The North East | Archive | 2003 | December

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Stories for 29 December 2003

Consett,Stanley,Chester Le Street News

Dispute over grass cutting in cemeteries reaches end

A DISPUTE that has seen grass cutting suspended for more than a year in 20 churchyards across north-west Durham looks likely to be resolved.  more...

Eating illness counselling

A CHARITY which offers help to people with eating disorders is to provide more support for women in the Durham and Chester-le-Street areas.  more...

Army salute as soldier wins award

After only 20 weeks in the Army, Private James Lavery of the Logistic Corps has already gained distinction by winning the trophy for best at physical training in his platoon.  more...

Darlington,Newton Aycliffe,Sedgefield,Barnard Castle News

New services mark busy year for libraries

DARLINGTON'S libraries have enjoyed a very busy year year which has seen the introduction of new services and features attracting more members and visitors.  more...

Appeal against rejection of bungalow plan

A PLANNING appeal has been lodged against Darlington Borough Council's decision to refuse permission for a bungalow to be built on the outskirts of the town.  more...

Bureau to cut waiting times

A CITIZENS Advice Bureau is hoping to cut waiting times by extending its opening hours and offering appointments.  more...

Flying start to adult life

A DARLINGTON teenager will celebrate his coming of age with a flight over his home town, thanks to his mother.  more...

Wife fighting to obtain visa for husband

A DARLINGTON woman is facing New Year without her Tunisian husband because the British authorities will not allow him to enter the country.  more...

Durham,East Durham News

Ranger will guide first walk in series

VOLUNTARY Countryside Ranger Steve Shippen will lead a new programme of guided walks in County Durham.  more...

ONE hundred reasons to celebrate a birthday

A CENTENARIAN who says the secret of long life is hard work, marked her big day with family and friends yesterday.  more...

Keeping those New Year's resolutions

A LIFE coach with extensive experience in education, training and personal development will reveal the secret of making resolutions last beyond New Year's Day.   more...

East Cleveland News

'Public is keen on our priory plans'

A GROUP behind plans to develop Gisborough Priory says the public is enthusiastic about its proposals.  more...

Women put £700 in kitty

A group of women have been helping to boost a charity.  more...

A vulture that's hungry for success

BUDDING performer Morticia would win any talons show.  more...

Northallerton,Richmond,Hawes News

Council tax increase likely to be 5.75pc

A PROVISIONAL council tax rise of 5.75 per cent has been set for 2004/5 in North Yorkshire.  more...

Patients use dialysis time to learn skills

DIALYSIS patients are getting to grips with new technology by using their regular treatment sessions to receive computer training.  more...

Village at turning point in its history, says report

A PICTURE postcard village is said to be at a turning point in its history.  more...

Trees are planted to improve recycling

HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to contribute to a tree planting and woodland creation programme.  more...

Plan to preserve historic gateway

TRAFFIC could be banned from travelling beneath an historic monument in a bid to protect it from damage.  more...

Compost scheme judged a success

A SOIL conditioner produced from compost is proving popular with gardeners.  more...

Teesside News

Fundraiser cites jail record after inmates are recalled

A CHARITY director's hopes of bringing Christmas cheer to Romania has been hit by a Home Office wrangle.  more...

Hospital radiographers grin and bare it for fundraising calendar

RADIOGRAPHERS decided to reveal all to raise funds for their hospital.  more...

Warship's crew provides cash for baby unit

A WARSHIP'S crew has provided a hospital's baby unit with a cash boost.  more...

Bosses' hospital tonic

MANAGERS based in the highest office block in the North-East are walking tall after learning they have helped hospital patients.  more...

Teenager earns top apprentice award

A teenage general administrator who chose to learn in the workplace rather than continue into higher education, has been awarded the title Champion Modern Apprentice by the Learning and Skills Council, Tees Valley.  more...

The North East Advertiser

Ambulance link road closed off

LIVES are being put at risk by the closure of an access road for ambulances at one of the region's busiest hospitals, unions have claimed.  more...

Town achievers presented with awards

A BRAVE ten-year-old, who plays for his school football team despite having an artificial leg, has received an award.   more...

