Guisborough hammer Newton Aycliffe to stay top of the Northern League

Guisborough maintained their four-point Northern League lead as three superb strikes and a penalty earned them a convincing 4-0 home win over Newton Aycliffe.

In a highly competitive and sometimes over-physical game, Guisborough went 1-0 ahead three minutes before half-time when a stunning 20-yard shot from Curtis Round went into the net off the far post.

The Priorymen asserted their superiority after the break when first James Risbrough scored with a peach of a shot from the edge of the area in the 54th minute.

Town’s leading scorer Danny Earl then picked his spot with a delightful volley from just inside the area to make it 3-0.

Guisborough completed the rout in the 76th minute when Luke Bythway was upended as he shaped to go past the Aycliffe keeper, and Earl stepped up to score his 26th goal of the season from the spot.

The victory keeps Guisborough clear at the top of the table in one of the closest and most thrilling finales to a Northern League Division One title race for many years.

Marske stayed fourth - six points behind Guisborough with two games in hand - following a 3-1 home win against struggling Sunderland RCA on a day when there was no change at the top with second and third-placed West Auckland and Shildon also victorious.

The Seasiders took advantage of having a horrendous wind at their backs in the first half as they struck twice through a Jamie Owens lob and Danny Brunskill header.

Brunskill increased Marske’s lead in a much more even second period when he stretched to volley home from substitute Reece Kelly’s curling cross.

Seasiders keeper Robert Dean had little to do overall, although he had to be alert to get two hands on a powerful strike from former Hartlepool United forward Colin Larkin which looked destined for the top corner of his net.

RCA pulled a goal back late in the game when substitute Joseph Hughes slid in to beat Dean at his near post.

Billingham Synthonia remain in the relegation mire despite rallying in the second half of their 3-2 defeat at Dunston.

Synners were overrun in midfield in a first half played in a strong wind, and found themselves 2-0 down at the end of it to goals from Andrew Bulford and Daniel Smith,

Bulford then struck again just before the hour mark to leave them trailing by three.

Top scorer Michael Sweet pulled a goal back for the visitors from the penalty spot, and substitute Martyn Woodhouse scored with a header back across the face of goal from a Sweet cross three minutes from time, but Dunston held out.

Norton could be in danger of blowing their promotion challenge in Division Two after losing 2-1 at Northallerton, their third defeat in four matches.

The Ancients conceded a sucker punch goal right on the stroke of half time after some reckless passing at the back.

Rocky Andrews then had a penalty saved and Norton were 2-0 down by the time substitute Tom Bligh pulled a goal back on his right foot from long range.

Top six-chasing Thornaby came from a goal down to beat Ryhope 3-2 at Teesdale Park and stretch their unbeaten run to five matches.

Ryhope went ahead with a 10th minute header but Theo Furness levelled for Thornaby when he drilled home at the second attempt.

Former England Under-17 international Kieran Edwards put Thornaby in front with a header just before half-time, but the visitors levelled early in the second half from a hotly disputed free-kick which went in off a post.

The final third of the game was finely balanced until the 87th minute, when Nathan Porritt scored the winner after his initial penalty was saved,.

Ryhope finished the game with 10 men as their captain was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Billingham Town were left red-faced as they lost 2-1 at home to bottom-of-the-table Brandon.

The Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup finalists fell behind to a third minute goal from Kieran Weekes, whose wind-assisted shot beat Town keeper Michael Thackeray.

Substitute Joel Callender equalised for the hosts with his first touch of the game in the 72nd minute after coming on for Louis Whensley.

But it was Brandon who scored the winner five minutes later, James Ellis sliding the ball past Thackeray after he broke away at pace.

Watch the glitz and the glamour from Teesside heat of the North East Business Awards

Industry and innovation were honoured on a night celebrating business success on Teesside.

Firms from industries including digital innovation, construction and engineering were among the winners at the Teesside heat of the North East Business Awards.

Stockton e-commerce firm Visualsoft was the night’s big winner scooping Company of the Year at the event at Teesside University.

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Visualsoft managing director Dean Benson said: “We are absolutely delighted, we’ve won this award because of our excellent workforce - we have the best people anyone could want.

“The way we work, including offering things like unlimited holidays, attracts the best staff, the elite; recruitment and retention is very important to us. Employ the best, retain the best and you can achieve the output.”

Stockton rope access specialist Teesside Industrial Solutions won Newcomer of the Year.

Gary King, managing director, said: “We are over the moon.

“I know the industry inside out, we do what we do best - and we deliver.

“We have 70 guys all over the world, from Norway to Nigeria - and the potential next year is even bigger.”

The Manufacturing Award went to Applied Integration UK Ltd.

Lee Raywood, managing director of Applied Integration Ltd said: “We are customer-centric, we work and invest not just in our clients but our staff.

