Archive
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Wear Valley - Village charter row resolved
A VILLAGE row over the rightful ownership of an historical royal charter has been peacefully resolved. The seal was granted by Queen Victoria in 1846 to allow the tiny dales village of St John's Chapel, to hold fairs twice a year. When the vellum document
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Striker Mellanby keen to get back to goalscoring ways
DARLINGTON striker Danny Mellanby is itching to see his name up in lights again. Since his summer switch from Bishop Auckland Mellanby has established himself as a first-team regular at Feethams. And the talented 22-year-old hasn't looked out of place
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Harrison races ahead
MOTORBIKE ace Richard Harrison has just won his first national championship, but can't take his bike on the road. The 23-year-old Darlington rider, who has just returned from winning the National Honda Championships at Castle Combe, has never sat his
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Darlington - Partners seek cash to fund new post
A TOWN is pushing forward with plans to appoint an officer to co-ordinate planned improvements. The Ferryhill Partnership is looking for someone to make sure recommendations made in the recent town appraisal are carried out. A partnership meeting this
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Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League
In the Villa Real Cup third round Premier side Billingham Wanderers won 1-0 away to Division One side Wardley Green in a hard fought game. Mark Steel was a constant threat for the Teessiders who eventually took the lead after good work by Terry Murphy
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Stations in life
THERE is good news this week about the Wensleydale railway line. Rail industry representatives have handed over extra track to campaigners, who want to restore passenger trains throughout the dale and beyond. The track came from the previously run-down
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Worker's health claim challenged
CLAIMS that a former chemical worker's health problems were made worse by exposure to substances at work were "pure speculation", a court heard yesterday. Jeffrey Lamb, who has to undergo kidney dialysis, has taken former employers ICI and BASF to court
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Ice Hockey News
Junior round-up - It was third time lucky for Sunderland Tomahawks in the English Under-19 North A league after home defeats by Altrincham Tigers and Nottingham Leopards. Tomahawks gained their first points by defeating Telford Trojan 8-3 at the Telewest
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Letters: Forced out, but why?
Sir, - I am surprised at the lack of publicity given to the imminent closure of one of Richmond's most valued shopping facilities. The garden and farm supply centre has been in existence for 27 years and is an Aladdin's cave of all types of hardware,
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Assistant hurt in shop raid
A GANG of armed robbers attacked a female shop worker and stole a large amount of cash in a daring daytime raid yesterday. Up to four men entered the Co-op store in Chain Lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, and stole cash boxes which were being delivered
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£17m vow as US firm calls in receivers
THE Government vowed last night to recover £17m of public money used to attract failed US electronics company Viasystems to the North-East. Parent company European PCB Group (Cayman Islands) announced last night it had called in the receivers for its
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Garden sites sought for sculptures in taste row
SALTBURN improvement company is to submit fresh applications for permission to erect two sculptures which have been the subject of controversy. At its recent meeting, two new sites were suggested, and there was also an update about the new seafront sports
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The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League
COUNDON Forrester bounced back in style from their defeat by The Speedwell last week by comprehensively beating Brinkburn 6-1. However, that result was in stark contrast from The Speedwell, who went down 3-2 to The Northern Echo, in one of the shock score-lines
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A19 joins first milk
THE A19 Milk Group is to supply its milk through the farmer co-operative "first milk" from October 1. Mr Willis Tuer, chairman of A19, said the decision had resulted from their membership of the Association of Dairy Farmers, which had recommended its
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Mile of secondhand track handed over to Wensleydale campaigners
REOPENING a rail link between Hawes and Garsdale would represent a big solution to a big problem in the dales, according to a community leader. County Coun John Blackie was speaking at a ceremony in Hawes railway station yard to mark the handover of a
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Welcome for boost to rural policing
A SPECIAL team of police officers has gone on patrol in rural parts of County Durham, giving extra help where it is most needed. A sergeant and six constables from Durham Constabulary's new rural support unit are providing extra manpower around the county
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Getting Zoe on her feet
SO what do you do with a baby who is encased in thick plaster from her shoulders to her ankles? How do you dress her? What happens when she won't fit in the car seat. How do you manage at meal times when you can't get her into her high chair any more
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Northern farmer is grassland president
A WELL-RESPECTED Northern farming figure is the new president of the British Grassland Society. Mr Don Wilkinson, who was elected at the annual meeting at Reading university's new school of agriculture policy and development, is one of only a handful
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Keep on bouncing
MY wife's eyes were red. She'd been watching the news - the unthinkably tragic news - with our two oldest children. "Can you pop up and say goodnight, they're a bit upset," she said as I arrived home late from work. They had sat in silence, listening
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Church celebrates reopening of hall
A COMMUNITY has celebrated the reopening of its refurbished church hall. Based in Gardiner Road, Sunderland, Holy Family church and church hall have been at the centre of the Grindon community for more than 41 years. Now, thanks to money from the Government's
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Durham - Robbers attack man, 83, in home
