Archive
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You write
Council tax complaints SIR - My council tax has increased by 14.3 per cent this year which I feel is excessive. I contacted the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) and was informed they had several complaints regarding this
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Jones on target as Guisborough end dismal derby run
THE Easter bank holiday proved very productive for Guisborough Town as they picked up four valuable points from their two games. The away victory on Monday against East Cleveland rivals Marske United was all the sweeter because it ended a run of six consecutive
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Ian earns his green beret
A TEENAGE soldier from Shotley Bridge has just received his green beret. Ian Ronald, a former pupil of the Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street, has successfully completed 30 weeks of the hardest initial training in the world to become a Royal Marine
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Cash agreed for range of events to help dale forget a bad year
CASH to help stage events in an area badly hit by foot-and-mouth disease has been sent out to 31 recipients who applied for funding. Teesdale Marketing, a non-profit distribution company, has announced receipt of the extended funding for Events Support
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Drama group celebrates award of lottery cash
A LEADING community-based drama group is celebrating a grant of £4,898 from Awards for All, which provides Lottery funding for local groups. The Teesdale-based Castle Players will use the money to buy a lighting control desk and all the associated equipment
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How to offend the folk who get things done
IF you want something doing, they say, ask a busy person.That's why, in many villages, those who stand for the parish council are those who belong to the sports club or the WI, sit on the village hall committee, run the playgroup and generally help community
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Farmers need time to adapt to change
CHANGE was inevitable, but farmers must be allowed time to adapt, members of the North Riding and County Durham committee of the NFU have been told. The county chairman, Brian Hodgson, said pressure from the Government for farmers to diversify was not
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Sum change for accountant
COMPANY accountant Alan Ward has retired after 25 years of managing newspaper finances in Darlington. Mr Ward, 60, joined North of England Newspapers - publishers of the Advertiser, Northern Echo and Darlington & Stockton Times - on January 1, 1977
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Treat UK like other members with more BSE
SURVEILLANCE tests across the EU are confirming that BSE is no longer a problem specific to the UK. They also indicate that it will not be long before there are more new cases elsewhere in the EU than there are in this country. According to the National
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Cafe culture brings art to everyone
OUT go the checked table cloths and tomato-shaped sauce bottles and in comes the contemporary artwork. It's an unusual concept, but one that has transformed a Chester-le-Street caff into the town's first art caf. Gary Collin, owner of Moods, has teamed
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Basketball; Mavericks' flying start
Durham League Middlesbrough Mavericks returned from Peterlee as 94-76 winners over East Durham and Houghall College A in their Division One clash. A flying start won Mavericks the game. Andy Reid from the fringe and Wayne Bailey inside netted Mavericks
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£45m could bring Cleveland new and revamped schools
A CLEVELAND council has been given the go-ahead to draw up a £45m schools spending plan. Big refurbishments for schools in Guisborough, Marske and Nunthorpe are on the cards, and Redcar could get a £9m new Roman Catholic primary and secondary complex.
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Family leads a harmonious life
A THEATRICAL family will tread the boards together at one of the North-East's premier venues. Three members of the Richardson family, of Coniston Drive, Sacriston, County Durham, will appear in the West End Operatic Society's production of Carousel, which
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Maths tutor reaches ten
AN after-school maths tutor is celebrating ten years of running an education centre. The Darlington Kumon Study Centre was opened by Brian Fiske in 1992 with four students. He now has 80. Mr Fiske said: "The joy of running a Kumon Centre is seeing children
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Protestors fear precedent over green belt phone mast
TIME is running out for protestors attempting to block plans for a 15m-high mobile phone mast on proposed green belt land. Residents in the Picktree area of Chester-le-Street say plans for the BT Cellnet mast contravene rules about building on land designated
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Your kindness means so much, says Queen
The Queen yesterday put on a brave face, smiled and told well-wishers: "My mother had a wonderful life." At Windsor Castle, surveying a sea of flowers left in the Queen Mother's memory, the Queen said: "It's an amazing sight, isn't it? People are so kind
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Smoking ban for shopping centre
A TOWN shopping centre is stubbing out smoking from next month. The Queen Street Shopping Centre, in Darlington, will become a no-smoking area from Wednesday, May 1. Rory Butler, of St Martins, which runs the shopping centre, said: "We want Queen Street
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Toyah's songs of praise visit
MULTI-TALENTED celebrity Toyah Wilcox will be putting both her acting and presenting skills to the test in York. She visited the city yesterday to film scenes for a BBC Songs of Praise programme at York Minster, having already visited the Merchant Adventurers
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New boss is accounting on success
A MAJOR Wearside developer has appointed a chartered accountancy firm to help it progress further. Athenaeum Developments, the company behind the successful Derwenthaugh scheme next to the MetroCentre, including TGI Fridays, Frankie and Benny's, KFC and
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Campaign boost for new school
An eight-year campaign to build a village school has taken a major step forward. Governors of Grewelthorpe Church of England Primary School, near Ripon, have been given outline planning approval to convert the old school into a home. The current 126-year-old
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Decades of transport tradition end with a flick of the paint gun
BACK in 1912, when the idea of a two-car family was as outlandish a fantasy as taking an airship to Mars, a new bus service was an event - a chance to glimpse never-before-seen places. Not that the passengers who used the first United bus, a cold and
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Bootleggers are targeted
CUSTOMS officers are turning up the heat on North-East tobacco smugglers. They are to launch a leafleting campaign on Monday in an attempt to trap the criminals who are involved in the lucrative trade. More than 75,000 leaflets are being distributed giving
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Baby Damian for Liz Hurley
Model and actress Liz Hurley (above) yesterday gave birth to a baby boy, Damian Charles. Both were said to be "happy and healthy" last night. Hurley, 36, has named millionaire Hollywood movie producer Steve Bing as the father - but he has cast doubt on
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Theatre reopening hopes are dashed
HOPES that a theatre's main auditorium could reopen today have been dashed after fears for the safety of its ceiling. Plaster falling from the 45ft high ceiling of Harrogate Theatre earlier this week caused the theatre to close. But detailed inspection
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Guide dog owner has charitable view of his chewy friend Yates
YATES the black labrador was in the dog house after he almost put paid to a disabled organisation's bid for charitable status. Disability Action in Richmondshire spent years wading through complex documents and eventually completed the final application
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Wellock's World
WHEN silly money is involved there is always a high risk that it will all end in tears. And with the £315 million pledged by ITV Digital to cover Nationwide League matches we are talking very silly money indeed. Now that the digital dunces have realised
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Operators sample delights of county
Tour operators from around the country will sample some of County Durham's attractions at the weekend. Durham City Council, Northumbria Tourist Board, Durham University and Durham County Council have organised the Durham City Showcase to show operators
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Chance to microchip your dogs for free
THE latest initiative to tackle the problem of stray dogs was launched yesterday. Middlesbrough Council has teamed up with the National Canine Defence League (NCDL) to offer the town's dog owners free microchips for their pets. The aim of the national
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Youth stripped naked by attacker
Police today said they were "disturbed and puzzled" after a six-year-old boy was stripped naked by a mystery youth. The child was playing at an allotment in High Westwood, Medomsley, near Consett, County Durham, when a youth climbed in from open fields
