Archive
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Home rule could be death knell for hundreds of jobs
HUNDREDS of jobs could be axed as part of a radical shake-up in the way county and district councils serve the region. Thursday's historic White Paper, giving far-reaching powers for home rule, is likely to see the end of Durham, North Yorkshire and Northumberland
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Golden days planned
LIVE music, a football tournament and a community barbecue are among the events planned in Romanby to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. There were fears earlier in the year that the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation would be a damp squib. But
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Nellie goes in at the deep end
NELLIE ALDERSON never really had a chance to learn to swim when she was younger. She was too busy helping out on the family farm at Low Row in Swaledale, or bringing up her family of four. But now she has a little more time to herself, she agreed to give
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Stoute's Classic star duo on trial at Lingfield
SIR MICHAEL Stoute has pencilled in two of his top three-year-olds for this afternoon's attheraces-sponsored Oaks and Derby trials at Lingfield. First on stage is Barzah (2.40), a beautifully-bred 300,000-guineas daughter of Darshaan, owned by Hamdan
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City launches big events programme
A PROGRAMME of summer events was launched in Durham last week. For the first time this year, the city's summer activities will be co-ordinated in a single Summer in Durham City 2002 programme by the Durham City Forum. They will start with events to celebrate
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Golf club chairman admits benefit fraud
A RESPECTED chairman of a municipal golf course resigned after being caught by Department of Social Security officers giving false employment records, a court heard last week. Godfrey Hammond, 55, resigned from his unpaid post of chairman of the Hobson
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Factory sparks jobs hope
A privately-owned German company is investing £300,000 to set up a factory in Consett. The subsidiary company will produce silicon rubber fabric for its range of specialist hoses and hopes to eventually create between 20 and 30 jobs. Matzen Schlaugh-Technik
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Manager looks to promotion
A DALES market town is aiming to re-establish itself on the tourist trail and as a commercial centre - with the help of its own professional ambassador. Former councillor and Colburn farmer Colin Grant has been appointed town manager by Richmond Town
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Robson attacks agents over Distin transfer saga
ANNOYED boss Bobby Robson took a swipe at players' agents last night after it emerged Manchester City are leading the chase to sign Newcastle United loan star Sylvain Distin. Newcastle are understood to have agreed a £4m deal with Distin's club Paris
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Residents say parking ban isn't working
PEOPLE who live on one of Richmond's steep cobbled streets are hoping for fresh talks on parking outside their homes. Bargate residents were quite happy to pay a £10 annual fee for parking permits in 1998 when restrictions were introduced to deter workers
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Sharp rise in house burglaries
HOUSE burglaries have risen by 26 per cent in County Durham, according to new police figures. There were 4,032 break-ins reported to police in the year up to March compared with 3,200 in the previous 12 months. The increase is part of a 12.5 per cent
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Town centre plans unveiled
DETAILED plans to breathe new life into Stanley town centre have been published. The three directors of Derwentside District Council, the most powerful officers at the authority, have made a number of recommendations for the town as well as arguing that
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Nissan chief pledges drive to greatness
NISSAN has completed its revival plan in style, becoming the UK's largest car production facility. The Japanese car firm, which employs 5,000 staff at its Sunderland plant, produces more than 300,000 cars a year, and has plans to increase that volume
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The fox is a hound...
KAP the fox cub has a kind cabbie to thank for her life. For the female fox cub was on the point of death when a taxi-driver found her lying by a road-side after apparently being hit by a car. He took her to Consett's German vet Silke Shanks believing
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Sharp rise in house burglaries
HOUSE burglaries have risen by 26 per cent in County Durham, according to new police figures. There were 4,032 break-ins reported to police in the year up to March compared with 3,200 in the previous 12 months. The increase is part of a 12.5 per cent
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Southgate tips Cole to be huge hit
MIDDLESBROUGH defender Gareth Southgate is backing "maverick'' midfielder Joe Cole to be England's secret World Cup weapon. The 20-year-old West Ham star is hoping to emulate the impact of Geordie genius Paul Gascoigne during the 1990 tournament in Italy
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Spend up or miss out, council told
CLAIMS that North Yorkshire could lose out on millions of pounds in European cash because it isn't spending it fast enough have been denied by the county council. Labour politicians on the authority fear that more than £4m is in jeopardy, money that was
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Jail for thief who raided solicitor's
A BURGLAR who targeted his former solicitor was jailed at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. Wayne Morell, 22, admitted three charges of burglary. Andrew Finlay, prosecuting, said Morrell targeted his former solicitor's office in Bishop Auckland. He walking
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Council's policy on nuisance tenants is improved
A COUNCIL is refining its policy for dealing with nuisance tenants and anti-social behaviour. A report to Darlington Borough Council's social affairs and health scrutiny committee on Tuesday says recent reviews have highlighted concerns on its estates
