Archive
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Lifeline for ancient buildings with £2.2m grants
ANCIENT buildings in North Yorkshire have been given £2.2m in grants towards restoration, but more help is needed, according to a leading expert. Writing in the county's new Heritage News, Douglas Campbell of the county council's building conservation
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Being fair to the North-East
ONE of the most significant aspects of this week's NHS National Plan is a review of the way NHS money is allocated to the regions. The existing formula, which sends additional money to the more deprived areas of the country, is out-dated and is being
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Patrols to target summer robberies
EXTRA police patrols are being put into Darlington's town centre in a bid to prevent a repeat of summer robberies last year. Superintendent Phil Aspey, Darlington police's divisional commander, said last year's summer holidays saw a spate of youngsters
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Heroes' history hunted
A MAN is appealing for information on two Wear Valley war heroes. During the First World War only 180 soldiers were awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field on three separate occasions. Now Ian Hall, from Leeds, is trying to gather information
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Teesside welcomes discount superstore
THE boom in the low cost shopping sector is bringing 200 jobs to the region. Big W, the new retail development arm of Woolworths, will open its discount store to the public in Stockton on October 13. The group aims to build on the success of its four
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Granada mops up TV networks in £1.75bn deal
GRANADA Media is to take over rival group United News & Media's broadcast, production and distribution businesses in a £1.75bn deal. As part of the deal Granada Media, which controls Tyne Tees and Yorkshire Television, will acquire United's TV interests
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Duty free abolition eats into airports' income
A hangover from the abolition of duty free within the European Union last year led to a four per cent dip in operating profits at airports operator BAA in its first quarter. BAA said operating profits at its seven UK airports, which include Heathrow,
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Force sets up helpline for gay officers
GAY police officers are being given help to overcome intolerance and prejudice at work in a pioneering new initiative. North Yorkshire Police is one of the first forces in the country to establish a helpline for lesbian and gay officers and civilian staff
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Not for fair weather fans
THOUGH it once won a national award for its meat pies, though the team reached the play-offs last season, Hartlepool United's football ground could never be said to cater for fair weather fans. The North Sea gate crashes just across the railway track,
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Not for fair weather fans
THOUGH it once won a national award for its meat pies, though the team reached the play-offs last season, Hartlepool United's football ground could never be said to cater for fair weather fans. The North Sea gate crashes just across the railway track,
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-Super hospital' boss retires early with glowing tributes
THE man overseeing the creation of a "super hospital" for Durham has announced plans to quit. North Durham Health Care Trust chief executive Bill Worth, 54, will take early retirement next year after 37 years in the NHS. Mr Worth joined the trust in January
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Puppy was half-drowned, buried alive, then killed with pitchfork
THE locking up of two teen-agers who half drowned a defenceless puppy before burying it alive was yesterday heralded as a triumph for animal welfare. The youths, one aged 15 and the other 17, were each caged for three months as part of a six-month detention
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Manager of IT centre
THE opening of a computer technology centre is a step closer now a manager has been appointed. Bishop Auckland College's DigitalFactory, in Newton Aycliffe, will provide training in design technology for the manufacturing industry and give the public
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Brewery reaps bonus of barley on its doorstep
ONE of the region's independent brewers is ensuring its ale is a truly local product. Black Sheep Bitter is about to become a real home-grown pint with the main ingredient being grown virtually on its doorstep. Masham farmer David Webster and his son
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Monty does the honours
Over 2,000 golf enthusiasts turned out to see Colin Montgomerie open the clubhouse at Romanby Golf and Country Club yesterday. The Ryder Cup star also gave a one-hour clinic on the driving range before having lunch with club members and playing nine holes
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Africa's 'Owen' is Sunderland target
Sunderland are lining up a £2m bid for South African international Siyabonga Nomvete. The 22-year-old Kaiser Chiefs star revealed that he is in talks with the Premiership club. Nomvete, known as South Africa's Michael Owen because of his lightning pace
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Africa's 'Owen' is Sunderland target
Sunderland are lining up a £2m bid for South African international Siyabonga Nomvete. The 22-year-old Kaiser Chiefs star revealed that he is in talks with the Premiership club. Nomvete, known as South Africa's Michael Owen because of his lightning pace
