Evening Gazette

Air Gunner

I Always Knew Where I Got My Name ... ; but I Never Thought I Would Be Reading About Him Here!

THE story of a Redcar airman's brief but ill-fated wartime romance with a Welsh girl struck a personal chord with a former Teesside steelworker. For Malcolm Whitehead's middle name, Miles, was given to him in honour of air gunner Miles Cottingham.

Organists to Perform ; Inbrief

Chance to Speak Up ; Inbrief

Cash Goes to School ; Inbrief

Girly Get-Together ; Inbrief

Explosive Night On Offer for Kids ; Inbrief

Letting a Little Sunshine In

AS the days have become darker and colder, a flurry of your pictures have helped brighten up the Evening Gazette offices. After reporting on Billingham schoolboy Lucas Warin and his 9ft 4in sunflower, we have been inundated with other photos of your towering achievements.

Fraudster Stole Pounds 27k From Work ; Conman Is Locked Up for 18 Months

A BRAZEN fraudster who swindled almost pounds 28,000 working as a recruitment consultant is starting a prison sentence. Confidence trickster Matthew Murphy invented phantom employees to pocket pounds 9,880 while he worked at a small Stokesley company. He was caught and owned up to the con -then did exactly the same thing at a Stockton firm, raking in pounds 17,735.

Joiner's Through to Finals

A JOINER from Stokesley has moved one step closer to swapping his white van for a Porsche 911. Kitchen fitter Jonathan Brown has battled his way to the final of a national tradesman competition.

Gimme a W-I-S-H!

A CHEERLEADING group is chanting a resounding W-I-S-H in the hope more people will collect tokens from the Evening Gazette to fund its participation in competitions. Guisborough Cheerleading Club coaches girls aged from three to adult in the art of cheerleading, which helps them keep fit while having fun.

Medal Haul for Teesside Cops

FOUR Teesside police officers made waves at this year's World Police and Fire Games -bringing home 14 medals. The men spent two years training for the challenge and their efforts paid off when they clinched five gold medals, six silver and three bronze.

48 Years'service Now David Calls Time On Lengthy Career

AFTER almost five decades of local government service on Teesside David Jackson is retiring. David, 65, retired as HR Consultant after 48 years' service in the departments of education, social care and human resources.

We Want Urgent Action ; Bus Users Demand Change Over 'Chaotic' Services

A BUS campaigner has collected a 1,000-plus signature petition from angry East Cleveland passengers who claim their services have been cut in half. The furore follows the closure of Loftus bus depot in January, when many timetable changes were made by East Cleveland Arriva NE.

Well Done! ; Celebration for Heroes of Planting

BLOOMING outstanding heroes of a Teesside borough are to be honoured. Redcar and Cleveland's Mayor Brian Briggs announced at a council meeting that he will host a civic reception for community groups who had achieved widespread success in the recent Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions.

Charity's Search for a Star

A TEESSIDE charity is hoping to attract a top, local celebrity to its glittering fashion show event in Billingham. The Alzheimer's Society is holding the event at the Cleveland Theatre School on Belasis Avenue and is hoping a big name will step in to grace the catwalk along with its five models.

Teen Is Made to Pay ; Cash to Go to Victim

A TEENAGER who punched a PC, causing a perforated eardrum, has been ordered to pay her compensation. PC Joanne Ward was on duty in plain clothes in an unmarked vehicle in Middlesbrough town centre when she saw fighting outside Barracuda Bar on Albert Road on March 5. She ran over to one of the men, Patrick Crowther, who turned around and struck her face, said Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, at Teesside Crown Court.

Inside Knowledge

Clean Up Your Act ; Landlords Warned Over 'Eyesore' Empty Buildings

EMPTY properties that are an eyesore for Middlesbrough neighbourhoods are being targeted in a council cleaning blitz. Landlords have been told that unoccupied buildings must be left secure and tidy - or they could be breaking the law.

Brass Act Goes Close in Contest

THE new North Skelton Brass Band is really hitting the high notes! The talented group has achieved second place in Section 3 of the prestigious National Brass Band Championships, held at the Conference Centre in Harrogate. The band, comprising members aged from 15 to 60, was one of only two representing the whole of the northern area.