Archive

  • Seaham go top of second division

    Seaham Red Star went top of the ENL second division with a convincing 5-2 home win over Washington. Seaham took the lead after 38 minutes when recent signing Dennis Knight latched onto a through ball and beat Neal Atkinson, but Washington levelled

  • Cogdon inspires Moors comeback

    Gavin Cogdon inspired Spennymoor to a 1-1 draw at Farsley in the EvoStik League First Division North tonight. Cogdon came on as a second half sub, and lifted the Moors attack, as they stretched their unbeaten run to five league and cup matches.

  • Appeal for descendants to reclaim Victorian family bible

    A PENSIONER is appealing for the descents of a Victorian family to come forward in an attempt to reunite them with their family bible.Des Graves, 79, of Bishop Auckland, was given the artefact more than ten years ago but now wants to find out if there

  • Daft burgers

    I'D like to appeal to a small percentage of my fellow Bishop vegans to please stop chucking their McDonalds rubbish out of their car windows. Sadly for me, it appears that the time it takes to drive from Mcdonalds drive through at Tindale is the

  • Darlington town centre

    NOT content with making a mess of the town centre with it’s so-called bus-free pedestrian shopping area, Darlington Town Council has now decided to create further chaos outside the town hall with a proposed bus lay-by. While I can understand the

  • Hardwick Park

    WE must take issue with Tony Kelly's assertion (HAS, Nov 25) that the restoration of Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, has erased a whole array of natural habitats. We "knew and cherished the park" with our children more than 30 years ago; we now bring

  • Job seekers?

    STEPHEN DIXON’S letter to HAS (Nov 19) highlighted the difficulty Jobscentres encounter trying to place people in suitable jobs. I’m not surprised, as we seem to be moving back to Victorian employment conditions where the prospective employee actually

  • NHS funding

    HAVE taken on board that Ukip now supports the NHS, as do all the other political parties. A party that said it would privatise the NHS would lose support. Of course, the NHS is not entirely safe because if Britain signs up to the free market

  • Consultation

    WHEN giving planning consent for projects it would seem councillors listen to the developers but are deaf to the views of residents - the people who elected them. This was demonstrated by the “we know best” attitude adopted by councillors against

  • Platinum couple celebrate with family

    A COUPLE from the North-East have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.Harold and Ivy Bainbridge, who live in Bowburn, near Durham, tied the knot on November 25, 1944.Mr Bainbridge had to take leave from the gun boat he was serving on during the

  • Electric vehicle firm's Malaysian expansion

    A NORTH-EAST electric vehicle firm has unveiled plans to start making products in Malaysia.Sevcon, in Gateshead, aims to expand after its Chinese venture secured a £1.4m order.Bosses say the deal is for motor controllers, which will be used in electric

  • Gentlemen’s relish

    GIVEN any reasonable definition of the word “gentleman”, it’s wholly unsurprising that it has been 17 years since last I was invited to darken the door of the Gentlemen’s Club in Darlington.In December 1997 it was to present some awards; last Wednesday

  • So far so good, despite So Solid Crew

    I’ve been asked to write a column for The Northern Echo, I'm basically looking at it like a very long tweet each week so hopefully it won’t bore you too much. Each week I will be talking about the weekend football and anything else that might be

  • Barnard Castle Christmas card competition winners announced

    THE Mayor of Barnard Castle's Christmas cards will have a personal touch this year after he launched the first competition for local school children to design them.More than 300 cards were submitted from the town’s Green Lane C of E Primary, Montalbo

  • Darlington hairdresser best in the region

    A DARLINGTON hairdresser has proved she is head and shoulders above the competition after scooping the North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year award.Toni Stephenson, of Hooker & Young hairdressers on Grange Road, received the award from television personality

  • Leigh still making waves

    Imagine – The One and Only Mike Leigh (BBC1, 10.35pm)IF the best new programme on TV is tucked away at this time of night, you know it’s a thin night for viewers. Mike Leigh’s current release Mr Turner is once again wowing critics, just as 45 years old

  • Gig Review: S Club 7, MetroRadio Arena, Newcastle

    S Club 7 band members Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O'Meara, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole, Rachel Stevens and Tina Barrett exploded on to the pop scene in 1999 with Bring It All Back, their debut single which topped charts around the world.

