The North East | Archive | 2003 | February
CANCEL all social arrangements. The BBC are screening Audley Harrison and the Davis Cup this weekend. Let's hope they've got a few repeats in reserve because both could be over rather quickly. more...
MARY REVELEY'S decision to send Roveretto chasing has brought about an instant change of fortune for the eight-year-old, who was on a long losing streak over hurdles prior to switching his attentions to fences. more...
Darlington winger Richard Hodgson has called on the club's fans to help them overcome their recent slump. more...
MALCOLM MACDONALD last night backed Craig Bellamy to win Sunday's jet-heeled shoot-out with Thierry Henry. more...
NEWCASTLE Falcons are likely to field only one of their five new signings in tonight's Zurich Premiership match at Leeds. more...
MIDDLESBROUGH legend Micky Fenton has died at the age of 89 after a short illness, writes Clive Hetherington. more...
STEFAN SCHWARZ has vowed not to retire when he leaves Sunderland later this month, writes Steven Baker. more...
DEAN WINDASS has revealed his frustration at being frozen out of Middlesbrough - and claimed a lack of "bottle'' is the reason for their wretched away form. more...
KEVIN KILBANE cut through the FA Cup euphoria sweeping Wearside last night and told his teammates: It's time to let our football boots do the talking. more...
BRIGHT young sparks have showed off their design and construction skills. more...
A park that was restored last year has changed its name. more...
Sunderland University's science department is holding a Hostage to Fortune competition for schools throughout the region. more...
HEALTH and safety officers are investigating the cause of a battery acid leak which caused Darlington's Arts Centre to be evacuated on Wednesday. more...
COUNCIL chiefs are examining a new charging system for people receiving social services home and day care. more...
AN expansion scheme for a Darlington school was given planning permission by councillors this week - despite opposition from nearby residents. more...
THE revamp of a once run-down Darlington estate can enter its next stage after planners approved a development for 400 houses. more...
RESIDENTS on a Darlington housing estate are getting help cleaning up their neighbourhood from a group of talking penguins. more...
TWO cats abandoned on a doorstep near Darlington just before Christmas are in need of a new home. more...
ENVIRONMENTAL projects around Darlington are benefiting from a scheme designed to make young offenders repay their debt to society. more...
A man arrested by police for being drunk and disorderly outside a Darlington pub was given a one-year community rehabilitation order by magistrates yesterday. more...
A GIFT of land to Neasham Parish Council is degenerating into an expensive farce as it faces a further cost for a coal mining search. more...
PLANS to demolish Darlington College of Technology and build almost 150 new houses on the site were approved by councillors on Wednesday. more...
FREE school travel will continue for pupils living in County Durham despite recommendations that its withdrawal would save the county council £1.3m a year. more...
A MAJOR new tourist attraction in the form of a suspension bridge across the River Tees came another step closer to reality this week. more...
A NEW prize worth £10,000 for contemporary visual art has been launched for artists in the North of England. more...
A BARNARD Castle man is wondering if spring is just around the corner, following the unusual discovery of a clutch of robin's eggs in a nest box outside his house. more...
EIGHT social services teams have successfully reapplied for a quality standard. The teams from County Durham Care, which had Charter Mark awards, resubmitted their applications in 2001 and last year. more...
A COURSE which could open up a new world for people with visual problems is being staged in flagship library facilities. more...
Sunderland University's science department is holding a Hostage to Fortune competition for schools throughout the region. more...
THE £10m regeneration of a former industrial area has received the top honour in an environmental awards scheme. more...
PLANS to build 12 houses on a heritage site have been refused, following concerns that they would spoil the character of the area. more...
VILLAGERS in Waterhouses, near Esh Winning, are being asked to help improve their community. more...
POLICE have condemned an attack on an elderly woman who was punched in the face and then made off with £2,000. more...
POLICE have named a woman found dead in a Stockton flat on Wednesday. more...
A HOUSING developer has presented Great Ayton Football and Cricket Club with a cheque for £500. more...
THE severe housing problems on Teesside are being ignored by the Government, a council leader has claimed. more...
