Archive
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Saints make sinners out of defeated Boro
IF Middlesbrough fans had thought their club were turning the corner then the brakes have just been applied. Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to struggling Southampton has resurfaced fears of a season battling against relegation. The Saints' victory, only
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Let's party, it's only 85 shopping days to Christmas
CHRISTMAS came very early to one North-East pub at the weekend. Startled drinkers and diners at the Queens Head, in Gilesgate, Durham, had a double take as a family Christmas party was in full flow yesterday afternoon. Eight-five shopping days before
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Clough blasts Phillips England snub
Brian Clough today told Sven Goran Eriksson - you should have picked Kevin Phillips. The football legend said the Sunderland hitman, 28, was the best striker to fill injured Michael Owen's boots as England gear up to tackle Greece. Eriksson has called
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Redevelopment of dog track looks set to get the go-ahead
A DERELICT greyhound stadium which has blighted Spennymoor for years finally looks likely to be redeveloped. The racing track fell into disrepair after a blaze in January 1998. It remained in a dilapidated state until May this year, when Sedgefield Borough
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Bishop calls for pay cuts to help clergy
ONE of the region's leading bishops is calling for senior clergy to take a pay cut to help finance a recommended increase in the stipends of ordinary clergy. The Clergy Stipends Review Group is recommending that clergy should get a minimum of £20,000,
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Learning library to expand
A LENDING service providing vital toys and equipment for children and adults with special needs is expanding into Darlington. The Spennymoor Learning library already operates in the Wear Valley and Teesdale Districts as well as the Sedgefield Borough
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News in brief
NURSERY LEADS WAY FORWARD : A new private nursery in the North-East has been hailed as a forerunner in the field. The £500,000 Ashfield Nursery, in Joicey Road, Gateshead, features nursery school, early learning centre and also provides facilities for
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Top cops face public
LEADING police officers will face the public to answer queries and discuss local crime problems next week. Superintendent Jim Campbell, the most senior officer in the Northumbria force's Sunderland West division, and colleagues will meet residents, at
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Art treasure going on sale to pay family debts
THE sale of a portrait hailed as one of the greatest ever painted by a British artist has been described as yet another blow to the region's artistic heritage. Omai, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, is being put up for sale by Simon Howard, who runs Castle
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Regeneration approval
REGENERATION plans that will shape the future of housing in part of the West End of Newcastle have been approved by city councillors. Newcastle councillors backed recommendation for the demolition and retention of houses in Scotswood, at a cabinet meeting
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Community scheme's budget halved
A COUNCIL is halving its budget for a scheme to help community groups from £1,000 to £500. Derwentside District Council cabinet committee has already approved the cut in grant to the East and West Durham Rural Development Programme, although the council
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Man injured in hit-and-run
A PEDESTRIAN suffered a fractured skull, multiple fractures to one leg and cuts and abrasions in a hit-and-run road accident. The accident happened as the 44-year-old man was crossing the A1027 ring road in Norton, Teesside, about 200m east of the Centenary
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Traffic chaos as freshers pour in
THE ARRIVAL of thousands of students brought annual scenes of chaos on roads round Durham city centre yesterday. Traffic tailbacks were in evidence from mid morning on all feeder roads into the city, particularly the A690 dual carriageway from the Carrville
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Officer hopes for appeal to tribunal
A SENIOR Army officer is hoping for leave to appeal after a tribunal ruled his allegations of race discrimination and harassment could not be dealt with under British law. Lieutenant Colonel Surinder Saggar was serving in Cyprus with the Royal Army Medical
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Club plans to aid blaze family
A family who lost two boys in a house fire are being offered support from their football club. One of the boys, Carl Taylor, died hours after celebrating his seventh birthday with friends, on June 18, when a blaze destroyed his bedroom at his grandparents
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Parking relief in hand at hospital
RELIEF is at hand for patients and visitors faced with parking problems at a recently opened hospital. New parking arrangements come into force today aimed at giving easier access to the University Hospital of North Durham. Parking has been a major bug-bear
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Police hunt 'rape' driver
