Archive
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Summer migrants' very early return
MARCH marks the real start of summer as the first African migrants return to their British breeding grounds. The earliest arrivals in this area tend to be wheatears or sand martins and it was the latter species which was first reported with nine birds
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Honey of a banger
BLUE cheese, honey and mustard have proved a winning formula for a Bedale butcher. J B Cockburn and Sons won first prize in Northallerton and District Butchers' Association speciality burger and sausage competition for the second year running. The family
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Real investment
THE great debating point following this week's Budget is whether the Government can convert the billions of pounds it is raising from increased National Insurance contributions into discernable improvements in the health service. In the North-East and
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Introducing the reed bed's role
FARMERS and landowners will see a biodynamic farming system on Thursday when North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group holds a farm walk at Botton Village, Danby, by courtesy of the Camphill Village Trust. The event has been organised to provide
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Home owners feel under siege in crime spate
PEOPLE living in a riverside part of Yarm say they are being besieged by criminals. This weekend, town councillors will visit the area to see why the problems have come about on private land near The Rookery. One householder who has suffered arson, damage
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Village life and scenery 'perfect contrast' to professional work
MARGARET Simpson juggles two very diverse jobs - top matrimonial lawyer and hands-on organic farmer. She is just as happy in business suit and in the powerful arena of a courtroom as she is in wellies, mucking out down on the farm. Mrs Simpson, 42, who
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Two sheep farms invited to lead change
SMALL changes can make big differences and sheep farmers in the North are being offered the chance to be at the forefront of those changes. The Northern Uplands Sheep Strategy is looking for two demonstration farms to illustrate best practice and results
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Private firm in smear test plan
A PRIVATE healthcare firm is to offer a potentially life-saving cervical cancer screening test to North-East women currently denied the revolutionary programme on the National Health. Liquid cytology screening, which is claimed to be 80 per cent more
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Love hits a ton, but Durham still lose
MARTIN Love's second century for Durham prevented the embarrassment of an innings defeat, but Durham still lost by ten wickets to Middlesex at the Riverside yesterday. A deeply unwelcome combination of bad luck and inept batting saw Durham dismissed for
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'Slated' school wins award
A GUISBOROUGH school is celebrating picking up a national achievement award, two years after it was controversially slated by Ofsted inspectors. Belmont Primary School also received praise in its latest Ofsted report, with inspectors stating: "Belmont
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Fans pay homage to Liddle
THE words of Darlington captain Craig Liddle after Monday night's last home game of the season held much more significance for Quakers fans than the action on the field. Plymouth Argyle celebrated winning the Division Three title after their 4-1 victory
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Heart patients' next stop is South Africa
HEART patients from the North-East could soon have their operations in South Africa under Government plans to speed up surgery. The prospect of patients from the region flying thousands of miles to Cape Town or Johannesburg has moved a step closer after
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Church acts to tackle rising violence against clergy
INCIDENT books logging crimes and personal attack alarms could soon be the norm in all County Durham and Darlington churches. They are a response to the rising tide of violence and vandalism sweeping through the religious sector. A seminar urging priests
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Log on, landlord
AN INGLEBY Cross publican hopes to team up with Stokes-ley School to use an old stable block for computer classes for villagers and his customers. Blue Bell Inn landlord, David Kinsella, received support from Ingleby Cross Parish Council this week, and
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Learn about market for Shorthorn beef
NEW opportunities for selling Shorthorn beef will be discussed at a meeting at Scotch Corner Hotel at the end of the month. Murray Hardy from Scotbeef will tell the North of England Beef Shorthorn Club how Scotbeef is procuring Shorthorn beef for Marks
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Town's old court keeps its 'bucolic charm'
INK blots and bits of Victorian DIY are to be preserved as part of the conservation of Richmond Town Hall's Georgian court area. Fine art decoration specialist David Venables has begun the month-long task of examining and cleaning oak benches and panels
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Power show is enough
DARLINGTON retained the Durham Senior Cup with a thrilling performance of pace and power to sink derby rivals Darlington Mowden Park in the final at Durham City on Saturday. In back row duo Del Lewis and Martin Howe they had the game's outstanding forwards
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Young woman's death investigated
Police are investigating the suspicious death of a young woman in Sunderland early this morning. A police spokesman said the detectives found the woman in Palgrove Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, after being called to a disturbance there at 3am. The woman
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Court appearance for pair charged with fish supper murder
A teenager and a 21-year-old woman appeared before magistrates today charged with the murder of a 77-year-old woman who died after she was allegedly mugged for a £2 fish supper. Trevor Cook, 19, of the YMCA, Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne,
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Shearer opens doors at 200 club
ALAN SHEARER believes that only Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen are capable of matching the 200-goal Premiership benchmark the Newcastle skipper established at St. James' Park on Saturday. In the Premiership's ten-season history, Shearer is averaging 20
