Archive
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Car thief on spree days after release
A CAR thief went on a crime spree three days after being released from prison for a previous offence - and days before he was due to be sentenced again for other offences. Durham Crown Court was told 19-year-old Paul Faulkner took three cars from the
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Researchers find new branch to family tree
A CHANCE meeting at a new library resulted in two men discovering a family link. Phil Clark, of Framwellgate Moor, Durham, called at Durham's new Clayport Library shortly after it opened, on Monday, to research the history of the Mahan family. Mr Clark
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Royal opening opportunity
GATESHEAD residents have been offered the chance of being part of the celebrations at the royal opening of the Millennium Bridge. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will open the award-winning bridge on Tuesday, May 7, and Gateshead Council wants residents
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Teenager overcomes heartbreak to launch career
A YOUNG man who witnessed his grandfather being killed by a dangerous driver has overcome the odds to carve out a career for himself. David O'Boyle, from Middlesbrough, was left suffering from post-traumatic stress after his grandfather was killed when
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Tom warms up for 162-mile mountain challenge
VETERAN cyclist Tom Williamson will be touring around Morocco the hard way to raise money for the British Lung Foundation. Tom, who is 70, is joining a team of 20 who will be cycling 20 to 44 miles a day in the Morocco 2002 Challenge Cycle Ride, which
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Shepherd clinches £437,000 pub deal
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 is behind Project Genesis
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Quakers sunk by Minstermen
A lacklustre Darlington display contributed to a poor match as Quakers lost 2-0 to York City on Saturday. It was the home sides biggest league win since September but more alarming for Tommy Taylor's side was that Darlington have now failed to win in
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Neale: Will we ever be told the truth?
VICTIMS of Richard Neale - the bungling doctor who left scores of patients facing a lifetime of pain - claimed last night the truth would never be known after losing a court battle with the Government. Former patients had asked the High Court to overturn
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Cancer drug now for all sufferers
A BREAST cancer drug which could help hundreds of North-East women live longer has finally been made available on the NHS. Herceptin can prolong the life of women suffering from a certain type of advanced breast cancer but has not been widely available
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Black Cats feeling the Blues
Sunderland lost their third consecutive game in London as they crashed 4-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea took the lead after forcing three quick corners when ex-England man Graeme Le Saux whipped over an inswinging corner in the 24th minute for
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Benches sawn off and stolen from walkway
A FORMER police officer has been left stumped after thieves stole two oak benches from a walkway. Fred Farley, who enjoys a weekly Sunday stroll along the Coxhoe to Kelloe Railway Walk, was stopped in his tracks when he noticed the seats were missing,
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Shildon welcome challenge
Albany Northern League and UniBond League: Shildon manager Ray Gowan welcomes the visit of fellow promotion-chasers Penrith to Dean Street this afternoon even though his side have lost their last two matches. Long-time leaders Shildon have dropped out
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Bishop backs new inspection at Christian school
THE Bishop of Durham is supporting calls for a controversial Christian school to be re-inspected. The Right Reverend Michael Turnbull was speaking after teachers at Emmanuel College, Gateshead, were accused of indoctrinating pupils with creationist theories
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Road safety stepped up outside schools
AS much as £100,000 is to be invested in making the roads outside two York schools safer for pedestrians. The city council has approved a package of road safety measures for Main Street, Bishopthorpe. They include speed ramps, better signs and road markings
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Black Cats aiming to keep Blues quiet
SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid - without ace striker Kevin Phillips at Stamford Bridge this afternoon - admitted last night that his defence will have to be on top form to put the shackles on free-scoring Chelsea. The Pensioners fired in eight goals in
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Bowls: Thornaby reach finals
