Archive
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Wear Valley - Hospitals trust gets ready for the Euro
PREPARATIONS are being made by South Durham Health Care NHS Trust for the possible introduction of the Euro. The trust, which runs Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland General hospitals, has set up a euro project team to assess what would need doing
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Dig in to past
IT'S ONLY a century ago that 14-year-old boys in East Cleveland didn't have to look very far for jobs - they followed their fathers down the mine. Now mining has gone, but the mine itself remains as a shrine to days of digging for ironstone. The Tom Leonard
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Fearless Fred's bravery rewarded
FEARLESS Freddy Parker is to take pride of place among the guests at a North-East commemoration to Britain's war-time fliers. The annual Battle of Britain service at Durham Cathedral takes on extra significance as this year represents the 60th anniversary
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Get on the blower...
CARS might be getting cheaper, but car insurance is not. According to a recent Mintel report, the cost of car insurance is set to rise by 25 per cent this year. Blame it on the increased cost of accident claims, compensation and hefty repair bills. Blame
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Flight of hope in search of a cure
A DARLINGTON mother is about to confront a terror of flying in a dramatic bid to help her disabled son. The last time Mrs Irene Bradley flew was in 1966 and she travelled the short journey from London to Paris. The plane was so old, she says, the toilets
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Gas workers unearth Iron Age settlement
AN IRON Age settlement has been unearthed in East Cleveland after gas engineers stumbled across the site. Archaeologists have completed a two-week dig on the outskirts of Brotton, where they have uncovered roundhouses and farmsteads dating back more than
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Parents are urged to take up nursery places for children
PARENTS across North Yorkshire are being urged to take up free places for three-year-olds available in nurseries and playgroups this term. The county council has secured cash from the Department for Education and Employment (Dfee) to fund extra free early
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Wear Valley - Charity lifeline
ST JOHN Ambulance was given a new lease of life as its flower festival in Bishop Auckland drew to a close, when it was awarded a new ambulance. The flower festival, marking 900 years of the charity, took place over the Bank Holiday weekend at Auckland
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'Trip of lifetime' is just reward
After an amazing 12-week fund-raising project, Darlington's 12-strong Under-14 squad took their place in the World Youth Festival in Tiszaujvros, Hungary. As the officially nominated squad by the English Association, the Darlington youngsters were thrown
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Letters: We are not air wreck pillagers
Sir, - Your correspondent, Mr Lee Norgate (D&S, Aug 4), appears to be waging a vendetta against the small groups of aviation enthusiasts who have an interest in the location and recording of wartime air crash sites. An aspect Mr Norgate failed to
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Boro Chat
THE season got off to a mixed start for Boro as the opening day success at Coventry was followed by a point from the home fixture with Spurs and a disappointing defeat at the hands of Leeds on Saturday. Bryan Robson is furious about the Leeds reverse.
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Letters: Sad, wholesale destruction
Sir, - At a time when Guisborough Town Pride with the backing of the Town Council is doing so much to improve the appearance of the town, it was distressing to view the wholesale destruction wrought in the little park adjoining Stump Cross. Instead of
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Racing Week, by Jo Scott: Middleham trainer one short of 1,000 winners
DESPITE another excellent week for Middleham handler Mark Johnston, he was still one short of his 1,000th winner on British soil as we went to press. His eight wins in the week were scattered country-wide, with old favourite Star Rage obliging at Thirsk
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A Good Sport, by Paul Pearson: Jumping through hoops is good for you
AGGRESSION is not a word which immediately springs to mind when thinking about the game of croquet, but it is one of the surprising aspects I learned about during a recent introduction to the sport. Speed, I discovered, is another unexpected element of
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Lottery award will help fund kids' zoo trip
A CLUB which offers out-of- school hours fun for youngsters, is arranging a trip to Chester Zoo. Ferryhill Kids' Club has decided to use money it received from a National Lottery Millennium award to fund the trip for the 40 children and helpers who regularly
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Freddy will stand proud as finest hour is recalled
FEARLESS Freddy Parker is to take pride of place among the guests at a North-East commemoration of Britain's wartime fliers. The annual Battle of Britain service at Durham Cathedral takes on extra significance as this year represents the 60th anniversary
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Littlewoods will move in to fill big Cornmill gap
HIGH street chain store Littlewoods confirmed yesterday that it would be taking over a prime unit in the Cornmill centre in Darlington. Months of uncertainty over who would move into the C&A two-tier store when it finally closes on January 20 have
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Survey highlights unsuitable housing
ALMOST one in 20 of all families in a district are living in unsuitable homes, according to a new survey. And more than 3,500 households are classed as being in housing need, following research carried out by Harrogate Borough Council. The survey aimed
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Consultation 'a farce', as homes closure is backed
THE relative of an elderly woman who will lose her home when Darlington council closes its residential homes has branded the official consultation exercise a farce. The council's cabinet approved the closure of its five homes on Tuesday subject to a rubber
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Moors designation may affect grazing
GOVERNMENT proposals to designate heather moorland on the North York moors and Yorkshire dales as special conservation areas could change the ways farmers graze sheep there. English Nature has selected 121 new areas across England to be added to the existing
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Leading article: More bobbies
THE recruitment of extra police officers, which got underway in earnest this week, is to be welcomed. Extra bobbies on the beat do make a difference. But does this apparent largesse from the government make a real difference to the finances of police
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SmithKline sells drug brands to clinch merger with Glaxo
PHARMACEUTICAL group SmithKline Beecham is selling three of its drugs for £1.9 bn to secure approval for its proposed merger with Glaxo Wellcome. The list is headed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy drug Kytril which Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche is