AN 83-YEAR-OLD ex-miner was so badly shaken by a gang of robbers that he hid in his bedroom for the entire night. A warden at the sheltered accommodation found him last Friday morning in his home at Edenfield, West Pelton, near Chester-le-Street. The
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Mowden fill the gap with girls' rugby
DARLINGTON Mowden Park Rugby Club has started a girls' rugby team, with training sessions for girls aged 12 to 16 held on Thursdays from 6-7pm. Once skills have been developed it is hoped matches will be arranged against teams from throughout County Durham
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Wear Valley - Pub party boosts hospital fund
FAMILIES turned out for two pub parties raising money for young hospital patients. John and Clare Bootland, from the Uplands Hotel, in Crook, have set themselves a £2,000 target for their campaign to help buy dialysis machines for the children's kidney
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Chester le Street - Tony talks of mutinies at the museum
THE INFAMOUS mutiny by over half the French Army in 1917 is to be explored in depth in a hard-hitting talk in County Durham. Tony Noyes, chairman of the Western Front Association, will be looking at the disastrous turn of events that lead to thousands
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'Brandish imitation guns at your peril'
POLICE are warning that people who brandish imitation guns risk being shot by armed officers. The warning from Durham Police assistant chief constable Ron Hogg follows two incidents involving ball bearing-firing handguns in different parts of the county
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Blair's message: World is with you
Prime Minister Tony Blair last night led a memorial service in New York for the Britons missing in the World Trade Centre rubble - and praised the worldwide solidarity for the victims of the terrorists. At a service at St Thomas Church, Mr Blair joined
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Driver in court facing same charge as top cop
A DRIVER went to court yesterday to fight a speeding case using the same reason given by a Cleveland Police superintendent who escaped being prosecuted. Peter Jennings, 57, from Stockton, received a £60 fixed penalty ticket after his van was caught by
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Consett & Stanley - Parents ask for more safe play areas
A GOVERNMENT-backed parent and toddler group is hoping to be able to part-fund a venture with its local council to provide more play areas. Sure Start in Stanley has already conducted a survey of the town's parents to find out what is needed in the town
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Rabbits dumped in skip
A FAMILY of baby rabbits abandoned in a North-East town have been given a temporary home. The RSPCA is looking for information about the five rabbits, thought to be between three and four-months-old, which were dumped in a skip in an alley in Queen Street
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Macho error speeds up Sorensen return
Thomas Sorensen will be rushed back to prop up Sunderland's wilting defence against Charlton tomorrow. The Danish goalkeeper is still recovering from two operations on a broken nose. But Peter Reid hinted he would be pressed into action after a mistake
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Hughes injury opens the door for Distin
Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes has been ruled out for three weeks because of hamstring trouble. And that could give new French signing Sylvain Distin the chance to claim a first team place. Distin, signed from Paris St Germain on a year's loan for £500,000
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Crisp firm sacks two over theft of prizes
A CRISP company says it has lost a packet over a carefully weighed-up money scam which has led to two workers being sacked and a further seven suspended. Snack food maker Walkers yesterday confirmed it had taken the tough disciplinary action at its Peterlee
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Manufacturing sucked into downward spiral
THE manufacturing sector has slumped to a near three-year low, new figures show. According to the CBI's monthly industrial trends survey for this month, order books showed their worst position for more than two years. Of those surveyed, 42 per cent of
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Olivia hits it off with local golf club users
THE plight of a Northallerton youngster has touched the hearts of local golfers. Three-year-old Olivia Webster, of Brampton Road, was diagnosed with the terminal condition spinal muscular atrophy when 20 months old. It has attacked her muscles and she
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Wellock's World
IF any thoughts of peace and goodwill went through Roy Keane's head during the minute's silence at St James' Park on Saturday they had clearly evaporated 90 minutes later. No doubt Alan Shearer was not entirely blameless in lighting Keane's notoriously
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The Albany Northern League
Seaham Red Star's new manager, Wilf Constantine, knows he's got a tough task ahead. Constantine became the latest occupant of the Seaham hot seat on Friday, after Jim McGrath walked out following their 7-0 crushing by Brandon in the FA Cup. He pipped
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Crime studies centre opens
A UNIVERSITY'S new centre for criminal justice was opened yesterday by Home Office Minister Keith Bradley. Mr Bradley spoke about the Government's approach to crime when he opened York University's centre for criminal justice, economics and psychology
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Healthy living projects backed
A SUCCESSFUL bid for £640,000 worth of National Lottery funding for healthy living projects is a triumph for an alliance of community groups in Sedgefield. The Borough of Sedgefield Health Living Centre Partnership put forward such a convincing case for
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One initiative will not cope with crisis, says dales businessman
A FARMER who diversified into ice-cream production but found his business hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis came face to face with the Rural Affairs Minister, Mr Alun Michael, on Monday. Mr Brian Moore set up the Brymor ice cream factory and visitor parlour
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Morrisons winning the fight as contest gets tough
SUPERMARKET group William Morrison has seen "no let up" in the intense competition among supermarkets for shoppers' custom. With supermarket chains increasing the stakes in the price war by announcing regular price cuts, competition on the high street
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Durham - Children's charity to benefit from festival
