Archive
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Man jailed for biting officer
A MAN who bit a police officer after he was arrested following a domestic incident has been jailed for a year. Robert Robinson bit a Northumbria force officer on the left forearm, leaving a scar, as he was being driven away in a van. Robinson, who was
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DNA test identifies body in cupboard
A BADLY decomposed body, discovered hidden in a London house, has been identified as that of missing South Korean In Hea Song. The body of the 22-year-old student was found earlier this month in a cupboard at the house where she had been staying, in Augusta
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Farmway posts profit after loss in 2000
Leading farmers co-operative Farmway has recorded a remarkable turnaround in its fortunes. The Darlington-based operation has turned a £450,000 loss in 2000 into a £240,000 profit in 2001, one of the most difficult years for agriculture. Chairman John
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Vicar named Magpies' top fan
A football-crazy vicar has been blessed with an award naming him Newcastle United's top fan. So passionate is Rev Glyn Evans about his beloved toon, that he has even rewritten religious hymns to praise his favourite side. Mr Evans, chaplain at St Andrew's
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circle marks new beginning for walkway site
YOUNGSTERS saw their hard work pay off yesterday when a field formerly grazed by sheep was unveiled as a new beauty spot. Schoolchildren from around the borough of Stockton and Stockton Borough Council's country park wardens have spent the past 18 months
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EU to impose import tariffs
THE European Union has acted to impose import tariffs on a flood of cheap steel from countries hit by US tariffs. The EU is imposing import taxes of up to 26 per cent on countrie that have been dumping steel on the European market as a result of the US
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Disgraced Leeds star is back in trouble
DISGRACED soccer star Jonathan Woodgate was back in trouble with the law yesterday - when he was banned from the roads for driving at almost 100mph. The Middlesbrough-born player was branded a persistent speeder as he was convicted of his fourth speeding
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Jobs to go as BT reviews centres
TELECOMS group BT is spending £11.4m on converting three of its call centres in the region into next-generation sites. The move is part of £100m investment by BT to create a network of 30 multi-function contact centres. The sites will cover a range a
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Upgrade secures future of area's magistrates' court
IMPROVEMENTS are to be made to an east Cleveland magistrates' court to increase the range of cases it can handle. Cleveland Magistrates' Courts Committee, which has responsibility for all magistrates' courts in what was Cleveland county, said work would
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Culture capital bid's £bn ambition
A BREATHTAKING blueprint to bring the European Capital of Culture to Newcastle and Gateshead in 2008 was unveiled yesterday. The bid, which will be presented to the Government today, contains plans for an investment of more than £3bn in transport, leisure
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First road for new site
THE first road is about to be laid on a big housing development in Darlington. Developer Bussey and Armstrong has applied for planning permission to build a road and roundabouts on the West Park estate site. The road will run from the roundabout at the
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Julie does trolley good job
A WOMAN has filled her trolley as part of a contest to boost charity coffers. Yarm District Lions Club's annual Grand Charity Draw 2002 was in aid of autistic charities and other Lions good causes. Julie Lamb won the first prize - a three-minute early
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Lollipop lady mourned
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular lollipop lady who died after a long illness. Sue Wright, 53, of South Bents, Sunderland, died last week after a two-year fight against cancer. She was a crossing patrol lady at the junction of Tunstall Road and Tunstall
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Course welcomes volunteers
PEOPLE working in the voluntary sector in east Cleveland are being invited to take part in a course to develop their skills. It starts at Guisborough Library on Friday, April 12, and is run by Martin Smith, former co-ordinator of the Guisborough Community
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Hunt for conman who took pensioner's savings
A PENSIONER'S life savings were stolen after an intruder posed as a water board official to get into his home. The 84-year-old was robbed of his wallet containing just under £1,000 after a man knocked at his door in St Hilda's, Middlesbrough, and asked
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Contentment the secret of long life
ONE of the region's residents celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday and shared the secret of her long life. Mary Leonard, who woke up to a telegram from the Queen, said that for a long and happy life people should be content with what they have got.
