Archive
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Tributes follow death of top Army chaplain at 52
BRITAIN'S leading Roman Catholic Army chaplain will be buried today with full military honours in his home town of Hartlepool. Monsignor Kevin Vasey died on Monday aged 52 after an illness. He was born in Hartlepool, the third son of a firefighter, on
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Video link technology transports prisoners to court in an instant
A PRISON-TO-COURT video link - allowing cases to be processed faster, more cheaply and with greater security - was launched in Durham yesterday. The link, at Durham Prison, will be used for remand, committal and bail application hearings, removing the
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Farmer bucks trend with rodeo bull
A farmer is hoping to buck the trend of the industry's failing fortunes with the help of new mechanical rodeo bull. Andrew Spence, who hit the headlines 18 months ago when he was at the forefront of the fuel protests, will take his portable machine to
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Legion show their quality
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League Royal British Legion of Division Three produced the performance of the day to take the scalp of The Northern Echo and move into the cup quarter finals. The Legion started the game much brighter than
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Backsheesh keeps Tuer string on the right track
EDWIN Tuer's yard, which has been in such good form under rules, kept that form going in point-to-points when Backsheesh (Hurworth) took the mixed open race at the West of Yore meeting at Hornby Castle last Sunday. Ridden by Grant Tuer, Backsheesh was
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Lessons to be Learned inquiry hears of ministry 'arrogance' and disorganisation
A COUNTY Durham farmer this week re-lived traumatic foot-and-mouth experiences as she told a public hearing of days of suffering her family and animals endured. Irene Whitfield of Hedleyhope Farm, Tow Law, said restrictions meant they could not feed their
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Gary going for national glory
Horden Sportsmans ABC's Gary Hancock fights in the National Schoolboy finals this weekend where he will be bidding to claim the under 39 kilo crown. Gary qualified for the final with victories over Kirk Goodings of Sunderland ABC in the divisional championships
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Football
T & M Disco Crook and District League Howden Australian drew level with Stanhope at the top after beating Byers Green St Peters. Byers Green trailed 1-0 after a close first half but they equalised early in the second through Chris Pickles. Howden
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Shop is lifeline for farming couple
A NORTH Yorkshire farm, thrown a lifeline by a local authority, is now flourishing thanks to a venture launched last year. Mainsgill Farm, on the A66 just north of Scotch Corner, was among many struggling to keep its head above water during the foot-and-mouth
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Disco-dancing challenge
MORE than 150 people disco-dancing youngsters aged four and 17 will compete for trophies in a competition at Evenwood and Ramshaw Community Centre, tonight, at 6.30pm. The contest will feature 25 teams from County Durham, and is part of a county council
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Waste-into-power proposals to be put before residents
PLANS to turn waste into electrical power are to go before the public later this month, in a bid to allay local peoples' fears. The proposal to build a gas-powered electricity generating station at a landfill site on the edge of the North York Moors,
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Police question men about body found in flat
Police were last night still quizzing three men following the discovery of a man's body in a Teesside flat. The man, said to be in his mid 20s, was found collapsed early yesterday in a flat above the Palladian Shops on Eastbourne Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough
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Illness halts arms dealer's freedom bid
A JAILED arms dealer's bid to be freed from prison in India has been put on hold, after tests confirmed he had TB and pneumonia. Peter Bleach, of Fylingthorpe, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been in jail for more than six years for his part in dropping
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Land found for new Bedale juniors football ground
BUDDING young footballers at Bedale will have more scope for development if an ambitious project costing an estimated £450,000 reaches fruition. There is so much pressure on existing pitches in and around the town that Bedale Junior FC sometimes has to
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Northern stables in good form for Cheltenham
ALL eyes are on Cheltenham and the forthcoming Festival, not least because last year's event was missed due to foot-and-mouth. Several of our trainers have live chances and the past week has shown them to be in form. Keeping faith with Tyneandthyneagain
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£62,000 bonus saves care schemes from closure
THREE voluntary care schemes have been saved from the threat of closure after a cash injection. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is pumping more than £62,000 into bridging a funding gap caused by the withdrawal of Government grants. The schemes are
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Parish councillors resign over code of conduct ruling
THE parish council representing Aiskew and Leeming Bar has been plunged into crisis over reforms being introduced nationally by the Government. By July, all seven members will have either resigned or been barred from holding office because they are refusing
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Why I can understand the anguish of Maria's parents
A MOTHER who lost her baby son a year ago has told of the little boy's struggle with the disfiguring Goldenhar's Syndrome. Lisa Leadbitter, 28, of Darlington, spoke out after a baby with the same condition became involved in a legal battle between her
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North Yorkshire news in brief
£200,000 school revamp ST MARTIN'S Church of England school on Scarborough's South Cliff is to get a £200,000 revamp because of a lack of space. The school, which has 279 pupils, is to get a new library, information technology suite, music area and extra
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Sheep must beat stigma
THE UNJUSTIFIED stigma hanging over sheep must be removed as a matter of urgency. Les Armstrong, NFU national livestock committee chairman, said sheep had been vilified for too long. "They have been bad news; they have been blamed for this and that when
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Junior Football
Brompton THE Under-13s suffered their first cup defeat of the season going down 2-0 to a determined Darlington Spraire Lads team. John Henry had Brompton's only shot on goal and this summed up the overall performance. Darlington outwitted Brompton in