A NORTH-EAST record company is putting on a rock festival in aid of the NSPCC next month. Dragon Records, which is based in Durham, is holding Mutfest at Peterlee Leisure Centre on Saturday, October 6. Headlining the show will be Amara, who recently toured
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Janet's diets always became labour of love
EVERY time Janet Forster tried to lose a few pounds, she gained a child. The dramatic side effect came after the housewife decided she wanted to slim down to the eight stone person she was before the birth of her first child. But every time she succeeded
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Contrasts of conflict
As the US and its coalition partners start massing their forces in preparation for a military strike against Osama bin Laden, two political commentators write for The Northern Echo. Campaigning journalist JOHN PILGER says last week's atrocity was a response
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Smith's late spree nets him national title
STOCKTON'S Barry Smith enjoyed an incredible and hectic final 60 minutes to claim the individual title with 8.450 kg in the Embassy Division Three National Angling Championship recently. Smith, a 48-year-old diesel fitter from Fairfield, only had a few
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Poverty, prison and now fame have not changed our Ricky
THERE are no luvvie airs and graces about Ricky Tomlinson. The ex-plasterer, who has become a national treasure as the head of TV's The Royle Family, isn't afraid to speak his mind. But he can't understand why Hartlepool ignored what he had to say when
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Ebb and flow of a seaside sale
WHITBY auctioneers Bairstow Eves' annual sale of North-East and marine paintings came on the day after the attack on America, so many people were distracted or subdued, and perhaps some did not make the sale. In the cafes in the cascades of back streets
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Angling News
ENGLAND were crowned World Champions again in France last weekend, writes JEFF HERBERT. A record turnout of 36 teams battled it out on a very hard River Seine in Paris and England were trailing in foruth place after Saturday's match. But an unbelievable
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Conspiracy to build denied by cottage owner
THE owner of an old Hutton Rudby cottage has denied he wants to divert a public footpath so he can build a house on a neighbouring paddock. Mr Mark Foden, of Pear Tree Cottage, has said he has no plans to build on the paddock at North End. His cottage
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Another policeman to face charges in corruption probe
A NINTH police officer is to face disciplinary charges as a result of a long running anti-corruption inquiry, the Police Complaints Authority said tonight. The Cleveland Police Constable, who has not been suspended, will face two disciplinary charges
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All that training pays off as Stephen become uk's strongest man
THE years of gruelling training have paid off for Herculean Stephen Brooks. He has finally achieved his dream of becoming the UK's Strongest Man. The 35-year-old from Spennymoor, County Durham, clinched the title at the weekend after battling it out with
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Drunken man pulled from harbour water
A DRUNKEN man was described as being only minutes from death after he became trapped in an icy river. Police and lifeboat officers were called to the riverbank at Quayside House, near Port of Sunderland, Wearside, after reports of a body in the water
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Snooker News
Worthington CIU Summer League - Wheatley Hill A clinched the League Championship in their penultimate game when they only dropped one point on their visit to Fishburn A. The Hill took the first four points through Ronnie Peacock, Alan Hall, Dennis Clish
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Stolen car is found crashed
POLICE and fire crews were called after a stolen car was crashed into a lamppost. The emergency services were alerted following the incident at about 10pm on Wednesday. When they arrived, they found a white Volkswagen Polo crashed into a lamp post at
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Pensioner loses gold watch in mugging
MUGGERS who picked on a pensioner stole a gold watch that had belonged to her mother. The incident happened just before 3pm on Wednesday, when the 73-year-old woman from Acklam was on her way to meet a friend. She had just got off a bus, and was walking
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Keep on bouncing
MY wife's eyes were red. She'd been watching the news - the unthinkably tragic news - with our two oldest children. "Can you pop up and say goodnight, they're a bit upset," she said as I arrived home late from work. They had sat in silence, listening
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Manslaughter denied
A 25-year-old appeared in court today and denied killing a man in the region. Michael Reeves, of Palmerston Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Burrup, of Stanhope, County Durham at Teesside Crown Court today
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North Yorkshire - Past comes to life for History Day
TOWNSFOLK stepped back in time at the weekend as the past came to life in Northallerton. Local historians staged their second History Day in the town hall -and the event caught the imagination of the public. The day was held as a celebration and appreciation
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Toy pistols spark airport security scare
PASSENGERS are being advised to take care packing their suitcases after a grandfather sparked a major security alert at a Spanish airport. The unnamed man, in his sixties, delayed a plane from Fuerteventura Airport, in the Canary Islands, on its return
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Tees Valley transformation
A £50m draft action plan to transform the Tees Valley over three years was unveiled today. The plan was announced by the Tees Valley Partnership after the sum was donated by the regional development agency, One NorthEast. It includes: proposals for a
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Consett & Stanley - Art exhibition celebrates 40th anniversary of town's civic hall
THE Movers and Shakers of Derwentside have given the public of the area food for thought with an exhibition to help mark the 40th anniversary of Stanley Civic Hall. Professional community arts group the Movers and Shakers worked with young people to come
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Fans left to count fixture cost
THE fixture planners have done North-East rugby fans no favours with all four teams in National Division Three North being away from home again tomorrow. In fact, they are all at home and away on the same dates until the sequence is broken by the first
