PLANS for affordable housing worth £9m across Hambleton have been thrown into doubt following a new Government ruling to abolish funding. The termination of the Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG), announced by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott
A VILLAGE post office has been recognised for its commitment to customer care with an award from the Yorkshire Independent Grocers' Association. Kate Ellwood was presented with the award for Best Local Post Office after being nominated by customers in
A VILLAGE post office has been recognised for its commitment to customer care with an award from the Yorkshire Independent Grocers' Association. Kate Ellwood was presented with the award for Best Local Post Office after being nominated by customers in
COUNCILLORS in Darlington are considering introducing a recycling service for cardboard. The council already has a collection service for newspapers, covering 95 per cent of households in the borough. Now the environment scrutiny committee has asked officers
HMS Tyne, the Navy's latest fishery protection vessel, will be visiting the North-East next month. It will be at the Tyne Commission Quay from Monday to Friday, March 3 to 7, before taking up duties.
PEOPLE in Teesdale are being offered support from their local authority in securing more funding to improve facilities in their local community. Residents of what the European funding bodies have classed as targeted wards are eligible for help from their
SAFETY managers at a Teesside power plant have changed their procedures after an explosion killed three workers and maimed one other. An inquest in Teesside heard that the men had been carrying out maintenance work on a transformer at the site in Wilton
A musical event in aid of local charities is to be held at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Bishop Auckland Rotary Club will present a jazz night, featuring The Tees Valley Jazzmen, on Thursday, March 13, from 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £6.50, are available from
COUNTY Durham's special constables will be on the streets in force this weekend to back a recruitment drive. Most of the 100 unpaid officers who support the work of Durham Police will be on patrol from today until Sunday as part of National Special Constabulary
HERE is your starter for ten. What do Darlington and Brooklyn have in common? Long before Posh and Becks decided to name their first-born after the place where he was conceived, the actor William Franklyn and his wife Margot Johns had a similar idea.
A PET parrot was rescued by firemen wearing breathing apparatus after a fridge caused a house fire in South Bank, Middlesbrough. No one was injured in the blaze, but firefighters from Skelton and Guisborough heard the bird's cries as they searched the
A MAN arrested by armed police in a residential area of Darlington has been charged with drink driving and other motoring offences. The 36-year-old man, who has not been named by police, will appear at Darlington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. He was
A FATHER who threatened to kill his schoolboy son was given a suspended prison sentence yesterday. The 50-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted the offence when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court before the Recorder of Middlesbrough
THE North-East gave the railways to the world. How ironic then that our region should now have to look to the other side of the globe to fill a chronic skills shortage affecting the British rail industry. Amec, which has bases in Darlington, Sedgefield
IT was a case of let's go on with the show three times over as a theatre celebrated it's 166th birthday yesterday. Newcastle's Theatre Royal announced it had booked summer musicals Summer Holiday (May 5 to 10), The Blues Brothers (June 30 to July 5) and
The case against David Joynes, 24, of Barden Moor Road, Darlington has been adjourned for a pre-trial review. Mr Joynes is accused of stealing tools from the Alexander-le-Skerne factory in Albert Hill, Darlington, in September. He was given conditional
MEMBERS of a residents' association in Hartlepool are celebrating after receiving a grant of £3,000 from the National Lottery's Awards For All Programme. The grant will allow Brougham Area Residents' Association to buy a computer and accessories including
CUSTOMERS using Redcar train station over the past few weeks may have noticed that its ticket office is now open longer. Arriva Trains Northern, which manages the station and operates train services, has extended the ticket office's weekday opening hours
Preliminary round draw: G. Leggett (Osborne) v T. Crowder (Stanley Empire); G. Wallace (Sherburn Village) v T. Walker (Stanley Empire); J. Lyons (New Hesledon) v C. Dominey (Leadgate); A. Chalmers (Alberta) v K. Cargill (New Hesledon); S. Errington (Stanley
AN intrepid RAF helicopter pilot is preparing for his most daring mission to date - to fly single-handedly around the world in a microlight helicopter. Warrant Officer Barry Jones, who is based at RAF Dishforth, North Yorkshire, is planning the feat,which
A JUDGE banned a man from all licensed premises yesterday as a condition of his bail for an alleged biting attack on a police officer. Terence Stones, 37, was accused of biting the officer on the face and leg in Hartlepool, Teesside Crown Court was told
TAI chi enthusiasts from across the country will take part in a workshop in Sedgefield at the weekend. The workshop, hosted by the Northern School of TaijiQuan (Tai Chi Chuan), has attracted students from Scotland, Cumbria and Derbyshire. The County Durham
A MAN hanged himself with a washing line attached to a garden shed following an argument with his girlfriend, an inquest was told yesterday. The Durham inquest heard that Michael William Dodds, 30, frequently argued with his girlfriend, Sharon Bresner
LOCAL authorities in the North-East and North Yorkshire will share in an estimated £104m a year during the Government's Supporting People programme. The project, which begins on April 1, is a new way of planning and improving housing- related support
A MILITARY band will be in action this weekend at a charity concert that could become an annual event. The Royal Signals Northern Band will perform a two-hour show at the Hambleton Forum, in Northallerton, starting at 7.30pm on Saturday, in support of
ONE of the fastest-growing attractions in North Yorkshire has claimed a new honour. Helmsley Walled Garden has been singled out by the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine and highlighted as its website of the month. The site - at www.helmsleywalledgarden.co.uk
AN elderly man found dead in a pond was last night named as William Murray. The body of the 73-year-old, from Thornaby, was spotted by a passer-by just before noon on Wednesday in a pond near the Stockton Riverside College, Teesdale Park, Thornaby. Police
TWO clothing shop bosses who bought stolen credit cards from a burglar to fake sales in their shops were fined a total of £9,000 yesterday and the burglar was jailed for five years. Bank cards stolen from as far away as Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales
A MIXTURE of music, drama and spiritual reflection will take people on a journey across moorland in the lead up to Easter. A series of walks and events celebrating the spirit of the North York Moors has been organised to run over seven weekends. In a
YOUNGSTERS with special needs can now have all the fun they want in a safe and secure environment. The Ryedale Special Families charity has created a sensory room for children and young people at its base in Old Malton. Yesterday, it was officially opened
