neighbourhood policing teams.They have been deployed in Stokesley, Northallerton, Bedale, Thirsk and Easingwold.Seargeant Simon Wilson,
YOUNGSTERS at a North-East school have answered an appeal for help to supply educational material for township schools in South Africa.Teesside Prep and High School, in Eaglescliffe, Teesside, was approached by the Hartlepool-based Huntsman Company, which
A NOVICE angler got the shock of her life as she landed a huge bronze whaler shark on holiday.Grandmother Valerie Carey, of York, reeled in the monster while fishing off Namibia, in south-west Africa.Mrs Carey, 48, battled for two hours to land her 10ft
TELEVISION'S most famous vet is set for a return to the screen.Talks are taking place about making a one-off special of the TV show All Creatures Great and Small.The show is based on the books of North Yorkshire vet Alf Wight, which he wrote under the
CUBS, Scouts and Beavers in Bishop Auckland have been given £950 towards equipment for outdoor activities.The 2nd Bishop Auckland Scout group plans to spend the money buying new tents and orienteering equipment for summer expeditions to celebrate 100
A COUPLE whose family are devoted to music have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.Raymond and Marjorie Evans, from Crook, have seen their children and grandchildren follow Mr Evans into the Bearpark and Esh Colliery Brass Band, near Durham.Two
A NOVICE cyclist is aiming to ride 440 miles to raise £10,000 for a cancer charity.Richard Peak, 36, of the York-based Helmsley Group, is taking part in the Irish Cycle Challenge.He will ride the full length of Ireland from its most northerly point, Malin
YOUNG artists are adding their work to the paintings on display at an open exhibition.The gallery at Greenfield School Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe, displays 79 pieces from 28 different artists.Now, pupils from local schools have been
RESIDENTS are calling for action to stop youths using a town centre road as a racetrack.Locals say drivers are reaching speeds of 60mph through the 20mph zone of St James Green, in Thirsk.They fear the lives of children and elderly people are at risk
A SCHOOL planning a trip to China later this year gave pupils a taste of the country's cooking.Frosterley Community School is planning a trip to Shanghai in October, to meet staff and pupils at its twin, Ai Ju Elementary.In preparation, the school's normal
YOUNG soldiers re-enacted ancient battle scenes at a war games workshop at the weekend.The group of 11 to 15-year-old boys gathered at Stockton Central Library on Saturday morning for their fortnightly meeting of fun and make-believe.Using role play and
NORMAN and Gina Liddle, of Dorset Drive, Darlington, have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.Mr Liddle, born and raised in Darlington, met his wife, who is Italian, when he was stationed in Italy during World War Two.After an 18-month courtship
A COUNCIL has become the first local authority in the UK to receive an award recognising the efficiency of its IT helpdesk.North Yorkshire County Council was awarded the HDI Site Certificate by the Help Desk Institute for its ICT department's helpdesk.The
A MUSIC store which last year announced expansion plans has gone into administration after a failed internet venture.Family-run Williams Music Group employs more than 150 people in stores across the country, including one in the Gateshead Metro Centre
After making two unexpected changes for Saturday's draw with Walsall, Darlington manager Dave Penney explained that his "flexible" squad is enabling him to chop and change his team selection. As well as recalling goalkeeper Sam Russell for the injured
A "DIRTY old man'' molested a woman with learning difficulties within days of a court appearance for touching-schoolgirls. Colin Griffiths, 64, sat next to the woman, in her mid-20s, on a bus, took her by the hand and reached into his trousers. At Durham
USED to high-speed pursuits, police were taken on a more sedate jaunt yesterday when thieves stole a digger and led them on a 13-mile dawdle.The excavator, which at times reached its top speed of about 20mph, was followed through country lanes in North
Billingham Synthonia 1, Bideford 0. AS Billingham Synthonia's players celebrated their passage into the last four of the FA Vase back in the changing room, manager Stuart Coleby headed straight to the centre circle to lay down a bunch of flowers in memory
POLICE community support officers could soon be funded by private companies under controversial plans proposed by a North police force.In a controversial step, North Yorkshire Police says it would offer "enhanced policing services" to organisations sponsoring
AN eight-year-old boy whose family were killed in a horrific car smash has been named by police. Macauley Gilbert, from Hebburn in South Tyneside, was said to be comfortable after undergoing surgery at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough
PARAMEDICS have launched a fundraising appeal to help the eight-year-old boy who lost four members of his family in a road accident.Members of Yorkshire Air Ambulance were so moved by the horror of the accident on the A1 at Catterick at the weekend, they
Hartlepool 3, Herefored United 2. WHILE preparing for his own game, Danny Wilson was afforded the odd moment to watch Saturday's early Premiership action.The Hartlepool boss looked on as Manchester United didn't play anywhere near their best but still
ENGLAND cricket star Liam Plunkett was prepared to put his career on the line by offering his ailing father one of his kidneys.Alan Plunkett, 49, suffers from the potentially life-threatening hereditary condition polycystic kidney disease.His health worsened
Darlington 0, Walsall 0. Six wins and five draws in their last 11 games is title-winning form but despite clawing their way back into play-off contention with a run that matches their longest unbeaten sequence since 1996, Darlington could be forgiven
THE multi-million pound legacy of an 18th Century nobleman and churchman has been safeguarded for future generations by updating records going back hundreds of years.The Land Registry has helped Lord Crewe's Charity with the registration of large swathes
A DOG that spent almost nine months in a rescue centre has won the star role in a stage show.Bruno, now aged about ten, saw off a score of canine competitors from across the region to be named winner of The Northern Echo's Bone Idol contest.He will now
When an ancient coin depicting Anthony and Cleopatra was unveiled, the world was shocked - could Cleopatra really have been so unattractive? And how has she had such a lasting fascination? Women's Editor Sarah Foster finds out. THERE is a fast-expanding
