Archive
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Rescue bravery earns its reward
A FIREFIGHTER who helped save a boy's life after a car accident and another who twice rescued a man from a blazing house are to be honoured for their bravery. Walter Moore, of Teesside Airport Fire Rescue, is to receive a Royal Humane Society award after
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Cycling: Winn's solo effort fails to dislodge Swithenbank
A solo win by Welsh international Julian Winn in yesterday's 65-mile final stage could not dislodge Manchester's Neil Swithenbank from the overall leadership in the Newcastle Cheviot Tour of the Border four-day race in Northumberland. Swithenbank, the
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Hopes are rekindled over plans to build skate park
A SCHEME to build a skate park in the heart of a North Yorkshire market town has been thrown a lifeline after being rejected by planners. At a meeting last week, Richmond YMCA's application for the town's Ronaldshay Park was turned down by one vote. Councillors
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Bones found near tip are ancient
Human bones unearthed from an old rubbish tip date from ancient times, it was finally confirmed today. The remains are now being treated as archaeological find although the details are still being passed to the local coroner. The bones were dug up from
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Eating Owt: Taking a second honeymoon
JUNE and Dennis Luckhurst were married exactly 50 years ago, Easter 1952. The honeymoon hotel, the Rose and Crown at Romaldkirk in Teesdale, offered a felicitous start to their new life. Dennis died five years ago in the way that he would have wished
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Family tries to clear son's name
The family of a churchgoer found guilty of posing as a priest and robbing a pensioner is campaigning to clear his name. Steven Gray was convicted in January of robbing 94-year-old Isabella Brown at her home. He pleaded not guilty, but a jury at Newcastle
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No great escape for the latter-day 'prisoners of war'
SIXTY years after soldiers first marched into a prisoner of war camp, history buffs have retraced their footsteps. Wartime re-enactment groups took up residence at Eden Camp, near Malton, North Yorkshire, at the weekend, and stayed in the barrack huts
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Toy collection to be sold at N-East auction
THE largest collection of Dinky toys to come on to the UK market is to be sold in the North-East later this year. Dealers and collectors from all over the world are expected to bid for the Kennerley Collection at Teesside auction house Vectis, in Thornaby
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New home
RECYCLING banks in a market town are on the move. Four of the bins in Northallerton used to collect paper, textiles and books are being relocated. Pressure of space means Hambleton District Council, which runs the recycling service, needs to move them
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Litter dumpers face tough action from council
A COUNCIL leader is promising zero tolerance against those who damage the environment. Middlesbrough Council leader, Councillor Ken Walker, criticised people who "knowingly and wilfully trash the local environment". He urged residents in affected areas
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Restoration projects announced
Historic parts of the North-East are set to be restored to their former glory with £7.5m in cash grants, it was announced today. Run-down seaside areas, such as Seaton Carew and the Headland in Hartlepool, will undergo restoration. And for the first time
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'The day death parted my hair'
To mark the 20th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, Nick Morrison talks to a former Royal Marine about how the conflict has left its mark on his life WHEN the air raid red signal went up, Colin Waite was just finishing his tea. With a cup
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Air cadets to honour the heroism of bomber pilot
A HERO pilot who sacrificed his life to save a young cadet is to be remembered and honoured. Flight Lieutenant John Quinton clipped the only available parachute to Middlesbrough air cadet Derek Coates as his plane broke up following a mid-air crash, just
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Last night's TV: Naked japes with Northern lasses
The Quest (ITV) BASED on an idea by David Jason. Directed by David Jason. Starring David Jason. The credits gave every suggestion that this was a one-man show, the man in question being one of TV's most bankable stars whether he's playing Del Boy or Frost
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Police seek information on dog's cruel death
An investigation has been launched after a dog's badly burned body was found in woodlands. Children found the charred remains of the black and white collie type dog near The Avenue, in the Glebe area of Washington, at teatime on Saturday. Earlier the
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from Jobseeker Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Parts person/telesales, Thirsk. £11,000pa, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Mon-Fri, alt Sats 8.30am to 12.30pm. Must have experience of motor trade. Will be trained in use of
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Taking a second honeymoon
JUNE and Dennis Luckhurst were married exactly 50 years ago, Easter 1952. The honeymoon hotel, the Rose and Crown at Romaldkirk in Teesdale, offered a felicitous start to their new life. Dennis died five years ago in the way that he would have wished
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Allotment fires
A caravan and a shed were destroyed in a blaze on allotments off Hope Street, Haverton Hill, near Billingham, Teesside, at the weekend. Two sheds were destroyed in another allotment fire at Waverley Terrace, Rifthouse, Hartlepool.