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'Hero' nurse is struck off register
A NURSE who was hailed as a hero after helping to save the lives of car crash victims was struck off the register yesterday after being found guilty of misconduct. The case of father-of-three David Garthwaite, 38, of Southgate, Hartlepool, came before
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Food company fined over warehouse infestation of rats
A FOOD company infested with rats for ten months has been fined. In January 2000, environmental health officers from Middlesbrough Council warned Tyne Tees Cash and Carry that there was evidence of the beginnings of a problem during a routine inspection
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Rethink urged over pest control charges
NEW charges introduced for pest control are to be challenged by Richmond Town Council. Fees for the disposal of rats on domestic properties were introduced by Richmondshire District Council earlier this year. However, at a meeting of town councillors
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Man jailed for robbing motorist
A ROBBER who pounced on a woman motorist at traffic lights was jailed for three years and 11 months yesterday after the judge said that such crimes were on the increase. The woman was waiting at red lights in the centre of Middlesbrough when her passenger
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Woman is victim of doorstep conmen
AN elderly woman has become the latest victim of doorstep conmen after they tricked their way into her home. The pensioner let a man into her home in the Cockton Hill area of Bishop Auckland, in County Durham, at about midday on Tuesday, after he said
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Smuggler's story is recreated in museum
A SEASIDE museum, which tells the story of one of the North-East's most infamous smugglers, has opened for its tenth season. John Andrew was the landlord of the Ship Inn at Saltburn, east Cleveland, in the 1780s but used his position to smuggle goods
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Missing man's car found in moors village
THE search for a missing 58-year-old man took a new twist yesterday when his car was found in a remote village on the North York Moors. Graham Waugh left his home near Beverley, East Yorkshire, early last Sunday to visit a relative and has not been seen
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Chairman predicts brighter future
WOOLWORTHS chairman Gerald Corbett has forecast a recovery at the high street retailers in the coming year after seeing profits tumble. The company made a £46.4m loss in the year to February 2, compared with a profit of £54.3m in the previous year. A
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Light-up furniture to beat gremlins
CHILDREN who are scared of the dark will be able to put their fears to rest thanks to an invention. Paul Veitch, Richard Imms and Michael McGuigan, from Stanley, County Durham, have designed bedroom furniture to give children comfort and safety in the
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Delicate touch is a winner for Jean
ONE of the world's leading doll makers has unveiled a collection of her masterpieces in an east Durham exhibition. The display, by award winning Jean Walker, is on show at Seaton Holme, in Easington Village, and will remain open until May 29. The former
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Katie prepares to meet Queen
A LITTLE girl who has endured two painful facial operations in the past two years is preparing to meet the Queen. Bubbly Katie Meehan, from South Shields, South Tyneside, has been chosen to hand a bouquet to the Queen when she visits her school in May
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News in brief
Bid to draw younger people TWO North Yorkshire authorities have agreed that more should be done to attract younger people to the Dales. A detailed report by an agency which helps to promote the region has suggested the majority of those who visit the
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Dawn worship on fellside
CHRISTIANS will be taking to a bleak North Pennines fellside on Easter Sunday for a dawn service. After the 6.15am service at Middlehope Burn, above Ireshopeburn, in Weardale, they will watch the sun rise and say prayers. The service, which will be conducted
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'Hardcore' football thug jailed for brawl
A SOCCER thug who was branded a hardcore football hooligan by a judge has been jailed for six months. Sunderland Football Club supporter David Brooke, 28, has been involved in violence at grounds throughout the country, including Aston Villa, Roker Park
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Villagers prepare for Easter party
A RURAL community will be celebrating Easter in style this year as residents put the misery of the foot-and-mouth epidemic behind them. Villagers in Bowes have joined forces to organise a series of events over the four-day Easter break. The community
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The 4ft 8in shop helper who sent raiders packing
A BRAVE charity worker told to take it easy by doctors had would-be robbers fleeing after they tried to hold up her shop. Miriam Rogers, 56, is only 4ft 8in tall and has artificial valves in her heart, but that did not stop her taking on a gang of four
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Nursing home transfer completed
THIRTY pensioners involved in an on-off moving saga have finally settled into their new home. Staff and residents from Moor Grange Nursing Home, in Spennymoor, have been temporarily moved to Appletree, in Meadowfield, as part of Durham County Council's
