- A last-ditch attempt to save four South Tyneside’s primary schools from the axe looks to have failed. Labour councillors are being recommended to close St Bede’s RC Primary in Jarrow and Boldon C of E School, and merge Bedewell Primary and Lukes Lane Community schools on Hebburn Comprehensive School’s site. [Shields Gazette]
- People living in Gateshead’s Henderson Road have been ordered by the council to get rid of their resident wandering cockerel, which was adopted by the street as a chick.
- A gang of thugs who left a South Tyneside dad severely brain-damaged have been jailed for a total of 29 years.
- A new book - Geordies Vs Mackems: Why Tyneside is Better Than Wearside - examines the origins of the legendary rivalry between Newcastle and Sunderland.
- A man from Jarrow is due to appear in court today charged with drug smuggling offences after cocaine with a street value of more than £5m was seized off the British coast.
If random members of the public are going to stick notices in your window, always best to read them first.
It’d be fair to say the weather reflects the mood of Tyneside today. And there’s little sign of it improving, so batten down the hatches, should you own any, get the cat in and see what’s on tv tonight. You ain’t going anywhere.
- A Bensham sex offender who wanted to open a lingerie shop has been banned by Gateshead Magistrates.