Shields Gazette (South Shields, England) back issues from January 2008:
Not-so-young Miliband's Almanac.
Jan 01, 2008 ... dd JANUARY THE New Year's swim at South Shields beach for local MP David Miliband is declared off limits by security-conscious staff at the Foreign Office. The protection team identified dozens of reasons why this was a security risk, ranging from algae ...
Work underway on [pounds sterling]5m park scheme.
Jan 01, 2008 ... WORK is under way on a [pounds sterling]5m project to restore a popular South Tyneside park. South Marine Park will be returned to its original Victorian splendour in a project backed by a [pounds sterling]3.8m Heritage Lottery Fund grant and a further [pounds sterling]1.2m from ...
New scheme rewards good housing.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A NEW scheme has been launched to ensure high housing standards in South Tyneside. Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn formally presented an accreditation certificate to landlord Aidan Doran, at his property in Arnold Street, Boldon Colliery. The ceremony marked the first ...
TA trainer Harry gets a gong from the Queen.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A TRAINER had an audience with the Queen after being rewarded for years of dedicated service to the Territorial Army. Colour Sgt Harry Johnson was decorated with the Queen's Voluntary Reserve Medal in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The 51-year-old from Hall Farm, ...
Police use new order to arrest teen.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A TEENAGE boy has become the first person in South Tyneside to be arrested for ignoring new police powers banning him from specific areas. The direction to leave order was introduced by South Tyneside Area Command last month to flush out troublemakers from locations in the ...
Tyre slashers warned they are risking lives.
Jan 01, 2008 ... POLICE are warning tyre slashers their mindless acts could cost lives. And officers in South Tyneside said they would push for manslaughter charges if any incident led to a death of a driver. There have been a number of tyre-slashing incidents in the borough. ...
Pupils show they're good sports.
Jan 01, 2008 ... YOUNG athletes are celebrating a win after their school came top in a South Tyneside sports contest. Pupils from Year 1 and Year 2 of Ridgeway Primary School, Park Avenue, South Shields, have been awarded medals after they beat off competition from other borough schools to win ...
Sunderland told to up their bid for Savage.
Jan 01, 2008 ... SUNDERLAND will have to up their offers for Stephen Hunt and Robbie Savage if they want to land the midfield duo this month. The Black Cats swung into action yesterday, but their [pounds sterling]2.5m bid for Reading's Hunt, and a [pounds sterling]1m offer for Blackburn's ...
No better place than United says Smith.
Jan 01, 2008 ... ALAN Smith is relishing leading troubled Newcastle United into 2008, insisting he is at the right club, at the right time. Smith has been handed the captaincy by manager Sam Allardyce, with Geremi - who had been given the armband at the start of the season - heading to the ...
Human rights aid plea to MP.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A SOUTH Tyneside man born in Iran has called on Foreign Secretary David Miliband to step in after a recent visit to his homeland. The 55-year-old, who does not want to be named, recently visited the Middle Eastern country and said he saw young adults humiliated in the street for ...
Struggling school has a bright future.
Jan 01, 2008 ... STAFF and pupils are a step closer to pulling their school out of special measures after a recent inspection. St Mary's C of E Primary School in South Shields was placed in special measures by Ofsted in January 2006, when it was found to perform poorly in three of the six ...
Princess play set could be lethal.
Jan 01, 2008 ... PARENTS have been warned they may have bought their children a potentially lethal toy for Christmas. South Tyneside Council has issued a warning to parents who have bought youngsters The Fairy Princess Children's Dress Up Play Set. The toy, aimed at little girls, was ...
Binge drinking ruined popstar Michelle's health.
Jan 01, 2008 ... GEORDIE popstar Michelle Heaton has been forced to pull out of an experiment to show the perils of too much booze due to health problems. The former Liberty X star was due to spend four weeks overindulging for an ITV programme, The Truth About Binge Drinking. But the ...
