Archive
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Timely approval for almshouses
A regeneration scheme has received an official seal of approval from the country's most senior figure in the housing world. The chairwoman of the Housing Corporation, Baroness Dean of Thornton le Fylde, marked the opening of the £1.6m regeneration project
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Government's poor reaction hampered FMD control
LACK of information from the Government and a failure to learn from the 1967 foot-and-mouth outbreak hampered control of last year's crisis, North Yorkshire County Council has said. In its draft submission to the Anderson inquiry into the epidemic, the
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Teesside news in brief
Natural causes verdict given A VERDICT of natural causes was recorded at an inquest yesterday into the death from lung cancer of 78-year-old Isaac Nellist, a retired pipe lagger of Venables Road, Guisborough. A second inquest was opened into the death
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Holladay all set to defend Redcar title
TEACHER Rob Holladay is favourite to keep his Redcar half-marathon title this weekend. The 27-year-old, who teaches at Guisborough's Laurence Jackson school, sees Sunday's race as a key part of his build-up to next month's London Marathon, where he bids
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A rough month, for Caesar too
'BEWARE the Ides of March" is a well-known warning of impending doom or danger. It became known throughout the educated world because Shakespeare incorporated these words into a warning given to Julius Caesar before his assassination. In his case, the
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Water Polo
Sedgefield 75 Carol Mohan, a member of Sedgefield 75 squad and a junior and senior international, has just returned from Nice in France after playing for Sheffield in the European Cup. Carol played an important role in Sheffield defeating Nice, the French
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Pool; Durham preparing to host competition
Durham Ranking Tournament The next tournament will be held in Durham Snooker Club on Sunday, March 31 with an enrolment time of 12.30pm. The top 32 players over the year qualify to play for the big money prize in the final tournament but each monthly
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Puppy plea
A PET owner yesterday pleaded with thieves who stole her precious pups to bring them back. Pam Burns, 38, was visiting the vet's with her other dog on Monday when the pups disappeared from her home in Errol Street. She believes that Lassie, a ten-week-old
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Junior football; Falcons hit four past Albion
Darlington Albion The Under-12s played away to Thirsk in a re-arranged league fixture and after failing to hit the net after numerous chances lost 4-1. Scorer was Luke Ward and man of the match was Luke Blaser. Darlington 21st Allstars At 11-a-side level
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Town centre buildings ruled unsafe
DERELICT buildings awaiting demolition in Darlington town centre have been deemed as dangerous by building inspectors. The buildings in Salt Yard, off Bondgate, which include the former Majestic Cinema and three shop fronts, are owned by Gala Bingo and
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Spraire slay the Dragon
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League Spraire RA remain top of Division One this week as they took part in one of only two first division games - a game that was to see their opponents Green Dragon relegated to Division Two. Richie Hindle
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Store wars settled
THE Hambleton councillors who yesterday considered the enormous weight of evidence produced either for or against Safeway's plans for a new supermarket at the north end of Northallerton deserve a certain amount of sympathy. The issue, with a history dating
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Swimming Northallerton SC
Fourteen members qualified for the Northumberland and Durham Counties Age Group championships held over two weekends. Swimmers from more than 30 clubs throughout the North-East took part and the Northallerton representatives performed extremely well,
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Party chairman supports Labour's choice for mayor
LABOUR wheeled out its first big hitter in the Middlesbrough mayoral election last night, showing how seriously the party is taking the threat of Ray Mallon. Charles Clarke, the Labour chairman who is organising the party's local elections campaign, was
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College team shines again to keep cup dream alive
A NORTHALLERTON College team has reached the quarter-finals of the English Schools FA trophy for the first time ever. The under 16 team's sparkling cup run continued last week with a 3-1 victory over Northfield school, from Billingham, in a fixture which
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Anger at shortage of school places
SCHOOL admissions policy at a popular primary school has left a divided village and a wounded community, claimed one of County Durham's leading educationalists. Durham County Council's director of education, Keith Mitchell, was discussing a campaign by
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Floral debuts at Harrogate show
New varieties of flowers and alpines will be making their debut at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show from April 25-28. The event, being held on the Great Yorkshire Showground, is the first major show of the year and growers will be parading their new varieties
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Mother faces poison charges
A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with poisoning two children, following an eight-month police investigation. The 27-year-old is being investigated in connection with the alleged poisoning last summer of an 18-month-old toddler and a baby boy. She
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Shining Halo helps to mark X's spot at the top
IF you are a video games fan, yesterday was Christmas Day. At least it was according to the Microsoft marketing machine responsible for launching the fastest, most powerful console on earth - the Xbox. The machine wasn't ready for a Europe-wide launch
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Man died after twice refusing ambulance
A MAN twice refused the offer of an ambulance, unaware he had fatal head injuries. Unemployed bus driver George Driscoll twice rejected the offer of an ambulance after he was found lying in a street with a fractured skull. An inquest in Middlesbrough
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Just Jake seals Charm Park double for Tinkler
A DOUBLE from Nicky Tinkler was the highlight of the Derwent point-to-point held at Charm Park last Sunday. Tinkler completed his double when his mother's Just Jake (Middleton) completed a hat-trick of wins this season in the mixed open. The Martin Tate-owned
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Junior football; Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League
Although Crook celebrated winning their fifth game of the season they have not improved their position near the bottom of the table. They are still third from the basement but are now six points ahead of second from bottom West Denton while basement side
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Creating a storm in the classroom
Emmanuel College, Gateshead, is at the centre of a row over its teaching of the theory of creation alongside the theory of evolution. Education Correspondent Lindsay Jennings reports. FOR two hot weeks in July 1925, the world's attention was focused on
