The North East | Archive | 2003 | August
A VILLAGE play area has swung into action. more...
WHEN Joseph and Evelyn Spooner married in 1943 they could not have known what an important role their wedding chapel would play in their lives. more...
THE second phase of a development of grassroots rugby in the region has been launched by two stars of the game. more...
RESIDENTS have joined forces to hold a six-monthly clean-up of their estate. more...
RESIDENTS are continuing to demand action from their local council over a North-East street being mistakenly used by articulated lorries. more...
A scheme launched in the North-East to improve community policing is going from strength to strength. more...
A FURNITURE project offering a lifeline to people in crisis could fold without new volunteers. more...
THE future of a 170-year-old village pub, which was under threat last year, is to be secured. more...
AN investigation into claims that students at a North-East college were bullied by a member of staff ended yesterday. more...
Hopes for a satellite dish to be erected at the rear of Grammar School Farm, Heighington, near Darlington, have been dashed. more...
A MOTHER agreed to be bound over by a court yesterday after attacking her former partner. more...
A MAN who attacked a close friend in Darlington was spared jail yesterday. more...
A GOVERNMENT inspector who approved controversial plans for a gaming arcade in Darlington has explained his decision. more...
FORMER pupils of a Darlington school are being invited to turn the clock back and attend a reunion. more...
FOR the first time in almost 150 years, Russian hands have once again handled drums that were captured during the Crimean War. more...
A TALENTED concert pianist has entertained an audience at a North-East school. more...
AN organic market garden business looks likely to be allowed to continue despite objections. more...
TWO wind turbines look set to be erected in Teesdale by the end of the year, saving its largest employer £60,000 in energy costs. more...
DARLINGTON council is taking the initiative in curbing the sale and public use of fireworks prior to the introduction of laws by the Government. more...
DARLINGTON Borough Council computers ground to a halt on Wednesday when its system was hit by the Nachi virus, affecting all its services. more...
A SPLASH of colour was brought to Barnard Castle this week, marking the start of its second annual banner festival. more...
THE first phase of Darlington's new kerbside recycling scheme gets underway next week. more...
TENANTS are to be asked for their views on a plan to hand council homes over to new management. more...
STEWARD Bill Harrington has brought a riot of colour to his once drab club. more...
PEOPLE in east Durham who have long-term medical conditions are being offered the chance to take part in Expert Patient programmes. more...
VILLAGERS are being urged to enjoy themselves this weekend and help a campaign to set up a play park. more...
THE Normandy Veterans' Pilgrimage Club is holding a fundraising 1940s charity night next month. more...
FOUR organisations could win awards for their use of the Internet in business. Durham Logistics College, a specialist training provider in Durham, is shortlisted for the UK Online for Business and InterForum E-Commerce Awards. more...
Residents of Durham and the surrounding area are being asked to represent their community in a national network of independent local health forums. more...
A RECRUITING drive for a training course for men is being launched with a free drink next week. more...
A HEROIN addict's trip to buy drugs landed him in jail yesterday. more...
PROTESTORS cheered when councillors voted yesterday to refuse a developer's plans to build homes on open space. more...
PLANNING permission has been granted to build 370 homes in a coastal town. more...
A SHOCK council tax bill has forced the sudden closure of one of Saltburn's most popular bistros. more...
PLANS to create a public area for children's rugby in Yarm have been dropped after residents objected to the scheme. more...
THE one thing on the mind of Elvis Presley look-alike Brian Davies was helping to save the old theatre in which he was singing in Saltburn last night. more...
WEDDING dresses dating back to the Thirties are going on display this weekend at St Aidan's Church, Boosbeck. There will be 20 dresses on show. more...
PARENTS will boycott a school bus when term starts on Thursday in protest at new transport arrangements they claim are unsafe. more...
ONE of Thirsk's untidy corners is to be renovated and its buildings brought back into use. more...
ACTOR Robert Hardy, known to millions of television viewers as vet Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small, returns to the Yorkshire Dales to mark the restoration of an eighteenth century theatre. more...
