Archive
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Learning to survive parent power
TRADITIONAL school sports day races, like the egg and spoon, are being criticised for encouraging a competitive spirit among children - as if they will never have to fight for survival when they get out into the big, wide world. But if only someone had
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Storytellers festival given Celtic flavour
Irish and Scottish storytellers will give the long-running North Pennines Festival a Celtic flavour this year. More than 10,000 people have packed into village halls, pubs, libraries and forest venues over the 11 years of the festival which runs across
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Town Library praised for access improvements
DISABLED people who campaigned for better access to Darlington library have praised the council for improving the facilities. Last month an entrance for wheelchair users was officially launched at the library in Crown Street. The access route and a lift
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Hartlepool to get new support centre
Work is underway on a new centre in Hartlepool to give help and support parents and carers of youngsters up to the age of 11. The £640,000 Early Years Centre is being built at St John Vianney Primary School and will include a pre-school nursery, pre and
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Flambe to fire up Haslam's year
Middleham trainer Patrick Haslam is always a man to be feared once his horses shift into top gear. Haslam's Middleham stable has been relatively sleepy over the past couple of months, but he's a had a couple of two-year-old winners in the last few days
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Urgent talks proposed on tackling school vandalism
INFANT and junior school headteachers in Newton Aycliffe have been invited to a meeting to discuss the growing problem of vandalism at their schools. The meeting has been called by town and borough councillor Vince Crosby, who has become increasingly
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Teenage rail victim's family tell of agony
THE parents of a teenager who was seriously injured when he was hit by a train spoke for the first time last night to thank the hospital staff who battled to save their son's life. Ben Woods lost his left arm and leg in the accident, which happened on
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Family project gets new home
A NEW facility for young families in Darlington has opened to the public. The Darlington Railway Museum has lent a building in McNay Street to the town's Sure Start project so it can increase the amount of help it gives young children and their parents
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Ground-breaking research revealed for gardeners
The average back garden may contain twice as many species as have so far been identified on the whole plant, according to a new study published by North-East scientists today. But gardeners would need to a microscope to see the incredible diversity which
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Traffic system consultation
A consultation exercise on plans to develop a traffic system for a Ryedale town is to be held. North Yorkshire County Council will stage a two-week exhibition in Helmsley town hall, from Friday, July 12. Leaflets describing the options for traffic management
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Man in hospital after going missing
A MAN who disappeared from a care centre in Bishop Auckland was in hospital last night after being found by an elderly woman. William Gardner, 52, was last seen by staff at the Goodall Centre, in Walker Drive, Woodhouse Close, just before 9pm on Tuesday
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Thieves steal six tons of rare wood
POLICE are hoping for the public's help tracking down thieves who stole six tons of wood, worth thousands of pounds, from the side of the road in North Yorkshire. A lorry driver delivering a load of rare copper beech to a business premises in Catterick
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Extra bus services
BUS passengers are promised more ways to travel around Bishop Auckland with a new service introduced by Go North East. The 90A started on Sunday and links the town centre with Princes Street, Etherley Lane and the Woodhouse Close Estate. The 89C service
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Aviation day hailed as the best yet
THE annual aviation day at a young offenders' institution has been hailed the best yet. Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, near Barnard Castle, hosted the event in its memorial garden yesterday. The day began with a service dedicated to Pilot Officer
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Gamekeeper hurt in poachers attack
A GAMEKEEPER from Lord Barnard's Raby Estates, in Teesdale, has been injured in a late-night attack by poachers. He was sitting in a Land Rover on estate land at Hilton, near Barnard Castle, at 11pm last Friday, when he was approached by four men. One
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Nursery has fun helping others
CHILDREN and parents at the House of Eden Nursery, in Rushyford, have had fun raising money for children's charities in recent weeks. Their first event was a sponsored bounce for the Happy Days children's charity. The charity provides holidays and day
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Comment: A heartfelt plea for Ben
THE statement issued to The Northern Echo yesterday by the parents of railway accident victim Ben Woods makes heartbreaking reading. Ben is critically ill after being struck by a train at Hurworth, near Darlington, on Monday - his 17th birthday. He has
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Change in plans
PLANS for a town's first park- and-ride scheme have been delayed in favour of other public transport improvements. Funding which Harrogate Borough Council had set aside for the project will be invested elsewhere. Cash will go towards the construction
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Mother praises school for changing sons' lives
A MOTHER has thanked the school which she says has transformed her twin sons' lives. Jacqueline Dobson, of McMullen Road, Darlington, says she is delighted at the progress that her sons, Adam and Benjamin, have made at the town's North Road Primary School