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Procession bigger than Diana's funeral
The ceremonial procession for the Queen Mother on Friday morning will stretch for half a mile and involve 1,600 servicemen and women. In terms of pomp and ceremony, it will be bigger than the royal funeral for Diana, Princess of Wales. The procession,
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Firm on road to success
A FIRM in the North-East has won a contract to produce electronic road signs. Variable Message Signs (VMS) is to supply 104 signs and mounting structures on the country's main motorways and trunk roads. The signs will display driver information and control
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Call for inquiry into son's death
THE parents of a North-East soldier shot dead while patrolling his barracks are to take their fight for a public inquiry to the highest democratic authority in the land. Private Geoff Gray, born in Seaham, County Durham, was 17 when he was killed while
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Golden opportunity for those who are destined to be stars
WANNABE stars could be given a free place on the same performing arts course that helped launch Zoe Birkett and Jamie Bell to fame. Stagecoach Theatre Arts, in Yarm and Darlington, is running courses in the Easter and summer holidays for anyone who wants
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Test of skills for soldiers is an education
A NORTH-EAST soldier is helping to refurbish a school and extend an airport runway in a central American country. Staff Sergeant Kenneth Watson, 41, from Redcar, east Cleveland, is in Belize with a squadron of Royal Engineers as part of a three-month
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Internet directory for new therapies
PATIENTS in the region will be increasingly able to access complementary therapies through an NHS directory being developed. GPs can use the list and make recommendations to patients. The NHS believes there is a growing demand for alternative therapy
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Sigh of relief for boss Reid
RELIEVED Sunderland manager Peter Reid admitted last night: "We're not safe yet - but this has given us a lot of breathing space." And the Wearside boss paid tribute to the contribution of yesterday's man of the match Claudio Reyna, who hit the two goals
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Author makes shortlist for national prize
A RETIRED magistrate's writing talents have seen her shortlisted as a finalist in a national competition. Eileen Elgey, from Rush Park, Bishop Auckland, has always enjoyed writing and joined the Wear Valley Writers group five or six years ago. She has
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Quakers working hard to attract fans of the future
STANDING yards apart, the two groups of children line up to face each other. The eldest only about 11, the youngest little more then six, they scream at the top of their voices, arms waving, a look of fierce passion on their young faces. "Who are ya?
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Bikers bring Easter cheer
KIND-HEARTED bikers brought some Easter cheer to youngsters at a North Yorkshire care home. Members of York Motor-cycle Action Group (YMAG) drove to the Glen Respite Care Home for children, in Clifton, and to hand over Easter eggs and £150 in cash. The
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This is the moment I have always dreaded
THE Prince of Wales spoke from the heart last night as he paid a moving tribute to his "magical grandmother". He said the Queen Mother's death was a moment he had dreaded, adding: "Somehow I never thought it would come." The devastated prince invited
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Smuggling still popular
A SEASIDE resort's illicit industry is centre stage once again. A total of 17,495 people visited the three-room Saltburn Smugglers exhibition, next to the town's Ship Inn, last year. The museum aims to land its 250,000th visitor for its tenth year. The
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Black police support group success story
A NEW branch of the Black Police Association (BPA) is proving so successful that other forces are following its example. Durham Constabulary's branch was formed at the end of last year to provide support to officers from ethnic backgrounds. The organisation
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Bloody history of jewel in the crown
The crown which will be placed on top of the Queen Mother's coffin for the procession to Westminster Hall was made for her to wear at the coronation of her husband, King George VI, in 1937. The priceless crown - which is usually on display behind armoured
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Tonight Matthew I will be ...