AFTER seven years, some of the fun is to be taken out of a special day in Bedale marking the run-up to Christmas. more...
AFTER five years of hard work, a dream is finally coming true for a young Thirsk businessman. more...
NORTHALLERTON could lose one of its oldest businesses now that councillors have thrown out a scheme to move the auction mart close to a residential estate. more...
A BEDALE home has seen a third resident notch up a century. more...
TRADERS in Northallerton are cracking down hard on shoplifters. more...
TELEVISION presenter Andy Kluz offered to lend a hand during National Volunteers' Week. more...
A RECENTLY retired district judge has died at the age of 67. more...
THE towns of Malton and Norton are to be the subject of a traffic management study in a bid to end decades of congestion and air pollution. more...
WORRIED residents in the village of Marton near Kirkbymoorside, have raised £6,000 to build a footpath along a dangerous road to their community hall. more...
POLICE had to be called to disarm a man who was threatening to harm himself, a court heard yesterday. more...
A bridge costing more than £3m may be built across the river Ouse in the centre of York. more...
AN elderly farmer was found dead in an armchair at his home on Wednesday night, despite his son's efforts to save him. more...
A 43-YEAR-OLD man was sent for trial when he appeared before a court yesterday to face 16 charges involving child pornography. more...
COUNCILLORS have turned down a planning application from an opera singer to build accommodation for her students. more...
SCARBOROUGH will host two royal visitors next month. more...
MORE money has been spent on services to protect children in care, according to a new report. more...
A SHOPPING centre has made changes to its facilities and its approach for people with disabilities. more...
A DERELICT piece of land close to the Wellington Square Shopping Centre in Stockton is to undergo a £450,000 transformation. more...
A campaign to raise £60,000 for a conservatory and garden access for patients has been launched by nurses at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. more...
ONE of the first new foundation degrees to be introduced by a British university has received a glowing report from higher education watchdogs. more...
A GOVERNMENT investigation into the performance of a coroner is expected to be held behind closed doors. more...
CHARGES against a snoozing football fan arrested when he nodded off at a match were branded "ludicrous" yesterday. more...
A CORONER has branded as callous and reprehensible any motorist who leaves the scene of an accident. more...
A BOTANICAL centre has long sung the praises of its army of volunteer workers. more...
RELIGIOUS leaders have united to accuse a council of deliberately neglecting a housing estate. more...
A DRUG addict who burgled his brother's bedroom to get cash for drugs was jailed yesterday. more...
A PROSTITUTE died from an overdose of drugs the day after her release from prison, an inquest has heard. more...
A COLLECTION has been started for the survivors of a house fire which killed two sisters and their brother. more...
ELISE Ballantyne has kicked her way to black belt success at the age of only nine. more...
MORE than 150 people took to the streets last night to protest against the possible closure of their hospital. more...
A GLITCH in building work will delay the re-opening of a special needs school. more...
Macmillan College, Middlesbrough more...
Engineering group Amec yesterday said continuing economic woes and difficulties in its UK utilities and US construction management arms sent half-yearly pre-tax profits tumbling 14 per cent. more...
TACKLING problems faced by first-time buyers is the biggest challenge facing the North-East's housing industry, according to the UK's largest network of independent estate agents. more...
CONSUMER confidence has stuttered for the first time since the end of the Iraq war, a report showed yesterday. more...
Investors' confidence has fallen slightly during the past month, but two-thirds of people still expect the FTSE 100 to hold on to its recent gains, research said yesterday. more...
Mortgage lending looks likely to remain strong after record amounts were advanced last month. more...
MUSHROOM lovers can farm their own exotic variations at home with the help of a North Yorkshire company. more...
A SENIOR figure from the aviation industry has taken on the role of special advisor to the North-East's tourism taskforce. Ian Reid, British Airways general manager for the UK and Ireland, has joined the interim Regional Tourism Forum, the group established to lead tourism in the North-East. Mr. Reid will help offer independent advice and guidance to One NorthEast, strategic lead body for tourism in the region, and the Northumbria Tourist Board. Mr Reid, who has almost 40 years' experience working for British Airways at airports across the world, has taken responsibility for quality, alongside seven other specialists responsible for areas such as marketing, hospitality, skills and ICT. more...
