Archive
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Woman hurt in accident
A WOMAN suffered head injuries after she was hit by a bus in Durham's North Road on Monday morning. Police say the 35-year-old, from Brandon, apparently stepped into the road and into the path of the vehicle from between a line of parked cars. She was
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Cause of fire may never be known
THE cause of a fire that burned for more than two days on an industrial estate may never be known, experts said yesterday. Crowds of people turned out to watch as 70ft flames leapt into the air when the fire started at Justwood, on the Alliance Industrial
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Jacqui McShee's Pentangle, Darlington Arts Centre
THE fact that cult DJ John Peel wrote the sleeve notes to The Pentangle's first album back in the late 1960s will tell you that in their day, this band were in the avant-garde. Mixing traditional folk with blues and jazz, the multi-talented five piece
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Promotion is Stewart's only target
SUNDERLAND striker Marcus Stewart has banished talk of lifting the Championship title - at least until promotion is secured Sunderland now have a five-point cushion between themselves and third-placed Ipswich with just seven games to go, but face a tough
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People power may keep line on track
PEOPLE power will hold the key to success for a historic County Durham railway line which faces a perceived closure threat. Control of the Darlington to Bishop Auckland branch line is to be handed over to a community rail partnership which will give local
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A tribute to Mouseman
THE man who turned the humble mouse into a symbol of high-quality craftsmanship is being celebrated at the home of the world's most famous vet. Renowned carpenter Robert "Mouseman" Thompson is featured in a display at the World of James Herriot, in Thirsk
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Museum makes final
MUSEUM bosses are celebrating after finding out they have made it to the finals of Britain's biggest art awards. Locomotion: National Railway Museum in Shildon is through to the last four in The Gulbenkian Museum of the Year 2005 competition. The museum
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Silver lining
Buried treasure and buccaneers have made Treasure Island one of the classic stories of childhood. Viv Hardwick talks to actor/creator Andy Cannon of award-winning company Wee Stories as the Scottish company prepares to play Newcastle. YOU wouldn't bet
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Anger at return of child abuser
Victim support groups today attacked Australian authorities for deciding to deport a British paedophile, regarded as one of the country's worst child abusers. UK-born Robert Excell, 66, who moved to Australia when he was ten, will be flown back to Britain
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School expels boy over knife
A BOY found carrying a knife has been expelled from school. As reported in The Northern Echo yesterday, the weapon was seized from the pupil from Darlington's Carmel RC Technology College, along with knives from two boys from Branksome Comprehensive School
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Father broke his baby's leg by accident
A FATHER told a court yesteday he did not mean to hurt his two-week-old baby daughter after he broke her leg while changing her nappy. The 30-year-old man took his baby to hospital in the early hours after he heard a snap during the nappy change at the
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Passive smoking compensation claim rejected
A LANDLADY has lost a landmark legal battle in which she claimed up to £400,000 in compensation after she said passive smoking in her bar made her ill. Michelle Muir, 44, said that working at the New Derby pub, in Roker Bath Road, Sunderland, had exposed
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24/03/05
FIRE: ONCE again The Northern Echo has a nice orange picture adorning its front page, and once again the culprit is on Albert Hill in Darlington (Echo, Mar 22). Regardless of how the fire started, any resident or local dog walker will confirm stacking
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Do we hate our children so much?