“It’s about pushing what we do in the North-east. The way forward is to make the North-east a centre of excellence, that’s my passion.”

The 12 winners will go head-to-head with companies from two other heats - Tyneside & Northumberland and Durham & Wearside, at the Regional Final held at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, on April 23.

Key speaker on the night at the awards was British Army veteran Simon Weston OBE, who has become well known throughout the UK for his charity work and recovery after suffering severe burns during the Falklands War.

Now in their fourth decade, the North East Business Awards are organised by the Gazette and its sister paper on Tyneside, the Journal, in association with the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The full list of winners are:

• ElringKlinger (GB) Ltd - Green Award, sponsored by Trinity Mirror plc

• Hart Biologicals - Export Award, sponsored by Evolution Business & Tax Advisors LLP

• Teesside Industrial Solutions Ltd - Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by Virgin Money

• Applied Integration UK Ltd - Manufacturing Award, sponsored by ABB Consulting

• Gus Robinson Developments Ltd - Heart of the Community Award, sponsored by Castlegate Shopping Centre

• Tomlinson Hall & Co Ltd - Small Business Award, sponsored by FW Capital

• Integrity Search Ltd - Digital and Social Media Award, sponsored by Teesside University

• PJA Distribution - Let’s Grow Award, sponsored by University of Sunderland

• Hart Innovations - Innovation Award, sponsored by Tees Valley Business Compass

• Engineering and Marine Services Ltd - Services Award, sponsored by Middlesbrough College

• Tees Components - Apprenticeship Award, sponsored by Nifco UK

• Visualsoft - Company of the Year, sponsored by Deloitt

Thornaby mum jailed after falsely claiming more than £68,000 in benefits

A mum has been jailed after falsely claiming more than £68,000 in benefits.

Angelina Brown, 38, of Vulcan Way, Thornaby, was jailed for 15 months after a jury found her guilty of three charges relating to benefit fraud at a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

A jury found that she had deliberately failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions that she was living with her partner - a change in circumstances that meant she was no longer entitled to the benefits she was claiming.

She was found guilty on one count of failing to notify a change of circumstances and two counts of making dishonest representations for obtaining benefits.

In total, Brown had fraudulently obtained £68,213 in benefit payments between February 2003 and October 2010, the court heard.

Defending Brown at a sentencing hearing at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, Adrian Dent said a prison sentence would make it difficult for the single mother to find care for her children.

“She knows that this must be visited by a custodial sentence,” said Mr Dent, before requesting that the judge consider a suspended sentence.

“That would allow the children to have a stable upbringing,” he said.

Mr Dent added: “One of her three sons is 13 and has hearing impairment.

“Looking after a brood like this is extremely difficult.

“In addition, she is of course subject to deductions to her benefits.”

But Judge Howard Crowson was unmoved by the mitigation noting that, by Mr Dent’s standards, “any mother with children and on benefits couldn’t go to prison.”

The judge added: “I might be more sympathetic if she hadn’t managed before to drop everything at short notice and go on holiday to Tunisia.

“The amount was £68,213 over a period of seven years.

“It’s going to take a long time to settle that. There is little or no possibility it will ever be recovered.

“I’m going to pass the right sentence for what she did.”

Asking Brown to stand, Judge Crowson told her that he had taken into account the mitigating factors surrounding her personal life and that a reduced sentence would be passed.

But the judge rejected Mr Dent’s request to suspended the sentence explaining that to do so would send out the message that single mothers could cheat the benefits system with no fear of going to prison.

He sentenced Brown to 15 months in prison.

Brave mum with rare cancer to take leap from Transporter Bridge to help others

A brave mum with a rare cancer is to take a leap from the Transporter Bridge to help others.

Melissa Lacey, 33, of Billingham, made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to stop treatment for the appendix cancer so she could enjoy the time she has left with her family.

But despite also suffering bowel cancer, ovarian cancer and peritoneal cancer, Melissa is still doing her bit, and is to bungee jump from the Middlesbrough landmark to raise charity funds.

And while Melissa is helping others, her friends and family continue to rally around Melissa.

Friend of around seven years, Alison Abbott, of Hartlepool, has organised a charity night to raise funds to help send Melissa on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World in Florida with her husband Carl and their eight-year-old son Evan.

Alison said: “Melissa wanted to go to Disneyland Paris before she was no longer with us, and her friends from school set up a page where people could donate. They raised enough to send her to America instead.

“But then it turned out the insurance was going to cost more than the trip itself.”

Funds from Alison’s pie and peas charity night, which Melissa plans to attend, will go towards paying for the insurance.

Alison said “We’ve had a lot of help from local companies who’ve donated some brilliant prizes. There’ll be a disco, tombola and raffle, as well as a few other things.”

And she added: “Melissa doesn’t know about this yet - there are going to be a few surprises for her when she reads the Gazette!

