Archive
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Priory vandalism brings fear of lethal accident
REPAIR teams were in action at Gisborough priory this week as a spate of vandalism sparked fears of a lethal threat to children. Police warned parents to keep youngsters away from the historic site after vandals loosened large stones in a boundary wall
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Grouse stocks rise on the uplands
GROUSE stocks are up by more than 25pc on most of England's uplands, the Moorland Association has reported. As the August 12 start of the season approaches, managers of more than 750,000 acres of heather moorland report positive prospects. The cold winter
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Murder scene mock-up adverts spark outrage
AN advertising campaign has been attacked for mocking up murder scenes just yards from the scene where young men were killed. The skin care company, Simple, has embarked on a controversial campaign in an attempt to sell their recently-launched, male skin
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Heart-swap girl with a victory smile
JUST six months ago, Rachel Wakeford, was fighting for her life after a mystery virus attacked her heart. But today, the 14-year-old, complete with a new heart, will take part in the Youth British Transplant Games, at Lightwater Valley theme park, near
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Market place progress is celebrated
A CEREMONY to mark the end of the second phase of a £575,000 scheme to revamp a market place is being held next week. The redevelopment of Knaresborough market place is being carried out in three phases, and it is hoped the end product will restore the
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Good grub is the key to clubs' success
Good Grub clubs at Carlin How, Brotton, Loftus and Skinningrove are giving people the chance to learn about cheap, easy and healthy meals. Sessions are from 10am until 1pm on Tuesdays at Loftus Youth and Community Centre and on Wednesdays at the village
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Villagers dig into their past
VILLAGERS are digging into their own history in a bid to create a chronicle from medieval times to the present day. Boltby, which stands on an ancient drovers' road near Thirsk, has won a £6,000 grant for the ambitious project from the Local Heritage
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Durham - Museum hosts grisly games
HALLOWE'EN will be coming early to a Durham museum during the summer holidays. Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery will host a collection of Deadly Durham Games, which will give intrepid visitors the chance to brick in a monk, pin the
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MFI vinyl plant brings more jobs to town
NEARLY 100 jobs are on the way in Stockton thanks to a £2m investment by furniture firm MFI. The company is ploughing the cash into a new vinyl finishing line at its Concorde Way plant. In the next two years, more than 90 new jobs will be created at the
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£1,000 for husband with rival next door
A JILTED husband has been awarded more than £1,000 in compensation - after his local council moved his bitter love rival in as his next-door neighbour. The husband was just beginning to get over the collapse of his ten-year marriage, when he discovered
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Church hosts audience with Dad's Army vicar
HE played the dopey vicar in one of the most successful TV comedies ever and was promoted to bishop in another - and in real life veteran actor Frank Williams is a committed Christian and member of the General Synod of the Church of England. That is why
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Consett & Stanley - Passenger dies in head-on crash
VILLAGERS are mourning a popular member of their tight-knit community after he died in a head-on car crash near Stanley. Graham Johnson, 32, died at the scene of the crash on Monday night. Five other people were injured. Surrounded by cards in his Pelton
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Wellock's World
MY Sunday was ruined by an Irishman from Bray named Miles Byrne. But as if to underline that out of bad comes good, it emerged that David Duval is not at all the dreadful character I thought he was. Of the 20 or so people in contention for the Open on
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Quieter times for Mrs Archer
I CAN'T understand why Mary Archer has been looking so glum since her husband Jeffrey's imprisonment. She should be relieved - for the first time in their married life she now knows where he is and what he's up to every night - tucked up safely, and alone
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Jewellery fit for the Queen
WHEN Les Howe was a little lad, he used to make models from old Ringtons's tea chests. Now he makes jewellery fit for the Queen, as he combines skill at an ancient craft with pride in our region's history. And really, it all came about by accident. "I
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North Yorkshire - Trader entertains market shoppers
VISITORS to Richmond can shop while they bop thanks to a market trader who has announced he'll be using his musical talents to entertain his customers. Paul Milsom sells ornamental ships in glass bottles at the town's indoor market. But from this weekend
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Contract manager 'took own life'
A CONTRACT manager found hanged at his home near Darlington last weekend had told friends he had been feeling unwell. Neighbours called police to 59-year-old divorcee Ivan Manning's house, in The Oaklands, Middleton-One-Row, on Saturday when they noticed
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Plush facility fans will drink to
WHILE fans at many of the country's top football clubs are knocking back their pre-game pint in what amounts to a concrete corridor, Darlington FC's supporters will be drinking in style. An artist's impression of the bar area of the Quakers' £20m stadium
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£6m move to improve health and employment in region
MORE than £6m could be coming to Redcar and Cleveland to improve the health, employment and well-being of people living in the area. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is being asked to approve the spending plans by the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal
