Archive
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Men survived, ladies doomed
From this newspaper 100 years ago. - A few days ago a somewhat serious gun accident, and one which might have had fatal results, occurred to a man named Wintersgill, gamekeeper to Mr TW Lloyd, of Cowesby Hall. It appears a gun which he was in the act
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£500,000 heralds a new innings
SALTBURN cricket, bowls and tennis club has been awarded just under £500,000 in grants which will go towards a major redevelopment at its site. A new building will provide playing surfaces, a bowling machine, coaching facilities and space for other sport
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Time and tide are kind to democracy
DEMOCRACY will be done pledged an election officer yesterday - even at the most remote place in the North-East. Fishing boats and a helicopter were to be used to get the votes of the people on Holy Island, Northumberland, in the event of an emergency
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Anger at move for new Arc licence
RESIDENTS living near Stockton's Arc claim their lives are being disrupted by late-night noise from the arts centre. Officials at the centre have applied for its entertainment licence to be renewed, but people in the area fear their lives will continue
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Ballot call for Reece, three
A YOUNGSTER was invited to cast his vote 15 years early after receiving a polling card. Reece Wilson's mother Jacqueline Parvin got a shock when she picked up the post from the doormat, because among the bills and letters addressed to her and her boyfriend
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Two pints and a vote slip, please
CASTING a vote need not always be a chore - particularly for people in the North Yorkshire village of Great Langton. At previous elections, the community, near Northallerton, has used a farm as the polling station. But outbreaks of foot-and-mouth ruled
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Eagles target Campbell
Middlesbrough striker Andy Campbell is a target for new Crystal Palace boss Steve Bruce. The 22-year-old handed in a transfer request on Thursday and having had Campbell under his wing at Sheffield United and failed in two attempts to bring him to Huddersfield
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Doug digs in for oche return
An annual invitation, the Crook Games League's annual presentation was made yet more pleasurable by bumping into our old friend Doug McCarthy, long time England darts international and former world number 13. We'd last met at Christmas 1999 when Doug,
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Doug digs in for oche return
An annual invitation, the Crook Games League's annual presentation was made yet more pleasurable by bumping into our old friend Doug McCarthy, long time England darts international and former world number 13. We'd last met at Christmas 1999 when Doug,
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Gale's cup half century is in vain
Alf Armes Junior Cup - DESPITE making the useful total of 103-2 from 20 overs, Dawdon made their exit from the Boddingtons Durham Coast League competition, losing by eight wickets to Ryhope. Stephen Gale stroked 10 boundaries in an unbeaten 51 when Dawdon
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Beautiful little warning signals
WHEN asked to conjure up an image of the quintessential English summer, most people would think of blue skies, leafy glades, warm sunshine and ... butterflies. The first three factors are not as reliable as they once were. Sadly, neither are the butterflies
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'Labour's big ideas' lead the way to victory
LABOUR shrugged aside the low turnout across the country, declaring that they had "won the battle for ideas". Chancellor Gordon Brown, the first Cabinet minister to be returned, pledged to put more money into public services. Mr Brown enjoyed a comfortable
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Into the count at a gallop - and the celebrations begin early
LABOUR supporters were celebrating across the region early today as it became apparent that the party had recorded an emphatic victory in the General Election. The scene was set as the North-East returned the quickest-ever declaration of an election result
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Four years on, and a crucial day for Blair family fortunes
IN FISHBURN, a solitary Socialist Labour Party canvasser is pounding the streets. In his jet- black trousers and bright white shoes, with his fluffy peaked cap pulled down tight, he looks like a Harry Enfield comedy character. "Now I don't think you really
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Nurse accused of murder at nursing home
A BORED nurse murdered a frail old patient after telling a colleague: "I wish she would hurry up and die to give me something to do," a court heard. Alison Firth, 36, was allegedly fed up after being told of a staff shake-up at St Aidan's Nursing Home
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Durham - Clock chimes again as bells are restored
AFTER 30 years silence the chime was right for a city centre church's clock to ring again. The timepiece at St Nicholas' Church, in Market Place, Durham City, marked noon last Wednesday after being fully restored to its former glory. The clock had been
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training scheme is driving up taxi standards hire and hire
COUNTY Durham is driving up taxi standards, thanks to a pilot training scheme. The initiative has put raising standards in customer service at the top of the public transport agenda and several drivers have completed the pilot course to gain the Intermediate
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Bank's £20,000 reward to catch armed robbery gang
A BANK has put up a £20,000 reward for information leading to the capture of members of an armed gang who subjected staff to a terrifying ordeal. The NatWest Bank offered the reward after five masked men stole money which was being delivered to a branch
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Latest output figures cast gloom over manufacturing
MANUFACTURING output figures showed their biggest monthly fall for nearly four years as the hi-tech sector came under increasing pressure. Economists say the manufacturing industry is now effectively in recession after the latest data from the Office
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Title joy for Danny
A COUNTY Durham youngster is celebrating after becoming a junior karate champion. Danny Metcalfe, a 12-year-old from Newton Aycliffe, is unbeaten in three years and beat James Dixon, from Manchester, over three rounds in the recent NASCKC Junior Grand
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Takeover approach for Body Shop
THE Body Shop has received a takeover approach. The group, which produces environmentally friendly cosmetics and toiletries, said it had received an approach from a third party which could lead to an offer being made. Body Shop said that talks were at
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Parking snag threatening flats scheme
DEVELOPERS hoping to convert a former Richmond fashion house into homes will have to wait a little longer for a decision. Councillors decided they wanted more information on where residents would park their cars before giving the project their blessing
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Joy over Lottery funding for sports development
A CRICKET club has been bowled over with news of a National Lottery grant. A £445,980 Sport England Lottery Fund award means that Saltburn Cricket, Bowls and Tennis Club can replace its 80-year-old buildings. With the added help of a £40,000 grant from
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Village reunion will revive 1950s memories