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Holiday tragedy remains mystery
AN inquest into the death of a County Durham farmer in a holiday paragliding accident yesterday failed to determine the cause of the tragedy. Colin Mitchelson, 49, died when he and the pilot of a para-glider he had hired crashed into a Turkish mountainside
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Theatre student caroline has wall-to-wall coverage
A TEENAGER had a big surprise when she discovered her face was being used to advertise the MetroCentre. Caroline Cook, 17, a student at Stagecoach Theatre Arts in Yarm, Teesside, took part in some advertising filming for the centre several months ago,
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New premises could be doorway to better centre
A NEW drop-in centre is planned for young people in Saltburn. The Doorways project is currently based in the Evangelical Church in Leven Street, which has recently undergone improvements. But project organisers feel a move to their own premises could
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I'll make a difference, says pioneering moors caretaker
A MOORLAND gardener says he is making an impact in a pioneering community job. Simon Taylor is the first community caretaker in the upper Esk Valley and his appointment has seen a dream come true for people living in three villages in the area. Now five
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Title goes to the wire
Worthington CIU Summer League With just one match left the position in the championship race and the Third Division could not be tighter as the top two in each have the same number of points. Old Shildon dropped two vital points at home to Newton Aycliffe
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Garage plan agreed for farm despite noise fears
A FARMER has won approval to turn his pig sties over to cars and motorbikes, despite opposition from neighbours. Residents already suffering from noise from Croft Circuit, near Darlington, feared Ian Wilson's plans to turn a pig unit into a garage and
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Garage plan agreed for farm despite noise fears
A FARMER has won approval to turn his pig sties over to cars and motorbikes, despite opposition from neighbours. Residents already suffering from noise from Croft Circuit, near Darlington, feared Ian Wilson's plans to turn a pig unit into a garage and
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Lots of fun and games at sports day
Youngsters at Burnopfield Primary School had plenty of fun injected into their school sports day at the end of the last term. About 180 students took part in the event, well supported by dozens of parents. Headteacher John Rymaszewski said : "These days
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Thieves rob garden couple
TWO men are being hunted after a theft from a house in Melsonby, near Richmond. The elderly couple at the house were engaged in conversation about gardening by one of the men, while the other entered the house and stole cash. The one outside was aged
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Attacker bit girl's nose
A MOTHER-of-five held a teenage girl prisoner and bit her nose during a savage attack because she thought she was having an affair with her boyfriend, Fiona Walmsley, 32, attacked the 17-year-old in June last year. Newcastle Crown Court heard how the
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'Seven months wait for surgery'
PATIENTS wait an average of seven months in the UK from seeing their GP to having their operation, according to figures published today. And despite Government efforts to stop the so-called "postcode lottery" of care, wide regional variations still exist
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England romp to Riverside victory
Howard Wilkinson ushered in a bright new era at Under-21 level as England's young stars provided a glimpse into the future with an emphatic 6-1 win over Georgia at a sparse Riverside Stadium. After England's dismal failure in the European Championships
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Splash down for fun ahoy
YOUNGSTERS from Redcar ended their summer activities scheme with a splash on board the Teesside Princess river cruiser. The children have been taking part in the summer-long Splash scheme, based at West Redcar Youth Centre. The scheme is funded by the
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Grassroots boost for police recruitment
A NATIONAL police recruitment drive is getting grassroots help from a local community partnership. A North-East police officer is using links with a local supermarket to spread the word. PC Phil Wymer, beat manager for Oxclose, Lampton, Ayton and Glebe
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Anger over 'U-turn on travel passes for children'
A FURIOUS mother has criticised Darlington Borough Council in a row over free bus passes for her children. Single mum Julie Bray claims she was told by council chiefs that her children, Rebecca and Patrick, could apply for free travel to Haughton Comprehensive
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Nozedar and Tait give Redcar win
Wearside League Simonside, who had made a promising start to the season, found their match when they visited Redcar Town on Monday night. The Seasiders were in top form and two players rifled hat-tricks in an 8-1 victory. Paul Nozedar struck four times
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Park ride pony bites girl, three, on head
A BAD-tempered pony knocked down and bit a three-year-old girl as she stroked it. Lucy Allan had a lucky escape after the animal, which had earlier been used to give children rides, knocked her to the ground. As she gently stroked the animal, it suddenly
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Heroes praised for brave rescues
A POLICE officer has been hailed a hero after putting himself at risk to help to a woman who fell down a mountain. The actions of PC Steve Rich have earned him an award from the Royal Humane Society. He will be presented with the award at a ceremony in
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Onyx make super start
Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League ONYX got off to a flying start on the opening day of the season, defeating champions Lingdale FC 5-2 with John Simon hitting two first half goals to give them a 2-1 interval lead. John Sharp made it 3-1 shortly after
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Being a misery suits our Roy
People react in two ways when they recognise Roy Barraclough in the street. Some approach him warily, mindful of his Coronation Street character Alec Gilroy's slightly dodgy behaviour. Then there are those who purse their lips, gently cup their breasts
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Top Tory attacks £2,500 buffet bill
A LEADING Conservative has slammed council chiefs for setting aside £2,500 for food and publicity while taxpayers bear the brunt of "their high spending". Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has earmarked the cash for a buffet and posters for a Risk
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Collins only sings when she's winning
Perhaps because the match was so unremittingly awful, the Bank Holiday conversation at Brandon United turned once again to famous folk of Brandon and Byshottles. A book's being written about them, it may be recalled, though its secretive author would