“A friend of the family, Lisa Fascia, is going to be doing a headshave at the night.

“And some of Melissa’s family members from London are going to be doing a sponsored wax.”

Lisa, 31, of Thornaby said: “I’ve always said for the right charity I would do something extreme, so I decided to do the headshave.

“I’ve never actually met Melissa myself, but she’s a good friend of my sister Nicola. There are a lot of charities out there but this one is close to my sister.

“When she told me about it, I thought I’d like to do something to help. My hair’s always been really thick, and is about shoulder length.”

The event is being held from 7.30pm on Saturday, April 11, at the Cowpen Club in Billingham. Alison is still looking for donations of raffle prizes. To help, or for tickets, at £5, contact Alison on 01642 278165 or on 07710 970733.

There is also a Facebook page for the event at http://on.fb.me/19atTpZ

To sponsor Lisa for the headshave, you can donate via http://bit.ly/16opCh9 .

Hindu epics to be priority areas for ICHR, says its chairperson

Official history writing in the country is set to undergo a historic change with the Ramayana, Mahabharata and theories of Aryans being indigenous to India taking prominence over Left-leaning chronicles of the past.

More studies on the two Hindu epics would be priority areas for future historical research, said YS Rao, chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), on Friday.

A series of lectures from Thursday to Saturday on the Aryan-origin theory at ICHR and other forums shows this is a top priority for historians today, replacing primarily Leftist scholars who held sway since the 1970s.

Rao, council members Dilip Chakrabarti and Michel Danino, veteran archaeologists BB Lal and RS Bisht and Padma awardee David Frawley are among the speakers, or proponents of this line of history.

For More: http://bit.ly/1Hbxmjz

Two taken to hospital after car flips onto roof in three vehicle crash in New Marske

Two people were taken to hospital after a car flipped onto its roof in a three car crash in New Marske.

Emergency services were on scene for an hour after a Skoda car hit a stationary vehicle on Longbeck Lane at around 1pm.

A Volvo and a Toyota car were also involved in the collision.

Two people managed to free themselves from the Skoda before the emergency services arrived, and after receiving first aid from firefighters they were taken to hospital with “superficial injuries”.

Martin Allen, watch manager at Redcar Fire Station, said: “There were three vehicle involved, and one managed to become stuck on its roof after hitting a stationary vehicle.

“When we arrived on the scene, two people were already out of the Skoda car. One had superficial injuries, and they were both taken to hospital.

“The fire service administered first aid and made the scene safe.”

Two fire appliances from Redcar were on scene for around 50 minutes.

Cleveland Police also attended.

Boro Under-21s coach hails battling side after going five points clear at the summit

Paul Jenkins hailed the attitude of his thread-bare Boro Under-21s squad as they cemented their title charge with a 2-0 win over Stoke City on Friday.

Goals from Emmanuel Ledesma and Mark Kitching helped the Teessiders move five points clear at the top of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Second Division, with five games to play.

However, Jenkins admitted team selection wasn’t easy with the young guns missing nine regular starters through suspension, injury, international duty and loan commitments.

But the Under-21 coach admitted that’s part and parcel of professional football - and believes his youngsters more than stood up to the challenge at Rockliffe Park.

“I’m delighted with the overall performance,” Jenkins said.

“On Thursday the team must have changed four or five times. Luke Williams was in and then out (after securing loan move to Peterborough), and then we had another late one with David Atkinson moving to Carlisle.

“We were without Jonny Burn and Robbie Tinkler (both suspended) as well as a few others, so there was a bit of juggling going on.

“Bearing in mind the Under-18s were due to play on Saturday too, we had to do our best to help both teams out.

“But these are the challenges imposed on Under-21 football and sometimes you don’t know the team until the morning of the game.

Doug Moody Photography

Kieran Weledji takes on his opposite number during Boro Under-21s' win over Stoke

“Fortunately we probably knew the line-up at 6pm on Thursday, but I always have confidence in this group of players to go and perform.

“I thought their attitude, application and their hunder was impeccable.”

The result leaves Boro’s young stars in a commanding position in the table, ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

On Tuesday, the Under-21s face Scarborough Athletic in the North Riding Senior Cup semi-final at Bridlington.

The team then face a testing trip to St James’ Park against title rivals Newcastle in the league, before hosting Arsenal at the Riverside Stadium.

“Everything is in our own hands, and if we continue to win football matches then the end product will be there at the end of the season,” Jenkins added.

All Creatures Great and Small author's statue unveiled in Thirsk

A life sized bronze statue of All Creatures Great and Small author James Herriot has taken pride of place at a museum to his life’s work.

Herriot, whose real name was Alf Wight, became the most famous vet in the world for his books based on his life and practice in rural Yorkshire.