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Wedding joy for Paul and Heather
Sir Paul McCartney finally drew a line under his grief for tragic wife Linda when he announced last night that he and girlfriend Heather Mills are engaged and will marry "some time next year". The former Beatles star is thought to have gone down on one
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Review seeks reform of archaic company law
BRITAIN'S "archaic" company laws are set for an overhaul following the publication of a Government-backed review of current legislation. The report, by an independent steering committee of industry figures and experts, was first commissioned by the Department
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Orange takes top spot in UK market
MOBILE phone group Orange has become the UK's largest network operator. The group, owned by France Telecom, which employs more than 5,500 staff at three call centres across the North-East including one in Darlington, saw its revenues increase by 35 per
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The long road to recovery
LYING in his hospital bed, John Bates opened his eyes, reached into the cupboard next to the bed, took out a bottle of orange juice, drank it in one gulp, closed the cupboard door and sank back into unconsciousness. It was the first sign of life he had
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Journalist scoops two top awards
A FORMER journalism student from Darlington College is planning a well-deserved holiday after winning two out of three national awards. Gemma Collins, 23, from Mid-Glamorgan, works for the South Wales Argus, which is published by Newsquest, the parent
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Former car crime capital loses title
CRIME in the former car crime capital of Europe is now well below the regional average, according to the latest figures. Sunderland's Pennywell estate used to have an unenviable reputation for vehicle crime and burglary, which were three times the national
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Youngsters have a real ball at launch of £150,000 play centre
MISTER Twister, the North-East's largest indoor sports centre, complete with giant gerbils, 17,000 balls, a massive slide and soft sports arena, opened for business this week. Fifty children from County Durham had the enviable job of testing the play
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Dads and fashion, a fatal mix
FASHION and fatherhood just don't mix. Dads are simply not trendy. It's not in the job description. It's only a matter of time before they start wearing cardies. Even worse, dads cannot possibly approve of what their children wear. I was listening to
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Snooker News
South West Durham Association - Hopetown managed to force a draw at Darlington Cricket Club to hold on to the top spot in the First Division and leave them only requiring one point from their final match at Old Shildon. Darlington Snooker Club A are in
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New policy plea made to halt loss of small homes
LEGISLATION is needed to prevent small adjoining village cottages being knocked into one, a parish council believes. And to highlight what it sees as a planning policy omission, it intends to lobby its MP for parliamentary action to retain stocks of small
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Mother and son's deaths a 'one-in-a-million fluke'
A PATHOLOGIST yesterday said the deaths of a young boy and his mother were the most tragic set of events he had seen in his 30-year career. Pathologist John McElroy said the death of Robert Veitch and his mother Christine last December were ''incredible
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The Albany Northern League
Shildon have signed several players as they prepare for their pre-season friendly at home to Bedlington tomorrow. The Second Division club have brought in two players who have good pedigrees in the First Division - Peterlee pair John Outhwaite and Brian
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Ours to share
Sir, - As a resident of Studley Roger, I would like to comment on your article regarding the closure of Studley Royal deer park (D&S, July20). The parish council sent a questionnaire to the villagers asking for opinions on the closure of the gates
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Test results mark rapid progress for school
TEACHERS and pupils at a north Durham school have achieved their best Government test results. Stanley School of Technology's year nine standard assessment test results (Sats), showed a "significant improvement", according to headteacher David Grigg.
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Darlington - Drivers vie for honours
A TINY village farm is preparing to host a major motor racing event. The 2001 National Autograss Championships take place at Carrsides Farm, Rushyford, on Saturday and Sunday next week. The competition, organised by the Dales Autograss League, has been
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Records tumble as Sharks end season in fine style
BEDALE Sharks finished their season in great style by finishing second at the final Moors League gala and having two of their swimmers do well at the Yorkshire ASA Grade Grand Prix galas. The Sharks went into the final league gala at Eston knowing they
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Tenants have say on homes
COUNCIL tenants are to have their say on the future of public sector housing. Stockton Borough Council has been looking at a range of options for the future management and maintenance of its housing stock. The cabinet has agreed to pursue one option -
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Work on church wins go-ahead
BOROUGHBRIDGE Methodist Church has secured planning approval for a number of changes to the building. Planners in Harrogate have agreed that a new ramp can be built for the disabled, along with new steps and entrances. They also gave approval for a porch
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Show grows to three days
FINAL preparations were being made last night to ensure the success of the North-East's version of the Chelsea Flower Show. Now in its 12th year, the Gateshead Summer Flower Show opens at noon today - the first time the event has started on a Friday.
