Archive
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Men on escort agency charge
A POLICE civilian employee and his business partner appeared in court yesterday accused of running an Internet prostitution agency. John Docherty, 28, a finance officer with Durham Police, and 38-year-old clothes designer Douglas Fox, denied living off
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Meeting looks at CSA impact
A MEETING for people affected by the Child Support Agency (CSA) is to be held later this month. The Darlington and Teesside Group of the National Association for Child Support Action (Nasca) will be holding the meeting next Wednesday, at Darlington Memorial
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Speed limit cut proposed to ease main road crash fears
A MAIN road past a crematorium, school and golf club is likely to have its speed limit cut to ease accident fears. Durham County Council's highways committee will today consider reducing the 60mph limit to 40mph on a stretch of the A177, at South Road
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Mother in funding pledge after baby son's cot death
A MOTHER has launched a fundraising campaign in memory of her baby son. Benson Gillham was just 13 weeks old when he became a victim of cot death, dying in his sleep at his home in Stanley, near Crook. His mother, Catherine, 24, spoke yesterday of her
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Habitats survey calls on residents
RESIDENTS of the North York Moors National Park are being asked to help in a survey in a bid to give wildlife a better deal. The park's ecologist Rona Charles said lists of habitats and species are being drawn up with the help of English Nature, the Environment
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Cash called for to help those with learning disabilities
HEALTH bosses are calling for extra cash to make up shortfalls in treating people with learning difficulties. North Yorkshire Health Authority says there is a county-wide shortage of medical professionals who specialise in learning difficulties and has
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Fresh hope for jailed weapons dealer
AN arms dealer locked up in India for the past five years has been offered fresh hope of freedom. After being held for four years without trial, Peter Bleach was convicted in February last year of smuggling weapons to Muslim rebels and sentenced to life
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Artist reflects on life in north-east
SHE'S come a long way from the moment she first saw and fell in love with the work of North-East glass artist Maralyn O'Keefe in her native Japan. However, after spending almost a year with the O'Keefe family in Lanchester, County Durham, Noriko Hoki
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PCs wash away signs of ageing
FOUR police officers in trunks have made quite a splash - for a second time. Middle-aged life-savers PCs Mick Watson, Stu Wilmott, Julian Harforth and Phil Taylor were the oldest competitors in this year's national life-saving championships, but also
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Concert to help gold medalist
A GOLD medal-winning World Transplant Games swimmer is hoping to drum up support with the help of a fundraising big band concert. Denise Baker, 43, of Darlington, needs to raise £3,000 to pay the costs of her trip to the next games, in Japan, in August
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Man who crashed car while drunk faces jail
A MAN who left two friends seriously injured after driving a car while drunk was told yesterday a prison sentence is inevitable The warning was made by Judge Judy Moir after a jury at Durham Crown Court returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 24-year-old
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Amec joy at deal's 1,000 jobs
PRIME Minister Tony Blair is on Tyneside today to announce a major multi-million pound contract that will create up to 1,000 jobs in the offshore industry. Mr Blair is expected to announce that the Amec Process and Energy yard, at Wallsend on the Tyne
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Cable firm under fire for charges
CABLE company ntl has defended its policy on telephone line rental charges following complaints from customers. The company, in Stockton-on-Tees, says it is realigning its charges after taking over a number of smaller operators. Telephone customers have
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Royal date for a fundraiser
A CHILDREN'S charity supporter is to meet The Duchess of Gloucester as a 'thank you' for his hard work. George Tinsley, owner of Pinchinthorpe Hall, near Guisborough, is a supporter of The Children's Society and will meet the Duchess in Scunthorpe, on
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Threat of legal action over ice hockey wages