A TAXI driver is being hunted by police after a teenage girl said he raped her, police said last night. The 19-year-old telephoned police to say she had been raped after getting into a taxi in Newcastle city centre and being driven across the River Tyne
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Beat the food bugs
TIPS on avoiding food poisoning are being issued by health experts. Middlesbrough Borough Council has issued a leaflet in response to cases of sickness and diarrhoea caused by eating contaminated food. Julian Hedgley, the council's principal environmental
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People prepare for return of floods
WITH winter on the way people across North Yorkshire are bracing themselves for flooding. After being caught out in last year's devastating floods, many are taking the opportunity to prepare themselves and their properties before winter sets in. A Flood
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From wheelchair to catwalk for MS victim
Less than three years ago, North-East woman Siobhan Kielty was a prisoner to multiple sclerosis (MS). Now, thanks to her fighting spirit and a revolutionary drug, she has thrown away her wheelchair and proudly struts the catwalk. She spoke yesterday about
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News in brief
PROJECT TO REPAIR CLIFFTOPS : Work is about to start on an £180,000 project to repair cliffs at Scarborough that were damaged in last winter's storms. The first area to be tackled will be the clifftop by Clarence Gardens and the Holms. The area will be
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Moors art proves popular
AN art exhibition Celebrating the North York Moors has been a huge success, attracting more than 6,000 visitors since it opened in July. The show, at Scarborough Art Gallery, includes photography, textiles, ceramics and paintings by more than 40 artists
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Mum's champion as family makes it a clean sweep
THE competitive world of leek-growing may be traditionally a man's world, but champion grower Bill Wilthew has had to swallow his pride after coming second in the annual show - to his wife. However, the disappointment was tempered by the family's clean
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Action call on speed dodging cop
A DRIVER, who tried to use the same defence as a speeding cop, has called for the policeman to be fined. Howard Thomas' car was caught speeding on Ormseby Top in Middlesbrough on January 31, three months before Detective Superintendent Adrian Roberts'
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Ban on cigarettes at shopping centre
SHOPPING centre customers are being asked to stub out their cigarettes. From today, everyone entering the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, will get the message to put out their cigarettes thanks to No Smoking signs in main walkways. The move has been
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Ambulance times improve
AMBULANCE response times across the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service have improved by 20 per cent, thanks to a major campaign. The service was achieving 55 per cent of Category A life-threatening calls in eight minutes before June, but
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TA seeks recruits to equip units
THE Territorial Army has launched a month-long recruiting campaign in a bid to fully equip units in the North. A spokesman for the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association said that, despite being fourth in terms of strength against establishment
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Cumbrians see red as Pool make it count
HARTLEPOOL United might have found a simple strategy to winning games this season play against nine men every week! Saturday's 3-1 win over Carlisle mirrors their only other triumph this season: an identical result at Shrewsbury in which on both occasions
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Grassroots - Yarm & Eaglescliffe
STEP UP: Egglescliffe Community Centre in Durham Lane, Eaglescliffe, is the venue for line dancing every Friday, from 1.45pm to 3.15pm. For more information call (01642) 651141 or 786466. SOUND SYSTEM: Lloyds TSB foundation has awarded the Yarm Fellowship
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Fundraisers are right on target
A CLUB has scored a bullseye with a charity and a top darts player. Former world professional darts champion Bob Anderson - a Boro supporter - travelled to Teesside from his home in Wiltshire, to present a cheque for £5,542 to the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy
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Mum sets up group to find "lost" children
A MOTHER, who was reunited with her daughter after 35 years, is setting up an agency to help other adoptive families. Freda McGarth of Darlington reluctantly gave her daughter up for adoption in the 1960s. In 1998 she decided to try and trace her baby
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Burning Questions : What are the commonest North-East surnames?
What are the commonest North-East surnames? - Bill Hutchinson, Chester-le-Street. Defining a North-East surname is not easy because some surnames may originate in our region but may be more common elsewhere. It is easier to identify surnames that have
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Mightier than the sword...
