Archive
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Pupils in show of strength for church funds
PUPILS from St Francis CE Primary School proved themselves the strongest in Newton Aycliffe by winning a tug of war contest. The children triumphed in the competition at St Clare's Church autumn fair at the weekend. There was a good turnout at the annual
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Project aims to tackle health care inequalities
A PROJECT to help tackle inequalities in health care among the ethnic minority community in Stockton has been launched. A cervical and breast awareness initiative is being carried out by the Sehat Project, part of the Stockton International Family Centre
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The village that refused to lie down and die
ON FRIDAY, November 29, 1991, the cage at Murton Colliery hauled miners back to the surface for the last time. Threatened by reduced redundancy payments and subjected to tough management tactics, the demoralised nearly 1,000-strong workforce had ditched
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Rocky lands a blow for Carter car park
ROCKY has come out fighting to save the North-East's most famous concrete eyesore from demolition. Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone, who starred in the Rambo and Rocky movies, is now appearing in a remake of the classic gangster film, Get Carter, shot
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Lualua ban adds to Cort blow
Toon favourite Lomana Lualua has been told to clean up his act after leaving his new club Newcastle in the lurch. The Geordies needed the 19-year-old flyer at Leicester after being rocked by news that jinxed £7m striker Carl Cort faces a further month
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Rider has a day to remember
RICHMOND rider Miss Isobel Reynolds and her mount Murphy returned from the Riding for the Disabled Association national final in Warwickshire with a silver rosette in the working pony class. Her success came after the Unicorn Centre at Hemlington received
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Blair boosts councillor in dark days
A COUNCILLOR who is going blind for a week for charity will receive more top level support today. Councillor David Newell was blindfolded by Prime Minister Tony Blair last Saturday, who also agreed to sponsor him. He is remaining sightless until Sunday
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Campaigners win extension to art project
CAMPAIGNERS trying to preserve a unique piece of art, that highlights the plight of victims of domestic violence in north Durham, have scored a success. Derwentside District Council agreed to allow the Derwentside Domestic Violence Forum, and Theatre
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Parents perform in memory of their son
PARENTS will perform in memory of their son, at a charity concert in north Durham. Eddie and Barbara Cresswell will sing at the Derwentside Multiple Sclerosis Group charity night, at Sandhole Workingmen's Club, Stanley, on Friday, November 24. The couple
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College holds service of remembrance
YOUNG people in Redcar and Cleveland will pay tribute to people who lost their lives in two world wars today. An act of remembrance will be held at the main campus of Redcar and Cleveland College, in Corporation Road, Redcar. A Celtic cross commemorates
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Appeal for school funds launches into cyberspace
A VILLAGE's campaign to replace a 125-year-old school is spreading its message worldwide, as volunteers step up their battle to finance the project. Ahead of talks to secure Government cash for the £160,000 Grewelthorpe Church of England Primary School
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Putting the jigsaw back together - Murton
AS THE AXE fell on Murton Colliery, union official Alan Napier, right, stayed at the forefront of the of the last ditch battle to keep the pit open. The fight,however, would eventually be lost and in those final months before closure Alan paid dearly
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Men at work - Murton
WITHOUT pit closures Frank Wilson and Barry Curtis would never have started their own business. Like so many young lads before them Frank and Barry went down the mines straight from school. And that is where they believed they would spend the rest of
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BT set to break up business
BT has unveiled its most dramatic reshaping since privatisation, with a partial break-up the business into four separately listed companies. The restructuring will see 5,000 people leave the company this year, and similar numbers each year after that.
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Protecting the most innocent members of society, particularly children, is of paramount importance
LOLLIPOP patrols are switching on to a new safety jacket, which lights up in bad weather conditions. Mike Hall, road safety officer for Redcar and Cleveland Council, said patrols had been given a set of Safelite jackets for its school crossing patrol
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Fire brigade warning
A FIRE brigade is urging parents to take care to avoid a repeat of an accident in which a child was badly burned. Michael McCorry sustained secondary and superficial burns over his entire body in an explosion in a garden shed, involving a tin of thinners
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Mason pots top award
County Super League John Mason (pictured right) of Crook B won the Individual Player of the Year with 24 points. Steve Wray of Ferryhill B was in second place with 20 points, while the third place was shared by Chris Bowran of Bishop Auckland, Gavin Witton
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Turn ons / Turn offs / Either or
TURN ONS The popular comedy-drama Cold Feet (Sunday, ITV, 9pm) kicks off with a two-hour episode as the usual three couples cope with fresh bouts of love, pain and the whole darn thing. Inspector Morse (Wednesday, ITV, 8.30pm) is only months away from
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Dirty washing and an empty cupboard... the lad's home
Senior Son's been home for the week. Well, I think he's been home..... Certainly I picked him up last Thursday. It took me an hour and a half to do the 20 minute journey to Northallerton, which is where - six hours after leaving Manchester - he'd managed
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Christmas fair
St Mark's Church, in Eldon, has its Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 18. Lunches are served from noon before the official opening at 1pm. On sale will be cakes and preserves, crafts, bottles, plants and containers, cushions and Christmas essentials
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Over-limit driver who put lives at risk jailed
A DRIVER deliberately put his car into a spin while over the drink limit and crashed into a cyclist, a court heard. Clifford Stewart, 24, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and being more than twice the alcohol limit when the accident happened in Newton
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School Buddies aim to help youngsters
TWENTY Year six pupils at St Mary's Primary School, Newton Aycliffe, have applied to be Buddies. Buddies are a group of children who help younger children within their school. Bullying is an awful thing that unfortunately happens to some children. St
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Family at war over sale of legend's shirt
THE family of a football legend is at loggerheads over the sale of his famous number nine shirt. Hughie Gallacher is considered to have been one of Newcastle's United's finest ever players. The black and white striped shirt he made famous in the 1927
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Teenagers remanded over shoplifting
TWO teenagers from Darlington were remanded in custody by Harrogate magistrates yesterday after they admitted shoplifting in the town. John Carl McManus, 19, of North Road, and Victoria Smith, 18, of Wordsworth Road, were said by prosecutor Sarah Tyrer
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Gloom surrounds festive light show
A MARKET town could be left in the dark this Christmas because of fears over the safety of its festive lights. The usual seasonal display in Barnard Castle could be a dim reflection of previous years because of new safety regulations on Christmas lights
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Lollipop patrols light the way
LOLLIPOP patrols in Redcar and Cleveland are switching on to a new safety jacket that lights up in adverse weather conditions. The council's road safety officer, Mike Hall, has been given a set of 'Safelites' for the borough's school crossing patrol officers
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The mopping up begins after week of flood misery
HOUSEHOLDERS and businesses were continuing the big clean-up today after floods wreaked havoc across the region. Homes were inundated, schools and shops forced to close and roads became rivers as the worst floods for decades brought towns and villages
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Info highway
A NEW way of providing bus passengers in the region with travel information is in line for a national innovation award. Roadsider timetable units, which were developed to provide timetable information at bus stops, have been tested in Redcar, Hartlepool
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Bus drivers told to observe Remembrance
A COMPANY is asking its bus drivers to play their part in helping to make sure passengers can join in the two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday. All drivers on Arriva North-East's 400-strong fleet have been instructed to pull into the side of the road
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Pupils bring festive cheer to war-hit children
CHILDREN at a County Durham village primary school have responded to the plight of their peers in eastern Europe. Having been told of the suffering of children in Balkan nations and neighbouring countries, because of the upheaval which has blighted the
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Museum draws record numbers
NEW figures have shown that one of Hambleton's most popular tourist attractions is continuing to pull in the crowds. Visitor numbers at the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum, in Great Ayton, the village where the explorer spent his childhood, have risen
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Being a Buddy
Nobody likes to be talked about, so when you are a Buddy it is important that you do not gossip to your friends about what you have seen or heard. A Buddy is like another friend who helps people when they are sad. By Christopher Jones and Jonathan Stevens
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Junior Football
A and C Kelly Gateshead Youth League Leam Rangers A still lead the Under-11 division and have a 100 per cent record following their 8-1 defeat of Low Fell B. Nathan Drury struck five times and Kyle Moffat bagged a brace for Leam Rangers A. Leam Rangers
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'Wrong site' for more studios
A PROPOSED development of artists' studios and a gallery in Saltburn valley gardens has met objections from local residents. The scheme would redevelop the former nursery site at Rose Walk, demolish two greenhouses, and build eight studios. The timber
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Quilters defy floods to visit exhibition
SEVERE flooding has failed to deter a group of quilters from visiting an exhibition at one of the region's most impressive museums. The quilters vowed to visit the exhibition at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, tomorrow, despite difficult travelling
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Looking Back: news from 100, 50 & 25 years ago