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Quakers spotlight
Darlington manager Gary Bennett believes it is "inevitable" that higher division clubs are looking at some of his players. First Division Barnsley are rumoured to be keeping tabs on Craig Liddle and Paul Heckingbottom, while other clubs have also taken
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Court spares banned driver a return to jail
A former transport manager caught defying a driving ban three times including two occasions on successive days, escaped a prison sentence yesterday. Simon Peter Norwood was jailed two years ago when he was also disqualified from driving for three years
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Festival reaches cathedral climax
MUSICIANS from across Europe are in the North-East taking part in an international academy, founded by renowned conductor and concert pianist Jean Bernard Pommier. Durham is hosting one of the summer's biggest musical festivals, as part of the launch
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Thome quick to see Light in £4.5m move
Emerson Thome needed less than two hours to decide to walk out on Chelsea yesterday. The Brazilian defender leaped at the chance to join Sunderland in a club record £4.5m deal. Thome was determined to quit Stamford Bridge after being axed by manager Gianluca
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Bowling thieves strike
Police are investigating the theft of six giant balls from a North-East bowling alley. They were taken from the XF Superbowl on the North Tyneside Industrial Estate, in Benton. The coloured 4ft balls, which join together to form a rainbow, were pulled
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Eilish to the rescue as mum has fit
LITTLE Eilish Way came to her mother's rescue when she suffered an epileptic fit at home. Cool-headed Eilish, seven, dialled 999 for an ambulance then rushed next door to get help from a neighbour. Eilish then went back home to help comfort her unconscious
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Surrey strolling to the title
While the fate of the Scarborough pitch remained the main topic of conversation among the 4,000 fans yesterday, Surrey merely showed contempt for Yorkshire as they moved relentless towards the substantial win which will virtually guarantee that they remain
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Grandmother outwitted pickpocket
GRANDMOTHER Lillian Maughan outwitted a pickpocket who stole her purse containing £95, a court was told yesterday. She felt the thief brush against her on an escalator as she shopped with her family in Hartlepool. When she discovered her purse gone from
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Prized asset Atherton keeps pundits guessing
Michael Atherton underlined his great value to England's cause as West Indies reminded a sell-out Oval crowd of their determination to retain the Wisden Trophy with a late fightback on day one of the final Test. On the day Atherton revealed his intention
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Katich left short of milestone as rain reigns
THE two camels grazing by the approach road to the Riverside yesterday morning could hardly have felt less at home as a cold, showery day frustrated Durham's attempts to build on a solid start against Hampshire. Shane Warne would have sympathised with
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Tony signs off from radio station
ONE OF the most popular radio presenters in the North-East has quit his position and left the region. Tony Horne, who presents the breakfast show on Metro Radio, stunned station bosses when he handed in his resignation in July. Mr Horne, 29, who joined
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The prisoners who lost their childhood
The spin that has been put on the evacuation of children during the Second World War is that they were taken from the slums of inner cities, looked after by kindly country folk and given fresh air and good food for the first time in their lives. The truth
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Show organisers pledge a family extravaganza
ORGANISERS of the 222nd Wolsingham Show in Weardale are promising a millennium extravaganza for the whole family this weekend. Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong will be visiting the show on Sunday and chatting to local farmers with Joyce Quinn
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Shop owner finds himself anything but in the pink
FAST food shop owner Mr Joe Asma stepped back with pride to admire the finishing touches being applied to his pink shop front in Ripon. But being in the pink has run him into hot water with planners, who have told him to remove the pink Italian-style
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Darts News
Willington League After the Burn had only dropped two points at new team, Willington Brewer's Droop, they opened a four point lead over Hunwick Joiners Arms, who just came through their home game against the Willington Lion and Unicorn by the narrowest
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Letters: Attracting the wrong councillors
Sir, - I should like to add some caution to the very rosy picture painted by the leader of North Yorkshire County Council about allowances paid to county councillors (D&S, Aug 18). While we taxpayers must share his hope that the new system will attract
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Pork protest is a design hit
A PORKY piece of sculpture flying the flag for British meat has been picked up by designers for a regional advertising campaign. Pig farmer Mr Philip Sanderson built the giant animals to do his bit for promoting British pork. A passing worker from Design
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Darlington - Bar plans for future
MANAGEMENT at a hugely popular non-alcoholic bar for youngsters this week moved to quash rumours that it has closed down. Wesley's, in Darlington, opened in June 1997 as a way of helping young people to get off the streets and away from the lure of drink
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Former school gets new lease of life as community centre
THE former Whitecliffe School building in Skinningrove is to get a new lease of life as a community centre for the village. The Loftus Development Trust has drawn up a plan for the Victorian building. It will be home to a community training facility,
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Shurmer secures win
Darlington Building Society NYSD League HARTLEPOOL had eight wickets to spare in defeating Barnard Castle in Division Three. Faced with a target of 130 they were indebted to a first-wicket partnership of 89 between Danny Shurmer and 15-year-old Peter
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Spectator's Notes: Historic but otherwise totally unremarkable
Darlington's Skerne Bridge - the one which graces the £5 note - made a brief appearance on BBC TV's Newsnight programme on Wednesday night. It was being used as an example of way the listed building system attempts to preserve in aspic bits of our built
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Farm comes full circle on milk round
PLUNGING milk prices left a sour taste in the mouth of dairy farmer Mr David Stevenson. Fed up with receiving less than 10p a pint, he decided to strike out alone so he gambled on investing in his own dairy and bottling plant and enlisted local roundsmen