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Residents get say
ALMOST 2,000 people are to be given a say in how a North Yorkshire council delivers its services to council house tenants. The authority in Richmondshire is to form a new panel, which it hopes will encourage more public involvement in the decision-making
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Hero of the empire and a chief of men
IN its first 100 years, the North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary was fortunate to possess only three chief constables, each with outstanding individual qualities: Capt Thomas Hill (1856-98), Maj Sir Robert Bower KBE CMG (1898-1929) and Lt Col John Clervaux
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Hero of the empire and a chief of men
IN its first 100 years, the North Riding of Yorkshire Constabulary was fortunate to possess only three chief constables, each with outstanding individual qualities: Capt Thomas Hill (1856-98), Maj Sir Robert Bower KBE CMG (1898-1929) and Lt Col John Clervaux
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Dog-lover puts rare breed
A NORTH YORKSHIRE paramedic has gone into print, hoping to educate dog-lovers across the country in a rare breed he is well qualified to discuss. Richmond's Roy Bebbington won a first at Crufts with his own Wire-haired Vizsla, called Tola - one of only
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Private hospital leads to drain on NHS income
THE opening of a private hospital in Darlington is seen as the reason for a large drop in income for South Durham health care trust. At the end of June, the trust was in the red by £490,000 after income from private patients, particularly orthopaedic
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All eyes gaze skyward for Europe's biggest air show
HUNDREDS of thousands of people are expected to converge on the North-East at the weekend to enjoy Europe's biggest free air show. The Sunderland Air Show, which roars into life tomorrow, promises an action-packed programme, including a special coup for
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The aliens have landed
ALIENS have landed in the North-East and are on a fact-finding mission to find out about human life. The alien invasion is part of a fortnight of Alien-themed activities at Life Interactive World, in Newcastle. The events will start on Monday, and run
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Second 'invasion' in three months at industrial estate
A LOCAL authority has been forced to step up security after travellers' caravans rolled on to Leeming Bar industrial estate at the weekend - for the second time in less than three months. Ditches and earth mounds have been excavated as an emergency measure
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Local views depicted in art display
AN exhibition of paintings by a local artist has opened in east Durham. Dawson Elliott, of Easington Colliery, is well known in County Durham for his artwork and has held numerous exhibitions. A small exhibition of his paintings went on display at the
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Lobby group secures government funding for new appointment to aid recovery
AN agricultural business adviser is to be appointed by the end of August to help farmers in Wensleydale recover from the foot-and-mouth crisis . Rejuvenate, a group of farmers, councillors, agricultural business people and NFU representatives, has secured
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Spraire Lads and Lasses Football Club taste success in football... and athletics!
Spraire Lads and Lasses have branched out, and they're now competing with distinction in both football and athletics. Several members of the club represented Durham at the National Association of Clubs for Young People athletics championships - and four
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Leather team tailor-made for success
TWO Derwentside entrepreneurs have found their skill in working with leather is leading them into new areas, from re-upholstering classic cars to keeping a disabled dog mobile with a tailor-made harness. Demand from customers has led English Pride Leathers
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Young scientists brew up a place in finals
PUPILS from Wheatlands Primary School, Redcar, are celebrating after they were runners-up in a science competition. The youngsters were runners-up in the northern primary schools final of Science Challenge, a project that aims to inject some fun into
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Condition of doctors' buildings questioned
HEALTH watchdogs are calling for a strategy to be drawn up to counteract a "gross inequality" in the condition of doctors' buildings in Darlington. Most practices in the town are operating in either new buildings or with recent extensions and improvements
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Care home fees row
CASH-STRAPPED local authority leaders are having to fork out almost £1m to settle a long-running row over care home fees. The dispute had plunged the future of more than 3,000 elderly people into doubt, with claims private nursing and residential homes
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Police issue warning to parents over child car seats
THOUSANDS of parents are putting their children's lives in danger by using badly fitting car seats. At a road and car safety exhibition in Darlington town centre last week, 92 per cent of child seats checked were found to be dangerous. PC Dave Nixon,
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Jewellery fit for the Queen
WHEN Les Howe was a little lad, he used to make models from old Ringtons's tea chests. Now he makes jewellery fit for the Queen, as he combines skill at an ancient craft with pride in our region's history. And really, it all came about by accident. "I
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Power station switched on to local needs
TEESSIDE power station has proved that it is plugged into the local community, by donating a modular building to a nearby school. The organisation is also providing a surge of manpower to make sure that the building, which will be used as a meeting area
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Refugees could cost ferry firm £28,000
A FERRY operator could be facing a £28,000 bill after bringing 14 asylum seekers into the region unwittingly. The stowaways, including a six-and-a-half month pregnant woman and two 17-year-olds, arrived at Teesport on the P&O North Sea Ferries freight
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Boy hurt in rock throwing attack