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Flats and offices plan for car park
THE site of a former Darlington town centre car park could be developed into 15 flats and offices. Darlington Borough Council has received a planning application to build on Clark's Yard. Permission has already been granted for 11 flats to be built in
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High street spending slows down, survey reveals
The Bank of England was given the green light to leave interest rates on hold for another month after a survey revealed new signs that the high street spending spree may be winding down. Retail sales growth fell to its lowest level for 18 months in June
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Rescue team HQ open day
Teesdale and Weardale search and rescue team is holding its first open day since moving into its Barnard Castle centre last year Team leader Alan Best said: "The centre was completed last year, with money raised from donations by the public and a National
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Charity hopes for royal visit after award
A CHARITY raising funds to build a new base in Northallerton has won royal recognition. Chopsticks, which works with adults with learning difficulties, has been presented with the Duke of York's Community Initiative Award. Trainee Martin Thorogood collected
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Drivers seek honour
MORE than 30 drivers will battle it out on Sunday for the honour of representing the North-East at a national competition. The Durham Automobile Club is hosting the Association of Northern Car Clubs Auto Test competition at Streetlam Camp, near Barnard
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£28m cash injection for Alcan plant
A METALS company has announced it is to invest £28m in its North-East aluminium smelting plant. It is one of the largest investments to be made by Alcan Primary Metal in a single project at Lynemouth, Northumberland, during the past ten years. The cash
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Concern over drugs taken to the top
A TEAM from the North-East took the war on drugs to the Home Office yesterday. Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, joined a group of anti-drugs workers for a meeting with Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth. The aim of the meeting was to make the minister
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Aviation day hailed as the best yet
THE annual aviation day at a young offenders' institution has been hailed the best yet. Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, near Barnard Castle, hosted the event in its memorial garden yesterday. The day began with a service dedicated to Pilot Officer
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Gamekeeper attacked by poachers
A GAMEKEEPER from Lord Barnard's Raby Estates, in Teesdale, has been injured in a late-night attack by poachers. The man was sitting in a Land Rover on estate land at Hilton, near Barnard Castle, at 11pm last Friday, when he was approached by four men
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Inquest told of diary's 'suicide' message
A TEENAGE girl who took an overdose of painkillers after years of alleged bullying shared a secret diary with a school pal in which she wrote that she intended to kill herself, an inquest heard. The bullying began after Elaine Swift, 15, donated her bone
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Urgent talks proposed on tackling school vandalism
INFANT and junior school headteachers in Newton Aycliffe have been invited to a meeting to discuss the growing problem of vandalism at their schools. The meeting has been called by town and borough councillor Vince Crosby, who has become increasingly
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Sisters provide surprise twist at short story awards
TWO sisters proved their literary talent by both winning prizes in a short story competition. Their were gasps of delight when people realised that Sylvia and Claire Ann Wilkinson, from Mickleton, in Teesdale, were sisters. Nine-year-old Sylvia was thrilled
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First aid fun marks NHS week in schools
AMBULANCE chiefs in North Yorkshire and Cleveland are marking NHS Week by investing in local child safety. They have launched a fun first aid handbook for youngsters and more than 4,000 of them have gone out to over 100 schools across the region. Hackforth
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Park takes its place in history
A PARK'S historical importance has been recognised with an inclusion in the English Heritage Parks and Gardens Register. Stockton's Victorian Rop-ner Park, which celebrates its 110th anniversary next year, has been accepted as a Grade II site on the register
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Council urged to take responsibility of wall
LAWYERS acting for a local authority have been urged to honour a gentleman's agreement - or risk ruining the council's reputation. Coverdale farmer, Clive Weatherall, thought he was making a public-spirited gesture when he allowed a dry-stone wall to
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Views sought on health care issues
PEOPLE living in Stockton borough are being asked to help the North Tees Primary Care Trust (PCT) make decisions about how health care is provided, or to let their voice be heard about specific issues. The PCT is using NHS Week 2002 to launch a leaflet
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Weekend of fun for all as carnival takes to the streets
ALL the fun of the fair was there at Darlington Community Carnival at the weekend. The carnival, which was held in Stanhope Park and the Market Square, was celebrating its 20th anniversary. It was officially launched at noon on Saturday by Mayor Doris
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Fine awards for top librarians
CHILDREN'S laureate Anne Fine yesterday presented two youngsters with awards for being top librarians. Over several weeks, more than 100 youngsters from 19 primary and secondary schools have been undergoing training by Stockton Borough Libraries staff
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Pupils spend their summer nights on stage