Author lends village a wall

A WRITER, world-famous for his Horrible Histories, is helping traditional rural crafts to flourish in his home village.  more...

MP accuses law firm

DURHAM North MP Kevan Jones has accused a law firm of ripping off families claiming cash for miners who died from lung disease.  more...

Stores face action after serving booze to 14-year-olds

THREE shopkeepers in North-West Durham face losing their alcohol licences after selling alcohol to under-age teenagers in a police sting operation.  more...

Holiday closure times

THE Civic Centre in Chester-le-Street closed at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve and will re-open at 8.30am on Friday, January 2.  more...

Two die in crash

A YOUNG man who died when the car he was travelling in careered off a village road was out celebrating his coming of age.  more...

Councillors to get a pay rise

DURHAM county councillors have voted themselves a £1,200 increase in their basic allowance just months after getting a £1,000 rise.  more...

Teacher roars off

A RETIRING teacher bowed out in style as she left the school hall on the back of a Harley Davison.  more...

Councillors to get a pay rise

DURHAM county councillors have voted themselves a £1,200 increase in their basic allowance, just months after getting a £1,000 rise.  more...

MP accuses law firm

DURHAM North MP Kevan Jones has accused a law firm of ripping off families claiming cash for miners who died from lung disease.  more...

Party time for elderly... in school

School pupils invited elderly people from their community for an afternoon of entertainment.   more...

MP accuses law firm

DURHAM North MP Kevan Jones has accused a law firm of ripping off families claiming cash for miners who died from lung disease.  more...

Young players beat the police

POLICE and teenagers braved icy winds on Monday to kick-start a new seven-a-side football tournament.  more...

Choristers sing for thousands

A LITTLE girl took centre stage to perform a symbolic gesture marking the start of the busy Christmas week at Durham Cathedral.  more...

The North East Business

Preparing to lead the way in health and social care

DEBBIE Jones has been appointed acting director of health and social care at Durham County Council.  more...

Canny shoppers saving their cash gifts for sales

NORTH-EAST shoppers have got wise to sales tactics by saving cash in the run-up to Christmas to take advantage of the big reductions in prices afterwards.  more...

Bosses' hospital tonic

MANAGERS based in the highest office block in the North-East are walking tall after learning they have helped hospital patients.  more...

Anger over race track scheme

PLANS to extend York Racecourse to cater for Royal Ascot in 2005 have provoked anger.  more...

The North East Entertainment

Guided tours of abbey

VISITORS to an ancient abbey were yesterday given an insight into the lives of its monks.   more...

Exhibition evokes golden childhood memories

A NEW exhibition will give people the chance to wallow in nostalgia this spring.  more...

College puts on double bill of music

THE world-renowned Northern Sinfonia is to perform in east Durham.  more...

Hard work in the land of the Pharaohs

Top Ten Egypt (BBC2): Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory: After They Were Famous (ITV1): Inside Australia (five); SOME years ago I took what was described, erroneously I discovered, as "a leisurely tour of Egypt".   more...

Pianist makes welcome return

AN award-winning musician will give a concert on Tees-side next month, in a more modulated tempo than when he last appeared.  more...

Public donations give small insight to naval officer's life

THE cramped existence of an officer aboard a Nelson-era British Navy frigate has been brought to life thanks to public donations.  more...

The North East Features

A-Z of resolutions

IT'S the same routine every year. You're fed up and frustrated with the bad habits you've been vowing to shake off for years - so you make some 'New Year Empty Promises,' to please everyone else at the party. These vows are then usually swiftly broken. It is estimated only 14 per cent of Britons stick to their pledges.  more...

29/12/03

SADDAM HUSSEIN: I AGREE that Saddam Hussein should be tried before the courts. However, any such trial should be before an independent, international court where the trial is not driven by revenge, but by truth and justice.  more...

Comment from The Northern Echo: Engage the brain first, PM

IF Prime Minister Tony Blair is to make just one New Year's resolution, it must be to stop exaggerating and to start telling the whole, unvarnished truth.  more...

Change of directions

A New Year is about to begin - so is it time to create a new and more dynamic you? If you feel like you're stuck in a rut, take our quiz to find out what's going wrong and what needs to be done to brighten up your work and social life in 2004  more...

