Archive
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Funding breathes new life into hall
A COMMUNITY centre which fell into disrepair was reopened yesterday following a £400,000 modernisation plan. Bullion Hall, in Chester-le-Street, closed three years ago after little demand for its use. The original plaque which marked the opening of the
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Theatre show tells story of castrato singers
A THEATRE company will bring a drama set in Rome in 1700 to Darlington next week. Castradiva tells of the young church singers of the time, who were adored by the public as pop singers are today. With the Pope having banned women from the stage, young
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Plea for witnesses after taxi runs over pet dog
A DOG owner is appealing for witnesses to a road accident in which his pet died. Damien Smith's dog, Rambo, was killed when it was run over by a taxi in Station Road, Middleton St George, in the early hours of Sunday. Mr Smith is distraught at losing
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Juninho set for Boro return
Middlesbrough have agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid for former star Juninho. Boro boss Steve McClaren revealed the sensational news shortly after 1pm this afternoon. The 27-year-old must now agree terms with Boro after chief executive Keith Lamb agreed
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Vipers chief on the hunt
NEWCASTLE KBS Vipers general manager Alex Dampier is on a scouting trip to Canada hoping to add to his growing list of signings for the new club. Having secured a British National League place for the coming season, the Vipers have already taken on three
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Quakers flying high
Tommy Taylor insists Darlington have passed their first test of pre-season with "flying colours" after returning for training eager and raring to go. Having been given a fitness schedule to follow over the summer, the players returned on Monday with only
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Inmates' passport to a crime-free life
A PRISON is giving inmates a route back to life on the outside as part of a national drive to tackle high rates of re-offending. The prisoners' passport project at Holme House, Stockton, Teesside, will see inmates given one-to-one advice by Jobcentre
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Boro fans will mourn the loss of their inspirational skipper
SO three years after Paul Ince's Middlesbrough career began, he has decided the time has come for pastures new. And his departure, after turning down a new two-year contract, represents a massive blow to the club, whose fans have adored him since the
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Mining tradition sparkles once more
A CENTURIES-old tradition which added sparkle to the lives of hardworking lead miners is being revived. The art of spar box making, which shows off dazzling crystals unearthed over long hours underground, is being brought back to life by part-time face
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Anger as reptile killed
THE killing of a protected British reptile by vandals has been condemned as sickening by a wildlife expert. "It is the first time we have had such an horrific attack on an animal in this area. It is something you hope you are not going to see," said Graeme
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New measures urged to deter danger bikers
THE growing number of motorcyclists killed or injured on North Yorkshire's roads so far this year has prompted calls for new deterrents. Traffic police already run the nationally-renowned Bike Safe initiative, pioneered in the county and now accepted
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Praise for pupils lost on the moor
A GROUP of teenage girls sparked a four-hour search when they got lost on the North York Moors during a school expedition. Mountain rescue workers and police were contacted as staff from Millthorpe School, York, searched for the five girls on a moor near
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How Baden-Powell's vision was realised at local castle
WHEN Sir Robert Baden-Powell was fighting in the Boer War towards the end of the 19th Century, he was concerned that his soldiers were not fully rounded men. "They had been brought up in the herd at school, they were trained as a herd in the Army," he
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Drugs tragedy jury sent home
A JURY returns to continue deliberations today in the trial of a woman accused of administering a fatal dose of heroin to a man found dead on a pavement. Melanie Storey, who denies the manslaughter of 43-year-old Desmond "Dessie" Johns, was yesterday
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Tommy's August return
CHRIS Turner has targeted a mid-August return for Tommy Widdrington. The Hartlepool United midfielder has been sidelined since breaking down with back and hamstring trouble in Pool's win over Scunthorpe in February. He missed the run-in last season and
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Slap claim headteacher suspended