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Competitors strike gold on first day of transplant games
SPORTSMEN and women provided exciting competition for the opening day of the Great North Millennium Transplant Games, at Gateshead stadium. Taking part was more important than winning for the competitors of The Northern Echo- backed games. But the North-East
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Ex-striker signs to play villain
A PRISON dog display team has enlisted the help of a former Sunderland footballer for its next charity show. Durham's Frankland Prison dog display team gives demonstrations of its every-day work at shows to raise money for charity. Former Sunderland striker
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Boro boss gets cold feet over move for Martin
Middlesbrough yesterday called off a proposed £2m bid for Marseille centre-back Lilian Martin. The 29-year-old has quit the Riverside after playing just one game, at Aberdeen in midweek, as part of a trial. The former Monaco defender was hoping to seal
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Things can only get wetter - for Leo
FOR many people the church is an anachronism, a relic of a God-fearing age which will be visited three times in their lives - at their christening, their wedding and their funeral. After that the church ranks increasingly alongside the museum and the
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Sheepish Allan can laugh
Australian Stephen Allan grabbed the halfway lead in the TNT Dutch Open yesterday after only the second shank of his professional career. The 27-year-old from Melbourne had six birdies in a second-round 67 at Noordwijkse, but it was his one bogey which
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Elton's king of the castle
THOUSANDS of music fans will be getting down to some Crocodile Rock when music legend Elton John performs a concert in the region today. Sir Elton will be making musical history when he becomes the first pop star to perform in the grounds of Raby Castle
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Fundraisers savour launch of lifeboat
THE region's latest £75,000 lifeboat, paid for by public donations, made a splash yesterday at an event in Hartlepool when it took to the sea. More than 200 people turned up to see the boat delivered to Hartlepool lifeboat station. Radio Cleveland, which
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Car fanatic aims for show glory
AN east Cleveland car enthusiast is polishing his prized Volvo and preparing for what could be the drive of his life. Edward Brown, a 75-year-old retired teacher from Stanghow Road, Lingdale, is entering his 100,000-mile, 1988 Volvo 360 GLT in the Northern
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Speeding drivers pay a price
Thousands more speeding motorists are being caught on police cameras following the launch of pilot schemes across Britain. The increase follows a Department of Transport initiative in eight police areas, including Cleveland, allowing the money raised
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Families to campaign over road
RESIDENTS have formed a committee in their fight to keep a road closed. Families in Gypsy Lane, Nunthorpe, fought for the road to be closed at the level crossing, the border between Redcar and Cleveland and Middlesbrough, last December. They were anxious
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Fundraiser's hearty effort
REDCAR Lifeboat Station is £100 richer thanks to donations collected by a man recovering from heart surgery. Norman Evans MBE raised the money by collecting in Redcar High Street. Following his recovery from heart surgery he has resumed his fundraising
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Addict died after turning away ambulance crew
A HEROIN addict might have been saved if he had not sent away two ambulance crews who came to save him, a coroner said yesterday. Unemployed labourer Jeffrey Wainford's death at 25 was another illustration of the terrible price that can he paid by those
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Steam festival firm owes £750,000
THE full financial shambles that ended in the collapse of plans to celebrate the North-East's railway links this summer was revealed last night. Rail 2000, the company behind the Millennium Cavalcade of Steam, owes £750,000 - and creditors will get nothing
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Internet drives period of change at Lloyds
HIGH street bank Lloyds TSB yesterday unveiled a record 12 per cent leap in half-year profits. In the six months to June 30 the bank said profits before tax had risen to £2.07bn, up from £1.86bn in the same period last year. Profits from Lloyds UK financial
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It's wedding bells for brave Jamie
A YOUNG couple marrying on Teesside today are living proof that love conquers all. The bridegroom, Jamie Hood, is paralysed from his neck down. His South African bride, Jan Lloyd, gave up her home, job and career prospects to stay at his side. The couple
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Wenger happy with £30m sale of stars
Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein insisted yesterday the £30m package deal that has taken Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit to Barcelona was done with the full blessing of manager Arsene Wenger. And although Dein admitted that it was ''sad to see world-class
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Magpies prepare to put Ferguson to the test
Striker Duncan Ferguson faces a three-week examination which will decide whether he has a long-term future at Newcastle United. Manager Bobby Robson continues to insist that the former Scottish international is a major part of his plans. But Ferguson
