The Journal from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England • 4

REGIoNAL NEWS Police investigating airgun attack on bus HARTLEPOOL police are investigating an airgun attack on a bus in Cleveland Road yesterday, when the driver was showered with glass from a broken windscreen. Although the Hartlepool Transport vehicle was empty at the time it was due to make the return journey minutes later with a party of school children. Poisonous shellfis a ert- have been posted along -Hartlepool's coastline warning people not to eat mussels and wallops collected from the shore. Environmental health chiefs issued the warning after routine tests revealed high toxin levels. Food-working lesso 'THIRTY school-dinner ladies in Blyth have been presented with certificates after completing a four-week food hygiene course organised by Northumberland County Council's catering arm, Northumberland Contracting.

DECISION SHOCKS REGION'S BUSINESS Worn-out quits food quitting firm where he has been in charge for 22 years. Sword was gift to gods AN early Bronze Age sword, unearthed by an excavator driver on a river bank, may have been thrown into the water offering to the gods. The sword, dating from 1100 BC, was found as archaeologists held a watching brief during construction work by the National Rivers Authority in an area' of known Roman settlement on the River Swale in North Yorkshire. A similar sword was dredged from the Tyne some years ago, and Peter Cardwell, of consultants Northern Archaeological Associates said: "Most of those which have been recovered are from river banks or be and might have been thrown into the river as an offering to appease the river god." chief firm By PETER CUNUFFE City Editor MILLIONAIRE businessman Richard Adams shocked the North-East business community when he announced he was quitting the family firm because he was worn out. The 46-year-old has been in charge of Gatesheadbased Northumbrian Fine Foods for 22 years and 'has turned it into one of the region's most successful companies.

This year he was one of the three finalists for The Journal's North-East Businessman of the Year competition the second time he has been shortlisted for the title. Along with his father, Harrow-educated Mr Adams took over what was Shaw's Biscuits and in 1986 floated the company on the Stock Exchange a move which made him a millionaire. The company, which makes biscuits and snacks and specialises. in health foods, is now one of the leaders in its field with annual sales worth around £9m and a workforce of 550 people nationwide. "I am worn out and I reckon I was heading for a I came to the conclusion after talking to my wife that I was better off alive even if I might be worth more to my family if I 7 was dead.

RICHARD heart attack," Mr Adams said yesterday. "I came to the conclusion after talking to my wife that I was better off alive even if I might be worth more to my family if I was dead. 'After 22 years I despera-' tely needed to recharge my batteries Takeover leer: Page Coach cleared of sex assaults A HOUSEMASTER at a top public school was yesterday cleared of indecently assaulting young boys. Kerry Peter Wedd, 51 of Park End, Ashton Walk, Bude in Cornwall had denied five charges of indecently assaulting five separate boys all pupils at Sedbergh School in Cumbria, over a-ttroi year period from August 1989. Wedd, described in court as an outstanding rugby coach, resigned from his post at the 500-pupil boys' boarding school last August when the alteptions.came to light.

On the eighth day of, lib trial at Crown Court a jury of six six women took four hours to find him not guilty of iwti charges, by a majority verdict. The jury clamed him of three charges on Tuesday. Wedd, who smiled and nodded towards the jury as the final verdicts were given had denied the charges. Afterwards he said: "Throughout my teaching career 1 have always tried to put the needs of the individual child first and to build up the whole child as a valuable member of society. Five boys gave evidence from behind a screen, that the master had felt their private parts and in some cases weighed them naked or told them to exercise in the nude in the flat he shared with his wife Wedd told the court he had been taught to assess the sexual development of boys as part of his training as a physical education teacher at St Luke's College, Exeter.

Deadly Teesside air probed A MAJOR study, which could have international significance, has been launched on Teesside to establish exactly what impact air pollution caused by beivy induarrhalk on peoples health. The research will centre on three areas plagued by high death rates caused by respiratory disease. rr The three-year project has been up with £50,000 initial funding from the Middlesbrough City. Challenge and 40,000 from the town's Family Health Services It will be carried.out by a research team (rani Nevicastle, Durham and Universities. Dr.