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Howdy - and howay the lads
AMERICAN newlyweds Tara Devlin and her soccer-mad husband, Dan, travelled 5,000 miles to spend their honeymoon watching Newcastle United. After walking down the aisle, blonde 23-year-old Tara, from California, surprised Dan, 29, with a pair of tickets
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News in brief
Literacy role for prison man AN education boss at Durham's top security prison has won an award to run a literacy project in his own time. Basil Stonehouse, HMP Frankland's education manager, will run a prison reading project that will allow inmates to
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MP probes patrol possibilities
A CITY MP has given his support to a fed-up homeowner who has been plagued by yobs for the past 18 months. York MP Hugh Bayley met the 46-year-old man at a recent surgery and pledged to investigate the possibility of greater police patrols in the Hull
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Council move raises cause for concern
THE idea of a new headquarters for Richmondshire District Council was given a tepid welcome at a meeting. Richmond Town Council was assured no decision had been taken, when it had its first opportunity to comment on the proposal this week. However, even
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McClaren issues a safety warning
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has urged his in-form squad not to get carried away as they enter their Premiership run-in. Tenth-placed Boro, who have also booked an FA Cup semi-final date with Arsenal on April 14, have lost just three times since
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Call for Hague's influence on CCTV
Richmond MP William Hague is to be urged to use his influence to settle the fate of the town's closed-circuit television network. The town council is concerned that the cameras could be in jeopardy if a decision is not made on their future soon. North
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Duchess finds time to help
THE Duchess of Northumberland has given people a timely invitation to help a fundraising appeal during the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. As patron of the North-East Community Golden Jubilee Charity Appeal, she wound up a £1,500 Chanel watch, which
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Return of mystery tours
A tradition is being revived this year for the York Mystery Plays. For the first time in 14 years, the plays will tour through the city streets before finishing spectacularly at the Museum Gardens. The York Wagon Plays production has been initiated by
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News in brief
Thieves snatch flower tubs TEN wooden half-beer barrel flower tubs, worth £300, were stolen from the Great Aycliffe Town Council depot, at School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, between 4.30pm on Monday and 8am on Tuesday. COMPRESSOR THEFT: An Ingersoll
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Hear All Sides
HUNTING WHEN the Government should be concerned with the devastated state of the rural economy after foot-and-mouth, it seeks instead to destroy a part of rural life that brings money and jobs to the countryside by banning fox hunting. While the House
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Sunshine wedding is family double
IT SOON became a real family affair when Wendy Craggs decided to get married in the Mexican sunshine. Her older brother Mark was also planning to marry his own sweetheart, so they decided to keep it in the family by jetting out to Mexico for a double
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'Trains not ghosts are destroying our home'
A FAMILY who say heavy freight trains are shaking their home to its foundations claim a Railtrack inspector joked they needed an exorcist to fix the problem. The inspection team denies making the remark. Jeff and Winn Kane, who have lived next to the
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Leisure club supervisor, £4.53ph, 5 days over 7 on rota. Required for hotel leisure club. Must be aware of Health and Safety regulations and hold first-aid
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A murderer tortured by paranoia
Behind bars for 11 years, Albert Dryden has allowed only one man to interview him. In the second part of her special report on a book manuscript by former firearms officer Sergeant David Blackie, right, LINDSAY JENNINGS reports on the chilling moment
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Transfer inertia at Feethams
With Darlington's season petering out into mid-table obscurity boss Tommy Taylor will not be making any last-ditch signings before today's 5pm transfer deadline, while he doesn't expect to see any players leave Feethams. With only six games to go and
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Children and adults gain play facilities
A CLEVELAND village is celebrating a new play area. Stillington has been able to provide the facilities thanks to a £20,000 grant from environmental body, Enventure. The previous play area had fallen into disrepair and equipment did not match health and
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Amazing Labrador survives fall off mountain ridge
Lucky Labrador Calie was back home safe and sound last night after miraculously surviving a 200 ft plunge down a mountainside. The five-year-old pet was scrambling to the summit of England's third highest mountain with its owner's boyfriend when she lost
