Archive
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Centre display
Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre volunteers in County Durham have collected souvenirs, newspapers and other rRoyal memorabilia for a new exhibition celebrating the jubilee. It runs until June 8 and is open Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Admission
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Game on as millions get ready to party
MILLIONS of Britons were last night preparing for the biggest Bank Holiday party in a generation. The combination of England's opening match in the World Cup and the Queen's Golden Jubilee will create an unprecedented atmosphere. Even the weather should
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Drugs charge man avoids jail sentence
A MAN who was caught with more than £3,000-worth of heroin avoided a prison sentence yesterday. Teesside Crown Court heard that Dean Carver, 22, was in the car with others in the Seaham Harbour area on Sunday, August 5 last year. Sean Dodds, prosecuting
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Meeting Hilary
North-West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong is holding her monthly advice surgery for constituents next Saturday, from 11am, at North House, North Terrace. Crook. Visit her new website at ww.hilaryarmstrong.com
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Meet organisers are hoping for big turnout
ORGANISERS of an annual festival are hoping that thousands of visitors will give a foot-and-mouth affected town a financial boost. The Barnard Castle Meet attracts visitors from across the region every year, bringing much-needed revenue to the struggling
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Martin Lowe heading for personal best
DURHAM'S Martin Love needs eight more runs at Lord's today to beat his personal best score after breaking the Durham first-class record with 221 not out against Middlesex yesterday, writes Tim Wellock. "I've had three double hundreds for Queensland and
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A special anniversary marks 50 happy years
AS the Queen celebrates her Golden Jubilee this weekend, a North-East couple are marking their own special day. Ellen and Terry McLaughlin, of Darlington, joined family and friends yesterday to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. They celebrated
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Collecting garden waste free of charge
A GARDEN waste collection scheme is to be piloted in Newton Aycliffe. Sedgefield Borough Council has secured a £47,000 grant from the County Durham Environmental Trust to launch a 12-month trial. About 6,000 properties between the Woodham and Greenfield
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Driver was two-and-a-half times the drink limit
PSYCHIATRIC reports were requested yesterday after a man admitted drink-driving and other offences. Patrick Kenneally, 30, of Station Road, Scorton, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, admitted dangerous driving, being two-and-a-half times over the drink-drive
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Runners ready for race
MORE than 1,000 competitors are expected to take part the Harrogate Spa Water 10km race on July 7. The British Heart Foundation has been chosen as this year's charity. Entry forms for the race, organised by Harrogate Harriers and Athletic Club, are available
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Region breaks records after big clean-up restores beaches
A RECORD seven North-East beaches have met the highest European standards to win coveted Blue Flag awards. The awards, announced by environmental body Encams, are given to beaches meeting strict criteria for water quality, safety standards and onshore
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Housing plans prompt protest
PLANS to build 16 homes on the site of a vacant commercial garage and adjoining land will spoil views, be an over-development, and damage wildlife, opponents have claimed. The scheme planned for Bagdale Garage, Bagdale, Whitby, would see a complex of
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Volunteers win £130,000 boost
Scarborough and District Council for Voluntary Service is to receive £130,000 over three years from the Government's Time Limited Development Fund. The money will be used to recruit young volunteers to work with the Citizens Advice Bureau and youth organisations
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Byers urged to back lobby against new tunnel
FORMER Transport Secretary Stephen Byers is being urged by environmentalists to back a campaign against the building of a second Tyne Tunnel. A planning application for the scheme has been submitted to the Department of Transport (DoT). Normal planning
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Man fights for life after car hits horse
A 25-year-old man is fighting for his life after a car in which he was a passenger collided with a stray horse on a dark country road early yesterday. The 23-year-old woman driver was also hurt in the accident, on an unlit stretch of the A688 West Auckland
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Weekend time traveller Tom
ARCHAEOLOGIST Tom Gledhill is going back in time over the weekend. Tom, from Rookhope in Weardale, and his partner Ros Nichol will spend the Jubilee Bank Holiday at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, burning charcoal the Medieval way.
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Collecting garden waste free of charge
A GARDEN waste collection scheme is to be piloted in Newton Aycliffe. Sedgefield Borough Council has secured a £47,000 grant from the County Durham Environmental Trust to launch a 12-month trial. About 6,000 properties between the Woodham and Greenfield
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Meeting Hilary
North-West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong is holding her monthly advice surgery for constituents next Saturday, from 11am, at North House, North Terrace. Crook. Visit her new website at ww.hilaryarmstrong.com.
