Get the water ready - here's six of Teesside's hottest curries

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The weather might be chilly but fear not!

Described as everything from “rocket fuel” to “the equivalent of a flu jab” by staff, here are a selection of Teesside’s hottest curries to warm your cockles this weekend.

We have spoken to a few of our reader’s favourite curry houses for their suggestions - as well as Vadah on Stockton’s Riverside which is the newly crowned fifth best Indian restaurant in the UK according to TripAdvisor users.

Plus, our intrepid curry lover Liam Cottam from our sales department gives Middlesbrough’s Akbars hottest a go.

Glasses of water at the ready...

Afraan Chicken

Vadah, Castlegate Mill, Riverside, Stockton

This dish includes naga chillis and is described by the owner as “more than a vindaloo”.

It includes charcoal baked pieces of chicken cooked in royal spices and garnished

with fresh garlic cloves.

It’s available from £9.90 to eat in and this price is discounted by 15% if you’d like it to take away.

Asian Style Vindaloo

Akbar’s, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough

This dish is described as “like rocket fuel” by staff and comes with a variety of meats including chicken, lamb and prawn.

It’s cooked with chillies for a taste to be remembered, says the menu.

The dish is £7.95.

Chicken Nagaland

Jolsha, Marton Estate Square, Stokesley Road, Middlesbrough

Also available with lamb, prawn, king prawns and vegetable varieties, this is a very hot sauce with the manager jokingly explaining that it’s the “equivalent to a flu jab”.

It is priced from £4.95.

‘Extra hot’ Bangalore Phaal

Indian Cottage, Guisborough

An ‘extra hot’ Bangalore Phaal that’s rated as this restaurant’s very hottest with a ‘three chilli’ rating.

This dish comes in chicken, lamb, prawn, king prawn and vegetarian options and is priced from £6.

Chicken Phaal

Shalimar, Station Road, Billingham

The chicken phaal here actually comes with a warning that this dish is “extremely hot”.

It is £5.20 large portion.

The Tindaloo

Delhi Lounge, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough

This is the Delhi Lounge’s extra spicy taste of the vindaloo and it comes in any meat as well as vegetarian options.

It’s cooked with the infamous naga chilli and other spices and priced from £7.79.

Liam Cottam, 27, works in The Gazette sales department and is a bit of a curry connoisseur. Here are his thoughts on Akbar’s ‘Asian-style’ Vindaloo (video above)

“I walked in full of confidence and was warmly welcomed by one of the waiters.

Upon explaining who we were his expression shifted from smiley waiter to concerned waiter and finally settled on amused waiter.

I started to feel nervous.

Once seated the bread arrived which, owing to its size, looked like a challenge in itsself.

Then along came the curry - accompanied with a look of sympathy and a quip about where I should store the toilet roll and a glass of milk, ‘much better for dealing with the burning sensation than water’ I was assured.

Mouthful number one. A sweet tomato taste, followed by citrus and a lovely combination of spices. I thought ‘no problem here’ and probably looked a little smug, readying the fork with mouthful number two. However mouthful number one still had something to say.

What had been a pleasant chilli tingle, changed into a full blown spice explosion. My tongue, cheeks and even my forehead erupted and waves of panic accompanied the bravado mouthfuls that followed.

Deliciously defeated on this occasion I looked at the other smiling customers and look forward to trying something less challenging from menu, safe in the knowledge that Akbar’s expert chefs know how to induce both pleasure and pain.”

:: If you have any hot curry suggestions let us know

Po-faced anchors 'ruin TV', says veteran magician Paul Daniels

Modern television is devoid of true entertainers, according to Middlesbrough-born magician Paul Daniels.

TV hosts today are “po-faced” and there is “no life in game shows” anymore, said the veteran magician, who began his career performing in clubs in the North.

And Paul claimed the art of the television entertainer has been “lost” in recent years.

“They’re just reciting, they’re not really entertainers on television,” he said.

“It’s because they don’t go out and see real shows. The majority of the real entertainers are on cruise ships these days.

