Archive
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Unconscious man found
A MAN is critically ill in hospital after being found lying unconscious in a street. Police officers found the man, who has not been named, on a pavement in Askrigg Street, Darlington, at 2.20am, yesterday morning. He had a serious head injury and was
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The Prince who shines among stars
The Prince of Wales last night entertained a glittering array of celebrities to say thank-you for their charity work. He and long-term companion Camilla Parker Bowles were holding a dinner party for the likes of Mick Jagger, Jerry Hall and Sir Elton John
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Brewery deal draws bankers' interest
THE UK's largest pub landlord is reported to have entered the bidding for a brewery. Japanese investment bank Nomura is the latest to declare an interest in regional brewers Wolverhampton and Dudley, owner of Cameron's at Hartlepool. Nomura received a
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Fury over removal of victims' body parts
AN inquiry into the Marchioness pleasure boat tragedy has found that some of its victims' body parts were kept without relatives' knowledge. The revelation, made in a report by Lord Justice Clark, follows the discovery that 25 victims' hands were removed
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It's ruff being a politician - especially when you get savaged
THERE are bound to be plenty of people who will want to throw politicians to the dogs as the battle for power in Westminster intensifies over the coming weeks. Now, there is a shop in North Yorkshire which is giving its customers the chance to choose
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£2.7m windfall to help fund housing projects
DOZENS of homes are to be built in Darlington this year as a result of a £2.7m windfall from a Government-funded organisation. The money, from the Housing Corporation, will help to fund six housing association developments in Darlington. Railway Housing
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Parents of twins invited to join new support club
A club is being launched this afternoon to help parents of twins swap stories and give each other a helping hand. Margaret Nodding, 40, of Bishop Auckland, has two six-month-old sons, Daniel and Adam. She is opening the club so that other mothers from
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Quays day builds bridges to poetry
STUDENTS will stage a celebration of words, poetry and stories within sight of bridges that have inspired them to write. As part of the Gateshead Quays education programme, 200 pupils from local primary schools will take part in Spanner in the Words,
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Knowledge Campus - a name to note for future
Work has started on a £100m project which could create thousands of jobs and establish the North-East as a global centre of excellence in developing new products. Knowledge Campus will bring together companies at the cutting edge of the product development
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Duty calls Joe to the palace
COUNTY Durham car park attendant Joe Byrne had a rare day off last week - to collect a very special honour from the Queen. The 56-year-old, from Ferryhill, received an MBE for the tireless work he has put in patrolling the car park of Durham's Jobcentre
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£5,000 'golden hello' to increase GP numbers
HEALTH secretary Alan Milburn will announce a £5,000 cash incentive this week for trainee doctors who choose to become general practitioners in deprived areas. Doctors who accept the "golden hello" from the NHS will be able to spend the money as they
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Pool step up promotion bid with triple signing
HARTLEPOOL United's promotion charge yesterday received a triple boost. After making club history on Saturday as his side extended their unbeaten run to 17 league games, boss Chris Turner swooped for striker Jermaine Easter, defender Gordon Simms and
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Horror at cull threat
HILL farmers are facing catastrophe with fears that hundreds of thousands of sheep could be slaughtered to try to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Agriculture Minister Nick Brown yesterday revealed that up to half a million sheep due to start
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North-East hospital chosen for ovarian cancer screening trial
ORGANISERS of a nationwide trial to establish whether ovarian cancer screening saves lives have chosen a North-East hospital to be a regional centre. Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital is one of 12 centres taking part in a ten year-trial, which will
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Zodiac sees double now that Susan's twin has arrived
STAFF at Zodiac Training have started seeing double - since the arrival of identical twins. DIANNE HOPE is the latest recruit to Zodiac's expanding Middlesbrough office. And she has taken her seat next to identical twin sister SUSAN WRIGHT. They are both
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Quakers aim to land Bernard on loan
DARLINGTON boss Gary Bennett will this morning hold talks with Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard in a bid to hand the Frenchman his debut at York tonight. Quakers have lined up a loan deal for Bernard, who joined the Magpies early this season on a free
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Shepherd hits out
Freddy Shepherd yesterday blasted the FA for waiting 63 years before bringing an international match back to Tyneside. The Newcastle chairman launched his astonishing attack within minutes of the announcement that St James' Park would host England's World
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RSPCA starts neutering drive to prevent need for cat cull
HUNDREDS of stray cats may have to be culled in Darlington if its feline population continues to spiral out of control. But in a last-ditch effort to prevent this happening, animal welfare officers are offering to carry out free or low-cost neutering.
