POLICE in Darlington are tonight negotiating with a man who has climbed a tree and is refusing to come down. The incident started at about 7pm close to Tom Raine Court and is still ongoing. One man, who lives nearby, said: "The police have
A MAN who tried to throw his ex-girlfriend over a bannister at their home walked free from court after a judge heard he had never before been violent towards her. Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, today (Monday, December 17) described the incident
POLICE have appealed for information from club-goers who may have witnessed a dance floor assault in which an 18-year-old man suffered a fractured cheekbone. The incident is said to have taken place in the Digital nightclub, in Newcastle city centre
A CHILD abuser was behind bars tonight – more than two decades after he thought he had got away with his crimes. Paul Knappett, now 53, left the North-East for a new life in the south and believed he had taken his secrets with him. But when
VOLUNTEER countryside ranger Richard Gater and keen photographer Geoff Hill lead a two-mile guided walk giving an insight into the history of Hardwick Park, in Sedgefield, County Durham, on Wednesday (DECEMBER 19). Walkers should meet at the site visitor
THE jury in the case of a mother accused of allowing the death of her baby son at the hands of an allegedly violent boyfriend has been sent home for the night. Thirteen-month-old Slater Sharkey died after he was taken to Shotley Bridge Hospital
THE NORTH EAST angling fraternity is in shock tonight (Monday, December 17) as tributes are paid to a married father-of-six who died after being swept out to sea. Paul Turner, 33, of Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham, was rescued after getting
A BURGLAR who was chased and detained by his victims until police arrived was today jailed for more than two-and-a-half years. Michael Burke, 37, fled from the scene in Middlesbrough when he was confronted by the householders, Teesside Crown Court
A PENSIONER has been left too frightened to live in her home after she was beaten across the head with a torch and then locked in a bathroom by violent burglars. Mohinder Kaur Hundal, 72, suffered a fractured cheekbone, a deep wound to her arm
FESTIVE FILM: A free showing of Christmas favourite It's a Wonderful Life will take place at the Big Screen in Middlesbrough on Thursday, December 20 from 6pm. Seating is limited and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Warm clothing
FESTIVE VISIT: Father Christmas will make a final stop at a railway museum to meet children and pick up their wish lists. Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum will welcome Santa on Saturday, December 22, from 10am to 4pm. Call 01325-460532
HUNDREDS of enthusiasts converged on a North-East community centre for a toy and train collectors' fair. The Bowburn Toy and Train Collectors’ Fair at the Bowburn Community Centre, in Bowburn, near Durham, featured an array of die-cast model cars
A decision is due in January over whether a public inquiry should be held into compulsory purchase orders for the £42m bypass for Bedale. The closing date for objections to compulsory purchase orders was December 11 and the Secretary of State is due
VITAL repairs to a railway crossing will close a main road through North Yorkshire for three days in the New Year. THE A684 will be closed at Bedale for work to be carried out to the crossing by the Wensleydale Railway. Recent works to upgrade
A VILLAGE which suffered widespread flooding during the summer’s downpours could get better flood defences, costing up to £500,000. When heavy rain hit the region in June, Witton Gilbert, near Durham City, was left under several feet of water,
A SERVICE to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the bombardment of Hartlepool was held at the weekend. A total of 123 Hartlepool people were killed by bombardment from German ships on December 16, 1914, just four months into the First World War
A COUPLE who were devoted to one another for more than 70 years and died just days apart will be laid to rest at a joint funeral this week. Raymond and Jane Hubery, of Trimdon Village, near Sedgefield, were happily married for 73 years and were
A MAN found dead in his home with serious head injuries had appeared in court charged with child abduction just days earlier. The battered body of football fanzine seller John Roberts was found at his home in Park Terrace, Winlaton, near Gateshead
BUDDING photographers are invited to get snapping at Stewart Park to be in with the chance of winning a prize. The winners of the 2013 Friends of Stewart Park Photography Competition will also see their work displayed in the historic park’s new
A BOYS football team will take on the best in the county after winning an area five-a-side tournament. The Year 7 boys from The Wensleydale School are through to the county round after beating Richmond School 4-1 in the final of the Richmondshire
THE first Recovery College in England - to support people overcoming alcohol and substance misuse – is to be launched in York early next year. The local council and its partners have commissioned a national charity, Wire Into Recovery, to launch
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to fight plans to build two wind monitoring masts on farmland on the outskirts of Guisborough. Angry residents are rallying together in reaction to an increasing number of applications being submitted to Redcar and
POLICE have turned to the public to help them track down two wanted people. Shaun Brian Chapman, 40, of St Hilda’s Terrace in Whitby and Elizabeth Hanson, 38, of Columbus Ravine, Scarborough are wanted for failing to answer police bail. They
A HORSE racing event that attracts more than 4,000 people to County Durham will return on Boxing Day. At 12.10pm on Wednesday, December 26, the tapes will fly up for the first of seven races at Sedgefield Racecourse. Jill Williamson, general