  • Autism charity calls for more "elfie-selfies"

    AN autism charity has renewed its appeal for elf-themed selfies to raise vital funds for its toddler services.The North East Autism Society (Neas) launched its text donate campaign last month and as Christmas approaches it is urging more people join

  • Bid to reduce Minster clutter

    CHURCH leaders are taking action to reduce visual clutter around one of the region’s great cathedrals.Signs around York Minster are to be replaced in an effort to improve clarity for visitors.Minster officials have carried out a “signage audit” around

  • Sporting heroes coming to town for moment in spotlight

    SPORTING heroes from across the region will descend on the Forum Theatre in Billingham for the BBC North East Sports Awards tomorrow (November 26).The event, which will be hosted by BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown and BBC Tees’ Alastair Brownlee,

  • Chuckle Brothers begin rehearsing for Darlington panto

    LEGENDARY children’s television stars the Chuckle Brothers have returned to Darlington as rehearsals begin for this year’s pantomime.The brothers, who took to the stage for last year’s production of Aladdin, will be joined by cast at the Darlington Civic

  • Plans for two wind farms in east Durham face rejection

    PROPOSALS for two wind farms in east Durham are likely to be rejected following strong objections from residents.Planning officers have recommended Durham county councillors refuse permission for the applications from two separate energy companies.EDF

  • Hearing into conduct of Dales councillor adjourned indefinitely

    A HEARING to consider allegations against a member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) has been adjourned indefinitely.John Blackie was accused by former member Ann Brooks of breaching the authority’s code of conduct by failing to treat

  • Manslaughter accused remanded into custody

    MAGISTRATES have remanded a man accused of causing the death of a fellow reveller over the weekend into custody.Gordon Robson, 26, of Waskerley Road, in Barmston, Washington, appeared before Sunderland Magistrates’ Court today. (Tuesday, November 25)He

  • Life science firm bosses leave roles

    A NORTH-EAST life sciences company has seen two senior figures quit their roles. Patrik Dahlen, chief executive at Immunodiagnostic Systems (IDS), in Boldon, near Sunderland, is resigning for professional reasons. The company, which develops

  • North-East message to sweet fans

    A PHRASE familiar to North-Easterners is to appear on Love Hearts as company behind the confectionary bring their messages up-to-date.Alreet Pet was suggested by 15-year-old Michael Adams from Houghton-le-Spring as part of competition to modernise the

  • Bedale car park might not now be sold off

    CAMPAIGNERS could be set to win their fight to stop a town centre car park - described as like the family silver - being sold off to fund a new facility on the edge of town.Hambleton Council is being urged to defer the plans for the gateway car park on

  • Hospital system failure played key role HGV driver's death

    SYSTEMIC failures at a general hospital contributed to the death of a man who had been admitted suffering from a sore throat, an inquest has heard.Coroner Michael Oakley said HGV driver Tony Cartwright, of Terrington, North Yorkshire, suffered a severe

  • Potash firm's Government praise

    A NORTH-EAST potash firm has received praise from the Government.Transport Minister Robert Goodwill visited the Cleveland Potash mine at Boulby, east Cleveland, as it continues its preparations to deliver gritting salt for the region’s roads.The mine,

  • Restaurant entrepreneur has eventful plans for east Durham

    A NORTH-EAST restaurant company has expanded its business after taking over the catering and events at two local authority buildings.Bill Oldfield, managing director of his namesake restaurant at Claypath, Durham, recently launched Oldfields Events and

  • New class helps fitness fans bounce their way to good health

    A FITNESS instructor is helping people bounce their way to good health thanks to a new fitness craze. After starting life in the US, boogie bounce extreme has made its way across the pond to BoxFit Gym, in Banks Road, Darlington. The high-energy

  • Middlesbrough manager congratulates club on wheel success

    MIDDLESBROUGH FC manager Aitor Karanka and coach Craig Hignett gave their backing to 'powerchair football' for wheelchair users.Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club has begun training at Coulby Newham's Rainbow Leisure Centre and the Boro bosses dropped