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Brave pensioner fends off attack
An 89-year-old pensioner bravely tried to fight off two muggers with her walking stick after being attacked for a few groceries just yards from her home, police said today. The attackers even forced the terrified pensioner's shopping bag over her head
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Letters: Army museum
Sir, - Catterick is the third largest settlement in Richmondshire, and the news that 70 jobs are to be created in the new Army Museum North is very welcome, as most Catterick people have to go out of the village for work. The question may arise whether
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Angie's return to form earns national call-up
A PROMISING young swimmer has bounced back from a year of illness and injury to gain selection for the national water polo squad. Angie Winstanley-Smith, 16, from Newton Aycliffe, has won a place in Great Britain's under-19 water polo team. The teenager
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Just a model hobby
TWO Northallerton men are hoping their hobby is about to take off with youngsters. Town councillor Rob Kennedy and friend Brian Newman want to set up a model-making club. Coun Kennedy scratch-builds working model ships and Mr Newman makes and flies model
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Pressure builds to ban off-roaders from Dales' lanes
OFF-ROADERS are turning the moorlands into playgrounds, damaging field drains and tracks and making some dales' hamlets danger areas for small children and livestock. That's the view of residents after a group of 60 on motorbikes rode through the hamlet
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Queen Elizabeth team reigns supreme
QUEEN Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington lifted the Eric Bell Trophy after a 3-0 victory over St Mary's College, Middlesbrough in the final. The trophy is played for by college C teams playing in the Teesside League. After the final at Darlington
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Parade of ex-stars as final whistle blows at Kingsway
IF fans are falling out of love with amateur football, a line- up of ageing but still energetic sportsmen added a final touch of romance to the story of the greatest non-league club in the world. Half a century after they brought the FA Amateur Cup back
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Letters: Role explained
Sir. - Your leading article (D&S, Apr 12) regarding a recent decision by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's planning committee shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of a planning authority. At April's meeting of the planning
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Nicholls family get new season off to a cracking start
AFTER last year's famine comes the feast, as we have racing on both the Flat and over the sticks. Early successes on the level have come as expected from David Nicholls, Mark Johnston, Patrick Haslam, Kevin Ryan, Tim Easterby and Richard Fahey - and they
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Scounts on parade for Patron Saint's day
MORE than 100 youngsters and their families paid tribute to the patron saint of Scouting at a St George's Day service yesterday. Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts from the Bishop Auckland Scout District paraded behind their flags to St Elizabeth's
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Shaping up for a fascinating event
MEMBERS of the public are being invited to flex their muscles at an annual body building show at the weekend. The 15th Mr and Miss City of Durham Body Building Show takes place at the Meadowfield Sports Centre on Saturday. Judging in male and female categories
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Quakers legend has heart attack
DARLINGTON football legend Ron Greener was recovering in hospital last night after suffering a heart attack at his home. The 68-year-old is the most capped Quakers player, appearing for the club more than 500 times during his 13-year career at Feethams
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MP supports protest over theme pub scheme
HEALTH Secretary and Darlington MP Alan Milburn has thrown his weight behind objections to a noisy pub. Mr Milburn pledged his support for the plight of people living close the Wheatsheaf pub, in Yarm Road. Plans to turn the Wheatsheaf into a theme pub
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Colourful signs of floral joys to come
A host of daffodils in the grounds of a Darlington church bring a splash of colour to the town. Despite chilly weather yesterday, the blooms at Holy Trinity Church, in Woodland Road, served as a reminder that summer is on its way. The town will soon be
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Double award
Branksome School, Darlington, has received a second school achievement award from the Department of Education and Skills. The school improved GCSE results by eight per cent last year. Headteacher Linda Hartley said all staff had worked hard to overcome
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Sports news in brief:
Harrison is in no rush BOXING: Audley Harrison aims to be back in the ring in six weeks but he has no intention of being rushed as he plots his route from Olympic gold to the heavyweight championship of the world. The clamour for Harrison to meet an opponent
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Operatic society drafted into appeal
ACTORS broke from rehearsals yesterday to launch a military-style fundraising effort for charity. Spennymoor Operatic Society's cast will take to the stage at Spennymoor Town Hall this week with Irving Berlin's musical Annie Get Your Gun. Beverley Fishburn
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News in brief: Home damaged by blaze
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blaze in a terraced house in Pensbury Street, Darlington, yesterday. The fire, in a back room on the ground floor of the house, caused only slight damage and no one was injured. CHURCH EVENT: A service of thanksgiving will
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Track fined for abandoned race meeting
Redcar Racecourse has been fined £3,500 after an inquiry ruled its last-minute abandonment of a race meeting was against the rules. The racecourse may also have to compensate owners, jockeys and trainers following the incident last year. A two-day Jockey
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Conference will debate key issues