The statue was unveiled on Saturday at The World of James Herriot in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, by tourism chief James Berresford.

As a tribute to Alf’s wife, Joan, the statue of her famous and much-loved husband was be installed in the garden on what would have been her 96th birthday.

The author’s son Jim Wight and daughter Rosie Page joined Mr Berresford, the sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn and staff from the centre during the ceremony.

Mr Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland, said: “James Herriot’s veterinary tales have been drawing visitors to the Yorkshire countryside for decades and it is fantastic that Thirsk is now installing a statue of the famous author in tribute to what would’ve been his wife Joan’s 96th birthday.

“It is a real honour to be invited to perform the official proceedings with James and Joan’s children and I hope that James Herriot’s legacy continues to attract more tourists to the area who can visit and donate to his fantastic Legacy Fund”.

June Imeson OBE, the original driving force behind the opening of the World of James Herriot, plus Councillors Mark Robson & Gareth Dadd of Hambleton District Council, David Shields of Welcome to Yorkshire plus many supporters, volunteers and staff from the Centre watched as the statue was revealed.

It will form the focus of the James Herriot Legacy Fund, created to provide bursaries for young people wishing to join the animal welfare and veterinary sector.

Ian Ashton, managing director of the World of James Herriot said: “The aim is to provide bursaries for people wishing to embark on a career concerning the welfare of animals, and for whom the James Herriot stories may well have been an inspiration.

“The fund has now reached its target for the Statue to be installed and we will continue to raise funds for the Legacy Fund which is a fitting tribute to Alf Wight and his continuing worldwide appeal.”

The Legacy Fund began with a very generous bequest made to the Friends of the World of James Herriot by the late Mr Thomas Frank Blinks who lived in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, and was a life member of the Friends of the World James Herriot.

Fundraising is now a continuous part of the World of James Herriot’s activities to ensure that the vets and veterinary nurses of the future can apply for support from the Legacy Fund.

Alf’s daughter Rosie said: “This is a unique opportunity to develop a legacy to support young people who wish to become veterinary surgeons, or to pursue a career dedicated to animal welfare.

“My father would be proud to be associated with this initiative and we consider the statue to be a very fitting tribute.”

Kings of the Road: Bikers take on Europe in aid of Teesside Hospice

Two best friends are giving back to charity in their own unique way- by motorcycling around Europe in all weathers, with nothing but a bike saddle and a camping tent for aid. And it’s all for Teesside Hospice- a place close to the heart of long-term outpatient Nick Devers.

Nick suffers from Primary Lymphoedema- a genetic condition which affects the development of the lymphatic system, whereby swelling occurs in the patient’s body tissue.

The hospice, based in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough- is dedicated to offering free treatment to sufferers of any long term illness, just like Nick’s.

Nick and best pal Graeme Church, both from Redcar, combined their love of Harley Davidsons with gratitude for the local hospice to come up with this- 3,000 riding miles through Spain, France and Belgium.

With helmets and leathers in towe, the pals will embark on their Spring 2015 adventure with open minds- and an ambition to raise over £1,500 for the Northgate Road centre.

Nick, 42, is keen to support the hospice following a painful 2014- whereby his family was affected by cancer. Happily married Nick, who has an 18-year-old daughter called Megan says he is not ready to discuss this part of his life, although he is keen to move on to more optimistic thoughts.

He said: “Graeme and I were going to do the trip before we decided its purpose; riding around Europe has always been a dream of ours. But it was a no-brainer to add on the fundraiser for Teesside Hospice. Especially after all the care its given me and my family over the past 10 years”.

It’s a giant leap from their everyday lives in overseas construction, but the pair are ready to reign the roads.

Nick said: “I am very fortunate with my condition, and I am currently managing well.

“However, when it flares up it hinders my ability to travel.

“If my lower leg swells up, the skin can strech to the point where it is very painful. This doesn’t put me off our trip, though”.

The boys will set off from Redcar on the 10th May- before travelling to Plymouth, where they will catch an overnight ferry to Bilbao in Spain. Their next stop is Madrid, which is camping for two nights, before a coastal tour around Spain and France. Nick and Graeme will finally touch home ground on the 22nd May.

Graeme Church, 39, who lives with wife Mandy and children Mason and Matilda said: “It’s my 40th birthday two days before we get back- so Nick suggested we do a double celebration. Travelling Europe is on my bucket list, right alongside Route 66”.

The hospice currently has a £2.4m excess in running costs, of which one third is paid for by NHS funding. This means the hospice is responsible for raising £4,900- 365 days a year- from its own resources.

It’s no surprise then, that Nick and Graeme’s fundraising ambitions are at the forefront of the hospice’s thank you list.

Leanne Irvine, Community Fundraiser at Teesside Hospice said: “We think it’s fantastic- what the guys are doing. It’s their way of giving something back, and we are very appreciative of their support”.