A SIGNIFICANT number of vehicles on the road have unsafe tyres, according to new research. The Cleveland Road Safety Partnership, made up of emergency services, conducted checks and found that 12 out of 89 vehicles inspected had tyres that were illegal
FATHER Christmas has joined forces with a crime-fighting charity. Crimestoppers has launched a Secret Santa campaign in the region to encourage people to provide information on criminals anonymously. Dave Hunter, Northern regional manager for
HUNDREDS of people could be left without electricity for days after a power cut hit around 500 homes. Properties in Croft and Hurworth, near Darlington, were plunged into darkness about 4am this morning (Monday, December 17), when an overhead power
A JAPANESE manufacturer has restated its commitment to bringing train building back to the region, despite the Government looking at alternative options for part of a multi-billion pound deal. Hitachi said a proposed manufacturing plant in Newton
FAMILIES have just a few weeks left to have their say on the future of a county’s playgrounds. Durham County Council is reviewing its “fixed play sites”, with council chiefs saying they want to ensure they are shared more fairly and better meet
AN appeal to help families in need this Christmas has received an extra boost from a County Durham Supermarket. Tesco Extra in Newton Aycliffe has donated £500 to Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club to help purchase 50 hampers for people in the area who
CLASS A drugs including cocaine and heroin have been seized as part of a police operation. The drugs were seized from addresses as part of the 12 Days of Christmas campaign. The campaign, focusing on drugs and stolen goods, is being run by
A STUDENT production of a classic fairy tale has been hailed a big success. Youngsters at Stockton Riverside College have been performing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at The Arc in Stockton to packed houses. So far 5,200 tickets have been
By Robert Moore, of George F White DRIVING around the countryside, it’s amazing to see and think how many utility companies’ apparatus (gas mains, electricity lines and water pipes) criss-cross the farming landscape. For those that have apparatus
MUMS and babies have been enjoying a new church group for toddlers to open in Stockton. Toddlers Praise takes place every Monday morning in St Peter’s Church, Stockton, with an hour of worship and fun kicking off at 9.30am in the Yarm Road church
THE writer of the hit BBC sitcom Hebburn is to return to the North-East to perform his latest stand-up routine. Jason Cook, who also starred in the show as Ramsey, will perform at Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, held at Inside Out, in Beaumont Street
PLANS for a £27m regeneration scheme for a former ice rink have been submitted. The consortium behind the Durham Riverside Renewal Project wants to build 4,000sq metres of office space, a restaurant and a cafe at Freeman’s Reach, the former home
BIKE THEFT: Police in Darlington are hunting thieves who stole a mountain bike from a property in Darlington on December 11. The silver and red Trek 4900 bike has a red rear wheel rim, Specialized road tyres and a black rigid front fork. Anyone with
Civic champion: A plaque is to be installed in Blake Street, York to honour one of the city’s most popular figures, conservation champion John Shannon. Mr Shannon, who died in 2010, aged 92, played a leading role in many organisations, but is most
SPEEDERS SNARED: North Yorkshire Police say 22 motorists were caught speeding on Masham road in Bedale by the speed camera van during a 40 minute period. All were doing speeds of between 36 and 50 mph and all were fined. Police have told the Town Council
THE Royal Mail has extended the opening time of its delivery office in Darlington in an attempt to make life easier for people in the run up to Christmas. From now until Christmas Eve the normal opening hours at the town’s sorting office, off Victoria
A DAD known as ‘Father Fitness’ is to stage a unique Twelve Days of Christmas fundraiser in aid of a children’s charity. Paul Stainthorpe, a father-of-two from Durham City, will run to locations relevant to the gifts given on each day of the much-loved
A WOMEN’S organisation has been recognised for its efforts to support locally-produced food. The Darlington Soroptimists group was named runners-up in the North East Local Food Hero Awards for 2012, a project supported by the Big Lottery Fund that
A POPULAR festive concert is being held in Darlington town centre this weekend. The St Teresa’s Hospice Christmas Cracker concert will take place on Saturday (December, 22) at 7pm at the Dolphin Centre, and will feature choirs, musicians and performers
A SCHOOL has been playing its part in the Olympic legacy by inviting top athletes to mentor its students. Former Olympic boxing champion Amanda Coulson and swimmer Chris Cooke both recently paid a visit to Stokesley School to inspire pupils in
STABLE FIRE: Police are appealing for information after a suspected arson at The Stables, near Seamer, on Sunday, (December 16) at around 12.30am. Nobody was hurt in the fire at the unoccupied premises. Anyone with information can call North Yorkshire
MEMBERS of a school five a-side football team are celebrating after winning through to the regional finals of a competition. Five schools took part in the recent annual Darlington schools year seven five a-side tournament, at the Education Village
AN amateur boxer paid a visit to a Darlington school to share her sporting experiences with students. Amanda Coulson spent time with year eight students at Carmel College, in Darlington, in part of her role as a Sky Sports mentoring programme.
