Archive

  • Mystery over tribute to a horse revealed

    FARMER John Wilkinson was puzzled when he washed decades of grime from a stone plaque and was able to read a glowing tribute - to a horse. He knew only a wealthy person would be able to pay for the memorial at Westside Farm, Staindrop, near Barnard Castle

  • Never mind the luck - feel the attitude

    IT has been quite a hectic few days - but no-one is complaining. When we first suggested that the economic miracle that had transformed Dubai might also work wonders for the Tees there were those who took it as a chance to have another dig at this area

  • Inquest verdict on toddler who died after car accident

    A TODDLER died the day before his third birthday after suffering severe head injuries in car accident, an inquest was told yesterday. Joseph Poole, was a passenger in his parents' car when it was involved in a collision in Allendale Road, Ormesby, Middlesbrough

  • Calls for stronger action against off-road bikers

    RESIDENTS and councillors are calling for police to take stronger action against off-road motorbikers. They say the motorbikes blight the lives of local people, particularly in the Redcar area, and pose a big danger to children, especially when driven

  • Playgroup appeals for more children

    A PLAYGROUP in Darlington is looking for more members and a qualified leader. Cockerton Methodist Playgroup wants to hear from parents after a fall in numbers due to increasing competition from nearby nurseries. Manager Sharron Thompson is also looking

  • Running for Joshua

    A FITNESS enthusiast will soon be pounding the roads around Loch Ness to raise money for a severely disabled three-year-old boy. Mick Robson will run the Loch Ness Marathon on October 3 to raise money for Joshua Peacock, from Northallerton. Joshua suffers

  • Bridge to be replaced

    A bridge over one of the county's rivers that was demolished many years ago is to be replaced. The county council has agreed to build a footbridge over the Nidd, between the villages of Kirk Hammerton and Tockwith. The former West Riding County Council

  • Volunteers beat the county's best

    A TEAM of volunteer gardeners are celebrating after winning a number of awards at this year's Yorkshire in Bloom competition. Thirsk in Bloom beat competition from 12 other entries to win the small country town category. It was also given the award for

  • Hopefuls sign up for Army

    eight youngsters have taken their first steps towards joining the famous Scots Guards regiment after enlisting. All eight joined up at the Army Careers Information Office, at Claypath, in Durham City. Among them was Adam Ross, from Chester-le-Street,

  • Winter start for Walkergate job

    THE developer behind the multi-million pound Walkergate says it expects work to start by the end of the year. The scheme, part of the city centre regeneration that includes the £30m Millennium City development - home to the Gala Theatre - was originally

  • Teachers stressed and overworked, says report

    TEACHERS in the region are highly stressed and overworked, a report says. Paperwork, administrative duties, a preoccupation with targets and disruptive behaviour by pupils all add to teachers' stress. This has created a negative culture, the study found

  • Winter start for Walkergate job

    THE developer behind the multi-million pound Walkergate says it expects work to start by the end of the year. The scheme, part of the city centre regeneration that includes the £30m Millennium City development - home to the Gala Theatre - was originally

  • One firm closes, but hope grows for Corus jobs

    A CHEMICALS company has announced the closure of its Billingham operation, with the loss of all 80 jobs. Air Products, which manufactures methylamines and derivatives, announced in April that it hoped to sell the plant as a going concern. A spokesman

  • BAE Systems results hailed as good news for Tyneside

    AEROSPACE and defence group BAE Systems yesterday announced an 18 per cent rise in profits. The company, which employs 450 people in the region after taking over tank maker Alvis Vickers earlier this year, said the group was now firmly focused on expansion

  • Family firm calls it a day after 30 years

    A FAMILY business in High Coniscliffe will close at the end of the month after more than 30 years of trading. In 1968, Dick Lawson set up his garden machinery depot in the village and saw it grow from strength to strength - becoming the first port of

  • Bright future for N'Zogbia - Bernard

    OLIVIER Bernard expects compatriot Charles N'Zogbia to follow in his footsteps by shrugging off the red tape controversy that has dogged the start of his Newcastle United career, writes SCOTT WILSON. N'Zogbia made his first appearance for the club in

  • Hignett all set to make Quakers debut

    DARLINGTON could have two new faces in their line-up for tomorrow's League Two match at Rochdale after the club were released from administration earlier this week. Former Middlesbrough midfielder Craig Hignett signed on a free transfer from Leeds United