GAS exploration wells planned for the North York Moors National Park will be discussed by Westerdale residents at a forthcoming public meeting. more...
JACK Marriott, of Carlton, near Stockton, has given a vast collection of photographs, possibly worth £10,000, to Stockton Council, which is exhibiting some of them at the Green Dragon Museum. more...
A CINEMA, casino, hotel, nightclub and outdoor leisure facilities could help revitalise Redcar, planners have suggested. more...
PRESSURE is being kept on highway authorities for further improvements at the notorious Black Swan crossing on the A19 near Hutton Rudby. more...
A STOCKTON hospital chief executive has added her comments to the debate about whether North Tees University Hospital should seek foundation status. more...
SARAH Borwell, the Teessider now based in Las Vegas, has climbed another six places up the British order of merit to stand in tenth position with a world ranking of 630. more...
DARLINGTON became the latest victims of bottom-of-the-table Swansea City's recent revival when they went down 1-0 in South Wales on Tuesday night. more...
A GROUP of Stockton youngsters will represent the North in a national acrobatics championship after winning the regional title in South Shields last weekend. more...
YOUNG motorcycle racer Barry Burrell, one of five hopefuls selected at the Red Bull Rookie Academy Day in Rockingham, has announced his withdrawal from the programme. more...
ROSEDALE'S Ian Austermuhle won the opening round of the Yorkshire Centre ACU trials championship at snow-blitzed Keighley Gate last Sunday. more...
HEALTH workers are being urged to rally round as Northallerton's Friarage Hospital sees an exodus of staff to the Gulf. more...
NORTHALLERTON mayor Jack Dobson has been accused of impropriety over the issue of expressions of interest for safety work at the cemetery. more...
QUESTIONS were being asked yesterday about the stability and safety of part of an Aiskew building site after it emerged that serious civil engineering problems will mean the demolition of an expensive house. more...
A SALES assistant sacked by Richmond artist Mackenzie Thorpe has lost her claim of unfair dismissal after a two-year battle. more...
THE head teacher won an award last year and now her tiny village school has been given special mention in a national review. more...
The Chamber of Trade in Thirsk is trying to place two defibrillators purchased by the Rotary Club in the town centre. more...
ANGRY residents have set up a petition against proposals for mobile phone equipment to be installed in their market town. more...
NEW homes are to replace the former drill hall at the old Army barracks in Richmond. more...
VICTORIAN life - both above and below stairs - will be recreated for hundreds of North Yorkshire children thanks to an education grant. more...
A NEW community group has been created to help shape the future of North Yorkshire's 8,600-acre forest. more...
A water wheel at a mill dating from 1864 will be retained as a key feature of a plan to turn a famous Dales pub into homes and holiday apartments. more...
CHILDREN from Burneston CE School raised £100 for St Teresa's Hospice at their Christmas carol concert. more...
FOUR houses are to replace garages at High Riding, Richmond, despite residents' concerns about lack of parking space. more...
TWO neighbouring businesses at Melsonby, near Richmond, have been given the go ahead to make changes. more...
AN animal feed manufacturer has been given the go-ahead for a £700,000 scheme to build a new warehouse and extend its lorry park, after a planning officer changed his recommendation from refusal to approval. more...
A controversial plan to build seven homes in a village near Ripon is being taken to appeal by the applicants. more...
CRIMESTOPPERS wants to trace an elderly man in connection with the theft of thousands of pounds of gift vouchers from Boots in York. more...
POLICE have named a woman found dead in a Stockton flat on Wednesday. more...
YARM Charities Fair will go ahead in summer and organisers are looking for ways to develop the event. more...
CHILDREN are being invited to take part in a family activity day in Hartlepool later this month. more...
PEOPLE living in Stockton are being urged to visit the town's Environment Centre to find out how to keep their homes warm. more...
Dari Taylor, Labour MP for Stockton South, received full marks with a 100 per cent response rate in a Teesside Green Party poll of MPs who answer constituents' faxes. more...
An inquest into the death in hospital of a man from Eston has been adjourned while further investigations are carried out. more...