A CHARITY race that saw around 250 people dress up as Father Christmas helped to raise around £3,000 for heart patients. The British Heart Foundation Richmond Santa Mile took place on Sunday, December 9 from Richmond Swimming Pool, where participants
POLICE APPEAL: A 50-year-old man is in hospital with spinal injuries following a collision on Acklam Road in Thornaby on Sunday. The collision happened when a Ford Focus collided with the pedestrian near to the A66 slip road, west bound at around 6.50pm
A planning application has been submitted to Durham County Council seeking planning permission for the erection of a house and detached garage at Plot 4, Littlethorpe Farm, Littlethorpe. A decision is pending. RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION: An application
A HUSBAND and wife team who have invested £350,000 in their business after spotting an opportunity in the market have won two new contracts worth £500,000. Engineer Kevin Henry, 51, started 3G Titanium in 2010 with his wife Yung Li after securing
AN ANIMAL shelter is appealing to members of the public to donate treats and toys to animals staying at the centre at Christmas. The Blue Cross pet charity in Thirsk relays on local support to help homeless animals and has seen an increase of almost
POLICE have revealed that the angler who died after being swept out to sea at the weekend was a married father-of-six. Paul Turner, of Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham had to be winched from the sea after getting into difficulties while angling
THE man who fired the starting gun on Usain Bolt’s stunning 100m sprint victory at this summer’s Olympics has helped bury a time capsule marking his home county’s contribution to the London Games. Olympics and Paralympics chief starter Alan Bell
A MOTHER-OF-TWO is battling with American reality TV stars the Kardashians over claims their new range of cosmetics is similar to the one she created two years ago. Jay Willey, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, claims her company Kroma sent samples
Visitors are a number one priority in the Yorkshire Dales National Park – and the park has won an award to prove it. The Government’s Customer Service Excellence Award has been handed out to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) for
CHRISTMAS SERVICES: ST CATHERINES CHURCH, CROOK - Christingle Service on Christmas Eve at 4pm followed by Holy Communion at 7pm. Holy Communion at 10am on Christmas Day. ST ANDREWS DAWSON STREET METHODIST/URC CHURCH - Traditional Carol Service this
STOCKPILES of sandbags are to be created across Hambleton district as parish councils are urged to help protect residents in vulnerable location. Septembers flooding saw officers from Hambleton District Council issue almost 4,000 sandbags – but
THE number of people arrested on suspicion of drink-driving during North Yorkshire’s annual crackdown is continuing to grow. Officers enforcing the campaign have warned that it is only a matter of time before someone is killed or seriously injured
POLICE are appealing for information following a single vehicle road accident in which a 61-year-old man died. The accident happened at about 8.25am on Sunday, December 16, and involved a black Vauxhall Meriva on the B1263 heading towards the A16
MUSIC SOCIETY: The Christmas meeting of the Darlington Recorded Music Society will take place on Wednesday, December 19, in the Harroway Room of Elm Ridge Church, on Carmel Road South, at 7pm. The meeting will include Spirit of Christmas by Anne and
A DARLINGTON school has been rated as ‘excellent’ in a number of key areas in its latest report from independent inspectors. The report from the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) gave a strong rating to Polam Hall School, in Grange Road, which
A DESIGN house is ending the year on a high note after securing new contracts on two major city centre hotel schemes. Jesmond-based Dakota House of Design has been appointed by developer Trafalgar Leisure to transform the Blundell Building on Newcastle
A CLERGYMAN who voted against the introduction of women bishops has turned down his appointment as the next Bishop of Whitby over the issue. Anglo-Catholic Father Philip North was appointed to the senoor role less than two months ago, but yesterday
ANGELS gathered for the first nativity 2,000 years ago and they are back again in modern times at a North-East cathedral. Challenged to produce a crib scene for St Nicholas’ Cathedral, in Newcastle, students at the city’s Dame Allan’s Schools took
