Archive
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School's pride over effort by athletes
A BOYS' athletics team from the region has done its school proud in a national competition. The junior boys team from Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough, beat competition from hundreds of other schools to represent the region at the Sky Sports Track
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Battling against the waves
A BARGE as big as the Riverside stadium is transporting thousands of Norwegian rocks to protect coastal communities from slipping into the sea. The huge boulders, which weigh at least eight tonnes each, are being shipped in to ensure a safer future for
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Young footballers get smart look for new season
YOUNG footballers in east Cleveland have been smartening up their act thanks to a new set of bibs donated by Transco. The gas pipeline company donated the new blue bibs to the under-15s squad at New Marske Football Club. The club has players of all ages
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Suffering in the name of beauty
I AM, generally, a low-maintenance woman. A little bit of lippy for a night out, a few packets of disposable razors to get me, or rather my legs and armpits, through the summer and, occasionally, some clumsily applied polish on my toenails is just about
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Pensioner's trip ends in crash
A NEW Zealand pensioner's trip to North Yorkshire for his grandson's baptism ended in a court appearance and tears yesterday. Brian Cooper, who is staying at Howsham, near York, got lost after a day out in Harrogate, on Wednesday, and found himself heading
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Beach alert after rescue
THREE boys were rescued by Redcar lifeboat after they were found hanging on to the legs of Saltburn Pier. The drama began just after 7.30pm last Thursday when the Redcar relief Atlantic Lifeboat was launched following a report that a small boat was in
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Test facility helps gas flow
A TESTING facility in County Durham has played a vital part in a multi-million pound project that will bring Norwegian gas to British shores. Advantica Technologies' Bishop Auckland test facility has tested pipeline components which will be used in pipes
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Gala boost for job-hit community
THE scene was a far cry from the recent gloom of job losses as families celebrated at their annual steel gala on Sunday. One of the area's biggest summer attractions, the Teesside Steel Family Gala, brought the usual crowds to Redcar Rugby Club. The closure
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All change at the top with new head
Mrs Valerie Vayro is the new headteacher at Laurel Avenue Primary School. She began teaching at Wolsingham Primary School 21 years ago, before moving to Peases West, in Billy Row, where she taught for another year. Onward and upward to Howden-le-Wear,
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Council lifts ban on lorry movements over car park
A MAJOR extension project to a Northallerton school can go ahead, say town councillors. The future of the four-classroom extension to the Applegarth school was thrown into doubt last week when Northallerton Town Council's amenities committee raised concerns
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Museum marks heritage
YOUNGSTERS have been taking part in a special event marking East Cleveland's mining history. The hot metal event at the Tom Leonard Mining Museum in Skinningrove celebrated the rich mineral, metallurgical and mining heritage of the area. Local blacksmith
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Brewery's frothy sales figures
A NORTH-EAST brewery, which is the main supplier of beers to the Houses of Parliament, has reported a 6.6 per cent increase in sales in the past six months. The Federation Brewery was formed after the First World War when a group of North-East working
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Top dog Katie is a real tonic for patient Sally
A POODLE who helps comfort a youngster during oainful hospital treatment has been named dog of the year in a competition. Katie, a three-year-old poodle, from Thornaby, was yesterday crowned the Pets as Therapy top dog. She was nominated by Sally Doree
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Star helping to beat bullies
FORMER Newcastle United and England footballer Peter Beardsley is backing an anti-bullying initiative. Happier in School Week, which runs from July 11 to 18, is being organised by the County Durham Anti-Bullying Service, in the county council's education
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Games
CIU League - Cockton Hill pool team went down at Ferryhill by three points and so the section leadership changed hands with Ferryhill moving one point ahead of Cockton Hill, who are two points are two ahead of Stanhope. Ferryhill also won their home darts
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Letters: Why the euro makes sense
Sir, - Many of the voices against the euro are a generation of people who remember a different era of the United Kingdom. The generation who had their houses paid for by inflation, who benefited handsomely from the mutual societies windfall bonanza, jobs
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Chester le Street - Sacked traffic warden loses chance to appeal
A TRAFFIC warden who claims she was driven out of her job while she was sick has told of her dismay at losing her right to sue Durham Police. Kim Husband spoke out after an industrial tribunal in Newcastle overturned its earlier decision to allow her
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Racing Week by Jo Scott
DAVID "Dandy" Nicholls hit form again in good order at the weekend, sending out Yarob to land the Chester opener, while Kieren Fallon partnered the flying Undeterred to score at Newcastle. In that sprint, Nicholls' wife Alex Greaves looked very unlucky
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Centre offers free taste of courses
A FREE learning session is on offer tomorrow. The two-hour course at Redcar Adult Education Centre offers courses including computers, Gypsy dancing and Indian cookery. They take place from 10am until noon and from 1pm to 3pm. To book a place call (01642
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Advice bureau needs helpers
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help out at a Citizens' Advice Bureau in Guisborough. The volunteers will be trained as advice workers, and will be involved in helping people with practical difficulties such as money, benefits, housing and employment problems
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'I thought I was going to look like Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie'
On TV, he was a city slicker in Capital City and a hardened ex-paratrooper who turned to crime in Lynda La Plante's Civvies. Last summer, he was the British soldier being beastly to the Americans during the War of Independence in the Mel Gibson epic The
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Two charged over 'police stabbing'
TWO people were charged last night in connection with an incident in which a police officer was allegedly stabbed in the back. PC Rod Bloxham, of North Yorkshire Police, was injured outside a house in Tennant Street, Selby, on Wednesday night. He has
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Campus study calls for women volunteers
A UNIVERSITY is to study what makes middle-aged women tick. Teesside University, together with Warwick and Edinburgh universities, is doing the research to find out how women from different backgrounds view themselves at this crucial time in their lives
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A1 to get new service station
A MODERN motorway services complex is to take shape at Barton lorry park, just off the A1 near Scotch Corner. The development is to include a three-storey main block with restaurant, fast food, shop, toilets, games arcade and 40 bedrooms. There will also
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Chester le Street - Council cannot refuse land sale
COUNCIL bosses who blocked plans for a controversial bail hostel say they cannot refuse to sell the land to the Probation Service. A letter seen by The Advertiser's sister paper, The Northern Echo from the leader of Chester-le-Street District Council,
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Family praise firefighters for saving fallen horse Brandysnap