THORNABY Ladies reached two finals at the English Women's Indoor Bowling Association Championships at Nottingham and returned to Teesside with the Fours Trophy. Although Thornaby lost out 57-29 at the final hurdle to Norfolk outfit North Walsham in the
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Irene takes spot at the top
SOUTH Tyneside Council has appointed a new chief executive, it has been announced. Irene Lucas, 48, who is director of contracting services with Sunderland City Council, accepted the appointment following an intensive two-day interview process. Council
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Sponsored pub crawl for cancer charity
A FERRYHILL man is aiming to raise £1,000 for charity by taking part in a sponsored pub crawl today. Neal Blenkinsop and his friend Glen George will be visiting pubs in Ferryhill and Spennymoor throughout the day, collecting money for Cancer Research
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Pupils offered golf lessons
A GOLF club is offering free coaching sessions for special needs, primary and secondary school pupils during the Easter holidays. Woodham Golf and Country Club, in Newton Aycliffe, has obtained grants from Sedgefield Borough Council, the British Golf
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Highways officials turn back the clock to improve roads
HIGHWAYS chiefs are turning back the clock more than 20 years to smarten up the streets and roads of County Durham. The county council is bringing back lengthsmen - council workers who once had responsibility for the general maintenance of specific lengths
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A dash of Potter magic on world book day
PUPILS at a Teesdale school brought a touch of magic to their World Book Day celebrations by dressing up as their favourite characters from the Harry Potter books. Children and staff at Bowes Hutchinson CE School recreated the magical world of J K Rowling's
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Honour for dedicated volunteer
A WOMAN who has dedicated her life to helping others has been honoured. Edith Dodds, from Darlington, was presented with the Order of St John by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson. The former Cleveland Bridge employee has been a
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News in brief:
Award for hospital staff MATERNITY staff at Darlington Memorial Hospital have been given an award for their commitment to improving services. The University of Teesside made the award to mark the maternity department's accreditation as a practice development
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A week of Harry Potter helps to make reading a magical pastime
A SPELL was cast over a school yesterday as children brought the magic of Harry Potter to life in a celebration of World Book Day. Pupils at St John's Primary School, Darlington, had a wizard time at their own Hogwarts as they became the characters created
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Fundraisers wanted
THE Royal British Legion is looking for fundraisers from the region to join in with a charity bike ride to Brussels. For the fourth year, cyclists will be pedalling from Dulwich in South London to a spectacular finish at the Parc de Cinquantenaire in
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The kindliness of the long-distance runner
A YOUNG North-East man who was horrified when his girlfriend had an epileptic fit last year has been spurred into running his first marathon to raise cash for research into the condition. Rob Geraghty, 25, used to hate running but is training for the
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News in brief
Counterfeit clothing parties A woman sold fake designer goods, bearing counterfeit labels of popular brands, at clothing parties, Durham Crown Court heard. Police and trading standards officers recovered 550 items, mainly T-shirts and track-suits, with
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Youngsters' efforts help charity
YOUNGSTERS at a Darlington primary school have shown that hard work can bring success and profits in charity work. Pupils at St Augustine's RC Primary School, Darlington, have raised £1,400 for the NSPCC. The school held spelling and drawing events, collecting
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Park-and-ride proposed to ease traffic
A PARK-and-ride scheme is being considered to cut traffic congestion on roads leading into Darlington. Richard Cranmer, divisional traffic manager of the Stagecoach bus company, floated the idea at a meeting of the Town Centre Forum as an alternative
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Search for pet
A BISHOP Auckland family is appealing for help to find their missing pet, a tiny Yorkshire terrier-cross. The bitch, called Skunk, who is only a few inches tall, disappeared from the Green Lane area on Friday, March 8. Her owner, who has asked not to
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The last word:
Modesty may have had its day at the busy US international airport at Orlando. The latest security scanner being tested there sees right through passengers' clothes, leaving nothing to the imagination. Its use, for now, is voluntary.
