The Darlington and Stockton Times | News, Sport, Business, North Yorkshire, County Durham

The North East | Archive | 2000 | December

Stories for 29 December 2000

Consett,Stanley,Chester Le Street News

Restaurant project gets top marks

A COUNTY Durham chef got top marks for her new restaurant from her former cookery teacher - 17 years after telling her that she would be a chef when she grew up. more...

Nurse in challenge for deaf charity

A NURSE is undertaking the challenge of a lifetime to raise money for the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. more...

Sarah's chance to air seriously wicked views

A NORTH-East teenager has been chosen to represent the region on a national board which looks at the important issues affecting teenage girls. more...

Darlington,Newton Aycliffe,Sedgefield,Barnard Castle News

Sparkling occasion for couple

A COUPLE who hardly saw each other for the first six years of their marriage have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. more...

Courses offer chance to cook up new career

PEOPLE who dream of becoming the next Delia Smith or Jamie Oliver are being invited to sample free hotel and catering courses. more...

College hat designer ahead of the rest

IT'S hats off to a North-East college designer who has been given a rare chance to showcase her head-turning talent. more...

Council boss in home gifts retort

A COUNCIL has been hit by further accusations of meanness for not allowing nursing home staff to accept gifts from grateful residents. more...

Louise is a star student

AN Army student from the region received a top educational prize when she graduated from foundation college. more...

Taster courses invitation

A SERIES of taster courses are taking place at an educational centre in Darlington during January. more...

Paying respects to victims of the Holocaust

PEOPLE throughout Darlington will come together next month to remember the millions who lost their lives in the Holocaust. more...

Good start for Thornaby

Thornaby made a sound start in the mixed fours event on the opening day of the Festival of Bowls at the Morrison Indoor Bowling Centre in Darlington. more...

Darlington,Wear Valley,Sedgefield,Newton Aycliffe,Bishop Auckland,Barnard Castle News

Town hall

COUNCIL "Scrooges" have been criticised for banning Christmas gifts for care workers. more...

Turbine fears revived by energy talks

FEARS that government proposals for the development of renewable energy will lead to a rush of wind turbines have been raised at a district council meeting. more...

Rail chaos so shoppers decide to stay in town

DARLINGTON has hit the jackpot for Christmas spending this year, thanks to rail chaos on the East Coast line. more...

Mayor unrepentant over card's environmental message

A CONTROVERSIAL Christmas card sent out by Darlington Borough Council has been defended by the mayor. more...

Jail for driver who caused death on the motorway

A PROBATION officer whose reckless driving killed a young woman driver was jailed for 30 months on Friday last week. more...

Durham,East Durham News

Sea bed gives up secrets

NORTH-EAST scientists are to build up a better picture of the ocean floor. more...

Partnership has youth base in its sights

A GROUP trying to set up a youth facility in Ferryhill has identified suitable premises in the town centre. more...

Council sets up complaints hotline

A hotline has been set up to handle complaints from east Durham residents about council services. more...

Pupils spread factory cheer

CHILDREN from a north Durham primary school continued their long-standing festive tradition of cheering up factory workers recently. more...

Leisure centre staff's fit way to honour colleague

A WORKOUT for old, young, fit and not-so-fit was held in memory of a leisure centre worker who died earlier this year. more...

Male patient on Shipman list

AN INQUEST is to be held on a former male patient of serial killer GP Harold Shipman, serving life for the murders of 15 elderly women. more...

Funding crisis at N-E reptile sanctuary forces cutback

THE North-East's only sanctuary for abused and abandoned reptiles has had to close a quarter of its facilities because of a lack of funds. more...

Residents urge councillors

VILLAGERS are hoping that councillors will answer their call to reject a housing development. more...

Joy for five generations

FIVE generations of the same family celebrated Christmas with the news that there will be an additional member of their clan next year. more...

Home is where the heart is for golden pair

A COUPLE who have lived in the same house, in James Street, Spennymoor, since they arrived there a few hours after their marriage at Swalwell, have celebrated their golden wedding. more...

Busy time for lookalike Clapton

WHILE rock star Eric Clapton prepares for his first British gigs in four years in February, the North-East's own version of the legendary guitarist will be performing 22 gigs across the country from January to June. more...

