The Chronicle
‘It’s made to be challenging, I don’t want it to be easy’
GOING 37 hours without sleep, enduring a 37-hour fast and climbing the steps at St James’ Park 37 times. These are just three of the 37 challenges which Danielle Aikin, 39, is taking on in 37 consecutive days to mark her brother Paul Aikin’s birthday....
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Dad stamps on son’s head in public beating
A SAVAGE dad subjected his son to a shocking public beating which left witnesses fearing he was dead. Josh Rooney stamped on his son’s head, kicked him in the face and repeatedly punched him after a drunken row over whether it was 4am or...
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Trailblazing new roles in airport’s firefighting crew
NEWCASTLE International Airport has recruited its first ever female firefighters. The new additions to the emergency team come at a pivotal time, with bosses saying the airport is set for its “busiest summer on record”. Amy Ramsey, Alix Peoples and...
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Day of Action aids area ‘written off for too long’
A NORTH Tyneside area has been written off for too long, say community leaders, as organisations, charities, the police and the council seek to champion it. Monday marked a ‘Day of Action’ on the streets of Meadow Well in the North Tyneside, with the...
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First competition is all in the arms
Above and right, competitors at the arm-wrestling regional competition at the Three Mile in Gosforth
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Honorary degrees for 14 greats of our region
GEORDIE actress Jill Halfpenny is one of 14 inspirational people to be honoured by Northumbria University. The university will award honorary degrees to the individuals at its summer graduation ceremonies. Those selected will be recognised for their...
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Locals ‘shocked’ at plan to build on green space
NEIGHBOURS have been left outraged after plans emerged to build more than 200 homes next to the “only nice part” of a Newcastle suburb. Hundreds of residents in Newbiggin Hall have spoken out over new proposals to build on green land next to the Outer...
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Regeneration gets ‘finishing touches’
COUNCIL chiefs say that “finishing touches” are all that are needed to finally complete the long-running transformation of the North East’s busiest high street. Northumberland Street, in the heart of Newcastle city centre, has been undergoing major...
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Hoppings to return to its full size again next year
THE Hoppings will be back to its “full size and stature” in 2027, after having to occupy a smaller site on Newcastle’s Town Moor this year. The annual funfair came to a close last weekend and has since been dismantled. While this year’s extravaganza...
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Fraudster sent couriers to pick up victims’ bank cards and their pin numbers
A FRAUDSTER who scammed 14 victims out of a total of £56,000 is now behind bars. Taiwo Lawal-owonifari, 24, committed the crimes between March and May 2022. He was jailed for two years and nine months at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday. In 2022,...
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Quayside plot up for sale
ONE of the last main development sites on Newcastle’s Quayside has been put up for sale. Plot 12, an empty site close to the mouth of the Ouseburn, is being sold by Homes England. A number of planned developments on the site have been proposed over...
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It’s time to relax rules on uniform, says mum
THE uniform policy of a Tyneside school is being questioned by a parent during the ongoing heatwave. Leanne Watson, whose 12-year-old daughter Evie attends North Gosforth Academy in Seaton Burn, has launched a petition urging school leaders to revise...
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SIR BRENDAN FOSTER UNVEILS ARTWORK ON QUAYSIDE
A ‘STUNNING’ mural has been painted on the Quayside, celebrating 45 years of the Great North Run. The artwork is being created by street artist Mul, and Sir Brendan Foster was in Newcastle today to check on the progress. The event was first staged on...
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North East MPS have their say on Burnham
ANDY Burnham’s bid to become Prime Minister cleared another hurdle yesterday as another potential rival ruled himself out of the race. The newly-elected MP for Makerfield looks on course to succeed Sir Keir Starmer in Number 10. Senior Labour...
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Cram and Foster back ‘Great North’ Olympics
SIR Brendan Foster, Steve Cram and a host of Olympic and Paralympic champions have backed a call for the Olympics to be held in the North of England. The joint statement from more than 40 elite sportsmen and women comes as Northern leaders try to...
