Archive
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Road-rage grows as bus lanes solve some problems
BUS lanes should be modified and sequential traffic signals used to improve traffic problems between Egglescliffe and Yarm. New statistics indicate bus lanes along Yarm Road have alleviated some rush-hour problems, but blocked junctions, queue-jumping
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Emma tastes medal glory
Members of Darlington Harriers have been very busy over the last few weeks. At the North East Track & Field championships, Emma Clifford had an outstanding weekend coming away with a silver medal in the Under-13 girls shot put, and a bronze in the
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Health pioneers must wait a year to see the cash
HEALTH service improvements in Darlington are being kept on ice for the next 12 months because of a lack of NHS cash. This week the chief executive of the newly-formed primary care trust warned that far-reaching changes to GP and community nursing services
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Albert Fisher goes into receivership
FRESH and frozen food supplier Albert Fisher has gone into receivership and is to be divided up and sold off. The group, which employs about 3,000 staff in the UK is trading as normal, but receiver KPMG wants a quick sale of each of its businesses to
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Dancers hit the West End
TAP dancers from a Cleveland dance school appear in a West End show on Sunday. Toni Guillot and Jessica Bancroft, of Norton, are two of seven Teesside girls selected to appear in Cool Beat 2002, at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London. The girls are all members
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BOWLS
Darlington Veterans League Results: A Division MSG A3, Wood A ; Hundens A 0, Dton RA A 4; Barnard Castle A 3, Dene A 1; North Park 1, East Park A 2; South Park B 0, South Park A 4. Division A P W S L Pts B Castle A 2 2 0 0 7 East Park A 2 2 0 0 6 South
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North Shields facing promotion problem
Wearside League club North Shields could find themselves left high and dry if the FA can't solve the problem of relegation and promotion from the Northern League to its feeder leagues. The FA have become involved after frustrated clubs in the Northern
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Lead stolen from historic church
LEAD has been stolen from the roof of Yarm's historic parish church. Thieves apparently scaled Mary Magdalene Church using a long ladder taken from the nearby flood prevention work. They removed a large strip of the metal and other pieces worth £700.
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D&S Times is North-East weekly of the year - again
THE D&S Times has been awarded the title of North-East Weekly Newspaper of the Year - for the second year running. The award was made on Saturday at the Tom Cordner North-East Press Awards 2001, held in Newcastle. The judges said the D&S won because
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Max finds a family
LONELY wallaby Max, is jumping for joy. He is now the proud father of several baby wallabies, known as joeys. Only last year he was so desperate for company that he kept escaping from the garden of his York owner, Tom Calvert, who was eventually told
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Clergymen prepare for pastures new
A NEW deployment of priests in the central Scarborough area has been announced by the Church of England. It follows the routine moves of three clergymen last year and local consultation over how to best deploy incoming priests in the town as a whole.
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It's Black Sheep ale ... in Cannes
CHAMPAGNE and cocktails have been replaced by the best Yorkshire bitter at the world's most glamorous movie festival. Stars such as Cameron Diaz and Sharon Stone are being offered a pint of Black Sheep ale from the Masham brewery as they mingle with the
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Community group boost
RESIDENTS in an area of Darlington are to benefit from a £2,000 grant which has been awarded to a community group. Cockerton and Branksome Living Enterprise (Cable) hopes to expand its work in the Cockerton West area with the help of the money from the
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Cobble repairs are hitting trade, says shop owner
A YARM businessman is annoyed that cobble repair work at the High Street is behind schedule and, he says, is costing him trade. He claims the scheme has been particularly slow because contractors work short hours and Stockton Council was reluctant to
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Show boosts grass sickness research fund
AN extremely successful show at Hillcrest arena, Sunnyside, has enabled £700 to be sent to the Grass Sickness Fund, which is researching a cure for the deadly disease. It is the second time that Mandy and George Mitchell have run the fun event following
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Mayor breaks records with charity cheque
RETIRING after her year in office as chairman of Easington District Council, Councillor Audrey Laing handed over a record breaking cheque to her chosen charity. After 12 months of tireless fundraising Coun Laing presented £15,000 to the Chin Up organisation
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Truancy incease as over 200 picked up in one day
MORE than 230 truants have been picked up by police on the streets of a North-East city in a single day. Police were surprised to find so many pupils absent from school in the City of Sunderland area during a crackdown this week and have condemned parents
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Tribute to former boss of printing company
A North-East businessman has died, aged 67. Doug Peacock spent his working life at Parkgate Press, Darlington, where he was managing director until he stepped down last year. He took over the Borough Road business from his father, Walter, and oversaw
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On track to remove junk from railways
THE Railway Inspectorate has assured an industry watchdog that junk on railways and trespassing are among the key issues on its agenda, following an investigation by The Northern Echo. The North-East Rail Passenger Committee was given the promise during
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Vet 'changed his story' over disease-hit farm
A VET claimed a farm at the centre of last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak had been infected for a month, but changed his assessment when told he had checked the animals only weeks earlier, a court heard yesterday. But ministry vets hotly dispute the accusation
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French breeders outbide for promising young Saler
A NORTH Yorkshire farm outbid top French breeders to snap up a promising young Saler bull. Fifteen-month-old Sagitaire is now residing at Middleton-on-Leven near Yarm, home to the noted Rigel pedigree herd of Salers. Partners Terence and Jane Pye and
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'Young stars can carry us into Europe's elite' - Speed
NEWCASTLE midfielder Gary Speed yesterday insisted that the likes of Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy carry United's hopes of cementing their place among Europe's elite. World Cup-bound Dyer gave the Magpies a massive boost when he signed a new four-year
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Software reward for business vision
BUSINESSWOMAN Jeanette Davis has won a software package worth £200 in recognition of her entrepreneurial spirit. Ms Davis, 23, from Sunderland, won the Everywoman Solutions Plan (ESP), an online business solutions package designed by everywoman.com and
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News in brief
Double victory for schoolboys Cestria Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, celebrated a double victory when their football team won the five-a-side Chester-le-Street area competition and the Durham County competition for the first time. The competition
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welcome lift for balloon operator
NATIONAL hot air balloon flights consortium Balloons Over Britain has appointed Blue Sky Balloons as a regional operator. The Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, business will provide balloon flights for people in the Yorkshire and Cleveland areas as part
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MP urges Blair to 'bite euro bullet'
A North-East MP is urging Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown to "bite the euro bullet" and press on with a timetable for early British entry to the single currency. Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell claims it would have major economic benefits for the
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Raise rates to help manufacturers, Bank urged