“But what goes around comes around.”

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant also believes that fellow TV veteran Bruce Forsyth was moved off the BBC show after the approach co-host Tess Daley “interfered with his act”.

He said: “They put Brucie alongside this blonde person Tess who interfered with his act.

“Reading off a screen isn’t Brucie. Before he did his own things and then they put this woman alongside him.

“What you saw on Strictly Come Dancing was definitely not the best of Brucie.”

He added that Bruce Forsyth had been the “king” of the game show and that “nobody could touch him” in his prime.

Daniels, who was the second contestant to leave Strictly in 2010, said he still watches the show when he can but did not enjoy new joint hosts Claudia Winklemann and Tess Daley.

“I don’t think they lighten the show, they’re just reciting,” he said.

But Paul won’t be following Brucie’s lead and exiting show business.

Paul is appearing at the Playhouse in Newcastle on Wednesday, October 29, alongside wife Debbie McGee, as part of the Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee Back... Despite Popular Demand tour.

“I’ll keep going until people stop asking me to do it,” Paul said, adding that he has told Debbie to make him stop if he ever becomes a “grumpy old fart on stage.”

But he told the Sunday Sun that magic does not get enough air time these days because of “too many music shows”.

“On Britain’s Got Talent you won’t get magic, no matter how good they are because you can’t sell them on music programmes,” he said.

“But if you go to Vegas it’s all magic, it’s fantastic. Other countries don’t have music rammed down their throats.

“You never get what’s best, you get what is being sold.”

Man who threatened to 'butcher' probation officers is sentenced to indefinite hospital order

A man who threatened to “butcher” probation officers in a veiled reference to infamous cop killer Raoul Moat has been sectioned.

Christopher Williams, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after admitting making threats to kill.

The 36-year-old believes he is possessed by a demon, the court heard.

In April 2013, he had threatened to kill a Cumbrian probation officer with a claw hammer, and was handed a suspended prison sentence and extended community order.

But on January 30 this year, when examined by psychiatrist Professor Douglas Turkington at his Wallsend practice, he threatened to kill his new supervising probation officer, who is based in Teesdale.

Jonathan Devlin, prosecuting, said: “He said if he ended up back in prison he would kill probation officers and target their families. He would butcher people.

“He said, ‘You thought only police officers get shot in the face. I can understand why people in the justice system get killed.’”

His words were understood to refer to Newcastle gunman Raoul Moat who, in 2010, made national headlines when he shot traffic police officer David Rathband at close range and triggered a massive manhunt across Northumberland.

Williams, who lived in Mardale Close, Penrith, before moving to Wolsey Drive, Newton, Cleveland, and now Roseberry Park hospital in Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to the latest offence in August.

Judge Brian Forster QC, sentencing, said: “Unfortunately you are troubled by the mental illness paranoid schizophrenia and your presentation is such that you have symptoms of a delusional belief in a tripartite existence of the mind and a belief you are being possessed by a demon.

“Whilst you have made good progress in hospital since your diagnosis, your insight is limited and I do have to keep in mind that this is a recurring illness and while I accept this behaviour was arising at a time when you were very ill, it is quite possible you will be very ill again in the future.

“The threats in this case were very serious. It is necessary in this case to make a restriction order without limit of time for the protection of the public from serious harm.”The hospital order means Williams can be treated without his permission, and he can only leave once his clinician has agreed the release with the Secretary of State for Justice.

Six fire engines called to farm building blaze in Guisborough on Friday night

Six fire engines were called out to a blaze on a Guisborough farm last night.

The fire was in a farm building housing machinery and gas cylinders at Howlbeck Mill Farm on Wilton Lane.

Firefighters were called out at 9pm and remained at the scene until 9am today.

No one was hurt in the incident.

Full details of the damage caused by the fire are unknown at present.

Power cut costs Stockton business Nifco more than £50k

A power cut cost a Teesside business an estimated £50,500.