A FAMILY have praised firefighters who saved their treasured elderly horse from an almost certain death when they helped it back on to its feet. Brandysnap, 25, which has won numerous showjumping competitions, had collapsed in a field. Pauline Griggs,
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Darlington - Farm homes plan row is finally over
A SIX-YEAR planning wrangle which landed Darlington Borough Council a £100,000 High Court bill appears to have come to an end. A report received by the council from the Government's Planning Inspectorate has agreed that neither of two greenfield sites
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Britain's biggest farmer bans 20 pesticides
THE Co-op, Britain's biggest farmer, is banning more than 20 pesticides used for food production worldwide. It has also called on the government to support farmers converting to organic production to the tune of £80m a year for the next ten years. The
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NFU leader predicts jobs will 'haemorrhage' from farming
FOOT-and-mouth will cause thousands more jobs to haemorrhage from farming, following the 51,000 already shed in the last few years, the NFU president, Mr Ben Gill, warned this week. Giving his analysis of the state of farming - a presentation normally
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Plastic gun man walks tall after court showdown
A MAN arrested by armed police after using a plastic toy pistol during a game of cowboys and Indians with his ten-year-old brother was cleared of a firearm offence yesterday. It took the jury at Teesside Crown Court just 15 minutes to decide Stewart Philip
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Partners unveil strategy to revitalise 'lifeblood of valley'
THE first stage of a strategy to revitalise the banks of the River Tees was unveiled yesterday, with the promise that residents will be heavily involved. A partnership consisting of Stockton Borough Council, British Waterways, English Partnerships and
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Young guns aim for national joy
NORTH-EAST athletes are expected to mount a strong challenge for medals at the English Schools Championships, which start in Exeter today. Durham County, taking a full contingent of track and field competitors to Devon, have high hopes of winning at least
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Arts students display work
ARTS and media students at Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, have been showing their work at an exhibition. The college display featured everything from sculpture and paintings to video, fashion design and textiles. Sam Campion, head of art and design
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Cameras clue to attack
POLICE are studying CCTV footage to try to identify a gang who attacked a man. The 22-year-old was attacked behind the Brus shops in West View, Hartlepool at 5.30am yesterday. He was taken to the University Hospital of Hartlepool suffering from head injuries
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Collector is stumped by old postcard
DO you recognise this postcard? Cyril Archer, formerly of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is hoping readers can help solve a puzzle regarding where the picture was taken. It was sent from A King, of Yarm Cottage, Northallerton, to a photographer in Scarborough
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Look out for Lowther
Michael Lowther is a name to look out for following his record-breaking score for Eppleton in their Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-15 Division match against Hetton Lyons, writes MALCOLM PRATT. The Hetton Comprehensive School 15-year old
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Therapy pool loss will hit disabled, says care worker
CLOSURE of the hydrotherapy pool at Scorton hospital, near Richmond, will deal a devastating blow to disabled people across North Yorkshire, a charity worker has said. Mrs Bridget Clelland, who runs the Open Doors charity at Barton, said at least two
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Father's desperate battle at pond side
A DESPERATE father tried in vain to revive his little son who had drowned in a garden pond. Robert Lambert fought frantically to save the life of 18-month-old Robbie, giving the toddler mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage. But despite his efforts
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Colourful festival ready to take to the skies
THE skies will be filled with creations great and small this weekend when kite enthusiasts descend on the North-East. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the Sunderland International Kite Festival at the Northern Area Playing Fields, in
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Brother George's heavenly message
THIS newspaper killed someone off last week, inadvertantly it should be stressed. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, the individual concerned is much alive and kicking and has been summarily dismissed to a greater place by the leader writer. Spectator
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Showing the country how it's done
A village shop run by volunteers seemed a grand idea, but would it really work? Three years on the small band of volunteers in Redmire and Castle Bolton in Wensleydale have proved resoundingly that yes, it does. What's more, they've won two awards and
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Prince's children celebrate achievements
ABOUT 300 children who had their lives put back on track by The Prince's Trust have gathered to celebrate their success. The students, who are aged 14 to 16, attend schools in Durham, Hartlepool and Sunderland and all took part in the trust's XL project
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Shaw and Surtees too good for North Bitchburn
Rosberry Group North East Durham League - North Bitchburn totalled just 64 all out visiting Sunderland Hospital in Division One. Their batsmen found the bowling of John Surtees and Wayne Shaw, in particular, difficult to deal with and the two home attackers
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Letters: Doctor's ignorance of homoeopathy
Sir, - I would like to express my extreme disappointment in Dr Roger Fisken's damning comments on alternative medicine (D&S, June 22). His display of ignorance can be seen on many counts. The natural forms of healthcare to which he refers are rarely
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Racing school gives teenager a leg up
A COUNTY Durham teenager has her sights set on a job with a top racing stable. Katrina Rawe has always wanted to work with horses, but it was only when she came across the British Racing School's website that the idea of a career in horse racing dawned
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Commitment to youth earns club champion status
TEES and Hartlepool Yacht Club has been awarded Volvo Royal Yachting Association Champion Club status in recognition of its first class youth sailing coaching and race training programmes. The scheme is a key part of the RYA Youth Initiative, which has
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Camp fire blamed for moorland blaze
A MOORLAND fire burned for more than 12 hours between Captain Cook's Monument and Roseberry Topping, after a camp fire was left unattended. The blaze at Gribdale Gate, in the North York Moors national park, was eventually brought under control by fire
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Tips from an Olympic hero
YOUNG cyclists in Stockton were kitted out for safety this week, with a helping hand from an Olympic rider. Medal-winning cyclist Mr Chris Newton was at Fairfield junior school on Tuesday as the council's road safety team handed out helmets and safety
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Jobs hope for Analox
UP to 25 jobs are expected to be created at a fast-expanding company, thanks to support from Business Link North Yorkshire. Analox Sensor Technology, which designs and manufactures gas sensors and analysers, is moving its research and development department
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Durham - Youth choir plans to protest at cuts in staff
A SHOWPIECE teenage choir has hit a low note after news that two key administrative posts are being axed. Members of Durham County Youth Choir (DCYC) plan to stage a public protest at the decision to remove the positions of secretary and registrar. The
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As factories go, it's the cream ...
