The North East | Archive | 2003 | April

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Stories for 16 April 2003

Bishop Auckland,Barnard Castle,Darlington,Durham,East Durham,East Cleveland,Hawes,Newton Aycliffe,No Sport

NON-LEAGUE

Spennymoor moved into second place in the UniBond League First Division after coming from behind to win at Workington last night.  more...

Walker Cup is Walker's aim

Former Durham County champion Richard Walker hopes to strengthen his chances of Walker Cup selection by successfully defending his German title in Cologne next week.  more...

Monument adds weight to Mowden's Cup charge

DARLINGTON'S hopes of emulating Mowden Park's feat of a hat-trick of Durham Cup wins is under threat from their neighbours' greater strength in depth tonight. In a repeat of last year's final, which Darlington won 34-22, the teams clash in a delayed first round tie at Yiewsley Drive, kicking off at 6.30pm.  more...

Corbett a cut above, Maddison

Midfielder Neil Maddison has hailed Darlington loan star Jim Corbett and believes the Blackburn Rovers striker is a class above in the Third Division.  more...

Double derby woe for Bobby

NEWCASTLE United are facing up to the prospect of having both Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert ruled out of the derby with Sunderland.   more...

The Deer stalker

Weighing up which conditions suit which horses the best is the main consideration when it comes to assessing any race.  more...

Double derby woe for Bobby

NEWCASTLE United are facing up to the prospect of having both Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert ruled out of the derby with Sunderland.   more...

Pool on USA trip

Hartlepool United's new youth coach Paul Stephenson is on international duty with his new charges this week.  more...

United get the better of Riverside starlets

MIDDLESBROUGH face an uphill struggle in their bid to lift the FA Youth Cup for the first time after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United last night.  more...

McClaren pleads with fans

Steve McClaren yesterday issued an appeal for fans to back Middlesbrough's ambitious plans to attract more top quality players in the summer and compete for trophies next season.  more...

The Deer stalker

Weighing up which conditions suit which horses the best is the main consideration when it comes to assessing any race.  more...

Monument adds weight to Mowden's Cup charge

DARLINGTON'S hopes of emulating Mowden Park's feat of a hat-trick of Durham Cup wins is under threat from their neighbours' greater strength in depth tonight. In a repeat of last year's final, which Darlington won 34-22, the teams clash in a delayed first round tie at Yiewsley Drive, kicking off at 6.30pm.  more...

Consett,Stanley,Chester Le Street News

A cut above . . .

A STYLIST has proved she is a cut above the rest after being one of ten in the country picked for a scholarship.  more...

Rival fans in football event

FOOTBALL rivalries will be played out by colleagues from a store group's distribution depot at a charity fun event on Saturday.  more...

Riding the length of Britain for charity cash

A CYCLIST is gearing up for a journey from Land's End to John O'Groats.  more...

Darlington,Newton Aycliffe,Sedgefield,Barnard Castle News

Two-year feud led to struggle with neighbour

A NEIGHBOURHOOD feud ended in a struggle after a householder entered his neighbour's home and threatened violence, a court was told yesterday.  more...

Court hearings dealt with by magistrates

The following cases were heard by South Durham magistrates, sitting in Darlington.  more...

Drivers offered help with parking in town

MOTORISTS will be given more information about available parking spaces in Darlington this Easter.  more...

Storytime favourite in school visit

LITERATURE came to life for a group of Darlington schoolchildren when they met one of their favourite characters.   more...

Security stepped up to curb the vandals

SECURITY is being increased at a tourist attraction following a series of attacks by vandals.  more...

Drinkers help egg collection

PUB regulars have had a cracking collection of Easter eggs.  more...

Banned motorist fled from police

A 30-YEAR-OLD man with 20 previous convictions for driving while disqualified was jailed yesterday after admitting more motoring offences.  more...

Man accused of taking vehicle

A NORTH-East teenager has appeared in court accused of taking a car without consent and other driving offences.  more...

Banned motorist fled from police

A 30-YEAR-OLD man with 20 previous convictions for driving while disqualified was jailed yesterday after admitting more motoring offences.  more...

Owners fined £50 after dogs foul streets

FIVE people have been fined £50 for allowing their dogs to foul the streets and parks of Darlington.  more...