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Hear all sides
QUEEN MOTHER I WAS saddened to hear of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's passing. My heart goes out to Her Majesty The Queen, losing her sister as well as her mother in such a short time. She was an extraordinary lady, who balanced duty alongside
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Relief stint turned into 34-year career for castle custodian
THE keys to Richmond Castle changed hands this week as one of English Heritage's longest-serving custodians retired. June Haines, of Swainby, prepared for her final day's work in the castle visitor centre yesterday by handing over the keys to her successor
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Yarm fumes as High Street is fenced off
TRADERS in Yarm were left fuming over Easter. Businesses were angry that a chunk of the High Street was left fenced off for restoration work on the town's ancient cobbles - so hitting parking spaces for customers. Some felt the work by Stockton Council
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Town looks for heroes
THE hunt is on to find Spennymoor's unsung heroes, in a special contest run by the town's masonic lodge. People in the town are urged to put forward friends, relatives or acquaintances for the Spennymoor Person of the Year contest. It is the first year
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Calling for all your old cards
A WOMAN is appealing for members of the public to donate old cards so they can be recycled and sold to raise funds for her residential home. Jackie Crozier, 60, has lived at the Teesside Cheshire Home at Marske, east Cleveland, for 18 years, and her main
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Union starts talks in bid to cut job losses
A UNION has started talks with management in the hope of reducing big job losses at a North-East electronics plant. LG Philips Displays, a joint venture by Dutch company Philips and Korean-based LG, has announced it will stop the production of deflection
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North Durham and Tyneside news in brief
Road closed by collision A busy road in a County Durham town was closed for more than an hour during the morning rus, after an accident involving two cars and a bread van, yesterday. No one was injured in the accident at the roundabout leading to Number
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Farmers' wives take up tourism challenge
FARMERS' wives are planning a tasty menu for summer. The women who run bed and breakfast accommodation in County Durham have taken a positive view of the future, despite losses from last year's foot-and-mouth epidemic. Twelve women joined a catering course
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Comment about wife led to fight in street
POULTRY handler Robert Newall's friendship with Keith Hartley hit rock bottom the night he found that his friend fancied his wife, a court was told yesterday. After arguing in a Ripon nightclub about Hartley's confession that he would like to be "more
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Leisure centre scheme backed
PLANS for a major outdoor leisure centre in Newton Aycliffe are back on track after a successful appeal by developers. The proposal for a riding school, golf driving range, fitness trail, putting green and pony trek trail, looked to have been doomed when
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Lions' gratitude for funds
Members of Middlesbrough Teesside Lions Club have thanked people who helped the fundraising at the Easter egg tombola in the main concourse of the Cleveland Centre, in Middlesbrough, on Easter Saturday. President Giles Bolitho said the amount raised came
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Landlords asked to take bad year into account
LANDLORDS have been urged to recognise the difficult and stressful year when looking at farm rents. The Tenant Farmers' Association and the Rural Stress Information Network united to make the call, coinciding with Lady Day, a traditional day for farm
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centenarian celebrates milestone
A DARLINGTON woman celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday. Gertrude Bennett, known as Nan, celebrated her centenary with friends, family and staff at The Lawns Nursing Home. Mrs Bennett, has lived at the home since September 1999. John Conlon, manager
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Police appeal for sightings of missing former miner
SEARCH teams have been combing the countryside in a hunt for a former miner who went missing from his home in County Durham more than ten days ago. Edward Donnelly, 52, was last seen on March 25 at the home he shares with his sister in Fynway, Sacriston
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Global charities plea
A DOOR-to-door appeal in Teesside is under way to raise money for charities in the developing world. The collections have been organised by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra-UK). Last year, volunteers from the Middlesbrough Seventh-Day
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Cash on way for Northgate
A HERITAGE grant of more than £500,000 has been confirmed to improve an historical part of Darlington. English Heritage has confirmed that Darlington Borough Council's bid for money to improve the Northgate area of town has been successful. The money
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Clark gunning for more
Free-scoring Ian Clark is enjoying his best season in front of goal but he wants it to get even better - starting at Rochdale tomorrow. The Darlington utility man has notched 12 goals this season, easily surpassing his previous best of seven, gained during
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Nursing home boss tells of closure grief
THE owners of a nursing home which has been forced to shut at the end of the month spoke of their sorrow, yesterday. Alba Rose nursing home, in Pickering, North Yorkshire, is closing after bosses said they could no longer survive on current accommodation
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Estate agent denies charge
An estate agent has denied 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 Sunderland, is
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Estate overhaul wins approval
FIVE years ago on Darlington's Skerne Park estate, crime was rife, houses stood empty and self-esteem of residents was at rock bottom. Then Skerne Park was awarded £3.5m from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) and the fortunes of the estate
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Parish council cash on offer
A GROWING number of projects involving young people in east Cleveland are to be given financial help by a parish council. Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council has responded to a recent increase in community projects by setting up a fund of £5,000
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Teesside news in brief
Teenager admits robbery A teenage boy admitted robbery when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted robbing another boy of a Panasonic personal stereo on October 22 last year. The
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Decision imminent on new heart treatment unit
COUNCILLORS will decide next week whether a new hospital unit to treat heart patients will be built in Darlington. If planning permission is granted for the extension at Darlington Memorial Hospital, it is expected to reduce the amount of time patients
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Villagers dismayed by incinerator vote
VILLAGERS were left dismayed after councillors approved two controversial animal incinerators near a beauty spot. Durham County Council granted planning permission for two 50ft chimneys at a knacker's yard at Eden Hall, Hamsterley Forest. The incinerators
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Firm fights on for cinema plan licence
THE firm refused a licence for a controversial Australian themed nightspot in Durham city centre is lodging an appeal. Regent Inns hopes to finally win the day at Durham Crown Court when it challenges the decision of the area's licensing justices. Following
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Fouling fines doubled
IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners and litter droppers are in for a shock with an increase in spot fines in Sedgefield borough. The penalty for people who allow their dogs to foul, or who discard rubbish, doubled from £25 to £50 from the start of this week. Officers
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Strike put on hold as more pay offered
AN improved pay offer has led to the suspension of a strike at Health Secretary Alan Milburn's local hospitals. Eighty-five medical secretaries employed by South Durham Health Care Trust at Bishop Auckland and Darlington had been due to walk out for four
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TV ads help boost tourism in wake of FMD losses
A £1.5m campaign to boost Yorkshire's tourist industry is expected to generate an extra £18m for the region's economy. Yorkshire Forward's Britain's Biggest Break tourism campaign, launched in September 2001, aims to put the region on the map for the
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A garden full of fun
BLIND and partially-sighted pupils at a Durham school are to benefit from a former mayor's fundraising. During her year in office Coun Margaret Adair raised about £15,000 for Belmont's infant, junior and comprehensive schools, which educate visually-impaired
