Canadians have donated more than £5,500 towards the total £22,540 so far raised by the Northern Echo’s Forgotten Hero appeal. The aim is to raise £40,000 to build a statue of Second World War Canadian airman Andrew Mynarski at Teesside
Peter Barron
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Regional paper's 'hero' story makes headlines abroad
The Northern Echo is making headlines abroad after launching a campaign to remember a forgotten hero of World War Two. Andy Mynarski gave his life trying to save a comrade on board a stricken Lancaster which flew out of RAF
Editor revealed as 'target' in TV documentary
A regional newspaper editor has been targeted by a former safecracker who believes he has every right to confront his detractors. Peter Barron, editor of the Northern Echo, is tonight identified as one of George Reynolds’ “local targets” in a
Editors gather to share ideas
More than 70 regional press editors were today due to gather in Birmingham for the annual Newsquest Editorial Conference. The two-day event, at the Copthorne Hotel Birmingham, will give staff from the newspaper group the opportunity to step back from
Milburn called editor hours before 'quit' shock
A North East newspaper editor has revealed how he was among the first to know Alan Milburn was to quit government, after receiving a call from the MP hours before it was officially announced. Peter Barron, editor of the MP’s
Former editor comes out of retirement to join the Echo
Award-winning journalist Jim McTaggart has come out of retirement to join The Northern Echo part-time. The former Teesdale Mercury editor (pictured) has returned to Barnard Castle to write a weekly column reflecting the lives and views of people in the
It ain't half hot mum!Newsrooms react to war
The regional press is capitalising on the time difference between Iraq and the UK – and to round-the-clock conflict – by bringing up-to-date news from the Gulf that the nationals can’t carry. Many are carrying up to 15 pages of
Grass roots focus for growing Echo supplement
The Northern Echo has increased its commitment to grass roots sport by expanding its weekly Local Heroes supplement. Local Heroes was launched four years ago when Peter Barron took over the editor’s chair and it has become established as a
Brain tumour claims life of "irreplaceable" journalist
A respected and popular member of The Northern Echo staff has died after a lengthy illness. Valerie Morley, from Darlington, died on October 23 of a brain tumour. Colleagues in the special features department, of which she was deputy editor,
Region left reeling seeks hope from press
A region left reeling by news of more than 1,000 job losses – and maybe more to follow – is finding itself being backed to the hilt by its local newspaper. The Northern Echo is calling for more aid to
News staff in sporting tribute
The Northern Echo has paid its annual sporting tribute to a colleague whose death led to a campaign to improve coronary care in Britain. Photographer Ian Weir, a father-of-two, died in 1999 from a heart attack while waiting for a
Blair's constituents against military action – Echo poll
Tony Blair has been urged to step back from war with Iraq – in an exclusive poll of his own constituents by his local paper, The Northern Echo. The poll conducted in Sedgefield revealed that 64.6 per cent believe the
Frank bows out after a career in football
Frank Johnson has said farewell to The Northern Echo after 45 years service as Sunderland Football Club reporter. Colleagues paid tribute to what editor Peter Barron described as “one of the most remarkable careers in the history of The Northern
Dad at Large nets editor £5,000 for charity
A children’s hospice has benefited by more than £5,000 thanks to the personal efforts of a regional newspaper editor. Peter Barron, of The Northern Echo, chose The Butterwick Children’s Hospice at Stockton as his charity when he embarked on a
Frank bows out after a career in football
Frank Johnson has said farewell to The Northern Echo after 45 years service as Sunderland Football Club reporter. Colleagues paid tribute to what editor Peter Barron described as “one of the most remarkable careers in the history of The Northern
Police called to incident outside journalist's home
Police were called after Darlington Football Club chairman George Reynolds was involved in an incident outside the home of a Northern Echo journalist. A neighbour called the police, the Echo reported, after the chairman was seen shouting at football reporter