Panto star Dale breaks a leg - oh yes he does!
Jan 01, 2008 ... PANTO star Dale Meeks has taken the age-old theatrical saying 'break a leg' to the extreme and ended up in plaster. The former Emmerdale star, from South Shields, is starring as Dandini in the Sunderland Empire's star-studded panto Cinderella. But on Saturday night he ...
New police appeal over cliff plunge death.
Jan 01, 2008 ... POLICE investigating the death of a man who died after driving off cliffs at Marsden, have made a further appeal for information. Stephen Heslop, 22, of Lincoln Road, South Shields, plunged 80ft to his death on Boxing Day after smashing through security barriers at the top of ...
Seal dumped half a mile from sea.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A TWO-week-old seal was dumped in a South Shields medical centre's car park - more than half a mile from the coast. The pup was found abandoned in the car park at Flagg Court Medical Centre in South Shields barking and whimpering yesterday morning. Animal rescue ...
Reveller stabbed in street.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A TWENTY-one-year-old Jarrow man is recovering in hospital after he was stabbed in the early hours of today. Police were called to Jarrow town centre at about 2.10am and the man, who was with another male, was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital. ...
Partygoer knocked 20ft in air by car.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A REVELLER had a lucky escape after being knocked 20ft in the air by a car. The 27-year old man suffered only minor injuries after being knocked down at the junction of Ocean Road and Anderson Street in South Shields. Police and ambulance crews were called just after ...
Pub brawl victim's's broken jaw.
Jan 01, 2008 ... A HEBBURN teenager saw in the New Year in casualty after a fight broke out at a borough pub. Police were called to Club Hastings in Marine Drive, Lukes Lane Estate, Hebburn at 11.20 last night after a dispute spilled out into the car park. A 19-year-old from Hebburn ...
Keane - We face another tough test.
Jan 01, 2008 ... SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane admits his players will have to pass another tough test of their Barclays Premier League credentials at Blackburn tomorrow night. The 36-year-old locks horns with former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes having seen his team drag themselves out of ...
Ab's fab for Sam, but Smith set to miss out.
Jan 01, 2008 ... SAM Allardyce expects Abdoulaye Faye to be fit for tomorrow's home game against Manchester City. But Newcastle United captain Alan Smith is unlikely to feature, having not had enough time to recover from the concussion he suffered in a collision with Faye in Saturday's 2-1 ...
Krul will stay at Falkirk.
Jan 01, 2008 ... NEWCASTLE United goalkeeper Tim Krul will spend the rest of the season at Falkirk. Krul's six-month loan at the Scottish Premier League side had been due to end on January 1. But Sam Allardyce has allowed the 19-year-old Dutchman to stay at the Falkirk Stadium to ...
We won't be relegated says Kieran.
Jan 02, 2008 ... SUNDERLAND midfielder Kieran Richardson is confident his side can stave off relegation as they mount a charge for safety. The 23-year-old England international marked his first start in more than four months with his first goal for the club in Saturday's 3-1 Barclays Premier ...
Coppell angry with Sunderland over Hunt bid.
Jan 02, 2008 ... READING manager Steve Coppell has hit out at Sunderland over their [pounds sterling]2.5m bid for midfielder Stephen Hunt. He is annoyed with the Black Cats for unsettling the player with a bid that the Royals were always going to reject. He said: "There has been a ...
Man City won't risk Brazilian star at Newcastle.
Jan 02, 2008 ... MANCHESTER City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has vowed not to risk the long-term fitness of star man Elano at Newcastle tonight. The Brazilian was one of the central figures in City's superb start to the campaign but, much like his club, his performances have faded somewhat. ...
Big Sam unfazed by Shearer rumours.
Jan 02, 2008 ... UNDER-pressure Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has shrugged off speculation he is set to be replaced by Alan Shearer. Allardyce has come in for increasing flak since taking over at St James's Park in the summer, a poor run of performances prompting some fans to call for his ...