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Barred again - wheelchair racer who is not disabled
A WHEELCHAIR racer, who is not disabled, has been banned from the Great North Run following his expulsion from the London Marathon. Daniel Sadler, 24, who has no disabilities, will not be allowed to race in the Newcastle to South Shields event this year
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Warm respects are paid to region's favourite royal
THE community of Teesdale has been leading the tributes to the Queen Mother since news of her death was announced at the weekend. Flags have been flying at half mast on churches and public buildings out of respect for the 101-year-old who was held in
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Sanity taps in to high-tech music market
A HIGH-TECH recording studios has been opened in Teesside. Sanity Multimedia, at Castlegate Quay, Stockton, has opened refurbished recording studios, putting the town at the forefront of music technology. The studios, developed as part of Sanity's newly
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Phileas blazes a tasty new trail
THE savoury snacks that put a North-East former steel town back on the map are undergoing a major relaunch. The Phileas Fogg brand is ditching its existing flavours and bringing out a new range designed to tickle consumers' taste buds and take it "from
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Results of Middlesbrough mayor poll
On Saturday The Northern Echo will publish results of its exclusive poll which will show the amount of support for Ray Mallon, the former policeman who is bidding to become Middlesbrough's first directly-elected mayor on May 2. Nominations for candidates
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Grain prices
Thursday's prices. - Kenneth Wilson, Thorpe Arch. - Wheat: April £69; May £70; June £70.50. Barley: April £60; May £61; June £62. Oilseed rape: April £134; May £135; June £136. GrainCo, Tyne Dock. - Wheat: April £70; May £70.50; June £71. Barley: April
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Howzat! A real home from home
A FEW days ago, we took a short break in a city centre hotel and at breakfast on our first morning, we were delighted to hear a chaffinch in full song. His distinctive voice rose above the distant hum of rush-hour traffic and I must admit it was a real
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Cheap private homes deal to boost estate
A DEVELOPER has agreed to start changing a former council-owned residential area into a low-cost private estate. A group consisting of Keepmoat, Haslam Homes and Barratt Homes, has exchanged contracts with Darlington Borough Council for work on the town's
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Funding chance for former pit communities
FORMER mining communities in Derwentside are being invited to a funding seminar to see if they are entitled to extra cash. Groups operating in the eligible wards could receive funding through the Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest and Coalfields Community
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Holmside double for Stacey
STACEY Lincoln scored a double win at Holmside Park, Edmondsley, riding Alternate Jazz to win the Dunglenn and Scope 1.15m qualifiers, the latter ahead of Toni Brown on Bowes Milkshake and Adam Valks on Royal Declan. The senior venture produced a double
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Society singers prepare for classic production
MEMBERS of an amateur operatic society are hoping to raise the roof with their latest musical offering. The Gondoliers, a classic tale by Gilbert and Sullivan of mistaken identity and republican principles is to be performed by Bishop Auckland Amateur
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Community group in company bid
A GROUP is applying for limited company status in a bid to serve the community better. After 21 years, Pennywell Community Association, based at Pennywell Shopping Centre, Sunderland, hopes to become self-financing and increase local use. The association
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Region prepares to bid farewell to Queen Mother
THE region was last night continuing to mourn the death of the Queen Mother. Councils across the region reported a lot of interest in the signing of books of condolence with some having collected hundreds of signatures since the beginning of the week.
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Teenagers vie for title of youth mayor
TEENAGERS hoping to become the country's first elected youth mayor got a taste of civic life yesterday . Sixteen contenders with their eye on the top job in Middlesbrough attended a workshop to find out how to put together a manifesto and run an election
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Initiative to help heart attack victims
A TRAINING programme aimed at saving heart attack victims has taken place at a North-East airport. As part of a Government drive to provide defibrillators in public places, 15 people at Teesside Airport have been trained to use the machines by the North-East
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Players' greed must stop, warns Robson
Newcastle United boss Bobby Robson has launched a stinging attack at players and agents, claiming massive salaries are ruining the game. Robson believes clubs are relying too much on TV money and that players and agents are cashing in on clubs who are
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Dyer charge dropped
Prosecutors today dropped a motoring charge against a Premiership footballer. Newcastle United player Kieron Dyer had been charged with allowing his car to be driven by someone without insurance. But Anita Addison, prosecuting, told magistrates at Sudbury
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Church opens extension to meet demand
AT a time when dwindling attendances are forcing many churches to close, one has bucked the trend by opening a £200,000 extension to house a growing congregation. The Christian Life Centre in Woodham has re-opened after adding a 350-seat auditorium, kitchen
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Dogs disappear from rural villages
Worried pet owners have called in the police after a dozen terriers were dognapped from neighbouring rural villages. In every case the pedigree dogs were let out by their owners for exercise and mysteriously vanished. The area between the three Northumberland
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Trust's anger at theatre closure
A council has been criticised for plans to close its only theatre. The Theatres Trust has written to complain about Stockton Borough Council's consultation procedure over closure plans for Billingham Forum. Catherine Croft, of the trust, described the
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Top acts lined up for pop festival
ORGANISERS are bracing themselves for a rush for tickets for a North-East pop extravaganza. The Galaxy Out There concert, in aid of the Prince's Trust, will bring together bands such as Blue, Liberty X and the Sugarbabes for a concert at Gateshead International
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Title hopes get set-back
Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League Trimdon's chances of carrying off the championship received a setback when they could only draw 1-1 at Sacriston despite taking the lead through Paul Hunt. Graham Kime levelled during the second 45 minutes when unfortunately
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Museum proves big attraction
A DALES attraction proved a popular location over the Easter holiday, a year after it closed at the height of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Hawes was hit by the outbreak last March, prompting the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to announce the closure
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Darts; Tow Law pair triumph again
Tow Law Bass Darren Yeoman and Kenneth Atkinson of Tow Law New Market added to their Pairs Championship when they shared the responsibility of playing the Captain's games throughout the season and ended up taking the title with 22 points. The remainder
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Our lives are wrecked, say cleared teachers
TEACHERS and care workers who say their lives were destroyed as a result of one of the North-East's biggest child abuse inquiries have launched a bitter attack on police. Operation Rose - the codename for Northumbria Police's five-year inquiry - investigated
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Star makes an entrance
A NEW television advertisement featuring the stars of the Pop Idol show has been released. Darlington's Zoe Birkett features as one of ten finalists from the ITV show who have recorded tracks on the Big Band album, which will be released on Monday. Each
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Bowls
CIU Championship Preliminary round draw: P. Coulson (Leadgate) v R. Jefferson (Trimdon Colliery); D. Stoker (South Moor) v J. Stott-Blair (Hetton); S. Montgomery (Leadgate) v D. Metcalfe (Leadgate); K. Chicken (Low Spennymoor & Merrington Lane) v
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Rural life museum plans to expand
A tourist attraction in North Yorkshire is hoping to get approval for a £500,000 revamp in an effort to pull in more visitors. Ryedale Folk Museum, at Hutton-le-Hole, near Pickering, is seeking permission to increase its space. Several 17th Century buildings
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Bowls; Bowls' best converge on the region