UNION chiefs are preparing papers to start legal action against the owners of Newcastle Jesters ice hockey club, over unpaid wages. Players and staff at the club were due to be paid on February 14. But the cheques, believed to total about £50,000, have
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Popstars-style quest for red hot dance stars
THE North-East's all-dancing answer to TV phenomenon Popstars is being launched by Tyne Tees Television. A six-part series, Red Hot Dance, is looking for five dancers from the region to perform in one of the world's hottest dance spots in Ibiza. Producers
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Stadium named in Olympic bid
THE North-East could be in line for a slice of an Olympic windfall if a bid to bring the games to Britain is successful. Sunderland's Stadium of Light is in the running to be one of the football venues if an attempt by London to win the 2012 games is
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Affray and the circus stuntman
AN explosive incident arose when a former circus human cannonball became the worse the wear for drink during birthday celebrations. Ex-circus performer Ian Park, armed with a sheath knife in each hand, threatened and chased three men he had been drinking
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Appeal after man hurt in hit-and-run
POLICE are appealing for information after a man was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident. The 54-year-old man was walking in Church Walk, on the Headland, Hartlepool, when he was hit by a red car, believed to be a Honda Civic, at 10.45pm on Friday
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Simple test 'could cut heart disease deaths'
PATIENTS are dying unnecessarily because GPs are failing to carry out basic tests, according to a top heart specialist. Professor Alastair Hall told an audience at North Tees General Hospital, Stockton, that GPs must offer cholesterol tests to patients
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Parents advised on drug abuse problems
A TEAM of experts gave east Durham parents an insight into the spiralling problem of drug abuse. The awareness day, staged at Peterlee's Shotton Hall, was the biggest of its kind held in the region. Police, health promotion representatives, and workers
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Shop raider loses appeal
A HEROIN addict jailed for a shop raid, in which he and an accomplice struggled to rip out a cash till, failed in an appeal court bid to cut his prison sentence. Anthony Gibson, 29, and another man entered the store in Park Lane North, Middlesborough,
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Online boost for residents' group
A COMMUNITY will soon be connected to the Web after a computer was awarded to a residents' group. Ferryhill Station and Chilton Lane Ward Residents' Association has been given an Internet-ready PC and a year's access to the Internet by BT Community Connections
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Lazio deny O'Leary's men with late goal
MARKViduka sent his transfer value soaring to £20m by plundering his 18th Leeds goal of the season only to be denied the winner against Italian giants Lazio by a last-gasp free-kick special from Sinisa Mihajlovic. Viduka is understood to be a wanted man
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Wenger hails the English as Arsenal progress
ARSENE Wenger hailed the presence of three Premiership clubs in the Champions League quarter-finals as a major step forward for English football as Arsenal followed in the footsteps of Manchester United and Leeds. However, even though the Arsenal boss
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Pupils produce songbook and CD inspired by village life
CHILDREN from an east Cleveland primary school have recorded their own songs for Europe in a project linking them with schools in Germany, Slovakia and Poland. The youngsters from Whitecliffe Primary School, Carlin How, released the Come On Everybody,
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MPs hit out at Corus88
A SENIOR committee of backbench MPs has criticised steel giant Corus and the Government over the company's plans to axe thousands of jobs - including 1,100 on Teesside. The Commons Trade and Industry Committee's report attacks Corus for secrecy before
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Turning the tourists away
AT this time of year, the phone rings two or three times each evening at Gordon and Fairlie Turnbull's bed and breakfast on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. But over the last few weeks, people have not been ringing up to book, they have been ringing up
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Dead snake stumps RSPCA
RSPCA inspectors admit they are stumped by a snake dumped in a bin bag. The 4ft brown and yellow ringed Californian king snake was found in a Darlington alley by two 11-year-old boys a month ago. It had been attacked and left in a passage between Roslyn