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British athlete joins school celebrations
BRITISH 400m runner Jared Deacon delighted primary school youngsters as he helped them celebrate winning Sport England Activemarks. The athlete spent the morning at Bishop Auckland College taking part in sporting activities with pupils and teachers from
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Punctual flights put airport out in front
One of the region's airports has come out top in the latest flight performance figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority. Newcastle Airport, which handles more than 3.3m passengers a year, had more scheduled flights on time than any other major
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£2m tonic to cut crime and improve health
A NEW sports initiative which could cut crime and improve health in one of the most deprived areas of England was launched in Bishop Auckland yesterday. The Wear Valley District's designation as a Sport Action Zone will see up to £2m ploughed into the
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Visitors could find a welcome and helping hand from ranger
SHOPPERS in Darlington could soon be welcomed by a uniformed town "ranger" who will give directions, rescue lost children and hand out information. The ranger, complete with an identifying baseball cap, could be made a more permanent fixture in the town
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Theatre students' honour
THEATRE students from across the Tees Valley are preparing to perform in the jubilee celebrations in London on Tuesday. Fifty pupils from Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools in Darlington, Guisborough, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Northallerton and Yarm will
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Youngsters enjoy horrible science lesson with top author
CHILDREN at a Teesside school enjoyed a day of gruesome experiments, courtesy of an award-winning writer. Nick Arnold, author of the best-selling series of books, Horrible Science, visited year nine pupils at Rye Hills School, in Redcar. The author is
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Vehicle rally seeks traders
TRADERS, craft workers and exhibitors are being urged to come forward by Stockton Borough Council's events team if they want to take part in a vehicle rally at Preston Park on June 29 and 30. Carol Croft, the council's events officer, said: "Exhibitors
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Surgery waiting cut
A SCHEME to slash waiting times for surgery appointments has been hailed a success by patients and doctors who have piloted a new system. The Middle Chare and Bridge End Surgeries in Chester-le-Street are among the first GP practices in the region to
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Residents' party
Dean Bank Residents' Association is to hold a jubilee party on Sunday, June 16, on the Dean Bank Recreation Park, Ferryhill, County Durham, from 10am to 4pm. Attractions include side shows, bouncy castles, face painting, a balloon race, Mr Twister the
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Expanding food firm serves up exotic treat for local students
A FOOD firm has dished up a trip of a lifetime for four teenagers to celebrate becoming the town's largest employer. International Cuisine, which launched a £2.8m expansion on Thursday, employs 500 people at Consett's Hownsgill Industrial Estate, near
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1066 and all that gore
A MUSEUM will show the gory side of British history to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Newcastle's Hancock Museum will host Heaps of Horrible British History, a one-hour show filled with songs, sketches and games exploring the factual and sometimes gruesome
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Radio ham spreads word about library
NEWS of a multi-million pound North-East library is spreading around the world. Local radio ham John Hersom is making sure fellow enthusiasts know about facilities available at Durham's Clayport Library, part of the £29m Millennium City complex. The library
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Kittens add Atomic power to pop event
ANOTHER top pop act has been announced for a five-hour music extravaganza in the region next month. Atomic Kitten will appear at 96.6 TFM's Feel the Noise Live with Natwest Access 2 Music, at Stockton Riverside, on Sunday, July 28. They will be joined
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Firm invests in student success
TOP students of a new Middlesbrough school will be given financial help to attend university, as well as work placements and job offers. Business support services company Amey is sponsoring the Unity City Academy to the sum of £2m and announced this week
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Drive to publicise parking permit
A SCHEME to provide low cost parking for people in Ryedale has taken to the road. The local authority is using its refuse lorries and street cleaning vans to raise the profile of the short-stay parking permit which allows parking from 6p a day. The vehicles
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Spa's supply starts flowing
A NEW branded water produced at a purpose-built £3m bottling plant is set to take centre stage in a museum. Harrogate Spa Water, produced at the company's plant in Harlow Moor Road, will be put on permanent display at the Royal Pump Room Museum. Some
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All dressed up for a 'royal' procession
PINT-SIZED "royals" donned their finest regalia yesterday for a special procession yesterday. Dripping with foil diamonds and jewellery, nursery, infant and junior pupils at Durham High School for Girls paraded around the school to celebrate the Queen's
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Events in the North
SATURDAY : HEIGHINGTON: Street parties on West and East Green from 8-11.30pm. On Monday, the event will be opened at 12.30pm by Mayor of Darlington Doris Jones and 99-year-old Fred Pallister, the oldest man in the village. Attractions include a hog roast
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News in brief: Family history interest stirred
FAMILY history is proving so popular in Gateshead that classes are being set up to help researchers. People flocked to workshops on tracing family trees and genealogy held during National History Week recently. Due to their popularity, the sessions will
