The Northern Echo back issues from November 2008:
Living
Nov 01, 2008; ... I CAN'T believe the festive season is nearly upon us, andalthough I'm tempted to put it out of my mind until a few weeksbeforehand, this really is a good time for getting both the houseand party wardrobe in good shape. I have been enjoying a browse of the wonderful choice of ...
The little black dress shape-up
Nov 01, 2008; ... As we dash headlong into festive party-time, JENNY LAUE tries outa toning treatment that 'does what it says on the tin' WHEN the invitation landed on my desk, advertising "the ultimateslimming and toning system" I have to say I was just a little bitdubious as to whether it would ...
Looking GOOD
Nov 01, 2008; ... Carlie Sings, manager of Van Mildert's menswear store, inDarlington, tells JENNY LAUE about her favourite fashions and herstyle icons Describe your look I just like to wear what I think looks nice and feels good, but Igenerally just wear casual clothes. What's your ...
HOME to the famous
Nov 01, 2008; ... Thirsk is a firm favourite for visitors on the 'James Herriot'tour - but this picturesque market town has many other noted sonsand daughters, says IAN NOBLE VISITORS to the bustling market town of Thirsk who think it isonly famous for James Herriot face being hit for six by ...
A stable CREATION
Nov 01, 2008; ... Interior designers Janet and Kevin Stevens have turned an oldstable building in Bedale into their dream home. JENNY LAUE takes alook round the property, which combines old-fashioned charm withmodern chic WHEN you step through the front door at 22 Market Place inBedale, it's like ...
TO BEAD or not to bead
Nov 01, 2008 ... The eclectic mix of beads in Jill and Kate Watkin's colourfulemporium have come from all over the world AT first sight it looks more like a magical sweet shop. Rows androws of jars glinting and glistening with all the colours of therainbow. But closer inspection reveals that ...
Where the boats COME IN
Nov 01, 2008; ... KEITH PROUD goes walkabout on Stockton Riverside and discoversthe fascinating history of the town's lifeblood - the River Tees THE town of Stockton, with its wide variety of touristattractions and extensive shopping and recreational facilities hasmuch to commend it to ...
Taking it SLOWLY
Nov 01, 2008; ... He is the most famous advocate of the worldwide 'slow' movement,which encourages a revolt against a world that is stuck in permanentfastforward. So why is author and journalist Carl Honore promotingCounty Durham as a haven of slowness? JULIA BREEN finds out CARL HONORE was ...
Lunch at LEISURE
Nov 01, 2008; ... Headlam Hall Hotel is already well known for its fantasticleisure facilities, and it serves up a pretty good lunch too, saysMIKE AMOS THE Headlam Hall Hotel is roughly between Darlington and BarnardCastle, turned almost into a little village since last we werethere. There's ...
A first-class FILLY
Nov 01, 2008; ... MATT WESTCOTT enjoys a thoroughbred with the refinement of aluxury saloon and the all-weather handling of an off-roader OFF-ROADERS have evolved somewhat in recent years. Where once they were carthorses, putting function ahead of form,now the trend is for thoroughbreds, cars ...
Boy meets GIRL
Nov 01, 2008; ... Twelve thousand may seem a lot for a supermini - but then theFiesta is a lot of car, says Motoring Editor NIGEL BURTON AFTER Ford's success with the Focus and the Mondeo, hopes arehigh that the new Fiesta can set a new benchmark in the superminiclass. But pre-launch briefings by ...
Bachelor boy FOR EVER
Nov 01, 2008; ... Cliff Richard tells Entertainments Editor VIV HARDWICK how hecopes with adulation from both sexes, why he is happy not to revealwhether he is gay - and why he probably won't have another crack atthe Christmas number one ANOTHER tilt at the singles charts, a bestselling ...
BOOKS
Nov 01, 2008; ... THE BELIEVERS by Zoe Heller Fig Tree, [pounds]16.99 THE eagerly-awaited new novel from Booker-shortlisted Notes on aScandal author Zoe Heller is gaspingly well observed. Although hersubject matter - a liberal New York family which includes a high-powered human rights lawyer, ...