JOURNALISTS are privileged people. Their work is hugely varied, gives them access to the famous and the powerful, and frequently opens up routes to adventure. But the idea that journalism is a glamorous world has been shattered over the weekend by the
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Blaze rescue heroes are honoured
RESIDENTS have been saluted as heroes, after two people were rescued from a house fire. Cleveland Chief Fire Officer John Doyle presented framed gallantry certificates to neighbours Mark and Daniel Gill, David Northend, Sharon and Gerard McIntyre and
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Doors are opened to £1.4m bungalows development
A £1.4M bungalow development for elderly and disabled people has opened in Darlington. Built around the Smithfield Road area, the bungalows will provide homes for people with physical disabilities and those aged over 55. Before the 20 bungalows were built
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Timely away victory fails to cheer an angry Reid
ANGRY Sunderland manager Peter Reid gave his players a tongue-lashing after a first away win of the season could not disguise another dreadful display at the Reebok Stadium. But the scenes of delight among the travelling masses at the end of an awful
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Humbled Hodgson depressed at not making impact
A stunned Richard Hodgson left Feethams in depressed mood on Saturday having contributed to Darlington's worst performance of the season. The diminutive midfielder, substituted with just less than 20 minutes to play, cut a frustrated figure as he departed
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What's in a name?
What are the commonest North-East surnames? - Bill Hutchinson, Chester-le-Street. Defining a North-East surname is not easy because some surnames may originate in our region but may be more common elsewhere. It is easier to identify surnames that have
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The Monday Poem
The Heron Today I saw a heron, A majestic sight so rare, But it flew away When it knew that I was there. Huge grey wings outspread Soaring through the air Nature's aeroplane So I stopped to stare. A little further on Towards the waterfall, I saw another
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Cream is the colour, football is the game
THOSE of us who worry over choosing between buttermilk and magnolia for the downstairs loo should spare a thought for the football boss's wife who is busy kitting out a whole new stadium. Susan Reynolds, whose multi-millionaire husband George owns Darlington
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Police thank young rescue hero
A BOY has been rewarded for the part he played in a rescue. Lee Graham, 11, led a police search party through woods in heavy rain to help them find a seriously-ill woman. Officers were about to give up the search for the day three hours after the woman
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Offering help to victims of 'hidden' violence
A PROJECT aiming to help domestic violence victims is to be launched on Wednesday, after a survey showed thousands of women and children across Teesside were affected. The Stockton Doves project, led by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
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Riise and fall of Magpies' hopes
JOHN ARNE RIISE and Danny Murphy condemned Newcastle to their first home defeat of the season in a fixture from which they rarely profit. United have now won only two of their last 15 Premiership encounters with Liverpool, and midfielder Murphy sealed
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Mother awaits firm news
The mother of journalist Yvonne Ridley, who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan, was today waiting for firm news of her daughter's plight. Joyce Ridley is hoping for official word on the 43-year-old mother-of-one's situation after confusing reports
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Region's leisure services are best in the north, says study
LEISURE services across Hambleton are the best in the North, according to a new report. The review of the leisure services offered by Hambleton District Council by Audit Commission inspectors awarded the authority three stars, the highest possible rating
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Bypass scheme hits trust barrier
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a multi-million pound bypass appear to have been scuppered by the National Trust. For several weeks, a row has been brewing between Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Councils over the proposed East Middlesbrough Transport
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The hero who gave his life for stepson
A MAN who died saving his stepson when a car crashed into the bus shelter where they were waiting was last night hailed a hero by his devastated family. The seven-year-old is recovering in hospital after being pulled from the wreckage of a collapsed bus
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Theatre lovers are star players
OFFICIALLY, Jim and Sheila Russell may be retired - but they are among a small army of volunteers who help keep a unique theatre running. Steve Parsley spoke to them about their passion and the £1m appeal which could fuel a new beginning for what, from
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Help lined up for homeless
