The Northern Echo back issues from December 2008:
Outdoors designer goes to town
Dec 01, 2008; ... Clothes designer Chickaira Morrell knows a thing or two aboutfashion, as she works for outdoor clothing brand Barbour. The 25-year-old, from Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland, tells JENNY LAUE abouther fashion style What is your favourite item of clothing? I would say it's a dress I ...
Living
Dec 01, 2008; ... Is everything ready for Christmas in your home? Presents bought and wrapped, food orders ready, pudding made? No,me neither. But we've still got a few weeks' grace, and with thehelp of Living, all should be well on the big day. We have got pages of gifts for all the family, ...
Let the festivities begin
Dec 01, 2008; ... With its rich Victorian heritage, Darlington is the ideal settingfor a traditional seasonal celebration, says LAUREN PYRAH NO ERA has influenced the way we celebrate Christmas quite likethe Victorian age. The last of the great sentimentalists, theVictorians are credited with ...
High lights
Dec 01, 2008; ... It's that time of year again - the party season. Women's EditorJULIA BREEN looks at the key hair trends for Christmas YOU'VE got the sparkly dress, and the high-heeled shoes. You've got your party nails done. You just need to sort out thecrowning glory on your outfit - your ...
BRIDESHEAD bedecked
Dec 01, 2008; ... It's probably best known as the backdrop to Brideshead Revisited,and for those of us lucky enough to live on its doorstep, CastleHoward is the perfect place to drop in this Christmas. JULIA BREEN reports IN winter, the wind would rattle the window panes and whistledown the ...
Leyburn over t'Ure
Dec 01, 2008; ... Leyburn is a place with a personality all of its own and a widerange of shops - the perfect antidote for all who dislike large,enclosed shopping malls. KEITH PROUD reports TAKE a butcher, a baker and a candlestick-maker, add thebirthplace of the subject of one of the most popular ...
SISTERS doing it for themselves
Dec 01, 2008; ... Running this traditional foodies' store is a family affair, saysJULIA BREEN PICKLES, coffee, spices and cheese. Meats, biscuits, plum puddings and wine. Ambrosial scents on every shelf. Lewis & Cooper, the grocer whichhas stood in Northallerton High Street for more than ...
EATING OUT
Dec 01, 2008; ... MIKE AMOS heads for Barnard Castle, and finds a warm welcome atthe oldest house in town IT WAS six years since we'd last been been to Blagraves House inBarnard Castle. It's 20 years since Ken and Elizabeth Marley -previously staff members at Boobi's, in Darlington - took over ...
There is nothing like this dame
Dec 01, 2008; ... As he celebrates 30 years as York Theatre Royal's pantomime dame,Berwick Kaler talks to STEVE PRATT about his love affair with thetraditional Christmas show LONG-SERVING pantomime dame Berwick Kaler was trying to turn thelyrics of Amy Winehouse's song Rehab into one called Prefab ...
Our favourite visitor Santa Claus
Dec 01, 2008; ... Father Christmas lives as far north as you can go. Possibly theNorth Pole, possibly Lapland. From his frozen fairy grotto, surrounded by elves and reindeer,he tells CHRIS LLOYD of a few of his favourite things My favourite beginnings I was the kindly Bishop Nicholas of ...
Stabbing suspect held at museum
Dec 01, 2008; ... A MAJOR manhunt involving police across the country came to anend yesterday when officers arrested a man in the North-East. Steven Maillard, 26, was arrested in connection with a stabbingin York early on Saturday, which left a 20-year-old woman seriouslyinjured. Detectives ...
Airport hotel and units plan approved
Dec 01, 2008; ... UP to 1,300 jobs could be created within two years after plansfor an airport business park were approved. The site for business startup units related to airport industriesis one of two applications to have been approved at Durham TeesValley Airport. Darlington Borough Council ...
Raising the profile of Rock-it-ball
Dec 01, 2008 ... A FLEDGLING sport has received a financial boost as playerscontinue to raise the profile of Rock-it-ball. The 40-strong members of Tees Valley Rock-it-ball Club have beenawarded [pounds]1,000 from the O2 It's Your Community fund. Formed last year, the club isone of a growing ...