OF course we parents of school age children should be on our knees thanking the charismatic TV chef Jamie Oliver for his passionate crusade against the fatty, reconstituted gloop and stodge served up as dinner in many of our schools. His TV programme
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Businessman told to pay up or face jail
A BUSINESSMAN who stole thousands of pounds of electricity by bypassing his meter for almost ten years has been warned he faces jail. Guest house boss Stephen Hodgin was told by a judge to find almost £20,000 in a month to pay his debts - or return to
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Councillors vote to change centre
THE radical transformation of Darlington town centre moved a step closer last week as heritage campaigners hit out at the council that took the decision. Planning chiefs gave their backing to the dramatic alterations to High Row, part of a £6.5m town
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Death driver's jail sentence criticised
DISTRAUGHT family members have criticised the prison sentence imposed on a drink driver responsible for the deaths of a father and son. Mark Sidney Murray, 22, was jailed for five-and-a-half years after admitting causing the deaths of Redcar man Malcolm
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New 'expert' help for long-term sufferers
THE Derwentside Primary Care Trust is launching its sixth expert patients programme - aimed at helping people with long-term medical conditions. The new programme will be a morning course, running from 10am to 12.30pm, and will be held in Consett Medical
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A tribute to Mouseman
THE man who turned the humble mouse into a symbol of high-quality craftsmanship is being celebrated at the home of the world's most famous vet. Renowned carpenter Robert "Mouseman" Thompson is featured in a display at the World of James Herriot, in Thirsk
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More changes for community care
THE Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle has seen many changes ranging from a private residence to a military hospital. However, the £6.5m plan to redevelop it, which was given planning approval yesterday, is possibly the most important stage in its
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Firefighter cleared
AN inquiry has cleared a firefighter of any wrongdoing after the fire engine he hired out for parties turned up in the street of a fatal blaze hours after a man died. The converted engine drove into Douai Drive, Consett, on February 4, where James Young
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Guide to festivals
A FESTIVALS guide is being produced to promote all the many festivals that are held along the Yorkshire coast each year. Some 50,000 copies are being distributed to tourist information centres and arts venues. A website is being developed - www.festivalcoast.org.uk
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Modern touch added to an old tradition
A CITY'S newly-installed hornblower wants to bring a touch of professionalism to a nightly ceremony by handing out business cards to tourists. The idea is just one of several by Ripon's 67-year-old chief hornblower, George Pickles, to move the ancient
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Bless my hide - its a youthful seven brothers and brides
BUDDING young actors are preparing to take to the stage with a popular musical from the 1950s. The Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group Performing Arts Group will be performing Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, at Durham's Gala Theatre, from next Wednesday to
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Back to prison for Asbo teen
A TEENAGER, who was subject to an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo), crashed his mother's car and then shouted at police, a court heard. District Judge Roy Anderson, sitting at Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday, heard how Joel Rayiru, 18, had been
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Teenagers escape air gun attack
TWO teenagers were shot at from a speeding car. The 13-year-old boys were in Salutation Road, Darlington, just before 5pm on Saturday, when they were fired at by someone using an air pistol. The pellet narrowly missed the boys, who were said to be shocked
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Pensioners living in fear of tearaways and arson attacks
ELDERLY people are living in fear after gangs of youths started fires on a piece of derelict land close to their homes. People living in Phoenix Court, off Heron Drive, Darlington, have been too scared to leave their homes after dark due to the arson
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People power may keep line on track
PEOPLE power will hold the key to success for a historic County Durham railway line which faces a perceived closure threat. Control of the Darlington to Bishop Auckland branch line is to be handed over to a community rail partnership which will give local
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Money rolls in to help repair playground
CASH is rolling in to help to rebuild a school playground that was destroyed by vandals. A fortress-style playing area at Sugar Hill Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, was wrecked by vandals last year. The school's headteacher Frank Ridley said it would
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All change as right-hand man bows out
A POLITICAL partnership spanning a quarter of a century will come to an end at the next General Election. Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster has already announced he will not stand for re-election and will retire from political life. Now his trusted right-hand
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Sessions will outline 'ghost ship' moves
A COUNCIL has teamed up with the Environment Agency to inform people about a shipbreaking firm's proposals to carry out the dismantling of the controversial "ghost ships" in the North-East. Hartlepool Borough Council is helping to organise drop-in sessions
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Hollywood beckons Helen
