Archive
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Class joins together to help Chloe
YOUNGSTERS will be putting their best foot forward with a sponsored toddle to send one of their friends to Somerset for a special therapy programme. The two and three-year-olds who attend the Babygym class at Stockton Sports Centre will be walking as
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Water baby Luke is VIP at opening of birth pool
LITTLE Luke James Younger could not have timed his arrival into the world much better. Not only was he first to be born in a new birthing pool at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, he came along on Mother's Day. This week Luke was invited
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Hear All Sides: HOSPITAL PARKING
IT was obvious that when the new hospital at Bishop Auckland was built, it would lead to parking problems in the surrounding streets. Durham County Council must have been the only one not to realise this as it did nothing to prevent it and has informed
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John North: Making a mountain out of the end of the world
Durham bishp Holy Mouley predicted a Second Coming for 1920 but sadly never lived to see if his prediction came true. TIM Cannam writes, appealingly, from Harperley, near Crook. "Since you are obviously interested in all sorts of useless information,"
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Fundraisers double their target
CHARITY champions were over the moon when they counted the funds raised for two special causes and realised they had more than doubled their target. Billy Row Green Inn fundraising committee donated almost £5,000 to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary
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Woman struck by thief
POLICE are seeking witnesses of a street robbery in Stanley in which a woman was punched in the face. The attack happened as the 31-year-old victim headed home after visiting the Post Office in the town centre at 1pm last Friday. She was walking along
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Energy plan aims to save £1m in city
A COUNCIL is working towards making homes more energy efficient. Durham City Council already uses double glazing when replacing windows in its own properties and runs a programme of cavity wall and loft insulation. In some villages, these are supplemented
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Brawl pupil badly beaten
A PUPIL at Durham School is being treated in hospital after being badly beaten by a classmate in an end of term punch-up. The dormitory brawl left one of the classmates needing emergency surgery to remove his spleen after the fight at the £14,000-a-year
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Feast of football is planned at fun day
YOUNG people from the Easington police division are being invited to take part in a five-a-side football competition and fun day. The event, which will take place on Saturday, July 20, has been organised by Horden beat officers Keith Bowmaker and Steve
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News in brief: Hospital parking fees on way
FRIENDS and relatives making hospital visits at Scarborough are to be charged for parking their cars. Scarborough Health Trust's board has agreed that patients and visitors will be charged £1 for up to four hours or £2 up to 12 hours. Staff will have
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Screen is back with a classic
A countryside cinema reopens tonight. The curtain will once again go up at the Palace Cinema in Chancery Lane, Malton, North Yorkshire, with a showing of the classic wartime romance Casablanca. The cinema was taken over in March this year by former BBC
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M&S ready to go into battle with Ikea
MARKS & Spencer is to open the first of a new chain of home furnishing superstores in the region. On the day it was announced Luc Vandevelde, the Belgian chief of the company was to relinquish his role as chief executive, it also emerged the chain
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'Errors made on home closure'
SOCIAL Services bosses yesterday admitted they had made mistakes in their handling of the imminent closure of a residential home, after being criticised by councillors. Following a presentation made during a meeting of Teesdale District Council, members
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Car parks overspill for first time in eight years
THERE were signs yesterday that a year's enforced lay-off had done the North's premier agricultural show no harm in terms of attendance. Advanced ticket sales were well up before the three-day event began, but yesterday the car parks were full by lunchtime
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Daredevils sought to take leap of faith
DAREDEVILS are hoping to bridge a gap for a needy charity. Fundraisers plan to climb to the top of the Transporter Bridge at Middlesbrough - and then abseil down a 160ft drop, their sights set on raising money to provide nurses for the terminally ill
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Charity champions double their money
CHARITY champions were delighted when they counted the money raised for two causes and found they had more than doubled their target. The Billy Row Green Inn fundraising committee has given almost £5,000 to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and
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Winnie-the-Pooh toy tragedy
A Winnie-the-Pooh cuddly toy used to promote Disney videos was withdrawn after a three-year-old North-East girl accidentally strangled herself on its straps, an inquest heard yesterday. The mother of Ellie Lowes discovered her daughter hanging from one
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News in brief: Athletics date for youngsters
YOUNGSTERS aged eight to 14 fromthe borough of Stockton have been invited to a series of athletics coaching sessions at Thornaby Pavilion, from August 5 to 9. Everyone taking part will receive a free T-shirt, baseball cap, water bottle and goodie bag.