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - On Thursday afternoon a meeting of Darlington rate payers was held in the Lecture Hall of the Central Buildings for the purpose of protesting against the introduction of water gas. Mr J E Backhouse was called to the
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Chartered accountants bin their 'necessary evil' tag
MEMBERS of Service Challenge have launched their own charter to stamp out the perception of business people that chartered accountants are "a necessary evil". An audience of business people and regional decision makers attended the launch at the Riverside
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Carnival in crisis
THE annual Northallerton charity carnival is looking for new blood following the decision of the chairman and secretary to stand down after 24 years' involvement. Chairman Mr Colin Narramore and his wife, Yvonne, the secretary, are helped by a committee
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LEAF launches farm in moors park
THE first LEAF farm in the North York Moors national park has been officially launched. Stoupe Brow Cottage is a 270-acre traditionally mixed family farm, managed by Mr Will Terry, and his mother. LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is a charitable
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North Yorkshire - Flash floods wreak havoc
TRADERS and residents in Northallerton have been left counting the cost of the worst flooding to hit the town in years. Council and police chiefs set up a 24-hour emergency centre after flash floods washed out the High Street and forced many families
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Community that may become ghost town
THE heart of a community devastated by floods could be ripped out because a large number of residents want to leave. Skinningrove, in east Cleveland, has been hit by severe flooding for the third time in three months, and now many of the residents have
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New airport boss predicts bright future for freight
TEESSIDE Airport's new managing director predicted a bright future last night for the proposed freight development, which will bring thousands of jobs to the area. Former managing director at Glasgow Prestwick, Hugh Lang spoke of his desires for a freight
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Life's full of ups and downs . . .
MOUNTAINEER Alan Hinkes took the plunge from a landmark "peak" in his adopted North-East to highlight a charity challenge. The hardy Yorkshireman, who has scaled many of the world's highest mountains, was faced with a less daunting descent, having clambered
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Wear Valley - Full-scale alert as water levels rise
WEAR VALLEY braced itself for the worst as floods threatened homes across the district this week for the second time this year. As severe flood warnings were issued for the River Gaunless, more than 6,000 sandbags were issued and a school was converted
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Spectator's Notes: Oh for the return of pickled Wensleydale
LAST week's announcement of the take-over of Fountains Dairy by Hawes Creamery sent Spectator scurrying to his bookshelves for a slim volume - a very slim volume indeed, an orangey-buff paperback booklet, cost "one shilling". The Story of Wensleydale
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Police appeal to witness
POLICE are trying to trace a woman who escaped the clutches of two would-be muggers. Shortly after an attempt to snatch her bag, she warned another woman to beware of the youths responsible. Moments later, the second woman fell victim to the pair as she
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Countryman's Diary: Lost? You could not make it up
MR David Leyshon of the Ramblers' Association, in a letter to this paper on October 20, said that readers should ignore my scare-mongering and misleading regurgitation of inaccurate and speculative press reports. He was referring to my brief notes about
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Couple face three-month wait to return home
ELDERLY residents evacuated from their homes in Thirsk are facing a three-month wait before they can return. Forty residents from Gillings Court old people's home and Todds Court had to be evacuated by mountain rescue personnel early last Friday morning
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Record year joy for Cook trustees
NEW figures have shown that one of Hambleton's most popular tourist attractions is continuing to pull in the crowds. Visitor numbers at the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum in Great Ayton, the village where the explorer spent his childhood, have risen by
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Apples that proved a real tonic
THE wonderful thing about Lanchester Apple Juice is that not only does it taste of apples, but you can tell which apples it tastes of. Just as we choose different varieties of apple to eat, now we can choose them to drink as well. Most commercial apple
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GSM wins Nissan label
THIRSK-based GSM Group has won a major contract to supply Nissan's Sunderland plant with component labels. The contract for two million labels per year bucks the trend of motor manufacturers sourcing outside the UK. The contract will lead to the creation
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International talk for students
A PARTY of youngsters from Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough attended an international conference in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. It attracted young people from the Ukraine and Germany as well as Minsk and Teesside. Sam Campion, Prior Pursglove's
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Artist draws on her skills
ARTIST Tricia McLaughlin spent a morning entertaining year three pupils at a Newton Aycliffe school. Children from Byerley Park Primary School visited nearby Greenfield Community and Arts Centre to see her exhibition currently on display in the art gallery
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Vandals hit defences
REDCAR and East Cleveland has been devastated by torrential rains and flooding. Worst hit again was Skinningrove but many villages throughout the district were also affected - including Brotton, Carlin How, Loftus and Skelton, as well as parts of Redcar
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Fives and Threes
Darlington League Division A P W D L F A Pts Cleveland Club 9 7 1 1 43 29 15 JUC 9 5 3 1 43 29 13 Nags Head 9 4 4 1 41 31 12 Hogans A 9 4 3 2 40 32 11 Slaters 9 3 4 2 37 35 10 Speedwell 9 2 6 1 36 36 10 Wheatsheaf B 9 2 5 2 38 34 9 Railway Inst B 9 4
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Michelle's long silence pays off
A SELF-CONFESSED motormouth achieved the impossible and stayed silent for 24 hours. With the help of sticky tape plastered across her lips and sheer willpower, 30-year-old Michelle Beach, who works at Cleveland Police headquarters in Middlesbrough, raised
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Four-way struggle for pole position
Tow Law Area League The situation at the top has never been tighter as four teams share the leadership. They are Esh McKennas, Sunniside Moss, Esh Stag's Head and Tow Law New Market B. Sunniside Moss Inn held a lead before they entertained Esh McKennas
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Football
Stepy's Coaches Durham Sunday League Top marksman was Steven Adair of the Cooperage at Bowburn, scoring six times in the 8-1 Second Division home win over Langley Park WMC, Barry Wilkinson and substitute Chris Mulkerin adding the other two. Ahmed Hussein
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Tests to detect radon gas offered
A committee takes to the road next week as Richmondshire District Council continues to take local government to the people. The environment team meets at Muker Village Hall on Tuesday, with a presentation planned by the Environment Agency on its new flood
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Abattoir closure will hit 450 jobs
MALTON Bacon Factory has announced the closure of its Teesside abattoir, with the loss of 450 jobs. Mr Max Hilliard, chief executive, said the closure of Hargrave and Co in Middlesborough was regrettable but had been forced upon them. "We need to realign
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Football: Ten men survive to deny Town valuable points
Washington 1 Northallerton Town 1 NORTHALLERTON dropped two valuable points after they failed to take advantage when Washington were reduced to ten men for the entire second half. With only nine points separating 16 clubs in Division Two, a victory would
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Joan calls for action over Web porn
A WOMAN who was bombarded with obscene mail after her personal details were posted on a pornographic Internet site is stepping up her fight for stricter Web laws. Joan Young received countless telephone calls from men hoping to arrange sexual liaisons
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On the ball
Rugby Union: Bishop Auckland Rugby Club stages a memorial match on Sunday in honour of former player Paul Fitt whose recent sudden death shocked and saddened all who knew him. Fitt also played for Shildon and Newton Aycliffe and players from all his former
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Durham - Bungalow owner fears insurers will refuse cover
TRACTOR driver Bill Sinderson faces getting his kitchen refitted for the third time after his bungalow was flooded from a damaged drain. Mr Sinderson, of Coxhoe, has been fighting for ten years to get the drain, on a nearby playing field, repaired. But
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Christmas tree joy for elderly
A SPONSORED Christmas tree is to help raise money for elderly people. The Durham and Wearside committee of Help the Aged is to put up a Christmas tree in the grounds of Darlington Memorial Hospital, and will be called a Tree of Light. It will be sponsored
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Concert off
Supergirly, who were due to perform at Darlington Arts Centre today, have had to cancel their visit due to illness. The 205 people who have booked for the show are being contacted by Darlington Arts Centre and the Civic Theatre, and will be given full
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Musical talent revealed by art
PRIMARY schoolchildren are sounding out colour in a cross-art project to create a musical sculpture. Working with musician Cathryn Dew and visual artist Kerrie Marshall, youngsters from Newport Primary School, Middlesbrough, have created a structure which
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Squash: Girl power propels Ripon to clear victory
RIPON players Val Gears and Sue Bailey proved they can compete in a man's world - and win. The pair, who play in the male-dominated Harrogate and District League, both recorded victories over men as their side defeated the Army Foundation College. Neil
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Family seeks answers to steelman's death
THE family of a steel worker who died following a tragic accident at work is looking for answers. Three weeks ago, Bob Powlay, 54, of Coatham Road, Redcar, was crushed by a 20ft by 10ft steel plate at the Corus plant at Portrack, Stockton. Mr Powlay died
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Ambitious plans to expand scheme
THE scheme that aims to boost the education and welfare of County Durham's youngsters has announced ambitious expansion plans. County Durham Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership is looking to more than double the number of care places available
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Welcome mat for open day visitors
STAFF and pupils at Bedale High School organised a spectacular night when they held their annual open evening for parents of current and prospective students. Hundreds of people attended and all the school departments put on a wide range of displays.