A YOUNG actress has won the chance to study in the home of the movies. But Helen Hogan, 19, needs £15,000 to take up a place to study for a degree at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, California. Helen, of Carrville, Durham City, won
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Unhappy Nash finally ends his Riverside stay
MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Carlo Nash yesterday ended his Teesside torment by joining Championship play-off contenders Preston North End. Nash, who made just five appearances in two years for Steve McClaren's men, was unhappy at his inability to displace
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Research offering help for patients
PARKINSON'S disease patients in the North-East have helped pioneer a promising new way to help sufferers. Results from the international study, which used external "cues" to prompt movements, showed a significant improvement in walking, balance and mobility
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John North : A spark of gratitude
A surprise birthday gift of an engraved lighter signalled the respect German prisoners of war had for Major Rollin Holmes. UNKNOWN to the dashing young camp commandant, the German prisoners of war were secretly plotting. It would be an incendiary device
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News from The Guilds and WIs
East Stanley: THE President Anne Stayman welcomed members to the March meeting. Birthday greetings were given to Hilda Burnett, Vera Wilkinson and Rae Smith. Rita Hall was thanked for the flowers, which were given to Phoebe Wilkinson. Final arrangements
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It's hats on for a salute to Easter
A HOST of Easter bonnets made by residents of a sheltered housing scheme went on show yesterday. The seasonal millinery was on parade at Oswin Grove, in Gilling West, near Richmond. Enhanced Care Worker and parade organiser Kathy Mullany said: "This is
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'Tell us if our homes will be bulldozed'
A COUNCIL is being urged to tell residents whether their homes will be bulldozed. The Government plans to demolish up to 880,000 homes in run-down town and city centres across northern England and the Midlands. The plan could affect 25,000 people who
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Five GPs recruited to ease worries over health care
FIVE GPs have been employed in a bid to improve out-of-hours doctors services in part of the county. They have been recruited by Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to help cover gaps in the out-of-hours rota in Northallerton. The PCT's
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Honour for teenager
A TEENAGE volunteer has been honoured for her efforts. Laura Grievson, 17, from Pelton, County Durham, won the youth action category in the regional Millennium Volunteer of the Year Award. Laura, who is studying for A-levels, got into helping others through
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Tory hopeful on patrol
A CONSERVATIVE candidate for the forthcoming General Election has been out on patrol with police to see the problems caused by binge drinking. Ben Rogers, the Tory hopeful for the City of Durham constituency, joined police on patrol near the pubs and
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Fears over missing man
POLICE have become increasingly concerned for the welfare of a missing man. George Brown, 55, has now been missing since March 10 and was last seen at his home address in Kenton Road, North Shields. He left a note for his partner saying he needed a few
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Youngsters urged to get on their bikes
YOUNGSTERS are being urged to support a campaign to promote cycling to school this week. Pupils from primary and secondary schools in Hartlepool are being encouraged to take part in Bike to School Week which ends in the town today. The event has been
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A spark of gratitude
UNKNOWN to the dashing young camp commandant, the German prisoners of war were secretly plotting. It would be an incendiary device the likes of which he could never even have imagined. Rollin Holmes, retired major, treasures it still. "It was the biggest
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Karaoke for hospice that helped sister
A PUB will host a sing-along with a difference tomorrow. A five-hour karaoke has been organised at the Bridge Inn, Middlesbrough, by landlord Harry Waters to raise funds for the Butterwick Hospice in thanks for the way staff cared for his dying sister
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Back to school to tackle crime
AN anti-theft campaign has been launched to clamp down on mobile phone crime. Schoolchildren in Middlesbrough were encouraged to take their phones into the classroom yesterday as part of the drive. Police visited Ormesby Secondary School to invite youngsters
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Call for courts to get tough on underage alcohol sales
A COUNCILLOR is calling on magistrates to come down hard on traders who sell alcohol to under-age youngsters. Barry Coppinger, of Middlesbrough Borough Council, stressed the effect under-age drinking has on the whole community and is asking magistrates
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A pretty cool Dame
BRITAIN'S leading wheelchair athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson was close to tears when she collected her latest honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. "I was fine until I saw my dad," she said. "It was really emotional." Dame Tanni, 35,
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Spring gala for museum
A MUSEUM is kicking off its spring programme with an opening gala this weekend. The Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum gala will be held in east Cleveland at the Skinningrove Riverside Centre and chapel from 10am to 4pm. Saturday's programme includes free
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Awards for residents who aim high
BBC newsreader Wendy Gibson has presented 70 residents with outstanding achievement awards. Ms Gibson was present at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, to give out the Aim High Achievement awards. The initiative is a support network which helps people overcome
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Council offers free bins for compost