FRIENDSHIPS forged in a thriving 1950s community are to be revived with a reunion. John Beaston, 65, grew up in South Church, near Bishop Auckland, and has missed the close community spirit that prevailed in the village ever since he moved away. Children
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Plans for new cycle network considered
PLANS are being explored for the development of a cycle network connecting Middlesbrough and Whitby. The route will form part of the National Cycle Network and is being developed by Sustrans - a national charity that works on practical projects to encourage
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Festival still on despite epidemic
A DALES festival draws to a close this weekend, although organisers are hoping to be back with more later in the year. Swaledale Festival has been a victim of foot-and-mouth, with the programme truncated by the risk of spreading the disease into a part
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Jobs in store at Safeway
SUPERMARKET chain Safeway is to create 12,000 jobs at stores nationwide. The full-time and part-time posts will add to its 90,000-strong workforce. The announcement came as Safeway continued to press ahead with the upgrading of one-third of its 480 stores
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Finding golf a boar
GOLFERS encounter all kinds of problems during a round - but rarely have to put up with wild boars charging at them from the rough. That is the prospect facing the nervous members of rural Garesfield Golf Club. Boars have taken over woodland that borders
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Hearing a sham says sacked PC
A DISGRACED policeman, who was sacked for stealing a heating boiler, last night described his disciplinary hearing as a "sham". Brendon Whitehead, 36, was dismissed on Wednesday over the theft, after a two-week hearing which he did not attend. Now the
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BHS offers to iron out problems caught on video
RIDERS with no competitions to attend or with training problems are being offered practical help by the British Horse Society. They are being invited to send in a ten-minute video of either riding or lunging a horse, along with some brief details and
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Consett & Stanley - Artist's wish over painting is denied
ONE of the region's most famous artists, Sheila Mackie, had good and bad news this week in her quest to unravel her personal art mystery. The good news is that the circus painting she donated to the children of her home town of Chester-le-Street in 1958
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Quilt all stitched up
PENSIONER Jean Watson hopes her double bed-sized quilt will help to spread a little happiness and warmth. Quilter Mrs Watson has been working on her grand design for the past 18 months. Thousands of stitches have gone into it. The quilt along with other
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More money than sense
Bribery and corruption is all very well - but only if it works. Reports in the papers this week say that many parents are apparently offering their children cash rewards for good GCSE grades, a mind-boggling £100 for an A, £75 for a B, etc. Which only
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Display teaches food safety
YOUNGSTERS have been invited to the MetroCentre next week to learn about food safety. The Foodlink Food Safety Roadshow will be at the Gateshead shopping centre on Thursday, and pupils from six schools will be visiting it. They will be able to see a UV
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More money than sense
Bribery and corruption is all very well - but only if it works. Reports in the papers this week say that many parents are apparently offering their children cash rewards for good GCSE grades, a mind-boggling £100 for an A, £75 for a B, etc. Which only
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Bowls News
Durham and District League - MURTON gained a massive home win over Fishburn Club to move into second place in the Third Division, five points behind the leaders, Newton Hall but one point ahead of third-placed Wolsingham. The Murton results (home skips
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Acts lined up for folk festival
SOME of Britain's best folk musicians will be in Durham City next month. The Durham Gathering, which is in its sixth year, is one of the country's leading folk festivals and brings together established performers and local talent. The event will take
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Tennis News
Slazenger Harrogate and District League - Thirsk were pipped at the post by The Academy who are bidding to win the First Division Championship at their first attempt. In an early season pointer to success Thirsk, runners-up last season to title holders
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National strategy vital to get beef cattle on the move
A WARNING of a dramatic slump in domestic beef production was issued by the National Beef Association this week. Hundreds of thousands of beef animals were on the wrong farms, it said, and unless a sensible system was quickly established for moving them
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Ethel's doppelganger is a golden ale
ETHEL the Quaker Coffee House ghost just may have tipped the scales for the tiny freehouse in this year's CAMRA pub of the year competition. For the second year running the pub, tucked away in Mechanics' Yard and owned by Mrs Christine Farnaby, has scooped
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Wear Valley - Stench keeps children inside
PARENTS living near a mass foot-and-mouth burial site were forced to lock their children indoors as the putrid smell of rotting flesh enveloped their homes. Many residents living in Tow Law, say slight rain over the weekend caused flooding at the controversial
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Wellock's World
IF David Beckham were to enquire: "What's a Greek urn?" the answer would doubtless be: "Several million drachma less than you." So it was most kind of the Greeks to pelt the England captain with enough of their coinage to buy several ouzos after Wednesday
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Scooter sales are revving
TEESSIDE is officially the scooter capital of the North. Scooter sales at the areas biggest retailer are growing by 53 per cent a year, compared with 25 per cent everywhere else outside of London. The 1 stop Scooter Shop, which has branches in Thornaby
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Councillor in party switch
A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has switched to Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party following a complaint about his behaviour and attendance record at council meetings. Coun Ken Seymour, who was suspended from the Liberal Democrat group on Redcar and
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Woman, 84, is victim of bogus gardeners
AN 84-year-old villager became the latest victim in a new spate of bogus callers to homes in the Darlington area when she fell foul of green-fingered conmen. The two men called at the house in Sadberge, near Darlington, at about 3pm on Tuesday, and asked
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School mourns death of teacher
TRIBUTES have been paid by former colleagues and pupils of retired senior schoolmistress Valerie Waller, who died suddenly at her home at the age of 67. Mrs Waller taught biology and French at Staindrop Comprehensive School for more than 25 years, before
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Media on the trail of Mandelson
FOR weeks, the town has been at the centre of a media circus as reporters and TV crews from around the country wanted to catch up with Peter Mandelson. The ex-cabinet member had a large majority to defend, 17,508, but it was unclear how many of those
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World's top actors to be invited