COUNCIL workers will swap desks for a place in the musical limelight to raise money for a children's charity. An appeal has gone out at Sunderland Civic Centre and other Wearside council offices for would-be stars to take to the stage in aid of the National
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Four gamekeepers stand in silent vigil
Gamekeepers from the royal Windsor estate mount a vigil around the coffin of the Queen Mother. Solemnly, the four men, in traditional gamekeepers' uniforms of Windsor tweed, yesterday took up positions at each corner of the coffin. Other estate workers
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Northern keepsakes
SOUVENIRS of two of the region's landmarks went on sale at the weekend. A mobile information centre was based in the shadow of the Angel of the North, Gateshead, so people could view the Gateshead Borough Council merchandise. The keepsakes, of the Angel
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£500,000 plant centre opens
THE Royal Horticultural Society has opened a £500,000 plant centre and shop in North Yorkshire following an extensive refurbishment of the old facilities. The shop, at the Harlow Carr gardens, Harrogate, now covers more than 2,300sq m and features a range
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Primary care trust appoints chairwoman
A SENIOR figure from the probation service has been appointed chairwoman of the new Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust. Susan Winfield took up her her four-year post when the organisation came into being yesterday. Mrs Winfield, 54, is a deputy chief
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M&S to undergo £40m revamp
Marks & Spencer is to breathe new life into 100 of its stores with a £40m refurbishment programme this year, the retailer said yesterday. The work, which should be completed before the Christmas shopping season, is expected to create ''a brighter
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Audit praises council
A GOVERNMENT watchdog has praised Gateshead Council in its latest annual audit. Councillor John McElroy said: "It is very encouraging to get the positive and supportive response from the District Audit. "In particular, attention is made in his report
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News in brief: Funeral of market trader
MARKET trader Wilf Mannion, who, apart from wartime service in the Army, spent all his working life selling fruit and vegetables on York market, has died at the age of 95. His funeral takes place tomorrow at All Saints' Church, Long Marston. FRESH SUPPORT
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First date for new health authority
A NEW health authority is being set up to ensure that patients in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear get the best from their NHS. Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Health Authority will be the local headquarters of the NHS responsible for overseeing the
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Two killed as car goes out of control
TWO people died in a late-night accident when their car went out of control on a road in North Yorkshire. Police discovered the red J-registered Vauxhall Astra in a field off the A63, a quarter-of-a-mile from the outskirts of Hambleton, near Selby. The
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News in brief: Recreation plan approved
A plan by youngsters to encourage other young people to take part in activities off the streets has been approved. Derwentside district councillors gave the go-ahead for plans by the Dene Krew to develop an area behind Denecrest on the vandal-hit estate
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Proposals for care complex
A PURPOSE-built extra care complex of one and two-bedroom flats for the elderly could be created in Ripon at a cost of £2.5m. The scheme is part of consultations which have been launched on modernising care provision for the elderly in Ripon. North Yorkshire
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Fiery fun shopping
BANK holiday shoppers encountered a smoke-blowing dragon when they visited Darlington town centre yesterday. Visitors to the town enjoyed a magical day as Rodney the dragon and friends entertained the crowds, with face painting, temporary tattoo stalls
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Horse events to fund heart defibrillator
A LIFE-SAVING heart-start machine is to be installed at a Darlington shopping centre, thanks to money raised at two horse events. The Witton Castle Charity Horse Trials and the Zetland and Old Raby Hunt Point-to-Point race are raising money for a defibrillator
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Tackling shops crime
AN anti-crime initiative on the North Yorkshire coast has been rewarded with recognition by the Home Office. The Scarborough Anti-Theft Group Partnership's Business Crime Check has won the resort a Safer Shopping Award following visits from officials.