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Games prestige bout for referee
A wrestling referee from the North-East is on his way to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Dave Sudron, 48, has been chosen by the amateur wrestling foundation, FILA, as one of a small group to referee the bouts in Manchester. Mr Sudron, from Billingham
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Tip site examined as fish found dead
A BUILDING firm has been ordered to stop its work at a former tip site after pollution left dozens of fish dead. The fish were discovered in the River Foss, near Yearsley Bridge, in York, on Tuesday and the Environment Agency has launched an investigation
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TV votes to help castle
DURHAM Castle could cash in from a Pop Idol-type television show aimed at supporting the country's crumbling architectural treasures. A new BBC2 series will highlight the plight of some of Britain's most threatened and important historic assets. Restoration
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Housing service inspection is due after critical report
A COUNCIL is on tenterhooks as it awaits the follow-up to a damning inspection of its housing department. In September last year, inspectors from the Audit Commission criticised Chester-le-Street District Council's housing department. They described the
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Models on the march
LIFESIZE models are on the march from youth clubs across County Durham. Young crafts people have devised an array of original figures, several based loosely on some of the characters seen in films such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. But, under
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Jack the falcon spreads its wings for flight of mystery
WHAT goes up must come down - but not in the case of Jack the falcon, which decided to break with falconry tradition and stay in the sky. It was a routine part of falconer Rob Allott's act, sending his pair of lanner falcons, Jack and Jill, into the air
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Police seek help in assault case
A nightclubber has been subjected to a serious sexual assault as she enjoyed a night out with friends in a busy town centre club. The 23-year-old was attacked during a night out in Stockton. At around 1.30am last Saturday the woman was chatting to a man
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Mum At Large: In a daze at the end of school
NEARLY four o'clock... the boys will be coming in from school soon. Oops. No they won't. Never again will my little boys be whooping round the corner from the school bus straight to the biscuit tin. Senior Son left school three years ago and although
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Work to do for Tykes
Yorkshire's bowlers showed plenty of keenness and discipline at Scarborough yesterday but it was Somerset who ended the first day of the Championship match in the healthier position after making studious progress to 299 for five. With the County Champions
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County show moves to its new country park venue
A NEW North-East landmark will be christened in style at the weekend as it provides the latest stage for the Durham County Show. Herrington Country Park, on more than 400-acres of restored colliery land in the shadow of Penshaw Monument, will be the new
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100th birthday
MARGARET Bowtell had a century of memories and stories to tell family and friends when she celebrated her 100th birthday. About 150 people helped Mrs Bowtell mark her special day with a get-together in All Saints Church, Ferryhill. Born in Tudhoe in 1902
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Hospital can care for the seriously ill - say bosses
MANAGERS at a new £67m North-East hospital have rebutted claims it cannot offer adequate care for seriously ill patients. According to a report by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), acutely ill patients should not be admitted to hospitals which do
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New hospital lacking a 'vital' service
MANAGERS of a new £67m hospital have defended claims that it cannot offer adequate care for seriously-ill patients. According to a report by independent experts, the Royal College of Physicians, acutely ill patients should not be admitted to hospitals
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Boro trial for Spain star Helguera
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren is expected to take Spanish midfielder Luis Helguera on trial before the start of the season. The Udinese man, who also attracted the attention of Newcastle before the £8.5m signing of Portuguese wonder-kid Hugo Viana
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Venables ready for title challenge
As omens go, it was scarcely one that will have sent optimism coarsing through Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale's veins. Terry Venables was about to commence his umpteenth television interview after his official unveiling as Leeds manager when a power cut
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Stallholders angered by ad campaign
A CAMPAIGN to attract new market traders to Darlington has angered existing stallholders. Adverts have appeared in the local Market Trader magazine offering new stallholders incentives if they come to the town's Monday and Saturday markets. Among the
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Pearson ready to go under the knife