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Double attack
STRIKERS Eifion Williams and Kevin Henderson are on the verge of starting against Oxford United on Saturday after impressing for the reserves. Both players failed to score their way into first XI, but the pair have given manager Chris Turner something
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John North: The train that was two months late
The passing of the golden age of trains was a sad one - not least when you add up the extra taxi fares. THE taxi fare from Carlisle to Penrith last week was £29.80, which may not (on this occasion) be put down to The Northern Echo. Rather it is down to
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Public invited to hear phone masts update
PEOPLE in Hartlepool will get a chance today to receive an update on issues surrounding mobile phone masts. The Policy Scrutiny Forum will hear a report which looks at the progress on scientific research relating to phone masts, developments in planning
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Zoe and friends aiming to top album charts
SINGING starlet Zoe Birkett is releasing her first album - alongside the other finalists from the hit Pop Idol show. Fans of the 16-year-old Darlington darling will be thrilled to hear her sing a long-awaited duet with chart topper Gareth Gates. The Pop
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The chocolate bar (or why Nestle is telling women that Yorkies are for men only)
FEMALE chocaholics should brace themselves for bad news - the Yorkie bar is now officially for men only. In a move which has enraged women's groups, Nestle is launching a campaign branding the trucker's favourite chocolate bar, produced at the company's
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GlaxoSmithKline looking at compulsory redundancies
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline warned last night that more than 200 workers may be facing the sack at its North-East plant. The company needs to cut some 400 people from the workforce at its plant in Barnard Castle, County Durham, by the end of
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Rail strike misery to continue for users
PASSENGERS have been warned to check before they travel as a 24-hour strike by Arriva Trains Northern conductors got under way today. About 670 conductors walked out from midnight in a strike over pay. They are joining 300 station and retail employees
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Call for cemetery safety review
AN engineering expert has called for national guidelines on the erection of memorials in cemeteries, in the light of a tragedy involving a six-year-old boy. Structural engineer Professor John Knapton said the Government needed to issue advice on the safety
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Tropical world is region's 'Eden'
THINGS are hotting up at a North-East botanical centre where a £2m eco-project is finally nearing completion. Bosses at Nature's World, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, yesterday opened the doors on a two-storey greenhouse, called a hydroponicum, where exotic
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Community wardens given a lift with new transport
CRIMEFIGHTING community wardens in Darlington have taken delivery of a vehicle to help them get to troublespots quickly. It is hoped the people carrier will help to reduce the number of anti-social and criminal incidents in the town by making the community
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Decision soon on Cook centre
THE future of a £10m plan to create a heritage centre celebrating the life and times of Captain Cook is to be decided shortly. Trustees of the Captain James Cook RN Charity Trust have had one bid for the project turned down. A second outline application
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Estate agent in court on fraud charge
AN ESTATE agent has pleaded not guilty to a charge involving mortgage fraud. Stuart Edwards, who has offices in Durham and Darlington, denied one of four charges that he made a false instrument when he appeared at Durham Crown Court. Mr Edwards, 52, of
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Drivers get a message from the grave . . .
A GRAVE warning was issued at a North-East cemetery yesterday to motorists who drive when tired. The Government launched its latest road safety campaign at Linthorpe Cemetery, in Middlesbrough, with some frightening statistics and a three-dimensional
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Army unveils plans for £23m vehicles museum
THE wraps have come off ambitious proposals to build a £23m museum in the region. The Army confirmed last September that Marne Barracks, at Catterick, North Yorkshire, had been earmarked as a possible location for a new facility to display historic military
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Tributes to former lord lieutenant
A SENIOR judge has paid tribute to a former Lord Lieutenant of Durham, who died this week. Judge Denis Orde, who retired last year as presiding judge at Durham Crown Court and is now a deputy circuit judge, said the death of David Grant would be a "sad
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Revenge is best served later
THE terrible thoughts going through my head lately have been shameful - but I'll share them with you anyway... I'd been talking to an even older dad than me who told me how life turns full circle when the children grow up. "It's incredible," he said.