NOVICE angler Val Fletcher has stunned the marine world by reeling in a 12ft tropical monster from her favourite spot in a tiny fishing village. Her catch - which weighs two stone more than petite Val - has astounded experts because an oarfish has never
AN award-winning North-East brewery is hoping to reach a new market of customers by selling its beer on-line. Cropton Brewery, in the tiny village of Cropton on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park, has already been inundated with orders
ASPIRING motor sports star James Johnston is busy preparing for a national competition which could put him on the road to stardom. The 12-year-old has won a place in a national competition to find the next generation of racing talent. Stars of Tomorrow
EXPERTS will put safety first on the construction industry's agenda at an awareness day next month. The Health and Safety Executive, together with local businesses, will host the event at Askham Bryan College, near York, on March 11. The executive's local
A DISC parking zone - the first in the county - is one of the main proposals contained in a draft summary outlining major changes to the way traffic is managed in two Teesdale market towns. Launching the document last Friday, David McKnight, chairman
A NEW gas pipeline is to be run underneath the River Skerne to meet the increasing demand from Darlington users. Transco has been awarded a contract worth £1m to construct the 4km pipeline with work starting in May and due to finish in October. The line
MOTORISTS will face more rush-hour misery on one of the region's busiest roads next week. The A167 Durham Road will be subject to lane closures at the Shipcote Lane junction, in Gateshead, from Monday. One third of the road will be closed to maintain
A £30M learning park planned for Darlington will include a university centre, travel agency and food court. Darlington College of Technology wants its new campus to host learning centres that will run in partnership with local businesses and community
The chance to ride on a steam train and take part in children's activities will be among the attractions at a steam weekend in Darlington Railway Centre and Museum. Events take place from 11am to 3pm tomorrow and Sunday. Admission is £2.20 for adults,
Bedale Leisure Centre hosted the Hambleton and Richmondshire Area Schools annual swimming gala last week with Richmond School winning three of the six age categories. Organised by Mr Lee Wasden of Wensleydale School, the championships were judged and
A redundant cement works may have a new future as an Eco-Disneyland with the construction of an environmentally friendly power station. Helen Miller asks the residents of Weardale whether green power holds the key to a prosperous future. Centuries of
THE latest show by comedy playwright John Godber is touring the area next month. Reunion will be staged at the Gala Theatre, Durham, from March 17 to 22. Based on a television gameshow, it features contestant Jack Wesley, who is chosen from the audience
AN ELDERLY couple yesterday described their devastation after bogus callers stole their savings. Two men claiming to be water board officials called at the house in John Reid Road, South Shields, on Wednesday between 12.50pm and 1.20pm. While one kept
PEOPLE in Teesdale are being offered support from their local authority in securing more funding to improve facilities in their community. Residents of what the European funding bodies have classed as "targeted wards" are eligible for help from their
A NORTH-EAST Parliament will not be forced on the region and will only be set up if backed by the voters, a Government minister has said. Lord Rooker said people will not be pushed into backing assemblies at the ballot box, but will make up their minds
VOTES FOR WOMEN: Harry Wynne will give a talk to Sacriston and District Everyman's Club about the Suffragettes, in the lounge of St John's Court, on Tuesday, at 7.30pm. DANCE SKILLS: A demonstration of dance skills will be given by the Bothwick School
NEW funding will allow a team of police officers on trail bikes to begin a full-time crackdown on nuisance motorcyclists next month. The team, based at Peterlee police station, was first set up two years ago with funding from the Community Safety Partnership
A teenager who was caught with Ecstasy tablets has been given a chance to prove himself by a judge. Michael Scott, 19, was stopped by police at a telephone kiosk in South Shields and 55 tablets were found. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Scott told police
YOUNG people chose to go without food for a day as part of a fundraising scheme. The 24-hour famine at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, involving youngsters from Catterick Youth Provision, the Dales Youth Centre and Interface, ended yesterday at 9am
MOBILE PHONE giant Nokia is preparing to go head-to-head with Nintendo for control of the lucrative hand-held gaming market. The Nokia N-Gage had a low key launch, nestled discreetly among the company's range of mobile phones for 2003, but the stakes
A TEENAGER was rescued by firefighters after he became trapped on an island in the middle of a frozen lake. The 13-year-old boy had walked over the icy lake in Darlington and on to the island yesterday afternoon. He became trapped after his friends broke
A TEENAGER terrified a couple on the street when he threatened to stab them for their bottle of cider, a court was told yesterday. They were walking in Kilmarnock Road, Hartlepool, when they were surrounded by a group of youths. Anthony Nelson, 18, asked
A GARAGE owner caught in the Bali bomb blast says British victims should have help from the Government. Ian Stafford, from Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham, suffered serious shrapnel wounds when he was caught in the terrorist bombing at the
CONSERVATIVE leader Iain Duncan Smith told an audience of North-East industrialists yesterday that his party would revive the region's ailing manufacturing economy. Mr Duncan Smith visited flue manufacturer Rite-Vent, on the Crowther industrial estate
A MAN fractured a wine bar doorman's cheekbone after hitting him in the face with a bottle, a court heard yesterday. Callum Wilson, 20, of Westlands Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to wounding John Summerhill in November last year. Darlington Magistrates
Durham and District League: The Durham Light Infantry continued their charge up the league with an impressive odd point win over the visiting Coxhoe WM Club. Chris Bowron and Andrew Morley scored two points each for the home side, with John Niles, Stuart
A NORTHALLERTON speciality food store clearly found the recipe for success at the weekend. For Lewis & Cooper clinched a hat-trick of successes at the first awards ceremony for the Yorkshire Independent Grocers' Association. The event was held at
THE National Farmers' Union has appealed for more flexibility from the Government in the wake of one Dales sheep farmer's battle. Tom Kitching, of Lunds, near Hawes, in North Yorkshire, could lose everything if the Department of the Environment, Food
JOHN Carmichael is bidding for glory at the Chelsea Flower Show after winning £10,000 backing from regional development agency One NorthEast. His first attempt to design a garden for the event passed the rigorous inspection of Royal Horticultural Society
COUNCIL officials are pleading for more aid in an effort to fight back against the continuing decline of two key industries. Leaders of Scarborough Borough Council are to lobby MPs and Government departments to try and win more financial aid from Europe
Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Cubs are invited to get their skates on and head down to Billingham Forum's Ice Arena for an event on Thursday, March 20. The jamboree will be a chance for Scouts and Guides' associations to get together. The jamboree will
Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Cubs are invited to get their skates on and head down to Billingham Forum's Ice Arena for an event on Thursday, March 20. The jamboree will be a chance for Scouts and Guides' associations to get together. The jamboree will
LOCAL rally ace Steve Petch made a winning return to Yorkshire when he claimed his third consecutive victory on last weekend's Kall Kwik National Rally, organised by De Lacy MC and based in Pickering. Having sampled victory for the past two years, as
Chickenpox affects 90 per cent of people and at this time of the year is particularly prevalent. Commonly though of as a mild childhood disease, it now occurs more often in adults and can be dangerous- even fatal. Barry Nelson reports. BACK in 1971, the
February 17: Darlington Snooker A 3, Northgate 1; Darlington Snooker B 3, Darlington Cricket Club 1; Hopetown 4, Darlington Snooker C 0; Railway Inst 3, Railway Athletic 1; JUC B 2, JUC A 2. League - Winners: Railway Institute 52 points; runners-up Darlington
THE first team outing of 2003 for Northallerton Riding Club ended in success at the Area 4 showjumping competition at Honley last month. Three teams were entered in the under-16s, with the most junior team of David Flowers, Laura Flowers, Elizabeth Scott
NORTH-EAST parents are being urged to improve their first aid skills after a survey showed that most would not know how to save their child's life. The research, carried out by Mother and Baby magazine, found that more than eight in ten parents do not
A DREAM of cosy cottages in Great Ayton was described to councillors deciding on a homes scheme. The designer and developer of the project said the application for homes in the Bridge Street area of the village was very close to her heart. "I want to
A HOLE-IN-ONE is the pinnacle of any amateur golfer's career - no matter how long you have to wait for the honour. Testimony to that is Bob Thompson who has been forced to wait longer than most for the privilege - 30 years to be precise. The 67-year-old
Darlington Mowden Park Mowden Under-16s were at Middlesbrough and should have won the match easily, but were thwarted by frequent spoiling play in and around the rucks and mauls by the big Middlesbrough pack. Middlesbrough opened the scoring with a penalty
Sedgefield 75 Sedgefield 75 Under-16 team played Durham University at the City pool in Durham in an entertaining match. Despite being much smaller physically and younger, Sedgefield's talented youngsters dominated the game to win 21-13. Their quick movement
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture CEREAL prices have held on to their recent gains as a frozen Baltic and a generally weaker pound have helped our export potential. For those of you bored with this year's crop trading, harvest 2004 is valued at £60. Oilseed
THE Division One's top four teams all won their games last week to further boost their title hopes. Newton Aycliffe, Old Shildon, Lakeside and Thorns all came out on top with varying results and performances, with fifth-placed Loves also recording a win
Fish skins might not be the first thing to spring to mind when making gorgeous handbags, jewellery and cards, but a North-East designer is making her studio truly the plaice to be. Definitely something fishy going on.... fishy and fashionable and fun.
Without too much fuss Darlington Railway Athletic have surged through the local Saturday afternoon leagues in recent seasons, whilst collecting a tidy haul of trophies in the process. Each promotion to a higher division has brought about a new, and tougher
BOLLIN Eric, winner of last year's St Leger, was judged the "horse that gave the racing public most enjoyment" in the 2002 Flat season by Weatherbys and the Racehorse Owners' Association. Sir Neil and Lady Westbrook, owner-breeders, and trainer Tim Easterby
MIDDLESBROUGH Bears speedway team will be riding at Hull's Craven Park throughout the 2003 season. A deal has been arranged for a four-man junior team to co-exist in a league featuring two teams from Hull and one from Scunthorpe. The teams will race each
Why Romans didn't civilise us after all. ONE day programme-makers might run out of history to reconstruct and re-examine, but that time is far off as long people like Francis Pryor are around. The writer and archaeologist claims an "inspiring and original
Durham County Community Carpet Division One: I Pittington Pld 16, Pts 71; Tudhoe 17, 71; Bowburn 15, 58; Croxdale 16, 58; Hamsteels 15, 45; Ludworth 16, 30; Shincliffe 16, 21; Landsdowne 18, 14. Division Two: Esh Winning 14, 49; Sedgefield b 14m, 47;
Crook and District Kevin Archer consolidated his position as one of the country's top O-45 track athletes by producing two of his best performances last weekend at the British Masters indoor Championships at Kelvin Hall Glasgow. Despite being close to
MICHAEL RICKETTS hopes for a little derby delight for Middlesbrough tomorrow and he wants to score the winning goal. The powerful new Boro striker failed to find the net when he made his first appearance at Liverpool nearly two weeks ago but he is convinced
Grangetown YCC v Lingdale Tavern Lingdale took an early lead when in the second minute Shane Breckon broke through, his shot was stopped by Moore in the Grangetown goal but the resulting loose ball was scrambled in by Dane Breckon. Grangetown almost equalised
WELL, we've all been in stitches over the saga of Becks' brow. You could have knocked me down with a flying bootlace. It's a sign that the two participants in this piece of slapstick have become far more famous than they deserve. Had the same thing happened
Brompton (Northallerton) Brompton Under-16s entertained Darlington Albion in a thrilling cup tie. During the first half Brompton squandered a number of chances but saw some excellent goalkeeping by Brompton's man of the match David Bunn and the teams
A junior football club is set to continue playing in the Sunday league thanks to support from the Teesside Power Fund. The Eston United Junior Football Club has been playing at Teesdock Park for three years but earlier this year the team looked set to
A LOCAL entrepreneur is hoping to launch his new product on the road to success as he enters this year's Spirit of Innovation Awards. Billy Morgan first thought of a cycle helmet incorporating a rear view mirror seven years ago. Now his design, which
At the York Brass Monkey half marathon on January 26, Martin Grainger ran an exceptional race to finish seventh in a time of 1:14.17 and finish second vet. Also, Steve Dauber finished 705th in 1:59.17 accompanied by Jack Mason 706th 1:59.17. In a field
Campaigners have highlighted severe overcrowding at a North-East prison after a woman was found hanged in her cell. Staff at Durham Prison found the 48-year-old, thought to be from the south, hanging from a home made ligature just before midnight yesterday
WELL within living memory, virtually every household in rural areas would possess one or more besoms. Some people called them beezums, while others preferred the alternative pronunciation of bezzums, but these were handmade brooms with long handles tipped
CUMBRIA police officers who manage events at the famous Appleby Horse Fair have offered to speak to councillors in Yarm, where a safety review of spectacular, traditional displays of gipsy horsemanship at the High Street, known as flashing, is underway
Darlington Simply Lasses A very hard pitch and freezing conditions did nothing to deter Darlington Simply Lasses and Norton & Stockton Ancients from another of their fiercely-fought contest. For the first ten minutes there was very little to choose