Darlington centre-back Gary Pearson will be missing for a further three months after being told he requires an operation on his troublesome neck injury. He has been plagued by injury since making his Darlington debut in October last year, and now he faces
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Baltic set to lauch cultural rebirth
A new £46m contemporary arts centre is to open as part of the cultural explosion along the banks of the River Tyne. Sitting in the shadow of the historic Tyne Bridge and the innovative ''blinking eye'' Millennium Bridge the Baltic Arts Centre is the biggest
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Dracula first edition fetches £16,000
A first edition copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula, inscribed by the author to the Bishop of Ripon, fetched more than £16,000 at Sotherby's today. The book given by Stoker to the Right Rev William Boyd Carpenter on publication in 1897, fetched £ 16,730 at
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Crowds flock to summer festival
SHOPPERS thronged with tourists to Durham's bustling city centre over the weekend. Good weather helped to further boost the numbers visiting the Durham Summer Festival, which featured entertainment, music and historical spectacle. A falconer, with his
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Conservation bid for town
CHESTER-LE-STREET'S historical centre may be preserved for posterity if an application for special status is successful. The town's place in the history books has long been overlooked, but now the district council is proposing to designate the town centre
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Lifetime lifesaver is honoured
A FISHBURN woman who has devoted more than 50 years of her life to training lifeguards will finally hang up her swimming costume this month - to travel the world. Olive Atkinson, 76, has been teaching life support skills to professional lifeguard students
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Hospital bosses act over parking
HEALTH workers who anger residents by parking in streets around Bishop Auckland's new hospital will have their car numbers logged by bosses. Protestors with homes around the £67m development are furious that hospital workers and contractors are filling
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Fun days aim to cut crime
ACTIVITIES to stop young people in Darlington getting involved in crime over the summer holidays have received a £50,000 boost. The money from the Home Office community cohesion fund will be used on a wide range of activities including community football
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Blunkett accused of delighting dealers
HOME Secretary David Blunkett was last night caught up in a furious row with the Government's former "drugs tsar", Keith Hellawell, over the decision to downgrade cannabis. Mr Blunkett confirmed yesterday that possessing the drug would no longer be an
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Paul achieves his goal
A TEENAGER has just been awarded a Green Beret after completing some of the world's most gruelling army training. Paul Abbs, 17, from Durham, has completed 30 weeks of intense training to earn his Green Beret and become a fully-fledged Royal Marine Commando
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No action to be taken against Mallon
A five-year nightmare is over for Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon. No action is to be taken against the ex-detective superintendent who was "required to resign" from the police service in February, after admitting to 14 disciplinary charges at an internal
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Jogging gently to the Games
CROWDS flocked to watch a piece of history as the Queen's Jubilee baton continued on its path through the region yesterday. The baton, which contains a message from the Queen, arrived in the Market Place, Darlington, last night, after travelling south
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Games prestige bout for referee
A wrestling referee from the North-East is on his way to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Dave Sudron, 48, has been chosen by the amateur wrestling foundation, FILA, as one of a small group to referee the bouts in Manchester. Mr Sudron, from Billingham
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Man reunited with his two lifesavers
A MAN was reunited with two police officers on the anniversary of them saving his life. David Venn, 62, had just finished a workout in the gym at Durham County Cricket Club, in Chester-le-Street, when he collapsed in the reception area. Police officers
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Give a toast to Armagnac
THE drinks will definitely be on Mark Buckley if Armagnac (4.00) can land this afternoon's Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. Just like successful comedy, punting racehorses is all about good timing and on Northumberland Plate day I advised readers to back Buckley's
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Regional charity leads the way
MORE young people than ever in the region are being helped by the Prince of Wales' favourite charity The Prince's Trust. The fast-growing trust has announced its third successive record year with £4m going to thousands of needy young people. Now nine
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Atlantic voyagers are ready for another bid