THE largest ice cream factory in Europe is about to open in the North-east - bringing with it as many as 100 new jobs. Award-winning Richmond Frozen Confectionery has begun work on a £4m plant at Leeming Bar, in North Yorkshire - which will produce one
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Inspirational Jon back on home soil
After a year and a day in hospital - but a year and two days since the car crash that broke his neck and shattered his life - Jon Robert Collingwood is finally back home. He'd kept goal for the school, the district, the county. He'd had England schools
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Trust receives £500,000 for hospital equipment
MORE than £500,000 is to be spent on equipment to make life better for hospital patients and staff. The cash is the York Health Services Trust's share in a £105m handout by the Government for capital projects to help modernise the NHS. The York trust
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Organ anger
A MOTHER of two has had confirmation that skin from her stillborn son was used for tests without her consent. Zoe Matthews' son, Owen Robson, was stillborn a Darlington Memorial Hospital in September 1996. After news of the Alder Hey body parts scandal
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Consett & Stanley - People forced to flee store
TERRIFIED staff and shoppers fled from a supermarket after a freezer appeared to explode. The drama unfolded in the Tesco score at Delves Lane, Consett, last week, while about 200 shoppers were in the store. The building was evacuated and the store closed
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Farmers' compensation battle
LENGTHY delays in compensation payments are hindering farmers' efforts to bounce back from the foot-and-mouth crisis. Government officials admitted last night they were failing to meet targets for paying farmers affected by the epidemic, with waiting
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Thousands expected at city festival
ONE of the biggest events of the summer at Durham got under way yesterday. The summer festival, expected to attract thousands of visitors this weekend, will fill the city with music, dancing, craft and gift markets, and entertainment. Many of the attractions
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Anniversary year for theatre event
A SEASON of outdoor theatre events gets under way this month. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has unveiled details of three productions for its tenth consecutive season of outdoor theatre events. The Tea Lawn at the Valley Gardens in Saltburn will
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Not mad, just checking on teenagers
SO there I was, my nose pressed against a phone box in Wales, doing desperate goldfish imitations to my husband inside. Outside the neighbouring phone box, a middle-aged man was trying to get the attention of his wife - inside talking - and started leaping
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Court told of racist taunts
A MOTHER was yesterday found guilty of racially taunting her black neighbour. Rachel Pattison, of Emley Moor Road, Darlington, denied racially aggravated harassment during an incident in August last year. Darlington magistrates heard Mrs Pattison, 32,
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Worldwide business comes out of the broom cupboard
A BUSINESS which started in a cupboard under the stairs is now attracting world-wide orders. Adrenalin-Moto was born out of the frustration of motorbike enthusiasts Debbie and Matt Purdy. They owned Harley Davidson bikes and bought a Buell in 1998 but
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High-tech woe as Marconi shares plunge
HIGH-TECH industries suffered a double whammy last night in a turbulent day which saw billions wiped from the value of electronics and telecoms companies. First, British firm Marconi saw more than £3.6bn slashed off its market value after trading resumed
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Nursery wins grant to develop service
A GUISBOROUGH nursery has been given a grant of £28,000 to develop an out-of-school facility. The Government has awarded Chaloner Hall Day Nursery the grant from its New Opportunities Fund, which focuses Lottery money on health, the environment and education
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Retriever's river rescue saves girl
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - On Monday evening a little girl, the daughter of Mr Revell, hairdresser, of Clay-row, Darlington, was playing with some other children near the water's edge at Russell-street, when, through some cause or other, she
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Ice Hockey
Junior roundup - Sunderland Tomahawks completed their season by winning the Kilmarnock Under-19 tournament at the Galleon Centre, Kilmarnock. Tomahawks had victories over Ayr Eagles, South Ayr Select and Kilmarnock Storm in the round robin stage to reach
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Experts urged to look out for coins haul
POLICE are appealing for jewellers and coin experts to help them trace stolen items worth more than £10,000. Thieves broke into a bungalow in Horden, east Durham, between 9.45am and 12.45pm on Wednesday. They forced open a window in the conservatory and
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After school club set to grow
AN after school club is to be expanded because it is so successful. Last April, the club at St Joseph's Primary School in Loftus gained a £10,000 grant from the New Opportunities Fund with help from the Redcar and Cleveland Early Years Development and
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Change at arson team
A TEAM set up to help an area lose its arson blackspot reputation has changed its name. From now on, the Arson Investigation Team, involving Cleveland Fire Brigade, Cleveland Police and Teesside's four councils, will be known as the Arson Reduction Team
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YAS crisis fund tops £250,000
THE Yorkshire Agricultural Society's Farmers' Fund has now raised more than £m to help those in the region who are suffering as a result of the foot-and-mouth crisis. A total of £251,593 has been given to three charities to distribute - the Royal Agricultural
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Showpiece factory prepares for new look
A FIRM has sealed its commitment to a County Durham town by renewing the lease on its premises and starting a major refurbishment scheme. Coats Crafts UK, on the Lingfield Estate in Darlington, is to undergo a dramatic change. The building was constructed