A SCHOOLGIRL from Thornton-le-Moor, Laura MacArthur, spent a day as a reporter with the Darlington & Stockton Times this week. Her mother bid for the opportunity at an auction of promises which is held every year at the Allertonshire School in Northallerton
Doctors in the region are predicting that a radical reforms package may help to solve the chronic shortage of GPs. But a patient watchdog has expressed fears that the proposed new GP contract will fail to boost the North-East's medical workforce. The
CONDITIONS were icy at Charltons before the Guisborough Motor Club East Yorkshire Centre Trial got started on Sunday, but it soon melted and left the course in a slippery, muddy condition. Run over four laps of ten sections, the appropriately-named Jonathan
Willington League Willington Black Horse Tavern moved six points clear at the top of the table after they edged through their match at Willington Brewer's Droop by the odd point. Willington Black Horse Inn are in second place but have a match in hand,
Yesterday was the second anniversary of the devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Here Douglas Chalmers, regional director of the Country Land and Business Association North-West/North-East, gives his thoughts: FEBRUARY 20 saw the second anniversary
UNCERTAINTY continues to demoralise British agriculture, the tenant farmers' leader said this week. Reg Haydon, addressing the Tenant Farmers' Association annual meeting in London on Tuesday, said the uncertainty that dogged the industry in 2002 was continuing
Bishop Auckland and District CIU Winter Tindale Crescent clinched the captain's dominoes title when Kevin Spensley won his 14th game from 16 in the home game against Evenwood. This leaves them five points clear of Cockton Hill, who only have four matches
WPC Catherine Sedgwick's cat, Pixie, has been named the ultimate survivor in a competition for rescued cats. Thirteen-year-old Pixie is a picture of happiness now, but he was saved from probable death after being used as live bait in an horrific dog fight
Lingfield Point business complex in Darlington has offered a helping hand to one of the town's top young rugby teams by helping purchase new equipment for the club. Thanks to the £1,000 boost, Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Football Club's Under-14s have
FREE-WHEELING Mixsterthetrixster (1.20) has the speed to burn off his rivals from the front in the opening two-mile Handicap Hurdle at Kempton today. One of the original white-knuckle rides, Mixsterthetrixster always takes such a fierce hold of the bit
THE Darlington & Stockton Times was happy to receive some 150-year-old news. John Wilson, who runs his own sporting memorabilia auction company, brought two old D&S Times newspapers into our Priestgate offices, hoping to find them a good home.
NATIVE trees, including oak, beech and ash, are to be planted in the North York Moors National Park to enhance wildlife and replace high-density pine forests. Commondale will have hundreds of trees planted in clumps over 20 acres. Fencing and gates are
Tow Law Bass League Davey Dixon, the singles champion, and John Parkin, the single runner-up, showed that their success was no fluke when they combined to win the League Pairs Championship when they represented Tow Law New Market at Tow Law Cattle Mart
WEST Hartlepool are to rush former Premiership player Jamie Connolly back into their side for tomorrow's rearranged North Division One match at home to Darlington. The powerful centre has just returned from visiting his family in New Zealand but will
Spennymoor are facing a gruelling ten-game spell in April after falling foul of the weather. Moors' games at Stocksbridge and Alfreton have been postponed because of frost in the last week, and that has meant that they will be playing three games in the
I WONDER if Britain's captains of industry will take a tip from Sir Alex Ferguson when next they try to motivate their workforce? We've all heard of the inspirational gurus who suggest walking over burning coals or a weekend on Dartmoor as a way of building
OUR Great North Country Fare campaign, which has been running almost a year now, has demonstrated a big appetite among consumers for good quality local food. All the indications are that demand for locally-produced food is increasing. The number of farmers
WILLIAM Kay, from the tiny village of Moorsholm between Guisborough and Whitby, makes his international rugby debut for Wales under-19s against England at Stradey Park, Llanelli, today. Since he left Yarm School last summer, the 18-year-old law student
Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery admitted that the five times champions were stunned by Billingham Town's win on Saturday. A last minute goal by David Turner gave Town a 5-4 victory which gives them an outside chance of the title, as well as ensuring
Division One Bedale FC 4 v 1 Thornaby FC The top two teams in the first division clashed. After a first half of entertaining football, which brought no change to the score line, five goals were scored in the last 22 minutes of the match. Paul Taite gave
In the basement battle, Stanley Masons Arms pulled three points clear of the bottom spot after recording an odd goal in five home win over fellow strugglers Felling Mulberry. Ian McAllister (2) and Paul Curry were the match winners as the Masons recorded
Ferryhill Athletic manager Mark Fanning enjoyed a double tonic last week! A holiday in Spain was rounded off with the news that his side had reached their first semi final since the club was reformed in 1998. "I was at Malaga Airport last Saturday afternoon
CONSERVATIVE leader Iain Duncan Smith scored an embarrassing own goal yesterday when he praised Newcastle's football prowess to an audience in the heartland of the Geordies' bitter rivals. Mr Duncan Smith, a self-confessed Tottenham Hotspur fan, made
B & H King's H. 5 v 3 The Grenadier Eight goals in this encounter between two of the leagues top clubs but only two names on the scoresheet - Paul Round for the King's Head and Andy Fixter for the Grenadier. Round put the King's Head in front heading
BORDERWAY. - Last Fri, in collective catalogue sale of females in addition to Limousin society sale. Dispersal Briarwood herd for John and Mabel Garthwaite, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, started in 1992. Prices, in gns - Hydesville Penny
COUNCILLORS in Darlington are considering introducing a recycling service for cardboard. The council already has a collection service for newspapers, covering 95 per cent of households in the borough. Now the environment scrutiny committee has asked officers
A COUNCIL tax increase three times the inflation rate has been confirmed by Durham County Council. But householders can take some comfort despite having to pay 9.17 per cent more for services such as education, social work and waste disposal - the rise
A COUNCIL tax increase three times the inflation rate has been confirmed by Durham County Council. But householders can take some comfort despite having to pay 9.17 per cent more for services such as education, social work and waste disposal - the rise
Durham County Under-20s kicked off their County Championship campaign against Lancashire at Horden Welfare RFC and despite a spirited performance they lost 23-0. From the kick-off the big Lancashire forwards tried to exert their authority on the game
The English premiere of Cuban writer Virgillo Piera's play, The Wedding, takes place in Darlington next month. It will be staged at the Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, on March 5 and 6. Tickets are £8, available from (01325) 486555.
