Archive
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Grassrootss: Crook
HISTORY TALK: Eileen McLeod will give a talk on Aunt Martha Horsman's memories at the next meeting of the Howden-le-Wear Local History Society, in the community centre next Tuesday, at 7pm. The cost is £1 for members or £1.50 for non-members. SURFING
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Dairy group tots up billion litres
ROBERT Wiseman Dairies has reported a rise in final turnover after shipping more than a billion litres of milk and cream for the first time. The Glasgow group benefited from contracts with Safeway and Somerfield as well as securing a deal to supply Sainsbury's
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Boost for children
CHILDREN across the region will get a better start in life, thanks to nine projects to be set up under a Government programme. Public Health Minister Yvette Cooper unveiled the sixth series of Sure Start projects, which support the physical, intellectual
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Safety on agenda for elderly
A PERSONAL safety day for elderly people has been organised by Northumbria Police, this month. The event, in Newcastle East area command, comes as a 15-year-old youth is due to be sentenced later this week for a spate of burglaries in older people's homes
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Name change for Vosper
SHIPBUILDER and support services group Vosper Thornycroft has unveiled a new chief executive and set in motion plans to change its name. While the shipbuilding division will retain its famous identity, the parent company will adopt the name VT Group.
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Bingo player celebrates jackpot win
A SHOP assistant is celebrating after scooping £57,848 at bingo. The 42-year-old Hartlepool woman, who does not want to be named, became the second big winner at the Mecca Club, in the town's Warrior Retail Park. She was at the club on Saturday evening
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Hear All Sides: REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
IN his article on an elected Regional Assembly for the North-East, Chris Lloyd asserts: "all forms of proportional representation are complicated, none more so than AMS." This is a travesty, and far from the truth. AMS (Additional Member System) is a
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Soldiers take to streets
PART-time soldiers across North Yorkshire will be hitting the streets at the weekend - to tell the public about life in the Territorial Army. Many TA centres open their doors to all on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. People will have the chance to talk to
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Civilians go over the top with army
CIVILIANS proved just as fearless as soldiers when it came to abseiling down a 100ft church tower yesterday afternoon. Dozens of people joined the 34 (Northern) Signal Regiment of the Territorial Army to descend Holy Trinity Church tower in North Ormesby
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Shops get help with crime fight
THE Government announced a £500,000 boost last night to help the region's shopkeepers fight crime. The cash, targeted at small shops and run-down inner city shopping areas, will fund projects tackling crime and vandalism. Dozens of shop owners in the
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Fans turn out in numbers
Sunderland 0 : Republic of Ireland XI 3; THE FANS responded magnificently for Niall Quinn's charity match at the Stadium of Light last night - a crowd of 35,702 raising over £700,000 for new children's hospital wards in Sunderland and Dublin. But while
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Labour under fire as wait gets longer for heart surgery
THE Tories have launched a stinging attack on the Government after official figures showed worsening queues for heart surgery. Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP said: "Labour said they would reduce waiting times for heart operations, but these figures
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Woman's hurt over boob size question
A WOMAN is suing her factory boss after he asked her breast size while ordering her a new pair of steel toe-capped boots, a tribunal heard. Vicky Henderson, 21, said Ken Moore also told her that she should get pregnant to avoid period pain. Miss Henderson
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Woman's hurt over boob size question
A WOMAN is suing her factory boss after he asked her breast size while ordering her a new pair of steel toe-capped boots, a tribunal heard. Vicky Henderson, 21, said Ken Moore also told her that she should get pregnant to avoid period pain. Miss Henderson
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News in brief: £600,000 aid for business
Entrepreneurs in North Tyneside have been given a helping hand in the form of a £600,000 European grant. The funding from the European Regional Development Fund will enable North Tyneside Council to offer more support to fledgling businesses by offering
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Hunt after bag theft attempt
POLICE are hunting a man who attempted to snatch a woman's handbag. The man tried to grab the bag from the 60-year-old woman as she walked past Cleveland College of Art and Design, in Green Lane, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough on Monday, at about 3.45pm. A
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Hospital dates could lead to nursing job
TEENAGERS interested in becoming nurses are invited to open evenings being held by the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust. The two events will focus on the trust's two-year modern apprentice nurse cadet scheme which can lead to a nursing diploma at the
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Open day by the TA demands attention