STAFF at Southlands Leisure Centre, in Middlesbrough, will be playing Cupid next Friday during a series of events to mark St Valentine's Day. more...
GROUPS representing pedestrians are urging tougher action against motorists using Stockton High Street. more...
PUPILS are a step closer to the trip of a lifetime. more...
STUDENTS will be leading an Oriental celebration tonight. more...
PEOPLE in Hartlepool are being urged to comment on plans for a £2.5m transport interchange in the town. more...
YOUNGSTERS working for their GCSE examinations have been left heartbroken after burglars broke into their college and took the laptop computers they used for their course work. more...
A CHURCH minister appeared in court this week accused of systematically abusing boys when he was a prison officer at Medomsley Detention Centre in Consett. more...
A church restoration project is one step closer to its target of raising £11,000 thanks to a donation from the team behind a major BP pipeline. more...
TEACHER Bob Elston hopes he has a head for heights when he tackles an ascent part way up the world's highest mountain later this year. more...
FEARS that a Northallerton community project would have to shut down have been allayed thanks to thousands of pounds worth of funding. more...
WATER workers built a 40ft bird hide in a few hours to mark World Wetlands Day. more...
FURNITURE business ScS saw sales over the Christmas period ahead of the same time last year. more...
THE founders of an undersea cable-laying firm have regained the reins of the business after a £6m management buyout. more...
ABBEY National became the latest group to cut payouts on long-term savings policies, with some bonuses scrapped altogether. more...
A NATIONAL network for the construction industry plans to create a powerful voice for the sector in the region. more...
WORKERS at ICI's Uniqema plant on Teesside were last night reassured that their employment is safe - despite reports the company is to shed 150 extra jobs. more...
THE region's struggling manufacturing industry was thrown a lifeline yesterday when interest rates were cut by 0.25 per cent. more...
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues. Fwd: BA hfr & calf £790 J Fenwick. Feeding bulls. - BB: £55, £545, £500 G Thompson & Sons: £530 JN Spedding: BA: £530 D Buck. Char: £530 D Buck: £500 F Cartwright. Simm: £530 JF Hutchinson: £500, £490, £485 C&E Gaskin. Store steers . - Lim: £625, £555, £545, £535, £525, £515, £510 JR Longstaff & Son; £545, £515, £500 JL&M Wilkinson & Son; £518, £505 P&J Coupland; £510, £500 TB Walton; £485 J Collinson. BA: £550, £548, £510, £502 J&K Metcalf; £475 EW Guy & Sons. Char: £545 R Tookey; £540, £502 JR Longstaff & Son. Herefd: £515 JF Hutchinson. Simm: £500 P&J Coupland. Hfrs. - Char: £600 HH Barker & Son; £525 WB Rutter & Sons. Lim: £570, £515, £490 JV Oliver; £545 RW Makepeace; £528, £495 HH Barker & Son; £505 JR Addison & Son; £502, £485 P&J Coupland; £498, £485 JW Dent; £485 JL Dixon; £485 EH Raine; £480 JR Addison Son; £480 J Fenwick. BB: £555, £530, £505, £490 G Thompson & Sons; £485, £482 R Errington & Sons; £482 R Thompson. BA: £492 G&SE Wilson. Wed. - Fwd: 1,156 sheep. Hoggs lt to 118.7p av 102.1p; std to 128.4p av 119.2p; med to 128.7p av 121.9p; heavy to 127p av 114.9p. Ewes: Cont to £67.50; Suff to £56.50; Mule to £51; Leics to £50.50; Swale to £46. more...
VISITORS of the feathered kind are flocking in their thousands to a new lake on George Westgarth's arable farm. more...
SHEEP producers can remain optimistic for the next 12 months, according to the latest forecast from the Meat and Livestock Commission. more...
THE North-Eastern Holstein club has announced the results of its Herds Competition 2002. more...
BEEF farmers from across the North of England have been urged to attend a National Beef Association all-day conference at Craven Cattle Market, Skipton, later this month. more...
by Robin Twizell more...
FARMERS from as far afield as Northumberland and North Yorkshire converged on a on a Weardale village pub at the weekend for the annual Eastgate hay show. more...