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Lottery grant for skateboard park
A NATIONAL Lottery grant of £76,000 will give Shildon youngsters their own bike and skateboard rink in a restored park. Shildon Town Council made the bid for Lottery money after a group of young people presented a petition. The Sport England Lottery organisation
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System to reduce doorstep burglaries
A WARNING sensor reminding householders to be wary about doorstep strangers is part of a toolkit being distributed to crime reduction partners and police officers today. Once fitted behind a door, the passive infra red device calls out crime prevention
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Beaumont stables celebrates victory at Cheltenham
FAIRYTALES and heartbreak go hand in hand at the Cheltenham Festival and, for a Yorkshire team, the Royal & SunAlliance Chase on Wednesday was the stuff of which legends are made. Hussard Collonges, a 33-1 shot, jumped and galloped relentlessly in
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Saunders leads title joy at National finals
NINE of the regions rising boxing stars proved they were a huge hit at the National Schoolboys' finals last weekend. Fourteen youngsters from across the region were in action at the prestigious finals at Barnsley's Metrodome and only five were unable
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Tola comes of age at top show
AN ambulance paramedic was back at home in North Yorkshire yesterday after scooping another top prize at Crufts. Tola, a vizsla, had already won as a young dog at the nation's top show last year. But owner Roy Bebbington knew it was up against more experienced
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Pub contract for Shepherd Construction
SHEPHERD Construction has won a £437,000 contract to build a new pub in Consett. Shepherd will construct the shell of the J D Wetherspoon Ale, Wine and Food Bar, after being awarded the contract by Dysart Developments. Dysart are behind Project Genesis
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Elderly pair shaken after raid on home
TWO elderly women were left "extremely shaken" after their North-East home was ransacked by burglars. The women disturbed the burglars at their home in Chester Road, Billingham, Teesside on Wednesday night. One of the men had squeezed through an open
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MMR jabs clinic returns to North
A CONTROVERSIAL clinic offering separate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella returns to the region this weekend. The clinic, which has made national headlines because of the continuing debate about the safety of the MMR triple vaccine, is holding
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Woman depressed by thought of breast cancer op - inquest
A WOMAN whose body was found on wasteland was unnecessarily depressed about her health, an inquest heard yesterday. The body of Susan Borthwick, 45, was discovered on the site of the former Parkfield foundry, in Stockton, Teesside, in October 2000. Teesside
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Parish could share burden to save moorland lavatories
A POTENTIAL disaster could turn to success for a moorland community. In a new initiative, parish councillors in Danby could take on the care of closure-threatened public toilets as a way of boosting a village caretaker scheme. Members of the council have
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District could miss out in funding switch could mean missing out
A PROPOSED change in the distribution of regeneration money in North Yorkshire could undermine the work of local groups seeking cash injections for their communities, it has been claimed. A special meeting taking place yesterday afternoon was considering
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Police to hold talks to avoid cenotaph chaos
MOVES are being made to head off Remembrance Day traffic chaos in Yarm this year. Police came under fire after last November's ceremony with anger from both motorists and those taking part in the event. Town councillors, in particular, felt not enough
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North Yorkshire club shares out the honours
AFTER a successful season around the race tracks of Britain last year, the honours were evenly shared by local riders when the North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters Club held its annual dinner dance and awards presentation at the Sundial hotel in Northallerton
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Visitors ready to return to the Dales
HOLIDAYMAKERS appear willing to come back to the Richmondshire countryside in the wake of foot-and-mouth disease. Richmond tourist information centre saw double the number of accommodation bookings in January and February, compared to the same two months
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Friarage 'has turned corner' says delighted hospital chief
NORTHALLERTON'S Friarage Hospital has been rated one of the best in the country according to a survey out this week. The Good Hospital Guide in the Mail on Sunday newspaper gives the Friarage eight out of ten in its star rating. The mark puts the Friarage
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Man can appeal against jail term
A MAN caught with Ecstasy tablets at a Newcastle University students' open night was yesterday given the go-ahead to appeal against his five-year jail term. Antony Christopher Graham, 28, of Molyneaux Court, Byker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty at Newcastle
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Comment from The Northern Echo; Meaningless measurement
LEAGUE tables are an unavoidable part of life. They serve a useful purpose in seeking our best practice and encouraging improvement. The merit of the league tables used in education, however, is less apparent. We have been a consistent critic of school
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Anti-social behaviour 'worse'
ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in Harrogate is getting worse, according to a quality of life survey conducted by the town's watchdog Civic Society. Asked if anti-social behaviour was the same over recent years or worse now, 77 per cent said the situation had worsened
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Renovation begins at vandalised memorial
WORK to repair a nationally important battlefield monument that has suffered at the hands of vandals has got under way. The obelisk, which stands on the site of the Battle of the Standard - where King David I of Scotland was defeated by an army of Yorkshiremen
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Death shock for jail staff
A NORTH-East prisoner has died in hospital after he was found hanged in his cell. Andrew McPherson, 24, was discovered by staff at Holme House Prison, Stockton, on March 6. He was on a life support machine at Bishop Auckland Hospital, County Durham, but
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Supermarkets' battle over out-of-town store is settled
A PROTRACTED battle between three of the country's leading supermarket chains over an out-of-town store in North Yorkshire was finally settled yesterday. Safeway has won approval to leave its town centre store for new premises on the outskirts of Northallerton
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Germans are drawn into wrangle over Nazi chalice
THE German government has been drawn into a bizarre legal wrangle over a £2m Nazi treasure discovered in a North-East loft. The authorities are searching for Herman Goering's relatives so they can make a claim for the Nazi chalice. The treasure was discovered