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Work continues on cemetery expansion
THE second phase of a project to extend and improve Ferryhill's cemetery is ready to begin. Duncomb Cemetery is to double in size because the graveyard is almost full. Building materials group Lafarge, which operates nearby Thrislington Quarry, has supported
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Looking at ways to boost policing levels
POLICE plan to carry out a major "root and branch" review of part of their North Yorkshire beat. The force's eastern area was formed two years ago, bringing together the districts of Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough. However, since then, new challenges
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Youngster on mend after impaling himself on security fence
SCHOOLBOY Grant Merrigan escaped life-threatening injuries when he was impaled on a metal spike after climbing a fence to retrieve his football. The ten-year-old slipped as he scaled the 7ft jagged fence and fell on to the spikes, one of which speared
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News in brief: Recreation plan approved
A plan by youngsters to encourage other young people to take part in activities off the streets has been approved. Derwentside district councillors gave the go-ahead for plans by the Dene Krew to develop an area behind Denecrest on the vandal-hit estate
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Wardens plan in dog dirt battle
A PARISH council is so concerned about the problem of dog fouling in a village that it is considering hiring caretaker-wardens. They would hand out on-the-spot fines to owners who fail to clean up after their dogs in Ingleby Barwick, as well as keeping
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McClaren urges troops to dream of Europe
STEVE McCLAREN last night urged his resurgent Middlesbrough side to chase a long-odds European place after they climbed into the Premiership's top ten with victory over relegation-threatened Derby at Pride Park. Manager McClaren, who leads his men into
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Quakers show no sympathy
Darlington completed a satisfactory Easter double with yesterday's convincing win at home to Halifax which sent the visitors into the Nationwide Conference for the second time in their history. Coming two days after a 2-1 win at Hull, Darlington were
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News in brief: Reflections on the epidemic
The devastating impact the foot-and-mouth disaster had on County Durham is the subject of a photographic exhibition. In the Shadow mixes photographs by Richard Grassick and text by local residents and farmers. The display runs until April 13 in the Discovery
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Community wood plan
THE official opening of the region's latest community wood will take place this month. Two hundred acres at South Burdon, on the outskirts of Darlington, has been bought by the Forestry Commission, which plans to turn it into a community area. The commission
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Pub work continues after council dispute is solved
A LAST-minute planning hitch which could have scuppered the building of a £1.6m pub in Consett has been averted. An application for permission to change building materials for the JD Wetherspoon pub led Derwentside District Council planning officers to
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Reyna a real American hero
UNITED STATES skipper Claudio Reyna hit two priceless goals to earn Sunderland welcome breathing space in the battle for Premiership safety with a hard-fought victory over bottom-of-the table Leicester City at the Stadium of Light. But there were some
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Racing prospects: Sand or Turf - it won't stop Policy
With the amount of all-weather regulars in attendance at Southwell today, it's more than a passing thought that a few trainers didn't realise that five of the six races are on the Turf track. While High Policy has been in good form on sand this winter
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New era for borough's council homes
A NEW management company has taken over the running of Stockton Borough Council's homes. Tristar Homes, the council's new arm's length housing management firm, is taking up the challenge as part of a pilot scheme. Stockton is one of eight local authorities
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Train drivers in pay rise demand
UNION representatives are demanding substantial pay rises for GNER's train drivers in a move that has sparked fears of more rail strikes. Rail workers' union Aslef has also submitted a claim to Richard Branson's Virgin Rail for pay increases for drivers
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The inspiration that crafted a novel
Making hand-crafted furniture is the unlikely time when Malcolm Hogarth gets much of his inspiration for writing sci-fi novels, Between carving and sawing, he is already working on his second book. Ian Lamming meets him. NOBODY puts words into Malcolm
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Stars take a fancy to a Northern cut
Business is booming for fashion firm launched two-and-a-half years ago in boss's living room. CLOTHING made by a North-East manufacturer is being snapped up by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Jemima Khan and Renee Zellweger. Howard Nicholson, 43,
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Clarke rekindles Pool's hopes
IMPRESSIVE Darrell Clarke capped a superb performance by grabbing Hartlepool United's winning goal against Third Division leaders Plymouth Argyle yesterday. The 24-year-old popped up at the back post with four minutes remaining to keep Pool's slim play-off
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Peter Mullen: Getting lost in the translation
THE BBC is to put on a contemporary version of Emily Bronte's great novel Wuthering Heights. Only they're going to cast the ultra-macho demon lover Heathcliff as a woman and Catherine Earnshaw as a middle-class man. It makes you wonder what the dialogue
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Hear all sides: Broadband