Staff want more bank holiday time

MORE than half the area's workforce is demanding extra bank holidays in line with Europe, according to a survey carried out by a Darlington recruitment firm.  more...

Council solicitor takes up chairman's reins

SEDGEFIELD Borough Council solicitor Dennis Hall has been appointed chairman of the Law Society Local Government group.   more...

Refuse collection fines bring angry protestations

HOMEOWNERS have criticised council officials after having fines imposed on them because they put out their rubbish too early.  more...

head

DOCTORS in Spennymoor are gave received a Quality Practice Award from the Royal College of General Practitioners.  more...

Durham,East Durham News

Sandra and team go back in time

FORMER history teacher Sandra Charlton has compiled a fascinating insight into the life and times of her home town.  more...

Last reminders of coal mining are washed away

THE chairman of English Nature has witnessed the transformation of the North-East coastline.  more...

Residents' anger over street work disturbing their sleep

RESIDENTS have called for curbs on overnight working by council contractors, which they claim deprives them of sleep.  more...

Requiem Mass in honour of Margaret

ONE of Ferryhill's oldest residents has died just short of her 101st birthday.  more...

Villagers rally round to restore war memorial

VILLAGERS aged from 16 to 60 in Witton Gilbert, near Durham, rallied round when it was decided the cenotaph in Sacriston Lane was in need of restoration.  more...

Band plays for appeal

A CHARITY appeal concert is to take place at a Pelton school next week.  more...

Funding helps children in class

A FUNDRAISING event has helped two Ferryhill children improve their quality of life at school.  more...

Police bid made for officers' funding

POLICE in County Durham could soon be getting back-up from community support officers.  more...

head

FINANCIAL advice for anyone thinking of entering higher education is to be given at a series of forums.  more...

East Cleveland News

Board meetings end in celebration

A GROUP of youngsters have won their campaign for a skate park.  more...

Heads roll as the daffodil destroyers strike yet again

SWAYING gently in the breeze, nodding their golden heads, caressed by the strong sunshine, the sight of fresh daffodils gladdens the heart at this time of the year.  more...

YOUNGSTERS CLOWN ABOUT while getting fit for fun-run

CHILDREN have the chance to clown about and get fit at the same time during a family fun-run next month.  more...

Northallerton,Richmond,Hawes News

Judge rejects councillor's quarry ban claims

A JUDGE yesterday dismissed a councillor's claim that he was unlawfully banned from a meeting discussing the future of a North-East quarry.   more...

trip back in time for priory visitors

FIFTY years have passed since Mount Grace Priory was first opened to the public - and to celebrate staff have returned to those unsophisticated times, with 1950s-style ticket machines.   more...

Charges dropped in gipsy trial

THE trial of National Gipsy Council president Hughie Smith and his nephew Charlie Smith - charged after police were called to a travellers' site they run in Knaresborough - came to a dramatic halt yesterday with a question mark hanging over North Yorkshire Police's handling of the case.  more...

Dealers praised for their honesty

DEALERS in second-hand goods across North Yorkshire have passed an undercover inspection mounted by trading standards officers to see if they were prepared to buy suspicious property.  more...

Improved summer bus services

IMPROVED bus services on Sundays and bank holidays have been promised over the summer by Dalesbus.  more...

Moped offer to be extended

A SCHEME providing transport so that youngsters living in rural areas can get to work has expanded its service.  more...

Could you give Bambi a home?

BAMBI, a four-year-old cross-breed, is living with an RSPCA volunteer in Richmond, but needs a family to look after her.  more...

Payouts for women in sexual assault claim

A GROUP of women who accused one of the region's leading psychiatrists of sexual assault yesterday received thousands of pounds in an out-of-court settlement.  more...

Author drops in to his local for launch

AUTHOR Jonathan Tulloch marked the launch of his latest novel at the weekend with a visit to his local bookstore in Thirsk.  more...

Teesside News

Area may be used to try out latest anti-crime initiatives

TEESSIDE could lead the way in fighting crime with a range of initiatives designed to tackle drugs and the problems of truancy and unruly behaviour.  more...

Broadcasters take to the air

TWO aspiring radio broadcasters have taken to the airwaves with Hartlepool's latest radio station.  more...

