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Stories for 16 January 2003
Bishop Auckland,Barnard Castle,Darlington,Durham,East Durham,East Cleveland,Hawes,Newton Aycliffe,No Sport
Government should have made decision, Graves
Yorkshire chief executive Colin Graves has delivered a stinging attack on the Government for forcing the England and Wales Cricket Board to decide if the World Cup match in Zimbabwe goes ahead - despite heated opposition and protests. more...
Durham look to Waugh
MARK Waugh is among the players Durham are considering as a temporary replacement for Martin Love at the start of next season. more...
Arca denies claims to hero status
JULIO ARCA last night insisted he will not be Sunderland's saviour and told fans: "I'm not a hero - I'm not a Maradona." more...
Royal Beluga can repay enthusiastic support
SO-CALLED "good things" in handicaps have a nasty habit of getting turned over, but it's hard to see why Royal Beluga (2.20) shouldn't justify an anticipated avalanche of cash in the Moore Scott Chase at Ludlow. more...
Bramble needs practice
NEWCASTLE United defender Titus Bramble has warned Sir Bobby Robson that he is still in need of more match practice before he can return to the first-team scene. more...
Leeds may sink Boro's double deal
DERBY COUNTY have confirmed Middlesbrough are still in the driving seat to sign striker Malcolm Christie. more...
Consett,Stanley,Chester Le Street News
Council given funding rise
COUNCIL Tax in Derwentside will not rise by more than the rate of inflation. more...
Nightclub scheme blocked over crime fears
A BID to build a nightclub and café bar on the site of a derelict bingo hall has been stopped in its tracks by councillors. more...
Thieves' weighty haul
POLICE are looking for strong-armed thieves who stole a 250kg headstone. more...
Grassroots: Derwentside
ART COURSE: Derwentside Leisure Department is holding Painting in the Park from 10am to 11.30am for eight to 11-year-olds, and 12.30pm to 2pm for 12 to 14-year-olds, on Saturday, January 25, in Consett Heritage Park. more...
News in brief: Gardening for spring colour
GREEN-fingered youngsters will plant 10,000 bulbs today to make sure that spring is full of colour. more...
Darlington,Newton Aycliffe,Sedgefield,Barnard Castle News
News in brief: Entertainment licence refused
The Queen's Head pub in Tubwell Row, Darlington, was refused a public entertainment licence yesterday. more...
Golden finale to jubilee year
FIVE schools are taking part in one of the last events to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee year. more...
Poignant play
NATIONAL Holocaust Memorial Day is being marked in Darlington by a performance of an award-winning play. more...
Disabled badge abuse crackdown
A CRACKDOWN on the misuse of parking badges meant for disabled drivers has been hailed a major success by council officials. more...
Estate gearing up to oppose closure of local post office
RESIDENTS and councillors are gearing up to fight to save a Darlington post office, which could face closure in spring. more...
School changeover heralds area's regeneration
THE Firthmoor estate in Darlington celebrated an historic moment yesterday, with the opening of its new school. more...
Scene is set for pantomime fun
THE thrills and spills of one of the all-time pantomime favourites, The Sleeping Beauty, takes centre stage in Darlington next week. more...
Church to host series of events
A SERIES of events is taking place at Elm Ridge Methodist Church, in Darlington, this month. more...
Durham,East Durham News
Alliance to stand in elections
RESIDENTS tired of Council Tax increases are about to become the country's newest political party. more...
Invitation to watch the birdies at city's botanic gardens
Enthusiasts will be able to see birds at close range this weekend. more...
Substation plans to be examined
A PUBLIC inquiry into plans for a power substation will open later this month. more...
Dutch artist displays work
AN exhibition by a Dutch artist has gone on show in the North-East. more...
Bus carries drugs message into village communities
A BUS equipped with computers is the latest weapon in the fight against drugs in the villages around Durham. more...
News in brief: Gardening for spring colour
GREEN-fingered youngsters will plant 10,000 bulbs today to make sure that spring is full of colour. more...