If you would like to support Nick and Graeme on their “King of the Road” motorcycle challenge, please visit their JustGiving page: http://bit.ly/1BDDRbb

Watch: Hundreds arrive to see Mary Berry at Barker and Stonehouse store celebration

Baking guru Mary Berry said she was “astonished” by her huge Teesside welcome - as she visited the area to open the new Barker and Stonehouse superstore.

The Great British Bake off judge drew hundreds of fans to the Teesside Park store, which opened to the public for the first time this morning.

Speaking to The Gazette, Mary said: “I haven’t been to Teesside before but I am astonished by the welcome I have had.

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“Everyone has been marvellous and so nice. I haven’t had much of a chance to see anywhere else in the area yet, but it is a lovely part of the world.”

And while she told The Gazette earlier in the week that she’d never tasted a parmo, she said: “If there is a chance to try one while I’m here, I’ll give it a go.”

More than 400 people queued in the rain to be allowed into the store at 10am, and then lined the store’s staircase, balconies and even peered in through the window from outside to get the best vantage point to see Mary cut a large cake in the shape of a Union Jack inspired sofa.

And asked if she had any tips for Teesside bakers, Mary said: “Measure your ingredients carefully, make sure you choose a good recipe and always use the correct sized tin.”

She even helped Gazette photographer Katie Lunn with her baking problem, a Swiss Roll that failed to rise: “Make sure you use a smaller tin,” said Mary.

The opening of Barker & Stonehouse

First in the queue to meet Mary at 9.10am was Great Ayton grandmother Christine Spink, who brought her grandchildren Jack Vernon, 12, and Neave Hunstman, 16.

Jack, also from Great Ayton, said: “We are big British Bake Off fans and we can’t wait to see Mary Berry.”

25-year-old Kimberley McConnell, who works for Student Finance England and lives in Thornaby, said: “I queued since about 9.10am. Mary Berry is fantastic and I always follow the recipes in her cookbooks, her Victoria Sponge is always a winner. I’m hoping to ask her a tip about her Christmas cake recipe.”

Acklam 11-year-old Ella Pollard, who goes to St Edward’s School, brought a Mary Berry cookbook along to be signed with her God-mother Tracey Sedgwick, from Stockton.

Tracey, who works at Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough, said: “We should ask her about her mini-banoffee pies, because they don’t seem to work for us!

“The new store looks very impressive, I particularly like the living wall garden.”

The £4.5m flagship Barker and Stonehouse store is on the site of the old Springs gym at Teesside Park.

Stand out features at the 48,270sq ft store include a living wall - with a self sufficient water irrigation system coming from a 9,500 litre tank from the roof top - a cafe headed up by the former owner of renowned Norton eatery Cafe Lilli and exposed steel girders weighing 270 tonnes.

In the near future there will also be a grassed roof terrace, overlooking the nearby Thornaby Golf Club course.

Lillian Pallent, a retired caterer from Skelton Green, visited the store with her daughter Lynn Maidman, a midwife from Hemlington.

She said: “I had just come to see Mary to be honest, but I’m very impressed. There are some lovely things here.”

Lynn said: “I am looking for a bed, but I brought mum because she’s a massive fan. You can’t be on a diet in our family, it’s like the Great British Bake Off in her house every Sunday!”

Managing Director James Barker, whose grandfather founded the store in Stockton in 1946, also attended the opening with his family.

Store manager Steve Baxter said: “It’s great to see so many people here.

“This is a flagship store and the staff have worked incredibly hard to get to this point.

“Some might have come to see Mary, but they’ll also wander round and maybe be reintroduced to our brand.”

Hugely popular mima exhibition revealing soldiers' innermost thoughts wins extended run

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An exhibition which gives a voice to soldiers serving in Afghanistan has proved such a winner with visitors to mima in Middlesbrough that its run has been extended by two more months.

Diary Rooms, which reveals the innermost thoughts of soldiers - several from the North East - under daily fire in the war zone, has struck a chord not just with local residents but also tourists who have raved about it on Trip Advisor.

It’s a huge boost for both the art gallery and Derek Eland who created the exhibition while working as an official war artist with the British Army in Helmand in 2011.

And he now has big plans for it to be archived at Mima and hopes for it to tour America.

It’s the result of setting up “diary rooms” in Afghanistan where he encouraged servicemen and women, including Afghan forces, to fill in blank postcards with their feelings about the realities of their daily lives.

Among those keen to take part were members of a counter IED unit in the wake of the death of 34-year-old Sergeant Major Charles Wood, a bomb disposal expert from Middlesbrough, who was killed days after arranging Christmas Day dinner for 150 soldiers.

Many of the cards, which were initially displayed on the walls of the diary rooms, describe the idea of two wars: one of bullets and bombs and another inside a soldier’s head at times of quiet.