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College wins Charter mark
DARLINGTON'S Carmel RC Technology College has been given a Charter mark in recognition of the quality of service to the community. The school was commended for the wide range of initiatives it has set up in the past few years. It has developed a graduate
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Hospice gets funds boost
THE Queen Street Arcade in Darlington has raised thousands of pounds for the town's St Teresa's Hospice. The hospice was adopted by the shopping centre in January last year. Since then more than £4,000 has been raised. The money came from donations at
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Memories set on film for future
THE memories of pensioners will be recorded for posterity as part of a Darlington arts project. The Looking at Memory video will allow members to organise themselves into film crews and record their memories in the boardroom at Haughton School, which
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Community newspaper receives £1,985 grant
A COMMUNITY newsletter has received its first grant to help it deliver news to residents on two Darlington estates. The recently launched Cable Courier is produced by a committee of volunteers and residents in the Cockerton and Branksome areas. Its treasurer
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Riders welcomed by hunt group
Cleveland Hunt Supporters is inviting anyone with a horse or pony to join a pleasure ride on Sunday. The eight-mile ride begins at Foxdale Farm, opposite Gisborough Hall, east Cleveland, at 10.30am and the route is all off road, thanks to permission from
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CS spray victim is awarded damages
A FATHER has won £4,000 compensation from police after he was sprayed in the face with a police CS device during a family picnic. David Steele, 32, took advantage of a sunny day by going with his wife, three children and two friends to Claxheugh Rocks
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Helpers get mill wheel turning in time for Easter
VITAL repairs to an old North-East water mill over the winter mean that it is now ready for the start of the tourist season. Volunteers have completed a number of tasks at the 150-year-old Tocketts Water Mill, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, so that
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Shamrocks Raise a cheer on the ward in aid of hospital funds
A GROUP of cheerleaders put a smile on the faces of youngsters when they made a special appearance on a children's hospital ward yesterday. The Shamrocks visited ward 21 at Darlington Memorial Hospital, where they presented a cheque for £300. The cheerleaders
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Family's fury as killer plans to return home
A TEENAGER who killed her older lover is planning to return to her home village - to the dismay of the victim's family. Helen Maywood was just 18 when she stabbed her live-in boyfriend Howard Turford, 36, once in the heart, with a kitchen knife. The couple
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Three quizzed after man found dead
DETECTIVES on a murder hunt were questioning three people last night after a man was found stabbed to deathin a street. Police found the victim apparently lying dead in the street in Felling, near Gateshead, at about 8pm on Tuesday, after responding to
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Focusing on young people's art
YOUNG people in the region have been taking part in a Big Brother-style project that resulted in a film premiere yesterday. The youngsters, from South Bank, Teesside, were delighted to be put under closed-circuit TV camera surveillance and filmed in the
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Man jailed after trying to exchange currency stolen from travel agents
A MAN was arrested when he tried to change African currency stolen from a travel agents at a different branch of the same firm. Callers Pegasus staff in Newcastle knew of the knifepoint raid at Consett a few days earlier and called police, Durham Crown
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Concrete marathon for store
ONE of the largest concrete pours undertaken in the North-East this year went ahead this week as the sales floor base was laid at a multi-million pound shopping centre. In a process that normally takes eight weeks, contractor Clugston Construction has
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News in brief, Control bid on unruly youth
A TEENAGER accused of terrorising an estate could become the first youth in a North-East town to be controlled by an anti-social behaviour order. Middlesbrough Council applied for an order at Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday, to impose severe restrictions
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Armed raiders snatch £20,000 from post office
TWO men made off with £20,000 in a post office raid. The two men entered Redhill Road post office, on Stockton's Roseworth estate, at 10.15am yesterday and threatened staff. One of them went around the back of the counter and took money boxes from the
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Sports news in brief
Keane proves his true worth IRELAND: Robbie Keane put his domestic troubles aside and scored a spectacular goal to justify the faith shown in him by Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy. It came nine minutes after the break and put the Republic firmly
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Concern grows for man
CONCERN is growing for the wellbeing of a middle-aged man who has been missing for two days. Edward Donnelly, 52, of Fynway, Sacriston, was last seen by the sister he lives with at 10am on Monday. He was also seen in Plawsworth Road, Sacriston, at lunchtime
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Farm gardens to reopen
FARM gardens across the region are to reopen to the public this Easter, adding to the list of attractions hoping to welcome visitors back to the countryside. Despite one of the worst years for farmers in living memory, hundreds will again open their gardens
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Funding chief praises university