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Magpies prepare to put Ferguson to the test
Striker Duncan Ferguson faces a three-week examination which will decide whether he has a long-term future at Newcastle United. Manager Bobby Robson continues to insist that the former Scottish international is a major part of his plans. But Ferguson
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Katich ducks out leaving centre stage to Lewis
DURHAM recovered from the shock of losing Simon Katich first ball largely through Jon Lewis's first century for just over a year against Somerset at the Riverside yesterday. With 31 overs lost to rain in the middle of the day, opener Lewis survived to
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Unlucky Quakers go down again
Darlington completed a hat-trick of defeats in the Isle of Man tournament, but produced a fighting display against First Division Burnley. The Clarets, still smarting from an embarrassing 1-0 defeat by the amateur Isle of Man side, looked far from comfortable
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Tea at Palace thrills mum
A DERWENTSIDE mother had the surprise of her life when she took a telephone call asking if she would accept an invitation to tea with the Queen. Consett glass artist Maralyn O'Keefe and her husband Ron received the invitation to attend a garden party
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Darlington on the look-out for Glendenen's replacement
Darlington are on the look-out for a new professional following John Glendenen's decision to call it a day at the end of the season. He has informed the club that he will not be playing as a professional next year following three seasons in the paid ranks
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Police patrols stepped up in crime blackspot crackdown
POLICE patrols are being stepped up in a crackdown on a town's crime. There will soon be a dozen officers patrolling crime-hit west Middlesbrough on foot and in cars. The Northern Echo can reveal the old Newport Library is to be turned into a police station
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Views on council revealed in survey
COUNCIL chiefs have welcomed the results of a study into the quality of life for people living in Hambleton. More than 1,500 residents were questioned as part of a five-month survey to help shape the future of district council-run services. While 93 per
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Schools hit by outbreak of holiday vandalism
PEOPLE are being urged to keep a neighbourly eye on schools in the Durham and Chester-le-Street area following a spate of vandal attacks. Since the summer holidays began police have dealt with six incidents, mostly smashed windows. They are considering
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Walk on the wild side sets scene for a rail spectacular
FURTHER details emerged yesterday of the exciting £6m project that will put a railway town firmly on the tourist map. Although the old marshalling yard at Shildon, County Durham, is now forgotten and overgrown, in three years' time it should be covered
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Centres are fun attraction for children
LEISURE centres have reported a huge interest in children's holidays activities. Hambleton District Council's leisure centres have seen their organised events prove more popular than ever during the school holidays. Manager of Hambleton leisure centre
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Netting three new accounts
A NORTH-East software company is celebrating a hat-trick of orders adding up to a £500,000 boost for the firm. JBA Automated Logistics (JAL), a specialist division of JBA North-East, has landed contracts supplying the company's sophisticated warehouse
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Hospital to increase heart surgery with £2m boost
FOUR hundred extra heart bypass operations are to be carried out at a North-East hospital as part of a special allocation of funds by the Government. The £2m cash boost for The Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn
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Power cut leaves alternative energy study in dark
THE last thing youngsters on an alternative energy project expected yesterday was to find themselves left in the dark. More than 40 pupils on a school summer scheme turned up for a project on alternative energy sources - to find the building had been
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Fagin-like figure led boys on crime spree
A FAGIN-LIKE figure who coerced teenage boys into burgling sheds and outhouses has been given a two-year probation order. Durham Crown Court yesterday heard how Malcolm Ferguson, 41, went on a burgling spree with two boys, aged 14 and 16, stealing tool
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Invitation to charity golf day
A TEAM of councillors is staging a charity golf tournament at Roseberry Grange Golf Course, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, on Wednesday, September 13. Proceeds will go to charities, including Arthritis Care, Age Concern and the NSPCC. Teams of
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Gadget Man
WHO hasn't fancied one of those hot new digital cameras? No film to buy, no development costs, no waiting for your prints to return from the printer. There's only one problem. A decent digi-cam costs around £500. A video camera almost twice as much. That's
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Village in appeal for soccer stars
YOUNGSTERS are being sought to sign up for a village football team. Middleton St George, near Darlington, has not had a junior football team for more than ten years. People living in the village are keen to rectify that, and are now looking for young