Girls just wanna be thinner

Girls as young as seven are worrying about their weight. In the last of a three-part series on women and body image, Women's Editor Christen Pears finds out it isn't just adults who long to be thin.  more...

Time for a brand new start - and pearly teeth

NEW Year's resolutions. Many, including me, will be thinking about making them around now despite having partly given up on that lifelong yearning to 'lose weight', 'get that dream job' and 'find the perfect partner'.   more...

The North East News

Fears for baby after collision horror

A BABY was fighting for his life last night after a car crashed into his family in a weekend of tragic accidents on the region's roads.  more...

Plans for faster rail service unveiled

TRANSPORT chiefs have unveiled an ambitious vision of the future that could see the North-East served by trams and high-speed trains.  more...

Delight as fund reaches £500,000

THE Macmillan County Durham appeal has topped the half a million pound mark - well ahead of schedule.  more...

Rugby hero Jonny to insure left foot for £10m

GOLDEN boots Jonny Wilkinson is to insure his famous left foot for a staggering £10m.  more...

Venture offers pets a holiday home

A business offering holiday homes for dogs has been set up in the North-East.  more...

North-South divide as butterfly species logged

RESEARCH shows that the large white is the most commonly reported butterfly in Britain's gardens -but not in the North.  more...

Woman undergoes cancer treatment in Mexico

A WOMAN told she has terminal cancer has undergone controversial treatment in Mexico.  more...

'Shabby estate needs Balamory makeover'

A COMMUNITY leader would like to see a North-East estate transformed into a multi-coloured community to brighten the place up.  more...

Couple choose a perfect day to wed

A GULF WAR soldier married his North-East sweetheart on Saturday in a carefully-timed ceremony.  more...

Fire and ice ushers in the New Year

WITH only two days to go to New Year's Eve, part of the region is preparing to celebrate the arrival of 2004 in style.  more...

Motorhome man fights for his life

THE driver of a motorhome, who is believed to have had a heart attack at the wheel in a busy town centre, was in a critical condition last night.  more...

Quakers may return to Feethams

DARLINGTON Football Club could return to its former Feethams ground if administrators believe the move makes financial sense, it emerged last night.  more...

Shearer fails in home battle

Bird-loving footballer Alan Shearer had his neighbour in a flap when he tried to scupper his plans for a dream home.  more...

North rescuer in hunt for Iran survivors

A NORTH grandfather is among the charity workers searching for survivors of the devastating earthquake in Iran.  more...

Weather hampers ferry airlift

A FERRY passenger with suspected meningitis had to be airlifted to hospital in a dramatic North Sea rescue.  more...

Royal visitors - at the double

THE North-East is in for a double royal visit in the New Year, Buckingham Palace has announced.  more...

Echo site will chart N-E music releases

THE Northern Echo's music website, Revolution, is about to launch its own charts.  more...

North-South divide as butterfly species logged

RESEARCH shows that the large white is the most commonly reported butterfly in Britain's gardens -but not in the North.  more...

Club may return to former ground

DARLINGTON Football Club could return to its old Feethams ground if administrators believe the move makes financial sense, it emerged last night.  more...

PM faces Church's wrath over Iraq

A senior church leader last night criticised Prime Minister Tony Blair for not listening to opponents during the war in Iraq.  more...

Driver in court after car hit baby

POLICE have named a man who died on Boxing Day when his car careered off the A167 between Chilton and Ferryhill.  more...

24-hour aid in bid to stop suicides

ROUND-THE-CLOCK help is being offered to people facing mental health problems, in a bid to reduce suicide rates.   more...

Concern growing for missing man

POLICE are growing increasingly concerned for a man with mental health problems who went missing from home on Christmas Day.  more...

Helicopter rescue

A SEA KING RAF helicopter on an exercise on the Yorkshire Coast was diverted to a real rescue.  more...

Warning not to mix drink and drugs at New Years

REVELLERS in the region are being warned not to mix drink and drugs on New Year's Eve.  more...

Scooter craze danger fears

THE latest fad for motorised scooters is proving a headache for police.  more...

Public donations give small insight to naval officer's life

THE cramped existence of an officer aboard a Nelson-era British Navy frigate has been brought to life thanks to public donations.  more...

