AUTHOR Gervase Phinn is spending the day at the new Saltburn Learning Campus leading writing workshops with the students before officially opening the £15m building. His arrival as the pupils’ choice for their special day marks the completion
A YOUNG artist took centre stage as one of the stars of a new art exhibition. Four-year-old Sophie Bodocs, who is autistic, sold one of her paintings on the opening night to raise funds for the Norton-based charity Daisy Chain, which helps families
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to restore tradition and build a pier on Redcar seafront. Historically, the town boasted two stretching out into the North Sea, but plans to redevelop the area have come up with an unusual alternative. In July, Redcar
HEAVY rain caused flooding in parts of County Durham, Teesdale and Weardale this week, leading to traffic problems and worries for householders and businesses with properties near rivers. Among the worst-hit areas were Croft and Hurworth Place after
A FORMER United Nations official has turned his hand to writing bedtime stories for children. Ian Tugwell, of Hunton, near Bedale, recently took delivery of the first 100 copies of his self-published collection, The Giants of Champerloova. The
COUNCIL officers will meet Salvation Army representatives to discuss the future of a hostel for homeless men which faces closure next year. Tom Raine Court in Darlington will shut next year because the charity says it cannot afford to carry out
THE former home ground of Darlington Football Club is to be developed for housing. Darlington Borough Council planning committee finally gave permission on Wednesday for an application by the Esh Group, which first put forward plans for the site
NATURAL England has launched its 50-year vision for the uplands and immediately caused alarm among farming organisations. Poul Christensen, acting chairman of Natural England said the uplands are vital for a wide range of reasons. The Vital Uplands
WITH defending champions and Division One leaders Richmond Turf not in action last Sunday, Sportsmans FC had the chance to take over at the top if they could beat visitors Robert Thompsons. Things did not start well for the hosts when Stu Rose
GEORGIE Rutherford is Darlington’s first female world triathlon champion. The 25-year-old roared to victory in the World 70.3 Championships in Clearwater, Florida, last weekend. It was a fine achievement for Rutherford considering she made the
AS they prepare to face each other at Yiewsley Drive tomorrow in the Durham Cup, the two Darlington clubs suffered contrasting fortunes last Saturday. Mowden Park won 24-15 at Middlesbrough, while Darlington suffered their third successive defeat
MORTON on Swale driver Charlie Taylor, along with Pickering co-driver Steve Bielby, were in action last weekend on the four-day long Roger Albert Clark Rally whereby they finished in a fine seventh place overall. Driving the Charlie Taylor
BETA rider Ian Austermuhle brought all his years of experience together to win Guisborough DMC’s trial from a topclass entry at Mountain Ash Farm, Glaisdale with just six marks lost. Adam Milner, from Leavening, now looking more like the
WITH the weather being so wet at present, racing is only for the proper enthusiasts, and there was plenty out in force last Saturday at Wetherby. The last of seven races was run in the gathering gloom but there was a very bright winner in Frankie Anson
Barnard Castle & Teesdale Riding Club. Nov 21, Dec 28: winter league show jumping, Catterick Saddle Club, Catterick Garrison. Lead reins welcome in junior classes. Contact Anglea for further details 01833 640553 or visit www.bcandtrc.co.uk. December
A GUISBOROUGH quantity surveyor is celebrating 21 years in business this month. Phil Readman, founder and sole principal of Readman Associates, has more than 35 years experience and was one of the first graduate quantity surveyors at Elliot D’
A VINTAGE car restoration company which serviced Inspector Morse’s famous Jaguar has been wound up by its owner. David Royle, of Royle’s vintage motor car restoration, in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, said the company never really recovered
A MOBILE beauty salon is to pay regular visits to pamper both male and female workers at Darlington’s Lingfield Point business park. Beautician Kerry Lewis will make monthly visits in her 1960s’ American Airstream classic trailer, which is fitted
SIR Donald Curry has been appointed chairman of the new North-East England Food and Drink Group’s strategic board. A leading Government adviser on food and farming, he farms 440 acres of arable and lowland grass in Northumberland. The board will
PETER Kendall, NFU president, will address next week’s NFU York East annual lunch. He will outline the challenges facing farmers as the country strives to double food production over the next 40 years while addressing climate change. Mr Kendall
A NATIONAL Park is searching for hill farmers and trainee farmers to take part in a scheme to help end the farm succession crisis. Nationally, the average age of hill farmers is mid to late fifities and many children of farming families are
FARMERS and landowners are alarmed by some of Natural England’s proposals for the uplands. An end to heather burning and the introduction of zero-grazing in some areas, along with the encouragement of tree and scrub encroachment were the main
FARMERS from the North-East and Yorkshire can see behind the scenes at the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) at Sand Hutton, near York, next week. Fera is hosting a special “Wellies and White Coats” free event organised by the Yorkshire
Hearty food with sophistication. WE had better come clean straightaway. The subject of this week’s review is not exactly unknown to us. It is, in fact, the nearest thing we have to a local, being just 500 yards from our front door. We have never
BABY veg have long been a favourite at the dinner table, but you can pay a lot in the supermarkets for the pre-packed mini-carrots, leeks and courgettes, which are often pretty tasteless. It’s worth trying to grow your own, but must you choose
