Archive
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Match Report: Sunderland 3 Reading 0
Final Score: Sunderland 3 Reading 0 TWELVE months on and, it seems, Martin O'Neill can still inspire Sunderland. A year to the day since the revival started during his first game as Sunderland manager, the hope on Wearside will be that a fightback
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Life-time recognition for North-East academic
A Newcastle University professor has been presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Times Higher Education Awards. Professor John Goddard OBE, Emeritus Professor of Regional Studies, was honoured at a ceremony in London last night (Thursday
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Foundation for Jobs
As part of our Foundation for Jobs campaign, this column is devoted to a young person so they can issue a come-and-get-me call to firms Name: Danielle Malcolm Age: 19, From: Originally from Newton Aycliffe but now living in Middlesbrough while studying
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Ninth successive clean sheet for Dunston
Dunston kept their ninth successive clean sheet when they beat Newcastle Benfield 2-0 in the ENL First Division last night. On an increasingly tricky pitch, Benfield had the edge in the first half, but Dunston took the lead after half time when
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Learn teaching in the classroom
The Academy at Shotton Hall in Peterlee has announced the launch of an innovative school-based teacher training programme that offers an exciting alternative to becoming a qualified teacher, by training in school from day one. This new path into
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Outstanding students celebrate success at leading college
AMBITIOUS Daniel Hall has the world at his feet after being crowned Further Education Student of the Year at Redcar & Cleveland College's annual awards. The 23-year-old, from Marske, won both the overall FE Celebration of Achievement award
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Darlington sign keeper from West Auckland
Darlington have tonight agreed to sign Mark Bell from West Auckland. The goalkeeper will make his Quakers debut in Saturday's game at Durham City and replaces Jack Norton who has been released. Bell was West's first-choice keeper and played
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Councillors call for leadership in Whitby landslide crisis
COUNCILLORS have tonight called for leadership to be shown in Whitby as the town continues to battle landslips and flooding. Civic leaders at an extraordinary meeting of Whitby Town Council were furious that no one seemed to be taking charge of
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House fire in Darlington
A ROAD was closed while firefighters dealt with a blaze at a house in Darlington this evening. Four engines were present at the height of the fire, which is believed to have started at just before 7pm in the attic of a house on Stanhope Road North
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Northern Rock customers to share in cash windfall after bank blunder
THOUSANDS of North-East householders are set for a pre Christmas windfall of almost £2,000 each following a bank blunder. A mistake in the wording of some Northern Rock loan statements will see about 152,000 customers share a £270m payout.
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Businessman accused of importing child porn is former fraudster, jury told
A JURY has heard that a businessman accused of importing child pornography from Thailand has served a prison sentence for fraud. George Steen was jailed almost ten years ago after an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, Teesside Crown Court
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TEAM NEWS: Fletcher back for Sunderland
STEVEN FLETCHER has passed a late fitness test to take his place for Sunderland in a crucial rearranged Premier League fixture with Reading tonight. Scottish striker Fletcher has recovered from an ankle problem which prevented him from facing Chelsea
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Merger deal creates £95m law firm
PARTNERS at Dickinson Dees and Bond Pearce have voted in favour of a merger, creating a £95m firm. The merger deal that goes live on May 1 next year creates a major new law firm, Bond Dickinson with about 1200 staff employed across eight offices
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New MP vows to stand up for working families and young people
PEOPLE in a North-East town are "scared for the future", a new MP warned in his maiden speech in the House of Commons. Andy McDonald, the Labour MP for Middlesbrough, said more than ten people were chasing every job, as he attacked those who branded