THE future of farm agri-environmental grants will be discussed at North Yorkshire FWAG's bi-annual forum at the Angel Inn, Topcliffe, at 6.30 on Thursday. more...
Operation Barbarossa. Format: PC CD ROM, Developer: Stefan Trombke, Publisher: Just Flight, Price:£19.99 more...
Postnatal depression affects around one in six women but is still a taboo subject. Women's Editor CHrisen Pears reports. more...
Barry Nelson talks to Health Secretary Alan Milburn about the current state of the NHS. more...
The first children's hospice in the region is to fully open for the first time after after a £1.2m cash injection from the national lottery. more...
EUROPE: THE pro-euro brigade really needs to change tactics if they want to persuade people to believe them. more...
Yesterday's arrests in Darlington and Durham by police and American Internet investigators highlight the growing problem of computer hacking. John Dean reports. more...
WE are two days away from the World Cup of cricket. Two days away from the opportunity to introduce the sport to a new audience and a new generation across the globe. more...
Gang's gay guessing games more...
Having taken over the work and customers of butchers, bakers and banks, supermarkets are now persuading us buy their electrical goods from them as well. more...
A RECENT trip to visit the Government in London recently confirmed the truth in the old adage that there are lies, damn lies and statistics. more...
Operation Barbarossa. Format: PC CD ROM, Developer: Stefan Trombke, Publisher: Just Flight, Price:£19.99 more...
A STOCKTON engineering firm has been named the number one North-East company in a league table of the country's most successful businesses. more...
Detectives hunting the killer of Milly Dowler today said they would not know until Monday if they had a match for mystery DNA discovered on the schoolgirl's clothing. more...
The Prime Minister was soundly beaten at bowls today by a special Olympian who declared his efforts were ``rubbish''. more...
Coroner Jeremy Cave, who stole almost £155,000 from the estate of dead clients at his solicitor's practice, was today jailed for three and a half years at Teesside Crown Court. more...
CHOIRS, musicians, church and village hall groups have welcomed news of a Government U-turn on the introduction of entertainment licence fees for performances and rehearsals. more...
A RECENT trip to visit the Government in London recently confirmed the truth in the old adage that there are lies, damn lies and statistics. more...
TWO County Durham brothers have helped fast food chain McDonald's win a national award for its use of free range eggs. more...
A WOMAN has been left shaken after fighting off an attacker who dragged her into some bushes as she walked to work. more...
A TALENTED fashion designer was this week crowned Best New Business in Tees Valley at an awards ceremony on Tuesday. more...
Plans were unveiled today to cut the millions of tonnes of waste dumped in landfill sites each year in the North-East. more...
A serviceman providing fire cover during the strikes last week could face a spell in military prison after making two hoax 999 calls to his own squadron. more...
ON the most bitterly cold of winter's nights, negotiating the icy footpath that leads to the glorious warmth of the hostel is difficult enough in itself - so spare a thought for Michael. more...
RESEARCHERS want to recruit human guinea pigs for a project on the effects of cold weather on pensioners. more...
IMPROVEMENTS are on the way for travellers using the East Coast main line with news that coaches are to be upgraded. more...
VIKING mania is about to break out in the region - with the help of a character called Thorgrim. more...
BIG Brother 3 star Jonny Regan has quit the fire service to concentrate on his acting and singing career. more...
THE fun of the fair is everyday work for a showman whose latest attraction has turned out to be piece of transport history more...
POLICE secured an anti-social behaviour order for a man described as a public nuisance yesterday. more...
FORMER Middlesbrough footballer Bernie Slaven was "arrested" yesterday on suspicion of verbally abusing Newcastle and Sunderland fans on the Century FM programme Three Legends Football Phone-In. more...
WORK is under way on an office development in a Teesdale business park which could create dozens of jobs in the area. more...
PLANS to increase the number of car parking spaces in Darlington town centre could be at risk following the sale of the Cornmill shopping centre. more...
A COURSE which could open up a new world for people with visual problems is being staged in flagship library facilities. more...
