Archive
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You write: Shocking price of council computers
SIR - I read with interest your article about the 61 councillors who are going to receive free computers, desk and chair, combined fax/scanner/ printer, at a cost of approximately £174,175 - with ongoing charges of £104,635 a year. As a local computer
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Mum tried to poison baby
A MOTHER from Stanley tried to poison her baby by secretly adding dangerous amounts of salt to her milk. For six months 20-year-old Rebecca Graham added sachets of salt to her daughter Kaitlyn's bottles hoping to have the baby hospitalised so she wouldn't
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Expert urges NHS rethink
ONE of the region's foremost experts on the NHS has urged the Government to abandon much of its policy on the Health Service. David Hunter, professor of health policy and management at Durham University, believes that in many areas of health policy, New
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Gardening: How to live in green peace
I RECENTLY had a friend come to me in mild desperation. They had just moved house and were suffering from well meaning but over-helpful neighbours. Although they were getting on extremely well with everyone in their new surroundings, they just felt as
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Police officers' first aid skills prove real lifesaver
TWO EXPERIENCED police officers put their first aid skills into practice to literally bring a man back from the dead. Sixty-one-year-old David Venn said he owed his life to the pair of passing detectives who came to his aid when he suddenly collapsed
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Northallerton facing up to mission impossible
Champions Guisborough go into today's home game with Northallerton defending an unbeaten record which stretches back to August 2000. And after last Sunday's magnificent ECB National Knockout Cup victory over an all-star Nunnington team, Northallerton
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Play-off return to Kingsholme holding no fears for Andrew
NEWCASTLE Falcons go back into the lions' den today when they face Gloucester in the Zurich Premiership play-offs. Rob Andrew has issued an apology, although by no means a grovelling one, after being threatened with legal action for his accusations of
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Blakey and Dawson rescue Yorkshire to set up chance of victory
Richard Blakey and Richard Dawson were transformed into Richard the Lionhearts at Canterbury yesterday when their seventh- wicket crusade stopped Kent from completing what had appeared to be a straightforward victory march inside three days. The pair
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Play workers' success
A GROUP of newly-qualified play workers have received certificates recognising their dedication to learning. The eight women spent 30 weeks training at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, in Newton Aycliffe. They were presented with Adult Learners Awards
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Computer shop is a first for village
FISHBURN has its first computer shop, which also hopes to provide services to surrounding villages. The appropriately named Computer Shop was opened in the village this week by Sarah Cole. Miss Cole, 26, who will run the business with her engineer boyfriend
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MP opens railway history exhibition
AN exhibition centring on the North-East's historic railway heritage was opened by MP Alan Milburn yesterday. The temporary exhibition is expected to boost visitor numbers at Darlington's Railway Museum this year. Dozens of former employees at the North
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Trainee wins the silver axe
A TRAINEE firefighter from Teesside took top honours on a 15-week training course for new recruits and won an award for best student. David Bell, a recruit at Cleveland Fire Brigade, was presented with the award for top trainee at the passing out day
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Police officer gearing up for triathlon test
A POLICE officer will be in deep water today - a prospect she eagerly looks forward to. PC Kath Findley, who is based in Stockton, will be achieving a lifetime's ambition when she plunges into the Tees Barrage for the first leg of a triathlon. The 34-
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Lifeboatman's big day
THE oldest lifeboat man in the country has celebrated his 101st birthday. Sid Arrowsmith, from Darlington, was made an honorary crew member of the RNLI lifeboat station at Redcar, last year. He celebrated his milestone birthday with friends and family
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Schoolgirl's death 'not suspicious'
A SCHOOLGIRL was found dead at her home yesterday. The 12-year-old is thought to have died of natural causes and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery, said a police spokesman. Her body was discovered at her home in the Jarrow
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Adult learners celebrate their achievements
A WORKING mother was among dozens of students who proved it is never too late to learn when they celebrated their success at Bishop Auckland College's adult learners' awards evening. Sharon Jackson, a single parent with two young children, who lives in
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38 N-E fans in World Cup ban
THIRTY eight supporters from North-East football clubs are officially banned from travelling to the World Cup, police figures show. The fans will be required to surrender their passports and will not get them back until the end of the tournament, which
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Mayor boosts charity funds
THE retiring Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Sheila Mlatilik, raised more than £5,000 for charity during her year in office. Coun Mlatilik, who handed over the chains of office to Councillor Michael Dalton this week, chose the District Nurses Trust
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Rob nabs top police award
A COMPUTER specialist has become the first civilian to win Durham Constabulary's top annual award. The force's system support manager Rob Green, 49, has won the Matt Wilkinson Trophy, which is given for outstanding police work and ideas that make a major
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Villages going into battle
SIX proud communities are to battle for the title of Yorkshire village of the year, it was announced yesterday. The contest, sponsored by gas company Calor, is being run for villages in the north-east of the county this year, following a switch to a new
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Villagers in protest over charity team
A LANDOWNER has dropped plans to open a home for charity workers in Croft, near Darlington, after protests from residents. Bill Chaytor, whose family have owned land in the village for centuries, wanted to open a centre for volunteers working at the Clow
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Ices vans -selling cigarettes'
COUNCIL officials are investigating reports that cigarettes are being sold from ice cream vans around Darlington. Although there are no licensing laws preventing ice cream vans selling cigarettes, vans in Darlington are subject to extra restrictions.