Global plastics manufacturer Nifco in Stockton reported a power cut - the second in two months - at noon yesterday.

The five and a half hour power cut - which Northern Powergrid said was due to a fault with power cables - has cost the business £10,000 an hour.

Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of Nifco UK and European operations officer, said: “A reliable power supply is absolutely fundamental to a business like Nifco. “We operate a significant number of machines to produce thousands of plastic parts each day and when power goes off, our business is effectively shut down. And it is not just the shop-floor that is affected. Office-based employees are also unable to work - again, a huge loss of hours and productivity.

“The growth trajectory at Nifco is hugely impressive, but this relies on the company being fully operational at all times.

“We do realise that occasionally cuts in power cannot be helped, but the regular power cuts we are encountering really are having a major impact on our ability to deliver the goods for our customers.

“And ultimately, as a supplier of parts that are relied on by other regional businesses, the wider economic impact could well run into many more thousands of pounds if we fail to deliver orders on time to our customers.”

A Northern Grid spokeswoman said the power went off at 11.56am and was expected back on by 5.30pm.

She added: “It is a fault with our power cables.

“It has affected 111 customers - mainly the industrial site but also properties at Pailrigg Close, Juniper Grove and Pond View.

“We apologise to our customers who have experienced any disruption.”

Community Champions: Saltburn gran nominated after caring for husband with Alzheimers

A dearly loved mum who cared for her husband during her own battle with cancer has been put forward as a Community Champion.

Jean Briggs, 72, from Saltburn, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, but after successful treatment has been in remission since.

But in 2008 her husband Ernie was diagnosed with dementia when the couple were both 67.

A devoted Jean nursed her husband through his illness for the next four years.

Her son Paul, 32, who has nominated her as a Champion Carer in the Gazette awards, said those years were tough for everybody.

“It nearly killed her to the point it was taken out of her hands and he had to be placed in full time care,” he said. “We had no support until that point, it was very difficult.”

Dad-of-two Paul, a self-employed plumbing and heating engineer, said even during her own illness his mum was totally dedicated to her family.

“Cancer was not going to beat my mum because she was my rock as at the time I was going through a rough patch,” he said.

The Champion Carer category is sponsored by NHS South Tees CCG and NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG.

The award recognises a selfless individual whose dedication to others makes them the cream of the crop, from family members to caring neighbours.

Jean, who has been married to Ernie for 30 years and ran a number of pubs and clubs with her husband, said she just “did what any wife would do.”

“I’m not any kind of angel, I just like helping people,” she said. “It makes you feel happier.”

The mum-of-two, who also has a daughter Julie Towell, 52, said of her own battle with cancer: “I try not to dwell on it. I’m doing okay right now.”

Jean, who also worked in the advertising department of the Evening Gazette in the 1970s, said she wants to try and raise awareness of Alzheimer’s not just for the patients but also the carers.

“You just don’t know who to call or where to go,” she said.

“Ernie had never been in hospital in his life. The first thing we knew there was something wrong was when he came home with a hubcap in his hand.

“He’d crashed the car at the bottom of the street and walked home.”

Jean said her husband has now been moved to a care home in Saltburn where she can visit him daily.

The deadline for nominations for Community Champions has been extended until midnight Thursday.

For full details of the categories or to nominate someone go to http://ift.tt/1oh3wnR and fill in the online form or you can send a written nomination to Elaine Blackburne, Evening Gazette, Borough Road, Middlesbrough TS1 3AZ before midnight on October 23.

Stockton's NEPACS visitors centre hoping for Wish token support

A Teesside charity which helps to build bridges between prisoners and their families is hoping for your support in this year’s Wish campaign.

NEPACS, the North-east prison after care society, has been supporting prisoners in the North-east for 130 years, with numerous centres welcoming over 100,000 visitors each year.

Teesside’s visitors centre, which is based at HMP Holme House in Stockton, helps the offenders and their families who are affected by imprisonment.