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School getting red-dy for charity day
DUNKING a teacher in custard and discovering the colour of Lenny Henry's pants are just two of the things a school has planned for Red Nose Day. Students at Spennymoor School are going to great lengths to raise money for the event on Friday. Sixth form
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Base trip gives students a lift
STUDENTS with learning difficulties enjoyed a day out rubbing shoulders with airmen and women at RAF Leeming. The students were all from Darlington College, where Leeming Corporal Darren Knott teaches basic numeracy and literacy, as a volunteer. One of
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Union in campaign to end 'poverty pay'
MEMBERS of a public sector union staged a rally at the weekend to highlight their campaign for a living wage. The rally was staged in Sunderland's Mowbray Park, by the city's Unison branch. The event followed the announcement that the minimum wage is
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It's fun in any language as 'sirs' prepare for monty debut
TEACHERS have been gearing up for a one-off performance of their own version of The Full Monty. For one night only, the four members of staff at Hummersknott School and Language College in Darlington will be performing at the school's cabaret evening.
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Women's Day puts Mo seat contender
AN event to mark International Women's Day was launched by a woman hoping to make her mark on the North-East over the coming months. Vera Baird QC is aiming to be the next Labour MP in Redcar, stepping into the shoes of one of the most famous British
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Three thugs hunted for street attack
A MAN was taken to hospital suffering from numerous injuries to his face and body after being assaulted by three men. The attack happened as the 27-year-old was walking along Redcar High Street, in east Cleveland, with his wife and two friends, at about
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Brother's plea over kidnapped engineer
THE Bangladeshi prime minister has been urged to intervene in negotiations for the release of a North-East man held hostage in the country. The call has come from Jon Selby, the brother of Tim Selby, 28, of Jesmond, Newcastle, who was captured by tribal
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The only way is down as headteacher does his bit for sports complex cash
A NERVOUS headteacher was rescued from a tower yesterday - all in the name of charity. Colin Algie, headteacher at Ormesby School, Middlesbrough, was rescued by firefighters from the five-storey tower at Coulby Newham fire station to raise money for the
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Harley fan's new challenge
A TEESSIDE council executive is taking a change of direction just a year before he plans to retire. Ralph Ferguson is director of technical services at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and has been with the council for 23 years. The council structure
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Traders and residents fight new town centre proposal
RESIDENTS fear their town centre could become a derelict haven for vandals if plans for a rival shopping centre are approved. As part of the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Plan, the area's development blueprint for the next 16 years, Redcar and Cleveland
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TV show looks at N-E farmer's role in protest
THE North-East farmer who was at the forefront of the fuel protests last year will feature in a TV documentary tonight. Andrew Spence, of Leadgate, Consett, County Durham, was a leading figure in the movement which nearly brought the country to a standstill
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Second large homes scheme considered
A multi-million pound housing development in North Durham could be approved - just weeks after another large-scale scheme was given the go-ahead. Plans for 156 detached and semi-detached homes at Shield Row, Stanley, and 104 similar homes at Hamsterley
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Protestors fear mine scheme would destroy newts' home
A RARE species of protected newt has been discovered on a site earmarked for an open cast mine. Protestors have seized on the discovery to object to the creation of the mining operation on the outskirts of Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham. Great
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Charges proposal for free car parks
COUNCILLORS are being urged to introduce charges at more Darlington car parks. Darlington Borough Council has already approved an increase in charges at its long and short-stay parks. It has also made some of its long-stay car parks short-stay to boost
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Eating Owt
BACK to school, or to the schoolroom anyway, we dined at the Bridgewater Arms in Winston - recently kitted out to reflect its formative years. Though they still have lessons to learn, chiefly in addressing the puddings (D-minus, unfortunately) and the