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Oak is still at heart of our broadleaved woodlands
THE mighty oak is the most abundant broadleaf tree in Yorkshire and the North-East. In the two regions, the area of broadleaved woodland has increased by 30pc and 51pc respectively since 1980. The figures were contained in the regional edition of the
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Exports boom as Swedes take to Quorn
A STOKESLEY firm which makes the Quorn meat substitute has won two national awards for its booming export business. Marlow Foods, which employs 360 staff on Stokesley industrial estate, was named frozen and chilled exporter of the year, and English exporter
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Bells Stores sweeps board
THE business community of the Tees Valley turned out in force last night to honour its star performers. More than 700 guests attended the Tall Trees Hotel in Yarm, near Stockton, to hear the winners in the North-East Business Awards for the Tees Valley
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Pony dates
BCTG. - Mar 25: Patsy Bartram dressage clinic, open to non-members, 01325 332685. BSPS Area 3a. - Mar 24: Winter show, Yafforth. Tel: 01642 452439. Cleveland Hunt PC. - Mar 12: Open show jumping rally at The Mill, Stokesley, ring Shirley Hockney, 01642
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High school girls enjoy a breath of fresh air
OPERA went glam at a Cleveland school this week - to the delight of pupils and staff. Making their only appearance in the area, OperaBabes were at Teesside High School on Tuesday. While Karen England and Rebecca Knight might have looked like members of
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AMEC results break the £100m barrier
INTERNATIONAL engineering and construction business AMEC has seen profits rise by 18 per cent, and break the £100m barrier for the first time. The group, of Northwich, Cheshire, works in a variety of areas, including oil and gas, power, infrastructure
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New suite means more people can learn straight from horse's mouth
THE first turf at a new education suite at a riding school for the disabled was cut yesterday - with a little help from Scilla, the Shetland pony. Staff at the Unicorn Centre, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, were joined by their four-legged friend and John
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Son's plea to save work of sculptor
THE son of a sculptor whose famous creation could be demolished is to argue the case for keeping the artwork, at a public meetingy. Victor Pasmore designed the Apollo Pavilion, in Peterlee, as part of a housing development in the 1970s. Hailed at the
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Letters: What protection?
Sir, - Last year CPRE launched a Green Belt campaign in Teesside to try to protect the remaining countryside we have which is attractive and accessible to the local people. The foot-and-mouth crisis brought home to people what little quality green space
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Four-midable Billingham
Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League The weather once again interfered with ten games being postponed. Billingham Wanderers are through to the Robson-Pattison Cup Semi-Final, they defeated the Lord Seaham 4-1 at home. Hero of the game was Mark Steele
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Thinking the unthinkable at Herriot's world
COUNCIL officers are currently wrestling with the question of what to do with Thirsk's World of James Herriot. Readers will recall the combination of foot-and-mouth and September 11 dealt the centre a heavy blow last year. A 30pc drop in visitors meant
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Police drugs swoop nets 13
A SERIES of police raids in the Sedgefield area has resulted in 13 arrests and seizure of drugs with a street value of £100,000. Operation Klezmer, an ongoing intelligence-led campaign against drugs, began towards the end of January. Eight houses in Newton
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Bells Stores sweeps board
THE business community of the Tees Valley turned out in force last night to honour its star performers. More than 700 guests attended the Tall Trees Hotel in Yarm, near Stockton, to hear the winners in the North-East Business Awards for the Tees Valley
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Rugby
Under-20s Durham County 48 v 0 Cumbria Full-back Stuart Pool (Durham Uni) scored the first try after four minutes and then number eight Ben Redshaw (Durham Uni) scored a try in the 12th minute, followed by another try in the 16th by scrum half Charles
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Heavy praise for Metal combat game
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Publisher: Konami. Price: £39.99. Format: PS2. SOME games need the hard sell. They need careful PR, flashy advertising campaigns and, in some cases, expensive TV air time if they are to do well. And then there are
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Celebration of the perfect book at bedtime
NURSERY school pupils donned dressing gowns and cuddled up to their teddies to promote bedtime reading. Youngsters from Darlington Town Hall's workplace nursery, Kids and Co, joined staff from Darlington Library to help promote Bedtime Reading Week and
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Leading the way in new technology
THE school has recently been selected to receive new government funding to promote innovation in the use of ICT (information communication technology). Innovation funding is a new grant under the Government's standards grant funding, to enable schools
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Young get a say on child poverty cash
YOUNG people are to be asked to help decide how £800,000 should be spent to tackle child poverty and exclusion. An initial grant of £20,000 has been provided by the Children and Young People's Unit to start up the Children's Fund project in Darlington
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Alan Muse Insurance Saunders Cup
Draw - First Round to be played by May 26: A Murton v Boldon; B Ryhope v Shotley Bridge; C Horden v South Hetton; D South Shields v Philadelphia; E Houghton v Blackhall; F Dawdon v Darlington; G Bishop Auckland v Tudhoe; H Felling v Durham City; I Darlington
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Village backs farmer
PLANNERS have commended a Dales community for co-operating with a farmer trying to start afresh after losing his livestock to foot-and-mouth last year. The Pratt family want to move their farmstead away from the edge of Bellerby and sell the current farm
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Hannah sparkles on land and in water
A NORTHALLERTON college student has enjoyed a busy and successful month representing Yorkshire in the swimming pool and on the cross-country course. Hannah Creelman (pictured above) won a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke, a silver in the 100m freestyle