  • A hundred sets of yellow flashes ignite seaside parking row

    SPLASHES of new yellow paint appeared in Saltburn town centre this week when new parking restrictions came into effect. Shopkeepers and staff reacted with horror at the reduction in parking spaces and drawing of 100 pairs of "double flashes" on kerbs

  • Write a promise and win a tractor

    FARMERS in the North-East have the chance to win a £29,000 tractor as part of a campaign to promote the high standards of British farming. The Promise Campaign invites Assured Food Standards farmers to give personal guarantees about the quality of their

  • Hurricane grounds team's dream trip

    A FEMALE football team's dream playing tour to the USA has been deflated by the heavy wind storms battering Florida. Eighteen months' planning and fundraising by Chester-le-Street Ladies FC has gone up the spout of Hurricane Frances. While many North-East

  • Wrangle over rail bridge health hazard resurfaces

    THE controversy over health hazards caused by pigeons roosting under railway bridges in Northallerton has been reignited. Northallerton-born architect Dr Tim Mullany, who works in London but regularly visits his mother in Romanby, has called for action

  • Special sales

    HAWES. - Mon. Annual sale of terminal sire rams & Mule ewes & shlgs. Fwd: 57 rams, 98 Mule ewes, 21 Mule shlgs. Prices. - Texel lambs to £70 K&R Buckle, Kirkby Stephen, av £65. Shlgs: Suff to £290 B Reeves, Settle, av £257.50; Texel to £500

  • Village post office is first-class

    CUSTOMERS of a rural sub-post office are so impressed with the service they receive that their votes have led to success in a national awards scheme. The office, at Toft Hill, near Bishop Auckland, is run by Sheila Mulgrew, who as regional winner in the

  • Two operations for police officer injured in hit and run

    An off-duty police officer underwent two operations after he was run down by a car in a late night hit-and-run incident, a force spokesman said today. The 20-year-old, who has not been named, was hit by a silver Vauxhall Astra which had already struck

  • Mart prices

    BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 1531 sheep, Lt lambs to 103p av 92.5p; std to 117p av 111.4p; med to 115p av 111p; heavy to 111p av 108.4p. Cast sheep: Cont to £45; Leics to £39; Mule to £37.50; Suff to £45; Swale to £20. DARLINGTON. - Thurs

  • Round one of assembly fight begins

    THE campaign for the regional assembly got under way with a slick launch emphasising North-East pride - but it appears the campaign managers still have some way to go in overcoming prejudices of ordinary voters. The Yes 4 The North East campaign fired

  • Emergency meeting called amid fears on school plans

    MEMBERS of a Labour-run North-East council have called an emergency meeting over the Government's "potentially harmful" five-year education strategy. Durham County Council's controlling Labour Group issued a statement yesterday saying it had grave concerns

  • Traders urged to get ready for disability law changes

    DISABILITY campaigners are urging traders in Darlington to prepare for the impact of legislation. Important changes will be made to the Disability Discrimination Act from October 1. They will have an effect on businesses providing services to the public

  • Letters: Lodge appeal

    Sir, - The old maxim "Charity begins at home" bears some special significance for the members of the Ned North Lodge No 8159 in the Darlington and District Province. The record of the outstanding charitable works undertaken by the numerous Lodges, throughout

  • Hignett to be a star, declares Liddle

    DARLINGTON new boy Craig Hignett will take part in his first training session this morning - and skipper Craig Liddle has backed the former Middlesbrough star to make a massive impact this season. The attack-minded midfielder joined Quakers on a free

  • Yorkshireman ploughs ahead to take title

    TOP English ploughman Simon Witty from Malton ploughed ahead to take first place in the reversible class at the World Ploughing Championships held in Northern Ireland on Friday and Saturday. Competing against 24 national champions from 28 countries across

  • 10/09/04

    REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: UNLIKE Gill Hale of Unison (Echo, Sept 6) I find the question of a regional assembly very complex. Although Ms Hale thinks there is an overwhelming case, I am not so sure. In a leaflet circulated by the Government, it suggests reorganisation

  • Dales businesses say road closure has cost them trade

    A ROAD closure which businesses in the upper Dales say has cost them trade is to be lifted this weekend. The route between Hawes and Hardraw was closed on August 17 after a river, swollen by torrential rain, washed away part of a bridge wall, rendering