Children of the prisoners use the play facilities at the NEPACS centre and enjoy play sessions provided. Staff at the centre also help to arrange special visits for children so they can spend time with their parent.

The centres also aim to provide free caravan holidays for families with a relative in prison as well as offering hardship grants to help them through financial difficulties.

After entering The Gazette’s Wish campaign last year, the charity used the money they received to replace broken toys and to buy new arts and crafts materials.

Claire Healy, of the charity said: “Any money we receive from this year’s Wish campaign will be used to replace broken toys and the arts and crafts box. We would like to provide new and up to date toys and we would also like to buy some more pushchairs.”

Every year, The Gazette’s Wish campaign gives away thousands of pounds to not-for-profit groups and organisations benefiting the Teesside community.

Every registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund.

The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.

Tokens are now appearing in The Gazette. The last token will appear on January 21.

Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23.

To help Stockton’s NEPACS visitors centre, send your tokens to: NEPACS visitors centre, HMP Holme House, Holme House Road, Stockton on Tees, TS18 2QU.

Croft boss predicts thrilling British Rallycross Grand Prix

Circuit manager Mike Cantelo says fans will be in for a treat at tomorrow’s British Rallycross Grand Prix at Croft.

Action in the two-day meeting at the circuit, near Darlington, began today with the final round of the British Championship.

And tomorrow the action is expected to be even more fierce, with the GP crown up for grabs.

Among those in the race for honours will be actor Kelvin Fletcher - star of Emmerdale and Benidorm - and British Touring Car Championship star Dave Newsham, who won this year’s Jack Sears Trophy.

“Rallycross is arguably the most spectacular form of motorsport around, appealing to fans of rallying and circuit racing alike - it’s the ideal blend,” said Cantelo.

“What’s more, with titles to be decided and the high-stakes nature of the Grand Prix, there’s sure to be some fast-paced, no-holds-barred action – and we’re delighted to see Kelvin Fletcher and Dave Newsham back here again and stepping outside of their comfort zones.

“It’s a real family event, and excellent value too. If you’re a moto sport fan or simply on the lookout for an exciting weekend’s entertainment, you’d be mad to miss this.”

Newsham, meanwhile, is relishing his latest challenge.

He said: “I cut my teeth in schoolboy grass track on bikes and progressed to speedway, so I have a good feel for loose surfaces, and I have always been good in the wet in cars too.

“I would think I should go well in rallycross but I have never done it before, and with no experience, it is a big challenge for me to just turn up and race against seasoned campaigners.

“As with any driver however, I’ll be going all out to win.”

Newsham will be following in the footsteps of his BTCC team boss when he contests the Grand Prix, with Shaun Hollamby having taken part in the event at the wheel of a Mini Cooper last year.

Last year’s winner Kevin Procter from Leeming is back to defend his title in a new Ford Fiesta.

Milwaukee Yamaha aim to end season on a high

Guisborough's Milwaukee Yamaha team visit Brands Hatch in Kent this weekend for the triple-header final round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell currently hold third and fourth place in the overall standings respectively and are separated by just two points ahead of the final three races of the season. The pair are ready to come out fighting to add to their combined five wins and 11 podiums so far this year.

Brookes said: “My thoughts on Brands Hatch are to try and recover some personal satisfaction after what has happened at the end of this season, so looking to the weekend all I can do now is come out and try to achieve the best three results possible in the final races.

“That is the same objective that I have had at every round, as you always go out to win, but now I can only try and get the last three of the season as the championship is done for me.

“I have had a huge amount of dissatisfaction in the Showdown rounds, so Brands Hatch needs to be about me having a good weekend with positive results.”

Bridewell added: “There are always lots of different emotions before the last round of the season, but I can’t wait for it now really.

“We were strong on the GP circuit earlier in the season and it was only a brake issue that cause a DNF when we could have been fighting for the podium.

“It is one of those tracks where I have always had to work hard all through the weekend and then we have come strong on raceday.

