Archive

  • 'Chicken' Cameron comes off second best in TV showdown

    SO now we know why David Cameron chickened out of head-to-head debates with Ed Miliband, after he came off second best in tonight’s TV showdown. The first bout of the TV campaign showed us a prime minister surprisingly discomforted and nervous,

  • Car Torque .... with TV wildlife presenter Steve Backshall

    STEVE Backshall is one of TV’s best known naturalists and wildlife presenters. The man behind the hit show Deadly 60, he also took part in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Later this year he will be touring the UK with his Wild World show. On October

  • Sedgefield theatre director steps down after 44 years

    AN amateur theatre director is back doing the job he signed up for after 40 years at the helm.Retired art teacher Walter Howell, 79, was among the founding members of Sedgefield Players in the late 1960s and joined to develop his interest in set design.However

  • The art of regeneration

    RAILWAY stations are important places. They set the scene for towns and cities as a focal point for local people and create a vital first impression for visitors. A rundown, neglected railway station has a negative impact on the image of a place

  • Golden couple look forward to more happy years

    PERISTENCE paid off for Ken Plumpton who had to chase the love of his life for weeks before securing the date that led to half-a-century of happy marriage.Mr Plumpton, from Oakenshaw near Willington, met Spennymoor girl Iris Knowles at Kelloe Club and

  • Young man who turned his life around gets award

    A TEENAGER who turned his life around after taking part in a gardening project has been presented with a Shrievalty award.Fifteen-year-old Dylan Etheridge, from Dipton, had been involved in crime and anti-social behaviour outside of school and his lifestyle

  • Award for brothers' homeless campaign

    TWO boys who started a campaign to help the homeless after seeing people sleeping rough in Newcastle were among the Shrievalty award winners. Jack and Tom Hobbs, from Stanley, visited the city just after Christmas and started collecting warm

  • Police warning

    POLICE have urged people to beware of scammers after an elderly woman in Seaham was called by someone yesterday(Thursday, March 26) claiming she had won money. In order to receive this money the pensioners would need to get her personal documents, including

  • Easter walks

    DURHAM Rambling Club is to hold two walks in Cumbria on Easter Sunday. The club is holding walks of nine miles or 12 miles around the Orton area, with travel by coach from Durham priced £12. For further details or to book a seat, please phone or text

  • Researchers urge further exploration of former cement works site

    EXPERTS leading research into clean energy sources have urged the new owners of a ‘key County Durham site’ earmarked for an eco-village to keep exploring its potential.It is believed the former Lafarge Cement Works at Eastgate, in Weardale, has been sold

  • Trees planted in historic garden

    A GROUP of school children helped plant apple trees in a historic garden ahead of its opening at the weekend. Durham Gilesgate Primary School children were joined by local Durham county councillors at Old Durham Gardens, off Bent House Lane, on the outskirts

  • Cathedral suing NHS after paying injured worshipper £130,000

    A CATHEDRAL which had to pay out £130,000 to a worshipper who tripped and injured himself during a service is now suing the NHS over the man’s treatment.Christopher Shepherd was attending a service at Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire two days before

  • North Bitchburn residents demand action against speeding cars

    RESIDENTS have launched a petition calling for traffic calming measures in their village, claiming it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.North Bitchburn Residents’ Association says the village, near Crook, has been plagued by speeding motorists

  • Government grants avert 'catastrophe' on regions roads

    DRASTIC safety action which could have seen the main route into a town centre closed and led to frontline council services being cut has been averted after the Government agreed to part-fund urgent repair work.Darlington Borough Council has been given

  • Sunderland striker still confident the goals will flow

    STEVEN FLETCHER insists that his goalscoring drought has not affected him and that he remains firmly focused on helping Sunderland climb away from relegation trouble.The Black Cats are deep in trouble after failing to win any of their last eight matches

  • Mallon kicks off new football career with 'zero tolerance'

    RAY Mallon will be taking a zero tolerance stance on ‘frequent fliers’ who unnecessarily clog up the NHS in his new role at Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. The outgoing mayor of Middlesbrough plans to use the same no-nonsense approach to

  • Richards targets Newcastle success

    Nicky Richards’ string are always worth a second glance at Newcastle and Looking Well (2.10) can get his career back on track after a very disappointing effort at Kelso when last seen in November, writes CHARLIE McCANN. A Bumper winner at Perth

  • Cathedral tower to be restored with £500,000 Government grant

    WORK to preserve the crumbling stonework on one of the region’s most instantly recognisable landmarks is to start in the next few months.Expert stonemasons are to begin repairs on the ageing sandstone of Durham Cathedral’s 11th Century tower after the