Good response to murder case plea

POLICE investigating the murder of a North-East man on Boxing Day say appeals for information have yielded a good response. more...

Growing demand for fingerprint experts

WORLD-RENOWNED fingerprint experts from Durham will share their knowledge with police in the Middle East early next year. more...

East Cleveland News

Ben enjoys a very happy Christmas

CHRISTMAS last year was a normal day for toddler Ben Collins, locked in his own lonely world of autism. more...

Big Mac bun

A CONTROVERSIAL drive-through restaurant has opened in Redcar but the battle continues for nearby residents. more...

Colleges come together in powerful partnership

SEVEN Tees Valley Further Education Colleges have formed a partnership called FEplus to ensure that together, they can oversee the best strategies for the benefit of education, training and economic growth. more...

More fun on the way

A DAYTIME drop-in centre for young people is responding to popular demand by opening one night a week from next week. more...

Historic pier is victim of winter storm

IT has been revealed that Saltburn's Victorian pier has become a victim of the winter storms. more...

Leader predicts year of promise

A TEESSIDE council will deliver the goods next year, the council leader has promised. more...

Faye's ballet dream is captured by camera

A SCHOOLGIRL has high hopes of following in the footsteps of ballet dancer Billy Elliott. more...

Mo praises papers' free web service

A PROJECT that helps community groups build their own website free of charge has been praised by a government minister. more...

Club kicks off the year with healthy programme

A HEALTHY lifestyle course is kicking off at Guisborough Football Club in the New Year. more...

Secure future

A TEESSIDE mayor has inherited a special family forest and took part in a poignant tree planting. more...

There's snow escape for the frost-hardened region

FORECASTERS last night predicted snow to sweep across the region today as Arctic conditions continue to grip the country. more...

Joy for parents as Ben speaks up

Christmas last year was just another day for toddler Ben Collins, locked in his own lonely world of autism. more...

Tough on Crime

ONE of the main planks of the Government's attempts to be seen to be tough on crime is the introduction of the anti-social behaviour order. more...

East Cleveland Sport

Home town honours athletes

PARALYMPIC stars Tanni Grey-Thompson and Terry Bywater were the toast of their home town last week. more...

Frost scuppers Boxing Day derby

Albany Northern League. Division One more...

East Cleveland,Teesside News

Thieves spoil festive lights show

A CHRISTMAS theft has sparked a plea for more police on the beat in an East Cleveland town. more...

Phone mast may be threat to health and skyline

A VICAR is leading a campaign against a phone mast scheme in Great Ayton. more...

Village unites in major effort to secure new hall

VILLAGERS in Hutton Rudby are being urged to rally round an ambitious scheme for a new community hall. more...

Newton Aycliffe,Bishop Auckland,Barnard Castle,Darlington,Durham,East Durham,Hawes,Northallerton,Ric Leisure

The year "real" people took over TV

IT WAS the year celebrities were done out of a job by the man and woman in the street. Quite why the actors' union Equity hasn't launched a campaign to protect members is unclear but they should have been worried, very worried, as the public took over TV during the past 12 months. more...

Burning Questions

Q AT this time of disastrous floods, I would like to know what you can tell me about the Great Flood of 1771. I understand most of the bridges on the rivers Tees and Wear were destroyed. - Stan Dack, Newton Aycliffe. more...

Newton Aycliffe,Bishop Auckland,Barnard Castle,Darlington,Durham,East Durham,Hawes,Northallerton,Ric Sport

Darlington enjoy 16-try romp against lowly York

BOTH Darlington clubs have home matches tomorrow as they continue to make inroads into the fixture backlog following last Saturday's victories. more...

Highbank and Linea-G provide seasonal double

MARY REVELEY rang the holiday bells in the same fashion as she started the year, with superb victories either side of the break. Newcastle saw a Reveley double, while Wetherby's Boxing Day gift delighted the Irish. more...

Newly-promoted Royal Oak head Hambleton league

At the half-way stage of the season Royal Oak, promoted from Division Two last season, head the Division One table by five points from last season's champions, Northallerton Police who have games in hand of the leaders. more...