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Library service in line for boost
A £2.7m plan to improve an area's libraries is likely to be approved this week. The proposals, for libraries run by Middlesbrough Borough Council, will be discussed by the cabinet tomorrow. Among them will be a significant increase in the amount spent
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Three thugs hunted for street attack
A MAN was taken to hospital suffering from numerous injuries to his face and body after being assaulted by three men. The attack happened as the 27-year-old was walking along Redcar High Street, in east Cleveland, with his wife and two friends, at about
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Origami puts different angle on mathematics for youngsters
HUMBLE sheets of paper became mathematical marvels at a paper-folding workshop hosted by a television expert. Channel Four's Liz Meehan was at Teesside University on Saturday, to pass on tips to local schoolchildren. The Maths Masterclass, which encouraged
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Patients mark unit's success
SPINAL injury patients benefiting from a new specialist unit celebrated its first anniversary - and their return to health - with a walk. About 100 patients, families and staff from the spinal rehabilitation unit of Cleveland Nuffield Hospital, in Norton
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Funding in place to restore coach house
Part of the region's railway heritage is to be restored to its former glory. Daniel Adamson's coach house in Shildon, County Durham, is reportedly the oldest surviving example in the world. The Grade II listed building is used as a community centre. Sedgefield
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Lung check offer to help smokers give up
SMOKERS will be given the opportunity to find out just how much their lungs are affected by cigarettes as part of an initiative to persuade more people to kick the habit over the next few days. The Hambleton and Richmondshire Tobacco Alliance takes to
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Lee inspires store's hearty effort
STORE staff have given a cash thank-you to the hospital unit which treated a colleague's son. Workers at Marks and Spencer, in Durham, raised £2,130 for the Children's Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital by donating money instead of
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Call for cash to keep open pool
A SCHOOL swimming pool, threatened with closure last year, should be made a priority for funding, says a county councillor. Shildon and Newton Aycliffe councillor Tony Moore said he was unhappy that Durham's education authority had not included Shildon
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Epidemic disrupts Army life
EVEN army life has been disrupted by the foot-and-mouth crisis. Training grounds have been closed to prevent the disease spreading. However, soldiers from the Green Howards regiment will not be lying idle, with many joining a recruitment team touring
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Volunteers to air their views
A SERIES of lunch-time seminars are being held to give people involved in voluntary organisations in County Durham the chance to air their views. The seminars have been organised by One Voice Network, a collective of community and voluntary organisations
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Training is fine-tuned as Cybertubes go worldwide
PHILIPS Components in Durham is fine tuning its training as part of a logical approach to improve overall efficiency at the plant. Thirty-five craftsmen and engineers are receiving specialist training as the plant upgrades to the latest development software
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Pensioners demand rethink on hall closure
PENSIONERS in Chester-le-Street are demanding a re-think on the closure of their community hall. Elderly people who use Gibside Hall said they only found out from a caretaker that Chester-le-Street District Council planned to close the building. The hall
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Appeal launched to help fund cadet activities
THE second phase of an appeal to help fund the activities of North-East cadets was launched at the weekend. Dignitaries, including Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson, County Durham Lord Lieutenant Sir Paul Nicholson, and Viscount Ridley gathered at HMS Trincomalee
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MP urged to act over school danger
A PETITION is on its way to Ripon's MP, urging him to use his influence to improve road safety outside the city's two secondary schools. Ripon College and Ripon Grammar have campuses opposite each other in Clotherholme Road. Resident Stanley Mackintosh
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Teachers hit back in war of words over industrial action
THE region's teachers hit back last night at claims by Education Secretary David Blunkett that they are abandoning children by voting for industrial action. Teachers in Middlesbrough have voted 95 per cent in favour of stopping cover for unfilled posts
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Magpies keep faith in Shearer