A HEADTEACHER at the centre of an alleged slapping investigation was suspended from his job yesterday. The action was taken by the chairman of the governors at Sunnybrow Primary School, near Willington, County Durham, against long-serving headteacher
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Moving ceremony for little Leonie
A tree planting ceremony was held at the school of tragic Leonie Shaw today on what would have been her seventh birthday. Family and friends of the youngster, who died in April after being hit by a car near her home in Bishop Auckland, County Durham,
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Tributes to folk music icon
TWO shows dedicated to Bob Dylan and his music are being staged at Darlington Arts Centre. On Saturday, July 13, at 8pm, cabaret artiste Barb Jungr will perform Every Grain of Sand, a show featuring interpretations and arrangements of Dylan's songs. On
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Hospital anniversary
STAFF and patients at a private hospital are celebrating its first anniversary. Woodlands Hospital, at Morton Park, Darlington, has treated more than 5,000 patients since it opened. The hospital has 22 en-suite bedrooms, two operating theatres, a high
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More Specials wanted
POLICE in Sedgefield hope to recruit 15 special constables. There are presently15 volunteer officers supporting full-time police, each committed to a minimum of four hours' service a week after having received 15 weeks of training. A recruitment display
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Celebrations samba-style at carnival
SAMBA celebrations in the style of the new football world champions Brazil will echo around Crook on Friday, when it will be carnival time for 400 children from seven schools. The Summer Samba Beat Carnival, which will start with a parade, follows a series
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Foreign drama trip
MEMBERS of a teenage drama group are representing the UK at a theatre presentation in Italy. Eight students from the Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans (Bath) flew to Salerno on Monday to take part in a week of theatre work on the theme of human rights
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Birthday milestone
MARGARET Bowtell had a century of stories to tell family and friends when she celebrated her 100th birthday. About 150 people helped Mrs Bowtell mark her special day with a party at All Saints Church, Ferryhill. Born in Tudhoe in 1902, Mrs Bowtell has
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New role for society manager
A DARLINGTON building society manager has been appointed as a new board member on the Tees Valley Trust. Robert Murphy, who is underwriting manager for Darlington Building Society, will be involved with projects aimed at helping young tenants and people
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Band nights jazz up trade at restaurant
A JAZZ group is helping a hotel and restaurant in Darlington to boost trade through a regular music night. The three-piece Jazz Girl band has performed every month at the New Grange Hotel for the past year, and the jazz nights have proved a hit with guests
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Youngsters get expert tuition from musician who worked with Sinatra
A US musician who has worked with some of his country's biggest stars has taken up a new role - coaching some of the region's students in the world of jazz. Jeff Tower has worked with greats such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis
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Phone masts meeting planned
THE proliferation of bids for mobile phone antennae has prompted plans for a meeting between telecommunications firms and residents of a Dales community. Hawes had found itself in the line of the march of the masts, particularly over the past few months
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Warning of rail trespass risks as boy fights for life
CHILDREN are being warned of the dangers of trespassing on railway lines as a youngster continues to fight for his life after being hit by a train. Ben Woods' condition was last night described as serious by staff at Middlesbrough General Hospital following
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Dismay for Atlantic rowers
AN attempt on the world record for rowing across the Atlantic ended in disaster last night. The four-strong crew was waiting for rescuers to pluck them from their stricken vessel. The crossing was aborted after the boat's rudder was sliced in two by a
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Recycling centre to be removed
A VILLAGE community is to lose one of its recycling centres after a string of complaints about excessive noise. Hambleton District Council had been working for several months to save the glass recycling banks at the Buck Inn, Great Ayton. But, after collecting
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Minister rides into town for pet service
ALL creatures great and small will gather in a North Yorkshire village this weekend - but a preacher on horseback is likely to steal the show. The Reverend David Eyles will arrive on his three-year-old thoroughbred gelding, Trinity, at Ripley's pet service