TALKS which could determine the future of Britain's biggest power station were continuing yesterday, despite a deadline for an offer for the plant having run out. more...
The recent heatwave across Europe added fizz to brewer Scottish & Newcastle's sales, shareholders were told yesterday. more...
A business and travel luggage firm has bagged its first major order in the Middle East with the help of Trade Partners UK. more...
TALKS which could determine the future of Britain's biggest power station were continuing yesterday, despite a deadline for an offer for the plant having run out. more...
Intensive Scares: Killer Bug (BBC1); Harry And The Hormones (Tyne Tees Television): SCARY was definitely the right word for this Intensive Scares documentary. more...
THE review of public food buying was described as a tremendous opportunity for British farmers. more...
A MAJOR review of the way the public sector buys its food and catering services in England was announced this week. more...
LORD Whitty announced the review while on a visit to Cornwall, where several examples of local procurement operate. more...
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 1,820 sheep. Lt lambs to 110.6p av 104.3p; std to 115.3p av 109.1p; med to 116.2p av 109.5p; heavy to 110.8p av 106.9p. Cast sheep: Cont to £57: Mule to £47.50; Swale to £32. more...
DEATH with dignity can now be provided locally for all creatures great and small. more...
A RECENT Farming and Countryside Education survey has identified disturbing gaps in children's knowledge of food and the countryside, prompting a warning that these will widen unless remedial action is taken. more...
Aliens vs Predator: Extinction (Electronic Arts) PS2, £39.99 more...
Intensive Scares: Killer Bug (BBC1) more...
WHITBY, of course, was the home of the original jet set. It was jet that turned the town into a jewellery boom town in Victorian times. In those days there were more than 50 jet workshops in the town, employing hundreds of craftsmen. more...
This Sunday, a procession through the streets of Middlesbrough will celebrate the history of health in the town as services converge at the new James Cook University Hospital. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson looks back. more...
WHITBY, of course, was the home of the original jet set. It was jet that turned the town into a jewellery boom town in Victorian times. In those days there were more than 50 jet workshops in the town, employing hundreds of craftsmen. more...
RELIGION: IT would be unwise to dwell on the pros and cons of Catholicism and Protestantism (HAS, Aug 18). more...
RELIGION more...
The theft of the Leonardo from a castle in Scotland is just the latest in a series of valuable works of art to be stolen. Nick Morrison looks at the catalogue of the missing masterpieces. more...
THERE were two gallant fights in Court 73 of the Royal Courts of Justice yesterday. more...
The Countess Humiecka was instrumental in encouraging the musical talents of Joseph Boruwlaski, the 3ft 3in Polish dwarf. more...
Aliens vs Predator: Extinction (Electronic Arts) PS2, £39.99 more...
PROVISIONAL maps of common land and open country in North Yorkshire and County Durham, which could eventually provide access for walkers, have been published. more...
PEOPLE in east Durham who have long-term medical conditions are being offered the chance to take part in Expert Patient programmes. more...
ARMED police laid siege to a house for more than four hours yesterday before bursting through the door to find only a dog. more...
THE Hutton Inquiry was intended to throw light on the events that led to the death of Dr David Kelly - instead it seems to have been hijacked by those intent on muddying the waters as to why we went to war with Iraq. more...
BUILDING sites across the North-East are to be investigated over the potential dangers for employees working high above the ground. more...
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was last night charged with the murder of a pensioner who died hours after she was the victim of an alleged handbag snatch. more...
A power cut caused "unprecedented" chaos on London's rail and Tube lines during the rush-hour last night. more...
SINGLE parents looking for work are being offered help. more...
TONY Blair gambled with his job yesterday with a high risk strategy at the Hutton Inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. more...
PEOPLE living in property abutting village greens or common land may get a shock when they come to sell their homes. more...
