The Northern Echo

Mother's Anger at Murder Trial Delay

THE mother of a North-East woman killed by a terrorist blast in Turkey came face-to-face with the suspected bomber yesterday. Sharon Holden returned to the country for the first time since her 21-year-old daughter, Helyn Bennett, died during a family holiday four years ago.

Shortage of Doctors Closes Baby Unit

A CRUCIAL children's unit is to be temporarily closed because of "staffing pressures" at a hospital in the region, health bosses confirmed last night. The special care baby unit at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, which treats seriously ill or premature infants, will be one of a number of services suspended from July 17.

Instructor Attacked Recruit, Court Told

AN Army recruit was punched "everywhere but the face" after tapping an instructor on the shoulder, a court martial heard. Training instructors are appearing at a court martial accused of bullying and ill-treating young trainees at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

Hail, Sportacus!

PUPILS were visited by a colourful TV superhero who features in a summer holiday production for youngsters. Eighty children at Pelton Community Primary School, near Chester- le-Street, yesterday met Sportacus, an acrobatic performer from the cast of LazyTown Live!

'At Least I've Seen Monster Accused of Killing Helyn'

THE mother of a North-East woman killed by a terrorist blast in Turkey came face-toface with the suspected bomber yesterday. Sharon Holden returned to the country for the first time since her 21-year-old daughter, Helyn Bennett, died during a family holiday four years ago.

Ready, Steady Blow

A BRASS bus rolled into town yesterday just days before Europe's fastest growing brass festival gets under way. The double-decker bus, which will help bring the Brass: Durham International Festival to hard-to-reach rural communities across the county, was unveiled yesterday during a brass picnic in the grounds of County Hall, Durham.

Nude Kids On the Block

A GROUP of respected businessmen have revealed new sides of themselves after posing nude for a charity calendar. A retired GP, a university chairman and a magistrate are among the members of Darlington Rotary Club who have become unlikely pin- ups in the calendar in aid of local good causes.

Inquest Into Mother-of-Two Fatally Stabbed by Ex-Partner

A MOTHER-OF-TWO stabbed seven times by her former partner died from internal injuries, an inquest heard. Julie Anne Mordue, 38, was attacked in her kitchen after she returned home from work by former boyfriend Nigel John McLean, 40, on April 21.

Phew! What a Swizzler

WHILE the rest of the country basks in temperatures of up to 30C, the North-East has been blighted by cloud, fog and rain - and it's all down to the North Sea. Thousands of sun-seekers have been flocking to beaches across the country to enjoy the glorious summer weather.

Darlington News Round-Up in Brief

The art of winning gold DARLINGTON Education Village is celebrating after all three of its schools received a national arts award. Beaumont Hill, Springfield Primary and Haughton Community now hold the ArtsMark Gold award. To get an Arts Mark, a school must spend at least 15 per cent of its time teaching the arts. ArtsMark schools also provide teachers with professional development and involvement with local arts groups and artists.

Bright Sparks Get Off to Flying Start

A BUSINESS idea with a social conscience has been named winner of the second Bannatyne's Bright Sparks contest. Judges, who included multi-millionaire entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, awarded pupils from Darlington Education Village and their idea to create tailormade wildlife gardens for companies, the [pounds]1,000 prize.

Meet the Contestants

Hurworth House School, supported by HSBC, in Darlington: Wilson Kneeshaw, Oliver Whitchurch, Jack Wright, Jacob Hesmondhalgh, Lawrence Walker, Sam Thoma, Robert Ellwood and Alex Pickersgill. Darlington Education Village, supported by Sherwoods, in Darlington: Ben Braithwaite, Angus McNiff, Reece Smith, Conor Davies, Danielle Stollery, Andrew Wilson and Daniel Pearson.

Joining Forces to Tackle an Eyesore

GARAGES that were daubed with graffiti have been cleaned up thanks to a neighbourhood warden, councillors and church volunteers. Durham County Council warden Natalie Davies has been working for 18months to make 14 garages in Chillingham Road, Newton Hall, Durham, more presentable.

Events Mark Library's Anniversary

A WEEK of events next month will mark a library's 50th anniversary. Consett library has lined up a number of talks and exhibitions to mark the milestone.

Growing Following

CHILDREN are being taken on guided tours of award-winning allotments at Belmont, on the outskirts of Durham City. The plots have been developed on land next to the Soccarena indoor football complex, after Belmont Allotment Club's original site was partly swallowed up by the nearby Arnott Stadium development, home to Durham City AFC.

Doing the Descent Thing

TWO vets have taken part in a zip-wire challenge from the Tyne Bridge in aid of a school for children with cerebral palsy. Emanuel Ionutescu, 33, and Viorel Doran, 32, of the Consett Ve terinary Centre, in Consett, raised [pounds]288 each for the Percy Hedley Foundation, in Newcastle.

Grant Helps to Protect Heritage

PLANS to revamp a former pit village's war memorial and surrounding area have won funding. The Coxhoe Community Partnership, in Durham, is getting [pounds]48,000 from the Lottery-funded Community Spaces programme to transform Coxhoe village's dilapidated memorial garden.

North Durham News Round-Up in Brief

Invitation to former pupils A PRIMARY school is inviting former pupils to return for its 40th anniversary. Shincliffe CE Primary School, in Shincliffe, near Durham, opened its doors for the first time on July 3, 1969, with Ian Ramsey, then Bishop of Durham, doing the honours.

Five-Year Plan Will Protect Landscape

A FIVE-YEAR action plan is being created to protect and promote the countryside across Redcar and Cleveland. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is expected to welcome a major piece of work, detailing what will be done to sustain and enhance the area, when the cabinet meets on July 7.

Students Give Cow to Romanian Orphanage

STUDENTS were so moved during a trip to a Romanian orphanage they decided to present the youngsters there with a gift. The 15 teenagers from Redcar and Cleveland College, who were visiting as part of their children's care, learning and development programme, donated a cow called Racco to Bratca orphanage to provide milk.