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Siege brothers
TWO brothers who were arrested following an armed police operation in a North-East town have been released. The men, aged 34 and 33, were freed on police bail yesterday following questioning. Twenty officers, including some with firearms, surrounded a
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Business Briefs:Society joins elite group
NEWCASTLE Building Society is in an elite group of companies to be recognised for a decade of investment in its workforce. It joins only three other North-East companies to have held Investors in People (IIP) accreditation for ten years. Nissan, Komatsu
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Asylum seeker caught with stolen passports
AN asylum seeker risked jeopardising his bid to stay in this country after being caught with two stolen Israeli passports. Zoran Markovic, from the Yugoslav republic of Montenegro, said he was given them for safe-keeping by two local men in Sunderland
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Shedding light on beauty spot
WALKERS at an east Cleveland beauty spot are in for a spot of history as well as exercise. People visiting Errington Wood, at New Marske, are being told about the Upleatham Hills via an information board installed in the car park in a partnership between
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Regional news in brief
Stuart Bell MP and Ray Mallon ON MARCH 7, The Northern Echo reported a Parliamentary speech by Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell in which he set out his view of the background to Operation Lancet in relation to Ray Mallon. In response to this speech, Mr Mallon
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Football Flashback: Middlesbrough 3, Liverpool 3 - August 17, 1996
FEW players have made a more explosive start to their career in England than Fabrizio Ravanelli. Signed by Bryan Robson from Juventus for £7m, the Italian striker lived up to all the summer hype by scoring a debut hat-trick against Roy Evans' Liverpool
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Really coining it in
A HUGE silver coin provided a golden moment for a charity group which is celebrating a £26,000 boost. Derwentside Mind, which supports people in and around North-West Durham with mental health or emotional problems, received the cash from the Lloyds TSB
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Hear All Sides
COUNCIL TAX CAN any Durham County councillor or Derwentside District councillor explain why my council tax has been increased by over 14 per cent? I have a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. This says:
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Late miss is Shear agony for Toon
A sensational penalty miss from Alan Shearer in the third minute of injury time ensured Ipswich Town left St James' Park with a point on Saturday. Newcastle, who twice came from behind, were handed the opportunity to claim an undeserved three points after
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Easter play tour looms
A THEATRE company is putting the finishing touches to an interpretation of traditional Easter plays, to be performed at churches across North Yorkshire. North Country Theatre will present The Passion Plays, which give an insight into the life, death and
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Courtrooms to get facelift
COURTROOMS on Teesside are to receive a £1.3m facelift. Magistrates courts at Middlesbrough and Hartlepool are to be upgraded in a two- year works programme. The successful bid was prepared by Middlesbrough Council, its partners Hyder Business Services
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Students in sporting showdown
STUDENTS from a North-East university will be taking part in a three-way sporting competition in Dublin next week. The University of Durham students will take part in Doxbridge, an annual five-day contest between Oxford, Cambridge and Durham universities
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News in brief:
Party retains ward seat LABOUR'S Peter Dunlop won a three-cornered fight for a vacant seat in Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Grangetown ward. He polled 463 votes, ahead of Paul Tuffs (Lib Dem) with 242 votes and Lynda Russell (Conservative) with
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Residents may develop community fun day
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are being encouraged to help organise a community fun day. New Deal for Communities held a fun day for the first time last year in the grounds of Lynnfield School and is planning a similar event this year. Bob Farrow, who sits
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Procedures reviewed after patients' wait
A NORTH Yorkshire hospital has carried out an urgent review after patients with suspected cancer had to wait more than two weeks for an appointment. The patients - who have not been named - were referred by their GPs to Scarborough Hospital as urgent
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Girls may add trophy to Quakers' cabinet
STRUGGLING Darlington FC could add at least one trophy to its cabinet this year - courtesy of a team of schoolgirls. A team from Sunnydale School, Shildon, County Durham travels to Huddersfield on Wednesday to represent the Quakers in the regional finals
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Helping to mark Queen's jubilee
A YOUNGSTER who is recovering from brain surgery has been picked as one of seven people from his school to take part in an event marking the royal jubilee. Matthew Hammond, a year ten pupil at Billingham Campus School, Billingham, has been selected as
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Initiative boxes clever with recycling scheme
AN initiative aims to boost recycling levels in Hartlepool. Bosses at the borough council are introducing fortnightly collections of cans, glass, clothes and textiles from outside people's homes. The service, which will involve householders being given
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For Your Benefit: Help for failed businessman
Q I am a 61 year old bachelor whose business has failed, leaving me with no income or savings. What, if anything, can I claim? A Income Support, otherwise known as Minimum Income Guarantee, of £92.15 plus a full rebate on council tax and rent, if appropriate