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Bells Stores sweeps board
THE business community of the Tees Valley turned out in force last night to honour its star performers. More than 700 guests attended the Tall Trees Hotel in Yarm, near Stockton, to hear the winners in the North-East Business Awards for the Tees Valley
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Taxi service launched for disabled people
DARLINGTON'S new taxi service for the disabled will be launched on March 18. Called Ring-a-Ride, the service will be funded by the council and run by Darlington and District Youth and Community Association. The service will use a purpose-made 16-seater
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Guisborough vets pledge to carry on after shock death of owner
A VETS' practice in Guisborough is pledging to continue the good work of its popular owner. Clients have been in tears this week after the death of 46-year-old Chris Tootill, who had run the Wilton House Clinic for many years. But "sad and shocked" staff
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Minister praises self-help group
A SELF-HELP group set up by farmers at the height of Wensleydale's foot-and-mouth outbreak was praised by animal health minister Elliot Morley during a fact-finding visit to North Yorkshire on Monday. Mr Morley was at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes
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Small school with big ambitions
ONE of Britain's smallest schools has launched its own recruitment campaign in a bid to boost pupil numbers. Rookhope School, in Weardale, has just 22 children on the roll - five infants and 17 juniors. And teaching staff so are determined to keep the
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U-turn means travellers must go
A Council looks set to do a complete u-turn over plans to allow a group of travellers to stay at an illegal site at Warrenby, near Redcar. Earlier this week, officers from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council were recommending that its executive, which
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Meet organisers get approval for fair site
ORGANISERS of Barnard Castle Meet have been given permission to use the town's Scar Top for the annual fair. The event will see the crowning of the Meet Queen on June 1, with celebrations to tie in with the Queen's golden jubilee celebrations. The Meet
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Parents 'in limbo' over baby's treatment
The family of a baby born with a badly disfigured face was last night said to be "in limbo", awaiting news of emergency surgery expected to be carried out on the child. Medical experts said 12-week-old Maria Aziz Al-Rafi needed an urgent tracheotomy to
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Crash passenger who sued dead foster dad gets £2.5m
A CAR passenger left with severe brain damage has been awarded £2.5m after suing his dead foster father who drove into a wall during an epileptic fit. Shane Burns was 14 when the road accident, in August 1991, left him needing care and supervision for
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Business news in brief
Taiwan deal is secured SPECIALIST integrated systems company, Secure Electronics, has returned from Taiwan full of eastern promise. The Gateshead business sent a delegation on a visit to Taiwan, with the help of Trade Partners UK, to clarify specifications
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Return of the rocking Angel
WHEN The Little Angels sold out the Royal Albert Hall in 1994, it was the end of a dazzling ten-year international career for the band. From humble beginnings at Scarborough's Sixth Form College, they went on to have ten top 40 singles and their last
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Another honour for Jonathan
Olympic Gold triple jumper Jonathan Edwards has been presented with another accolade for his collection - Honorary Freeman of the City of Newcastle. In a ceremony at the city's Civic Centre, Mr Edwards joined the club which includes Newcastle United striker
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Passengers flock to low-cost airlines
LOW-cost airlines easyJet and Go continued to enjoy strong growth in passenger numbers last month. EasyJet, of Luton, carried 721,642 passengers in February, 35.8 per cent ahead of the same month a year ago, while 358,626 people flew with Go, up 74.1
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Production slump hits GKN figures
lower production in the world's automotive and aviation industries sent profits tumbling at engineering group GKN last year. The company has suffered as firms grapple with the tougher economic conditions. Chief executive Marcus Beresford said he was hopeful
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Why we loathe, and love, the Beckhams
WHAT is it about Posh Spice that had 8.3 million of us glued to our TV screens to watch the fly-on-the-wall documentary about her, Being Victoria Beckham, this week? She has about as much talent as your average local pub karaoke entrant. Anyone who watched
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Homes market has ring of confidence
THE housing boom showed no sign of slowing in February, with prices shooting up by 1.5 per cent, according to figures from Halifax. The bank said the gain was due to consumer confidence continuing to bounce back after the September 11 terrorist attacks
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Artist keeps tradition alive
THE TRADITION and heritage of the Durham Miners' Gala is being kept alive through the brush of artist George Robson. A former National Union of Mineworkers' finance officer in Durham, he has helped to organise the 'Big Meeting' for the last 27 years.Despite
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Working to close the growing health gap
WHAT do NHS tribalism, the emergence of new infectious diseases and the role of memory in school work have in common? The answer lies in the sleek, glass-fronted Wolfson Institute which has opened on the banks of the Tees at Stockton. Part of the impressive
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Hitting the heritage trail in search of yorkshire's historic sites
TOURISM chiefs took a big step forward in their efforts to welcome walkers back to the countryside yesterday - with the launch of a new guide. Heritage Hikes, which describes six walks around historic properties in North Yorkshire, was launched by keen
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Darlington and South Durham news in brief
Car snatched from garage A thief stole a grey Vauxhall Corsa Merit, registration R711 HNV, from the Gregg Little Testing Centre, Leaside, Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate, between 4.30pm and 5pm on Monday. The man pretended to be a prospective purchaser
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Early delivery of floral colour at post office
SUMMER has come early for postmistress Maxine Raine. Maxine has packed her post office at St John's Chapel, in Weardale, with every variety of silk flower she could find. Customers were stunned by the mass of colour on display. But it has been good for