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Rugby Union
DARLINGTON Mowden Park Rugby Club Minis celebrated the end of another exciting season with their annual presentation, with players from age groups Under-7 to Under-12 receiving a variety of awards. Retiring chairman John Whinn thanked Darlington Building
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Puzzlement over a chill-sounding place
A READER has contacted me by e-mail to discuss a bird she has welcomed to her garden. It comes regularly to be fed. Her visitor is a blackbird, but it has a white tail feather and she wonders how this might have arisen. The most likely answer, other than
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Public given bigger say
THE public will be given more chance to voice their views about plans to build telecommunications mast. Sunderland City Council has adopted new consultation procedures to be used when dealing with applications for planning consent for masts. The move
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Ash site announced
UP TO 20,000 tonnes of ash from foot-and-mouth pyres across the region will be stored on Teesside, it was confirmed this week. Redcar MP Vera Baird said that the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had confirmed the figure with her
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Taking the plunge for charity
STAFF and parents from two schools have been hanging about together - all in the name of charity. Workers from Parkhead Community and Fell Dyke Primary schools, in Gateshead, abseiled off the Tyne Bridge, to raise funds for the Red Cross and for a joint
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Super Smalley
The Readers Durham County League Under-18s - Tim Smalley was in outstanding form with bat and ball when Tudhoe defeated Coundon by 54 runs. The talented youngster topscored with 63 and Paul Hindmarsh contributed 31 to the Tudhoe total of 127-6. Smalley
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Foundry worker drowned
A MAN who died as he made his way home from a pub lock-in, had drowned, an inquest heard yesterday. An inquiry into the death of Michael Burrup, 36, from Stanhope, was opened at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court, yesterday. His father Keith spoke to confirm
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First County title taken by St. Teresa's
At the inaugural Durham County Primary Schools Table Tennis Festival, Darlington's St Teresa's became the first winners of the Sportsmatch Trophy. During the past six months, eight teams had qualified for last Saturday's finals, from regional events held
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Angling
The opening round of the Drennan Super League Northern Division on the river Tees resulted in a bream explosion on the lower reaches at Bowesfield, writes JEFF HERBERT. The inclusion of extra pegs below Hawthorne bend had competitors thinking they were
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Euro MP pays final visit to doomed site
A Euro MP paid a visit to Corus on Teesside as steelworkers prepared to leave the doomed coil plate mill for good. Conservative Euro MP Martin Callanan toured the works before meeting with managers and union leaders to discuss the crisis in the steel
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Gas pipeline work to cause disruption
PEOPLE are being advised of possible disruption when the Transco gas pipeline company renews sections of gas mains in Darlington. The work, scheduled for April next year, is included in the company's £12m reinforcement and replacement plans for the North
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Survey predicts empty primary school desks
PRIMARY pupil numbers across Darlington will drop dramatically over the next five years according to government statisticians. The Tees Valley joint strategy unit has calculated that, by 2006, surplus places across the borough's primary schools will almost
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Parents 'too complacent' over children's schooling
ENGLISH parents are too complacent about their children's schooling, believing it is up to teachers, not themselves, to ensure their offspring make the grade, a study claimed yesterday. Research conducted by academics at Sunderland University based on
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Man had no recall of damage to coach
A HEAVY drinker admitted causing over £1,400 of damage to a coach, but said he could not remember doing it. Scarborough magistrates heard that Ian Cullen, 26, from Darlington, was drinking up to one-and-a-half bottles of vodka a day at the time of the
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Teenager remembered
A CHARITY evening is being organised in memory of a Redcar teenager who died from a rare form of cancer. Leanne Mitchell was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in May 1998. Leanne died the following September at the age of 16 after she
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Teenage mugger has sentence cut
A PSYCHOPATHIC teenage girl who targeted students in a campaign of violent street robberies, had her sentence substantially cut at London's Criminal Appeal Court yesterday. The 17-year-old, who is too young to be named, was described as "a dangerous young
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Richmond artist makes stunning debut
A PARTNERSHIP forged over the past ten years has produced one of the most stunning art exhibitions ever presented at the Old School Arts Workshop in Middleham. Ruth Rowland, who lives at Richmond, began her career as an artist by attending courses run
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Comment from The Northern Echo - One small step for the region
IN the wake of the latest bad news on the North-East jobs front - at GSK in Barnard Castle and at Sanyo in Newton Aycliffe - we called on the Government to show real commitment to the region. Our editorial comment a week ago concluded: "That means real
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Lithuanians brush up on language
A GROUP of students from Lithuania are spending a week polishing their language skills and teaching youngsters about their culture. Sigita Tamasiunaite, Rasa Jurgaityte and Algirdas Javtokas are students at the University of Siauliai, in the eastern European
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£10,000 boost for youth project