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Saturday Sermon
I WRITE this with the sun streaming in through the windows, and that gives me the feeling that it is good to be alive and well. Reflecting on an article in The Northern Echo asking the question: "Is the church beyond salvation?", my answer would be yes
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Till raider sent back to prison
A RELEASED prisoner who claimed he committed a string of shop raids to pay off his girlfriend's drug debts was sent back to jail yesterday. Ronald Stead, 24, was caught after he carried out five till snatches on successive days in Hartlepool, Billingham
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MP backs move for fireworks safety
AN MP has backed calls for tougher regulations on fireworks. Dari Taylor was in the House of Commons last Friday to support a Private Members' Bill on the issue, which she also backed when it was read for the first time in January. Mrs Taylor, MP for
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Childcare scheme brings jobs hope
UP to 70 jobs could be created in the region, thanks to a major new childcare initiative. The posts will be created in Hartlepool if funding from the Government's Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative (NNI) is approved for six new day nursery projects. The
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Crackdown on scourge of bogus callers
WAYS to stamp out the scourge of bogus callers who con their way into victim's homes in the North-East were placed in focus yesterday. Experts met at Sunderland's Stadium of Light to hear how the Home Office's Distraction Burglary Task Force is working
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Moors farmer wins battle for livestock barn
A MOORLAND farmer has won his fight at the second attempt to get permission to build a livestock building for his sheep despite planning officers recommending refusal. Stephen Agar told the North York Moors National Park Authority that he needed the barn
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Comment from The Northern Echo: We still call for answers
THROUGH its affinity with spin, the Government has helped strengthen the perception that information released to the public cannot be trusted. The regurgitation of statistics and the burying of bad news have become skills to be valued by political masters
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Party killer jailed for life
A father-of-four who murdered his brother-in-law in a frenzied knife attack has been jailed for life. Peter Topping, 28, said he remembered nothing about the stabbing which left Darren Liddy, 24, dying in a pool of blood. A jury at Newcastle Crown Court
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Strike threat lifts
THE threat of strikes against car giant MG Rover has ended after workers voted overwhelmingly against taking industrial action in a dispute over pay and hours. Union leaders said the vote had averted a possible "catastrophe" at the Longbridge company,
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Metro station to miss its schedule
THE main station in a multi-million pound Metro extension will not be ready in time for its opening. Work is under way to get the Sunderland Metro extension ready in time for March 31. But yesterday, Sunderland Direct, the team behind the project, admitted
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Shake-up may force EMI to axe 1,000 jobs
MUSIC group EMI could be planning to axe nearly 1,000 jobs next week. The group is thought to be planning a major restructuring project aimed at cutting costs by slashing more than ten per cent of its 9,000 staff from its recorded music division. It is
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Fighting evil in the garden of Eden
When the makers of the new Bond film, Die Another Day, needed a lair for 007's adversary, they went to the eighth wonder of the world. Steve Pratt goes on location in Cornwall The giant white domes nestling, like enormous golf balls in a bunker, at the
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Creating an eruption of interest in science
LESSONS for young children at one North Yorkshire school have certainly gone with a bang. Primary and secondary school youngsters worked together in the classroom at Risedale College in Catterick Garrison in an effort to make the transition from one to
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Online centre hopes to give access to all
A NEW online centre was opened on Teesside yesterday under a Government initiative to give everyone Internet access. Andrew Pinder, the Government's "E-Envoy", opened the centre at Teesside University. The centre offers both Internet access and email
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Travel: Hot air but no suntan
London may boast it is one of the world's most exciting cities, but, as Nick Morrison discovers, some of that boast is really hot air SO it may not be the most grown-up thing to do, but when you're surrounded by helium-filled, pillow-shaped balloons bobbing
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Grassroots: Washington
LIFE SAVERS: There will be a blood donor session from 2.30pm to 7pm on Thursday, in Oxclose Church. FOLK NIGHT: Last Night's Fun are appearing at the Davy Lamp Folk Club next Saturday, in the Biddick Art Centre. NEW POSTING: Alan Morton is the new part-time
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Children visit farm to promote countryside
A NORTH-East farmer welcomed schoolchildren into his farm as part of a campaign to entice visitors back into the countryside. Martin Lowcock and his wife, Beverley, of Maltby Grange Farm, Maltby, near Middlesbrough, gave the children, from St Therese
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The future is history
Cambridge academic Dr David Starkey has just signed a £2m deal to present a series of history programmes for Channel 4, making him better paid than Cilla Black or Anne Robinson. Steve Pratt looks at the attraction of the historian dubbed "the rudest man
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He's here, he's there, he's everywhere...