I WAS interested in Burton's Bytes (Echo, Mar 22) about broadband and if it told the whole story I would undoubtedly sign up for it. But as with so many of these bargains there is a catch; in order to get the £14.99 service it is necessary to take some
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Air cadets to honour the heroism of bomber pilot
A HERO pilot who sacrificed his life to save a young cadet is to be remembered and honoured. Flight Lieutenant John Quinton clipped the only available parachute to Middlesbrough air cadet Derek Coates as his plane broke up following a mid-air crash, just
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Centre of excellence to aid gymnasts' quest for gold
A GYMNASTICS centre of excellence is to be created in Spennymoor, which should further a club's quest for Olympic gold. South Durham Gymnastics club produces a number of national champions and Olympic hopefuls every year. Until now, it has had to vie
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Weather boosts tourist numbers
THE region's tourism industry shrugged off the devastation of the foot-and-mouth epidemic as thousands of holidaymakers enjoyed clear blue skies over the Easter weekend. Good weather played a major role in the tourism industry's resurgence as glorious
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Shearer strike not enough for Magpies
Aston Villa 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd - ALAN Shearer took a step nearer becoming the first player to score 200 Premiership goals at Aston Villa on Tuesday night - but his close range effort was not enough to secure a Newcastle United victory. The 31-year-old
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Safety first as Mustoe boosts battling Boro
MIDDLESBROUGH reached manager Steve McClaren's 42-point safety target as the former Derby coach nudged his old club nearer the Premiership precipice. Boro all but banished their lingering relegation fears thanks to a superb opportunist strike from Robbie
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Station shows £100,000 new face to visitors
VISITORS have been given the opportunity to see for themselves the results of a £100,000 renovation of a popular Darlington landmark. The scaffolding was taken off the Tees Cottage Pumping Station last week in preparation for its annual Easter open days
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Outrage as council homes kept for asylum seekers stand empty
AT least a hundred North-East council homes are standing empty after the predicted flood of asylum seekers failed to materialise. Councils across the region who were obliged to sign agreements with the Home Office to provide refugee accommodation are
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Getting lost in the translation
THE BBC is to put on a contemporary version of Emily Bronte's great novel Wuthering Heights. Only they're going to cast the ultra-macho demon lover Heathcliff as a woman and Catherine Earnshaw as a middle-class man. It makes you wonder what the dialogue
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from Jobseeker Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Receptionist. 40hrs pw, shifts, 7.30am to 3.30pm and 3.30pm to midnight. Must be responsible and experienced in cash handling or a similar role. Ref: BIG 11996.
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Belmont or Barcelona - an easy choice for Ray
Assistant referee Ray Clementson knew he had to draw the line somewhere when offered one of the top appointments in the local calendar. It was the Durham Challenge Cup final on Good Friday morning. Trouble was, it was also the morning that he should have
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from Jobseeker Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Cook. £4.40ph, 40hrs pw, shifts, Mon-Sun. Required for golf club house. Must have relevant experience. Food hygiene certificate an advantage. Ref; DUR 30196. Chef
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Nature reserve work begins
The creation of a flagship nature reserve in the North-East is to become a reality with work to create major new habitats for wildlife in Teesside set to begin later this year. Proposals to create a 270 hectare wetland nature reserve near Billingham were
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Northern Echo in good shape for racing debut
NORTHERN Echo, the racing pigeon, is in great shape for its first race under its new title. However, one of the blue hen's initial outings proved less than encouraging when it opted to perch in a tree for several hours rather than flying. Its trainer,
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Red faces over slip-up at services
EVERYBODY forgets things occasionally - but one North Yorkshire couple managed to forget their son. The family was returning to Harrogate and stopped at a service station for a break. But when the parents set off again, it was without their son. They
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Tight lines as angling returns
ANGLERS have been taking the chance to hook shoals of super trout in Northern reservoirs and rivers. As the fishing season gets under way, experts have predicted that anglers will have a bumper year after months of being starved of their sport because
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Just the ticket for Last Night of Proms
TICKETS have gone on sale for the region's version of Last Night of the Proms concert. The Northern Echo has joined forces with Music for Darlington to present an evening of patriotic music in the town next month. The concert at the Dolphin Centre will
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Residents asked for views on a model proposal
PEOPLE living in two Derwentside wards are being urged to help make a difference to the future of their towns and villages by taking part in community appraisals. The work is being carried out by the Durham Rural Community Council in the Stanley Hall
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News in brief: Meeting on traffic fears
POLICE and Gateshead Council chiefs are to discuss problems caused by a lane closure. The council has been criticised for shutting a lane leading from Orchard Road to School Lane, in Whickham, which was used as a shortcut by drivers. Residents have complained
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Lovingly-restored castle to be opened to public