THE Bank of England has been warned that recession-hit manufacturers are not yet "out of the woods" as pressure for an early interest rate rise intensified. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said that while the long-awaited manufacturing recovery
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More rail strikes to come
The Rail and Maritime Union at Arriva Trains Northern have announced they are to stage two more 24-hour strikes in the next few weeks. Rail passengers have been plagued by rail strikes in recent months and bosses at Arriva have said that the strike will
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Financial crisis hits new flagship theatre
A FLAGSHIP £14m arts venue has been plunged into financial crisis - just two weeks after its official opening by the Queen. The running of Durham's Gala Theatre was in the hands of the city council last night, following a last-minute rescue deal aimed
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Pub boss to face death charge
A PUB manager is due to appear in court this morning to face a manslaughter charge after a man injured in a bar fracas lost his fight for life. David Willis, 51, died in hospital yesterday afternoon, five days after suffering head injuries in the Darlington
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North Yorkshire
New strikes to hit railways A pay offer to head off further disruption on the region's railways has been rejected by the RMT union. After negotiations, Arriva Trains Northern increased its offer to an extra four per cent. But following its rejections,
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Club accused of snobbery after dropping part of name
A GOLF club in an exclusive Durham village has been accused of reneging on a 40-year deal after dropping the name of a neighbouring new town from its title. Yesterday, an official at Castle Eden Golf Club vigorously denied suggestions of snobbery after
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Tait does just the trick
Chester-le-Street, A Stunning hat-trick by centre-forward David Tait ensured Chester-le-Street Town Under 18s completed a 100 per cent clean sweep of trophy wins this season by adding the League Cup to their haul. The County Cup Winners were in action
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The Black Cat who got the cream
Stephen Wayson has completed the most remarkable season of his life having won a magnificent EIGHT trophies and to cap it off signed Academy forms with Sunderland. Playing for Darlington Albion Under-11s in the Richmond and District League, Stephen impressed
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Timetable of shame
l July 26, 2000: Rankin was one of a gang drinking alcohol in public, being abusive and setting fire to wheelie bins. l September 11, 2000: He was drinking alcohol in public and was involved in an assault, after which he signed an acceptable behaviour
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Quoits
Spennymoor Friendly League, The new season opened out with a good win for the reigning champions , Wolviston King's Arms B when they only dropped two points on their visit to Trimdon WM Club. The King's Arms A team also managed a victory but they were
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Choice of ten sites for new sewage works to halt beach discharges
DISCUSSIONS on alternative sites for a Skinningrove water treatment plant will be held with community representatives and councillors. Northumbrian Water hopes to build a treatment system and thereby end the practice of disposing of sewage on Skinningrove
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Skate boys win over their town
TEENAGERS outnumbered adults at Middleham's annual town meeting last week when the youngsters won more support for turning the old tennis courts into a skate park. "There's nought for us to do. We just stand around and get into trouble," explained 13-
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£50,000 move to help cut heart disease
A £50,000 expansion at a leisure complex has opened in an attempt to improve the fitness of people in an area recently named as the UK's heart attack blackspot. Health groups teamed up with Wear Valley District Council to boost fitness facilities at Woodhouse
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More red tape 'puts farming in straitjacket'
RED tape is putting farming in a straitjacket, says the new chairman of the Yorkshire branch of the Country Land and Business Association. In his first annual report, Mr Michael Willoughby hit out at both the Government and the European Union over increasing
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Grandmother vows to adventure on
A GRANDMOTHER who starred in a television show about ageism has vowed that the next adventure is just around the corner. Channel 4 documentary, Working With Dinosaurs, followed Dorothy Morton as she became an air stewardess at the age of 74. It was a
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Darlington and District League
Darlington and District League The weather played havoc with the programme and only two games went ahead in Division A and one in Division B. Barton had 46 runs in hand when they hosted Ingleton in a game which reduced to 30 overs a side. Even so, Barton
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Cancer charity total hits £160,000
CHARITY fund raisers have praised the generosity of grassroots supporters after an important milestone was reached. In October last year, the Macmillan County Durham Appeal was launched at Auckland Castle. The charity, which works with cancer patients
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Infection deals centre a bitter blow
RICHMOND Equestrian Centre has been forced to shut down for at least a month after a case of strangles was identified in a livery horse. Nick Marlowe, the owner, made the announcement at the North-East Dartmoor and Exmoor Enthusiasts show on Saturday,
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Quinn supports pupils' charity match
PUPILS from a Norton school's year six and seven took to the pitch in aid of charity recently. Three teams of boys and one team of girls from Red House School took part in a knockout competition inspired by teacher Eileen Gilmore, with the winners receiving
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Pippa seeks a home after regaining health
AFTER being discovered on the streets looking like a "little bag of bones", Pippa the cross-breed bitch has been nurtured back to health. Now the National Animal Sanctuary Support League (NASSL) in Darlington is hoping to find a new home for 18-month-old
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Missing Middlesbrough woman not seen for months
POLICE are trying to trace a 30-year-old woman who has gone missing from her home in Middlesbrough. Alison Jane Buckley, of Portman Street, has not been seen by friends or neighbours for several months although her disappearance was only reported to police
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Swimming
Northallerton Amateur Club, The weekend May 11 and 12 saw 2002 North Eastern sprint and long course championships held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, bringing together the elite swimmers of the North of England. Northallerton had a record number of entrants
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Give yourself a mind and body boost
If you're feeling tired and sluggish, detoxing could revitalise you. Natural health practitioner RUMANA RAMZAN explains CLEANING out the body is not that different a concept to spring cleaning the house or servicing the car. When things become a bit congested
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SQUASH
Durham and Cleveland SRA, The Durham and Cleveland Men's first team having been promoted last year finished runners up in Division 2 this season and have been promoted to Division 1 for next season. Of particular note, Kevin Carr was awarded Player of
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Fishburn A lead the way
Worthington Durham County CIU Summer League Fishburn A are in top spot in the Fist Division after they whitewashed their hosts at Willington and now lead by one point from Wheatley Hill A. The Fishburn points came from Peter Davison, John Griffin, Charlie
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Putting it in writing
A NEW book by a former councillor charts the life and times of two communities in Derwentside. My Ward? My Word! was written by Joe Walker, a former chairman of Durham County Council, and looks at Burnopfield and Dipton, which he represented for 16 years
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Champion top of the class after battling win
CASTLETON rally driver Ryan Champion overcame the loss of two gears to clinch his second successive victory in the Ferodo Ford Puma 1400 Championship after a dramatic Rally of Wales last weekend. Co-driven by Northallerton's Ian Windress, the 26-year-old
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Late kick-off for World Cup school day?
