The Northern Echo back issues from January 2007:
Tories 'people's party'
Jan 01, 2007 ... DAVID CAMERON moved to rebrand the Conservatives as the party ofworking people yesterday as he stepped up the Tory attack on GordonBrown.The Conservative leader used his New Year's message to cast thelikely next Prime Minister as the "dark side" of Labour who will putup taxes again this ...
Creature Comforts voted favourite character advert
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE Creature Comforts have topped a list of favourite puppet andanimated characters used in advertisements.Nick Park's creations,which advertised the Electricity Board, were spawned from his Oscar-winning Creature Comforts short film. The cast of trademarkPlasticine animals included ...
Vegan group's appeal to slimmers
Jan 01, 2007 ... PEOPLE across the country making New Year resolutions to loseweight could have more success with a vegetarian diet than adoptingAtkins or Weight Watchers diets, it was claimed today.As millions ofpeople embark on a New Year health and fitness plan, the Vegetarianand Vegan Foundation ...
Pop star charged over car incident
Jan 01, 2007 ... POP star George Michael has been charged with being "unfit todrive" after an incident in which he was found unconscious in hiscar.The singer will appear at Brent Magistrates' Court in London onJanuary 11 after he was arrested in north London in October.Michaelwas found by officers after ...
Cash incentive to reduce child obesity
Jan 01, 2007 ... PARENTS could be paid to get their children to cycle to schoolrather than take the bus, under new plans to help tackle obesity.TheGovernment said the proposals would improve school transport, cutcongestion and encourage children to lead more active lives.Butparents' groups raised ...
Quest to save oldest record shop
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE oldest record label in the world is backing a campaign to savethe world's oldest record shop from closure.Spillers Records, inCardiff, which sold the first wax phonograph cylinders when it wasfounded in 1894, has already attracted support from rock bandsincluding the Manic Street ...
North Pole trek for 'ice queen' Rosie
Jan 01, 2007 ... ICE queen Rosie Stancer is preparing an attempt to become thefirst woman to trek solo and unsupported to the North Pole.A veteranof nine years of ice-cap adventuring, 43-yearold Rosie - just over5ft 3in - regards the 60-day skiodyssey as the last big Polaradventure left for a woman.Her ...
Damaged gene 'doubles cancer risk'
Jan 01, 2007 ... WOMEN who inherit a damaged gene have double the risk ofdeveloping breast cancer, according to research releasedyesterday.The gene, PALB2, has led to the increased risk.Children whoinherited two damaged copies of the gene, one from each parent, werealso found to suffer from a ...
Rail union plea over lorry-size proposals
Jan 01, 2007 ... RAIL union leaders yesterday urged the Government not to increasethe size of lorries on Britain's roads, warning of the environmentaldamage the "monsters" would cause.Aslef said allowing bigger andheavier lorries to move freight around the country would also hit theprospects of rail ...
'Britain will benefit from new nations joining the EU'
Jan 01, 2007 ... BRITAIN stands to benefit from Romanian and Bulgarian membershipof the European Union, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett insisted,as the two countries acceded today.Despite predictions of anotherwave of Eastern European immigration and concerns about organisedcrime, Mrs Beckett said the ...
Waterwheel invention promises cheap electricity
Jan 01, 2007 ... IT'S a mechanical problem that's troubled scientists sinceArchimedes and the ancient Greeks, but now an electrician has come upwith a new invention that could help save consumers thousands ofpounds in energy bills.Scotsman Ian Gilmartin, 60, and his friend BobCattley, 58, both from ...
News in brief
Jan 01, 2007 ... Rangers lead walks series REDCAR and Cleveland Borough Council'scountryside rangers will lead a number of free walks this month. Thefirst will take place on Wednesday, January 10, from 10am to 2.30pm.The Upsall Circular, a five-mile route, will start from Flatts LaneWoodland Country ...