The importance of encouraging young people was emphasised by the North-East's much love Catholic bishop at a Mothering Sunday service MASS at St Joseph's began at 9.30am. As every day, the 73-year-old Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Bishop Ambrose Griffiths
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A cool head needed for Borneo challenge
ACCOUNTANT Angela Burton will be bald as well as bold when she sets off on a ten-week cycle through Borneo. The 40-something will also take part in a trek to the summit of Mount Kinabalu and white water rafting as part of the charity fundraising challenge
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Road to new look lies in the past
HIGHWAYS chiefs are turning back the clock more than 20 years to smarten up the streets and roads of County Durham. The County Council is bringing back new look "lengthsmen" - council workers who once had responsibility for the general maintenance of
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Quakers chase derby triumph treble
Darlington are bidding to complete a clean sweep of derby victories on the road when they take on York City this afternoon. Quakers have won on opposition territory just twice this season in Division Three, but both of those wins came against teams close
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At Your Service: He's here, he's there, he's everywhere . . .
MASS at St Joseph's began at 9.30am. As every day, the 73-year-old Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Bishop Ambrose Griffiths, had already been up for four hours. "I am one of the minority of people who tend to be quite good early in the morning and poorer
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Cash drive hopes to crush abandoned vehicle problem
A cash-for-cars scheme which aims to cut the number of abandoned vehicles on the streets of Middlesbrough was launched yesterday. Operation Magpie, an amnesty and reward scheme, encourages people not to abandon cars on the street by offering them £10
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Pricing policy agreed for nursing homes
A PRICING policy has been agreed between east Cleveland's independent nursing homes and the council. A working party, made up of Redcar and east Cleveland borough councillors, and members of the independent care providers, has reached a settlement on
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Ince sounds a contract warning
PAUL INCE has fired a defiant message to Steve McClaren, vowing to play on at the highest level for another two years regardless of whether he has a future with Middlesbrough. Manager McClaren has admitted that contract talks with skipper Ince have reached
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The future is history
Cambridge academic Dr David Starkey has just signed a £2m deal to present a series of history programmes for Channel 4, making him better paid than Cilla Black or Anne Robinson. Steve Pratt looks at the attraction of the historian dubbed "the rudest man
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The future is history
Cambridge academic Dr David Starkey has just signed a £2m deal to present a series of history programmes for Channel 4, making him better paid than Cilla Black or Anne Robinson. Steve Pratt looks at the attraction of the historian dubbed "the rudest man
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Robson takes cautious approach with ace Dyer
BOBBY ROBSON has assured England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson that he won't jeopardise Kieron Dyer's World Cup hopes for the sake of Newcastle's end-of-season crusade. Bionic man Dyer is back in the Magpies' squad for today's visit of his old club Ipswich
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News from the Darlington & Stockton Times gets updated here every Friday
Other content from the Darlington & Stockton Times includes : Farming news. Equestrian news. Weekend Times. Opinion. Auctions.
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'Bimbo' jibe Army officer loses her case
A high-ranking woman officer's military career lies in tatters after she lost a sexual discrimination case against the Army brought because a superior officer called her a bimbo. Captain Janet Kelly, 35, said she was devastated when Lt Colonel Jean Kennedy
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Merging cultures from opposite banks
HUNDREDS of children at schools on opposite banks of the Tyne have been singing, painting and writing as part of their efforts to help with the bid for European Capital of Culture 2008. Eighty primary and nursery schools and two after-school clubs in
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Pupils visit Parliament
PUPILS from a Chester-le-Street secondary school saw democracy in action when they spent a day at the Houses of Parliament recently. Youngsters from Roseberry Comprehensive met their local MP Kevan Jones and were given a guided tour of the corridors of
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Turner determined to prove doubters wrong
HARTLEPOOL United manager Chris Turner sends his troops out this afternoon determined to prove the doubters wrong. With eight games to go, Pool are still in with a chance of making the top seven, but Turner has been left exasperated by sections of the
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'No one could have foreseen ex-patient's role in murder'
AN investigation into the care received by a former psychiatric patient who helped batter a man to death, has concluded that no one could have forseen the offence. Malcolm Edwards, 29, was sentenced to life imprisonment in April last year for his part
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Police must give up killer's letters
CLEVELAND Chief Constable Barry Shaw has been ordered to hand over letters written by one of the North-East's most notorious child killers. Shaun Armstrong, who murdered Hartlepool toddler Rosie Palmer, is using public funds to sue author Bernard O'Mahoney
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Spanish quest for hospital nurses