A FULL ecological survey of Darlington's South Park will begin next week in preparation for a £3.9m restoration programme. The survey will look at the park's plants, trees and wildlife to ensure that restoration work will not endanger wildlife or habitats
COUNTY Durham's special constables will be on the streets in force this weekend to back a recruitment drive. Most of the 100 unpaid officers who support the work of Durham Police will be on patrol from today until Sunday as part of National Special Constabulary
A PLEA has been made for landowners and farmers to leave some dead and decaying trees and branches where they are. So many are being removed that it is having an impact on wildlife. Now the Forestry Commission has adopted a deadwood policy across all
A COUNCIL tax increase three times the inflation rate has been confirmed by Durham County Council. But householders can take some comfort despite having to pay 9.17 per cent more for services such as education, social work and waste disposal - the rise
A village is to see its playing field transformed into a landscaped recreation area. A scheme to create a park with play equipment and seating at High Grange, near Bishop Auckland, has been approved by Wear Valley District Council's development control
A THREE-YEAR-OLD Dobermann-cross is in need of a new home. Pippa was given to the National Animal Sanctuary Support League in Darlington after her owners' separated. Pauline Wilson, from the support league, said: "Pippa's is a typical story. She is a
A THREE-YEAR-OLD Dobermann-cross is in need of a new home. Pippa was given to the National Animal Sanctuary Support League in Darlington after her owners' separated. Pauline Wilson, from the support league, said: "Pippa's is a typical story. She is a
YOUNG people are working on a number of projects aimed at improving the environment they may have once mistreated. Stockton Borough Council's Care for Your Area Services has teamed up with the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders
THE town that is spearheading a campaign launched by The Northern Echo has joined forces with a national action group. Yesterday, we launched Shopping for a Future, a drive to support the businesses at the heart of communities across south Durham. Traders
A REMOTE dale is to benefit from a £2.5m technology package which could see scores of jobs and business being created. Weardale is among several areas of County Durham which will benefit from a scheme to provide the latest broadband links, allowing residents
AN annual funfair in a pub car park is fast becoming a popular family event. There had not been a fair in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, since the 1970s, until showman Paul Evans revived it two years ago. The carnival will be held in the Iron Horse car
A DUNKIRK veteran and his Aycliffe Angel are celebrating their sapphire wedding anniversary this week. It is 65 years since Wilf and Ella Haygarth, from Church Street, Helmington Row, married at St Paul's Church, Hunwick, near Crook, County Durham. The
A TINY hole-in-the heart baby has been allowed home after pioneering surgery. Francis Pape was so ill when he was born on November 11 that his parents asked for him to be baptised. Ante-natal tests carried out at the James Cook University Hospital, in
A YOUNG boy who was born the same week Boro TV was launched was a guest of honour at their fifth birthday party yesterday. Kristian Upwards was invited to cut the specially-designed cake to celebrate the anniversary of the Middlesbrough FC-dedicated channel
KINDHEARTED shoppers are being conned out of their cash by bogus beggars, say police. Officers are warning the public not to give cash to beggars after finding that 90 per cent of people asking for money on Newcastle streets are not homeless - and can
A teenager has made his first appearance at crown court charged with the murder of a schoolgirl. Thomas Davis, 18, is accused of killing 14-year-old Sarah Robson, whose body was found in a field near her East Cramlington, Northumberland, home on February
SLIMMER Alison Morley shed five stone in weight thanks to inspiring words from her soccer heroes. The 32-year-old had tried every diet in the book and even slogging it out at the gym failed to do the trick. But when Sir Bobby Robson and his Newcastle
A teenager appeared in court yesterday, charged with attempted murder. George William Grigg, 18, of Birtley, Tyne and Wear, is alleged to have assaulted a man in his 50s, who was found with serious head injuries following a fight on waste ground, at about
A WOMAN who smashed a bottle over the head of her former friend during a drunken fight was jailed for 18 months yesterday. Amanda Rough, 21, had been pals with Julie Green before a "stupid falling out" turned them into enemies, Newcastle Crown Court was
A WOMAN who was involved in a four-and-a-half-hour seige was remanded in custody by a judge yesterday. Terrie Twentyman, 36, was arrested at her ex-husband's home in Park Lane, Middlesbrough, by police using CS gas, truncheons and riot shields. She was
A SCHOOL on a North-East housing estate is spreading the multi-cultural message by running an Asian dance class for its pupils. Based at Firthmoor Primary School, Darlington, the course has been singled out as a good example of the region's strong community
POLICE are taking to the road to drive home their message about alcohol awareness next month. Licensing officer John Tugwell will be taking a mobile police unit through Malton, Pickering, Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire. The roadshow aims
ONLINE graphics supplies business Graphics Direct is holding a double celebration - it is the company's fifth anniversary and it has won a contract to supply Hallmark Cards. The deal will see the Knaresborough firm supply graphic materials and equipment
HEALTH services in York have benefited from almost £500,000 thanks to charitable donations in one six-month period. A total of £276,000 was received in donations between March and September last year, a further £100,000 came from legacies, and interest
A MAN has been jailed for four months for drug and driving offences only three weeks after being banned. Neil Chapman, 29, of Roker Terrace, Stockton, pleaded guilty to possession of Ecstasy, driving without insurance, dangerous driving, failing to stop
A DURHAM driving centre has passed a test of its performance with flying colours. BSM's Durham office in Claypath has been judged as the company's top centre in the North-East. It was judged on criteria such as sales of lessons and other teaching material
PET food firm Wagg is expanding its facilities in North Yorkshire, thanks to support from the Bank of Scotland. The bank enabled Wagg Foods to design and construct a £2.1m manufacturing facility, close to its base in Thirsk, which employs 30 people. The
A BISHOP has hit back at critics of church schools, saying they have a tradition of being inclusive rather than exclusive. The Bishop of Knaresborough, the Right Reverend Frank Weston, said the term "faith schools" misleadingly implied an exclusive approach
DETECTIVES are appealing for help in tracking down raiders who stole antiques during a daylight raid at a house in an isolated area. The thieves broke into the detached house at Carthorpe, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, by smashing a rear French window