TERRITORIAL Army centres across the North-East will be on parade on Saturday. TA Day will see bases across the region welcoming visitors between 10am and 4pm. Volunteers will also be on hand in towns to describe what the TA has to offer. Visitors will
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Scarecrow time again
A VILLAGE scarecrow competition is bouncing back after falling victim to last year's foot-and-mouth epidemic. Ideas are already being hatched for the latest creations to hit the main road through Sawley, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. When the village started
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Contest win for students
A TEAM of chemistry students from a North-East college have won the regional heat of a national competition. The youngsters, who attend Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, east Cleveland, won the local heat of the Royal Society of Chemistry National
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Fellowship accolade for science work
Chemistry professors at Durham University have been elected to a leading scientific body for producing work of international importance. Judith Howard and David Parker have been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the highest distinction awarded
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CAB acts over telephone call inquiries
MANAGERS at Richmondshire's Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) have confirmed that volunteers will be dedicating three hours to telephone inquiries. The demands of a busy office have meant staff have sometimes found it difficult to deal with incoming calls
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Warning over theft of airbags
THIEVES are risking serious injury by stealing car airbags from vehicles. The thefts of three airbags from Sadberge village during the course of Monday night is a worrying return to the dangerous trend which became common across the borough during the
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Yes I'm guilty, admits rapist
A RAPIST who carried out sex attacks on two North-East schoolgirls finally admitted his guilt yesterday - 13 years after his crimes. Colin Jacklin, 54, was facing a retrial for two brutal sex attacks in Wearside and one in Nottingham when he suddenly
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Yes I'm guilty, admits rapist
A RAPIST who carried out sex attacks on two North-East schoolgirls finally admitted his guilt yesterday - 13 years after his crimes. Colin Jacklin, 54, was facing a retrial for two brutal sex attacks in Wearside and one in Nottingham when he suddenly
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Calling over-50s to speak out for patients
TWO people in Darlington are being invited to speak out on behalf of the town's over-50s. Darlington Older People's Services is looking for two volunteers, who must be over-50, to become patients' champions. They will be asked to provide a voice for their
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Globetrotter, 74, is setting off again
A GLOBE-TROTTING pensioner is jetting off on the trip of a lifetime. Enid Gouldsbrough, of Darlington, has compiled a wish list of places she wants to visit in the coming years. She has already been on four cruises in the past two years but is travelling
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Globetrotter, 74, is setting off again
A GLOBE-TROTTING pensioner is jetting off on the trip of a lifetime. Enid Gouldsbrough, of Darlington, has compiled a wish list of places she wants to visit in the coming years. She has already been on four cruises in the past two years but is travelling
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Mystery of attack victim's lost hours
POLICE are trying to piece together the missing hours of a North-East woman who was raped after leaving a night-club. She was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, May 4 after leaving the Club 2K nightclub in Beaumont Street, Darlington. Two men stopped
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City life and love in verse
A BOOK celebrating what matters most to people in Sunderland will be launched this week. Poet Julie Ward and cartoonist Suzy Varty were asked to find out what Wearsiders were passionate about, as part of the project Loves of My Life - Visions and Voices
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Green success using Yellow Pages
ENVIRONMENTALLY-aware youngsters saved tonnes of paper from going to landfill - and won a cash bonus for their school at the same time. The pupils from Boroughbridge primary school collected more than 1,200 copies of the Yellow Pages that would otherwise
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News in brief: Raids net cash and heroin
POLICE seized heroin with a street value of £7,000 during a raid on a property in Middlesbrough. Officers found the drugs, and £5,000 cash, before arresting a man for possession with intent to supply heroin. He was bailed pending forensic results. Following
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Region's map redrawn in boundary shake-up
A shake-up of constituency boundaries in the region could see one county's political map completely redrawn. While in County Durham and Darlington the proposed changes take account of new district and borough ward boundaries and are likely to be minor
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Killer was also a N-East drugs baron
A CONTRACT killer who murdered an ex-professional rugby player and another man was last night revealed as the man behind a massive North-East drugs racket. Paul Bryan, 41, received two life sentences at Leeds Crown Court on Monday for gunning down former
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Planning approval 'not needed for caravans'
PLANNING officials have denied they are giving preferential treatment to the owner of a home who allows caravans to park outside. Neasham Parish Council said it was going to restate its January complaints to Darlington Borough Council about what it claimed