WHEN the half-mile long tanker cut its engines, turned around and cruised by for a second look, the adventurers knew they had made it. Over the two-way radio, the tanker's captain told them: "I didn't realise people like you existed anymore." With the
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Cottages plan wins approval
PLANNING permission has been granted for a pair of semi-detached cottages in Bishopton, despite opposition to the scheme. The cottages, to be built on land adjacent to 3 The Green, will be only five metres away from neighbouring property. Darlington Borough
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Birthday plea
THE family of a former Darlington Town Council member and clerk of Weardale Rural District Council are appealing for pictures of him. Wilf Hume, who was also a church lay reader in Darlington for more than 60 years, now lives in Frosterley. His family
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Expanded flats scheme wins approval
PLANS to increase a scheme for a two-storey block of flats in Darlington town centre to three-storeys were approved yesterday. In September, planning permission was granted for the construction of a two-storey block of 11 flats in Clarks Yard, off Skinnergate
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Durham show the way second time around
THE arguments about outground cricket were fuelled by the fall of 20 wickets at Darlington yesterday on the first day of Durham's match against Derbyshire. Yet in 17 overs in their second innings Durham reached 63 without loss to lead by 158 runs, and
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Pioneering role for innovators
FUNDING of £2.5m is to be injected into innovation projects in the region during the next year, it was announced yesterday. The pledge of cash, by regional development agency One NorthEast, came after businesses were told to "innovate or die". Bob Coxton
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Iceland's cold comfort
RETAILER Big Food Group yesterday posted flat first-quarter sales and warned its performance would not improve until a shake-up of the business was complete. Like-for-like sales at the frozen food group failed to grow on last year's levels. At Iceland
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Murder victim's father visits bridge
THE father of murdered British backpacker Caroline Stuttle yesterday visited the scene of her death. Alan Stuttle retraced the last steps of the 19-year-old, who was thrown to her death from a bridge in Australia after struggling with her attacker. On
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News in brief: Athletics date for youngsters
YOUNGSTERS aged eight to 14 fromthe borough of Stockton have been invited to a series of athletics coaching sessions at Thornaby Pavilion, from August 5 to 9. Everyone taking part will receive a free T-shirt, baseball cap, water bottle and goodie bag.
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Reward offered after raid on home
A SUBSTANTIAL reward has been posted by a family whose home was burgled and badly damaged by fire. The reward is for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the burglary and suspected arson, plus the recovery of items taken in the raid
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Show pays tribute to former chief
The contribution made by a man who led the Yorkshire Agricultural Society through some of its most challenging years was commemorated yesterday. The Great Yorkshire Show paused for a few moments to honour Masham's Robin Keigwin, who died earlier this
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Girl power
A GROUP of girls have been encouraged to think about a career in engineering. The teenagers, who are from various parts of the country, are spending a week at Newcastle University studying engineering. As part of the course, the girls have also spent
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Dream of a show takes to the stage
YOUNGSTERS let their imaginations run riot in a school production which transported them to Dreamtime. Pupils from Cockton Hill Junior School, Bishop Auckland, took to the stage this week with a play that tells the story about a magical digeridoo which
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Duke of York ha a grand old time opening new school extension
TOWNSPEOPLE turned out in force yesterday to welcome the Duke of York into their midst. Prince Andrew flew into Easingwold by helicopter as part of his day of engagements in North Yorkshire. And he officially opened a new £256,000 extension to the town's
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Keeper Myhre joins Sunderland
Sunderland completed their third signing of the summer yesterday with the capture of Norwegian goalkeeper Thomas Myhre, writes Paul Fraser. Myhre, who joined on a free transfer from Turkish side Besiktas, signed a three-year deal and he joins new boys
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Award judges are on gardens tour
GARDENERS will be making last-minute checks in Richmond this morning, where judges are touring the town to pick the best in five categories of a gardening competition. Douglas Bradbrook, of Ravensworth Nurseries, and Mike Pattison, chairman of the Richmond
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Return to farm for teacher
A POPULAR mathematics teacher is returning to help on the family farm after 37 years in education. Dorothy Bainbridge's retirement will allow her to spend more time with her family and husband Morris, on the farm at Baldersdale. Mrs Bainbridge has spent