  • Industrial development set to create hundreds of jobs

    A £3.6m industrial and warehouse development with the potential to create 250 jobs was launched today. . Maple Way in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, comprises 70,000sq ft of high specification industrial space in nine units, three of which are already

  • Almshouses exercises open to all

    SIR William Turner's Almshouses, at Kirkleatham, has opened its exercise classes to the public. The groups are limited to 15 participants at each session and, following the summer holidays, there are vacancies in both the tai chi and yoga groups. "We

  • Love is all you need in Mallard

    NOT only have Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin star-studded team been cleaning up in a multitude of Group races this term, they have also targeted some far less valuable middle-of-the-road handicaps with the likes of Fantastic Love (1.50). The relatively new

  • Fear remains as flats plan is changed

    FEARFUL objectors want extra time to allow for more consultation on an amended proposal to build 29 houses in Egglescliffe. Hesland Properties rectified its plans to demolish four houses in Aislaby Road to make way for the new homes, after Stockton planning

  • Neale: How a blind eye was turned to scandal

    SEVEN years after victims of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale began their campaign for justice, the full details of the scandal have been revealed for the first time. The long-awaited report of the independent inquiry into the Richard Neale affair, published

  • Contest winners to launch debut album

    NORTH-EAST band Stone Coda will launch their debut album tonight at The Cornerhouse, Middlesbrough. The Darlington band won The Northern Echo music contest, The Big Chance, last year. The first prize provided Stone Coda with three days in the Sanity Multimedia

  • Nationwide search called off as missing children found

    THREE children who went missing with their mother and grandmother were found by detectives yesterday after the launch of a nationwide hunt. Police were expected to speak with Darren, six, and Leonie Gray, five, and their three-year-old sister, Sophie

  • MyTravel optimistic after bright summer

    Tour operator MyTravel promised a significant improvement in annual results after seeing its UK division achieve a profitable summer season. The trading update came as the former Airtours company said it was meeting lending banks to discuss a restructuring

  • Hurricane grounds team's dream trip

    A FEMALE football team's dream playing tour to the USA has been deflated by the heavy wind storms battering Florida. Eighteen months' planning and fundraising by Chester-le-Street Ladies FC has gone up the spout of Hurricane Frances. While many North-East

  • Neale: How a blind eye was turned to scandal

    SEVEN years after victims of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale began their campaign for justice, the full details of the scandal have been revealed for the first time. The long-awaited report of the independent inquiry into the Richard Neale affair, published

  • ITV enjoys advertising boost

    A BOOST in advertising revenue has helped broadcasting group ITV to a 42 per cent increase in profits. The group, formed by the merger of Granada and Carlton earlier this year, said first-half advertising revenues from all ITV channels improved by 4.9

  • Jail for mobile phone crash driver

    A VAN driver who killed a man while chatting on his mobile phone has been jailed for three years. It is believed to be the UK's first recorded case of death by dangerous driving involving a mobile phone. Alan Milbanke, 32, had been talking to a work colleague

  • Economic rebirth backed by Blair

    THE Prime Minister last night gave his encouragement to ambitious development plans being drawn up to transform the economic heart of Teesside. Tony Blair met Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon and His Excellency Mohamed Ali Alabbar - Dubai's economic development

  • Bank offers after masked gang steal £15,000

    A bank has offered a reward of up to £15,000 after a masked gang robbed staff of a substantial amount of cash early today. A police spokesman staff were working at Barclays Bank on Ellison Street, Jarrow, at 3.30am when two masked men entered the bank

  • Ex-Wembley staff in protest at FA offices

    WORKERS sacked from the £757m Wembley Stadium project stepped up their protest campaign yesterday. The former steelworkers from Cleveland Bridge, Darlington, staged demonstrations at the London venue and outside the head office of the Football Association

  • Man jailed for sex assualts in the 1970s

    A bagpipe player was in jail last this evening after being convicted of molesting a child. Melvyn Peter Clement, 63, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was found guilty on two counts of indecently assaulting a girl. The offences were committed between

  • Town snubs lone candidate for vacant seat

    A PARISH councillor has labelled his town council undemocratic after members turned down his sole application to fill a vacant seat. Coun Tony Cooke, a member of Stainton and Streatlam Parish Council, made his third attempt to be co-opted on to Barnard