The Famous Grouse Top Ton Classic This was promoted, organised and presented by the Morrison Centre Indoor Bowls Club in Darlington, and was a huge success. The 16 teams of ten from all corners of the British Isles provided a quality field including club
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Unearthing the secrets behind the bestsellers
The Real Catherine Cookson (C4) The word "real" in the title suggests that what we know already about the subject is false. The Real Catherine Cookson tried hard to peel off the layers, separate fact from fiction, about the millionaire Tyneside author
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Athletics
Crook and District AC The club secured immediate promotion back into the First Division of the Harrier League after an excellent second place in Division Two at the final event on the demanding Prudhoe 5 mile course. Phil Carter was 7th in 36.03 , Ken
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Action planned to attract young to the Dales
MORE should be done to attract younger people to holiday in the Yorkshire Dales, the deputy chairman of the national park authority has said. Coun John Blackie said the Yorkshire Dales joint promotions initiative, a collection of local authorities which
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Homes plan likely to be approved
A PROPOSAL to build 22 houses on a Ferryhill estate look likely to be approved by planning officials today. Miller Homes has submitted an application for the development on the Dean Park Estate. Members of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control
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Junior Football
Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses South Durham Royals 1 v 6 Spraire Lasses Spraire Lasses Under-11s travelled to Newton Aycliffe needing one point out of their last three league games to win the Under-11s Tyne Tees Girls League. Two goals after 13 minutes
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Snooker
Worthington CIU Team Knock-out Quarter final results: Hunwick A beat Leeholme B; Wheatley Hill B beat Durham City; Fishburn B beat Wheatley Hill A; Willington beat Newhouse. Semi-final draw, to be played on Tuesday, April 9: Willington v Hunwick A at
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New impetus for welfare advice plan
BRITISH Riding Clubs hopes to have a horse welfare adviser in every affiliated club by the end of 2003. Fort Dodge Animal Health, which manufactures horse wormer Equest, has agreed to give sponsorship to allow the BRC to re-launch the scheme previously
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Prices at the Marts
BARNARD CASTLE. - Fwd: 198 breeding & store cattle. Lim bull calf £165, J Mortimer. Lim X cow & hfr calf £600 E Smith & Son. Lim bulls: JW Dent & Sons £545; Mrs D Coggins & Son £498, £490, £480; M Dickeson £478, £458, £450, £440, £435
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PCs shake-up puts
A POLICE shake-up is giving beat bobbies a key role at the heart of Wear Valley communities in response to public demand. The new team will be travelling by bus instead of panda car to get even closer to the people of their patch. From next week they
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Artist hoping for royal approval of painting
AMATEUR artist Neil Johnson is hoping that one of his paintings will receive royal approval. Mr Johnson, former chief executive with Derwentside District Council, has given his painting of a horse to the British Horse Society, which will raffle it during
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Comment from The Northern Echo; On the brink of catastrophe
IT has been obvious for weeks that the unbridled tension between Israel and the Palestinians was heading for catastrophe. It is astounding that President Bush has waited until catastrophe is almost upon us before taking decisive action to attempt to pull
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Police face flak over shooting
A SENIOR firearms officer has broken his ten-year silence to launch a stinging criticism of the police handling of the murder of planning officer Harry Colinson. Almost a decade since Albert Dryden was convicted of gunning down Mr Collinson, former sergeant
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Railway death inquest opened
AN inquest opened yesterday into the death of a man who was hit by a train in front of horrified passengers at a North-East railway station. Joseph Leonard Thackeray died instantly on impact with the Glasgow to King's Cross GNER high-speed service, in
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Gym club gets £1.5m centre
A GYMNASTICS centre of excellence is to be created in Spennymoor which should further a club's quest for Olympic gold. The new £1.5m centre would house a warm-up area, changing rooms, office, kitchen, dining room and training area. South Durham Gymnastics
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Welsh returns to take on Golding
Next month at Dudley Town Hall, Louis Welsh steps back into the ring to take on London's Mickey Golding, writes ALISON LEWIS. Welsh, of Darlington, was once a promising professional having started with three convincing wins in his three contests, but
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Brining sunshine into elderly lives
THE late 1980s were something of a bonanza for private care homes. All over the region, large old Victorian and Edwardian houses were converted into residential and nursing homes. With relatively light regulation and low wage bills, handsome profits were
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A privileged life is not necessarily an easy one
EVEN the staunchest supporter of republicanism must have felt a twinge of sympathy for the Royal Family over the past week. For any family, losing two close members within two months is hard to take and the House of Windsor is a family. Granted, not an
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Museum's exhibition recalls the loss of greek cargo ship
ONE of the region's best known shipwrecks is the focus of a new exhibition. Kirkleatham Old Hall Museum, in Redcar, is the venue for the display and a series of holiday activities based around the theme of the Dimitris, a Greek cargo ship which sank off
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Monopoly fans face wait for decision
MONOPOLY enthusiasts in Durham and Sunderland will have to wait a week to find out if their city will feature in the a North-East game. Maker Winning Moves has delayed announcing the result of an e-mail poll, which closed on Wednesday, because of the
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Visitors urge improvement to town prison
A NORTHALLERTON advisory group is urging the Government to make reforms to the town's prison. The Board of Visitors at Northallerton Remand Centre and Young Offenders' Institution is calling on the Home Office to make several improvements to the prison's
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Cricket club in cash call
A CRICKET club hoping to attract youngsters to the game is appealing for funding to help its efforts. Haughton Cricket Club and Haughton Community School, in Darlington, formed a link in 1997 to develop sport in the community. Haughton school head of
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Spraire catch Transport on the Hop
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League Spraire RA maintained their position at the top of the Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League as they toppled Hoppers Transport 3-1 on Easter Sunday. Meanwhile, second placed Nestfield Club
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Players tell story of happy ever after
A DRAMA group is following up a successful production of the traditional Cinderella story by taking the tale one stage further. The Acorn Players, from Newton Aycliffe, have announced that their new production is to be called Cinderella's New Year Ball
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Parish meeting told of 'black, black hole'
A MAN fell and broke a hip and wrist in Aysgarth because of poor street lighting, the parish meeting was told. Chairman Marian Kirby said the new lights installed after the undergrounding of electricity cables two years ago were not as effective as those
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Cleared, but scarred for life
OUTSIDE the unreal worlds of science fiction, there are not many ways in which you can become transformed into your worst possible nightmare. But it can happen and it does happen every day - it happened to me. As an experienced professional involved in
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Councillor gets in gear for firefighters
A 69-year-old councillor is relying on pedal power to complete a 3,640-mile trip across America. Durham county councillor Len O'Donnell will embark on the challenge to raise funds to replace fire fighting equipment destroyed on September 11. The former
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Brotton book final place
A Hoggarth and Son Eskvale and Cleveland League Two late goals put Brotton through to the final of the Eileen Hodgson Bowl. Brotton came back in the second half after Richie gave Anchor the lead in the first few minutes. Brotton played some attacking
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Angling
Local rod Colin Breckon emerged the first angler to win off Hurworth Burn's West Bank when he topped the Hartlepool and District Cameron Shield staged on the County Durham Reservoir to record 17.0.0 of roach, writes JEFF HERBERT. Fishing the end peg in
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Ice Hockey
Junior round-up The two top teams in the Women's Premier League Sunderland Scorpions and Guildford Lightning played 1-1 draw at Hillheads. The Wearsiders needed a victory to give them a slim hope of taking the title. Going into the match both teams had