A SECONDARY school in Darlington is hoping to stave off the possibility of mass truancy during the World Cup by allowing pupils to watch England games in class. Hummersknott School is also considering postponing lessons until after 10am on Wednesday,
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - The gates of yet another park were opened in Darlington on Saturday. The inhabitants of the borough are now in possession of no less than seven recreation grounds. The people of Eastbourne and Bank Top have long urged
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Students produce art tribute in memory of road tragedy friend
STUDENTS have been paying a colourful tribute to one of their former classmates, two years after she died. Emma Howard was 18 when she died in March 2000 after her car left the road and hit a tree. A former pupil at Malton School, she was a keen artist
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Tyneside's title - again
Durham League, Tyneside once again dominated the recently completed women's season , and in doing so won the league championship title for the seventh time in the last eight years. Add to that their eighth County Cup win from the past ten seasons and
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On road with shelter for youngsters
YOUTH workers are taking to the road with the launch of a mobile youth shelter. The shelter is designed to help people who do not take part in youth centre activities or who do not have access to such facilities. Run by the Street Life Detached Youth
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Prices at the marts
DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 61 cattle, 507 sheep. Heavy steers to 95.5p av 90.6; heavy hfrs to 90.5p av 84.5p; med bulls to 88.5p av 82.2p; heavy bulls to 110.5p av 90.7p. Std lambs to 134.6p av 132.7p; med to 140.4p av 128.4p; heavy to 124.2p
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Parish left without a council as members resign
PARISH pump politics have come to a juddering halt in a tiny North Yorkshire community after the parish council resigned en bloc. Four councillors including chairman Alan Gough quit in protest over the government's new code of conduct. A fifth resigned
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Castle craftsmanship wins an award
stonemason Peter Cover-dale topped off a rigorous restoration scheme with an award for his craftsmanship. The Barnard Castle masonry contractor was asked to upgrade a derelict 15th Century castle. Scargill Castle, near Barnard Castle, was bought by archaeologist
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Advice for pensioners
PENSIONERS were given advice on everything from bogus callers to taxi services yesterday. Staff from Pennywell's Safer Estates Task Force, a partnership between Northumbria Police and Sunderland Housing Group, visited elderly people at Bellingham House
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Tools, glorious tools...
RIGHT, how does your garden grow? Probably like a small jungle after the recent warm wet weather.. Time to get your wellies on and get out there. Gardens used to be somewhere to grow onions and cabbages, potatoes and peas. Now they are more of an outdoor
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Interest is high in first Women In Business Awards
MORE than 150 people have already been nominated for an inaugural awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of North-East businesswomen. The Women In Business Awards will take place on June 14 at the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, where the guest
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At home among the Indians
A PAINTING depicting one of John Wesley's most ambitious missions has pride of place in the Weardale Museum at Ireshopeburn. Before turning his attention to the good folk of Weardale, Wesley went to America in 1738 to convert tribes of native Indians.