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News in brief: Road race entries invited
Entry forms for the annual 10km Road Race at the Croft racing circuit, near Darlington, are available. The race, organised by Darlington Harriers, takes place on Wednesday, July 3, at 7pm, with a 2km fun run for eight to 16-year-olds starting at 6.30pm
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News in brief: Road race entries invited
Entry forms for the annual 10km Road Race at the Croft racing circuit, near Darlington, are available. The race, organised by Darlington Harriers, takes place on Wednesday, July 3, at 7pm, with a 2km fun run for eight to 16-year-olds starting at 6.30pm
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Accident adds to tragic track record
YESTERDAY'S tragic rail accident at Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, is a huge body blow to an industry which has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent years. As the extent of the disaster became clear, many in the industry could scarcely believe yet another
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Officers dive in and hit the road for children
TWO super-fit motor patrol officers have acquired a new set of wheels to aid them in a strenuous weekend triathlon challenge. PCs Steve Heiniger and Mick Kipling are tackling the swimming, cycling and running test in the Northumberland countryside tomorrow
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Sunshine stint for signaller
SIGNALLER Andrew Dunn from Ferryhill has been training with Exercise Lion Sun on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The 21-year-old is a member of the Royal Signal Regiment, which has been involved in military and adventure training. The exercise has
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Town centre scheme backed
PLANNING officials have given approval to plans for a multi-million pound extension of Newton Aycliffe town centre. Members of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee met yesterday to discuss the long-awaited application for the £25m
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Hospice's work aided by £5,000 cash boost
A CHARITY for terminally ill people has received thousands of pounds in aid thanks to two fundraising drives. St Teresa's Hospice, in Woodland Road, Darlington, has received almost £5,000 from the efforts of London Marathon runner Ian Hughes, and a joint
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'Drug-rape will be tackled'
THE Governement has promised to tackle the growing problem of drug-assisted rape, following a campaign by Redcar MP Vera Baird. Ms Baird, a legal expert on sexual offences and a patron of the Drug Rape Trust, applied for an adjournment debate on the issue
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Villagers see red over temporary traffic lights
TEMPORARY traffic lights are still driving villagers crazy - six years after they were installed. The lights were put in place after a landslide, but have now been concreted into the ground. Residents in the village of Mickleton, in Teesdale, County Durham
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Four face court over drugs
FOUR people from County Durham appeared in court yesterday facing drug charges after a series of police raids on Thursday. Peter Alfred Shutt, 32, of Holly Hill, Shildon, was accused of possession with intent to supply heroin. Michael Robert Jardine,
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Cockpit smoke leads to emergency
A FIRE alert forced a military plane to make an emergency landing at Newcastle Airport. Five planes had to circle for about an hour on Thursday as firefighters investigated the incident aboard the RAF VC-10, which had five people on board. The crew of
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Court will tell youngsters to make amends
A NEW method of dealing with young offenders has come into force in Darlington. Young people who plead guilty and are convicted for the first time at Darlington Youth Court can now be made subject of a referral order, based on the principals of 'restorative
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Horse attack arrest
A MAN has been arrested by police in connection with a savage attack on a horse. The five-year-old black and white cob stallion was repeatedly slashed with glass. It was stabbed in the shoulder and in the back leg, with the neck of a broken wine bottle
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Grwoth plans for national parks
BOTH of North Yorkshire's national parks are to benefit for a tree-planting initiative announced by the Forestry Commission. Native woodland is to be created in the Yorkshire Dales and on the North York Moors under the organisation's Native Woodland Challenge
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£40,000 boost for track plan
PLANS for an athletics track to serve youngsters across Teesside have taken a step forward. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has agreed to award £40,000 to the East Cleveland Athletics Association, which means the group can now apply to the National
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Bigs cash on offer to spruce up shops
TRADERS are being urged to apply for grants to improve their premises. Funds are being offered to shops in Chester-le-Street and in Front Street, Sacriston, to meet half the costs of improving the interior and exterior of their premises. The Business
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Angie to lead the hunt
A NEW chairman has been appointed to lead rural campaigners in their fight to preserve hunting with dogs. Angie Vaux, from Barton, near Richmond, was named the North-East regional chairwoman of the Countryside Alliance, taking over from John Milford QC
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Taking on the Army will be best for Jake
THE Army's Be the Best slogan is to be put to the test for charity later this year. Teams from across the region have been chall-enged to take them on in a series of hurdles which put both mental and physical skills to the test. The Jake Burgess App-eal
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Riverside inquiry to continue on Tuesday