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TV's Denise backs bone disease battle
NORTH-East agony aunt Denise Robertson is backing an osteoporosis campaign. The TV personality joined County Durham women Joan McArthur, Joan Stephinson, and Elaine Osborne, who suffer from the condition, and life-size mannequins depicting stages of it
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Labour will work with Ray Mallon
A COUNCIL'S Labour leaders have decided to bury the hatchet with Mayor Ray Mallon. Labour councillors, who have the majority of seats on Middlesbrough Council, have performed a U-turn and unanimously agreed to work with the town's first elected mayor.
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Jail for burglar who ruined his record
A BURGLAR who had stayed out of trouble for ten years before breaking into a house was jailed for nine months yesterday. Anthony Wright-King, broke into a home in Hemlington, near Middlesbrough, in the middle of the night in January, following the breakdown
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Beauty spot is put on the map at last
AN Ordnance Survey map highlighting a County Durham beauty spot has gone on sale. The Landranger map covering the Barnard Castle and Richmond areas has changed its look and replaced the cover with a picture of Eggleston Abbey, in Teesdale. The map covers
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Sheltered housing group to conduct user survey
A GROUP providing sheltered housing is conducting a survey in Barnard Castle to improve its service. The Endeavour Housing Association is carrying out the survey at Gloucester Place, 16 two-bedroom flats for older people, which opened at the end of last
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Key role in forum for young student
A NEWTON Aycliffe student is playing a key role in planning a regional event. Alan Strickland, 18, a student at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, is helping to organise the Young Citizen Shaping the Future conference at Ramside Hall, Durham
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Journalists' action vote in pay dispute
JOURNALISTS on the Newcastle Chronicle, Journal and Sunday Sun are balloting for industrial action because the company refuses to go to the conciliation service Acas over pay. About 20 journalists have been made redundant at the Newcastle papers, part
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West agrees to key role in Lear
SCREEN and stage star Timothy West has agreed to take the title role in Shakespeare's King Lear at Durham's Gala Theatre in November. The English Touring Theatre company production will run from November 19 to 23. Tickets costing £17.50 to £24.50 are
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Park is closed to protect skaters
FEARS over escalating drug abuse and fighting between groups of youngsters have forced the closure of a showpiece skateboard park. Council chiefs confirmed yesterday that they were having to shut down the park behind the Hydro swimming pool, in Harrogate
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Men quizzed over theft of computer equipment
TWO MEN will be questioned this weekend by police investigating raids which targeted valuable computer equipment at Durham University. The men were arrested by detectives from Durham in London yesterday, before being brought north to be interviewed about
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High achievement earns Roy award at new show
Entrepreneur Roy Stanley is the first winner of the County Durham Lifetime of Achievement Award. The presentation was one of the highlights of the inaugural County Durham Business Show, at the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, last night. More than 150
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Quakers skipper Liddle lifts the top player title
DARLINGTON defender Craig Liddle has been named The Northern Echo's Player of the Year for 2001-02. The inspirational captain finished ahead of all other North-East players and he has become the first winner of the title. And the delighted Quakers defender
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Cash boost for talking newspaper
A TALKING newspaper for the blind has been awarded more than £4,000 by The Northern Echo's parent company. Darlington's Talking Newspaper moved into The Northern Echo's head office earlier this year when it found itself without a home. And yesterday,
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Kindest cut says thanks to hospice
A WOMAN had her head shaved yesterday to raise money for a hospice. Jane Greener decided to get rid of her shoulder-length hair to say thank you to the Butterwick Hospice at Stockton, which cared for her father's partner, Jean Porritt, during her battle
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Plans for sewage system criticised
PLANS for a new sewage system in east Cleveland have been criticised in the first stages. Northumbrian Water is legally obliged to build a sewage treatment works in Skinningrove and has shortlisted ten possible sites to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
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Catering for leap into the food industry
WHEN salesman Barrie Watson was selected as a finalist on BBC television's Master Chef, it encouraged him to rethink his career options, and became the entree to a new career. But Barrie still had reservations and sought help from the business start-up
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Police to combat street's problem
RESIDENTS who feel they are living a nightmare because of continuous anti-social behaviour in their street are urging the police to try to combat the problem. Firefighters were called to Mayfair Street, Hartlepool, early on Thursday morning following
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One small step for harvest mice... one giant leap for their revival
THE harvest mice released into the North-East countryside yesterday were not to know it, but they were the pioneers in a project to reverse decades of destruction by humans. Weighing less than a two pence piece, the creatures were the first in a regional
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Ten years of teaching in country ravaged by war
A NORTH-East woman is celebrating her tenth anniversary of teaching blind children in an African country where civil war has raged for a decade. Barbara Davidson, 45, from Newcastle, travelled to Sierra Leone with the Voluntary Service Overseas in 1992
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Sacriston topping the tree