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Two treated after chemical leak from van
A POLICE officer and a van driver were taken to hospital after a chemical spillage in the centre of Durham City yesterday. The pair were treated at the city's University Hospital of North Durham for the effects of inhaling fumes of acetic anhydride and
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Bonuses pegged for John Lewis staff
DEPARTMENT store group John Lewis has pegged back bonuses for its 57,000 staff after seeing bottom-line annual profits fall for the fourth year in a row. The department store group will offer staff nine per cent of their annual salary - down from ten
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Call for planning system overhaul
A RADICAL overhaul of the planning system is needed to boost the economy and improve the quality of homes and neighbourhoods in the North-East, planning minister Lord Falconer said yesterday. He was addressing a conference organised by the British Urban
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Traders push ahead with wardens plan
DESPAIRING of petty crime, wanton damage and daylight attacks on people in the town centre, Thirsk Chamber of Trade is to push ahead with plans to bring in community wardens. Chamber chairman Don Moore told members at this week's meeting that money was
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Basketball - College keep up good run
Durham League Middlesbrough College Academy stretched their unbeaten Durham League division one run to five games this week with a 87-73 win over Nissan. The win did not move Academy up the table, but they do have games in hand on the three teams above
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Cubs and beavers chip away for jubilee
Cubs and Beavers have been using their creative skills to raise money for the Queen's golden jubilee. The children joined members of the 2nd Bishop Auckland Scouts at Bishop Auckland College to make wooden bird boxes. The woodwork session will also help
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Tom takes centrestage as new-look charity shop re-opens
A YOUNGSTER fighting cancer became a celebrity for the day when he was called on to cut the ribbon at the reopening of a charity shop. Tom Claxton, 12, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, yesterday (MAR 7) officially re-opened the new-look Cancer Research UK
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Why we loathe, and love, the Beckhams
WHAT is it about Posh Spice that had 8.3 million of us glued to our TV screens to watch the fly-on-the-wall documentary about her, Being Victoria Beckham, this week? She has about as much talent as your average local pub karaoke entrant. Anyone who watched
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Warning over jelly sweets danger
WARNING letters have been sent to sweet dealers and school tuck shops in a North-East town asking them to withdraw certain jelly sweets which could choke children. The Food Standards Agency made the request to Darlington Borough Council, among others
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Experts welcome opening of £1.8m hospital extension
part of a multi-million pound refurbishment of a community hospital has been completed. A £1.8m extension of the tower block at Shotley Bridge Community Hospital opens today. It will contain a minor injuries unit and GP out-of-hours service. The orthopaedic
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Theatre magic delights primary pupils
YOUNGSTERS from a Darlington primary school were over the moon when a theatre company paid its annual visit. The Magic Carpet Theatre Company put on its Moon Magic show for eight and nine-year-olds at Heathfield Primary School, getting youngsters involved
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Letters: TDC tosh
Sir, - Your leading article (D&S Mar 1), comments on the damming verdict of the National Audit Office into the activities of the former Teesside Development Corporation Having actually had the benefit of reading the full report, I simply fail to see
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Wintry finale after a month of record-breaking warmth
FEBRUARY was the reverse of January, ending on a wintry note, but not as frosty as at the start of the year. Temperatures returned only to the levels we should expect. The sustained mildness between these cooler periods was exceptional and more typical
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The Albany Northern League
Northern League followers are preparing themselves for a thrilling series of matches between Whitley Bay and Durham City over the next two months. After winning their respective quarter final ties last Saturday in the FA Carlsberg Vase, the pair were
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Formica pays price of demand for wood
CREATED by an American and manufactured in the North-East, Formica was hailed as the work surface of the future in the 1950s. During the next 30 years it gained a reputation for toughness and durability second to none. But times have changed and the long-lasting
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Athletics Quakers RC
A alternative Doctors' Gate Fell race was staged due to snow and icy conditions which made the original route unsafe. A two and a half mile route was quickly devised and made into a two lap course. Barry Stephenson was first home for the Quakers in second
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Athletics
Mandale Harriers Elaine Smithy, now with Sale Harriers, clinched the bronze medal in the AAA I-20 championship long jump in Birmingham. She set an indoors personal best of 5.74m just 16cm behind the winner. Smith opted for the AAA championship rather
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Their cash, your energy is needed
NEASHAM residents could have the option of reinstating a village shop with a post office, thanks to cash on offer through the Countryside Agency. There is no school, shop, post office or doctor's surgery in Neasham and residents have to travel to Hurworth
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Custodian of the past fears the dumbing-down of museums
VISITORS who admire the rows of gleaming medals and 200-year-old uniforms at Richmond's military museum probably give little thought to the research and conservation that goes on behind the scenes. But now, top brass at the Green Howards Regimental Museum
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Some corner yonder will be forever Winston
A VILLAGE community whose churchyard is now full is reserve a section of a neighbouring cemetery. In a report to Teesdale District Council's community services committee, technical and contracts manager Alf Wilkinson told members that he had received
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Lottery blow a setback not a defeat, say fundraisers
HUTTON Rudby people who are raising money to build a new village hall have suffered a setback in their attempt to receive a £570,000 lottery grant. However, they have been advised to apply for a smaller amount from a different section of the National
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Why are March hares so mad?