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Bowls
Durham County Community Carpet Bowls Division One League: Ludworth played 3, points 18; Pittington 3, 12; Bowburn 3, 10; Hamsteels 4, 10; Tudhoe 1, 6; Esh Winning 1, 6; Croxdale 3, 6; Shincliffe 3, 6; Midridge 2, 4; Trimdon Com. Col. 3, 0. Division Two
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Giant mosaic is tiler-made for fun in the playground
PRIMARY schoolchildren are thrilled to pieces with a giant mosaic that will brighten up their playground. More than 2,000 tiles have been produced in Wheatlands Primary School's kiln to fit into a 68sq m millennium mosaic, drawn by artist in residence
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Butler stays another month
Darlington manager Gary Bennett yesterday secured midfielder Thomas Butler for another month - and also got permission for him and Kevin Kyle to play in the FA Cup. Bennett met Sunderland boss Peter Reid yesterday afternoon, and both of them agreed that
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Good show by Mark for Whitley Braves
Junior round-up Whitley Braves had a comprehensive win over Sheffield Greyhounds in an English Under-19 North B League match at Queen's Road. Braves, 15-3 winners, got off to a good start by scoring on the powerplay after 57 seconds from Paul Graham.
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The past - and a puzzle - from the dust
AMONG items of local history that came to light during refurbishment work at Loftus town hall, one is posing something of a mystery. For no-one knows why the framed picture of Johnson Forbes Robertson, a great Shakespearean actor during the late 19th
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Store told to remove video screen
A record store is being ordered to remove a large video screen from its shop window. The Virgin V shop, formerly Our Price, opened earlier this year in Durham's Market Place, with a futuristic look that upset planners and conservationists. The store has
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Boro Chat
ONE win in the last eleven and only one goal in five doesn't add up to the greatest statistic to take to Old Trafford - but that's Boro's task this weekend as they face Manchester United. On Boro's side is the fact that they were the last Premiership
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Drugs users in rehabilitation as young as 11
MORE youngsters under the age of 20 are starting drug treatment on Teesside than anywhere else in the UK. The number of addicts aged 15 to 24 seeking help is also six times the national average. It has also been claimed that some of the youngsters experimenting
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College staff find wizard way to promote christmas fair
A COLLEGE which trains disabled people for work is gearing up to celebrate the festive season in style. Finchale Training College, on the outskirts of Durham, is holding its Christmas fair on Saturday, December 2, from 10am to 4pm. The event, which will
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Durham - Guests flee hotel fire
AROUND 120 guests were evacuated from a Durham City hotel when a blaze caught hold in a second-floor corridor. Acrid smoke belched from several windows of the Royal County Hotel in Old Elvet as flames spread along the corridor. Guests, many wrapped in
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True cost of child poverty highlighted
THE North-East - particularly Middlesbrough and Newcastle - figures largely in a national picture of child poverty. The Barnardos' report, Counting the Cost of Child Poverty, was co-authored by the charity's North-East expert on poverty, Dr Mike Hughes
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Arts News: The dale is alive with the sound of music and laughter
THE autumn section of Wensleydale festival is well under way with events taking place in village halls, farmers' barns, castles, schools and homes for the elderly. Launched with the aid of lottery and local funding, the festival takes the form of shows
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Win with Echosport
Darlington will be holding their annual Sportsman's Dinner at Feethams on Tuesday and you could be there thanks to Northen Echosport. The guest speaker will be former Leeds and England star Duncan Mackenzie with comedy from Dave Grizzly Adams. The evening
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Ex-pop singer to launch musical
MIDDLESBROUGH is to stage the national premiere of a musical. Former Flying Pickets singer Hereward Kaye, who was born in the town, has composed a musical, entitled Hell can be Heaven, about a damned soul, who descends into the underworld to find he is
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Boro back on form
Guisborough Town FC 2 Whitley Bay 1 URGENCY was back in the Guisborough team and Whitley Bay were beaten by two outstanding goals. Whitley Bay opened their account on 55 minutes when David Carr's speculative shot from the half way line drifted over stranded
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Rail group seeks help
RAIL enthusiasts are looking for volunteers to help restore a crane and wagon which could eventually run on a redundant branch line. Members of the Weardale Loco Preservation Group spend their Sundays reviving rolling stock for the Weardale Railway, which
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Draw for Marske
Marske United 1 Peterlee 1 DESPITE very heavy conditions underfoot both teams played some good football. Marske took the lead at the beginning of the second period when Markham swung in a corner and Sankey bundled in the ball. A sudden break brought a
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Acklam's key win
Camerons Teesside League THE clash of the top two teams survived the weather, as surprisingly did four other league matches. Cargo Fleet took the lead after 25 minutes through a Ray Teasdale penalty, his ninth goal of the season, but unbeaten Acklam SW
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Floods after months of rain bring double whammy
FARMERS in Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland have been hit by a double whammy of floods and relentless wet weather in the last few months. Mr Alec Turnbull, NFU senior policy adviser for the North-East, detailed the current position in the arable sector
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Huge cigarette haul discovered
CUSTOMS officers netted a large haul of contraband cigarettes in the North-East yesterday. Fourteen officials discovered 3.3 million Regal cigarettes concealed in pallets of wood at a warehouse in an industrial unit at North Shields, Tyneside. It is believed
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Advice offered on going into business
RESIDENTS on an estate undergoing a major transformation are being offered advice on becoming self-employed. The Sherburn Road Estate, on the outskirts of Durham, is getting a multi-million pound facelift to improve the environment, reduce crime and boost
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Vin makes it into the spotlight
AT this particular moment Vin Diesel doesn't seem like the ideal candidate to battle against deadly noctural creatures on a far-off planet as he does in the sci-fi monster movie Pitch Black. The American whose acting name sounds like a particularly unappealing
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Football
Crook and District League Crook Wanderers remain unbeaten and go top after beating Byers Green St Peters. Goals from Stephen Emery and Chris Pounder saw the Wanderers two up. Byers Green pulled one back but man of the match Stephen Emery restored the
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War memories on show
AN exhibition has opened at a town library to remember those who gave their lives during the two world wars. The display at Spennymoor Library includes memorabilia provided by local people, including model aeroplanes, photographs and station passes. There
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Dangerous pervert may be in region
A CONVICTED sex offender who poses a dangerous threat to children is thought to be on the run in the region, say police. Darren John Coser, originally from Hartlepool, fled to the West Midlands after being sentenced to a prison term for indecently assaulting
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Snooker
Worthington CIU Pairs Championship Second round draw: D. Watson & K. Davison (Witton Gilbert) v A. Prest & M. Brown (Leeholme B); C. Lomax & J. Martin (Willington) v G. Whitelock & W. Oliver (Fishburn B); S. Hughes & M. Halliday sen
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Hundreds reminisce about YFC
A MILLENNIUM reunion held by Durham Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs attracted more than 500 guests. One of the stars of the night was Mrs Gladys Hodgson, who is 84 and who was the original secretary of Staindrop YFC when it was founded in 1932. And
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Red letter day for post staff
POSTAL staff have celebrated the opening of a £1.2m delivery office on a town's industrial estate. The 34 postal staff in Thirsk saw Royal Mail area manager Alison Wright open the centre at a ceremony. The posties, who were previously based at Newsham
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Underground car park assured bright future
PLANS to carry out further improvements to a town centre car park in Hartlepool have been revealed by council chiefs. They intend to cover the walls of the underground car park, next to the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, in a reflective white paint
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Suicide verdict on paedophile found hanged
A PAEDOPHILE hanged himself in his North-East flat, an inquest heard yesterday. Divorcee Owen Hopper's body remained undiscovered for almost a week at the address in St Bede's Terrace, Hendon, Sunderland, where he lived alone. The 47-year-old's body was