East Cleveland News
Sixth form centre scheme given widespread support
MORE than 90 per cent of 2,000 pupils, teachers, and parents in the Nunthorpe area of Middlesbrough agree with creating a sixth form centre in the town. more...
News in brief: Good response to recycling bid
Householders in Hartlepool have been praised for doing their bit for recycling. more...
Homes warmer after energy saving work
SEVERAL hundred homes in the east Cleveland area are warmer thanks to an energy saving team. more...
Happy ending to unlucky dip
METAL detector enthusiasts did their civic duty to unearth their mayoress's medal lost in the sands during a Boxing Day dip. more...
Mayors hold day of peace
THE Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland will meet the Mayor of Hiroshima today. more...
Northallerton,Richmond,Hawes News
Centre could be key to recovery
RESIDENTS of a Wensleydale town are hoping to revitalise the local economy by converting an auction mart into an education centre. more...
Residents win road battle
Campaigners have won their fight to stop roadworks from shutting down a main road into a village. more...
A romantic weekend for history lovers
LOVE will be in the air next month when Castle Howard invites the public to a romantic weekend. more...
Death was caused by blood clot
A CORONER recorded a verdict of accidental death on an Ovington man who collapsed in a hotel bathroom in India. more...
News in brief: Work to start on crossing
A Puffin signal-controlled pedestrian crossing is to be installed on the A167 Boroughbridge Road, Northallerton, close to the junctions with Harewood Lane and Helmsley Way. more...
EU rules could threaten landscape
FARMERS and landowners fear the Yorkshire countryside could become a scrapyard for abandoned cars. more...
Man held in custody over incident
A MAN was remanded in custody yesterday after appearing in court in connection with an incident that left another man with a metal plate in his left cheek and over his left eye to help repair a broken jaw. more...
Driver would have died with or without seatbelt
A DRIVER who pulled out into the path of an oncoming car had little chance of surviving even if he had been wearing a seatbelt, an inquest heard yesterday. more...
Cut in opening hours
OPENING hours at the public toilets in Easingwold are being cut from the weekend. more...
Recycling directories
HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to do their bit for the environment by recycling their old Yellow Pages. more...
Teesside News
Youngsters taken on behind-the-scenes tour of town hall building
Children have been treated to a behind-the-scenes look into the workings of a town hall. more...
Football stars lend a hand at Enterprise Academy launch
BORO stars Geremi and Joseph-Desire Job have helped launch Middlesbrough Football Club's latest community initiative with a cake cutting ceremony at the Cellnet Riverside Stadium. more...
News in brief: Good response to recycling bid
Householders in Hartlepool have been praised for doing their bit for recycling. more...
Investigation into arrested man's death
POLICE watchdogs are to investigate the death of a man eight weeks after he was arrested by officers in North Yorkshire. more...
Reduced rates for neutering
PET owners in Teesside and east Durham can have their cat or dog neutered for less in an RSPCA initiative starting this month. more...
Trust wins national praise
THE North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has been praised for improving the working lives of its staff. more...
Unit deals with 201 cases in first year
A unit set up to tackle anti-social behaviour in Hartlepool has been hailed a success after dealing with more than 200 cases in its first year. more...
Protests as gipsies take up residence on shop car parks
SHOPKEEPERS say gipsies have been causing havoc on a Teesside industrial estate. more...
The North East Advertiser
New river railings now in place
WORK to improve the riverside in Darlington's town centre has been completed. more...
Fun and relaxation
RESIDENTS of Shildon and the surrounding area are invited to a day of fun, relaxation and information. more...
Grants deadline looming
TIME is running out for people in a market town to apply for grants for buildings improvements. more...
Face-to-face with a snake
PUPILS at a Darlington school handled snakes and creepy crawlies during an unusual lesson last week. more...
Theatre group take pantomime to the Dales
A THEATRE group aims to bring hope and humour to Wear Valley communities that were devastated during the foot-and-mouth crisis. more...
