The Northern Echo

Gardener Relives Arm Loss Horror

A COUNCIL gardener last night relived the horror of a freak accident in which he lost his left arm in a wood chipper. Shaun Talbot was dragged into the machine as he fed hedge trimmings into it by the roadside in Spennymoor, County Durham, three weeks ago. The 24-year-old was airlifted to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, but doctors could not save his arm.

The Great Escape

A PARROT that has been trained to whistle the theme tune to the film The Great Escape has gone missing. Dolly, a two-year-old African grey, went missing from Sedgefield Racecourse, County Durham.

Woman Who Died in Car Crash Named

A WOMAN who died in a car crash with a friend while on her way to music festival has been named as Nicola Edgar. Miss Edgar, 21, from Darlington, died along with Dominique Williams, 20, as they made their way to the Creamfields dance music festival, in Liverpool.

Barney Bash Goes One Step Beyond

THOUSANDS of music fans turned out for a festival over the Bank Holiday weekend. The Barney Big Bash was held on the rugby fields in Barnard Castle.

Flagship Rescue Centre Opens After [Pounds]1.5m Revamp

A FLAGSHIP animal rescue shelter has taken in its first residents since a [pounds]1.5m redevelopment. The Blue Cross has spent more than a year modernising its rehoming centre in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Opponents Prepare for Wind Farm Plans

OPPONENTS of one of three proposedwind farms are ready to launch their campaign against the plans when they are revealed later today. Banks Developments will outline its bid to build tenwind turbines on land to the northeast of Barmpton, near Darlington, at a briefing.

Gazebo Is the Place to Hang Out

A CEREMONY was held to officially open a [pounds]10,000 gazebo designed by a group of children for the use of their estate. The seating area, at Red Hall Community Centre, was opened on Friday night.

Town in Top 30 As Absence Rate Cut

DARLINGTON is in the top 30 education areas in the country in a league table for absence from school, according to the latest statistics. Figures released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families shows that Darlington's 5.75 per cent absence rate across the borough's schools makes it 28th best performing in the country.

Free Tickets Formusical

PARENTS in Darlington are encouraged to introduce their child to the magic of theatre with a free ticket offer. Darlington Civic Theatre is offering free child tickets for the forthcoming production of Singin' in the Rain.

Darlington News Round-Up in Brief

Get motivated through golf THE Get Everybody Motivated campaign is running golf sessions for people looking to return to exercise following an illness or injury. The sessions take place at Stressholme Golf Course, in Darlington, each week and feature an hour's golf tuition from one of the resident professionals. The sessions take place on Tuesdays, from 4pm to 5pm, from September 22 to October 13, and Thursdays, from 11am to noon, from September 24 to October 15.

South Durham News Round-Up in Brief

Enrolment for adult learning GREENFIELD Community and Arts Centre, in Newton Aycliffe, is enrolling adult students for a number of courses. Intermediate belly dancing starts on October 26, and runs for five Mondays, from 6pm to 7.15pm, costing [pounds]22.50. Beginners belly dancing follows from 7.30pm to 8.45pm, and costs [pounds]20.

140th Show Is a Huge Success

THE sun shone on thousands who turned up to celebrate a landmark in the history of a dales show at the weekend. Bumper entries in horses and ponies and photography classes ensured the annual Weardale Agricultural Society show - the 140th - maintained a special place in the show calendar.

Park Given [Pounds]75,000 After Benefactor Dies

A POPULAR play park built by villagers has received a [pounds]75,000 donation from the will of a local benefactor. Hillside Rural Activities Park (HRAP), between Borrowby and Knayton, was offered themoney following the death of a local man, who divided the proceeds of his estate between ten charities.

Edward, 14, in Sea to Sea Charity Trip

A TEENAGER took 12 days to walk from the Irish Sea to the North Sea to raise [pounds]700 for Help For Heroes. EdwardWright, 14, from Bedale, walked 192 miles on the Coast to Coast Walk between St Bees, inWest Cumbria, and Robin Hood's Bay, in North Yorkshire.

School Students Set Gcse Record

PUPILS have recorded Thirsk School's best GCSE results as 71 per cent gained five ormore passes at grades A* to C. The school recorded a four per cent increase in students passing five or more exams at the top three grades this year.

Medieval Feel for Castle's Celebrations

VISITORS young and old spent the bank holiday soaking up the atmosphere of a medieval pageant in the grounds of a historic castle. Hundreds of people visited Richmond Castle for yesterday's event.

Union Bringing Together Old and New Forces Teams

YOUTH and experience have combined to good effect with the formation of an allegiance between a charity for former servicemen and a group of the next generation of soldiers. The Osmotherley branch of the Royal British Legion has formed an affiliation with Stokesley Army Cadet Force.

Costume Night

BEDALE Archaeology and History Society's tenth anniversary celebrations will be held in Bedale Hall at 7.30pm tonight. The evening will include a talk about 40 years of archaeology, a competition for the best historical costume and displays of artefacts and items from the museum.

North Yorkshire News Round-Up in Brief

Photo contest to raise awareness NORTH Yorkshire County Council is hosting a photo competition to raise awareness of disability.

Priest Honoured for 20 Years of Service

A PRIEST credited with saving his church is celebrating his 20th year in a Darlington parish. During his two decades at St James the Great Church in Albert Hill, Darlington, Father Ian Grieves has seen the number of his congregation swell from about 20 to more than 100.