Evening Chronicle

Crossing Hot Coals to Help ; Great-Grandmother Vera Russell Will Be Walking Over Hot Embers - and She Wants You to Join Her. Karen Wilson Finds Out What's Behind the Charity Stunt

HEALTH SERVICE in Nepal, which has WHILE some great-grandmothers would be content to potter around at home, 75-year-old Vera Russell is gearing up for her next challenge - a sponsored fire walk in September. Earlier this year she spent a month in the remote village of Thokarpa in Nepal, a place that has become a second home.

Pick of the Day

Casualty (9.05pm) Jordan is suspended after taking the blame for Zoe's mistake, but Adam realises the truth and threatens to inform the board. Jay reassures Ruth when she is called to her first accident scene and Polly receives her blood test results. Live Golf: The Open Championship (5.25pm) Gary Lineker and Hazel Irvine present further coverage from the Ailsa Course at Turnberry in South Ayrshire, as the third round of the Major reaches a conclusion.

Sport

SKY SPORTS 1 9.00 Cricket AM 10.00 Cricket: The Ashes Live. England v Australia. 7.00 Khan v Kotelnik Countdown 7.30 Where Are They Now? 8.00 Cricket: The Ashes. England v Australia. 10.00 Ashes Poker 11.30 Cricket: The Ashes 1.30 Test Cricket 2.30 Ashes Poker 4.00 Where Are They Now? 4.30 Test Cricket 5.30 Where Are They Now? SKY SPORTS 2 8.30 Live Tri-Nations International Rugby Union. New Zealand v Australia (Kick-off 8.30am). The opening game of the series comes from Eden Park in Auckland...

Movies

The Grinch. (2000), Sky Movies Family, 6.00pm. Fantasy comedy, starring Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. (2008), Sky Movies Premiere, 6.00pm. Premiere. Comedy drama, starring Georgia Groome. The Truman Show. (1998), Sky Movies Drama, 6.15pm. With Jim Carrey.

Last Orders ; Historic Cooperage Pub Is Closing Down

TIME is being called at one of Tyneside's oldest pubs, ending decades of tradition. Last orders have been called at Newcastle's Cooperage pub on the city's Quayside when the towels are expected to be placed over the pumps for the last time on Monday. Owners Enterprise Inns announced the closure to staff in a move which has left them - and customers - dazed.

Nurse Banned

A NURSE who romped with a mental patient has been kicked out of her profession. Joanne Holmes has been permanently struck off the nursing register after she had sex sessions with a convicted criminal under her care.

Stone Hawk Stuns Gulls

A FAMILY have bought a bird of prey to keep seagulls away from their home. And the hawk who has successfully scared away the pigeons and seagulls has done so without moving an inch ... as it is made of stone.

Proud History

Byker Wall Bid Always Set to Fail ; Mp Blasts Council's Application for Revamp

A BID for cash to revamp a Newcastle estate was always doomed to fail, an MP has said. Labour's Nick Brown was speaking after a bid for pounds 80m from a Government agency towards refurbishing the Byker Wall was rejected.

Playground Is Praised

A NEWCASTLE school has received national recognition for its recently completed playground at the British Council for School Environments' Industry Awards 2009. Moorside Community Primary School in Beaconsfield Street, in the West End of the city, scooped the award for the Best External Learning Environment.

Lunch Break for Music Lovers

MUSIC lovers are being treated to a free lunchtime performance next week. Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary's, the transformed medieval church, is the stunning setting for the Sacred and Classical concert on Friday, July 24 at 12.15pm. Acclaimed singer Shelagh Bladon will perform a selection of baroque and 12th Century songs, accompanied by John Treherne on the harpsichord.

School Wins Creativity Title

A PIONEERING North East school is celebrating after being selected for a major Government project. Goathland Primary in Longbenton, North Tyneside, fought off tough competition to become one of only 26 Schools of Creativity in the country.

Shipwrecked at the Metrocentre

FIVE lucky islanders will be 'Shipwrecked' on their own man-made desert island in the Metrocentre as part of a competition to win a dream holiday. From Monday, Samantha Bennett, Sonya Robson, Robert Lowes, Tracy White and Richard Main will spend five days and four nights battling it out on the island in the Shipwrecked at the Shops live final.

Pensioner Is a Prize Guy

WHEN pensioner Stanley Peeke answered a knock at the door he was in for a pounds 12,500 surprise. For the 83-year-old, who was in the middle of freezing sausages, had scooped the People's Postcode Lottery.

Retirement Ruined for Evicted Couple ; Man Forced Back Into Work After Losing Home

A VICTIM of an alleged property scam has been forced to come out of retirement after his home was repossessed. Ray Glendenning is among thousands of tenants across Tyneside who face losing their homes in what detectives say could turn out to be the biggest property swindle the country has ever seen.

Senior Citizens Missing Out On Benefit ; More Should Get Pension Credit

THOUSANDS of pensioners in the North East are still missing out on cash they deserve. Over-60s are still not claiming Pension Credit and taking up the income boost that is rightfully theirs.

Author Turns Out for Library

TOP children's football writer Dan Freedman has helped kick off work on a new children's library. He was joined by local football- mad children at Gateshead Central Library to check out the scheme, which is part of a pounds 2.5m transformation of the library building. The author of the Jamie Johnson series teamed up with children from Caedmon Primary and South Street Primary school in Gateshead.

School Hols Safety Lesson

ROADWORKS can pose all sorts of risks to youngsters. So to keep children safe over the school summer holidays. Gas company Northern Gas Networks has been spelling out the dangers.

Your Star

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Birthday Memories

CARSON (Lemington). Ron, happy 50th birthday. Though your smile is gone forever and your hand I can not touch, I still have so many memories of the one I love so much. Your memory is my keepsake with which I'll never part, God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart. All my love, your loving partner David and family. xxx ENRIGHT (Benwell). Sheila, you only left three weeks ago, today you would have been 87, we all love and miss you, love husband John, children Russell, Eva, Pauline, Sh...