SOLDIERS and airmen from across the North-East were heading for the Middle East last night as the days count down to conflict with Iraq. more...
A MAN surrendered to police last night, following a dramatic siege. more...
BREWERY bosses defended themselves yesterday after pulling the plug on a pub's cheeky stunt. more...
PRIMARY school pupils will soon be eating the favourite food of some of the country's celebrities. more...
A GREAT North Dog Walk has been organised to raise money for several worthy causes. more...
A POLICE force has paid out a four-figure sum to a woman who claims she was groped by a constable. more...
A CLASSIC case of NHS postcode rationing will end today when Health Secretary Alan Milburn announces moves to give all deaf people more modern hearing aids. more...
A FORMER councillor who was involved in a 35-hour siege was last night said to be poorly in hospital. more...
An inquest into the death of Joseph William Ward, of Birtley, near Gateshead, is due to open at the North Durham Coroner's office, Elliott Street, Crook, County Durham, at 9am today. more...
A MAN had part of his ear bitten off during an assault last weekend, police revealed yesterday. more...
THERE were emotional scenes as the first UK land-based troops left their Yorkshire barracks for the Gulf yesterday. more...
CHARITY bosses are demanding more emergency shelter for people sleeping rough, after it emerged that an increasing number of people are being turned away from the region's homeless hostels. more...
CONTROVERSIAL former council boss Rod Hills has been arrested again by detectives, it emerged yesterday. more...
THE air was shattered by the roar of artillery fire yesterday as the Army made a little bit of history when it celebrated the anniversary of the Queen ascending the throne. more...
ONE of the smallest and oldest hunts in the country has lost one of its joint masters. more...
COUNTY Durham council taxpayers are facing an increase of over nine per cent to pay for services such as education and social services. more...
Detectives from the US last night questioned two North-East men arrested after a worldwide manhunt into a devastating computer virus. more...
A BIRD-brained starling had its feather's ruffled when it got stuck - in a tree. more...
DOZENS of SAS troops descended on the North-East in three Merlin helicopters as part of preparations for the war against terrorism. more...
THE wife of artist Mackenzie Thorpe spoke to The Northern Echo yesterday of the family's relief that a long-running dispute with a member of the gallery staff is finally over. more...
A coroner and solicitor was yesterday found guilty of stealing almost £155,000 from the estates of his dead clients. more...
AN "arrogant" doctor who ignored orders to stop working after being convicted of stalking his former mistress and hiding his criminal past was struck off yesterday. more...
A MAN who was jailed for the illegal killing of ten goats in a shed yesterday dropped his appeal against a two-month sentence. more...
YOUNGSTERS taking part in the last pantomime of the season have shown their support for Tyneside's bid to win European Capital of Culture 2008. more...
IT is one of the biggest concerns of campaigners that calculating the extent of homelessness is virtually impossible. more...
Runners wanting to take part in this year's Great North Run should not give up hope, according to its organisers. more...
THE HURWORTH Hunt celebrated its bicentenary on Tuesday by recreating a famous scene painted in 1846 by the banks of the River Tees. more...
RICHMOND'S probably got more than enough heritage to lose a little bit without anyone noticing unduly. more...
WHEN Spectator's colleague bought a new washing machine on interest-free credit from Northern Electric just over a year ago she was given a swipe card to enable her to make variable payments, at her convenience not theirs, at several outlets in the market town where she lives. more...
Sir, - How many cars do you see with only one headlight working? more...
Sir, - The title of your leading article, "Policy is a pain" (D&S, Jan 21) just about sums up the feeling of this authority, which has had to wrestle with the consequences of its recent decision to refuse permission for the conversion of a barn at Cams to a home for affordable rent. more...
Sir, - Mrs Murgatroyd (Middleham Key Centre trustee) shows grave concern for Middleham Town Council's administrative expenditure (D&S letters Jan 10) and the cost of a council office (D&S Jan 31). more...
This year's well attended meeting took place in the clubhouse when members considered matters relating to club affairs. more...
Shuttle and Loom 4 v 1 Archdeacon more...
A TALENTED young rider has moved a step closer to fulfilling her Olympic equestrian ambitions. more...