AN independent public inquiry into plans for a £60m riverside shopping development will resume on Tuesday. Inspector Tony Bingham adjourned the hearing into the Coppergate II planning application in York in February after four weeks because it ran out
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'Useful' response to death inquiries
SCORES of late night revellers have been interviewed by police piecing together the last hours of father-of-four David Griffiths. The 39-year-old's crushed body was found by a worker in a heap of rubbish being sorted and graded at a recycling plant in
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Roadshow seeks tenants' views
NEWCASTLE City Council is about to embark on a major communications exercise with its 35,000 tenants. Talking with Tenants is a series of 28 community roadshows across the city, starting next Friday. Councillor Ruth Robson, cabinet member with responsibility
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Phone hotline is catching out smugglers
MOVES to crack down on lucrative cigarette and alcohol smuggling has been boosted by calls to a confidential customs hotline. Customs and Excise officials have reported a 20 per cent increase in calls following the launch of a publicity campaign in the
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Friends needed to revive square
THE hunt is on for people of all ages to help revamp part of Hartlepool's Headland. A group is being set up to think of ideas to revitalise a grassed area in the centre of Regent Square. A new layout and new paving and lighting are among suggestions put
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Loving home sought for black and white 'bundle of fun'
A LOVING home is needed for Snowy the cat; a black and white bundle of fun which has been in the care of the RSPCA for several weeks. Snowy, thought to be between 12 and 18 months old, has been with the Northallerton branch of the charity since Good Friday
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News in brief: Safety boost for people at risk
VULNERABLE people in North Yorkshire are to benefit from a new fire prevention scheme. The county's Fire and Rescue Service has won a £14,200 Government grant for its Get North Yorkshire Covered project. The cash will be spent on fitting 2,000 sealed
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Paying tribute
Messages from friends and collegues Jimmy Montgomery The great thing about Frank is that you always knew where you stood with him. There are some journalists you can have a beer with and tell them something off the record and you know it will stay that
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News in brief: Seeking clues over fatality
Police are hoping to track down the owner of a Citroen Saxo car spotted near the scene of a fatal accident last month. The dark vehicle, which had three occupants, was seen leaving Swainby, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, late on the night of April
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Mayor makes a splash
The new mayor of Redcar and Cleveland has made a splash at his local swimming pool. Councillor Eric Jackson, a keen swimmer, officiated at the reopening of the pool at Loftus yesterday. To celebrate, there was free swimming for everyone all day and users
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Family walk in the woods
Durham Wildlife Trust is holding a family nature walk at Edmondsley Wood Nature Reserve today, at 1.30pm. The walk will start from the end of Appledore Gardens, in Edmondsley, which is near Chester-le-Street, and will last for about two hours. The event
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Van man is held behind bars
A MAN who hit the headlines when he was bailed to live in his three-wheeled van was behind bars last night. Last month, magistrates told Neil Savage, 30, who faces drugs and theft offences, he must not leave the van in Hogarth Drive, Columbia, Washington
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Woman, 85, mugged for her handbag
AN 85-year-old pensioner was taken to hospital after a thug pulled her to the ground while stealing her handbag. She was waiting at a bus stop near the Eagle pub, in Durham Lane, Eaglescliffe, Teesside, yesterday, when she was approached by the youth.
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Grassroots: Washington
FOLK MUSIC: Billy Mitchell will entertain the members of the Davy Lamp Folk Club today, in the Biddick Art Centre. FUN QUIZ: Springwell village hall is the venue for a fun quiz at 8.30pm each Thursday. Admission is 50p per person. CLASS ACT: Full-time
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Majestic day for city
THE Queen shared her 50th jubilee celebrations with thousands of her subjects in Durham on Wednesday. The Monarch and Prince Philip, who visited East Durham during the morning, had lunch in Durham Castle and met Durham University Chancellor Sir Peter
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Newspaper saved my life, says North-East survivor
A NORTH-EAST survivor of the rail crash last night described how a newspaper may well have saved his life. Daniel Wilson, 27, originally from Darlington, said it was a miracle he had not been sitting in the carriage that was derailed after deciding to
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Royal date for council's new chairwoman
A DATE with royalty was one of the first duties for Wear Valley District Council's new chairwoman, Councillor Margaret Pinkney. Hours after Coun Pinkney chaired her council meeting on Wednesday, she enjoyed lunch with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
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RA fight to death for title
Wearside League. It's the last throw of the dice for Darlington RA, who must defeat leaders North Shields to have any chance of clinching the championship. "Realistically the Robins have just about sealed the title but if we defeat them and win our last
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Neil is following in talented footsteps
THE region may be about to produce another Billy Elliot. Just as Bafta award winning Billingham teenager Jamie Bell danced his way to stardom in the box office hit about the 15-year-old boy obsessed with becoming a ballet star, another 15-year-old from
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Good sports get their rewards