HUMANISTS will thrash out the issues of the day at a conference being held at Durham Castle. The day-long event will feature a keynote address by Suzanne Uniacke, a member of the British Humanist Association's (BHA) philosophy group, challenging humanistic
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Companies' outstanding performance
NORTH-EAST companies have been praised for winning seven Queen's Awards for Enterprise, the region's best performance since 1998. The performance was welcomed by leading members of the region's business community, who said the awards were the most prestigious
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Apprentices step out in charity fundraiser
apprentices have raised more than £900 for charity. The TTE Apprentice Charity Walk raised the money for the Upsall Hall rural centre for people with learning difficulties, near Guisborough. Because of the foot-and- mouth crisis, TTE's traditional White
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Guess work at art gallery
VISITORS to a North-East art gallery are being greeted by a modern-day artist dressed as a famous painter. The Laing Gallery, in Newcastle, opened its Light exhibition on Saturday, giving visitors the chance to guess which one of the gallery's 21 featured
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Barron leads praise for stand-in captain as Pool march on
SKIPPER Micky Barron last night hailed his stand-in after Graeme Lee led Pool to the Division Three play-offs. Barron watched Saturday's win at Exeter from the stands after failing to recover from a knee wound sustained in the early stages of last week's
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Industry honours
North-East winners of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2002, by category, are: International Trade Bede Scientific Instruments Ltd, of County Durham Multichem Ltd, of Hexham, Northumberland Novocastra Laboratories Ltd, of Newcastle Innovation Elementis
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Netball team victory
SPENNYMOOR Comprehensive School's year seven netball team remained unbeaten to win the Under-12 Area Netball Tournament at St John's RC School, Bishop Auckland. The girls beat Tudhoe Grange by five goals to three in the final, after defeating a team from
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Quality service earns honour
A CENTRE giving advice on energy saving has been awarded a Government charter mark. The Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in York won the award for quality service. It is contracted by Richmondshire District Council to offer impartial advice to the public
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Charity cricketers take to the field
Cricketers got the new season under way at the weekend by taking part in a charity match in aid of a former player paralysed in a car accident. Jamie Hood, of Redcar, Cleveland, was paralysed from the neck down in an horrific car crash in South Africa
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News in brief: Mayor helps health centre
A Former Spennymoor mayor has presented equipment worth £5,000 to the town's Bishops Close Health Centre. Councillor John Marr raised the money for the equipment during his term as Mayor of Spennymoor Town Council. A further £5,000 from the mayor's fund
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Centre helps mum give thousand thanks
CALL centre officer Anne Graham had three reasons to thank a hospital special baby care unit. She wanted to pass on her gratitude to staff in the unit at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary for their help when she gave birth to premature triplets last
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Speed backs skipper to carry on scoring
NEWCASTLE midfielder Gary Speed relived the moment he helped skipper Alan Shearer create history, and declared: "There's so much more to come from him.'' Speed was the provider when Shearer became the first player to score 200 Premiership goals with his
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Fines increase welcomed
COUNCILLORS have welcomed the Government's decision to increase fixed fines for littering and dog fouling to £50 for both offences, but say culprits will be given a second chance to avoid punishment. Councillor Sylvia Szintai, lead member for environment
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Students boost playground fund
STUDENTS have been raising funds for a special school's £30,000 playground scheme. Btec students from Redcar and Cleveland College donned fancy dress to put on a fun event for the people of Redcar, and raised £145 for the Beverly School. Two of the 13
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Co-op reports record profits
ONE of the region's biggest businesses has reported record sales and profits. The North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op, which has food stores, funeral homes, department stores and car dealerships across the area, saw pre-tax profits more than double to £10.4m
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Chance to perform with stars
TWO of the region's leading unsigned pop acts are to be joined on stage by other wannabes at a concert this summer. talentSTAR.biz: The Show will see Bak2Bak and Felony perform on Saturday, July 13, in Stanley, County Durham. The show aims to feature
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Firefighters rise to the rivers challenge
TRAINEE firefighters have rowed the length of the rivers Tyne, Wear and Tees without leaving Durham market place. Working in teams of three, the Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade trainees took it in turns to complete 15-minute stints on static
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Channon on the mark in another classic Trial
Mick Channon took the honours at Thirsk as well as Newbury on Saturday when his Sagitta 2000 Guineas entry Aramram won the £23,000 Stanley Racing Classic Trial in gutsy fashion at the North Yorkshire track. Just 20 minutes after Channon's Queen's Logic
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Dad-to-be killed as pursued car and bus crash
A YOUNG father-to-be was killed during a police pursuit when the car he was driving collided with a bus. Andrew Craggs, 20, was at the wheel of his Vauxhall Cavalier when police in a patrol car tried to stop him. The unlicensed driver, who had been stopped
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£800 boost to surgery funds
Patients in Ushaw Moor are to benefit from a new blood pressure machine thanks to a parish council's fundraising efforts. Representatives from Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council presented a cheque for £800 to staff at Millyard House Surgery on Friday