  • Spot the difference

    FIREFIGHTERS got more than they bargained for when they were called to rescue a cat stuck up a tree. When they arrived, they were shocked to discover it was actually a leopard. The case of mistaken identity took place in the village of Saraswatipur

  • Gretchen Peters, Sage Gateshead

    Gretchen Peters, Sage GatesheadGRAMMY winner and Nashville-based singer-songwriter Peters brought her latest batch of songs to a venue where she is no stranger. Peters put the audience and herself at ease the moment she walked on stage to announce how

  • Last rites for axed Durham Free School

    A CONTROVERSIAL free school that had its funding axed following a damning Oftsed report closed its doors for the final time today (Thursday, March 26), with devastated parents remaining loyal to the last.Just 18 months after its opening assembly, Christian

  • Boro land Swansea defender but send Carayol out on loan

    MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed the loan signing of Swansea defender Dwight Tiendalli until the end of the season. The right-back, 29, will provide an experienced option in that position for remainder of the promotion run-in, having moved to the Liberty

  • Awards for young people at Durham Castle

    A TEENAGER who defied death and raised thousands of pounds for charity has been honoured at an event at Durham Castle. Charlie Stagg was one of more than 30 young people from across County Durham receiving awards from the High Sheriff of County

  • Work on multi million pound flood defence scheme begins

    WORK has started on flood defences to protect hundreds of homes and businesses in the wake of a devastating tidal surge in 2013.The Environment Agency (EA) has teamed up with local business Wilton Engineering to manufacture part of the defences designed

  • Good Food at Harrogate

    Good Food at HarrogateTHE BBC Good Food Show Spring (April 10 to 12) sponsored by Lexus is returning to the HIC in Harrogate with a new and improved layout.This year the show is expanding, filling four halls with thousands of foodie products including

  • Queen praises Richard III reburial

    THE Queen has praised the reburial of Richard III, saying the country had recognised a moment of "great national significance" was at hand.In a moving service 530 years after his death at Bosworth Field, the king's mortal remains were reinterred

  • Gospel revival for Holocaust evening

    A CHOIR founded to welcome the Lindisfarne Gospels back to the North-East is reforming for a special Holocaust memorial show – and looking for new voices.The 30-strong choir, established when the Gospels were loaned back to Durham in 2013, will take part

  • Fraud alert after bogus police call

    POLICE are warning people not to be taken in by conmen making phone calls about bank fraud and claiming to be police officers.The warning comes after a member of the public from Ripon, North Yorkshire, took a call from a man claiming to be a detective

  • Blighted plan 2

    THE planning inspector gave Durham County Council three alternatives for the fate of its County Plan: continue the examination on the basis of the current evidence; suspend the examination; or, withdraw the plan. The thread of comments from the

  • Blighted plan 1

    DURHAM County Council is anxious to resurrect its ridiculous County Durham Plan (Echo, Mar 25).  It seems to me that the council should listen to the people who voted its members into office, instead of a few businessmen whose only interest is

  • HS2 is on the wrong track

    THE House of Lords’ economics affairs select committee has finally confirmed what we always suspected: the primary beneficiary of the £50bn High Speed 2 line (HS2) scheme will be London (Echo Business, Mar 25). This expensive scheme will do nothing

  • Right decision

    NO employee should be irreplaceable. One has to agree with the decision by the BBC's Director General Tony Hall not to renew Jeremy Clarkson's contract. Lord Hall said “a line has been crossed” and he “cannot condone what has happened on this occasion

  • Wrong gear

    JEREMY CLARKSON is/was Top Gear. Ok, there are the other two – Tweddledee and Tweddledum – to make up the numbers. But, Good Heavens, Chris Evans please please please no no no! Anything but that. He's bad enough when you hear his twining on the

  • Land of Eden

    THE reburial of Richard III reminds me of a similar occasion when the parents of former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, Sir William and Lady Sybil Frances Eden were reburied at St Helen’s Church near Bishop Auckland, along with other members of the

  • Football charity honours its shining stars

    A FOOTBALL charity will host an event next week to reward and recognise its shining stars.Several current Sunderland players will be on hand to give out 17 awards at the Foundation of Light’s annual Top Scorer event, held at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday

  • King's business

    PROFESSIONAL Yorkshireman Harry Mead sums up my sentiments on the of reburial of Richard III in Leicester (Echo, Mar 25). He states the case for York but then says that Leicester did the work to find the body. This sums up the whole process – it

  • Service to honour war operations

    A SERVICE to commemorate the end of combat operations in Afghanistan and to honour British that served there has been organised by two Spennymoor veterans.The memorial will be held at the Spennymoor Cenotaph on Saturday, March 28, at 11am. The service