TEESSIDE towns are the only ones in England being targeted by a charity's campaign, amid fears that they conceal huge housing problems. Throughout October, 28,000 leaflets will be distributed in the Middlesbrough and Stockton areas as part of the Homing
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New world for modern Scouts
SCOUTING is alive and well in the North-East, with plenty to offer teenagers in the modern high-tech world - that was the message from the weekend's annual major camp for scout groups across County Durham. Almost 700 young people, backed by more than
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From wheelchair to catwalk for MS victim
Less than three years ago, North-East woman Siobhan Kielty was a prisoner to multiple sclerosis (MS). Now, thanks to her fighting spirit and a revolutionary drug, she has thrown away her wheelchair and proudly struts the catwalk. She spoke yesterday about
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Death of mother: Four arrests
FOUR people were being quizzed by police yesterday about the death of a young mother. Kerrie Toward, 20, died from stab wounds following an incident in which a large machete could have been used, police said. Northumbria Police said the victim had been
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Firefighters aim high to aid disaster victims
FIREfighters' efforts to raise money for victims of the US tragedies reached new heights on Saturday. As part of a national brigade appeal, members of Cleveland Fire Brigade were at the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, Stockton's Castle Centre and the
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Changes in store at shopping centre
RETAILER Asda said yesterday it was "actively marketing" the outdated Bishop Auckland shopping centre it is due to quit for a £17.5m superstore next year. The company is committed to giving the Newgate Centre a £2m facelift as part of a planning deal
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Bomb squad dead tribute
Soldiers who died trying to defuse bombs have been remembered with a memorial at a war museum. The RAF Bomb Disposal Association has created an exhibition at Eden Camp, in Malton, North Yorkshire, on the history of the association. A spokesman for Eden
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Inquiry into car crash death
ACCIDENT investigators are making inquiries into the death of a man who died while being followed by police. The victim was identified as Mark Collins, 22, of Stanley Gardens, Consett, County Durham. Police said he was at the wheel of a Vauxhall Nova
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Clowning around for circus visit
SHOPPERS in Darlington were entertained by a circus clown on Saturday. Clown Minnie Mansell's visit to the Cornmill centre was organised by Darlington Civic Theatre, which is hoping to get people in the mood for the arrival of the Imperial Circus of China
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North-East firm transfer to create 35 jobs
UP to 35 jobs are to be created at a worldbeating County Durham company which makes equipment to protects workers' health. 3M UK plc is transferring specialist operations from London to Newton Aycliffe. The move means extra production at the company's
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Police thank young rescue hero
A BOY has been rewarded for the part he played in a rescue. Lee Graham, 11, led a police search party through woods in heavy rain to help them find a seriously-ill woman. Officers were about to give up the search for the day three hours after the woman
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Course makes up for lost contest
ORGANISERS of a popular horse trials event have added an extra course to make up for a spring competition which was cancelled because of foot-and-mouth restrictions. After a busy weekend, the challenging course at Witton Castle, near Bishop Auckland,
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'Friends' help keep archives
KEEPERS of the rich vein of archives stored at Durham's county record office are to receive a helping hand from a new source. A fledgling "friends' group" was launched at the weekend to support the work of county archivist Jennifer Gill, and staff, who
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Final whistle for village football club
LACK of support on and off the field has forced a village football club to fold after almost 50 years. The final whistle blew for Roddymoor FC, which played at Peases West, near Crook, County Durham, the day after the death of its most loyal fan, former
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Mayor has weight loss in sight for charity
THE MAYOR of Northallerton plans to shed a stone in weight by Christmas to raise money for charity. Councillor Sally Anderson weighed just under 12 stone a fortnight ago, but has got off to a flying start on her sponsored slim with the Weight Watchers
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Pop band's chorus of approval
PUPILS at a Harrogate prep school are the envy of youngsters across the region, after they recorded vocals for a Children in Need charity single. The pop group S Club 7 have invited schools around the country to sing the chorus on the charity single,
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Was 'sheep' show a success? Ewe bet
RESTRICTIONS on the movement of livestock did not dampen the spirits of those entering their own unique breeds of sheep in this year's Masham Sheep Fair. Determined that the event would not be cancelled due to the foot-and-mouth crisis, locals decided