A LOFTUS teenager was left with serious head injuries after he was hit by a rock. Ryan Brown, 14, from Willow Walk, Loftus, was playing with his friends in a stream between Loftus and Liverton Mines, known as The Culvert on the afternoon of Monday July
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Midleton openers rattle Rockliffe Park
FEWER and fewer games are being played and at the weekend only one fixture went ahead in Division A, while just two were played in Division B. In Division A, Middleton St George visited Rockcliffe Park and won by 46 runs after posting the healthy total
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RAFA social club to close after 50 years
A SOCIAL club for ex-service personnel in Darlington is to close in its 50th anniversary year. The Royal Air Force Association premises in Duke Street will serve its last pint on October 31. The RAFA branch took the tough decision on Tuesday as falling
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Exams success for dancing students
DANCE students in Darlington have achieved excellent results in their ballet, tap and modern exams. More than 50 youngsters who attend the Rachel V Harrison School of Dance, at St Mark's Church Hall, in North Road, passed their exams. In the Royal Academy
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Plan to modernise hospitals
A BOLD £130m plan to reorganise and modernise NHS hospitals on Tyneside has been announced. The six year project will see huge amounts of private funding used to build state-of-the-art new facilities. Despite recent criticism, all the work will be carried
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North Yorkshire - Cash bid for town revival
A MAJOR injection of cash to help revive a market town's flagging economic fortunes could be on its way. Council chiefs are hoping to secure funding which could play a big part in the regeneration of Bedale, which they say is the town in greatest need
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Contractor defends cost of clean-ups
HUGE variations in farm clean-up costs should have been anticipated by the Government, according to a leading contractor. The discovery that the average bill for cleaning farms affected by foot-and-mouth tops £100,000 in England, compared with £30,000
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Bright future for former bank premises at Reeth
THE Yorkshire Dales national park authority will next week consider the latest stages in the proposed sale of its centre at Reeth as plans for a new community office there go ahead. In discussions which have been continuing since November, authority members
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New library has lot to offer
KILTON Thorpe School has opened its new library. The room cost £46,000 to build and £2,000 to stock. Staff at the school, which caters for youngsters aged between two and 19 who have special needs, have raised the money through a variety of fundraising
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Return of farmers' markets brings fresh hope
THE ray of hope the return of farmers' markets to the region has cast on many farm producers with their livelihoods wrecked by foot-and-mouth has shone on the Betney family of Broom Hill Farm, West Auckland. Just 18 months ago, Mr Matthew Betney and his
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Big plans for town's £30,000 safety spend
SALTBURN is to get a series of traffic safety measures costing £30,000, after a public consultation exercise and a series of residents' working parties put forward their ideas on how the cash should be spent. Schemes given the go-ahead include gateway
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Scott leads Quakers quartet
Quakers RC - Four members of the club competed in the Scarborough 10k road race and Ian Scott led the Quaker contingent home, finishing in a time of 36:41. He was followed by Paul Younghusband in 46:27, Craig Watson running 47:25 and Mike Scott in 47:
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Drive launched to target prolific young offenders
A drive to target persistent and prolific young offenders has begun in Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside. The Intensive Supervision and Surveillance programme (ISSP), a £45m three-year initiative, will target 100 to 120 hardcore young offenders
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Lock out thieves residents told
POLICE are urging homeowners to lock up at night after a spate of burglaries in a market town. Persistent offenders are plaguing residents of Thirsk who are failing to lock all their doors and windows at night, the town council was told. Inspector Val
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Plea for homes care providers
SOCIAL services chiefs are hoping new providers could help avoid delays in residential care following a spate of announced home closures. While Darlington Borough Council is at the centre of a homes closure programme, Trees Park healthcare has announced
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Legionnaires case probed
AN investigation is under way after a North-East man contracted Legionnaires' disease. Jimmy Harrison, from Hartlepool, was struck down with crippling flu-like symptoms just hours after finishing work, three weeks ago. Within days of being diagnosed with
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Wear Valley - Youngsters leave their mark
ESTATE children have left their mark on a newly restored green area by carving their names on a central sculpture. The youngsters from the Watergate Estate, in Crook, made ceramic leaves and flowers for the feature at a workshop led by Selby artist Ailsa
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New pool hope afloat
HOPES for a new swimming pool in Guisborough have been given a double boost this week. A campaign for a new pool was launched and a steering group set up following concerns that existing facilities were run down and out-of-date. At a meeting this week
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Soldier hit partner in rage
A SOLDIER, who struck his partner in a moment of rage, was given a six-month community rehabilitation order by magistrates in Richmond yesterday. The court was told Private Matthew Gould, who serves with Eight Transport Regiment at Marne Barracks on the
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McCrae ton can't save Thirsk from defeat
EASINGWOLD skipper Martin Robinson made a triumphant return to premier division cricket last Saturday after his long lay-off due to a skiing injury in March. He hit an unbeaten century to help his side to a six-wicket win in a high-scoring match at Thirsk
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Mellanby makes impression