HOSPITAL bosses have been on a shopping trip to Spain in a bid to fill more than 100 nursing jobs for an expanding North-East heart unit. Eleven Spanish nurses have been recruited by the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust as part of ambitious expansion plans
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Voices are raised in choral challenge
THREE Durham choirs begin their bids next week to become the Pop Idols of the choral world. Durham County Youth Choir, Framwellgate School Choir and Northern Spirit are heading to Newcastle's Tyne Theatre and Opera House for the regional auditions of
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Travellers likely to succeed in accommodation battle
PLANS for travellers' accommodation at the gateway to a village look likely be approved, despite residents objections. The Dolan family have applied to Durham City Council for permission to build a two-storey house and site a chalet-style mobile home,
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Stone Cold hot tip
TIM EASTERBY seems to be concentrating mainly on the Flat these days but he's still got a few decent jumpers, including Newcastle-bound Stone Cold (2.45). Considering Stone Cold is only five, he's taken well to steeplechasing, attacking his fences with
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All-clear for RA cup tie
Wearside League: Darlington RA and Ferryhill Athletic will make another attempt to settle their Wearside League Cup quarter-final at Brinkburn Road this afternoon. RA manager David Woodcock reports that Steve Johnson has recovered from an injury he picked
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Cash invested in city centre homes
A HOUSING association has invested £400,000 in providing affordable city centre properties. Three Rivers Housing Group has added to its stock of new homes to let by building Green Court, a development of eight one and two bedroom flats, in Gilesgate,
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We have to accept defeat, say North-East farmers
CAMPAIGNERS pressing for a full public inquiry into last year's foot-and-mouth epidemic have been urged to accept defeat. The call to move on from the catastrophic events of last year came from farmers in the region who are trying to lead a recovery in
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Falcons given go-ahead for 70-acre development
NEWCASTLE Falcons go into today's match at Harlequins boosted by the news that planning permission has finally been granted for their stadium development. Although there were no serious worries, a few people were getting a little twitchy as the results
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Brave Boro suffer Reds defeat
LIVERPOOL stepped up their title bid with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday. Goals from Emile Heskey and John Arne Riise took Gerard Houllier's side to the top of the Premiership and condemned Boro to their first home defeat since mid-December.
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The spice isn't right for Geri's art work
AS one-fifth of the Spice Girls she had number one hits, made her movie debut and performed to sell-out crowds around the world. Since striking out and going solo, she has become an ambassador for the United Nations and given a morale-boosting concert
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Pool make their point at Spotland
HARTLEPOOL UNITED failed to collect the win they needed to lift their play-off hopes, but returned from Rochdale with a point in a goalless draw that keeps their faint ambitions alive. Gordon Watson went closest for Pool when he struck the post from six
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Terror of a burglar who discovered body
A BURGLAR who raided a house discovered that he was robbing a dead man, a court heard yesterday. Edward Temple got the fright of his life when he went to the pensioner's home a second time, and discovered the man's body upstairs. Temple, 30, fled in terror
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Waste disposal plan for quarry
OWNERS of a Ferryhill quarry are bidding to create a recycling unit which could bring dozens of extra jobs. Lafarge Aggregates has developed proposals for a waste management plant at Thrislington Quarry. The company outlined its vision for the restoration
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Wedding bells peal out a life lesson
"NEWLYWEDS" Tilly Lanagan and Andrew Fearneyhough may have to wait a few more years before they can officially tie the knot, but the youngsters still celebrated their special day in style. Andrew and Tilly were joined by fellow pupils and teachers for
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Drink-drive pensioner jailed over deaths of girl and gran
A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND pensioner was jailed yesterday after admitting that her drink-driving caused the deaths of a six-year-old girl and her grandmother. Former alcoholic Susan Harty told the court that she wished she was dead following the horrific crash
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Farming pair head for B&B 'Oscar'
A COUPLE who abandoned a career in pig farming to open a bed and breakfast hotel have made it to the final three in the tourism industry Oscars. David and Heather Armstrong are finally reaping the rewards, 14 years after they turned their backs on the
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Teachers explore green ideas
TEACHERS from Darlington have taken part in an experiment to promote environmental schemes in the borough's schools. Representatives from more than 30 nursery, primary and comprehensive schools attended the borough's first wildlife and environment seminar
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Dancing trio in line for honours
A TRIO of dancers are in line for more honours. As a duo and singly, Amanda Clixby, 12, and Amy Maxwell, 13, have won a string of trophies and put their home town of Darlington on the line dancing map. The pair took up line-dancing in 1998 and have held
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Strategy to free up town's pavements