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Cottages plan wins approval
PLANNING permission has been granted for a pair of semi-detached cottages in Bishopton, despite opposition to the scheme. The cottages, to be built on land adjacent to 3 The Green, will be only five metres away from neighbouring property. Darlington Borough
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Concern over private sale of industrial unit
VILLAGERS who had hoped to raise money to keep industrial units in their village say they are disappointed that they have been sold privately. Two councils were also interested in buying the units at St John's Chapel, in Weardale, after glass fibre company
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Second post is cut in pilot test area
CONTENTIOUS plans to use part of North Yorkshire as a testing ground for the abolition of daily second class mail deliveries will come into effect next week. The Thirsk delivery office is one of 14 in the country to scrap its second post in a pilot scheme
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Birthday plea
THE family of a former Darlington Town Council member and clerk of Weardale Rural District Council are appealing for pictures of him. Wilf Hume, who was also a church lay reader in Darlington for more than 60 years, now lives in Frosterley. His family
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Quest for clues to Nazis' mini-subs
A PENSIONER living in the North-East could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of a Nazi terror weapon designed to change the course of the Second World War. Italian Claudio Pristavec is carrying out historical research into a secret German base which
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Plans for £1.2m centre at school are unveiled
PLANS have been unveiled for a £1.2m extension at a primary school in Hartlepool. Work is expected to get under way in October at Stranton Primary School to create a wide range of new facilities for pupils and the wider community. New Deal for Communities
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Golfers place jigsaw piece to aid charity
GOLFERS battled changeable weather conditions to help put a vital piece in a North-East hospice's funding jigsaw. Thirty-three teams took part in the annual St Oswald's Golf Tournament, at De Vere Slaley Hall, Northumberland, raising more than £12,000
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Fence bid will mean end of shop say allotment holders
A GROUP of allotment holders are objecting to plans by St John Ambulance Brigade to build a fence around their headquarters. Gardeners at Marske, east Cleveland, claim plans for the security fence will cut off all vehicular access to their vegetable plots
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'Time for rail strike questions to be asked'
THE Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) was last night under renewed pressure to intervene in the long running pay dispute between conductors and Arriva Trains Northern. Passengers watchdog, the North-East Rail Passengers Committee (RPC), said it planned to
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Five-year plan for 4,000 extra homes
PLANS have been unveiled for a city's biggest house-building programme for decades. At a major conference staged by Sunderland Housing Group, the organisation revealed plans to secure funding for 4,000 extra homes in the Sunderland area over the next
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Crime fighting lessons backed for schools by PM
PRIME Minister Tony Blair has given his full backing to an initiative to place crime fighting lessons on the school curriculum. Mr Blair sent a message to the Durham Constabulary Police and Schools Liaison Programme to endorse its launch this week. Tony
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Teen thief assaults boy of 11
A TEENAGER attacked an 11-year-old boy and stole his mountain bike. Cleveland Police say the mugging could be linked to a similar incident a week before, when a nine year-old-boy was robbed of his bike. In this latest episode, the 11-year-old was pushed
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Help find home for Penny
A DOG who has been overlooked by potential owners countless times is in need of a home. Penny, a whippet cross, is the longest standing resident of Deerness Kennels, in Langley Moor, having been there about two months. According to the centre's Linda
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Grassroots: Aiskew Parish Council
JUBILEE SEATS: Parish councillors are to buy public seats to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Members agreed that one seat should be placed in the Leeming Bar play area. Councillor David Lumley, chairman, suggested that metal seats should be bought
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Shipyard bids for warship orders
A CALL went out last night for the region to pull together behind the North-East shipbuilding industry and help it gain a slice of £5bn government money. It was announced yesterday that the Government is planning to spend almost £5bn on new warships and
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Classic motor fans meet for charity rally
CLASSIC cars from all over Britain will descend on Ripon this Sunday for a charity rally. More than 700 cars are expected at Clotherholme Farm for the eighth annual rally organised by Lenny Wadsworth. Mr Wadsworth, who made a full recovery from throat
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MP says keep up pressure