  • Councillor resigns

    A FORMER leader of Ferryhill Town Council has resigned as a Durham County councillor for the town. Pat McCourt was elected to the county council to cover Ferryhill in 2013. A county spokesman confirmed that Mr McCourt had resigned on March 16 but that

  • Festival of fitness at Peterlee Leisure Centre

    PETERLEE Leisure Centre is hosting a free festival of fitness on Monday (March 30) to celebrate the unveiling of its new class timetable.The festival will start at 5.45pm, showcasing the variety of classes available at the centre.Current members and non-members

  • Bank backs hospital radio

    A HOSPITAL radio station has been chosen as a bank branch’s first official charity. The TSB branch in Durham's Prince Bishops shopping centre has named Durham Hospitals Radio as its cause and donated £100 to kick-start the partnership, which will

  • 20 things to do over Easter

    1. Middleham Stables Open Day Middleham Stables Open Day is a well-established Easter attraction in North Yorkshire. The stables will be open to the public on Good Friday, with more than 500 horses for visitors to see. This year, the two main

  • Easter Weekend Open Studio in Barnard Castle

    Barnard Castle based artist Ann Whitfield will be opening her studio again this coming Easter weekend. Located at 2 Raby Avenue - just 200 yards from the Castle and Post Office - Ann's studio will be open from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday 4th,

  • Travel warning for fans ahead of Wear-Tyne derby match

    POLICE are urging supporters to plan ahead of next month’s Wear-Tyne derby match.Dedicated train and Metro services are being put on for travelling Newcastle fans in an attempt to reduce any confrontation ahead of the Easter Sunday game.Newcastle United

  • Parents asked to sign school run parking pledge

    PARENTS are being urged to sign a charter to park responsibly outside schools in response to mounting concerns over pupils' safety.Multi-agency groups Safer Hambleton and Safer Richmondshire said the Parent’s Parking Promise would see drivers pledging

  • Newcastle's Bigirimana not well enough to play for Rangers

    GAEL BIGIRIMANA will not kick a ball again this season after confirming he has a condition which prevents him from playing for Rangers.The Newcastle United midfielder is one of five Magpies on loan at the Glasgow club in a deal set up by Derek Llambias

  • Youth challenge proves that drugs and alcohol are unnecessary

    HUNDREDS of youngsters took to the stage to showcase their talents – and prove drugs and alcohol are not needed to have fun.Six schools from across North Yorkshire came together to take part in the 2015 Rock Challenge event at the Barbican in York.The

  • Government hand-outs boost school funds

    MILLIONS of pounds were handed out for schools across the region yesterday, as parliament broke up for the general election.Scores of academies and sixth-form colleges were handed cash from a £367m fund for small-scale repairs, after an exhaustive Government

  • 14 ties that bind Richard III to northern hearts

    RICHARD III has been reinterred in Leicester in a ceremony that feels as if it has lasted longer than the 25 tumultuous months he spent on the throne in the late 15th Century. Reviled by some and revered by others, Richard III’s connection with

  • Missing hiker found dead

    A BODY found in hills of western Scotland has been identified as that of a missing North-East hiker.Daniel Bennett, 43, was last seen at the popular Green Welly Stop, near Tyndrum, on Saturday lunchtime (March 21).His wife raised the alarm after he failed

  • Parish churches awarded cash for roof repairs

    URGENT roof repairs are to take place at dozens of parish churches after Government funding was announced for the work.A total of 48 places of worship from a variety of denominations across the North-east and the Yorkshire and Humber regions are to share

  • Death knell sounds for UK coal mines

    THE Government will not provide an extra £338m to keep UK Coal's pits at Kellingley in North Yorkshire and Thoresby in Nottinghamshire open for a further three years, ministers have announced. The decision confirms that the two pits will close

  • Battle commences against illegal off-roaders

    A BATTLE against illegal off-roading on one of the country’s most spectacular landscapes is hotting up with a series of action days.The antics of some trail bikers and 4x4 users are causing substantial damage to parts of the North York Moors and its wildlife

  • £6.2m boost for Darlington biologics hub

    A NORTH-EAST centre of excellence has secured a Government cash injection to support the manufacture of new medicines. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) led a consortium of six companies, including UCB Celltech, Lonza Biologics, and Newcastle-based

  • Tall, dark and strong - Lucy's coffee's worth a Shilling or two

    NATIONAL success is brewing for a North-East coffee queen.Lucy Shilling is the only barista in the region to make it to the final 50 in the race to be named Starbucks’ Barista Champion of Britain.The competition, now in its third year, received 800 entries