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Walking bus takes the healthy route
A WALKING bus scheme has been launched in a North-East town as part of a drive to improve the safety of school children. The innovative scheme serving St Bega's School on the Headland, in Hartlepool, was unveiled earlier this week. It gives pupils the
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Weardale show steel
George Mann Cup After the first match was called off for bad weather, Weardale Steel played Wolsingham All Stars in this year's competition, sponsored by Weardale Steel and rescued when the Durham County Cricket Board, Nat West and Sport England provided
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WATER POLO
Durham City, Durham's winning streak came to an end against Sunderland when the under-15 water polo team lost 9-4 at home. City, playing against older and bigger players, acquitted themselves well. Durham: Joel Woods, Danielle Brady, Chris Franklin, Peter
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News in brief
Village show back in action SEDGEFIELD Show will be held on Saturday, August 10, this year, after last year's enforced break because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic. Show secretary Brian Woodward said there will be no cattle, sheep or goats at the event
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The spiritual journey with a lasting legacy
FOR the lead miners of the North Pennines and their families it was the start of a great spiritual journey - a journey that has lasted for 250 years so far. This weekend, Methodists from across the North-East will descend on the tiny County Durham village
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Two top slide after crunch clash
Redcar and District League Division Two Bottom team Red Barnes were away to Cleveland B and went 5-0 up through R Parker, J McGasson, P Wilson, A Petite and J Lowrenson with R Parker and J McGlasson winning their first games of the season. M Newton made
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Landlord granted bail
A DARLINGTON licensee facing a charge of manslaughter was granted conditional bail by magistrates this morning. Steven John Webb, 35, who manages the Rise Carr Hotel, in Whessoe Road, is accused of killing family man David Willis. The 51-year-old victim
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Easterby fillies on the mark to prove magic is still there
IF it's colts, then Mark Johnston has been sweeping all before him. But if it's fillies, there is no better trainer of the females than Tim Easterby. Remember Hot Tin Roof? Her owner Giles Pritchard-Gordon looks to have another good girl at Great Habton
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games
CIU League, Crook Belle Vue maintained their unbeaten darts record but only lead the table by one point from Cockton Hill , who are also unbeaten, but the crunch will come when the teams meet this week at Crook. The Crook side were stretched to beat third
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Wellocks World
SUCH is the stigma attached to bowlers who throw, if stocks were still available we would probably fasten "chuckers" into them and pelt them with cricket balls. After the furore over Muralitharan, now another poor little Sri Lankan is getting it in the
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'Beasts are turned into men and the wilderness into a fruitful field'
Monday, June 8, 1761 I rode to Hexham, and preached at noon in an open place near the church. Some expected there would be much disturbance, but there was none at all. We rode thence over the mountains to Allendale, where I had not been for several years
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ANGLING
The Tyne Wear Fly Fishing Association in conjunction with Frasers Angling and Northumbria Water are staging a big match for the region's fly anglers on Sunday 16 June, writes JEFF HERBERT. 'The Derwent Northern Bankmasters' on Co Durham's Derwent Reservoir
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Evicted council tennent beats the bailiffs
A MAN due to be evicted by a council, beat the bailiffs by handing in the keys to his maisonette and moving out himself. Middlesbrough Council had previously gone to Teesside County Court and successfully applied for an order to evict 58-year-old Allan
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Victim probably knew his attacker - police
POLICE investigating the murder of a 44-year-old man who was bludgeoned to death in his home said last night he probably knew his attacker. Detective Superintendent Ian Sharp, who is heading the investigation into the killing of Sydney Baldwin, said there
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Appeal to catch bird box vandals
CONSERVATION officials have appealed for information following attacks of vandalism on bird boxes at a Hartlepool wildlife haven. Several boxes, which are known to have contained chicks, have either been destroyed or damaged at Greatham Beck on the town's
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Frankland must play waiting game
Emergency Services League The penultimate week of the league season saw Easington continue in their treble title chase, with a comfortable win over Stockton, while current leaders Frankland can only sit and wait to see what happens in the final week.
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Quango sets up double success for in-form Foster
JO Foster took her number of wins for the season to 12 when landing a double at the South Durham point-to-point at Howe Hills last Saturday. Her first leg came when Quango followed up his Zetland Ladies win by taking the confined hunts race. Noel Wilson
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ATHLETICS
New Marske Harriers, A total of 23 Harriers took part in the Thirsk ten-mile road race on Sunday. The winner of the race was international Dominic Bannister in a time of 50mins 12 secs. First man home for the Harriers was Ian Elderwick 97th 67.48. Other
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Morton Palms - gateway to the North-East
A DARLINGTON business park is being flagged up as a hi-tech shop window of European importance in a multi-million pound programme for the Tees Valley. The town is named as an important gateway to the region in the Tees Valley Partnership's three-year
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Hamilton praises boxers
TWO Thai boxers from Darlington's Boxing and Martial Arts Academy were a massive hit against top-class opposition this week. Craig Shaw and Neil Walton were in superb form when they defeated their opponents in their contests at Altrincham. Shaw overcame
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Scheme brings in energy earnings
FIVE schools in York are top of the class when it comes to energy efficiency. They are all in line for thousands of pounds in grant aid after taking part in a pilot scheme which rewards energy-conscious schools. Haxby Road Primary, Joseph Rowntree Comprehensive
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Letters: Slim delight
Sir, - I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful piece which Margaret Cave wrote (D&S, May 17) about our Cockerton Slimming World class. More than 20 million people in the UK are overweight in the UK, seven million of them
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Life in the fast lane . . . but can schu spot the difference?
FURNITURE store manager Jonathan McVay enjoyed life in the fast lane yesterday - emulating one of his sporting heroes. The 36-year-old, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, already bears more than a passing resemblance to German Formula One driver Michael
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Cleaner, greener streets
PEOPLE in an area of Newcastle are being urged to help with a spring clean this weekend. Between 10am and 2pm tomorrow residents of Sandyford will be given the opportunity to improve the local environment. Warwick Street, Hotspur Street, Mowbray Street
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New sides enter league
Tow Law, Bass League At the Annual General Meeting there were two new teams entered, whilst Esh Football Club resigned. The teams competing in the season, which will begin on 10 June are Newhouse Club, Sunniside Moss Inn, Stanley Earl Derby, Tow Law Rose
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Dawson stars in Leyburns five-run victory
Darlington and Stockton Times Wensleydale Evening League At the start of division one Leyburn entertained Thorp Perrow. A very close game ensued with Leyburn batting first and scoring 130 for seven from 16 overs. M.Dawson 60 and S.Dawson 48, with J.Abbotson
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Still hope for the Gala
OUR region is perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a cultural desert. The closure of the Arc complex in Stockton, after only two years, perhaps helped confirm that perception. The troubles in which the Gala Theatre in Durham finds itself, after only four
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Gaelic society's hospice fundraising praised
PAST presidents of the Darlington Gaelic Society have been presented with a certificate in recognition of their long-running fundraising efforts for a hospice. St Teresa's Hospice made the presentation to the organisation, which has supported its work
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Ex-yard staff get share of £2m payout
NEWS that former Teesside shipyard workers are finally getting their share of a £2m payout has been welcomed by the GMB. Jimmy Skivington, the union's former regional organiser for the Teesside area, fought to get compensation for workers at the former
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Building society receives accolade
A BUILDING society has been handed an award for supporting a scheme to reduce crime on the streets of County Durham. Mercantile Building Society has been supporting a scheme led by the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC) to make County Durham and Darlington
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From silver screen to golden day
THE magic of the movies brought golden anniversary couple Walter and Florence Spence together more than 50 years ago. The couple met while working at the former Astoria Theatre, in Darlington. Mrs Spence was in the pay box and her husband-to-be was usher
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Bursars pilot programme
HEADteachers in North Yorkshire are likely to benefit from a drive to raise standards in schools by establishing a national bursar development programme. The idea is to develop support staff with appropriate skills to deal with non-curriculum issues.
