The Northern Echo

Kal Singh Dhindsa, the Derby enthusiast for history and pigeons, who found the Prince of Rome's body languishing in a storeroom in Derby museum, is delighted ...

The plaque is to go in the Black Horse pub opposite Attwood Terrace which was the location of the Prince of Rome’s loft. Now it is derelict, as we’ve been telling in recent weeks, awaiting a new future. George’s parents were Sarah and Surtees Simpson, of 39, Flora Street, Spennymoor. Kal has erected a plaque near his loft, and The Unthanks have made a song about him globally known. Of the 34 steam locomotives, 14 were Stanier 8Fs.” “It was over 20 years old, so Darlington had done an excellent job to make it look like new. [READ MORE: THE PUPILS OF CLAIRMONT AND THE LOST GRAVEYARD OF BISHOP](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23377040.pupils-clairmont-lost-graveyard-bishop/) [READ MORE: THE STORY OF CLAIRMONT, A DERELICT BISHOP AUCKLAND BUILDING](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23346249.clairmont-story-derelict-bishop-auckland-building/#comments-anchor) When the King died, his stuffed body was presented to Derby museum, where he is still on display. These were 34 steam and 10 diesel. “I’m over the moon,” he said. “I never doubted that the target would be reached because the Prince’s story has touched many hearts over the years. He dropped into it on August 18, 1913, having taken 51 days to fly back from Rome.

As someone playing a key role in the drive to find new talent for one of the North East's most iconic businesses, Dave Hodgson knows all too well that it only ...

• Cummins is a partner in The Northern Echo’s Level Up campaign, aimed at showcasing the region’s strengths, and calling for a fair deal from Government funding. “It’s fantastic to see the personal experiences and conversations that take place across all those events and activities,” says Dave. And, as if Cummins’ commitment to STEM needed underlining any further, the company is headline sponsor of STEMFEST 2023, which takes place at the VERTU Motors Arena, in Newcastle on July 4, 5 and 6. Cummins also places great emphasis on work experience, with opportunities for schoolchildren and college students to come onto the site after a risk assessment. Technical advisor, Amit Kumar, leads on the Greenpower Challenge for Cummins, and his dedication, along with his overall contribution as a STEM Ambassador, earned him a special recognition honour at the North East STEM Awards in Newcastle, last December. “The apprenticeships are open to all ages – not just young people, but older people who may want to retrain and try something different. As well as being a truly great inventor and entrepreneur, Clessie was determined to have a positive impact on the local communities his business touched. Pupils from Carmel College were brought onto the Darlington site for a question and answer session with female members of staff about their roles. All it takes is a spark to make them consider a career in this kind of business.” Dave’s main job is as a business account manager, specialising in the trucks division, at the Cummins plant in Darlington. It’s not just about engineering, there’s the full spectrum of every job and function you can imagine,” he says. “Sending jets off, loading operational missiles, and travelling the world was just so exciting for a young lad.

Councillor Peter Berry and Councillor Bill Clarke were alleged by fellow councillor Anne Watts to have screamed and shouted insults during a meeting of the ...

Mr Blades also questioned the independence of the panel chair and described the outcome as a “whitewash”. He said he was “quite shaken” by the “aggressive attack” and may not attend further meetings as a result. The panel said there were no other witnesses to the alleged conduct and that Cllr Berry could not recall speaking with Mr Blades, “but in any event disagrees that he had the alleged conversation”. The complainant said he told Cllr Berry to go away as he did not want an argument with him and claimed he was then sworn at and threatened with his “head being ripped off”. “No residents were spoken to in relation to my complaint and decisions were made mainly on the comments of the monitoring officer. But a governance assessment sub-committee convened by Redcar and Cleveland Council noted that the meetings were usually “fractious” and said no further action was necessary.

Work on a major retail development including new Tesco and Home Bargains stores set to open next year is now underway.