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New nursing payments could add to crisis
A HUGE patient assessment takes place in Darlington borough next month to prepare for the delivery of free nurse care in all 21 nursing homes. The process, to be initiated by Darlington primary care group, forms part of a massive change in government
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Boxer ready with repeat knockout
THE gloves will be off as far as Lady Boxer (3.30) is concerned in this afternoon's Tote-sponsored £15,000 Ayr Silver Cup. The five-year-old mare has not collected since launching a scintillating smash-and-grab raid in the event 12 months ago, when she
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Letters: An imposition
Sir, - In response to the recent letters of William Mayne and Hillary Cartmel regarding the sculptures commissioned by the Saltburn Improvement Company, Mr Mayne describes the silence of the SIC over the problems it is experiencing in imposing them upon
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When prison meant punishment and horror was the workhouse
DEPRIVED of one's liberty, detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, incarcerated, imprisoned, in stir, in jug or in the slammer, doing time, bird or porridge, banged up, sent down. Whether you use the prosaic language of officialdom or the colourful Petticoat
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Honouring the victims
THE people of Redcar and east Cleveland have paid tribute to the thousands who died in America's recent terrorist attacks. As a sign of respect the Redcar Cenotaph, on Coatham Road, was adorned with wreaths decked out in red, white and blue - the colours
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Eleventh member of heroin gang locked up
AN eleventh member of a gang which peddled heroin in a North-East market town yesterday joined his counterparts behind bars. Carlo Fella, 28, said to have "facilitated" in the supply of the class A drug in Chester-le-Street over at least five months,
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Time for a change at Watch It
WATCH IT, one of the seven original shops which opened in Eldon Square in 1976, has been taken over by new management. The Newcastle shopping centre jewellers has been refitted at a cost of £80,000. The company's new director Alex Conn, originally from
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Va Bien heads for the Wembley limelight
A DEBUT appearance at the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley beckons for a versatile, locally-bred horse. Va Bien, owned and bred by Inge Robbins of Castleton, has qualified for next month's showpiece in the Search for a Star competition, ridden by Jodie
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Celebrating a diamond year
A school which was the first Roman Catholic secondary modern in the North Riding when it opened, is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year. St Peter's Comprehensive School, South Bank, Teesside, opened in January 1942 and catered for youngsters from
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Police investigate mystery death
DETECTIVES in Redcar are baffled by the discovery of a woman's body on the town's promenade. The body of 44-year-old former teacher Debra McNicholas was discovered near the children's play area and paddling pool at Redcar at 7am on Sunday morning. A post-mortem
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Nothing but grey skies
BRITISH Airways is not the first international airline to announce job cuts in the wake of the US terrorist attacks. It is only following the lead of airlines across the Atlantic, which reacted quickly to the terrorist attack just over a week ago. British
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Airfield mooted as museum site
THE former RAF Catterick airfield is likely to be the home of a new national army museum. The site, which now forms Marne barracks, home of the army's 8 Transport Regiment, was suggested as a location for the museum by Lt Col Nick Gaskell, commander of
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Jenny's got plenty bottle
THE latest green initiative for the Hambleton district was officially launched yesterday. Recycling officer Jenny Lowes was the first to use one of the new banks provided for old plastic bottles. The new banks, at B and Q in Northallerton and Tesco in
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Court may close for want of cash to pay for cells
A CELLS shortage has sparked fears that a Cleveland court may have to close. The magistrates' court at Guisborough could be shut down unless the government agrees to pay for essential cell facilities. Its future hangs on a bid for cash to build cells
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Darlington - More help for carers
A SUPPORT group for carers is being relaunched after a national report forecast three people in five will end up caring for a frail or disabled person. Carers Darlington will provide information and support for 9,000 unpaid carers. It is keen to attract
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Village fights to keep its 'lifeline' payphone
COUNCILLORS in East Cleveland look set to win a battle to keep a phone box in a remote village. Members of Loftus Town Council kicked up a fuss when a payphone was removed from Liverton village. BT said the kiosk had to be taken out because of building
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Snares campaigner vows to fight on despite beating
AN animal rights campaigner who has waged a ten-year crusade against snares has vowed to continue his fight - despite being attacked by three men in his home. John Gill, 53, suffered cuts and severe bruising yesterday after being punched, kicked and struck
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Support group aiming to raise the profile of carers
A SUPPORT group for carers is being relaunched after a national report revealed three people in five will end up caring for a loved one. Carers Darlington will provide information and support to the town's 9,000 unpaid carers, who look after chronically
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Darts News
Gail Abbott of Crook has qualified to play in the Ladies Darts Masters Tournament in Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday, November 4 after winning the Knock-out tournament among the Durham County Super League players. A victory at Stoke would move Gail on to the
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Bob goes live to build on chart success
CHILDREN'S television fav-ourite Bob The Builder is being tipped to outdo some of the world's top music acts with his tour which comes to the North-East next year. Tickets for a seven-show, five-day run at the Telewest Arena, in Newcastle, in March, go