The remote Scottish castle the Queen Mother bought while grieving for her husband King George VI is to be opened to the public for the first time. The Castle of Mey, in Caithness, is administered by a trust established in 1996 and aided by £3m from the
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Firefighters praised for blaze tactics
FIREFIGHTERS have been praised for their handling of a fierce house fire. Flames were shooting across the road from the front window of a house in Richardson Street, Hartlepool, as crews arrived at the scene. Sub Officer Ian Hendry, from Stranton station
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Motorist 'critical' after crash
A 71-year-old motorist was in a critical condition in hospital last night following an accident on the A1, near Durham City. The pensioner was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with broken legs and a broken pelvis after his Renault Scenic collided with
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Late spot for local radio chat show
LOCAL radio is to have a new night owl. Jon Harle, from Birtley, Gateshead, is presenting a new late-night phone-in and chat show, featuring live music on BBC Radio Cleveland, Newcastle and Cumbria. The father-of-two's previous clocking off time, of 10pm
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Armed police surround cathedral
ARMED police surrounded a cathedral during an Easter service following a threat to the Archbishop of York, it was revealed last night. A man, believed to be from the Harrogate area, was arrested in connection with the threat to Dr David Hope on Saturday
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Work gets under way on £4m car park
WORK is under way on a £4m multi-storey car park in the centre of Harrogate. The old car-park, in Oxford Street, has been demolished, ahead of schedule, to make way for the new building. The council's chief engineer, Martin Weeks, said: "The contractors
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Rare garden birds moving north in search of food
AN UNCOMMON garden bird is increasing in numbers in the region. For many years nuthatches have been regarded by ornithologists as one of the less familiar garden birds - but over the winter, numbers appear to have almost doubled. The findings were reported
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Search is on for faces of the past
THE University of Sunderland is searching for former students of city colleges and the polytechnic. It is looking for people who would be willing to feature in an exhibition at the Vardy Gallery, as part of the university's centenary celebrations. One
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Farm showcase event appeals for helpers
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help stage one of the region's largest agricultural shows. The Durham County Show will mark the opening of the multi-million pound Herrington Country Park, in Sunderland, on the weekend of July 13 and 14. Since 1842, the show
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World darts champions to visit club
A TOWN from the region has scored a bullseye in a national championship tour. Australian Tony David, 34, Embassy World champion darts player, and women's world title holder Trina Gulliver, 32, will demonstrate their skills at Hartlepool Catholic Club,
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Rethink urged on pension fund accounting standard
A business group has called for changes to a controversial new accounting standard which is leading to firms closing final salary pension schemes. The CBI wants amendments to be made to the standard known as FRS17, under which firms have to include pension
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Roadshow takes the bandages off mysteries of ancient Egypt
THE premiere of a gory roadshow with an Egyptian theme will be held at a North-East museum this week. The event, at the Hancock Museum, in Newcastle, features songs, sketches - and ritual dismemberment. The Awesome Egyptian was written by Terry Deary,
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Do not disturb order is bad newts for development plan
THEY may only be 4in long, but a colony of protected great-crested newts is costing a North-East businessman thousands of pounds. For the endangered amphibians have forced Javid Majid to rethink plans to redevelop a derelict country club after fears that
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Mosaic shows what is on at community centre
A GROUP of enthusiasts has been piecing together the achievements of a community centre. Children and adults have made more than 3,000 coloured tiles into a giant mosaic depicting the activities taking place in Langdon Square Community Centre, Coulby
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Boss supports narcotics fight
A LEISURE boss is helping police put drug dealers behind bars. Cleveland Police said that a partnership with the Tall Trees country club "has resulted in several decent prison sentences for dealers". Inspector Colin White said: "We have made between 20
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Raising a glass to easier shopping
RETAIL therapy has been made easier for hundreds of disabled people living in Sunderland with the help of the new operators of Shopmobility at the Bridges shopping centre. More than 600 disabled people have already signed up for the service, which means
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Tax advisors take to the streets
TAX office staff will be offering free advice when they take their mobile advice centre into north Durham towns this month. The team from Sunderland tax office will answer questions on self assessment, general tax and national insurance matters. Queries
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Sapper steams in to help
A SOLDIER from the North-East has helped put a defunct railway line back on the tracks after 53 years. Sapper Paul Beattie, 30, from Guisborough, east Cleveland, joined the Royal Engineers five years ago after studying mechanical engineering at the University
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Army gala day planned
The Army will hold a Forces Gala, in Exhibition Park, Newcastle, from 11am on Sunday, June 2. It will follow the Newcastle Civic Jubilee Parade and Army Benevolent Fund Military Tattoo to be held on the previous day.