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Gigantic Mecanno model of Teesside's Newport Bridge to be dismantled
A GIGANTIC Mecanno model of Teesside’s Newport Bridge, which took an enthusiast a year of painstaking work to construct, is about to be dismantled. Joe Etheridge, 69, said supply had outstripped demand on his latest project - a bucket wheel excavator
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Volunteers and charity workers in running for award
NOMINATIONS are being sought for charitable volunteers who have made a significant difference to their local communities. The Chairman’s Award is the highest award to given by Durham County Council and it is presented to people to recognise outstanding
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Thief steals pensioner's purse as she shops
A thief stole an 89-year-old woman’s purse from her handbag as she shopped in Bishop Auckland. The theft took place at noon on Saturday, December 8, while the victim was in the Pound shop, on Newgate Street. The victim had withdrawn a large amount
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Olympian presents top prize at charity car raffle
A MEDAL winning Olympian has handed over the keys to the winner of the Great North Air Ambulance Service’s annual car raffle. Equestrian rider Nicola Wilson, who took silver in the team eventing competition at the summer games, presented the Ford
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Bishop Auckland news in brief
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Bishop Auckland Choral Society is to be joined by St John’s Secondary School choir for its Christmas Concert. The event is on Friday (December 14) at 7.30pm with tickets £7, concessions £5 and children £3. Tickets can be obtained
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Government drops extradition case against former North-East academic
A FORMER university academic and diplomat accused of conspiring to smuggle arms to Iran will not be extradited to the US, after the Home Office dropped its case against him. Nosratollah Tajik, a former teacher at Durham University’s Institute for
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CD of Consett Christmas memories launched
A GROUP of pensioners have recorded a CD of their childhood Christmas memories to go with a selection of festive tunes. The ladies have been working Mad Alice Theatre Company on the project for the last six weeks. Children from St Pius X Primary
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Christmas remembrance trees erected
A CHARITY fundraising group is inviting people to remember lost loved ones by making a donation to their cause. Members of Neville’s Cross Friends of Cancer Research UK have erected two Trees of Remembrance in the Gates shopping centre, in Durham
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Bedale news in brief
Bedale Acoustic Music Club, in association with The Riverside Club, presents The Rascals in concert on Saturday December 29 at 8.30pm. There will be support from A Bit Of A Gamble. Tickets are available on the door, price £5, or in advance by calling
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Band's city pub date
Popular rock band FM will be playing at the Big Jug pub in Claypath, Durham, on Friday, December 14. The gig starts at 9pm and entry is free. ADVICE SESSION The Jubilee Hall at West Rainton will be the venue for an outreach advice session by Durham
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Drugs manufacturer increse staff to 101
A DRUGS company has increased its staff by 25 per cent after winning new contracts. Pharmaceutical contract manufacturer SCM Pharma has brought its staff count to 101 over the last 12 months following increased business from existing customers
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Changes to Middlesbrough recycling and refuse dates
RECYCLING DATES Changes to refuse and recycling collection days in Middlesbrough for the festive period are as follows: Tuesday December 25 changes to Thursday December 27, Wednesday December 26 to Friday December 28, Thursday December 27 to Saturday
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Stage is set for dance school show
STUDENTS from a Darlington dance school are set to take to the stage for their bi-annual show. More than 50 students from the Rachel V Harrison School of Dance will take to the stage at the Liddiard Theatre, at Polam Hall School, in Grange Road
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Survey reveals financial concerns
FINANCIAL WOES: One in five people in the region say they have cut back on everyday spending on items such as food and clothes in order to meet so-called 'payday loan' repayments. Meanwhile, more than half of people surveyed by insolvency trade body
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Police warn drink drivers they will be caught out.