Sacriston, on the fringe of the last season's championship race, go into today's home game against Tynedale in pole position with three wins and a tie from four outings. Stephen Ball's signing from Norton has already proved to be an astute move and with
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News in brief: Cars targeted for airbags
A SECOND village in County Durham has become the target of thieves who risk injury by stealing airbags from vehicles. Raiders who broke into a Lexus car, in Snackgate Lane, Heighington, near Darlington, took two of the explosive devices, as well as a
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Sheltered housing group conducting a user survey
A GROUP providing sheltered housing is conducting a survey in Barnard Castle to improve its service. The Endeavour Housing Association is carrying out the survey at Gloucester Place, 16 two-bedroom flats for older people, which opened at the end of last
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Support for temple event
A WEEKEND to encourage cultural awareness throughout the country has been awarded a £500 grant. Darlington Borough Council has given the money to the Akal Federation which is hosting the community event at the town's Sikh temple. The cost of the event
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Farmer for trial over pig records
A PIG farmer has gone on trial charged with failing to keep records of animal movements just before the foot-and-mouth crisis. Alan Clement, 58, has pleaded not guilty to 14 charges of failing to keep and failing to produce records of pig movements from
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Safety focus in fire brigade talks
RAY Mallon is to have talks with the bosses of a fire brigade where a strike threat was averted at the 11th hour. Mr Mallon will be meeting Chief Fire Officer John Doyle, executive director Ian Hayton and members of his senior management team on Monday
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News in brief: Appeal night aids hospital
ALMOST £2,000 was raised at a charity night in aid of Darlington Memorial Hospital's digital retinal camera appeal. The Save Our Sight appeal committee organised the event at Darlington Arts Centre. PARTNERSHIP MEETS: Bishop Auckland Community Partnership
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Hear all sides: DIANE PRETTY
THE Diane Pretty saga poses many questions on whether allowing an individual to suffer against her wishes is morally correct, or a violation of human rights. The views of Rachel Hurst, director of Disability Awareness, (Echo, May 13) are not based on
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Marking jubilee with new beers
AN award-winning brewery is to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee in liquid form. The Malton Brewery, which operates from behind Suddaby's Crown Hotel in Wheelgate, Malton, North Yorkshire, is to launch two beers to commemorate the event. In a break
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Weatherman breezes in to launch walk
TELEVISION weatherman Bob Johnson put his best foot forward to launch a charity walk. Mr Johnson, from Tyne Tees Television launched The Children's Foundation's Yellow Brick Road sponsored walk, planned for Sunday, June 23, at Beamish Museum's 1825 railway
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Football fans to admire student's flair
FOOTBALL supporters will soon be given the chance to admire the creative flair of one North-East student. Amanda Livingstone, from MacMillan College in Middlesbrough, took part in a project organised by the Middlehaven Partnership to submit designs for
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At your Service: Staying on the rites track
Frowning on women who wear trousers to church and being declared "morally illicit" by the heads of the Catholic Church have done little to stem the enthusiasm of members of a deeply conservative Catholic society. FOR the first tine in 30 years, the Latin
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Musicians set to go far
FOLLOWING the success of a British tour last year, young musicians from Northallerton are heading further afield. The Allertonshire School Concert Band and Choir are preparing for a seven-day tour to the South of France. The tour begins at the end of
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Post office couple ready to retire
A COUPLE are putting their village post office on the market after being behind the counter for 32 years. Councillor John Severs and his wife, Elizabeth, are retiring from West End post office and stores in Ampleforth. Mrs Severs said: "It is a focal
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Turner confident Pool will get off to flier
CHRIS Turner is determined to ensure Hartlepool United are not playing catch-up next season. The Victoria Park boss is desperate for his team to get off to a good start in August after suffering miserable openings to the last three campaigns. Turner has
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Initiative to reduce crime by youths
A NEW initiative aimed at cutting the amount of crime committed by bored youngsters is to go on trial in Catterick. Teenagers left to amuse themselves have been blamed for a growing number of incidents of vandalism and criminal damage in the area. However
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Inquest into death of boy, 13
AN inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday into the death of a teenager. The brief hearing was told that the body of 13-year-old Duncan Johnson was found at his family's house in Gayle, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday. A post mortem examination was carried
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Promenade murder charge denied
A TEENAGER accused of the seaside promenade murder of a homeless man has formally denied the charge. David Pallister, 18, pleaded not guilty yesterday to murdering Richard Jones, 47, whose badly beaten body was found at South Shields sea front on New
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Young voters take elections seriously
VOTERS went to the polls in Hartlepool again this week - but this time there was not a monkey suit in sight. Pupils at High Tunstall School took time out from lessons to vote for their head boy and girl during their annual elections. Following a day of
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Gold award leaves sporty students jumping for joy
A SCHOOL has become the first in the region to be granted a prestigious sporting award. Carmel RC Technology College, in Darlington, has been presented a Sportmark Gold award, which is the highest accolade given by Sport England. Only 50 schools across