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Letters: Flash floods at the 'drop of a hat'
Sir, - With regard to the recent serious flooding of Northallerton, I am pressing for action from Hambleton District and North Yorkshire County to undertake a catchment wide hydrological survey of Turker beck and Sun beck, the two main causes of the flooding
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Struck off doctors 'are arrogant'
THE president of the General Medical Council (GMC) branded doctors struck off as characteristically "arrogant and incompetent" during a live radio interview. Speaking on Radio 5 Live, Sir Donald Irvine claimed that several doctors involved with scandals
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Krestimanci takes novice championship at Toad Hall
AT the BSPS Area 3A winter qualifying show at Toad Hall, Thirsk, Lucy Metcalfe scored a double win and took the championship in the novice section with Krestimanci ahead of Francesca Halder on the Welsh Section B Douthwaite Bolero. The mini championship
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Norton hit hard tiles (Hockey)
Norton, only a few seasons ago were knocking on the door for a place in the National League, but now they have fallen on hard times. They have lost their opening six games in Division One of the Northern League, have suffered relegation last season. Chairman
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Tesco told to rethink plans for Northallerton store
ARCHITECTS working on designs for a new 44,316 sq ft Tesco superstore in Northallerton were yesterday ordered to go back to their drawing boards. Hambleton planning committee overwhelmingly rejected existing blueprints - criticised for proposing an industrial-style
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Be a good neighbour plea after crime rise
DETECTIVES in Durham City have pleaded with people to report anyone seen acting suspiciously around neighbours' homes. Break-ins have gone up in the city and outlying villages since the clocks went back two weeks ago and thieves take advantage of the
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Snooker / Billiards
Cleveland League First Division leaders Redcar WMC were beaten for the first time this season by Carlin How A in the Bass Breweries sponsored league. Mark Earl won his first frame beating Gary Beckett of Redcar WMC 61-43. The second frame was a closely
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Kindly deeds for a disbled boy
FAMILY, friends and neighbours have raised thousands of pounds for a disabled Durham boy. Organisers of the appeal fund for eight-year-old Alasdair Wadge said £3,668 had been raised through several events. With sponsorship money still to come, that sum
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Everything's up in the air for a mayor
THE Mayor of Darlington is fully prepared for her gripping act in next week's town festival after spending a day juggling. Councillor Dot Long stepped into the shoes of a circus performer yesterday for her part in the Orange Darlington Festival Lantern
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Super-rat scourge yet to reach region
NORTH-EAST officials say a new breed of super rat immune to the latest poisons has yet to reach the region. The National Pest Technicians Association claims numbers of the brown rat - rattus norvegicus - are the highest in living memory. And it says that
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Mill chages hands, and premises too
A "DUSTY MILLER" is demoting himself from boss to just one of the workers after the sale of a village's organic flour mill. The cottage industry project was started 16 years ago by husband and wife team Mr Graham Roberts and his wife, Joan, when they
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Games
CIU League The qualifying stages for the singles championships were held at Crook Belle Vue for the darts, dominoes and pool sections. Four players came through to qualify in the darts and pool with eight going through to the dominoes finals. The darts
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Grass Root Memories
50 years ago November 10, 1950: Georgie Pratt, the first Darlington Grammar School Old Boy to represent Durham County, retains his place in the Durham County Rugby Union team to play Lancashire at West Hartlepool. November 10, 1955: Craghead Welfare have
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No to flats
PLANS to build 62 flats in five blocks on a site at Great Ayton were rejected by councillors yesterday. Wimpey Homes were given a chance by Hambleton planning committee to submit revised proposals for the development behind California Court, Frankfield
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University to honour former editor
A NORTH-EAST university is to honour a former editor of The Northern Echo. Harold Evans, a distinguished campaigning editor of the region's favourite daily, is to receive a degree of Doctor Letters at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough. Mr Evans
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Prison pioneers new control room system
A HIGH-SECURITY prison in the North-East is to become the first in the country to install advanced control room facilities. Frankland Jail, on the outskirts of Durham City, will inaugurate Concept 2000, being introduced by the Prison Service nationally
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Thief steals leukaemia boy's phone
BURGLARS have stolen a mobile phone from an eight-year-old boy who suffers from leukaemia. Daniel Turner had his phone stolen as he enjoyed Darlington's fireworks extravaganza, in South Park on Saturday night. Daniel, a pupil at Springfield Primary, was
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Burn Road off to a flier
Burn Road Harriers got the defence of their NYSD League cross country title off to a great start with a win in the first race of the season. The Hartlepool club's senior men faced atrocious conditions at Barnard Castle but grabbed victory by two points
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Five-a-side
North View Engineering League Division A SCA Package 18, Haughton Five 2; Glenwoods Paints 8, Longfield 3; College Clan 8, Bellwood Rewinds 7; Security Surveyors 5, Dani Martini 3; Wades 4, DBC 7. P W D L F A Pts Glenwoods 9 9 0 0 75 26 27 Security Surveyors
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'We won't be cutting back on gritting'
LOCAL authorities say they will not be cutting back on road gritting this winter, despite a landmark legal ruling. The House of Lords ruled earlier this year that a council did not have to salt all the roads in its area after an accident on a road that
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Road fears stop home scheme
PLANS for a house on the outskirts of a village have been rejected due to road safety fears. Durham City Council was asked to give outline permission to allow building on a small field, north of The Avenue, Coxhoe. Durham County Council highways officials
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Fishermen fear for jobs as cod quota cuts moves closer
FEARS were raised yesterday for the jobs of more than 300 North-East fishermen as the threat of huge cutbacks in North Sea cod quotas drew nearer. Now urgent talks are to be held between the fishing industry and Fisheries Minister Elliot Morley. Marine
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Drama at US vote
Republican George W Bush held a tiny and rapidly diminishing lead over Al Gore last night in the Florida recount to find the next US president. With 62 of the state's 67 counties completing their recounts, the Texas governor's lead slumped to 341 votes
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Beckham is leader of pack
David Beckham will take the role of father figure when England face Italy in a friendly in Turin on Wednesday. In his first match as caretaker manager of the national side, Peter Taylor named the 25-year-old Manchester United as skipper and his leader
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Driver admits car insurance was forgery
A GUILT-RIDDEN driver handed over forged insurance documents to a court before confessing his crime to court staff just minutes later. Paul Smith, 23, was asked to produce his insurance documents after being stopped by police in Pity Me, County Durham
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Basketball
Teesside League Thirsk Vikings are still looking for a first league win of the season following an eight-point defeat against Thornaby but had to rely on a strong junior contingent. In the first quarter Thirsk were very much in the game, trailing 18-14
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Out with the old and in with the young
In embracing the future with almost unprecedented gusto, England's caretaker coach Peter Taylor has ensured Sven-Goran Eriksson can view the brightest young talent the country has to offer without even leaving Italy. Taylor's England squad bears as much
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People urged to join tree-planting drive
A FREE tree scheme will not only make County Durham greener - it could also win a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Durham County Council grants are available to pay for planting projects, which are timed to coincide with National Tree Week, the
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Village families fight plans for phone mast in play area
A SECOND wave of protests has started in a north Durham village against plans to erect a mobile telephone mast. Parents from Burnopfield have already lobbied Derwentside District Council and phone company One-2-One about plans to build a mast near Burnopfield
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Convoy on the road to defeat
IT usually pays to quit while you're ahead. The activists in fuel protest lobby were way ahead in terms of public support when they called off their blockades in September. In the space of a few days they brought a stubborn Government to its senses; highlighted