POLICE are warning motorists they are prepared to arrest more people than ever during this year’s festive drink and drug campaign as people continue to ignore their warnings. Officers have arrested 43 people since the Christmas crackdown began
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Grotto for a Day
A COMMUNITY police station in Catchgate, near Stanley, County Durham, becomes a Santa’s Grotto, for one day only, on Friday (DECEMBER 14). Events begin with the mounting of a Christmas tree, which will be decorated by children from Catchgate Primary
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Darlington council criticised over icy footpaths
COUNCIL chiefs have responded to criticism over the treacherous state of many footpaths on the fringes of Darlington town centre. John Dobson, from Darlington, said: “The walk down past the Cornmill multi-storey car park, specifically over the
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Public toilet plans put on hold
EFFORTS by a market trader to reopen public toilets closed by budget cuts have been put on hold due to council cutbacks. Greengrocer Robin Blair has been urging Darlington Borough Council to reopen the public toilets at the town’s Covered Market
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Former Premier ref Jeff Winter won't face prosecution over alleged anti-Catholic messages
A FORMER Premiership referee from the North-East who was investigated by police for alleged anti-Catholic messages posted online after an Old Firm match will not be prosecuted. Jeff Winter's home in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, was searched
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Centre to hold course enrolment day
WOMEN are being invited to sign up for free courses at a new centre. Aspire Learning Support Wellbeing has taken the place of the Bridge Project in Chester-le-Street, and is holding an enrolment day next Wednesday, December 19. Aspire runs
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Child's death after visit to ice cream van "tragic accident", inquest rules
THE death of a four-year-old boy who was hit by a car driven by a friend of his mother was a tragic accident, an inquest concluded today (Tuesday, December 11). James Robinson was crossing the road after buying ice lollies and sweets from an ice
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Almost one in four North-East residents consider themselves as being long term sick
ALMOST one in four of the North-East population considers themselves to have a long term health problem or disability. Meanwhile, the region has the greatest proportion of people in the UK living in rented social housing and has caught up to a
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Education Minister: Persuasive case to keep 480 civil service jobs in Darlington
AN alternative site in Darlington is likely to be considered for 480 threatened civil service jobs, in a boost to the campaign to prevent a transfer to Newcastle. Sign our petition to fight to keep the jobs in Darlington Answering a Commons
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Billy Elliott screenplay writer gets honorary degree
BILLY Elliott screenplay writer Lee Hall has been given an honorary degree from a North-East university. Mr Hall, who also wrote The Pitmen Painters, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Northumbria University. The Newcastle-born writer
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Solar panel investment still worthwhile, says minister
ENERGY and climate change minister has said there has ‘never been a better time’ to invest in solar panels, despite cuts to the feed-in tariff earlier this year. Greg Barker MP spoke out during a visit to a specialist photovoltaic panel manufacturer
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Newton Aycliffe duo prepare for charity cycle challenge
TWO friends are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for a children’s cancer charity by completing the Coast to Coast bike ride. Nigel Blackburn and Michael Hay from Newton Aycliffe will tackle the 136-mile journey from Whitehaven in Cumbria to South
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Addict stole to fund habit
A HEROIN addict stole more than £70 worth of goods from Boots to fund her drug habit, a court heard. Charlene Watson, 22, pleaded guilty at Darlington Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, December 11) to stealing a pair of hair straighteners worth
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Motorists helped out of icy village by chief of police
ROAD USERS in a North Yorkshire village got more than they bargained for this morning (Tuesday, Dec 11) when the chief of police was seen directing traffic though the icy conditions in a high-visibility jacket. Motorists travelling through Thornton-le-Moor
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Praise for psychiatric ward staff
A REHABILITATION ward at a North-East hospital has been named as one of only seven in the country to achieve industry-recognised standards of excellence. The Willow ward, at West Park Hospital, in Darlington, received the accolade when assessed
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Recruits swear oath of allegiance to the Queen
AN OATH of allegiance to the Queen was sworn by young soldiers in Teesside yesterday (Monday December 10). The group of new recruits took their oath at an enlistment ceremony held at Middlesbrough Town Hall. They were joined by their proud
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Consumers urged to check food rating before eating out
FOOD and drink customers are being urged to look before they book this Christmas. District council environmental health officers want customers to check the food rating of businesses before they buy. The ratings system was launched across Hambleton
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Nearly two-thirds of pregnant women in region have had whooping cough jab
PREGNANT women in the North-East are more likely to have had a whooping cough vaccine than in any other part of the country. New figures published by the Department of Health show that 64.9 per cent of pregnant women in the North-East had been
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Man arrested for drink driving after "toasting" his dead father, court told
A MAN arrested for drink-driving after “toasting” the memory of his dead father was today (Tuesday December 11) given a two-year driving ban. Graham Beck, 24, pleaded guilty at Consett Magistrates’ Court to driving with 108mg in 100ml of breath
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Police treat serious car/train crash as 'hit and run'