WORLD famous actors such as Kenneth Branagh, Jeremy Irons, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen are on the invitation list when the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) celebrates its silver jubilee of Newcastle seasons in November. RSC associate director
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Marwood in the runs
Hunters Estate Agency York and District Senior League - Easingwold skipper Jonathan Marwood made an unbeaten century as he and Damon Smith put together the best stand of the season in the Premier Division when they added 181 for the second wicket against
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Handsome Harwood
Roseberry Group North East Durham League - Plawsworth's Peter Harwood turned in a magnificent performance when he just about bowled out North Bitchburn single-handedly when the sides met in Division One. Harwood claimed nine for 41 in 13 overs and what
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Thanks so much, says Mo
REDCAR'S outgoing MP, Mo Mowlam, paid tribute to the people of the area who have supported her during her years as the town's MP. She told The Clarion: "I would like to thank all the people in Redcar who have voted for me - and those that haven't - who
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Parish council wins fight to stop homes
A PARISH council has won its fight to prevent homes being built outside its community development limits. Langthorpe Parish Council, near Boroughbridge, strongly opposed plans for four homes on grazing land and a paddock behind Langthorpe Villa. It highlighted
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Swimming News
Nicola Jackson (Richmond), who has broken over 40 British junior and senior records, had a successful weekend at the British Grand Prix final in the Manchester Commonwealth Games pool where she won the 50m and 100m butterfly and was third in a very close
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Motoring enthusiasts meet up to celebrate
UP to 50 classic car owners are revving up for one of the highlights of the North-East motoring calendar - the Morgan Car Club Meeting at Beamish Museum. For fans of the sleek curves, spoked wheels and the throaty roar of a V8 engine, this Sunday's gathering
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Letters: The deceit about moorland grants
Sir, - For the second time in a month, you have carried an article which might cause your readers to believe that some vast income generated by grouse shooting pays for the conservation and regeneration of the country's heather moorland. This is a cynical
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Dominoes News
Tow Law and District League - Hamilton Row Black Horse established themselves as the early league leaders after they won by the odd point at Tow Law Rose and Crown. The home side had wins from Colin Hayton and Gloria Metcalfe while the Horse went to victory
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Landmark in poverty fight
A SCHEME to give youngsters a better start in life is celebrating its first anniversary. The Sure Start East Cleveland Partnership, part of a Government initiative, was launched in Loftus last May. It now has 28 members of staff and offers a series of
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Talent of a kindly caricaturist drawn to record an entire generation
COINED a new word myself once. Back in 1961. Europower, I said snappily in a headline about electricity being imported by undersea line from France. Never caught on though. Annibale Caracci, one of the Italian old masters of the 17th century, had better
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Straw is new Foreign Secretary
Jack Straw replaced Robin Cook as Foreign Secretary in a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Tony Blair last night. David Blunkett's much-publicised move to the Home Office was officially confirmed. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott
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Royal licence may return home
A RARE royal licence granted to a market town by Queen Victoria could be making a return to its home after years spent unnoticed in a cellar. The licence, dated 1846, bears the Queen's original seal and grants permission for markets and two fairs a year
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Spraire's final fling
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League - After managing to complete all of the league programme, attention turned to the remaining league cup and in an all-First Division final Spraire Lads took the honours with a 3-0 win against Springfield
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The real damage left by burglars
IT IS a sick and twisted logic, but there are burglars and thieves who make believe that stealing items from garden sheds and outhouses is not too serious an offence. People claim everything back off their insurance, they argue. They're not really harming
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Family endures anxious wait
THE parents of a four-year-old stroke victim are still waiting for test results six months after their daughter had a scan. Emma Brown, from Richmond, was aged just two years and nine months when she suffered three strokes in February last year. Her distraught
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Question over future of learning centre
A TRAINING facility opened by the Duke of Westminster three years ago in a blaze of glory is trying to dispel rumours it is under threat. Norman Richardson House at Middleton in Teesdale has been offering courses in catering, tourism, the leisure industry
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You should breakfast like a king
IT is, of course, the most important meal of the day - which is why most of us ignore it. Long gone are the days when most families started the day sitting down round the table together for something cooked and nutritious. A bacon sandwich is too time-consuming
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Financial abuse in spotlight
A LAW firm is highlighting a change that means domestic violence now incudes financial abuse. Redcar-based Cygnet Family Law said abuse has mainly been assumed to be physical, sexual or emotional, taking place between partners whether they are married
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Over-50s taken on history tour
A GROUP of over-50s discovered that the classroom is not necessarily the best place to learn during Adult Learners' Week. Residents from the west end of Newcastle invited to take part in a tour of the city's quayside to learn about its history and explore
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Nature reserve reins in volunteers with some horse play
WOULD-BE volunteers took a break from their usual labours yesterday - to take the reins of Tees the shire horse. The mighty animal was in action hauling logs at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Askham Bog nature reserve, near York. He was providing the
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£2,000 aid for support group
A SUPPORT group for people with an incurable nerve disease has been presented with a cheque for £2,000. The Ned North Lodge, Darlington and district branch, handed over the cash to the Multiple Sclerosis Hambleton Support Group at a social evening in
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One-stop farm shop goes ahead
A ONE-stop farm shop offering a wide range of local and regional produce opens this weekend. Mr Andrew Henshaw and his wife, Maria, have decided to press ahead and open to the public, despite the foot-and-mouth crisis. The shop is a paradise for lovers
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Club will give farmers place to meet
HARRISON & Hetherington are to hold the first gathering of their new Borderway Farmers' Club at Borderway Mart on Monday, June 18. The firm wants to offer farmers the chance to meet and have a chat - an opportunity few will have had since the foot-and-mouth
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School interpreter helps Japanese sisters settle in