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Boksic back
Alen Boksic looks certain to miss Middlesbrough's biggest test of the season after failing to recover from knee ligament damage. Bryan Robson was hoping the Croatian would be back to lead what looks like Mission Impossible against Manchester United tomorrow
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Bookie is fined for tax dodge
A bookmaker who dodged paying betting tax has been fined £1,500 by magistrates. Raymond Challenor, who managed J and M Racing's betting shop at the Middlebeck Social Club, Middlesbrough, admitted seven offences of fraudulently evading duty for six months
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Hear all sides
FLOODS I WONDER if I might be so bold as to express the thanks of the community for the sterling work of our public servants during the rain and floods. Many worked in very difficult and atrocious conditions to hold back the elements, alas in vain in
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Dickie Bird's shop visit
A CRICKET legend is coming to Guisborough to sign copies of his latest books. Former umpire Dickie Bird, a Yorkshireman, will be at the Guisborough Bookshop, in Chaloner Street, Guisborough, on Tuesday, to sign copies of his latest paperback, White Cap
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Tools worth £10,000 stolen
THIEVES took electric tools worth £10,000 in a raid on a building site, on Tuesday night. They broke into the site behind the Regency Hotel, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, which is being turned into a doctors' surgery. Equipment taken included drills, saws
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Potato wrestling on menu
A NEW sport came to the region for the first time yesterday - mashed potato wrestling. The sport, already a smash in the US, made its debut in a Newcastle pub as bemused locals watched two women mash each other in a potato pit. Organised by the British
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Traders back plans for free Christmas parking
AN extra dose of Christmas cheer could be on its way to shoppers in Guisborough and Redcar. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is planning to suspend car parking charges in the town after 3pm, from Monday, December 4, for the Christmas period. Andy
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Looking for a snail-friendly home
IN its time, the Blue Cross animal adoption centre has seen thousands of sick and injured pets come and go - but never anything quite like this. Treating cats and dogs is second nature to staff at the centre in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, but staff were
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Wear Valley - Bringing Christmas cheer
CHILDREN seeking sanctuary from a miserable Christmas will be given some extra cheer this year from the fundraising efforts of a town's police and business community. Licensees and traders in Bishop Auckland helped officers raise £1,102 for a refuge that
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Riddle of car at murder scene
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a North-East man have made a renewed appeal for information on a stolen car spotted near the scene. Freddie Knights was blasted twice with a sawn-off shotgun after being lured to a trap outside his mother's home
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Detectives follow new leads in vice girl killing
MURDER hunt detectives are following up "a number of leads'' in their bid to find the killer of prostitute Vicky Glass. Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, who is heading the investigation, appealed yesterday for everyone who saw the 21-year-old on the
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12th Century site discovery puts wine bar plan on hold
GHOSTS from the past may be returning to haunt a nightspot owner's hopes of a new venture. Plans by Javed Majid's business - Maher Entertainments - for a three-storey wine bar and 32-seater restaurant on the site of a tyre and exhaust centre, at Yarm,
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Lady Brittan is our guest
LADY Brittan is guest speaker at our big occasion in Darlington on Tuesday, when the town's comprehensive schools compete for public-speaking honours. The chairman of the National Lottery Charities Board, whose North Yorkshire home with Lord (formerly
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Forget the facts, enjoy the fiction
Doctor Dolittle, Sunderland Empire THE old cynic inside has to acknowledge Doctor Dolittle has more than a shade of the over-sentimental, not least when the eccentric vet is serenading a seal, dressed as an old granny, before throwing it into the sea
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Council adopts get-tough policy on strays
A COUNCIL is to take a tough line on the increasing problem of stray horses. Darlington Borough Council says it will impound any horses found straying or tethered on its land without permission. Owners will be required to pay £150 to cover the council's
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Pony dates
BCTG. - Nov 13: Annual meeting at Middleton EC, 8pm, old and new members welcome. 01325 332685. Braes of Derwent South PC. - Nov 18: Team showjumping, Holmside Park Arena, triers, novice and open classes. Dec 9: Indoor hunter trial, Holmside Park, novice
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Free Christmas park-and-ride
A FREE park-and-ride service will operate from County Hall car park, Durham, into the city centre, on the five Saturdays before Christmas. Bus operator Arriva has teamed up with Durham city and county councils, and traders' group Durham City Forum, to
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echo competition winners take trip back in time
A GROUP of schoolchildren took a step back in time during the first of ten free trips the school has won with The Northern Echo. More than 40 pupils from Staindrop Primary School, in Teesdale, County Durham, dressed up in Victorian-style clothing for
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Day out ended in tragedy
A MAN told an inquest yesterday how he tried to save a student from drowning. Swansea Coroner's Court heard that Peter Gannon, from Newcastle, drowned after getting into difficulties while swimming at Three Cliffs beach on the Gower, near Swansea. Holidaymaker
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Boys blow whistle for soccer success
TWO Year 11 pupils at Bedale High School are on the road to sporting success - as football referees. The 16-year-olds have passed the FA Class 3 referees exam and are now officiating at school matches. Head of PE Martyn Coombs - himself a Class 1 referee
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Focus on aid packages to ex-mining villages
LESS than a decade ago, the region saw the wholesale shutdown of its coal mining industry. Communities across County Durham were devastated as thousands of men were thrown out of work, and the resulting economic collapse crippled once-thriving towns and
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Dale may get own abattoir
UPPER Wensleydale could have its own commercial abattoir if a partnership between a businessman and the Northern dales red meat initiative can unlock funding, writes Jill Neill. Ambitious plans to upgrade an unlicensed slaughter house near Bainbridge
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Vandals add to the misery of flood victims
YOUNG vandals have been slashing precious sandbags in a flood-ravaged village. The borough council is warning of legal action if the culprits are caught. The new threat emerged in Skinningrove as Cleveland breathed a sigh of relief at the past couple
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Revitalised author is proof that you are what you eat
ALTERNATIVE therapies and remedies are growing in popularity as people move away from a culture of using powerful drugs. One man who knows the benefits of alternative remedies very well is Mr John Darrell, aged 47, from Pickering. He has published the
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In the frame for smartness
ST Mary's have just had some new windows fitted in every classroom, and in the hall. The windows have royal blue PVC panels beneath them, which represents the school colour. The old windows had been in place since 1962 when the school was built. The wooden
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Football
Of the North Riding Challenge Cup games to ahead, B and H King's Head, top of the league, came out on top in their tie at home to Boosbeck United, leaders of the Cleveland and Eskvale League. King's Head went in front on 20 minutes when Brian Crawley
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Charter sets standards for social services
A FOOTBALL club is to host a seminar for those who want to learn more about a health authority and social services' future plans. The seminar, at Darlington Football Club on Monday, will also promote the joint charter for adults using community care services
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Huge thank you to PTA members
LAST year, St Mary's fab PTA raised nearly £5,000. The money was spent on computers, software and outdoor equipment to keep everyone happy. St Mary's PTA has two superb members in Bev Minns and Jackie Watson. Their son and daughter (Jonathan and Anna)
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Daytime sightings of otters intrigue experts
DAYTIME sightings of the rare and elusive otter are on the increase in the dales, according to river watchers. The Yorkshire wildlife trust has based its conclusion on responses to widely-displayed posters, asking the public to report sightings, which
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Medal winner saves the day at lights switch-on
PARALYMPICS star Tanni Grey-Thompson came to the rescue when the weather threatened a celebrity Christmas lights switch-on. Astronomer Patrick Moore had been due to launch the decorations at Gateshead MetroCentre on Monday night. However, he had to cancel