CLEANERS on the region’s busiest transport system have confirmed a three-day strike over Christmas. Members of the transport union RMT will stage a 72-hour walk-out on the Tyne and Wear Metro starting at 10.30pm on Sunday, December 23 as part of
FOUR air cadets have travelled to London to collect their gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards. The youngsters, all from 234 (City of Durham) Squadron Air Cadets, were: Cadet Warrant Officer Alyx Milne, 19; Cadet Flight Sergeants Paul Franklin, 20,
GOLF club members have put rivalries aside to raise money for a charity support group. Players at Mount Oswald Golf Club, in Durham City, staged a year of fundraising events for the Durham and District branch of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society
PLANS have been submitted to build a large affordable housing development on a narrow stretch of recreational public land. The 24 rental properties would be erected on a grassed area between Buxton Moor Crescent and Edgemoor Road, on the Moorfield
NEWCASTLE United stars have cancelled Christmas, out of respect for the club’s fans. Magpies’ manager Alan Pardew revealed his misfiring stars will not have a Christmas party this year after a run of dismal results saw the club teetering just two
AN ARTIST has hit out against censorship after her paintings were removed from display in a gym for being too suggestive. Dianne Bowell, an artist from Middlesbrough, was invited to exhibit her work at the town’s council-run Clairville Stadium
Police were today working to identify the Manchester City fans who set off flares inside Newcastle's St James' Park at the weekend. One of the flares was thrown from the section containing travelling spectators into another housing home fans below
A HOUSING scheme for Aiskew, near Bedale is set to get the go ahead, bringing to 230 the number of new homes which could be built in the area in the next two years. Developers Cecil Yuill will have to pay a contribution of £560,000 towards community
A HOST of stars with connections to the North-East – including Bryan Ferry, Sting, Neil Tennant and Sir Thomas Allen – have expressed anger at planned cuts to arts funding in the region. The celebrities have criticised what they say is “short-sighted
A WOMAN has died after her car left the road and ended up in a ditch by the busy A64 near York this morning (Monday, December 17). Her black car left the westbound carriageway by Bilbrough at around 7.50am and the driver, a 30-year-old woman, was
A SOFTWARE development firm has added a touch of va va voom to a car launch after completing a website design project for French car manufacturer Renault. Gateshead-based AYO Digital was approached by the car multinational to create a web interface
A QUIZ night at Sandhutton near Thirsk on December 23 will raise money for the Nic Kane electric wheelchair fund. Nic who is 20 was paralysed from the chest down in an accident, supporters are trying to raise £10,000 for an all terrain electric
A CHRISTMAS fair in Masham was such a success organisers have already named the day for next year's event. Based on an original Victorian Fair held for over 25 years in the town, shopkeepers and traders backed this year’s event with seasonal market
AN outbreak of the winter vomiting bug has hit 50 patients at a health trust leading officials to call on the public to help keep the numbers to a minimum. Officials at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust issued an appeal to those
CHILDREN using a playground have been endangered by thugs who removed bolts from play equipment, police said. Cleveland Police are appealing for information about the damage at the Summerhill Country Park in Hartlepool, saying that it could have
WITH winter under way in earnest, vulnerable people across North Yorkshire are being urged to take advantage of an innovative scheme to beat the cold. People are being urged to come forward who might be eligible for help under the “Hotspots” scheme
A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer has raised £600 for her local support group. Grace Lynn, from Durham City, organised two evenings featuring Amanda Britton, who claims to be a medium, which raised £600 for the Durham and District branch of the Multiple
REFUSE and recycling collections across the Hambleton and Richmondshire districts will be affected by the Christmas and New Year holidays. Householders are asked to refer to their bin tag which details changes to refuse and recycling collection