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RAF's Mr Fixit makes base a home away from home
A MIDDLESBROUGH man has become a Mr Fixit in ensuring home comforts for servicemen serving in Kosovo. Father-of-two RAF Corporal Kevin Kelly is responsible for maintaining the accommodation for soldiers and airmen working at barracks near Pristina - among
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News in brief
Priority plea over buses HIGHWAYS chiefs have been urged to make the Dales a priority when more low-loading buses begin operating on routes in North Yorkshire. A meeting of the county council's Richmondshire area committee was told that bus stops are
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Festival takes on international flavour
BELGIUM chocolate makers, Korean dancers and a Mongolian musician will mingle with shoppers in Durham this weekend. The colourful collection of international and local musicians will entertain the crowds in Durham's summer festival on Saturday and Sunday
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Royals visit city school
THE Earl and Countess of Wessex saw how youngsters are helping to put their city on the map during a visit to Sunderland yesterday. The Royal couple began their visit by calling at Monkwearmouth School, which is nationally recognised as a centre of excellence
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Grassroots
On their marks for fun run THE annual Yarm Fun Run, organised by the Yarm District Lions Club, in conjunction with Conyers School, will take place on Sunday. This three-and-a-quarter mile run for all ages will start from Conyers School at 1pm and finish
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Spanish gps arrive to work
AS the North-East welcomed the latest influx of foreign doctors, hospital bosses revealed they are off to the Philippines to recruit up to 50 nurses. Looking relaxed and confident, six newly-arrived Spanish GPs, who will fill vacancies in County Durham
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Boro join Spurs in chase for Senegal star Camara
MIDDLESBROUGH and Tottenham are in the hunt for Senegal World Cup star Henri Camara. Sources close to the 25-year-old striker have confirmed that his club, top-flight French side Sedan, have accepted a £4.5m offer from the Premiership. Boro, Spurs and
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News in brief
Emmerdale mayor's visit Actor Chris Chittell, better-known as mayor Eric Pollard in the TV soap opera Emmerdale, will open the extended factory outlet at J Barbour and Sons' Jarrow premises in South Tyneside on Friday. The series' smooth-talking Mayor
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Profits justify S & N's revamp
PUBS and brewing group Scottish & Newcastle toasted its transformation into an international player yesterday as it reported a jump in annual profits. Chairman Brian Stewart said the business had passed a critical milestone after deciding to reshape
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Magpies told to keep off
BENFICA yesterday issued a double "hands off'' warning to transfer market predators Newcastle United. Under-21 star Luis Miguel has emerged as the latest in a long line of Portuguese prospects to come under the Magpies' scrutiny. Manager Bobby Robson
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Toby tunes up ready to go back on road
Singer and songwriter Toby Jepson is returning to the road later this month. The former Little Angels frontman, of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, is playing nine dates following his successful first tour in eight years, which took place in March. He will
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Euro grant gives industrial estate development boost
A £1M SCHEME geared at regenerating the fortunes of a North-East industrial estate has been given a significant cash injection from Europe. The £156,168 grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will help finance a new networking centre
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Learning day promises fun for children
PUZZLES, games and challenges are lined up for visitors to a maths and literacy fair. The Trails and Tales fun day will give children the chance to explore the worlds of Fungus the Bogeyman and The Hobbit, and to visit the sea story of the Rainbow Fish
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Licence bid sparks residents' objections
RESIDENTS have objected to plans to increase a pub's entertainments hours. Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application from The Merlin pub, Billingham, to increase its permitted hours of entertainment from 7.30pm to 11pm on a Wednesday
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Moving completed as hospital settles into new surroundings
THE move into Bishop Auckland's new hospital has been completed. A three-week transfer of staff, patients and equipment from Tindale Crescent into the £67m privately-funded development ended at the weekend. Hospital bosses had hoped the building would
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Time catches up with tower