THE new chief executive of the universities' funding council has paid tribute to a North-East university for its contribution to city regeneration and achievements in teaching and research. Sir Howard Newby, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding
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Business news in brief, Growth weaker than expected
BRITAIN'S economy grew last year at a weaker rate than expected, official figures have revealed.The level of GDP for last year was 2.2 per cent, which was lower than the 2.4 per cent predicted a month ago by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The
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School's exam award double
A SCHOOL has received a national award for its high GCSE results. Belmont Comprehensive School, in Durham, received a School Achievement Award for the second year running. Education Minister Stephen Timms said: "The hard work and dedication of teaching
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History loses a great treasure
AFTER more than three decades of caring for some of the region's most-loved historic treasures, June Haynes is moving on. At the age of 64, she has retired from English Heritage after becoming one of the organisation's longest-serving custodians in the
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Buoyant house market boosts Barratt profits
HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments has credited the booming house market for a surge in half-year profits. Newcastle firm Barratt said all its regional markets had been buoyant during the second half of last year. The demand for home ownership was underpinned
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Pensioner feared she would be left for dead
A PENSIONER has told of her terrifying ordeal at the hands of a thug who attacked her in her home before stealing £20. The 73-year-old was repeatedly punched in the face by the man, who grabbed her from behind as she stood on her doorstep after returning
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Productions have all the right elements
TOURING theatre companies will be taking to the road to bring new drama to County Durham communities. Nine venues have been included in the Elements Touring Scheme, which includes new performances by Newcastle's Live Theatre, Tutti Frutti Theatre and
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Northern Spirit shines in choral competition
A CHOIR from the North-East has made it through to the second round of Sainsbury's Choir of the Year 2002. Northern Spirit, from Durham and Tyneside, was the only adult choir competing in the regional auditions in Newcastle's Tyne Theatre and Opera House
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Beach chalets on the market
BEACH chalets used by hundreds of holidaymakers every summer are to be sold by a borough council. Graham Price, head of property services, said Scarborough council was selling the chalets as a business opportunity which would also include the development
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New bid for £10m Cook site
A £10M plan to build a heritage centre commemorating the life and voyages of Captain James Cook is to go before planners for a second time in a bid to win approval. The ambitious plan aims to convert a derelict locomotive shed alongside Whitby's upper
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Jackie in chat
Geordie footballing legend Jack Charlton will give a talk at the Gala Theatre, in Durham City, on Sunday, May 26, from 8pm. As well as chat and anecdotes about football, the World Cup winner will also be talking about his love of fishing. Tickets cost
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Donkey dog menace plea
A DONKEY ride operator at a North-East resort wants a ban on dogs after two of his donkeys were savaged in front of holidaymakers. Guy Smith said donkeys Penny and Leo, which carry hundreds of holidaymaking children along Scarborough's South bay beach
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News in brief, £23m museum for Catterick
£23m museum for Catterick The Army has confirmed plans for a £23m museum in Catterick to house historic military vehicles, including tanks and trucks. The National Army Museum North is expected to employ more than 70 people and will aim to attract tens
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Sam in search of a new fireside
A NINE-year-old dog is looking for a new home, after its owners moved house and are unable to look after him. Sam, a cross-breed, is being looked after by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League in Darlington. He is an extremely fit dog, who would
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Campaigners in appeal for community centre backing
CAMPAIGNERS are marking the anniversary of the closure of a council leisure centre by appealing for community backing for a new project at the building. An enthusiastic team of Willington residents has spent the past year trying to reopen the former Brancepeth
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Parishioners on parade
TOMORROW will see dozens of worshippers marching through Barnard Castle town centre to celebrate Easter. Members of every church in the town will join the parade, starting at 10am at Startforth Church. It will then visit St Mary's CE Church and St Mary's
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Appeal for awards nominations
MORE nominations for the Mayor of Darlington's community awards are being invited. Previously known as the Citizen of the Year awards, the name and categories have been changed to encourage more people to nominate someone who has made a difference to
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Leisure centre to close for facelift work
THE Dolphin Centre in Darlington is closing for two weeks while essential maintenance is carried out. The leisure centre will shut on Wednesday, April 10. The swimming pool will reopen on Wednesday, April 17, but the rest of the leisure centre will be
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News in brief
