The Northern Echo back issues from June 2008:
Fears for future of more post offices
Jun 02, 2008 ... THE Government faces calls today to suspend the post officeclosures programme amid fears that thousands more could soon facethe axe. A powerful Commons committee warns of more closures to come in ahard-hitting report published this morning. The Business and Enterprise Select ...
Gazza sister: Please don't help him to buy alcohol
Jun 02, 2008; ... PAUL GASCOIGNE'S sister has made an emotional appeal to fans notto buy him a drink. Speaking to a national newspaper as concerns continued to growover the former Newcastle United and England footballer's mentalhealth, Anna Gascoigne said anyone who helped him to drink "willhave ...
Popular footballer John earns posthumous league accolade
Jun 02, 2008; ... A POPULAR amateur footballer who died after he fell from aviaduct has been posthumously named the Northern League's player ofthe year. The family of John Jackson, a goalkeeper with BillinghamSynthonia, were given a standing ovation as they collected the awardat the league's end ...
Teds gathered as Arctic picnic departure day looms
Jun 02, 2008 ... MORE than 100 teddy bears have been gathered for a record-breaking trip 700 miles inside the Arctic Circle. The bears are part of the Teddies to the Arctic campaign, whichaims to raise [pounds]30,000 for St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington. Hospice worker Heather Thompson and ...
The best show on record - baa none
Jun 02, 2008 ... AN annual sheep show attracted record crowds in its 23rd yearwhen it was held on Saturday. The Eastgate Spring Sheep Show, in Eastgate, Weardale, CountyDurham, was visited by more than 800 people and boasted more than 70exhibitors. Paul Collinson, the show's secretary, said: "We ...
19-year-old killed crossing the road
Jun 02, 2008; ... TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager who died in the early hoursof Saturday as he tried to cross a busy road. Anthony McGuiness, from Spennymoor, County Durham, was walkingalong a footpath on the south-east side of the A688 when friendstravelling in a car stopped to pick him ...
Birthday party for 'fantastic' Celvin
Jun 02, 2008; ... A BABY given only weeks to live is about to celebrate his firstbirthday. Celvin Tiplady, from Darlington, has confounded medical expertsby continuing to fight against the rare genetic disorder nemalinemyopathy. Celvin's mother, Melissa Regan, is planning a party with ...
Thousands at risk of blindness
Jun 02, 2008; ... HEALTH charity Diabetes UK warns today that 32,000 people in theNorth-East are at risk of losing their sight because they are notbeing screened for diabetic retinopathy, the primary cause ofblindness in the working-age population. The charity is calling for everyone aged 12 and ...
Events to thank volunteers and persuade more to help
Jun 02, 2008; ... A "SPEED-DATING" event for volunteers and a battle of the bandsare among the activities planned to celebrate National VolunteersWeek in Darlington. The events, which are taking place across the town this week, arebeing organised by eVOLution, formerly known as Darlington CVS, ...
Trumpeting success of weather-hit gala day
Jun 02, 2008 ... A BAND, a dog show and a dance display were just some of thehighlights of an annual village gala day. Hurworth Gala Day was forced to move inside the Hurworth GrangeCommunity Centre yesterday because of the bad weather. Nevertheless, there was a large turnout of people who went ...
Warm welcome given to Royle visitor at garden fete
Jun 02, 2008 ... A FETE to raise money for a communal garden has raised more than[pounds]1,000. The fete in Rockliffe Court, Hurworth Place, was opened by TyneTees newsreader Pam Royle. Attractions included stalls and cream teas. The event raised[pounds]1,191.45. The money will go ...
Event recognising work of unsung army of volunteers
Jun 02, 2008; ... AN unpaid army of men and women who help to shape the communityin their own time will be celebrated this week. National Volunteers' Week began yesterday and puts the spotlighton often unsung volunteers around the country. There are more than 1,300 voluntary and community ...
SOUTH DURHAM NEWS IN BRIEF
Jun 02, 2008 ... Club set to host wrestling evening PROFESSIONAL Americanstyle wrestling, staged by the UrbanWrestling Alliance, will be held in Willington WMC and Institute,Hall Lane Estate, in Willington on Friday. Doors open at 6.30pm,with the bell sounding at 7pm. Tickets, costing [pounds]4 ...