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Wearsiders in freefall towards bottom three
FAST-SINKING Sunderland - in Premiership freefall - have now offered Ipswich Town a tantalising life-line. And on the rock-bottom form shown in a comprehensive drubbing at Upton Park, which left Peter Reid's men in fourth bottom position - only five points
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Qualified first aiders ensure help is at hand
ACCIDENT victims will be in safe hands should any mishap befall them in a village on the outskirts of Durham. A group of 13 people in Shadforth, and one from neighbouring Ludworth, have achieved first aid qualifications, enabling them to deal with minor
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Tenants win battle
TENANTS opposed to homes being handed to a housing association have won their battle to stay under the control of their local council. Members of Richmondshire District Council voted not to continue with consultations over the transfer of almost 2,000
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Toon fan snaps up a bargain
NEWCASTLE United fan Nick Dolan got an unexpected bonus when he bought a slide viewer at a car boot sale. When Mr Dolan, the manager of Souter Lighthouse, South Tyneside, returned home from the Gateshead sale he found the viewer contained a 33-year-old
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Resort must create more jobs, says new report
MORE opportunities for bright young people are needed, a report into the future of a seaside resort has concluded. Whitby Market Town Initiative produced a draft action plan, sponsored by the Government's Countryside Agency and Yorkshire Forward, as a
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Woman hurt as attackers wield knife
TWO teenagers are being hunted by police after a knife attack on a 30-year-old woman. The victim, who has not been named, was approached as she walked on disused railway lines in Birtley, not far from the Angel of the North statue near Gateshead. Detectives
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FMD ignored at Broadcasting House
THE BBC has taken some stick of late, mainly over the colour of its news presenter's tie at the time of the Queen Mother's death, so Spectator is loathe to jump on any bandwagon. But it does seem appropriate to question the news values operating at Broadcasting
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Head cleared of allegations
A HEADteacher suspended from his post amid accusations that he launched a poison pen campaign has been cleared of any blame. Alan Smith, of Mill Hill Primary School, Doxford Park, Sunderland, was arrested four months ago during a police investigation
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Thatcher backs campaign to save ship from scrapyard
BARONESS Margaret Thatcher has thrown her weight behind a campaign by a Falklands War veteran to save one of the greatest symbols of the 1982 conflict from being sold for scrap. HMS Fearless, a 37-year-old amphibious assault warship, played a key role
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Revisiting history of town park
A SERIES of events to explain the past, present and future of one of the North-East's Victorian parks takes place next month. Saltwell Park in Gateshead is undergoing a £9.6m restoration, backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to restore it to
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Demand for farmhouse B&B is no longer seasonal and has to be 'B&B & EM'
A FARM holiday group is looking forward to a brighter year. Foot-and-mouth hit the tourism trade hard last year but there are now promising signs of a return to normality. "People seem keen to get back into the countryside and are pleased to be back,"
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Council cabinet to discuss school route policy review
THE ISSUE of safe walking routes to schools will be raised by councillors later this week following a row about children losing free transport to one comprehensive. Durham County Council's cabinet will discuss a review of the policy regarding hazardous
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New boys impress on debut
Swalwell's newcomers immediately struck form and played leading roles in the defeat of champions Ashington on the first day of the season. Professional Stephen Humble bowled economically and took all three Ashington wickets to fall for just 34 runs. Both
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Nursing refresher course
A THREE-DAY refresher course for registered nurses and midwives who want to return to work will take place at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, next month. The course, run by South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, will include accountability
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Community bank gets ready to open its doors
PEOPLE in Hartlepool are being invited to prove they are money-wise by cashing in on a new community initiative. Moneywise Community Banking, in Avenue Road, is being supported by the town's New Deal for Communities (NDC) programme and hopes to open in
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Golfers' drive for better shots
YOUNG golfers will be getting expert advice during an eight-week coaching course starting next month. PGA professional Steve Corbally is overseeing the course, staged in conjunction with Durham City Council's leisure services section. The Saturday sessions
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Leadership line-up stays unchanged
A NORTH-EAST council has re-elected its leadership line-up for the coming year. Following the ruling Labour group's annual meeting at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, council leader David Walsh has been re-elected to the role. Also unchanged is the
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It adds up to 100pc
GUISBOROUGH sixth formers are on a high after scoring 100pc in a maths exam. Eleven lower-sixth students from Prior Pursglove College proved expert number-crunchers after receiving top marks in an AS-level pure mathematics paper. Their achievement is
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Delight for hat-trick ace Huscroft
Crook's new signing Simon Huscroft had a day to remember with a hat-trick on his debut. Huscroft, transferred from Langley Park last month, took the last three Tudhoe wickets to set up his side for an eight-wicket win. Huscroft bowled just under nine
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Comment: A game of two halves...