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Ex stabbed woman with scissors after breaking into her home
A THUG who repeatedly stabbed his former partner with kitchen scissors after breaking into her home has been jailed for over 11 years. Philip Rutherford climbed into the woman’s property after throwing a garden table through her window. Newcastle...
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Crowds turn out in force for opening day of The Hoppings
THERE was a busy start to The Hoppings on yesterday as crowds turned out for the big opening day with the unveiling of its much-talked-about new ride. The 144th Newcastle outing for Europe’s largest travelling fair has upped the ante yet again with...
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Man helped to save his own life by recognising a heart attack
A DAD helped to save his own life when he recognised the early signs of a heart attack and dialled 999. Gary Pendleton, from Shotley Bridge, near Consett in County Durham, felt unwell after returning home from a gym session. The 66-year-old, who was...
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Highest accolade for ‘pioneering’ surgeon
ONE of the highest accolades in transplant medicine has been bestowed on a “pioneering” NHS surgeon who helped to save hundreds of lives. Prof John Dark spent more than thirty years carrying out lifesaving heart and lung transplants on Tyneside, and...
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‘Home cooking, keeping active and doing lots of puzzles!’
A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER who reads The Chronicle every day has turned 100 years old. Hilda Hindmarsh celebrated reaching the milestone on Wednesday with a party at her home in Dudley, North Tyneside. And she couldn’t believe her eyes when the whole of...
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Queueing fans missed support acts... while some just went home
SOME furious Take That fans stuck in huge queues outside the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night got so fed up they went home. Thousands of fans descended on Sunderland for the concert, but many missed out on seeing the support acts due to the queues to...
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How Makaton boosted little Ava’s confidence
AS an author, trainer and newlyelected councillor, Eleanor Baggaley is already a busy working mum. But now she has added helping families, schools and workplaces across the North East to create more inclusive environments through specialist Makaton...
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Spud things come to those who wait!
A MUM and daughter had an early start and waited three hours for the opening of a viral jacket potato business. Cheryl Napier, 36, and her 10-year-old daughter Millie were the first in line for the official opening of Spud Bros Express in North...
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‘DISNEYLAND IN A DESERT’
‘vanity projects’ arena plan Deputy leader says she asked AI to analyse arena figures – and it said it would be better to leave a hole in the ground But North East’s Labour mayor hits back and blasts ‘absurd’ views
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‘This ride feels like continuing something Doddie started’
From left, Doddie Weir’s family, son Hamish, wife Kathy, and son Ben, dressed in his famous colours Former England rugby captain and World Cup winner Lewis Moody cycling to prepare for his 500-mile challenge, after his own MND diagnosis
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Could United play at Murrayfield?
Options open for Toon if St James’ Park is rebuilt: SPORT
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Will ‘grown up politics’ be enough to hold together city’s leadership deal?
NEWCASTLE City Council is in uncharted territory. This week has marked the signing of a new deal to shape the city’s immediate future and, after weeks of post-election uncertainty, the installation of new leadership. Their promise is 12 months of...
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Heatwave sparks return of Metro’s leaking problem
SOARING bank holiday temperatures sparked a repeat of problems on the Tyne and Wear Metro’s new fleet. Transport bosses are investigating again after the latest incidents of water leaking from the Metro trains’ air conditioning and ventilation system...
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Town rallies to shop owner’s aid after burglars’ vandalism spree
AFTER seeing the worst side of the community she works in, Kamsha Sivakaran has now seen the best. The Chronicle reported last week how brave Kamsha Sivakaran locked two would-be thieves in her newsagents when they came in to steal from her. The...
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Son slept on parents’ drive despite court ban
A SON who was banned from attending his parents’ Newcastle home visited it 22 times in 24 hours and slept on their drive. Usman Khan had been arrested over a suspected assault on his mother and father and had been bailed pending investigations. Part...