A SERIOUS road accident which ended with a car being struck by a train is being treated as a hit-and-run. An 11-year-old male passenger in the Range Rover was airlifted to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition with potentially life-threatening
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Festive youngsters win competition to design a Christmas card
ARTISTIC youngsters who designed Christmas cards have helped a police officer to spread festive cheer. Pupils at Fishburn Primary School, in Fishburn, near Sedgefield, took part in the competition run by PC Keith Todd, beat officer for the Sedgefield
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Beauty and the Beast at Stockton Arc
STUDENTS from Stockton Riverside College are packing out a theatre with their performance of Beauty and the Beast. The show, which includes Disney songs, is on at The Arc in Stockton until Friday, December 21. Tickets cost £9 (£7 concessions). Call
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Woman suffered ferocious beating at hands of ex boyfriend and his new girlfriend
A WOMAN suffered a ferocious beating and was left with a fractured nose and cheekbone after her ex-partner and his new girlfriend burst into her flat, a court heard. The woman and a friend were getting ready to go to work in a nightclub when Stacey
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Expectant mum claimed benefits 'naively', court told
AN expectant mother who mistakenly claimed more than £3,000 in benefits was described as a victim of “naivety and misunderstanding” at Darlington Magistrates’ Court. Sarah Dodsworth, 23, of Malvern Crescent, Darlington, pleaded guilty to failing
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Mother dishonestly claimed more than £20,000 in benefits
A MOTHER of three dishonestly claimed more than £20,000 in benefits over a seven year period, a court heard. Tracy Groves, 42, of Emley Moor Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty at Darlington Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, December 11) to two counts
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Health bosses hit back at council claims
HEALTH chiefs have angrily hit back at claims that they have “failed to engage” with senior local politicians over impending cuts across England's biggest county. NHS North Yorkshire and York needs to make savings of more than £75m to balance its
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Christmas markets in Hambleton
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Thirsk and Northallerton are hosting markets throughout December. Thirsk and Northallerton will host a market on Christmas Eve - but the Wednesday market in Northallerton on Wednesday, December 26 is cancelled. Markets take
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Big sing in Middlesbrough
BIG SING: People are invited to come along and join in at Middlesbrough’s biggest Christmas Carol Big Sing on Thursday (December 13) in Centre Square at 6pm. You can sing along to performances of classic carols by Beverley School, Middlesbrough Town
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Lucky escape for cottage as lorry jack-knifes
A BUNGALOW had a brush with disaster when a heavy goods vehicle skidded down a hill towards it in icy conditions – stopping just short of the front wall. The incident, involving a Norbert Dentressangle lorry, happened in Middleton One Row, near
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Nurse says continued question mark over child heart unit is 'frustrating'
A SENIOR heart nurse has spoken of the frustration of staff and patients at the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of a North-East surgical unit. Cardiac nurse specialist Paddy Walsh was commenting on the Freeman Hospital child heart
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Body found in Middlesbrough area
The body of a 73-year-old local man was found in woodland in Thornton Village, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough at 6.20pm yesterday (Monday December 10). Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the
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York bank raiders hunted
POLICE are appealing for witnesses and information after a break-in at a bank. Sometime between 10pm and midnight last Sunday, December 9, Barclays Bank, on Front Street, Acomb, York, was broken into through the roof. An attempt was made to
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Residents asked to rename community centre
RESIDENTS are being asked to name a revamped community centre in Middlesbrough. Brambles Farm Community Centre was recently taken over by The Hope Foundation as part of the transfer of Middlesbrough Council assets for use by local groups. The
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Close shave for charity funds
A CHARITY fundraiser went to hair-raising lengths to raise money for a national cancer charity. Natalie Hutchinson, from Darlington, had her hair shaved off at a charity fundraising evening at Hogans, in Victoria Road, in aid of Macmillan Cancer
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Keeping the streets safe at night
A TEAM of night marshalls will be out in force this month as they continue their fight against after-dark crime in Northallerton. The team patrol the town centre every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm until 4am, when licensed premises are at
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New row over parking in Yarm
AN MP has strongly criticised a council for its parking policy after the authority placed signs in what used to be parking places. James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, has said installing new signs and losing two parking spaces as
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MEP seeks EC assurances about policing at future Toon Army trips to the Continent
FOOTBALL fans from the North-East should receive better treatment on future trips following their team on the Continent. It follows complaints by some of Newcastle’s ‘Toon Army’, who claimed they were greeted by “intimidating and bullying” tactics
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Festive criminals kept on the back foot
EXTRA officers are patrolling key retails areas around Stockton as police continue to keep criminals on their toes during the festive period. Codenamed Operation Humbug, officers from neighbourhood policing teams and the Special Constabulary will
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Brainy doctors donate quiz winnings to charity
DOCTORS with a talent for general knowledge have donated their winnings from an inter-surgery quiz to a North-East charity. The brainy bunch from Orchard Court Surgery, in Darlington, beat off competition from doctors across the town and Newton
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Council officers receive award for excellence.