THE sound of silence is to fall across a town centre on the hour - every hour, until Christmas. The familiar chimes of Middlesbrough's Town Hall clock are being stilled while essential repairs are carried out on the clock tower. Shoppers and office workers
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When learning about life is a top priority
SO what activities are you planning for your children over the summer holidays - football, swimming, tennis coaching? Or perhaps a sailing week, a coaching camp or a week in school catching up on their reading? Well, why not try a new idea from Singapore
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New routes ahead for the off-road bikers
MOUNTAIN bikers have struck up a novel partnership with the guardians of one of the region's beauty spots. A group called Singletraction has been set up to work with rangers in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, to develop and manage off-road routes through
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Bullying case held up as mother faints
THE mother of a young woman suing her former school, after claiming her life had been ruined by bullies, collapsed in court yesterday. Jacqueline Newby, whose daughter Caroline is one of two former pupils of Shotton Hall Secondary School, in Peterlee,
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Freemasons in £3,500 boost for charity
THE Freemasons in Darlington have presented a cheque for £3,500 to the Alzheimer's Society. The money was presented at an open day at the Darlington Masonic Hall, as part of a national Freemasonry in the Community initiative. Jack Hutchinson, past master
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Treatment in North-East for anorexic child
A four-year-old girl with a chronic eating disorder is being treated in the North-East after all. The family of Annie Jones, who suffers from infantile anorexia, feared they would have to raise up to £80,000 for specialist treatment in an American clinic
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Hartlepool schoolgirl kept secret diary
A 15-year-old schoolgirl who overdosed after years of alleged bullying shared a secret diary with a school pal in which she wrote that she intended to kill herself, an inquest heard today. The bullying began after Elaine Swift donated her bone marrow
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Comic Chubby upbeat about cancer therapy
BLUE comic Roy Chubby Brown hopes to have the last laugh on throat cancer. The funny man sent fans a cheer-up message from his bed via authorities at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. A hospital spokeswoman said: "We can confirm Roy Chubby
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Cancer treatment boost for N-E
THE region is to get three new £1m radiotherapy machines to improve treatment for cancer patients. The investment is part of a £70m national package for new cancer care equipment announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn today. The new linear accelerators
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Cedric the Dragon pays nursery visit
CHILDREN at the Montessori Pre-school Nursery, in Middlesbrough, received a roar of approval from Cedric the Dragon when he visited them yesterday. The scaly creature was there on behalf of the children's charity NCH to thank youngsters who took part
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Beauty spot village wins top honour
A PICTURE-postcard village has taken a top title. Glaisdale, near Whitby, won the title Yorkshire Village of the Year, with Wombleton near Kirkbymoorside, the runner-up. Hutton Buscel was highly-commended and Osgodby commended. The annual competition,
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Pressure grows over cancer wonder drug
PRESSURE was mounting on the Government last night over a new wonder drug, pioneered in the North-East, after it was shown it can "cure" two different cancers. Whether NHS patients can have Glivec will be up to an independent panel of experts set up by
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Moving along belt to success
A COUNTY Durham manufacturing business has set its sights on expansion after doubling its workforce and securing its first overseas sale. Sedgefield-based Autoveytion (UK) makes belt conveyor systems. Contract wins for systems to be used on manufacturing
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I was at friend's house at time of robbery - accused
A MAN accused of threatening to shoot a shop assistant yesterday told a jury he had not committed the early morning raid on a news-agents. Leslie Mohammed, 33, of Queen Street, South Bank, Middlesbrough, is standing trial at Teesside Crown Court on charges
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Home wanted for last of three dumped puppies
THREE puppies, only weeks old, have been found abandoned in a cardboard box by a hedgerow. The animals were found near Shildon by a man walking his dog. Two have been rehomed, but the remaining dog, named Shilou, is being cared for by Donna Brown, from
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Ex-mayor falls prey to bogus workmen
A FORMER mayor of Stockton has been conned out of £200 by fraudsters claiming to be workmen. Councillor Michael O'Brien, who was the town's mayor from 1991to 1992, had notes and a wallet stolen from his back pocket after he let the men into his home on