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Red tape 'robbing schools of cash'
MONEY that should be going to schools is still being tied up in town hall red tape, head teachers said yesterday. They renewed their call for wholesale reform of the local government funding formula, saying the current system was "well past its sell-by
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Extra cash shores up pier repair fund
MORE money is on the way for an ageing seaside pier that is already in the throes of a £1m facelift. The Heritage Lottery and the European Regional Development Funds are together providing £300,000 - equivalent to 68 per cent of the cost of additional
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Councillors urge officers to solve town's inconvenience
NEW public toilets must be built in Northallerton High Street as soon as possible, councillors insisted yesterday. Hambleton health committee firmly rejected an officers' recommendation which could have left the main street of the county town without
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Angling News
The Tees running six inches up at the start rose a further six during Sunday's NYSD Federation Norman Dunne Memorial, writes JEFF HERBERT. Surprisingly the match length at Over Dinsdale fished quite well and Thornaby's Neil Coulthard led a string of double
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Fat cats on £1m per year are criticised
TOP executives have been criticised for rocketing pay rises over the past year. Research published yesterday showed 470 directors are paid at least £500,000 a year, including 138 on £1m or more and ten cashing pay cheques greater than £5m. The directors
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Durham - Peter's garden make-over wins top prize
GREEN-FINGERED pensioner Peter O'Shaughnessy could not bear to leave his garden when he moved into a Chester-le-Street residential home - so he took it with him. Now his blooms have earned the 86-year-old, the Gardener of the Year award, in a competition
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Match Boro's but not points
Guisborough Town 1 Chadderton 1 THE scoreline might indicate a close contest in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup, but most of the match belonged to the home side. In the second half, however, Guisborough paid for some shaky defending when Chris
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We earn our success, says town after extra cash taunts
SALTBURN has hit back at claims it gets star treatment in the race for floral honours. An angry ward councillor and a community volunteer scotched talk of Saltburn getting more help from the borough council than anywhere else. And they said hard-working
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Sponsor lift for league
A youth league has received a boost ahead of the new season after securing a sponsorship deal with the North-East Ford Dealers group They will be sponsoring the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear U-15s Youth League this coming season which has attracted teams
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Total clearance makes up for disapppointing price
THE first 100pc clearance of British wool for two years partly made up for this year's disappointing prices. Mr Alun Evans, chairman of the British Wool Marketing Board, put the sell-out down to a flexible and pro-active selling policy. Introducing his
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Countryman's Diary: Grace of a saint who humbled a king
TODAY is the feast day of St Giles who is patron saint of beggars, blacksmiths, hermits, horses, nursing mothers, lepers, Edinburgh and the disabled. Although very little is known about Giles, it does seem that he became one of England's most popular
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Motorsport: Title contender appeals for Croft video evidence
AN appeal has gone out to motor racing fans to help throw light on a controversial incident at Croft circuit, near Darlington, which could decide the outcome of the Pirelli Porsche Classic championship. In the race on Sunday, August 20, title rivals Paul
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Jodi is reluctant star of village talent show
A YOUNG gymnast who was reluctant to enter a talent contest has come out the runaway winner. Schoolgirl Jodi Hutchinson, aged ten, of Cockfield, has been doing gymnastics for three years and trains twice a week at Teesdale sports centre. She had gone
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Darlington - Nyomi achieves nine of the best
ONE successful GCSE student cannot wait to get back to school to start studying for her A-levels. Nyomi Winter, from Ferryhill, gained nine A star grades and two A grades in her exams. The Ferryhill Comprehensive School pupil plans to study at Queen Elizabeth
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Centre's new home is still OK
REDCAR's OK4 Young People's Centre is moving 160 yards to a new home. The centre was on Millbank Terrace but is moving to the Coatham Memorial Museum this month, as Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is selling its former premises. The centre closed
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Drunken vandals force bank to close lobby
VANDALS have forced a Darlington bank to close its 24-hour cashpoint service. The lobby of the HSBC bank in Bondgate in the town centre has been targeted relentlessly by drunken thugs, leaving the branch with no option but to withdraw the service. Branch
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New shop wins 'Victorian' prize
CHRISTINE Spencer is celebrating after her business won the award for best-dressed shop window at Saltburn Victorian Week. A packed series of events was held in the seaside town last month celebrating it's Victorian heritage. Mrs Spencer, who has only
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Sarah on top form at Preston Park
SARAH Russell is looking forward to a trip to Wembley after winning the Paul Fabrications Junior Show jumper of the Year qualifier at the Stockton Carnival BSJA Area 12a annual show. In the event at Preston Park, the Thirsk rider jumped a triple clear
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Looking Back: news from the D&S Times of 100, 50 and 25 years ago
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - A good story has been related by a man staying in Wensleydale. It happened that the marriage of a relative took place during his stay, and not being inclined to leave such a happy hunting ground as the Yore he wrote
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Car park becomes dangerous as cash is held back
ONE of the main car parks in Northallerton is becoming dangerous while a local authority is holding back £50,000 earmarked for resurfacing. That was the claim made on Tuesday at a meeting of Hambleton public protection and emergency committee. Resurfacing
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Cash aid to tempt young engineers
A GROUP of north Durham businessmen is to receive £20,000 from the Government to help make learning fun for schoolchildren. Members of the Derwentside Engineering Forum will work with 96 youngsters, aged 14 to 15, from Blackfyne, Stanley, Greencroft,
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US investment boosts AMEC