I AM not sure who coined the phrase which reads "As mad as a March hare" but it occurs in all manner of places, including the Alice in Wonderland stories by Lewis Carroll. Carroll also popularised the phrase "As mad as a hatter", but the two cannot be
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Regeneration ideas swapped by youngsters
WEARSIDE and Teesside youngsters have been swapping regeneration ideas. Youngsters aged from ten to 14, from Whinney Banks, in Middlesbrough, spent a day in Sunderland's East End and Hendon. The trip was organised by Mickey Waters, of the Community Link
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Cemetery segregation approved
VILLAGERS forced to bury their relatives in a neighbouring community's cemetery have asked for segregation. The cemetery in Winston recently ran out of burial space, and despite thorough searches, the parish council failed to find any land available for
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Public rally to theatre's cash plea
A children's theatre group has had a massive response from the public after it revealed a desperate need for cash. Consett Theatre Workshop Junior Group, which has provided fun for youngsters for generations, made a public appeal for help after being
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Minister's visit heralds new era for award-winning cheesemaker
A NORTH Yorkshire cheese maker which supplies its award-winning products to leading supermarkets is receiving Government help towards a £514,000 expansion project aimed at trebling production. Animal Health Minister Elliot Morley said on Monday that Shepherd's
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Lib-Dems name poll candidates
THE Liberal Democrats have announced candidates for by-elections in the Middlestone Moor ward in Spennymoor. The vacancies on Sedgefield Borough Council and Spennymoor Town Council resulted from the death of Councillor Jim Everson. Kevin Thompson is the
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Title is Taylor-made for Bernadette
Darlington Harriers The sixth and final NYSD Cross Country meeting took place on Sunday at Windlestone Hall on a tough course, hosted by Newton Aycliffe AC. Bernadette Taylor finished third in the Senior Women's race staying one place ahead of Middlesborough's
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The Unibond League
Bishop Auckland are now occupying the relegation play off spot after they were beaten 2-0 at Whitby on Tuesday night. Whitby won with goals from recent signing Ross Merchant after 30 minutes and Richard Dunning from a free kick in the second half, and
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Angling
This weekend is the final one of the season for Coarse Angling on the country's rivers in a year best forgotten, writes JEFF HERBERT. Foot-and-mouth restrictions meant a 'close down' on most venues for all but three months and since then continuous floods
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Wright declares he will be champ
Crook boxer Nigel Wright confidently claims he will be British light-welterweight champion this time next year. He said: "After that I will be looking at a Lonsdale belt, then European, Commonwealth and World titles." Nigel (pictured below) steps into
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Appointment hailed as part of a bright future for town
A TOWN centre's future has been put in safe hands with the appointment of a new manager determined to make a difference. John Partridge has spent most of his life on Teesside and hopes to use his local knowledge to drive forward a strategy for Redcar,
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Two treated after chemical leak from van
A POLICE officer and a van driver were taken to hospital after a chemical spillage in the centre of Durham City yesterday. The pair were treated at the city's University Hospital of North Durham for the effects of inhaling fumes of acetic anhydride and
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Looking Back
From this newspaper 100 years ago. Fashionable wedding in Wensleydale. Very seldom have the inhabitants of Askrigg witnessed so pretty a wedding as that which took place on Monday, on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Sykes, eldest daughter of Mr &
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Ripon star revels in international success
A RISING Ripon rugby star was celebrating this week after being on the winning team in two international matches. Caroline Bell, 21, of Newsham, near Thirsk, was a member of the England Senior Academy side which beat the full Holland team 5-0 in London
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Jury decides 'river walk' students' deaths were accidental
An inquest jury today decided the deaths of two teenage girls who died when they were swept down a fast flowing stream while on a school trip were an accident. The jury, sitting at Harrogate Magistrates Court, heard how Rochelle Cauvet, 14, and 13-year-old
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Champagne day for Peter and Jeanie
IT was a kiss that proved Cupid's magic is still working as well as ever. Peter Venis, who has a brain tumour, married fiancee Jeanie O'Neill, surrounded by family and friends, including the couple's seven-year-old son Elliott, at Teesside Hospice in
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Musical boost for causes
A concert at the Richmondshire Cricket Club this weekend will be pumping cash into two worthy causes. The Atlantic Soul Messengers perform on Saturday to raise money for the Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society. The organisation's lease on property in Dundas
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Focus on female health and safety
THE health and safety of thousands of North-East women is being ignored, according to a new report published today. The report, The Health and Work of Older Women: a Neglected Issue, was compiled by the Pennell Initiative for Women's Health and the TUC
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One in four can predict the weather
RESEARCH by a North-East psychologist has revealed that one in four people may have a gift for predicting uncertainties such as the weather. Tests carried out by Professor Richard Heath, of Sunderland University's Business School, also showed that this
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Procter roars to victory in Robin Hood rally
LEEMING Bar driver Kevin Procter and his co-driver Dave Bellerby from Great Langton scored a resounding victory on the Co-op Motor Group Robin Hood Stages Rally held in the Sherwood Forest area around Mansfield last weekend. The pair had a relatively
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Football - A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League
In a game of two halves Grosmont and Great Ayton came away with a point each. In the first half Grosmont took a 2-0 lead and in the 20th minute a free kick taken by Bowes fell for Theaker to smash home from ten yards and shortly after Rose unexpectedly
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She'll melt your heart while gently dissolving
A NORTH Yorkshire cold store has been preserving a life-size ice effigy of supermodel Kate Moss among its pizzas, cakes and ice creams. Reed Boardall's Boroughbridge distribution centre came to the rescue to freeze the ice maiden after being approached
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Show bosses hold breath over livestock licence rules
ORGANISERS of agricultural shows in North Yorkshire are on a knife-edge, awaiting new directions on conditions for livestock being exhibited. Simon Midcalf, secretary and treasurer of the Yorkshire Federation of Show Societies, said that, after all last
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If it looks too good to be true...