Pantomime entrepreneur Michael Harrison
Nov 01, 2008; ... Wallsend-born and raised Michael Harrison is the managingdirector of Qdos, the world's largest pantomime producer, staging 21productions around the UK this year. That includes Darlington CivicTheatre's Jack And the Beanstalk and a rare outing for RobinsonCrusoe and The Caribbean Pirates ...
Baubles, bangles AND BEADS
Nov 01, 2008; ... You may be clinging on to last year's wardrobe for dear life -but there's one easy way to fast-forward your look. All you have todo is update your jewellery, says Women's Editor JULIA BREEN GOOD jewellery will give you fashion Brownie points and help keepyour look current. But ...
Animal activist's vehicle is vandalised
Nov 01, 2008 ... AN animal rights activist believes his car has been damaged bypeople he has crossed during his 17-year campaign. John Gill, from Castleside, Consett, County Durham, waged waragainst the use of snares when his dog died after getting caught byone. He travels around the ...
Bomb campaign close to victory
Nov 01, 2008; ... THE mother of a North-East woman killed by a bomb in Turkey is onthe brink of victory in her campaign for victims of terrorism abroadto receive compensation. The Government is poised to announce they will be eligible forthe same level of compensation as families whose lives were ...
Delight as brewers turn back the clock
Nov 01, 2008; ... REAL ale lovers in the North-East can enjoy pints of familiarbeer now locally-brewed on tap for the first time in almost adecade. Maxim Brewery has, in recent years, revived some of the favouriteVaux brands feared lost when the Sunderland brewery closed in 1999. But, having ...
Increasing number of pupils are suspended
Nov 01, 2008; ... ATleast 17 children are suspended from school in the region everyday for violence against other pupils, figures have revealed. Data obtained by the Conservative Party shows that 3,348 pupilswhere given a fixed period exclusion (FPE) for assaults in the North-East and North ...
Second chance offered to victim
Nov 01, 2008; ... A YOUNG mother who was raped by her ex-husband was yesterdayspared jail after she admitted fraudulently claiming [pounds]30,000in child tax credits. Emma Bryant, formerly of Shildon, County Durham, suffered tenyears of abuse at the hands of Ian Bryant, who was later jailed ...
Scruffts title in their sights
Nov 01, 2008 ... PAMPERED pooch Sally the "Yorkiedoodle" has won her way throughto the final heats of this year's Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog ofthe Year competition. One-year-old Sally is owned by the Short family, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, and is expected to be one of the stars of ...
You can buy craft knife. . .but not a pin for poppy
Nov 01, 2008; ... A SHOPPER who bought a craft knife at a DIY store was refused apin for his commemorative poppy - because it was a health and safetyrisk. Eric Mitchinson, 62, of Whickham, near Gateshead, was buying theStanley knife from a B&Q store when he saw a box of poppies on ...
Funeral date set for conker trip victim
Nov 01, 2008 ... THE funeral of the second man to die in the conker trip roadcrash takes place on Thursday. David Weatherburn, of Price Avenue, Bishop Auckland, died fromhis injuries eight days after the accident that also claimed thelife of his best friend and father-oftwo Bryan ...
Drugs worth [pounds]100,000 seized in raid on flat
Nov 01, 2008; ... MORE than [pounds]100,000 worth of class A drugs have beenrecovered from a flat in the region. Police stopped a car on the A689, near Hartlepool, on Thursdaynight, following intelligence and discovered [pounds]32,000 in thevehicle. The recovery led to officers searching a ...
Ceremony honours students' hard work
Nov 01, 2008 ... MORE than 50 students have been rewarded for their work inacademic studies and community endeavour. Fellow pupils, parents, staff and guests attended an awardsceremony at Polam Hall School, in Darlington. Pupils received awards for academic success, community ...