Skiers and snowboarders in winter wonderland
Dec 01, 2008 ... SNOW lovers had a treat at the weekend in Middlesbrough towncentre. More than 25 tonnes of snow was imported from an indoor skicentre, near Leeds, to transform the town into a winter paradise. The outdoor slope enabled professional skiers and snowboarders toshow off their ...
Wilson laments frailties
Dec 01, 2008; ... DANNY Wilson was left to rue his side's long-standing defensivefrailties, despite earning a spot in the third round of the FA Cupon Saturday. Pools won 3-2 at Conference North side Fleetwood Town, buttrailed after 14 minutes and faced an uneasy final 20 minutes afterthey ...
Grandmother jailed for birthday party stabbing
Dec 01, 2008 ... A GRANDMOTHER has been jailed for two-and-a-half years after shestabbed a neighbour during a three-year-old girl's birthday party. The celebration, in the front garden of Christine Robson's home,was spoiled when a car drove up and people began throwing waterbombs which soaked her ...
Picturing the life of young offenders
Dec 01, 2008 ... A PHOTOGRAPHER has opened an exhibition to demonstrate the plightof young offenders and the money spent on them. Phil Dixon spoke at the launch event on Saturday of his work,called Money Well Spent, at the Decisive Moment Gallery, inDarlington Arts Centre. Mr Dixon, who has ...
Fleetwood Mackay conjures cup brace
Dec 01, 2008; ... WHAT better example of the magic of the FA Cup than two goalsfrom Hartlepool United's very own magician? Michael Mackay was given a chance to impress in Saturday's gameat Fleetwood Town, a team some 75 places below Pools in the Footballpyramid. At a ground shrouded in fog ...
'Helping people to achieve dying wish'
Dec 01, 2008; ... A HOSPICE has highlighted its record of helping people achievetheir dying wish of spending their last days at home. Butterwick Hospice chiefs have spoken out amid national concernsabout the relatively small number of terminally-ill people who areable to pass away in familiar ...
Given wants signings
Dec 01, 2008; ... SHAY Given last night urged Newcastle's money men to back JoeKinnear in January's transfer window. Having signed a contract until the end of the season on Friday,Kinnear is hoping to receive the funds required to purchase two orthree players when the transfer window opens at the ...
Party in honour of Jasper the cat's centenary
Dec 01, 2008 ... A PARTY was thrown this weekend for a cat celebrating its 21stbirthday - which is the equivalent of more than 100 human years. Jasper was unable to attend the celebrations because heassociates the cat box with a trip to the vet and would have foundthe number of people involved too ...
Southgate reveals he can't afford all his January targets
Dec 01, 2008; ... AT A time when the club's annual accounts have revealed debts ofmore than [pounds]93m, Middlesbrough's manager Gareth Southgateadmits he has 'more targets, than funds' ahead of the Januarytransfer window. Southgate accepts that he will have to be frugal at the turn ofthe year if ...
Gun part suspects may be released
Dec 01, 2008; ... TWO North-East men arrested and accused of illegally importinggun silencers into the US may be allowed to return home later thisweek after a meeting today. George Hope and Garry Latcham, of Howden-le-Wear, County Durham,remain in a North Carolina jail since their arrest at ...
Arca hopes to push on after Butt battle
Dec 01, 2008; ... MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder Julio Arca is hoping Saturday's goallessdraw with Newcastle marks a new beginning in a personallydisappointing campaign. Arca made only his second start of the season as the Tees-Tynederby honours were shared at the weekend, following an injury-hitthree ...
All aboard for rail trip to Santa's grotto
Dec 01, 2008 ... CHILDREN are invited on board a trip to see Santa Claus in hisgrotto until Christmas Eve. The Weardale Railway began running Santa Specials at the weekend,travelling from its station in Wo lsingham, County Durham, toStanhope. Youngsters were entertained on board by elves and ...
Drunken confusion
Dec 01, 2008 ... WHILE controversy rages on all sides over the heavy-handed arrestof shadow immigration minister Damian Green, Home Secretary JacquiSmith turns the spotlight on binge-drinking today. New laws aimed at putting an end to the all-too-familiar sight ofvomiting revellers strewn across ...