Recent weeks have seen a flurry of warnings about scams aimed at businesses in the region. John Dean reports on the villians' favourite cons - and how to avoid falling victim to them. THEY are among the most devious of wrongdoers, the villains who prey
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Cleveland Inn to the final
Boddy Printers Sunday League Cleveland Inn have topped their group and have booked their place in a cup final. They had a runaway victory over Station Hotel Boosbeck by 10-2 with goals from deadly duo Ray Woodhouse and John Ryan who each posted hat-tricks
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Matthew heads to the Stadiumm of Light
After taking his first step on the ladder to soccer stardom, young Matthew Haymner has made already made a lot of people proud. The 11-year-old soccer starlet has signed Academy forms with Premiership giants Sunderland and in doing so becomes the first
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No respite for crisis-hit Quakers
AS Darlington's season peters out into bottom half of the table mediocrity following their latest two defeats, only the extraordinary antics of chairman George Reynolds and his wife Susan are keeping attention focused on Feethams. The muted atmosphere
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Town fails to make the flower finals
DARLINGTON has failed to win floral success after missing out on this year's Britain in Bloom awards. Despite impressive floral displays throughout the town, which was shortlisted for the competition last year, it has not made the final list. A spokeswoman
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A1's Gala day at last
CHART-topping boy band A1 will finally appear at Durham's flagship theatre after an earlier concert was cancelled. The teen idol group should have performed in a marquee near the Gala theatre as part of the events organised to mark its opening, in January
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Court ruling bitter blow for tenants
THE Tenant Farmers' Association is bitterly disappointed by a Court of Appeal ruling preventing one of its members from operating an open farm. Robert and Elaine Jewell, of St Augustine's Farm in Gloucestershire, had developed a successful venture which
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A great place to learn
Sherburn Hill Primary School is a small rural school to the east of Durham City. The school is housed in a spacious building which opened in 1972 to replace separate junior and infant schools. The school provides a modern learning environment for its
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Meeting is called over skate park
RESIDENTS' objections have prompted a meeting to discuss a proposal for a new skate park in Richmond. People with homes overlooking the town's Ronaldshay Park warned they would resist any plans for facilities nearby. They are concerned the park could
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Teenager attempts to blow up mother's home
A disturbed teenager wrecked the gas pipe to his estranged mother's home and threatened to blow her up. As gas poured into the house, 18-year-old Stuart Gibson told his mother Helen: "I'm going to get a light and I'll see you in hell.'' Mrs Gibson, who
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Deaths inquiry criticises hospital
A NORTH-EAST hospital has been criticised after the deaths of 12 psychiatric patients. An independent inquiry was launched following the deaths of five in-patients in the care of Cherry Knowle Hospital, Ryhope, Sunderland, between 1999 and 2000. During
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Talented young rider heads for Hickstead
A CLEVELAND rider has qualified for the 128cm show jumping final at this year's Royal International Horse Show just a week after her eighth birthday. Helen Smallwood, who lives in Thorpe Thewles and is trained by Stuart Russell, started riding three years
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Citizens of the world
YOUNG people will be able to put their ideas of good citizenship into a global context next week. Delegates attending a conference at Egglescliffe School, on Teesside, are flying in from Italy, Sweden and The Netherlands as well as travelling there from
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Litter warning to Railtrack
RAILTRACK is being pressed to clean up its act or face legal action over litter. Fly-tipping and rubbish-strewn embankments have been drawn to Harrogate Borough Council's attention - and the authority has agreed that the problem is significant. However
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Dales internet project in jeopardy
A PROJECT set up to promote the Yorkshire Dales in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis has warned it could be in jeopardy if it does not win more support from local businesses. DigitalDales.co.uk promotes Dales events, attractions and businesses over
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Villagers want to discuss safety with pylons firm
MIDDLETON on Leven residents and landowners should have the chance to discuss pylon construction work with National Grid before work starts there next month. That is the view of Hutton Rudby parish councillors, who have called for talks with the electricity
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Letters: Wrong skate site
Sir, - Recent emotive comments by some Richmond councillors about the need to have a skateboard area in Ronaldshay Park have to be seen as not representing all views. The lack of reporting of alternative ideas needs to be rectified. As the councillors
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Darlington ready for Sheffield backlash
DARLINGTON will be wary of a backlash from Sheffield tomorrow after beating them 67-5 in their first home match in North Division One. The former National League club have improved since then and are only five points behind Darlington, who cannot afford
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Lib-Dems name poll candidates
THE Liberal Democrats have announced candidates for by-elections in the Middlestone Moor ward in Spennymoor. The vacancies on Sedgefield Borough Council and Spennymoor Town Council resulted from the death of Councillor Jim Everson. Kevin Thompson is the
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Police drugs swoop nets 13
A SERIES of police raids in the Sedgefield area has resulted in 13 arrests and seizure of drugs with a street value of £100,000. Operation Klezmer, an ongoing intelligence-led campaign against drugs, began towards the end of January. Eight houses in Newton
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Books for bedtime
Children from Darlington Town Hall's nursery, Kids and Co, joined staff from Darlington Library to help promote Bedtime Reading Week and World Book Day. The children listened to favourite bedtime stories, read by library assistant Elaine Wolstenholme.
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Darlington and South Durham news in brief
Bands prepare to do battle Youngsters in Darlington are being invited to attend a battle of the bands event in aid of the charity CAFOD. Students at Carmel RC Technology College are organising the event at the school on March 21, at 6pm. Pupils from schools
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'Disabled' jogger jailed for swindle
A LIMOUSINE-driving benefits scrounger - who went jogging three times a week while claiming to be wheelchair-bound - was jailed for fraud yesterday. Businessman John Moses claimed to be seriously disabled, suffering from osteo-arthritis, sciatica, vertigo
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Missing man took own life
A CORONER has recorded a verdict of suicide, even though no body has been found. An inquest heard that father-of-two Anthony Kelly, 67, from Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, had left his blood-spattered car containing two suicide notes by
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Magpies' Cup hopes boosted by Henry U-turn
NEWCASTLE United last night received a welcome boost when Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was ruled out of tomorrow's FA Cup quarter-final clash at St. James' Park. But the news that the Frenchman's three-match ban takes immediate effect didn't go down