A FORMER England cricketer presented students with awards yesterday, in recognition of their voluntary sports coaching. Geoff Cooke, a member of Durham County Cricket Club's staff and former England player, presented three Roseberry Comprehensive School
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Revamp for village hall
Villagers have launched a £200,000 campaign which they hope will breathe new life into their community hall. Residents of Cropton, near Pickering, plan to bring the 100-year-old facility into the 21st Century, with a larger hall and meeting room, and
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Music for Her Majesty
THE Queen shared her 50th jubilee celebrations with thousands of her subjects in Durham on Wednesday. The Ever Ready Brass Band, from Stanley, performed a specially-commissioned piece of music called The Golden Treasury as Her Majesty visited Durham Clayport
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News in brief: Man held on robbery charge
A 26-year-old Hartlepool man has been arrested following the daylight mugging of 60-year-old Violet Worthington, in Cemetery Road, Wheatley Hill, on Wednesday, May 1. Detectives had appealed for information regarding the incident, and yesterday, a spokeswoman
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MoD under fire in planning dispute
NATIONAL park planners have criticised the Ministry of Defence for building a secur-ity patrol track at a top-secret RAF base without seeking planning permission first. Members of the park planning authority are sending a protest to the MoD because much
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Niall's tonic for cancer sufferer
SOCCER star Niall Quinn has put a smile back on the face of a teenage cancer sufferer. The Sunderland striker visited Gary Harvey at home to ask him to be his guest of honour at his testimonial match. The 13-year-old was diagnosed six months ago with
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Players unite to boost op funds
A charity rugby match is taking place in the North-East today. Stockton Rugby Club will face a Teesside Barbarians team, made up of players from local rugby clubs Darlington Mowden Park, Middlesbrough, Billingham, Yarm, West Hartlepool and Redcar. The
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Councillors agree to rise in allowances
AN increase in basic allowances of Redcar and Cleveland councillors has been agreed in principle. An independent panel has recommended that the 58 members of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council should get £5,820 as a basic sum, an increase of £40 on
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Go ahead to build park for skaters
SKATEBOARDERS in Stockton can celebrate after plans for a new skateboard park in the town's Tilery area received the go-ahead. The park will be built next to Stockton Sports Centre, in Talbot Street, and has been made possible by the approval of funding
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Durham captain confident of beating champions
LEADING last season's wooden spoonists out against reigning champions Yorkshire in their own backyard may not seem the ideal introduction to the Durham captaincy. But after confidently setting out his lofty plan to finally break the White Rose county's
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Bowey directors in driving seat
SIX directors of Bowey Construction have completed a management buy-out of the company. The deal completes a demerger from the Bowey Group, started two years ago. The process began in May 2000, when the Bowey Group moved to the Team Valley, in Gateshead
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Trescothick ton sends Yorkshire to big defeat
Yorkshire's start-of-season slump continued at Taunton yesterday when they crashed by seven wickets to Somerset after Marcus Trescothick flayed their bowling with a masterly 134. The champions have now suffered three-day defeats in their first two matches
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Group meets fire chiefs
CLEVELAND fire chiefs were given a grilling by a pensioners' pressure group which wanted to be reassured that senior citizens are in safe hands. Members of the Cleveland Pensioners Convention Forum met fire chiefs at Eston Town Hall on May 2 along with
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Ambitious dream project made real
DIGNITARIES and members of community organisations gathered at a formal ceremony to launch the opening of a £675,000 project that will become a key meeting place for residents. Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster, Patron of the Four Clocks Project, cut the
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Music for Her Majesty
THE Queen shared her 50th jubilee celebrations with thousands of her subjects in Durham on Wednesday. The Ever Ready Brass Band, from Stanley, performed a specially-commissioned piece of music called The Golden Treasury as Her Majesty visited Durham Clayport
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Fast learners make winning an art
THREE youngsters have proved their talent by winning medals in taekwondo just three months after taking up the sport. Ashleigh Booth, 12, James Wood and Callum Smith, both nine, beat off stiff competition from about 100 martial arts students from all
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Beardsley and Durham in the 'Zone'
CRICKET fan Peter Beardsley will help promoted Durham Dynamos launch their Norwich Union National League programme at home to Warwickshire Bears tomorrow. The former Newcastle and England footballer will officially open the Universal Kids' Zone, which
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Drink drive taxi caught
SAFETY checks on school buses led to the discovery of a drink-driving cabbie who had just delivered two children to a special school in Spennymoor. He was caught during Operation Coachman, in which police officers stopped buses and taxis leaving schools
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Goal-shy Beni can only blame himself
BENITO CARBONE'S lack of goals ultimately cost him a move to Middlesbrough. Carbone, who was a huge hit with the fans and helped Boro reach Premiership safety during his three-month loan, returned to Bradford City this week after failing to agree a permanent
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Hospital radio wins top award