COMPETITION-winning children have been treated to a Christmas party featuring some of their TV favourites. Youngsters who won a prize draw at the Prince Bishops shopping centre, in Durham City, enjoyed a party with Santa Claus, Rocky Robin, TV
A BANKING group will shut a popular Darlington branch in January. Barclays Bank is to close in West Auckland Road, Cockerton, on January 4, forcing hundreds of customers to make a four-mile round trip to use its recently-revamped branch in High
FISHERMEN’S CHOIR: Marske Fishermen’s Choir raised £150 for the RNLI when they took part in a fundraiser at Marske Sports Club. The choir is holding a Christmas concert on Sunday, December 23 at the Ship Inn at 8pm. FOOTBALL SESSIONS: Weekly football
Morning Readers! How are we all on this freezing cold day that's thick with fog? It looks so miserable outside that I don't feel like going out. It's so slippery underfoot too. I braved the elements this week and went to weigh in. I'm still not well
A POWER cut left around 500 homes without electricity this morning. Properties in Hurworth and Croft, near Darlington, had no power from 4am and Croft CE Primary School has also been forced to close for the day. Electricity supplier Northern
Once considered the trip of a lifetime, the Maldives is now a popular holiday destination. Sam Wylie-Harris visits Kurumba, one of the first resorts to open in the archipelago THE dress code for Kurumba Maldives’ 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner was
THERE are certain things audiences expect from a panto at York Theatre Royal. Familiar faces, a new script full of old gags and visual jokes, Martin Barrass being skippy and silly, a chorus of professional dancers, good songs, great costumes, a guest
PATIENTS in the North-East are the first to benefit from revolutionary new software which is improving the care of stroke victims. Locally developed, the CaptureStroke system is now in every NHS hospital in the region. It allows medical teams
THE Empire has a success story on its hands. A high-flying, unmissable Christmas treat that really does have everything including the loveable dog Nana, played with expert canine acting skills by Lauren Sproates, and a great big slithery crocodile.
FOR her seasonal Nigellissima special, Nigella Lawson heads to Venice to gain inspiration for a festive feast with an Italian twist. Back in the UK, she gets busy cooking up a tasty buffet menu for her guests, preparing a Venetian cocktail served
A YOUNGSTER arrived at her school gates in style this morning (Monday December 17). Pupils looked on in envy as Taylor Guttridge rolled up at Throston Primary School in a fire engine. The excited five-year-old was a guest of Cleveland Fire
Jeremy Gates finds out why wedding packages are expected to boom in 2013 DESPITE the chilly winds of recession, next year will see thousands of couples forget the gloom and get married in faraway locations. Andreas Palikira, who set up Ionian
RESIDENTS from three residential homes enjoyed a festive treat thanks to the hard work of Nunthorpe Academy students. Forty two residents from Nunthorpe Oaks, Kirkley Lodge and West Moor View, were invited to enjoy the afternoon of fun, including
JOB-SEEKERS hoping to secure roles in a new East Cleveland superstore are being offered support in making their applications. All applications for jobs in the new Asda supermarket set to open in Skelton must be made online. And anyone wanting
IF you thought that all it took to be a Santa was a red suit and a beard, two-part documentary Bad Santas should make you think again. It follows a group of unemployed men in their 50s, who are looking to make a fresh start by enrolling in one of the
Favourite North-East building and why? Apart from the Riverside Stadium, as a Boro fan, I always remember the first thing you saw when returning to Teesside as a youngster (apart from the smog) was the landmark ICI tower at Portrack. When you
POLICE are to ask for a controversial lap dancing club to be closed following a drugs raid at the weekend. An emergency hearing is to be held tomorrow (TUESDAY) morning at which Durham Constabulary will apply to suspend the license of Red Velvet
The creation of the first calendar produced by the Friends of mima demanded some painstaking detective work EVERY picture tells a story in a new glossy calendar of paintings of iconic Middlesbrough scenes and in the case of a number of them, it