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Clampdown on truancy
POLICE and social workers in Scarborough are mounting a campaign to clamp down on truancy from schools. PC Jacqui Raynor the youth action officer for Scarborough police said: "We are teaming up to focus attention on the problem of truancy. A child's education
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Birdwatchers flock to seaside resort
FILEY has become one of the country's top havens for birdwatchers, and many more are expected to visit the resort as a result of a scheme developed by the town's Ornithological Group. Chairman Ian Robinson said: "Filey Bay is a natural haven for seabirds
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Botham backs walk week
PARENTS and carers will be encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk their children to school this week. Darlington Borough Council hopes parents across the town will take part in Walk to School week, which is held every year. This year, the council
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Boost to provide school website
A SCHOOL for children with special needs has won £5,000 to produced a website and newsletter to inform of pupils' achievements. The project at Springwell Dene School, Sunderland, is using cash from the BT Schools awards programme. The website and newsletter
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Park to organise plan for revival
TWO conferences are being organised by the North York Moors National Park Authority to plan the revival of the rural economy following the foot-and-mouth disease crisis. The first will be at Sneaton Castle, Whitby on November 20, and the second, focusing
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Help! My dad's a proper Rodney
DAVE Stephenson was a man who needed a makeover. The dad of four, who dresses in nothing but black jeans and T-shirts, last went shopping three years ago. His wife Edith and her friends have spent years trying to persuade the managing director to smarten
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Youngsters try hand at gymnastics
PROOF that there is more to gymnastics than a wobble across a beam was put before hundreds of youngsters in the North-East yesterday. The idea behind County Durham's first gymnastics festival was to give children the chance to try it for themselves. The
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News in brief
BOY, 11, BADLY INJURED IN CRASH: POLICE appealed for information last night after a road accident that left an 11-year-old boy with serious head injuries. Andrew Jobling, of Balfour Street, Gateshead, was treated at Newcastle General Hospital after the
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Festival church basks in glowing autumn glories
AUTUMN hues brought a blaze of colour to a South Durham church at the weekend. St Paul's, at Spennymoor, chose anniversaries and festivals for its three-day flower festival which was opened on Friday by the Mayor of Sedgefield, Councillor Andrew Gray.
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Firm wants to use pond site as tip
THE fate of a popular wildlife habitat is in the balance, following a bid to use the area for tipping waste. The pond, at Pallett Hill Quarry on the edge of Catterick Village, attracts a substantial variety of birds, many flying in to breed in the spring
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Treasure hunt offers mental challenge
A WALKING treasure hunt around the city of York will set a mental and physical challenge to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. The Holy Grail Trail on Saturday, October 20, can be tackled in two ways; the Templars Search for seasoned quiz-goers,
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Cyclists tough it out in the forest
MANY of Britain's top mountain bikers tackled tough downhill and cross-country courses to end their season in a normally quiet corner of a North-East forest at the weekend. Saturday and Sunday's races in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, County
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TA seeks recruits to equip units
THE Territorial Army has launched a month-long recruiting campaign in a bid to fully equip units in the North. A spokesman for the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association said that, despite being fourth in terms of strength against establishment
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Inquiry into car crash death
ACCIDENT investigators are making inquiries into the death of a man who died while being followed by police. The victim was identified as Mark Collins, 22, of Stanley Gardens, Consett, County Durham. Police said he was at the wheel of a Vauxhall Nova
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Park's centrepiece unveiled
A sculpture inspired by the imagination of children will be unveiled as the centrepiece of a revamped park this week. Windvane will be the first large sculpture created in Gateshead since the Angel of the North in 1998, and will be visible for miles around
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News in brief
WARNING OVER BOGUS CHARITY: Bogus charity collectors have been taking cash from shoppers in Stockton. Police are warning against the fraudsters, who claim to be selling raffle tickets to buy wheelchairs for disabled children, at Abbey Hill School Technology