BOSSES at the construction and engineering giant AMEC were celebrating yesterday after seeing pre-tax profits jump 18 per cent to £32.4m in the first half of the year. Although the last year has seen hard times for the firm's off-shore operations in the
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Cash aid to tempt young engineers
A GROUP of north Durham businessmen is to receive £20,000 from the Government to help make learning fun for schoolchildren. Members of the Derwentside Engineering Forum will work with 96 youngsters, aged 14 to 15, from Blackfyne, Stanley, Greencroft,
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North Yorkshire - Nursery gains praise from inspectors
A NURSERY has been praised for its work with children in the vital years before they start school. Independent inspectors found the majority of children at Bedale Day Nursery had achieved high standards by the time they were five years old. The nursery
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Hill fleeces help sheep resist scab
HILL sheep may be less susceptible to sheep scab than lowland breeds. Recent studies suggest the Swaledale breed has some natural resistance, with an extremely long sub-clinical period and fewer scab mites and lesions. Mr Peter Bates, head of entomology
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Football: Quakers halt Pilgrims' progress
SOMETIMES, attractive football is not enough. Quakers may be missing star names like Marco Gabbiadini and Neil Heaney this season, but the new-look team's willingness to work its socks off was crucial in Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle which
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Sales to go under cover
HARRISON & Hetherington have announced a £500,000 investment in a new roof to cover open pens at Borderway Mart, Carlisle. The company's pedigree sales in Carlisle have seen 4,012 dairy cattle and 2,394 beef animals. Top prices have been 15,000gns
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Public warned after tot finds needle on beach
A GRANDFATHER has spoken of his shock after his young granddaughter found a hypodermic needle on Saltburn beach. John Grant, of Brotton, and his wife Patricia took their grandchildren Charley, ten, and two-year-old Georgia for a fun day by the seaside
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Professor's expertise in demand
A HiGH-tech expert has been invited to judge an international computer design competition in America. Professor Alan Clements, from the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, will assess computer design entries from all over the world. The academic, from
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Boro Legend Willie To Be Buried On Monday
THE funeral of Middlesbrough legend Willie Maddren will take place at St Cuthbert's Church in Billingham on Monday. Members of the public are asked to note that the Maddren family have requested that the service is restricted to family and close friends
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Shildon stay in hunt
County Super League Crook B maintained their seven points lead at the top after they only dropped five points to the visiting Crook A. The B team had two points from David Stephenson, Steve Hunter and John Mason with John Warriner, Darren Tinkler and
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Come back Chris, say Tow Law
HE has played at some of the world's great stadiums during a glittering career in which he turned out for Newcastle, Spurs, Marseilles and Sunderland. But soccer superstar and former sausage seasoner Chris Waddle is being invited to end his career back
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When eating becomes a danger
THE LAST time Jeff Gyllenspetz ate the wrong kind of food he was so ill he had to be carried off a plane. Jeff, 57, a consultant in energy and environment management from Harrogate is one of the thousands of Britons who suffer severe food intolerance.
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Police officer charged with sex attack
A SERVING officer with Cleveland Police has been charged with indecent assault on a 20-year-old woman. The incident is alleged to have taken place in the early hours of Thursday, August 24, in the Hemlington area. PC Andrew Shearer is due to appear before
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S&N set to sell holiday villages
BREWING and leisure group Scottish & Newcastle has unveiled plans for to raise £730m with the sell off of two of its best known assets. The group has agreed to the sale of Center Parcs, the holiday village chain to a French rival and a German finance
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Memorial plaque spots defended by police
NORTH Yorkshire police have defended their decision to place memorial plaques honouring members of the force who died during the two world wars outside their headquarters. Mr David Severs, a retired chief superintendant in the force, complained that since
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Arts News: Art exhibition is very much a family affair
THE first joint exhibition of watercolour paintings, prints and etchings by Wensleydale artist Winifred Hodge, and her daughter Jill, starts tomorrow at the dales countryside museum in Hawes. Winifred Hodge studied watercolour painting with Archie Sutter
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Putting the Reiki record straight
NICK Bateman, the 'Nasty Nick' of C4's programme Big Brother, must have horrified many Reiki Masters and students of Reiki all around the country with his scheming ways. Nick was observed by millions who watched the television show administering Reiki
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Parents are urged to take up nursery places for children
PARENTS across North Yorkshire are being urged to take up free places for three-year-olds available in nurseries and playgroups this term. The county council has secured cash from the Department for Education and Employment (Dfee) to fund extra free early
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Tetrathlon challenge
MARSKE athlete Elizabeth Adams is in America this week to compete in the World Tetrathlon Youth Championships. The 17-year-old was chosen to represent her country after competing in events in Switzerland, Sweden, Holland and the Czech Republic. The tetrathlon
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Durham - Women killed by car chase
TWO women, both originally from County Durham, were killed when a car ploughed into them as they walked home with friends after a night out. The victims were among a group of four women, who were hit by a white BMW that mounted the pavement while being
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'This is a tragedy waiting to happen' say villagers as fishing ponds scheme goes to planners
A DROWNING tragedy involving two little girls has fuelled opposition to a scheme for three fishing ponds in a Cleveland village. Anxious mums fear a similar accident if the plans go ahead in Kirby, near Stokesley. But the man behind the project says the
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6,000 sign up for pitmen's protest
CAMPAIGNER Pat Daglish has exceeded the 6,000 mark with her petition aiming to put pressure on the Government to speed up compensation payments for sick miners. Ms Daglish, from Stanley, County Durham, began her petition less than three weeks ago in the
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Chance to own piece of Naval history