Newcastle is a dream job - Sven.
Jan 02, 2008 ... SVEN-Goran Eriksson has rubbished Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that no one in their right mind would manage Newcastle United. Manchester United boss Ferguson had spoken out as the pressure on his close friend Sam Allardyce intensified. But Manchester City manager ...
McCarthy aims to shoot down Sunderland.
Jan 02, 2008 ... BLACKBURN striker Benni McCarthy is hoping to rediscover his scoring touch against Sunderland tonight. McCarthy had a fine first season in the Premier League, scoring 18 goals in 36 matches last term after his [pounds sterling]2.5m signing from Porto. But the goals ...
Higgy out to stop Santa Cruz.
Jan 02, 2008 ... DANNY Higginbotham is out to stop the Premier League's most in-form striker tonight. Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz has fired eight goals in his last five games, including one in Rovers' 2-1 win at rock bottom Derby on Sunday. Higginbotham played a big part in snuffing ...
Bolton win can inspire Black Cats to beat Blackburn.
Jan 02, 2008 ... ROY Keane is hoping Sunderland's victory over Bolton at the weekend will give his players confidence going into tonight's game against Blackburn Rovers. The Wearsiders' 3-1 win over Gary Megson's side was their second in six games, and their biggest of the campaign. ...
Cole could fire Sunderland to safety.
Jan 02, 2008 ... MARK Hughes believes his former team-mate Andy Cole could fire Sunderland to Premier League safety in the months ahead. The Blackburn boss will be wary of the threat posed by the 36-year-old in tonight's game because he knows exactly what the striker is capable of, having been ...
Late decision on Owen's fitness.
Jan 02, 2008 ... SAM Allardyce will make a late decision on whether Michael Owen is fit enough to start against Manchester City tonight. Owen - who had been out since mid-November after suffering a thigh problem while on England duty - came off the bench against Chelsea to make his latest ...
We can't afford a festive hangover - Sam.
Jan 02, 2008 ... SAM Allardyce says there can't be any hangover Newcastle United's disappointing Christmas when they ring in the new year against Manchester City tonight. Newcastle's points haul from the festive programme has not been good enough - and Allardyce knows it. And three ...
Taylor desperate to make up for Man City nightmare.
Jan 02, 2008 ... STEVEN Taylor is desperate to put one over Manchester City tonight - and wipe out the memory of Newcastle United's early-season defeat to Sven-Goran Eriksson's side. Taylor and defensive team-mate David Rozehnal paid the price for United's 3-1 defeat at the City of Manchester ...
Stroke death strategy welcomed.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A NEW strategy to tackle one of the UK's biggest killers has been welcomed by Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn. It is hoped up to 6,800 deaths and cases of disability caused by strokes can be avoided, with a further 1,600 averted through preventative work. Strokes are the ...
Don't waste the new year!
Jan 02, 2008 ... CHRISTMAS is an incredibly wasteful time of the year, with even more food and other rubbish going into the bin. According to Government figures, we produce nearly three quarters of a million tonnes of extra waste. With more than 70 per cent of our festive household ...
Skins star spreads sex disease message.
Jan 02, 2008 ... SKINS actor Joe Dempsie is helping to spread the chlamydia message over the new year period. A regional radio campaign has signed up Joe, who plays Chris in the popular Channel 4 series Skins, to raise awareness of the sexually transmitted infection, The infection is ...
Struggling charity gets helping hand.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A CRISIS-hit women's charity has been given a security boost, thanks to cash from a community fund. Women's Health in South Tyneside (Whist) has received [pounds sterling]790 from The Co-operative Group towards improvements to its security system. Based in the old ...
Boffin predicts return of king coal.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A SOUTH Tyneside academic has predicted the return of King Coal. Paul Younger, HSBC professor of energy and environment at Newcastle University, outlines his ideas in the latest issue of Touchstone, published by the Regional Development Agency for the North East. ...