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No Festival but Function Dream is good bet
TRAINERS raking around for alternative engagements following the postponement of this week's Cheltenham Festival have had to bite the bullet and send some of their stable-stars in search of much humbler pickings at Huntingdon this afternoon. The apple
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Ministry for Men? Lets start younger
IF re-elected, Labour is apparently considering setting up a Ministry for Men. If it's anything like the appallingly patronising and useless Ministry for Women presided over by Baroness Jay, it can throw the plans away now and save itself - and us - a
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Murder prove launched
A MURDER-STYLE investigation was launched last night into the death of father-of-two found with head injuries. A policewoman discovered 34-year-old Paul Simpson lying in Askrigg Street, Darlington, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The mature student
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Time for the fans' voices to be heard
BEFORE the dust has settled on the latest round between George Reynolds and David Hodgson, it would possibly be more constructive if those forgotten in this dispute had their voices heard - the fans of Darlington FC. It is they who have endured a tortuous
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Helplines swamped as fears rise of suicides in farmers
SUICIDAL North-East farmers are turning to telephone help-lines in droves to get them through the foot-and-mouth crisis. Thousands of calls have flooded into the Farm Crisis Network (FCN) helpline, and volunteers fear suicides could rise as the outbreak
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Why I feel sorry for Keith Vaz
I MAY be a lone voice, but I feel Europe Minister Keith Vaz has been badly treated this week. I don't condone some of his tactics - if it is proved, for instance, it is clearly very unacceptable to intimidate witnesses - and, even though cleared by the
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Letters
STEEL INDUSTRY WHILE I unreservedly welcome your initiative in making direct contact with the MPs in our region on the Corus issue (HAS, Mar 12), I am astounded by the cynical hypocrisy of the Conservative contributors. Anne McIntosh has enough sense
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Arriva's plan for Pennines
ARRIVA has delivered its bid for the new Trans-Pennine Express rail franchise to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). The 20-year plan details a total investment of more than £2.25bn in new trains and service levels and commits Arriva to providing a network
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Mourners' tribute to Selby victims
HUNDREDS of mourners gathered yesterday to pay tribute to victims of the Selby train crash. About 300 people attended a service for GNER train driver John Weddle, of Throckley, Newcastle, at the city's West Road Crematorium. A further 150 mourners stood
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Murder case detectives issue video appeal
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of former drugs baronPeter Beaumont-Gowling have appealed to anyone who took video footage at the time and location of his death to come forward. Mr Beaumont-Gowling, 52, who came from Trimdon, County Durham, was shot
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Cable firm under fire for charges
CABLE company ntl has defended its policy on telephone line rental charges following complaints from customers. The company, in Stockton-on-Tees, says it is realigning its charges after taking over a number of smaller operators. Telephone customers have
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Council pledges to cut red tape and improve service delivery
A PLEDGE has been made to reduce bureaucracy in delivering council services. Sunderland City Council claims it can do a better job for the people it serves through working better with central government departments. Today, it will become one of 14 councils
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Dispute ends in mayhem
A DOMESTIC dispute ended with three people in hospital when a car collided into a house after a brick shattered the driver's windscreen. The male driver was knocked unconscious by the brick, and the car struck a woman standing at the roadside before hitting
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Display aims to inspire volunteers
THE organisers of an exhibition celebrating the work of volunteers hope it will inspire others to serve the community. Durham Volunteer Bureau and Durham University's Student Community Action are holding the exhibition, Volunteering Past Present Future
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Inconsistency or hypocrisy?