BRYAN BUNN thought that his career was on a firm footing when he secured a coveted mechanical apprenticeship at ICI Billingham. It soon hit the buffers when he was one of 102 apprentices laid off by the chemicals company as recession bit in 1982
YOU have to mind your manners when there’s a psycho living in the house. Battered Tyrone really should know better than to get up close and personal with Fiz where she calls round with a birthday card and cake in Coronation Street (ITV1). If
JONATHAN Trott was England’s unyielding cornerstone as they adopted extreme measures for extreme conditions to try to close out a famous series victory in India. Trott (66 not out) appeared in his element on the uniquely lifeless pitch at Nagpur
AMIR Khan is gunning for revenge against Danny Garcia after getting back to winning ways against Carlos Molina over the weekend. Khan has failed to secure rematches with previous conquerors Breidis Prescott and Lamont Peterson, but remains hopeful
THESE are heady days for Blaydon and they would dearly love to make it ten successive wins at Tynedale on Saturday. Victory number nine propelled them three points ahead of Rosslyn Park into clear second place in National One. But the gap could
Mark the 12 days of Christmas with a scent for every festive occasion, says Gabrielle Fagan WITH all the focus on shopping and decorating for Christmas, it can be easy to overlook one vital ingredient – how your home smells. The right scents
Education is changing, jumping on digital technologies that are second nature to kids in classrooms. What’s coming next? Apps for everything. Giles Turnbull reports SCHOOLS ain’t what they used to be. Teachers are using new technology to change
A MAN has appeared in court accused of stabbing to death a van driver in North Yorkshire. James Brabbs, 26, will face a trial - likely to last two weeks in May - after pleading not guilty to the charge. He is said to have murdered Mohammed
It’s low in fat, but turkey needn’t be dry if you cook it carefully. Here’s a recipe for a super succulent bird. INGREDIENTS (Serves 10) 5kg free-range Totally Traditional Turkey or other slow-grown bird 4 tbsp rapeseed oil Sea salt
TYNEDALE tuned up for this week’s visit of Blaydon by ending a lean run with a 34-15 win at Wharfedale. They led 27-0 at half-time with outstanding winger Hamish Smales scoring two of the four tries, while Harry Peck had a fine game at scrum half
A North Yorkshire store’s beauty department has been introducing more top name brands WHEN Barkers of N o r t h a l l e r t o n first opened its doors as a draper’s store more than a century ago, fashion and beauty weren’t big on the agenda.
AFTER the seventh Premier League defeat of an unproductive season so far it might not appear the ideal time for a Sunderland player to be positive about the weeks ahead. But James McClean’s performances have almost mirrored Sunderland’s form during
Heading straight to your work’s festive bash from the office usually means a speedy turnaround. Lisa Haynes reveals the secrets to looking party perfect in minutes THERE’S no better feeling than spending hours pampering and preening to look beyond
SUNDERLAND did not have much of an answer to a rampant display from Manchester United in the first hour at Old Trafford, but Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the Black Cats to survive a threat of relegation. Despite a spirited finale from Sunderland
Whether you love or hate Christmas, don’t be a style Scrooge this winter. Lisa Haynes reveals how everyone can give their wardrobe a sprinkling of festive fun YOU’VE hung the wreath, decorated the tree, trawled the shops for presents then wrapped
Final Score: Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1 IF Fraizer Campbell leaves Sunderland in the new year then it is hoped he signs off in style. For a manager who has shown a reluctance to start the striker this season, Martin O’Neill needs him
REGARDING the “shed” that John Watson has spotted in Durham Market Place and asks if it is another charity shop (HAS, Dec 13). If our governments had not given away money to foreign countries in the guise of foreign aid, there wouldn’t be as much need
DARLINGTON Cleveland Bridge improved their position near the bottom of the table with a 2-1 win away to Silksworth Rangers. The Bridge trailed at the interval before clinching victory with a late winner. They had a chance to take the lead in
SOME readers may feel disappointed at having missed the chance to marry or give birth on 12/12/12. Cheer up! The equally auspicious date of 20/12/2012 will be along shortly. John Riseley, Harrogate.