Autism school waiting for decision on funding status
Jan 01, 2007; ... FOUR years ago, a council's decision to close the deaf wing of aspecial needs school caused outrage and sparked a protestcampaign.Parents appealed in vain to then-Education Secretary DavidBlunkett against Middlesbrough Council's decision to run BeverleySchool, Middlesbrough, purely as a ...
Help on offer for lifestyle changes
Jan 01, 2007 ... PEOPLE with weight problems can get help in leading a healthierlifestyle after a funding boost.Stockton Borough Council's sportsdevelopment team will offer the ten-week adult weight management Lite4 Life programmes from this month. A referral is required from ahealth professional.The ...
TEESSIDE NEWS Barrage calls
Jan 01, 2007 ... A CONSERVATION group is demanding action to help migratory fishpass the Tees Barrage. The ...
Community meetings to be held
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE next series of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's areaenvironment committee meetings will take place soon.The meetings arepart of the council's attempts to make the borough cleaner, greenerand safer.They include a public open forum, an hour-long session setaside for question ...
New refuse lorries taking to the roads
Jan 01, 2007 ... A COUNCIL has unveiled a new look for its refuse collectionvehicles.Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is the best of the 25councils in the North-East for recycling, and the second mostimproved in the country, with recycling rates at more than 34 percent.More than 750,000 has been ...
Projects praised for design
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE design and construction of some of the newest properties inNorth Yorkshire have come under the scrutiny of experts.RyedaleDistrict Council's Good Design and Construction Awards recognise theefforts of building owners, architects and builders in providingdevelopments that complement ...
Charities bring festive cheer
Jan 01, 2007 ... LOCAL charities brought festive cheer to mothers and children overChristmas.Members of Tees Valley Housing Group's Anna Court scheme,in Hartlepool, enjoyed a Christmas party after they received toys andcash from local groups.The donations came from Tees Valley HousingGroup's community ...
Extra 2m for county transport
Jan 01, 2007 ... NORTH Yorkshire County Council has received an extra 2m from theGovernment after it won praise for its transport plan.The council'sdelivery of its 2000-5 Local Transport Plan and its plan for 2006-11were rated excellent by the Government.It is the highest rating inthe Yorkshire and ...
Swimmers' efforts are applauded
Jan 01, 2007 ... AN awards evening has taken place to applaud the achievements ofswimmers from a school.The first club championship awards ceremonyfor swimmers from Allertonshire School, Northallerton, took place atthe Golden Lion Hotel.About 200 people were present to celebrate thesuccess of the ...
Musicians aiming to launch festival
Jan 01, 2007 ... TWO young musicians hope to attract 5,000 people to an arts andmusic festival.Matty Smith, 18, and Mike Harding, 20, are planning tohold a two-day Roses Festival of Music and the Arts, in Pickering, inJuly.The pair, former students at the town's Lady Lumley's school,are looking for ...
NORTH DURHAM AND TYNESIDE NEWS
Jan 01, 2007 ... A PLANNING application has been submitted to Chester-le-StreetDistrict Council for planning permission for the extension of arowing boat landing at the Donald Owen Clarke Centre, at theRiverside, in Chester-le-Street.OUTREACH SESSION:TheDurham Citizens'Advice Bureau will hold an outreach ...
Campaign to reduce waste and packaging
Jan 01, 2007 ... COUNCIL chiefs have written to more than 100 traders asking themto make a New Year's resolution to reduce the amount of packagingthey produce from their business - and to put pressure on suppliersto do the same.Durham City Council portfolio holder for environmentand leisure, Councillor ...
Flying colours
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE National Probation Service County Durham welcomed 48 ...
Police appeal for help on shop theft
Jan 01, 2007 ... POLICE are looking for the man pictured below in connection withan alleged shoplifting.A police spokesman said a suspect entered PCWorld at Durham Retail Park, Durham, at 3.50pm on Tuesday, October24.He allegedly chose a Fujifilm digital camera ...