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Craig ends life at sea to find new recruits
THERE'S nothing like life on the ocean wave, according to sailor Craig Green. But the 28-year-old has reluctantly agreed to stay on dry land to recruit others from his native Teesside to the Navy. Craig, from Billingham, is spending 18 months working
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Youngsters sharpen up their footballing skills on training course
YOUNG footballers from Darlington put their skills to the test during a summer training event. More than 20 girls and boys from the town spent the day improving their footballing abilities at the town's Abbey Road playing fields. The six-week event is
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Savings restrict tax rebate
Q I have been putting my Disability Living Allowance into a separate bank account. Now the council says that because I did not tell them about this, I have been given too much Council Tax Rebate and it wants some money back. How can this be? I thought
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Elton's king of the castle
THOUSANDS of music fans will be getting down to some Crocodile Rock when music legend Elton John performs a concert in the region today. Sir Elton will be making musical history when he becomes the first pop star to perform in the grounds of Raby Castle
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Library home for totem pole
A TOWERING totem pole is turning heads in the quiet surroundings of Stanley Library. The papier-mache pole was made by children aged nine to 12 at the Activity Club in the Derwentside village of Tantobie and will eventually be used for the Tantobie Community
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Putting on a flower power show
FLOWER power comes to Gateshead this weekend with the summer flower show. About 25,000 visitors are expected to go to the two-day event which combines floral design, arts and crafts and entertainment for all the family. Among this year's attractions are
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Taking charge of town centre affairs -crucial to prosperity'
A MARKET town's civic leaders are hoping to appoint a town centre manager by the end of the year, following the publication of a report into its economic health. The appointment,, and a complete revamp of the Richmond town centre forum were highlighted
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Youngsters accused over park damage
WALKERS who use a Darlington park say youngsters are damaging a bowling green by playing football on it. Children have been spotted playing on the smaller of two greens in South Park. Stakes have even been used for goalposts and there are fears the surface
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'Disloyalty' charge puts bank under fire again
BARCLAYS Bank is at the centre of another controversy which will further disenfranchise loyal customers. Having closed scores of rural branches and levied charges on customers who use rival cash machines, Barclays has now been accused of heaping further
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Competitors strike gold on first day of transplant games
SPORTSMEN and women provided exciting competition for the opening day of the Great North Millennium Transplant Games, at Gateshead stadium. Taking part was more important than winning for the competitors of The Northern Echo- backed games. But the North-East
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'Super hospital' boss retires early with glowing tributes
THE man overseeing the creation of a "super hospital" for Durham has announced plans to quit. North Durham Health Care Trust chief executive Bill Worth, 54, will take early retirement next year after 37 years in the NHS. Mr Worth joined the trust in January
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Drug traffickers to lose passports in crackdown
DRUG traffickers will lose their passports under plans proposed by Drugs Tsar Keith Hellawell. Launching his second national plan to fight drugs, Mr Hellawell said yesterday that courts should be able to confiscate passports following a conviction. "If
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Week In Westminster
THEY'RE off! By the time you read this, your hardworking MP could be half way to Tuscany for his or her annual summer break. National security means I cannot reveal the holiday destination of Health Secretary Alan Milburn. However, rumour has it that
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Internet drives period of change at Lloyds
HIGH street bank Lloyds TSB yesterday unveiled a record 12 per cent leap in half-year profits. In the six months to June 30 the bank said profits before tax had risen to £2.07bn, up from £1.86bn in the same period last year. Profits from Lloyds UK financial
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Landmark visit to the Jorvik centre
AN historic city's most famous tourist attraction has started the countdown to welcoming its 12 millionth visitor. The Jorvik Viking Centre in York is expecting the landmark visitor to walk through the door in the next three weeks after reporting strong
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Crash victim Noel to marry the girl who stood by him
A YOUNG man whose life changed overnight, following a car crash that left him paralysed, is to marry the girl who has stood by him. Noel Thomas, 20, grew up in Redcar, where he excelled at everything he turned his hand to. He was about to gain his first
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Turner secures Ferguson loan deal
Chris Turner acted quickly to relieve his mounting injury crisis by signing 20-year-old Barry Ferguson on loan from Coventry City yesterday. The 6ft 3in central defender is a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, and is finding it hard to break