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Fun is sum of maths scheme
STAFF at an infants school on Teesside hope they have figured out how to help parents and children enjoy doing maths at home. The school's maths coordinator, Jennifer Powell, launched a games trolley, complete with 60 different activities, at Teesville
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Nestfield recovery
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League THE remaining Darlington Motor Factors Second Division Cup quarter-final tie was finally resolved at the third attempt when leaders Nestfield Club beat Classic World of Fitness. In a hard fought game
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Five-a-side
Oak Leaf Sports Complex Alexander le Skerne Leagues Junior P W D L F A Pts Fishburn 7 6 1 0 20 6 19 NASC 7 6 0 1 23 4 18 Heighington Wndrs 7 5 0 2 18 7 15 NASC Under 10s 7 3 1 3 11 9 10 Five Stars 7 3 0 4 7 7 9 Blue Stars 7 3 0 4 10 15 9 Heighington Rngrs
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Billy Row super show
Tow Law Bass League Billy Row Club moved 13 points clear after whitewashing visitors Tow Law North Point. However, Point pulled off a surprise in the captain's game where Ivan Blacker beat Geoff Pratt. Esh Football Club went into second place, one ahead
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Renaissance men and women take tiller at flagship museum
UNDER the chairmanship of Lord Eccles, the new board of trustees of one of the region's top museums held its first meeting. The eight men and four women will lead the renaissance of the Bowes museum under its new independent charitable status. In their
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Double gold for Amy and team
Four North-East gymnasts created history at the weekend when they retained their national title - a year after becoming the first team from the region to bring home the championship. Amy Fossheim, Hala Alali, Haley Robson and Rebecca Richardson made up
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Memorial vandalism disgusts veterans
DISGUST at the desecration of a Cleveland war memorial brought a generous gesture from an association dedicated to those who died in the First World War. The local branch of the Western Front Association rallied round after vandals spilled paint, dumped
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Blaydon star O'Neill returns to face Mowden Park in clash of unbeaten sides
BLAYDON have former Newcastle Falcons player Steve O'Neill back for the North One top-of-the-table crunch at home to Darlington Mowden Park tomorrow, writes TIM WELLOCK. After a three-week absence with a shoulder injury, the powerful flanker joins Soa
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Schoolchildren tap into computer technology at workshop
A DARLINGTON school played host to an innovative two-day computer workshop. Mowden Junior School invited teachers, parents and governors at schools in Darlington to sample the new technology available. They were able to try out a number of activities
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11,800 tokens later, club celebrates £7,500 success
VILLAGERS and regulars are celebrating a £7,500 windfall after social club members won The Northern Echo Pub and Club Community Challenge 2000. When the test was set for licensees and their regulars, to collect tokens from the Echo and earn the grand
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Millwright called in to make wheel turn
THE 19th century water wheel at Fountains Abbey is set to turn again as an ambitious restoration project enters its final phase. The 18ft diameter wheel is part of Europe's oldest monastic corn mill at the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal estate. It
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Chester le Street - Firefighters hold back the waters
ONLY the desperate efforts of firefighters working through the night prevented hundreds of homes being flooded this week. As The Advertiser went to print there was still a severe flood warning at Chester-le-Street where the Durham County Cricket Club
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Warehouse plan hits delay
Access worries prompted planners to delay a decision on a warehousing operation at Scorton's old grammar school. Randall Orchard Holdings hoped Richmondshire District Council would back its plan on Tuesday night, but nearly 50 neighbours objected, and
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Travel firm aims to give Cameron a super Christmas
THE bravery of a little boy who was struck down by meningitis is being recognised with a campaign to give him a great Christmas. Staff at Hays Travel, in Bishop Auckland, who have been touched by the plight of 14-month-old Cameron Murray, have launched
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Utilities spark alert over bogus callers
A POLICE force is joining forces with an electricity company to help residents protect themselves against the dangers of bogus callers. Yorkshire Electricity is working in partnership with North Yorkshire Police and People United Against Crime to get
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Children show colour of their money
YOUNGSTERS at Bowburn Infant and Nursery School held a Big Blue and Yellow Day to help a children's charity. They and some staff members donned blue and yellow wigs and clothes in the two colours, paying for the privilege. The event raised £560 for the
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Another milestone reached
THISTLE Hotels has reached another milestone in the development of its North-East empire with the opening of a new £500,000 restaurant and bar at its Newcastle hotel. The new Gengis venue is the latest investment in the region by Thistle which has recently
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Consett & Stanley - Porton Down's 'darkest hour'
NOBODY knows what was going through Ronald Maddison's mind those last few moments as he sat in a Government lab waiting for a deadly poison to be dripped on his arm. Whether he was worried, confident or even if he knew what was going on at all is lost
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Trio on course for running trophies
THREE youngsters from Bedale have shown they have really got what it takes when it comes to the competitive world of sport. The trio of girls from Bedale High School led the way when it came to the Hambleton and Richmondshire Area Cross Country Championships
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Asbestos victim's family on quest
A FAMILY is seeking compensation for the death of a man after inhaling asbestos in the workplace. Engineer Brian Newton, from Billingham, Teesside, was diagnosed with the cancer mesothelioma in January 1999. His moving story, which involved him flying
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Racing Week, by Jo Scott: Soft going foils Flossy's bid
BRIAN ELLISON plans ahead, and plans well. When his charge Batswing was second at Epsom in early September, he decided to run the gelding in the Doncaster November Handicap. And the plan certainly worked as Batswing romped home under Robert Winston to
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A royal bouquet for council
DURHAM City Council has received the Royal seal of approval for its staging of the Britain in Bloom finals. The city has been the only venue to host the climax of the popular floral competition twice, this year and in 1996. The Tidy Britain Group, which
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Bedfors's lucky 13th
Quakers RC A total of 32 members of the junior section took on the Junior Great North Run course which started and finished at the Gateshead International Stadium. In a field of approximately 4000, Carl Bedford had an excellent run to finish the three-mile
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Diamond day celebrations
TWO teenagers who met at a swimming baths in 1935 would never have guessed that 60 years later they would be celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. Nancy Withers, 81, met her husband, Clarence, at a swimming baths in Bishop Auckland when she was
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Take a squint at gala art
PUTTING together an exhibition of paintings depicting the Durham Miners' Gala was a labour of love for artist George Robson. For almost three decades the talented painter helped organise the Big Meeting for pitmen and their families. Commissioned by Easington
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Smoothie Scots should lay-off Keegan bashing
IN the wake of certain utterances from Adam Crozier it's time for a spot of Scot-bashing. The bagpipe brigade's rugby team will be firmly silenced by the wizards of Oz at Murrayfield tomorrow. An English captain and their liking for kilted Kiwis won't
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Consett & Stanley - Man who fuelled a protest
A SMALL pre-fabricated hut, cost £1,000, two tables covered with newspapers, three chairs, no room for any more, perched on an exposed hill in a farmyard a few miles out of Consett. It's an unlikely nerve centre for the biggest and most disruptive protest
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Reptile centre pinning its hopes on shoppers
A CHARITY dedicated to saving abandoned exotic pets is launching a fundraising drive next week. The Reptile Trust, based at Burnopfield, near Stanley, hopes to raise thousands of pounds by selling pin badges. The money will help pay for the cost of its
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Motorsport: Procter recovers well to make winning return
LEEMING Bar rally driver Kevin Procter defied treacherous conditions to claim a well-deserved outright victory on the recent Premier Stages Rally based in Mansfield. On his first event for four months and co-driven by Bedale's Mark Lawson, Procter fought
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Ringing the changes as history published