NO one pretends that there is an easy answer to the foot-and-mouth crisis. The Government's policy to isolate the outbreaks is the only viable option. There are, however, inconsistencies in the Government's approach which cause alarm. For example, it
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Showroom fire arson theory
FORENSIC scientists are investigating a suspicious fire which caused extensive damage to a city centre furniture showroom. Collard and Collard, in Gallowgate, Newcastle, appears to have been set on fire by an arsonist early on Monday morning. Police were
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Visitor attraction gets back on track after the flood
EVEN the visionary powers of old Mother Shipton could not have predicted the devastating flooding which struck the region last year. But at a tourist attraction dedicated to the famous prophet, good old fashioned manpower has helped to erase the memory
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Royal date for a fundraiser
A CHILDREN'S charity supporter is to meet The Duchess of Gloucester as a 'thank you' for his hard work. George Tinsley, owner of Pinchinthorpe Hall, near Guisborough, is a supporter of The Children's Society and will meet the Duchess in Scunthorpe, on
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Looking at a rural disaster
A FARMER gave me a friendly ticking off the other day for questioning the slaughter policy to combat the foot-and-mouth outbreak. "There really is no alternative," he insisted. At this moment in this crisis, perhaps not. But the longer the epidemic goes
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Hard-working pensioner nominated for award
A WOMAN who works tirelessly to bring her community together has been nominated for an award. Jean Tokarski, 71, has been working for 11 years to make life better for the people of the former mining village of North Skelton, east Cleveland. Village amenities
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Dentists urged to promote fluoridation
THE health benefits of water fluoridation are so clear that dentists should actively spread the word among their patients, according to North-East health bosses. In his report - The Teesside and Hartlepool Oral Health Strategy - dental chief John Stewart
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Warning to young arson attackers
FIREFIGHTERS are warning youngsters that they could be putting themselves in danger by setting fire to empty properties on a housing estate. Fire crews were called to a blaze at Scorton Court, on Redcar's Lakes Estate, yesterday, where residents are being
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Youngsters help turn allotments into outdoor classroom
SCHOOLCHILDREN teamed up with environmentalists yesterday for a taste of life on an allotment. The youngsters from Bloemfontein Primary School, in Craghead, near Stanley, worked with environmental charity workers from Groundwork West Durham to create
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Serial pest walks free due to legal loophole
SERIAL pest Ashley Jones is back on the streets after escaping jail for up to five years due to a legal technicality. Mr Jones, 45, who has been arrested more than 350 times, was due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, charged with twice
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Reid in hunt for players
JET-LAGGED Sunderland manager Peter Reid will be back at his desk today after a hectic five-day scouting mission in Argentina. And the Wearside boss, determined to bring in new talent ahead of this month's deadline, will be considering all his transfer
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Museum mourns death of a tireless supporter
STAFF at a North-East museum have paid tribute to former colleague Sir Richard Foster, who was found dead on a Dorset beach last week. Sir Richard, who was chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund's panel on museums and libraries, and Director of Museums
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Kingfisher deliberates on future of Woolworth's
RETAILER Kingfisher will decide whether to sell off or float its Superdrug and Woolworth's high-street chains in "the next few weeks". The group, which announced a 16 per cent drop in full-year profits, unveiled plans to demerge its General Merchandise
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Caution urged by Ramblers
AN ORGANISATION known for vigorous campaigning on access to the countryside said yesterday that hostilities will cease during the foot-and-mouth crisis - even though officials admit some footpaths need not be closed. Many of the local authorities fighting
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Man had sex with 12-year-old
A MAN has been found guilty of having sex with a 12-year-old girl who got drunk on cider at a friend's party. John Martin, 20, enticed the youngster, who cannot be named, into an upstairs bedroom before taking advantage of her, last August. Newcastle
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Text-message stalker fined
A STALKER who used abusive text messages to terrorise his former girlfriend has narrowly escaped jail. Paul Buckham, 30, of The Crescent, South Shields, became infatuated with Michelle Jopling after their short-term relationship broke up last summer,
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Business centre to be pulled down
A FORMER enterprise centre, which was a launch pad for more than 100 companies, is to be demolished to make way for housing. The New Enterprise Workshops (News), in Shildon, was launched in 1984 to provide a fresh start for budding entrepreneurs laid
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Prison officer suspended over killer's sex allegation