IN BRIEF
Nov 01, 2008 ... Drinkers help air ambulance funds REAL ale drinkers helped toraise [pounds]161.57 for the Great North Air Ambulance at an annualbeer festival. The three-day Rhythm 'n' Brews Beer Festival, atDarlington Arts Centre, featured 50 beers, ciders and perry. Thebeer of the festival - voted for ...
Remembering the sacrifice of others
Nov 01, 2008 ... SCHOOLCHILDREN have been learning about the importance ofremembering servicemen and women who have given their lives fortheir country. Students at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, nearDarlington, have been completing projects on what life was like forsoldiers in the ...
Global credit crisis hits council's plans
Nov 01, 2008; ... NEARLY [pounds]2m of refurbishment and community projects areexpected to be put on hold because of the global credit crisis. Cabinet members on Darlington Borough Council are to be asked todefer [pounds]1.723m worth of capital schemes until a review of thebudget is made in ...
Still dancing after 50 years together
Nov 01, 2008 ... A COUPLE who have waltzed their way through five decadescelebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dance for familyand friends. David and Elsie Muir, who celebrate their golden weddinganniversary today, invited guests to a party at Darlington's MasonicHall, where they held ...
IN BRIEF
Nov 01, 2008 ... Guest of honour at autumn fair CONGREGATION "stalwart" ElizabethPrudhoe will open the autumn fair at Parkinson Memorial MethodistChurch, in Sherburn Village, near Durham, today. Now living inHoughton-le-Spring, she returns to the Park Road church to do thehonours at 2.30pm. The fair ...
Hear all sides
Nov 01, 2008 ... MAKING PROGRESS IDON'T know where David Hall (HAS, Page 11, Oct29) got hismisleading and inaccurate information, but I can hazard aguess. According to the Labour Party website he is a member and anactivist in Belmont. So with his comments in perspective, perhaps he can say when ...
Plans to transform schools unveiled
Nov 01, 2008; ... PLANS for the multi-million pound transformation of two eastDurham secondary schools are to be unveiled. Shotton Hall School, in Peterlee, and Easington Community ScienceCollege are to be rebuilt as part of Durham County Council's[pounds]400m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) ...
Chance to develop key life skills
Nov 01, 2008 ... A NORTH Durham college has launched an initiative to give schoolleavers new skills. Derwentside College has unveiled its Get Involved Programme for16 to 18-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training. The programme, which starts on November 10, will give ...
Following the trail for autumn delights
Nov 01, 2008 ... A HARDY group of youngsters were among the first to take in thedelights of a new woodland trail this week. As part of half-term activities at Durham University's BotanicGarden, a woodland area has been added to the site's extended autumntrail and features a quiet corner of the site ...
Debating future of covered market
Nov 01, 2008; ... PLANS to revitalise Darlington's coveredmarket could includesplitting it into two levels. Darlington Borough Council has been looking at ways to secure thelong-term future of the market building. A report has been prepared for the council's cabinet, whichwillmeet on Tuesday ...
Safe storage for bicycles
Nov 01, 2008 ... A SCHOOL has opened a cycle storage facility for nearly 100bikes. Carmel RC College, in Darlington, hopes to promote cycling amongits staff and pupils. Governors helped the school's teachers and students to establisha travel plan, which was submitted to the Department for ...
Time for some spooky fun
Nov 01, 2008; ... NURSERY children got into the Halloween spirit by carvingpumpkins yesterday. Children from the Learning Together Nursery in High Grange,Darlington, dressed up for the occasion, which was attended by ateam from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Nursery manager ...
Promoting vegetables
Nov 01, 2008 ... STAFF at Darlington Primary Care Trust have pledged their supportfor a campaign to promote vegetables. Workers took part in taster sessions and had the chance to win ahamper at a recent Veggie Friday event, organised by the ...
Youngsters aid ex-pupil's fund
Nov 01, 2008 ... CHILDREN have raised the spirits of a former pupil seriouslyinjured in a sporting accident by staging a spooky sponsored walk. Rising teenage rugby star Jack Smith, from Sedgefield, broke hisback while playing as front row for Billingham Under-17s in January. While he is ...