A FORMER journalism student is about to see her writing in print - in the form of her debut novel. Claire Lewis has put a career in newspapers on hold after winning an award for fiction and attracting a publisher for her first manuscript. A thriller
Actress Martine McCutcheon, who publishes her debut book this month, talks to Hannah Stephenson about her career so far. MARTINE McCutcheon arrives all smiles, her raven hair swept back in an elegant ballerina bun, and quickly discards her luxurious
INDIVIDUALS and organisations involved in running arts festivals in North Yorkshire are invited to attend an events forum in Middleham. It takes place in the Key Centre on Saturday, November 28, from 12.30-4pm, jointly organised by Hambleton District
IT WAS thrilling to be in the cathedral on Saturday night, from the terrifying opening curse, using the diabolical falling tritone sung by the unsurpassable bass D’Arcy Bleiker, to the hushed, held top A of the talented treble Thomas Willock,
FIVE younger generation landscape painters feature in Sublime Landscapes at the Lund Gallery, near Easingwold. Jonathan Shearer (left) has work in public collections, including the Royal Scottish Academy and private collections throughout the
ONE of the most striking images in this region is the ruin of Byland Abbey with its spectacular west front and main entrance dominated by the space for a missing circular window of giant proportions. It was thought to be around 26 feet in diameter
AN EXHIBITION in Thirsk will show pictures produced by a new form of printing technology. Almost two dozen artists and photographers will be represented in a collaboration with GSM Graphic Arts, which is mounting the show at the Rural Arts base
THE village of Hipswell, on the edge of Catterick, has a name that recalls water and the crossing of water the best part of 1,500 years ago. Working backwards we can start with ‘well’ that usually, in placenames, refers to a spring. However, here
WHILE Spectator doesn’t hold with some of the wilder political conspiracy theories about the failed prosecution of Coun John Blackie, it was curious that one individual not directly connected or involved in the case chose to sit in court for
Sir, – I was shocked and dismayed to see your generous coverage of hunting (D&S, Nov 6), with not one word of reference to the fact that the practice, as commonly understood, is illegal. Is it customary for respected newspapers to appear to be
Sir, – May I ask the editor of the Darlington & Stockton Times, Malcolm Warne, how he and his newspaper can have a credible independence, when he supports a sensitive prosecution in court, namely that of Coun Steckles’ allegations against honest
Sir, – An article on page 10 of the D&S last week (November 13) headlined ‘Villagers’ pub offer is accepted’ claimed that the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority had agreed to buy back the George and Dragon pub in Hudswell should residents
As jam-making enjoys a revival, Ruth Campbell talked to an expert who is happy to reveal her secrets. ICAN smell apples, plums and sweet onions bubbling on the stove. Damsons and sugar are boiling in a pan. Clean, warm, glass jars sit in a line
Sir, – Last Friday, we attended a charity Ball at Crathorne Hall Hotel in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. After a lovely evening we discovered that someone had “borrowed” our umbrella from the hotel entrance. As it has sentimental significance
Sir, – Having written recently concerning applications by the owners to change the use of public houses – The Grey Horse at West Rounton and The Monk’s Table at Welbury – into domestic dwellings, I am pleased to report that both these applications
Sir, – Hambleton planning committee councillors made a sensible decision last Thursday in deferring the Bullamoor wind turbine application. Planning officers had recommended approval of the application with a “Grampian condition” to cover the
Sir, – It was a pleasant surprise to open the paper and see a picture of St Leonard’s Church, Chapel le dale (“Old as the hills, Countryman’s Diary by Nicholas Rhea D&S Nov 6). I read with interest the piece about the yew tree. I wondered if some
Sir, – On Wednesday, November 11, a group of about 12 of us gathered in the market place in Leyburn, intending to walk to Bellerby and Harmby, a distance of about seven miles, and enjoy the scenery and the fresh air in the process. A car
Sir, – It was interesting to see that Hambleton is likely to lose £50,000 of expected income from their car parking charges (D&S, Nov 13). However, I was pleased to see that this is covered by the “worst scenario”. I wonder. The Showfield car
Sir, – It is said that “a picture paints a thousand words” and with the Richmondshire District Council web site I think this may be true. I invite you to view it at www.richmondshire.gov.uk and then engage yourself in hours of endless fun playing
Sir – We hope that you might allow us to give an update on our campaign to achieve a community buy out for our local pub , The George and Dragon in Hudswell, near Richmond. The pub has been closed for more than a year and we want to reopen it
Sir, I was absolutely amazed at the content of your last editorial (D&S, Nov 13). After summarising, quite correctly, the poignancy of the carnage of British soldiers in Afghanistan at this Remembrance period you go on to comment on major political
Sir, – The North Yorkshire Police public relations machine deserves a commendation for the recent media blitz of feelgood stories. The coverage in the recent D&S Times (Nov 13) would suggest the force is actually on top of its game: “Police
From this newspaper 100 years ago. The restored church of St Andrew at Kirkby Malzeard near Ripon was re-opened for divine service on Wednesday afternoon by the Bishop of Ripon. This ancient church, it will be remembered, was destroyed by fire in
FEW people have emerged from the trial of North Yorkshire County Councillor John Blackie with any credit. The two-day hearing, involving eight witnesses, a prosecution solicitor, a District Judge brought from another part of the country so he could