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Eppleton hope to avenge defeat
Top plays bottom this afternoon and on current form Eppleton can be expected to win their game against South Shields. However, it was at Eppleton last season that Shields recorded their first win after losing the two opening games. Shields then went on
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Unbeaten Guisborough look for double delight
IT is a big weekend for Guisborough, who after playing Richmondshire today meet Middlesbrough at Acklam Park tomorrow in the ECB National Knockout Cup. "We are only five points ahead of Darlington and Saltburn and it would be great if we can complete
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Beacons of jubilee light will shine out
THE North-East skyline will be lit up with beacons to herald the jubilee. A string of 135 beacons will be lit in sequence from the north of Scotland to London on Monday. Four of the Anchor Chain of Beacons will be set alight in the region. The venture
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The searchers who never give up
Search and rescue teams are now more likely to be scouring urban areas for missing people rather than combing the fells for injured walkers. Emily Flanagan joins the volunteers. IVY Johnson had been locked in the school grounds for 13 hours on a freezing
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News in brief: Family history interest stirred
FAMILY history is proving so popular in Gateshead that classes are being set up to help researchers. People flocked to workshops on tracing family trees and genealogy held during National History Week recently. Due to their popularity, the sessions will
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Police action plan puts race relations to the fore
DURHAM Constabulary has published an action plan for dealing with race-related issues. The force says its racial equality scheme aims to "ensure the promotion of racial equality in everything we do as an employer and service provider''. More than 40,000
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Committee rejects village's green plea
TWO council signs may have helped to sink a bid to win village green status for a piece of recreation land. For years people at High Pittington have used the Buddle, a reclaimed colliery site owned and maintained by Durham County Council. The parish council
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Schools merger moves step closer
PLANS are being discussed to merge Corporation Road nursery, infant and junior schools in Darlington. Governors, staff and parents have already been asked for their opinions about the proposed merger. Now following the informal consultation, Darlington
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Bennett bows out regretting that time was not on his side
Gary Bennett ended his four-year association with Darlington this week with one regret - not being afforded a longer stay in the hot seat. In October 2001, following a turbulent 15 months during which fans never warmed to Bennett, he relinquished his
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Sunderland season tickets
SUNDERLAND will send out their season ticket renewals over the next fortnight - and club bosses will wait apprehensively for the response from disgruntled fans, writes Frank Johnson. The Wearsiders have frozen season ticket prices but already many fans
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Poison feared as dead fish found in river
SCORES of fish have been found dead in a stretch of the River Skerne, leaving environmental experts baffled. Officers from the Environment Agency were called to Darlington at the weekend to examine fish found dead on the river bed between Skerne Bridge
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Winning year for charities
THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for good causes in the town by the former mayor of Darlington. Coun Isobel Hartley has helped to raise nearly £25,000 for community groups throughout the borough during her year as mayor. The money has allowed charitable
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Is the North-East such a barren region?
So, the North-East is a hotbed of English football? Try telling Sven-Goran Eriksson. It is a sad indictment on the region that just two players playing in the area, Kieron Dyer and Gareth Southgate, are representing England at the World Cup. Yes, Sunderland's
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League tables 'could lead to more patient deaths'
TRAINING of the next generation of heart surgeons is being disrupted by plans to publish death rate "league tables". The claim is made by heart surgeons at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, who predict that surgical league tables "will inevitably result
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Lintz look to extend advantage
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League. Leaders Lintz, who never even discuss the possibility of having a professional, visit second-top Annfield Plain in a match which is of significant importance to both clubs even at this early stage of
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Bring back the other '66 heroes
The 1966 World Cup will always be remembered for England's Wembley victory over Germany. But that year's competition was also the setting for one of football's classic fairy tale victories. Unfancied North Korea stunned the world when they humbled the
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Police 'delight' as burglar gets jail sentence
DETECTIVES have warned burglars to expect heavy sentences after a multiple offender was jailed for four-and-a-half-years. Detective Chief Inspector Ian MacDonald, of Darlington CID, said he was delighted with the sentence handed down by Teesside Crown
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Tough test ahead for Durham
DURHAM County received a sharp reminder that their big Inter-Counties Middleton Cuptie against arch-rivals Northumberland next week will be a tough encounter when they were well beaten in their Northern Counties match at Spennymoor. Durham, even without
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You write: Rugby club's vision
SIR - I reply to your anonymous correspondent (You Write, May 25) regarding proposed improvements to the playing fields at Consett Rugby Club. The cost of the project overall is closer to £500 000 than £200 000, so that the amount contributed by the local