Darlington manager Gary Bennett is delighted with the immediate impact of new signing Danny Mellanby. The 20-year-old celebrated his move to Feethams from Bishop Auckland with a last-ditch equaliser at Queen of the South on Wednesday - and gained glowing
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New label launch
A NORTH-East music development agency is to launch its own label especially for local artists. From Teesside With Love (FTwL), the Northern Arts backed cooperation, will launch FTwL Records with its first two album releases next Friday. The launch is
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JP severs links in protest over youth policy
A JP is stepping down from his work with young offenders in protest at government plans to lessen the role played by magistrates in juvenile cases. Mr David Irwin, chairman of Darlington magistrates' bench, has decided not to stand for re-election as
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Tasty new sponsors treat Easington Juniors to new strip
Easington & District Under-11s certainly won't go hungry during the coming season if there is any repeat of last season's campaign. As well as providing a new strip, the team's new sponsor, McDonald's, has promised the squad a free hamburger, fries
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Wellock's World
MY Sunday was ruined by an Irishman from Bray named Miles Byrne. But as if to underline that out of bad comes good, it emerged that David Duval is not at all the dreadful character I thought he was. Of the 20 or so people in contention for the Open on
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MBO turns out Rocket Science
A MANAGMENT buyout at a marketing firm on Teesside has helped to secure 40 jobs. Rocket Science CRM (Customer Relationship Management), at the Riverside Business Park, is the result of an MBO from a US agency. The business, formerly known as Intelligent
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Battle to save the red squirrel
A UNIQUE conservation plan is under way in Kielder forest to prevent England's biggest surviving population of red squirrels from dying out in 11 years' time from a lack of food. The forest district, where 150m trees span 200 square miles from County
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Gatenby sets record
Bedale Club Championship - Two rounds of 18 holes does not attract a great number of players for a major Club competitions, but 51 played in the competition which carries a prize for Best Nett known as the Kettlewell Trophy, as well as the honour of becoming
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Cartwright's six of the best leaves Saltburn smarting
DEFENDING champions Saltburn were left licking their wounds after suffering two defeats last weekend. On Saturday, they made the trip to Darlington for the second successive week, but failed to follow up their convincing eight-wicket victory at Feethams
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Euro journey raises questions
Newcastle's continued assault on a UEFA Cup spot has caused ructions - but only among fans of fierce rivals Sunderland. The much maligned tournament has become a major talking point on Wearside with fans questioning why Peter Reid chose to ignore its
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Officials warn of Nigerian fraud scam
NORTH Yorkshire trading standards office has warned farmers and other business people to be on their guard and ignore any invitation to invest in a fraudulent scheme to send money to Nigeria. This elaborate scam has already cost many business people up
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Swimming News
Stephanie Proud (Chester-le-Street), 12, the youngest member of the British team at the European Youth Olympics, in Murcia, Spain gained its second gold medal with an incredible swim in the 200m backstroke in which she took a chunk off her previous best
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A new era in cricket beigins as women take to the field
The thwack of leather on willow resounded around Durham this week under the shadow of the city's famous cathedral. To the casual observer it could have been a scene from any cricket pitch in any corner of England. But organisers of the country's first
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Angry farmers lash out at halt to clean-up campaign
THREE more cases of foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed on farms in the Thirsk area this week. The Shades at Sutton under Whitestonecliffe went down with the virus on Wednesday and 40 sheep were culled. No dangerous contacts or contiguous sites were
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Consett & Stanley - Children Ape around in the park
CHILDREN across Derwentside enjoyed a fun day out at Consett Park. Environmentalists The Acorn Trust teamed up with Busy Ape Arts to organise a fun day and picnic at the park. Hundreds of children turned up to take part in a number of educational games
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Councillor quits and points at politics
A NORTH YORKSHIRE councillor has confirmed politics played a part in his decision to quit a local authority he joined two years ago. Brian Smith, who has represented the Catterick ward since he was elected in 1999, had already considered his position
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Pirates' day planned on Saltburn beach
THE beach at Saltburn is to be turned into a pirates playground on Sunday August 5, in an action-packed day of fun and games for all the family. Saltburn Swashbuckle Day will bring history to life on the beach. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has
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Hospital farce
IT IS fashionable in political circles to talk about "joined-up government" - shorthand for different state agencies working together rather than against each other. At the Friarage hospital in Northallerton, and probably many other hospitals around the
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So you don't speak English? It's no problem for Cleveland police
CLEVELAND police have no need to be lost for words from now on. New equipment means communications centre staff will be able to help non-English speakers in double quick time. Speakers of about 60 non-English languages who phone the police can be linked
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Dads and fashion, a fatal mix
FASHION and fatherhood just don't mix. Dads are simply not trendy. It's not in the job description. It's only a matter of time before they start wearing cardies. Even worse, dads cannot possibly approve of what their children wear. I was listening to
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Is this a threequel I see before me?