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Ince in race to be fit for Cup showdown
MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder Paul Ince faces a race to be fit for this Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Everton. The Boro skipper missed Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Southampton with a groin injury, but could return to the fray against the Toffees. Ince's
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Jury to view scene of shotgun attack
A JURY will today visit the park where a security firm boss is alleged to have gunned down his former business partner. High Court judge Mr Justice Ouseley and the jury are to inspect the site at Preston Park near Stockton where Martin Manderville, 39
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Washing machine adventure puts copper in a tight corner
A DISASTER-prone puppy got into its second major scrape yesterday when its head became lodged in a washing machine. Copper, a nine-week old Lakeland terrier and Jack Russell cross, managed to lodge its head in the area normally occupied by the pump, at
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New library honour for keen readers
TWENTY keen readers will be the first to visit Durham's multi-million pound library. The Durham Clayport Library, in the city's Millennium City complex, will be opened on Monday, at 9.30am, by BBC Look North presenter Carol Malia. The 20, nominated by
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Northallerton win for Royal Blessing
HARD-WORKING secretary Alison Dover and her team produced a good BSPS Area 3A winter qualifying show at Northallerton recently. Annelise Stonehouse won the working hunter championship on Mayeath Royal Blessing ahead of Jacquetta Straker from Caldwell
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Comment from The Northern Echo; Wrong signal over drugs
JUST because legislation and law enforcement are inadequate to eradicate drug abuse from our society, it does not follow that drug-taking should be decriminalised. The law sets down moral and social guidelines which people are expected to follow. It is
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Hopes pinned on fairer funding
COUNCIL leaders are pinning hopes on a fairer funding system to avoid a repeat of this year's average ten per cent tax increase. Leaders are hoping the Government's review of local authority spending, which is to take place this summer, will see more
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Toddlers bounce back
TODDLERS are helping to raise cash to replace a shed stolen by thieves last month. The youngsters, from Hutton Lane Playgroup, Guisborough, east Cleveland, will be taking part in a sponsored bounce next month to help raise the £400 to replace the shed
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Chef gears up for the arrival of motoring icon model
A CHEF has devised a menu with a touch of panache for the launch of the latest model of a motoring icon. North-East motor dealer Reg Vardy challenged chefs at many of the region's leading hotels and restaurants to come up with cuisine with a sense of
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Mother's poem helped trace son's killers
A MURDER squad detective praised a mother who penned a heartbreaking poem which helped track down her teenage son's killers. Heroin addict Wayne Bircham, 19, was chased through a town's rundown streets and stabbed through the heart in daylight. But police
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North Durham and Tyneside news in brief
Contest marks jubilee year AN art competition on the theme of the Queen's Golden Jubilee is being organised in Kimblesworth, near Chester-le-Street. All entries must be paintings, in any medium, up to A3 size paper. There will be three categories - seven
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Union call for action as Arriva profits up
STRIKE-hit train company Arriva has angered union members by posting a nine per cent rise in pre-tax profits and increasing its annual payout to shareholders. The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) has called for fresh strikes against the Sunderland
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Rolls-Royce stays tight-lipped about Vickers sale
AERO engines to defence business Rolls-Royce was refusing to comment on the possibility of a sale of its Vickers tank business yesterday, as it reported a nine per cent rise in pre-tax profits. There has been talk of a sale of the firm, employing 450
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Sweet talk proves to be a winner
IT'S that wonderful smell of home-baking that hits you first - warm and sweet and oh so comforting. This is pudding heaven. Huge bowls are piled high with freshly chopped rhubarb or rich, dark, chocolate mix. Boxes of pears wait to be chopped and caramelised
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Halt imposed on charity that kept cash in the bank
A CLEVELAND-based premature baby charity has been shut down following investigations by the Charities Commission. Baby Assist, a charity for babies born prematurely or with birth defects, had been collecting money throughout the North-East. Investigations
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Conference attracts green teams
MORE than 100 youngsters from 11 secondary schools across Redcar and Cleveland attended a youth environment conference at the Redcar Bowl this week. A series of 11 interactive workshops covered a variety of topics, including pond-dipping and invertebrate
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Village silo mast proposal is blocked
AS many as 100 objections were enough to prompt planners to block a bid for a telecommunications mast in North Yorkshire, even though it would have been hidden inside a grain silo. Hutchinson 3G was hoping a partnership with the owners of Ashes Farm,
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Teesside news in brief
Towns to get security TV More than £230,000 of security TV equipment is to be installed in two east Cleveland towns by June. The cash, from the Home Office, will cover a £115,000 project in Marske and a £118,000 scheme in Loftus. Book Day: People with
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Supermarket war reginited in Northallerton
A bitter supermarket war - which has already seen rival chains fight an extraordinary High Court battle - is set to be re-ignited, it emerged today. Nearly five years after first coming up with the plans, Safeway is on the verge of gaining approval for
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Razor attacker given five years
THIS facial scar is the unexpected birthday present Lee Hopkins got from a l5-year-old thug. Every time he looks in the mirror he sees a sickening reminder of the act of unprovoked violence. The boy swiped a cut-throat razer across Lee's face, leaving
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Richard is a hot contender
THE bi-annual Skillweld Olympics are ensuring the skills required in the region's welding industry are kept alive. The winner of the event, held at South Tyneside College, was 20-year-old Richard Whitaker from Stanley, County Durham, who works for Swan
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Reasons to be cheerful - a total of three
THE North Yorkshire village of Brompton-by-Sawdon has three good reasons to celebrate. As well as a programme to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee, residents of the village, near Scarborough, are organising events commemorating the 200th anniversary of
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Police hunt for masked robbers
POLICE are hunting two masked raiders who wielded weapons to rob a shop. The incident took place at about 9pm on Wednesday when the pair entered the Bells Store in Esk Close, Guisborough, wielding hammers and crowbars and stole a significant amount of
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Hear all sides
MIDDLE EAST YOUR comment (Echo, Mar 4) lacks substance in suggesting we should become involved in the Israeli and Palestinian crisis and ignore the threat posed by Saddam and the Taliban leadership. Tony Blair was given a bloody nose when he attempted
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Music maker strikes the right note