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Glorious day for Durham as Love smashes record
IT was an extraordinary case of agony turning to ecstasy for Durham at Lord's yesterday as Michael Gough's dreadful misfortune was followed by a stand of 251 between Martin Love and Gordon Muchall. Love went on to make the highest first-class score for
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Train driver's window smashed by a brick
A PACKED passenger train narrowly escaped disaster when vandals flung a brick through its front windscreen, injuring the driver. The driver of the Virgin train was showered with glass and was forced to slam on the brakes as he made his approach into Darlington
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Cronje killed in plane crash
Former South African captain Hansie Cronje has been killed in a plane crash. The 32-year-old's death was confirmed by the South African Sports Ministry. The light cargo plane, which was on its way to Bloemfontein, came down in the mountains near the city
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Communities get set to toast the Queen
A TRANSFORMED community centre in Newton Aycliffe is to be officially opened with a Golden Jubilee fun day. Silverdale Community House has been transformed over recent years, and has been closed since January while the latest stage was completed, thanks
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Gala plunged into cash crisis
DURHAM City Council has taken over the running of the £14m Gala Theatre after the management firm hit a financial crisis. The Entertainment Team (Durham), which had a three-year contract to run the venue, stopped trading on Wednesday last week and looks
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Anger at plan to merge care
CAPACITY problems have dogged the University Hospital since it opened last spring. It became clear quickly there were not enough beds to cope, creating a major headache for managers, staff and patients. To tackle the problem, the North Durham trust has
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Anger at plan to merge care
CAPACITY problems have dogged the University Hospital since it opened last spring. It became clear quickly there were not enough beds to cope, creating a major headache for managers, staff and patients. To tackle the problem, the North Durham trust has
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Youngsters in musical tribute
THE Kids From Fame have got nothing on the lads and lasses from Consett judging by the latest production by Consett Theatre Workshop Junior Group. The theatre group will present the Irving Berlin tribute musical, The Melody Lingers On, at the Consett
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He's just an ordinary guy
Guy Pearce made the leap from Aussie soap Neighbours to become a highly-acclaimed actor. But he's still keen to escape Tinseltown to go back to his roots Down Under. STARS from Aussie soap Neighbours have a better record at becoming pop stars - think
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He's just an ordinary guy
Guy Pearce made the leap from Aussie soap Neighbours to become a highly-acclaimed actor. But he's still keen to escape Tinseltown to go back to his roots Down Under. STARS from Aussie soap Neighbours have a better record at becoming pop stars - think
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Back to basics, the Italian way
THIS time last week, I was marching with the Romans. I was philosophising with the Greeks. I was playing dare at the crater of a live volcano. This time last week, I was eating sun-sweetened tomatoes bathed in freshly crushed herbs. I was sucking on warm
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Sven's voice of calm in a storm of enthusiasm
It's time for the talking to end and for Sven-Goran Eriksson to start proving he's worth £3m a year of the FA's cash. At times it has seemed an interminable wait for the finals to start, enlivened only by the will-he-won't-he be fit circus that has surrounded
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Car park decision is put
PLANS to concrete over a children's playing field have been put on hold after a campaign by two women. At a planning meeting in Consett Civic Centre, yesterday, councillors said they would make a decision about a 92-space car park on land east of Dixon
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BP announces 800 job losses but Teesside escapes the worst
WORKERS at a Teesside plant have escaped the worst of a swathe of national job losses announced by oil company BP yesterday. BP, which runs the Central Area Transmission System (Cats) at Seal Sands, said it planned to axe 800 positions among its contractors
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Alison's splash for charity
A DISABLED woman has raised money for a speaking book in memory of her friend. Alison Kendall, a resident of the Rockcliffe Court Residential Home, in Hurworth, completed a 20-length sponsored swim at Northallerton swimming pool to raise the £430 needed
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Teddy bears' picnic date
PETERLEE Town Council will hold a teddy bears' picnic on Sunday, June 16, at Shotton Hall, Old Shotton. The free event takes place between 2pm and 5pm and there will be fairground rides, a bouncy castle, balloon race and jazz band, as well as prizes for
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News in brief: Homes scheme wins support
A PLAN to pull down outbuildings and erect two new homes at The Old Stables, Boroughbridge, is being welcomed by Langthorpe Parish Council. Backing a planning application being considered on Thursday, the parish council said the scheme was long overdue
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Meet organisers are hoping for big turnout
ORGANISERS of an annual festival are hoping that thousands of visitors will give a foot-and-mouth hit town a financial boost. The Barnard Castle Meet attracts visitors from across the region every year, bringing much-needed revenue to the struggling Teesdale
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British athlete joins school celebrations
BRITISH 400m runner Jared Deacon delighted primary school youngsters as he helped them celebrate winning Sport England Activemarks. The athlete spent the morning at Bishop Auckland College taking part in sporting activities with pupils and teachers from
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Convictions for affray quashed