  • Concert to feature harpsichord after authentic restoraion

    THE lilting tones of a restored instrument will ring out this weekend in celebration of the completion of work on it. The harpsichord was once owned by one of York's most prominent citizens, Tempest Anderson, who gave his name to the Yorkshire Museum's

  • And when it rained, it poured and poured

    IT WILL be news to no-one that August was a very wet month. For some, it was the wettest August on record and for a few places, the worst drenching received in any month. Everywhere had at least twice the usual rainfall, with one or two spots accumulating

  • Shoptalk

    THE summer's warm, wet weather has turned back gardens into jungles - dense enough to hide at least half a dozen small celebrities. It might not be the right time to cut everything back, but I reckon the right time is when you can't stand the sight of

  • Case will made to EU for early payment of arable cash support

    NFU president, Tim Bennett, saw for himself how August's torrential rain has devastated the harvest in North Yorkshire and the North-East. He visited a farm at Gilling West, near Richmond, before discussing the situation with grain merchants at Farmway

  • Guisborough stand on verge of historic triumph

    GUISBOROUGH will make history if they clinch the premier division championship tomorrow. Even if their only challengers Bishop Auckland win at Hartlepool, Guisborough need just four points from their final game of the season at Darlington RA to clinch

  • Wellock's World

    THE lengthy list of great Scottish managers includes Stein, Shankly, Busby and Ferguson but not, in the eyes of Newcastle fans, Dalglish. Now they will be worried that they have landed Dalglish Mark II. Well at least they should be able to understand

  • Police investigate after farmer killed by bull

    A police investigation is underway after an 80-year-old farmer was killed by a bull. The incident took place on Thursday morning, at Carlton, near Richmond, North Yorkshire. The farmer, William Fenwick Lax, from Carlton Grange, Aldbrough St John, was

  • Mystery of tribute to a horse revealed

    FARMER John Wilkinson was puzzled when he washed decades of grime from a stone plaque and was able to read a glowing tribute - to a horse. He knew only a wealthy person would be able to pay for the memorial at Westside Farm, Staindrop, near Barnard Castle

  • Zetland win makes it a hat-trick for Lucinda

    A YOUNG rider has won her third pony club event this season - despite the fact she is just eight years of age. Lucinda Elliott, of Hilton, near Ingleton, finished first in the Zetland Pony Club junior one-day event at Foxberry Chasers, adding to her victory

  • Jobs hope as stone firm outlines plans for quarry

    A LOCAL firm hopes to create a jobs and environmental boost for the Wear Valley with a return to traditional industry combined with modern thinking. Sherburn Stone is looking to open a quarry on 30 hectares of its land at Low Harperley Farm, near Wolsingham

  • Film focuses on estate life

    A FILM made by young people about their lives on a Wear Valley estate is being shown for the first time next week. A group from the Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland, made the video with artist Jane Crawford, from Daisy Arts. Filming followed

  • £200m chemical plant will bring 100-plus jobs

    CHEMICALS giant Huntsman has announced plans to build a new £200m plant at Wilton, creating 117 jobs and safeguarding a further 747. The Department of Trade and Industry has granted the firm £16.5m towards the project, which will also see Huntsman's existing

  • Letters: The never-never

    Sir, - It seems to me that Nosterfield quarry is hoping to expand on a "least cost" basis - preferring not to move the plant equipment but bringing the rock to the crushing plant by conveyor from the area being worked. Should the Ladybridge planning application

  • Arriva profits from UK bus operations

    BUS and rail operator Arriva predicted a renaissance in bus travel last night as it announced a 7.3 per cent rise in operating profits in the past six months. The group, which is based in Sunderland, said it believed the Government's transport White Paper

  • Teenage boxer's Olympic dream

    A YOUNG boxer has been rewarded for a hat trick of achievements. David Watson, 17, who sparred with Olympic silver medallist Ahmir Khan a few months ago, holds both the national schools title and the Junior ABA Championship and won a gold medal for England

  • Anniversary display of art

    AN art society is celebrating a milestone anniversary next week with an exhibition of artists' work. The Stockton and Billingham Art Society is celebrating its tenth anniversary of meeting as a group with an exhibition of their work from September 18

  • Camera for village is put on hold

    COUNCILLORS put a hold on proposals to install a closed circuit television camera in the heart of a village because the possible costs are too high. Middleton St George parish council looked into having a camera in the village square to cut down on anti-social