Defenders prove more worthy than costly striking counterparts
Dec 01, 2008; ... WITH more than [pounds]38m worth of attacking talent on show atthe Riverside Stadium, two signings of amore economical nature wereresponsible for delivering defensive displays that ensured the 120thTeesTyne derby ended goalless. While the record buys of bothMiddlesbrough and ...
Tees-Tyne managers see clearly through the Riverside fog
Dec 01, 2008; ... AS freezing fog enveloped the Riverside Stadium during the secondhalf of Saturday's Tees-Tyne derby, there were times when it wasdifficult to make out what was happening in the distance. But for Gareth Southgate and Joe Kinnear, standing side by sideon the touchline, this weekend's ...
Where charity begins. . .
Dec 01, 2008; ... An appeal that started when a North Yorkshire man watched the TenO'Clock News has now raised more than [pounds]110,000 for childrenin Iraq suffering from leukaemia. Owen Amos meets the man behind it and reads the Iraqis' messagesof thanks CHRISTMAS is here. Instead of that ...
High time for some good news
Dec 01, 2008; ... THERE has been far too much bad news lately. Hardly a day hasgone by in recent weeks without news of further job cuts - includinga significant number here at The Northern Echo - having to bereported. And then, last Wednesday, the news bulletins began to comethrough about the ...
Sport Hear all sides
Dec 01, 2008 ... ARRESTING FACTS THE report relating to Football related violence by JoeWillis(Northern Echo, November 26) surely needs further investigation sothat a more balanced view can be obtained before it can be so boldlystated that Sunderland fans had the worst record. For instance, ...
Hear all sides
Dec 01, 2008 ... CLIMATE CHANGE GOOD news for Christmas. Global temperatures have remained the same for the past tenyears. We're actually about to experience global cooling. It was alldue to sun spots after all. It has also been found by many independent scientists thatreducing our ...
BEST OF THE WEB
Dec 01, 2008 ... DARLINGTON I AGREE with Dave Penney - a shocking display [2-1 home defeat toChester City on Tuesday]. This was certainly a reality check, let's hope the wheels haven'tcome off. There seemed to be no leadership, we need Foster back andHatch up front to act as a ...
Stage set for princess' wedding
Dec 01, 2008 ... A PANTOMIME princess has collected the tiara for her stagewedding. Amie Clapson, who plays Princess Jasmine in the Durham GalaTheatre pantomime, visited Le Beado jewellery store, in Old Elvet,Durham, to help finalise the outfit for her marriage to Aladdin. Staff at the ...
Ryan sets Quakers target
Dec 01, 2008; ... IN returning to action Tim Ryan has already achieved one aim thisseason, now he wants another - to win over the Darlington fans. A serious knee injury meant the Stockport-born defender's careerwas in jeopardy when his contract expired at the end of last season. During ...
New school reports 'make little sense'
Dec 01, 2008; ... AN education expert has criticised flagship Government plans tointroduce report cards for schools. Professor Peter Tymms said giving schools a single grade wouldhide information parents might be interested in and "does not make alot of sense". Prof Tymms, director of Durham ...
Durham victory at Warrington proves costly
Dec 01, 2008; ... DURHAM City kept their unbeaten league record intact with victoryat Warrington - but it came at a price. City are unbeaten in 11 UniBond League games, but they loststriker Gavin Cogdon to injury late in the game. Manager Lee Collings said: "He was caught by an ...
Bardsley pleads with fans to get behind Sunderland
Dec 01, 2008; ... PHIL Bardsley urged Sunderland supporters to get behind the teamrather than voice their disapproval. After leaving the field to a chorus of boos in the wake ofSaturday's fourth consecutive home defeat, the fullback called onthe Stadium of Light crowd to help the side turn around ...
South Africa's forgotten people
Dec 01, 2008; ... The African Aids pandemic has largely been forgotten by the worldmedia. But one charity is still working with those most affected bythe virus - the children. Jim Entwistle reports 'Only undertakers and weeds prosper up here, " says South Africanphotographer Cedric Nunn as we drive ...