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Global games
Hundreds of North-East children are welcoming dancers, musicians and actors to their schools and nurseries this week. The performers will be staging workshops in schools throughout York aimed at early years pupils and based on the theme "stories around
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How love blossomed thanks to plants
Geoff Garderner's passion for plants has netted him a successful career, many friends and a new love. Liz Lamb meets the man who lives up to his name. DAFFODILS and dahlias have changed Geoff Gardener's life. The 58-year-old divorcee has forged a successful
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Teenager raped after visit to club
A TEENAGER was raped as she made her way home from a nightclub last week, police said yesterday. The 17-year-old victim was returning alone from the Escape nightclub, in Ocean Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, at about 2.30am on Friday, when she was
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Teenage composer scoops music prize
A TALENTED young musician took the top prize in his first competition, winning a trophy for his former school and £100 for himself. Saxophonist Daniel Johnson beat off competition from secondary schools across County Durham to win the Saint Cecilia Freemason
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Hunter returns for Northampton trip
DURHAM have recalled Ian Hunter at the expense of Mark Davies for division two's bottom-of-the-table clash at Northampton starting today. Davies is the only bowler to have played in all seven championship games so far this season and it is felt he is
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Union in 'access to justice protest'
PLANS to downgrade North-East civil courts will block local access to justice, a union will warn MPs today. In a Westminster briefing, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents court service staff, will warn North-East MPs of Government
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Premiere for Nell's latest video guide
A SMALL village held its own world premiere last night - the screening of a local dog's latest film. Nell the sheepdog's new video, Nell's Curious Yorkshire, was shown for the first time at Moorsholm village hall, near Saltburn, east Cleveland, to hordes
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Benefits of caring are put down in writing
POTENTIAL foster carers are being offered information through a new charter and leaflet. To coincide with national Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until Friday, Sunderland City Council's social services department has launched a Foster Care Charter
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Robbie isn't Keane on Black Cats move
REPUBLIC of Ireland World Cup hero Robbie Keane last night appeared to scupper Sunderland's hopes of luring him away from Leeds United when he insisted he wanted to stay at crisis-torn Elland Road. Sunderland boss Peter Reid yesterday answered the critics
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Jonny's fans urged to show support
FAMILY and friends of North-East Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan have called on people in the region to show support for him. The 29-year-old firefighter from Trimdon, County Durham, has made it through to the last six in the reality TV game show.
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Campaigner honoured
DISABILITIES campaigner Philippa Russell is to receive an honorary degree from the University of York next week. The ceremony, on Friday, July 12, recognises her work to improve the rights and conditions for disabled children and their families. Ms Russell
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Arriva plays down talk of Danish protest
ARRIVA has dismissed claims that it is facing opposition to its running of train services in Denmark. The Sunderland-based transport group was awarded a £150m contract to run two regional rail franchises in the country, in December last year. It beat
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Record profits for Reg Vardy
RECORD profits at Sunderland-based car dealership group Reg Vardy are largely down to lower new car prices and higher consumer spending, it said yesterday. Figures released yesterday show pre-tax profits rising to £32.6m in the year to April 30, from
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Bullied teen had years of anxiety
A teenager who is sueing her former school after years of bullying was left suffering anxiety and depression following her ordeal, a court heard today. Dr Peter Taylor said Caroline Newby underwent therapy as an adolescent psychiatric unit after her problems
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Paul gains his Green Beret
TEENAGER Paul Abbs, from Durham, has been awarded his Green Beret. The 17-year-old completed 30 weeks' training to become a Royal Marine Commando. The beret - the hallmark of commando troops - shows those who wear it have displayed qualities of cheerfulness
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Paradise lost its chance to hit the Heights