  • Town's landmark building marks its 150th anniversary

    A TOWN landmark is being commemorated on Teesside. A photographic exhibition to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Hartlepool Art Gallery, formerly Christ Church, has opened. To coincide with the exhbition, there will be a series of fun and educational

  • The truth of the matter

    WHEN newspapers are in the process of bringing scandals into the public domain, it is common practice for them to be accused of muck-raking and being sensationalist. That was the case when The Northern Echo got its teeth into the Richard Neale saga, airing

  • Report confirms gap in milk prices

    A MAJOR new report this week confirmed that retailer margins on liquid milk and dairy products had increased significantly over the past ten years, but farmgate prices and farm margins had continued to fall. The Milk Development Council published its

  • Letters: Beslan answers

    Sir, - We have all seen the horrifying television pictures of the school siege in Beslan and the events that unfolded in the small Russian town will undoubtedly have distressed many people. However, we mustn't underestimate the effect such scenes can

  • Look out, look out - there's a ghost about

    DURHAM'S ghostly and bloody past is being revealed to sightseers as part of a drive to get youngsters interested in history. As part of the national Heritage Open Days weekend that starts today, families can take a walk on the supernatural side through

  • Time for cricket to grab the sporting headlines

    AMIDST the euphoria of the Olympics and the despair of Euro 2004, the achievements of England's cricket team have been somewhat overlooked this summer. Since returning from their triumphant winter tour of the Caribbean, England's Test stars have racked

  • Round one of assembly fight begins

    THE campaign for the regional assembly got under way with a slick launch emphasising North-East pride - but it appears the campaign managers still have some way to go in overcoming prejudices of ordinary voters. The Yes 4 The North East campaign fired

  • Dog wardens face review

    THE way dog wardens go about their work is to be re-examined amid complaints from pet owners who say they have been frightened by a plain clothes official. A workshop will examine Richmondshire District Council's dog warden contract following claims by

  • Time called on Lewis as Hussey takes over

    DURHAM chose the first day of the final match of the season to confirm that the county's longest captaincy reign was about to end. There was some logic to this, but it was a day when little else made sense. Why should the season end when the weather is

  • Wilks closes on title with Ulster Rally maximum

    DEALER Team Suzuki driver Guy Wilks is now just two points away from clinching the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Super 1600 Championship after securing his fifth successive maximum points haul on the Ulster Rally last weekend. Wilks, from Heighington, and

  • Thirsk past the post

    FLOWER power in Thirsk has paid off. The volunteer working party was cock-a-hoop on Tuesday when the town was named Yorkshire In Bloom winner. Thirsk received a score of 359 out of a possible 400 - 14 points ahead of its nearest rivals. The average score

  • Cats are braced for Byfield backlash

    Sunderland centre-half Ben Clark is expecting a 'Byfield backlash' when his side travel to Gillingham tomorrow. The trip to the Priestfield Stadium will see the Black Cats come face to face with striker Darren Byfield for the first time since his summer

  • Is this portable games macine a winner

    GIZMONDO: Price: £229. On sale: before Christmas. If you thought the forthcoming pocket-sized PlayStation was cool, just wait until you get a load of the new Gizmondo. Setting aside the terrible name (the result of a last minute hitch that forced a change

  • Never mind the luck - feel the attitude

    IT has been quite a hectic few days - but no-one is complaining. When we first suggested that the economic miracle that had transformed Dubai might also work wonders for the Tees there were those who took it as a chance to have another dig at this area

  • Forage maize on show in Wensleydale

    FARMERS will next week have the chance to view forage maize crops in Wensleydale as they rapidly approach readiness for harvest. KW Alternative Feeds, in conjunction with Grainseed (Maize Ltd) and Metcalfe Farms, stage the event at Thorney Farm, Spennithorne

  • Police tackle water park rowdies

    POLICE told concerned councillors and residents this week that they will solve the anti-social behaviour problems in Middleton St George. On Monday, Sgt Mark Ralphs of Darlington police told the parish council that there had been an increase in police

  • Georgian building faces demolition as wall collapses

    A 200-YEAR-old building in a Darlington conservation area faces demolition after an internal wall collapsed during renovation work. Graham Levy, 44, was removing timber beams from the two former terrace shops at Haughton Green on Sunday afternoon when