They are now displayed in a specially-built version of a diary room at Mima where the exhibition is dedicated to Irish Guardsman Colum McGeown, who wrote of his imminent leave home only to then lose his legs in an explosion, and soldier David Dalzell who was killed days after writing his postcard.

Since it opened last November it has been fascinating visitors who are moved not just by accounts of harrowing experiences endured on the front line, many written while still raw, but also the humour and spirit shown by the troops.

One online review on Trip Advisor reads: “This exhibition of their responses is reinforced with the sights and sounds of war and I found it innovative, challenging and eye-opening.

“It is another view of a contemporary conflict everyone should consider.”

The decision to extend its run for two months beyond the planned closing date follows their feedback and Eland is delighted at the news.

“The wall of responses from mima visitors is now as big as the exhibition itself,” he said.

“The public comments are honest, divergent and often moving. They represent the collective response to war and have become an important element of the work, a public voice.”

Viewers are touched by the soldiers’ shared fears and hopes for the future and the mention little things, such as a letter of appreciation from schoolchildren, that make a difference to them.

A “Diary Wall” is set aside for visitors to write down their own responses to what they see and this is now covered in hundreds of notes. They include ones by students from Darlington’s Hummersknott Academy who talked to Eland about the project.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response,” said Eland who has been working as a mentor artist at the gallery.

“Hundreds and hundreds of people who have seen the exhibition have responded by writing their own personal thoughts on card and paper.”

He added: “An enormous number of people have had an emotional reaction to the work, many reduced to tears. As an artist this is humbling.

“I’ve also been very touched by the emails I’ve received from the public, the press reviews and comments made on social media.”

Diary Rooms will now run until April 30 and Eland next wants to secure its future.

“My hope is that this work goes into the Mima permanent collection and from there can be loaned within the UK.

“The messages and stories from the Diary Rooms work are universal to any conflict at any time in history and should be seen again.

“I’m also discussing with Mima the possibility of the work going to a partner gallery in the US, perhaps as the beginning of a gallery tour of the States.”

A catalogue is also available at the gallery with a £1 of every £12.99 sale going to veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress.

Teenage soldier keeps freedom - and Army career - after attack in Middlesbrough town centre

A teenage street attacker’s Army career was saved by the courts - while his victim’s aspirations to join the Forces are on hold because of the assault.

Judge Peter Bowers said the Army needed soldiers like 19-year-old Paul Himsworth - who admitted GBH - and left it mainly to his superiors to punish him.

“I would not like this to blight your career,” the judge told the defendant in the Teesside Crown Court dock on Wednesday.

Himsworth punched and kicked another man in Middlesbrough town centre following “childish pointless nonsense” on Facebook.

“I’m afraid Facebook has a lot to answer for. People write without thinking,” said the judge.

Prosecutor David Crook said the victim, who worked as a bar representative and a steward at Middlesbrough football ground, wanted to resolve the bad atmosphere between the men.

They crossed paths on the night of December 21 last year.

Himsworth said words like “are you calling me a mug?” and punched the victim in the face when he was not looking.

He struck the victim again as he put his hands up to defend himself outside the Barracuda on Albert Road.

The victim fell to the floor, causing a fracture to his right tibia with bone penetrating the leg, the court heard.

Himsworth continued attacking the dazed victim on the ground, kicking him in the face but fortunately causing no significant injuries.

The violence ended swiftly as others intervened.

The injured man later described suffering “relentless intense pain” as his broken leg healed, and he had to use crutches.

He talked in an impact statement about his discomfort, sleep and mobility problems, fatigue and depression.

The assault affected his work and social life and cost him thousands of pounds.

And he could no longer start in the Army this month, as had been scheduled.

He said he was angry to have lost his Army career, though this situation is to be reviewed.

Himsworth, of Marshall Avenue, Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough , admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, his first offence.

Under sentencing guidelines, he stood to receive one to three years for the crime.

Laura Miller, defending, said: “A sentence of imprisonment would end this young man’s career in the Army.

“He has with his actions brought the Army into disrepute.”

If he were given a suspended jail term, however, he could stay in the Forces.

His commanding officer would decide on sanctions to impose on him, such as restrictions on privileges, supervised tasks and a temporary promotion ban.

Himsworth had three character references from the Army and three from members of the public.

Referees said he was polite, caring and hard-working, he had self-control and went out of his way to help others.

Ms Miller said he acted out of character after he took offence to name-calling on Facebook leading to an argument, and since showed remorse.

She said the attack was short, not premeditated and the injury was unforeseeable, resulting from the fall rather than any assault to the leg.

Judge Bowers told Himsworth: “You accept this was wholly unacceptable violence. I accept that there was an element of provocation.

“Clearly the whole incident was fuelled by drink.