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Adventurers get two-day safari offer
THE Forestry Commission has organised a two-day safari in a North-East forest. Kielder Forest, in Northumberland, is the location for the 4x4 event on Saturday and Sunday. Participants will use 550 miles of logging trails that are normally off-limits
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Jarping Jack triumphs
RETIRED woodman Jack Gray proved he was a dab hand at paste eggs when he took first prize at the annual Easter egg-jarping contest at a dales pub at the weekend. He beat more than 80 other entries to win the trophy, presented by the Sunday Club at the
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Sparkling occasion for wartime sweethearts
A COUPLE separated by the war just days after they tied the knot have celebrated 60 years of marriage. Arthur and Kathleen Lea, of Manfield, spent yesterday celebrating their big day with friends and family with a party held at Walworth Castle, near Darlington
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Search for the town's quiet heroes
THE hunt is on to find Spennymoor's unsung heroes, with a contest run by the town's Masonic Lodge. People in the town are urged to nominate friends or relatives for the Spennymoor Person of the Year contest. It is the first year the competition has been
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Comment from The Northern Echo: No time to stand and stare
THE Prime Minister is wise not to allow the nation's mourning for the Queen Mother to stand in the way of his meeting with President Bush later this week. In the current international climate it is imperative that talks between the two most influential
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Cable firm tells customers it's business as usual
A BELEAGUERED cable operator has reassured its customers in the North-East that its services will not be hit by the company's plight. NTL sought to allay fears as it was reported it had withheld interest payments worth nearly £70m yesterday, after gaining
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Celebration to mark 100 years
One of the oldest residents in Leadgate, near Consett, will be celebrating his 100th birthday this week. Family and friends will join former miner Thomas Hall on Thursday, to help him celebrate at Watling House, County Durham Care's residential home for
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Manufacturing growth back to pre-attack level
Beleaguered manufacturers have turned the corner and are pushing economic growth back towards pre-September 11 levels. The latest BDO Business Trends Report said improved export demand was helping many industrial firms to find their feet after a turbulent
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City economists anticipate summer rise in interest rates
The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates on hold for the fifth month in a row when it meets later this week. Economists are predicting that the next movement will be upwards with City analysts pencilling in June or August for a possible
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Business failures increase by 15%
The number of businesses which fail has increased by more than 15 per cent during the first three months of this year, a survey reveals today. During the first quarter 10,803 businesses went under, compared with just 9,360 in the final quarter of last
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Backtrack: Belmont or Barcelona - an easy choice for Ray
Assistant referee Ray Clementson knew he had to draw the line somewhere when offered one of the top appointments in the local calendar. It was the Durham Challenge Cup final on Good Friday morning. Trouble was, it was also the morning that he should have
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News in brief: More arrests in drugs battle
POLICE arrested a man and a woman and seized 28 wraps of what is thought to be heroin in a raid at a house in Middlesbrough during the weekend. A third person was arrested at another address in the town, hours later. An amount of cannabis was allegedly