Learn about vital role of the RAF
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE ROLES played by the Royal Air Force in providing security forthe UK and across the world will be explained by a presentation teamthis month.The Royal Air Force presentation team will be at The ThreeTuns Hotel, New Elvet, Durham, on January 23.In the course of a fast-moving, 45-minute ...
New year, new look for town centre library
Jan 01, 2007 ... A LIBRARY is set for a revamp to improve access for people withdisabilities and parents with young children.Consett Library, inVictoria Road, will close for 12 weeks from 7pm on Thursday, whilework is carried out to install a lift.The lift will make it easierfor people with mobility ...
Get fit and have fun with a new craze
Jan 01, 2007 ... A NEW dance craze where everyone can dance with cool style, getfit, lose weight and meet new friends is kicking off in Durham thismonth.A new concept in dance parties - Lindy Jazz, is launching atChe Vita's Restaurant, Station Road, Durham, on Sunday, January14.Those attending can join ...
TWINNING GROUP APPEALS FOR MORE FRIENDS
Jan 01, 2007 ... A TOWN twinning friendship club has put out an appeal in a bid toboost its numbers - and it is calling on former members to makecontact for a trip down memory lane.The group, which has fosteredlinks with the German town of Werdhol for the past three decades, hasput the call out following ...
Police launch drive against town's persistent boy racers
Jan 01, 2007; ... POLICE will today launch a concerted drive to tackle the scourgeof boy - and girl - racers who have been gathering in a market town'scar parks and bringing misery to residents.Police in Chester-le-Street say they have been forced to obtain a dispersal order, whichtakes effect today, ...
Charities bring festive cheer
Jan 01, 2007 ... LOCAL charities brought festive cheer to mothers and children overChristmas.Members of Tees Valley Housing Group's Anna Court scheme,in Hartlepool, enjoyed a Christmas party after they received toys andcash from local groups.The donations came from Tees Valley HousingGroup's community ...
SIX-YEAR-OLDS SHUN BIRTHDAY PRESENTS FOR HOSPICE COLLECTION
Jan 01, 2007 ... TWO generous six-year-olds have raised more than 100 for a hospiceby giving up their birthday presents.India Clark, from York, and herfriend Grace held a joint sixth birthday party in November.Both girlsdecided that instead of asking for presents, they would ask everyonethey invited to ...
New meets old
Jan 01, 2007 ... A FURNITURE company has played a key role in a significantaddition to one of Britain's ...
Concern at traffic speeding to village paintballing site
Jan 01, 2007; ... PARISH councillors have called for action to stop peopletravelling to a paintballing centre speeding through avillage.Members of Dishforth Parish Council said the site should beclearly signed and the 30mph limit stressed to slow traffic.The GoBallistic paintballing facility at the former ...
SOUTH DURHAM NEWS
Jan 01, 2007 ... Fire crews called to blaze TWO fire and rescue crews were calledto a home in Middleton in Teesdale, at about midnight on Saturday,after a portable gas heater and cylinder caught fire.Officers wereable to extinguish the fire without anyone being hurt or major damageto the property.WINDOW ...
HEAR ALL SIDES
Jan 01, 2007 ... HOSPITAL FUTURE I RECENTLY attended a public meeting in Spennymoorabout Bishop Auckland General Hospital.John Saxby, the chiefexecutive of the local NHS Trust, spoke in a common sense manner,while indicating very difficult decisions are part of managing themodern NHS.I was glad I ...
Prep school cash boost for hospice
Jan 01, 2007 ... STUDENTS at a prep school were delighted when they heard thatmoney raised at their first Christmas fair will help a children'shospice.A prize draw during the event at Barnard Castle Prep Schoolwas given a lot of support, and half of the cash it raised has beenhanded to Butterwick House ...
Nearing target
Jan 01, 2007 ... ACD featuring musicians from across the world is bringingcampaigners close to their target ...
Party time thanks to club
Jan 01, 2007 ... PENSIONERS will enjoy an annual party next month thanks togenerous shoppers at a village store.Sedgefield Round Table held aChristmas draw at Sedgefield Co-op and raised more than 300 for anannual pensioners party.The winner of the draw was Kevin Jones, wholives in the village, who ...