“The serious injury was... an unfortunate result of the punch.

“If you had intended to cause that sort of injury you’d have had to go to prison immediately.

“I’m sure you realise that self-control is an important quality for a good soldier and for people in civilian life.

“You are... an above average soldier and you’ve got very good prospects according to your commanding officer.

“What you did was out of character. I’m quite content to give you a suspended sentence and leave your commanding officer to deal with you internally.

“I think the Army needs people who have the sort of qualities you showed on other occasions, rather than the ones you showed on that particular night.”

He gave Himsworth a 10-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered him to pay £1,200 compensation to the victim.

Nine people warned by Cleveland Police that their lives were under threat

Nine people were warned by police their lives were under threat last year.

Cleveland Police issued the so-called “Osman” warnings to advise them they were at a risk of being killed or seriously harmed by someone who they believed could make good their threat.

The number has dropped significantly since 2010 when there were 53 red alerts issued by the force. In 2011 there were 26, then 21 in 2012 and eight in 2013.

Last year’s warnings included three given in April and four in August.

The force, which released the figures to the Gazette following a Freedom of Information request, said they were not aware of anyone being killed within Cleveland following the issue of an Osman warning.

Guidance given to forces by the Association of Chief Police Officers says if police have credible information about a threat to somebody’s life, forces had an obligation” to take “preventive operational measures”.

Head of crime at Cleveland Police, Detective Superintendent Peter McPhillips said: “We would get the threat, assess it and decide whether we need to issue an Osman warning.

“The threat could come from anywhere, social media, an anonymous phone call or information from a witness.

“If it was decided the threat was real then we would physically visit that person and over them a series of measures called target hardening.

“That might putting a flag on the system so if there is any report on that address it will flag up quickly

“We might also encourage them to live elsewhere.”

The alerts came into force after a legal ruling that police have a “duty of care” to warn people they are in danger - even if they are known criminals.

That followed the high profile failure to protect Ahmet Osman, a pupil shot and wounded in 1988 by disturbed teacher, Paul Paget-Lewis. Ahmet’s father and two others were killed in the attack.

Paget-Lewis - convicted of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility - told police: “Why didn’t you stop me before I did it? I gave you all the warning signs.”

It was then that police, who had to pay £20,000 compensation to the Osman family, began issuing the warnings.

Nosh Healthy Kitchen in Middlesbrough welcomes family and friends to launch night

Ever fancied a parmo without feeling guilty about the calories?

Well a new Middlesbrough eaterie could be the place to visit.

Nosh Healthy Kitchen, on the corner of Southfield Road and Linthorpe Road, held a VIP event on Friday ahead of its grand opening to hungry Teessiders on Sunday.

And with a skinny parmo just one of the dishes on offer, it should prove popular with health-conscious eaters.

Jason Jahangiry, 25 and his chef dad Shari Jahangiry are behind the new venture - and Jason is looking forward to welcoming locals into his restaurant after gaining huge interest on social media.

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“We wanted to create something different and healthy. People are more health conscious now, and want to go somewhere that caters to the type of diet they are following, whether that is slimming or building muscle,” said Jason, who moved from Durham to study product design at Teesside University.

“While it is going to be healthy, fast food, we still want people to identify with it so we are including dishes like the skinny parmo - which is baked, has half fat cheese and reduced fat bechemel sauce - so that people feel comfortable.”

More than 7,000 people have ‘liked’ the eaterie on Facebook ahead of it opening to the public at 11.30am on Sunday.

Jason said: “The response has been fantastic and shows that it is something Middlesbrough wants.

“Especially after seeing the article about Middlesbrough having one of the unhealthiest High Streets last week, I think healthy food is something to be welcomed.”

Saudi-led air strikes hit Yemen for third night

The main aim of the military operations in Yemen currently is to cut off the major supply routes of the Houthis, a senior defense official said on Friday.

“The coalition forces are implementing this particular objective,” said Brig. Gen. Ahmad Assiri, consultant in the office of the defense minister, at press conference.

He said the UAE forces had contributed heavily to the operations on Friday. The coalition forces bombed several Houthi hideouts, he said.

According to Assiri, advanced, precision-guided weapons have been deployed to avoid civilian casualties. He said the airstrikes would continue until all the objectives are achieved. For the time being there were no plans for ground troops. However, there are Yemeni forces on the ground loyal to the legitimate president of Yemen, he said.

On Friday, the action was around Al-Anad Air Base near Aden. “There was Houthi movement there and we have neutralized them. The base is now under coalition control.”

He said the coalition forces carried out a raid cutting off Houthi supply routes. “They can no longer send reinforcements from Sanaa to Saada,” he said.

“There is around the clock air patrols and every Houthi movement is being closely monitored,” he said. “Reconnaissance planes are capturing every single detail.”