THE Prison Service says it has no plans to change its policy after a convict committed a string of armed robberies when he was allowed out of prison to attend a hospital appointment. more...
A TINY music venue in North Yorkshire is determined to book superstar Bob Dylan when he visits Britain in November and is already looking for 100 people prepared to pay £700 a ticket. more...
RESEARCHERS in the region have proved that eating sage can improve memory. more...
PLANNING row killer Albert Dryden is making a bid for freedom 12 years after he gunned down a council officer. more...
POLICE are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for more than six weeks. more...
CUTE, comical and barely able to fend for themselves, 20 grey partridge chicks represent a last-ditch defence against the extinction of their species. more...
ONE of the region's museums will start a fresh venture tomorrow in a Grade II listed city centre building. more...
AS if being shipped out to the US by the likely lads of Auf Wiedersehen Pet was not enough, the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge could be sold for only £200. more...
SOME of the region's best-known radio presenters are going head to head in the hunt for bargains to raise cash for charity. more...
A DRIVER was cut from the wreckage of his Land Rover after it was involved in a collision with an articulated lorry yesterday. more...
A PAINTING of large proportions which has withstood years of accumulated dirt and dust, not to mention the effects of a toy rocket, is to be taken down for cleaning and repairs at a stately home near Ripon. more...
TONY Blair gambled with his job yesterday with a high risk strategy at the Hutton Inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. more...
PETER SIMPSON was surprised when he opened up a broken picture frame in his attic and found a testimonial to a wounded soldier. more...
A PIONEERING cycling paramedic service is to be extended after proving to be a runaway success since its launch - and could be a blueprint for the rest of the country. more...
PLANNING row killer Albert Dryden is making a bid for freedom 12 years after he gunned down a council officer. more...
A SPECIAL care baby unit is to receive a cheque for more than £10,000 thanks to North-East pedal power. more...
THE Baltic arts centre in Gateshead yesterday welcomed its millionth visitor. more...
The Countess Humiecka was instrumental in encouraging the musical talents of Joseph Boruwlaski, the 3ft 3in Polish dwarf. more...
Sir, - We, the steering group of the Dales Festival of Food and Drink, were under the impression we were working in harmony with Leyburn Town Council. Sadly, last week's council meeting ("Food and drink festival barred from the Market Place") destroys that illusion. more...
SPECTATOR, never the world's best advance planner, will learn to be better organised and to avoid cinemas on the last bank holiday Monday of the year after an abortive attempt to see Pirates of the Caribbean earlier this week. more...
IT IS unfortunate that the outstanding success of Leyburn's Dales Festival of Food and Drink should be tempered by a dispute between the event organisers and the Town Council. more...
Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League, Saturday, August 23. more...
Hundens Bowls Club, which is now well established on its new green within the Eastbourne Sports Complex at Bourne Avenue off Hundens Lane, are seeking to expand their membership for the season 2004. more...
CHESTER-LE-STREET Town Under-18s made it two wins out of two in the Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League when they put a dent in to early leaders New Hartley championship drive. more...
SURPRISE package Broompark Loves went to the top of the First Division table with two convincing wins this week. more...
A Hoggarth & Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League: Grangetown YCC v Whitby Fishermen. more...
Following the midweek programme, New Marske are level on points with North Shields but the Robins lead the table with a superior goals difference. more...
IT seems like only a week ago (but that's probably because it was only a week ago) that I was reciting the adage about performances being more important than results. more...
Consett Sunday League: LANCHESTER Social have taken an early liking to the First Division with three wins out of three. more...
The Richmond and Zetland Harriers female team finished third on the night in the sixth and last NYSD T&F League meeting at Clairville Stadium, Middlesbrough on Tuesday 12th but the ten points they earned took their season's total to 66½ and was enough to secure the new League Trophy. more...
Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League: Ferryhill Greyhound defeated Norton-Stockton 4-1 at home in the Premier Division. more...
Crook Town are one of many small clubs hoping to take advantage of the prize money on offer in the FA Cup when they take part in the preliminary round tomorrow. more...