ABOUT 90 pupils are involved in staging Grease, the musical that proved a film box office hit for John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. The end-of-term production has been a means to an end for many of the cast and stage crew at King's Manor School, Middlesbrough
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Man in armed siege admits hurting woman
A MAN yesterday admitted wounding a woman in a confrontation which sparked an armed stand-off with police. John Piggins pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Dawn Elliott in the incident at her house, in Leadgate, County Durham
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Woman weeps as son tells of bullying ordeal
THE mother of a bullying victim wept yesterday as her son told a court of his harrowing ordeal at the hands of his North-East fellow pupil tormentors. Jamie Bright told Teesside County Court how he had "started to lose respect" for his parents after they
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1,200 pets chipped in charity drive
MORE than 1,200 people across the region took advantage of a cut-price pet microchipping campaign organised by the RSPCA. It also raised almost £7,700 for the charity in Yorkshire and the North-East. During the week-long campaign, 119 vets across the
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Science proves hit with pupils
THE biggest event in the North-East aimed at encouraging youngsters to enjoy science has proved a big hit. More than 3,000 pupils from 60 schools in the Tees Valley area have visited the Science is Great event, at Ormesby Sports Complex, Middlesbrough
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Chewing over Independence Day
SHOPPERS will be tucking into an unusual treat today, as Britain does its bit to celebrate American Independence Day. Morrisons' stores across the region have combined two classics from across the Atlantic - and created the bubblegum doughnut. Stores
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Distillex to sell factory hit by fire
THE owners of a North Tyneside chemical plant which burned to the ground have confirmed they are selling up and leaving the region. Distillex is to sell its North Shields site and start a new operation closer to the company's headquarters in Leyland,
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Join the life cycle to give charity effort a boost
A CHARITY is urging people to Cycle for Life, following research showing that almost 70 per cent of adults in the region have not ridden a bicycle over the past year. A report on behalf of Cancer Research UK also found that, while 40 per cent of households
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Fundraising veteran to retire as chairman of charity
CHARITY champion Peter Beaty is stepping down after ten years as chairman of Help the Aged's Durham and Wearside fundraising committee. The 72-year-old is to concentrate his efforts on Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area. Mr Beaty, who was chairman
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Hear All Sides: DISTRICT COUNCILS
YOU do not have to defend every decision taken by Derwentside and Chester-le-Street district councils to feel that neither their leaders, nor their employees deserves the insults of Kevan Jones MP (Echo, June 28). He must know that, in the 1980s, the
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Student Daniela sets sights on writing award
A STUDENT could follow in the footsteps of top female journalists by winning an award. Daniela Cesarano, 25, a journalism student at Sunderland University, has been short-listed for the Catherine Pakenham Award, which was previously won by former Talk
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Quilts from the 1950s on display
A COLLECTION of quilts, some dating back to the start of the Queen's reign, will go on display to mark her golden jubilee on Saturday. The Alington House Quilters will put on the exhibition in Alington House, North Bailey, Durham, from 10am to 4pm. It
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College secures status for training
A DURHAM college has been recognised as a centre of excellent vocational training by a national body. New College Durham is one of only 69 further education colleges to have been named as a Centre of Vocational Excellence (Cove), by the Learning and Skills
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Concert aid for charity
A charity is £1,300 richer thanks to a gala concert staged by the Freemasons' movement. The Castle Eden Masonic Lodges staged the event at the Crossways Hotel, Thornley, when a packed audience was entertained by Trimdon Concert Brass Band, Hetton Lyon
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Spotlight turned on healthier lifestyles
EAST Durham residents are to be given the chance to check their health and improve their lifestyles. A Healthy Living Awareness Day will be held on Wednesday, between 10am and 2pm, at Peterlee Leisure Centre. The event has been organised by Peterlee Health
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TA: not just a form of extreme Scouting
Members of the Tyne Tees regiment of the Territorial Army have just completed their annual summer camp in Cyprus, and, as Sam Strangeways reports, 'playing' at being a soldier is tougher than you might think. THE Territorial Army soldiers from the Tyne
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Goering chalice man freed
A man jailed for taking his ex-lover's dog in an attempt to win back a £2m silver chalice once owned by Nazi henchman Hermann Goering was freed yesterday. Derek Smith's "manifestly excessive" nine-month sentence was cut at London's Court of Appeal after
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News in brief: Societies unite for bird show
DARLINGTON and Spennymoor Budgerigar Societies are to hold their first joint show at Greenfield Comprehensive School, Newton Aycliffe, on Sunday, July 14. The show will be open to the public from 2pm to 4pm. For further information contact Brian Cowe
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Campaign group loses inquiry bid
CAMPAIGNERS have failed in their last-ditch bid to win a public inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal. It means that after a lengthy fight for justice members of the campaign group will be forced to rely on the findings of an internal NHS inquiry, rather