[pounds]337,000 grant to help 'heart of community'
Jun 02, 2008; ... MEMBERS of a community centre are celebrating after learning theyare to receive a [pounds]337,000 grant for the building'srefurbishment and extension. The grant, funded by the Office of the Third Sector (CabinetOffice), and delivered by The Big Lottery Fund, has been agreed ...
Exhibition tribute to pit history enthusiast
Jun 02, 2008 ... A COLLECTION of mining banners went on display at the weekend, inmemory of an enthusiast who raised funds to restore an importantpart of a town's heritage. The event at St Margaret's Church, in Tanfield, near Stanley, washeld in tribute to the late Derwentside district councillor ...
Inspectors' report praises 300-year-old school
Jun 02, 2008 ... A SCHOOL celebrating its 300th anniversary has been praised byOfsted inspectors. Durham Blue Coat CE Junior School, in Newton Hall, Durham, wassaid to be good with outstanding features. The inspectors said the pupils thrive socially and academicallyand the school is a vibrant ...
Developer withdraws plans for 481 homes
Jun 02, 2008; ... TWO planning schemes that would see 481 homes built on twocontroversial sites in Northallerton have been withdrawn. The applications, by developers Yuill Homes and Taylor Wimpey,received a total of 27 letters of complaint from residents. If approved, the plans would see 331 ...
Back to school. . . 20 years on
Jun 02, 2008 ... FORMER pupils of a convent school travelled from around the worldto attend an emotional reunion with their old classmates. Members of Richmond Assumption School's class of 1988 gottogether for the first time in nearly 20 years on Saturday. Organiser Michelle Stark was pleased ...
Now you can pay for parking with mobile and credit card
Jun 02, 2008; ... FROM today, motorists can pay for car parking through theirmobile phones. The technology is in place at council car parks in Stockton,Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. The joint initiative, called Tees Valley Connect, uses a systemcalled RingGo, which enables drivers to call a ...
A model of aviation skills at air show
Jun 02, 2008 ... THE two-day Teesside Model Air Show had to cancel its second daybecause of bad weather. But about 2,000 visitors were entertained by acrobatic planes inRedmarshall, near Stockton, on Saturday. Pilots from all over the country landed helicopters, jets and warplanes at the ...
Developers agree to fund dismantling of play area
Jun 02, 2008; ... A PROBLEM play area which was fenced off to prevent antisocialbehaviour looks likely to be removed. Funding has been found to dismantle the play area in HarrowgateFarm, Darlington, which has been the subject of debate since it wasclosed a few months ago. It is hoped that the ...
Paving the way to revamp for centre
Jun 02, 2008; ... WORK to improve the appearance of land outside a community centreis under way. The Village Centre, in West Auckland's Front Street, will benefitfrom river cobbles and Yorkstone paving when the scheme iscompleted. Previously, a battered tarred frontage led up to the ...
Riding to aid of hospital unit
Jun 02, 2008 ... A RIDING club raised almost [pounds]750 at its first charitycompetition, which took place at the weekend. Durham and District Riding Club held the event at Low Fold FarmEquestrian Centre, in Sunnybrow, on Saturday. A total of [pounds]737.46 was raised for the Chemotherapy ...
Activity day shines despite rain
Jun 02, 2008 ... WET weather failed to deter the fun at an annual activity day inDarlington yesterday. Because of the rain, the majority of the events at West ParkActivity Day were moved into Alderman Leach Primary School. Artist Carl von Weiler, who has been working with local childrenin ...
Police welcome [pounds]4.55m to fund hand-held gadgets
Jun 02, 2008; ... POLICE officers are to get on-thespot access to crime records,intelligence and emails with the introduction of hand-held gadgets. Officers in North Yorkshire joined forces with police in WestYorkshire and Humberside to bid for a share of [pounds]50m ofGovernment funding. They ...
Rural women's group looks to recruit
Jun 02, 2008 ... A GROUP in Thirsk is seeking members as its parent associationcelebrates its 25th anniversary. Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association (YCA) was set up in 1983 andits Thirsk and District branch is seeking new people. It was formedafter the Women's Institute shut its regional office in ...