DISCIPLINARY offences against two Cleveland Police officers will not go ahead for at least another two months, it was confirmed yesterday. A detective sergeant is facing a string of disciplinary offences and a police constable two offences, both of whom
A teenager who was caught with Ecstasy tablets has been given a chance to prove himself by a judge. Michael Scott, 19, was stopped by police at a telephone kiosk in South Shields and 55 tablets were found. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Scott told police
FOOTBALL bosses have blown the whistle on a new sponsorship logo sported by a women's football team. Chester-le-Street Ladies Football Football Club had hoped to raise its profile with new tracksuits, featuring the suggestive title No bollX - words taken
POLICE are tackling youth disorder and related crimes in a Wearside town following an appeal from residents. Community beat managers in Houghton-le-Spring are working with a number of other agencies, including Sunderland City Council and Sunderland Housing
A TEENAGER who declared his undying love for his girlfriend by scratching her name on a police station wall has landed himself in court. Brian Cuthbert, 18, had a long wait inside a Sunderland police station for his partner to be released from custody
A CITY bid to win the European Capital of Culture title has won the backing of its next-door neighbour. Durham County Council is the latest to sign a concordat "Backing the Buzz" to support the Newcastle and Gateshead £100m attempt to beat the challenges
A GREEN space which was to become a football academy could soon be turned into a golf course. Outline planning permission is being sought for a par three, nine-hole course and driving range in Waverdale, Walkergate, in the East End of Newcastle. The site
A FOOTBALL club has helped three apprentice chefs by presenting them with the tools of their trade. In a ceremony at St James' Park, Newcastle United gave Michael Nesworthy, 22, Daniel Paton, 17, and Richard Kell, 17, uniforms and equipment. Nancy Haughey
A TAXI company assistant spoke last night of his horror at being confronted by armed raiders who burst into his small office. Four masked men, armed with a shotgun and a hand gun, escaped with about £1,000 in the robbery at Mac's Taxis, in Sherburn Road
A FULL ecological survey of Darlington's South Park will begin next week in preparation for a £3.9m restoration programme. The survey will look at the park's plants, trees and wildlife to ensure that restoration work will not endanger wildlife or habitats
A teenager who was caught with Ecstasy tablets has been given a chance to prove himself by a judge. Michael Scott, 19, was stopped by police at a telephone kiosk in South Shields and 55 tablets were found. Newcastle Crown Court heard that Scott told police
NEW sheep identification proposals could be the final straw for some farmers. The European Commission wants all sheep to carry two 14-digit ear tags with the numbers checked and recorded every time they are sold and the proposal has caused outrage in
AN ADULT apprenticeship programme is forging a bright future for people working in the North-East's marine and offshore industries. Swan Hunter shipyard is piloting a fast-track apprenticeship programme for adults aged 25 to 40 who want to learn the latest
RESPONSE to introducing a waste recycling scheme in Teesdale has been so overwhelming that extra resources have had to be drafted in to deal with a backlog. The recycling project, which was implemented in parts of the dale at the end of January alongside
Chancellor Gordon Brown received a boost after figures showed Britain's public finances held up last month. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed the public purse recorded a surplus of £11.86bn in January, slightly lower than the £12bn surplus
Industry leaders sounded a fresh note of caution over recovery hopes by reducing growth forecasts for both this year and next. In its quarterly economic forecast, the CBI blamed weak global economic conditions and predicted UK growth would average 2.2
A £40,000 fundraising appeal to provide a bowling club with a new pavilion is starting to gather momentum. The campaign to improve facilities at the Thornton-le-Dale club has now reached the £2,000 mark and is continuing to rise. About £500 was raised
VANDALS have been condemned for causing about £3,000 worth of damage to the development of a children's play area. Work to create the play area at Grayfields in Hartlepool began last week. It is part of a £1.25m revamp of the site, which will also include
It should have been the perfect night out but when Michelle invited her date back for coffee, he raped her in her own home. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. MICHELLE feels guilty, she feels stupid and she feels ashamed. During our interview, she
REUNION: A reunion for former Egglescliffe School pupils born between September 1952 and August 1953 will be held in the Cleveland Bay, Eaglescliffe on September 21, at 7.20pm. For details call (01642) 648130 or (01642) 888354. SPORTS TOUR: Pupils of
ADMINISTRATION costs swallowed up 28pc of the total funding of existing agri-environment schemes, Neil Clarke of Defra told a meeting organised by the North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. Under the proposed schemes, however, administration
THE Stockton Warm Zone has teamed up with Tees Valley Housing Group to provide extra warmth for a group of elderly residents in the town. Cedar House became the first sheltered accommodation complex to be given the Warm Zone treatment. The Government-backed
Puzzled by sporadic bouts of dizziness and nausea, Hayley Gyllenspetz tries a food intolerance test. AFTER a year of not feeling well and refusing to believe that my dizziness and nausea were down to stress, I decided to try a food intolerance test. With
SATISFIED Hartlepool manager Mike Newell has no plans for changes to his title-chasing squad. Pool have won seven of their last nine games and have not tasted defeat since the reversal at Hull City on Boxing Day. That run has seen them extend their lead
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues. Fwd: 349 store cattle. Lim hfr & calf to £900 P & T Raine; incalf cows £540 J&VM Bussey. Lim bulling hfrs £472 J Harland. AA bulling hfrs: £375 J Harland; £315, £250 RL&L Coatsworth & Son. Feeding bulls. - Char
AN INITIATIVE to attract the rare black grouse back in to Coverdale will be launched next week. An illustrated talk on black grouse conservation will be given at the Thwaite Arms, Horsehouse in Coverdale, on Tuesday at 7pm. "Black grouse are a key species
IF YOU are interested in antiques and listening to local radio stations, the chances are that you will have come across David Harper. But as well as earning himself a reputation in the media, Mr Harper, whose middle name is Kingsley, is the managing director
Second round draw: A. Bell (Old Shildon) v N. Smith (Glendale); R. Hodgson (Stanley Empire) v C. Simpson (Cockfield); D. Gardner (Cockfield) v G. Smith (Fishburn); P. Neary (Horden Labour & Trades) v D. Birchall (Fishburn); R. Atkinson (Belmont) v
Northallerton made huge waves at Bedale as they started their 2003 season off with an emphatic victory over Saltburn and Marske, Eston and hosts Bedale, finishing 26 points ahead of their nearest rivals to carry out their first ever Moors league win.