Learn about role played by RAF
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE role played by the Royal Air Force in providing security forthe UK and across the world will be explained by a presentationteam.The Royal Air Force presentation team will be at The Three TunsHotel, New Elvet, Durham, on January 23, from ...
Starting at home
Jan 01, 2007 ... CHARITY begins at home for a town council which has made donationsto two local groups.Ferryhill Town Council donated money to a musicalgroup and a school in the town, with grants made through section 137of the Local Government Act.The Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor RonGreenwell, recently ...
RECOGNITION FOR BEHIND-THE-SCENES COMMUNITY WORKER
Jan 01, 2007 ... WORKING behind the scenes of a busy community venue is no longer athankless task for Nancy Wells.Villagers have shown their gratitudefor Mrs Wells' tireless dedication to the community by naming hertheir citizen of the year.Mrs Wells has been a volunteer withSedgefield Community ...
New year brings new hope of 3m arts venue for town
Jan 01, 2007; ... COUNCIL officials are starting the new year looking towards a 3mtarget to fund the development of an arts venue.Sedgefield BoroughCouncil hopes to convert part of Spennymoor Leisure Centre into aquality arts resource.It is hoped the centre would support a newgeneration of local ...
Birthday wishes for Cissy, 100
Jan 01, 2007 ... A CENTENARIAN could not see what all the fuss was about whenfriends and family visited her at the weekend to celebrate her 100thbirthday.Cissy Morgan, of Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, said:"I'm100 and healthy because I have always worked hard."I don't know whyeveryone is excited, ...
DARLINGTON NEWS
Jan 01, 2007 ... Party night for women's club DARLINGTON Women's Club enjoyed aChristmas lunch and entertainment at the King's Head Hotel, in thetown. The entertainment was organised by Lynn and Warnock Kerr andsoprano Susan Limbert sang French and German songs, accompanied byGraham Hewitt on the piano ....
HEAR ALL SIDES
Jan 01, 2007 ... EDWARD ROBINSON IT was interesting to read about the retirement ofDarlington headteacher Edward Robinson. (HAS, Dec 30).Mr Robinsontaught me at St William's Primary School in 1983, and his lessonswere always enjoyable. It was at that time that I began to take aninterest in various ...
Dancers take exams in their strides
Jan 01, 2007 ... DANCERS from across Darlington have been successful at recentexaminations.The exams were held at the Pam Tallentire Studio ofDance, in Branksome Community Centr e, Egglestone View,Darlington.Mrs Tallentire is the former dance teacher of StrictlyDance Fever winner Darrien Wright.Freestyle ...
Learn about vital role of the RAF
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE ROLES played by the Royal Air Force in providing security forthe UK and across the world will be explained by a presentation teamthis month.The Royal Air Force presentation team will be at The ThreeTuns Hotel, New Elvet, Durham, on January 23.In the course of a fast-moving, 45-minute ...
New hope of 3m for arts venue
Jan 01, 2007 ... COUNCIL officials are starting the new year looking towards a 3mtarget to fund the development of an arts venue.Sedgefield BoroughCouncil hopes to convert part of Spennymoor Leisure Centre into aquality arts resource.It is hoped the centre would support a newgeneration of local ...
EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM SOME GENEROUS FUNDRAISING
Jan 01, 2007 ... FUNDRAISERS at a college have handed over a cheque for 937.88 tohelp research into cancer.The money was raised by Darlington Collegestudents who offered manicures and massages, wore their underwearover their clothes, exchanged kisses for cash and hosted a jewellerysale, to raise money ...
Builders continue Heart scheme
Jan 01, 2007 ... INthe new year, work on the pedestrianisation of Darlington towncentre will be progressing along Prospect Place and High Row.Theconstruction work will mean that more planters will be installed andthe steps in this area completed.Concrete foundations will also belaid in this area to allow ...