He said all operations are being coordinated with the legitimate president of Yemen, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and his government. He said the coalition forces have called on Yemeni citizens to avoid areas of conflict “because we are very concerned about their safety.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman made a series of phone calls late on Thursday to regional leaders, the SPA reported. The king spoke with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, King of Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani, Jordan’s King Abdallah, Sudanese President Omar Bashir, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and Moroccan King Mohammed.

The king received a phone call on Friday from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Grand Mosque Imam Osama Al-Khayyat said in his Friday sermon that King Salman is fulfilling his Islamic duty by helping the people of Yemen,

“Almighty Allah has helped King Salman take this decisive and correct Islamic stand, in response to the call made by the legitimate president of the Republic of Yemen, to help the Muslim Yemeni nation, and protect its cities from the savagery and hostility of the oppressors …”

He said the action was supported by local and international leaders and would help stop the “enemy’s expansionist practices which threaten the security of Yemeni cities and the security and peace of the region.” He prayed for the success of the operation.

Al-Khayyat said it was important for people to remain united during times of disasters and wars. Believers should avoid disputes, work hard and learn to recognize and reject propaganda of people with ulterior motives, he said.

Imam and khateeb at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Hussein Al-Asheikh, said the situation in Yemen had deteriorated to such an extent that it was causing chaos, and threatening the security of Yemen and neighboring Muslim countries. The situation also threatened to break up the country. In addition, the civil war was draining the country’s resources and destroying its people, he said.

Al-Asheikh also expressed worry over the violence in Muslim nations. The most dangerous threat to a Muslim country was violence originating from inside it, he said. Meanwhile, Washington said it would retaliate with all its power against whoever attacks Saudi Arabia, according to Al Arabiya.

The report came as the Saudi envoy said the Kingdom was very pleased with the level of coordination with the US in the air campaign against Houthis.

Separately, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Friday that Saudi Arabia felt it necessary to intervene in Yemen to avoid Iranian-backed rebels taking over the country along its southern border.

“The Saudis are very exercised by the idea of an Iranian-backed regime in Yemen,” he said during a visit to Washington. “They cannot accept the idea of an Iranian-backed regime in control of Yemen, which is why they felt compelled to intervene the way they have.”

He added: “We know there has been Iranian support for the Houthi and we are all concerned to avoid this becoming a proxy war.”

Saudi and Egyptian warships deployed Friday to the Bab Al-Mandab strait off Yemen to secure the strategic sea passage, Egyptian military officials said. A top priority after the air campaign has weakened the rebels is for coalition troops — likely Egyptians — to move into the southern port city of Aden, Yemeni and Egyptian military officials said. Hadi arrived in Egypt Friday, where Arab leaders will be meeting to discuss the crisis.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Riad Yassin said there was an “arrangement” for ground troops of the Saudi-led coalition to deploy in Yemen. “It’s a comprehensive military operation,” he said speaking to Al-Arabiya. He said Egyptian naval forces are heading to Bab Al-Mandab. Several Egyptian military officials said that Egyptian and Saudi warships were already at or near the strait. One official said two destroyers and two other vessels were at the strait. Egypt has said securing the passage is a priority for it in the conflict, since Bab Al-Mandab is the entrance to the Red Sea.

After more than 36 hours of airstrikes by Friday afternoon, more than 40 percent of Yemen’s air defenses were destroyed, according to Yemeni Brig. Gen. Saleh Al-Subaihi, a pro-Hadi officer.

Yemeni security officials said around 80 fighters had been killed in the strikes — some from the Houthis, but most from among Saleh’s forces.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies presented powerful members of the UN Security Council with suggested elements for a resolution that would impose an arms embargo on the Houthi rebels.

Diplomats said after a meeting Thursday evening with ambassadors from the US, Britain and France that members of the Gulf Coordination Council want the resolution to be militarily enforceable under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

The GCC members also presented the Security Council president with a letter explaining that their airstrikes targeting military installations held by the Houthi rebels are in response to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s request this week for immediate aid as the rebels closed in.

The Gulf members also suggested that more members of the Houthis face financial sanctions.

There was a flurry of activity in

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Pakistan says it will respond to any threat to Saudi security

A statement from the office of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s office insists that any threat to Saudi Arabia’s security “would prompt a strong response” from Islamabad.

The statement was issued after Sharif chaired “a high-level meeting” in which he said that Pakistan enjoys close and brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. “The meeting concluded that any threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity would evoke a strong response from Pakistan,” said Sharif’s office. A Pakistani delegation, including military officials, will proceed to Saudi Arabia today (Friday) as it considers a Saudi request to send troops to Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched military operations including air strikes in Yemen on Thursday. According to Saudi officials they were to counter Iranian-backed Shia Houthi rebels besieging the southern city of Aden, where Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is based.