Evening Chronicle

Died On This Day

1628: John Bull. English composer and organist. 1945: Anne Frank. Dutch Jewish diarist. Died in a Nazi concentration camp at Belsen.

Born On This Day

1710: Thomas Arne. English composer, who wrote Rule Britannia. 1908: Max Wall. English comedian and actor. Pioneer of the leggings look. 1922: Jack Kerouac. Author and philosopher, whose works include On The Road.

Happened This Day

1609: The Bermuda Islands became an English colony. 1789: The US Post Office was established.

Star-Studded Memories

WHEN the death of Jane Russell was announced last week, it actually reminded me of the story of the Newcastle Station Hotel - which has, over the years, been the destination of some of the world's greatest stars. The late Jane Russell was booked for a weekend in Newcastle, but only stayed one night.

Police Arrest Woman

POLICE have arrested a woman after a teenage boy was robbed in Tyneside. A 22-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of robbery and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Building Award Hopes

A NEW police HQ is in the running for a prestigious building award. The North Tyneside area command building at Middle Engine Lane, Wallsend, has been shortlisted for 'best commercial building over pounds 1m' and 'best sustainable project' in the LABC Building Excellence Awards. The police station is one of 17 developments in North Tyneside to be shortlisted for a prize.

A Feat of Flames ... ; Passing Out Parade for Nine Girls Who Passed Course

THESE proud youngsters are the latest class to complete a special project targeting young offenders and potential troublemakers. The all-girl group were put through their paces in a gruelling one-week training course run by professional firefighters in Newcastle. Suited and booted, they lined up for a presentation ceremony and passing-out parade after an intensive five days at West Denton Community Fire Station.

But Future Is Under Threat

THE Phoenix Project, which is run out of Newcastle West Fire Station, has helped hundreds of local boys and girls. Gary Scorer, the crew manager, said: "There is nothing else like this that offers the same sort of experience and impact.

Witness Admits 'Inventing 'Call ; Telephone Conversation with Accused Never Happened

A MAN tried to incriminate a murder suspect by inventing a phone conversation, a court has heard. A jury hearing evidence in the trial of three men accused of murdering Andrew Smart was told that defendant Stephen Kirkpatrick had called Tyneside man Michael Pederson from Mr Smart's flat.

Police Called Over Kid's Good Deeds ; Neighbour Reports Pals' Fundraising

GENEROUS youngsters had their fundraising efforts stunted after a neighbour reported them to the police. The five school friends, who ranged from eight to 11 years old, were knocking on doors in a quiet estate in Holystone, North Tyneside, offering to wash cars in exchange for a donation to Comic Relief.

Work On After Building Collapse

A JOBCENTRE will be closed until Tuesday after part of it collapsed. Twenty seven staff and customers were in the centre on Felling High Street, Gateshead, on Thursday when the gable end crashed onto the street just after 11am.

Scaling New Heights to Help

VOLUNTEERS from a North East charity will be scaling new heights to met the young people they help. Today they will attempt to scale the Hadrian Leisure Climbing Wall in Wallsend in North Tyneside, as part of a mentoring scheme run by Depaul UK.

Health Priority

ACTION to help people with Muscular Dystrophy is welcome by a Tyneside MP. A new national plan to make neuromuscular services a priority in the NHS was unveiled to the crossparty group on Muscular Dystrophy, chaired by Blaydon MP Dave Anderson.

World Needs to Be Strong ; Chronicle Comment

IF ever there was an event which puts the moans and groans of everyday life into perspective it is the terrifying Quake which has hit Japan. Even a country used to dealing with tremors on a regular basis could not be fully prepared for the sheer force and destruction of yesterday's natural disaster.

Justice Finally for All of Those Ignored ; Miners Suffering From Asbestos-Related Illness Contracted While Working Underground Could Get the Justice They Deserve After a Landmark Ruling. Joanne Butcher Reports

NEW hope has emerged for asbestos victims following a landmark ruling. Miners struck down by asbestos cancer while working underground could finally get the justice they deserve.

Test Case Decision Welcomed

CHRIS Knighton, of the Wallsendbased Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, welcomed the news of the test case. "It is quite a groundbreaking decision because it makes such a difference to so many other people," she said.

Chey'ls Brother Turned Supergrass ; Tweedy Gave Details of Armed Robbers to Police

FOUR men jailed for a terrifying armed robbery were convicted after pop star Cheryl Cole's brother turned supergrass. Andrew Tweedy admitted to detectives investigating a post office raid that he had supplied the gun the men used - and then named them.

Car Crime Hunt for the Victims

POTENTIAL car crime victims are being urged to come forward. Police were called to the Medway Gardens area of North Shields following a report of men acting suspiciously around cars.

Hand Grenade Was a Replica

POLICE and bomb disposal experts were called to a Tyneside street after a suspicious device was found. The property in Wright Drive in Dudley, North Tyneside, was cordoned off after 3.30pm as police and bomb disposal experts investigated yesterday.

Taking a Walk On the Wild Side of Oz ; On a Journey to the Heart of Australia, Kim Pilling Enjoys Breathtaking Views and Some Spiritual Enlightenment

YOU need a 4x4, a pass and details of petrol stations before you set out on the scenic desert route from Alice Springs to Watarrka National Park, home to the chasm of Kings Canyon. During the daunting 450km drive, the Mereenie Loop Road takes you through the dusty heart of Aboriginal country. Strict rules permit stops in designated rest areas only, with visitors forbidden to undertake either picnics or walks.