Paradise Heights (BBC1) Beasts On The Streets (BBC1) PARADISE Heights may improve. Goodness knows, there's plenty of room for improvement. This a case of good cast, rotten series. It's one of those strange creatures, a comedy-drama, that tries hard -
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Reduced rates for water sports courses
PEOPLE living in Stockton are being given the opportunity to try a variety of water sports at a special subsidised rate. Residents of Grangefield, Roseworth, Parkfield, Hardwick, Ragworth, Tilery, Mile House, Primrose Hill, Newtown and Portrack will have
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Market stalls incentive deal brings protest from traders
AN advertising campaign to get new market traders to come to Darlington has angered existing stallholders. Advertisements have appeared in the local Market Trader magazine offering new stallholders a variety of incentives if they come to Darlington's
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It's time to show Jonny some brotherly love
FAMILY and friends of North-East Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan have called on people in the region to support him as he was nominated for eviction for the third time. The 29-year-old firefighter from Trimdon, County Durham, has made it down to the
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Grassroots
TRAFFIC SCHEME: Traffic calming measures have resumed in the village, although there is still some dissatisfaction with the layout. Darlington Borough Council's highways department halted work last month on the gateway scheme while it tried to sort out
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Cub Scout leader's long service rewarded
A CUB Scout leader who has clocked up a quarter of a century of service has been rewarded for his dedication. Chris Suddess has enjoyed a lifetime with the Scouting movement, joining the 2nd Bishop Auckland group as an eight-year-old cub and taking the
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Cricket club celebrates first century
AFTER a chequered history, Willington Cricket Club celebrated reaching a 100 not out with a thank you to the league that helped it through its darkest days. A challenge match against the North-East Durham League was a fitting celebration of 100 years
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Helping hand with recruitment
A DARLINGTON company is offering local businesses in the town a recruitment service to help them find the right people for the right jobs. The Morrison Trust Job Brokering Service has a large database of people with a range of skills and qualifications
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£3.5m hotel scheme brings 60 extra jobs
WORK has started on a £3.5m restaurant and hotel development on the outskirts of Darlington, which will provide 60 jobs when it opens in December. Whitbread Restaurants will be creating full and part-time jobs at the development, which will also include
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News in brief
Village speed limit proposed THE South Parade at Croft, near Darlington, has been included in North Yorkshire County Council's priority list for 20mph speed limits. A meeting of the authority's Richmondshire area committee was told that Forest Drive,
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Theatre hopes revised programme will attract the audiences
A TROUBLED new theatre hopes to attract audiences with its autumn programme. Durham's Gala Theatre, which recently suffered a setback when its management company, The Entertainment Team (Durham), went into liquidation, has announced a revised programme
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Young athletes defy rain in schools challenge
BURSTS of heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of students competing in an athletics event attended by hundreds of pupils from across the Darlington borough yesterday. The Darlington Secondary Schools Town Sports competition was held at the town's
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Troubled theatre could be split up
DURHAM City Council could seek to split up the Gala Theatre as it bids to map out a future for the troubled £14m venue. The council has indicated that it may hive off the arts venue's various functions to different management companies. These would include
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Business news in brief
Peter Fall is president A CHARTERED surveyor from the North-East who began his career as a trainee with Middlesbrough Council has taken over as president of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Peter Fall, now senior partner of Peter Fall Cowie
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Big Brother is destroying you
LOVE it or loathe it, Big Brother is a television phenomenon, watched avidly by millions. It is hard to explain why so many are addicted to watching a group of people doing very little in the TV equivalent of a goldfish bowl, yet its popularity is undeniable
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Canoeist saves drowning lamb
