"Mindless" prank could have been safety risk (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Setting boats adrift could have put lives at risk at Stockton

5:59pm Sunday 10th March 2013 in News By Julia Breen

BOAT PRANK: A company has warned that a “mindless prank” on Friday could have put safety at risk on the River Tees.

Infinity Marine had three boats set adrift from their moorings at Castlegate Quay, Stockton, sometime before 8pm but they were quickly recovered.

Business owner Lindsay Eccles warned that with canoeists, sailing boats and the Teesside Princess cruiser using the river, the incident could have been more serious.

SMOKING MESSAGE: A Stockton pharmacy is offering quit smoking courses this month to mark No Smoking Day.

Pharmacy 365 is offering the 12-week courses and is campaigning all month to encourage people to give up smoking, around National No Smoking Day on March 13.

MP SUPPORT: The MP for Stockton South James Wharton has welcomed the Government’s action plan to tackle violence against women.

The document, released on International Women’s Day on Friday, is a strategy to prevent domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Conservative Mr Wharton said he was pleased to support the action plan against “abhorrent” domestic abuse.

RECYCLING ROLLOUT: More than 20,000 homes in Hartlepool have received new recycling bins, with more being delivered this week.

The deliveries started on February 25 ahead of major changes to refuse collection. Most of the town’s 42,000 households are being given new grey wheelie bins to replace their existing white poly bags and blue bags. The changes will come into force on April 2.

For more information visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/newrecyclingservice.

EASTER WORKSHOPS: Singing, dancing, arts, crafts and acting workshops will take place for children in Middlesbrough at Easter.

The two, three-day workshops are between Monday, April 1 to Wednesday, April 3 for five to eight-year-olds, and from Monday, April 8 to Wednesday, April 10 for nine to 13-year-olds, from 10am to 3pm at Middlesbrough Baptist Church in Cambridge Road.

They are being laid on by the Hart Factory community interest company. To book a place email info@thehartfactory.co.uk or call 01642-740268 or 07807 079304.

MARINA RUN: The Hartlepool Marina Five-Mile Road Race takes place on Sunday April 7 at 10.30am. Runners are being asked to register as soon as possible before this year’s limit of 500 is reached. The minimum age is 16 and the race begins and ends at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, following a route along the Promenade to Seaton Carew and back.

Entry forms are available at www.hartlepoolburnroad.co.uk or from Hartlepool Council buildings including the Civic Centre, Mill House Leisure Centre, Summerhill and the town’s libraries. Entry costs £12 or £10 for running club members.