AN opportunity to own a piece of maritime history from the oldest ex-Royal Navy warship is on offer. HMS Trincomalee, which was built for the admiralty in Bombay, India, in 1817 and is moored at Hartlepool, recently underwent a major restoration programme
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Safe future identified for police dogs
A POLICE force is helping give a new lease of life to its dogs which are no longer suitable as crime fighters. Normal practice is to have dogs from Northumbria Police kennels, which have not been selected for active service, rehomed with animal lovers
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Classes at home can be route to success
RESEARCH conducted in the North-East shows that children taught at home learn more than their counterparts at school. A three-year study by Paula Rothennel, a Durham University lecturer and PHD student, has discovered that children educated by parents
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Porn pests make Joan's life a misery
A FORMER shop worker has told how she was bombarded with obscene mail and telephone calls after her personal details were maliciously posted on a pornographic Internet site. Joan Young has received pornographic magazines, catalogues and computer discs
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Orange workers fired over computer filth
MOBILE phone giant Orange has fired about 40 workers following an investigation into obscene and sickening material being downloaded at its North-East call centres, The Northern Echo can reveal. The material, in the form of Internet pictures and e-mail
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Orange workers fired over computer filth
MOBILE phone giant Orange has fired about 40 workers following an investigation into obscene and sickening material being downloaded at its North-East call centres, The Northern Echo can reveal. The material, in the form of Internet pictures and e-mail
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Consett & Stanley - Super time as park opens
CHILDREN and their parents this week flocked to the official opening of a new super park. The new Annfield Plain park, refurbished at a cost of £60,000, boasts slides and rides, a teenage hang-out area and basketball park. The refurbishment is part of
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Dogs lead the way in charity fun day
THE shout of 'walkies' could be heard loud and clear on Monday as dog lovers gathered for a fun day. The event was organised by Saltburn Animal Rescue Association and took place in the town's Valley Gardens. Sponsored dogs and their walkers left Saltburn
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Ambulance cover 'not down to one'
AN ambulance manager last night refuted claims that holidays and sickness meant only one ambulance was on standby for a town with a population of over 90,000 people. There is concern in Hartlepool that only one of the town's three emergency crews was
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A day to remember
HUNDREDS of poppies are to be scattered on the sea at Redcar in a poignant tribute. A crew member on the Redcar lifeboat will throw the tributes on to the water, close into Redcar seafront, at the height of a veterans' parade, on Sunday. September 3 is
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Katie learns fast to take first prize
A YOUNG horserider took first prize in a show cross competition after only one jumping lesson. Katie Dorman, 12, won the competition at Middleton Riding Centre after the lesson from owner Donald Dingley. On her first horse Sam, she jumped an indoor and
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Onyx offers fast-track to the internet
REGIONAL Internet firm Onyx is unveiling the latest tool in the battle to improve the speed of Internet access. The Middlesbrough company is using the latest broadband technology to launch its ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) service, offering
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Townspeople are sickened by vandals' latest act
VANDALS who tore up young trees in a Guisborough park have been condemned by sickened residents. Elderly people who use the park at Stumps Cross were in tears at the scene of destruction in Westgate park last Friday morning. And former town mayor Mr Bob
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New status for moors could bring extra Euro-cash
A NEW European Union and English Nature plan for the North York Moors national park will give it major conservation designation, and potential multi-million pound funding. The vast moorland, which is already a site of special scientific interest, is now
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Past Lives: Penny rate paved way for college of all the talents
I'LL give him "tired and emotional". George Brown, that is, the flamboyant deputy leader of the Labour Party in the 60s. For, a few months after his embarrassing performance on television on the night of President Kennedy's assasination gave the language
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'We just want tolerance, fairness and civil liberty'
COUNTRYSIDE Alliance members are stepping up action to protect rural traditions, which they believe are being threatened by government policy. They are promising a sustained and escalating campaign to secure fairness, tolerance and civil liberty for rural
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Cargo Fleet bonanza
Wensleydale Creamery League the new season in midweek with 15 games in which only four teams managed to secure maximum points. Richmond Mavericks made a high-scoring start with two seven-goal home victories. On Tuesday they beat Catterick Village 7-0
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Honour for patron of air museum
ONE of the patrons of the Yorkshire Air Museum is to be honoured for his work with the Free French Air Force in the county during the Second World War. Colonel Robert Nicaise took over the role at the museum at Elvington, near York, following the death
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Boro are left short
Craig Harrison yesterday completed a £200,000 switch to Crystal Palace - and left Middlesbrough with a problem, writes NEIL ANDREWS. The 22-year-old defender agreed personal terms at Selhurst Park to turn his loan move into a permanent deal. But Boro
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Sorry, can't take your soap course - we're watching EastEnders
A university course for soap addicts has flopped - because it clashes with EastEnders. One of Britain's brightest new script writers is intending to deliver lectures on the public's love affair with the TV dramas. But the course was scheduled for 6.30pm
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Maddren's funeral to be private service
THE funeral of Middlesbrough legend Willie Maddren will take place at St Cuthbert's Church in Billingham on Monday. Members of the public are asked to note that the Maddren family have requested that the service is restricted to family and close friends
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Chips computer success
COMPUTER games store Chips is in the hunt for franchisees nationwide after a highly successful year at its first franchise outlet. The store in Bishop Auckland was opened in May last year by Keith Scarr. It sells new and second-hand consoles, games and
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Hopes for outdoor education centre