PATIENTS at three local hospitals enjoy one of the best charity radio stations in the country- and that's official. Auckland Hospital Radio, which broadcasts to Bishop Auckland General, Tindale Crescent and Weardale Community Hospitals, has won a top
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Eric's mum shares day
A TRADITIONAL mayor-making took place in Redcar and Cleveland last week - in contrast to the more controversial elections in neighbouring boroughs. Taking the chain of office was Coun Eric Jackson, who was born and brought up in Loftus and represents
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Agricultural shows bound by new rules
AGRICULTURAL show bosses have been presented with the messy problem of getting rid of piles of cattle dung under tough new Government rules aimed at preventing a flare-up of foot-and-mouth. Bio-security measures which ban cow pats from places on showgrounds
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Bitter fall-out at the golf club
A GOLF professional has paid a £9,000 debt after being threatened with bailiffs in a bitter fall-out at a council-owned golf course. Alan Hartley, who ran the clubhouse, driving range and golf academy at the Roseberry Grange Golf Course, near Chester-le-Street
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Burglaries in the home up by 26 per cent
HOUSE burglaries have risen by 26 per cent in County Durham. New police figures show there were 4,032 break-ins reported to police in the year to March compared with 3,200 in the previous 12 months. The increase is part of a 12.5 per cent overall rise
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Traders' group will carry on
AN organisation that has championed local traders' causes for more than 50 years will continue after its members expressed their support. With other groups like Durham City Forum becoming established, organisers of the Durham City Chamber of Trade began
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Quinn plea to fans
SUNDERLAND club captain Niall Quinn last night pleaded with disgruntled fans to forget about protests and rally round the team in their last-ditch fight for Premiership survival against Derby County at a full-house Stadium of Light this afternoon. "I
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SUNDERLAND SAFE
SUNDERLAND did enough to preserve their Premiership status when they drew their final home game 1-1 with already relegated Derby County. Liverpool's 5-0 demolition of third-bottom Ipswich Town meant that the Wearsiders were safe anyway and it was only
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Tough times ahead for hospitals
A CONSULTANT has warned that difficult decisions will have to be made if hospitals were to continue providing a quality service for patients. Bob Aitken, Consultant and Clinical Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for Darlington and South West Durham
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Cabbie drove pupils while over drink-and-drive limit
SAFETY checks on school buses led to the discovery of a Chester-le-Street taxi driver from who had just delivered two children to school while over the drink-drive limit. He was caught during Operation Coachman, in which police officers carried out spot
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Councillors to get free computers
DURHAM County Council is to spend more than £170,000 on computers for councillors in their own homes. All 61 members of the Labour-run authority will be offered a computer with e-mail and intranet and internet access along with a desk and chair and combined
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New role beckons for YMCA
A MUCH-LOVED Consett institution has applied to become an official centre designed to help teenagers expelled from school. The YMCA, which serves the whole of Derwentside, wants to become a main centre for Durham County Council's Impact scheme. Consett
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New home for shipwreck anchor
THE anchor from a Finnish shipwreck has been given pride of place in Redcar. The anchor comes from the barque Birger, which struck the Saltscar Rock on October 18, 1898 and has been placed on the town's Esplanade, opposite the Zetland Lifeboat Museum.
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In father's footsteps
THE first woman to follow in her father's footsteps and become Mayor of Durham has taken office. Labour councillor Eileen Rochford has been inducted as the city's civic figurehead for the next 12 months. Her father, the late Michael Rochford, was mayor
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Remembering Jamie
A VILLAGE community is expected to come out in force at the weekend for the opening of a new sports pavilion in memory of a keen sportsman who died tragically seven years ago. Residents of Osmotherley, were united in grief in 1995 over the death of Jamie
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Reid backs fans to roar Sunderland to safety
UNDER-FIRE Sunderland manager Peter Reid believes that "fantastic" Wearside fans will hold the key to Premiership safety in this afternoon's crucial home game against Derby County. Sunderland need just a point to stay above third-bottom Ipwich Town, whose
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Director of health sought for town
A Director of health for Darlington is being sought to tackle issues including drug abuse and teenage pregnancy. The new post, which will be advertised next week, will cover Darlington Borough Council health initiatives and those of the NHS Darlington
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It's not just plants these days
I took a step back and admired the latest addition to my garden, a Trillium erectum. It stood straight and proud amongst my small semi-shaded woodland border. It did look lonely, but one was all I could afford. I have been after this particular plant
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Double delight for Dods
ON form trainer Michael Dods continued his sparkling early season form with a double at Carlisle yesterday. And Dods, who trains at Denton, near Darlington, nearly made it a treble when Bundy finished a close second under Liz Maude at Hamilton last night
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Travel chaos and staff morale on decline . . .