A DISABILITY group has played a major role in a new strategy to keep Darlington pavements free of obstructions. The Pavements for People initiative is ready for launch after wide-ranging consultation exercise involving a number of groups, including emergency
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Anti-drugs drive proving a big success
THE first two weeks of a campaign to get drugs off the streets of Darlington has been hailed a success. But members of the public who have passed information on to police as part of the Rat on a Rat campaign against drug dealers are being urged to have
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Jubilee weekend forces changes
ORGANISERS of one of the biggest events in Richmond's calendar have been forced to rearrange their programme this year to fit in with others arranged to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Cyclists have always played a big part in the Richmond Meet
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Students address Select Committee on science
THREE students have been chosen by a House of Commons Select Committee to put forward their opinions on the standard of science education in the UK. Teenagers Vicky Parkin, Fay Tuddenham and Liz Teasdale will appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee
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To the metric martyr, a son at 3,790 grams (or 8lb 5oz)
METRIC martyr and proud father Steven Thoburn made a sly dig at his sworn political enemies last night - with a birth announcement. The Sunderland greengrocer, who along with three other market traders last month lost a High Court bid to overturn a ruling
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Cabbies in permit protest
TAXI drivers held a peaceful protest against the price of permits at Darlington's Bank Top railway station last night. In the three years since Great North Eastern Railways (GNER) passed the franchise to Station Taxis, the cost to independent drivers
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Legal eagles on modern career
FOLLOWING the letter of the law is proving to be the ideal career route for five County Durham apprentices. Company bosses at Chester-le-Street solicitors and estate agents, Gordon Brown Associates, have been so impressed with the young people they took
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Concern over spread of measles
PARENTS are being urged to have their children vaccinated against a potential measles outbreak after nine suspected cases were identified. Doctors have raised concerns about the number of children being immunised amid fears over the triple MMR jab. Last
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Double joy for keeper Williams
HARTLEPOOL goalkeeper Anthony Williams had double cause to celebrate yesterday. After signing a two-year extension to his current contract that expires in the summer, the former Wales Under-21 keeper was awarded the Nationwide Save of the Month award
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Author seeks help with rail book
AN author is hoping for help with research into the history on the Wensleydale railway line. Tony Eaton is planning a book on the branch line which once linked Northallerton with Hawes - parts of which are due to reopen later this year. However, to add
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Controversial HQ site move to come under the spotlight
A LOCAL authority's controversial bid to relocate will be back under the spotlight next week when a new working group meets for the first time. Richmondshire District Council's announcement that it is considering uprooting from Richmond and moving to
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Soldiers serve with pride
TERRITORIAL Army students from the North-East have won a place in the national finals of a military cooking contest. Two chefs and a driver from Teesside, part of the Tyne Tees Regiment, proved they could whip up a challenging menu in a field kitchen.
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Ammo factory closure on hold
HUNDREDS of workers at a County Durham munitions factory threatened with closure have been given a three-week reprieve. Bosses from British Aerospace (BAe), which owns the Royal Ordnance factory in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, travelled there this
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Trains off as Metro nears
A RAIL company is cancelling certain trains from today to prepare for the opening of the Metro extension in the North-East. To allow for work on the Metro extension to Sunderland, due to open on March 31, trains will not run between Newcastle, Sunderland
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Sheducation on the move
POLICE will take a special garden shed back on the road in North Yorkshire next week. The county's constabulary launched its Sheducation programme last month, urging homeowners to beef up the security of their garages and outbuildings, so often targeted
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Exhibition is booked in to review future
AN exhibition has been set up at a local library so that people can give their opinions on how they see the future of their area shaping up over the next ten years. The exhibition is part of a major consultation scheme by Redcar and Cleveland Borough
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Kitchen blaze
Fire crews tackled a house fire in Gilsland Crescent, Darlington, on Thursday afternoon following reports of smoke coming from the kitchen. Two engines from the town's fire station were sent to the scene where the ground floor kitchen was severely damaged
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Firm proves it has opposition licked
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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Formula for learning
YOUNG people from all over the North will travel to Teesside next week for a festival of chemistry. On Wednesday, pupils from schools all over Teesside, Durham and Cumbria will gather at the University of Durham, Stockton campus, to take part in the Salters