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Hospital move is completed
THE one-off move into Bishop Auckland's long awaited new hospital has been finally completed four weeks ahead of the original schedule. A three-week transfer of staff, patients and equipment into the £67m privately-funded development ended when the last
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Last Night's TV: Teen Species (BBC1)
Teenagers - spots and all. AFTER devoting so many hours to studying wildlife, it was inevitable that sooner or later TV documentary-makers would get around to teenagers. This opener of a three-part series filmed five girls, aged between ten and 16, over
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Neale victims to make second complaint over lawyers
The victims of disgraced surgeon Richard Neale are to make a second complaint to the Legal Services Ombudsman in a dispute about "aggressive" defence lawyers. They are furious that the Bar Council has for the second time thrown out their complaint against
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Selection method for group criticised
A FRESH row has broken over plans for a "super school" on Teesside. News that the Vardy Foundation was putting money into an academy for south Middlesbrough sparked controversy when it was revealed the same sponsor runs Gateshead's Emmanuel College, where
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Works could become a ski centre
A DOOMED cement works could be turned into an indoor ski slope, it was revealed this week. The idea, which would include real snow, is one of the options being put forward for the former Blue Circle plant at Eastgate in Weardale. Durham County Council
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'Inspired' head is honoured
THE head of a village primary school has been awarded a prize for inspired leadership. Neil Parker, head of Heighington CE School, won The Primary Leadership Trust Award at the North-East and Cumbria BT Teaching Awards. The award is for teachers who demonstrate
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Cartoon capers at fair
THE artist who depicted Alan Shearer in a giant caricature which hung from the Tyne Bridge made sketches of fair-goers at the weekend. Paul Slattery was the star guest at the annual summer fair at St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham. He created unique artworks
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Tennis pupils shine
A group of young tennis players has won through to the final of a regional tennis competition. The pupils from Rise Carr Primary School, in Darlington, came fourth in the second round of the Springs Health Tennis Challenge last week. The four boys and
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Tears in memory of crash victim Leonie
A MOVING ceremony was held at the school of Leonie Shaw yesterday, on what would have been her seventh birthday. Family and friends of the youngster, who died in April after a collision with a car near her Bishop Auckland home, gathered for the service
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Controversy over plans for Market Place
Councillors and traders at Helmsley are worried that its historic Market Place could become a pedestrianised zone under a planned new traffic strategy. Residents are now being urged to voice their views on the potentially controversial new traffic scheme
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Tribute paid to music director
A Dean has paid tribute to a departing director of music following an earlier dispute between the pair. Ripon Cathedral's Dean John Metheun, writing in his July newsletter, says Kerry Beaumont's contribution to the life of the cathedral has been "immense
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Stewart backing new boy
Alec Stewart gave a ringing endorsement to Paul Collingwood last night as the Durham all-rounder prepared to make his first international appearance on his home ground. The England veteran was impressed by Collingwood's composed, quickfire 38 on Tuesday
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Relief for widow of drugs victim who was left to die
THE widow of drugs victim Desmond Johns last night spoke of her relief at the conviction of the woman who injected her husband with a fatal heroin dose. Glynis Johns would have been married to former construction ground worker Des for 17 years this weekend
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Suicide schoolgirl's death was "cry for help"
A schoolgirl who donated life-saving bone marrow to her younger sister died four years later after accidentally overdosing on tablets in a misguided bid to grab attention, an inquest heard. Tragic 15-year-old Elaine Swift had endured years of domestic
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Special celebration invite to Number 10
The head of cultural services at Stockton Borough Council was one of a select group invited for a chat with prime minister Tony Blair. Andrea Barker, who has worked at the council since 1996, was one of 150 local government frontline workers, managers
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Festival for friends
MUSICAL friends from across the world will be performing at Durham City's annual festival this weekend. Bayaraasaikhan Badansuren (known as Bayar), from Mongolia, and Paul Martin, from Esh Winning, have been regularly swapping ideas since meeting up at
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Closed circuit TV cuts
CRIME on a council estate has been cut by almost 40 per cent since CCTV cameras were put up. Firthmoor was the first Darlington housing estate to be given the cameras,which were installed and switched on in June last year. A total of 13 cameras are now
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Think again, Whitehall told
PROPOSALS to create an elected regional assembly have been given a resounding thumbs down by councillors in the Hambleton district. They say the Government's scheme will lead to remoteness and a lack of local representation. Members of the council's cabinet
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Juninho lined up for shock Boro return
WORLD Cup winner Juninho is set to join Middlesbrough for the third time - and the deal should be tied up by the end of the week. On the day Boro finally completed the club record £8.15m signing of Italy striker Massimo Maccarone, they also revealed that