Thugs rob youngsters

A GROUP of school friends have been robbed by three older youths.  more...

£1m plan for huge family fun centre

A PLAN to build a £1.1m indoor children's play centre - the biggest in the country - has been unveiled.  more...

Praise for pensioner who saw off thief

DETECTIVES are hoping the actions of a pensioner who refused to open her door to a trickster will serve as an example to others.  more...

Rape charge

A 34-YEAR-old man appeared in Teesside Crown Court yesterday charged with the rape of an 87-year-old Redcar woman 14 years ago.  more...

Husband cleared of raping lesbian wife

A husband was cleared yesterday of raping his lesbian wife who threw him out and moved in with her gay lover.  more...

DEGREE FOR DENNIS AT 77

GRANDFATHER Dennis Wilson is proof that you are never too old to learn.  more...

Club first to sign up to scheme

AN after-school club in Stockton has become the first in Teesside to join a new national network of clubs for 11 to 16-year-olds.  more...

Easter fun for all at farm

YOUNGSTERS are being invited to take part in a series of events celebrating Easter at a Teesside farm.  more...

Scouts are given award for efforts

SIX Venture Scouts have been honoured by Redcar's Mayor for achieving the movement's highest award - the Queen's Scout award.  more...

Work begins on renovation of defences

WAR historians will be able to check on the progress of work to restore former shoreline defences to their former glory.  more...

Hotel owner seeks 36-room extension

A BUDGET hotel at Teesside International Airport is hoping to double in size, under new plans.  more...

The North East Business

Pipeline sets a green precedent

A pipeline has been commissioned making a direct connection to a treatment works and boosting Tees Valley environment and business.  more...

Market report

LONDON'S benchmark FTSE 100 Index moved closer to the 4000 barrier after taking a positive lead from trading in New York.  more...

Somerfield approach hots up stores takeover fever

Takeover activity in the supermarket sector developed on a second front yesterday after it emerged that Somerfield had received a tentative approach.  more...

Steel plant's new chief forecasts prosperous future

THE man who has saved a crisis-hit North-East steelworks from the industrial scrapheap yesterday pledged a bright new dawn for the 140-year-old plant and its workers.  more...

Mileson's acquisition

SELF-made entrepreneur and former four-minute miler Brooks Mileson yesterday completed the acquisition of LAB Medical and Legal Services for his Albany RTA group, of Peterlee. A seven-figure sum was involved.  more...

Road toll takes the blame  more...

Curran poised for GMB

GMB Northern regional secretary Kevin Curran was last night poised to replace veteran John Edmonds as leader of one of the country's biggest unions.  more...

The North East Features

Would you really want to know when you die?

SO now they can tell you how you will die - but do we really want to know? Gene research is now so advanced that for £600 you can now get a genetic reading on what the future holds. Like palm reading, only more reliable and not so much fun, it can pinpoint your susceptibility to disease.  more...

Can democracy take root in Iraq?

IT was the "big-tent" meeting that really did take place in a big tent. An air-conditioned one, in fact, at an airbase at Ur, birthplace of Abraham, near the southern city of Nasiriyah.  more...

The North East News

Bellamy to face court after -race insult' row

NEWCASTLE United star Craig Bellamy is to appear in court charged with a public order offence arising from an alleged racist incident.  more...

Pioneering minor surgery unit due for launch

TWO specialist GPs have been taken on in a pioneering move to improve public access to minor surgery and skin treatment.  more...

Murdered PC's son a hero just like his dad

The policeman son of murdered PC Keith Blakelock has been officially honoured by his North-East force for bravely tackling a knifeman.  more...

Dinky toy sold for world record price

A Dinky toy lorry achieved a world record price when it was sold by Teesside Auction house Vectis for £12,000 including commission.  more...

£1m plan for huge family fun centre

A PLAN to build a £1.1m indoor children's play centre - the biggest in the country - has been unveiled.  more...

Police sergeant's Cup Final honour

A POLICEMAN who hit the headlines when he ran the line at a Premiership clash while on the sick is to round off the season by officiating in the FA Cup Final.  more...

Horror as -treatable' people are helped to die

The Government is abdicating its responsibilities towards vulnerable members of society by failing to implement laws on assisted suicide, it was claimed yesterday.  more...