RAIL industry officials warn-ed at the end of last year that commuters were facing increased travel chaos because of a collapse in the morale of Railtrack staff. Services on busy routes into London and across southern England suffered particularly badly
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Car parking sign proposed
A SIGNPOST to tell drivers visiting Darlington where they can park is being proposed. The sign, on one of the main roads into the town, would tell drivers when there are spaces available in five of the town's car parks. A Darlington Borough Council spokesman
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School holds its first prom night
SEDGEFIELD school leavers got all dressed up for what proved to be a highly successful prom night. It was the first time Sedgefield Community College had held such an event, which proved so popular it could become an annual occasion. Martin Kirkup and
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Benefits service progress praised
THE progress made by Sedgefield Borough Council in improving its housing and council tax benefits service has been recognised. A critical Best Value review of the service, made by the council last July, revealed long delays in processing claims and a
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Carer stole cash from elderly couple's home
A WOMAN stole hundreds of pounds from an elderly couple she was paid to look after, a court heard yesterday. Allison Pattinson worked for Carewatch, an agency in Newton Aycliffe which provided people to work for the elderly and infirm. Paul Newcombe,
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Market's customer charter relaunched for jubilee
THE Queen's golden jubilee celebrations will also mark an important event for a market initiative which is celebrating a relaunch after 50 years of service. The Customer Charter was launched in Darlington in 1952 to ensure market traders operate to high
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Dancer wins model spot in the sun
A NORTH-EAST dancer has won a trip to the Greek island of Rhodes in a modelling competition. Lliane Pacewitch, from Newton Aycliffe, won a week on the Greek island, where she will join nine other winners on a seven-day professional photo-shoot. The competition
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Playing for the region's honour
WHILE the importance of football has to be kept in context, it does have a special value to the people of the North-East. Success for our football teams can lift the mood of the region, as demonstrated by Newcastle's surprise qualification for the Champions
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Engineering history group pays a visit
A GROUP of engineering enthusiasts from the Science Museum in London have visited a popular Darlington landmark. The members of the national Newcomen Society visited the Tees Cottage Pumping Station yesterday to tour the site. The society promotes the
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MP launches estate's development partnership
A GROUP set up to attract funding to a Darlington estate has been launched. MP Alan Milburn was the guest of honour at the launch of the Red Hall Partnership, which has been operating since last October. As well as attracting funding to the area, the
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Students rewarded for sports support
STUDENTS from Carmel RC College in Darlington have been rewarded for organising a host of sporting events in the town. The 17 youngsters from the school have just completed a two-year course to be awarded their British Sports Trust's Higher Sports Leader
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Teacher gains doctorate
A TEACHER from Darlington has received a Doctorate of Education from Newcastle University. Beverley Palmer, head of Spanish at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, received her degree earlier this month from Chris Patten, former governor of Hong Kong.
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Sunderland visit gives Cestrians chance of a hat-trick
Local Cricket round-up. High-flying Chester-le-Street aim for a hat-trick of wins when they take on Sunderland at Ropery Lane in the ECB North East Regional Premier League. Boosted by the signings of Ashley Day and Shaun Birbeck, the Cestrians look stronger
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Villages bus link opens up new activities for pupils
A NEW bus service is just the ticket for village youngsters to join in after-school activities in Durham. The Vital Village Bus Link enables children from West Rainton, Sherburn, Pittington and Shadforth to travel to Belmont Comprehensive School on the
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Dozy criminal left big clue
A DOZY criminal gave police a more than handy clue when he wrote his name on a stolen war pension book - so another could cash it in, a court heard yesterday. Houghton-le-Spring magistrates heard that Brian Walmsley, 20, gained nothing from signing his
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Kerb crawlers to lose their cars
MAGISTRATES are to be asked to put the brakes on kerb crawlers plaguing a town - by confiscating their cars. In a ground-breaking move, Crown Prosecution Service lawyers have given Cleveland Police the go-ahead to apply for court orders that will see
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Action taken over infant school criticised by Ofsted
PLANS to improve teaching standards at an east Cleveland infant school are being put in place following a critical Ofsted report. Inspectors said there were serious weaknesses at Skelton Infant School, where unsatisfactory teaching resulted in pupils
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Roman camps discovery may delay £50m plan
PLANS for a £50m business park may have to be put on hold following a chance discovery by airborne archaeologists. Experts flying over Monks Cross, in York, on their way to Hadrian's Wall, found the remains of two Roman army training camps. An investigation
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Hearty walk
The Take Heart Support Group stages a five-mile walk tomorow, leaving the Tees Barrage at 10.30am. Tom Burns will be leading the walk and people are advised to park at the Talpore Inn. Further information is available by calling (01642) 475167.
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Warehouse death case jury to retire
THE jury hearing the case of a factory boss accused of manslaughter is due to retire on Monday to consider its verdict. Closing speeches in the case of Factory Cover managing director John Elders, who is standing trial at Teesside Crown Court accused
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Hotel guests are hit by virus
NEARLY 200 people are known to have been affected by a virus which has forced the closure of a top hotel. The Grand Hotel, in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, will be closed this weekend as a precautionary measure against any further spread of what is thought
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Doors open to almshouses
PEOPLE wanting to live in the Kirkleatham Almshouses are being invited to apply for a place. The 325-year-old building has just undergone a £1.7m renovation and each cottage or flat comprises a living room, bedroom, bathroom and fitted kitchen. All have