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Airman picked for the Games
AN airman from North Yorkshire's front-line fighter base at RAF Leeming will be facing one of his toughest battles this summer - when he competes in the Commonwealth Games. Cpl Simon Gaines been selected to represent the Isle of Man at badminton in the
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United wait on Bernard's return
NEWCASTLE United are waiting anxiously to see whether Olivier Bernard turns up today for the start of pre-season training. The French left-back is in dispute with the Magpies after a Premier League tribunal last week blocked his move to West Ham and ruled
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Hospital losing blocked beds battle
MANAGERS at a controversial new hospital are losing the battle to reduce bed-blocking. Despite efforts to speed up the discharge of mostly elderly patients - including opening more beds at outlying community hospitals - managers at the University Hospital
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Clean-up costs may be passed on
ONE of the region's rivers is to get a major clean-up by order of the Government, but it will end up hitting the pockets of ordinary North-Easterners. The Government has told Northumbrian Water that in future sewage must receive further treatment before
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Town scoops top planning award
A £600,000 town square which symbolised the rebirth of a rundown railway community has earned a major planning award. The square in the centre of Shildon is the centrepiece of a £17m regeneration programme for the town led by Sedgefield Borough Council
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Golfers tee off for charity
GENEROUS golfers have taken terminally ill children into their hearts by raising cash to make their treatment more bearable. Captain of Bishop Auckland Golf Club Clive Auld has thrown his weight behind a fundraising drive that has made more than £4,000
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Collingwood determined to become a local hero
As Paul Collingwood cast a glowing eye over the Riverside, a warm smile lit up his face and the Durham all-rounder beamed with pride. "The club only started playing first-class cricket ten years ago and look at how well we've done," he said. "Who'd have
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Help us tackle reckless airgun use, police urge
POLICE and council officials in Hartlepool are warning of the dangers posed by airguns and urging people to help them tackle the problem. They have spoken out amid concern over the number of youths recklessly using air weapons in the countryside around
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N-E bowled over by India game
THE North-East is braced for one of the biggest events in its sporting history - England will play India today in the second one-day international held at Durham County Cricket club's Riverside Stadium. The first England international held at the Riverside
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A line call we didn't want
AFTER years of neglect in favour of the children, there are finally signs that my wife loves me after all. First there was the romantic weekend in the Lakes for my 40th birthday. Then there was the Abba CD and the box of toffees that took my tooth out
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War veteran's letters revealed
A HEROIC piece of military history has been brought vividly to life - by the very man who lived through it. A century-and-a-half since the Crimean War first seared itself into country's consciousness, its blunders and bravery have become the stuff of
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Juninho and Boro hope it is third time lucky
THE SAMBA drums which accompanied Brazil's World Cup triumph at the International Sports Stadium in Yokohama on Sunday are once again ready to reverberate closer to home. The porticoes of the Riverside Stadium will be jumping if, as seems likely, Juninho
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Experts with a nose for a cure
IT started as a way of helping food companies ensure their products were safe to eat. Now the electronic nose could play a crucial role in fighting serious illness. The team of North-East scientists behind the invention - which "sniffs" gases - are working
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Pupils boost cancer charity
A Comprehensive school's pupils have raised £1,000 in two months after forming their own charity committee. Teenagers at Sedgefield Community College set up the committee to help them to decide to which charity their fundraised cash should go to. After
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Mother found guilty of child abuse
The family of a mother who fed her new-born baby potentially lethal amounts of salt have said they will never forgive her. Marie Graham also said that innocent members of the family have been verbally and physically abused by members of the public since
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Weather intervenes to suspend judgement on pitch queries
AMID suspicions of chicanery in the pitch preparation at Northampton yesterday, Durham barely had time to assess the value of winning the toss because of the weather. Play began at 2.40 and in 12 overs Durham reached 35 without loss before the rain returned
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Driver flees after knocking down boy
A HIT-AND-RUN driver who mounted the pavement and left an 11-year-old boy needing hospital treatment is being hunted by police. The boy was injured in the incident on The Green in Thornton-le-Dale, in North Yorkshire, at about 8pm last night. The accident
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Alex inspires pupils' efforts
PUPILS from Barnard Castle Preparatory School have donated £170 to an appeal inspired by Alex Herbert, five. Alex was treated at Newcastle General Hospital after being born with the rare genetic disorder XLP, which had claimed the life of his older brother
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Rescue team HQ open day
Teesdale and Weardale search and rescue team is holding its first open day since moving into its Barnard Castle centre last year Team leader Alan Best said: "The centre was completed last year, with money raised from donations by the public and a National