The 13th Annual River Swale Preservation Society Team Masters attracted a colossal 297 competitors to the Middle Swale last Saturday. £2,500 worth of tackle prizes donated by Italian Giants Trabucco and York based distributors Tek Neek added spice to
A CLEVELAND rider wants to thank her family and friends for the support which has helped her qualify her horse for the Northern Winter Dressage Championships. Deborah Carr-Davidson from Foxholm Stud, Norton, has been suffering from a slipped disc in her
NINE-YEAR-OLD Pippa Allen from Stainsby Grange, Thornaby, has been on tremendous form in the last seven days to secure tickets for the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead in July, writes Malcolm Bewsher. Pippa, trained by her parents Paula and
Jacky Gardner from Redcar captured the over-45 women's title in the national championships in Manchester last weekend to improve on the two second places she obtained in the over-40s the two previous years. The Durham and Cleveland player, who was favourite
TENANT farmers have been advised against rushing to end their tenancies - they should sit back and consider how much the tenancy might be worth. That advice was given by Hugh Fell, of George F White, who addressed 200 farmers at a regional Tenant Farmers
MOBILE PHONE giant Nokia is preparing to go head-to-head with Nintendo for control of the lucrative hand-held gaming market. The Nokia N-Gage had a low key launch, nestled discreetly among the company's range of mobile phones for 2003, but the stakes
ENGINEERS are being recruited from as far away as New Zealand to rebuild Britain's beleaguered rail infrastructure, The Northern Echo can reveal. A chronic shortage of skilled railway safety experts has forced bosses to launch a worldwide recruitment
Jacky Gardner, Durham and Cleveland's number two player from Redcar, took the women's Over-45 title at the annual national championships last weekend in Manchester. The county's multi-champion who is employed at the Middlesbrough FE College defeated Kent's
A TRANQUIL corner of Wensleydale has been restored and attracts walkers keen to visit church ruins and old gravestones. Stalling Busk nestles on the slopes near the shoreline of Semerwater in Raydale. Its chapel of ease originates from 1722, but incorporates
Sir, - Coun Arthur Barker of Hambleton District Council is right to threaten to remove re-cycling centres if material is not placed in the bins but left on the ground. (D&S, Feb 14) The problem is not, however, always with those making the effort
THE announcement of the closure of the Firth Moor post office in Darlington was greeted with shock and dismay yesterday. The sub-office, in Brignall Moor Crescent, will be axed next month with the agreement of the present sub-postmaster and following
I WONDER if Britain's captains of industry will take a tip from Sir Alex Ferguson when next they try to motivate their workforce? We've all heard of the inspirational gurus who suggest walking over burning coals or a weekend on Dartmoor as a way of building
Weather fails to stop Nestfield's title push. Another weekend of frost saw another reduced fixture list, with only seven games taking place as the back-log of fixtures continues to grow for most sides. In Division One only one game beat the frost as Nestfield
OWNERS who allow their dogs to foul pavements and open spaces in Richmondshire are finding it a costly business. There has been a tenfold increase in the number of fixed penalty fines issued to those who fail to clean up after their pets. By the end of
A creditable derby game was won by Seaham The Duke 4-2 against Seaham Mallard. Michael Watson had The Duke ahead after ten minutes with a simple tap in. Scott Burns made it 2-0 after 30 minutes with a cracking shot from outside the penalty area. The Mallard
PEOPLE who fought to save a Darlington post office from closure have been told it will definitely shut next month. Hundreds of people in Firthmoor signed a petition opposing the closure of the post office in Brignall Moor Crescent. But Royal Mail announced
Things are starting to get very tight at the top end of the league table. Shildon Elm Road WMC leap-frogged Darlington The Mowden at the top after defeating them 5-1. The hosts gave what was described as a very lacklustre display although the Shildon
RESIDENTS in the Cockerton area of Darlington have been asked to come up with ideas for creating a possible nature reserve. Darlington Borough Council has launched a consultation process to gauge local opinion about proposals for the stretch of the Cocker
Darlington Albion The Under-9s were away to Barnard Castle and won game one 6-1. It was a good all round team performance in which the Albion showed good finishing in front of goal. Goalscorers were D Longstaff (4) and R Lewis (2). Game two saw Albion
WELL, we've all been in stitches over the saga of Becks' brow. You could have knocked me down with a flying bootlace. It's a sign that the two participants in this piece of slapstick have become far more famous than they deserve. Had the same thing happened
Sir, - I am writing on behalf of several owners who keep their horses at Saltburn, in the hope that your readers may be made aware of the current difficulties which we face. At present we are having to spend a greatly increased amount of time riding along
On Sunday Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club in Yiewsley Drive is hosting regional girls' rugby between North East and the West Midlands and both Under-16 and U18 girls will be competing. Anita Blackburn, Mowden Park's Under-16 Girls' secretary, said:
Darlington winger Neil Wainwright is winning his race to be fit in time for Sunday's clash against his former club, Wrexham. The 25-year-old missed last week's draw at Lincoln with a hamstring injury but looks set to make a timely return at the Racecourse
NORTH County Theatre has been working with the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes on an education programme based on evacuees. The project began after a man from the North-East told museum staff about being evacuated from Sunderland to Redmire as a young
WAR ON IRAQ: IF YOU are old enough to have suffered the nightly terror of the bombing of cities as I did in Liverpool and London in 1942-1945, you would have felt very grateful when the United Nations was created. The duty of this body was to prevent