Members take over running of centre.
Jan 02, 2008 ... PEOPLE power has given a new start to a South Tyneside day centre for older folk. A management committee, drawn from the membership, has taken over the running of Queens Road Day Centre, in Jarrow. The move follows a long period of uncertainty at the centre, after a ...
Nurses see in new year in Afghanistan.
Jan 02, 2008 ... TWO South Shields nurses have spent New Year and Christmas tending the wounded in war-torn Afghanistan. Sharon McDowell and Janice Davies, who are nursing sisters at Sunderland Royal Hospital, were on a tour of duty in the southern Afghan desert while families and friends ...
Jobs boost on way at IT company.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A DOUBLE boost is set to go online at an IT company now based in South Tyneside. Microcomputing recently moved from Sunderland to Boldon Business Park, and it is now aiming to double both its workforce and annual turnover. It plans to increase its staff from 10 to 20 ...
Intimidating subway set to close.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A CONTROVERSIAL subway described by locals as a "stinking, dingy drinking den and toilet" will be closed. The underpass at Chesterton Road, Biddick Hall, South Shields, was built in the 1960s to allow pedestrians to safely cross under the busy junction with John Reid Road. ...
Miliband 25-1 to become PM.
Jan 02, 2008 ... TOP bookmaker William Hill has created a range of quirky odds for the new year in South Tyneside. We asked the betting firm to calculate a range of odds for a series of events to happen in the borough in 2008. Some are more probable than others, but whether you fancy ...
Call centre begins recruitment drive.
Jan 02, 2008 ... BOSSES of a call centre which will bring 1,000 jobs to South Tyneside today announced the first phase of their recruitment drive. Garlands Call Centres said 100 vacancies for a range of jobs are up for grabs at its contact centre site at Market Dock North, South Shields. ...
Arson probe after yard jetty damaged.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A PROBE has been launched into a suspected arson attack which badly damaged a jetty near a South Tyneside shipyard. The blaze broke out at 8.30am on New Year's Day at the jetty, next to A&P Tyne, off Wagonway Road, Hebburn. Hebburn firefighters and the fireboat fought ...
Lifeboat crew find man's body.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A MAN'S body was found by a lifeboat crew in the Tyne early today. Officers were called to the Mill Dam, South Shields, at midnight after a man in his 20s, thought to be vulnerable and distressed, was reported missing from his South Shields home. After searching the ...
Harlee is new year first foot.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A YOUNG South Shields mum had a New Year's Day to remember when she gave birth to her first child. Baby Harlee was the first baby of 2008 to be born at South Tyneside District Hospital. Delighted mum Michaela Hood, 16, of Lawrence Avenue, Whiteleas, said: "I'm so ...
Too busy to tend to stab victim.
Jan 02, 2008 ... POLICE were forced to take a stab victim to hospital in their squad car as New Year's Eve revellers stretched ambulance crews to their limit. Ambulance chiefs dealt with more than 500 extra emergency calls in the 24 hours from noon on New Year's Eve to noon on New Year's Day ...
'Noddy' case cops appear in court.
Jan 02, 2008 ... A FORMER Northumbria Police detective and a serious organised crimes officer appeared in court today, charged with misconduct in public office. Ex-detective constable John Jones, 47, and officer Colin Maddison, 47, were both arrested after information came to light ...
Sven's slickers put more pressure on Sam.
Jan 02, 2008 ... NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 MANCHESTER CITY 2 GOALS from Elano and Gelson Fernandes condemned Newcastle United to their third consecutive defeat - and piled more pressure on beleaguered boss Sam Allardyce. After Newcastle spurned a rash of early chances at St ...
Phone calls from beyond the grave.
Jan 03, 2008 ... SOME years ago I penned a column in which I dealt with the emotive subject of telephone calls from the dead. Yes, it's true; a good many people claim that they've been contacted by the spirits of their deceased friends and relatives via the telephone, and, extraordinary though ...