TWO friends who have served jail terms over a wine bar affray which left a man unconscious, had their convictions overturned yesterday. Neil Flounders, 32, of Skylark Close, Hartlepool, and John Alton, 31, of Roe End, Kingsbury, North London, were jailed
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Slogan has real impact on passive smoking
A PLEA to smokers not to "turn your nippers into kippers" by breathing smoke over them has had a real impact, according to North-East health bosses. The slogan began appearing on buses and radio adverts throughout the region three months ago. The main
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Manslaughter remand for pub licensee
A LICENSEE appeared in court yesterday charged with killing a family man during an incident at the pub he manages. Steven John Webb is accused of the manslaughter of David Willis, 51. The incident is alleged to have happened in the Rise Carr Hotel, Whessoe
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Comment : Anticipation of jubilation
THERE is a great deal of excited anticipation ahead of the next few days. Tomorrow, with the high expectations of the country upon them, England take on Sweden in the World Cup. A victory will set up the nation perfectly for celebrations in honour of
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Drug addict pleads to be locked up
A drug addict burglar was granted his wish to be locked up yesterday when a judge sentenced him to two years. David Luck, 20, saw no future for himself if he remained free and a heroin addict, said Stephen Constantine, defending. Luck was caught trying
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Gorbachev's warning for the West
FORMER Soviet leader Mikhael Gorbachev yesterday warned against attempts to westernise other countries. He said a new world order had to be built - but not by "Americanising" other cultures across the globe. Mr Gorbachev, 71, made his call when he made
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Wave a virtual flag
THE Northern Echo is giving readers the chance to wave a virtual flag in support of the England team tomorrow. Via the Northern Echo's website, you can download your own England flag featuring the cross of St George. You can also be the envy of workmates
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Bike bus flies into operation
A BUS service providing a link between Tyneside and Teesdale and Weardale is now in operation. Starting from Newcastle, the Black Grouse Bike Bus will run on Sundays and bank holidays until the end of September. The service is funded by Durham County
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Musical salute all in the family
AN Army musician will be following in his father's footsteps when he takes part in a royal salute to celebrate the jubilee. Forty-nine years ago, Corporal Richard Finch's father was a musician with the RAF band which played in The Mall in London on Coronation
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Pharmaceutical firms contemplate merger
THE growth plans of GlaxoSmithKline were back under the microscope amid reports it had held tentative merger talks. The world's second largest drugs company, which employs about 1,500 people in Barnard Castle, is being linked to US rival Bristol-Myers
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News in brief: Accident girl still critical
A 12-year-old girl knocked down after getting off her school bus is still in a critical condition at Newcastle General Hospital. The girl suffered serious head injuries on Thursday when she was hit by a Ford Transit van driven by a 24-year-old man, in
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Church leaders unite
A SERVICE of celebration will be held in Ripon Cathedral, North Yorkshire, at 11.30am tomorrow. The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Metheun, said he hoped for a congregation of more than 1,200 to celebrate the occasion. "We will do our best to squeeze
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Boundary walks to mark jubilee
MIDDLEHAM residents will be putting their best foot forward to honour the Queen this weekend. A ten-mile walk around the town's boundaries, arranged by Jonathan Watkins and Steve Rowlett, sets off from Middleham Town Hall at 10am. The first section follows
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Campaign catches licence dodgers
ANGLERS fishing without licences have been warned following the latest blitz by the Environment Agency. A two-day clampdown by the agency in the North-East found 51 anglers fishing waters without permission. In all, 1,455 anglers were checked by Environment
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Posties get it right
POSTAL deliveries to addresses in North Yorkshire are among the most efficient in the country. Figures produced for the Royal Mail show that people in the YO postcode area are among those most likely to receive a next day delivery. Statistics for the
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HM sends best wishes to a devoted fan
THE Queen has sent her best wishes to fan Anita Atkinson as she puts her record-breaking collection of royal souvenirs on display in aid of charity. Mrs Atkinson, who is in the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest collection of royal memorabilia
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Huge response to new name challenge
ARTS centre managers have been inundated with suggestions of possible new names for Stanley Civic Hall. Bosses at the hall were given permission to rebrand the centre to coincide with refurbishment, and invited the public to send in suggestions. These
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In the saddle for cycle fest
KEEN bike riders were busy getting in shape yesterday for the launch of a cycling festival. The riders, from Darlington, were making their final checks for the annual Border Bike Ride fundraising challenge, which will mark the launch of the town's cycling
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Anger at plan to merge care
CAPACITY problems have dogged the University Hospital since it opened last spring. It became clear quickly there were not enough beds to cope, creating a major headache for managers, staff and patients. To tackle the problem, the North Durham trust has
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Plans for Emmaus centre unveiled
PLANS have been unveiled to create a self-sustaining centre to help homeless people rebuild their lives. The £1.25m scheme would see the establishment of an Emmaus Community in North Yorkshire, providing a home, work and opportunities for people in need