AN interpreter has been called into the classroom to help two Japanese sisters settle into their new school. Translator Kumiko Hopkinson is working with Rikako and Saori Kamamoto to help them to break through the language barrier. The sisters, who hail
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'Don't laugh, but I thought I was the Virgin Mary'
IT'S not every day that someone tells you they used to be the Virgin Mary. But Irene Whitehill, an engaging, sober, professional woman who has suffered bouts of manic depression for 20 years seems to have a remarkably laid-back attitude towards an illness
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Chester le Street - Police officers earn awards
TWO police officers who pulled a woman from a burning car and a rookie PC who excelled in his first year in the force have won awards from Durham Constabulary. PC Dave Sampson, 32, and PC Peter Tate, 27, have been awarded the Matt Wilkinson Trophy, presented
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Redcar take on rest of the world
Redcar WMC take on four of the world's best pub football teams when they compete for the International Carlsberg Pub Cup in Sweden this weekend. The Cleveland club qualified for the international tournament when they won the national competition at Liverpool's
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Sailing News
Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club - The second of this Trident sponsored NE Youth Travellers Series was held at DRSC last Friday. The horrible weather forecast of rain and strong winds kept some competitors away, but even so 24 boats took to the water with
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Volunteers' caribbean celebrations washed out
VOLUNTEERS were forced to abandon their stalls as torrential rain ruined their Caribbean celebrations. Darlington Council for Voluntary Service and Volunteer Bureau was hoping for blue skies when it arranged for Caribbean music and food to entertain shoppers
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Allstars' grand gesture ends in tears
Darlington Allstars reduced the opposition to tears at a Blackpool football tournament. They were awarded the fair play honour and promptly handed it to another side who had been battered in the Under-14 competition. The little Liverpool lads from Walter
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Fears growing for missing girl
POLICE are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a teenager who went missing from her home on Tuesday last week. Kirsty Richardson, 14, who is originally from the Radford area of Nottingham, recently moved to Kimblesworth, near Chester-le-Street
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Water company remains buoyant
WATER company Kelda has made important progress during the past year, despite profits being hit by regulatory price cuts. The group, owners of Yorkshire Water, saw pre-tax profits drop to £156.4m in the year to March 31 - a fall of 30 per cent. That was
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Student sets sights on job as designer
A STUDENT has designs on a career in the theatre after being offered a place with a top drama group. Kate Potter, 18, from Hurworth, near Darlington, is to spend nine weeks with the National Youth Theatre (NYT) as a set designer. She was one of only 180
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Plea on air gun attacks
POLICE are appealing for information following a spate of incidents involving air rifles. Two weeks ago, a 28-year-old pregnant woman was shot in the thigh as she walked near a football pitch at Perkinsville, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham. A 17
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Music will light up the sky
A Last Night of the Proms concert at Raby castle will be accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display. The open-air concert, on Sunday, August 26, will feature the Performing Arts Symphony with the castle near Staindrop as a stunning backdrop. The fireworks
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Something to offend everyone
ANYONE of an impressionable age and cinematic bent in the late 1960s and early 1970s will have come into contact with Michael Armstrong's work. You won't find him listed in the respected Halliwell's Film Guide but he is featured in Doing Rude Things,
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Something to offend everyone
ANYONE of an impressionable age and cinematic bent in the late 1960s and early 1970s will have come into contact with Michael Armstrong's work. You won't find him listed in the respected Halliwell's Film Guide but he is featured in Doing Rude Things,
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£1m boost for water sports centre
SPORT England has agreed to invest close on £1m in an innovative water sports centre on the River Tees. Currently under construction on the north bank for the Tees river users' trust, the £1.5m centre will accommodate several water sports clubs and provide
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Careers service judged to be best in Britain
A LOCAL careers service has been named top national performer across the board. Teesside's Future Steps careers service came out best out of the five regional services in the Government's high performance tables. It beat all four of the headline targets
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Durham face uphill task
DURHAM will have to bat even better tomorrow than they did last Saturday if they are to record their second successive championship win. They go into the final day at Derby 272 behind and the hosts still have four wickets standing, giving them a ticklish
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Police drivers face new 'safety' test
EVERY driver in a North-East police force is to face a strict new test of their skills behind the wheel. Any Durham Constabulary officer who fails the 90-minute 150 point road test faces suspension from driving police vehicles and will be forced to sit
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Director warns tenants over bogus canvassers
COUNCIL tenants across the borough of Stockton are being warned about canvassers claiming to be associated with the council or the government. The callers are offering to get repair work carried out quickly, and have been asking tenants to sign a housing
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Pupils take trip back to the war
COUNTY Durham youngsters will be given the chance to travel back in time to when the world was engulfed in war. Primary pupils will visit the DLI, formerly the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery, next week, to learn about the Second World War
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Openers end long wait for solid start
MATTHEW Wood and Scott Richardson yesterday brought to an end Yorkshire's first wicket run famine by putting on 152 together against Kent at Headingley. It was Yorkshire's highest opening partnership since Michael Vaughan and David Byas added 299 off
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Dozen carcasses prompts fresh call to motorists
A MOTORIST was shocked to find a dozen dead sheep and lambs at the side of a moorland road. Mr Chris Abbott, of Redcar, said the bodies of two sheep and ten lambs had appeared recently on the unfenced stretch of road between Castleton and Hutton-le-Hole
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Time to deliver
TONY Blair was returned to power early today with an historic second landslide - leaving the Tory party facing disaster and William Hague's leadership in serious doubt. But millions of voters took the shine off Labour's victory by staying away from the
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Letters: Thanks for your help and patience
Sir, - The problems of foot-and-mouth disease have hit this region very hard. Unfortunately there are still cases arising within the region, and we do not know when the disease will finally go away. However, I would like to record the enormous thanks