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Bridge repair work now underway
Vital repair work to one of the most dangerous railway bridges in the region is finally set to get under way - seven years after safety concerns were first raised. The decaying bridge barrier at Dalton-on-Tees, near Darlington, has been the scene of at
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Take a train to children's day
Families are invited to attend a children's day at the Tanfield Railway, off the A6076 Sunniside to Stanley Road, on Sunday, and a military weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26. Steam trains will run from 11am-4pm on all the days, and refreshments
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A regional cause for concern
EAGERLY anticipating the advent of a North-East Regional Assembly, Tony Flynn, leader of Newcastle City Council, declared the region would be "immensely proud'' to become the first part of Britain to have its own parliament. But the regional assembly
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News in brief: 20 jobs from development
At least 20 new jobs could be created if councillors agree to plans by Geoffrey Robinson Ltd to build a two-storey office block and a single-storey workshop on undeveloped land within the Cowpen Industrial Estate, Billingham. Members of Stockton Borough
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Police get a brush-up with Eurest
CLEVELAND Police have chosen a specialist company to operate cleaning facilities at 23 police stations across the area under a three-year contract. Eurest Criminal Justice, the leading provider of support services to police forces across the country,
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Why this careless mum deserves detention
NOW that Patricia Amos is in detention, perhaps she's having to do lines as well: "I must send my daughters to school. I must send my daughters to school. I must send my daughters to school." Jailing a mother for her children's truancy seems a bit harsh
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Raid on isolated farmhouse uncovers cannabis factory
POLICE have seized drugs worth up to £16,000 after swooping on an isolated country farmhouse, it was revealed yesterday. Detectives who led the operation said they found that a rural outbuilding had been turned into a sophisticated cannabis growing factory
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Grassroots: Askrigg Parish Council
Getting ready to party CELEBRATIONS at Askrigg and Low Abbotside to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee will start with the annual children's sports on Saturday, June 1. On the Monday, there will be a street party on the cobbles, presentation of cups to the
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Energy firm sees red
British Energy, which employs more than 500 people at its Hartlepool nuclear power station, has fallen £500m into the red and warned of further weaknesses in the wholesale electricity market in the coming months. The nuclear power generator said prices
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Oil refinery told to clean up spills
A Teesside oil refinery that spilt 100 tonnes of oil has been told to clean up its act by the government. Petroplus, which operates the Teesside Oil Refinery, admitted they caused the major spill when a ship dropped off the oil at its North Tees plant
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Darlington Business Focus: Top service award for car dealership
A DARLINGTON car dealership and repair centre has received a national award for customer service. Sherwoods, in Chesnut Street, was presented with a 2002 customer service award by Provident Insurance. The company makes the awards to vehicle accident repair
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Village homes development set for approval
A CONTROVERSIAL housing development on a village recreation field looks likely to be approved today. Durham City Council's development control committee will be recommended to grant planning permission for 148 homes to be built on land south of Broom
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Villagers to get first view of proposals for £5m bypass
VILLAGERS will get their first glimpse of proposals for a £5m bypass at an exhibition next week. People have fought a long battle for the scheme in West Auckland, but were told there was no cash available until the Government announced extra transport
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Plane spotter urges Straw to pay bail cash
A BRITISH plane spotter, who received a three-year jail sentence after being convicted of spying in Greece, is calling for financial support from the Government in the fight to clear his name. Andrew Jenkins is meeting Jack Straw in London later this
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Arts centre proposal short of cash
WHEN plans were announced last July to turn Barnard Castle's run-down town hall into a modern cultural centre, the future looked brighter for the town's residents. The Witham Hall is at the centre of the market town and has served as a doctors' surgery
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Detectives launch murder probe into addict's death
A DRUG addict found dead in a flat on Teesside was probably murdered for a drugs debt, police said yesterday. Robert Parkin was allegedly beaten several times over the course of four or five days before he died in a top-floor flat, in Shaftesbury Street
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Gadfly: What's it all about, Humpty Dumpty?
IT'S good to be back, even from the glorious Western Highlands where the Oban Times carried a letter headed "What a hoot". Two hundred years ago, it said, the English naturalist Gilbert White wrote that all Hampshire owls hooted in the key of B flat.