A HOME composting scheme was launched in County Durham yesterday. The county council is giving away 2,000 compost bins and offering others at reduced prices in the hope of encouraging people to join the initiative. It is in partnership with a Wastes and
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Carers advice project launched
A PROJECT to ensure carers are receiving support will be launched next month. The Carers Project, at the Middlesbrough Learning Shop, will provide advice and training for people looking after a relative, child or partner. Organiser Hilary Causier said
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District puts itself in the shop window
THOUSANDS of leaflets and a mountain of flyers went into circulation as 45 businesses put themselves in the shop window yesterday. A tourism information day at Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, provided a marketing opportunity for companies and organisations
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Barratt building towards a record
HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments said enough buyers were still stepping on to the property ladder for it to meet its annual targets. Barratt reported encouraging sales interest and activity in all its regions since January as buyers welcomed signs that
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HMS with added steel
A METAL manufacturer has stepped in to provide steel for a historic ship in the region. The HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool is due to have a set of cross-masts put up later this year, and the extra weight will make the ship less stable. So Corus Special
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Cinderella On Ice, Gala, Durham
THIS show by Wild Rose Theatre features the Russian Ice Stars, described as "the finest team of professional skaters in the world". Comprising former national and international competitors - notably Ioulia Barsoukova, a gold medallist in the Sydney 2000
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Putting politics in the womb
Tory leader Michael Howard's pledge to vote to cut the abortion limit from 24 weeks to 20 has put the issue at the front of the political agenda. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings speaks to two women with opposing views about abortion and the change to
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Investment company grabs Tussauds owner
MADAME Tussauds and a number of theme parks were sold yesterday in an £800m deal with an investment company controlled by the government of Dubai. Charterhouse, the venture capital group, agreed to dispose of Tussauds Group after six years of ownership
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Bank divided on interest rate rise
ANOTHER rise in the cost of borrowing looks increasingly likely after it emerged that two members of the Bank of England's rate-setting committee called for an increase at its last meeting. Minutes of this month's meeting of the monetary policy committee
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Link will feed port's success
A Dutch shipping company is to make weekly runs to PD Teesport, on Teesside, from Felixstowe. The connection means that Teesport will handle more cargo from deep sea shipping lines from the Far East and elsewhere. Feederlink BV will begin the service
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Specialist tells Liddle choice is yours
CRAIG Liddle is facing the toughest decision of his career after being told he can continue playing - but at his own risk. The extent of Liddle's latest injury - a detached stomach muscle - would entitle the Darlington skipper to retirement, although
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...and Comet feels the pressure
Electricals group Comet joined the list of under-pressure retailers yesterday after its owner forecast a difficult market for its flagship business. Kesa Electricals, which also has a string of businesses on the Continent, said the outlook for the UK
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Appeal to buy piano
AN appeal has been launched to buy a grand piano that has featured in 40 concerts at the Sir William Turner Almshouses at Kirkleatham. The piano's owners have put the £8,000 Steinway up for sale. Peter Sotheran, chairman of the trustees of the almshouses
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New team appointed to lead Morrisons
SUPERMARKET boss Sir Ken Morrison bowed to shareholder pressure yesterday with a boardroom shake-up. As Morrisons disappointed the City with its results, the company said it would appoint a chief executive for the first time and replace its finance director
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A hero forever in our hearts
ON the evening of June 12, 1944, a crew of young airmen set out in a Lancaster bomber from the Royal Canadian Air Force base at Middleton St George, near Darlington, on what was to become, for one, a fatal mission to France. Although his colleagues eventually
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Gardener dug his way into victims' trust
A GREEN-FINGERED burglar attempted to cover his tracks by gardening for his victims. Terence Morrow pinpointed homes of wealthy professionals before offering to carry out casual garden jobs for his intended victims. Durham Crown Court heard that, having
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Rooney warned of off-the-field dangers
Captain David Beckham warned Wayne Rooney and his England team-mates of the need to be careful off the pitch amid a police investigation into an alleged assault involving the teenage striker. Beckham believes Rooney, 19, has matured significantly since
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College supports funding campaign
BISHOP Auckland College has joined a national campaign to protect adult learning from a Government funding squeeze. College's principal Joanna Tait joined a countrywide lobby to Westminster last week for the Association of Colleges' National Parliamentary
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Thinking big
THE new owner of a glass company is looking to push turnover past the £10m mark. Ryan Green, 28, has bought Clayton Glass, based near Stanley, for an undisclosed, seven-figure sum, from the Heywood Williams Group in Huddersfield. The former finance director