THE Sven story is manna from heaven for the tabloid newspapers and their millions of readers who love juicy tittle-tattle. "Svensational" and "Suedehearts" and a score of other puns have been written about the England football manager picking TV glamour
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MP visits new hospital
GOVERNMENT Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong has visited a £1m hospital at Stanhope, in her North West Durham constituency. Ms Armstrong, who met staff at the Weardale Community Hospital, said: "I am delighted to visit the hospital at the end of one of the
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Charm offensive brings luck at last
TOON barmy Mitsuo Manabe has finally seen his team win for the first time - after travelling 46,000 miles to watch them. Until the weekend, Mitsuo had flown the 11,500 miles from his home in Japan three times to watch Newcastle United. But each time heartbroken
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Scientist dates cove attraction as 50,000 years old
ONE of the best known natural features of northern England is four times older than previously thought, a cave diving scientist has claimed. Phillip Murphy dived under the huge wall of Malham Cove, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, to find stalactite
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It's eyes down at the bar
A PUB landlady is hoping for a full house every night now that she can offer customers a game of bingo with their pint. The Half Penny, in Easson Street, Middlesbrough, is believed to be the first pub on Teesside to obtain a permit to hold lottery and
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Traders fear loss of business under road closure plan
A TRAFFIC shake-up in Stockton's town centre could have an adverse effect on business, according to traders. Following public consultation, Stockton Borough Council cabinet last week approved an 18-month trial plan to restrict vehicle access to the High
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And now for something completely different
WHEN Jo Griffith decided she had had enough of working in a garage, she did something about it. And three years later she has landed her dream job as permanent custodian of one of the most beautiful properties in the country, Mount Grace Priory near Northallerton
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Launch aims to promote culture
ORGANISATIONS across North Yorkshire have joined forces to celebrate the county's cultural life. This week will see the launch of a new strategy aimed at opening up a wider variety of opportunities for all sectors of the community. Leading members of
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Council acts to improve highway
RESIDENTS living next to an accident blackspot have welcomed measures designed to reduce the number of crashes. For years, people living in or near Durham Lane, which links Stockton and Eaglescliffe, have campaigned for traffic calming measures. A series
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Revamp starts at derelict pit site
RECLAMATION has begun on the last derelict pit site in a town once dominated by the coal industry. The £3.4m scheme will transform 34 acres around the former Seaham Colliery. Community leaders gathered at the site on Friday at the start of the first phase
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Parish slates district over loss of minibus funding
THE row over the future of door-to-door minibus services for elderly people across the Stokesley area has intensified. Stokesley and Hutton Rudby parish councils have both called on Hambleton Council to reverse its £7,000 cut in direct subsidy paid to
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Hodgson charges through to take rostrum place at Brands Hatch
HUTTON Rudby rider Russ Hodgson recorded his first ever British Championship rostrum when he finished in a fine third place in round two of the 125cc series at Brands Hatch in Kent last weekend. The 20-year-old qualified the Cameron's Castle Eden Honda
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Leyburn to be turned into 'marquee city' for action-packed festival
ROBERT Hardy of All Creatures Great and Small fame returns to the Dales at the beginning of May to visit "marquee city". For Leyburn's first ever Festival of Food and Drink, to be held from May 4-6, most of the centre of the town will be covered in marquees
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Farmer's wife who serves up a tempting line in gluten-free fare
FLEXIBILITY is the name of the game at the Coppice Coffee Shop at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority visitor centre at Aysgarth Falls - and that means even those with some food allergies can enjoy a meal out. "We mainly cater for families, and
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New Deerbolt block as numbers soar
A NEW accommodation block looks set to be built at a young offenders' institution in Teesdale to cope with the nationally escalating prison population, the D&S Times can reveal. Ken Hughes, head of planning at Teesdale District Council, confirmed
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Sing a song of a spinning sixpence
THE chiffchaff is one of those quiet and unobtrusive migrants which graces our landscape during the summer months. A member of the warbler family of birds, it so closely resembles a willow warbler that it is very difficult to distinguish one from the
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News in brief: Lionel steps in for drama
TV sitcom star Christopher Biggins has been replaced by the equally well-known face of dancer-turned-actor Lionel Blair when the drama Who Killed 'Agatha' Christie plays at Durham City's Gala Theatre next week. Biggins was forced to drop out of the Charles
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Memories of sunken cargo ship flood back
MEMORIES almost half a century old came flooding back for a visitor to a shipwreck exhibition. Pauline Barker recognised herself in a photograph taken aboard a wrecked Greek cargo ship before it sank off Redcar. The 73-year-old went on board the wrecked
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The Monday Page: 'Please miss, can I stay a bit longer?'