A PROJECT aimed at tackling deprivation in Middlesbrough has been given a grant of £10,000 to help achieve its aims. The Azaad Youth project combats the effects of deprivation by providing social and recreational opportunities for young people in Middlesbrough
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Suffering in the name of beauty
I AM, generally, a low-maintenance woman. A little bit of lippy for a night out, a few packets of disposable razors to get me, or rather my legs and armpits, through the summer and, occasionally, some clumsily applied polish on my toenails is just about
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Nurse quizzed again over hospital death
A FILE has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service about the death of a retired miner following surgery. Gordon Thomas, 63, died in May following an operation for bowel cancer at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. A 35-year-old nurse was arrested
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New stadium draws the crowds already
LONG before its completion, Darlington's new multi-million pound football stadium is proving to be one of the region's big tourist attractions. Hundreds of Quakers fans and the simply curious have driven to the site in Neasham Road to view the state of
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Heavy drinker could not recall damaging coach
A HEAVY drinker admitted causing more than £1,400 worth of damage to a coach - even though he could not remember doing it. Scarborough magistrates heard that, at the time, the 26-year-old Darlington man was drinking up to one-and-a-half bottles of vodka
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Hear All Sides
Letters from The Northern Echo THE TORIES WE keep reading in HAS about this rotten Labour Government, no doubt from Tory voters who have been hammered at the last two elections. The record of the Tories' 18 years were the worst in living memory. Interest
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Outdoor theatre season launched
A SEASON of outdoor theatre events is planned for east Cleveland this summer. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has unveiled details of three productions for its tenth consecutive season of outdoor theatre events. The Tea Lawn, at the Valley Gardens
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Abi is a smash hit
A FUTURE Wimbledon champion could be in the making at Red House School in Norton. Nine-year-old pupil Abi Curry has just returned from a special tennis camp for talented players at the Bisham Abbey national sports centre. Abi, of Carlton Village near
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New bibs in the pipeline for footballers
YOUNG footballers in East Cleveland have been smartening up their act thanks to a new set of bibs donated by Transco. The gas pipeline company recently donated new blue bibs to the under-15 squad at New Marske Football Club. In the past the company has
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Athletics
Shildon R and AC - Three of the club's athletes performed with distinction at the Gateshead finals of the Evening Chronicle Junior Games final 2001 at the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday. Having qualified by winning their respective events
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Heartbroken couple join the fight against mystery equine illness
A DISTRESSED County Durham couple are trying to boost research into the deadly illness which killed their four-year-old champion Welsh Cob. Mandy and George Mitchell, of Deanbank, Ferryhill, are still trying to come to terms with the death of Avon Valley
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Students get taste of other cultures
THE world came to Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, yesterday as youngsters were given a taste of different cultures. Almost 100 year nine pupils took part in a series of workshops. Mediums including drama, story-telling, art and music,
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More power for disabled workers
DISABLED workers in the region have been given a new voice in the workplace. The GMB Remploy North branch, which is run entirely by disabled people for disabled people, has been created to represent employees throughout the North-East. The branch was
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Building for the future in project
BUILDING for their future - year five and year six pupils of Laurel Avenue Community Primary School, Durham have been discovering that engineering may be for them, when they were visited by the Neighbourhood Engineering Project. The visit arranged by
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Tragic father's grave attacked
VANDALS have desecrated the grave of a young dad who less than three months ago. Father-of-two Nigel Minto was found hanging at a friend's house in April. The 29-year-old was buried at Ryhope Cemetery, Sunderland, but vandals have attacked his grave,
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Showing the country how it's done
A village shop run by volunteers seemed a grand idea, but would it really work? Three years on the small band of volunteers in Redmire and Castle Bolton in Wensleydale have proved resoundingly that yes, it does. What's more, they've won two awards and
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Roadworks close A174
The A174, linking east Cleveland to Whitby, will be closed at Apple Orchard Bank, Skelton, for two weeks from Sunday to reconstruct existing services and do extensive kerbing and drainage works. The road will be closed between the traffic signals at Four
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Johnston traveller to pay dividend
IN an era when poor prize money continues to blight British racing, Sandown is one of the few courses where a decent kitty is almost always guaranteed. And this afternoon is no exception with the top-class south London venue putting up a minimum of £100,000
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Police firearms centre where they aim to train a cool head
FROM Dirty Harry and Starsky and Hutch to characters in The Sweeney and The Bill, the gun-toting cop has become commonplace on our movie and TV screens. Thankfully, armed police are still a relatively uncommon site on British streets, but the police still
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Showing the country how it's done
A village shop run by volunteers seemed a grand idea, but would it really work? Three years on the small band of volunteers in Redmire and Castle Bolton in Wensleydale have proved resoundingly that yes, it does. What's more, they've won two awards and