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Tributes to theatre stalwart
TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who played a prominent role in keeping amateur theatre alive in Weardale. Walter Raynor died after being taken ill during a birthday party for one of his five grandchildren on Sunday. He was 64. For 12 years, Mr Raynor
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Sisters provide surprise twist at short story awards
TWO sisters proved their literary talent by both winning prizes in a short story competition. Their were gasps of delight when people realised that Sylvia and Claire Ann Wilkinson, from Mickleton, in Teesdale, were sisters. Nine-year-old Sylvia was thrilled
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News in brief: Societies unite for bird show
DARLINGTON and Spennymoor Budgerigar Societies are to hold their first joint show at Greenfield Comprehensive School, Newton Aycliffe, on Sunday, July 14. The show will be open to the public from 2pm to 4pm. For further information contact Brian Cowe
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Crossbow killer allowed to make earlier bid for parole
A FORMER soldier who slaughtered his mother and her partner using a crossbow has had his sentence tariff reduced. David Nicholson was just 17 when he executed his mother, Ann, and her partner of 11 years, Billy Kent, in 1990. Nicholson admitted his guilt
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School's supporters brave weather
TORRENTIAL rain failed to put off dedicated supporters of a Darlington school who turned out for a garden party. The parents and friends association of Abbey Road Junior and Infant School held the party on the school field. There were various attractions
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Officer injured in cell blaze rescue
A PRISON officer needed hospital treatment last night after rescuing an inmate from his blazing cell. The prisoner, in his early 20s, was also injured and needed medical attention after the blaze, at Stockton's Holme House prison. Neither man was thought
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N-East builders lead the way
THE North-East is leading the surge in the UK construction market according to the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The survey for the second quarter of this year shows that in contrast to gloom in the manufacturing
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Ganguly hoping to halt England's revival
Sourav Ganguly is preparing his team to face a much improved England in today's day-night NatWest Series match at Chester-le-Street. The India captain admits England have risen in his estimation as a one-day cricket force over the course of the last few
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Floral hopes high
VILLAGERS are putting the finishing touches to floral displays in their bid to make it three wins in a row in the Northumbria in Bloom competition. Aycliffe Village has won the best large village category for the past two years, but hopes of a treble
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Silver prize for bottle's design
A BOTTLED water company has scooped a coveted design award - just months after the first of its distinctive glass bottles rolled off the production line. Harrogate Spa Water's bottles was honoured with a silver prize in the Star Pack awards in London,
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A flick through family album
JONNY "Joker" Regan always wanted to be a star. From the age of seven, the 29-year-old, of Trimdon Grange, County Durham, would be the centre of attention at parties, entertaining the family with his singing voice. It was a talent he developed from his
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Family trio deny fraud charge
THREE members of a North-East family have denied duping hundreds of people round the country with a work-from-home postal scam. Richard and Alison Alderson, and half-brother Darren, are alleged to have made potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds
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Workers share journey to work
A CAR share scheme has been launched by Newcastle Airport to help both the environment and the finances of its 3,000 employees. Graeme Mason, the airport's planning and environment manager, said: "The car share scheme provides car owners whose transport
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Election protest on taxes planned
DISGRUNTLED Richmondshire residents, dissatisfied with taxes imposed by both central and local government, have confirmed they may be fielding candidates at the next election. More than 100 people packed the Bay Horse pub in Catterick Village when landlady
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Tributes to theatre stalwart
TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who played a prominent role in keeping amateur theatre alive in Weardale. Walter Raynor died after being taken ill during a birthday party for one of his five grandchildren on Sunday. He was 64. For 12 years, Mr Raynor
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Injured stablegirl undergoes op
A STABLEGIRL underwent an operation yesterday after being kicked in the face by a racehorse at the yard where she works. Anne Blanchard, 40, who works for Tim Easterby, at Great Habton, near Malton, North Yorkshire, suffered multiple fractures to her
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Children learn from top cricket coach
YOUNG cricketers from the Richmondshire district are to benefit from top-level coaching, thanks to National Lottery-funded sports initiative. Former county player, Umer Rashid, will spend the next few weeks visiting schools and clubs to give them the
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Young competitors pass sporting test
CHILDREN from Hartlepool have shown off their sporting prowess during a tournament in Middlesbrough. About 300 Hartlepool children, aged from seven to 16, represented the town against Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough and Stockton in the Teesside Youth
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Car dealer's profits hit record high