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Teen hero aids hurt pensioner
A TEENAGER has been hailed a hero after he went to the aid of a pensioner who had severed an artery in his arm. Matthew Sweeney was in Redcar Cemetery putting flowers on his wife's grave last Wednesday when he slipped on dog dirt and fell over a glass
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Link-up suits football-mad youngsters
PUPILS at a school on Teesside could get inside information on next year's World Cup. They are students at Egglescliffe School, Eaglescliffe, where high-tech links with a secondary school in Inchon, South Korea, were given a VIP launch, yesterday. South
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Action to end dales power cuts
LENGTHY power cuts should soon be a thing of the past in Swaledale and Wensleydale, thanks to a five-year plan to improve electricity supplies. Northern Electric Distribution has already started upgrading power lines and circuitry in the two dales and
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Consett & Stanley - Thieves pose as charity staff to steal bags
THIEVES have been targeting a disabled persons charity. Managers at the Stanley branch of Scope, which helps sufferers of cerebral palsy, have asked the public for help after the third time the thieves struck. The two criminals, a boy aged about 13 with
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Irish Skater seals double win for Julie
JULIE Robinson from Stokesley was in tremendous form at Richmond's senior show, where she won the 1m open with her 15-year-old advanced eventer Just Dominic. The duo, also winners at Weston Park International last year, finished ahead of Angela Lowrie
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Pub chain to look again at conversion scheme
A REAL ale pub chain is taking a fresh look at plans to convert a Durham office after running into opposition from planners. J D Wetherspoon has withdrawn its planning application for the empty Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society in North Road
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Local is open all (polling) hours
THE Three Horseshoes pub had more visitors than usual by lunchtime yesterday. To be precise 30 extra patrons had crossed the doors of the local in Maiden Law, near Lanchester, County Durham, not for a pint, but to exercise their democratic rights. Far
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Charity workers' contribtion recognised
CHARITY workers have been presented with an award in recognition of their achievements. The members of Marske Ladies' Lifeboat Guild were presented with a long service award by Valerie Nixon, senior area organiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute
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Auckland and District Ebac Youth League
The newly-formed Coundon and Leeholme junior club, which is to field and Under-18 side in the league next season, has a strong and experienced set of officials. Former Crook Town manager and ex-Newcastle United winger Alan Shoulder is the club president
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Upset over public road and park plan for farm
THE Green party has thrown its weight behind a campaign to stop a road and car park being built to access woodland off Barmpton Lane in Darlington. Last month planning councillors heard local objections to the scheme and deferred a decision over permission
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All quiet in hotel that had to cancel offer
A HOTEL which had to cancel a special offer when it was asked to take on the role of a polling station had a quiet day after all yesterday. The owners of Walworth Castle Hotel, near Darlington, had no idea of the site's history as a voting venue until
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Luke's triumph
Luke Smallman followed his father's tracks into speed skating and has now surpassed him by becoming a British Champion. The Hartlepool 13-year-old took the pee-wee category (Under-14) title in Nottingham where he came up against opposition from across
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Pine replicas bring in £3m turnover
A MAN whose interest in furniture began while he was working as a hired hand moving antiques during house clearances has seen his business achieve a £3m-plus turnover this year. Born-again biker Mr Mike Keen, who owns a Harley-Davidson he does not have
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'Appalling' path labs spark test fears
QUESTIONS have been raised about the effect the state of the pathology department at the Friarage hospital in Northallerton is having on the accuracy of clinical tests carried out there. The concerns were raised at this week's meeting of Northallerton
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We're not deserting our leader, say battered Tories
The Tories may have not won the war, but early today battered troops maintained their belief in the leadership. Michael Portillo and Kenneth Clarke, William Hague's principal rivals for the top job, insisted it was premature to start talking about leadership
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Foot-and-mouth cash for rural businesses
CIVIC leaders have put an appeal out to businesses affected by foot-and-mouth disease - to help them give away cash. Derwentside District Council has granted business rates relief to two companies affected by the crises, compared to dozens in Teesdale
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Foot-and-mouth cash for rural businesses
CIVIC leaders have put an appeal out to businesses affected by foot-and-mouth disease - to help them give away cash. Derwentside District Council has granted business rates relief to two companies affected by the crises, compared to dozens in Teesdale
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Comment from The Northern Echo - Now Labour must roll up its sleeves
TONY Blair was last night heading back to power with a second landslide - but he will be the first to concede that the celebrations must swiftly give way to the harsh realisation of what lies ahead. Based on the exit polls and the country's first result
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Girl, 13, held over drugs
A GIRL of 13 has been arrested by police investigating the source of sleeping tablets taken by 14 teenagers who later needed hospital treatment. The pills were believed to have been taken from a medicine cabinet and were later swallowed by the teenagers
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Back to reality
A PRIORITY for the new government today is to apply its mind once more to the foot-and-mouth crisis. It is, despite what some might have thought observing the election campaign, still a crisis affecting thousands of farmers. The human cost of the disease
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National Portrait Gallery identifies North-East site
TOURISM bosses have welcomed news that an £8m extension of the world famous National Portrait Gallery could be established in the region. Director of the London gallery Dr Charles Smith has revealed that Durham is the number one site for a new satellite
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Jobs in prospect as business park deal is settled
A DEAL has been signed to ensure the start on a multi-million pound Darlington business park to rival anything else in the North-East. It could create as many as 2,000 jobs. The regional development agency, One North-East has committed itself to the project
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Road restriction urged
RESIDENTS in Dormanstown are calling for a weight limit to be imposed on a main road being used as a rat run. They want a three ton weight limit imposing on The Broadway, but engineers from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council say there are not enough
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All-girl school offers earlier scholarship