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Chairman defies ultimatum to sign - or resign
A PARISH council chairman who has refused to sign up to the Government's new code of conduct is also refusing to resign. Coun John Cronin has been a member of Middleton in Teesdale Council for three years and chairman for the past two. He was re-elected
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The school run's a walk
YOUNGSTERS from Dunnington Primary School, near York, set out on foot to take part in national summer Walk to School Week and mark the completion of their school travel plan. The City of York Council is working with schools to promote walking to school
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Super Sadberge earns the gratitude of African village
WHEN the children of the Kenyan village of Mwamambi needed a school, the answer to their prayers lay thousands of miles away. Residents of Sadberge, a village on the outskirts of Darlington, moved heaven and earth to help them build it. To show their
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Last orders?
CONTROVERSIES at a small village in County Durham and at several in North Yorkshire are being fuelled because the "change of use" planning control is being applied in a way that almost certainly was not envisaged when it was introduced. In the village
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A home sweet home that is celebrating its own jubilee
AS THE nation prepares to celebrate the Queen's accession, another 50th anniversary is passing unnoticed except by travelling show people. This showman's living van was built in 1952 and is still going strong in the caring hands of its present owner,
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Claire plays her way into England youth squad
A DARLINGTON schoolgirl has been selected for England's table tennis youth squad. Claire Wilson, 15, whose father Keith is a coach for Darlington Table Tennis Club, will represent England in the under-18s squad. Mr Wilson said: "She has done really well
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Council tenant angered at bills for vandalism
A DARLINGTON man says he is tired of having to pay to replace a window regularly smashed by vandals. Bryan Johnson, who lives in a council flat in the Lascelles Park area, says he does not think he should be charged for the repairs when the breakages
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George hopes to bring Bee Gees to Darlington FC
DARLINGTON FC chairman George Reynolds hopes to have pop legends the Bee Gees on hand to help celebrate the opening of the club's new stadium. And the 70s chart toppers, famous for such hits as Stayin' Alive and Tragedy, could lead the way for other top
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Council's dead plants cost victory
NORTHALLERTON was beaten by a single point in the town category of the Yorkshire in Bloom spring judging - and a poor show at council buildings is being blamed. It was a blow for the town, which is anxious to regain a place in the all-Britain finals.
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Capturing spirit of jubilee visit
A PROFESSIONAL photographer's images of the Queen's visit to the region earlier this month have been put on show. Keith Taylor, who often works on behalf of The Northern Echo, has put the display together at Darlington Building Society's branch in Tubwell
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Licence issue will not hit jubilee events
LICENSING officers at Darlington Borough Council have said celebrations to mark the Queen's golden jubilee can go ahead despite administrative problems. In February, council officers began giving out information about how to obtain occasional musical
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Question mark over Bennett role
The future of former Darlington manager Gary Bennett was uncertain last night just 24 hours after the club stated he was leaving Feethams, writes CRAIG STODDART. In a statement released on Wednesday, Quakers said that, along with reserve team assistant
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Chemical terror threat awareness call
A LEADING academic is calling for increased awareness of the growing threat of chemical or biological terrorist attacks. Peter Blain, professor of environmental medicine at Newcastle University, wants measures put in place to ensure public safety if strikes
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Regional
Man faces rape claim A MAN appeared before magistrates in Harrogate yesterday accused of raping a woman in the North Yorkshire town in March. Paul Masheder, 42, of Waterton Close, Walton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was remanded on bail to appear before
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Symington could shine in the Durham fold
DURHAM have added all-rounder Marc Symington to their squad for the four-day match against Gloucestershire starting at the Riverside today. With injuries and modest form in the second team giving them little room for manoeuvre, they will otherwise stick
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Coroner accuses carers of hiding toddler death facts
A CORONER yesterday accused social workers of hiding essential information from an inquest into the death of a neglected toddler. The hearing has already heard harrowing evidence of the ordeal suffered by 13-month-old Sophie Casey at the hands of her
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From feeding people to saving lives
A WORKING mother, who left school at 16 for a job in a cake shop, has become a prize-winner after going back to education. The achievements of Marina Sawdon from Thornaby highlight what can be achieved by going back to the classroom later in life. Marina
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Trip to Disneyland dashed due to youth service rules
DREAMS of a long-awaited trip abroad have been dashed for a group of adventurous youngsters. The teenagers, from Marske Youth Centre, in east Cleveland, have spent months planning and fundraising for the two-week trip to Disneyland in Paris, getting increasingly
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Children instructed to raise the roof for a good cause
CHILDREN are usually told they should be seen but not heard, but youngsters at a Guisborough primary school were told to make as much noise as possible during a special assembly. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council environmental health officers Serena
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Grassroots
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: The Volunteer Bureau is looking for volunteers to handle practical tasks at the charity fair to be held in the market place on Thursday, June 6. For details, call 0191-389 2947. QUIZ SUCCESS: The quiz night held in St Joseph's Parish
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Mothercare hit by profits slump
MOTHER and baby retailer Mothercare has reported a slump in profits after warehouse-related problems set back its recovery. The group has also confirmed its chairman would be stepping down. Mothercare, which issued two profit warnings at the turn of the
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Hear All Sides
CHARLES SIMON YOUR report on the death of Charles Simon (Echo, May 21) reminds me that I have a picture presented to my father on June 5, 1942 for the support he had given to the Darlington Repertory Theatre. On the back of the picture are the signatures
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How to avoid an in flight killer