The box office success of Jurassic Park III's opening weekend on both sides of the Atlantic shows that the public hasn't yet tired of those flesh-munching dinosaurs. But that's the exception to the first among sequels rule that states two may be company
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Beijing booster for holy Murton
The blackest hole since Calcutta is finally being filled in - thanks to a trade mission to Beijing. After the huge crater appeared overnight in Murton FC's pitch - when an underground culvert collapsed - officials from club, parish council and Murton
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Tale of love and tragedy on a plate
OF CONTINUING interest is the story behind the scenes depicted on the familiar blue and white willow pattern pottery. This cropped up recently in a conversation with some friends who wondered about the identity of the two blue and white birds which are
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Billiards News
South West Durham League - Tom Ward of Hunwick clinched the top spot in the League's ranking tournaments when he won the final event at Tow Law, with Heppell Hodgson of Wolsingham finishing in second place after losing to Ward in the semi final. Ward
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Chester le Street - Olympic swimmer takes gold - 50 years on
AFTER waiting 51 years for a European swimming medal, life-long swimmer Don Bland won three in one championships - all gold. The tough veteran won his golds at the European Masters' championships in Palma, Majorca, setting two new European age group records
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Region's theatres fairing well
Theatres in Newcastle are doing better business than those in many other parts of the country. Figures released by the Theatrical Management Association show that attendances at two of the city's theatres are significantly higher than the average across
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Comment from The Northern Echo - Moving the goal posts
MORE than a year ago, The Northern Echo published details of the conditions attached to the planning approval given to Darlington's new football stadium. We published them because we believed it was vital that the conditions were placed firmly in the
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Mystery surrounds suicide of new dad
MYSTERY shrouds the death of a new father who hanged himself two days after his birthday. John Robson's father, Paul Robson, told Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield his son had no worries, concerns or history of depression. "John was the last person you
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Holiday tragedy man 'left to die'
A YOUNG man who broke his back on the holiday island of Rhodes was "left to die" in a Greek hospital, an inquest heard yesterday. Christopher John Rochester, 24, had to wait 40 minutes for an ambulance after the 40ft fall from a rooftop apartment, his
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BT trims £10bn off debt mountain
BT POSTED a "satisfactory" performance in the three months to the end of June, as the troubled group announced a £10bn fall in debt. The telecoms concern has embarked on a major fundraising exercise since its debt mountain peaked at £28bn in March. BT
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Rescuers return to glacier crash scene
MOUNTAIN rescuers will return next month to a remote Icelandic glacier where the remains of a North-East airman were entombed for 60 years. The team, who finally laid to rest Pilot Officer Henry Talbot, from North Shields, and three comrades last year
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Women needed to taste life in construction
TWENTY-FIVE women are needed to take part in a training course that could see them working as a bricklayer or an architect. Stepping Stones is run by lecturers from Northumbria University and offers women a taste of life in the construction industry.
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Survey reveals gap in prosperity of regions
The North-South divide in British prosperity has been highlighted by a new survey which shows people in the North-East earn thousands less than their counterparts in London. Londoners' household incomes were 22 per cent above the UK average, while the
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Onion hunt will probably
FOR someone who really knows their onions, a £1,000 bonus awaits. But attempts to beat the six-year-old world record for a heavy onion already look doomed to failure. The heavy onion competition is always a main attraction at Harrogate's Autumn Flower
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Jeweller's shop gutted by fire
AN INVESTIGATION was carried out this week to discover the cause of a fire which gutted the interior of a Barnard Castle jeweller's shop. The blaze quickly took hold after breaking out at about 4.30 last Friday afternoon. Flames were seen shooting from
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Family 'appalled' at long wait for care home place
ELDERLY patients are occupying medical beds at Northallerton's Friarage hospital for up to eight months because of a lack of funding to allow them to move into nursing homes. Lengthy waits for cash to buy places at homes mean many must remain on acute
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Whickham secure second successive title
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Under-15s - Sacriston sent Whickham crashing to 25 all out as Martin Hubber and Ian Nelson wreaked havoc. Hubber took four wickets for as many runs in five overs and Nelson was just as effective claiming
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Regeneration scheme boosted by cash gift
ANOTHER piece in the Ripon regeneration jigsaw will be slotted into place later today. One of the city's leading employers has confirmed it is to donate £10,000 towards the enhancement of the River Skell, which flows through the heart of the ancient community
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Durham look to Davies as Brown misses again
DURHAM could hand a first-class debut to Mark Davies at Lord's today after deciding not to risk Simon Brown in their championship match against Middlesex. With Steve Harmison ruled out by a severe chest infection, it could come down to a choice between
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Hear All Sides
Letters from The Northern Echo MEANING OF LIFE THOSE of us who do not believe in God or the afterlife do not live out our lives in "some meaningless vacuum" as R Morris suggests (HAS, July 21). I think that the meaning and purpose of life is life itself
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Parishes can bid for new rural bus routes and services
PARISHES in the Stokesley area could each apply for £10,000 transport grants to buy a charity's minibus services, which are allegedly threatened by subsidy changes. That was an expert's advice at a meeting on the future of bus services operated by Stokesley
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Couple face sex charges
A COUPLE were sent for trial at Crown Court yesterday on charges of indecent assault. Shirley Anne Allen, 53, and 58-year-old James Leslie Allen, of Stuart Avenue, Richmond, both appeared at a brief hearing at the town's magistrates court, where they