CHILDREN at a Darlington school have been learning to play an unusual musical instrument in a series of workshops. Mike Fenton, an expert on the autoharp, has been teaching pupils at Abbey infant and junior schools how to play the instrument. Mr Fenton
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Heroin dealer in court battle to save house
A York heroin dealer has won the first round of a court fight to stop the home lived in by his wife and her handicapped daughter from being sold to cover a drugs money confiscation order. Judges were told John Kane and his wife - who cares for her handicapped
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'Sign or resign' order threatens local voices
A NEW code of conduct was a hidden agenda for getting rid of parish councils, it was claimed this week. A Government edict says councillors must either register their financial interests or be disqualified from holding a seat on their village councils
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A special place for special babies
As a former convent in the North-East is transformed into the country's second baby hospice, Lucia Charnock travelled to Liverpool to see how the first one brings comfort to families in pain THREE-YEAR-OLD Nicole is watching her favourite TV programme
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Children to join TV charity appeal
CHILDREN in Darlington are being encouraged to join a nationwide campaign to fight leukaemia by taking part in the Blue Peter Bikeathon. Hundreds of youngsters and their parents took part in last year's first outing for the event, which raised almost
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Getting serious
IT'S hard not to sympathise with the rebel councillors of Aiskew and Leeming Bar. Faced with what they believe is an onerous code of conduct, requiring they register details of their financial affairs, employers, membership of organisations and gifts
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Youngsters brush up their basketball skills
SIX Darlington schools took part in the town's first primary school basketball tournament at the Dolphin centre on Wednesday. The event was organised following six weeks of free coaching sessions provided by Darlington Borough Council. Taking part were
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Blaze shuts school
DAMAGE amounting to thousands of pounds was caused to a village school when a fire broke out in a roofspace where contractors had been working.Ian Ramsey Primary School in Medomsley, was forced to close because of an asbestos scare during the fire on
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Royals ease past Spraire
South Durham Royals THE Under-16s were host to Darlington Simply Lasses and Katie Outhwaite opened the scoring after just 12 minutes, forcing her way through the defence to shoot past the keeper. Royals had several further chances but at half time the
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Pool - Good start not enough
Bishop Auckland and District League Spennymoor Weardale made an excellent start in their home match against the strong team from Bishop Auckland Snooker Club B when they took six singles points. Tony Irvin led the way with two points with Gordon Williams
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Billiards
South West Durham League Ithe only match played John Bate of Hunwick entertained Jimmy Evans of Shotton Palms with Evans retaining his unbeaten record with a good win. Evans got away to a good start with Bate always trying to play catch-up but never managing
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Boy racer Edwin revs up for another victory
A North Yorkshire schoolboy is gearing up for a return to the racetrack after scooping his first win behind the wheel. Edwin Jowsey is not old enough to drive on public roads just yet - but still managed to beat more experienced drivers to the chequered
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Ice Hockey - Wolves' dismay
Junior round-up Billingham Wolves dropped a valuable point in their English U19 North A League encounter against Blackburn Thunderhawks at the Forum ice arena. In a 4-4 draw Blackburn and Billingham lie second and third from bottom in the table respectively
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Dominoes
Willington Area League Willington Black Horse Tavern moved themselves into a serious challenging place for the Championship after they beat the visiting Willington Cottles by four points. This pushed the Tavern just two points behind the leaders, Prospect
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Easby church singled out by young vandals
ATTACKS on an isolated church have led to a police appeal for help from the community. The latest attack on St Agatha's Church, Easby, near Richmond, saw vandals set off a fire extinguisher around the church and defecate on the carpet in front of the
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Village doctors win extra space
MIDDLETON St George doctors have won permission to extend their surgery to help cope with an influx of new patients. Councillors will allow the surgery at Felix House to provide a single storey extension to house two consultation rooms and a meeting area
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Body in woods found by riders, inquest told
TWO horse riders discovered a man's body in a wood after he had hanged himself, an inquest heard yesterday. The inquest at County Hall, in Durham, heard that Emma Kitchin and Sally Johnson were riding in woods at Brandon, last November 11, when they noticed
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Durham make progress to national Cup final
Durham County Youth THE Under-18s won through to the final of their national competition, the FA County Youth Cup, with a 2-1 extra time victory at home to Lancashire in a closely-fought semi final at Billingham Synthonia's Central Avenue stadium on Saturday
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Children flock to join library book club
A BOOK club which was just been launched at Stokesley Library is proving a big attraction with children. Stokesley librarian Chris Bower said interest in the club was strong and it had become fully-booked with youngsters before last Friday's opening event
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Tributes paid to leading businessman
HUNDREDS of friends and former colleagues gathered in a Durham Church this week to pay tribute to one of the region's most prominent businessmen who died suddenly aged 58. Ian McIntyre had built J and G Archibalds into one of the largest independent builders
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Inspector rejects call for Yarm's own commander
A CALL for Yarm to have its own police commander has been made by a councillor. Coun Gwen Porter claimed the town was taking second place to other parts of Stockton, and added: "The time is coming for Yarm to have its own police superintendent." But the
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Ambulance patient who died in road crash is named
Police have named the man who died in an ambulance which was taking him to hospital as Stewart Taylor, 54, of Braeside, Edmondsley, County Durham. He had suffered a heart attack and was on his way to hospital but died after the ambulance taking him to
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Credit union moves home
A COMMUNITY credit union set up five years ago to help residents of west Derwentside moved into new premises this week. With help from grants and government funding, volunteers of West Derwentside Community Credit Union have taken office space in a former
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Darts - New champs Newhouse
Tow Law Bass Newhouse Club shook off the challenge of Tow Law New Market A to land the Championship in their first season. Newhouse. Newhouse went into their final game at Sunniside Moss Inn needing nine points to be certain of the title and they achieved
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Vra-vo for the underwear business show
Trouble At The Top (BBC2) GLASWEGIAN businesswoman Michelle Mone had a clothing crisis. Her models were refusing to wear thong knickers. "If I had my way, I'd sack them," she said under her voice, as an assistant conducted delicate negotiations minutes