RECORD profits at car dealership group Reg Vardy are largely because of lower new car prices and higher consumer spending, it said yesterday. Figures released yesterday show pre-tax profits for the company, which has its headquarters in Sunderland, rose
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The ship's come in for Shields
Inspectors have just praised a North-East college, reinforcing its role as a centre of excellence for marine training. Ian Lamming looks at why South Shields is on the crest of a wave. THE four men pace around the darkened bridge. One looks at a monitor
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Norther Echo sport - It's first class
Don't miss tomorrow's Northern Echo for first-class coverage of the Riverside's one-day spectacular. Chief sports writer Steven Baker will be at The Riverside for the historic occasion. And if you can't be there you can keep up to date via The Northern
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Mum, 103, and daughter share 'at home' party
IF 103-year-old Elizabeth Forsyth needed help blowing out her candles, it was very close at hand. For her 72-year-old daughter, Pat Carruthers, has given her the perfect present by moving into the same Teesside nursing home. The pair, who until last year
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Traders warned over shop rubbish
TRADERS in Eaglescliffe are being told to clean up their act after complaints about the amount of rubbish outside a row of shops. The litter behind the shops in Durham Lane is so bad that local people fear it could pose a health risk for children. Now
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News in brief: Lifesize models to go on show
Giant pieces of handiwork by young crafts people have been created by members of the Youth Clubs of County Durham. The lifesize models, featuring characters from fiction, such as Harry Potter, were made from old pieces of cardboard, newspapers, factory
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News in brief: Lifesize models to go on show
Giant pieces of handiwork by young crafts people have been created by members of the Youth Clubs of County Durham. The lifesize models, featuring characters from fiction, such as Harry Potter, were made from old pieces of cardboard, newspapers, factory
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Litter-picking help needed
Saltburn in Bloom is appealing for people to help tidy up the town before judging takes place for the Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitions. Litter picks will take place from 10am to 1pm, on Saturday, and again on Saturday, July 13. Evening
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New in brief: Girl hit while crossing road
A GIRL is in Middlesbrough General Hospital with a broken leg after being knocked down on a pedestrian crossing. Amy Coverdale, 14, from Longford Street, Middlesbrough, was knocked down on Marton Road, Middlesbrough, near the junction with Belle Vue Road
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Engineer Phil hopes to dish up a soup winner
A NORTH-EAST engineer has used his inventive skills to win a place in the finals of a national competition for soup making. Phil Gilhespy, of Medomsley, Consett, is one of four finalists invited to London to cook up his soup for judges tomorrow. If his
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Holland gains as delays hit Swan Hunter's work
SWAN Hunter has subcontracted work out to Holland after falling behind schedule on a £120m contract. But shipyard chairman Jaap Kroese last night moved to allay fears that the delay would jeopardise workers jobs at the Wallsend, North Tyneside, yard.
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Festival of music takes to the beach
MUSICIANS from across the country are dusting off their beachwear for a 12-hour festival of music in the region next month. The second H2O: Beached festival, which also features comedy and other performing arts, takes place on South Bay beach, Scarborough
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Look Who is lording it up at time show
FORMER Dr Who, Colin Baker, will take an audience back into the history of one of the North-East's oldest town's as the climax of a day of celebrations. The television Time Lord is narrating the production, which includes a 30-piece orchestra and more
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Granddads saddle up for charity challenge
TWO North-East grandfathers are preparing to pedal across the country to support regional health charities. Ray Smith, 62, and Alan Schofield, 59, will be heading off on the Coast-to-Coast route next month to raise money for Durham's St Cuthbert's Hospice
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News in brief: Housing plan inquiry looms
A BID to build homes on the site of a scrapyard on the eastern edge of Leyburn will have to be decided by the Environment Secretary. Richmondshire district councillors voted to stand by a decision made in the spring and to approve amended blueprints for
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Donation to abbey stands despite protest
A ONE-OFF donation to a cause outside the Richmond boundary is to stand, despite the town council facing a challenge from within. Councillor David Johnson questioned the finance and fabric committee's decision to give £100 towards a security camera system
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Alan pounds the hospital beat
HEALTH chiefs hope local bobby Alan Kille will prove to be just what the doctor ordered. For the 52-year-old constable's beat will now include Durham City's new University Hospital of North Durham. Nationally, hospital security has become a major issue
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Traders tell of fears over new bus stops
TRADERS, worried that new bus stops in Queen's Road could have an impact on their custom, have been urged to take the matter up with Richmond's Business and Tourism Association. Consultation is already under way into a revamp of the roads around the town
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Prize lane garden opens to the public
AN award-winning lane garden will open to the public on Sunday. For the third successive year, the lane garden in Hamilton Terrace, West Boldon, will welcome visitors as part of the fundraising National Gardens Scheme. It is the only South Tyneside garden
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Is this the world's cheapest movie?