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Value of carers' work revealed
NEW research has shown that people in Redcar and Cleveland who care for their sick, disabled or frail partners are saving the local economy more than £100m a year. A report published by Carers UK shows that carers support across the country is worth £57.4bn
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Care centre earns praise
A CHILDCARE centre in Darlington has been praised by Government inspectors for the basic academic skills and emotional development it provides. The purpose built centre at Darlington College of Technology's Cleveland Avenue site was opened in September
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Action call after exam blunder
ANGRY calls were made yesterday to strip exam board Edexcel of its licence after yet another test blunder. David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said it was time that the under-fire board was stripped of its powers
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Workmen trapped in collapsed trench
TWO workmen had a brush with death yesterday when a trench collapsed and buried them in soil. The men were working on drainage for York University's new £25m biosciences building, near Wentworth College, when the trench fell in, between 11.30am and 11.40am
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'I wouldn't have coped without Victim Support'
WHEN Sheila Gamble's 16-year-old son Ian died after being stabbed, she feared the grief would send her mad. Ian had suffered the fatal wounding as he left a family party in Barnard Castle in 1996 to buy a pizza. The tragedy was exacerbated by the fact
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Royal gathering at school
THERE was a royal turnout at a South Durham school where 116 pupils and their teachers played the part of kings and queens for a day. Children at St Joseph's RC Primary School, Coundon, marked the jubilee with a lunchtime party and were presented with
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Former pit areas to get trust funding
COMMUNITY groups in County Durham's former pit areas will be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000. The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) has launched a fast-track grant programme called Bridging the Gap. It is aimed at small voluntary and community
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Town carnival is hailed great success
A TOWN'S carnival has been hailed a success after hundreds of people attended the event. The highlight of the day at Shildon Town Carnival was the parade of floats featuring schools, businesses and residents all dressed up for the theme of kings and queens
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Police move into new office
A NEW police office was opened yesterday in the heart of a former pit community. Willington's police team has a new home on the upstairs floor of the former Barclays Bank bank building, in the High Street, which has been taken over by the town's community
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Old cemetery to be used as youth centre
A cemetery which has not been used for decades is set to get a new lease of life - as a youth centre in an attempt to combat troublemakers. Scarborough Town Council is planning to convert the red-brick chapel in the town's Dean Road cemetery into a centre
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Balloons go up for charity's new look
DOZENS of yellow balloons were released to herald the shake-up of a charity that helps 17,000 victims of crime every year in County Durham. Victim Support works for witnesses and victims of crime by helping them regain their confidence, steering them
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Girl, 17, admits assault and cars damage
A TEENAGE girl who went on a vandalism spree with friends drank upwards of two-and-a-half litres of cider a day, a court heard yesterday. The 17-year-old, who can- not be named for legal reasons, had also been involved in an attack on a university lecturer
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Ferrets, falconry and lots of fun
VILLAGERS will be involved in sword fights, falconry displays and ferret racing today. Mickleton Carnival has been a traditional event in the Teesdale village's diary since 1910. It is held on the first weekend of June every year and this time it coincides
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Award for litter-free school
TUDHOE Colliery Primary School, near Spennymoor, has been awarded the Sedgefield Borough Clean School Award prize for having the tidiest primary school. Organised by Sedgefield Borough Council's Local Agenda 21 team, the award aims to support education
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News in brief: Diabetes group coffee morning
THE Bishop Auckland branch of Diabetes UK holds a coffee morning on Monday, June 10, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, at the offices of the Durham Dales Centre Primary Care Trust, in Tenters Street. On Wednesday, June 12, Dr Stephenson will address the first monthly
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Summer fun is on the agenda
DARLINGTON Borough Council has released a list of summer activities geared towards the great outdoors. The countryside section of the council has issued two leaflets detailing activities ranging from guided walks to family bike rides. There are also photography
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Wogan's choice pips The Beatles
A one-hit wonder who spent years in obscurity has been ranked ahead of The Beatles in a jubilee poll to find the nation's favourite song of the past 50 years. Multiple sclerosis sufferer Clifford T Ward, who died in December, aged 57, made it to number
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Project grant
The St Mary and St Peter's Community Project in Springwell, Sunderland, will receive £103,000 over three years from the Community Fund, to pay for a community manager's post and equipment. The project aims to refurbish a church hall and create a community
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Stepping out on a coastline marathon
A MAN who is walking the entire coastline of Britain to raise money for charity arrived on Teesside yesterday. Tom Isaacs' feat is all the more remarkable because he has suffered from Parkinson's disease for the past six years. He is undertaking the 4,500