Warner Holidays Champion of Champions singles regional final: more...
Result of the week in Division One was recorded by Marske WMC A who held second placed Redcar Lakes A to a 3-3 tie. more...
The weather had only a marginal effect on this week's Durham League fixture schedule and the one first division fixture played gave Belmont Reds only their second league win of the season, a 63-48 victory at home to Hartlepool HQ Engineering Hornets. more...
Tow Law Area League more...
Darlington and District League more...
Tow Law Bass Cup: more...
Whitby Town have announced another fundraising game. more...
Crook League: more...
Division Two more...
Consett Sunday League more...
Durham County Super League: more...
Washington Nissan manager Gavin Liddle has blasted his side following their 6-1 defeat to Thornaby in the Craven Cup last week. more...
WE'VE teamed up with Nationwide, an official partner of the FA Cup and England team, to celebrate this year's FA Cup competition and get fans into FA Cup Fever. more...
Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire League: more...
Durham City: more...
The season's fixture backlog grew last weekend with the entire program falling foul of the weather and with two of the games being North Riding Cup ties, the knock on effect meant some rescheduling of February's fixtures. more...
Braes of Derwent PC. - Feb 22: Indoor hunter trial at Holmeside Park. All classes. Sae for schedule, Linda Middleton, Grange Farm, Sunniside, Bishop Auckland DL13 4LZ. more...
Seaham youngster, Tommy English, has gone North of the border as he begins the next stage of his football career. more...
Only five games managed to escape the snow last weekend, but fate saw that only one game was postponed in Division One of the Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League, as Hurworth Albion's game against Bishop Auckland Cricket Club fell victim to the elements. more...
HEATHER Marks gained her first owner/trainer success when Over The Beck (South Durham) won an incident-packed ladies open at the Old Raby Hunt Club meeting held at Witton Castle last Sunday. more...
A fans' website describes Bob Taylor as a "true legend", talks of his glowing pride every time he pulls on a blue and white shirt, trumpets his testimonial at West Bromwich Albion. more...
Sarah Borwell, Durham and Cleveland's leading female player, has continued her rapid rise up the rankings. Following recent tournaments in Florida the 24-year-old from Middlesbrough has risen to tenth position in the British order of merit. more...
Crook League: more...
THERE is no sense of the bunker about Crook Town's pleasant, snow-filled Millfield ground. But beyond the wall-to-wall memories that now adorn this once famous venue there lies the stark reality of a club under siege. more...
CANCEL all social arrangements. The BBC are screening Audley Harrison and the Davis Cup this weekend. Let's hope they've got a few repeats in reserve because both could be over rather quickly. more...
Darlington RA had cause for a double celebration at the weekend. Not only were they able to stage one of only two games to be played but they completed a great day by beating high-flying Birtley Town with a late goal. more...
Crook Wanderers have dropped the least number of points and they confirmed their position as title challengers with a 9-3 win at Evenwood White Swan. more...
Phillips and Clark finish first. more...
Darlington Mount Pleasant Juniors: more...
The annual Hambleton and Richmondshire Area Secondary Schools Gymnastics Championships were held at the Northallerton Leisure Centre last week and once again boy and girl gymnasts from Bedale High School scooped many of the top trophies. more...
Sunderland Commanches (U14) and Cherokees (U12) were in Belfast for challenge matches against Northern Ireland U14 and U12 select squads. more...
A newly-qualified teenage referee is hoping to emulate former top referee, George Courtney, and become a World Cup whistle-blower. more...
South Durham Royals more...
Bishop Auckland Bridge Club more...
Crook Belle Vue, the First Division leaders, slipped up at Crook Queen's Head A when they went down by the odd point to have their lead cut to only two points over Crook Travellers Rest B and Crook Coach and Horses A. more...
NEWTON Aycliffe desperately clung on to three points when they narrowly edged a tense nine-goal encounter with Salvins. more...
THE Durham and Teesside Group of Endurance GB has put together a comprehensive calendar of long distance and pleasure rides for 2003. more...