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Survey could boost numbers of rare fish
A SURVEY is taking place which could eventually help boost the numbers of one of the country's endangered species. The survey is being carried out by the Bellflask Ecological Survey Team which is looking in particular at the fish population in the river
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£9,000 debt row golf pro finds a new job
A GOLF professional has secured a new job after leaving a council owned club following a dispute over a £9,000 debt. Alan Hartley, who ran the clubhouse, driving range and golf academy at Roseberry Grange Golf Course, near Chester-le-Street, was threatened
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Expanding ScS sitting pretty as profits leap 35% to £5.2m
CONTINUED nationwide expansion is paying off for sofa retailer ScS. The Sunderland company, which has opened eight new stores in the first half of the year, saw pre-tax profits leap 35.2 per cent to £5.2m in the six months to March 31. Turnover rose 35.6
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Benefits claims increase
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit increased by 5,400 last month, while the steady loss of manufacturing jobs continued. The claimant count stood at 953,000 in April, the highest figure of the year, giving a jobless rate of 3.2 per cent
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Suroor to reign again
SAEED BIN SUROOR'S superb record at York could well be upheld by Moon Ballad (2.55) in this afternoon's immensely valuable £145,000 Derby trial, the Convergent Dante Stakes. The Godolphin trainer comes out top of the table on the number of wins (six),
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Youngsters earn one-year deals
Darlington have secured the immediate futures of youngsters Mark Sheeran and David McGurk by handing the pair one-year contracts. The deals are the 19-year-olds first professional contracts having just completed their youth team deals. The emergence of
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Shackleton's tale recalls heroics of an Antarctic exploring great
A rare first edition book by Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton is expected to fetch more than £8,000 at auction next week. It is signed by every member of Shackleton's team - including a man from the North-East. WHEN you think of famous explorers
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Chaos as fire closes A1(M)
THOUSANDS of North-East motorists were caught up in traffic chaos yesterday when a huge fire forced the closure of major trunk routes through the region for several hours. Tailbacks stretched for several miles and many areas were gridlocked after police
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Town centre revival plan 'backed by residents'
PLANS to regenerate Billingham town centre have been given the seal of approval by residents, according to a survey. Almost two-thirds of people who took part in public consultation over proposals to regenerate the town centre supported the idea. The
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Workers' joy over £250,000 payout
WORKERS sacked without consultation from a clothing factory have won a two-year battle for compensation. Former employees of the Susie Radin factory, in Crook, County Durham, are celebrating after an employment tribunal awarded them 90 days' pay. The
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Workers' joy over £250,000 payout
WORKERS sacked without consultation from a clothing factory have won a two-year battle for compensation. Former employees of the Susie Radin factory, in Crook, County Durham, are celebrating after an employment tribunal awarded them 90 days' pay. The
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What's it all about, Humpty Dumpty?
IT'S good to be back, even from the glorious Western Highlands where the Oban Times carried a letter headed "What a hoot". Two hundred years ago, it said, the English naturalist Gilbert White wrote that all Hampshire owls hooted in the key of B flat.
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Darlington Business Focus: Nicola judges her move to perfection
A YOUNG mother has set up a beauty salon in the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington. Nicola Nugent has just launched her venture, called Perfections, which is a top-of-the-range salon hidden away at the back of the leisure centre. Nicola, who started her career
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Artist has to create face for former missing miner
POLICE have turned to an artist to create a face for a man who has gone missing. Chester-le-Street police hope new information may come to light in their search for County Durham man Edward Donnelly after calling on the police artist to create a likeness
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Artist has to create face for former missing miner
POLICE have turned to an artist to create a face for a man who has gone missing. Chester-le-Street police hope new information may come to light in their search for County Durham man Edward Donnelly after calling on the police artist to create a likeness
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GT hits the brakes for £50m system
CAR parts manufacturer GT Precision Products has secured the rights to an exhaust braking system for bus and truck engines. The deal could be worth as much as £100m over the next ten years for the Peterlee business. Manufacture of the Exhaust Pressure
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Rape jury hears of woman's injuries
A WOMAN who says she was raped in her home was found to have suffered injuries including bruises and grazes, a court heard yesterday. John Ellison is on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of raping and indecently assaulting the woman. He denies the
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Power line
Northern Electric has applied to Darlington Borough Council for planning permission to install an overhead power line on the former opencast coal mining site in Brusselton Lane, Royal Oak, Darlington
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Planning push
LIBERAL Democrats are renewing their push for a change in the way planning decisions are made by Sedgefield Borough Council. Councillor Ben Ord, who leads the party in the borough, says it is unfair that only 22 out of 49 elected councillors have a vote
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Honour for youngsters who fought back from illnesses
A TEENAGER who fought sudden, crippling disabilities to take his GCSE exams has been presented with an award for his courage. Seventeen-year-old Robert Hornby, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, was one of ten children given AOL's 2002 Child of Resolution
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Pub landlords fundraising to help school's specialist bid
DRINKERS at a village pub are raising their glasses - and cash - to help a school's bid for specialist maths and computing status. Ron and Gill Nixon, who run The Comet pub in Hurworth Place, near Darlington, are supporting the fundraising efforts of
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New appeal as search for missing farmer goes on
POLICE have renewed their appeal for a missing North-East farmer to get in touch. Frank Johnson, 55, has not contacted his family since he left his home at West Shipley Farm, near Hamsterley, County Durham, for a business meeting on Friday. His maroon-coloured
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Courage of toddler with million-to-one condition