A NORTH-EAST canoeist saved a drowning lamb while taking part in a charity event. Mick Whieldon, 31, was ten miles into a 132-mile marathon along the River Thames with friend Lee Atkins, 19, when he spotted the animal struggling in the water. "It had
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Strange boy, singular writer
Condemned as "almost pornographic", it has presented school librarians with a dilemma: ignore the latest work by a well-known writer, or risk breaking the law. Nick Morrison talks to the author of the most controversial children's book of the year. GROWING
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Hear All Sides
AMERICAN ECONOMY AMERICA'S capitalist image has been damaged, no thanks to accounting scandals currently in the news. The 1929 Wall Street crash comes to some people's minds; 25 per cent of workers were thrown out of work. By 1941, this figure was down
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Modern-day followers want Martyr of Moors canonised
HE may have looked like a tinker or a down-on-his-luck travelling salesman, but Nicholas Postgate had a secret - one that would cost him his life. Father Postgate was a Catholic priest in the 16th Century - at a time when to be a Catholic in England could
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Scarecrow attraction prepares to tour
A VILLAGE'S scarecrows have proved such a hit that they are going "on tour". Twenty four exhibits from the village of Sawley, near Ripon, will be dotted around the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate next week. Later the creations, which range from Yorkshire
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Kielder wins 'most remote village' title
TOURISM bosses reckon they have pinpointed the most remote village in England. Kielder, in Northumberland, which has about 200 residents, is being billed as the perfect place to get away from it all. It has various claims to the title, being ten miles
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Call for public debate over river bank erosion problem
A GOVERNMENT agency is being challenged to go public on the extent and reasons for river bank erosion at a Teesside town. Worried residents of Yarm point the finger of suspicion at the £50m Tees Barrage built at Stockton in 1994, which turned what had
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Warning over domain name 'registration'
TRADING standards officials are warning businesses to be alert to the dubious sales tactics of domain name registration companies. Businesses in York are be-ing targeted by companies in the Internet domain name industry, which attempt to trick them into
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Hostel closure threat
A GOVERNMENT grant has fuelled hopes that a popular Dales youth hostel could be saved from closure. The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) announced in March it would sell off ten of its premises to help cover the shortfall it suffered because of the foot-and-mouth
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£634,000 grant aid to build new care home
A 15-bed intermediate care home is to open in Darlington next summer, to ease hospital bed blocking. Darlington Primary Care Trust and Darlington Social Services have secured £634,000 from the Department of Health to build the residential unit in Hundens
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World Cup delight for wedding couple
FIFA chief Sepp Blatter delighted a newly-wed couple when he arranged a honeymoon treat for them. Mr Blatter, the most powerful man in football, stepped in to help Keith Telford and his bride, Lynda. The couple had planned to have their honeymoon at the
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Dealer a Day swoops net more arrests
POLICE seized a total of £18,000 during a series of drugs raids. Officers carried out seven raids in Middlesbrough last week, recovering quantities of crack cocaine and heroin, and arrested 11 people for drugs supply offences. Of those arrested, three
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News in brief
Striding out for Sports Relief SECONDARY schools across Stockton are planning a big event to raise money for Sport Relief on Friday next week. The Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Jean O'Donnell, will start a torch-carrying relay, similar to the jubilee
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Festival links up communities
COMMUNITIES are being invited to come together for a free festival in September. The festival, taking place at Collingwood College, Durham City, will include workshops, entertainment, displays, activities, demonstrations, a creche, and lunch made from
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Young Rosein looks an ace at Catterick
FORGET about the tennis at Wimbledon and concentrate on Young Rosein, fancied to make it game, set, and match in the seven furlong Royal Artillery Handicap at Catterick today. The six-year-old mare definitely "owes" us as she carried the nap selection
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Grassroots
TEDDY'S DAY: The Tanfield Railway will allow free travel to Teddy Bears and their young friends from 11am to 4.45pm on Sunday, July 14. OFFICIAL OPENING: Derwentside Leisure Services will hold a series of events to mark the re-opening of Consett Park.