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Angling scheme catches bank's attention
AN acclaimed scheme to keep youngsters off the streets by getting them hooked on fishing has won a bank's backing. The scheme, brainchild of Durham police constable Mick Watson, was launched two years ago and has introduced more than 200 youngsters aged
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Royal streaker is sacked from job
STREAKER Brynn Reed has been sacked from his civil service job after he stripped in front of the Queen. Reed shocked onlookers after he took his clothes off in front of the Queen and ran past the royal car during her visit to the North-East. Hundreds
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Skate facilities 'would end havoc'
TEENAGE skateboarders in an east Cleveland town are causing havoc because they do not have proper facilities. Councillor Joan Sands, who represents the Saltburn ward on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council
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Gallery illustrates novel work of artists
AN art gallery is hosting an exhibition celebrating children's books. Until September 15, visitors to Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery can view fine art as part of the Magic Pencil exhibition. Specially selected by the celebrated author and illustrator Quentin
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Results of collaboration go on display in exhibition
THE results of a six-month collaboration between three Dales schools, an historian a farming family and a photographer go on show this weekend. The Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes, hosts the A Way of Life exhibition, which includes both photographic
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Customers offered higher stakes in pub
WHILE most games of dominoes or shove ha'penny played down the pub usually earn the winners little more than a pint, Pelton pub-goers are playing for higher stakes. Punters at The Bird Inn, in Pelton have won their local heats in a national pub games
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Young footballers are in seventh heaven after season of success
ARSENAL might have won the championship and FA Cup double, but that is nothing compared with the mighty St Patrick's RC Primary School first team. The Consett school has won seven trophies this year, and only narrowly missed out on one of the North-East's
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Reliable Robbie's Boro future still in balance
MIDFIELDER Robbie Mustoe is listening to offers as his contract stalemate drags on at Middlesbrough. Mustoe, whose current deal runs out this summer, has been offered another year with Steve McClaren's side. But Northern Echo Sport can reveal that the
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Regeneration project's accolade for achievements
A REGENERATION project has won top marks - for building community relationships besides laying bricks and mortar. West Middlesbrough New Deals for Communities has won plaudits for its good relationships, its moves to set up a neighbourhood trust, and
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Grassroots: Washington
GIVE LIFE: Blood can be donated at the Conference Room of the Washington Leisure Centre, from 2.30pm to 7pm, on Friday. FOLK NIGHT: Dana Robinson will be the guest star of the Davy Lamp Folk Club next Saturday at the Biddick Arts Centre. SCHOOL AWARDS
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Not a whole lot of lekking going on
Rarely seen but never forgotten, it is reckoned to be one of the natural wonders of the moors. Nick Morrison goes in search of the elusive lekking of the black grouse. ANYONE who knows anything about moorland birds will tell you it is one of the most
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Firm is fined for tragic failings
A WATER company was fined £50,000 yesterday when it accepted that its shortcomings had contributed to an accident in which one of its employees died. Northumbrian Water was also ordered to pay £10,000 costs at Teesside Crown Court. The company pleaded
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School needs sponsors
STUDENTS are embarking on a 24-hour sports session in a bid to help their school secure specialist sports status Roseberry Comprehensive School in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, is currently trying to raise £50,000 in sponsorship in order to qualify
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Diary reveals burial clues
A LOST chronicle of the region's worst-ever mining disaster has been shown to The Advertiser. Within the yellowing pages of the diary - written at the time but never before seen by historians - is a vital clue to how many of the 168 men and boys who perished
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Exacting challenge as Ryan gambles on Cardinal Venture
TEN-TO-FOLLOW pick Cardinal Venture (4.20) has the speed to claim today's feature event at Thirsk, the six-furlong £10,000 Tote Exacta Handicap. Ensuring that readers of our ever-popular supplement, Racing North, make a profit is never easy. However,
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Pool trio receive call-up
HARTLEPOOL provides three members of the Durham County (EBA) team to open their programme in the Muras Trophy game against Northumberland at Spennymoor next Saturday. Former international Dave Kilner (Owton Lodge) is joined by his son-in-law and clubmate
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Family solves grave mystery
RESEARCH by amateur historians and the family archives of Advertiser readers are slowly beginning to reveal the final resting places of the men and boys who died in the region's worst mining disaster. Though 168 died in the Stanley Burns Pit disaster
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Durham put faith in seam
DURHAM coach Martyn Moxon is hoping conditions will favour his seamers when Glamorgan start their second innings needing 201 to win at Sophia Gardens today. "It's evenly balanced and we are disappointed not to have had a bowl today," he said after a 4pm
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In the Picture: A role to die for
Annabelle Apsion hardly had time to celebrate her first, and unexpected, role in a soap when she was bumped off. But she says she still enjoyed the experience. ANNABELLE Apsion never much fancied being in a soap until she joined the cast of Coronation
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Action taken by criticised school
PLANS to improve teaching standards at an 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 making slower progress