Inquisitive foal rescued by firefighters

A WEEK-OLD foal had to rescued by firefighters yesterday after it fell over a river bank.  more...

Funeral of pony and trap driver

THE family of the pony and trap driver killed in a hit-and-run incident are to bury their loved one tomorrow.  more...

Wave of beaches in awards success

TOURISM has received a boost with the announcement that 21 of the region's beaches have been granted a Seaside Award.  more...

Mansion statues damaged after thieves' raid is foiled

irreplaceable statues at a North-East country mansion have been vandalised beyond repair.  more...

Area may be used to try out latest anti-crime initiatives

TEESSIDE could lead the way in fighting crime with a range of initiatives designed to tackle drugs and the problems of truancy and unruly behaviour.  more...

Inquest verdict on Heartbeat car driver

A MAN who died while transporting a vintage car used in the ITV1 series Heartbeat was seen slumped over his steering wheel seconds before he crashed, an inquest heard.  more...

Thieving postman faces jail

A POSTMAN has been warned he is facing a prison sentence for tampering with mail.  more...

Moor blaze

FIREFIGHTERS spent eight hours yesterday battling a large moorland fire at Grosmont, which started by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway line.  more...

Blighted lives of burglar's victims

AN 81-YEAR-old disabled woman whose home was ransacked as she slept has had her life blighted by the crime, a court was told.  more...

Enron sale safeguards jobs

HUNDREDS of jobs have been saved and many more may be brought to the region after a buyer was found for a major Teesside energy company.  more...

Mo is Mrs Motivation

FORMER North-East MP Mo Mowlam is Britain's most motivational political figure.  more...

Race to free 30 entombed by Saddam

FRANTIC Iraqi's were last night battling a race against time after discovering up to 30 people cemented in to an underground vault by Saddam Hussein.  more...

Iraqis draw up a plan to rebuild the country

Free Iraqis last night drew up a 13-point plan to rebuild their country from the rubble of war and decades of totalitarian rule.  more...

Refuse collection fines bring angry protestations

HOMEOWNERS have criticised council officials after having fines imposed on them because they put out their rubbish too early.  more...

Farmers promised animal disposal help

The Government said yesterday it would initially adopt a "light-touch approach" to new regulations banning the burial and burning of dead livestock on farms.  more...

Gifts are sent to soldier in the Gulf

STAFF at a County Durham care home have rallied round to support a colleague's son in the Gulf.  more...

Would you really want to know when you die?

SO now they can tell you how you will die - but do we really want to know? Gene research is now so advanced that for £600 you can now get a genetic reading on what the future holds. Like palm reading, only more reliable and not so much fun, it can pinpoint your susceptibility to disease.  more...

Fewer exams hinted at

The door to fewer compulsory exams was opened by School Standards Minister David Miliband yesterday as he acknowledged that sixth formers faced "a lot of testing".  more...

Kicked into the 21st Century

Vintage TV puppet Muffin The Mule is to make a comeback for his 60th birthday - and will be kicked into the modern era.  more...

Gifts are sent to soldier in the Gulf

STAFF at a County Durham care home have rallied round to support a colleague's son in the Gulf.  more...

Dutch assassin gets 18 years

The man who confessed to killing Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn was jailed for 18 years yesterday for the first political assassination in the Netherlands since the Second World War.  more...

Fire union votes for pay row peace talks

Further fire strikes could not be ruled out last night despite union leaders voting for a compromise in their bitter pay dispute.  more...

Steel pipe crushes workman

A WORKMAN was crushed to death by a steel pipe yesterday.  more...

Police wait to interview knife attack victims

DETECTIVES hope to interview two victims of a knife incident soon.  more...

Don't panic' over flu killer

SENIOR public health doctors are urging people not to panic after it was revealed that suspected cases of the Sars virus are being investigated in the region.  more...

Cancer: Blame the Vikings

Vikings who invaded the northern shores of Britain 1,000 years ago may have left more than reminders of Scandinavian culture, scientists revealed last night.  more...

Staff train to deal with Sars influx

HOSPITALS across the North are taking the precaution of training staff and ordering specialist equipment to deal with any influx of Sars cases.  more...