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Dispute over playgroup splits village
A PLAYGROUP scheme said to be "tearing a moorland community apart" is still in the balance. The situation at Glaisdale is so sensitive, members of a planning committee are making a last-ditch bid to resolve a series of issues. On Monday, plans for a new
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Scheme offers vital cash for villages
SUBSTANTIAL grants to help rural communities survive and thrive are available through the countryside scheme Vital Villages. Launched by the Countryside Agency, the scheme aims to help villages address transport needs, training and leisure opportunities
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Call for cells at court
A MAGISTRATES' court risks closure unless the Government agrees to pay for essential cells says David Moreton, chairman of Cleveland Magistrates' Courts Committee. Since the closure of the nearby police station, whose cells the court used to use, it has
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Viaduct death mum's war fears played down
POLICE have played down reports that a mother killed herself and her autistic son because she feared a third world war. Helen Rogan plunged to her death with 11-year-old Mark Owen Young from a County Durham viaduct, on Monday, after telling her family
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Helping Heather's welcome return
SCHOOLCHILDREN are helping to recreate a heather moorland destroyed 60 years ago by opencast mining. Children from Kibblesworth and Marley Hill primary schools have been planting heather on Burdon Moor, which is close to the Tanfield Railway. Burdon Moor
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Glorious day for Rainton
East Rainton clinched the championship of division one with a final day victory at home to Plawsworth. The visitors were all out for the last ball of the 45 overs for 113 runs which included 31 by Peter Harwood. The batsmen, however, found the bowling
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Sea bed may be probed for ammunition
AN UNDER-SEA investigation may be carried out after more rusted munitions were washed up on the East Coast. Experts are studying a plea to investigate the sea bed off Redcar amid fears that a wrecked munitions ship may be breaking up, giving up its volatile
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Throwing some light on energy efficiency
A THOUSAND energy-efficient light bulbs will be given away in Darlington over the weekend as part of an environmental roadshow. The roadshow, taking place today in the market place and tomorrow at Safeway's car park, will be highlighting ways in which
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Jolly hockey sticks at college
STUDENTS and staff at a Darlington sixth form college abandoned their normal clothes to dress up as St Trinian's schoolgirls on Tuesday. The fun event at Queen Elizabeth sixth form college raised more than £600 for charity and also helped the new arrivals
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Firm offers shopping advice to councillors
THE owners of Darlington's Queen Street centre are helping the council with its idea of a new shopping complex in the town centre. The St Martins property company has agreed to examine the feasibility of developing the Commercial Street site to attract
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Letters: Only stewards
Sir, - I feel that it would be useful to your readers in Middleton St George to explain clearly the objections to the proposed alterations to the playing field. Alas, Sheila Todd's reportage has done little to clarify a quite simple situation. The proposed
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Salute to six losers . . .
SIX slimmers have lost more than 22 stones between them and are now entering a national slimming competition. The six, who attend Slimfit classes in the Durham City area, stand a good chance of winning one of Slimfit's top awards at the Slimmer of the
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Racing Week by Jo Scott
BOLLIN Eric gave trainer Tim Easterby a grand 40th birthday present at Doncaster when landing the mile nursery in good style under Robert Winston - but there may be even bigger presents to come for Sir Neil and Lady Westbrook's homebred Shaamit colt.
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Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League
Trimdon maintained their 100 per cent record when they won their fifth successive game defeating Hebburn 12-1. There was no stopping the Trimdon lads and Liam Parsons and Kit Luke in particular. Parsons rifled five goals, Luke helped himself to four and
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Haverton share glory in goal spree
HAVERTON Hill went to Boosbeck and recorded a 7-0 victory. Arthur Black put them in front early on and it soon became clear that it was a matter of how many. Five up at the break, Haverton Hill eased off to register twice in the second half, all seven
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Reid cheers on fundraisers
SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid met inmates and staff at a young offenders' institution to congratulate them on their fundraising effort for a sick boy. Everyone at Deerbolt, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, has been touched by the plight of Alyson Herbert's
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Appeal follows fatal road crash
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a fatal accident on a notorious bend which claimed the life of a teenager. Steven David Weston, 19, died from extensive head injuries after his car left the road and struck a tree on the A688, at Barford Corner, near
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Bowman and Anderson Spennymoor Sunday League
NEWTON Aycliffe powered their way to a 7-2 victory over Brandon as veteran striker Paul Buxton pulled on the old boots at the grand age of 41. Buxton came out of retirement for this game due to several players being missing - and the wily fox didn't disappoint
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Wellock's World
IF any thoughts of peace and goodwill went through Roy Keane's head during the minute's silence at St James' Park on Saturday they had clearly evaporated 90 minutes later. No doubt Alan Shearer was not entirely blameless in lighting Keane's notoriously
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Principal resigns as college opens
THE principal of a new college in east Cleveland has resigned just days after it opened. Alison Fraser, principal of the newly-created Freebrough Community College, resigned because of family illness. The college is an amalgamation of the three secondary
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Garden centre: did owner fall or was he pushed?