NEWCASTLE United are refusing to rule injury-hit Alan Shearer out of Saturday's derby showdown with Middlesbrough - even though it is feared he could be sidelined for the rest of the season. The United skipper was yesterday booked to see a specialist
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Gibbons' claim can tip balance towards Miss World
THERE might be money to be made by making a date with Miss World (4.40) in the Pantry Selling Stakes at Southwell today. Although the four-year-old filly has not won since December 1999, her most recent effort when chasing home Als Alibi over a mile-and-a-half
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Artist's library gift ends up at auction
ARTIST Sheila Mackie was startled to learn that one of her works was to be sold at auction. For she had donated the painting to a children's library back in 1957. Mrs Mackie, who read of its impending sale in The Northern Echo, was last night relieved
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Farmer calls for deer cull in effort to trace virus carriers
THE latest North-East businessman to fall victim to the foot-and-mouth crisis believes the disease is being carried by wildlife. Quarryman Jeffrey Allison, who owns Low Harperley Farm, at Fir Tree, near Crook, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, has called
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Athlete finds support for trip
A YOUNG athlete from Newton Aycliffe will be able to represent his country, thanks to a local company and the town council. Michael Turnbull, 17, has been selected to represent Great Britain at an international biathle event in South Africa next month
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Farmers fined over pig swill
TWO pig keepers with business links to the North-East farmer at the centre of the foot-and-mouth crisis were fined yesterday after untreated swill was discovered on their premises. Father and son Alan and Kenneth Clement were caught out by a ten-week
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Ferguson is hurt by 'embarrassment'
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester United's Champions League position is ''embarrassing'' and challenged his under-performing stars to win back his trust. In a strong rebuke, Ferguson admitted he was red-faced that United were still not sure of
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Vickers scoops £250m deal
VICKERS has won the £250m battle to build a new generation of tanks for the British Army in a move that safeguards 500 North-East jobs. Defence minister Baroness Symons is expected to announce the contract when she visits the Newcastle factory later today
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Maddison flies the Boro nest to join City
MIDDLESBROUGH utility man Neil Maddison yesterday threw his weight behind Bristol City's promotion push when he joined the Second Division side on a month's loan with a view to a permanent move. Darlington-born Maddison, 31, is likely to make his debut
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Today's news round-up from Northallerton
HOUSEHOLDS in Northallerton that do not have television licences are being warned that a new crackdown is under way. Inspectors for TV Licensing North are targeting homes without licences in the DL7 and DL6 postcode areas. They employ new technology that
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Joe's devotion to car park job earns MBE
CAR park attendant Joe Byrne had a rare day off last week to receive his MBE from the Queen. The 56-year-old, from Ferryhill, received the accolade for his tireless work patrolling the car park of Durham's JobCentre. He has not had one day off for sickness
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Over the top charity event proves a winner
FUNDRAISERS suspended any fears they may have had for heights to abseil from a fire station tower in aid of blind and partially- sighted people, yesterday. Forty eight people, who were roped in for the event at the 85ft tower at Framwellgate Moor Fire
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Letters
DON BRADMAN I HAVE read with interest all of the glowing tributes to cricketer Sir Donald Bradman, including Harry Mead's (Echo, Feb 28). Harry says he could not think of any performer in any other field to whom the phrase "greatest ever" can be applied
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Sick war veteran's holiday nightmare
A FORMER prisoner-of-war's life savings are trickling away every minute he lies stricken in a Spanish hospital. Second World War veteran Bernard Boyle, 81, from Middlesbrough, was holidaying with his wife Marjorie in Benidorm when he suffered a suspected
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Wild way to help hospital
A WILD West re-enactment group has proved that even tough cowboys have a generous side to them. Members of the Lonestar re-enactment group have raised funds to provide a North-East hospital with a sleep monitor. The Darlington group, which has about 20
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Women's Day puts Mo seat contender