Sam Ramaiah director Of health medicinelor Sesidi Tees Health Authority: "It wall be 'of Very few studies of its kind to pursue the mipact of environment, depriVidlon and lifestyle manner. It may well be of international and create a bineprmt studies in the future." The Grangetown and Scaith Bankareas of Middlesbrough have death. rates 80. per cent higher than national levela people under, 5. Deaths frotnrespiratory discise-are eveithilher.lhan thst June 11, 1992 Schools in fight against bullies MORE than 600 children are bring asked to log good and bad things done to them by schoolmates, such as being called names or getting help with homework.

Questionnaires also ask Hexham Middle School pupils whether another pupil has tried to kick them, threatened to hurt them or given or asked them for money. Negative answers indicate bullying and by making children aware it is hoped to reduce it during a six-week anti-bullying campaign which started on Monday. Head teacher David Boas said: "Results at the end of the campaign will show whether there has been a reduction in the number of incidents. "We are not doing it because there is a particular problem in this school but in response to the fact that no matter how often it happens it is very distressing. "1 would think any school which said it had no bullying was telling lies.

There will undoubtedly be some and we are looking for a reduction and improvement in relationships between children." Britain's first telephone helpline for victims of bullying will be launched today by That's Life presenter Esther Rantzen. The new national service was inspired by Katherine Bamber, the 16-year-old Kidderminster schoolgirl who allegedly killed herself because of bullying at school. It will be housed in offices above a former bank in Borough High Street, south-east London. Comment Page Al bypass set to get extra lane TRAFFIC congestion around the MetroCentre is to be relieved by widening the Al Gateshead Western Bypass. An extra, limn will be built as a.

sbort-term measure transport officials draw Massive improvement plans. The westbound side of the dual carriageway will be widened from two to three lanes between the Dunston Road and MetroCentre interchanges. Work on the threequarters-of-a-mile stretch of road is due to start next February and be completed 'sue months later. cheint should reduce peak period congestion caused by traffic queueing for' the Metro- Centre. But thern may be extra delays for motorists during construction work The Department of Transport is considering 'major to the Al, Costilig at least flOOm.

Widow's plea: yesterday's news cont Tribunal POLICE Oa Merseysid field regular drinks session at their headquarters, on of which left high-rankin officers "legless an an industrii tribunal was told." The forCe's CID wow Give at' ah drop of a 1 4 1 1 ford, tokrlbe inaustri where she is claim sex CHEYENNE daughter of American fil star 'Marlon, enjoyed a cigarette inside the Papa courthouse yesterday. Sh was waiting to give evide in connection with the murder of her boyfriend Drolett in May IWO. Cheyenne's half-brother Christian was convicted the killing, but she may charged with complicity. PC ma to 1 have been presented with certi fi cates after completing a four-week food hygiene course organised by Northumberland County Council's catering arm, Northumberland Contracting. (.

1 1 School praised SELE First School, Hexham, which. i featured in the BBC TV Zigzag series oil SHOW England, has been praised sis- well-disciplined and organised by the director of the production company which made the programmes. Drugs stolen DANGEROUS drugs including morphine and painkillers were stolen during a break-in at the Vantage chemist on Hexham Road, Throckley, i t. AL Newcastle. Police have warned that the can kill if taken in large enough li elecult business: Richard Adams is qu quantities.

firm where he has been in charge for 22 yl Slll NEWCASTLE POLYTECHNIC 4 WI FASO Ell 4 ...3" to I AN word Brought to you with OW excave NLWCASTLE CHRONICLE JOURNAL bank, throws offerir NEWCASTLE CIVIC CENTRE 7 4 The 21 JUNE 1992 110()B aeolog at 12.00 noon 3.00 pm 6.00 pm 4011... work 4. brief 7 Tickets £.5 each in aid of Rivers of kn Barnanios mint North To reserve your tickets complete the application form below and send It, together with your remittance and a DONT A This A SS 4 dredge s.a.e. to Fashion Show Tickets, Promotions Department, Chronicle Journal House, Groat Paters 19t ju some Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, NEI IED. Or can Into 'aincf in (A from Cardw Thomson House our Head Office front reception.

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11 111 business: Richard Adams is quitting the family.