Thousands flock to retail park

A retail park has attracted about 61,000 shoppers - far more than expected - in its first four trading days.  more...

Man sold illegal fireworks from home

A MAN who illegally sold fireworks to customers from the open kitchen window of his home appeared in court yesterday.  more...

Nutter' threat to Bell and daughter

NORTH-EAST child killer Mary Bell and her daughter should have lifelong anonymity because of the "nutter factor", the High Court was told yesterday.  more...

No gamble on better tests

DESPITE the fact that cervical cancer tests save lives, many women still find the examinations too traumatic and gamble with their own health.  more...

Council leader denies he has been voted out

A COUNCIL leader had denied he has been ousted following a row about an alleged breach of election rules.  more...

Museum gets its own caveman

VISITORS can come face to face with an ancestor from 20,000 years ago at a new museum exhibition.  more...

Director takes up university challenge

A CONSORTIUM of North-East universities is stepping up its efforts to increase the number of people going into higher education, with the appointment of its first executive director.  more...

Caught in a trap, but Elvis is back

BRAVE cat Elvis managed to drag himself into the backyard of an animal lover's home after his leg was caught in a metal trap.  more...

Mother's quest for race in memory of stable girl

A MOTHER is trying to raise more than £1,000 to stage a horse race in memory of her daughter, who was killed three years ago.   more...

Windsor Castle set buzzing

The Queen was amused yesterday when a rival and a swarm of bees took on the British Army.  more...

Garages' green fuel pumps are accurate'

CHECKS have revealed that garages selling a greener vehicle fuel are not conning motorists.  more...

The suffering on both sides of the war was illustrated yesterday.  more...

Getting shellfish together

SCIENTISTS are about to starting a dating agency - for ageing and lovelorn shellfish.  more...

Under starter's orders for charity race day

OUTSIZE jodhpurs and rival football mascots will be vying for glory at one of the most outrageous race meetings of the year.  more...

Village may benefit from homes plan

A VILLAGE is likely to receive thousands of pounds for improvements if a housing estate is built.  more...

100 years of happy motoring

A CAVALCADE of classic cars is coming to the North as part of a celebration of 100 years of British motoring.  more...

Treats in store for our boys in the gulf

A LORRY-LOAD of surprises is on its way to the Gulf from the wives of soldiers serving with the Queen's Dragoon Guards.  more...

The North East, Business

GNER to cut journey times

Rail company GNER has promised to slash train times after completing a £30m three year project to refurbish its high speed fleet.  more...

The North East, News

Mourners pay respects to Marine

Hundreds of mourners gathered today to pay their last respects to a Royal Marine killed in Iraq.  more...

The North East,Barnard Castle News

Residents say farewell to nursing home

Elderly residents who challenged a council decision to close their home through a judicial review have said a final goodbye to their surroundings.  more...

The North East.30 News

Councillor quits the Labour Party

A stay-away councillor has quit the Labour Party.  more...

Tyneside News

Gone for £16,450 - a 19th Century fiver

A 19th Century £5 note from the North-East was sold for more than £16,000 at auction yesterday.  more...

Fish returning to their home lake

DOZENS of fish will be returned to their home waters today after a year's absence - and they could be forgiven for failing to recognise their surroundings.  more...

Big names in music line up for holiday festival

SOME of the biggest names in dance music will have Tyneside bouncing in a major music festival starting this weekend.  more...

Blinking marvel

YOUNGSTERS can see the winking eye of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in action over the Easter holidays.  more...

Wear Valley,Bishop Auckland News

Mourners pay respects to crash victim

MOURNERS packed Westgate Methodist Church in Wear-dale on Monday for the funeral of Graeme Pears, 20, who died in a car accident earlier this month.   more...

Pupils send out safety message

CHILDREN hope to make the streets of their neighbourhood safer by helping produce a road safety leaflet.  more...

Help on offer at arthritis advice day

A SUPPORT group for arthritis sufferers is inviting people to an exercise class and information day as part of arthritis care awareness week.  more...

Audrey proves the perfect foster mother

AUDREY the bull mastiff stepped in to save the day when she adopted 13 newborn puppies after their mother died while giving birth.  more...

Town trails plan takes new look at community's past

A £25,000 windfall will help a south Durham town celebrate its history.  more...

  
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