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£3.4m fund package for North Yorkshire
FARMING communities across North Yorkshire are to benefit from a new £3.4m funding package over the next five years. North Yorkshire County Council, on behalf of Yorkshire Forward, will manage the programme across the region. Grants will be available
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Grief in perspective
SOME commentators on the mood of the nation following the death of Queen Mother have focussed on what has been perceived as a certain coolness or indifference to the event. Mindful of the national grief expressed at the time of the death of Princess Diana
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Queen Mother's final journey through London
To the solemn beat of military bands, the coffin of the Queen Mother was carried through the heart of London on a gun carriage today. Thousands of people gathered along the route of the funeral parade and paid their respects in silence. The Queen's four
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New council for nurses
A new regulatory body for nurses and midwives, the Nursing and Midwifery Council went "live" this week. It is the first of a new generation of regulatory bodies to follow on from the recommendations of the Kennedy Report into the Bristol Royal Infirmary
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Riverside notch 13 goals without reply
Riverside FC the U10s' good form continued with a 4-0 win over South Tyneside and a 9-0 win over Fulwell. Craig Lynch, Ricky Fenwick, Johnny Staff and Johnny Hewittson were on target against South Tyneside and the scorers against Fulwell were Craig Lynch
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The Unibond League
Bishop Auckland are now four points above the relegation zone after their 1-0 home win over Whitby on Monday. The game was never a classic, but Bishops scored the only goal just before half time, when Whitby Danny Woods turned a corner into his own goal
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Transport grant is lifeline for support group
A TEESDALE support group is to get a greater degree of freedom thanks to being awarded a transport grant. Middleton Mental Health Group will receive a grant from the Teesdale Rural Transport Partnership to help hire a minibus to take members to group
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Choir drums up support for the young victims of famine in Africa
AFRICAN youngsters are tuning up for a tour of the region. The African Children's Choir performed at Durham City's Gala Theatre yesterday to promote a series of concerts taking place this month. Comprising 26 youngsters aged between six and 12, many of
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New bar helps town to attract nightbirds
A NIGHTCLUB entrepreneur is planning to transform the nightlife in Chester-le-Street. Billy Walton, who owns Crocodillos nightclub on Front Street, opened a new £750,000 bar in the town last week and plans to transform part of the market place into another
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Murphy's good form raises hopes for Aintree four
IT'S the big one - the Grand Nationa sees this area with reasonable hopes, not least with Ferdy Murphy's four. His hopefuls are Paris Pike (Richard Guest), Streamstown (JP McNamara), Ackzo (no early jockey booking) and Birkdale (Jason Maguire). With seven
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Parish wary over gift of land on village green
A WARY parish council is looking a gift horse in the mouth until it establishes just who owns its riverside village green. Neasham Parish Council only recently discovered it did not own a strip of land adjoining the green, which was given to the village
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All change again in care: hope is for seamless transfer
A NEW body with a £90m budget now has the power to deliver a full range of community services in Darlington. On Monday, Darlington Primary Care Trust arose out of the ashes of the former primary care group established three years ago, freeing up the Memorial
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Pool heading for Holland
Hartlepool United will be going Dutch this summer. Chris Turner's side will head for Holland as part of their pre-season preparations in July. For the last two seasons Pool have utilised their close Norwegian links, visiting the Scandinavian country for
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Police face flak over shooting
A SENIOR firearms officer has broken his ten-year silence to launch a stinging criticism of the police handling of the murder of planning officer Harry Colinson. Almost a decade since Albert Dryden was convicted of gunning down Mr Collinson, former sergeant
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Snapper in line for award
PHOTOGRAPHER Lynne Brereton, from Studio 81 in Darlington, has won a place in the finals of the Master Photographers Association and Fuji Film classic kids competition. Her picture of Andrew Addision, five, from Romaldkirk, secured her a place in the
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Durham Cup suffers more delays
HOLDERS Darlington have postponed their Durham Cup semi-final at home to West Hartlepool because of the Queen Mother's funeral next Tuesday. The match will now be played the following Tuesday, four days before the final against the winners of the Darlington
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Revolution on the window sill with salad and veg on tap
THE kitchen garden will take on a whole new meaning shortly with the arrival of salads, herbs, and vegetables intended to be grown and cropped in troughs, tubs, and pots, on the windowsill. Some of them may even grace the dining room table. First in the
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The highs and lows of the River Leven keep villagers agitated
FLOOD prevention work and the position of Stokesley bypass have created problems for the River Leven at Great Ayton and Stokesley, residents claimed at Great Ayton parish meeting. The comments were made during talks about last year's flooding. People
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Police appeal for sightings of missing former miner
SEARCH teams have been combing the countryside in a hunt for a former miner who went missing from his home in County Durham more than ten days ago. Edward Donnelly, 52, was last seen on March 25 at the home he shares with his sister in Fynway, Sacriston
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Union accused as conductors strike again
ARRIVA bosses last night accused a union of being "out of touch" as a fresh strike by train conductors got under way. Conductors for Arriva Trains Northern (ATN) are staging the latest in a series of walkouts today and tomorrow in a dispute over pay.
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Athletics
Quakers RC Quakers Running Club are celebrating the outstanding success of their Under-15 boys cross country team. The team competing for the first time in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cross Country League have won every trophy possible for their
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Visitors' welcome return sets up region for season
TOURISM in the region got the shot in the arm it needed with a bumper Easter. Fine Spring weather brought large numbers of visitors into the countryside for the first time since the foot-and-mouth crisis last year. Tourism managers and business owners
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Zoe's big band album out
SINGING starlet Zoe Birkett is releasing her first album - alongside the other Pop Idol finalists. The Pop Idol Big Band album is released on Monday and is predicted to go straight to number one. Although all ten finalists from the TV show feature on
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Golden girls aim high
GYMNASTICS champions have their sights set on the Olympics after coming top in a national contest. Hayley Robson, 11 and Rachel Collinson, 16, both came away with gold medals after competing against some of the country's top gymnasts in a competition
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Nursing home boss tells of closure grief
THE owners of a nursing home which has been forced to shut at the end of the month spoke of their sorrow, yesterday. Alba Rose nursing home, in Pickering, North Yorkshire, is closing after bosses said they could no longer survive on current accommodation
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Darlington and South Durham news in brief
Assault charge admitted A man who admitted assaulting his partner will be sentenced later this month. Geoffrey Ward, 44, of Chestnut Close, Shildon, admitted causing actual bodily harm to Pamela Fowler between December 24 and 27, when he appeared at Teesside
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Crossbow bolt fired at house
A bolt from a crossbow was fired through a window early yesterday, in an apparently motiveless attack. The 12in bolt ended up embedded in the living room wall of a house, in the Moorside area of Consett. Police cannot establish a reason why the 46-year-old
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Fears for call centre jobs
A call centre experiment in India has sparked fears that North-East jobs in the sector could end up at risk. Zurich Financial Services, the parent company of Eagle Star insurance, has opened a call centre in India as part of a move towards operating 24
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A helping hand on the way for entrepreneurs