IN BRIEF
Nov 01, 2008 ... Learning about Diwali festival YOUNGSTERS at a Yarm nurserycelebrated the Hindu Diwali festival this week with a gold and greenday. The toddlers from Rosedene Nursery, in Healaugh Park, dressedin the colours to celebrate the festival of lights - one of the mostpopular dates in the Hindu ...
Seeking new ways to boost tourism
Nov 01, 2008; ... RESIDENTS and businesses are being encouraged to help develop atourism plan to attract visitors to Guisborough for the next tenyears. The Market Town We lcome Programme aims to help towns targetareas that need investment to ensure the tourism economy is notlost. Guisborough ...
Pumpkin fun
Nov 01, 2008 ... THERE was a great pumpkin carve-up in Middlesbrough yesterday asa masterclass for making Halloween lanterns took place. The freeevent enabled people to see how pumpkins are carved and they wereinvited to take their own and turn them ...
Addict hid drugs in his sock
Nov 01, 2008 ... AN addict who hid drugs worth thousands of pounds in his sock wasjailed yesterday. Michael Pavlou, 21, jumped from his bedroom window when policearrived at his home, but was arrested nearby. When he was taken to the police station he owned up to havingamphetamines worth ...
Opportunity to develop camera skills
Nov 01, 2008 ... BUDDING photographers are being given an opportunity to captureimages of a wellknown park. The free two-hour event, called Picture Perfect, has beenorganised by Natural England and will take place at Ward JacksonPark, in Hartlepool, on Tuesday. It will be led by Natural ...
Couple's secret to a happy marriage
Nov 01, 2008 ... A WOMAN who volunteered for the NSPCC for 40 years has celebratedher diamond wedding anniversary by writing a book of poems. Audrey Linklater, 83, will donate the proceeds of Yellow Roses tothe charity. So far, the book has made [pounds]70. She and her husband, Joe, 85, are ...
IN BRIEF
Nov 01, 2008 ... Dramatic event is promised ANevening of music, readings and dramawill help celebrate Barnard Castle InnerWheel Club's 60th birthday.NowWe Are 60, will be held at St Mary's Parish Hall, Barnard Castle,on Monday, November 10, andWednesday, November 12. The show startsat 7.15pm and tickets ...
Helping isolated residents
Nov 01, 2008 ... AN outreach service provided by Te esdale District Council isexpanding. Customer services officers already travel throughout the dale,offering advice and information about the council's services to Teesdale's isolated or vulnerable residents. Now, monthly drop-in advice ...
Warning after closure of rail crossing
Nov 01, 2008; ... A WELL-USED level crossing that links footpaths between twovillages was closed by railway bosses yesterday. Network Rail shut the Thrislington crossing between WestCornforth and Ferryhill on health and safety grounds after a routineinspection. There are plans for a footbridge ...
IN BRIEF
Nov 01, 2008 ... Thanks for fundraising NORTH and South Cowton Village HallCommittee has thanked people who supported its race evening inSeptember, which raised [pounds]610 for hall funds. The next eventis a ceilidh featuring Richmond-based The Buckle Eye Band onNovember 22 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost ...
Young dancers prepare for big day
Nov 01, 2008 ... DANCERS are stepping up to the challenge of their biennialcharity show. Richmond Dance Centre, which has 200 members aged between threeand 68, will perform a variety show at Richmond School this week forchildren's heart charity Echo. Christine Hepworth, one of the centre's ...
Hard work all worth it as mill powers up
Nov 01, 2008; ... A HISTORIC mill is again generating its own electricity, markingthe end of a four-year [pounds]1m restoration programme. Gayle Mill, near Hawes, is a grade II-listed building built in1784-5 as a water-powered cotton mill that also processed flax andwool. It was reborn as a sawmill ...
Centre staff celebrate good year
Nov 01, 2008 ... AMARKET town's tourist information centre welcomed more than7,500 visitors during this year's peak season. The centre, in North End, in Bedale, is now operating at reducedhours for winter. It will open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings fromtoday. For the first time, staffplan ...
