Former sports coach guilty of historic sexual offences including raping a child

John Regan pictured in the Teesdale Mercury in 1998A FORMER Teesdale sports coach has been found guilty of a string of historic sexual offences including the rape of a child. John Regan, 66, of South Road, High Etherley, faced 11 charges which were said to have taken place in the 1970s involving two girls aged between nine and 14 who are now both in their fifties.He was well known for forming Teesdale Gymnastics Club in the 1990s – years after...

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Young engineers from Middleton-in-Teesdale build up £1,150 for charity

TEESDALE’S engineers of tomorrow have had a chance to test their building mettle. Year one and two pupils at Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School were challenged to build the highest Lego model they could.  Eggleston’s Steve Waggett, who works at construction company Sir Robert McAlpine, was on hand to help out.He said: “We’ve built a few schools in the area and the North East – it’s part of the business to give back to the community and it...

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‘Crack on with dualling of A66 – it’s already taken you 50 years’

THE dualling of the A66 trans-Pennine route, which is part of the government’s wider plan to “keep Britain moving,” has been welcomed in the dale.THE news of the upgrade was announced as Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered the Autumn Statement last week. Some £1.1billion will be invested into transport infrastructure to reduce congestion and upgrade local roads and public transport.This will include the long-awaited upgrade on the A66 between Scotch Corner and Penrith which will help to “ensure the UK’s transport networks are fit for the future”....

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Bowlees Visitor Centre’s reward for hard work

A DALE visitor attraction has proved that good things come in small packages after walking away with the top prize in the hardest fought category at the North East England Tourism Awards. Bowlees Visitor Centre, which is run by the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, was given the gold accolade in the small visitor attraction category, beating off competition from 22 other entrants. The awards were made on Tuesday,...

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Primary school pupils stage a Bowes Museum take over

IN a coup de tête of historic proportions, a band of primary school pupils seized control of The Bowes Museum.Armed with smartphones, some of the children from Montalbo Primary School, in Barnard Castle, hijacked the museum’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, took up position at the front desk and even gained access to the treasury to count out donations placed in the Swan box. The revolt, on Friday, November 18, formed part of a national “Takeover...

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Car worth just £60 stolen in raid on Mickleton Service Station

A RALLY driver whose garage was struck by callous car thieves says he is beefing up security. Mickleton Service Station was raided on the night of Monday, November 13, and three cars were taken. A black Vauxhall Corsa and a silver Saab convertible have been recovered but police are still searching for a black VW Passat. Manager Alistair Hutchinson said his team had lost a day’s worth of work from dealing with the burglary. “We’ve had somebody in...

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Residents back head's plea on Staindrop Primary School parking

Parents are being asked to do “the right thing” and refrain from parking on residents’ property when visiting a dale primary school.The call comes after the headteacher of Staindrop Primary School, Steve Whelerton, urged a minority of parents to think about where they park following yet another near miss involving a child.The incident happened on Swan Wynd last month and was due to some parents parking in the residents-only parking bays behind the former Black Swan Pub.Instead of using the correct exit, drivers have been cutting across the bordering...

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Mediator called to settle row about youths on Demesnes, Barnard Castle

AN independent mediator has been called in to help find a solution to problems at a Barnard Castle beauty spot.Residents living adjacent to the Lower Demesnes raised a number of issues at a packed public meeting in September.Cars “pulling doughnuts”, speeding, abusive language, littering, drunkenness and drug use were some of the allegations levelled at young motorists who take their often modified vehicles onto the grass. The meeting was called...

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True romantics to meet readers at Barnard Castle library

TWO writers of romantic novels will be talking about their work during visits to Barnard Castle library.Caroline Roberts and Hazel Osmond will meet readers  over the coming weeks.Former bank worker Caroline, will be speaking at the library at 3pm on Wednesday, November 30.The mum-of-two was shortlisted for a Romantic Novelists’ Association award last year following the publication of her debut novel, The Torn Up Marriage.Caroline’s second book,...

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This week's Teesdale Mercury

The Teesdale Mercury is out in the shops and this week it has a distinctly Christmassy feel, thanks to two lovely photos from lights switch-on events. This week includes a free 16-page rural life supplement with a special feature on ‘sheepdogs – a farmer’s best friend’ and fears about a ‘bleak Christmas in the uplands’ due to subsidy payment errors. Here are a few of the headlines in the main paper: Publican’s row with real ale group follows plans...