A BUSINESS established in Richmond nearly 30 years ago is set to close at the end of November after a legal wrangle over the lease. Mr Mike Pattison, owner of Richmond garden and farm supply centre, housed in the old station building, says failure by
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French class starts
PEOPLE in east Cleveland who would like to improve their French language skills can join a part-time course in Redcar. The course will meet at Redcar Adult Education Centre, opposite Redcar and Cleveland College, on Tuesday mornings starting on Tuesday
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New hope for future of art treasures
THE Church of England raised hopes yesterday that its most valuable collection of paintings could stay in the North-East, even though they are to be sold off to help hard-up parishes. The board of governors of the Church Commissioners voted to strip the
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Former pupils enjoy return trip
EX-PUPILS from a historic site in Redcar returned last week to give their verdict on a multi-million pound refurbishment scheme. The 325-year-old Sir William Turner's Hospital in Kirkleatham operated as an educational centre for five years between 1937
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Forest walk at night
NATURE lovers can discover the magic of Guisborough Forest at night from 7.30pm until 9.30pm tonight. Meet at the Guisborough Forest and Walkway Centre at Pinchinthorpe, but first call Briony on (01287) 631132
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The Wearside League
Stokesley SC, with ambitions of joining the Albany Northern League, reckon they produced their best result since they were admitted into the Wearside League just over two years ago when they defeated North Shields last weekend. "Let's face it. We were
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Vandals stole and killed birds
POLICE are looking for vandals who killed a family of ducklings and stole some chickens. The incident happened at the Priory Garden market garden, off Bow Street in Guisborough, last Friday when 15 chickens were stolen and nine ducklings killed. Owner
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Tinker ends great season with dramatic win
FOLLOWING victories at the North of England and NASA finals in recent months, Catterick Village driver Martyn Tinker added the British Autograss Series title to his list of successes in 2001 after taking a dramatic win in the finals held at the Lincoln
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Six years on, ICI chief to step down
ICI chairman Charles Miller Smith is to retire next year after more than six years at the helm. Mr Miller Smith, who is also chairman of ScottishPower, was appointed chief executive of ICI in 1995 and became chairman in 1999. Mr Miller Smith, who joined
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Farmers to gain from forest fun
HAMSTERLEY Riding Association is transforming itself into an amateur witches' coven in preparation for some Halloween fun in the forest. The area has been off limits to riders for much of the year due to the foot-and-mouth precautions. All proceeds will
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The key to unlocking a bit of local history
A RIPON woman was this week been given the key of the door ... but she's not 21. Mother-of-two Mrs Greta Wass, aged 55, from West Tanfield, near Ripon, has added the new key to the large bunch she already has as church cleaner. She has taken on the role
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The fabric is rent, but the shows must go on
EVERYTHING has its season and for many years this has been a signing-off time in the countryside and the D&S Times office - the signing-off from the show season with the Nidderdale society's event at Pateley Bridge. This year, for reasons which do
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Fishermen may hold key to death
DETECTIVES investigating the death of a North-East woman believe that local fishermen may have vital information. The body of 44-year-old former teacher Debra McNicholas was found on the beach at Redcar, East Cleveland, early on Sunday morning. Police
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Father's plea over earrings exclusion
THE family of a teenager thrown out of school for wearing earrings have pleaded with teachers to take him back. Robert Gilbert, 13, was told not to bother turning up for lessons at Hebburn Comprehensive, Hebburn, South Tyneside, unless he removed two
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Leigh-Ann's birthday surprise
A NORTH-EAST girl who lost both her legs in an accident which killed her two young friends was given a special 18th birthday present when her boy-friend proposed. At Easter 1993, Leigh-Ann Johns, then just nine, was playing with her friends, Rachel and
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Two are charged over pub burns man
TWO men appeared before magistrates yesterday charged with the attempted murder of a man found in a pub toilet with severe burns. Robert Iley, 52, of Trent Crescent and Dominic Younger, 29, of Medway, both in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, were
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Accountant who stole from firm is jailed for four years
A COMPANY accountant who stole more than £25,000 from his firm and spent the money on prostitutes has been jailed for four years after his wife discovered his guilty secret. Stephen Webster's crimes came to light when wife Joy found times and meetings
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Parent punched teacher's friend
A FATHER punched and kicked the boyfriend of his daughter's teacher over a dispute at school, a court heard yesterday. Anthony Burton attacked Robert Cole, leaving him unconscious for a minute after kicking him in the face, Teesside Crown Court was told
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North Yorkshire - Paths to reopen as animals move
MORE footpaths are to be reopened in North Yorkshire in a move timed to coincide with the lifting of some restrictions on animal movements. Hundreds of public rights-of-way in the county have been closed for months because of the continuing foot-and-mouth
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Now there's hatred on our streets
THE chilling words daubed across a wall in South Shields this week should remind us all, if we didn't already know it, that this ugly war is right on our doorstep: "Avenge USA, Kill a Muslim now". Just two weeks ago, I wrote about the sort of hatred and
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Mister McGregor's garden
SO what does a Property Underwriting Manager for a French insurance company know about cabbages, cauliflower and curly kale? Well, quite a lot actually - as the 200 regular customers for Rob McGregor's boxes of organic veg will testify. Despite his high-flying
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Poverty, prison and now fame have not changed our Ricky
CTHERE are no luvvie airs and graces about Ricky Tomlinson. The ex-plasterer, who has become a national treasure as the head of TV's The Royle Family, isn't afraid to speak his mind. But he can't understand why Hartlepool ignored what he had to say when
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Nurses suspend threat of action
NURSERY nurses in Darlington have agreed to suspend their threat of industrial action over pay and career structure. After 18 months of campaigning, the nurses claim they have gained recognition for their extensive role from Darlington Borough Council's