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New claim against car-maker in wake of sex discrimination case
A SECOND woman has claimed she quit Nissan's award-winning North-East plant because of a problem with a male colleague. Claire Archbold, 25, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, claims she clashed with a male member of staff from the moment she started
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In the Picture: A role to die for
Annabelle Apsion hardly had time to celebrate her first, and unexpected, role in a soap when she was bumped off. But she says she still enjoyed the experience. ANNABELLE Apsion never much fancied being in a soap until she joined the cast of Coronation
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Roll up for all the fun of
A DURHAM man is hoping to revolutionise the second-hand car business by launching, what he believes is the country's first car fair. The event is being organised by Trevor Lightburn, who runs an employment agency in Newcastle, and as well as the serious
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Nobby pleases his boss
NEWCASTLE United's Peruvian winger Nolberto Solano has put his international ambitions on hold to keep himself in manager Bobby Robson's good books - and boost the Magpies' assault on the Champions' League. Solano incurred the wrath of Robson when he
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Department on move
A SOCIAL services department is on the move into new purpose-built office accommodation. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Children and Families teams will be the first occupants of Seafield House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar when they move to the
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Firm is fined after worker crushed
A TEENAGER was crushed when a quarrying machine he was maintaining was switched on while he was inside, a court heard yesterday. Anthony Hodgson, from Weardale, County Durham, suffered a fractured vertebrae when he became trapped in a crusher used to
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News in brief: Appeal night aids hospital
ALMOST £2,000 was raised at a charity night in aid of Darlington Memorial Hospital's digital retinal camera appeal. The Save Our Sight appeal committee organised the event at Darlington Arts Centre. PARTNERSHIP MEETS: Bishop Auckland Community Partnership
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Virgin climbs as Hilton descends
TWO businesses hit by the fall out from the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US have reported contrasting fortunes in the first three months of the year. While Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic made its first quarterly profit since the attacks
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Mayor Mallon makes friends
THE new mayor of Middlesbrough was in conciliatory mood yesterday as he faced past enemies at his first full council meeting. Ray Mallon was all smiles as he thanked councillors for welcoming him to the chamber - despite an imposing front row of Labour
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Sponsorship deal boosts Reid's transfer funds
SUNDERLAND manager Peter Reid, determined to rebuild his first-team squad during the summer, has found his war-chest boosted by a new multi-million pound sponsorship deal with giant motor dealers Reg Vardy. The exact value of the two-year agreement was
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Sisters on the trail of their NE roots
TWO sisters have travelled thousands of miles to the North-Eastin a bid to trace their roots. Val Perriman, from Deloriane in Manitoba, Canada, and Kathleen Chadwell, who lives in Minot in North Dakota, USA, arrived in County Durham last week. It is the
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Norton look to kickstart their season against the Seasiders
Norton, bottom of the table with just 12 points from three games, have a chance to redress their indifferent start to the season when they host Tynemouth. The Seasiders lost a number of leading players during the close season, and although they have drawn
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Community centre is reborn
A COMMUNITY hall that has been derelict for years is to reopen after a sweeping £500,000 refit. Bullion Hall in Chester-le-Street quickly became the linchpin of its community after it was built in the 1960s. But over the years its popularity declined
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Firefighter's award
A TRAINEE firefighter from Teesside took top honours on a 15-week training course for new recruits. David Bell, of the Cleveland Fire Brigade, was presented with silver axe for best student at a graduation ceremony at County Durham and Darlington Fire
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Death of teenager remains a mystery
THE parents of a tragic teenager say they must learn to live with their loss now the inquest into his death has closed. Levi George Price, 16, was found hanged in the garden shed at his home in Louvaine Terrace, Ferryhill, an inquest at Bishop Auckland
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Glass warehouse earmarked for ice hockey rink
ICE sports' enthusiasts have pinpointed a glass company warehouse as a potential venue for a new rink facility. Proposals to convert premises in Pallion, Sunderland, were revealed yesterday by members of the city's ice hockey club. The redevelopment plans
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Proof of age cards to cut down illegal sales
TEENAGERS in the North-East are to receive proof of age cards, highlighting the law on sales of cigarettes, solvents and alcohol. Consumer officials in County Durham launched the Connexions Card yesterday, backed by their counterparts in Northumberland
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Musical youth lead proms extravaganza
THE first of two proms celebrations took place last night. The Promenade for Youth, held at Darlington's Dolphin Centre, provided a fitting forerunner to tonight's showcase Last Night of the Proms event, which also takes place at the leisure centre. Both
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Hell of the North ride for charity
A MAN whose wife was diagnosed with cancer at 26 is turning to pedal power to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Darren Weston is one of four members of staff from Halfords, in Bishop Auckland and Darlington, who will complete a 1,400-mile bike tour
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Pensioner's bag stolen