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Rider in record bid
A NORTH-EAST stunt rider will today attempt to break his world speed record for riding backwards on a motorbike. Dave Coates, 36, of Darlington, is the world record holder, having achieved a speed of 145.6mph last year. This afternoon, he is revving up
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Tower block fire drama
TWO people were taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation following a fire at a 25-floor block of flats yesterday. Firefighters, who were called to a blaze on the eighth floor of Shieldfield House, in the East End of Newcastle, evacuated a number of
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Perverted priest faces jail
A PERVERTED Catholic priest who had a sordid relationship with a teenage altar boy has been told he faces a substantial prison sentence. Father William Jacks, 49, admitted having a relationship with the boy, but claimed that nothing sexual had happened
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Darts
Wear Valley Ladies League - The annual presentation evening was held at Croft Social Club with the trophies being handed out by Councillor Eddie Thompson, who also judged the Fancy Dress and gave First Prize to Rachael Anderson and second to Jackie Ramage
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Battling to be heard by an impatient world
SITTING in front of the interview panel, John O'Neill knew it was his big chance to impress. A long sought-after place in the ambulance service was within his grasp, if only he could maintain his composure. But then the first question arrived and all
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Youngsters off to Africa
A GROUP of Venture Scouts and Ranger Guides from Teesside are preparing for the trip of a lifetime to Botswana. The group, which includes youngsters from Guisborough and Redcar, will start their journey to Botswana on July 13 to take part in Botswana
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Ambulance trust vows to banish crisis-hit image
AN ALL-out push to hit tough new response-time targets has been launched by a crisis-hit ambulance service. The measures have just been announced by the Tees, East and North Yorkshire ambulance trust after a detailed review by a support group. This group
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'I thought I was going to look like Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie'
On TV, he was a city slicker in Capital City and a hardened ex-paratrooper who turned to crime in Lynda La Plante's Civvies. Last summer, he was the British soldier being beastly to the Americans during the War of Independence in the Mel Gibson epic The
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Wear Valley - River heroes honoured
RIVER rescuers who formed a human chain to save an elderly couple are to receive top lifesaving awards. The Royal Humane Society is honouring four men and a woman who waded into the flooded River Wear at Stanhope after the pensioners' car was swept off
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Consett & Stanley - Library plans unveiled
PLANS for a new library costing tens of thousands of pounds have been unveiled. Durham County Council wants to build a new library at the old Stanley Board School, now a social security office, on Stanley Front Street. The current library, off the town's
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Captain's Washout
Bedale Captain's Weekend - The highlight of the club's year must be Captain's Weekend, and as far as Bedale are concerned, the weekend starts on Friday with Lady Captains day. Saturday sees the Mixed Foursomes and Junior competition, Sunday is devoted
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MP urges ethical pensions
REDCAR MP Vera Baird this week signed an early day motion calling for MPs' pensions to be invested only in ethical investments. This move follows the revelation last week that MPs were paying six per cent of their annual salary into a fund which supports
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Lords, and lady, to the manor born
IT was to the lords of the manor of Bedale that the town's market charter was granted 750 years ago. Probably the most distinguished was one of the earliest - Brian Fitzalan, still visible today in his effigy and the nameplate on Fitzalan Road which leads
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One can only ask for more
AN ODD man out has issued a plea so he can shed the mantle of token male. Dr John Laws enjoys the company of women: which is just as well, as he is the only man in the residential care apartments at Middleton St George. But he would not complain if a
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Farmers' market to re-open - with thanks
AFTER a four-month delay caused by the foot-and-mouth epidemic, Barnard Castle's first farmers' market of the year is held tomorrow. The news will come as a huge relief to producers for whom the markets have become a lifeline. For many they are their
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Woman's body pulled from beck
THE body of an elderly woman has been pulled from a stream in North Yorkshire. No details of her identity or how she may have died were being given by local police last night. However, a spokesman confirmed they were first alerted by a passer-by at about
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Scrapyard fire destroys timber
POLICE are investigating a fire which destroyed more than 200 tonnes of timber at a scrap merchant's premises. Eleven fire crews were called to Reivers Reprocessing in Abbotsford Road, Felling, Gateshead, at 5.45am yesterday. Up to 50 firefighters - six
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Offer of jobs in the south
FARMERS and farmworkers facing an uncertain future in the wake of foot-and-mouth are being offered jobs in the south. Recruitment agency, Dairyforce, and its sister company Farmforce, held recruitment clinics at Penrith and Hexham markets last week for
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'Prepare for the worst' alert as virus strikes
FARMERS were warned to brace themselves for the worst last night as foot-and-mouth struck in a vast rural part of the region. The first case of the disease in the Vale of York was confirmed at Kirby Knowle, near Thirsk, sparking fears that the epidemic
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High ball!