Residents' panel meets Darlington Residents' Panel holds its annual meeting on April 17, at 6.30pm, at Wesley Court Community Centre. People are needed to represent their areas to work voluntarily with the panel in partnership with Darlington Borough
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Fertility treatment pioneer retires
THOUSANDS of parents, children and babies across the region have reason to stop today and pay silent thanks to the region's first NHS fertility treatment sister. Sister Alison Lambert, who has helped the dreams of infertile couples come true since she
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Gun 'prank' pair left girl blind in one eye
TWO youths who shot a teenager, leaving her blind in one eye, have been jailed. Nicola Diston, 15, was left screaming in agony when she was shot as she made her way home in Leam Lane, Gateshead. At Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, Daniel Lumsden, 18,
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Time to shed light on Lancet
AS we've long said, until we're blue in the face, there has to be some sort of independent inquiry into the farce that has been - and still is - Operation Lancet. In lieu of the Home Secretary doing the decent thing, it must be a welcome move that the
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Climber survives 300ft fall
A NORTH-EAST man was seriously ill in hospital last night after falling 300ft on Britain's highest mountain. Andrew Phillipson, 61, of Newland Road, Newcastle, was found by rescuers at the bottom of a gully at Ben Nevis, in the Highlands, on Tuesday morning
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News in brief
Women offered stress relief A STRESS management course for women is being run at a health club in Teesside. Stockton Borough Council has teamed up with Bannatyne's in Ingleby Barwick to run the course. It will look at the causes and symptoms of stress
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Sunday library hailed a success
SUNDAY opening at a library has been hailed a success with more people than expected taking advantage of the new opening hours. Statistics show the average number of people visiting the Hartlepool central library on Sundays, in January and February, was
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Thief threatened store detective with knife
A shoplifter pulled a knife on a store detective and made slashing motions towards his face and neck, a court was told yesterday. David Griffiths, 27, was stopped on Christmas Eve after he walked from T J Hughes' Middlesbrough store carrying a television
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Not on register
Not on register: A report in yesterday's edition of The Northern Echo incorrectly stated that prison officer Brian Bestford, 49, of Witton Gilbert, near Durham City, would have to sign the sex offenders' register. Bestford, who was convicted at Durham
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Park-and-ride a success
THE park-and-ride scheme in York is breaking its own passenger records. New figures show that more than 100,000 people used the four services into the city last month, almost 20 percent more than during February last year. Rawcliffe Bar performed exceptionally
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News In Brief
Flights hit by computer crash HUNDREDS of flights were cancelled or delayed yesterday after an air traffic control computer system crashed. The computers which provide the air traffic controllers for London and the South-East with flight schedule information
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Move to beat 'cyber attacks'
BUSINESSES in the region will be urged to install measures guarding against computer hackers at a security event next week. Stockton company Sapphire Technologies will host a breakfast seminar on Wednesday, in Newcastle, which will provide businesses
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Elderly urged to claim all benefits
A CAMPAIGN is being launched to ensure pensioners claim their full benefit entitlements. Age Concern Durham County and Durham County Council's welfare rights unit will be holding advice sessions throughout the county. The campaign, called Your Rights
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Street names with cricket link to bowl people over
FAMOUS cricketing names have been selected for roads being built in a multi-million pound housing development next to Harrogate's cricket ground in St George's Road. But the decision by developer Redrow and Harrogate Borough Council to keep a link with
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Village to say it with flowers after all
A NORTH Yorkshire village will be honouring the Queen's 50th year on the throne with a special floral tribute after all. Catterick Village residents Paul Davies and Major Bob Martin were a little disheartened to find that a grant for hanging baskets to
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Workshop expansion helped by grant
A CABINET maker is to double the size of its premises, after help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire. Philip Bastow Cabinet Maker's 2,400sq ft workshop and showroom in Reeth, Swaledale, is due to be completed by June. The move, funded with help
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New award goes to lollipop man
LOLLIPOP man Fred Furness has become the toast of the village where he has lived all his life. Mr Furness has become the first person to receive the Killinghall Award from the parish council, near Harrogate. He was invited back to the village's primary
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Bikers leave track behind for life on the wall
A NEW wallpaper design business in Hartlepool hopes to take the DIY and motorbike worlds by storm. Moto X Design, in Oxford Road, was set up in January by husband and wife Andrew and Susan Gaffney, after they were unable to find motorcross wallpaper for
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Public given chance to have say on health
PEOPLE were given the chance to voice their opinions on the controversial shake up of health services in North Teesside at a public meeting. Members of the public had the opportunity to express their feelings on the plans to move both hip and knee services