  • Parnaby out for the season

    STUART Parnaby, the Hartlepool United defender, has been ruled out for the season after undergoing knee surgery last week. Signed in the summer by former boss Colin Cooper after he was freed by Middlesbrough, Parnaby has made only five appearances

  • Sedgefield in controversial mix up as race is ruled void

    SEDGEFIELD Racecourse was at the heart of a major controversy this afternoon as one of its races was ruled void because a steward waved the incorrect flag. With the low sun creating a potential hazard, the decision was taken to omit one of the

  • Drink driver was slumped at the wheel

    A DRINK driver found slumped at his wheel with a bottle of vodka has been banned from driving.Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard today (Tuesday, November 25) that police officers found Lakbir Singh asleep in his car at the entrance to a barn near

  • Dire warning over diabetes

    NEARLY a thousand limbs have been amputated in the North-East in the last three years because of diabetes, yet a new survey shows that most people are unaware of the risk of complications.A new poll has shown that fewer than half of people surveyed are

  • Singers to compete to be named choir of the year in Darlington

    TWELVE choirs will competeto win £1,000 in a community singing competition that starts this week.The Cornmill Shopping Centre, in Darlington, is hosting the ‘Cornmill Chorus- Sing to Win’ competition, which will see twelve choirs from across the town

  • Water way to raise money

    A YOUNG swimmer has completed a two mile challenge to raise money for charity.Nine-year-old Lucy Henderson swam 128 lengths of the Louisa Centre pool in Stanley, County Durham, in 92 minutes recently to raise more than £240 for Children in Need recently.The

  • Battered woman tried neighbours' doors to escape violent ex

    A TERRIFIED woman was forced to escape her abusive ex-partner by running into the street and trying the doors of her neighbours’ homes, a court heard.Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court was told today (Tuesday, November 25) that 32-year-old Greg White

  • Creative calendar raises funds for Darlington school

    STUDENTS are looking to the days, weeks and months as they strive to raise funds for school projects with a specially created calendar.DSMS 2015 celebrates the work of young artists and poets at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science. Proceeds from

  • SNCF - the fastest railway company in the world

      French national rail operator has emerged as the front runner in the race to operate services on the East Coast Main Line. SNCF, roughly translated as French National Railway Company, is France’s state-owned rail company operating in France

  • Gascoigne hailed for watching brief

    THE secretary of a top boys' football club said Paul Gascoigne was "absolutely fantastic" after the World Cup star chatted to the players and passed on tips.The ex-England star looked "brilliant" when he was back in his native Tyneside

  • Buoyant Severfield launches recruitment drive

    STEEL firm Severfield will take on multi-million pound projects after moving back into profit over the first six months of this year. The structural steel specialist, based at Dalton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is hiring skilled workers for

  • The Dragon with his girls (and his boy) tattooed

    ENTREPRENEUR Duncan Bannatyne picked up a life-long souvenir from his recent travels – his first tattoo. Those coming home with a ‘holiday tattoo’ are more likely to be hungover teenagers than multi-millionaire businessmen but Mr Bannatyne bucked

  • Youngsters make their musical debut

    THE spotlight fell on a school’s freshest talent as new starters made their stage debut.Young students at Richmond School and Sixth Form College took to the stage in a new starters’ concert in front of a packed audience of friends and family.Young musicians

  • Youngsters get the chance to quiz would-be MP

    A PARLIAMENTARY candidate came face to face with voters of the future in a Question Time-style school debate.Students from Risedale Sports and Community College, Hipswell, Catterick Garrison, met with prospective parliamentary candidate for Richmond Rishi

  • Thousands of potholes repaired in just six months

    A MULTI-million pound project to ease pothole misery for road users has seen 60 kilometres of highways repaired in just six months. Some 92,000 potholes have been repaired in 70 different schemes across North Yorkshire, at a cost of about £3m.