HOSPITAL consultant Patrick Kesteven is no stranger to long-haul flights. As an Australian, now working at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, he has spent many hours at 30,000 feet crossing from one side of the planet to the other. He admits that he never
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Fire chief ready for new challenge
A NEW man takes over the helm of the newly-formed northern area of the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service from Monday. Divisional Officer Dave Hall has been appointed director of fire services for the district, which covers the Hambleton and Richmondshire
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£28,000 Classroom cash appeal has firm foundations
A TEESSIDE school would like its former pupils to help build a new classroom and nursery. Past pupils and members of the local community are being asked to support the Buy a Brick appeal, which has been launched by St Joseph's RC Primary School, Norton
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Seaside town to upgrade its image
A TOWN is to invest millions of pounds in ridding itself of the image of a dated, downmarket seaside resort. High priority will be placed on enhancing the environment, natural and built heritage, and quality of services in Scarborough. The scheme to forge
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Veterinary practice seeks to expand
A VETERINARY practice is hoping to secure hospital status to allow for a major expansion. Edgemoor Vets, in Helmsley, wants to build a two-storey extension in a move which bosses claim would create extra jobs. Principal vet George Skinner said: "What
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A prompt from the wings for the Gala
HOW could things have gone so wrong for Durham's 510-seater Gala Theatre in a mere 18 weeks? The pledge that the building "represents the new spirit of the North-East" is still ringing in our ears as the company operating the prestige project, The Entertainment
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Sports Briefs
Carbone axed in Bradford cull Football: Benito Carbone was booted out of Bradford yesterday as the administrators for the First Division crisis club slashed their squad by almost half. Carbone, who is only halfway through a four-year contract worth around
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Plan is unveiled for wind turbines
LONG-AWAITED proposals to build the North-East's biggest wind farm have been unveiled and look set to be given the go-ahead next week. A proposal to build 18 wind turbines on derelict land at the former Corus steelworks site in Redcar, east Cleveland,
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Radio station can keep its 40ft aerial
A RADIO station has won its campaign to keep a 40ft aerial despite installing it without planning permission. Harrogate Borough Council issued an enforcement notice, ordering removal of the mast from a field alongside Old Church Lane, Pateley Bridge.
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Marina toilets opening delay
PEOPLE hoping to spend a penny at a newly-built £164,000 toilet and shower block at a North Yorkshire marina will have to wait until August. Visitors to Ripon's marina, which links with the city's canal, had thought the project was complete. But when
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Commanding win for Loftus
Cleveland League, Five of the seven games in division one were played and Loftus produced a good performance defeating Staithes by nine wickets. When Staithes batted first they were all out for 89 as Jeff Morrison took four for 50 from 18 overs including
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Judgement reserved in donors action
A HIGH Court judge reserved his ruling yesterday in a case brought in an attempt to help people conceived by donor insemination to discover more about their parentage. Mr Justice Scott Baker, sitting in London, is considering an action by postgraduate
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Politician heads summer celebrities
TONY Benn heads a star-studded season at Middlesbrough Theatre next week. The veteran Labour politician and former Cabinet Minister will talk about his life, diaries and about the future, with the audience invited to put questions and join discussions
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Grain prices
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture OLD crop wheat prices have fallen again, with very little new demand and a plentiful supply coming forward. Estimates of end-of-season stocks have been increased in line with slow export business and, although we had a
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Gran's abseil target
A GRANDMOTHER who last year abseiled down the Tyne Bridge hopes to go one better and do it twice on the same day. Alma Blanchard, 78, has severe lung disease and relies on 15 hours of oxygen a day. As a schoolchild, she had to miss out on games, so she
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Running all day holds no fears for gritty Gayter
GUISBOROUGH'S ultra marathon runner Sharon Gayter has booked her place in Europe's 24 hour championships after clocking up an incredible 217.5km (136 miles) in the gruelling race at Apeldoorn in Holland. Gayter is the current No 2 in the world after suffering
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Let Oz and the boys loose on Wembley
WELL, it's gone so effectively, thanks to computer graphics, that Middlesbrough Council is having to assure anxious callers that, yes, they can still see the Transporter bridge as it ever was. On screen, thanks to Oz and his mates, it's about to be rebuilt
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Water polo career is going swimmingly
A TEENAGE water polo player from Wensleydale has received a £200 council grant in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the sport. Charlotte Hanson, 16, of Aysgarth, was awarded a talented young sports person grant by Richmondshire District Council
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Cancer drug restrictions under attack
LEUKAEMIA sufferers in the region may have to move to Scotland to get access to a life-saving new drug, a leading expert has warned. A decision by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice) has placed restrictions on the use of a revolutionary
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ATHLETICS
Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers THE club hosted the 25th annual Thirsk 10 Road Race in which there were 411 finishers. The course is fast and flat , but conditions were rather warm for running. The winner of the event was Dominic Bannister of Shaftesbury
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Police start probe into crash riddle
THE Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has been informed after an east Durham man was seriously injured in a car crash. The 28-year-old, from Seaham, who is not being identified, was travelling on the A283 road, near Worthing, Sussex, with a 23-year-old
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Plea to introduce half-price bus passes for school pupils
EDUCATION chiefs are being urged to introduce half-price bus passes for school pupils as part of a transport review. The plea has been made by Liberal Democrat councillors in North Yorkshire, who claim such a move would bring environmental benefits. The
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Thumbs up for graphical splendour
Virtua Fighter 4. Platform: PS2. Publisher: SCEE. Price: £39.99. VIRTUA Fighter 4 represented the defining moment in the demise of Sega's Dreamcast console. Although the under-rated machine had been struggling, gamers held on to the notion that Sega would