Payne heads quality field on Christmas stages rally

ONCE again, Northallerton AC has managed to attract a good quality field for the annual Food Weighouse Christmas Stages rally starting at Catterick Garrison tomorrow. more...

Frustrated Bennett demands all-round effort by Quakers

Darlington are hoping to put their Christmas problems behind them when they take on Exeter at St James' Park today. more...

Lee is hoping to make it a happy New Year for Hartlepool

CLASSY defender Graeme Lee is ready to hand Hartlepool United a New Year boost. Boss Chris Turner had written the 22-year-old out of his plans this season after he underwent cruciate knee ligament surgery in early October. more...

Olympians lead the way in New Year's Honours parade

Steven Redgrave's knighthood caps the mountainous success enjoyed by Great Britain's Olympic team in this year's New Year's Honours List. more...

Sunderland facing a massive Highbury test

BUOYANT Sunderland boss Peter Reid believes that this afternoon's demanding test against championship contenders Arsenal at Highbury will give his players the chance to prove they are worthy of their third-top Premiership standing. more...

Wilkinson pair keeps Leyburn one point clear

Leyburn maintained their one point lead when they visited Reeth and came away with a 3-0 victory. more...

Bedale make it six on the trot with away win

Bedale Athletic stretched their unbeaten run in the Camerons Teesside League to six matches with a 4-3 win at Carlin How who fell behind after only 20 seconds, Russell Edwards on target. more...

Fans give Bennett hard time

QUAKERS' manager Gary Bennett came under fire from travelling fans when his side were well beaten at table-topping Chesterfield on Boxing Day. more...

Northallerton,Hawes,Richmond News

Artist lines up major showcase

RICHMOND-based artist Mackenzie Thorpe hopes an exhibition in Birmingham next year could lead to wider recognition of his work in the United States. more...

College does even better, says Ofsted

NORTHALLERTON college has improved and grown even further in the past four years to become a "very effective college." more...

County under fire for 'not enforcing bridleway policy'

NORTH Yorkshire County Council has come under fire from the British Horse Society (BHS) for not following its own policy on ensuring bridleways are kept open. more...

Homes plan will swamp village, say objectors

THIRTEEN new houses being planned by a leading developer would swamp West Rounton, according to villagers. more...

Queue forms to join the police in county

NORTH Yorkshire police said yesterday that they were encouraged by the number of people interested in joining the service. more...

Northallerton High Street toilets plan 'unacceptable'

PLANNING officers are telling their own council that a scheme for new public toilets in Northallerton is unacceptable. more...

Accident survivor calls for death road's dualling

A REPORT which ruled out full dualling of the A66 trans-Pennine route has been condemned by a man whose family was almost wiped out in an horrific accident on the road. more...

Northallerton,Richmond,Hawes News

Engineer in driving seat with lorry design

A REVOLUTIONARY lorry designed by an engineer from the Richmond area could be the basis of a safe and efficient new transport system for the 21st Century. more...

Shoppers facing wait for toilets

SHOPPERS caught short while visiting Northallerton may have to suffer a little longer. more...

Fair measure hits the mark

TRADING standards officers in North Yorkshire are toasting an announcement, which should ensure beer drinkers get fair measure. more...

Grant aids village hall restoration

INSTALLATION of double-glazed windows has begun in the latest stage of refurbishment to Skeeby village hall, near Richmond. more...

Project to improve dangerous junction ruled unworkable

A £10,000 windfall, which was to have been spent on improvements at a notorious Bedale crossroads, may be channelled into different projects in the town. more...

Teesside News

Nikki's mother welcomes school safety aid

THE mother of a knifeman's victim has welcomed Government plans to spend £22m on making classrooms safer. more...

Police seek information on stabbing

POLICE believe four Asian men may have vital information on a stabbing. more...

Cash aid for charity groups and young

CHARITIES in Teesside have shared in a £69,000 handout from the Cleveland Community Foundation. more...

Dickens of an opportunity for DJ hopefuls

MUSIC mixers in the region are being invited to take part in a DJ contest in January and February. more...