A DISTRICT council customer service team has been recognised for its excellent service. Richmondshire District Council has been awarded corporate Customer Service Excellence status though a Government-led scheme for the second year running.
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Work begins on £2m project to build new home for Richmondshire District Council
WORK on a £2million scheme to create a new home for Richmondshire District Council has begun. Contractors have moved on to the former Lower School site in Richmond – Leeds-based, ESH Build expect to have the new base ready by summer 2013. Plans
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Bishop Auckland pensioner in court following parking dispute
A LONG-RUNNING parking dispute resulted in a Bishop Auckland pensioner appearing before magistrates today (December 11) charged with causing more than £500-worth of criminal damage. Seventy-six-year-old Raymond Dougill was so fed up with a woman
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Rescuers battle to track dog trapped underground
RESCUERS struggled in vain to rescue a dog that became trapped underground after it disappeared while chasing a fox. The terrier-type dog chased it into a maze of limestone passages on the Raby Estates land at Club Gill Farm, near Middleton-in-Teesdale
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Darlington news in brief
HUNDREDS of people from the Darlington retail scene will gather for the town’s annual retail awards on Wednesday (December 12). A total of 13 awards will be presented in an Oscars-style ceremony at the Dolphin Centre, from 6.30pm. Among them will be
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Emergency flood relief appeal for weather-hit business park
BUSINESSES on an industrial estate where more than 950 people are employed have appealed for help to build an emergency flood relief road after being repeatedly cut off during bad weather.. Dalton Airfield industrial estate , near Thirsk, is home
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Lights could be switched off across Hambleton to save money
LARGE areas of Hambleton district could be plunged into darkness overnight as a local authority looks at switching off more than 4,000 lights to save money. North Yorkshire County Council is already planning to turn off many of their lights at
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Teen released as Whitby sex attack inquiry ends
A REPORTED serious sexual assault on a young teenage girl in a North Yorkshire resort is now believed not to have happened. Detectives have completed a full investigation into a report of a sex attack on a girl aged under 16 in Whitby town centre
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Northern Rock to refund £270m to customers
152,000 Northern Rock customers are in line for hundreds of pounds each in compensation following mistakes in the bank's paperwork. Bank staff failed to include key details on annual statements about loans, including the original amount which had
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Musical celebration of Christmas
YOUNG musicians have been raising the roof with a festive performance to remember. Students from Northallerton College joined forces with pupils from the Allertonshire School for an annual joint Christmas concert. For many of the youngsters
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Durham 'Student ghetto' scheme gets go-ahead
PLANS to build more than 200 privately-run flats have been unanimously approved by councillors, despite residents’ claims they will create a “student ghetto”. Developer Connislow was granted planning permission to build 223 student bedrooms in
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Businesswoman with passion for fashion brings taste of India to North-East
A FASHION designer who went to the same college as Jimmy Choo has opened her first UK boutique in the North-East. Love Niche, based in Newcastle’s city centre, is the creation of 31-year-old Nisha Vedhara and features her own designs. The Indian-born
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Temporary archdeacon appointed
A NORTH Yorkshire vicar has been appointed as the temporary Archdeacon of York. The Reverend Canon Sue Sheriff, vicar of Tadcaster, has agreed to take on the role until a permanent appointment is made. The previous Archdeacon of York, the Venerable
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Wrong venue
Wrong venue: A coffee morning and bric-a-brac sale in aid of the Northallerton charity Breathing Space is to be held on Wednesday, December 12, from 9.30am to 2pm, in Northallerton town hall and not, as reported earlier, in the Mencap centre.