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Aiskew objectors stay on after all
FEARS that Aiskew Parish Council could collapse in disarray over controversial Government legislation have receded. Four members who originally said they would not sign a mandatory code of conduct announced at the annual meeting on Wednesday that they
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Retail outlets in cash boost
RETAIL workers in the region have received a boost with news that two big names are improving their operations. Supermarket chain Asda plans to create 1,250 new jobs as part of an expansion of its distribution operation, including 120 in the North-East
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Cherokees close to securing A-League spot
Junior Round-up, Sunderland Cherokees edged a little further towards retaining the U12 North A League place for the season 2002-03 when they were 10-4 winners at Birmingham Rockets. The Wearsiders share top place with Altrincham Spitfires in the promotion
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North scores miserably in latest health survey
ACCORDING to the latest government health statistics people living in areas of the north-east have a healthy life expectancy that is significantly lower than areas in the south of the country. The report, the first of its kind to reveal how long people
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Impassioned call for restraint from pro-hunting lobbyist falls on deaf ears
STAY calm and we will win - that was the message from a leading pro-hunting lobbyist to angry protesters at a meeting in Thirsk. Richard Burge, head of the Countryside Alliance, told a meeting of the group's North Yorkshire branch that now was not the
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Pet owner admits suffering offence
A PET owner who failed to feed, walk or clean up after her dog also failed to turn up at court yesterday. Tina Hardy, 29, was due to appear before Teesside magistrates charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Instead, she sent a letter
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Former Electrolux employee returns to teach NVQ's
FORMER Electrolux employee Benny Devine has returned to the company to guide warehouse staff through their NVQs. The training officer, 46, joined Newton Aycliffe-based South West Durham Training at Newton Aycliffe after 23 years with Electrolux in Spennymoor
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Students get on their bikes in aid of charity
SOME university students will go to any lengths to help needy children - and six of them are about to prove it by cycling across Europe. University of Teesside students Toby Meegan, 20, Mark Hustler, 32, 19-year-old Richard Borrows, Graham Plant and Andrew
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Capturing a moment in time
YOUNGSTERS at a Tyneside school have left a history lesson for the pupils of the future. A time capsule was buried by pupils at Archbishop Runcie Church of England First School in Newcastle on yesterday. The capsule was placed in the foundations of the
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Wind powers specialist college bid
A SCHOOL plans to generate its own power with a wind turbine as part of a bid to become a specialist technology college. Bydales School, in Marske, east Cleveland, is applying for specialist technology college status. Included in its proposals is the
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Entertainment in store with MetroGnomes
A SHOPPING centre is planning a week-long programme of events to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. From Monday to Saturday, June 3 to 9, the Metro-Gnomes will be hosting jubilee parties in Exhibition Square at the MetroCentre. Youngsters will be invited
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Take to the woods for great day out
PEOPLE who love the indoor life are being encouraged to discover the great outdoors. The Forestry Commission has launched a campaign involving walks, events and bike rides to entice people to get fitter. Routes include the Duchess Walking Trail in Kielder
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Loach stars in Philadelphia victory
Federation Special Durham Senior League Under-15s Jonathan Loach was in magnificent form when Philadelphia restricted Horden to 79 for eight. Loach bowled five overs and returned the outstanding figures of five for nine before scoring an unbeaten 122
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Magistrates clamp down on youth who terrorised area
A TEENAGE gang leader who terrorised a neighbourhood for years has been named by magistrates. Carl Rankin, 17, was made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order yesterday after leading a gang which intimidated residents and workers on Saltersgill
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Actors on assembly platform
A NEW campaign for a North-East regional assembly is being backed by famous actors and the Bishop of Durham. Following the recent publication of a Government White Paper on devolution of power to the regions, a broad coalition has been formed to press
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Honours for students who get around to fundraising
YOUNG school Rotarians have been given badges of approval by a former pupil who has blazed a trail for women. Members of a new Interact Club at Wolsingham School and Community College in Weardale, County Durham, were presented with their charter and gold
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Cheese back after 40-year gap
PLANS are well in hand for an exciting revival at the Great Yorkshire Show. For the first time for more than 40 years, the agricultural extravaganza will include a cheese show, which is expected to attract entries from master cheesemakers across Britain
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Still shining, but slightly tarnished
Less than five months after opening - and just two weeks since it's official launch - the region's newest theatre is in difficulties. NICK MORRISON looks at what went wrong, and the implications for the arts in the North-East. HERALDED as a bright new
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Exclusion zone around blaze on Tyneside
An exclusion zone has been thrown up around a major fire on an industrial estate on South Tyneside. More than 50 firefighters are tackling a major blaze which is being fanned by high winds at the Devlins Quay on the Wagonway Industrial Estate, Hebburn
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Best of British on show at Witton
Iveston and Satley MC presents British championship motocross at Witton Castle on Sunday. The event, which starts at 9.45, will see riders from all over Great Britain competing in the Kamar British Sidecar Cross championship, the national quad championship
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Rape victim who wasn't may be charged
A YOUNG woman who claimed she was brutally raped may face prosecution after it emerged last night that the allegation was false. The 21-year-old told police that she had been held down by one man and assaulted by another in an alley in Askrigg Street,
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Oaks wear the woodland crown
ALTHOUGH there are reports that the number of song thrushes is diminishing, we have just experienced the delights of having one of these wonderful songsters entertaining us from a tree top close to our garden. There is every reason to think he has a nest
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deep vein thrombosis under microscope as four-year study takes off