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Transport boost as bus services launch
PUBLIC transport in Hartlepool is about to receive a boost with the launch of two bus services. A service 505/555 run by Compass Royston coaches, and a service 526 run by Stagecoach, will start on Tuesday April 2, both of them resulting from successful
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Exchange rate hitting the region, says boss
THE dice are loaded against the region's manufacturers because of the unfavourable sterling/euro exchange rate. That was the message from Nissan UK managing director John Cushnaghan when he addressed the fifth International Automotive Conference in Sunderland
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GlaxoSmithKline backs jobs initiative
GlaxoSmithKline has added its financial weight to a new initiative aimed at creating new jobs in Teesdale. GSK yesterday made a £750,000 donation to the Teesdale Enterprise Fund to create 150 new and sustainable jobs over the next five years. The fund
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Couple banned from keeping animals after abuse case
A couple were banned from keeping animals for life after admitting neglecting their pet dog. Gordon Pollock, 40, and his wife Tina, both of Wrensfield Road, Stockton, each admitted a charge of causing an animal unnecessary suffering at Teesside Magistrates
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Mother's shock as daughter is held in murder inquiry
A MOTHER has described her shock on learning that her estranged daughter had become involved in a murder investigation in Spain. Suzanna Easter spoke out after her daughter, Anne-Marie Monteith, and son-in-law Richard were detained in Torremolinos, on
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Digital court move rocks football
LOSS-MAKING ITV Digital was put into administration yesterday in a potentially fatal blow for cash-starved football clubs. The future for digital television was also thrown into doubt as the High Court granted the application by the broadcaster's board
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Deadly fascination with guns began at an early age
ALBERT Dryden had shown a fascination with guns and rockets from an early age. It is hard to believe, even by today's standards, that he managed to buy his own gun at the tender age of 11. Tragically, it was the .455 Webley revolver which would eventually
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Leukaemia victim tells of suicide bid
A YOUNG leukaemia sufferer tried to kill herself when her friends deserted her after she was diagnosed with the debilitating disease. Ragan Golightly, 12, swallowed pills and cut her wrists when her school friends stopped visiting after the effects of
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When spin takes a nasty turn
STEPHEN Byers, Transport Secretary, October 7, 2001: "I can say for certain there will be no taxpayers' money made available to support shareholders (of Railtrack)." Stephen Byers, still - somehow - Transport Secretary, March 26, 2002: a £300m "self-financing
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Lancet returns to haunt Robocop Mallon
FORMER detective Ray Mallon was last night facing the fresh prospect of criminal charges after the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it was re-examining the Operation Lancet files. The CPS said yesterday it had received the Lancet files for the second
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Operations at risk in secretaries' pay row
HOSPITAL operations may be disrupted across the region after medical secretaries voted overwhelmingly to strike over improved pay. Union officials have made an appeal to Health Secretary Alan Milburn to head off the strike at his local hospital after
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The train was two months late
THE taxi fare from Carlisle to Penrith last week was £29.80, which may not (on this occasion) be put down to The Northern Echo. Rather it is down to rueful experience. For 100 years there was a perfectly good and scenically majestic railway line between
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Dad At Large: Revenge is best seved later
THE terrible thoughts going through my head lately have been shameful - but I'll share them with you anyway... I'd been talking to an even older dad than me who told me how life turns full circle when the children grow up. "It's incredible," he said.
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Gay pair target of hate attacks
A DEFIANT gay couple claim they will not be hounded from their home, despite an ongoing homophobic hate campaign. Kirsty Lord and her partner, Samantha Dewhurst, have suffered verbal attacks and their Darlington home has been vandalised since they moved
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Measures under way to improve road safety
A PROJECT to make a busy road in Hartlepool safer for pedestrians gets under way next month. A £40,000 package of measures for traffic calming and pedestrian safety will be put in place on the town's Jutland Road. Not only is the road a main route for
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Man, 19, locked up for assault
A YOUNG man who attacked his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend in a nightclub has been given two years' youth detention. David Scott's victim had his jaw fractured in two places and suffered bruising to his face and a cut below his lip. Durham Crown Court
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Union attacks Arriva over train service
Rail union bosses have accused train firm Arriva Trains Northern of misleading the travelling public over how many services they have been able to provide during a conductors' strike. The company claims 55 per cent of its normal services are now running
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You help Neale fight
A LAST-DITCH bid for a public inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal is to go ahead. The campaign group which represents 250 victims of the former Northallerton, North Yorkshire surgeon, needed to raise £10,000 to continue its legal fight. While the amount