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Quakers go for record
HIGH-FLYING Darlington Football Club is set to enter the Guinness Book of Records - for the most mascots to take to the field before a match. Guinness judges will be in the crowd at the Williamson Motors Stadium on Saturday where 122 mascots are expected
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Jailed postman took bank cards from letters to steal £12,000
A POSTMAN pocketed more than £12,000 after stealing cash cards from bank customers on his round. Paul Logan was yesterday jailed for ten months after a judge told him: "Our society depends highly upon the honesty of employees of the Royal Mail." Logan
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Big field tackles racecourse run
FORGET the Cheltenham Festival - Sedgefield Racecourse staged its own racing extravaganza last week with 800 runners in the field. It wasn't horses that completed three laps of the track on Friday but hundreds of students from Sedgefield Community College
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Smokers asked to think about fire hotspot
Smokers living in a fires hotspot are being given cause to think each time they light up. Cigarette lighters carrying a fire brigade hotline telephone number are being distributed to smokers in an area of Teesside, in the hope they will dial for safety
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Not so good vibrations
DESPERATE to find something more original for Mothers' Day than the usual flowers and chocolates, I headed for the shops. After hours of searching, with son Jack in tow, inspiration was as elusive as ever. But then, just as I was about to make do with
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Armed gang jailed for raid
FOUR men convicted of an attempted armed robbery, in which a policeman was threatened with an imitation gun, were jailed yesterday. PC Phillip Clapham gave chase when he saw Paul Sherrington, Ian Hart, and George Appleby fleeing the Shotton Colliery Post
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Operatic group stages reunion
A THEATRE group that disbanded 12 years ago is having a reunion for former members. Newton Aycliffe Operatic Society wants to hear from anyone who was involved with its stage productions between 1963 and the final show, The Sound of Music, in 1993. Geoffrey
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Volunteer tutors needed at prison
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help teach basic skills to young offenders. Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, is looking for people to help teach literacy and maths to inmates. Over three-quarters of the inmates have
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Doctor's orders
She's been a pop diva and married to a media mogul, but, for Billie Piper, being Doctor Who's assistant is the best thing ever, she tells Steve Pratt. Her debut single topped the charts. She was married to presenter and DJ turned media mogul Chris Evans
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Who's Who
Although he confesses never to have been a Doctor Who fan as a child, Christopher Eccleston admits he asked to play the ninth incarnation and is fast becoming a convert. Steve Pratt reports. nyone drawing up a list of actors to play the new Doctor Who
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Hospital plans are approved
A RURAL district is to benefit from a £6.5m community hospital. NHS bosses have welcomed Teesdale District Council's decision to grant planning permission for a new Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle. The hospital will be built in Victoria Road, on
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Company showers charity with £25,000
A NEWTON AYCLIFFE company is showering a charity with thousands of pounds. Roman Ltd, a leading shower manufacturer, is giving £25,000 to County Durham Foundation to help to fund its good causes in Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Ferryhill
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Advice over sickness at Easter
PEOPLE are being urged to get the right treatment over Easter. With the exception of Dr Jones, in Sedgefield, who will run a surgery on Saturday morning, GPs in the Durham Dales will be closed over Easter and patients are being advised to look elsewhere
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On-pitch efforts are rewarded
A SCHOOL team was knocked out of a national competition in a penalty shoot-out. Eastbourne year nine team, from Darlington, reached the quarter final of the Four Aces National Schools competition, and were tied at 1-1 with St Augustine's School, Lancaster
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Tories choose Army man to battle Blair
THE Conservative Party has chosen a key military figure to stand in the forthcoming General Election in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency. As the British military spokesman, former fighter pilot Group Captain Al Lockwood was the public face of the
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Sorting out a feud on the farm
Families At War (C4): TWO brothers who haven't spoken to each other for a year are sent to a remote farmhouse to sort out their differences. One is accompanied by his pregnant girlfriend, who previously caused him to attempt suicide after she left him
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Tributes paid to respected teacher
TRIBUTES have been paid to a teacher whose sudden death has left a school in mourning. Paul Shuttleworth, 58, spent three decades teaching at Ryedale School, Nawton, holding two principle roles, as head of the lower school and head of drama. Mr Shuttleworth
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Another wait for school funding
EDUCATION bosses from Darlington will have to wait until July to hear when they will get money to repair the town's crumbling schools. Darlington Borough Council could be one of the last local education authorities in the country to benefit from the Government's
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Fitness test for 24 hours
LEISURE centre staff joined customers for a gruelling round-the-clock test of their fitness. And despite nursing some aching joints they are now celebrating raising more than £300 for Comic Relief. Kicking off at 8am at Bedale Leisure Centre, at least