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Crash sparks call for stray horses blitz
POLICE have called for tougher rules on stray horses after a woman driver had a lucky escape when she ran into a group of runaways on a North-East bypass. One of the animals was killed instantly after colliding with nurse Yvonne Richardson's new Renault
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Police boxes may help in fight against disorder
POLICE boxes may return to Darlington as part of a major five-year strategy to improve law and order and make the public feel safer. The idea is among 61 recommendations in a Best Value review which, if adopted, would mean a higher visible police presence
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Neale victims lose legal battle
VICTIMS of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale have lost their legal battle for a public inquiry into the scandal. A High Court judge this morning upheld Health Secretary Alan Milburn's decisions not to allow the press and public to attend formal investigations
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Time to take a closer look at the libel lottery
Libel (C5) THERE was a serious point struggling to get out of this documentary about libel, which is defined in legal terms as "a published statement damaging to a person's reputation", but it took a long time getting there, namely that having your good
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Sprinklers scheme to get pilot run
WATER sprinklers are to be installed in the homes of a handful of disabled people in a fire safety pilot project in Richmondshire. The district council is looking to fit the devices into eight of its properties to test their effectiveness and cost, and
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Armed police surround house
ARMED police officers surrounded a house in Darlington for more than three hours last night after being called to a firearms alert. More than 20 officers were called to Brougham Street, in the North Road area of the town, and cordoned off the street while
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Hospital's damages appeal fails
A GIRL who was awarded £2.8m last year in compensation for the brain damage she suffered when just days old has fought off a bid to take away part of her pay-out. Lawyers for the NHS trust which runs the RVI hospital in Newcastle said Bethany Ruff had
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Group hopes to gain park funding
FUNDING is needed to turn the dream of a play park into reality. Top Lakes' Residents Association wants to turn land opposite Green Gates Primary School, in Redcar, into a play area for children of all ages, as it used to be many years ago. Local authorities
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Woman depressed by thought of breast cancer op - inquest
A WOMAN whose body was found on wasteland was unnecessarily depressed about her health, an inquest heard yesterday. The body of Susan Borthwick, 45, was discovered on the site of the former Parkfield foundry, in Stockton, Teesside, in October 2000. Teesside
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18,000 pop to Wembley to see the stars
POP Idol mania hit the capital last night - with a distinctly North-East flavour. Darlington's Zoe Birkett and Geordie Aaron Bayley (right) joined the other stars of the television smash hit on stage at Wembley Arena. It was the first night of a sell-out
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TV shopping channel to stop trading
BOSSES at a home shopping channel have announced the company is to fold. Shop!, run by media company Granada and retail firm Littlewoods, will cease trading at the end of April. The closure will lead to the loss of 140 jobs at Granada and 250 at Littlewoods
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Call for prescribed heroin as drug addicts surgery opens
MORE pioneering drop-in centres are likely to open in a bid to help North-East drug users beat the habit - and a doctor who believes heroin should be available on the NHS is backing a new surgery for drug addicts in the region. Last year, Middlesbrough
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Pub to re-open after revamp
A DARLINGTON pub, closed for refurbishment, is due to re-open next week, creating 30 jobs. The Springfield, in Salters Lane South, was shut by owners Wolverhampton and Dudley for a £300,000 refurbishment at the end of last year. Management team Barry
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Support for refugees
A MACEDONIAN woman campaigning to be allowed to stay at her North-East home won an army of supporters at an international women's event in the region. Lile Dimitrievski and her husband Marjun have been told they must leave Redcar, which has been their
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Shining Halo helps to mark X's spot at the top
IF you are a video games fan, yesterday was Christmas Day. At least it was according to the Microsoft marketing machine responsible for launching the fastest, most powerful console on earth - the Xbox. The machine wasn't ready for a Europe-wide launch
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Safeway gets its bigger store after six-year battle
A SIX-year battle by a supermarket chain to move out of Northallerton High Street came to end yesterday. Hambleton District Council's development control committee gave the green light for Safeway to leave its town centre outlet and build a bigger store
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Delayed mercy mission gets under way at last
A lorry laden with aid got a rousing send-off from the North-East as it left on a mercy mission to war-torn Kosovo. Councillors and union officials from Easington District Council were among those waving off the van with its packed cargo of emergency
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Concern for missing teenager
CONCERN is growing for a 16-year-old girl who has been missing for nearly two weeks. Tracey Jones, from St Paul's Road, Hartlepool, went missing on Friday, March 1. She was spotted on Tuesday, March 5, near Albert Bridge, on Albert Road, Middlesbrough
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Talking Newspaper's new home
DELIGHTED volunteers gathered to celebrate the new home of a popular charity this morning thanks to The Northern Echo. The Talking Newspaper in Darlington has been forced to leave its former home because of new legislation on disability access. But Newsquest
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Schools earn top accolade
FOUR primary schools in Hartlepool have earned a seal of approval from a government agency for providing high standards in education. Eldon Grove, Jesmond Road, Owton Manor and West View primary schools have received the Quality Mark for the first time
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Wellock's World
IN this week's tale of two W Smiths, Wayne's world has been far rosier than Walter's, and the latter's demise must surely spell the end for Gazza. Wayne is the former All Blacks coach credited with masterminding Northampton Saints' destruction of Newcastle
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Such a sham for the Irish
PUBS packed with people drinking green Guinness, kicking their legs in the air like Michael Flaherty and singing maudlin rebel songs with tears in their eyes and shamrocks sticking out of their ears - don't you just love St Patrick's night? No, neither
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Put money matters on your shopping list
WOULD you buy your baked beans from Barclays? Your knickers from Nat West, your meat from the Midland? No? Well then why do we bank with supermarkets? The Co-op has done it forever, of course, but a few years ago, other supermarkets burst onto the banking