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David Essex has car serviced at Hurworth garage
A GARAGE owner was surprised when 1970s crooner David Essex booked his car in for a service. The singer was staying at the five-star Rockliffe Hall Hotel, in Hurworth, near Darlington, in between tour stops. He dropped his car – a BMW X5 -
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Darlington panto stars spread Christmas cheer
TWO of the stars from Darlington’s festive pantomime visited staff at a business park in an effort to get people in the Christmas spirit. Zoe Birkett and Philip Meeks are starring in Sleeping Beauty – as the Princess Beauty and the Panto Dame respectively
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Festive fire safety advice
CHRISTMAS lights should be turned off at night and upon leaving the house, Cleveland Fire Brigade has warned. Each year, the festive season sees many people injured in their own homes due to a lack of care taken around electrical items. Advice
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Three firms gain share of £650,000 investment
THREE North-East businesses have secured investments worth a total of £650,000 from the Finance for Business North East Growth Fund. Newton Aycliffe-based manufacturing firm ALM Engineering Solutions, Durham-based road sweeper operator Admec, and
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First permanent tug boat at Port of Sunderland for more than 25 years
THE Port of Sunderland has marked the latest stage in its revival by welcoming the first tug boat to take up permanent residence at the site for more than 25 years. The Svitzer Constance, a 285 tonne, 30 metre long tractor tug, will help manage
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Hundreds enjoy Christmas fun
HUNDREDS of people enjoyed a free Christmas family fun day at the weekend (Saturday, December 8). More than 400 people attended Emmanuel Church Durham’s fourth such annual event, held at The Durham Centre, on Belmont Industrial Estate, Durham,
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Rescue deal saves the jobs of local coal miners
A RESCUE deal has been agreed that will save the jobs of about 200 North-East coal miners. Bosses at UK Coal, which employs 2,500 workers nationally, including 62 at a surface mine near Crook, County Durham, admitted the company had faced collapse
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Branson bets on Virgin survival
VIRGIN boss Richard Branson has bet British Airways (BA) £1m that the Virgin Atlantic brand will still be around in five years. Mr Branson dismissed suggestions from Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group, which owns BA,
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Firms urged to look to Japan for business
NORTH-EAST firms are being encouraged to look east to export by the region’s largest business membership organisation as it leads a trade mission to Japan. The North East Chamber of Commerce is offering ten companies the chance to join a regional
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McMeikan set to leave Greggs for Brakes role
GREGGS boss Ken McMeikan is to leave the company to take up a position as chief executive of a Kent-based catering group. Mr McMeikan, who has been chief executive at the bakery chain since 2008, will remain in his role and as a board member while
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Charity
MY first attempt at collecting for charity – Clic Sergant for children with cancer – was on Saturday at Sainsbury’s in Yarm. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the public, and kindness of the staff as they performed their duties in the store
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Singing happily for the brain
I AM a volunteer at the Singing for the Brain sessions at Spennymoor, and as Father Peter Anderton says, we often end up laughing (Echo, Nov 27). It is amazing the effect that singing familiar songs has on those living with dementia. At the
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Hospital Praise
MY daughter took a member of our family to the Urgent Care Centre, located within Bishop Auckland General Hospital. She found the service excellent. Can I pass on my thanks to the staff who were on duty last Sunday? Ben Ord, Spennymoor
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Minimum Price
CAN Colin Shevills of the antialcohol Taliban produce some substantiation of his claim that a minimum unit price is backed by a majority of North-Easteners (Echo, Nov 29)? B Thomas, Darlington.
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Stroke Fears
LUNCHTIME television has been talking about people having a stroke. My mother is 92 and she has had one or two small strokes which happened in the night. As she lives alone, it’s hard. She had one on Saturday night and when I went to her at 7am
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Patrick Moore
IT was sad to hear of the death of the astronomer Patrick Moore (Echo, Dec 10). He was a man that gave inspiration to many. He was always full of enthusiasm. He was also self-taught. He proved that if you want to do something, you can if you try
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Integration
DR NASAR MEER of Northumbria University tries to persuade us that we have an obligation to accept and “integrate” Muslims in Britain (Echo, Dec 7). He doesn’t mention the fact that it’s virtually impossible for anyone to become a citizen of Saudi
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Engineering
THERE was an interesting article about Dr Colin Herron, managing director of Zero Carbon Futures (ZCF), who at the relatively mature age of 49 had completed a Masters degree in manufacturing techniques (Meet the Boss, Echo, Dec 6). Moreover, he
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Durham Schools
MAY I comment on Dennis Southwell’s letter (HAS, Dec 5), in reply to mine (HAS, Nov 27), on the subject of the size of the senior leadership team at Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre. He calls for “well-informed reflection”
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The Bells
I WAS both amused and perturbed to read that village newcomers might be able to silence the village church clock in Wrington, Somerset (Last Word, Echo, Dec 3). I don’t know how churches across the country stand legally with regard to church clocks
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Porting
SO some Durham University students are spending their time pouring bottles of port over their heads at different locations in Durham City while wearing crisp white shirts to get the full effect of the blood red liquid (Echo, Dec 10). How proud their
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Hotel chain appoints youngest-ever manager
A HOSPITALITY professional has become a budget hotel chain’s youngest-ever manager aged 23. Tess Campbell, from Darlington, has been promoted to deputy general manager at Sleeperz Hotels Newcastle, just one year after joining the company to work
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Warts and all
IF it is true that every picture tells a story, what’s to be made of the remarkable labour of love that thudded last week onto the doormat? Michael Manuel’s book has 1,000 historic photographs, many wonderfully evocative. It has more than 400 pages
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Are state schools like child abuse?