Sophie Perren has survived against the odds after developing a million-to-one condition. About every 21 days, the two-year-old - born with the rare disorder cyclical neutropenia - collapses and often has to be resuscitated by her mother. A splinter or
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Courage of toddler with million-to-one condition
Sophie Perren has survived against the odds after developing a million-to-one condition. About every 21 days, the two-year-old - born with the rare disorder cyclical neutropenia - collapses and often has to be resuscitated by her mother. A splinter or
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Tree thieves strike
A bizarre spate of thefts have seen trees stolen in daytime raids in Darlington. A 4ft bay tree, which was taken from a garden in Lakeside, Darlington, on Monday, was the third such theft in the borough since the start of last week. Acting Detective Sergeant
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Cafe owner's last-ditch plea
A BUSINESSMAN who faces the threat of closure if his premises are redeveloped has made a last-ditch plea to his town council. Alan Jackson runs a cafe in Commercial Yard, Barnard Castle, which is due to close following the granting of planning permission
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Coastguards called out 1,000 times
COASTGUARDS in the North-East and Yorkshire dealt with more than 1,000 incidents last year. There were 26 lives lost. However, annual figures released by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency reveal that the Tyne Tees and Humber areas had one of the lowest
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News in brief: Guide boost for town
A FORUM promoting the development of Bishop Auckland town centre has teamed up with map company Visitmap to promote a guide with features on its shopping, restaurants and nightlife, and its history. The guide will include a three-dimensional map of the
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Family and friends make party special
A GREAT-GREAT grandmother has celebrated her 100th birthday with a party surrounded by her friends and family. Annie Gill has lived through two world wars and vividly remembers the Queen's Coronation fifty years ago. But of all the experiences that Mrs
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Repairs mean town's bridge must close for two weeks
STRUCTURAL engineers yesterday confirmed that a road bridge in Barnard Castle will have to close for two weeks to repair damage caused by a lorry. Experts at Durham County Council have carried out a survey of the County Bridge following an accident allegedly
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North's funds gap narrows
Public spending in the North-East still remains well behind that of Scotland, according to the latest Government statistics. This reinforces demands to scrap the Barnett Formula - the controversial 1970s settlement which underwrites higher spending north
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Man admits his part in pub affray
A MAN who admitted becoming involved in pub violence avoided a jail sentence yesterday. Paul Wayman, 27, admitted a charge of affray when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court. Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, told the court Wayman had been in the White Horse
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Fuel rebate move welcomed
COMMUNITY transport organisers in the region have welcomed a move by the Government to issue fuel rebates to such groups. Yesterday's announcement, which was made by Local Transport Minister Sally Keeble, will cover services such as dial-a-ride minibuses
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Bingo player celebrates jackpot win
A SHOP assistant is celebrating after scooping £57,848 at bingo. The 42-year-old Hartlepool woman, who does not want to be named, became the second big winner at the Mecca Club, in the town's Warrior Retail Park. She was at the club on Saturday evening
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Transport plea for youngsters
VOLUNTEER drivers are needed to take teenagers with epilepsy to a weekly meeting. Nurses Mel Foley and Di Tregonning run the support group for young epilepsy sufferers every Thursday from 5pm to 6pm at the Rosewood Centre, West Lane Hospital, Middlesbrough
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Business briefs: Asda on the attack
SUPERMARKET group Asda is revamping two North-East stores and increasing the number of Supercentres it runs in the UK to 13, as part of an aggressive expansion programme. Asda is opening more Supercentres as well as opening or revamping ten supermarkets
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World Cup Countdown
16 DAYS TO GO : England secured their place in the World Cup finals by finishing top of Group Nine of the European qualifying competition. Over the course of their qualification, England scored 16 goals, all in their last six matches following a 1-0 defeat
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Pupils are a yard ahead of the rest
Young builders are learning that the construction industry is more than just cementing a few bricks together. The group of six pupils from Darlington's Longfield School, aged 15 and 16, won a £10,000 national competition, the Schools Challenge, organised
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Family's shock at glass in baby food
JARS of organic baby food have been recalled from supermarket shelves after a woman almost fed a shard of glass to her grandson. The inch-long piece of glass was spotted on the spoon an instant before it was put into eight-month-old Samuel's mouth. Now
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School seeks Kiwi quest sponsors
PUPILS at Yarm Grammar School are searching for sponsors to help them raise funds for a rugby tour of New Zealand. The school is hoping to take 33 sixth-form boys on the three-week trip in July but the pupils are being asked to meet the cost themselves
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Contest win for students
A TEAM of chemistry students from a North-East college have won the regional heat of a national competition. The youngsters, who attend Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, east Cleveland, won the local heat of the Royal Society of Chemistry National
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All the fun of the birthday pool
IT'S not every day a council leader takes a dip with a giant lobster - but then it was Richmond Pool's 26th birthday. Councillor John Blackie joined hundreds of youngsters who took advantage of cut-price admission to fun sessions arranged throughout a
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Fellowship accolade for science work
Chemistry professors at Durham University have been elected to a leading scientific body for producing work of international importance. Judith Howard and David Parker have been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the highest distinction awarded
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Gate restoration project earns conservation award
THE restoration of an ornate 18th Century gate to its original glory has been recognised with a conservation award. The Stokesley Society carried out the work to Kent Gate, behind the High Street post office, over the past year. The scheme has been chosen
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Learners' just awards
A GROUP of adult learners have been rewarded for their hard work at college. The students, who attend Darlington College of Technology, were presented with awards for their achievements at a ceremony held to coincide with national Adult Learners Week.