Pallister Park were the bridesmaids on three occasions at The North of England Primary Schools Soccer Festival at the weekend. The Middlesbrough school finished as runners-up in the three different categories, and thus, missed out on a football strip
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Wear Valley - Farmers defy council orders
DISSENTING farmers are putting closed signs back on footpaths that cross through their land because they fear walkers could bring foot-and-mouth disease. All footpaths in County Durham that lie more than 3km from the nearest foot-and-mouth case are now
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'North jobs switched to Wales' fears grow
FEARS were growing last night that Sanyo could be about to shift production of microwave ovens from the North-East to a rival plant in Wales. The Northern Echo understands that under the terms of a new agreement with Sharp, production could now take place
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Family's drugs nightmare leads to death of pet
DRUG addicts, boy racers and arsonists are making life misery for the sole family left in a hamlet overlooking a River Tees beauty spot. They are attracted to derelict buildings at Girsby, near Neasham, where only Rose Cottage and the tiny All Saints'
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Not mad, just checking on teenagers
SO there I was, my nose pressed against a phone box in Wales, doing desperate goldfish imitations to my husband inside. Outside the neighbouring phone box, a middle-aged man was trying to get the attention of his wife - inside talking - and started leaping
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Letters: Tyre dumping is a major problem
Sir, - I read with concern your report about the illegal dumping of tyres on the land used by Hutton Rudby football club (D&S, June29). Illegal dumping of any rubbish in this way is a disgrace, but tyres are a considerable problem because of the costs
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Swimming
The North-East is to lose its second World-class swimmer this year, Richmond's Nicola Jackson, who competes for the Derwentside club where she is coached by former international swimmer David McNulty, is to move to Bath in September to train at the national
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School and village hall scheme gets go-ahead
PLANS which help to assure the future of the school and village hall at Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe have been approved by North Yorkshire councillors. A joint action committee has prepared a scheme on the small shared site involving replacement of the
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High praise for devoted volunteer
A QUARTER of a century's commitment to the welfare of horses has earned a County Durham woman the highest praise for her bravery and commitment. The Princess Royal, who is president of the British Horse Society, presented Mrs Ailsa Pease of Sledwick Hall
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Internet directory declares it is greatest
AN INTERNET company based on Teesside has announced it is officially the biggest online business directory in Europe. The news follows the launch of the directory in another two countries this week. The launches in Spain and Italy mean the number of countries
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MP calls for renewed action
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar is calling for renewed action to be taken by the Government to crack down on tobacco advertising. In a Commons Early Day Motion, signed by Dr Kumar and other MPs from across the country, he called
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Expert's delight at Augustus John drawing
PEOPLE converged on Bowes museum on Wednesday hoping to discover they had a valuable heirloom among the family possessions or had snapped up a bargain at a car boot sale. Experts from Newcastle auctioneers Phillips were joined by BBC TV's Antiques Roadshow
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Richmondshire simply the best
THE Richmondshire youth tennis team proved they were the best in North Yorkshire when they played an outstanding match to beat York in the final of the North Yorkshire Youth Games. The tournament, held at Harrogate, saw tennis teams competing from all
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It's a whole new ball game at The Riverside for Boro's Beswick
MIDDLESBROUGH'S new assistant manager last night admitted he hasn't kicked a ball for 40 years. Sports psychologist Bill Beswick, who has worked with England and Manchester United, is the man Steve McClaren has chosen as his managerial foil at the Riverside
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Here to stay
THE Conservative party's loss has turned out to be the Richmond constituency's gain. Mr William Hague has revealed this week that he intends to stand again at the next election, banishing any thoughts that some may have had that he might turn his back
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Town hopes to clean up
SALTBURN In Bloom is gearing up for its annual entry into the national competition. The judging for Northumbria In Bloom takes place at 10am next Friday. Litter picks have been arranged for 10am until 1pm tomorrow as well as on next Wednesday and Thursday
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Running of newspaper to be probed
THE committee behind a community newspaper has voted for an investigation into its running. Shildon Community Press management committee met in the town council offices to hear an auditor's report into The Shildon Record, in County Durham. A vote was
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Clamp down on rogue traders
MORE than £180,000 is to be spent in the North-East over the next two years tackling rogue traders. The cash, from the government's £30m Modernisation Fund, is aimed at helping Trading Standards officers clamp down on rogue traders. Authorities in Darlington
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League on the hunt for new sponsor
THE Beckett Football League is on the look-out for a new sponsor after Camerons Brewery reached the end of its two-year deal. Their withdrawal of sponsorship was announced by league secretary Keith Sales at last week's well-supported annual meeting at
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Holiday drug money man spared jail
A MAN who sold cannabis to pay for a family holiday has been spared jail. Peter Little, 36, admitted selling the drug to friends, but cheated them by keeping small amounts for himself - and saved the money towards a holiday. Newcastle Crown Court heard
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20 farms suffer at latest FMD hotspot
A MOORLAND community is bracing itself for the loss of all its livestock as the foot-and-mouth crisis continued to take its toll this week. Two new outbreaks were confirmed at Lealholm, near Whitby, bringing the total number of cases in the area to 94
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Durham - In-demand school gets extension
PLANS to admit more pupils to a popular and successful village primary school have taken a step forward. Durham County Council's planning committee has granted permission for an extension to Coxhoe Primary School, which recently received a glowing Ofsted
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Protest denies Barr place on Thruxton rostrum
DARLINGTON rider Mark Burr claimed his first ever British Superbike Privateer Championship rostrum last weekend at Thruxton in Hampshire, only to be robbed of it an hour later when a rival team lodged a protest claiming he gained an unfair advantage when
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Man cut off puppies' tails 'to save them pain in adult life'
A MAN who cut the tails and dewclaws off seven puppies without anaesthetic, claimed it would save them pain in their later life, a court has heard. George Hunt, 43, of Jamieson Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty yesterday to causing unnecessary suffering
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Protestors end US spy base occupation
GREENPEACE ended its occupation of the US spy base at Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire, early yesterday. Al Baker and Richard Watson gave themselves up to military police just after midnight, after spending 17 hours on top of a transmitter at the camp, on
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Patsy and co down by the Quayside
THE STARS came out earlier than usual in Newcastle last night when the producers of a new film set in the city unveiled their cast. Former Absolute Beginner, Patsy Kensit will head the romantic comedy called The One and Only. She posed for pictures with
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Small town cinema keeps packing them in
STAFF at a market town cinema celebrated turning their under-threat picture house into a success story this week. The once ailing Ritz in Thirsk is doing a roaring trade. Audience numbers have risen by 60pc in five years, with an 18pc rise this year alone
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Glaxo lose record
South West Durham Association - The last unbeaten record in the league went when Barnard Castle Glaxo travelled to Darlington East End and were whitewashed. This meant that the top spot in the Second Division is now shared between Glaxo, Shildon Elm Road
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William Hague, defeated but not diminished: 'I'm telling everyone, don't feel sorry for me'
MW: It's three weeks since the election defeat, how do you feel in yourself? WH: I feel fine, I tell everyone, don't feel sorry for me or for Ffion, I feel sorry for the candidates who didn't get elected and the activists in the party who worked so hard
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Crossing shelved after variety of objections
PLANS for a zebra crossing as part of a proposed traffic calming scheme at Great Ayton have been shelved because of public objections. North Yorkshire County Council had wanted the crossing at the junction of Guisborough Road and High Street, where the
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Visitors to see namesake city
NOTHING can be finer than to be in Carolina - unless you are in Durham City, of course. The city is one of the destinations of a group of US volunteers from its namesake in North Carolina. The four adults and seven youngsters will be visiting the city
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Inspirational Jon back on home soil
After a year and a day in hospital - but a year and two days since the car crash that broke his neck and shattered his life - Jon Robert Collingwood is finally back home. He'd kept goal for the school, the district, the county. He'd had England schools
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Who needs handlebars?