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Hear all sides: Recycling facilities
HOW much money is there in Hambleton District Council's reserves? £30m-£35m? There are about 16,000 to 20,000 people in Northallerton, and only one bin for recycling plastic bottles, on the edge of town. HDC has, in common with all other councils, to
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Calendar girls raise £14,000
FARMERS' wives who bared almost all for a risque calendar are celebrating after it raised thousands of pounds. Women from across the region added a touch of glamour to the traditional image of rural life last year in a bid to counter the devastating effects
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Crackdown produces haul of stolen goods
POLICE clamping down on muggers yesterday showed off a haul of stolen goods recovered during the high-profile operation. The dragnet, codenamed Operation Cobra, targeted robbers who prey on vulnerable people throughout Hartlepool. Officers have made a
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Tonight, I'm going to be Matthew
SOME actors want to be remembered for their performances, others for their hairdoes. Steve Pratt meets coiffeur man, Matthew Macfadyen. FUNNY people actors. You can praise them to high heaven for a performance and give them countless awards, only for
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Abattoir scheme opposed
AN action group has been formed to oppose development of an abattoir in the Boroughbridge area. A planning application to develop the abattoir at Rougham Farm, near Marton cum Grafton, has been tabled with Harrogate Borough Council. A group in Marton
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Widow calls for stiffer sentences
A YOUNG mother told of her anguish yesterday after the motorist who killed her husband and his best friend was jailed for just two-and-a-half years. Charles McKay, 20, crashed his red Seat Toledo into Lee Benson Gardner, 29, and his motorbike pillion
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Career criminal given second chance by court
A BURGLAR whose life of crime began at the age of 11 was given a second chance yesterday after a court heard he had found employment. Wayne Hullah, 29, first came before a court in 1984 and from then until 1996 had "a most unenviable record", his solicitor
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New for old suite con still running
A conman who is making people exchange their three- piece suites is still operating in east Cleveland. Two weeks ago, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's trading standards department highlighted the con, in which people are offered a new three piece
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Furniture for special client
A NORTH Yorkshire furniture maker is celebrating keeping a customer satisfied for the past 25 years. John Aitken, from Belgium, began a special relationship with Beaver Furniture, of Thirsk, in 1977 when he requested a piece of furniture to commemorate
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Quality of family life can prevent drug use in young
CHILDREN who have close relationships with their mothers are far less likely to get involved in drug or alcohol abuse, a study by North-East academics has claimed. But international researchers also found that good parenting - seen as a barrier which
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How many more?
BRITAIN'S embattled rail network was dealt a body blow last night as yet another train disaster left seven passengers dead and up to 80 injured. As the nation suffered its sixth fatal train crash in as many years, survivors, passenger groups and industry
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Still waiting to act on key recommendations for safety
AS the investigation begins into yesterday's Potters Bar tragedy, key recommendations from the 1999 Paddington crash have still not been implemented. Paddington inquiry chairman Lord Cullen stipulated that recommendations on the supervision of, and use
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Passengers cut from bus wreckage
NORTH-EAST coach passengers had to be cut free from wreckage when their bus collided with a lorry on a motorway. More than 40 people needed treatment after their 52-seater vehicle, believed to have travelled from Dover, collided with a truck on the M20
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Robbers beat driver and burn out taxi
A TAXI driver was beaten up by three men who then hijacked the cab and set fire to it nearby. The driver had been cleaning out the inside of his taxi at 1.30am yesterday, in Allendale Road, Spencer Beck, Middlesbrough, when he was attacked by the men
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Death crash trucker has sentence cut
A LORRY driver who killed six people when he crashed into three vehicles on the hard shoulder of a motorway had his prison sentence and driving ban cut on appeal yesterday. Three judges, sitting at London's Court of Appeal, reduced Brian France's six-year
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Voyages of discovery on the doorstep
FANS of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and other developments around Gateshead Quays have been taking part in events explaining the past, present and future of the area, as part of Gateshead Borough Council's efforts to promote National History Week,
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Durham turn to McCallum for county clash
KEVIN McCallum, the former Darlington Mowden Park full back now with Consett, has been drafted into the Durham County team for today's match against Middlesex at the Old Merchant Taylors' ground. He replaces Darlington skipper David Glendenning, who is
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Future is bright for rugby duo
TEENAGE rugby stars Matthew Tate and James Hamer could be gracing the hallowed turf of Twickenham with the best players in the world in years to come. The two Barnard Castle School pupils have already represented their country at under-16 and under-18
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Percy 'honoured' by top role
A COUNCILLOR who has worked for the people of Hambleton for 28 years has taken over as chairman of the local authority. Percy Featherstone took up the reins at the district council's annual meeting. Councillor Featherstone, who represents Crayke ward,
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Homes and superstore plan rejected
A SCHEME to build homes and a superstore on the edge of Colburn have been rejected by planners. Gregory Properties was hoping to persuade Richmondshire District Council to give the go-ahead for 47 homes and a Netto supermarket to be built on the site
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Tonight, I'm going to be Matthew
SOME actors want to be remembered for their performances, others for their hairdoes. Steve Pratt meets coiffeur man, Matthew Macfadyen FUNNY people actors. You can praise them to high heaven for a performance and give them countless awards, only for one
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Careers staff are backing Quinn
STAFF at a career guidance centre are backing Sunderland footballer Niall Quinn's bid to raise money for children's hospitals. The Learningplace, in Fawcett Street, Sunderland, has raised £428 for the premiership player's fundraising match between the