Joiner spots gap in sandwich market.
Jan 03, 2008 ... NEW businessman Wayne Gibson knows which side his bread is buttered after launching a shop called Sandwich World. Although he's a joiner by trade, Mr Gibson spotted a gap in the market for a sandwich shop offering healthy options. Thanks to cash and practical support ...
Cliff plunge victim's funeral.
Jan 03, 2008 ... TRAGIC driver Stephen Paul Heslop will be laid to rest this week. The 22-year-old, of Lincoln Road, South Shields, died on Boxing Day after driving a car off cliffs at Marsden. His funeral is taking place on Friday, at St Lawrence's Church in Centenary Avenue, Horsley ...
Kennels' plea over unwanted pets.
Jan 03, 2008 ... ANIMAL charities are being stretched to the limit after scores of pets were dumped or handed in over the festive period. Caring animal lovers have been inundated with requests to rehome unwanted dogs and cats. Cleadon Kennels saw a massive rise in the amount of stray ...
Thousands of weapons seized at airport.
Jan 03, 2008 ... WEAPONS ranging from knuckle-dusters to cleavers have been seized from holidaymakers at Newcastle Airport. In 2007, security staff confiscated thousands of items from passengers arriving or departing from Newcastle International Airport. Airport duty manager Jon ...
The shape of things to come.
Jan 03, 2008 ... SOUTH Tynesiders are being offered a glimpse into the not-so-distant future in a new draft document which outlines the shape of things to come in the borough. AS a title, it doesn't exactly get your heart pounding. South Tyneside Local Development Framework is a rather dry name ...
Port set for major expansion.
Jan 03, 2008 ... BOOMING Port of Tyne is pressing ahead with major expansion plans in 2008, authority bosses have revealed. After being named European Port of the Year last year, more development plans have been announced by managing director Keith Wilson. He said: "We are not ...
Brace yourself - winter is on the way.
Jan 03, 2008 ... A SEVERE weather warning has been issued as freezing conditions look set to grip North East England. The Met Office expects biting winds to send temperatures plummeting, and the first snow of 2008 was forecast for today. Temperatures are predicted to fall as low as ...
Museum set to name new director.
Jan 03, 2008 ... THE new boss of a South Tyneside museum is set to be named within the next week. Bede's World in Jarrow has selected a preferred candidate to succeed Keith Merrin, who has just taken over as director of Woodhorn, an archive centre and country park near Ashington in ...
Teens get to the art of challenge.
Jan 03, 2008 ... ARTISTIC teens are celebrating after work which helped them to learn and focus has gone on display. School pupils from the South Tyneside Alternative Education Service have been participating in the Target 20 initiative, designed by Blue Venture - the new education business ...
Helping mental health patients.
Jan 03, 2008 ... PEOPLE with mental health problems in South Tyneside are the focus of a new networking programme being developed in North East England. NHS North East is developing the Consensus network to represent voluntary organisations working with and for people recovering from mental ...
Fast food plan gets frosty reception.
Jan 03, 2008 ... PLANS to convert an ice cream parlour into a fast food restaurant have received a chilly reception from residents. South Tyneside Council's planning committee will consider an application for the conversion of Minchella's at The Nook, South Shields, tomorrow. ...
Sam will get money - but players must improve.
Jan 03, 2008 ... NEWCASTLE chairman Chris Mort says under-pressure manager Sam Allardyce will be making some signings in the transfer window. But he has made it clear he expects the current squad to improve performances soon. Owner Mike Ashley has invested a net figure of around ...
Sven backs Big Sam to turn it round.
Jan 03, 2008 ... UNDER-pressure Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has received the backing of Sven-Goran Eriksson as he attempts to prevent his side's season spiralling out of control. The 53-year-old was plunged deeper into trouble by the Swede's Manchester City after they left last night St James's ...