Sign up for web design
A NEWTON Aycliffe centre is to run a course teaching people how to design their own web site. more...
Town turns out to buy Zoe's single
FANS of Darlington pop starlet Zoe Birkett showed their support on Monday by buying hundreds of copies of her debut single. more...
Visitor centre approved
PLANS for a log cabin-style visitor centre at a Ferryhill quarry were approved by Sedgefield Borough Council on Friday. more...
Chewing gum to be cleared
THOUSANDS of pounds are being spent in Darlington to rid the streets of a sticky problem. more...
Teenager wins set of wheels
A FERRYHILL A-level pupil has won a car as part of a scheme designed to encourage more youngsters to continue their education after the age of 16. more...
Eastern combat comes to school
A SEDGEFIELD teacher has won a national award for piloting a scheme to introduce martial arts into the school curriculum. more...
Fortnightly walks
A NEW programme of easy mile-long walks around the centre of Bishop Auckland starts on Monday. The walks will set off every fortnight from the Four Clocks Centre, in Newgate Street, at 10am. more...
Sleeping Beauty takes a bow
A PANDA adds a touch of animal magic when a traditional panto takes the stage in Darlington next week. more...
Pupils stride out to reach target
HUNDREDS of youngsters stepped out to bring their school thousands of pounds closer to achieving a performing arts dream. more...
Work begins on shopping centre revamp
A £2m programme to smarten up a rundown shopping centre started in earnest last week. more...
Club faces cash crisis
ONE of the country's greatest ever amateur football clubs has started the year facing a cash crisis. more...
Dale vicar calls for united stand
A VICAR has called on communities in a job-starved dale to forget centuries-old rivalries and work together to create a new industrial heritage. more...
Cash allocated for flood defence work
MILLIONS of pounds were earmarked last week for a flood defence scheme to protect hundreds of home in two flood-hit communities. more...
Officer to boost recycling work
A WASTE management officer is to be employed by Sedgefield Borough Council to help community groups to develop their own recycling schemes. more...
Boost for cancer charity
PUB customers dug deep into their pockets to raise money for terminally-ill children. more...
The North East Business
Funding advice at hand for N-E firms
BUSINESSES across the region have a new ally to provide them with advice on research grants. more...
Customers to gain from investment
THE UK's largest ice cream products manufacturer has completed a more than half-a-million pounds investment programme in North Yorkshire. more...
Car move pays off
A HALF-A-MILLION pound investment plan that involved moving to Carrville, in Durham, has paid off for Jennings Ford. more...
Pub firm aims for 100 ale houses
PUB company New Century Inns is on target to achieve its ambition of having 100 alehouses across the UK. more...
Travel agency found a home on the Internet
A WALKING and cycling business run from the back bedroom of a County Durham house is helping to bring foreign tourists to Britain. more...
Debt-laden cable operators coy about tie-up rumours
Rumours were rife last night that two major UK cable operators were manoeuvering into position for a merger. more...
The North East Features
Last Night's TV: Crossroads (ITV1)
It's not just the sets that wobble more...
Dad At Large: Life serves up a raw Delia
SHE was sitting next to me on the sofa, smelling all fresh from the bath and wearing her dressing gown and a wanton look. more...
Now the Street is letting us down
IT was hard not to shout: "He's behind you, Emily," as Coronation Street's pantomime villain Richard crept up on her with a crowbar. more...
Comment: An issue of judgements
OUR thoughts are with the grieving family of Detective Constable Stephen Oake, killed in Manchester while doing his job. more...
Will Act Two bring the curtain down?
Durham's Gala Theatre celebrates its first anniversary tomorrow but it hasn't exacactly been theatrical Viagra. more...
John North: Not so much a push as walking on water
A WALK on the wildlife side, last week's sponsored hike with Wolsingham School proved - for most of us, at any rate - an exhilarating experience. more...