  • Parking limit extended on Darlington's Grange Road

    SHOPPERS can now park for longer on one of Darlington’s most popular streets.Grange Road is home to a number of specialist shops and boutiques, but business owners felt the two hour parking limit on motorists prevented shoppers from fully exploring the

  • Tree fall contractor recovering in hospital

    A CONTRACTOR who fell 30ft while trimming trees near overhead power lines is still recovering in hospital more than a week after the incident. The 28-year-old man was working in woodland near Whitworth Hall Hotel, at Spennymoor, County Durham, for Northern

  • Kind-hearted veterans raise £600 for British Heart Foundation

    KIND-HEARTED veterans and serving soldiers have raised hundreds of pounds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).Members of the Darlington branch of the Royal Signals Association have spent the past year fundraising for the charity through a number of

  • Hundreds of new apprentices to be signed up by power firm

    ABOUT 800 apprentices are to be signed up by Northern Powergrid over the next eight years.The company, which transports electricity to homes and businesses in the North-East and Yorkshire, is launching a recruitment drive which will see hundreds of people

  • Clean up

    RESIDENTS are urged to give their village a spring clean this weekend.West Auckland Parish Council is calling on volunteers to join a village litter pick on Saturday, March 28, from 10am to noon, as part of the County Durham Spring Clean campaign.To take

  • Village pantomime is a sell-out success

    THERE was standing room only at the final performance of a sell-out village pantomime.The Reading Rooms, in Neasham, near Darlington, played host to the venue’s first ever pantomime, Cinders Fella, based very loosely around the traditional fairy tale

  • Volunteers rally round for spring clean up

    VOLUNTEERS turned out to give an east Cleveland village a spring clean.A band of dedicated litter-pickers arrived at Skelton Castle Cricket Club at the weekend to help transform the area.Helpers dedicated their free time to clear up areas in Redcar, Loftus

  • Hidden restaurant worth finding

    I HAD been to Middleham Key Centre before for the odd council meeting or planning hearing, but the discovery that it now boasted a bistro was a surprise. During the day the venue, which is tucked away in a residential area of the pretty racing

  • Overgrown woodland turned into forest park

    AN OVERGROWN area near an east Cleveland town has been turned into a woodland park.Cowscote Woodland near Loftus, which previously had allotments but also coal bunkers and garages, has been cleared by Coast and Country and planning consultants Valley

  • First steel strike in 30 years looms

    STEEL workers are to be balloted for industrial action in a dispute with steel giant Tata over pensions. Community accused the company of being "hell bent" on closing its final salary scheme, which it described as an attack on workers' terms and

  • Networking as two become one in Northallerton

    BUSINESS leaders have been introduced to the notion of a new school and its importance as a resource to the community.Local companies and organisations were invited to Northallerton College for a networking event designed to strengthen links between business

  • Himalayan garden offers fresh views for visitors

    AN AWARD-winning garden created by rare plant hunters has been transformed with a series of paths and seats for visitors to view the attraction.Work to add to the 20-acre Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, at Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, has seen its collection

  • Hospital shuttle bus service extended after rise in use

    A BUS service which was launched following controversial changes to key services at a general hospital has been extended due to rising demand.Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said the number of passengers using its

  • King George V’s telegram to go on display

    THE North East Chamber of Commerce is to exhibit pieces of the region’s business history at two public exhibitions as part of its 200th birthday celebrations.Historical items on display include a letter to the Chamber from Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain

  • Specialist training for mountain rescue team's latest recruit

    A MOUNTAIN rescue team has welcomed its newest member after completing a rigorous assessment.Bonnie the search dog has joined Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT) after achieving novice search dog status following a weekend long training session in the

  • North-East expertise gives Amec Foster Wheeler an edge

    CONSULTANCY and engineering group Amec Foster Wheeler said the broad range of expertise in its North-East operations would play a key role in helping the recently formed group combat the impact of falling oil prices. In its first set of annual results

  • Another slice for Mary

    AFTER celebrating her 80th birthday and getting used to a new knee, you might think Mary Berry would want to sit down and put her feet up with a slice of her famous lemon drizzle cake. But there is no time for that. There is a multi-million pound store

  • More Durham police officers to carry Tasers

    DURHAM Constabulary is increasing the number of officers who carry Tasers.More than 20 will be trained in the next few months. The force currently has 103 trained Taser users. The Police Federation recently called for all officers to carry them.Tasers

  • All the King's men - Dee's striking portraits on show in Durham

    AN EXHIBITION of photographs of men has opened in Durham.London-based photographer Dee King’s new show All The King’s Men features a range of striking portraits of men from a range of backgrounds, all of whom have done something interesting with their