AN 82-year-old woman was shaken but unhurt after a thief snatched her handbag. The attack happened in Darlington at 10.20am on Thursday, as the elderly victim was walking along Greenbank Road towards Woodland Road. After snatching the navy blue handbag
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Buggy boost for scheme
A MOTHER has raised more than £200 to buy a specialist buggy for children. Heather Burke decided to buy the buggy for Darlington's Shopmobility scheme after a similar one made a big difference to the life of her autistic son, Gregory. Mrs Burke sold children's
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Taking over library
YOUNGSTERS at Alderman Leach Primary School, Darlington, are taking over the organisation of their library, which has recently undergone a £7,000 refurbishment. All the pupils will also now have their own library card, allowing them to issue, return and
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Trade rules must be changed, MP told
CAMPAIGNERS from Christian Aid in Darlington have presented MP Alan Milburn with pledges from people opposed to world trade rules. The campaigners are working to change the rules relating to world trade and the effect it has on people in less developed
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Developers promise works site clean-up
DEVELOPERS have pledged to spend millions of pounds removing cyanide and arsenic from a former gasworks site to pave the way for a controversial housing scheme. Residents are fighting Persimmon Homes' plans to create a massive housing development at Heworth
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News in brief: Roadshows for council tenants
A series of roadshows will to be held in the Scarborough area to help council tenants understand proposals to transfer ownership to a local independent social landlord. Further information is available by ringing a free advice line on 0800 083 0429. MAST
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Helping the unemployed to StepUp
A PROGRAMME helping long-term unemployed people into work was launched on Wearside by Minister for Work Nick Brown yesterday. The minister launched the StepUp programme with the help of Margaret Moore, Sunderland district JobCentre Plus manager, at the
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Landmark restored
A CITY centre landmark has been restored to its former glory after skateboarders caused £10,000 worth of damage. The fountain in Parliament Street, in the centre of York, traditionally a focal point for tourists and shoppers, had been closed off for four
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Proof of age cards sent out in region
TEENAGERS across much of the North-East are to receive proof of age cards, highlighting the law on sales of cigarettes, solvents and alcohol. Consumer chiefs in County Durham launched the new Connexions Card yesterday, backed by their counterparts in
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Chairman to step down
THE chairman of Billingham Regeneration Partnership Board has stepped down to concentrate on his expanding business. Roger Black, who has held the position for a year, decided to step back so he could focus on his print and promotional products business
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Mandelson attacks Labour over its 'patchy delivery'
Former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson has condemned as "too timid" Labour's first five years in power, in which "real delivery proved patchy". The Hartlepool MP, who was one of the chief architects of New Labour, also attacks the Government over the
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Lanes to close for maintenance
There will be a number of lane closures on the A1086, A66, A171 and A174 throughout Redcar and Cleveland all next week to allow for street cleaning duties, repairs and maintenance works to be carried out by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
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Pringle problems for Murton
Silksworth, the only side with a 100 per cent record after three matches, host unbeaten Murton buoyed by their magnificent victory over Hylton last weekend when 18-year old captain Chris Pringle stole the show. More of the same from Pringle and his opening
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Jailed peer's N-East fortune
Shamed Tory peer Jeffrey Archer is earning a fortune behind bars from a North-East nest egg. The disgraced former MP, jailed for four years for perjury, owns property across the North East. It means the multi-millionaire best-selling author is still getting
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Army puts its drivers to the test
NOT every driving test includes getting a Land Rover or a four-tonne truck around a cross country obstacle course. But then, if the Army is going to live up to its Be The Best boast, it needs to demand more from its drivers. Soldiers from across the North
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Mill worker in accident 'doing well'
A SAWMILL worker whose arm was broken when it became trapped in machinery was recovering at home last night. Fire crews were called to Duncombe Sawmills, in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, and needed powerful cutting equipment to free 28-year-old Raymond Smith
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Laura hopes to hit dizzy heights at dance school
LIKE a latter-day Kid from Fame, Laura Risbrough hopes to learn how to fly high on stage. Laura, 16, a student in classical ballet and pupil at the Val Armstrong Dance School, has recently accepted a place at the prestigious Hammond School in Chester
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Soldiers face elements and nature's full strength
SOLDIERS from North Yorkshire will be facing an unusual enemy on an exercise abroad. The party of six serving with the 1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment have set out to join Exercise Northern Arctic Rose. They are expecting the weather to
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Grants can give artists clear future
Glass artists aiming for business success now have no need to take their talents away from the North-East thanks to nearly £150,000 of funding. The cash will allow fledgling companies entering the market to use facilities at the National Glass Centre
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Three tenors
Three British tenors James Fitzgerald, Geoffrey Coles and Morgan Lee-James will appear in Tenorissimo at the Sunderland Empire Theatre, on Thursday, May 30, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £10 to £15, are available from the box office on 0191-514 2517.