ALL shall run and all shall win prizes. And if some people don’t run, they shall still win prizes. That attitude is public policy today, under the slogan “promoting social mobility”. Among the organisations which busy themselves in this social
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The chink in nature’s armour
THOSE of a certain age can probably still recall the billowing shape of elm trees, looming sentinel-like amid the summer greenery. But children of the late 1970s and onwards have never had that pleasure. The devastating ravages of Dutch elm disease
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Demolition work continues in Middlesbrough
THE latest phase of demolition work in Middlesbrough’s older housing stock is under way. A further 12 properties are currently being demolished in the former St Hilda’s area as part of a major town centre regeneration programme. The work takes
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Good Samaritan stops group attack
POLICE are searching for a good Samaritan who intervened in a group attack on Friday. A 25-year-old was assaulted by a group of six youths on Bridge End Close in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough. He had been walking with friends along a footpath
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Free internet access at Redcar and Cleveland libraries
LIBRARIES across Redcar and Cleveland are now offering free internet access for all. With welfare reform changes set to come into force, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has lifted all charges for people wanting to get online in its 13 libraries
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Football memorabilia available in festive auction
FOOTBALL memorabilia is going under the virtual hammer ahead of Christmas. The online ebay auction is raising funds for the Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity. Items up for grabs include a framed autographed print of former
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A matter of conscience
IN refusing to fall in line with the full recommendations of the Leveson report on the future of the British press, David Cameron showed he had the courage to defy popular opinion. It would have been easy for him to support legislation to underpin
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Gooch praise for Cook
ENGLAND have already pulled off a ‘‘monumental’’ achievement to lead their Test series in India 2-1 – and in captain Alastair Cook have the right man to ensure they finish the job in Nagpur. Cook has led from the front spectacularly already, with
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Carol concert in church
CAROL CONCERT: The Andreas Ensemble is to perform a festive concert at St Andrew’s Church, South Church, Bishop Auckland. The concert starts at 3pm on Sunday (December 16) with free entry.
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Stead & Simpson closing 90 shoe shops
THE shoe shop chain Stead & Simpson is to close 90 stores as it attempts to safeguard its future, placing 500 of its 1,400 jobs at risk. The business, which was bought out of administration in January 2008 by Shoe Zone, has 227 stores across
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Crerand’s radio rant after Rio is struck
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Paddy Crerand was involved in an astonishing outburst on national radio yesterday. Crerand reacted angrily to the suggestion that Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand could have provoked Manchester City fans with
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There’s no quick fix on Wearside
THE regeneration of Sunderland is not a quick fix, manager Martin O’Neill insisted last night. The Black Cats manager is a year into his managerial career on Wearside, an era which began with Sunderland in the relegation zone, while they dropped
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Residents' anger over plans to enlarge village caravan park
CONTROVERSIAL plans to quadruple the size of a caravan site at a rural Teesdale pub should go ahead – despite a chorus of disapproval. Proposals to develop facilities for 20 caravans on land at The Countryman, in Bolam, are being recommended for
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11,000 fish to restock area’s cleaned-up rivers
MORE than 11,000 fish are to be released into North-East rivers tomorrow as part of a major restoration of the region’s waterways. The Environment Agency will release three breeds of fish, which have been reared at the authority’s fish farm, into
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Teesside news in brief
GET FIT Buggy pushing fitness classes for new mums will start on Tuesday January 8 from 9.30am at Middlesbrough’s Southlands Leisure Centre. The Push & Go course is £20 for six weeks. To book a place, contact Craig Woodhouse on 01642 515616.