AN MP who hopes to be leader of an elected North-East assembly has called for a fairer deal for councils in the region. Gateshead MP Joyce Quin said that following this week's Government Green Paper on local government finance, which indicated a shift
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Grassroots: Crakehall Parish Council
SCHOOL PLAN: Councillors raised no objections to a proposed teaching extension at the village school. The application was discussed and a reply sent to North Yorkshire County Council to meet the planning deadline, but the need for an extension was queried
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Youngsters teach adults to clean up
A GROUP of children is about to give grown ups as well as other youngsters lessons in being tidy. The Clean Up Raiders who are all under 14 will carry out supervised litter picks in Middlesbrough's Gresham ward. Councillor Ron Lowes, responsible to the
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Police expert on the trail of another puma
Police were last night investigating a sighting of a puma by two boys out walking their dog. The creature was spotted by the teenagers just before midnight on Monday at Scar Top, Barnard Castle. It is the latest in a string of glimpses of big cats in
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Drinking crackdown is launched in square
A COUNCIL has vowed life will be different when a multi-million pound civic square takes shape. Going out with the old to make way for the new heart of Middlesbrough will not only be the present Victoria Gardens but the drinkers who go with it, who have
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Ultimate fighter makes his UK debut
A NORTH-EAST fighter preparing to take part in Britain's first "ultimate fighting" event last night insisted the sport was safe. Ian "The Machine" Freeman, from Sunderland, is planning to take on Frank Mir, of Las Vegas, in the heavyweight bout at London's
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News in brief: Gala day gives hall a boost
HUNDREDS of people attended the annual GlaxoSmithKline sports and gala day, at the company's Barnard Castle plant. The event raised thousands of pounds for the town's YMCA and the Witham Hall appeal, which is gathering money to extend and refurbish the
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Caped crusader to unveil truth about bats and moths
MILLIONAIRE Bruce Wayne has a rival. The threat to Batman's reign does not come from Gotham City - but from Teesside. The new caped crusader hails from Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough, and was unmasked yesterday as none other than Graeme Shimmin, assistant
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Taxi drivers alert police to seedy crimes
DARLINGTON police has been called on to crack down on crime after reports of prostitution and drug-using in the town centre. Taxi drivers operating in the area have discovered people taking drugs in public toilets in the Market Place and some drivers
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Community shows it's more than just a street
EVENTS marking Chester-le-Street's colourful history ended with a bang at the weekend. Day-long festivities were staged to celebrate the heritage and on-going development of the town, with roots extending back to pre-Roman times. By day there was a colourful
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Council strives to meet targets
A COUNCIL is anticipating a follow-up to a damning inspection of its housing department. In September last year inspectors from the Audit Commission heavily criticised Chester-le-Street District Council's housing department. They described the department
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Big Meeting is welcomed
DURHAM comes to a standstill on Saturday as former colliery communities across the county congregate in the city to hark back to their coal mining roots. The Durham Miners' Gala is a reminder of the county's past a decade after the closure of the last
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Toddler's Disney dream comes true
A POORLY little girl's dream came true when caring fundraisers sent her on a fairy tale family holiday. Three-year-old Katie-Leigh Tones enjoyed a trip to Disneyland, Paris, last week where she met all her favourite characters. The brave youngster's battle
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Mum At Large: In a daze at the end of school
NEARLY four o'clock... the boys will be coming in from school soon. Oops. No they won't. Never again will my little boys be whooping round the corner from the school bus straight to the biscuit tin. Senior Son left school three years ago and although
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Here's why I'm singing in the rain
IT has been the worst spell of summer weather for decades - or so the weather forecasters keep telling us. "Rain, rain and more rain," they sigh. "More bad news I'm afraid," they announce, while the grim-faced newscasters next to them tut-tut and shake
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Chix roll on to represent Britain
ROLLER hockey players are on track for success after qualifying for the world championships. Following on from Durham's tradition of being a hotbed for ice hockey, local enthusiasts Bob Hitch and Alistair Ratcliffe started a boys' roller hockey (inline
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Jobless man committed suicide