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Officers review new findings on HIV rapist who was jailed for life
DETECTIVES are looking into new information about HIV rapist Adam Hall. The predator, formerly of Washington, was jailed for life last month after becoming just the second person in the country to be convicted of intentionally transmitting HIV to...
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‘The ghosts of yesterday are awakening’
THE killing of Azizur Rahman has always been a scar on the North East, especially in communities that still contend with racism to this day. Now, nearly 50 years later, Azizur’s son reflects on a “growing threat of racism, Islamophobia and far-right...
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Window of opportunity for everyone swotting
A CAFE owner in Jesmond has decided to use his front windows to help students who are cramming for their GCSES. People passing Willi’s on the corner of Clayton Road and Clayton Park Square, will notice the breakfast, lunch and coffee spot is now...
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Vehicles seized as police target nuisance riders
TWENTY two vehicles have been seized in Northumberland as police aim to ‘put the brakes on’ when it comes to illegal riding and antisocial behaviour. Over the last month, communities in Cramlington, Seaton Delaval and Ashington have seen Northumbria...
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Teens who arrange gatherings watched by the police
HUGE groups of teens that use social media to arrange to gather on the Tyneside coast could be watched by undercover police officers. Northumbria Police has outlined its plans to stamp out crime and disorder in Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay...
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‘Sadness’ as gran is stripped of garden
A WOMAN who has lived in Morpeth since 1985 has spoken of her “deep sadness” after being stripped of the garden that she has cultivated for more than 30 years. Margaret O’neill, 84, is no longer allowed to maintain the garden, having rented the land...
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United defender Dan donates for equipment for children’s ward
DAN Burn has visited a hospital in his hometown after giving a donation which has enabled the installation of a gaming room. The Newcastle centre back visited Blyth Community Hospital after donating to Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity. He’s...
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Bus driver and ‘father figure’ makes his final stop after 27 years
A STAGECOACH bus driver and “father figure” in the depot has retired after 27 years working for the transport company. Steve Mccabe, 66, parked up his bus for the last time this week, after being based at the Walkergate depot for over two and a half...
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City leader loses seat as Labour vote collapses
LABOUR’S council leader in Newcastle has lost her seat as the party haemorrhages votes on Tyneside. Karen Kilgour failed to win election in the Blakelaw and Cowgate ward, where Reform UK secured victory and took all three available seats. She has...
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Hairy Biker gets on the beer festival Groovetrain
THE addition of TV star Si King to a local band’s line-up clearly proved a recipe for success at a weekend beer festival where the inspired mix whipped up the crowd. The Hairy Biker – and keen drummer – joined soul and funk favourite Groovetrain at...
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Workmen break through full width of doomed flyover
AN early milestone in the demolition of the Gateshead flyover has been reached, with excavators breaking through the full width of the doomed highway for the first time. Residents might have noticed a yawning gap in the section of the A167 flyover...
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Who are the UK’S top influencers?
Social media stars head to Newcastle to find out: Page 10
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Mayor awards £100k to cover GNR ‘shortfall’
THE North East mayor has awarded £100,000 to cover a “funding shortfall” for the Great North Run. Mayor Kim Mcguinness’ office has signed off on financial support for the Great Run Company connected to last year’s edition of the half marathon, in...
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Art gallery is the next stop for Metro murals
A NEW exhibition throws a spotlight on murals that brighten the latest fleet of Metro trains and celebrate the “hidden” heritage of the North East. The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is hosting artist Sophia Barton’s Shop2 takeover,...
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Ground formally broken on site of new Sir Bobby Robson Institute
SIR Bobby Robson’s family joined NHS bosses and charity donors at the Freeman Hospital on Tuesday to formally break ground at the North East’s new £30m cancer trials institute. Construction on the new Sir Bobby Robson Institute has now begun – and it...
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‘Predator’ rapist dragged jogger to the ground
A JOGGER was dragged to the floor in a terrifying attack by a dangerous predator who threatened to stab her if she didn’t stop screaming. Convicted rapist Mark Rickman, who was jailed for life in 2005 after following and pouncing on a woman, targeted...
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