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Wear Valley - Fresh start for council tenants
A HOUSING strategy and business plan put before Wear Valley councillors today marks a fresh start for the district's 5,850 tenants. New housing director Michael Laing is asking for backing for changes which, he says, will improve a key service in the
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Society set to honour heritage
PREPARATIONS are under way for the celebrations for Yorkshire Day across the former Cleveland area. The County of Cleveland, set up following a local government reshuffle in the mid-Seventies, was abolished more than five years ago when the four areas
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Musical year that has been full of high notes
AS well as our usual weekly music lessons, this has been a year which has been full of musical events. One of these was when year five and six children participated in a national charity concert at Newcastle Telewest Arena. This was a breathtaking experience
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Garden waste could save peat reserves
A NEW product being made at a Ripon landfill site could safeguard Britain's ancient peat reserves. Peat reserves are at risk from Britain's gardeners' demand for the organic compound. Yorwaste, a waste management company based in Northallerton, is working
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Games News
CIU League - Ferryhill went down to their first defeat in the pool section when they visited Crowtrees and lost by the odd point. This was the end of any unbeaten record in any of the sections. Despite the defeat Ferryhill still share the top pool spot
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Council's future still undecided
FEWER than one per cent of householders in Redcar and Cleveland have expressed an opinion on the future direction of the local council. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council received 575 replies to a questionnaire sent out to all households asking for
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Hidden away - Yarm's latest eaterie
OWNERS of The Hide in Yarm will be hoping lots of people seek out their caf bar which boasts a first for the North -ast. The Hide, which opened up at the weekend, has a wood-burning oven for cooking pizzas - the first of its kind outside London. The new
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Beijing booster for holy Murton
The blackest hole since Calcutta is finally being filled in - thanks to a trade mission to Beijing. After the huge crater appeared overnight in Murton FC's pitch - when an underground culvert collapsed - officials from club, parish council and Murton
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Tale of love and tragedy on a plate
OF CONTINUING interest is the story behind the scenes depicted on the familiar blue and white willow pattern pottery. This cropped up recently in a conversation with some friends who wondered about the identity of the two blue and white birds which are
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NFU worries about new welfare rates
FARMERS' leaders have expressed concern over new payment rates introduced in a reform of the livestock welfare disposal scheme. The NFU made strong representations to the government following the announcement by food chain minister Lord Whitty on Tuesday
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Playground campaign due to complete first phase of work
A CAMPAIGN by parents to build a playground for their children is about to complete its first phase. The Pity Me Play Park Initiative was formed by parents last October after most of the open space in the Durham City suburb was swallowed up by development
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Tudhoe and Ushaw enjoy convincing wins
The Readers Durham County League Under-15s - Crook Town were restricted to 37-9 at Tudhoe where they lost by eight wickets. Daniel Fox took three wickets for 15 runs in five overs, John Allison claimed three wickets for 17 runs also in a five-overs spell
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Rural champion pledges help for firms to survive the crisis
TONY Blair's countryside champion has pledged to press the Government to provide more help for rural businesses in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Rural Advocate Ewen Cameron acknowledged there had been difficulties in getting financial support
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Council wins fight to keep FMD-related closures in force
RIGHTS of way in parts of North Yorkshire hit by foot-and-mouth disease are to remain closed after the government reached an agreement with the county council this week. Councillors last week lobbied for a blanket closure of public footpaths and bridleways
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Wages for housework is a rally call to chaos
THERE was only one positive point about the violent and tragic events in Genoa last weekend, said our lunch guest on Sunday. It kept Jeffrey Archer off the front page of his morning paper. As I'd started last Friday's daily paper at page 8 to avoid the
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Saxby medal joy
PROMISING swimmer Caroline Saxby continued to make a name for herself in the British Long Course Championships recently. The in form Wear Valley swimmer, who lives in Stockton, came away from the Crystal Palace pool with six medals - a haul that was welcomed
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Tennis News
Slazanger Harrogate and District League - Harlow brought a dash of spice to the race for Division One glory with two victories in as many days to overtake favourites The Academy at the top. Harlow now head the table with 19 points while The Academy are
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Robson Brown welcomed to the team
TRAVEL concern Team Lincoln has signed up advertising PR and design agency Robson Brown to implement its first TV advertising campaign. Team Lincoln specialises in bargain holidays, mainly sold through Teletext and the Internet, which it services through
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Profits down, but ICI chief hails 'robust performance'
THE economic slowdown has failed to hurt paint and chemicals giant ICI as much as City analysts had feared. The company, which employs more than 1,000 people on Teesside, turned in pre-tax profits of £210m for the six months to June 30, six per cent down
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Battle to save the red suirrel
A UNIQUE conservation plan is under way in Kielder forest to prevent England's biggest surviving population of red squirrels from dying out in 11 years' time from a lack of food. The forest district, where 150m trees span 200 square miles from County
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Vets win their fight for co-ordinator
A VETERINARY surgeon is to co-ordinate foot-and-mouth related inquiries from vets across Yorkshire and Humberside. The move came after vets from the region met officials from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Harrogate last
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Leather team tailor-made for success