HOPES are high that an outdoor education centre in a remote spot in the North York Moors National Park will be saved. The Great Fryupdale Centre, near Danby, is under threat because it needs funding to carry out maintenance and repair work, said Chris
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Being a misery suits our Roy
People react in two ways when they recognise Roy Barraclough in the street. Some approach him warily, mindful of his Coronation Street character Alec Gilroy's slightly dodgy behaviour. Then there are those who purse their lips, gently cup their breasts
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Echo initiative provides big boost for community groups
Voluntary groups in the North-East are being given the chance to set up their own web sites as part of a scheme being launched today by The Northern Echo. One of the first to benefit under the CommuniGate scheme, will be One Voice Network (OVN) - the
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Echo initiative provides big boost for community groups
Voluntary groups in the North-East are being given the chance to set up their own web sites as part of a scheme being launched today by The Northern Echo. One of the first to benefit under the CommuniGate scheme, will be One Voice Network (OVN) - the
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Languages joy for students
STUDENTS at a North-East College gave 100 per cent to their studies and got their just rewards. Bishop Auckland College modern language students recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in A-level and A/S level modern foreign languages. Caroline Tucker, head
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Museum harvests prize exhibits
THE best of this year's harvest of leeks, vegetables and flowers will be judged at an open air museum next weekend. The event, billed as one of the most popular at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, will be held at the Colliery Village on September
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Collins only sings when she's winning
Perhaps because the match was so unremittingly awful, the Bank Holiday conversation at Brandon United turned once again to famous folk of Brandon and Byshottles. A book's being written about them, it may be recalled, though its secretive author would
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Newcastle to drive ahead with Clarence recruitment
Clarence Acuna's drugs past will have no bearing on whether Newcastle sign the South American from hard-up Universidad de Chile. Newcastle are lining up a 1m dollar swoop for the 25-year-old midfielder even though he is currently banned from football.
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Just the job for Christmas
JOBCENTRES in Washington and Sunderland are to hold their annual Christmas jobs fairs this weekend. More than 300 seasonal jobs will be on offer at Wearside jobcentres tomorrow. Geoff Maughan, acting district manager for the Employment Service for Wearside
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Celebrations at exam successes
PUPILS at Roseberry Comprehensive School, Newfield, near Chester-le-Street have improved on last year's good GCSE results, with some outstanding individual performances. Katherine Briggs achieved four A* and six passes at A grade; Rebecca, Tyson achieved
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Cup final shirt up for auction
A NEWCASTLE United shirt given to cheer up football-mad Robert Scott during a long-term hospital stay turned out to be one of the most famous shirts in the club's history. Robert was just 13 when his father gave him the top worn by the legendary Jackie
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Gambling addict in £2,700 swindle
A FRUIT-MACHINE addict swindled shops and department stores of £2,700 to fuel his passion for gambling. Ian Curran, 27, conned CDs, karaoke equipment and vouchers out of stores across Sunderland and Washington. Newcastle Crown Court heard how, between
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Batty weekend for nature lovers
THE Forestry Commission is calling on nature-lovers to go batty this coming weekend. For the first time they have asked the public to join their annual bat-box survey in Dalby Forest, near Pickering. Every summer, wildlife ranger Charles Critchley and
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Tonic for hospital as ward opens with dozen extra beds
TWELVE additional medical beds will be available at Darlington Memorial Hospital from this week. The extra beds will provide increased capacity and reduce the need to place medical patients on non-medical wards such as general surgery. Janet Probert,
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Ayton couple to retire after 50 years of showing
MR TED Cumbor, aged 73, and his wife Marjorie, 69, well-known Clydesdale breeders from Great Ayton, are to retire from showing their horses. Having won many classes at the weekend's Wensleydale Show, they went on to take the Wensleydale agricultural society
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Former school gets new lease of life as community centre
THE former Whitecliffe School building in Skinningrove is to get a new lease of life as a community centre for the village. The Loftus Development Trust has drawn up a plan for the Victorian building. It will be home to a community training facility,
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Ending the transfer system 'could devastate small clubs'
FOOTBALL clubs in the region have added their voices to concern over European Union plans to outlaw the sport's transfer system. FIFA yesterday asked for more time to find a solution to the claim that payment of fees for players still under contract contravenes
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Pony dates
Bedale Hunt. - Oct 1: Fun ride, Jervaulx, details 01677 450229. Oct 15: Bedale novice hunter trial at Maunby Hall, Thirsk. Details 01609 774539. BHS Cleveland. - Sep 17: Sponsored ride, contact Susan Green, 0191 2679551. Oct 11: Annual meeting, details
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Communigate is go
Voluntary groups in the North-East are being given the chance to set up their own web sites as part of a scheme being launched tomorrow by The Northern Echo. One of the first to benefit under the CommuniGate scheme, will be "One Voice Network" - the umbrella
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NY&SD cricket: Saltburn dodge the showers to cruise clear at top
THE weather played havoc with last weekend's fixtures, but leaders Saltburn opened up a 20-point gap at the top after an eight-wicket victory at home to Thornaby on Monday. The visitors made 90-9 in their 50 overs with Pakistani professional Maujashim
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Pleasure ride hailed a great success
CLEVELAND Hunt Supporters Club held a very popular pleasure ride on bank holiday Monday. More than 90 horse and pony owners started at Little Ayton and enjoyed the circular eight-mile route via Captain Cook's, Roseberry Topping and Hutton Gate to Great
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Approval urged for car and caravan compound
VILLAGERS from a north Durham hamlet have bombarded their council with protest letters against plans to build a floodlit park for hundreds of cars and caravans. But officers have recommended Derwentside District Councillors approve the plans at the new