'I want the public to know their officers'
Jun 02, 2008; ... A NEW police chief taking over command in a County Durhamcommunity today has pledged to become a familiar face as she and herstaff forge closer links with local people. Stanley community Inspector Amanda Cathrine, 47, said she hopedshe and her officers would become instantly ...
Fashionable relaunch for bridal shop
Jun 02, 2008 ... NORTH-EAST fashion designer Scott Henshall inspected the progressof a best friend's wedding dress at the weekend, and used theoccasion to cut the ribbon at the bridal shop helping with thefitting. Mr Henshall helped relaunch Mon Ami, formerly called Frocks, inSunderland Road, ...
Call us if neighbour impaired, police urge
Jun 02, 2008; ... A CAMPAIGN is urging people to report their neighbours if theysuspect them of drink-driving. Cleveland Police announced the message: Don't let your neighboursget away with drink or drug driving this summer. The aim is toreduce road crashes. Officers are asking people to ...
Little trains make big impression
Jun 02, 2008 ... VISITORS flocked to Ormesby Hall, in Middlesbrough at the weekendfor an annual model railway exhibition. Organisers say the event was as popular as ever and peopleenjoyed the demonstrations and exhibits on offer. A team of volunteers at the National Trust property, ...
Groups put dogs on display in search for new homes
Jun 02, 2008 ... DOG lovers flocked to Saltburn Bandstand at the weekend to see ifthey could give a dog a home. It was one of the events heldregularly by Save Our Strays and Greyhounds Galore to find caringhomes ...
Vehicle owners turn back the clock
Jun 02, 2008 ... ABOUT 200 historic commercial vehicles took to the roads of theNorth-East for the annual Go-Ahead Tyne-Tees run. The event, organised by the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society,attracted vehicles from across the country, all of which were atleast 20 years old. The vehicles, ...
Odyssey in a [pounds]300 car bought on eBay
Jun 02, 2008; ... A CLASSIC car fan is preparing for a 10,000-mile rally to Asia ina 49-year-old car he bought from an internet auction site. Jim Mann will cross two continents, five mountain ranges, twodeserts and 17 countries in a [pounds]300 Morris Minor. Mr Mann, 31, from Darlington, bought ...
Festival is big hit - despite the rain
Jun 02, 2008; ... RAIN failed to dampen spirits as thousands of people flocked toenjoyed scores of live acts at a free music festival yesterday. Middlesbrough Music Live attracted yet another big crowd, with anumber of stages at locations across the town centre catering fordifferent musical ...
Marshal hit as car comes off track in heavy rain
Jun 02, 2008; ... A MARSHAL escaped serious injury when he was hit by a car duringa high-speed accident at Croft Circuit yesterday. The incident happened in heavy rain during the first of threeraces of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at the track,on the outskirts of ...
Quacking good time had by all on race day
Jun 02, 2008 ... A CHARITY duck race held this weekend raised [pounds]1,324.70 forMeningitis UK. The Freedom Duck Race took place on the River Wear, at StanhopeShowground, in Weardale, County Durham on Saturday. The event, organised by Freedom North East 2000 Caravan Club,sold 1,090 ducks for ...
Thirty per cent increase in weight-loss surgery
Jun 02, 2008; ... THE number of North-East patients having weight-loss surgery hasrisen by 34 per cent in a year, according to figures. The NHS paid for 129 obese patients from the region to undergogastric bypass surgery in 2005-6. Last year, that figure rose to 174, an increase of 45 ...
Actors brave weather for charity game
Jun 02, 2008 ... A HOST of television soap actors took to the field for a charityfootball match yesterday. The Emmerdale All-Stars, featuring actors from the soap and othercelebrities, appeared at the Archibald Stadium, in Durham City, totake on a Durham team. More than 200 people braved bad ...
Deregulation has failed
Jun 02, 2008 ... BRITONS could face even longer queues to send packages andparcels if today's warning that thousands more post offices faceclosure comes to pass. The reluctance of Post Office Ltd to agree on a minimum networksize of 11,500 branches is a dismal admission that deregulation hasbeen ...