TWO Derwentside entrepreneurs have found their skill in working with leather is leading them into new areas, from re-upholstering classic cars to keeping a disabled dog mobile with a tailor-made harness. Demand from customers has led English Pride Leathers
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Colourful cricket comes to Durham
Durham are preparing to stage the most colourful match in the club's history. For as well as entertaining Hampshire Hawks under floodlights on Wednesday, August 15 the crowd is being invited to come along in fancy dress. There will be a host of prizes
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Novelty of no-name pictures
VISITORS to a new exhibition at the Margrove Heritage Centre, near Guisborough, can have fun giving their own titles to the images on view. The exhibition, called "Seeing is Believing - Or Is It?" is a collection of 24 photographs and digital processing
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Call for public opinion to influence pub's fate
A COUNCIL has urged an appeal inspector to take the weight of public opinion on board in deciding a pub's fate. Barrister Richard Merritt made the recommendation on the final day of an appeal by Whitbread to overturn Middlesbrough Borough Council's decision
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Junior football
Darlington 21st Allstars - The club's first tournament for a number of years took went to plan and was regarded a success. It took place over a weekend at Longfield School, Darlington and involved seven-a-side teams from Darlington itself, other areas
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400 matches, 104 teams and five winners
Norton & Stockton Ancients junior football club hosted their first football tournament at the weekend with a mammoth 104 teams competing. Over 400 matches were played on 17 pitches while two teams travelled from Essex to take part - all of it taking
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Kayleigh takes National gold
Young athlete Kayleigh Brown returned victorious after her foray into Wales to represent Durham saw her win a gold medal. Competing in the National Association of Clubs for Young People championships, held in Newport, South Wales, Brown finished first
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Quieter times for Mrs Archer
I CAN'T understand why Mary Archer has been looking so glum since her husband Jeffrey's imprisonment. She should be relieved - for the first time in their married life she now knows where he is and what he's up to every night - tucked up safely, and alone
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Durham - Fitting tribute to city horse man
ONE of Durham's best-known figures has died after an 18-month battle against cancer. Bobby Bryden, 46, was a freeman of the City of Durham and known throughout the city for his love of horses and pigeons. His funeral took place at St Giles' Church in
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Work starts on new store in Bedale
NOTE TO SUBS; WITH NEW PIC BY BRIAN OF QUALITY FARE BOSS ON SITE....... WORK has finally begun on a new store at Bedale, 16 months after planning permission was granted. The £1.2m development, on a previously derelict site behind the market place, represents
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Ill man brandished weapon at revellers
A MENTALLY ill man brandished a weapon at people enjoying a night out in Guisborough. The incident happened in Westgate on Friday when the man in his 30s, who was said to be in a depressed state, insinuated to police he was going to harm people. One eyewitness
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Angling News
Woodland Lakes at Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk hit top form during Saturday's Open staged on Skylark and Partridge Lakes, writes JEFF HERBERT. Perfect conditions warm and overcast resulted in a staggering 1,550lbs of fish and 40.0.0 required for tenth
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Award tonic for hospital service
SOUTH Durham Health Care NHS Trust has been awarded a Charter Mark award for its breast care service. The service, at Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland General hospitals, provides a rapid access one-stop clinic for people with suspected breast cancer
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Survey prompts action plan to revamp troubled estate
ACTION to transform a troubled estate is being planned by residents. Members of Woodhouse Close Residents' Action Group, in Bishop Auckland, recently commissioned their own survey of the estate's problems, using government cash. An action plan is being
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Mayor visits new centre site
PREPARATIONS for Redcar's new £26m shopping centre have been inspected by the town's mayor. Coun Vilma Collins visited the site for the new Regent Walk development, near Wilton Street, and saw how demolition work is paving the way for building to start
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Is this a threequel I see before me?
The box office success of Jurassic Park III's opening weekend on both sides of the Atlantic shows that the public hasn't yet tired of those flesh-munching dinosaurs. But that's the exception to the first among sequels rule that states two may be company
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Invitation to craft day at nature reserve
VISITORS to an east Durham nature reserve are being given the chance to try their hand at woodland craft. English Nature is holding the event at the Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve, at Peterlee, on Saturday, August 11, from 11am to 4pm. People
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Inquiries continue into death of suspect
INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into the death of a suspected child molester. An inquest into the death of Norman Dyer, of Rothbury Road, Stockton, was opened on Teesside yesterday and adjourned for further inquiries. A family stumbled across Mr Dyer's
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Young crime fighters rewarded
YOUNG people from across the Tees Valley have been involved in running campaigns to reduce crime in the area as part of a competition organised by Cleveland Police. The Youth Against Crime 2001 competition involved groups of youngsters running a project
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Chester le Street - Ron takes on the elements
AN ARMY officer needed all his skill, determination and physical fitness when he took part in the Army Sailboarding Championships in high winds at Portland. Capt Ron Moles, 40, of Chester-le-Street, who serves with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers
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Chief confirmed
THE man who has overseen the successful move from Dryburn to the new £97m North Durham hospital has been confirmed as chief executive. Steven Mason, a father-of-five who has been acting chief executive of the North Durham Health Care NHS Trust for the
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Darlington - New plan for homes
A MINI-community is being planned on land on the outskirts of Darlington close to the proposed West Park estate. The plans comprise a two-storey block of 14 apartments, shops and a GP's surgery and car parking on land next to Alverton Drive at Faverdale