I WOULD like to thank Michelle Van Vlijmen, Darlington Borough Council, Darlington BID, the various sponsors and organisers of the Darlington Town Centre Retail Awards for putting together a hugely successful evening on Wednesday. It was a superb
AS a council tax payer of many, many years standing, I am disgusted that Durham County Council is now charging to remove additional domestic waste from my partner’s new property. I contacted the council and was told I would be charged £10.60 per
IN response to your article “Tobacco control agency hits back at industry claims over plain packaging” (Echo, Nov 23), as someone who has worked in the packaging industry for over 40 years I can assure you that the introduction of plain packaging for
ONCE again, Durham County Council has deemed it appropriate to light up the trees and shrubs on the roundabout near to Tesco, Newton Aycliffe. This year, many more lights have been added. I am sure the council will argue that as they are LED
SHILDON’S patience paid off when they became the fifth EBAC Northern League club into the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Vase after beating Parkgate 3-1 at Dean Street. The Railwaymen trailed to an early goal, and it looked as if they were going to
THE census statistics concerning migrants in this country are quite worrying, especially those which show that white Britons are now in the minority in our own capital. Fifty-five per cent of the rise in the population was directly caused by migration
CHILDREN affected by illness, hardship and disability across the the North-East are to be given a Christmas to remember thanks to a new toy appeal. Wearside-based Hope 4 Kidz, which helps children and young people who are disadvantaged and with
WHILE I admire Tory Graham Robb’s valiant attempt to put spin on this dreadful Government’s autumn statement (HAS, Dec 14), I have to tell him that, sorry Graham, nobody’s buying it. Official Treasury documents show that George Osborne has been
WEST Brom midfielder Chris Brunt took some comfort from a rare clean sheet as the Baggies shared a frustrating goalless draw with West Ham. Steve Clarke’s men earned a first point in four attempts, and a first clean sheet in seven outings, but
CHARLIE Wyke is out to make the most of his Hartlepool United experience – and would be more than happy to extend the deal, writes NICK LOUGHLIN. The highly-rated Middlesbrough striker last week agreed to remain at Victoria Park for a further month
IT sounds like the climax of a Hollywood blockbuster. Two old friends, now fully grown, lie dying just 100 yards apart on the battlefield, as the First World War rages around them. Sadly this was no fiction, but the grim reality of Gallipoli, 1915
Final Score: Mk Dons 1 Hartlepool United 0 OVER the past 12 years, plenty of new club landmarks have been achieved at Hartlepool United. All good ones. The days of unwanted stigmas were, it appeared, in the past. Yet on Saturday, the class
EVERTON defender Sylvain Distin hopes the Football Association takes a consistent line on what he called “wrestling’’ by Stoke players at set-pieces as team-mate Marouane Fellaini braces himself for a ban. Footage from the Premier League encounter
SWANSEA boss Michael Laudrup hit out at the officials following his side’s 1-0 defeat at Tottenham yesterday. A second-half goal from Jan Vertonghen was enough to beat a Swansea side who came to White Hart Lane looking to keep things tight at the
COUNCIL chiefs have urged Christmas partygoers to stay safe during the festive period by avoiding rogue taxi drivers. Revellers are being urged to be on their guard when hailing taxis home over the holiday period. Middlesbrough Council has
RAFAEL Benitez admitted Chelsea were out-fought and out-thought after watching Corinthians destroy their Club World Cup dream. Interim Blues manager Benitez insisted his side only had themselves to blame as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat in the final
A THIRD of elderly people do not eat a daily hot meal and one in five living alone is officially malnourished, according to research. The figures, from Age UK’s Hungry to be Heard campaign, formed the basis for a survey by food company, On the
SEB HINES will not dwell on the own goal that sent Middlesbrough out of the Capital One Cup last week, and admits that keeping a clean sheet at the weekend was the perfect tonic. The centre-half nodded into his own net at the Liberty Stadium against
CLEVELAND Bridge has been a North-East manufacturing bellwether for 135 years. Manufacturers are usually among the first in and first out of a recession. So there is reason to be cautiously optimistic at Cleveland Bridge’s success in beating
Final Score: Middlesbrough 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 CHRISTMAS is a time of goodwill to all men, the season for giving, to put others before yourself. It is a sentiment that must have been playing on assistant referee Sebastian Stockbridge’s
JOSEF Craig, The Northern Echo’s joint Local Hero of 2012, was the first winner of a memorable night for the stars of London 2012 as he picked up the Young Sports Personality of the Year award. Craig was Britain’s youngest gold medallist of London