16.01.03
WAR ON IRAQ: IT'S quite hypocritical for both George Bush and Tony Blair to speak about War on Iraq or any War on Terrorism when here we are once again, compliments of our own Government, giving cordial reception in the UK to the regime of Yasser Arafat. more...
The North East Leisure
Seeing the Light in Luxor
I've spent the last week fulfilling a long-held ambition by visiting some of the incredible historical sites in Upper Egypt. Looking at reports of weather back home, you won't thank me for telling you that daytime temperatures here have been around 85 F with glorious sunshine. more...
Life serves up a raw Delia
SHE was sitting next to me on the sofa, smelling all fresh from the bath and wearing her dressing gown and a wanton look. more...
The North East News
Zoe may lose out as shops run out of latest single
POP hopeful Zoe Birkett could miss out on chart success because shops in her home town have run out of copies of her debut single. more...
Plans revealed for 'eco' school
THE first stage of plans to replace dilapidated school buildings with a multi-million pound "eco primary" will begin this autumn. more...
E-fit issued in hunt for city sex attacker
POLICE have released an e-fit of a man wanted in connection with an indecent assault on a 30-year-old woman on New Years Day. more...
Jury calls for changes in falls care
A PANEL of ordinary citizens have come up with radical ideas which could dramatically reduce falls among the elderly. more...
Nightclub scheme blocked over crime fears
A BID to build a nightclub and café bar on the site of a derelict bingo hall has been stopped in its tracks by councillors. more...
Shhh, there may be a law against noise
Bylaws could soon be introduced in a park to help guarantee visitors a peaceful time. more...
Funeral of banned driver's victim
THE funeral of the six-year-old girl killed by a banned driver in a hit-and-run car crash on New Year's Eve takes place tomorrow. more...
Thieves' weighty haul
POLICE are looking for strong-armed thieves who stole a 250kg headstone. more...
Pupils' dream chance of stardom
FIVE starstruck children from the region have won some dream roles, working with some of the country's leading actors. more...
£49,000 to help 'Ratty' make a comeback
WILDLIFE experts have won a £49,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable them to implement a pioneering recovery plan for water voles. more...
All change at the top for leading school
THE faces at the top of Britain's leading Roman Catholic public school are about to change. more...
On tour again
A hospice is offering a second opportunity to look round the Durham Cathedral after twilight. more...
999 call police cars crash into each other
TWO police cars were badly damaged when they collided and then hit two other cars while on their way to an incident. more...
New access rights put on display
PEOPLE may soon be able to walk freely across some of the wildest and most remote parts of the Yorkshire Dales. more...
Protests over future of flood-hit bridge
A bridge partially washed away by freak floods more than two years ago is at the centre of a new storm of protest. more...
Kitten's charge up electricity pole sparks rescue
GIZMO the kitten sparked a full-scale rescue when she got stuck at the top of an electricity pole and came within a whisker of death. more...
Praise after huge rise in calls to shop drink-drivers
POLICE have praised members of the public after a huge rise in calls to a confidential drink-drive hotline. more...
Nurse conquers fear of heights
A CANCER survivor with a fear of heights is getting ready to tackle a 100ft drop from Newcastle's Tyne Bridge, to raise money for charity. more...
Experts called to arms to value antique weaponry
EXPERTS ran their eyes over guns, fishing tackle and military memorabilia from across the region at an antiques valuation. more...
Vulnerable get 'cold payments'
SOME of the region's most vulnerable people are each to get an £8.50 boost to help cope with the cold after a week of below-freezing temperatures. more...
I'll carry on refereeing, says John, 75
REFEREE John Murray is determined not to blow the final whistle on being an official - despite being well past retirement age. more...
No gain from attack on Barnett Formula
A Parliamentary committee has criticised the public spending deal which deprives the North-East of about £1bn, compared with Scotland. more...
Police officers asked to strip in mix-up
TWO police officers were asked to strip after being mistaken for kiss-o-grams in a comedy sketch-style mix-up. more...
Teenager in court over samurai sword death
A TEENAGER appeared before magistrates yesterday charged with murdering a man with a samurai sword. more...