Durham League: Leeholme clinched the League Championship as expected with a six points victory at Langley Park, whilst Crook Glenholme were runners-up 14 points behind but with a ten points lead over Ever Ready/Craghead. more...
MICHAEL Vaughan hasn't yet seen the light. He allowed his team to surrender the initiative by accepting an offer of bad light, then increased the gloom with a parrot-like repetition of Nasser Hussian's moans about the county game. more...
The Federation Special Durham Senior League and the Durham Coast League tied when they met in the Under-15 Division at Seaham Harbour. more...
SUNDERLAND'S hopes of easing their financial problems by getting Emerson Thome off the wage bill were hit last night when Bolton Wanderers claimed a deal for the defender is looking unlikely. more...
HARTLEPOOL United boss Neale Cooper last night made his sixth signing in a little over two months. more...
Spennymoor A won by the odd point on their visit to Newhouse but had their lead cut at the top of the First Division to 12 points after Wheatley Hill A only dropped one point to third placed, Newton Aycliffe, who are now five points behind the Hill. more...
Durham City Reserves were held to a 2-2 draw by Shildon Railway who led after 20 minutes when a mix up in the penalty area left Neil Robinson with a simple tap in. more...
Bedale, August Medal: Good scoring and card countbacks required in all divisions in this month's medal. more...
Graeme Cessford was on top of the world this week after being crowned the fastest bowler in the North-East. more...
Bishop Auckland will be trying to avenge last season's FA Cup embarrassment when they play Flixton at Dean Street on Sunday. more...
NOT one, but two Group 2 races were the holiday weekend tally for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, with wins at the Curragh in Ireland and at Deauville in France. more...
ZETLAND Hunt Pony Club enjoyed plenty of success at the national tetrathlon pony club championships earlier this month. more...
Darlington striker Glen Robson will be hoping to show Rochdale what they missed in tomorrow's Third Division clash at Spotland. more...
The close season is a very busy time for Referees' Societies. more...
Tynemouth reached the final of the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Lingarde Junior Cup with a 51 runs victory over Tynedale. more...
Willington Black Horse Inn left it late before they edged through to beat the visiting Willington Commercial by the odd point when they won the double points team game. more...
County Super League: Crook fought back from the edge of defeat to force a draw when they visited Horden and took the final four frames. more...
Emergency Services League: The only three matches played resulted in draws. more...
Cockton Hill moved three points clear at the top of the darts section after they whitewashed their visitors from the Prospect. more...
MIDDLESBROUGH Bears continued their recent good form with a 23-13pts defeat of Hull Magic in a Humber League fixture at Hull's Craven Park Stadium. more...
NEWCASTLE United fans were reassured last night that their club would not "do a Leeds United" and spiral towards financial apocalypse following their Champions League catastrophe. more...
A biting wind and leaden skies brought autumn to Colwyn Bay yesterday. more...
Tow Law Area League: Billy Row shot to the top of the table after they only dropped one point on their visit to Sunniside Comedian. more...
Oxbridge Darlington and District League: Middleton St George are still ahead in Division A following their narrow victory over Witton-le-Wear when runs were at a premium. more...
JONATHAN Harrison has seen his championship aspirations receive a welcome boost from across the Atlantic courtesy of the owner of the company whose motorcycle he races. more...
Roseberry Group North East Durham League. more...
Northallerton's runaway train dash up the divisional ladder has been temporarily sidelined. more...
Yours truly smashed the Middlesbrough AC Ron Taylor Memorial record bagging a stunning 69.10.0. more...
Steve Backley, the last man standing of Britain's golden generation, will this weekend attempt to land the world javelin title, which has eluded him in six previous championships. more...
Langbaurgh League: Three sides are still neck and neck at the top of the table with Maltby just four points behind the trio in fourth position. more...
Steve McClaren yesterday pulled out of a deal to make Lazio's Christian Manfredini a last-minute signing. more...
First round draw: J. Hancock (Belmont) v T. Dodd (Grange Villa). more...
AN equestrian show in aid of the children's charity The Yellow Brick Road made a total of £1,600 a week last Thursday. more...
