No sooner had a monkey been declared the first elected mayor of Hartlepool, than the Hartlepool Mail was being blamed for the main political parties’ electoral demise. The vote saw Hartlepool United mascot Stuart Drummond swept to power ahead of
Peter Barron
What we have written about Peter Barron
Echo's football man banned from press box
A football writer has been accused of “mischievous reporting” and banned from the press box of his local club. The Northern Echo’s Darlington Football Club reporter Craig Stoddart is now covering matches from the stands at Feethams. He is taking
"Don't shoot the messenger"- editor
The Northern Echo’s Darlington Football Club reporter Craig Stoddart has been banned from the press box at Feethams and is now covering matches from the stands. Editor Peter Barron said: “In banning Craig Stoddart from the press box at Feethams,
By the way Peter – you'll be making a speech for the PM…
Editor Peter Barron found himself having to make an impromptu speech in front of the Prime Minister at a Downing Street reception this week. Along with other editors from the regional press, he had been invited along to meet the
Online Mandelson scoop for the Echo
The Northern Echo has landed an online scoop by getting former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson to launch an Internet initiative. New media editor Sarah Andrews persuaded Mr Mandelson to launch ‘The Interview-e’ and put himself foward to tackle questions
Echo backs cancer care appeal
A major appeal to improve care for patients with incurable cancer is being backed by the Northern Echo. Even though local cancer rates are ten per cent higher than the average for England, County Durham doesn’t have its own consultant
Editor asks "What's my line?"
Remember the old television programme What’s My Line? Editor Peter Barron was asked if he was a psychiatrist – and then a farmer – after miming his job to schoolchildren… Peter, who is editor of The Northern Echo, found himself
Open justice wins through court anonymity bid
A court move to keep the identity of a defendant anonymous in a bid to protect his children – who had no connection with the case – has failed. Middlesbrough Council’s Protection Agency made the application under the Human Rights
Dad at large in Darlington
The launch of a book written by the editor of The Northern Echo has raised nearly £3,000 for a children’s hospice. Dad At Large 2 – To Vasectomy And Beyond is a collection of anecdotes from Peter Barron’s regular column
'Overwhelming' support for jobs campaign
Newsquest can claim to have the ear of many in the corridors of power – if the recent lobbying of MPs about steel job losses is anything to go by. After Corus announced 6,000 job losses last month, Newsquest editors
Tallulah, the tummy-tuck bunny
Page 1 of 2 The tale of Tallulah the rabbit is vying neck and neck with the downfall of Peter Mandelson for the title of ‘most talked about news item of the year’. It all started when Peter Barron, editor
Hannah hotline to be set up
A special ‘Ring in for Hannah’ day is being staged by a Teeside newspaper to raise money for a girl who needs surgery on a severe birth mark. The Northern Echo, and its sister weekly paper the Darlington and Stockton
Making a Difference
A hospice’s recycling scheme has been named as the winner of the community environmental award Making a Difference. The winner of the Northern Echo’s competition is Butterwick Hospice, at Bishop Auckland, which has raised more than £40,000 for funds in
Echo finalists announced
Community schemes have come under the spotlight as the Northern Echo’s environmental competition Making a Difference reaches its climax. The event is now in its second year and hands over £500 to the winner. Successes on the shortlist this time
"Too few women editors" says Liz Page
Liz Page, editor of the Evening Press, York, has won the unanimous nomination of the board of the Society of Editors to take over as vice president next month. If the annual meeting in Cardiff in October backs the board’s
Barron hard-up after credit card scam
Northern Echo editor Peter Barron was stung by a couple who used his credit card for a luxury break at a five-star hotel. Mr Barron, 38, was shocked to receive a letter from The Grand Hotel, in Eastbourne, inviting him