AN attempt to rid the North-East of its reputation for having the worst track record in the country for new business start-ups takes place next week. Start Your Business will be the largest free event of its kind held in the region and takes place simultaneously
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Your kindness means so much, says Queen
The Queen yesterday put on a brave face, smiled and told well-wishers: "My mother had a wonderful life." At Windsor Castle, surveying a sea of flowers left in the Queen Mother's memory, the Queen said: "It's an amazing sight, isn't it? People are so kind
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Security man found stabbed outside store
A security guard who had worked for his company for only two months has been stabbed while on duty. Chris Haywood, 29, an employee of Newcastle-based Swift Security, had gone to investigate a disturbance at a Co-op Store in South Gosforth, Newcastle,
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Brides will march to mall
SHOPPERS will be able to get some wedding tips at a fair this month. The eighth wedding fair at the MetroCentre, Gateshead, will run from next Friday to Sunday. It will be attended by more than 50 exhibitors. Spring styles and bridalwear from retailers
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Rockpooler Chris nets a live octopus
An animal-mad teenager has amazed marine experts by discovering a live octopus on a British beach. Chris Barnett, 17, from North Shields, North Tyneside, found the half-metre long curled octopus while out rockpooling. Aquarist Zahra d'Aronville, of the
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Thieves steal £800 from dying man
POLICE last night condemned thieves who robbed a gravely-ill pensioner in his home. Two bogus officials, posing as water company workers, conned their way into the 78-year-old's Darlington house and escaped with almost £800. Last night, the pensioner
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Police force appoints first paid-for chaplain
A PAID force chaplain has been appointed by North Yorkshire Police for the first time in its history. The Reverend Stephen Fisher took up his post yesterday, a role he will perform alongside his other duties as parish vicar of the Otteringtons and the
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No monkey business pledge as candidate swings into action
MAYOR hopeful H'Angus the Monkey insists there will be no monkey business in his bid to become Hartlepool's first directly-elected mayor. As revealed in yesterday's edition of The Northern Echo, H'Angus, Hartlepool United Football Club's cheeky mascot
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Youth centre to reopen its doors after £180,000 revamp
A YOUTH and community centre will reopen next week after a year undergoing a £180,000 revamp. The centre, in Upper Jackson Street, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, has a membership of over 200 young people aged between 11 and 25. It has been transformed
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Chaos as hospital's staff queue for right to park
NHS bosses apologised last night after doctors and nurses were forced to spend hours queuing for the right to park - in their own hospital. Staff were left fuming when management decided to issue 400 car parking permits for only 200 spaces. To make matters
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Students will make a jubilee jalfrezi
A CURRY with a royal flavour is to be created at a North-East college as part of the celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Khadim Hussain has come up with the idea of a curry contest, at Middlesbrough College, in honour of the monarch's 50th anniversary
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Marathon cash pledge
AN electrician is rising to the challenge for charity in one of the UK's largest sporting events. Derek Nichols, 39, from Redcar, is taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 14, and is running for Cancer Research UK, in memory of his mother
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Woman's arm pierced by gun pellet
A WOMAN was shot with an air rifle as she walked down a street. The incident happened as the 58-year-old woman, who does not want to be named, walked in Bollington Road, Easterside, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday afternoon. She said: "I heard a crack and
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Echoes of Egypt go on show
AN exhibition inspired by ancient Egypt opens at a museum this weekend. Footprints, an exhibition of hand-crafted Ancient Egyptian textiles, will run at Newcastle's Hancock Museum from tomorrow until May 12. It has been compiled by Fusion, a group of
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Readings to highlight local writers' work
THE quality of creative writing by people in east Cleveland will be highlighted with readings from a new book of poetry and stories. The event, on May 1, will include readings by con- tributors and a guest reading by Selima Hill, who is described as "
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Fudge's bad hair day snap takes the prize
A MOGGIE experiencing a 'bad hair day' has clawed its way to victory to become Britain's Scruffiest Cat. Fudge who lives with her owner Chris Carrick in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland clinched the title after she was entered into a competition in Your
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Letters to the Editor
Sir, - When the council tax replaced the poll tax on April 1, 1993, and Darlington was still under the authority of Durham County, my first council tax bill, band A property, was £392.23. By April 1, 1996, this amount had risen to £439.81 - an increase
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Dinky sale of the century
The owner of the largest collection of Dinky toys ever to go on sale in Britain admitted yesterday that he had mixed feelings about the auction. Retired businessman John Kennerley has agreed to sell his enormous collection after more than 50 years tracking
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Building up the book tower
An innovative organisation dedicated to British children's books is making its home in the North-East. Christen Pears meets the woman in the book corner. ONCE upon a time - surely the most magical phrase in the English language, just four little words
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Stables day heralds better times
SUNNY weather brought racing fans in droves to the Middleham stables open day on Good Friday. An estimated 7,000 visitors flocked to tour the 16 yards which opened their doors for the day and visit the country fair and other attractions. Event spokeswoman
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North Yorkshire news in brief
Bar manager is remanded A BAR manager accused of falsifying the accounts of a Harrogate pub of £6,000 over a nine-month period was told by the town's magistrates yesterday he would have to face a crown court trial. Darren Michael Simmonds, 31, was remanded
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Owners of 'high risk' cars offered police aid
OWNERS of vehicles most at risk of being stolen are being offered cut-price steering wheel locks by police. PC Ian Clelland, crime reduction officer in Darlingtonn, is co-ordinating the scheme in a bid to reduce the numbers of cars being stolen. He said
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My debut as a football fan
MY eight-year-old son Charlie had been reluctant to go and watch his team, Manchester United, play at Leeds last weekend because the seats were in the rival Leeds' family stand. In the end, he begged me to go with him to provide some moral support and
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Shadow Man: finally coming out of the dark
Shadow Man 2: Second Coming. Format: PS2 and X Box. Publisher: Acclaim. Price: £39.99 (PS2). IT'S a little known fact that one of the best action adventure games of recent times - Shadow Man on the N64 - was created on Teesside. Despite being a triple
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Grassroots
Funny Talk: The Stanley Men's Thursday Club will hear about The Comedians at 10.30am on Thursday, in Stanley Civic Hall. Cup Win: The Fifa World Cup will be accompanied on its helicopter flight from Leeds to Newcastle by 18-year-old Karen Smith, from
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Sour note over theft
THIEVES have stolen £2,500 of music equipment. Anita Ward, 31, from Northallerton, who runs the Midnight Express karaoke service, said her business had been ruined by the theft. She had loaned the equipment to a friend for an engagement party, in Prospect
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Former mayor dies aged 81
A FORMER Mayor of Sunderland, who worked both below and above ground in the coal industry, has died at the age of 81. Thomas Megan Finnigan, known as Tom, died from a heart attack on Tuesday, two decades after his year in office as mayor of the then Borough
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Take your seats for civic ceremony
RICHMOND residents interested in a ceremony which involves the appointment of the town's mayor have been invited to apply for tickets for this year's event. The town council has offered a limited number of seats at both the official mayor-making and the
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All about rabbits
RABBIT owners from the Darlington area are being invited to find out more about their pets at a weekend event. Members of the National English Rabbit Club will be at Pets at Home, in Darlington Retail Park, on Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14.