Mass of woes for Keane
Dec 01, 2008; ... ROY Keane told reporters prior to this game that at Sundaymorning mass he puts a [pounds]20 note in the collection plate -[pounds]50 if his side have endured a poor result. On the evidence of Saturday's 4-1mauling at the hands of Bolton -a fourth consecutive home defeat - the ...
Costume drama
Dec 01, 2008; ... Jon Adamson wears a frock and Sean Jones is in short trousers onstage in Yorkshire this week. They talk to Steve Pratt aboutdressing up for their art JON Adamson is beginning to worry what his young daughter willsay when people ask her what her daddy does for a ...
Silver swan is back on preening duty
Dec 01, 2008; ... A FAMOUS silver swan is preparing for its first publicperformance today following three months of restoration. The 235-year-old musical automaton will once again enchantaudiences at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle. Its twice-daily show was halted in August so it could be ...
A year on . . . canoe believe it?
Dec 01, 2008; ... A year ago today, one of the North-East's most intriguing storiesbegan to unfold. Neil Hunter takes a look back WITH three decades of police service and hundreds of majorinquiries behind him, Tony Hutchinson thought he had seen it all. The most senior detective in Cleveland ...
Baby inspires charity efforts
Dec 01, 2008; ... A BABY diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was four months oldhas inspired her father's former school to raise money for otheryoung cancer sufferers. Nicole Agar's parents, Andrew Agar and Lyndsay Fitzgerald, both21, took their daughter to hospital when they noticed her ...
The Mighty Boosh Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Dec 01, 2008; ... THE beginnings of what has become known as The Boosh lie in theWycombe Swan theatre in Buckinghamshire when Noel Fielding sawJulian Barratt perform stand-up. Much like Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer before them, theydiscovered a shared surreal sense of humour and formed a double ...
Yesteryear
Dec 01, 2008; ... Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll: The 60s Revealed (five, 9pm) Filthy Rich and Famous (BBC3, 10.30pm) FORTY years ago TV presenter Bernard Braden filmed a series ofinterviews with the top personalities of the day, everyone from popstars to politicians. The idea was to return to ...
Mayor on song for tree planting
Dec 01, 2008 ... YOUNGSTERS were given a musical treat from the mayor ofDarlington as they planted trees. Councillor Ian Haszeldine serenaded the children from HarrowgateHill Primary School with an adapted "tree planting" version of ...
Villagers taking action over fence controversy
Dec 01, 2008; ... A CONTROVERSIAL fence has been put up at a village communitycentre to prevent a neighbour taking legal action. The 2.4m-high fence was erected at The Grange Community Centre inan effort to resolve a long-standing legal dispute between HurworthParish Council and Gary Orpen. Mr ...
Choose your unsung heroes for Best of Darlington Awards
Dec 01, 2008; ... A CATEGORY has been added to an awards ceremony to recognise theachievements of Darlington's unsung heroes. The search for the winners of the Best of Darlington Awardsstarts today. Volunteers, community groups, carers and sportsmen and women willbe among those commended for ...
School celebrates outstanding report
Dec 01, 2008 ... INSPECTORS have rated Caldicotes Primary School, inMiddlesbrough, as outstanding for the second time in three years. Headteacher Leslie Howes said: "When we received our firstoutstanding assessment in 2005, we knew that we would have to workhard to maintain that ...
Burglar apologises to two pensioner victims
Dec 01, 2008 ... A DRUNKEN burglar was jailed for two years - despite apologisingto his pensioner victims. Darren Simpson, 22, said he did not realise he had burgled theflats of two elderly men. Teesside Crown Court heard that one of the victims was so shockedthat Simpson had ransacked a ...
Boost for youth centre plan
Dec 01, 2008; ... PLANS for a youth centre where youngsters can socialise andlisten to music in a drink-free environment are moving forward. Durham County Council has agreed to provide [pounds]15,000 to payfor the lease on a property in Durham City's North Road area, forthe coming year. The ...