AN all-girl school is for the first time offering seven-year-old children the chance to win four-year scholarships. Polam Hall School, in Darlington, already offers a number of scholarships which, like this one, are awarded following an examination open
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Chemical firm has formula for growth
RISING demand for environmentally-sound products helped chemical and technology group Johnson Matthey report a 25 per cent rise in full-year profits. The company said the pace of growth had encouraged it to announce plans for a new manufacturing plant
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Mayor's aims attacked
A POLITICAL row is brewing in Guisborough because of comments by the town's new mayor. Last month Coun Barbara Punshon said her aims for her year in office included projects on play areas, cleaning the Chapel Beck and the surrounding area, planting hanging
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Best election since heyday of Lloyd George
THE Liberal Democrats are on course for their best election since the heyday of Lloyd George. The canny campaign spearheaded by Charles Kennedy appeared to have hit a chord with the voters. The party also seemed to be benefiting from tactical voting and
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Three shot as they go to vote
Two police officers and a woman were injured last night after a gunman opened fire on a polling station in Co Londonderry. The incident occurred outside St Mary's Primary School in Draperstown at about 9.45pm. A gunman stepped out of a car and opened
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Athletics News
Shildon Running & AC - Tom Carroll, who lives at Billy Row, Crook, gave an excellent display of 200m running at the second fixture of the Tyneside track and field league at the Gateshead International Stadium on Wednesday week. Carroll won the 200m
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Hear All Sides
Letters From The Northern Echo FOOT-AND-MOUTH THERE is a constant flow of unlikely speculations about the nature of foot-and-mouth and the actions by the Government to stop it spreading. This has not been a fiasco, as someone suggested, but deadly serious
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Stranded sailors end hunger strike but wage row rages on
STRANDED Russian sailors have abandoned their hunger strike - but say they will continue to protest against a lack of wages. Two crew members of the Vismark Gloria, berthed beside Cammell Laird, South Bank, in Middlesbrough, refused food for six days
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Chester le Street - Pubgoers raise cash for school play area
PRIMARY school pupils are now £2,000 closer to the dream of a new playground. Cestria Primary School, in Church Chare, Chester-le-Street, needs to raise around £25,000 for the project to build a new play area. Landlady Irene Boyers, who runs the town's
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North Yorkshire - Royal visitor draws the crowds
FROM the medieval to the millennium, the Duke of York was given a real history lesson during a flying visit to the region last week. The Duke was in Bedale to see the town celebrate the 750th anniversary of the awarding of its market charter with a series
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It's all-change at top for Crook
Crook Town have gained a major face lift in their bid to regain former glories - starting with trying to regain a spot in the top flight of the Albany Northern League at the first attempt. Newcastle-born Dave Buchanan has accepted the job of general manager
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Firm's cast-iron agricultural legacy is recorded in museum
MR Malcolm Gill could hardly believe his eyes, or his luck, after he and his wife bought the restored Crakehall watermill just over two years ago. On a tour of his newly-acquired property, which is in full working order thanks to the far-sighted efforts
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Residents welcomed back home
THERE was an extra special welcome home for residents of 17th-century almshouses undergoing a million pound makeover. The grade one listed Sir William Turner's Hospital at Kirkleatham, which provides sheltered accommodation for the elderly, has been undergoing
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Winter forage could be in short supply
A WINTER forage shortfall has been predicted, following early silage tests. First grass sample results from around the country - excluding foot and mouth restricted areas - have revealed low yields and low dry matters, but good sugar and nitrogen content
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Wellock's World
IF David Beckham were to enquire: "What's a Greek urn?" the answer would doubtless be: "Several million drachma less than you." So it was most kind of the Greeks to pelt the England captain with enough of their coinage to buy several ouzos after Wednesday
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Wearside League
Wolviston's Keith Simpson was named as the person who works hardest for a club when the Wearside League held its annual dinner in Sunderland last Friday, writes MALCOLM PRATT. Simpson, who has had a long association with Wolviston, is currently the club's
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Team's charity trek helps out youngsters
A TEAM of refinery workers has been helping dreams come true by taking part in a triathlon in the French Alps. Through their efforts, BP Wilton, Teesside, workers Phil Connor, Carl Slatter, Lisa Price and Peter Brazukas, raised more than £6,500 for the
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Byers taste cup glory
A magnificent display of sheer effort and desire saw Byers Green Under-10s Haze defeat League champions City of Durham Bees in the Russell Foster League Cup Final. Byers won with a solitary Reece Ellis strike midway through the first half during which
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FMD means more cancelled events
THE foot-and-mouth crisis has continued to take its toll on summer events. The Masham steam rally, Nidderdale show and a Bedale 750 event were all cancelled this week. The loss of the Masham event, scheduled to take place on July 21 and 22, was a major
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Pupils build up industry know-how
YOUNGSTERS from Skelton Junior School spent a special day learning about the construction industry. The year four pupils attended the construction day at Redcar and Cleveland College thanks to sponsorship by the Construction Industry Training Board and
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Pony dates
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - July 19-Aug 2: Main camp at Queen Ethelberga's College. Open to pony club members ten years and over. Details on 01677 427216. British Eventing. - June 10: Cross country training competition at Thirsk to include ditches
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Labour of love for Edith, 102
THERE were no prizes for guessing how 102-year-old Edith Ainsley would vote as she turned up at the polling station clutching a red rose. The pensioner, who is the oldest resident at Kiltondale Care Home, in Brotton, east Cleveland, was accompanied by
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Safety wardens step out
A SCHEME to bring wardens into all Redcar and Cleveland communities took a step forward on Monday. The community safety warden scheme is designed to tackle environmental damage and anti-social behaviour. The scheme was piloted in Brotton, Teesville and
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Childcare website launched
A childcare website has been launched. The Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) website will be an essential resource for anyone living in the Sunderland area who needs advice or information about childcare issues. It was launched
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Family heartache after dog is rehomed following mix-up