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Sophie and Lugsy just looking for homes
A ONE-eared cat is still looking for a new home after more than a year in the care of the RSPCA. Lugsy, an older long-haired tom cat, has proved a problem for the charity to rehome, because of his age. Most people look for kittens, or young adult cats
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Comment from The Northern Echo: The tragedy of Mr Byers
FRIDAY'S tragedy at Potter's Bar brought to our railway network the unenviable record of six fatal accidents in six years. Our front page headline on Saturday was entitled to ask: "How many more?" Yesterday's interim report from the Health and Safety
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Success with a degree of effort
A GRANDMOTHER is celebrating a career change after graduating from the Open University in the North. Val Dodsworth, from Darlington, was presented with her BSc degree at a ceremony at Newcastle City Hall earlier this month. She started her studies in
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New safety measures for US ambulances
AMBULANCE bosses have announced a series of safety improvements on controversial US-built ambulances. The measures were disclosed at an emergency meeting with union leaders after the rear wheels fell off an ambulance on an emergency call in Sunderland
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Golden way to build community spirit
COMMUNITY groups are joining forces to organise a golden jubilee celebration in a bid to recreate the community spirit on a troubled estate. Woodhouse Close, in Bishop Auckland, will host a carnival procession and family events on Monday, June 3. It is
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Retailers look to better service
A SPECIAL event for retailers is being held in Stockton Central Library tomorrow. Retailers in the town are being given the opportunity to not only find out how they can improve shopping facilities for blind or visually impaired people, but also how to
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Bouncing back
TODDLERS at a Guisborough playgroup have been jumping for joy after their stolen shed was replaced. The youngsters at Hutton Lane playgroup were devastated when thieves stole the sides and base of their outdoor toy shed. The group was told it needed to
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Are children what they don't eat?
A brave new world may be dawning as food supplements are used to combat learning problems in schoolchildren. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson considers the implications MADELAINE Portwood has an extraordinary dream which looks as if it may be about to
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Mystery of attack victim's lost hours
POLICE are trying to piece together the missing hours of a North-East woman who was raped after leaving a night-club. She was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, May 4 after leaving the Club 2K nightclub in Beaumont Street, Darlington. Two men stopped
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Cabinet members named by mayor
THE new directly-elected mayor of Hartlepool has selected a cross-party cabinet of councillors to work with him. Following a series of meetings with representatives from all political parties plus a number of independent councillors, Mayor Stuart Drummond
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TTE success for Amanda
TTE Management and Technical Training trainee Amanda McLuckie has become the first woman to gain a chemical apprenticeship qualification. Amanda, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has completed the chemical technician advanced modern apprenticeship
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Ready to roll on the cycle routes
CYCLE enthusiasts can get on their bike for the second of Stockton Borough Council's road safety team's Easy Riders guided rides. The events are designed to encourage people to get cycling and use the borough's network of cycle paths, lanes and facilities
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700 Axa jobs go but Darlington seems safe
INSURANCE company Axa is to cut 700 jobs as part of a restructuring of its general insurance operation in the UK. But the 240 workers at its call centre operation in Beaumont Street, Darlington, are believed to be safe. The majority of the jobs will go
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Study of area's housing needs
A study to discover future housing needs on the North Yorkshire coast has been launched. More than 11,000 households have been sent questionnaires as part of a survey being undertaken on behalf of Scarborough Borough Council. The authority has commissioned
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Stone manoeuvre to the park earns salute
HONOURING the Queen in her Golden Jubilee year has proved something of a family affair at Europe's biggest British Army base. A plaque mounted on a three-tonne slab of sandstone at the entrance to Catterick Garrison's Coronation Park will be unveiled
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Last night's TV: Experiment falls at first hurdle
The Experiment (BBC2), Inside Out (Tyne Tees) THE 1971 Stanford Prison experiment showed a group of men becoming tyrants after being made guards. The BBC's The Experiment is being run along much the same lines to see what happens when one group (guards
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The Big Chance: One cool night of music in pipeline
MUSIC fans will be able to have a cool night when bands play for the chance to win superb prizes, thanks to a North-East company. Northumbrian Spring Water, based in Stockton, is donating 170 litres of natural mineral water to the concert for shortlisted
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The Big Chance: One cool night of music in pipeline
MUSIC fans will be able to have a cool night when bands play for the chance to win superb prizes, thanks to a North-East company. Northumbrian Spring Water, based in Stockton, is donating 170 litres of natural mineral water to the concert for shortlisted
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Woman wins employment tribunal against Nissan
A woman car plant worker who claimed she was forced from her job because she was in the way of male colleagues watching hard-core sex movies has won an employment tribunal hearing against Nissan, it was confirmed today. Paint shop worker Beverley Ward