“There is a lot at stake at Brands Hatch, we can’t win the title but we can certainly take third in the championship and we certainly want to finish as high as possible. I need to maximise on the weekend at Brands Hatch and with three races we will be giving it everything.”

New head coach aiming to develop fresh generation of stars at Middlesbrough Amateur Swimming Club

Tom Harforth is aiming to nurture a fresh generation of Teesside swimming stars after being appointed as the new head coach of Middlesbrough Amateur Swimming Club.

The 26-year-old has been promoted from his assistant coach’s role at the Neptune Centre following Lisa Bates’ departure with the club’s top international swimmer Aimee Willmott to head up the London Aquatics Centre Performance Programme.

Harforth is fronting a revamped coaching staff at Middlesbrough ASC as he takes charge of the 20-swimmer national squad, with new assistant Matt Cross training the potential squad, Grace Parker in charge of junior development squad affairs and Lisa Best coaching the performance squad.

“I’m over the moon to get the job,” said Marton resident Harforth.

“As soon as I found out Lisa was moving on, I didn’t think twice about applying for it.

“I think I’m the right person for the position to take the club forward.

“Apart from being the assistant coach for the past three years, I used to swim for the club from the age of nine to 15 and couldn’t see myself coaching any other club.”

Harforth’s new coaching colleagues Cross and Parker arrive from the champion-making Plymouth Leander club which boasts England coach John Rudd and teenage Lithuanian sensation Ruta Meilutyte.

Best has been with Middlesbrough ASC for the past year.

“It’s not just about me, I think we’ve put together a coaching team that can work well together and move the club forward,” he said.

And the new head coach is now looking forward to putting his own imprint on Middlesbrough ASC after serving his assistant coach’s apprenticeship as Bates’ No 2.

“Lisa did a great job here, especially with Aimee, and I learned a hell of a lot from her,” Harforth added.

“She moulded me into the coach I am today, but I’ve got my own ideas and I want to put the club on the map even more and get some national qualifying times and hopefully national medals, and create one or two new Aimee Willmotts.”

Middlesbrough ASC’s first competitive outing under Harforth was a productive one as the club raked in the medals at the Richmond Dales Gala at Durham Freeman’s Quay.

The club have the Northern Regional Championships to look forward to before Christmas and are swimming in the Northern Division of the team-based Arena League.

Their first Arena League outing at the new eight-lane Haven Point pool in South Shields saw them finish third out of six teams behind Newcastle Swim Team and Chester-le-Street.

Jack Howell shines at Middlesbrough DMC's trial in Ruswarp

Jack Howell had a day to remember as Middlesbrough DMC returned to Manor House, Ruswarp and used the long river gully that they used so succesfully in the recent East Yorkshire Two-Day Trial.

Shining as brightly as the weather, the Port Mulgrave rider was in top form and could not be matched.

Only the difficult second hazard took double figures off him, then the steep drop down off the bankside and sharp left exit caught him for one for a total of nine lost for a clear win.

Young Ollie Kendra couldn’t quite match the consistency of Howell in this form and had to settle for the runner-up berth once again, with the impressive Daniel Knaggs third.

Shane Monkman is going well at the moment and just missed out on the intermediate class honours, while the experienced John Benton put up a good show too.

Phil Perry grabbed the A class award, as second and third place men Richard Simpson and Colin Bailey hit trouble on the jumble of rocks and greasy exit of section two, losing five and seven respectively, to Perry’s one.

Also impressive there was Clubman B winner Brian Johnson from Yarm. Returning after a shoulder injury, Johnson lost just one mark to ease to the win in front of Yarm motorcycle dealer Dave Clarke and Guisborough’s Steve Cornforth in third place.

Results

Expert: Jack Howell (Beta) 9, Olly Kendra (Gas Gas) 28, Daniel Knaggs (Gas Gas) 35.

Clubman A: Phil Perry (Gas Gas) 11, Richard Simpson (Sherco) 18.

Clubman B: Brian Johnson (Sherco) 4, Dave Clarke (Montesa) 7, Steve Cornforth (Beta) 10