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Memories made to last at Startforth school

STARTFORTH Morritt Memorial Primary School may have shut but its legacy will live on through the many children who passed through its doors.And to reinforce that heritage, former pupils received, along with a host of other goodies, a computer memory stick packed with school photographs during a special party on Friday, November 18.The event at the Hub, on Shaw Bank, took the form of a disco and was attended by children, parents and teachers.Parent...

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One last chance to say a final farewell to Startforth Morritt Memorial Primary School

A SCHOOL is to welcome the community through its doors for one final time.Former pupils, staff, parents and residents are being invited to share their memories of Startforth Morritt Memorial Primary School at a special open day next Wednesday, November 30.Memorabilia will be on display, giving people the chance to share their stories of the school over the years.Acting headteacher Vicky Bain said: “Startforth Morritt Memorial CE Primary School has...

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No-go for Staindrop church's plan to advertise fayre on village green

A group of parish councillors have agreed that it would be “unlawful” to allow local businesses and organisations to advertise on their village green.Staindrop Parish Council received a request from the church for permission to put up a banner on the village green promoting a Christmas fayre. A suggestion was also made about allowing temporary advertising to help publicise events in the village.At last week’s meeting, parish clerk Tom Bolton said: “We were asked to consider some proposals for advertising on the village green. There was a suggestion...

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Villagers draw a line under Ovington bridge repairs dispute

A BRIDGE which collapsed more than three years ago has been rebuilt two metres too short, according to villagers. Ovington Bridge crumbled in 2012 after a spell of wet weather triggered a landslip on its southern side.Members of Ovington Parish Council have argued the repaired grade II-listed structure is two metres shorter than its original incarnation.  But Durham County Council officials have long disagreed – saying there will be no more...

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Eggleston martial arts expert punching well above his weight

A SCHOOLBOY martial arts expert is competing at the highest level as he pursues his Olympic dream.Barnard Castle School pupil Benjamin Taylor is only 11 but is already a taekwondo black belt, 1st dan, second poom and competing against opponents years older.The year seven student, from Eggleston, competes in open championships across the country in a bid to be spotted by Team GB coaches and invited to national trials. His ultimate goal is to compete...

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Barnard Castle tree scheme takes root at last

A DALE tree-planting scheme has grown a new branch in Barnard CaTrees for Teesdale, a scheme modelled on the successful Trees for Cotherstone project which aims to plant new trees and replace others that have fallen, has two groups operating in Gainford and Mickleton.Initial attempts to start an offshoot in Barnard Castle were a struggle, but now a burgeoning number of new volunteers has helped the scheme to take root.Trees for Teesdale chairman...

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Tommy's charity comes to aid of crisis-hit forces veteran

A CHARITY founded by a Butterknowle veteran tapped into more than 60,000 people to come to the rescue of a critically ill former soldier who was facing a bleak Christmas.Omar Barrow, from Gambia, and his family found themselves in a very tight situation after he was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness this year.The veteran of Afghanistan was discharged from the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in July. His plight was discovered by Sporting...

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Barnard Castle Beavers set to lose weekly session without new leader

A NEW leader is being sought for a dale beaver colony which is at risk of losing one of their two weekly sessions. Barnard Castle Beavers are appealing for a volunteer to come forward who would be willing to spare a couple of hours on Saturday mornings. As the long-standing Saturday leader is due to leave, a new leader would need to be in place for the beginning of next year. Martyn Maughan has been leading the Thursday night session for almost three...

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Volunteers give Middleton Village Hall a much needed makeover

A GROUP of volunteers have given their village hall a mini-makeover which they hope will last until a new facility is built in about five years.People in Middleton-in-Teesdale have ambitious plans to build a new village hall worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, but until that becomes a reality they have to make do with a building that is showing its age.Not satisfied with the mouldy toilet walls and poor state of the kitchen, 11 volunteers spent...

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£8,250 to become lord or lady of Stainton

Another chance to be lord or lady of the manor in Teesdale is up for grabs for just over £8,000 – the third dale manorial title to go up for sale in recent months.Manorial Auctioneers of London are offering the Lordship of Stainton for an asking price of £8,250. This includes both of the village’s registered village greens which lie behind Streatlam Close.According to Durham County Council, the Register of Common Land and Village Greens states that...

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