Soldier makes safe return to civvy street
Nov 01, 2008; ... AN architectural technician is going back to the drawing boardafter serving as a medic for six months in Afghanistan. Gareth Alderson has returned to his job after completing asixmonth tour of duty with the Territorial Army. Mr Alderson, 37, works with Niven Architects, in ...
NEWS IN BRIEF
Nov 01, 2008 ... Dreamcoat production BILL KENWRIGHT'S production of Tim Rice andAndrew Lloyd Webber's musical Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat will be staged at Darlington Civic Theatre, from Mondayuntil November 8. It features Craig Chalmers and Antony Hansen,finalists on Any DreamWill Do, ...
Hospitals to reveal role of pathology
Nov 01, 2008; ... STAFF from South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust are staging severalevents to promote the vital role of pathology in patient care aspart of National Pathology Week. The Middlesbrough-based trust's pathology department hascommissioned students from the Cleveland College of Art and ...
Take That sell-out is fastest in history
Nov 01, 2008; ... NORTH-EAST fans of Take That will get a second chance to seetheir idols after the revived boy band's latest UK tour became thefastest-selling in UK history. As tickets sold out for a concert to open their summer 2009Circus Live national tour, a second date was hastily ...
Banned driver who fled police spared jail
Nov 01, 2008 ... A BANNED driver who sparked a high speed police chase throughcity centre streets has been spared jail. Martin Brown failed to stop when officers sounded their sirensand made off at more than 70mph. Newcastle Crown Court heard how motorists and pedestrians inSunderland were ...
Action is urged on 's ilent epidemic'
Nov 01, 2008; ... WHEN the UK's first alcohol control agency opens in the North-East early next year, it will face a tough challenge, according tosenior doctors. Two dementia specialists - Dr Susham Gupta and Dr James Warner -have warned that urgent action is needed to prevent what they havecalled ...
Catching up on the brews
Nov 01, 2008 ... A CITY landmark is set for a once-in-a-decade pickme-up. A giant teapot mounted high above Saddler Street, a busy shoppingroute in Durham City, is to be cleaned - the first time thecuriosity has been polished for ten years. The metal teapot is thought to date back to ...
Cherishing real values
Nov 01, 2008 ... IT has been a tempestuous week, with the news dominated by theoutrage caused by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross. Completely justified to some, disproportionate to others, it hasbeen an extraordinary public reaction. The talk of a nation in the depths of recession has turned to ...
Hear all sides
Nov 01, 2008 ... INVESTMENT ITwas so interesting to see that BP reported recordprofits of more than [pounds]6bn at a time when thousands have beenlosing their jobs and the Government has been forced to revise itsfiscal policies relating to borrowing. This would be the ideal opportunity for the ...
Highest pub is so busy, it's on sale for [pounds]1.1m
Nov 01, 2008; ... The lofty Tan Hill Inn has been welcoming weary workers andwalkers for hundreds of years. Now Britain's highest pub has beenput up for sale. Joe Willis looks back at some of the pub's high andlow points OWNERS of the highest pub in Britain have put the business up forsale, saying ...
In the picture - Sharpe end
Nov 01, 2008; ... ACTOR Sean Bean has become a big fan of India while filming twoSharpe adventures there. "It's a different pace of life. You getthere and it's such a change from the fast pace of, say, London orAmerica, " he explains. "You've just got to accept that it's a slower way of life ....
Theatre - Rula's worth a look
Nov 01, 2008; ... Rula Lenska is still hoping her parents' incredible story can betold on TV BORN a countess to Polish parents in exile, Rula Lenska shouldhave made an ideal candidate for the popular BBC series Who Do YouThink You Are? Sadly the cameras haven't come calling and the 61year-old ...
Fundraising team hits the heights
Nov 01, 2008 ... FUNDRAISERS climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest in aid of achildren's centre. Members of Sedgefield Round Ta ble, in County Durham, hiked tothe top of Roseberry To pping, in North Yo rkshire, 41 times, thesame distance as sea level to the peak of the world's ...