Division One: Brinkburn Wanderers played hosts to Nestfield and the visitors ran out 4-0 winners with goals from Chris Robinson, Ian Thompson and early candidate for leading goalscorer Adi Weston adding two more goals to his tally for the season. more...
NORTHALLERTON Motor Club ran their three-day trial over the bank holiday weekend, based on the Sun Inn at Bilsdale. more...
South Cleveland Garages Teesside League, Saturday, August 23, Division One: more...
Three-and-a-half years ago the column featured Adam "Basher" Bates, at three a victim of Perthes disease and at 12 in line for county rugby honours. more...
ANDY O'BRIEN last night confessed the knives are out for Newcastle United after their disastrous Champions League exit. more...
THE pitter-patter of rain at Chester yesterday must have been music to the ears of backers waiting to take the plunge on the Mark Johnston-trained filly, Chantress (5.00). more...
Yorkshire have signed Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn for the remainder of the season and he is expected to make his debut in the Championship match against Somerset at Headingley next Wednesday. more...
AS we approach the end of yet another holiday season, several memories will remain with us. more...
FOR a great many people, September is a time of new beginnings - far more so than the new year when we are all still in Christmas holiday mode, sitting around eating the remains of the chocolates and thinking it might be a good idea to resolve to diet once normal life kicks in again. more...
TARGETS have been set to cut the rising number of deaths and injuries on the county's roads. more...
TWO young sisters helped save seven children from a burning house after they remembered a lesson in personal safety. more...
THE daughter of one of Britain's wealthiest aristocrats escaped a third driving ban yesterday. more...
A MAN is recovering after three robbers pinned him down and stole his cash. more...
AN arthritic dog that ignored lifeboat crews' efforts to save his life a quarter of a mile out to sea, is safe and well. more...
FRONT-line council staff are working to improve and standardise the service they offer the public. more...
A BODY which was recovered from the river Ouse, in York, has been identified as that of 35-year-old Steven Feather. more...
POLICE are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for more than six weeks. more...
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visits Wallsend today to see Tyneside's world-class shipbuilding and offshore facilities. more...
TO the people who live there it is just another housing estate. However, to Government officials it is an important part of the region's cultural heritage. more...
A SUPPORT group for young fathers has helped Gateshead Borough Council gain top marks in a government inspection. more...
A south Durham couple have celebrated their golden wedding. more...
SOAP schemer Joe Carter, alias Coronation Street actor Jonathan Wrather, will reopen a County Durham supermarket next week after its £1m facelift. more...
Railway talk at the Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre took place last night and not tonight, as stated in The Northern Echo yesterday. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience our error may have caused. more...
FIREFIGHTERS were called to two separate blazes at takeaway restaurants in south Durham on Wednesday. Bon Appetite, in Commercial Street, Crook, was severely damaged in a blaze which started at about 2pm. A flat above the shop was slightly damaged by fire and heavily smoke-logged in the incident, which was attended by three appliances from Crook Fire Station. Cooking equipment at a fish and chip shop, in King Street, Spennymoor, was damaged when an extractor unit caught fire at about 10am. Two appliances from Spennymoor and one from Bishop Auckland dealt with the blaze. more...
CHILTON Community Partnership has teamed up with Chilton West Residents' Association to extend a programme of summer fun days into a week-long event. more...
A LARGE blaze which caused tens of thousands of pounds of damage at a south Durham factory is being treated as suspicious. more...
A WOMAN pedestrian who underwent surgery to save her leg after a road smash in County Durham is making a gradual recovery. more...
YOUNG people from two special schools rounded off a two-day dance workshop with a show for families and friends. more...
While some politicians were busy at the Hutton inquiry in London on Wednesday, our MP Derek Foster and his wife, Anne, were engaged on something more fruitful: choosing jam and chutney at the Teesdale WI monthly market. more...
FOOTBALL fans and anti-racism campaigners have united to bring Sunderland its first film festival. more...
A PAEDOPHILE who described himself as a "monster" after downloading child pornography was jailed yesterday. more...
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