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'Angel' told man to buy imitation gun, court hears
A MAN with psychiatric problems rang police from a call box saying he was going to shoot himself on the instruction of his "angel". Police officers, unaware if the hand gun John Patrick Hughes was carrying was real, found him parked near the phone box
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Search goes on for care home site
COUNCIL chiefs have promised elderly residents that they will continue to search for an alternative site for a new care home. Residents at the Stoneleigh care home, in Barnard Castle, face the prospect of being transferred to a different home while their
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Double victory for birthday boy James
LINGDALE rider James Reveley celebrated his 13th birthday with a double win over Walter Taylor's excellent tracks at the Stainsby Grange junior premier show. He took the strongly contested 128/138cm handicap on Spirit of Boadicea ahead of David Harland
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Man told to avoid parents
A MAN was ordered by a court yesterday to stay away from his parents after being accused of threatening to kill his mother. Harrogate magistrates granted bail to Jordan Denny until April 4, but told him his freedom was conditional on him having no contact
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Ramblers attack 'cavalier attitude' to path closures
THE Ramblers' Association is today calling on the Government to ensure a blanket closure of rural footpaths - a heavily criticised policy during the foot-and-mouth crisis - never happens again. In its submission to the Lessons Learned inquiry into the
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School celebrates huge cash boost for sports
PUPILS and staff at a Billingham secondary school are celebrating after scooping two huge cash boosts to enhance their sporting facilities. Sport England and the Football Foundation have given cash injections of £1.8m and £655,709 to Northfield School
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Parish's plea over affordable homes pays off
HUTTON Rudby councillors who want more affordable homes have helped shape Hambleton Council's new planning guidelines. Rudby Parish Council believes building firms are failing to provide affordable homes in villages because planning rules are weak. It
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Work on play areas backed by council
FERRYHILL Town Council has given its approval for the development of children's play areas in the town to continue. Executive officer Jamie Corrigan gave members of the council's recreation committee an update on the work at a meeting this week. More
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Langley keep on track for promotion with victory
Worthington CIU Winter League Langley Park strengthened their promotion chances after they beat the visiting Newhouse in the decider. This moves the Park to the top of the Second Division, where they hold a one point advantage over Sherburn Village with
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Accolade for lecturer
LECTURER Frances Elliott will be presented with an award today for her work with young offenders. Ms Elliott will be joined by prison staff from around the country at an award ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she will be presented with a Butler Trust
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Show put on for dedicated followers
NEVER mind glamorous fashion parades by the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier, last night the only place to be for the sartorially minded was St Bede's RC Comprehensive in Lanchester. The fifth and sixth-form students presented their own sell-out fashion show
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North Durham and Tyneside news in brief
Trust children to plant trees The Acorn Trust and Stanley Woods Group have worked with children at two tree planting events. The first was at Craghead Millennium Green when children from Bloemfontein Primary School helped plant trees on Tuesday. A second
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Appeal for help to trace sneak thief
POLICE are appealing for help to trace a man they believe is responsible for the theft of a wallet from a Darlington shop. The man carried out the theft at a furniture shop in the town on December 28 last year. Among the items in the wallet was a Yorkshire
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Youngsters' sensory garden
BLIND and partially-sighted pupils at a Durham school are to benefit from a former mayor's fundraising. Councillor Margaret Adair raised about £15,000 for Belmont's infant, junior and comprehensive schools, which educate visually-impaired youngsters in
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Tenants take campaign to the top
THE Tenant Farmers' Association is taking a major campaign on behalf of its members to 10 Downing Street. A meeting is planned with Prime Minister Tony Blair in an attempt to bring about changes in 54-year-old legislation which bars many tenants from
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Thompson and Hall determined to impress on home territory
TWO North-East boxers return to the region tonight as they seek to extend their unbeaten starts to their professional careers. Micky Thompson, from West Cornforth, County Durham and Oscar 'Michael' Hall of Darlington are both on the bill this evening
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College relocation to town centre park angers residents
MOVES to relocate a college to a town centre park are bad form, according to residents. Stockton Borough Council wants to knock down Billingham Forum and replace it with a new leisure centre in John Whitehead Park as part of a £30m redevelopment plan.
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Residents vow to fight closure of youth hostel
RESIDENTS have vowed to fight the closure of a youth hostel which they say is a vital cog in the local economy. Aysgarth is among ten hostels around the country which the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) wants to shut down. The organisation lost £5m as
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Help is offered to parents
MORE help is at hand for parents in the Owton Rossmere area of Hartlepool thanks to a special cash pool. An £8,000 grant has helped fund at least 16 more places for youngsters in the creche at the Owton Rossmere Resource Centre, in Wynyard Road, until
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Join the club in the D&S online reading room
The Darlington & Stockton Times has launched a new venture - an on-line book club called the Reading Room. Membership in the Reading Room is simple. All people have to do is read the book of the month selection and submit their views on the book.
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County's athletes take on European competitors
COUNTY Durham school athletes will take on counterparts from Hungarian schools in a competition next Wednesday. The Anglo/Hungarian School Sports Challenge, which is organised by Durham County Council's International Office, will bring together more than
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Beware the rustics who are just newcomers
SALE-going should be fun, a half-day out, half the chance of a bargain at least that's my attitude. Scarborough the pleasantly faded "Queen of the North" is attractive even on a bitter winter's day. David Duggleby has established his firm as the premier
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Letters: What happened?