A NEW colour edition of an illustrated history of 800 years of bells and bellringers at St Cuthbert's church, Darlington, is now on sale, in aid of church funds. Copies, costing £5, are available in the church. St Cuthbert's has one of the strongest bands
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Set for stardom
YOUNG musicians are being offered the chance to take their first steps to stardom. Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency and Studio 64 have joined forces to run a series of free workshops in a professional recording studio. They will allow
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Help to plant twitchers' living screen
COUNTRYSIDE wardens are inviting people to help create a bird-watching screen at Stillington Forest Park. It will be made by weaving rods of living willow poles, which are put in the ground to take root. Ian Bond, Stockton Borough Council's countryside
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Story tellers' park show
A GROUP of professional story tellers will be enchanting visitors to a woodland park tonight, with a tale of war, magic and terror. London group Word of Mouth will use masks, movement and the spoken word to tell the tale of Cucullon the War Machine -
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Westwood hit the top
Durham Alliance O a day when the weather took it's toll on a number of the scheduled matches, Washington Westwood hit top spot for the first time this season when they defeated a depleted Herrington CW 3-0 at the Welfare ground. Herrington manager Kevin
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Farmers stage second market
DARLINGTON'S second farmers' market will take place in the town centre today. Catering students from Darlington College of Technology will be at the market, preparing Pudsey Bear biscuits for people to taste. The college will also be running a Ready Steady
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On the beach on a sunny bank holiday in 1947
AT the end of another miserable week of weather, it is a good time to look back on the days when the sun shone on the North-East. This is Tynemouth, on a beautiful Bank Holiday in 1947. Look at the thousands of people speckled on Long Sands (No 1) and
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Angling
Competitors were relieved to see the Tees fishable with all Yorkshire river events cancelled, writes JEFF HERBERT. Although badly coloured on the lower reaches at Yarm the 4th round of the North-East Winter League went ahead as planned on Sunday and small
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Council calls for flood help
HELP could be on its way to a village at the centre of East Cleveland's flooding crisis. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council held an executive meeting this week to see what Government help could be made available to the stricken village of Skinningrove
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Tobacco unions reject claim
A CLAIM by the European Commission that a ban on high-tar tobacco exports will not lead to job losses in the North-East has been rejected by union leaders. Consumer affairs commissioner David Byrne says there is no evidence that stopping the manufacture
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Darlington - Full-scale alert as water levels rise
AS floods continue to blight com-munities across the country, residents in the Darlington and Sedgefield boroughs continue to be in turmoil because of the weather. At the start of the week, Hurworth, near Darlington, braced itself for the worst as the
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Knapp beats the deadline
Colin Knapp of Middridge Cycle Club has gained an unprecedented 19 standard times just a few weeks after reaching the age of 40 to become a veteran rider for the first time. After his 40th birthday in mid-July, Knapp travelled all over the country to
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Footballers sparkle in class and on pitch
A COLLEGE and football club are working together to dispel the myth that footballers are all brawn and no brains. Eight players who belong to Middlesbrough Football Club's Academy received BTEC National Certificates in Sports Science at Middlesbrough
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Swimming
Newcastle, with 19 individual and team titles, was the most successful club at the NE Counties junior and senior short course championships at Middlesbrough last weekend, writes ERIC WILKINSON. Michael Downes made a clean sweep of the men's backstroke
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Visitors invited to drop in on school
VISITORS are invited to an open morning at a Teesside school tomorrow, to see how pupils work. Pupils in the junior and senior departments, at Teesside High School, Eaglescliffe, will be working as normal, with a range of activities, including art, music
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Mavericks flying start rocks students
Durham League Middlesbrough Mavericks notched their second Division One victory of the season with an 86-77 victory at the expense of neighbours University of Teesside. A three-pointer from Ian Viveash opened Mavericks scoring and they never looked back
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Cleveland Bridge crash in county cup
Hetton Youth League Two sides progressed in the Durham County Youth Cup. Springwell recorded an outstanding 9-0 victory at home to Darlington Cleveland Bridge when Scott Robinson rifled four goals and Daniel Clark hit a hat-trick. Cleveland Bridge's misery
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'Keeper Coleman is mustard
Darlington and District League Spraire switched their game to opponents Rothmans' ground and despite the absence of a match official both sides kept their heads and fought out an entertaining 1-1 drawpraire. In difficult conditions both sides tried to
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The Unibond League
Spennymoor manager Peter Mulcaster has blasted former player-coach Andy Toman. The former Hartlepool and Darlington midfielder left the Brewery Field after just a month there in October, saying that "things hadn't worked out." But Mulcaster has now revealed
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Pupils are air base VIPs
PUPILS from Mowbray School, at Bedale, were dreaming of a high-flying career when they visited an RAF base. The youngsters paid a visit to RAF Leeming, where they were shown a video detailing all the aircraft flown from there. They also got hands-on experience
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Prize at the double for Kathryn
STUDENT Kathryn Ripley has proved top of the class by winning two university prizes. Kathryn, 21, from Newton Aycliffe, has just started her third and final year of an applied psychology degree at the University of Durham. Kathryn, who attended Woodham
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The Albany Northern League
The Albany Northern League won't be promoting clubs to the UniBond League at the end of this season for the second successive year. Clubs had until the middle of last month to inform the league that they would consider promotion to the next rung of the
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Fuel demo ignoring warnings
Get the latest news on the convoy here as well as background information and an opportunity to tell us your views. A CONVOY of hard-line fuel protestors have this morning left for London - despite police warnings that they face arrest and signs of waning
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Welcome to our new priest
OUR new parish priest has settled in well. Father Dunne was appointed parish priest on Tuesday, August 29. St Patrick's, his former parish in Consett, was much larger than St Mary's. He became a priest 29 years ago because a good friend went to college
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Army sets sights on rifle range
A NEW firing range at the Army's depot at Bellerby is likely to go ahead, as long as the Ministry of Defence can come up with a building which blends into the scenery. Richmondshire's planners have given conditional consent for a 600-metre rifle range
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Billy Row super show
Tow Law Bass League Billy Row Club moved 13 points clear after whitewashing visitors Tow Law North Point. However, Point pulled off a surprise in the captain's game where Ivan Blacker beat Geoff Pratt. Esh Football Club went into second place, one ahead
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Doubts over future of school after damage by flood water
A DARLINGTON infant school has been closed indefinitely after flood damage to the boiler room left the classrooms without power, heating and light. But it is possible that the children at Firthmoor Infants may never return to their classrooms because
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Binmen set strike date
STRIKE action by some of the region's refuse collectors moved a step closer this week. Collectors in Redcar and Cleveland have been served with dismissal notices by the borough council, which wants to re-employ them under new contracts that could see
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Festive help for blind
BLIND people across Stockton will be receiving Christmas cards in Braille. The Open Technology Centre, at Stockton Central Library, and Stockton Blind People's Voice, have got together for the scheme. Those who wish to send blind or visually impaired
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Spennithorne glory with late winner
Wensleydale Creamery League I the second round of the North Riding Saturday Challenge Cup, Spennithorne grabbed a late winner to go through 3-2 at home to Anchor Inn from Guisborough. Paul Orton put them ahead from the penalty spot after 13 minutes and
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From trauma to triumph, one woman's tale of courage
