Sir Bobby Robson and other remarkable people
Dec 30 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal
In the final part of our review of the year Neil McKay looks at the headline-makers from the past three months
OCTOBER
THE regional identity of the North East was dealt a blow as ITV confirmed the merger of Tyne Tees and Border Television that will see local programming slashed.
More than half of the companys 168-strong workforce will be made redundant as a result of the merger, with the channel showing just 15 minutes of regional television per day.
A GOLFER from Northumberland secured his first hole-in-one aged just 10. Matt Lamb, from the Woodlands area of Hexham, Northumberland, aced the 125-yard third hole on the Balgove course at the famous St Andrews venue.
A YOUNG father was killed and his son left in hospital when they were hit by a car. Bryan Hardwick, 26, and two-year-old son Liam were mown down after the car clipped a kerb and mounted the pavement in Bishop Auckland. The two had been part of a family outing to collect conkers. The driver and front seat passenger of the car had earlier been confronted with allegations of theft from a supermarket.
CALLS were made for an inquiry into a councils decision to invest £23m in Icelandic banks despite warnings over the countrys financial viability. Northumberland County Council invested the money months after the International Monetary Fund warned that Icelands banks were likely to face problems.
THE global fight against hospital superbugs will be led from a new £18m specialist centre in the North East. Scientists hailed Newcastle Universitys Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology as a world first.
DURHAM MP Roberta Blackman- Woods won Government support for her campaign to make it easier for councils to refuse licences for lap dancing clubs which have opened despite protests from residents, church leaders and councillors.
RETIRED GP William Benson was beaten and robbed in a late-night attack at his home. Dr Benson, 92, was hospitalised after the ordeal near Stanley, County Durham. He was punched in the face as he lay defenceless in bed, before the intruders ransacked his home.
THE Princess Royal opened the Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham. The new building houses two swimming pools, fun and splash areas and a modern gym.
A FORGER who minted £70,000 of banknotes in the bedroom of his terraced home was jailed for seven years. John Bennett, 52, ran his counterfeiting cottage industry from his modest home in Oakenshaw, near Crook, County Durham.
A SUSPECTED thief was accidentally released from prison after bungling officers confused him with his fellow inmate father. Terence Clegg Jr, 23, had been sharing a cell with Terence Clegg Sr, 51, for eight weeks at Durham Prison while both were on remand for allegedly targeting property in cars in North Tyneside.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD Lily Slater was full of smiles when she met Prince Harry. Lily, of Boldon Colliery, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour last year, was at a star-studded ceremony in London to receive an award for bravery. Lily was born prematurely with her twin sister Willow.
THE STARS of the sporting world came out as Sir Bobby Robsons cancer charity smashed through the £1m fundraising mark, just seven months after it was launched. The milestone was reached as a result of the Night of the Knights extravaganza at Rainton Meadows, Houghton-le-Spring, when Sir Bobby was joined on stage by football legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton as well as Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall., Sir Alex said: Nobody deserves to raise £1m for such a good cause as Sir Bobby.
NOVEMBER
A £75m national organisation that will ensure children get access to the arts and culture will be based in Newcastle, it was announced.The Creativity, Culture and Education organisation will create 25 to 30 jobs at its city centre location and will deliver regional and national creativity programmes.
TASTEBUDS were being tickled in a Northumberland town with the launch of the Blyth Banger. The tasty mix of pork and tomato, onions, garlic and herbs with a splash of lime juice was drawing rave reviews from customers at the Crowe & Atkinson Ltd butchers shop in Bowes Street.
FIFTY foreign students were thrown out of Newcastle University after near-perfect forgeries of academic certificates were uncovered. Bosses were alerted after poor performances in exams by those whose first language is not English. The exclusions will cost the university more than £500,000 in lost tuition fees.
A BOY who had to have his tongue rebuilt after suffering from mouth cancer has made a remarkable recovery. When four-year-old Daniel Sewell was diagnosed with the disease doctors warned his parents that he may never speak properly.
But now Daniel, who was given a new tongue during pioneering surgery, is happy and talkative. Mum Alison, of Crook, County Durham, said: When he said Mam for the first time I was just so happy, I was dancing round the kitchen.
A COUPLE and their 11-month-old baby were rescued after the onrushing tide cut them off during a beach walk. An RAF helicopter, the coastguard, two lifeboats and a cliff rescue team pulled the family and their two dogs to safety as water lapped around their feet near Seaham, County Durham. Conditions were so bad that a lifeboat also got stuck.