A SENIOR prison officer has been suspended from duty after being accused of sexually abusing convicted child-killer Dominic McKilligan. The Durham Prison officer was arrested following the allegations, and computer equipment was seized from his house
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Rainbows and sacred cows - by the bishop
THE Bishop of Jarrow is keeping history buffs in the North-East well and truly in the dark in the run-up to a forthcoming lecture. The Right Reverend Alan Smithson is preparing to give a lecture to hundreds of members of the North-East branch of the Wesley
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Manager hurt in pub brawl
A CITY centre pub manager is recovering after her arm was broken by a pool cue when she tried to separate fighters in a brawl. The 24-year-old, who runs Hogan's Bar in Stoney Lane, Sunderland, was hit by the wooden cue during a closing time riot on Monday
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Children show talent in dance competition
YOUNGSTERS from a County Durham dance school have proved their talent by collecting 17 first places at a competition. Six of the young dancers, from Nicola's Hall of Dance in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, won 13 trophies between them. They were, pictured
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Crackdown on boy racers
Following reports of teenage tearaways racing up and down Front Street, in Chester-le-Street, police have warned they are about to get tough. Inspector Dave Marshall, of Chester-le-Street police, said they would use legislation brought in three years
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Lads baldly go ahead to help
A GROUP of six friends got together to become much smoother, in the name of charity. The daring half-dozen decided to take part in a sponsored headshave at GlaxoSmithKline Social Club, in Barnard Castle, Teesdale, to raise cash for two local charities
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New plea for line franchise decision
PRESSURE was mounting last night for a final decision on the East Coast Main Line franchise as a ten-year blueprint for the railways was revealed. The £60bn vision for the industry, announced by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA), details a number of
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Charlie cheers up profits
WYEVALE Garden Centres said it was cashing in on the Charlie Dimmock effect as profits blossomed more than 20 per cent. The Hereford group, which runs the UK's largest chain of garden centres with 120 outlets, believed programmes such as BBC's Groundforce
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No change on election rules
AN attempt to change the way mayors are elected to serve Ripon has failed. The move followed a recent row over the selection of mayor-elect Councillor David Harrison, who saw off challenger Councillor David Parnaby. Councillor Andrew Williams proposed
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North's snooker fans get big break
SNOOKER fans were celebrating a big break last night after it was disclosed that one of the sport's major tournaments is to be staged in the region. The UK Snooker Championships are coming to York, after the city's Barbican Centre secured a three-year
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Getting to the bottom of conservation
IT'S tiny, it's not much to look at and its diet is little short of revolting - but a colony of ants nest wood lice is getting the North-East's entomologists itching with excitement. The stomach-churning lice like nothing better than to tuck into a hearty
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Pool look to youth
HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner is ready to pin his faith in youth. After snapping up Northern Ireland under-21 defender Gordon Simms and Jermaine Easter, a striker with caps for Wales at under-16 and under-18 levels, Turner is now turning his attention
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Epidemic won't stop elections
TONY BLAIR was last night resisting growing calls to rule out a General Election in May as the foot-and-mouth crisis worsened. Ministers also announced plans to launch a "pre-emptive strike" against the disease, culling up to 100,000 animals which may
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Could you vote for an oxymoron?
POLITICALLY aware, as ever, the column three weeks ago held forth on the impending Middleton Tyas by-election. The Liberal insisted on campaigning for "bus shelter's" and for misuse of the apostrophe was automatically disqualified; the Conservative needed
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Rest is the only cure for Quinn
NIALL Quinn finally admitted defeat last night in his battle against a back injury. The Sunderland striker has been ordered to rest and is certain to miss Saturday's match at Chelsea. He is also out of the Republic of Ireland's internationals against
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Hodgson throws in his side of the story
ON THE CONTRACT OFFERED TO NEIL HEANEY, ONE OF DARLINGTON'S BIG-NAME SIGNINGS: Neil Heaney was on £154,000 per season basic wage (at Manchester City). Guaranteed, without any bonus, without kicking a ball. He also received £500 appearance money, and a
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Friends smooth the way
Six friends got together to become much smoother in the name of charity. The group decided to take part in a sponsored headshave at GlaxoSmithKline Social Club in Barnard Castle to raise cash for two local charities. Gary Howe, who works in Barnard Castle
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Grant for gardens project
A SCHEME to restore gardens dating back hundreds of years has won Heritage Lottery Fund support. The fund is giving £32,000 to bring The Riverbank Gardens, near Durham Cathedral and Castle, back to their former glory. The gardens were formed in post-medieval