David Beach just cannot wait for the cricket season to start even though he will neither score a run nor take a wicket, writes Malcolm Pratt. more...
On the Swale, Sunday's Northallerton and District Thompson Cup on the Scruton to Morton reaches of the match length delivered some big winter weights, despite 8" of snow water. more...
Billingham performed brilliantly at the Neptune Centre, Middlesbrough, with swimmers accumulating 20 medals and 44 personal best times being broken. The first six places receiving a medal. more...
CLUES for the future, both for the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, are on every jumps fan's mind at present, but did we see the Champion Hurdler in Rhinestone Cowboy at Wetherby on Saturday? more...
Burnmoor Ladies Lawn Tennis Club will play in Group D of the Northumberland and Durham League for the first time after ending as champions of Group LE last year when they won all seven matches, writes Malcolm Pratt. more...
Jenny Duncalf has been given a mountain to climb in her opening match at the National Squash Championships which start next week. more...
Richmond League more...
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Darlington workhouse entered by burglars: On Tuesday morning a daring burglary was perpetrated at the Workhouse. It was shortly after seven o'clock that Mr Weakner entered his office, and was unpleasantly surprised to find his Masonic clothing strewn about the floor, the doors of his desk open, the window open, and the blind missing. He examined the cash drawer, and found the money which he had placed there gone, and, on visiting the dining-room, noticed that Mrs Weakner's silver sugar tongs had been taken away, and also 10s, which belonged to one of the inmates. Afterwards the person, or persons, had ransacked the premises, taken all practically that was of any value to them, satisfied their hunger with some cold meat and potatoes, which had been left on the table, and then made good their escape - not, however, before quenching their thirst. The sum of money missing amounts to between £30 and £40. more...
ALTHOUGH many of us associate the oak with the ash, possibly regarding them as two of our most beloved trees, it is the oak which tends to receive most of the praise and glory. more...
A COUNTRYSIDE planning specialist whose work normally sees him involved with the North-East farming community has left for Thailand to share some of his skills with hill tribesmen. more...
JANUARY kicked off the year with a veritable mixed bag of weather. Overall, it was marginally on the mild side, mainly due to night-time temperatures. These tended to be propped up even when there was a good snow cover, as it was cloudier and windier than usual. more...
Sunderland University's science department is holding a Hostage to Fortune competition for schools throughout the region. more...
The Rector of Sedgefield is asking parishioners to submit questions for morning services at St Edmund's Church during Lent. more...
THE Manchester United team gave a young Wear Valley footballer a day to remember when he walked out with his heroes on to the Old Trafford pitch. more...
DARLINGTON Primary Care Trust (PCT) has brought in training experts to help its support staff understand medical terminology. more...
A CASH-strapped council is to continue free school travel for thousands of County Durham children. more...
A group of entertainers have decided to swap their Full Monty routine to dress up as the Cheeky Girls to raise money for primary school children. more...
VOLUNTEERS who designed new seats for a Bishop Auckland estate have been commended by councillors. more...
A BID by clothing retailer Matalan to open a warehouse store in Bishop Auckland could fall at the first hurdle. more...
THE police intelligence unit is playing an increasingly important role in Operation Lancelot, an anti-burglary initiative running throughout Sedgefield borough. more...
SEEN as an essential tool to help unite communities in combating crime, the police Crime Ring is a computerised message broadcasting system. more...
Statistics have shown that a significant number of house burglaries occur in premises left unsecured by the householder. more...
COMMUNITY Rangers at Sedgefield Borough Council are encouraging young people at secondary schools to be model citizens of the future. more...
PUPILS have taken a week out of school to help design the products of the future. more...
Sunderland University's science department is holding a Hostage to Fortune competition for schools throughout the region. more...
CONSERVATIONIST and botanist David Bellamy has opened a wildlife display at a nature reserve. more...
GRANT AID: Springwell Village Hall Toddlers Group and Playschool has received a grant of £1,500 from the Community Chest to provide safety equipment, learning resources, tables and chairs. more...
A FORMER councillor who was involved in a 35-hour siege was last night said to be poorly in hospital. more...
© Newsquest Media Group 2008