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Hartlepool boss is ready to bring in more firepower
HARTLEPOOL United's striking options could be boosted ahead of tomorrow's encounter with Kidderminster. A goalless run of four games has seen shot-shy Pool fall to second bottom in the Division Three table and after Wednesday's loan capture of Middlesbrough's
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Mix-up threatens charity
A postal mix-up could mean the end for a North-East charity. Convoy Aid, of Teesside, which takes essential supplies to poverty-stricken Romania, is in danger of folding because the Post Office is returning donations to senders. Rod Jones says the charity
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Licensees win 2am appeal
A TOWN centre pub will be able to stay open until 2am after winning an appeal over its entertainments licence. The Black Bull Hotel, in Main Street, Ferryhill, can now open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, 12.30am on Sundays and 2am on Sundays before
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Cheer for publicans
TWO Barnard Castle publicans have reached the final of a national pub and gardening competition. Malcolm and Doreen Nixon, of the Cricketers Arms, beat off challengers to win the award for County Durham's Best Small Garden in The Union Pub Company Garden
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Hear All Sides
Letters from The Northern Echo TERRORISM YOUR leader (Echo, Sept 17) made a cogent case for US restraint and it was supported by two of the five letters that day. America's grief and rage are understandable and all of us share their sorrow. However, there
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Residents rage over phone mast plans
OBJECTORS have threatened to rip up a phone mast if BT Cellnet gets permission to build it in the middle of a town. The planning committee for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has met to discuss the application to put up a mobile phone mast outside
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Scathing attack on housing section
A HOUSING department at a County Durham council has been heavily criticised by inspectors. An Audit Commission report published yesterday said Chester-le-Street District Council's housing department was "unlikely to improve". The 25-page report also criticised
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Equitable's call to policyholders
POLICYHOLDERS of troubled mutual Equitable Life have been urged to back the society's proposed compromise deal as the "only realistic way" to end its financial instability. The society has been dogged by uncertainty since it lost a legal showdown in the
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Countryman's Diary; Ivy may even drink up the port
COUNTRY people of the past paid a lot of attention to this day's weather, not only because it is the equinox which marks the beginning of a new autumn, but also because it is the feast day of St Matthew. By tradition, it was the time for the bees to end
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Danger road inquiry delay
A PUBLIC inquiry into plans for a safer junction on a notorious stretch of road has been adjourned, the Highways Agency has announced. The delay in hearing the inquiry into proposals for Colton Lane and Bilbrough Top on the A64, near York, will allow
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Council agrees to £400,000 centre revamp
COUNCILLORS agreed yesterday that the 26-year-old Hambleton community centre at Northallerton should be refurbished because they cannot afford a new building on another site. The Hambleton council cabinet was told that it would cost an estimated £2.1m
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'Sheer quality' appeals to award judges
THE imaginative conversion of the derelict stable courtyard on the Aske estate at Richmond has won a major regional award. The scheme has provided more than 20,000 sq ft of office space and is already home to 12 companies employing more than 70 staff.
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Singing is a family affair
THREE generations of one family appear in Northallerton operatic society's production of The Sound of Music next month. Sara Boomsma, centre, plays Louisa, one of the von Trapp children, while her mother, Ruth, is cast as Sister Margaretta, and her grandmother
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Health trust praised for its quality of care
THE quality of care that patients receive at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has been praised in a routine assessment by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI). CHI is an independent body launched in April last year to help the NHS monitor and
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Council homes win reprieve as private beds fall
A CRISIS in the private care sector has forced Darlington council to backtrack on plans to close all its residential homes for the elderly. This week the cabinet agreed to postpone the closure of The Lawns and Westfields House after Darlington Memorial
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Pony dates
Bedale Hunt. - Variety show at Masham town hall. Rescheduled dates Oct 30 and 31, and Nov 2 and 3. Tickets £10 include supper. For details ring Anne White on 01325 378259. BHS Durham. - Oct 4: Ernest Dillon FBHS, show jumping for fun or glory lecture
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Watchdog's report is first class
A REPORT by education watchdog Ofsted says that a council is strongly committed to developing work in schools. The report paints a picture of improving standards and "consistent, sometimes rapid" improvement at the 67 schools in the Redcar and Cleveland
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Chester le Street - Man fighting for life after mystery fire
THE MOTHER of a 36-year-old man found engulfed in flames in a pub toilet has spoken of her anguish. Barry McCann, from Chester-le-Street, is fighting for his life after suffering 25 per cent burns during a mystery blaze in the toilets of the Warriors
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£1.3m boost for market towns
MASHAM and Pateley Bridge were celebrating this week following an announcement that a further £1.3m of European funding was being made available to regenerate the two towns and their hinterlands. The money is being made available through an integrated
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Hannah's US trip stays on schedule
TWO-YEAR-OLD Hannah Maxwell-Jones will fly to America as planned this Sunday, despite disruption caused by terrorist attacks. The girl from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, is due to travel to Arkansas in America's Deep South to have pioneering surgery on her
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Dale group has plans and presses for rail link
UPPER Wensleydale businesses had the full attention of Lord Haskins last Friday, when he visited Hawes as a board member of Yorkshire Forward. He was escorted by Mrs Heather Hancock, the regional development agency's environment director and a former
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Boxers prepare for golden opportunity
BOXERS have been cleaning up a town centre to fund a trip to the US. Members of Spennymoor Boxing Academy have been invited to Chicago's Golden Gloves Boxing Academy at the end of November, to take part in some bouts with their American counterparts.