A FAMILY are making a desperate plea for the return of their pet - after an administrative error saw the pedigree dog handed to another family. Lynne Fowler, from Sunnybrow, near Willington, and her 12-year-old daughter Nicola were distraught when their
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Vote cast, it's all over bar the counting for
THE right to vote has been enjoyed by the electorate for generations. A simple card, a simple paper, a simple cross - a democratic right exercised, although perhaps not employed, by about 30 million people across the country. Strange then, that the vote
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Robinson keeps her rivals in the shade
RACHEL Robinson of Richmond and Zetland Harriers continued her winning ways at Starbeck in race three of the Harrogate and District Summer Road Race League. She finished the 5 mile off-road course from the Railway Sports and Social Club more than a minute
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Record of a rural sport hanging on by the skin of its teeth
FOX hunting has been one of the most emotive rural issues and has divided our nation for decades. So when Norton-based photographer Andy Elliot started looking for a venue to show his pictures of the bloodsport, he was surprised at the response. "A certain
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Tories in turmoil as Hague resigns
THE Tory Party was last night facing the prospect of another prolonged bout of bitter in-fighting after the shock decision of William Hague to quit in the wake of his crushing election defeat. As Labour celebrated winning a majority of more than 160,
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Snooker News
South West Durham Association - Hopetown extended their lead to two points at the top of the First Division after whitewashing their hosts Old Shildon. Second placed Albert Hill dropped a point at Harrowgate Hill, while Darlington Cricket Club moved up
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Wear Valley - Charity forced to sell aid supplies
A CHARITY is being forced to sell off humanitarian aid destined for Eastern Europe because it is too difficult to get supplies through. Operation Joseph, based in Bishop Auckland, was set up just over three years ago to distribute urgently-needed supplies
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Reid bids to Laslandes Frenchman
Sunderland boss Peter Reid is planning a £3 million swoop for French international striker Lilian Laslandes. Reid confirmed the burly Bordeaux ace is one of the players at the top of his summer shopping list. Laslandes, 29, who has won seven caps for
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Donation shines light at museum
A UNIQUE museum will be glowing thanks to a donation from a local company. The Tom Leonard Mining Museum in Skinningrove has recreated the underground experience that miners would have endured more than 100 years ago. Candlelight helps the authenticity
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The real damage left by burglars
IT IS a sick and twisted logic, but there are burglars and thieves who make believe that stealing items from garden sheds and outhouses is not too serious an offence. People claim everything back off their insurance, they argue. They're not really harming
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Factory strike avoided as workers accept revised pay deal
A STRIKE over pay has been avoided after "long and hard" negotiations at a factory. A narrow majority of Transport and General Workers' Union members at Schmitz Cargobull factory, at Harelaw Industrial Estate, near Stanley, County Durham, voted to accept
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Man who's on the way up
KEN Braithwaite thought he might as well aim high when it comes to fundraising. Keen to bring in cash for his local church and a cancer charity, he rose to a challenge from fellow Rotary Club members. And that means that on June 23 he will be walking
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See the show, catch the Fever
Saturday Night Fever, Sunderland Empire Showing until Saturday, June 23 If you are of a certain age, the music and moves of Saturday Night Fever will be in your blood. The Bee Gees rule absolutely, and how can anybody else hope to do their music justice
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Sunday treat for Ripon racegoers
SUNDAY racing returns to Ripon this weekend when the action is scheduled to start at 2.10. An entertaining family day out is assured at one of Britain's most picturesque racecourses, with a variety of attractions for children centred on the two playgrounds
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De luxe burger goes to national finals
A BURGER invented by a North Yorkshire butcher has made it to the final of a barbecue competition. Mr Tim Stothard of High Side Butchers at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, entered the Meat and Livestock Commission's competition, held during national barbecue
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Darlington - Lorry campaigners win their first battle
CAMPAIGNERS pushing for a lorry ban on a busy Newton Aycliffe road have claimed their first victory. The Kings Drive Residents' Association want to see a total ban on all heavy goods vehicles over seven-and-a-half tonnes using Burn Lane. Members say a
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Vets booked in 'to carry out blood tests'
A LOCAL NFU branch secretary has dismissed rumours of a mass cull of livestock in Teesdale once the general election is over. Mr Phil Barber agreed that rumours of MAFF vets booking accommodation all over the area were spreading like wildfire. "I understand
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Durham - Children choose new social services boss
A WOMAN appointed to one of the top social services roles in the region faced an unusual panel during her interview process for the job. Debbie Jones, Durham County Council's new head of children and family services, had to give a presentation to a panel
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Wilks and Henderson stay in contention
LOCAL drivers David Henderson and Guy Wilks maintained their championship challenges with fine performances in round two of the Ford Puma 1400 Championship at the UK Rally Challenge at Knockhill last Saturday. Despite the mixed weather conditions, which
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Cash for water park planting
DISUSED reservoirs are being transformed into a thriving nature park at Middleton St George with the help of a £2,500 grant. The money from County Durham environmental trust is for more improvements to the village water park centred on three redundant
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The best time to get a team online
A NEW promotion means there's never been a better time to get your group or club online with CommuniGate, the Darlington & Stockton Times' free websites for non-profit groups initiative at: www.communigate.co.uk/ne. Thanks to Currys - Britain's leading
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North Yorkshire - Rural safety push begins
A MAJOR project to improve public safety in rural communities has been launched by the emergency services. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with police and ambulance bosses to develop a pilot scheme, which will run for 18 months throughout
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Campaigners' polling protest
CAMPAIGNERS took their fight to close a mass foot-and-mouth burial site to the polling stations in Tony Blair's constituency yesterday. In a move to attract the Labour leader's attention, residents from Tow Law, County Durham, travelled to Trimdon to
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Danielle catches the eye with both bat and ball
Danielle Hazell is making teams in The Readers Durham County League Under-13 Division sit up and take notice of her batting and bowling performances. The 13-year old, who attends Deerness Comprehensive School, has played five matches for Esh Winning.