Need feedback
Jan 01, 2007 ... THE head of clinical governance for Darlington Primary Care Trust,Elizabeth Graham, ...
Trees and cards can be recycled
Jan 01, 2007 ... AS the festive season draws to a close, residents in Darlingtonare being asked to recycle Christmas trees and cards.There arevarious points around the borough where people can take their treesbetween Friday and Friday, January 19.The council will recycle alltrees as long as all the ...
Disappointment over plans for a former infants school
Jan 01, 2007; ... PLANS to convert a vacant Victorian school into flats have beensubmitted to Darlington Borough Council.Darlington Homes Ltd hasdrawn up plans for the project to convert the former Harrowgate HillInfants School into a 38-apartment complex.Last month, localcouncillors were angry when the ...
In Brief
Jan 01, 2007 ... Sheep's happy ewe year FIRE crews were called to a farm to rescuea trapped sheep yesterday afternoon.The animal was stuck in a metalhay feeder in Thimbleby, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.Firefighters cut it free using hydraulic equipment. A spokeswoman forNorth Yorkshire Fire and ...
Where fire will conquer ice
Jan 01, 2007; ... A TEAM of firefighters is to start the New Year by scaling one ofthe world's most dangerous peaks.Eleven expedition members will climbthe highest mountain outside the Himalayas - Aconcagua in Argentina,South America.They will endure winds of up to 70mph, temperatures of -50C and risk ...
Marathon man's lessons in fitness
Jan 01, 2007 ... A CHARITY fundraiser has turned to a university for help intraining for one of the world's toughest fitness challenges.DavidMethley, 45, from York, will take part in the Marathon Des Sables, inMarch.The race is one of the hardest endurance events in the worldand involves running seven ...
Thieves take collection for sick children
Jan 01, 2007 ... THIEVES have stolen a charity collection bottle which stood on apub bar for eight years.The collection pot, which over the years hasraised thousands of pounds to help sick children, was on display atAnnie's Bar, in Middlesbrough.It contained about 200 that customershad donated to help ...
Store gets round to square melons
Jan 01, 2007 ... SQUARE watermelons are due to arrive on the shelves of Tesco Extrastores across the region.A spokesman for the store chain said theBrazilian watermelons - grown in square ...
Chemical plant sale secures 840 jobs
Jan 01, 2007 ... HUNDREDS of jobs in the region have been secured following thesale of a North-East chemical plant.The US-based Huntsman Corporationhas confirmed the sale of its European Chemicals and PolymersDivision, both on Teesside, to the Saudi Arabian Basic IndustriesCorporation (Sabic).The sale, ...
RESOLVING TO SOLVE NEW YEAR FAILINGS
Jan 01, 2007 ... A PUB landlord is convinced he can help customers stick to theirNew Year resolutions with the launch of his new business.An ideawhich was generated over a couple of pints in the pub, has turnedinto a new calling for landlord Ian McNaughton.Mr McNaughton,licensee of the Falcoln, near ...
Victorian hall that's seen better days - and will again
Jan 01, 2007 ... Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, is derelict - butMiddlesbrough Football Club will soon transform it into a luxuryhotel. OWEN AMOS went to see it before the builders arriveIN twoyears' time, Rockliffe Hall will be a 45-bedroom hotel, part of aluxurious, multimillion pound ...
Academy and university join forces
Jan 01, 2007 ... A TRAINING academy and university have joined forces to helpnursery staff gain qualifications to improve the quality of childcarein the NorthEast.Training in Childcare (TIC), based in Boldon, SouthTyneside, is working with Northumbria University to help studentstowards a degree.Garth ...
Trainees graduate with flying colours
Jan 01, 2007 ... A GROUP of trainee probation officers celebrated graduationrecently after achieving some of the best results in the country.TheNational Probation Service County Durham welcomed the trainees intothe service during a ceremony at County Hall.A total of 48 traineesgraduated in the North-East ...