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Celebrating a Store's birthday
A SUPERMARKET has celebrated its 25th birthday with five members of staff who have worked at the store since it opened. Morrisons opened in North Road, Darlington, on March 25, 1980. Staff marked the occasion by sharing a commemorative cake, decorated
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Changes to estate board
A GENERAL meeting to formally dissolve Firthmoor Community Partnership Board and replace it with an alternative organisation takes place next month. The Firthmoor partnership will become Eastbourne Community Partnership Board. The official changes will
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Football rivals meet to raise money
A CHARITY football match between two rivals aims to raise money for new machinery at a community hospital. The Flesh Fleas, of Wolsingham, and the Clay Hogs, of Stanhope, will pitch their wits on the football field over Easter to pay for a patient monitoring
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Remembered
A CAMPAIGN by The Northern Echo to provide a lasting memorial to the bravery of a Second World War hero has exceeded its cash target. The Forgotten Hero appeal, launched last June, aimed to raise £40,000 for an 8ft bronze statue of Pilot Officer Andrew
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Bookworms reap the reward of their own creativity
YOUNG bookworms were given the first choice of the latest bestsellers after designing posters to promote a book fair. Children at Barnard Castle Prep School were asked to come up with colourful images to promote the regular book fair at the school. Thomas
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Neighbours From Heaven: Shy star who is always there to help
A SELFLESS helper and friendly face next door is embarrassed at the attention she is attracting after being nominated as a Neighbour from Heaven. Irene Throp is the kindly neighbour who goes out of her way to assist family, friends and fellow residents
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Guide to countryside
A GUIDE to enjoying County Durham's countryside is now available. Durham County Council's countryside group has produced a 36-page booklet, called County Durham, which includes more than 150 walks and events taking place from April to September and news
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News from The Guilds and WIs
Coxhoe Ladies Club: JEAN welcomed members to the annual pie and peas supper. Pies were organised by Belle and peas prepared by Christine, Carol and Una. Jean read cards from Audrey and Gillian, thanking members for flowers after their stay in hospital
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United eye summer swoop for Smith
Newcastle are lining up a summer move for Manchester United striker Alan Smith, if they can offload some of their big-earning stars. Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd confirmed the 24-year-old was a target last summer but refused to rule out another move
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Unhappy Nash finally ends his Riverside stay
MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Carlo Nash yesterday ended his Teesside torment by joining Championship play-off contenders Preston North End. Nash, who made just five appearances in two years for Steve McClaren's men, was unhappy at his inability to displace
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Students put on a fine display
YOUNG artists are showing off their work at an exhibition. The Discovery Centre, in Bishop Auckland's market place, has been transformed by the work created by first and second year BTEC National Diploma Fine Arts students from Bishop Auckland College
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Hannah designs herself a dream trip - in style - to London
TEENAGER Hannah Craggs has won herself a dream trip to London - and she'll be stepping out in style. The Ripon youngster took part in a national competition to design the best walk-to-school outfit. And the 16-year-old was one of five from across the
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Rooney: I'll be cleared of 'brawl'
ENGLAND striker Wayne Rooney was last night said to be confident that claims he hit a student in a bar brawl will be dismissed. Police confirmed yesterday they are examining CCTV footage of the alleged clash. Patrick Hanrahan, 22, from the North-East,
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Nursery helps Mary on her way
AN international disabled teenage athlete was invited to a draw a raffle held in her honour at her former nursery. Oxhill Nursery on Eden Terrace in Stanley asked 16-year-old Mary Suggett to be their guest of honour. She is raising funds to go to America
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Call to end council tax
A PROSPECTIVE Parliamentary candidate is campaigning for the abolition of council tax. Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat candidate for Redcar, is gathering petitions against the tax in favour of what he says is a fairer alternative. The Liberal Democrat party
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Athletes get £10,000 for games event
A SQUAD of Olympians has been given £10,000 to help them go for gold. Fifty-one athletes from east Cleveland will compete in the seventh Special Olympics National Summer Games, in Glasgow, in July. They will be among 255 members of the Northern team,
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Centre for women opens its doors
A CENTRE offering support and education for women is celebrating the official opening of new premises. The Bridge Women's Education and Support Project's new facilities in the old Co-op building, behind Front Street, in Chester-le-Street were officially
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Fresh bid to make success of pub inside old police station
ANOTHER attempt is being made to make a success of a pub/restaurant complex in a city's converted former police station. Since opening as Cathedrals, following a £3.5m development of the Victorian-built Durham City Police Station in July 2001, the business
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Did you see glassing?