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Royal gathering at school
THERE was a royal turnout at a South Durham school where 116 pupils and their teachers played the part of kings and queens for a day. Children at St Joseph's RC Primary School, Coundon, marked the jubilee with a lunchtime party and were presented with
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Cathedral music to bring back memories
DURHAM Cathedral will hold a special evensong tomorrow to mark the jubilee. It will be led by the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend John Arnold, following a procession of dignitaries including Lord Lieutenant Sir Paul Nicholson. The service, which starts
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Marathon journey of the regal riders
BIKERS from around the region are taking part in their own jubilee tour today in a bid to raise more than £2,000 for charity. Not only are some of the members of the Rain Dancers Motorcyclists Group attempting to ride 856 miles from John O Groats to Lands
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Pub serves up support for both nations
WHEN England play Sweden in their opening World Cup game tomorrow, it is not only on the pitch where the two nations will clash. The game will have a special significance for the landlord and landlady of one North-East pub. Stan Huggins, of the Pennyweight
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Hear all sides: HOSPITAL SERVICES
SHORTLY after opening, we are told that the new University Hospital in Durham City is short of beds. Surely this must have been obvious before it opened, so why did they demolish all the old wards of the old hospital? Why did they not keep one or two
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Star project helps to launch school library
YOUNGSTERS have raised their voices in celebration to mark the completion of a £200,000 school improvement project. Pupils from the Church of England primary school at Husthwaite, near Easingwold, were joined by the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope,
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News in brief: School wins books prize
Pupils from Marton Grove Primary School, in Middlesbrough, have received books worth £300 from Lightwater Valley theme park, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. Park mascot Sally the Valligator was on hand to present the books, which the school won in a prize
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HomeSafe can help beat the burglar
RESIDENTS are being urged to take advantage of a £200,000 grant scheme to improve home security. The HomeSafe scheme, for homes in the Pennywell, Ford and South Hylton area of Sunderland, provides extra security measures, such as door and window locks
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Stockton wary of Falla
Stockton share bottom position with Tynemouth, but they will still be wary of their visitors when they meet this morning. The Seasiders recorded a magnificent, totally unexpected victory last week when they scored more than 100 runs from the last ten
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Rivals eye top spot
The match of the day is between second-top Murton and third-placed Peterlee and the prize for the winners is the possibility of moving into pole position. Both teams are unbeaten after five matches and within easy striking distance of Silksworth who have
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At Your Service: The pooch, the prelate and pedalling priest.
THE notion that a canine year is the equivalent of seven human years has long seemed curiously out of kilter. Whilst humans - the male of the species, anyway - still shuffle painfully beyond their allotted three score years and ten, the doggy world on
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You write: Plea for fair services
SIR - Please allow me the opportunity to reply to Councillor Craig Russell (You Write, May 20). First of all, let me deal with the only one of my complaints that Mr Russell addressed, the grass-cutting service. Yes, a car was parked adjacent to the kerb
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£600,000 award for community groups
COMMUNITY groups on Teesside are to benefit from a £600,000 Government cash boost. As part of the £1.7m Community Fund awards announced yesterday, five groups received between £173,000 and £68,000. Among the groups to benefit are the Hindu Cultural Society
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It would be a sin to miss out on Cardinal Venture
THE cards are all stacked in Cardinal Venture's favour in the Showcase Handicap at Doncaster this afternoon. Two weeks ago, when recommended by this column as the each-way bet of the day at Thirsk, he did readers proud by finishing third at the thoroughly
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Ten-hour wait fuels hospital beds row
THE row over a shortage of beds at the new £97m University Hospital of North Durham intensified this week after a 92-year-old woman had to wait ten hours on a trolley. Relatives of Winifred Leonard said her treatment at the hospital was a disgrace. The
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News in brief: Family history interest stirred
FAMILY history is proving so popular in Gateshead that classes are being set up to help researchers. People flocked to workshops on tracing family trees and genealogy held during National History Week recently. Due to their popularity, the sessions will
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News in brief: School wins books prize
Pupils from Marton Grove Primary School, in Middlesbrough, have received books worth £300 from Lightwater Valley theme park, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. Park mascot Sally the Valligator was on hand to present the books, which the school won in a prize
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You write: Plea for fair services
SIR - Please allow me the opportunity to reply to Councillor Craig Russell (You Write, May 20). First of all, let me deal with the only one of my complaints that Mr Russell addressed, the grass-cutting service. Yes, a car was parked adjacent to the kerb
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Strike threat by council staff
CHESTER-LE-STREET council workers preparing to ballot for strike action over low pay claim female workers are paid a third less than their male colleagues. Unison, the largest trade union representing local government workers, is calling for industrial