  • Scheme bringing empty homes up to scratch

    EMPTY homes are being brought back into use across Middlesbrough as renovation work has started on 100 properties that have stood vacant for a long time.Middlesbrough Council is working with property owners on the scheme, which has been boosted by a £1.3m

  • Castle Howard boss to be replaced by his brother

    AN era is coming to an end with confirmation that one of the region’s greatest stately homes will soon have a new boss.Simon Howard, who has run Castle Howard near Malton for the past 30 years, has announced he will be stepping down at the end of the

  • All aboard The Polar Express

    I WISH The Polar Express was around when I was a kid. I took my three-year-old niece and my teenage nephew on the festive train ride this weekend and it was one of those magical moments I know we will remember for years to come. We approached

  • Landmark Civic Centre taken down

    A PILE of debris is all that remains of a town's acclaimed former council headquarters.Work started on the demolition of Chester-le-Street’s 1980s-built Civic Centre at the start of the month is well advanced.The futuristic-looking building was built

  • Medal honour for Consett man

    A CEREMONY has been held to present a community stalwart with his British Empire Medal.Lord Lieutenant Sue Snowdon honoured Neil Moffett with the award at The Grove Methodist Church, near Consett, County Durham, on Saturday.The 47-year-old was honoured

  • Campaign launched to find winter warmers

    A CAMAPIGN to keep the vulnerable and homeless warm this winter has been launched as the colder weather draws in.Wrap Up Middlesbrough is a drive to get people to donate winter coats, jumpers and fleeces.The coats and other items will then be given out

  • Powerdial unveils growth plan

    AN ambitious North-East technology business is aiming to treble its turnover and double staff numbers by expanding its operations both at home and abroad.Powerdial Services based in Seaham, County Durham is a provider of business collaboration and ICT

  • Community could benefit from town hall review

    A REVIEW of services at Bishop Auckland Town Hall is underway to see if more can be introduced for the community.Concerns had been raised after people discovered the lease on The Laurel Cafe, which is based on site, had not been renewed.But Durham County

  • BHS slump hits Arcadia profits

    SIR Philip Green's Topshop and Miss Selfridge empire has reported lower profits after continued tough trading at department store chain BHS.Arcadia Group, which holds a UK portfolio of more than 2,300 shops under brands including Burton and Dorothy Perkins

  • Motorcyclist hit with brick in face

    A TEENAGER was seriously injured after being hit with a brick while riding a motorbike in Gateshead. At 11.55pm, on Monday, November 24, police received a report from the ambulance service of a 16-year-old boy having been found with serious facial injuries

  • Sedgefield teacher sacrifices long locks for worthwhile cause

    A SCHOOL teacher received a makeover in front of her pupils when she donated her tresses to a cancer support charity.Helena Teasdale, a year two teacher at Sedgefield Primary School, sacrificed seven inches of hair to help the Little Princess Trust create

  • Job seekers

    STEPHEN DIXON’S letter to HAS (Nov 19) highlighted the difficulty Jobscentres encounter trying to place people in suitable jobs. I’m not surprised, as we seem to be moving back to Victorian employment conditions where the prospective employee actually

  • Fracking

    IN presenting his case for fracking,Jim Ratcliffe, the CEO of the INEOS chemicals group stood with the Grangemouth refinery behind him. This refinery, as well as petrochemical plants at Billingham and Wilton, is infinitely more sophisticated and

  • Hardwick Park

    JOHN CUMBERLAND (HAS, Nov 15) pays fulsome tribute to the layout, landscaping and management of Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, but I doubt if many who knew and cherished the park as it used to be will share his sentiments. What the park used to be

  • Remember

    CAN we have too much Remembrance (HAS, Nov 11)? No doubt this year’s Remembrance Day seems to have outdone other years in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War. However, it would be a tragedy and a failing to those who

  • Bell won't lose the will to improve his game

    Ian Bell is by a distance the most experienced one-day international among the World Cup hopefuls on England's tour of Sri Lanka, but insists his urge to improve is as strong as ever.Bell's 148 caps put him fifth in England's all-time list and, in the

  • Sunday Echo

    I FEEL I must write to congratulate you all at The Northern Echo on the wonderful Remembrance Sunday edition of the paper, which I bought. I am sure it was a huge team effort over a long period to put it all together. I collected mine, having

  • Ukip - what did it ever do for us?