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Comment from The Northern Echo - The making of a statesman
IF EFFORT alone could solve the current international crisis, Tony Blair would have it cracked within a day. As well as his whistle-stop trip to the US yesterday to counsel the President of the United States of America, Mr Blair has already met the Chancellor
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Health fears for people too in second wave of FMD
THE extreme stress of the return of foot-and-mouth to County Durham could lead to alcoholism and even domestic violence. But health professionals say there has been a low uptake of the front-line services set up to offer help. However, one answer could
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Consequent to work being carried out for Lord Barnard in the Private Chapel of Raby Castle, architects have made some interesting discoveries of ancient works which were covered up when the chapel was re-roofed and
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Problems stay as blue box goes
FARMERS on more than 1,500 farms in North Yorkshire have had foot-and-mouth restrictions lifted this week, but it will mean little change in their problems. Thirsk biosecurity "blue box" restrictions were lifted by Defra but, according to Thirsk NFU secretary
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Awards mark expansion of university
THE University of Durham is to mark another stage of its expansion in Stockton by conferring honorary doctorates on two former vice-chancellors and two main figures in the medical world. This year, the campus is launching its joint medical degree programme
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Letter bomber detained
A schizophrenic who waged a three-month letter bomb campaign was today ordered to be detained indefinitely at a mental hospital. Chester Crown Court heard how 27-year-old Glynn Harding targeted a dozen addresses in England, Scotland and Wales and injured
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The UniBond League
Bishop Auckland manager Tony Lee is delighted with new keeper David Campbell. Lee signed Campbell during the summer, and immediately installed him as first-choice keeper, and so far hasn't had cause to regret the move. Campbell has got plenty of UniBond
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Veteran rider shines
VETERAN Mike Thompson, from Barnard Castle, was one of 150 competitors who travelled from all corners of the UK to the Kawasaki BHS hunter trial championships at Newbury in Berkshire. He secured third spot in the UK novice finals on Achilles, who won
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The search is on for sport's true heroes
THE search is launched today for the Local Heroes of 2001 - as The Northern Echo announces the biggest celebration of grass roots sport ever staged in the North-East. The Local Heroes Awards 2001 is going to be the event of the year for all those who
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Heckingbottom puts Quakers in control
IT may still be early days, but Darlington's impressive 3-0 victory over in-form Leyton Orient at Feethams on Tuesday night will surely strengthen hopes that the Quakers can mount a serious promotion challenge this season. The performance was the perfect
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Audley faces up to miss-match
ROOKIE boxer Kirk Goodings had the fight of his life this week when he took on olympic super-heavyweight champ Audley Harrison. The 12-year-old fan travelled with his father to see the British hopeful who is preparing for his second professional fight
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Plans are being made for Nigel
HOPES are pinned on a young boxer winning a British title, after stunning the sports world with his meteoric rise, writes EMILY FLANAGAN. Nigel Wright has only spent 12 months as a professional boxer but after just two fights it is anticipated he will
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Change and co-operate or go under - Lord Haskins
SMALL farmers must radically change the way they do business or they will not survive, says a government minister. Lord Haskins, rural recovery co-ordinator for Defra, visited Skipton mart last week to meet the leaders of Rejuvenate, the self-help group
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Lol - a true legend in Darlington FC's history
Two bob in proper money, the same at the time as a pint of the new fangled Watney's Red Barrel, Northern Football magazine kicked about in the mid-1960s. Like an abandoned baby, a bundle has been left, gently, on the doorstep. There's a report on the
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Council rethink on care homes
PLANS to close two residential homes for the elderly are to be suspended to help cope with the loss of beds in the independent sector. A report to Darlington Borough Council's cabinet has revealed that the care market is almost at saturation point, following
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Costume drama adds character to castle visits
THE glorious history of one of the region's most famous stately homes is being brought to life as part of a major new tourism drive. A costumed character of Sir John Vanbrugh, the 18th Century architect of Castle Howard, will be making regular visits
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Store on look-out for 200 workers
A STORE is offering 200 temporary jobs in the run-up to Christmas. And 20 unemployed people in the Gateshead and South Tyneside will be guaranteed an interview if they take a three-day course. Marks and Spencer in the MetroCentre, Gateshead, needs extra
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Young soldiers in forest foray
A TEAM of trainee soldiers face a major physical challenge in a North-East forest. Fifteen squaddies, all aged 16, from the Army Foundation College at Harrogate will be competing in the Hamsterley Forest race on Sunday, October 7, to raise money for the
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Mister McGregor's garden
SO what does a Property Underwriting Manager for a French insurance company know about cabbages, cauliflower and curly kale? Well, quite a lot actually - as the 200 regular customers for Rob McGregor's boxes of organic veg will testify. Despite his high-flying
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Health shake-up shifts power to local care trusts
PLANS to shift resources from regional health authorities to new local primary care trusts have been revealed. As part of the government's drive to modernise the NHS, 95 regional health authorities will merge into about 30 strategic health bodies by April
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Athletics News
Elvet Striders - There was a good turn out of runners for the Bishop Auckland 10k road race. On-form Ian Donnachie put in a fine run on the day and was the first Strider home with a time of 38:56, he was followed by Alan Parnaby in 39:32. Other times:
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New leader chosen
REDCAR and Cleveland College has a new principal, it was announced last week. Alan Old, currently vice-principal of the college and acting principal since July 2000, takes over the reins from Lynne Howe, who was suspended last year amid controversy surrounding
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Invitation to job shop
JOBS, training and volunteering opportunities will be on offer at an employment job shop today. Residents in the Thorney Close area of Sunderland are invited to visit the Thorney Close Action and Enterprise Centre, between 10am and 2pm. Staff from the
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Now there's hatred on our streets
THE chilling words daubed across a wall in South Shields this week should remind us all, if we didn't already know it, that this ugly war is right on our doorstep: "Avenge USA, Kill a Muslim now". Just two weeks ago, I wrote about the sort of hatred and