A MAN who killed himself after struggling to find employment might have been offered a job the next day, an inquest heard. Jeffrey Clark hanged himself at his home in Oaklea Mews, Aycliffe Village, near Darlington, last Thursday. The 48-year-old father-of-one
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Children in limelight
PRIMARY school children had the opportunity to show off their talents in a sell-out show at the Durham Gala Theatre last week. The pupils at St Godric's RC Primary School, in Newton Hall, had spent weeks preparing for their big night on Thursday, which
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Rio told to see out deal
RIO FERDINAND was ordered to honour his contract by Terry Venables last night as the new Leeds manager fought to keep the £35m-rated defender at Elland Road. Venables told Ferdinand, who is being tracked by Manchester United and Arsenal plus a handful
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School athletes shine on a rainy day
BURSTS of heavy rain failed to put the dampeners on a sports day attended by students from across Darlington last week. The Darlington Secondary Schools' Town Sports competition was held at the town's Eastbourne Sports Complex on Tuesday, with youngsters
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Banner on parade after 63 years
A VILLAGE'S pit banner is due to make its first appearance at the Durham Miners' Gala in 63 years. Privately-owned Browney Colliery, near Durham City, closed in 1938 but the lodge banner was paraded at the Big Meeting the following year. The banner is
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Call to punish UK for not enforcing medicine ruling
CAMPAIGNERS are urging European leaders to punish the UK for failing to enforce strict rules on labelling medicines containing steroids. A directive from the European Commission makes it obligatory to enclose patient information leaflets with all medication
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Venomous fish has home in North-East
The world's most venomous fish species has found a new home in the North-East -- but will be kept well protected. The giant stonefish was treated with kid gloves when it arrived at Tynemouth's Blue Reef Aquarium yesterday. The stonefish, which is also
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Reynolds hit with larger fine
Flambouyant football boss George Reynolds has been hit with a industrial tribunal fine far larger than originally believed, it has emerged. The multi-millionaire chairman of Darlington FC has been ordered to pay a former employee more than £61,000 after
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New arena and water facilities planned for Tees
Plans to unlock the full potential of the once run-down and derelict banks of the River Tees were unveiled in a new strategy today. The Tees Navigation Strategy was commissioned by a partnership made up of Stockton Borough Council, One NorthEast, English
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Scouts celebrate Skip's 90th birthday
THE 2nd Chester-le-Street Scouts Group held a birthday party at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, Ropery Lane recently for retired Group Leader Arthur Carver on his 90th birthday. Arthur or Skip as he is affectionately known, has been involved in scouting
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Samba spectacular
CHILDREN from seven schools cheered up rain soaked shoppers on Friday when they added the rhythmic Samba beat to a colourful carnival parade. A morning downpour didn't dampen the spirits of the dozens of youngsters who danced and sang their way through
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Nature reserve plea
A RESIDENTS' association is appealing for a play area near their homes to be made into a nature reserve. Westbrook Residents' Association in Darlington is hoping part of Brinkburn Dene can be designated as a restricted area to protect wildlife that lives
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Mast protest grows
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for more mobile phone dishes to be installed in the heart of their community hope the proposal will be refused. Plans to add an extra five metres to a mobile phone mast situated in the car park of the Newton Hall pub, on the
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Legal action threat over flat damage
A WOMAN is taking legal action against Darlington Borough Council after a series of break-ins at the home she rents out. In the most recent burglary at Katherine Flanagan's flat in Gales House, Melsonby Crescent, in the Lascelles area of the town, all
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Masked pair in
MASKED raiders escaped with more than £300 and a woman's car after a violent petrol station robbery. The two men burst into the Burn Moor petrol station in Chester-le-Street at 8.30pm on Monday evening. While one jumped over the counter and threatened
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Club gets £12,000 bill for sacking
A NORTH-EAST football club that sacked a commercial manager has been ordered to pay her a five-figure sum in damages. Helen Coverdale won a claim for unfair dismissal against Darlington Football Club at an industrial tribunal in January. Yesterday, it
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Jovial Duke in a royal rush
The farming industry was given a much needed boost when the Duke of York visited the Great Yorkshire Show yesterday. Prince Andrew set a furious pace to see as much as he could during a three-hour stay at the Harrogate showground. A whistlestop tour after
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Reward for greyhound