    CHRIS GALLACHER dismisses as "lies" any suggestion that Ukip wants to privatise the NHS (HAS, Nov 15). This is despite the fact that, in April, Nigel Farage said: "I genuinely do think, when you occasionally hear of a big businessman that says

  • Robertson out to impress

    Neil Robertson will take inspiration from Roger Federer's bludgeoning of vulnerable prey as he sets out in defence of his Coral UK Championship title in York.The mere hour that it took Federer to annihilate Andy Murray 6-0 6-1 at the recent ATP World

  • Ford to start at No 10

    England head coach Stuart Lancaster has confirmed he will retain George Ford at fly-half for Saturday's QBE International against Australia, but Owen Farrell's place is now under pressure.Ford is to be rewarded for his assured full debut in the 28-9 victory

  • Big night for boxing champ Glenn

    A FORMER world boxing champion from the North-East is being honoured tonight (Monday, November 24) with a special event commemorating the anniversary of his greatest fight. It is 25 years since boxer Glenn McCrory defeated Patrick Lumumba on points

  • From Africa to Aycliffe

    Former Prime Minister and Sedgefield MP Tony Blair returned to the region yesterday. In an exclusive interview, Chris Lloyd talks to him about the Middle East and Isis. IN the last ten days, Tony Blair has visited ebola-stricken Africa, picked

  • Driving home the importance of sport

    TONY BLAIR dropped into a secondary school in Newton Aycliffe yesterday to see how his sports foundation was helping, and gave the pupils his top five tips to achieve success.The former Prime Minister was accompanied by Stephen Miller, the triple gold

  • Meet The Head: Tim Fisher, Queen Elizabeth College, Darlington

    AS principal of one of only four specialist sixth form colleges in the North-East, Tim Fisher can’t understand why there aren’t more of them. Tim, who joined the staff at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington as assistant principal

  • Steel firm Severfield back in the black

    BRITAIN'S biggest structural steel firm has moved back into profit and reported improving orders over the first six months of the year. Severfield, based at Dalton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire took on more than 70 projects during the half year

  • Henderson out for up to six weeks

    Spennymoor could be without their top scorer Liam Henderson for six weeks starting with tonight’s away game at Farsley. Henderson injured his ankle in the first half of last week’s Trophy win at Leek Town, and Moors’ worst fears were realised once

  • Friend: The league table should give Middlesbrough confidence

    GEORGE FRIEND has urged his Middlesbrough team-mates to take confidence from their position in the Championship’s top three ahead of their forthcoming home games with two of their leading promotion rivals.Boro entertain sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers at

  • The inside story of how Yorkshire became champions

    I’ll let you into a little secret. Yorkshire - A Champion Year was written by two Lancastrians! Myself and Myles Hodgson, a former cricket correspondent for the Press Association and now a freelancer who also covers Yorkshire’s fortunes for The Northern

  • Finch's character fitted in perfectly at Headingley

    An aggressive and uncomplicated batsman, Aaron Finch was equally larger than life off the field at Yorkshire.It was clear the Australian overseas man, for a portion of their County Championship title winning campaign, lifted the dressing room.Not only

  • Services sector to continue growth

    THE services sector will continue its robust growth into early next year, a report has predicted. The CBI Service Sector Survey predicts the industry will build on the steady expansion seen in the three months to November. It said profits continued

  • Apprentice Callum rewarded for success

    AN apprentice joiner has been acknowledged for his skills.Callum Newton, from Peterlee, east Durham, was awarded a trophy for winning the North East Skills Competition.The 18-year-old former East Durham College student took part in the event, sponsored

  • Twenty acre solar farm proposed for land in School Aycliffe

    PLANS for a 20 acre solar farm in fields close to residential areas have been revealed by a renewable energy firm.Lightsource Renewable Energy is looking to erect dozens of solar panels on land off School Aycliffe Lane, near Newton Aycliffe, opposite

  • North Sea oil and gas industry wants tax overhaul

    THE oil and gas industry has called for tax cuts to ensure further exploration and extraction of the North Sea is encouraged, following reports of a drop in confidence within the sector. Firms have called for changes to the fiscal regime ahead

  • Airport chief says tax cuts threaten North-East jobs

    NORTH-EAST airport bosses have joined calls to scrap tax plans that could make it cheaper to fly from Scotland. Dave Laws, Newcastle Airport chief executive, has signed an open letter to the leaders of the three main political parties warning that