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Menu spices up school lunches
YOUNGSTERS have been sampling spicy foods as part of a national week. During National School Meals Week, Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School launched its own curry bar, giving pupils the chance to sample Indian dishes including chicken tikka masala
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'Miracle' horse dances into lead
STAFF from an open air museum looked on with pride as their own miracle horse won one of the nation's classic races. Three years ago the horse, called Shadow Dancing, had faced its own race against time when its mother, Salchow, died just hours after
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Wood and Kirby to step in
Matthew Wood and Steven Kirby replace the England duo of Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard in Yorkshire's Frizzell Championship match with Kent at Canterbury today. While Vaughan and Hoggard teamed up with the England squad at Lord's to prepare for
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New skills on offer during learning day
GOING to work tomorrow will give employees of Stockton Borough Council the chance to learn something new. It is Learning at Work Day and Stockton's Adult Education Service will be demonstrating some fun ways to take part in learning. Early birds can take
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Glory days of coal, Co-op and the Greatest
THE olden and not-so-olden days of Annfield Plain are revealed in photographs from a new book. Local amateur historian Jack Hair has compiled the book, called Annfield Plain and District, which celebrates the history of the area from coal mining disasters
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Police in pensions funding crisis
A PENSIONS timebomb that threatens to cripple frontline policing is likely to hit harder in the North-East than the rest of the country. The police service faces a financial nightmare over its growing bill for pensions as the Government struggles to come
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Universities vie for £1bn science project
A EUROPEAN scientific project worth £1bn could be developed in Yorkshire, providing a huge economic boost to the region. Yorkshire Forward is joining three of the region's leading universities - Leeds, York and Sheffield (the White Rose Consortium) in
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Darlington Business Focus: Coach's Corner
CUMMINS Engines Company believes companies can reap benefits from investing in foreign language tuition. A group of employees recently started lessons in Italian at Hummersknott School and Language College, in Darlington. Stuart Proctor, of Cummins, said
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Darlington Business Focus: Sales on the up for Forge House Group
A DARLINGTON industrial design company has announced increased sales. The Forge House Group, which operates from the Cleveland trading estate, has maintained a steady growth. Closing off its fourth financial year since a management buyout by four employees
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Parade to honour soldiers through the ages
A PARADE this weekend honours veterans who have been called into battle when Britain's armed forces have been stretched in conflict around the world. It is a tribute to the ordinary men who joined the 2nd Battalion of North Yorkshire's Green Howards.
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Parade to honour soldiers through the ages
A PARADE this weekend honours veterans who have been called into battle when Britain's armed forces have been stretched in conflict around the world. It is a tribute to the ordinary men who joined the 2nd Battalion of North Yorkshire's Green Howards.
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Fury over deadly delays on rail 'junk'
RAILTRACK took five weeks to comply with an order to clear dangerous debris that could have been used to de-rail a train on the East Coast MainLine, it was revealed last night. Engineers working on Britain's fastest line unwittingly put passengers' lives
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Second hotel hit by virus
A second Scarborough hotel has been hit by a virus. Ten days ago The Grand Hotel had to close after 200 guests and staff became infected by a virus known as Norwalk which causes sickness and diarrhoea but has now re-opened following extensive cleaning
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Members threatening to leave crisis-hit club
PLAYERS at a bowls club, which is facing financial crisis, are threatening not to renew their membership. As reported in The Northern Echo last month, Darlington and District Indoor Bowls Club was refused a handout from Darlington Borough Council for
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Detectives launch murder probe into addict's death
A DRUG addict found dead in a flat on Teesside was probably murdered for a drugs debt, police said yesterday. Robert Parkin was allegedly beaten several times over the course of four or five days before he died in a top-floor flat, in Shaftesbury Street
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Hall reopens doors to bright future
A COMMUNITY hall that has lain derelict for years is to reopen after a £500,000 refit. Bullion Hall in Chester-le-Street was built in the 1960s, but over the years its popularity declined and it eventually became so vandalised that it was closed three
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Exam watch dog sets duff question
The watchdog charged with the job of ensuring that accident-prone exam boards clean up their acts today admitted its own part in setting a duff question. Hundreds of pupils fell victim to the latest blunder, which left them sitting an exam riddled with
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Partnership appoints new chief executive
AN official has been appointed to improve community safety and the quality of life for people in Darlington. Jane Brown has taken on the role as the first chief executive of the Darlington Partnership. The partnership was set up to encourage economic
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Why this careless mum deserves detention
NOW that Patricia Amos is in detention, perhaps she's having to do lines as well: "I must send my daughters to school. I must send my daughters to school. I must send my daughters to school." Jailing a mother for her children's truancy seems a bit harsh