LEARNING to ride a unicycle posed no difficulties for 14-year-old Andrew Chalmers, of Piercebridge. It took him just an hour to master the tricky business of getting about on one wheel and without handlebars for steering. Andrew, who is in year nine at
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Cricket festival reaches semis
FORGET the Ashes. Despite England playing Australia at the moment, there's only one cricketing occasion on the minds of secondary school children across the North-East. That's the festival of schools cricket being played at Durham County's Riverside on
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Brandon at beginning
Brandon United, who finished in the top six of the Albany Northern League and reached the final of the Durham Challenge Cup last season, must start right at the beginning of this year's FA Cup competition on August 25. The draw for the extra preliminary
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Rain halts Henman
Tim Henman and Goran Ivanisevic must wait until tomorrow before concluding their semi-final clash after rain stopped play on centre court today. The British number one is firmly in the driving seat, leading the Croat two sets to one after winning the
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Lady rugby stars seek sponsors
A WOMEN'S rugby team going from strength to strength is appealing for sponsors to boost its drive to the top. Ripon Ladies RUFC has only been league-affiliated for four seasons. During that time the club has fought two successful promotion campaigns,
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Fertiliser firm finds novel way round farm visits to beat foot-and-mouth restrictions
ORGANISERS of a national competition found a novel way of "visiting" farms when foot-and-mouth ruled out personal calls. Finalists were each sent a camera and asked to take pictures of their enterprise and operations. Judges then held long interviews
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Pony dates
BCTG. - July 16: Grid work with Jane Graham, tel: 01325 332685. Bedale & West of Yore PC. - Today: Rally at Richmond EC for members 11 and under. July 13: Rally at Richmond EC for members 12 and over. July 23-25: Mini-camp at Northallerton EC for
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Will Tim be worth the wait?
WHEN Tim Henman walks out on to Wimbledon's Centre Court today, he'll be carrying more than just his sports bag. Very firmly resting on each of his athletic shoulders will be the hopes and dreams of a nation, the mood and well-being of myriad individuals
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Water chiefs under fire over river sewage discharge plan
A PLEA by Yorkshire Water for emergency powers to dump sewage in the River Ure at Masham, near Ripon, has caused uproar in the community. Protests are being led by Masham Parish Council which is tabling a strongly-worded protest to Yorkshire Water after
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Academy hit the top
Harrogate and District League - The battle for First Division supremacy in the burst into life this week when The Academy took over at the top by preventing nearest challengers Harlow from completing the double. Early in the season Harlow had set the
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Lee looking to offer Bobby a hand
FORMER Wolves boss Colin Lee wants to be Bobby Robson's new right-hand man at Newcastle. Lee has quit Third Division Torquay after saving the Gulls from relegation to the Conference and is eager to land a high-profile position in the top flight. Robson
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Date rape drug on increase
POLICE are warning North-east clubbers after an alarming rise in the use of the date rape drug Rohypnol. Letters have been sent to 120 licensees in Newcastle and Gateshead asking them to be vigilant because of a rise in the number of sex attacks involving
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Hospital deaths: force role queried
THE man who first highlighted the deaths of four psychiatric patients at a North-East hospital questioned the lack of police involvement in the original inquiry last night. Police are re-examining the circumstances surrounding the death of Jonathan Longstaff
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Labour HQ heads for the N-East
THE Labour Party is on the move - literally - and it is heading our way. It is is relinquishing its prestigious headquarters at Millbank overlooking the Thames in London for offices in Bedford Road, North Shields. About 150 jobs are likely to be transferred
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Pupils taste university life
THOUSANDS of schoolchildren will get a taste of university life when they take part in a special scheme at Teesside University this summer. The first to make use of the award-winning scheme will be 600 ten and 11-year-olds. The summer school is the climax
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Junior Football
Young footballers in Cleveland are smartening up their game - thanks to a new set of training bibs from Transco. The gas pipeline company donated the new blue bibs to the Under-15s squad of New Marske Football Club. Club coach Tony Hide said the club
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Athletics honour for school
The Junior Boys Athletics team from Laurence Jackson School in Guisborough beat off competition from hundreds of other schools to represent the region at the Sky Sports Track and Field National Schools Cup Final at Basildon at the weekend. At the end
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Furious beck tamed
ON a gloriously sunny summer day the water of Skinningrove Beck trickles innocently through the village and meanders out into the North Sea. It is hard to believe that exactly a year ago, following days of heavy rain, a furious 8ft wall of water stormed
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Mandelson push for N-E assembly
FORMER Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson has stepped up his campaign for a North- East regional assembly. The Hartlepool MP also backs drastic reform of local government "to empower local people". In a speech, he claimed there was a false choice being