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Darlington and South Durham news in brief
Assault charge admitted A man who admitted assaulting his partner will be sentenced later this month. Geoffrey Ward, 44, of Chestnut Close, Shildon, admitted causing actual bodily harm to Pamela Fowler between December 24 and 27, when he appeared at Teesside
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Witnesses quizzed over -scam'
POLICE are to question more than 250 witnesses as part of an investigation into a couple charged with running one of Britain's biggest postal scams. Richard and Alison Alderson are accused of persuading thousands of people into paying out for bogus jobs
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New jobs in home furnishings
A home furnishing chain will create 50 new jobs in the North-East by the end of this year with the opening of four new stores. The Yorkshire Linen Company, which already has nine outlets in the region, will invest £600,000 in stores at Consett and three
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Hayward powers over to save North
NORTHALLERTON entertained much improved West Leeds last Saturday and dropped only their third league point at home this season in a 12-12 draw The home team began at break neck pace and completely dominated the early exchanges. They received their just
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Wellocks World
WHEN silly money is involved there is always a high risk that it will all end in tears. And with the £315 million pledged by ITV Digital to cover Nationwide League matches we are talking very silly money indeed. Now that the digital dunces have realised
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Paul's golden oldies
The entrance is not quite what you expect. In through the carpet showroom, past the towering rolls of bargain wool and nylon mix and follow the signs tentatively to a small door at the back. Is this really the Antiques Centre? Then you open the door on
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North to get high health pig unit
NORTHERN pig farmers will soon be able to benefit from pig breeding stock supplied locally from one of the Pig Improvement Company's newly-established high health multiplication units. Birchwood Farms, near Carlisle, will supply customers in Durham and
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Student's determination honoured
A TEENAGER determined to overcome a skin condition is planning for her future at university. Amy Livesey, 17, of Tunstall, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, has epidermolysis bullosa, which means her skin blisters at the slightest knock. She has to wear
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Football; Durham Alliance
Durham Alliance Birtley St Josephs were no match against Whitehill FC on Wednesday when they went down 4-1 at home, especially with Michael Pitt on fire again for Whitehill scoring a hat-trick in the first half. He had them in front in 25minutes. John
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Title race hots up as Bowes close on leaders
THE Wensleydale league is set for an exciting climax with all of the top four teams still in contention for the title. League leaders Hawes United failed to take full points from their visit to rivals Middleham Town last Saturday when they were held to
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Depleted Thirsk fade after Barr's early try
Ripon 23 Thirsk 8 THIRSK put up a good fight in last Saturday's local derby at Ripon after once again travelling with a bare 15 players. The visitors began well, pushing Ripon into their own 22 within the first five minutes. The forwards then showed good
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Pensioners urged to claim their dues
A CAMPAIGN is being launched to ensure pensioners eligible for extra cash claim it. 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 Week,
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Keeping the peace together
FLOWERS and frocks have had to take a back-seat for a Bishop Auckland bride-to-be, as she serves on a peace-keeping mission in Bosnia. Corporal Jamie Parkin is due to get married in just over a month, but the run up to her marriage is being spent in Eastern
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Water firm fined over roadworks
A COMPANY has been successfully prosecuted for not completing roadworks on time. Consett magistrates ordered Northumbrian Water to pay a £500 fine and £190 costs after the firm admitted non-compliance with agreed working practices in Durham City last
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Squash; Exciting finale in two finals
Durham and Cleveland SRA Principia League Cups Scriptwriters could not have thought up two closer and more dramatic endings to the Principia Cup finals than the 15-14 win in the fifth game of the fifth rubber as Ayclifte II beat Chester-le-Street II for
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Key to securing centre's future
TOUGH decisions on staffing and a firm financial hand have steered a community centre away from potential collapse, a meeting will be told next week. Middleham's Key Centre went through a difficult birth - problems caused by frequent changes of management
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£165,000 boost to tackle firebugs
THE North-East is to receive £165,000 in government cash to help tackle the region's spiralling arson problem. Arsonists are responsible for more than half the blazes tackled in the region, so County Durham and Darlington, and Tyne and Wear brigades,
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Crackdown on speeding after crashes
MOTORISTS in North Yorkshire are facing a police clampdown on speeding after a spate of accidents. North Yorkshire police issued a safety warning to bikers who traditionally head for open countryside in North Yorkshire at this time of year. The move follows
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Suicide verdict on road death
A MAN with mental health problems apparently walked into the path of a van on a motorway section of the A1. David Smith, 29, is believed to have died instantly, from multiple injuries, after the accident on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M), three-quarters
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1,000 years of Richmond history in print
A "TREASURE trove of Richmond history" was unveiled as a book chronicling 1,000 years of the town's life was launched this week. Richmond Civic Society has spent two years putting together the paperback volume, which includes more than 80 pictures and
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55 years on board
DON Raper has been on the board of directors of a Northallerton family business for longer than most people work. Mr Raper, 81, this week celebrated 68 years at Barker's department store in Northallerton and 55 years on its board. He started aged 13 as
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Builder goes back to drawing board over homes plan
VILLAGERS are celebrating after forcing a developer to re-think plans for a town house development in their village. Residents were protesting against proposals to site 64 houses and 45 flats in Romanby, near Northallerton. This week Hambleton District
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Vice girl murder suspect in clear
A FACTORY worker arrested by police investigating the murder of vice girl Vicky Glass is not to be charged. Eric Coates, 47, spoke of his relief yesterday after waiting three months to hear the outcome of Cleveland Police inquiries into his alleged involvement
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Junior Football
Auckland & District EBAC Youth League Chilton YC won 3-2 away to Bishop Auckland under-18s last week to finish top of the qualifying table. The two sides will meet again in the semi-finals of the competition. Adam Reed and Chris Mason scored for Chilton
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Raven's a flier
There aren't many trainers on the planet who can extract as much improvement out of a horse as Somerset maestro Martin Pipe. So, when it looks as though he has a well-handicapped type on his hands, it's usually time to take notice. His lightly-raced Ravens-wood
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Man denies sex abuse of boys
A MAN accused of sexually abusing boys said yesterday he had never indecently assaulted them. Russel Hall, 44, of East Terrace, Hesleden, east Durham, is on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of nine charges of indecent assault against a male. He denies
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Bowes Museum exhibition recalls an old friend
A TEMPORARY exhibition dedicated to the memory of the Queen Mother is to open at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle on Tuesday, the day of her funeral. There will be newsreel footage of her visits along with the re-exhibiting of some of her hats, which
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Making a bee-line to couple's home
A HOUSE in Richmond could be buzzing with people this evening. Bee-keeping experts David and Margaret Gray are opening their home to people interested in the hobby. A similar event proved popular a few of years ago and the Richmond and District Bee-Keepers
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Title race wide open
Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League THE Division One championship race is wide open as the title-chasers go into the penultimate month of the season. Tension is high as current champions Newton Aycliffe battle with New Masons, Old Shildon
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Quakers blitz sad Shaymen
DARLINGTON finally found some inspiration in front of goal to pick up maximum points over the Easter holiday. Their 2-1 win at Hull City and 5-0 drubbing of hapless Halifax Town at Feethams lifted Quakers to 16th in division three, but the results really
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Zoe clothes shop gives winner a concert treat
A SHOP where Pop Idol Zoe Birkett buys her clothes last night gave a lucky shopper the chance to see the young star in concert. John Coxon, the owner of Leggs, in Darlington, organised a raffle for two tickets for the Pop Idol concert at the Newcastle
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New kit builds team's confidence