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Public to have say on school policies
THE public in North Yorkshire are to be given a chance to have their say as education chiefs try to balance policies for the future with the likely demand for school places. Population counts across the county's towns and villages will rise and fall in
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Rape trial jury told of threat to kill woman
A MAN twice raped a woman suffering from depression after first threatening to kill her, a court heard yesterday. She told police she felt unable to resist 30-year-old Peter Biggins who had a thumb and finger around her throat, said Christopher Attwooll
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Niall's unique red, white and green night raises £700,000
A CROWD of almost 36,000 turned out to pay their respects to one of football's true gentlemen last night - and helped raise £700,000. Niall Quinn has toiled for months in preparation for his tribute game between his Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light
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Kvaerner sees profit again
International construction and shipbuilding group Kvaerner has returned to profit in the first quarter of the year. The Anglo-Norwegian business, which employs more than 1,500 people in the Tees Valley, saw operating profits in the three months to March
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Team-mate killed father in punch-up
A FATHER died after he was punched by a soccer team-mate during the club's Christmas night out, a court heard. Ian Allan, 34, never regained consciousness after he was hit during a fight with a friend, Karl Layton, at the end of a night's drinking. Layton
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Team-mate killed father in punch-up
A FATHER died after he was punched by a soccer team-mate during the club's Christmas night out, a court heard. Ian Allan, 34, never regained consciousness after he was hit during a fight with a friend, Karl Layton, at the end of a night's drinking. Layton
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Rape jury hears of woman's injuries
A WOMAN who says she was raped in her home was found to have suffered injuries including bruises and grazes, a court heard yesterday. John Ellison is on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of raping and indecently assaulting the woman. He denies the
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Royal thank you letter to dance group
THE Queen has written to thank a group of dancers who performed for her during her visit to Darlington last week. In a letter to the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Isobel Hartley, the Queen congratulated the performers from the Tees Dance Initiative
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Compost for plant projects
COUNTY Durham could be made a more colourful place thanks to an offer of free compost made from recycled garden waste. Premier Waste Management and Durham County Council are making the offer to the county's 99 town and parish councils for planting projects
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Muchall given chance to fulfil early promise
DURHAM will give Gordon Muchall the chance to build on the promising start to his first-class career at Cardiff today. They take on Glamorgan over the next five days, and while 19-year-old Muchall is unlikely to feature in Sunday's National League clash
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Coaching for tennis fans
TENNIS fans can hone their skills at a new club in Darlington's Eastbourne Sports Complex. The club, which opens today, will operate on a pay-as- you-play basis. Tennis coach Dave Weyman will be on hand to offer advice. Club members will have access to
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New appeal as search for missing farmer goes on
POLICE have renewed their appeal for a missing North-East farmer to get in touch. Frank Johnson, 55, has not contacted his family since he left his home at West Shipley Farm, near Hamsterley, County Durham, for a business meeting on Friday. His maroon-coloured
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Governors appeal
AN APPEAL has been made by Darlington Borough Council for volunteers to become school governors. Volunteers, who do not receive payment, need to be reliable, dedicated and interested in the future of education. Governors do not need to have a child at
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Police check for vehicle defects
POLICE have begun roadside checks to catch potentially dangerous vehicles on County Durham's roads. During the next two weeks, officers will be checking for defects such as worn tyres, faulty exhausts, broken lights and handbrakes not working properly
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Cabbie's anger over state of town roads
POTHOLES have been blamed for causing Darlington motorists thousands of pounds in repair bills. Taxi driver George Jenkinson claims the condition of roads in the town is the worst in the region and that poorly-maintained surfaces around the town are taking
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Plant equipment taken
WORKERS creating a junction to make the A66 safer for motorists at the Sadberge interchange returned after the weekend to find two pieces of plant equipment missing. The Tarmac employees had taken delivery of a dumper truck and a roller before finishing
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Old school pals reunite
FORMER classmates have travelled from around the world for a reunion more than 30 years after leaving their schooldays behind. More than 160 people took part in the event to recall their days at the former Alderman Wraith Grammar School in Spennymoor.
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Air museum's helicopter show prepared for lift-off
HISTORIC aircraft will be joined by some modern-day military muscle this weekend. Yorkshire Air Museum, at Elvington, near York, is hosting its third annual helicopter day on Sunday with exhibits coming from across the region. An RAF Sea King helicopter
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Community association meeting
CHAIRMAN Jack Glendinning reported on a successful year at the annual meeting of Sedgefield College Community Association. He said that with the college obtaining sports college status there was a spin-off to the community. The improved facilities which