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In the midst of death
TODAY'S health warning concerns cookery. It is bad for you. Quite possibly fatal. Any food which is fried or baked may cause cancer, British experts say in findings which have apparently "sent shockwaves around the world". But before you rush to cut fried
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Angling scheme hooks extra cash
AN acclaimed scheme to keep youngsters off the streets by getting them hooked on fishing has won the support of Barclays Bank. Durham PC Mick Watson launched the scheme two years ago. Since then it has introduced more than 200 youngsters, aged between
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Woman's fire death caused by cigarette
A WOMAN died in a house fire that started because she fell asleep while smoking in bed, an inquest heard. Widow Jean Nicholson, 61, died of hypoglemic shock due to severe burns the night after fire ripped through the bungalow where she lived alone. The
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Action over state of allotments
NEW rules are being brought in to ensure allotment gardeners in a Darlington village look after their plots. Concern was expressed at a recent meeting of the Middleton St George parish council, that many allotments in the village have been neglected.
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System glitch brings flights chaos
Thousands of air passengers were facing travel misery last night after an air traffic computer problem triggered mass flight delays and cancellations. Travellers throughout the country were left waiting for up to six hours for flights after a software
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Family solves grave mystery
RESEARCH by amateur historians and the family archives of Advertiser readers are slowly beginning to reveal the final resting places of the men and boys who died in the region's worst mining disaster. Though 168 died in the Stanley Burns Pit disaster
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Prison for woman in Leonie death case
A LITTLE girl saw her friend knocked down by her mother's boyfriend before he drove off and left the youngster, a court heard yesterday. Leonie Shaw, six, died after colliding with a car, which had just five per cent of one brake working, near her home
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Labour election blow
LABOUR has been dealt yet another blow on Teesside after losing a by-election. After losing out to H'Angus the Monkey and Ray Mallon in the mayoral elections for Hartlepool and Middlesbrough earlier this month, it has now lost a seat on Stockton Borough
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PC death trial man guilty of horrific torture
A GANG leader cleared of murdering a North-East policem officer was last night facing a lengthy jail sentence after being convicted of the kidnap and horrific torture of two men. Self-styled "Prince Of Darkness" Mark Lambie, 30, was convicted at the Old
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Chips off the NY block
THIRTY-TWO examples of New York City's finest masculinity are heading for the region in December - thanks to the US Chippendales latest tour. Eleven numbers choreographed and staged to music are promised at Newcastle's City Hall on Sunday, December 15
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'Murder attempt' denied
A MAN appeared in court yesterday and denied a charge of attempted murder. Keith Brannan, 58, of Doxford Walk, Hemlington, Middlesbrough, spoke only to confirm his name and plea at the short hearing held at Teesside Crown Court. He pleaded not guilty
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Sponsored walk
Students at New College Durham completed a sponsored walk of up to six miles called Walk for Life on Thursday. Proceeds from the walk and a raffle will go to St Cuthbert's Hospice.