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Grassroots
TALENT PLAN: A talent scheme is to be launched by the Birtley Methodist Church during a barbecue to be held in the church garden from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Saturday. Tickets cost £2.50 for adults and 50p for children EXPLORING FAITH: Christ Church, Lumley
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Hospital struggles to reduce bedblockers
Bosses at a controversial new hospital are losing the battle to reduce so-called "bedblocking." Despite efforts to speed up the discharge of mostly elderly patients - including opening more beds at outlying community hospitals - managers at the University
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Fashion students put their diploma show on the catwalk
FASHION students from Darlington College of Technology have been showing their work on the catwalk. Last night, students from the fashion and textiles course staged a show called Fusion, at the Arts Centre, when all the modelled outfits were part of their
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Bomber in flypast at squadron party
ROYAL Air Force personnel past and present joined forces to celebrate the 85th anniversary of one of its oldest operational squadrons. In true RAF style, festivities at the Leeming air base began with a flypast by one Britain's most famous warplanes,
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Rare seabird on comeback trail
ONE of the UK's most endangered seabirds is making an astonishing fightback from the brink of disaster. The little tern colony at Crimdon, east Durham, has had to endure many setbacks over recent years. In 1999, virtually all its eggs were stolen by an
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Reflecting on year of investment
MENTMORE Abbey, which leases business space, remains upbeat about future prospects, despite reporting slowing profit growth in its annual results. The company, which has several interests in the North-East, has reported pre-tax profits of £22.4m, up 3.7
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Police project helps groups
A NORTHUMBRIA Police project aimed at helping community groups in Gateshead is handing out more than £15,000 to 12 different groups. Westhelp was set up in 2000 for a three-year period to help community projects within the Gateshead West area command
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United action in crackdown on truancy
THE latest phase of a crackdown on truancy among North Yorkshire youngsters was unveiled yesterday. Education chiefs and police officers joined forces at a roadshow in Bedale, to give out advice about truancy and the problems associated with it. Hambleton
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Airman whose sacrifice will never be forgotten
THE family of a North-East airman,who lost his life towards the end of the Second World War, have paid an emotional visit to the tiny French village which still honours his bravery. Nearly 60 years after Sergeant Robert Hudson was killed with six other
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Family denies rip-off scam
Three membersof a North-East family have denied duping hundreds of people round the country with a work-from-home postal scam. Richard and Alison Alderson, and half-brother Darren, are alleged to have made potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds from
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Bingo winner is robbed by knifeman
POLICE are hunting a masked knifeman who robbed a teenager of £1,000 in bingo winnings. The incident happened as the 18-year-old student, from the outskirts of Durham City, was walking home following a trip to the Imperia Bingo Hall, in Felling, Gateshead
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Pubs offer technology on tap
A DALES pub is one of 15 across North Yorkshire where regulars can now enjoy a byte with their pint. Chips are on the menu at The Punch Bowl in Low Row from today - albeit the type found in computers. Tyne Tees TV presenter Andy Kluz will be at the Swaledale
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Antennasite 'too close to school'
THREE mobile phone antennae are to be erected near a primary school, prompting concerns among parents. Durham City councillors have approved plans for the antennae to be placed on the Neville's Cross Pub in the city after visiting the site on Monday.
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Five months' food stolen from rescue centre
ANIMAL lovers have condemned thieves who broke into a charity rescue centre and stole masses of pet food. Staff at the Blue Cross animal adoption centre, in Topcliffe, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, are appealing to local people and businesses to help
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Cut in sentence for man who killed mother
A former soldier who shocked the nation when he slaughtered his mother and her partner in an horrific crossbow killing has won a cut in his sentence. Killer David Nicholson was just 17 when he executed his mother Ann and her partner of 11 years Billy
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Pupils on march to mini games
MORE than 200 children plan to bring traffic to a halt in Skelton on Friday when they parade through town on their way to a mini Commonwealth Games. The youngsters, from six east Cleveland primary schools, will take part in a day of basketball, volleyball
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When learning about life is a top priority
SO what activities are you planning for your children over the summer holidays - football, swimming, tennis coaching? Or perhaps a sailing week, a coaching camp or a week in school catching up on their reading? Well, why not try a new idea from Singapore