DAVID BELLION last night revealed he is now fully focused on helping Sunderland avoid the drop. The flying Frenchman was the subject of controversy in January as his on-off move to Manchester United fell through. But now Bellion, who went AWOL in France
OUR report about a meeting in Northallerton last week to discuss ideas for an elected regional assembly for Yorkshire was somewhat fortuitous. We only got to hear about it taking place by chance when a member of staff stumbled across a reference to it
Redcar Glazing pulled off an exciting victory over Iceland. Coming back from 1-4 down to win 6-5, Iceland set their stall out to dominate Redcar Glazing and quickly took a two goal lead. Redcar Glazing pulled a goal back only for Iceland to fire in two
RECORDS were smashed last Friday when a Limousin bull made a breed world record price of 55,000gns at the spring sale of bulls in Carlisle. Grahams Samson also hit an all-breeds beef record for Borderway Mart, came from Rob-ert Graham, of Bridge of Allan
JAILED solicitor Jeremy Cave was handcuffed and flanked by two prison guards while in hospital, it was revealed last night. Civil liberties campaigners hit out after discovering that Cave had been cuffed despite suffering a massive heart attack. The former
NORTHALLERTON rider Paul Barker scored a hat-trick of victories at the Osbaldeston Premier Show, near Blackburn. He won the 1.20m open and the ULR Stable Express 1.25m open with Waterford Lad, together with the 1.25m A4 on Jimmy Small's Temple Guess What
INVESTORS searching for alternatives to the increasingly volatile stock market are snapping up cheap properties in the North-East to rent out. The housing market may be slowing in the South and South-East, but according to mortgage lenders in the region
DARLINGTON manager Mick Tait's main concern ahead of Sunday's difficult trip to Wrexham is likely to be a replacement for leading scorer Barry Conlon. The big target man, who scored his 12th goal of the season in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Lincoln City
The heavy overnight frost played havoc with last Saturday's fixtures, only five matches being played. In the premier division Killingworth Arms moved into third spot having won 3-1 against relegation candidates Sunderland Catholic Club. Killingworth had
CHRIS Slater is someone villagers have always been able to tell the time by. But after more than 30 years of winding the church clock in Kirkby Malzeard twice a week, he has eased himself out of a job. His efforts in raising funds to repair and electrify
From this newspaper 100 years ago. - Bedale. Horse in a quagmire. At the beginning of the week, as Mr Conyers Scrope was hunting with the Bedale Hounds and going through a gate at Well, when the gate came against the breast of the horse, causing it to
OnSunday at Gateshead Leisure Centre the Under-15 and Under-19 Durham County Championships took place. In the girls Under-15 events the star was Jennifer Blewitt of Aycliffe who, in the singles, overcame favourites Ruth Mackenzie of Chester-le-Street
Talks aimed at addressing a pensions injustice depriving thousands of North-East miners of millions of pounds face being delayed for at least several months, it has emerged. The Northern Echo reported last month how the Government was facing fresh calls
POLICE in Australia have made a major breakthrough in the hunt for the killer of British backpacker Caroline Stuttle. A man already serving a prison sentence for another offence has been arrested and is being questioned about the death of Caroline, of
A man has appeared in court in Australia charged with the murder of British backpacker Caroline Stuttle. Ian Douglas Previte appeared at Bundaberg Magistrates Court yesterday. The charges against Previte, 30, an inmate at Queensland prison, followed a
THE FUTURISTIC conversion of two traditional stone barns into a business centre, heated by willow grown on his farm, has won farmer Gareth Gaunt a major award. Michael Meacher, the Environment Minister, yesterday visited his Paddock House Farm at Sicklinghall
THE controversial owner of a Great Broughton falcon breeding centre has won planning consent for a residential caravan at his site to be renewed for a year, despite 15 objections and parish council opposition. Dr Mark Robb, of The Stables, attended the
Chester-le-Street Town LEADERS Chester-le-Street Town Juniors recorded their seventh straight league win and their fourth clean sheet in five outings in when they won at Prudhoe Town in the Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League on Saturday afternoon.
Auckland and District EBAC Youth League UCoundon & Leeholme Under-18s won 8-0 away to Newton Aycliffe on Saturday to go top of the Auckland and District EBAC Youth League. Anthony Ross scored a hat trick, the other Coundon goals coming from Chris
Four games survived the cold conditions last weekend with the Under-11s winning away to Brompton 8-1, writes Ben Prosser. Despite going behind in the first minute Richmond managed to achieve their first double of the season when they edged past Brompton
The two White Swan sides met at Crook in the Albert Vickers Cup and Evenwood came out on top. Gary Dowson (2), Chris Gill and Craig Wren were the scorers in a 4-1 win. Darren Deuchars scored the consolation for Crook. Anthony Stewart gave Willington WMC
SIR BOBBY ROBSON has diffused the threat of possible crowd trouble from Leeds United fans still angry at the sale of Jonathan Woodgate by barring the defender from returning to Elland Road tomorrow. With Leeds supporters still fuming over Woodgate's £9m
Sir, - I was delighted to read Harry Mead's excellent and accurate article on the battle for recognition of the continuing existence of the Ridings of Yorkshire (D&S, Feb 14). Harry sets out the position as it is and not how the bureaucrats, media
HACKNEY carriage drivers are urging a council to intervene after claiming their families are being harassed by angry customers. The drivers from Stockton say that they do not understand why they have to display their full name on badges when they have
Durham League Two Durham League cup competitions, the Mens County Cup and the Womens Handicap Cup, reached their quarter-final stage this week. The best of the County Cup ties gave first division Nissan a nail-biting 87-85 win over division two side Consett
WASTE recycling, especially plastic, is set to be stepped-up across Hambleton, following a pilot scheme with twin wheelie bins and green composting. Topcliffe's household waste has been separated and collected under a new system, designed to increase