  • Follow the yellow brick road... to the Gala

    YOUNG actors will present the classic show the Wizard of Oz next week (April 1-2).The Gala Theatre Stage School (GTSS) Juniors will stage the much-loved musical adventure at the Gala Theatre, Durham, on April 1 and 2.There will be performances each night

  • Hospice hopes for flower power

    HOSPICE bosses are hoping a new fundraising initiative will come into full bloom.St Cuthbert's Hospice has launched a Sunflower Appeal, offering people the chance to buy an artificial sunflower in memory of a loved one who has died.The sunflowers, each

  • Keeping mum

    I DIDN'T know my 16-year-old son was singing at a concert until I found out by accident: “Roscoe, you didn’t tell me you were performing,” I complained afterwards. “You didn’t ask,” he shrugged. I have heard this before. The boys often use it as

  • Durham Tees Valley Airport bids for business boost

    BOSSES at Durham Tees Valley Airport said new appointments in its Aviation Development Department will strengthen efforts to move the site back into profit.Joining the team as aviation development manager is Declan Maguire who will have responsibility

  • Gray backing Cartman to hit the goal trail

    NATHAN CARTMAN’S goal in Darlington’s win on Monday evening can instigate a good run of form for the striker, hopes manager Martin Gray.He came off the bench to net the last goal in a 5-1 win at New Mills, his third goal in 13 appearances for the club

  • All shots lead Gurkha captain to Catterick Golf Club

    WHEN golfers ring the bell on the 16th hole at Catterick Golf Club, they are reminded of a close and well established association with the Gurkha soldiers from the nearby Garrison barracks. Among the names engraved on the bell is Ram Malla; Catterick’

  • Drink driver caused mayhem on A1(M) in works van

    A DRINK driver caused mayhem for fellow motorists as he weaved in an out of traffic on the A1(M) in a works van, a court heard. Stephen Bradwell was told to “collect his belongings” and go home after appearing drunk while working on a contract

  • Labour pledges to protect funding to beleaguered FE Colleges

    ED Balls today seeks to ease the fears of North-East principals by pledging that Labour will “protect” funding of beleaguered further education colleges.The Shadow Chancellor promised 80,000 extra apprenticeship places for school leavers, saying: “That

  • Dyke planning Hodgson deal talks

    Football Association chairman Greg Dyke is planning contract talks with Roy Hodgson and Phil Jagielka says the players are "desperate" for the England manager to stay on.Life since succeeding Fabio Capello at the helm in May 2012 has been far

  • KP hoping to relive his England dream

    Kevin Pietersen is hoping he can relive his England dream after all thanks to the new contract he has signed with Surrey.Barriers to his Test recall remain many - not least that the record-breaking batsman, who will be 35 by the time this summer's Ashes

  • Hart excited by England milestone

    Joe Hart feels at the peak of his powers as he prepares to enter an illustrious club of English half-centurions.If the 27-year-old plays against Lithuania and Italy over the next week he will become the sixth - and youngest - England goalkeeper to bring

  • Forster blow for Southampton

    England goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been ruled out for the rest of the season following surgery on a knee injury.The 27-year-old was taken off on a stretcher during Saturday's Premier League game against Burnley at St Mary's Stadium following an awkward

  • Six things you need to know today

    • Middlesbrough’s world-renown artist Mackenzie Thorpe unveils his “Station Posters” exhibition at his home town railway station. They include “Up The Boro” (pictured). • You should really know this already but you can’t verbally abuse and then

  • Banished with pancakes

    Banished (BBC2, 9pm)ORLA Brady plays Anne Meredith in the Australian-set penal colony series as Jimmy McGovern's script really begins to fire up under the hot sun.When you read the scripts for Banished what was your response?It felt novelistic. With each

  • Yorkshire ace Rashid hoping to get the nod for England

    England Test hopeful Adil Rashid is determined to maintain the attacking mindset which has served him so well for Yorkshire over the last 12 months when he gets to the West Indies next week.Rashid’s exceptional form in county cricket last summer has earned

  • Balls backs trans-Pennine rail plan

    ED Balls dramatically ripped up Labour’s support for part of the HS2 high-speed rail project – insisting faster trans-Pennine routes must be built first.The current plan – with priority for 225mph trains between London and Yorkshire – was “topsy-turvy

  • Investigation hubs to speed up justice

    NEW INVESTIGATION hubs are being created by North Yorkshire Police which should speed-up the justice process.The force is introducing the new approach to dealing with “volume crime” which accounts for the majority of offences police deal, with such as