Dutch artist displays work
AN exhibition by a Dutch artist has gone on show in the North-East. more...
Honeymoon for 23 hit by almost as many disasters
It was supposed to be the honeymoon of a lifetime but it turned into a holiday from hell for all the family. Julia Breen reports. more...
Give me a break . . . a lucky one, that is
CHARLOTTE Sowerby is hoping 2003 will herald an end to a run of bad luck which has plagued her bid to run her own horse-drawn taxi service. more...
Unit criticised over suicide
A MILITARY psychiatric unit was criticised yesterday over the death of an Army sergeant. more...
Santa's grotto gift for hospice trust
A CHARITY has received a cash boost from visits to see Father Christmas. more...
News in brief: Heating boost for pensioners
Pensioners and those on benefits who suffered below-freezing temperatures earlier this month are to receive £8.50 from the Department for Work and Pensions. more...
Court told of terror robberies on stores
A ROBBER who posed as a customer to raid five stores was caught each time on security cameras, a court was told yesterday. more...
Art and science fuse for one-off performance
THEATRE and science come together in a multimedia production at the Gulbenkian Studio, Newcastle, on January 25. more...
Never again, vows hijack prank tourist
A NORTH-EAST man jailed for a drunken threat to hijack an Australian plane promised last night that he would never fool around on an aircraft again. more...
Pioneer's lifetime of history in store
RETAIL pioneer and author David Hughes will lift the lid on the Co-op in a talk this month. more...
Court told of multi-million pound fraud
A DARLINGTON businessman has appeared in court charged in connection with a multi-million pound fraud. more...
Chance to take on a starring role
AUDITIONS for the chance to star in a film by the director of a hit Hollywood film are to take place soon. more...
Council presses for A66 upgrade
COUNCIL chiefs are continuing to press for the upgrading of the A66 around Darlington. more...
Son of Star Wars likely to proceed
THE Government is likely to allow the US to use the RAF Fylingdales radar station for its controversial missile defence programme. more...
Happy ending to unlucky dip
METAL detector enthusiasts did their civic duty to unearth their mayoress's medal lost in the sands during a Boxing Day dip. more...
Conductor returns for degree honour
AN accomplished conductor returned to his old stamping ground yesterday to be honoured for his achievements in music. more...
Teenager hanged himself in prank
A schoolboy hanged himself by accident when an attention-seeking prank went wrong, an inquest was told yesterday. more...
'Lock me up' says banned tearaway
A TEENAGER has been put behind bars - at his own request. more...
Guillotine horror in son's bedroom
A horrified father discovered his son had been beheaded with a home-made guillotine he had secretly built in his bedroom. more...
Vicious attackers may strike again
Police have warned that three masked men who viciously attacked a postmaster could strike again. more...
Taxpayers will have to foot theatre bill
TAXPAYERS will have to start funding a troubled theatre from next year, it emerged last night. more...
Globetrotters to visit N-E
Basketball showmen the Harlem Globetrotters bring their skills to the North-East as part of their first national tour in almost ten years. more...
'Dome' back to drawing board
DEVELOPERS have been forced to go back to the drawing board over plans for a multi-million pound footballing school of excellence to be built in the North-East. more...
Celebrating a job well done
A JOBCENTRE has celebrated helping more than 33,000 people find work in its first ten years. more...
Pickaxe attack: soldier charged
Police investigating an attack on a soldier who was left fighting for his life after a pickaxe was embedded in his head, charged a 17-year-old private with attempted murder last night. more...
£285,000 payout for driver's injuries
A motorist has been awarded more than a quarter-of-a-million pounds after a road accident which almost cost her her life. more...
Treasurer of collapsed charity accused of fraud
A FORMER North-East councillor has been charged with fraud following the collapse of a charity. more...
Bilbo on stage
JRR Tolkien's classic novel The Hobbit is turned into a stage play in a production at Darlington's Civic Theatre between Tuesday, February 18 and Saturday, February 22. more...