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News in brief
Success for sanctuary SLOWWORMS are thriving in a tiny sanctuary created out of a former railway coal yard. The Old Barber Nature Reserve, at Bilton Junction, Harrogate, has been named by local conservationists after the coal-carrying rail line which
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Grassroots: Yarm and Easglescliffe
MUSIC FESTIVAL: The music for youth regional auditions for the North-East will be held at Egglescliffe School today and tomorrow. Both days will have morning and afternoon sessions. Entry to the event is free. SHOW TIME: A performance entitled Show Time
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Final call to stage hopefuls
NEXT week is the last chance for aspiring performers to apply to join a youth theatre project in the region. Dionysis Theatre Company will be staging the musical, Oliver, in Durham's Gala Theatre this summer. Singers, actors, dancers, musicians and crew
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Pledge to get tough over fine payment
The Government has pledged a clampdown on people who try to avoid paying magistrates' fines, after a report revealed that £74m had to be written off last year because offenders could not be traced. Westminster's spending watchdog, the National Audit Office
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Event to aid leprosy centre
HUNDREDS of Indian people who have made their homes in Britain will gather in the region for a celebration later this month. The two-day event, organised by the Kannada Balaga UK organisation, will take place at the Hurworth Grange Community Centre, Hurworth
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Conservation team boosted
FARMERS and landowners in the North-East will be able to benefit from the strengthening of a team dealing with conservation. Colin Hedley, who works for the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), has been appointed advisor to the Country Land And
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Voices are raised in choral challenge
THREE Durham choirs begin their bids next week to become the Pop Idols of the choral world. Durham County Youth Choir, Framwellgate School Choir and Northern Spirit are heading to Newcastle's Tyne Theatre and Opera House for the regional auditions of
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Car thief writes off £40,000 Jaguar
A TEENAGER who stole a £40,000 Jaguar sports car from Teesside Airport and wrote it off in a 100mph crash, was jailed for a year yesterday. Gavin Hirst, 18, was hanging around the airport with a bag hoping to catch a plane to anywhere - even though he
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Good report celebrated
PUPILS and teachers are celebrating after receiving a good Ofsted report. Marwood Church of England School, Great Ayton, was visited by inspectors last November. The report said: "It is a very good school where pupils achieve well and attain high standards
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Car boot sale returns to aid church funds
A CAR boot sale, which has become a traditional part of the Easter programme in the heart of Wensleydale, will return this year after being cancelled in 2001 due to the foot-and-mouth crisis. Wensley Parish Church will benefit from the Easter Monday event
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Studio at The Echo is good news for talking newspaper
DELIGHTED volunteers gathered yesterday to help welcome a charity to its new home - provided thanks to The Northern Echo. Darlington Talking Newspaper for the Blind was forced to leave its former home because of imminent legislation on disability access
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Travel: The city of caves
WANT to see how Robin Hood really lived; "Feel the Fear" in the Galleries of Justice; walk through 13th Century caves under a modern shopping centre? Then a weekend in Nottingham could be just what you're aiming for. It really is a city with a wealth
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Nazi chalice plot: Blackmailer jailed
A BLACKMAILER behind a 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 chalice
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Disabled rights champion chats to the Queen
ONE of County Durham's best known citizens has talked of his joy at meeting the Queen to collect his MBE. "She was delightful and really appeared to be interested in what was going on in our county," said former chairman of Durham County Council, alderman
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Shares fury at doomed works
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, in Weardale, County Durham, have accused bosses of insensitivity
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Pensioner's trans-American quest
A PENSIONER will rely on pedal power to complete a 3,640-mile trip across the US. Durham county councillor Len O'Donnell, 69, will embark on the challenge to raise funds to replace some of the 35 fire engines and other equipment destroyed in the September
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Call for caring bat fans
WANTED: batmen and women willing to help care for the shy nocturnal creatures. The County Durham Bat Club will be hitting our screens this weekend. It is part of a drive to bring in more recruits to help look after any injured or orphaned bats. The club
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He's here, he's there, he's everywhere...
The importance of encouraging young people was emphasised by the North-East's much love Catholic bishop at a Mothering Sunday service MASS at St Joseph's began at 9.30am. As every day, the 73-year-old Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Bishop Ambrose Griffiths
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Jail term for care home sex attacker
A CARE assistant indecently assaulted an elderly dementia sufferer as he fed her in bed. Michael Carson, 43, was jailed for six months yesterday after a court heard how he was seen "in the act" in the 77-year-old woman's room. A colleague became suspicious