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Seats with a rustic charm
THE flock of sheep grazing on the lawn seem remarkably still and, on closer inspection, they turn out to be fibreglass. But these are not just statues, they are rather unusual seats and are part of a new exhibition called Sitting Pretty, which has just
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Ten-hour wait fuels hospital beds row
THE row over a shortage of beds at the new £97m University Hospital of North Durham intensified this week after a 92-year-old woman had to wait ten hours on a trolley. Relatives of Winifred Leonard said her treatment at the hospital was a disgrace. The
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1998 ticket fraudster warned he faces jail
A WORLD Cup ticket tout who left thousands of football fans heartbroken when his firm went bust owing £2.5m, was last night facing a jail sentence. David Spanton's victims included North-East travel agents and fans eager to watch the 1998 tournament,
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Deacon misses Jarrow meet to make England hurdles bow
OLYMPIAN Jared Deacon misses today's Northern Senior Track and Field Championships at Jarrow for England international duty in Latvia and Estonia. And the 26-year-old triple North-East champion will be making his international debut in his newly-adopted
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Gardening: Back to basics, the Italian way
THIS time last week, I was marching with the Romans. I was philosophising with the Greeks. I was playing dare at the crater of a live volcano. This time last week, I was eating sun-sweetened tomatoes bathed in freshly crushed herbs. I was sucking on warm
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Byte mat boogie is hit with dancers
DANCE fans have a chance to become disco divas in a bite-sized boogie byte session. Stockton Borough Council's adult education service has teamed up with CHIPS video games stores, Stockton City Learning Centre and a tutor to give parents a chance to learn
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Gala Theatre in cash crisis
DURHAM City Council has taken over the running of the £14m Gala Theatre after the management firm hit a financial crisis. The Entertainment Team (Durham), which had a three-year contract to run the venue, stopped trading on Wednesday last week and looks
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Energy-savers win school award
ENERGY-saving youngsters have won an award for their efforts to help the environment. Durham's Framwellgate Primary School won an energy efficiency certificate from gas company Transco and the Northern Energy Efficiency Initiative. The certificate was
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Communities gripped by World Cup fever
PRIMARY school pupils will be up with the rising sun to watch England's World Cup match against Nigeria live from Japan. Brian Lowes, head of the 226-pupil Ouston Primary, in Chester-le-Street, is opening the school's doors at 7.30am to allow parents
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Old fridges to be disposed of in Germany
PART of the North-East's old fridge mountain is being moved to the continent for disposal. Durham County Council is spending almost a third of a million pounds on exporting thousands of used appliances to Europe. The mountain is building up because new
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Double death inquiry report is delayed
AN AGENCY conducting the investigation into the death of a mother who killed herself and her 11-year-old autistic son has vowed not to be rushed into publishing a report - despite being two months past its original deadline. The County Durham Autistic
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World Cup about to hit fever pitch
WORLD cup fever gripped the North-East yesterday with football fans packing into pubs across the region for the start of the tournament. Thousands of supporters took time off work and extended lunch breaks to see African outsiders Senegal beat firm favourites
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Ten-hour wait fuels hospital beds row
THE row over a shortage of beds at the new £97m University Hospital of North Durham intensified this week after a 92-year-old woman had to wait ten hours on a trolley. Relatives of Winifred Leonard said her treatment at the hospital was a disgrace. The
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We'll have a great time - whatever the weather
COMMUNITIES across the North-East will embark on the first day of celebrations today as part of the extended bank holiday. Thousands are expected to celebrate at street parties, picnics, processions and other special events taking place throughout the
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Giants set to face off in crunch match
It's the battle of the giants today when leaders Kimblesworth host Evenwood with little between the sides. "Make no mistake about it, even at this early stage of the season it is an important fixture," said Kimblesworth secretary Malcolm Bartle. "We have
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Holland earns Irish draw
Ireland fought back from a Patrick Mboma strike to earn a well-earned draw against Cameroon in their opening World Cup game in Niigata. Mboma, who spent part of last season on loan at Sunderland, opened the scoring in the 39th minute when he converted
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PR firm enlists a couple of famous names to launch new premises
PUBLIC relations and marketing firm Recognition had a VIP to open its new offices. Former Tory leader, Richmond MP William Hague did the honours at the Lingfield Point complex in Darlington. Mr Hague was returning a favour for Recognition partner Graham
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Young engineers test their skills
STUDENTS have been putting their engineering skills to the test in the first of a series of innovative workshops. Two dozen pupils from Woodham Community Technology College in Newton Aycliffe, attended the South West Durham Training workshop on the town's
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Terror of 11-year-old boy tortured by schoolgirls
AN 11-year-old boy was repeatedly tortured by two schoolgirls during a terrifying kidnap ordeal, a court heard yesterday. The pair, aged 13 and 14, were labelled "sadistic" by a judge after they stubbed out cigarettes on the youngster, beat him, tied