Sir, - About five years ago there was a public meeting held at Gallowgate sports centre, Richmond, when Richmondshire District Council stated it proposed to sell off for housing most of our only public playing field opposite the sports centre. The money
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Bedale store brings hope of trade boost
A NEW 11,300 sqft food store which it is hoped will help local trade opened in Bedale on Wednesday. The 11,300 sq ft Quality Fare development, which has taken shape over the past seven months on formerly derelict land behind the market place, has eight
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Old people's home to close earlier
BARNARD Castle's Stoneleigh residential home is due for closure in six months' time as part of a Durham County Council modernisation programme. Relatives and carers were called to a meeting on Wednesday so officials could explain why the date had been
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Farmers tackle computer lessons at the mart
FARMERS in Wensleydale are getting to grips with computer technology, thanks to a local auction mart. Hawes Auction Mart has opened a computer suite where farmers can go for taster sessions to familiarise themselves with things like the internet and e-mails
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Welcoming the hikers back
IN a welcome back to North Yorkshire's great outdoors, English Heritage is striding out with a new guide booklet, Heritage Hikes. Walkers are being welcomed back to the countryside to explore the region's spectacular landscape. Embracing woodland, fields
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Competition deadline
THE deadline for entries in the annual Teesdale photography competition is next Tuesday, March 26. The winning photographs will make up the 2003 Teesdale calendar. The theme is Fences and Walls; Doors and Gates in Teesdale. Judges will be looking for
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Conmen pose as fire experts to rob elderly
POLICE have issued a warning after two youths posing as smoke detector engineers tried to trick their way into the home of a 95-year-old woman. But the pair, who claimed to represent North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, failed to con the woman and
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Career in ruins after bimbo battle fails
A high ranking woman officer's military career lies in tatters after she failed in her bid to sue the army because a superior officer called her a bimbo. Captain Janet Kelly, 35, said she was devastated when Lt Colonel Jean Kennedy aimed the jibe at her
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Football; T & M Disco Crook And District League
Earl of Warwick are top following a narrow victory over Wearhead United. The game was switched to West Auckland when the Wearhead ground was declared unplayable. The Warwick forwards squandered numerous chances and the only goal came midway through the
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Feast to be served at poetry party
LIBRARIES in Hartlepool are joining forces with some of the region's top poets to serve up a poetry feast over the coming weeks. The events get under way at Hartlepool Central Library on Sunday, when there will be a poetry workshop between 2pm and 4pm
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Teenager faces trial on drugs charges
A TEENAGER is to face trial on drugs conspiracy charges. Harrogate magistrates yesterday bailed Douglas Hamilton Walker, 19, to appear at York Crown Court next Friday Mr Walker, of High Street, South Milford, Leeds, is accused of conspiring with others
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Dedication the key to Thirsk team's success
YOUNGSTERS from Thirsk School have been celebrating victory at the under 13 girls area schools hockey rally. PE teacher Kerry Robinson was full of praise for the girls' dedication after playing several games in quick succession to lift the school's first
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Pony dates
BCTG. - Mar 25: Patsy Bartram dressage clinic, open to non-members, 01325 332685. BSPS Area 3a. - Mar 24: Winter show, Yafforth. Tel: 01642 452439. Cleveland Hunt PC. - Mar 17: Open novice and open team show jumping. Send sae for schedule to Kath Neely
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Viking centre's special guest
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Max Glanvill was only there for a school project - but little did he know he was about to become the centre of attention at a leading tourist attraction. The youngster was named yesterday as the 500,000th visitor to the Jorvik Viking Centre
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Lads find it too three-sy
Darlington Spraire Lads Despite the weekend weather Spraire managed a few games this weekend. The Under-14 Dynamos were in league action against Whitby Town. In an excellent performance Spraire won 3-1 thanks to goals from Hiley, Raine and Thompson, man
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Volunteers wanted to help rescue kennels
VOLUNTEERS are needed to keep a dog's home open for longer hours in the summer. From May until August, the National Canine Defence League (NCDL) kennels in Darlington will stay open until 8pm on week nights. Volunteers are needed during the extended hours
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School poised to bid for specialist status
FERRYHILL Comprehensive School is submitting a bid for specialist school status today, after more than four years of fundraising. The school is bidding to become a business and enterprise college. If successful, it will receive £500,000 of Government
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Letters: TDC folly
Sir, - I find myself in the rare situation of supporting, and extending, Coun Dave Walsh's criticism of the Teesside Development Corporation (D&S letters, Mar 8). In its earliest days, when the TDC bosses first adopted - without asking the owners
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Little bit of booze can boost memory
A study by North-East experts shows that alcohol improves your brainpower. Researchers at Northumbria University have found that enjoying half a pint of lager at the local can actually improve your memory. Tests were carried out on 30 students to establish
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Bitter blow as city bid rejected
A NORTH-EAST town's third attempt to become a city has proved unlucky. Middlesbrough's application to be one of five towns in the UK granted city status as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations was turned down yesterday. The town was beaten
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Former top showjumper remembered as gentle star
A NORTH Yorkshire family have been saddened by the loss of a former international show jumper whose generous nature brought them great pleasure. Sanyo Devon, owned by Kath Nixon of Brompton on Swale, was almost 30 years old when a recurring gut problem
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Eco cemetery set to open
AN eco-friendly burial ground is to be set up in a corner of Guisborough Cemetery., and will be ready for use next month. Woodland burials are becoming popular with people who want a less commercialised form of burial and who have concerns relating to
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Bowes farm makes finals
A COUNTY Durham farmer is through to the finals of a national silage competition. George Nixon and his family farm 150 acres at High Broates Farm, near Bowes. The farm stands 900ft above sea level, but the Nixon family has beaten 5,000 other entries to
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Hush money anger of 'Twin Towers' family
THE family of the only North-East victim of the September 11 tragedy broke their silence last night to reveal plans for an emotional pilgrimage to Ground Zero to remember their son. Speaking from their home in Chester-le-Street last night, Gavin McMahon's
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International trio to launch music season
BISHOP Auckland Music Society is to open this year's season with a trio of internationally acclaimed musicians. The Kungsbacka Piano Trio, which takes its name from an area of Sweden where the artists gave their first performance in 1997, will be playing