Dads - the new terrorists?
Jun 02, 2008; ... Tough new laws have been drawn up to tackle fathers who refuse topay for their children. But are the powers a step too far? JoeWillis talks to a leading NorthEast solicitor who thinks they are IT COULD almost be anti-terror legislation - the power to takemoney from bank accounts ...
Waste not, want not
Jun 02, 2008; ... The cost of living is soaring, yet we are still throwing awaymore unused food than ever. At the start of national Recycle NowWeek and European Green Week Ruth Campbell speaks to one woman abouthow getting the most out of your weekly shop will not only helppreserve the earth's resources ...
Motorist dies after car hits tree head-on
Jun 02, 2008; ... A DRIVER was killed when her car went out of control and collidedhead-on with a tree. The 20-year-old died at the scene of the incident, at CarrholmeBridge, between Tollerton and Alne, near Easingwold, in NorthYorkshire. The driver's black Vauxhall Corsa was the only vehicle ...
Hear all sides
Jun 02, 2008 ... FUEL PRICES THE recent outcry from hauliers and car users regarding dieseland petrol prices and the need for government action to reduce thelevel of duty is a valid request. Government could easily reduce the price of a litre of fuel by atleast 25p and not miss the income ...
'Crazy ideas are the best'
Jun 02, 2008; ... Dave Stewart is known as one of the most talented songwriters andmusicians. In an exclusive interview, Deborah Johnson finds out whythe Wearside-born legend believes it's cool to be crazy I'M in Dave Stewart's hotel room in Gateshead, on one of hishandful of annual returns to his ...
Striding out for Bobby's cause
Jun 02, 2008 ... SIR Bobby Robson yesterday returned to the village where helearnt to play football to start a sponsored walk in aid of hischarity. More than 150 people braved the rain to set off from Langley ParkCricket Club, in County Durham, to raise money for the Sir BobbyRobson ...
Victoria's secrets
Jun 02, 2008; ... Queen Victoria's Men (C4, 9pm) Ray Mears Goes Walkabout (BBC2, 7pm) SHE was a woman with a lust for life. She was hot-blooded and passionate. She liked sex, she liked men. She was - and this might come as a surprise to some - QueenVictoria. Writer-director ...
Looking ahead to London Olympics
Jun 02, 2008; ... A WHITE water course in the region could be transformed toOlympic standards within a year. The family running the Four Seasons white water course at theTees Barrage, near Stockton, said a bid for funding could besubmitted shortly to make it an attractive venue for Olympictraining ...
Railway weapon back in place after 50-year wait
Jun 02, 2008; ... A UNIQUE piece of a town's railway history has been returned toits rightful home 50 years after it was used as an impromptu weapon. In the Fifties, Jack Cudbertson was forced to pick up a shovel todefend himself at Bank Top Station, in Darlington, when he wasattacked by Army ...
One of region's oldest residents celebrates
Jun 02, 2008 ... ONE of the region's oldest residents celebrated her 107thbirthday at the weekend. Jeannie Pattison reached the grand old age on Saturday, andenjoyed a party with family and friends at Howlish Hall NursingHome, in Coundon, County Durham. The pensioner puts her longevity down ...
Talented Lucy leaps at chance to fulfil dream
Jun 02, 2008; ... A TEENAGE dancer has taken the next step towards her dream ofbecoming a classical ballerina, by being cast in a national theatregroup's next production. Talented Lucy Benson, from North Yorkshire, will perform with theEnglish Youth Ballet, this weekend. It will be the third ...
Smith enjoys a lucky omen and finally comes good
Jun 02, 2008; ... THE seagull has landed for Will Smith. Just when doubts couldhave crept in about the future of the 25-year-old Durham batsmanfortune suddenly smiled on him. He survived a straightforward chance to first slip on five atHove on Saturday and went on to convert his first championship ...
Redcar remain in the mire despite victory
Jun 02, 2008; ... WINLESS Redcar put an end to a disastrous run of seven defeatsbut fell further behind the teams above them in the fight to avoidrelegation. Now, with a third of the season gone, they are in aperilous position some way adrift at the bottom of the table. Second from bottom ...