NORTHERN Rock promised to make repossessions a last resort as more mortgage holders fall into arrears. Outlining plans for rescue deals, chief executive Gary Hoffman said he hoped the bank would lead the industry in coming up with solutions.
BUNGLING police accidentally emailed a list of personal details of suspected criminals to 150 farmers. Embarrassed officers then sent a second email, asking the Farm Watch scheme members not to read the information. Northumbria Police apologised for the mistake.
TEENAGE prisoners have been playing computer games and watching Freeview TV with smuggled equipment. A Journal investigation revealed an astonishing array of banned items confiscated from inmates over the last two years. Along with a Freeview box and games consoles, a television set and dozens of mobile phones were also seized.
GREAT-grandmother Audrey Humble was celebrating passing her driving test at the age of 82 47 years after she passed her last one. Audrey passed with flying colours after being ordered to retake the test by a judge.
A £30m deal put Newcastle at the cutting edge of medical science for the next 25 years. The citys Centre for Life signed a lease agreement with Newcastle University to guarantee its research work. It is hoped this could lead to a cure for diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
A RETIRED Northumberland teacher was among those seriously injured in terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. Mike Murphy, from Bardon Mill, near Hexham, was shot when gunmen stormed the cafe he was in while on holiday with his wife, Diane. Mrs Murphy was shot in the foot
LONG-AWAITED plans to turn a rare collection of wartime relics into a visitor and education complex were approved thanks to a £525,000 package of funding. Blyth Battery built on the towns seaside links to defend the port during two world wars has been described as the best surviving example of an anti-aircraft battery on the east coast of Britain.
DECEMBER
AFORMER Northumbria detective who fed police intelligence to a notorious professional criminal was jailed for five years. John Jones repeatedly passed on confidential information from the force computer to feared drug dealer Allan Foster after recruiting him as an police informant. He also visited Londons West End for a drink-fuelled night out with Foster who is alleged to have gunned down David Noddy Rice in a South Shields car park a month later. Jones, 48, of Seaham, County Durham, was convicted of four counts of misconduct in public office after a trial lasting more than eight weeks at Newcastle Crown Court.
A BRASS band scheme to improve the health of young asthma sufferers could be spread further afield. A 10-week experiment called Bronchial Boogie, using three children from Pelton, County Durham, as guinea pigs was judged by health professionals and brass band tutor Norman Walker a huge success. Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, wrote to the NHS County Durham health trust urging them to provide funding to continue the scheme.
THE FORESTRY Commission stepped in to replace a Christmas tree dubbed the worst in Britain. The tree at Castle Dene shopping centre, Peterlee, received international attention after The Journal revealed how locals dismissed it as a twig, a toilet brush and an insult to the town. The Forestry Commission replaced the tatty tree with a handsome 20-year-old, 20ft, Norway spruce.
AN experienced businessman was left stunned after Barclays Bank offered him credit at a sky-high 21% interest. Raymond Carr was seeking cash to open a new store in Tyneside. The Bank of England had earlier cut interest rates to a 57-year low of 2%, with ministers urging banks to pass the cuts on to small businesses.
SIR Bobby Robson achieved the triple crown when he was awarded the freedom of Durham City. Having already been granted the freedom of Newcastle three years ago, and of Ipswich earlier this year, it was the turn of his home city to bestow the honour upon him at Durhams historic Town Hall.
A primary school was rocked by the suspension of its headteacher just a year after it received a glowing Ofsted report. Parents received a letter from the governors at Shotley Bridge County Infant School, Consett, County Durham, saying headteacher Margaret Bainbridge will not be in school for some time. Ms Bainbridge was praised in the Ofsted report for her clarity and vision.
OWNERS of a stately home are celebrating after plans for a ring road yards from their property were shelved. Maggie and Keith Bell, owners of Crook Hall, a 13th Century Grade I-listed building in Sidegate, Durham, were among thousands of campaigners against a planned bypass which would have passed through a scenic valley close to their home. The council said the successful park and ride scheme in Durham was the major reason for putting the plans on hold.
PAY rises of up to 40% for county councillors in Northumberland were approved in principle but will be subject to public consultation on whether they are acceptable and affordable. Pay rates for the 67 members of the new unitary council have been recommended by an independent remuneration panel, and reflect the extra workload which they will face from April.
A BURSAR who built up a huge shoe collection while fleecing £500,000 from a university college was jailed for three years. Christine Starkey, 59, was entrusted with the finances at the prestigious St Chads College, Durham. But instead of managing the funds to the advantage of the colleges students, Starkey stole cash to fund a lavish lifestyle.