[Click here](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/subscribe/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=daniel-hordon&utm_term=daniel-hordon_sub&utm_content=march_23) [Sunderland City Council](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/local-news/sunderland-news/), said: “The redevelopment of the former Houghton Colliery site is a project we have been working on for some time, so we’re absolutely thrilled to see work progressing on the scheme.” [Tesco](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/topics/tesco/) petrol station will also be built on the site. [To get more stories direct to your email basket go here](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/emailbulletins/) [Home Bargains](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/topics/home-bargains/) store will be built on the former Colliery site with an opening date of Spring 2024 on the cards. [Teenager accused of Tomasz Oleszak murder threatened to 'wet' one of his group](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/#:~:text=Teenager%20accused%20of%20Tomasz%20Oleszak%20murder%20threatened%20to%20%27wet%27%20one%20of%20his%20group)

Little did copper Alan Davison know when he first watched hit TV show The Bill, he was about to be inspired to enter an almost 30-year career in…

“I knew the area really well and there were a lot of familiar faces,” he said. From 2007, Insp Davison was the Northern area events planning Sergeant, based at Bedlington. “I got to know some of the children and grandchildren of people I’d worked with when I came into the police. Promoted to inspector in December 2012, he took up a role in the Response Policing Team for Byker and “That was a challenge, dealing with the issues which arise from the night-time economy but I think we do a really good job in managing those as a Force,” he said. After that he transferred to Byker in 2000 and following two-and-half years he was promoted to Sergeant in Morpeth in Northern Area Command. “One of the biggest changes back then was that all of your reports had to be handwritten, none of it was typed up on a computer. “There was a real variety of work which helped to improve you as an officer, responding to different types of crime,” the dad-of-two continued. Inspector Davison was first stationed in the West End of Newcastle from joining in 1994 until 2000 and described the experience an “eye-opener”. [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/18612569/the-bill-return-two-reboots/) reported that a [reboot of the iconic series was due to land on our screens](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/20151507.itvs-bill-set-return-screens-2023/) this year. A career in blue never occurred to the now Inspector until he was almost 30 when he joined the police in 1994 after becoming hooked on The Bill. “I watched quite a bit of daytime TV at the time and funnily enough got into The Bill.

Usman Ali, serving Ryhope ward on Sunderland City Council, announced the move today (Wednesday, March 22). The Councillor, who has served since 2021, will now ...

Cllr Ali will make a fantastic addition to our local Labour team and continue his hard work to deliver for residents.” It’s the hardworking Labour councillors here that are on the frontline, fighting cuts from the Conservatives to deliver for people in Ryhope and beyond. “He will be fantastic for the Labour Group and alongside Cllr Martyn Herron will continue to be a champion for the people of Ryhope.” Leader of Labour controlled Sunderland City Council, Graeme Miller, said Cllr Ali will be “fantastic” for the party. In a statement, Cllr Ali explained his move to be the “best way to serve people in Ryhope”. A North East Conservative councillor has accused the party of “not delivering”, as he announced he is leaving to sit as a Labour member on the local authority.

The Household Support Fund has been extended in England by the DWP, and will run until March 31, 2024.

- Third cost of living payment - £299 – Spring 2024 - Second cost of living payment - £300 – Autumn 2023 - Pensioner payment - £300 – Winter 2023 - First cost of living payment - £300 – Spring 2023 The main use for the fund is to help towards food vouchers and energy bills. - Disability payment - £150 – Summer 2023

Usman Ali, serving Ryhope ward on Sunderland City Council, announced the move today (Wednesday, March 22). The Councillor, who has served since 2021, will now ...