  • Residents in protest over opening hours

    CITY centre residents fed up with drunken revellers hope to prevent a theme pub from staying open later. Regent Inns, owners of the 700-capacity Australian-themed Walkabout pub in North Road, Durham City, will ask magistrates and councillors on Tuesday

  • Opposition mounts over BT plans to axe rural pay phones

    THE residents of a Teesdale hamlet have backed their local councillor in trying to save their BT pay phone - one of 178 in the D&S Times area which are under threat of removal as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Coun Newman Smith told Gainford and

  • Arriva profits from UK bus operations

    BUS and rail operator Arriva predicted a renaissance in bus travel last night as it announced a 7.3 per cent rise in operating profits in the past six months. The group, which is based in Sunderland, said it believed the Government's transport White Paper

  • Doncaster win puts Halmahera in exalted company

    ANOTHER nine-year-old, another veteran performance by a Yorkshire horse as Halmahera made history by landing the Portland Handicap at Doncaster on Wednesday for the third year running. The gelding carried 9st 10lb and still managed to chop half a second

  • The sorry side of buying abroad

    The sorry side of buying abroad: Housetrapped In The Sun (C4): APOLOGIES to Channel 4. Only yesterday I complained that Grand Designs Abroad didn't feature enough property disasters. Now along comes this - a whole catalogue of houses sliding down cliffs

  • Pubs are asked to restrict smoking

    HUNDREDS of North pubs will ban drinkers from smoking at the bar amid growing concern over the effects of passive smoking. Five of the country's biggest pub chains have agreed to introduce a ban after they asked customers what they wanted. They have fallen

  • Hunting experience pays off for Button

    CINDERELLA'S Mischief, also known as Button, won the side saddle horse of the year title at the BSPS Championships at Peterborough, while his rider Jane Forster won the side saddle rider of the year title, both for the second year running. The day before

  • Mistake forces ballot papers' reprint

    A SIMPLE spelling error has forced a reprint of ballot papers for the forthcoming by-election to fill a vacancy on Chester-le-Street District Council. The mistake was spotted on forms after they were delivered to homes of voters in the villages of Edmondsley

  • Mistake forces ballot papers' reprint

    A SIMPLE spelling error has forced a reprint of ballot papers for the forthcoming by-election to fill a vacancy on Chester-le-Street District Council. The mistake was spotted on forms after they were delivered to homes of voters in the villages of Edmondsley

  • Mistake forces ballot papers' reprint

    A SIMPLE spelling error has forced a reprint of ballot papers for the forthcoming by-election to fill a vacancy on Chester-le-Street District Council. The mistake was spotted on forms after they were delivered to homes of voters in the villages of Edmondsley

  • Time to get to grip

    It's time to tackle the pruning and definately time to make it a bit easier for those of us with little mitts. THE summer's warm, wet weather has turned back gardens into jungles - dense enough to hide at least half a dozen small celebrities. It might

  • Northallerton give Billingham a scare in FA Cup battles

    FA Cup Preliminary Round Northallerton Town 1 Billingham Town 1 A DRAMATIC last-gasp goal from Jason Newell gave Northallerton Town a deserved draw against first division Billingham Town in last Saturday's FA Cup preliminary round tie. Town manager Paul

  • TV review

    The sorry side of buying abroad Housetrapped In The Sun (C4) APOLOGIES to Channel 4. Only yesterday I complained that Grand Designs Abroad didn't feature enough property disasters. Now along comes this - a whole catalogue of houses sliding down cliffs

  • Wellock's World

    THE lengthy list of great Scottish managers includes Stein, Shankly, Busby and Ferguson but not, in the eyes of Newcastle fans, Dalglish. Now they will be worried that they have landed Dalglish Mark II. Well at least they should be able to understand

  • New hornblower keeps tradition alive

    THE man who has saved Ripon's 1,000-year hornblowing ceremony from becoming history has admitted: "I've never blown a horn in my life before." But George Pickles is learning fast. And his wife of 46 years, Lilian, has turned into his sternest critic,

  • Pony dates

    Bedale & West of Yore PC. - Sept 19: Showcross, Londonderry, lead rein, triers, novice, open, schedules sae Mrs B Orkney, Glebe House, Spennithorne, Leyburn, N Yorks DL8 5PR. BHS County Durham Committee. - Oct 17: Streatlam Park pleasure ride to start