£34,000 project will make estate roads safer

A TRAFFIC calming scheme costing £34,000 is to be implemented as part of improvements to an estate. more...

Civilising scheme to reduce crime rate and fear in town

A LOCAL authority is enlisting the help of academics to reduce its high crime rate. more...

Residents consulted on £10m revival proposals

ATTEMPTS to tackle social exclusion in Stockton are being given a £10m boost. more...

Indoor course takes a bow at centre

LEISURE chiefs have added another string to Hartlepool's sporting bow. more...

Shift in population hits town centre parishes

A POPULATION shift away from town centres is forcing the twinning of Roman Catholic parishes in the region, according to a clergyman. more...

Greener travel funding sought

A NEW initiative to encourage green travel in Hartlepool is looking for funding. more...

Community centre nears completion

A COMMUNITY centre, which will open the door on a range of new opportunities for people in Hartlepool, is almost completed. more...

Mum Susanne is a good sport

A MOTHER has retrained to give youngsters in Hartlepool a sporting chance of success. more...

Mugging case man bailed as time runs out

A MAN accused of mugging a pensioner was released from custody yesterday because the prosecution ran out of time. more...

Third man charged over attack on teenager

A THIRD man has appeared before Teesside magistrates accused of imprisoning and attacking a teenager. more...

The North East Advertiser Series

Consett & Stanley - Town's future 'looking good'

A community leader has told of plans that he says will transform a town. more...

North Yorkshire - Police plea in burglary hunt

POLICE have renewed their appeal for help in tracking down burglars who forced their way into Skeeby Post Office in November. more...

Wear Valley - New housing scheme approved for estate

A SCHEME to regenerate the Dene Estate in Willington is continuing with approval given for 15 new bungalows. more...

Darlington - Boxes bring festive cheer

THE YOUNG orphan opened up his shoebox of presents and pulled out a bar of chocolate - something he had never seen before. more...

Consett & Stanley - Cash boost for museums

SOME of the North-East's industrial heritage will be saved for future generations thanks to a new storage building. more...

Chester le Street - Chef earns praise from her ex-teacher

A CHEF got an A-plus for her new restaurant from her former cookery teacher - 17 years after telling her she would be a chef when she grew up. more...

North Yorkshire - Hopes high for Jake

A COUPLE have returned from the US with renewed hope that one day they will hear their four-year-old son call them mum and dad. more...

Durham - Store moves step closer

REVISED plans for a supermarket in Durham City are likely to be approved, despite concerns about the impact of traffic. more...

Chester le Street - Squadron invites past members to join in fun

An air cadet squadron is calling on past members to join in its birthday celebrations. more...

Darlington - Hospitals find planning pays off

MONTHS of planning are keeping South Durham hospitals off the sick list as health trust bosses gear up for the worst of the winter months. more...

Durham - Labour Party stalwart quits

A COUNCILLOR facing expulsion from the Labour Party over an alleged racist remark has announced her resignation. more...

Wear Valley - Crime-fighting scheme nets fishing award

Mick Watson, a Durham policeman, has landed a national award for steering youngsters away from crime by getting them hooked on fishing. more...

The North East Farming

Prices at the Marts

BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 945 sheep. Store lambs to £27.50. Lambs lt to 75.5p av 75.4p; std to 97.5p av 89.8p; med to 99.5p av 95.3p; heavy to 97.4p av 90.9p. Cast ewes: Mule to £30; Cont to £28.50; Swale to £20.50; Leics to £27; Suff £26.50. more...

Book time to view maps of moorland

A SET of maps showing the new moorland designations is available for inspection at MAFF's Northallerton regional service centre. more...

Organic milk on doorstep proves winning scheme

DAIRY farmer Mr Gordon Tweddle can enjoy the new year knowing his gamble of a lifetime has paid off. more...

Bloodline proves consistency at meat festival

LIMOUSIN cattle with Djerk bloodlines continue to prove their consistency as prime carcase animals, winning the supreme championship at the National Festival of Meat. more...

Joined-up approach reports success

A JOINED-UP approach to working with farmers and the community on the North York moors is having a major impact on the environment, economy and local people. more...