Cllr Ali will make a fantastic addition to our local Labour team and continue his hard work to deliver for residents.” It’s the hardworking Labour councillors here that are on the frontline, fighting cuts from the Conservatives to deliver for people in Ryhope and beyond. “He will be fantastic for the Labour Group and alongside Cllr Martyn Herron will continue to be a champion for the people of Ryhope.” Leader of Labour controlled Sunderland City Council, Graeme Miller, said Cllr Ali will be “fantastic” for the party. In a statement, Cllr Ali explained his move to be the “best way to serve people in Ryhope”. A North East Conservative councillor has accused the party of “not delivering”, as he announced he is leaving to sit as a Labour member on the local authority.

Durham County Council say they are still offering free parking after 2pm at their off-street council car parks across the county, however. It will come to an ...

Mark Jackson, head of transport and contract services at Durham County Council, said: "Free afternoon parking was introduced in April 2021 to support the city's recovery from the pandemic. The funding ran out at the end of 2022, and councillors from across political parties have signed the letter asking for funding to once again be provided to support a free parking offer in Hartlepool. In 2021, Mayor Ben Houchen provided Tees Valley Combined Authority funding to make parking free for a maximum of three hours in council-run car parks in each of the five Tees Valley main town centres – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton - as well as a number of car parks in Guisborough and Yarm. It will come to an end at the end of this month and from Saturday, April 1, normal charges will apply to all on-street parking. The changes will see free afternoon on-street parking in pay and display bays, which is currently free, come to an end. Free on-street parking is set to end in Durham City this month – here’s when and how it will affect you.

A County Durham petrol station has been described as 'the cheapest place around' after lowering the price of fuel to 136p.

“Given the importance of driving for consumers and businesses, duty should be kept low to help fight inflation.” AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: “We are pleased the Chancellor has listened to the AA and frozen fuel duty. Prices reached record highs of £1.92 for petrol and £1.99 for diesel in July last year, largely due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine leading to an increase in the cost of oil. The Chancellor confirmed in his Budget that the reduction introduced in March last year will be retained for another 12 months, and fuel duty will not increase in line with inflation. County Durham motorists feel like they have found one of the cheapest in the region, hailing a petrol station for its 'great value after spotting petrol for as low as 136.7p. Those visiting G.W Holmes & Sons at the Etherley Moor Jet filling station in Bishop diesel as low as 149p and petrol for as little as 136.7p.

Pancake Day races, painting in the art studio, planting spring bulbs, making Easter decorations, weekly film screenings and talk by visiting…

In a recent survey residents and families were asked what the single best thing about Middleton Hall was alongside the factors that had the most impact on their experience. Often those who enjoy this kind of lifestyle live with the onset of dementia. “Friendliness and general atmosphere”, “the quality of carers”, “companionship of other residents” and that “staff want to do their best for residents” were amongst the comments received. Trained, dedicated and compassionate teams work closely with residents and their families to ensure the correct level of care for the resident’s individual needs with the aim of enabling them to live their lives to the full as valued and respected members of Middleton Hall's community. The attractive supported retirement apartments in Middleton Grove are located in the historic heart of Middleton Hall and provide spacious, comfortable rental accommodation with housekeeping and dining services included to support an independent lifestyle similar to living in a country house hotel. The highly regarded care services on the outskirts of Middleton St George near Darlington are situated right at the heart of a beautiful 45-acre estate and offer care by highly professional, friendly teams that is tailored to residents’ individual needs.

The Household Support Fund has been extended in England by the DWP, and will run until March 31, 2024.

- Third cost of living payment - £299 – Spring 2024 - Second cost of living payment - £300 – Autumn 2023 - Pensioner payment - £300 – Winter 2023 - First cost of living payment - £300 – Spring 2023 The main use for the fund is to help towards food vouchers and energy bills. - Disability payment - £150 – Summer 2023

A former prison officer has been given an absolute discharge after he was found to have sexually assaulted a young inmate more than 50 years ago.