A MAN found dead at his home at the weekend suffered serious head injuries, police confirmed today (December 17). Detectives investigating the death of John Roberts are treating it as a murder inquiry and appealed for information to help discover
BRADLEY Wiggins’ remarkable year came to a perfect conclusion as he was named winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in the city where he cruised to Olympic glory this summer. Having clinched gold in the time trial at London 2012
Final Score: Durham City 0 Darlington 4 A MIX of relief and delight met Darlington's welcome return to form at Durham City. After almost a month without a win and with the biggest game of the season just days away, anything other than a convincing
JEMMA Lowe claimed her second bronze medal of the week yesterday evening as she finished third in the final of the 100m butterfly on the final day of the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Istanbul. Hartlepool-born Lowe, who is a two-time
TYNEDALE tuned up for this week's visit of Blaydon by ending a lean run with a 34-15 win at Wharfedale. They led 27-0 at half-time with outstanding winger Hamish Smales scoring two of the four tries, while Harry Peck had a fine game at scrum half. Goal-kicking
NEWCASTLE United's festive plans have been dealt a major blow after Hatem Ben Arfa was ruled out until the start of the new year with a hamstring injury. Ben Arfa injured his hamstring in last week's 2-1 defeat at Fulham and scans have revealed
Final Score: Newcastle United 1 Manchester City 3 LIKE Newcastle United, Manchester City are struggling to hit the heights they scaled for most of last season. Unlike the misfiring Magpies, however, at least the reigning champions can claim they
JAVI Garcia claims Manchester City will overhaul Manchester United at the top of the table provided they maintain the standards they set in Saturday's 3-1 win at Newcastle. Garcia headed home his second goal as a City player to help Roberto Mancini's
AN ENGINEERING company in the North-East that built some of the world's most famous bridges has secured its future by winning a deal for the new Forth Road Bridge in Scotland. Cleveland Bridge in Darlington beat international rivals to the multi-million
CHRISTMAS came early to care home residents thanks to some hampers from a parish council. Members of West Auckland Parish Council made up the boxes of treats and delivered them to Devonshire House and Rosslyn House care homes in the village today
A MIX of Christmas music and popular songs will bring some seasonal cheer to Barnard Castle – and help raise funds for specialist equipment to complete the Witham Hall redevelopment project. The Witham and all-female vocal group Concordia are joining
CAROL SERVICE: Irene Farrell will give a demonstration on mediumship at Willington Spiritualist Church tomorrow (Tuesday, December 18), at 7pm. There will also be a carol service. All are welcome. BUILDING DAMAGED: Five windows were smashed and
MORE THAN 5,000 tickets were issued for a free prize draw as retailers in Barnard Castle said a 'thank-you' to customers for their support. The draw was organised by the Barney Guild – the town's traders' association – and tickets were handed out
A CHAMPION martial arts instructor left without a base after the controversial closure of a leisure centre has opened a gym in a former chapel. Samuel Bainbridge ran a popular Muay Thai class for several years at Glenholme Leisure Centre, in Crook
ROLL UP! Roll up! Look here! Look here!The answer to all your Christmas present difficulties. What child – of any age – could resist a cuddly version of “one of the Greatest Curiosities known in the world”? It is the “Marvel of the Age”
A SERIOUSLY ill Teesdale toddler was well enough to leave hospital for the first time in three months when he attended a special party to raise cash for his care. More than £7,000 was raised when hundreds of people packed into Barnard Castle Cricket
AN animal sanctuary hopes to find unwanted cats a new home for Christmas while marking the festive period with the launch of a new CD. The Rainbow Ark Animal Sanctuary in Willington, County Durham, has 44 cats and owner Paula Campbell said they
A THIEF attempted to steal a horse box from near a school at about the same time as another animal trailer was taken. Police are investigating the two incidents which occurred in the Evenwood and Ramshaw area last week. The thief attempted
DRUGS CLAMPDOWN: Police accompanied by a sniffer dog visited five pubs in Barnard Castle town centre on Saturday evening. A number of people were searched, but no drugs were found. Sergeant Simon Rogers, of Barnard Castle police, thanked those enjoying
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help carry out a speed survey along a busy village lane. At the latest Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, residents voiced concerns about the speed of motorists travelling
A FIREPLACE seller has the best Christmas lights in a town for the second year running. R&S Fireplaces has won the Christmas shop window display award in Willington for two years in a row. The award is organised by the Willington Hope group
THE ERITREAN Olympic Games flag bearer who is seeking asylum in Britain, ran the fastest time as he spearheaded Sunderland Harriers' team victory in the Start Fitness North-East Harrier League at Bedewell Park, Jarrow. Weynay Ghebresilasie, 18, won the