A FOOTBALL team is aiming to impress talent scouts in a tournament in the Isle of Wight - and not just with their footballing skills. Chester-le-street and Washington Schools District Under-14s are travelling down south for the friendly tournament with
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Cable gaffe leaves footballers in dark
IT was bad enough when heavy rain forced the postponement of an eagerly-awaited football match. However, the players and managers of two of North Yorkshire's amateur sides must have thought fate was against them when the floodlights went out on the re-match
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Hunger striker to take fluids
A PRISONER who has been on hunger strike since March 17 has agreed to drink for the first time. John Collings, 47, is on remand at Holme House Prison, in Stockton, Teesside, charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Victoria Barker, 30, on August 12,
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Happy returns for Redrow
A BUILDING firm is celebrating after a national survey ranked it among the country's leading property developers. The National Customer Satisfaction Survey, undertaken for the Department of Environment, awarded Redrow Homes the top three-star rating after
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It's Hobson's Choice for star
ONE of the country's leading actors will be in the North-East this month on a national tour with the classic comedy Hobson's Choice. The play, by Harold Brighouse, centres around cantankerous and obstinate boot shop owner Henry Horatio Hobson. He is brought
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Area's last woolshop closes its doors
KNITTING, once so popular, has become a minority hobby. And one of the victims of the change is Woollybacks, of Finkle Street, Thirsk, which closes tomorrow. Since 1981, the business has been run by sisters Rose Severs and Pat Smith, who have specialised
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Man accused of second murder
A STUDENT charged with the murder of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase has appeared in court accused of killing another young woman. The decomposing body of Hyo Jung Jin, a 21-year-old South Korean student, was found, bound and gagged, dumped
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Merged charity in appeal for more helpers
NEWLY merged charity shops are appealing for volunteers to help them flourish. Cancer Research UK was created in February by the merger of the Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research Fund, making it the country's largest charity. Now, its
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The Albany Northern League
Whitley Bay are now facing a hectic schedule of matches before their FA Vase final against Tiptree on May 11. Going into the last month of the season, Whitley have got 12 league games to play, and depending on their result against Durham in their league
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Police face flak over shooting
A SENIOR firearms officer has broken his ten-year silence to launch a stinging criticism of the police handling of the murder of planning officer Harry Colinson. Almost a decade since Albert Dryden was convicted of gunning down Mr Collinson, former sergeant
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Mowden celebrate after final success
Darlington Mowden Park are celebrating after sharing the Newcastle Falcons Under-8 Tag Tournament title following an exciting 15-15 draw with Alnwick in the final in front of a packed crowd at Kingston Park last Sunday. Mowden started the tournament,
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Our lives are wrecked, say cleared teachers
TEACHERS and care workers who say their lives were destroyed as a result of one of the North-East's biggest child abuse inquiries have launched a bitter attack on police. Operation Rose - the codename for Northumbria Police's five-year inquiry - investigated
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My debut as a football fan
MY eight-year-old son Charlie had been reluctant to go and watch his team, Manchester United, play at Leeds last weekend because the seats were in the rival Leeds' family stand. In the end, he begged me to go with him to provide some moral support and
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A case of where there is a Will there is always a weight
THOUGH halfway down the field, Will McLennan broke his own world record when completing the Redcar half marathon the other day. Unlike the other lightly-laden competitors, he wore army boots, belt and fatigues and carried a 40lb pack - a clear case of
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Auction of Minnie the gold mouse
A PRECIOUS pearl encrusted mouse, almost identical to one at the centre of a legal row in the North-East, is to go under the hammer next week. Minnie the gold mouse will be one of more than 1,000 works of art that will go on sale during a four-day auction
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Keeligan inspires Mowden to derby triumph
BOTH Darlington clubs are preparing for the semi-finals of the Durham Cup, with the strong likelihood of a repeat of the all-Darlington final of two years ago. Mowden Park should have the easier task on Tuesday against Westoe, who are two divisions below
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Pigeons torn apart
A PIGEON-fancier believes drunken thugs are responsible for a killing spree at his pigeon loft. When Barry Watson arrived at his loft on allotments near Chester-le-Street outdoor market to feed his pigeons on Saturday morning he was horrified to find
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Ian earns a green beret
A TEENAGE soldier from Shotley Bridge has just received his green beret. Ian Ronald, a former pupil of the Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street, has successfully completed 30 weeks of the hardest initial training in the world to become a Royal Marine
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Learning about culture of Egypt
THERE is a chance to explore the culture of Egypt during a lecture in Hartlepool next week. Culture and dance specialist Kay Taylor will be talking about the ancient and modern culture of the country, including music and dance. The event is free and takes
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Bellamy attacks incinerator plan
Environmentalist David Bellamy has attacked a North-East council's decision to back plans to build an animal incinerator close to a beauty spot. Professor Bellamy said he was "appalled" that planners at Durham County Council had supported proposals to
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Customs officer's inquest opened
AN inquest was opened yesterday into the death of a suspended customs officer found hanged at his home. Amjad Bashir, 37, was found in the garage of his home in Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday by his wife, Frieda. The father-of-two was one of
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Shadow Man: finally coming out of the dark
Shadow Man 2: Second Coming. Format: PS2 and X Box. Publisher: Acclaim. Price: £39.99 (PS2). IT'S a little known fact that one of the best action adventure games of recent times - Shadow Man on the N64 - was created on Teesside. Despite being a triple
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Nixon ever so close to magic ten-dart finish
CIU League Phil Nixon of Ferryhill came within the width of a wire to making a ten-dart finish. As it turned out he missed with three on the outside of the scoring area and ended with a 14 dart game, which included a maximum. The other maximum marksmen
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Joe's pick of the bunch
A KEEN gardener has been honoured for his work with one particular type of bloom. Joe Kidd of Nevada Gardens in Darlington has been awarded a silver medal by the National Dahlia Society. The medal was awarded in recognition of Mr Kidd's dedication to
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Piper's Rock storms home in thrilling finish
A TRAINING double for Trish Russell was the highlight of the Hurworth point-to-point held at Hutton Rudby last Saturday. The first leg came in a thrilling ladies open race which saw Piper's Rock (Middleton), owned and ridden by Vicky Russell, Indie Rock
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Satire that hit home
AN exhibition featuring works by Georgian artist James Gillray opened yesterday. The Savage Satirist display at Fairfax House, York, includes a number of cartoons designed to undermine the authorities in 18th century England. Fairfax House director Peter
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Grant will 'unlock the potential' of Northgate
A RUNDOWN area of Darlington is to be restored to its former glory after the council's bid for an English Heritage grant of more than £250,000 was successful. The Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme will provide £90,700 a year for the next three years
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Letter says Bishop's policy is weakening the Church where it matters
THE Bishop of Durham has been told the current strategy of making the filling of vacant senior posts a priority is weakening the Church where it matters - in the parishes. David Warren, secretary of the parochial church council for St James the Great
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Towns differ over homes for refugees
HOUSING chiefs in Chester-le-Street have replied to suggestions that the region's councils are being forced to keep homes empty for asylum-seekers. It has been reported that at least 100 North-East council homes are standing empty after a predicted flood
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Let's work
YARM needs to stop living in the past. That is the view of two businessmen who have hit out at councillors' comments that the town has too much of a reputation for restaurants and nightlife. Howard Eggleston and Jonathan Hall say town councillors should
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Assembly group hopes for action
THE Campaign for a North-East Assembly (CNA) is hoping to celebrate ten years of campaigning for devolution to the region with a breakthrough. The group meets this weekend, with expectations high that the North-East will be the first region to get its