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Police hunt thugs after vagrant, 87, is viciously beaten
A HARMLESS 87-year-old vagrant was beaten within an inch of his life by young thugs as he slept in a shop doorway. Bob Glenholmes faced the world yesterday after being battered black and blue in the attack. He was huddled in a Newcastle doorway sleeping
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Publican in court over counterfeit drinks charges
THE man at the centre of a beef-on-the-bone row when the meat was banned from sale during the BSE crisis was back in court yesterday to face charges relating to selling counterfeit drinks. Publican Christopher Bowman - whose supporters blocked the road
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Just cloning around with Star Wars
After the lukewarm reception for the last Star Wars instalment, director George Lucas was expected to come up with the goods. Next week, fans and critics alike get the chance to give their verdict. Steve Pratt reports. THESE must be tense times at Skywalker
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Sergeant on parade
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League. Champions Guisborough, who won for the first time on Monday, visit Blackhall and although the Collierymen have made an inauspicious start, a close result is anticipated. Blackhall welcome the return of
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A farewell to Frank
When Northern Echo sports writer Frank Johnson takes up his seat in the Stadium of Light box this afternoon it will be the end of an era. It is Frank's last competitive game before retirement and the well respected writer reflects on 42 years covering
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Arriva defends its record on safety
BUS company Arriva North-East has defended its safety record amid increasing fears over attacks on drivers. The operator says it places paramount importance on the safety of its staff and has denied that it is failing to take steps to increase security
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European cash bid depends on study
A BID for European cash which would bring more jobs to a market town looks set to be made, council chiefs have confirmed. If successful, the bid would see more businesses setting up on Stokesley's industrial park, where Hambleton District Council is considering
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Trailblazer Kimberley breaks the mould with top scholarship award
A FEMALE breakthrough has been spearheaded by a teenage girl in the portals of Durham Chorister School. The alma mater of famous people including Prime Minister Tony Blair and comedian Rowan Atkinson, was, until recently, an all-boys school, supplying
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Garden of Remembrance tribute to Home Guard
A CALL to action by Dad's Army has been immortalised in a permanent reminder at a seaside town. The Home Guard has been remembered for the part it played in the rescue of the injured and recovery of 15 bodies from the ruins of the Zetland Club, Redcar
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Resurrection for Latin mass
REPLACED - some say "suppressed" - more than 30 years ago, the traditional Catholic Mass, in Latin, begins its comeback in Middlesbrough tomorrow. Among those attending the celebration will be Dr Carol Byrne from Nunthorpe who claims that the traditional
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Anwar's return will lift the Tudhoe spirits
Tudhoe are expecting professional Shahid Anwar to give them a lift for their home game with Sedgefield today Tudhoe are expecting to receive clearance in time for him to start his third spell as a pro at the club, and skipper Kevin Littlefair said: "He
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Stroke victim sets up group
REDCAR builder Malcolm Daniels is facing his biggest ever challenge - rebuilding his life and the lives of others. The 65-year-old stroke victim wants to set up a stroke support group. Seven months after losing the use of the left hand side of his body
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At your service: Golden greats for a very happy band
A 50th anniversary celebration for a North-East Salvation Army singing group went with real swing, thanks to a wealth of talent. ANOTHER golden jubilee, Shildon Salvation Army's songster brigade marked 50 high note years last weekend. They have appeared
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It's not just plants these days
I took a step back and admired the latest addition to my garden, a Trillium erectum. It stood straight and proud amongst my small semi-shaded woodland border. It did look lonely, but one was all I could afford. I have been after this particular plant
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Honouring fairer sex
A NEW awards ceremony will honour the achievements of businesswomen from the North-East. The Women In Business Awards take place on June 14 at the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield. The event has been created by Enterprise Event Management, a division
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Silver band's golden ambition
PREPARATIONS for a Darlington brass band's push to win national honours are under way. The members of Cockerton Silver Band will be blowing their own trumpets if they come out on top in the final of the National Brass Band Championships in Torquay in
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Vince out for record
FORMER Great Britain junior international Vince Wilson aims to equal a 70-year-old record by winning the North-East 800m record for an eighth time in the annual track and field championship at Gateshead International Stadium this weekend. Wilson, once
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Jubilee cash for town
THE cost of Guisborough's jubilee events has been given a boost thanks to the National Lottery. The Lottery's Awards For All scheme has awarded almost £6,000 to Guisborough Town Pride to help with the cost of two days of events at Gisborough Priory. Guisborough
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Right royal picnic planned
A SPECIAL picnic with military bands and display teams will be staged to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. A crowd of more than 500 is expected at the DLI Jubilee Picnic, to be held in the grounds of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery
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Seek help, children told
CHILDREN caught up in domestic violence are being encouraged to ask for help as part of a new scheme. Darlington Domestic Violence Forum has launched a campaign to ensure young people know that violence at home is not their fault and they are not alone
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Collett plans to catch up
Darlington keeper Andy Collett doesn't plan on getting a rest this summer as he sets his sights on a return to action next season. Collett suffered two severe injuries and after missing a chunk of the action, he is determined to be back on August 10 for
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Thomas and friends pull into museum
A SPECIAL weekend of fun featuring children's favourite Thomas the Tank Engine is expected to draw massive crowds this summer. When the television train last visited the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, about three years ago, some 8,000 people arrived