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The Albany Northern League
Billingham Town must finish the season without influential midfielder Paul Dalton as the former Hartlepool and Huddersfield player plans on moving to the US. He signed for Town in the autumn, and has turned in some excellent displays on the wing but the
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The Unibond League
Bishop Auckland moved out of the bottom three with a much needed but deserved 2-1 win over Altrincham on Wednesday. The win was no fluke, as Bishops showed plenty of determination to win their first league game under Alan Shoulder, and their first in
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Legacy of a grateful pupil
A FORMER public schoolboy's alma mater has set up a new scholarship in his name after receiving what the headmaster described as a substantial legacy via his family. Eric MacDonald, who died some time ago, was a pupil at Barnard Castle School in the Thirties
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Maybe Merlin used a bit of magic to travel 100 miles
A CAT which embarked on a 100-mile odyssey from Sheffield to Darlington, was reunited with its owner thanks to a microchipping scheme. No one knows how Merlin the tom cat ended up in the North-East, but it was handed in to an RSPCA centre in Great Ayton
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Young players keep school tradition going
TWO young badminton players from the Wensleydale school, Leyburn, have collected trophies in the Hambleton and Richmondshire championships. Laura Spence and Rachel Wheeler, both year 11 students, collected the doubles award, while Laura also won the ladies
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Shildon trio in County action
Shildon R and AC Three junior club athletes were on County duty when they made the 500-mile round-trip to the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Hylands Park Chelmsford, Essex. Natalie Owens was first to go in the Intermediate Girls. Natalie
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Taylor goes back to the future for new signings
Tommy Taylor is ready to draw from experience ahead a busy summer in the transfer market. The Darlington boss needs to sign new players, but not before some of the unfavoured squad members are let go, and he realises he is not going to have a great deal
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Arson attack destroys 80-year-old gym
AN arson attack has cost a school its gymnasium, where pupils have enjoyed PE lessons for 80 years. Police are investigating the blaze on Wednesday evening at King James I Community College, in Bishop Auckland. Firefighters were called to the lower school
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Letters: Protect our wedge
Sir, - I, along with many others, braved the bitter cold and snow-covered fields on Saturday, February 23, to attend the site meeting and subsequent Stockton council planning meeting regarding the proposed Betty's Close Farm housing development at Ingleby
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Spend a weekend wall building
ANYONE who has ever fancied learning the craft of drystone- walling can try their hand on a weekend course at Ripon. A team from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers will be practising their skills at Ripslith on a residential weekend which runs
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'My son could lose leg if no one acts'
PRISON authorities in India are refusing to give urgent medical treatment to a deaf British charity worker, his father has claimed. Ian Stillman, 51, has been in jail for the past year after he was convicted of possessing cannabis - a charge he has consistently
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Nazi treasure man jailed
A BLACKMAILER behind a bizarre plot involving a stolen Nazi chalice which once belonged to Hitler's henchman Herman Goering has been jailed for nine months. Derick Smith, 51, held a boxer dog named Benji ransom in a bid to get back the £2m solid silver
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Rockcliffe Gossip can underline stable's revival
AFTER the glitz and glamour of the Cheltenham Festival it's back to earth with a bump today, having to come to terms with more bread-and-butter action at Chepstow, Fakenham, and Wolverhampton. Punters unfortunate enough to have left most of their money
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Looking Back
From this newspaper 100 years ago. A sensation was caused at Middleton-in-Teesdale on Saturday night, when the news was spread that the new Savings Bank at the church yard entrance had been broken into. Sgt Nicholson was soon on the scene and it was found
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Farmers lose foot-and-mouth challenge
FARMERS fighting for a full public inquiry into the crippling foot-and-mouth outbreak have lost their legal battle this morning. A group of agricultural workers, including Peter Jackson of Little Fryup, near Whitby, took their case for public hearings
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Double joy for dale grandparents
A SWALEDALE couple became grandparents twice in just over an hour on Mothering Sunday. Godfrey and Pat Wilson had just begun to celebrate the birth of Guy Clark Stones, born at 7.37am, when news came of another new arrival - Charlotte Louise Wilson, born
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School fundraising effort
PUPILS and teachers from Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, will be packing bags for shoppers tonight to raise money for its specialist school status bid. The bid for specialist maths and computing status requires a £50,000 input, and the
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Police keep up Easi wins
Emergency Services League Easington Police continued their search for a trophy on all three available fronts, thanks to their win over Frankland in the League cup. The two closely matches teams finished their second round tie 1-1 with Neil Robinson scoring
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Darcheville claims Geordie interest
LORIENT striker Jean-Claude Darcheville last night insisted that Newcastle United are attempting to lure him back to England. Darcheville, who spent a season on loan at Nottingham Forest in 1998-99, claims he has been approached by the Magpies with a
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Stamping killer starts life sentence
A MAN was jailed for life for murder yesterday after being convicted of stamping his father-in-law to death. Grandfather Bill Jackson suffered injuries so horrific in the attack that a pathologist compared them to a car crash or a fall from a three-storey
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Darlington and South Durham news in brief
Newsletter volunteers call Sedgefield Development Partnership has formed a sub-group to publish a newsletter and is seeking volunteers to help with its production. A free training course is to be run on the second and third Thursday in April, which will
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Liverpool 'victimised' over Ziege
LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry last night claimed that his former employers at the Premier League had victimised his club over the Christian Ziege affair. Middlesbrough yesterday confirmed that they are to serve Liverpool with a High Court writ
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Woman faces poison charges
A WOMAN appeared in court yesterday charged with poisoning two children. The 27-year-old is being investigated in connection with the alleged poisoning of an 18-month-old toddler and a baby boy, last summer. She appeared before Newcastle magistrates charged
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Hartlepool to recall Lormor from Shrewsbury loan
ANTH Lormor could be back at Hartlepool United next week. The experienced goalscorer has been on loan at Shrewsbury for the last four weeks, netting twice in six starts as Kevin Ratcliffe's side maintained their top-seven spot. With his loan spell ending
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The surgeon scandal
IT'S decision day for campaigners who want a public inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal. More than 200 women, who say they suffered at the hands of the now disgraced North Yorkshire surgeon, will learn today whether a full inquiry will take place.