AN event to mark International Women's Day was launched by a woman hoping to make her mark on the North-East over the coming months. Vera Baird QC is aiming to be the next Labour MP in Redcar, stepping into the shoes of one of the most famous British
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Learning scheme aids staff
STAFF at Darlington Building Society are taking the Internet in their stride thanks to a series of evening courses. The society's training manager, Clive Wrigley, organised the courses in conjunction with the Darlington Learning Town Passport to Learning
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Great deal to read on offer
Thousands of books, videos and CDs will be up for sale at knock-down prices, at a library sale next weekend. The sale of items, priced from ten pence to £2, will be in Durham's County Hall next Saturday from 10am to noon. The sale, which has been organised
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Initiative bids to improve area's health
LOCAL partnerships made up of a range of organisations are being developed to combat poor health. Tees Health Authority is setting up local strategic partnerships in a bid to tackle illness and disability before they start. Aimed at bringing health on
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Joint campaign aims to tackle vandalism
THE continuing problem of vandalism in an east Cleveland village was the main topic at a community forum. Brotton is being plagued by youths who are particularly targeting the church, and are creating havoc. Concern was raised that Cleveland Police do
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City's battle for better health gets under way
BATTLE lines have been drawn to tackle the high level of coronary heart disease among people living in a North-East city. The Northern Primary Care Group (PCG) has set up a team to work with patients, who have heart disease, or who are at particular risk
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Alternative look at medicine
The Richmond Support Group for Darlington's St Teresa's Hospice hosts demonstrations of alternative medicines this month. The fundraising evening at Richmond's Friary Hospital, on Tuesday, March 27, includes workshops in acupuncture, aromatherapy and
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Outbreak affects rescue operation
A HORSE was stuck in mud for two hours as County Durham firefighters fought to rescue it, using a winch and a digger. The animal fell as it grazed with other horses at Low Hill House Farm, Merrington Road, Ferryhill. Two appliances and 15 men helped to
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An epidemic of over-confidence
AGRICULTURE Minister Nick Brown insists, as he has done for the past three weeks, that the foot-and-mouth outbreak is under control. His assertion is open to serious doubt. The provision of emergency plans to slaughter half-a-million pregnant ewes in
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Chilling nights out for soldiers
TWO Durham soldiers have been experiencing temperatures of -32C during an intensive arctic survival training. Staff Sergeant Sandra Robson, 33, and Sergeant Barry Murphy, 37, who are attached to the Joint Helicopter Support Unit (JHSU) at RAF Odiham,
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Groups wait to hear decision on funding
COMMUNITY groups are in line for a share of a £470,000 windfall, as part of an authority's latest handouts. Following an invitation from Middlesbrough Borough Council to submit bids, a final list of beneficiaries has been drawn up. If councillors agree
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Burning questions
Q: WHAT is the origin of Mothering Sunday and how it is connected to Carling Sunday? - Chris Parker, Peterlee. A: SOME say Mothering Sunday can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where there were celebrations in honour of the mother of gods, known
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Former nurses urged to retrain
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to encourage former nurses in the region to return to the profession. Return to Practice (RTP) courses allow people who have been out of nursing to rejoin the NHS. Louise Laidler left in 1984 to raise a family. Two years ago
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Window of opportunities for willing hands
ONE of the North-East's leading tourist attractions is on the look-out for more people to provide a welcome to thousands of visitors each year. Durham Cathedral already has 350 stewards, but needs more volunteers to help with the work. Chapter steward
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Grow up and get a life!
O THE delights of Wacko Jacko! Did you see the pictures of him talking to the students at the Oxford Union? The idea that Oxford university gives ear to a pathetic clown like Michael Jackson encapsulates just what's wrong with higher education today.
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Council calls for views on democracy
A DOCUMENT inviting local people to have their say on how they are governed is about to be distributed. The 16-page booklet, entitled Who do you want to run Middlesbrough?, is being sent to every household in the borough, to inform people of the options