A NORTH-EAST expert is to play a leading role in an international study of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It is hoped the study will devise new guidelines to protect long-haul airline passengers from potentially fatal blood clots. Dr Patrick Kesteven, a
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Store sheep back in ring
THE first store sheep sale at Northallerton Auction Mart since the foot-and-mouth crisis began last year saw Mule shearlings with lambs sell to £119 on Wednesday. The judge, Maurice Dale of Londonderry, awarded first prize to shearlings with double lambs
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Little Chocolate Shop is big hit
A TEASHOP threatened with closure during the foot-and-mouth crisis is now selling hand-made chocolates on the internet. Mill Race Tea Shop at Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale, is thriving after launching a web site and on-line sales service, thanks to a
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Letters: Unkind cuts
Sir, - We would like to reinforce the comments made in Maureen Sayer's letter (D&S, May 17) at her disappointment with North Yorkshire County Council. We are also employed by the county council, ultimately the Government, as senior night care assistants
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Viewer voyeurs of the gym culture
WITH my three-year-old now at playgroup, I have the dubious pleasure of catching up with daytime TV while pounding away on tortuous pieces of equipment at the gym a few mornings a week. And I have been plunged, headlong into an incredible, sordid netherworld
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Philip takes toil out of feeding time
A DEVICE to end back- breaking feeding times on farms has put its inventor in line for a Spirit of Innovation Awards. Philip Cowan, 17, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, has designed a livestock feeder capable of travelling over rough terrain
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Adam paves the way
A teenager is being held up as a model example of how young people can get involved in their communities. Adam Short, 19, of Durham City, is being used as a case study by the Department for Education and Skills to pave the way for youngsters to be given
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Tradgedy and triumph
Never Had It So Good (ITV) This nostalgia quiz is one of those seen-and-instantly-forgotten shows that pad out the schedules between children's TV and the early evening news. There's nothing remotely novel about it. All it does is remind you of other,
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Sheep classes to go ahead with care
SHEEP classes will appear at this year's Great Yorkshire Show. Show director Christopher Hall accepts that numbers will probably be down on previous years but is determined the classes will go ahead. His announcement follows the Royal Show's decision
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Finalists Decided
DOMINOES, Willington League The two qualifiers to meet in the Final of the League Singles Championship are Tommy Little of Sunnybrow Brown Trout and Adrian Peacock of the Prospect Club. The Final will be held at Hunwick Club next Wednesday. Tow Law League
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Mission born from poverty
* John Wesley was the 15th child of a family of 19. He was brought up in near poverty, his clergyman father even being imprisoned for debt. * He was almost burnt to death in a fire at his home in 1709 when he was just five years old. * Until he was 11
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For Sven and St George
AN AVID England football fan has turned his home into a shrine to his heroes in support of their World Cup bid. Andrew Kipling, 37, known as Kippa, has had the front of his home in Gouldsmith Gardens, Darlington, painted with the cross of St George as
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Bowls
SWD Veterans League There was a couple of major shocks in the Preliminary Round of the team Knock Out when King George V beat the visiting Cockton Hill A and Shildon Railway A beat Willington. Cockton Hill A are in second place in the First Division and
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Old Campaigner still fighting after all these years
Brian Graham was a raggy arsed 11-year-old who copped for an 11,000 volt electric shock, spent six months in hospital, endured seemingly endless plastic surgery and for five years couldn't even raise his arms properly - not even to defend himself. Despite
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DIAMOND MILESTONE FOR COUPLE
A FORMER Aycliffe Angel and her ex-Coldstream Guard husband are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. John and Bessie Davison's wartime wedding took place at St Stephen's Church, Willington, on May 23, 1942. Throughout the war years Mr Davison
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Service to celebrate historic visit
The service celebrating John Wesley's first visit to Weardale, on May 26, 1752, is being held at High House Chapel, Ireshopeburn, at 3pm on Sunday. It will be led by the Reverend Les Hann, minister for the dale, and the address will be given by the Reverend
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Idea five years in development draws 30 hits a day on web site
LEEMING Bar engineer David Mitchell is showing that clapped-out old Minis which have reached the end of a long road can have a useful after-life. Give him the cannabalised engine and front sub-frame of a Mini and he will reinvigorate the remains by turning
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Parents to speak out
PARENTS can have their say on facilities for the under-fours in Sunderland on Saturday. Sure Start, a Government programme offering support for families with children under four years old, is staging a day of events for families at Havelock Primary School
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Letters: Peace is priority
Sir, - Mr David Lovey says his attentions has been drawn to your lead story of April 19 regarding the abuse of green lanes, and presumably also my letter of April 26. Nobody needed to draw my attention to his letter (D&S, May 3) because I am a regular
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Death sparks new growth hormone fear
THE death of a Dutchman 38 years after receiving a low dose of human growth hormone has revived fears about a rare brain disease. Scientists are aware that patients given injections of human growth hormone were exposed to a risk of contracting the degenerative
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Murder charge two are remanded
TWO men appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a heroin addict. The men made a brief appearance at Teesside Crown Court in connection with the death of Robert "Swampy" Parkin. Brian Lancaster, 32, originally from Hartlepool but now of
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New man wants tradition and change
THE man who helped to steer the Yorkshire Agricultural Society through several fraught months dogged by the foot-and-mouth crisis has taken up the reins as the new chief executive. Nigel Pulling, a 42-year-old chartered accountant born in Bishop Auckland
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Jubilee peal was just the latest in a history of love, war and death
WHEN a joyous peal of bells heralded the Queen's arrival in Darlington recently, a band of enthusiasts was simply following a tradition dating back to the seventeenth century. Call changes and a touch of grandsire triples were provided by the ten adults