Conquest the horse to beat at Epsom
Jun 02, 2008; ... AWARM welcome to the first of many Monday columns and what a weekto start with. Two of the big Classics are coming up, the Oaks onFriday and the big one, the Derby, 24 hours later. With dual 2,000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator looking likelyto miss the latter race, the colt that ...
Impressive Durham inflict rare home defeat on Sussex
Jun 02, 2008; ... DURHAM yesterday emphatically underlined their title credentialsby inflicting Sussex's first home defeat in the championship sincethe final match of 2004. The champions were beaten by seven wickets with a day to spare atHove as Michael Di Venuto hurried Durham to a target 126 with ...
Riise the target after Emre sale
Jun 02, 2008; ... NEWCASTLE boss Kevin Keegan will use the money from Emre'sdeparture to Turkish side Fenerbahce to fund a swoop for out-of-favour Liverpool fullback John Arne Riise. Emre left Turkey's European Championships training camp at theweekend to discuss personal terms with Fenerbahce after ...
Vaulkhard admits to frustration
Jun 02, 2008; ... DESPITE a consistent afternoon in trying conditions, HarryVaulkhard was disappointed with the outcome of his debut at Croft,writes MATT WESTCOTT. The 22-year-old, who drives a Chevrolet Lacetti for theBoldonbased Robertshaw Racing Team, notched two 13th places and an11th during ...
Action Jackson almost pulls off the impossible
Jun 02, 2008; ... MAT Jackson was involved in a thriller on a dramatic day ofracing in the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at CroftCircuit yesterday. The North Yorkshire track was playing host to rounds 13, 14 and15 of the championship. And heavy rain meant the opener was certainly ...
Sport Hear all sides
Jun 02, 2008 ... HORSE RACING IT APPEARS that there are good grounds for worrying about thefuture of horse racing in this country. The prize money on offer for winning races looks to bediminishing almost on a weekly basis. Indeed, it is becoming commonto see races having less than ...
Prica heads for home after Euro blow
Jun 02, 2008; ... RADE Prica is targeting a return to his homeland after a failureto establish himself in Sunderland's first team cost him a place atthis month's European Championships. Prica was a notable absentee from the 23-man squad Sweden coachLars Lagerback submitted to UEFA last week, with ...
Alves hopes Downing can spark Brazil recall
Jun 02, 2008; ... HAVING watched Stewart Downing spend the last seven days oninternational duty, Afonso Alves last night claimed theMiddlesbrough winger was the key to regaining his own place in theBrazilian national side. Alves scored six goals in 11 Premier League appearances aftermaking a ...
Olympics next up for Livingston after bronze
Jun 02, 2008; ... REDCAR modern pentathlete Katy Livingston is all but assured of aplace in this summer's Olympic Games after claiming a bronze medalin this weekend's World Championships in Hungary. Livingston, who is one of two British women to have achieved thequalifying standard for the Olympics ...
Boxing brothers strike gold
Jun 02, 2008; ... IT was a golden weekend for the Saunders family as boxingbrothers Bradley and Jeff both recorded career-best performances onopposite sides of the world. Bradley, of South Durham ABC, confirmed his status as one of thefavourites for the lightwelterweight title at this summer's ...
Harmison defies injury to claim Hove hat-trick
Jun 02, 2008; ... STEVE Harmison yesterday helped Durham to a seven-wicket win atHove with a sensational hat-trick then revealed he had been bowlingin pain and will continue to do so. He plans to have a scan today on his left foot, which he hurt onthe first day of the match against Sussex when the ...
Actresses win places at national theatre
Jun 03, 2008 ... TWO talented actresses have seen off competition from thousandsof youngsters to secure places at the National Youth Theatre, inLondon. Leanne Golightly, 20, and Kayleigh Adams, 16, both successfullyauditioned to develop their drama skills. The pair are both from Coundon, ...
Shock as violence campaigner killed
Jun 03, 2008; ... A NORTH-EAST knives campaigner spoke of her anguish last nightafter her best friend was stabbed to death - five years to the weekafter her own son was murdered. Theresa Cave was preparing to mark the tragic anniversary of her17-year-old son's death in three days' time when she was ...