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Army major who trained soldiers for war dies at 81
AN Army major, who overcame wartime restrictions to transport a pack of beagles from the South to Catterick Garrison by taxi and train, has died aged 81. Major John Parry was born in Ireland but returned to England withhis family after the death of his
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Surgery inquest verdict
Teesside deputy coroner Gordon Hetherington recorded a verdict of misadventure after a man died of pneumonia following heart surgery. George William Hayton, 80, of Garthorne Avenue, Darlington, developed pneumonia after a heart valve replacement operation
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Marking 50 years in ministry
A FORMER archdeacon who won plaudits for his inner-city work is celebrating 50 years of ministry. Retired archdeacon of Richmond Norman McDermid put youth work to the fore while he was vicar of Bramley in 1957 with successful youth clubs and thriving
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Residents face up to courses
RESIDENTS of a Teesside community are well and truly in the picture about courses on offer at their local university. When, as part of Adult Learners' Week, staff from the University of Teesside descended on Hemlington, near Middlesbrough, local people
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Six are chasing dream of stardom
SIX young people with North-East connections are chasing the dream of a year's contract as a presenter on Children's BBC. Out of the hundreds who attended last Tuesday's Making It audition, at Newcastle's Odeon Cinema, the six were invited to go forward
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Helen is new chairman of council
A FORMER science teacher has become the new chairman of Ryedale District Council - and is only the fourth woman to do so. Councillor Helen Schroeder took over the role at a council meeting in Malton. She represents the Ebberston ward and lives at Thornton-le-Dale
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News in brief: Acid spillage 'harmless'
AN acidic substance which spilled on to the southbound slip road of the A1(M) at the Bowburn interchange, near Durham, was confirmed to be non-hazardous. Three 225-litre drums were reported to be on the roadway, having spilled a small amount of a tar-like
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News in brief: Ian receives two accolades
Middlesbrough Council engineer Ian Busby has been awarded two accolades. The highway services manager has become one of a handful of people to receive the status of Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers. He has also collected the Institute's Geoff
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Police appeal for witnesses to accident
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a serious road accident in east Durham on Thursday. The incident took place just before 8.30pm, in Church Street, Murton and involved a Honda 1000cc motorcycle and a Fiat Punto car which collided head on. The motorcycle
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Council staff vote on strike action
NORTH-East council workers will vote on possible strike action which could involve more than 4,500 staff. Unison members working for Sunderland City Council will be balloted at a meeting on May 27, where the union's local government service group chairwoman
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Chelsea is good news for culture
VETERAN news broadcasters Kate Aidie and Nicholas Owen will learn about the region's capital of culture bid at the Chelsea Flower Show. The pair, who have North-East links, will be among the celebrities attending this year's show, featuring more than
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Library gets to the root of problem
A HELPING hand is to be given to people who want to delve into their family history by Durham's new library. The flagship Durham Clayport Library - part of the Millennium City complex in Claypath - has been inundated in the two months since it opened
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Allan's top class achievement
PAINTER and decorator Allan Metcalfe is looking at a classroom career after getting his BSc in maths and physics. Mr Metcalfe, from Durham, was among hundreds of Open University graduates from the North-East and Cumbria to receive their certificates from
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New bus lets village pupils enjoy clubs
A NEW bus service is allowing village youngsters to take part in after-school activities in Durham. The Vital Village Bus Link enables children from West Rainton, Sherburn, Pittington and Shadforth to get home from Belmont Comprehensive School on the
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You write: Shocking price of council computers
SIR - I read with interest your article about the 61 councillors who are going to receive free computers, desk and chair, combined fax/scanner/ printer, at a cost of approximately £174,175 - with ongoing charges of £104,635 a year. As a local computer
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You write: Shocking price of council computers
SIR - I read with interest your article about the 61 councillors who are going to receive free computers, desk and chair, combined fax/scanner/ printer, at a cost of approximately £174,175 - with ongoing charges of £104,635 a year. As a local computer
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Runners raise cash for project
Fifteen youngsters from East Cleveland took part in the Kirkleatham Fun Run on March 10 and raised almost £300 for the East Cleveland Athletics Tracks Association. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has pledged £40,000 towards the organisation's £400,000
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Forum to help boost tourism
A FORUM is to be set up in East Cleveland to help develop the area as a tourism destination. A report into tourism in the area has recently been published following years of work by John Jewitt of the Tees Valley Rural Community Council, who died last
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Kim breaks down the barriers
A GIRL has single-handedly dismantled the male-only ethos at Durham Chorister School. Kimberley Forrest, 13, has not only become the first head girl at the school, but has now won the top scholarship award. Founded by the cathedral prior and monks in
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Rob nabs top police award
COMPUTER specialist Rob Green, from South Moor, has become the first civilian to win Durham Police's top annual award. Mr Green, 49, the force's system support manager, has won the Matt Wilkinson Trophy, given for outstanding police work and ideas that
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Diary reveals burial clues
A LOST chronicle of the region's worst-ever mining disaster has been shown to The Advertiser. Within the yellowing pages of the diary - written at the time but never before seen by historians - is a vital clue to how many of the 168 men and boys who perished
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How to live in green peace
I RECENTLY had a friend come to me in mild desperation. They had just moved house and were suffering from well meaning but over-helpful neighbours. Although they were getting on extremely well with everyone in their new surroundings, they just felt as
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Boundaries report 'flawed'
REDCAR and Cleveland residents are being asked for their views on proposals for new local electoral arrangements. The Boundary Committee for England, which is currently reviewing council ward boundaries in all areas of Teesside, said there are areas in
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Safety risk to skateboarders
SKATEBOARDERS have been warned to steer clear of a potentially dangerous building that has proved a magnet for teenagers taking up the re-born craze. Police are concerned that youngsters converging on the former Northern Electric premises, overlooking