The North-East's newest film company held it's world premiere at Newcastle's Opera House last night for a movie, which cost just £1,500 to make. Making Tea For The Mob is a 12-minute short by FNA Films, the region's latest film-making collective, which
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Howdy folks, just clowning around
A CLOWN can claim to be truly national after completing performances in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland this year. Ron Wood - alias Chuckles The Clown - has appeared in various guises around the Britain during the past few months, including a performance
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Grassroots: Ingleby Barwick
LOGO COMPETITON: Members of the Ingleby Barwick Residents' Association were delighted to receive so many entries for their logo competition. The winning designs were by Jessica Stevenson, of Ingleby Mill Primary School, and Eloise Lombard, of St Therese
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Double delight as sisters win prizes in literary competition
TWO young sisters proved their literary talent after both of them won prizes in a short story competition. There were gasps of delight when people realised that Sylvia and Claire Ann Wilkinson, from Mickleton, in Teesdale, were sisters. Nine-year-old
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Riverside is put to the Test
The Riverside moved another rung up the international ladder last night as furious English cricket chiefs demanded an explanation for the Headingley fiasco. The England and Wales Cricket Board want Yorkshire to reveal why their ground was nearly half-empty
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Young performers are armed with some violent characters
STUDENTS at one of the region's colleges are preparing to go on stage next week. The pupils at Carmel RC Technology College, in Darlington, are performing Bugsy Malone. The show will be performed at the college from next Tuesday until Saturday, July 13
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Airmen's 'life on the run' nets a boost for charity
AIRMEN staged a mass break-out from jail and went on the run - all in the name of charity. The eight "convicts" took a runner from Northallerton Prison and raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK. In two-man teams, they had just 24 hours to get
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Phone masts protest fails
THREE mobile phone antennae are to be erected near a primary school. Durham City councillors approved plans for the three masts to be placed on the Neville's Cross pub after visiting the site on Monday. The transmitters on the pub on Darlington Road are
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Road improvement hold-up criticised
THE Government is under pressure to deliver after promising a £263m improvement package for the A1 through North Yorkshire. The project to upgrade a 29-mile stretch of the road was announced last week by the Department of Transport in an attempt to cut
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New system proposed to even out regional inequalities
THE head of a Government-backed review of regional spending has told MPs that scrapping the present formula for allocating public money is the only way that deprived regions such as the North-East can get a better deal. Under the current Barnett Formula
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Ambulance service set for shake-up
PLANS have emerged for a radical restructuring of the North's ambulance service - the second major change in just three years. It was revealed last Thursday that the three separate services that currently cover the Yorkshire and North-East regions now
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'Callous' woman jailed over fatal drug injection
A drug dealer who administered a fatal dose of heroin to a vulnerable user was last night beginning an eight-year prison sentence. Melanie Storey, who ran a lucrative business supplying a steady stream of callers to her home in Spennymoor, County Durham
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Juninho poised for shock return
BRAZILIAN football hero Juninho was last night poised for a return to his beloved Middlesbrough after the club confirmed it was on the verge of a transfer coup. The 29-year-old looks to be on his way back for a third spell at the Riverside - only days
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Theatre hopes revised programme will be a winner
A NEW theatre hopes to continue attracting audiences with its autumn programme. Durham's Gala Theatre, which recently suffered a setback when its management company, The Entertainment Team (Durham), went into liquidation, has just announced a revised
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Police hunt for vicious gunman
Police are hunting a sick gunman who carried out an 'execution' style killing of one cat and shot another in the backside. Both animals were shot at close range during the attacks on a Cleveland housing estate. One attack, described by a local vet as
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Thumbs up for new extension
A BRIGHT £400,000 extension opened at Northallerton's Applegarth School last week. At a ceremony last Wednesday, pupils and staff showed guests round the four classrooms, soft play area, library and offices. The rooms have a contemporary look, with light-timber
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Children learn to play safe
HUNDREDS of youngsters will this week become Rural Rangers after a massive health and safety drive designed for youngsters in the countryside. Police have joined forces with other agencies to run a series of workshops for 650 primary school pupils at
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Heckingbottom's ambitions realised
Paul Heckingbottom joined First Division Norwich City yesterday and wasted no time in explaining his decision to leave Darlington after three seasons. The last 12 months of his Darlington career were turbulent but after putting pen to paper on a three-year
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Birthday boy hit by train fights for life
A TEENAGE boy was left fighting for his life this week after being hit by a train on his birthday. Ben Woods, of Banks Terrace, Hurworth, lost his left arm and leg in the accident, which happened the East Coast Main Line south of Darlington on Monday.
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Dad At Large: A line call we didn't want
AFTER years of neglect in favour of the children, there are finally signs that my wife loves me after all. First there was the romantic weekend in the Lakes for my 40th birthday. Then there was the Abba CD and the box of toffees that took my tooth out
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Youngsters get on their marks
HUNDREDS of North-East youngsters were united in the true spirit of grassroots sport last week. They showed their paces in the Wear Valley Schools' Commonwealth Games Festival of Sport at Maiden Castle in Durham. The colourful event was organised as part