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We are building the future says PM
WITHIN 24 hours of announcing the greatest shake-up in the NHS since its birth, Tony Blair was in the North-East yesterday to mark the building of a long-awaited new hospital. The Prime Minister officially unveiled the foundation stone of the new £67m
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Artist scores final winner at Ayresome Park
THE writing is on the wall for a housing estate with football links. For decades Ayresome Park was the home of Middlesbrough Football Club. Soccer icons such as the late Wilf Mannion, "Gentleman George" Hardwick and Willie Maddren scored their legends
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Drivers hit out over test costs
TAXI drivers in Darlington believe new measures being brought in to make their business safer are too expensive and strict. The Vehicle Inspectorate will take over testing of the private hire and Hackney carriage fleet for Darlington Borough Council in
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Proud history saving those in peril
l THERE have been five different lifeboat stations at Hartlepool dating back to 1803 when the first boat was provided from local subscriptions. Two were at West Hartlepool and were taken over by the RNLI in 1869, and three were at Hartlepool and were
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Shopping centre plan for outskirts
A DISTRICT shopping centre is planned for the edge of Middlesbrough. Dr Joan Rees, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's director of economy, said a centre of shops and community facilities serving Grangetown, Eston and South Bank will act as a catalyst
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Villagers shoot to stardom
HUNDREDS of residents from two East Durham villages are putting themselves in the picture to mark the millennium. People from Blackhall and Horden will be lining up in September for a photo shoot designed to create a permanent community record. Bea Mangham
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McCabe stays on for another season
Whickham, enjoying their best season since their entry into the former Tyneside Senior League, have re-engaged Dominic McCabe as professional for a fifth season. He has taken 34 wickets so far in helping Whickham into fifth position and they look certain
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Parachute jump success
A NORTH Durham mother of two set herself the target of raising £500 for charity in a sponsored parachute jump shortly after she recovered from cancer. But Elizabeth Hopper, 47, of Shotley Bridge, ended up being overwhelmed by the generosity of people
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Thoughts should turn to Christmas
It might surprise you, but the winter season, and more especially Christmas should be at the front of your mind, especially if you intend growing your own Christmas pot plants. For some, like poinsettia and Christmas cherry, it is already too late. These
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Gazza out to impress new fans
Everton fans get their first real chance to pass judgement on former Middlesbrough star Paul Gascoigne today. But Walter Smith's attempts to make Israel international Idan Tal his seventh summer signing have been foiled by Government red tape. Gascoigne
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Inter reel Robbie
Robbie Keane was preparing to jet off to Italy last night to finalise a lucrative move into Serie A. Coventry have accepted a bid from Inter Milan, believed to be over £12m, for their 20-year-old striker and they expect a deal to be thrashed out within
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China trek to boost charity
A TWO-WHEELED tour of some of China's historic monuments is the challenge being undertaken by college worker Jane Mardon. The 52-year-old mother of two grown-up sons has six days to cover a 480km route between the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square in Beijing
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Gadget Man
WHO hasn't fancied one of those hot new digital cameras? No film to buy, no development costs, no waiting for your prints to return from the printer. There's only one problem. A decent digi-cam costs around £500. A video camera almost twice as much. That's
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Take secure route with Bike Wise
SCOOTERS are being hailed the latest fashion accessory, but police in the region have found the trend has presented them with a new battle. Easy to drive, park and unfortunately steal, police are trying to keep one step ahead of motorcycle and scooter
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Ten-year fight comes to end as homes plan gets approval
DEVELOPERS have been given the go-ahead to build 149 homes on green belt land, signalling the end of a decade-long battle against the proposal. All but one member of the planning committee of Wear Valley District Council voted in favour of the plans,
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Teachers' horror at 'slapping' sentence
TEACHERS reacted with "horror" last night at the suspended three-month jail sentence handed to a woman for slapping an unruly pupil. Marjorie Evans, 56, headteacher of a South Wales primary school, had earlier been convicted of assault and is likely to
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Our man from Hawaii
MY EARLIEST recollection of Stewart Park in Marton on the outskirts of Middlesbrough is of passing its 120 grassy acres on the Number 63 bus as one of a gang of lads from Eston and Normanby, making their way to Ayresome Park to watch players like Dave