It's every teenager's dream come true - a course where they have a say in what they learn and when they go home. But, as Emily Flanagan discovers, this unconventional approach is working wonders with pupils who face expulsion from school KAREN Readman
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Swimming pool group fights on
CAMPAIGNERS in Redcar this week vowed to keep fighting for a new swimming pool - despite being told the town doesn't need one. The Get Redcar a Swimming Pool (Grasp) group was told by consultants at a public meeting on Saturday that the borough already
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Weekend TV: You are now entering the comfort zone
Born And Bred (BBC1) Where The Heart Is (ITV) EARLY Sunday evening TV has officially been designated a comfort zone. The unwritten rule is nothing should be shown that's likely to frighten the horses or children, although both those elements may feature
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Town centre may soon be clear of cars
THE number of vehicles using Stockton High Street could drop dramatically if plans for a traffic scheme are agreed. The council cabinet yesterday considered an 18-month trial for the town's main thoroughfare, following public consultation earlier this
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Why the Mayor was not the only one wearing a hat
YOUNGSTERS at a special needs school in Darlington took their hats off to the Mayor this week. The children, who had seen the Mayor of Darlington, Coun Isobel Hartley, during a visit to their school before Christmas, had been intrigued by her hat and
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Manager frustrated at below-par show
STEVE McClaren believes it will not be too difficult to lift his Middlesbrough players for Wednesday's trip to Ipswich Town. Boro were comfortably beaten 3-1 on Saturday by a Blackburn Rovers side who needed the points to help them in their push for Premiership
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Massive rise in fees could force WI markets to close
A MASSIVE increase in trading fees could prove the last straw for dozens of WI country markets throughout the region. For years, Women's Institute food markets have paid an annual fee of £25 to gain statutory legal protection offered by friendly societies
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Sunday trains affect church going. At the annual vestry meeting, the Rev F Grant James, Vicar of Marske, said a wave of irreligion and indifference to religious duties had swept over the land, especially among the
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Sponsors pledge more support for NYSD League
DARLINGTON Building Society has announced a new three-year sponsorship deal with the North Yorkshire and South Durham cricket league. The league also has a new title - the North Yorkshire and South Durham Premier League - to more accurately reflect the
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'Captain Craig is staying' - Taylor
Another disappointing season came to a close with a double cause for celebration as Darlington secured a win at Oxford and afterwards Tommy Taylor declared that Craig Liddle will not be leaving the club this summer. Taylor's surprise statement almost
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Unique piece of theatre from Asian company
THE summer season at Darlington Civic Theatre opens with a trilogy of plays by the established Asian theatre company, Tara Arts. Journey to the West is a trilogy of plays which has been five years in the making and is considered to be a landmark in multi-cultural
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Tears for a little girl whose life was cut short
THREE hundred people took part in a silent vigil at the weekend near the scene of a road accident which cost the life of a little girl. Friends, neighbours and classmates turned out to mourn six-year-old Leonie Shaw who was struck by a car on the Bishop
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Pony dates
Bedale Hunt. - May 26: Showcross, Maunby Hall, Mary Tweddle, 01609 774539. Bedale & West of Yore PC. - May 5: ODE at QDG Stables, Catterick. Sae to Mrs J Hodgson, Field House, Ham Hall Lane, Scruton, Northallerton, N Yorks DL7 0RJ for schedule. Braes
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GP terrorised his staff
A family GP terrorised surgery staff with temper tantrums, made smutty remarks to a female receptionist and offered her a wage advance in return for sex, a medical tribunal heard today. Dr Ashok Bhagat, 52, was so aggressive his surgery manager quit her
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Jamie rides to fine victory at Brougham
DURHAM-BASED Jamie Atkinson was on good form at the first northern horse trials fixture of the season, riding Kathleen Barnett's six-year-old High Learchild. The Langley Park entrant rode to victory in the pre-novice section C at the 26th WCF Country
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Witton Castle trials are a big hit
COMPETITORS and spectators enjoyed a successful weekend of eventing at the Witton Castle charity horse trials earlier this month. The competition included three advanced, four intermediate and eight novice and pre-novice sections, with many big names
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Traders protest at pool closure
THE closure of a town's swimming pool has sparked calls for a rates strike by angry traders. Members of Shildon Chamber of Trade are calling for drastic action after Durham County Council announced that the town's learner pool will close. Chairman of
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Last Night of the Proms
TICKETS are still available for Darlington's version of the Last Night of the Proms. Supported by The Northern Echo, the concert will feature musicians from across the North-East and North Yorkshire, including the King's Division Waterloo Band and the
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Netball team victory
SPENNYMOOR Comprehensive School's year seven netball team remained unbeaten to win the Under-12 Area Netball Tournament at St John's RC School, Bishop Auckland. The girls beat Tudhoe Grange by five goals to three in the final, after defeating a team from
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Guide aims to improve farm safety record
AGRICULTURE still has an unenviable reputation as one of the most dangerous jobs. One person dies in a farming accident each week, according to figures from the Health and Safety Executive. Officials from the HSE, the National Farmers' Union, Freight