Pub feud ended in bar brawl tragedy
SIMMERING tensions between drinkers at two rival pubs erupted in violence that led to the death of a family man during a bar room brawl, an inquest heard yesterday. more...
TV star Kelly held in child sex probe
TV presenter Matthew Kelly was arrested last night by police investigating allegations of sexual abuse against young boys. more...
Tragedy conman's 'second attempt'
THE conman who stole from a pensioner who later collapsed and died may have struck again, police revealed last night. more...
Concern over levy threat to rail fares
PASSENGER groups warned last night of a threat to fares if a new safety charge is imposed on train operators. more...
The North East, Business
Nissan cancellation brings renewed calls for Euro
The government is facing renewed pressure over the Euro amid fears for future production at Nissan's North-East plant. more...
The North East, News
Gipsy president to have escort
National Gipsy Council president Hughie Smith will need a police escort when he visits a North Yorkshire travellers' camp, because of fears of fanning the flames of an already volatile situation. more...
Woman pregnant with baby genetically similar to child
A mother who has undergone controversial IVF treatment to create a baby genetically similar to her four-year-old son, is now several months pregnant. more...
Pressure to end public-private funding projects
The Government is facing increased pressure to scrap the public-private schemes which build new schools and hospitals following a damning report. more...
Tax staff disciplined for selling stars' records
The tax man has warned North-East staff they could be fired for dipping into celebrities' computer records. more...
Mother who set car on fire had cash stashed in boot
A mother who torched herself and her two children in the family car had almost £20,000 in cash stashed in the boot. more...
Tyneside News
Motorists facing fines for leaving engines running
MOTORISTS who leave their engines running while their vehicles are stationary could soon be fined. more...
E-fit issued in hunt for city sex attacker
POLICE have released an e-fit of a man wanted in connection with an indecent assault on a 30-year-old woman on New Years Day. more...
Shhh, there may be a law against noise
Bylaws could soon be introduced in a park to help guarantee visitors a peaceful time. more...
Nurse conquers fear of heights
A CANCER survivor with a fear of heights is getting ready to tackle a 100ft drop from Newcastle's Tyne Bridge, to raise money for charity. more...
I'll carry on refereeing, says John, 75
REFEREE John Murray is determined not to blow the final whistle on being an official - despite being well past retirement age. more...
Art and science fuse for one-off performance
THEATRE and science come together in a multimedia production at the Gulbenkian Studio, Newcastle, on January 25. more...
Globetrotters to visit N-E
Basketball showmen the Harlem Globetrotters bring their skills to the North-East as part of their first national tour in almost ten years. more...
Wear Valley,Bishop Auckland News
News in brief: Entertainment licence refused
The Queen's Head pub in Tubwell Row, Darlington, was refused a public entertainment licence yesterday. more...
Sheep act as eco-warriors
A FLOCK of sheep have unwittingly acted as eco-warriors by munching their way through acres of meadow near a forest. more...
Town walks
A PROGRAMME of mile-long walks in Bishop Auckland starts on Monday. more...
Villagers demand power loss probe
VILLAGERS say they are being left in the dark about problems with their electricity supply. more...
Help to cope with pain
A COURSE to help people cope with long-term illness will begin in Sedgefield next month. more...
Pupils in the swim thanks to council's rescue package
PUPILS yesterday reaped the rewards of a Sedgefield Borough Council rescue package to save their school swimming pool from closure. more...
Conservation grants offer
PEOPLE living and working in a County Durham conservation area are being urged to take advantage of a grant scheme to carry out repairs to their property. more...
Award for life saver
TWO years of leading a new scheme to train members of the public to act as life-saving teams has earned a County Durham woman a national role. more...
Wearside News
News in brief: Gardening for spring colour
GREEN-fingered youngsters will plant 10,000 bulbs today to make sure that spring is full of colour. more...
Celebrating a job well done
A JOBCENTRE has celebrated helping more than 33,000 people find work in its first ten years. more...
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