Stepping out for youngsters
Dec 01, 2008 ... A PUB landlord has helped raise more than [pounds]1,000 foryoungsters. Rob Woof, of the Queen Catherine, in Osmotherley, was joined bypub regulars James Wright, Andrew Bell and Keith Head on the LykeWake Walk. They completed the 42mile trek from Osmotherley to Ravenscar ...
[pounds]1m upgrade of sewer overflows to help rivers
Dec 01, 2008; ... A [pounds]1M project to improve river water quality and reduceflooding in Teesdale will get under way this week. The work by Northumbrian Water will involve upgrading sewers inthe Barnard Castle, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Cotherstone andEgglestone areas. The five-month scheme ...
'Rambo' faces jail for bomb at school
Dec 02, 2008; ... A DANGEROUS obsessive - described as a "bedroom Rambo" - wasbehind bars last night after being convicted of making a pipe bombat the school where his father worked as a caretaker. Remanding David Riding into custody until a psychiatric reportcan be prepared, Judge Christopher ...
Murder retrial hears of babysitter's temper
Dec 02, 2008; ... A WOMAN has gone on trial for the second time accused ofmurdering a toddler she was looking after for a neighbour. Suzanne Holdsworth is alleged to have repeatedly banged KyleFisher's head against a wooden banister at her home. It was said at the start of her retrial that ...
Eric wins regional award with children's support
Dec 02, 2008 ... A CROSSING warden has been named best in the North-East. Eric Allen, 58, from Coxhoe, County Durham, works near StOswald's Infant and Nursery School, in Durham City. He won the regional heat of Kwik Fit Insurance's annual searchfor Lollipop Person of the Year. Pupils ...
Sign design is a shoe thing
Dec 02, 2008 ... SEVEN signposts, each featuring sculptures of different kinds offootwear, from walking boots to trainers, are decorating a nine-mile stretch of a wellknown walking route. They will be dotted along the Teesdale Way, from South Bank toCoatham Marsh. Redcar and Cleveland Borough ...
Heroin clinic has cut crime on streets
Dec 02, 2008; ... A CONTROVERSIAL NorthEast clinic, which provides two free dailyshots of NHS heroin to addicts, cuts crime and reduces street drug-dealing, according to officials. For two years, heroin addicts at a Darlington clinic have turnedup twice a day to get their fix of the highly addictive ...
Pupils use pedal power to raise bike shed cash
Dec 01, 2008 ... BOYS easily clocked up their target of 50 miles as they pedalleda bicycle as fast as they could in their school - without leavingthe room. They took turns on the stationary machine during a sponsoredsession at Teesdale Comprehensive School, in Barnard Castle. All the cash ...
Couple's success story at post office
Dec 01, 2008; ... A COUPLE who stepped in to save their village post office fromclosure are making a success of it - with the help of a lendinglibrary they have launched. Daphne and Pete Bowman were saddened when it was announcedninemonths ago that the service was to end at Bowes, near ...
Award for sensory garden creator
Dec 01, 2008 ... ECOLOGIST Dr David Bellamy visited a community project to presentthe prizes for The Northern Echo's environmental competition Makinga Difference. Now in its tenth year, and sponsored by regional developmentagency One NorthEast, Making a Difference showcases volunteers whoare ...
Mowden hang on for win
Dec 01, 2008; ... THE return of two Barnard Castle School products helped MowdenPark to a vital victory which they hope will kickstart theirrecovery. While it was ex-Richmond School prop Dan Miller who finished offtwo tries, twinkletoed centre Adam McKenzie and flying flankerRichard Ellis set the ...
Jeffries turns professional with a swipe at ABA chiefs
Dec 01, 2008; ... OLYMPIC bronze medallist Tony Jeffries has accused amateur boxingchiefs of a "lack of respect" after signing a deal to turnprofessional this weekend. Sunderland-born Jeffries signed his first professional deal onthe Stadium of Light pitch during the half-time interval ...
Keane future with Cats is shrouded in doubt
Dec 01, 2008; ... DESPITE Roy Keane confirming that he's not 'a quitter' hisimmediate future as Sunderland manager remains uncertain. Keane has enjoyed unequivocal support from the club's board sincebeing persuaded by Niall Quinn to revive the Black Cats' fortunestwo years ago. And while there ...