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Golden idea to aid charity
SHOPPERS in Darlington can send a golden jubilee message to the Queen while raising money for one of the UK's leading charities. Bonmarche in the Cornmill Centre has teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Relief for a national promotion. The aim is to raise
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Cheap car locks offer to cut crime
A POLICE initiative to reduce the numbers of car thefts in Darlington saw motorists in the town being offered cut-price steering wheel locks at the weekend. Darlington Crime Prevention Officer PC Ian Clelland met motorists at the Morrisons store, in Neasham
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Letters: It's coming
Sir, - This week saw the 100th day since the introduction of the Euro currency across most of Europe. From now on every day the pressure for the UK to join up will grow stronger and stronger Figures out this week on levels of inward investment show the
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Tributes pour in after death of ex-chairman
FORMER players and officials of Darlington Football Club have paid tribute to ex-chairman Harry Robinson, who died on Friday aged 83. Born in Darlington in 1919, he was a dedicated fan of the Quakers and led the club to its first promotion in 40 years
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WI calendar girls' exploits are to feature in movie
THREE years ago, the ladies of Rylstone and District Women's Institute made headlines around the world when they shed their inhibitions to pose nude for a calendar. Their naked, but ever-so-tasteful, antics made them instant stars and led to countless
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Powerlifter Ralph has success at his fingertips
A BLIND powerlifter is earning a reputation as a sports masseur after starting up his own business. Six months ago, Ralph Sample, 55, from Gateshead, decided to set up as a sport, health and fitness therapist after studying at Gateshead College. With
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Shaping up for a fascinating event
MEMBERS of the public are being invited to flex their muscles at an annual body building show at the weekend. The 15th Mr and Miss City of Durham Body Building Show takes place at the Meadowfield Sports Centre on Saturday. Judging in male and female categories
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The youth of today . . . and perhaps the politicians of tomorrow
THE young voice of the North was raised at the weekend as the next generation of politicians met to discuss issues pertinent to the youth of today. UK Youth Parliament members from Leeds to the Scottish Borders gathered at County Hall, Durham, for their
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Work begins at college site
WORK to build a college has begun in Stockton. Shepherd Construction has started work on the learning resource centre which is part of the new Stockton and Billingham College. The centre will house hundreds of computers on the Teesdale business park.
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Could it be third time lucky for Turner's Pool?
TWO years ago it was a novelty, last year it was a let-down, but this time around and there is a real determination among the players of Hartlepool United. For the third season in a row, Pool have a chance of promotion through the play-offs. Saturday's
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European visitors shed light on lasers
BRIGHT sparks from across Europe have been sharing their expertise in laser technology with students in the North-East. The School of Engineering at Northumbria University, Newcastle, hosted a week-long laser technology course and attracted students from
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Boro boss McClaren's plea falls on deaf ears
WHEN Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren called for his players to show 100 per cent until the end of the season last week he would not have expected his demands to fall on such deaf ears. And against Blackburn at the Riverside on Saturday that is exactly
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Drivers putting pupils at risk
DRIVERS failing to stop for school crossing patrols are to be prosecuted amid fears that a tragedy could be just around the corner. Sgt Ian Hutchinson, community safety officer with Langbaurgh Police, said: "These drivers are putting the lives of children
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County's favourite show hits the road
THE Great Yorkshire Show is taking to four wheels in a marketing first for the region's premier agricultural event. Thanks to Knaresborough Toyota and York Toyota, the show has its own customised vehicle to promote the event. The RAV 4 diesel is covered
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No uphill battle for specialist Nigrasine
With its undulations, tight bends and stiff uphill finish, it's no surprise that Pontefract is definitely a course specialist's track. Having already won three times at the West Yorkshire venue, Nigrasine falls firmly into that category and he can improve
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News in brief: Princess Royal on return visit
THE Princess Royal returns to the North-East on Wednesday to complete an engagement cancelled due to fog on a scheduled visit in October. Weather permitting, the princess will open the Millennium Centre, in Kibblesworth, near Gateshead, following a £1m
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Historic river view of town goes on sale
A FAMOUS view of the River Swale, painted more than a century ago, goes on sale at Sotheby's in London next month. Edmund Niemann and his son, Edward, were renowned for their landscapes throughout the 19th Century, and there is often confusion in the
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Seeking the legend of the princess
I remember a legend about a young lass, possibly a princess, imprisoned in a cave and a prince attempts to rescue her. I think he fails after refusing some kind of a challenge involving a sword. If my memory is correct, the prince was Sir Galahad and
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Children's life-extending escape from Chernobyl
TWO North-East families are going without holidays and birthday treats to bring a breath of fresh air to children still living in the shadow of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Teacher Lindsay McNicolas, her sons Jamie and Daniel, from Brandon, and Linda