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Echo guide to a good day out
THE 16th annual edition of the region's award-winning leisure guide is published free with The Northern Echo, on Tuesday. Northern Leisure 2002 features 670 places in six different regions. For the second year, it includes Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester
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Soaring profits recorded at BASF
CHEMICALS group BASF has seen a huge rise in pre-tax profits, despite difficult trading across its operations. The group, which employs about 250 staff at its plastics and fibres business at Seal Sands, on Teesside, recorded pre-tax profits of £4.3bn
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Defence contract bids bring shipbuilding jobs prospect
THOUSANDS of jobs could be created in the region's shipyards if Swan Hunter succeeds in winning a share of a £2.7bn contract. The Ministry of Defence plans to have two 50,000 tonne aircraft carriers in service by 2015 and has put the work out to tender
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Strike a light, molly's model is a perfect match for threatened church
NIMBLE-FINGERED Molly Glew has taken an unusual approach to helping efforts to restore a crumbling village church. Pensioner Molly, from Kirkbymoorside, spent three weeks meticulously creating a model of St Hilda's Church, at nearby Nawton. Molly, pictured
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Business news in brief
Allfirst bosses to be sacked SIX bosses at Allied Irish Bank's US subsidiary, where a trader stacked up losses of nearly £500m, are to be sacked following the scandal. In addition, Allfirst chairman Frank Bramble is to retire early, although AIB stressed
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Sick arms dealer turns down prison treatment
A JAILED former Army officer is refusing treatment for TB in his Indian prison because he fears it could do him serious harm in the long term. Peter Bleach, of Fylingthorpe, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, believes if the disease is not cleared up with
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Hear all sides
COUNCIL TAX THE council tax rise in Bishop Auckland is an absolute disgrace, and people should not pay it. These Labour-controlled councils in the North-East should not be tolerated any longer, because they claim to represent the ordinary people but,
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Region's Pop Idols shine at Wembley
POP princess Zoe Birkett wowed thousands of fans last night when she took to the stage in her biggest performance to date. The 16-year-old, of Welbeck Avenue, Darlington, joined fellow Pop Idol contestants, including former Newcastle train driver Aaron
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North Yorkshire news in brief
Army's 'home from home' A WELFARE charity is helping to provide a "touch of home" for 16-year-old students. Harrogate's Army College's new centre was formally opened this week by General Sir Roger Wheeler. It is run by charity workers Frank and Carole
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Rise in waiting lists
A NORTH-EAST health authority has seen waiting lists for surgery soar. In January, County Durham and Darlington Health Authority failed by 1,215 to meet a target of treating 10,989 patients waiting for day or inpatient surgery. This is worse than the
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Diabetics club sets its sights on raising £35,000
AN appeal has been launched to raise £35,000 to buy sight-saving equipment for diabetics. Northallerton and District Diabetic Club is raising the cash to buy a new retinal camera for the diabetes clinic at the Friarage Hospital. The camera takes images
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Technological dinner times
A PROJECT to update school dinner times has proved so successful it is to be rolled out to other secondary schools. The Smartcard was introduced into the new Rye Hills School at Redcar at the beginning of September. The scheme allows pupils to "charge
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Scrap league tables, demand headteachers
HEADS of some of England's top private and state schools last night came together to condemn league tables and demand their abolition. Members of the Secondary Heads' Association and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference have called on the Government
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Don't cut bus services, say councillors
RIPON councillors have issued a plea against cuts to rural bus services in the area. It came after North Yorkshire County Council announced that existing contracts for some local services would be terminated next January 4. Tenders for the routes are
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Twice they were hit, twice they dusted themselves off, and now life is shining
A FARM visitor centre is fighting back from the brink of disaster for a second time. The Slater family saw their first business ruined over-night by Edwina Currie's comments about salmonella and eggs. They changed direction - only to be severely hit by
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Darlington and South Durham news in brief
Newsletter volunteers call Sedgefield Development Partnership has formed a sub-group to publish a newsletter and is seeking volunteers to help with its production. A free training course is to be run on the second and third Thursday in April, which will
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Milestone for scheme to revive Dales railway
THE bid to reopen a railway line through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales has taken an important step forwards. Formal planning applications have been submitted to the district councils which administer Hambleton and Richmondshire, asking for permission
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Big is beautiful in the eyes of a new name on the art scene
FAT will probably always be a feminist issue, but Sarah Jane Szikora's world of women sporting acres of flesh is aimed at turning it around. She is doing her bit to get rid of the negative relationship women have with their bodies, due in no small measure
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McAlpine to target firms
INFRASTRUCTURE services group Alfred McAlpine is to beef up its business with more acquisitions this year. McAlpine recently snapped up facilities management firm Stiell in a £85m deal, but will continue to seek more deals to boost its core operation.
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Site operators sought for summer lets
BUSINESSES are being urged to come forward to operate one of 21 trading sites during the summer season. Sites throughout Hartlepool are being let, including at Seaton Carew, the Headland and several recreation grounds, for traders to provide refreshments
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Out with the old as new logo launched
ONE of the region's leading firms of insurance brokers and financial advisors has a new corporate logo. BiB Darlington recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in the town and felt it was time to change its logo to reflect the changes in the company.