  • Parties' voting campaigns begin in earnest

    THE first official day of the Hartlepool by-election campaign was marked with activity from all the main parties yesterday. One candidate protested about being described as "not local", despite being born in the town, while another promised to take less

  • Compensation for ill ex-miners: a measly £17 a week

    Sick and crippled ex-miners are set to be guaranteed a minimum level of compensation to end the scandal of offers as measly as £17. The government is expected to announce, within weeks, that it has struck a deal with claimants and their solicitors to

  • Vaughan warns against complacency

    England open their challenge for the ICC Trophy today determined complacency will not undermine their chances of success against a Zimbabwe line-up widely expected to struggle in the tournament. Decimated by the sacking of 14 leading players, including

  • Opposition to leisure and homes proposal

    MORE than 200 people attended a public meeting held against proposals for a multi-million pound development in Redcar. Developer Persimmon hopes to build homes and leisure facilities on the site of the Coatham Enclosure and will be submitting plans to

  • Jail for mobile phone crash driver

    A VAN driver who killed a man while chatting on his mobile phone has been jailed for three years. It is believed to be the UK's first recorded case of death by dangerous driving involving a mobile phone. Alan Milbanke, 32, had been talking to a work colleague

  • Major skydives to glory

    AN Army major has battled appalling weather conditions to come fourth in the Armed Forces Parachute Championships. Major Paul Hallett, from Northallerton, was part of a team from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers competing in the intermediate

  • Reward to catch 'idiots' who destroy trees

    RESIDENTS are offering a cash reward in a bid to catch vandals who have destroyed trees on the green at Old Billingham. The latest incident took place last week, when a group of youths used golf clubs to hack the bark off a mature tree over three nights

  • He who laughs last...

    He resigned to spend more time with his family, but yesterday Alan Milburn was enjoying his first day back in the cabinet. Political Editor Chris Lloyd looks at what lies behind the turnaround - and how Mr Milburn could be lining himself up for a tilt

  • Tenants to trial solar power

    COUNCIL tenants could be bathing in water heated by the sun if a pilot project receives the go-ahead. Richmondshire District Council has received funding for a solar-powered water-heating scheme. Scottish Power has given the authority more than £20,000

  • Time for cricket to grab the sporting headlines

    AMIDST the euphoria of the Olympics and the despair of Euro 2004, the achievements of England's cricket team have been somewhat overlooked this summer. Since returning from their triumphant winter tour of the Caribbean, England's Test stars have racked

  • 'How I came to believe in regional government' - Blair

    Tony Blair told for the first time today how he has been converted to the cause of regional government. In his first newspaper interview about the historic referendum in the North-East, the Prime Minister revealed his personal conflict over the need for

  • Round one of assembly fight begins

    THE campaign for the regional assembly got under way with a slick launch emphasising North-East pride - but it appears the campaign managers still have some way to go in overcoming prejudices of ordinary voters. The Yes 4 The North East campaign fired

  • Jail for mobile phone crash driver

    A VAN driver who killed a man while chatting on his mobile phone has been jailed for three years. It is believed to be the UK's first recorded case of death by dangerous driving involving a mobile phone. Alan Milbanke, 32, had been talking to a work colleague

  • Winter start for Walkergate job

    THE developer behind the multi-million pound Walkergate says it expects work to start by the end of the year. The scheme, part of the city centre regeneration that includes the £30m Millennium City development - home to the Gala Theatre - was originally

  • Schwarzer leaps to defence of James

    MARK Schwarzer last night launched an impassioned defence of fellow goalkeeper David James, claiming that he had been made a scapegoat for the deficiencies of the England team. James was roundly criticised after allowing Andreas Ivanschitz's tame shot

  • Travellers camped illegally given deadline to move on

    Travellers camped illegally in a Darlington park have got until tomorrow to move on before they are served with an eviction notice. Seven caravans have been parked in Springfield Park since the beginning of the week. Residents and park users have complained

  • Burton's Bytes

    GIZMONDO Price: £229 On sale: before Christmas. IF YOU thought the forthcoming pocket-sized PlayStation was cool, just wait until you get a load of the new Gizmondo. Setting aside the terrible name (the result of a last minute hitch that forced a change

  • Dealership closure brings jobs uncertainty

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