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Letters: What is new?
Sir, - Margaret Cave misses the point when she says "There's nowt truly new under the sun" (D&S, June 1). Take two examples, New Labour is really a 19th century liberal party but it appears "new" in the 21st, and would a Summer Roll (recipe of the
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Nature park cash boost for project
AN environmental project which has transformed a disused reservoir into a thriving nature park has received a funding boost. Middleton St George Water Park has received £2,500 from the County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT) to further improve the habitat
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Music, a universal language
KOREAN music could be heard at Egglescliffe school this week, when an international educational project was launched by the Anglo-Korean Forum. Musician Inok Paek performed at the launch, which was attended by business, educational, political and diplomatic
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Farming family hit by FMD suffer double tragedy
A FARMER whose livestock was confirmed with foot-and-mouth has suffered a second tragedy after his son-in-law collapsed and died helping to gather sheep off a moor for slaughter. Mr Ivan Wilcox, aged 40, collapsed on Wednesday as he helped gather the
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Imagine can land Oaks for O'Brien
AIDEN O'BRIEN'S domination of European Classic scene appears all set to continue this afternoon at Epsom where Imagine (3.55) has outstanding claims in the £325,000 Vodafone Oaks. Imagine's victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday May 27 completed
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Irish children to visit region on exchange
PUPILS from a special school in Ireland will have a taste of life in the North-East later this month. Following the Good Friday Agreement, an initiative was launched to promote links between schools in the north and south of Ireland, followed by a scheme
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New career beckons for young rider
THE foot-and-mouth crisis has opened the way for a young Aiskew motorcyclist to make his mark on the speedway circuit. While the impact of the disease on the countryside has left Richard Hall (pictured above) and his parents with two relatively new grass
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T-shirt sniffing could help improve fertility rates
WIRED-UP women students will soon be sniffing men's t-shirts as part of a bizarre but deadly serious study into fertility problems. Researchers at Newcastle University have recruited around half of the 160 young women needed for a study which could raise
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Darlington - Donation helps to take care of carers
A CARERS' centre has been boosted by a donation which will help fund training sessions for volunteers. The Princess Royal Trust Sedgefield Locality Carers' Centre, based in Newton Aycliffe, has received £2,500 from Barclays Bank. Pauline Irvin, personal
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A woman's place is in her library
ONCE upon a time, there lived a young mum in windy Edinburgh who couldn't get to the library because of a blizzard. Being a lover of books, she'd read everything in the house from cover to cover and, so missed her reading, that one day she thought: "If
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Racing Week by Jo Scott
SUNDAY racing, evening meetings, summer jumping - after the disrupted winter there is now plenty for the most avid race fan to enjoy. And today the Oaks, tomorrow the Derby, return to the BBC after a long gap. We don't have any direct northern interest
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No new hunt for Ripper hoaxer
THE POLICE hunt for Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer Wearside Jack has been all but abandoned, despite renewed publicity. Millions of television viewers heard the artificially aged voice of the hoaxer broadcast on the programme Real Crime: The Hunt for Wearside
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Hague resigns as Tory leader after party's poor show
WILLIAM Hague dramatically announced this morning that he is to quit as Tory leader after his party's heavy election defeat. Speaking outside Conservative Central office, he said he would step down as leader of the party when a successor can be elected
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Thriving online shoe company is step ahead
EUROPE'S largest online shoe store has delivered a boost to e-commerce in the North-East by revealing that it has gone into profit eight months ahead of schedule. Shoe-shop.com, founded by Middlesbrough menswear fashion specialist Steve Cochrane and footwear
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Countryman's Diary; Flycatcher spotted having a bath
OUR garden has been graced by the presence of a spotted flycatcher. His presence was revealed one evening as he launched himself spectacularly from a wall in a highly acrobatic fly-catching flight. Since then, I've noticed him performing similar sorties
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Playing the Darlington stadium name game
SO, the impressive stadium being built for Darlington football club by the town's bypass will have the words George Reynolds in its name. Observers of recent events surrounding the football club would have expected nothing less. The club's chief benefactor