Both men were found guilty of one count of misconduct in a public office, reflecting consistent violence they inflicted on boys at the detention centre, near Consett, in the 1970s and 1980s. The prison guard's trial was the last in a long-running series of prosecutions of former officers who served at the County Durham detention centre. And in 2019, Brian Greenwell, 71, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and Alan Bramley, 70, was given a sentence of 18 months. In January, it was decided that the pensioner was unfit to stand trial but a jury would still rule on the facts of the charges that he faced. The pensioner was cleared of a charge of buggery and two of the assaults while the jury were unable to come to an agreement on a third charge of assault. The Crown Prosecution Service formally offered no evidence in the outstanding charge and the 89-year-old was found not guilty of the allegation.

The firm behind a depot that has been operating on a site off a narrow country lane without consent has been given approval to continue - despite…

There’s no question about that and Hambleton is a business-friendly local authority.” The local opinion is that the current volume of HGV activity in this area is unacceptable and we are adding to it.” It is an industrial site. Ahead of members approving the change of use of the site and limiting operational hours to a 6am start, Councillor Kevin Hardisty disputed residents’ claims over previous uses of the site. He said: “To my mind the right site would be where the aggregate is produced.” However, residents and a parish councils representative told the meeting the site had only seen “a potato wagon a week turn up”, so the proposal represented a stark contrast to the type of activity at the site and would lead to many HGVs passing people’s homes at unsocial hours.

The 69-year-old is the Diamonds' recently-appointed Supporters Liaison Officer and has truly gone above and beyond to make both home and away fans feel welcome.

I got some money and I don’t spend a lot but it just makes me feel happier thinking that someone else is happy. I wouldn’t say I was a rich man or anything like that. But don’t tell my wife because I never bought her any! All our volunteers are important. Volunteers like Sams are the heartbeat of non-league clubs up and down the land and Southern League partners Pitching In have recently launched a Volunteer Hub to showcase opportunities across the country. Raspin said: “We are having a really tough season for all sorts of reasons, but Tim’s selflessness and generosity is bringing a smile to faces all around our community club and he deserves a bit of recognition.”

Emergency crews descended on a recycling centre on Thursday after a skip lorry overturned, spilling its load onto the road.

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service added: “We received a call at 10.01am this morning (Thursday 23 March) to reports of a road traffic incident on Haverton Hill Road in Billingham. [Click here](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/subscribe/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=daniel-hordon&utm_term=daniel-hordon_sub&utm_content=march_23) [Two North East Fish and Chip venues named among the 10 best in the UK](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23405679.whitley-bay-hartlepool-fish-chip-restaurants-uks-top-ten/) [Tragedy as woman dies after her Citroen car crashes into a road sign](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23406229.woman-dies-whitby-crash-citroen-collides-sign/) [Work underway on huge new Tesco and Home Bargains stores - here's when they'll open](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23405231.work-starts-tesco-home-bargains-stores-houghton-colliery/) [Billingham](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/local-news/billingham-news/) just after 10am after reports of the vehicle having overturned. [Cleveland Police](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/topics/cleveland-police/) spokesperson said: “Officers received a report of an overturned small artic lorry on Haverton Hill Road, Billingham, around 10am this morning. [Man must serve minimum of 22 years for killing student boyfriend](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23406962.life-sentence-minimum-term-22-years-killer-aaron-ray/)

Mike Mooney has served Coleshill Town for over a decade, joining in 2010 when Billing rescued the club from financial ruin. The 69-year-old first met the Town ...

“But the one thing I don’t like is when I’ve done the kit and the match kicks off, I’m the ball boy and I’m the oldest ball boy in the world. My life is football. “When Blues were away I would do the kit for Paul and when Blues were at home I’d go see them,” he said.

Basketball sensation Josephine Vourliotis says her father's love for the game is fuelling her Olympic dream.

“It doesn't even have to be at an elite level. Every summer when school is finished we'll do our own workouts and I’ll constantly be improving because he's got the experience. “I was part of the Team England Futures programme with SportsAid, and it was so interesting to go behind the scenes of it all.