Don't give up, the new year holds glimmers of hope

LAST year saw us full of optimism for a new year, decade, century and millennium. In reality, it could not have turned out much worse for British farmers and growers. more...

The North East Features

Gardening tips

DURING the winter and early spring most gardeners regard the unheated greenhouse as unusable. In fact, it often turns into an extension of the garden shed. A place where the folding summer chairs, the bicycles and the stepladder are stored. more...

The North East News

Bigger turnout than usual as supporters face up to potential ban

HUNT members and supporters demonstrated their determination to fight the government's attempt to ban hunting with dogs by turning out in their thousands on Boxing Day. more...

National park officers invited to see house's eco-friendly heating system

NATURAL springs could provide alternative sources of heating for homes and businesses. more...

More fly off to the sun from Teesside

MORE and more people are swapping the grey skies of an English winter for Christmas and new year in the sun, according to officials at Teesside airport. more...

The North East Opinion

To hunt another day

THE many hunts which graced the countryside of the region on Boxing Day went about their traditional activity in a strange atmosphere. more...

The joys of the Bowes and Barnard Castle

NO WONDER the exhibition of Northern quilts, on display on the top floor of the Bowes museum at Barnard Castle, has been extended from its planned January closure to March 4. more...

Hooligans pose a Christian challenge

Sir. - I was interested in your news item concerning hooligans who "target" the congregation at Ripon Cathedral. more...

The North East,Echobusiness Business

Year 2000 failed to impress

HAVING looked forward to the year 2000 for so long it was perhaps inevitable that it would disappoint. more...

Stotty filled with Eastern promise

THE Japanese could find themselves with a yen for the stotty after one of the region's most famous baking names welcomed visitors from the Far East. more...

Bank of England Governor puts a damper on New Year hopes

PEOPLE should enjoy the economic good times while they can because they may not last, Bank of England Governor Sir Eddie George warned yesterday. more...

Housing market set to end the year on high note

HOUSE prices rose by 1.2 per cent this month and 9.3 per cent over the year as the property market ended 2000 on a high note, the Nationwide said. more...

The North East,Necom News

Joe's parking lot is an MBE from the Queen

JOE Byrne may not have a university education, but can hold his own when dealing with judges, doctors, teachers and ordinary Joes. more...

Horror as shoppers see street murder

A MURDER hunt was launched last night after crowds of horrified shoppers saw a stabbing victim collapse in the street bleeding from a fatal wound. more...

Honour for town's fairy godmother

A WOMAN whose home was flooded twice has ended a miserable year in the perfect way after being recognised with an MBE. more...

Pups left to die at christmas reunited with mother

A PAIR of puppies have been reunited with their mother after they were left out in the cold to die on Christmas Day. more...

Jumbo jet seconds from tragedy

THIS was the moment when a madman who came within seconds of causing a packed British Airways' jumbo jet to crash was finally overpowered yesterday. more...

Walking in a winter wonderland

FREEZING temperatures and heavy snow transformed the region into an Arctic landscape yesterday. more...

Stone crows, say golfers

A PAIR of pesky crows are harassing golfers by swooping down on the course and stealing their golf balls. more...

Blizzards for New Year's Eve

STRONG winds threaten to cause blizzard conditions in some parts of the region in the run-up to New Year. more...

Tyneside News

Revellers snap up tickets for city celebration

ALL the tickets have been snapped up for one of the biggest parties the region has ever seen. more...

Protestors in veggie message

ANTI-CRUELTY campaigners dressed up as a blood- splattered butcher and a chicken to enact a slaughter outside one of the region's busiest McDonald's restaurants yesterday. more...

Tyne Bridge site proves big hit

HOMESICK Geordies from around the world are expected to bombard a Tyne Bridge website on New Year's Eve, pushing visitors to the site to over a million just weeks after it was launched. more...

Training plan limbers up

A NEW scheme will give trainee physical education teachers experience of their chosen profession. more...

No smoking in front of the children

A campaign to make adults think twice before smoking in front of children is being launched in the region. more...

Predict now, hear it ten years later

A CALL has gone out to radio listeners to take part in a phone-in programme which will be recorded and kept in the archives for the ten years. more...

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