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A view from High Row
OF all the issues which generate letters to The Northern Echo, law and order inspires perhaps the strongest public reaction. It was also the issue at the centre of a conference in Darlington last Friday when a public consultation exercise was launched
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Falcons grounded
ROB Andrew spoke of his pride in the Newcastle performance after it had become clear that inexperience would prevent them from making an impact in their first venture into the Heineken European Cup. The going gets tougher when they visit Dublin to play
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Jesters pay crisis deepens
THE ongoing crisis at the Newcastle Jesters Ice Hockey Club appears to have deepened after a fourth set of wages failed to appear on time. While three months' wages, estimated at £150,000, is still owed to last season's roster, payment to nine players
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Sikh community living in fear over 'mistaken identity' attacks
RELIGIOUS leaders have spoken of their fear after the community suffered repeated racial attacks in the wake of the terrorist atrocities in the US. Members of the Sikh community, in Darlington, are terrified of leaving their homes because they fear they
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Insurance firm delivers blow to victims of floods
FLOOD victims whose homes are in twin towns which were devastated by two major floods, are being abandoned by an insurance company. Insurance firm Norwich Union has announced it will not provide insurance cover against flooding for householders in Malton
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Security at cemeteries to be reviewed to curb vandalism
COUNCILLORS are to meet tomorrow to look at ways of tightening security in Darlington's cemeteries, following a spate of vandalism. Members of Darlington Borough Council's environment committee will discuss ways in which security can be stepped up in
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Hear All Sides - Paintings not the real treasure
ZURBURAN PAINTINGS THE argument surrounding the Zurburan portraits seems to show how people have woefully lost sight of what the Church is really there for. Yes, many churches welcome tourists, whose offerings help to swell the coffers, but we are not
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Guns and rain help keep the peace
UNPRECEDENTED tight security combined with torrential rain prevented unrest from anti-war demonstrators disrupting the start of Labour's conference in Brighton yesterday. Seven were arrested during scuffles as police "snatch squads" plucked potential
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Passion proves to be a life-saver as kidney couple beat massive odds
A MAN who needed a kidney transplant owes his life to regular sex with his wife. Gordon Goodchild was on the transplant list, but when an organ became available doctors realised he had a rogue antibody which meant his body would not accept a kidney from
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New-look constitution makes debut
A NEW decision-making system, allowing local people a greater input into how a borough is run, is being introduced this week. Following its Which Way Forward consultation campaign, Stockton Borough Council is launching a new, modernised constitution.
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Cardiac unit to be opened in N-E leisure centre
THE first specialised cardiac unit of its kind in the country is to be opened at a North-East leisure centre. A physiotherapist and nurse will work in the unit at Eastbourne Sports Complex, in Darlington, in a bid to forge closer links between coronary
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Yvonne 'on trail of bin Laden'
THE mother of the North-East journalist being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan, believes her daughter may have been attempting to track down the terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden when she was arrested. The news came as Yvonne Ridley's eight-year-old
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Scouts mix new with old at annual camp
SCOUTING is alive and healthy in the North-East, with plenty to offer teenagers in the modern world. That was the message from the weekend's annual camp for scout groups across County Durham. Almost 700 young people, backed by more than 100 scout leaders
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Dire Darlington fail to crack rough Diamonds
THERE'S never been a better advert for Saturday afternoon shopping than Darlington's dire draw at home to Rushden. Albeit for a frantic spell during the closing stages, the game was devoid of any entertainment and one can assume those who didn't depart
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What's hot & What's not
WHAT'S HOT - FASHION PHONES: Mobile phones have gone all designer and the trendiest covers are now up for grabs. As part of London Fashion Week, Nokia has launched an exclusive range of phone covers designed by some of the top names in the fashion world
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Bypass scheme hits trust barrier
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a multi-million pound bypass appear to have been scuppered by the National Trust. For several weeks, a row has been brewing between Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Councils over the proposed East Middlesbrough Transport