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Live News: December 11, 2012
11:24am NEWCASTLE UNITED: Full-back Danny Simpson has responded to last night's 2-1 defeat at Fulham and expressed hope that Newcastle's supporters can see the effort that the players are putting in. Simpson said:
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Chef loving his award
A NORTH-EAST chef has won an award for his contribution to supporting locally-produced food. Andrew Rowbotham beat tough competition to be named North-East Local Food Hero and was presented with his award yesterday. He was nominated for the
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X Factor winner praises fans for supporting him
X FACTOR winner James Arthur has praised his fans across the region for helping him realise his dream. The singer-songwriter, from Saltburn, east Cleveland, also vowed to release his first album as soon as possible, and revealed that he has already
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Baldwin learning all the time
WHILE lesser footballers could have crumbled, Jack Baldwin is emerging from a personal blip. After being part of a defensive nightmare when six goals were conceded at Chesterfield in the FA Cup, Baldwin also had to contend with then conceding a
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Businessman caught with child porn during airport check
A BUSINESSMAN was caught with child pornography when he was stopped by UK Border Agency staff at an airport, a court heard yesterday. The indecent images are said to have been found among a collection of adult images on a lap-top computer belonging
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Pardew "worried" by Newcastle's struggles
ALAN Pardew last night conceded he was “worried” by Newcastle United's position in the bottom half of the table. The Magpies are still searching for their first away win of the season after goals from Steve Sidwell and Hugo Rodallega condemned
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Durham step back from overseas signing
DURHAM have had second thoughts about signing a top-order overseas batsman for next season after drawing a blank in their efforts to date. Top of their list of targets was the Australian Phil Hughes, but he wasn't prepared to make the commitment
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Darlington boxers fight in national finals
DARLINGTON boxer Chris Wood suffered a narrow points defeat as Sunderland's Nissan Sports and Social Club staged the National Senior Novice Finals. Wood, who is a member of Albert Hill ABC, was the only North-East representative as 20 finals were
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Speeding motorist faces Christmas behind bars
A SPEEDING infringement marginally above the designated limit has landed a repeat motoring offender behind bars for Christmas. Banned driver, Scott Hugh Thompson, was at the wheel of a Land Rover clocked by police travelling at 57mph on a 50mph-limit
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Consultation meetings over North Yorkshire County Council cuts
From tonight people in North Yorkshire can have their say over drastic Government funding cuts which mean the county council must slash £93 million from services over four years. It spends over £870 million a year on services including education
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Experts claim growth in confidence in housing market
CONFIDENCE is returning to the North-East housing market with a rise in the number of potential buyers in recent months. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor’s housing market survey states that enquiries from would-be-purchasers have grown
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Day of action against rail fare increases
TRAIN fares have risen nearly three times faster than wages since the recession began, according to the TUC which is mounting a protest against the hikes. Results from the TUC’s Action for Rail campaign reveal that average rail fares have increased
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Housing company's fund gives Christmas cheer
COMMUNITY groups have been receiving gifts in times for Christmas thanks to a housing company’s fund. The Better Homes Better Lives fund run by Dale and Valley Home has agreed grants totalling £1,300 to help local organisations pay for Christmas
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Centre to run New Year courses
A COMMUNITY centre will be running a range of courses in the New Year to help people gain new skills. Willington Community Action Centre will host the courses starting in January. The centre on Willington High Street will run workshops in construction
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Antiques store to become bakery, pizza seller and charity shop
PLANS to replace an antiques centre with a pizza shop, bakery and charity store have been approved near a controversial out-of-town shopping complex. Durham County Council’s planning department has given the go-ahead to the change of use of Talk
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Butterwick names new ambulance after tragic George
A HOSPICE has named its new ambulance after a volunteer driver who was killed when high winds brought a tree down onto his bus. George Brown, 68, died last September while driving the Butterwick Hospice’s bus on the A688 close to Dunhouse Quarry