The North East Sport

Bindaree outstays old rival

In fairytale fashion the 2002 Aintree Grand National hero Bindaree regained the winning thread with a thrilling victory over Sir Rembrandt in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on Saturday.  more...

Quakers stop the rot

Darlington fans may have made yesterday's trip across the A66 to Carlisle with some trepidation, but they will have left Brunton Park wondering what all the fuss was about.  more...

Jonjo to score again

Jonjo O'Neill, who has his team in really good form, has decent prospects of landing the valuable Stan James Mandarin Chase over three miles at Newbury this afternoon with Hardiman.  more...

Albany League: Gowan says Railwaymen are on track for title push

Shildon manager Ray Gowan still believes that his side can mount a title challenge after they thumped West Auckland 5-1 at Dean Street on Saturday.   more...

Hepples romps home in Loftus Poultry Run

Great Britain international Stephen Hepples of Loftus AC won the Loftus Poultry Run, clocking 42.27 for the eight-mile race to win by 16 seconds from Darren Bilton of Leeds City.   more...

Stewart ends the year on high for Wearsiders

WHEN Marcus Stewart scores, Sunderland win. It is little wonder manager Mick McCarthy wants to see more goals from his most experienced striker.  more...

McClaren praises resolve

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren believes ten-man Manchester United yesterday showed the resolve that can carry them to their ninth Premiership title.  more...

McCarthy defends McAteer

MICK McCARTHY last night rubbished a suggestion that Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer avoided being sent off at Rotherham United because he is a 'big name player'.  more...

Matthews turns the tables

Darlington manager David Hodgson last night congratulated striker Lee Matthews on proving his doubters wrong.  more...

Quakers stop the rot with hard-earned point

Darlington fans may have made yesterday's trip across the A66 to Carlisle with some trepidation, but they will have left Brunton Park wondering what all the fuss was about.  more...

Season stutters again as Rovers bag points

IT was a tale of two strikers at St James Park yesterday as Newcastle's stuttering season again faltered in front of their adoring fans.  more...

Fortune favours the ten-man champions

STEVE McCLAREN'S hope that Middlesbrough could extend their proud unbeaten run into the new year was dashed by mentor Sir Alex Ferguson.  more...

Wearside League: Five-star Newton on form

Stokesley SC consolidated second position and did their goals difference a world of good when they put ten past Ferryhill Athletic.   more...

McGrath waits on England

Anthony McGrath is all set to captain Yorkshire again next season, unless he is chosen for England's tour of the West Indies which begins in February and cuts into the first few weeks of the domestic campaign.  more...

Wilkinson injury mars narrow win for Falcons

Jonny Wilkinson was last night undergoing X-rays to determine the extent of the shoulder injury he aggravated in Newcastle's 23-19 Zurich Premiership win over Northampton.  more...

Robson looking forward

A PHILOSOPHICAL Sir Bobby Robson refused to point the blame for defeat at the match officials after seeing his Newcastle side go down to a controversial goal at St James Park yesterday.  more...

Tyneside News

Cancer patients join drug trial

Hospital patients in the North-East will be taking part in a drug trial to try to prevent an aggressive form of gullet cancer.  more...

School spotlight on drug-taking dangers

A SCHOOL pushed the boundaries of the traditional Christmas show by putting on an alternative pantomime that tackled the problems of drug addiction and abuse.  more...

Wear Valley,Bishop Auckland News

Solicitors' firm moves into new HQ

AN expanding firm of Bishop Auckland solicitors is starting the New Year in new offices.  more...

Card design is a winner

TEXTILE student Rebecca Rawlinson came up with the winning design for this Bishop Auckland College Christmas card.  more...

Refuge gives thanks to appeal supporters

FAMILIES and staff at a women's refuge want to thank everyone who has responded to one of its biggest festive appeals.  more...

Homes plan for school grounds

A £5m housing development could transform a former school site in the centre of a dales village.  more...

Wearside News

Professor puts Sure Start under scrutiny

A NORTH-EAST academic has been awarded £140,000 to evaluate the Government's Sure Start programme.  more...

  
Restrict search to 29 December 2003

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