POLICE want to hear from drinkers who saw a teenage girl who was glassed in a Durham nightspot. The 18-year-old A-Level student suffered wounds to her face after she was struck by a half-pint glass thrown during a night out at Walkabout in North Road,
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Change in law leads to rise in offenders
THE number of registered sex offenders on Teesside has reached record levels, according to figures from the Teesside Violent and Sex Offenders Unit. Since last year, there has been a 20 per cent increase in the number of offenders being tracked by the
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Spring gala for museum
A MUSEUM is kicking off its spring programme with an opening gala this weekend. The Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum gala will be held in east Cleveland at the Skinningrove Riverside Centre and chapel from 10am to 4pm. Saturday's programme includes free
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HMS with added steel
A METAL manufacturer has stepped in to provide steel for a historic ship in the region. The HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool is due to have a set of cross-masts put up later this year, and the extra weight will make the ship less stable. So Corus Special
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Cap on tax rise will 'teach council lesson'
A NORTH district council must cut its council tax bills or be capped so it can "learn a lesson", Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said. At a Westminster Press conference, the minister defended his decision to threaten the toughest sanction despite
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Hotel staff mourn passing of wedding gatecrasher Sid
NO one ever knew where Sid came from, he just appeared a couple of days after 17th Century Pinchinthorpe Hall opened as a hotel. The black cat simply adopted the former manor house ten years ago, turning up un-announced whenever there was a wedding and
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De-selection leaves Labour in turmoil
THE ruling Labour party on the region's biggest council was in turmoil last night after its leader was de-selected from his seat. Councillor Ken Manton, who represents Sedgefield on Durham County Council, will have to step down after elections in May
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Hotel staff mourn passing of wedding gatecrasher Sid
NO one ever knew where Sid came from, he just appeared a couple of days after 17th Century Pinchinthorpe Hall opened as a hotel. The black cat simply adopted the former manor house ten years ago, turning up un-announced whenever there was a wedding and
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Police investigate fire
POLICE say a fire at an Indian takeaway may have been started deliberately. Fire crews went to the Taj Mahal Tandoori, High Street South, Langley Moor, at about 1.15am on Monday to tackle a blaze that extensively damaged the customer waiting area. The
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Football teenager reveals attack injuries
POLICE have released a photograph of a footballer who suffered serious facial injuries in an unprovoked assault. Promising midfielder Stuart Holden, 19, needed surgery to repair a broken eye socket after he was battered by a gang of men outside the Tiger
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War declared on arsonists
YOUNG people joined firefighters and police to tidy up a town to reduce the risk of arson. The community clean-up in Stanley was part of the Firebusters day organised by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue. The idea was to remove large piles
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Hospice supporters scoop prize
A BISHOP Auckland couple are celebrating a £2,000 windfall from a lottery helping hospice patients. Cyril and Ann Weightman won the top prize in a weekly draw organised by One Wish for four North-East hospices - The Butterwick at Bishop Auckland, St Teresa's
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Man critically injured after being trapped in machine
A Teesside man was in a critical condition today after becoming trapped in hydraulic machinery. The man was caught after the arm of a piece of machinery fell on him at the Household Waste Centre in Burn Road, Hartlepool and needed two fire engines and
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Advice service given extra financial lifeline
DURHAM'S free advice service has been handed a financial lifeline with a £10,000 increase in funding from the city council. The council has agreed to give Durham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), based in Millennium Place, Claypath, £78,965 in the coming
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Mother calling for inquiry on death of newborn son
A MOTHER has called for an inquiry into how her premature baby son died of an infection on a sterile hospital ward. Helen Kinder had to be taken from her home city of York to Manchester when she went into labour 14 weeks early, because it was the nearest
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Blair's Tory rival quits