IT was a Hollywood actress who persuaded Ms Tina Sadler to write a book about the most traumatic episode of her whole life and the astonishing way in which she responded to it. Thirteen years ago the Northallerton teacher had her left forearm torn off
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Remembrance services held
THE mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will lay a wreath at Redcar's Cenotaph during the annual Remembrance Day parade and service. The event, which takes place on Sunday, has been organised by the Redcar branch of the Royal British Legion
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Stonemasons get to work on Greyfriars tower
STONEMASONS have begun work on one of Richmond's oldest monuments, the Greyfriars tower. The £40,000 restoration project will strengthen the structure and open up the area to allow the public to walk under the archways. Experts say the 15th century tower
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Crackdown on off-road bikes hailed success
POLICE say a summer operation to curb teenage motorcyclists using a beauty spot was a success. Years of work put into maintaining rare limestone grassland at Sherburn Hill, near Durham City, was threatened by the off-road bikers. The Site of Special Scientific
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My cocaine girl's plea for help goes unheeded
A MOTHER has made a cry for help for her 22-year-old daughter who is recovering from a cocaine overdose. The plea comes as police and drug experts reveal the use of cocaine is on the increase in the region. The woman, who has asked not to be named, is
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Children tap into new learning experience
NURSERY children are celebrating after winning a new computer. The youngsters in the nursery class at The Links Primary School, Carnoustie Drive, Eaglescliffe, won the computer in a poster design competition as part of Tesco's Computers for Schools. Two
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Ladies Hockey
Stockton gained their third league win with a 1-0 home win over defiant Guisborough who were sunk by a late penalty stroke. Stockton's pressure was absorbed well by a skilful Guisborough defence which remained tight, giving Stockton little room for manoeuvre
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Ferryhill Greyhound cause cup upset
FERRYHILL Greyhound, in the Villa Real Cup fourth round, defeated Marden 1-0 away, a most unexpected result as Marden are close challengers for the premier league title and Ferryhill are fourth bottom in Division One. Ferryhill put Marden under pressure
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Darts and Dominoes
Aycliffe and District League Darts P W F A T C Royal Hotel 11 10 56 21 20 6 Red Lion 11 10 55 22 20 11 Horndale A 11 9 55 22 18 9 Southerne 11 9 49 28 18 7 Iron Horse 11 8 50 27 16 4 Oaktree 11 7 40 37 14 7 Navy Club B 12 6 44 40 12 9 RAFA 12 5 42 42
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Brainwave with a JCB saves village from inundation
A BRAINWAVE saved the village of Neasham from being engulfed when a JCB was used to plug its defences. The flashpoint was at Kent Bridge where the water came over the parapet, taking everybody by surprise. A 6am last Friday morning the flood embankment
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Durham march on
Durham County Youth A hat-trick by West Auckland's Kevin Shoulder helped Durham County U-18s to a 4-2 victory over the West Riding in the second round of the FA County Youth Cup. Durham are now at home to Devon in round three on December 2. Playing at
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Youngsters get even better sporting chance
AN organisation dedicated to helping sporty schoolchildren is celebrating a big cash boost. Durham Sport has received a total of £20,000 from Siemens Business Services and Sportsmatch, the Government's sports sponsorship incentive scheme. Durham Sport
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Harton plan major facelift - Wearside League
Harton and Westoe hope that their facilities will be completely upgraded for the start of the 2002-3 season. The club's long-standing ambition to provide the very best is gradually nearing fruition and work on the ground could start before the end of
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After 45 years England catch up with law man on the run
After 45 years in the running, Ian Barnes has finally won his first international athletics vest - shortly after his 65th birthday. "It's very satisfactory," he concedes, as only a legal man might. "It's not very often that an old age pensioner gets the
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Rugby: Cup run halted in controversial fashion
AFTER the prospect of further Tetley's Bitter Cup glamour ended in controversial defeat last Saturday, Darlington Mowden Park must lift themselves for their most crucial match of the season tomorrow. If they can win away to unbeaten North Division One
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Marketing campaign set to bring boom time to Tyneside
A NEW marketing agency has been launched with the aim of bringing millions of pounds of new business into the region. The Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, formed from the partnership between the two councils, has announced its plans to promote the area
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In brief
BOWLS: DURHAM won five of six rinks against hosts Norfolk to clinch the English Carpet Bowls Association Inter-League championship, held at Hemsby, in Norfolk. But Durham failed in their bid to make it a double and in the round-robin on Saturday and Sunday
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Chester le Street - Police chief comes under fire
RESIDENTS under siege from tearaway teenagers say they want to bring County Durham police's chief constable to task for failing to stop the problem. After years of putting up with petty vandalism, abuse and harassment from local youngsters, residents
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Bouquets of the week
Dear Sharon After 14 happy years in Darlington, 11 of them at the Memorial Hospital, I am moving on and would like to thank two groups who do excellent work in the town. Firstly, the town councillors. All those I have dealt with have been highly committed
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Is it a sign or an image of Jimmy Hill?
BACK home in Ireland, we are used to this sort of thing - moving statues, paintings of the Virgin Mary which cry real tears, rosary beads which have turned gold overnight and reports of mysterious apparitions. But the eerie bearded face which has appeared
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Learn skills of the Big Top then show off
YOUNGSTERS at the Allertonshire School in Northallerton are getting the chance to learn some spectacular skills later this month - at a circus workshop. Run by the Skylight Circus, the workshop, on November 18 and 19, gives youngsters the chance to learn
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Political heavyweights give pupils a recipe for success
POLITICAL party leaders Tony Blair and William Hague have united to boost funds at a country school. The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition donated recipes for fish pie and gingerbread to a celebrity cookbook produced by youngsters at Fountains
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Dale co-op jettisons manager
A COST-cutting exercise has led to the redundancy of the manager of an independent co-operative society. Mr William Craig, who has been retail manager of the Stanhope and Weardale Co-operative Society for five years, was saddened by the decision of the
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'Healthy' woman's cancer dilemma
A NORTH-EAST woman suffering from a rare condition which makes her unusually prone to cancer is searching for a surgeon prepared to remove her breasts, even though at present they are thought to be healthy. Susan Marrison was diagnosed with the hereditary
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Police probe airbag thefts
POLICE in Darlington were last night investigating the theft of several airbags from cars parked in a nearby village. Thieves struck overnight in Middleton St George and broke into eight cars. The main items stolen were airbags, six in total, from four
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Quakers deny parking site is threat to graves
THE Society of Friends in Darlington has hit back at the council's refusal to grant extra car parking on its land. Last week an application to formalise nine car parking spaces at the back of the meeting house in Skinnergate was rejected by the planning
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Divers try to get line back on track
FLOOD-HIT railway passengers on the East Coast Mainline are facing misery until at least Sunday as divers check the safety of submerged bridge supports. Although the line is to re-open today at Hatfield - scene of the crash which killed four people last
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Leaders run ended
Cockton Hill pulled off their best win of the season when they travelled to Wheatley Hill A and ended their host's unbeaten run, thus cutting the Hill's lead at the top of the First Division to just one point. Ronnie Peacock gave the Hill a good start
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Letters: Who says we think it's better?
Sir, - I have just read the article in Richmondshire District Council's The Curlew about improvement in access provision to the council chamber at Swale House. This article indicates that Disability Action In Richmondshire (DAIR) was involved in consultation
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From the Editor of The Northern Echo
THE worst often brings out the best in people. There can be little doubt that the rains currently inundating the North-East are the worst in living memory and, in some places, the worst in many generations' collective memories. But, in many places, it