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Cash award will help dale's tourism
PLANS to boost tourism in Nidderdale have received a £50,000 grant as part of a "welcome back" to the countryside following the foot-and-mouth crisis. The cash has come from the Government funding agency, Yorkshire Forward. Nidderdale is a designated
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Police search finds missing ten-year-old
A YOUNG boy whose disappearance sparked a police alert over the weekend was back at home last night. Ten-year-old Matthew Little went missing from his home in Cornlands, Norton, near Malton, on Saturday afternoon. He was last seen at 3.10pm and when he
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A touch of class from Lumb boosts Tykes
Yorkshire left-hander Michael Lumb yesterday showed touches of the same class which he displayed last summer before going down with a serious knee injury in mid-season. Cutting and driving with great power, Lumb blasted a magnificent 121 off Bradford-Leeds
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Patron saint's life served up on a plate
A COUNTY Durham pub is planning to celebrate St George's Day in style. Starting tomorrow, the Church Mouse, on Great North Road, in Chester-le-Street, will be serving up facts about England's patron saint. Landlord Robert Middlemiss said: "So little is
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Heartwarming stories of one Hoppy Bunny and three happy arrivals
£1,000 ops help Colin to bounce back THINGS looked grim for Colin the bunny after he was attacked in the garden of his home by a neighbourhood cat. The nine-month-old pet was left with cuts to his face, scratches to his ear and a subsequent ear infection
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Focus on police trawling methods
A GOVERNMENT inquiry into the methods used by police investigating child abuse allegations is expected to hear evidence of a controversial investigation in the North-East. One of the issues under the microscope of the Home Affairs Select Committee, which
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Fears for safety of court officials
FIREWORKS and a set of darts are among weapons seized at a court where security has been tightened after an incident in which a defendant produced a handgun. More than 40 weapons have been confiscated at Harrogate Magistrates' Court since security guard
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A new meaning to walking the dogs
A CEREBAL palsy sufferer is taking his dogs for a 40-mile walk to raise funds for his church. Ian Kirkbride, of Middleton St George, near Darlington, has raised almost £3,000 in sponsorship from village residents and businesses, but is hoping to raise
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News in brief: Going direct may be lucky
RICHMONDSHIRE residents have just a few days to try to win £500 by opting to paying their council tax by direct debit. A free draw is open to everyone who pays or agrees to pay their bill direct from their bank by the end of April. There is also a second
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Murder investigation in Norton
A murder investigation was launched after a father-of-seven was found dying in the street, police said today. A team of 30 officers are on the hunt to find the killer of unemployed Mark Richardson, 39, who was stabbed outside his home in Raleigh Road,
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Hear all sides: Extolling pride and patriotism
BRITAIN THE dignified, faultless, ceremonial of the Queen Mother's funeral surely put the 'Great' back into Great Britain. It must have confounded the cynics, not to mention Cool Britannia, who have force-fed and brainwashed us into thinking we should
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Delight as golden eagle is spotted in Teesdale
A GOLDEN eagle has been spotted in the skies above upper Teesdale, to the delight of bird watchers and local businesses. Some observers think the spectacular bird may have been in the North Pennines for several weeks. Now there are hopes that its presence
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GPs' anger at sex shop bid next to planned rape counselling unit
PLANS to open a sex shop next to a future counselling centre for victims of sexual abuse in Darlington have come under fire from a GP. Leeds-based company Principal Enterprises, which owns several adult shops in the UK, has applied for permission to open
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Brighter Shade edges out Purevalue in tight finish
THE highlight of a great day's racing at the Bedale point-to-point at Hornby Castle last Saturday was a terrific race for the Land Rover men's open which saw less than two lengths separate the first four home. A win for Brighter Shade (Bluebell Partnership
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Village PC welcomed as part of community
A POLICEMAN who is regularly seen patrolling the streets of his village has been praised by a councillor. PC Steve Wailes, who is based at Barnard Castle Police Office, became the beat officer for Staindrop recently. A native of the North-East, although
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Funding delays blamed for lack of 24-hour cover
WENSLEYDALE didn't get the promised 24-hour ambulance coverage on April 1 because the money for it had not yet been allocated, the Lower Wensleydale Parish Forum was told last week. "I find this astonishing," said Mrs Maureen Hewett-Hicks of Hunton. "
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Green nappies are great, say mums
Last month, a group of County Durham mums started using real nappies as part of a six-month trial. As National Real Nappy Week gets underway, Women's Editor Christen Pears catches up with them to find out what they think DISPOSABLE nappies may be convenient
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Station name change could be part of rail campaign
A COMMUNITY is prepared to change the name of its railway station to persuade Arriva to let more trains stop there. Middleton St George Community Partnership mounted a campaign at Christmas to get a regular service for Dinsdale station. It started by
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'Twin' students sample work and play Stateside
THE visit by students to their 'twin' college in the USA has been hailed a success. The main reason for the exchange trip was to allow the youngsters from Redcar and Cleveland College to study for a City and Guilds certificate in Robotics at the Cleveland