THE Tories face a race against time to find a new candidate to challenge Tony Blair for his Sedgefield seat in the next General Election. With an election expected to be held in May, the Conservative party is searching for a new hopeful to stand in the
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Passenger numbers about to take off
THE region's two airports are preparing for their busiest Easters on record, with more than 25,000 passengers due to leave from either Newcastle or Durham Tees Valley airport this weekend. About 8,200 passengers are expected at Durham Tees Valley over
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Hospital plans are approved
A RURAL district is to benefit from a £6.5m community hospital. NHS bosses have welcomed Teesdale District Council's decision to grant planning permission for a new Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle. The hospital will be built in Victoria Road, on
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Jockey and trainer lead the field at top racing festival
HORSE RACING fans saluted the North-East last week as a County Durham trainer and jockey secured their places among the sport's elite. Trainer Howard Johnson and jockey Graham Lee beat the odds to claim the titles of leading trainer and jockey on the
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Barratt building towards a record
HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments said enough buyers were still stepping on to the property ladder for it to meet its annual targets. Barratt reported encouraging sales interest and activity in all its regions since January as buyers welcomed signs that
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Work under way on new-look bus station
Work got under way this week on the £250,000 revamp of Durham's much-criticised bus station. Durham County Council is buying the 1970s-built station from bus operator Arriva and giving it its first major investment in years. The station, in North Road
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Truly, an heroic effort
THE Northern Echo has always had an unflinching belief in the importance of making sure that the courage of those who fought in world wars for our freedom is never forgotten. Those of us who are too young to have been involved can never truly appreciate
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More high street gloom as Next reports sales fall
CLOTHING retailer Next blamed cautious shoppers for a slowdown in sales at its high street stores since January. The group cited "an underlying easing of consumer demand" for its poor performance and said it did not expect any big improvement in economic
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Council's tax bills in chaos
COUNCIL tax bills in one of the region's authorities were thrown into chaos yesterday when the Government warned it faced capping. Hambleton District Council, in North Yorkshire, is among nine authorities in England in line for capping after failing to
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Remembered
A CAMPAIGN by The Northern Echo to provide a lasting memorial to the bravery of a Second World War hero has exceeded its cash target. The Forgotten Hero appeal, launched last June, aimed to raise £40,000 for an 8ft bronze statue of Pilot Officer Andrew
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Temp-tress
There's only thing worse than a married woman having an affair. And that's a jealous married woman having an affair. Enter Silly Sally Webster, who's been polishing the top of the desk in her office with bonking boss Ian Davenport in Coronation Street
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Thompson raring to go
JAMES Thompson is revved up and raring to go ahead of the opening round of the inaugural World Touring Car Championship. The new world series has replaced the former European Touring Car Championship and will visit three continents, including such countries
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (2) Dead Man's Shoes 2 (10) Catwoman 3 (-) Shark Tale 4 (3) Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow 5 (6) Super Size Me 6 (-) The Chronicles of Riddick 7 (8) Trauma 8 (4) Collateral 9 (5) Saw 10 (-) The Whole Ten Yards Published:
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Hit or Miss
Sandra Bullock is the miss without a man in her new film, Miss Congeniality 2, just as in her own life. But, as she tells Steve Pratt, that's the way she likes it. Sandra Bullock defies Hollywood convention and doesn't get her man in her new movie, Miss
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Pool weighing up short-term deals for Howey and Butler
TRIALISTS Steve Howey and Thomas Butler both came through 90 minutes of reserve action for Hartlepool United yesterday, but the club is tightlipped over whether they have a future at Victoria Park. Former Newcastle United defender Howey, and midfielder
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Jobs fears in GNER payout
GNER last night said it could not rule out job cuts after securing the contract to run East Coast Main Line services. Rail unions the RMT and Aslef have warned of a potential squeeze on staffing after York-based GNER agreed to pay the Government £1.3bn