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Demand for better flood protection
REDCAR and Cleveland council is getting tough over better flood protection for Skinningrove. The council is angry at the government's attitude and will now urge environment minister Mr Chris Mullin to help get improved flood warning and protection for
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Motorsport: Racing in the blood as Hodgson follows family line
THE name of Hodgson has been synonymous with motorcycling around the Hutton Rudby area for generations and the latest in a string of top class sportsmen to emerge from the family is 19-year-old Russ Hodgson. The youngster could have been forgiven for
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Family's appeal for action to free son from Burma prison
A FAMILY called last night for diplomatic efforts to be stepped up to win the release of jailed pro-democracy campaigner James Mawdsley. The 27-year-old activist, who was educated in the North-East, was arrested for handing out leaflets about the ruling
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Chester le Street - Residents' fury at new artwork
PLANS for a piece of public art in Chester-le-Street town centre have been slammed by campaigners who saw their swimming pool closed down because of a cash shortage. Chester-le-Street District Council is inviting four artists to come up with designs for
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Club hosts day of football fun
GUISBOROUGH Town FC will be holding a family fun day on Sunday on the King George V ground. The event starts at 10am. Junior football will be played throughout the day when teams from Guisborough take on teams from Whitby Town FC. There will be a variety
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Entrants invited to motorbike mecca
A SEASIDE resort is to become a mecca for bikers - for one day. Gleaming vintage machines, models from the roaring Sixties and Seventies, and the Japanese-dominated Eighties, will be display at the show, together with a special interest category. There
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Athletics News
Elswick Harriers Jim Bell, fresh from his gold winning performance in the BVAF Isle of Man marathon, was first O-50 and 13th overall in the Riverside Challenge 10k road race at Jarrow in a time of 35.24. Alan Hetherington was 15th in 35.36. In the Cramlington
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Chester le Street - Women killed by car chase
TWO women, both originally from County Durham, were killed when a car ploughed into them as they walked home with friends after a night out. The victims were among a group of four women, who were hit by a white BMW that mounted the pavement while being
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North Yorkshire - Happy to help needy families in Romania
AN African theme is kick-starting a fund-raising drive to support families in Romania. Northallerton's New Life Baptist Church is to run a two-month campaign to raise money to help families in Aiud in Transylvania. Food, clothes and medical supplies will
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On course for interior design help
WOULD-BE interior designers can hone their skills, or develop new ones, at a course to be held in Darlington this month. Professional interior designer Sheila Portass will be running an interior design course for the Workers' Educational Association in
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Fire raisers will not win, councillor vows
A COUNCILLOR has vowed not to be silenced by arsonists who attacked her home. Vandals tried to burn down Coun Glynis Abbott's garden fence - two hours after she went on local television to condemn fire raisers who tried to blow up a nearby block of flats
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David's new endeavour
A DAIRY farmer has set up his own business in order to secure his future in a rapidly changing industry. Skelton-based David Stevenson has struck out on his own and established Endeavour Dairy on his farm at Trout Hall. He took the radical step of forming
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Dirt debate rumbles on
AN UNLIKELY row has blown up on the Cleveland coast - over who has the dirtiest town. Residents from Marske, Redcar and Saltburn have complained about the state of their streets and asked for more council cleaning. The debate was sparked last week when
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Girls' play area plea pays off
THREE girls from Saltburn who took their first steps into local democracy have been honoured for their efforts. Thirteen-year-olds Carli Tucker-McNaught and Gemma Cutter, along with ten-year-old Tanya Budd, wrote to Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish
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Brothers appoint woman at the top
THE new managing director at the Hospitaller Order of St John of God in Scorton has pledged to continue the development of its services and care facilities. Mrs Liz Pollard was appointed in May and is the first woman in charge of the English province.
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Long-serving Owen calls time
A familiar face is missing from the Hetton Youth League this season. Owen Willougby, who celebrated his 81st birthday last month, is no longer running Trimdon Juniors although the club continues to provide coaching on Saturday mornings for youngsters.
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Consett & Stanley - Glasses raised to a new ale
A BEER named after the former Consett Steelworks proved a hit with drinkers in the town. Locals enjoyed their first taste of The Works, at the second annual Grey Horse Beer Festival, at the pub in Sherburn Terrace. Landlord Paul Conroy, 54, brewed the
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Charity shops offer a winter bargain
IMPERIAL Cancer Research shops on Teesside are getting ready for winter. New collections were launched in stores including the branch in High Street, Redcar, this week, and the charity is inviting all regular shopping addicts to view winter stock. Ann
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Flats set for approval despite objections
A TEESSIDE council is expected to approve a decision to turn a shop and a house into flats despite 200 letters of objections from nearby residents. Councillors from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee will take a site visit to the
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JBA deal will boost Pimpernel
A SOFTWARE firm is celebrating after landing a quarter of a million pound deal that has the North-East written all over it. The contract is for Durham-based JBA North East to install sophisticated planning software and a warehouse management package at
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WI winds up new phase in farm campaign
FOLLOWING their support for the fight to save rural post offices, members of the Women's Institute are now focusing their attention on the crisis affecting Britain's farmers. The organisation is launching the next phase of a concerted Supporting British
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Youngsters learn of life on the road
A DRIVING scheme set up to give youngsters a taste of what life on the road is like is on offer for the third year running. Mega Drive, set up by Langbaurgh police and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council road safety department, is targeted at 16-year-olds