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Call for poll over parking
AN attempt is to be made to hold a poll in Ripon to allow voters to decide whether to scrap controversial parking charges on the city's Market Place. Independent councillors David Parnaby and Andrew Williams have secured signatures of ten electors to
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Daughter hopes TV can help
A WOMAN who was abandoned in a North-East phone box when she was only two days old is hoping a television show can help her find her mother. In July 1951, the child was discovered in Brinkburn Road, Darlington, and taken to the town's Greenbank Maternity
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Snooker, Crook League
Gavin Witton managed to pot the final black to beat Darren Tinkler 2-1 in the final of the League Championship played at Crook RAFA Club. In the semi-finals Gavin Witton beat John Warriner in two frames, whilst Darren Tinkler beat Scott Weston in the
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Games; Burn out of running
Willington Ladies League Hunwick Quarry Burn's chances of landing either the darts title or the runners-up spot ended when they were beaten in the outstanding game by the visiting Willington Brewer's Droop. The home side only took two points and this
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Workers rally round to provide adele with better vision
A SCHOOLGIRL trailblazer for the visually impaired has been presented with a special pair of life-enhancing spectacles. Adele Waterfall-Brown was the first visually impaired pupil in the Darlington area to attend a mainstream school. She was a pupil at
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Artist revisits his mining roots
AN ARTIST who has been labelled the "Geordie Lowry", Bob Olley, of South Shields, has been invited to exhibit for the first time in the Hutchinson Gallery in Bishop Auckland Town Hall. A private view takes place tonight when the show is officially opened
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First steps taken to provide dance and art classes at school
THERE was real dancing for joy when development of Teesside's Fame school took a milestone step forward. The first piece of turf was cut on a site earmarked for a £200,000 arts extension to Hall Garth School, Middlesbrough. Construction work on site will
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Environment in spotlight
SCHOOLS in Darlington have been learning how to carry out projects to benefit young people and the environment. Teachers representing more than half the borough's 49 schools attended the Darlington Schools Environment and Wildlife Conference yesterday
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Anger over investment
CEMENT workers facing redundancy in four months' time are furious at being offered a long-term stake in their company's future. Staff at French conglomerate Lafarge's Blue Circle Works, at Eastgate, County Durham, have accused their bosses of insensitivity
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Sick arms dealer turns down prison treatment
A JAILED former Army officer is refusing treatment for TB in his Indian prison because he fears it could do him serious harm in the long term. Peter Bleach, of Fylingthorpe, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, believes if the disease is not cleared up with
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Novos inflict heavy defeat on Bishops boys
Durham and Northumberland League Division Three Novocastrian RFC 56 Bishop Auckland RUFC 0 Bishop Auckland 1st XV slumped to their fifth defeat in a row and their worst league performance as they were trounced by over 50 points by leaders Novocastrians
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Awards success for Washington Envelopes
WASHINGTON Envelopes has confirmed its reputation as the most modern envelope manufacturing plant in Europe at the industry's annual awards. The plant, which has the capacity to produce 50 million envelopes a week, brought home silver and bronze awards
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Youth should try old-fashioned virtue of thrift
IDLE talk in the Tees Valley these days sometimes dwells on the idea of Stokesley as the new Yarm - a reference to its apparent move up-market. It may not have quite as many trendy eateries as the riverside town, but nevertheless the movement of moneyed
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Invitation to see progress
AS part of National Science Week, people are invited to visit one of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust's nature reserves to learn about the environmental improvements taking place. They will be able to join pupils of St Mark's Elm Tree CE Primary School and
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Seconds pip Firsts to title
Hambleton Ales North Yorkshire League A club's second team has taken over from its first squad as the new champions. Harrogate Squash Club's second team clinched the First Division title thanks to a 2-1 victory over Ripon. So how did the second team finish
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Animal disease action plan to be put in place
AN emergency plan is to be drawn up to tackle any future outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in County Durham. The move was agreed by members of the authority's cabinet yesterday and follows a request from councillors representing the west of the county
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Search for corgi that likes spotlight
THE hunt is on for a corgi fit for a queen to join the cast of Roald Dahl's The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) at Newcastle's Theatre Royal next week. Corgi auditions are taking place at the theatre on Tuesday at 2.30pm and interested owners are asked to contact
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Hospital's damages appeal fails
A GIRL who was awarded £2.8m last year in compensation for the brain damage she suffered when just days old has fought off a bid to take away part of her pay-out. Lawyers for the NHS trust which runs the RVI hospital in Newcastle said Bethany Ruff had
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Boro cast around as Wrigley considers retirement
MIDDLESBROUGH will discuss next week what to do about their coaching set-up following the break-up of the Jon Wrigley-John Dixon partnership. The two policemen took over two years ago at a time when Paul Hodder's four-year reign had ended with the team
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Flushed with success
WORSHIPPERS at a Yarm church are flushed with success over a scheme to help drought-stricken Mozambique. The Rev David Vonberg, superintendent minister at Yarm Methodist Church, has been totting up the results of the "Spend a penny, save a penny" scheme
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Forest admission charges dropped
A FOREST is aiming to lure star-gazers and nature lovers this weekend as part of a drive to get visitors back into the countryside. The 8,600-acre Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, is dropping admission charges to support the Government's
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Car club scheme could be tested in Moors villages
MOORLAND villages are poised to pilot a pioneering community car scheme. The need for second cars could be slashed if parish councillors go for the idea. For fixed fees, villagers in the Esk Valley could take a pool car to access amenities otherwise out
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Golden couple celebrate marriage milestone
A DARLINGTON couple are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today. Violet and Jim Hart, of Brighton Road, were married at St John's Church after meeting a year and a half earlier while both were living in Brighton Road. Mrs Hart, 74, worked at
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Happy day for brave John
Brave John Holden is to tie the knot after finding love at university. John, 23, almost died when he was struck down by meningitis in l998 and eventually lost both his legs. But he has rebuilt his life and describes meeting his fiance Louise Jardine as
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Games; Tow Law Cup
Tow Law New Market A went to victory in the Final when they overcame the visiting Hamilton Row Black Horse narrowly in the singles at both darts and dominoes. Dave Brown and Steve Wilkie took darts singles points for the Horse whilst Darren yeoman, John