THE owner of a stolen greyhound puppy is offering a cash reward for information leading to its safe return. The six-month-old dog was stolen from a compound in Witton-le-Wear last Wednesday evening. A kennel-hand saw two men run towards a blue Nissan
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Tiny church's big moment in history
HISTORY is in the making in a forgotten corner of the North-East. A tiny church is being reopened this weekend to celebrate the first Roman Catholic mass there for 500 years. Benedictine monk Father Philip-James French has worked in partnership with Redcar
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Phillips 'Keane' on new strike partner
KEVIN Phillips last night urged Sunderland boss Peter Reid to find him a new strike partner before the start of the season. The Black Cats have been exploring the possibility of bringing in Leeds' Robbie Keane or Derby's Malcolm Christie as Phillips'
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Pupils mark golden jubilee in style
A DARLINGTON primary school has just finished its Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations with a week of fun and learning about the monarchy. The 450 pupils and staff at North Road Primary School spent a day in fancy dress on Monday. Among the characters
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Care home scheme backed by council
PLANS for a 61-bed care home on open land in Darlington have been referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment, despite local objections. St Martins Care has applied for planning permission to build a care home for the elderly on open space
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Return to farm for teacher
A POPULAR mathematics teacher is returning to help on the family farm after 37 years in education. Dorothy Bainbridge's retirement will allow her to spend more time with her family and husband Morris, on the farm at Baldersdale. Mrs Bainbridge has spent
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News in brief: Gala day gives hall a boost
HUNDREDS of people attended the annual GlaxoSmithKline sports and gala day, at the company's Barnard Castle plant. The event raised thousands of pounds for the town's YMCA and the Witham Hall appeal, which is gathering money to extend and refurbish the
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Speed trap a flop
A RECENT police speed trap campaign in Hurworth failed to bring many prosecutions, the parish council was told. Last month, police stood at various points throughout the village, including known speeding hot-spots along Croft Road and Roundhill Road.
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Oasis pack the Arena for triumphant North-East return
OASIS, the bad boys of Britpop, made a triumphant return to the North-East with a sell-out concert last night. Thousands of fans from across the region packed Newcastle's Telewest Arena to see the band perform - and the Gallagher brothers did not disappoint
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Asda's jewels
ASDA yesterday confirmed the locations of the new jewellery, photo and optical departments it plans to open before the end of the year, with some in the North-East. With 80 pharmacies, 41 photo centres, 41 opticians and 35 jewellery departments already
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Goat farmers' enterprise hailed
A North Yorkshire farmer was named overall champion in the Farming Enterprise Awards yesterday. Angus Wielkopolski and wife, Kathleen, farm near Seaton Ross, York, running 2,500 goats on 150 acres, producing milk, yoghurt, butter, cream, cheese and ice
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Adventurer dies at 75
MICHAEL de Wend Fenton owner of what is reputed to be Britain's smallest stately home, Ebberston Hall, near Scarborough, has died at 75. Mr de Wend Fenton served in the Scots Guards and King's Own Shropshire Light Infantry, before he joined the French
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Backing for new venture
A £300m joint venture to focus on commercial property development and investment in the region will be unveiled today. The venture, between Bank of Scotland and UK Land, will be called UK Land Estates. The bank will take a 50 per cent equity stake in
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Industry battles out of downturn
BRITAIN'S beleaguered manufacturing sector yesterday showed it was fighting its way out of recession after figures showed a large jump in growth in May. Manufacturing output grew 0.7 per cent during the month - greater than economists expected. The rise
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Runner lights up life for pals
TWO girls whose close friendship was forged following the death of their mothers had a lovely surprise at the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay yesterday. Ten-year-olds Danielle Staley and Bethany Hobson had a trip from school to meet one of the runners taking
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Lumberjack Danny harnesses Saracen's power for logging display
WHEN Saracen first ventured into the woods, it was with a great deal of trepidation. More used to the bustling streets of Dublin, the young shire horse took a great deal of convincing. But, with the expert guidance of lumberjack Danny McNeill, he is now
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Baby Kai is special delivery
PROUD father David Sellars is particularly thrilled with the latest member of his family - and with good reason. For he was on hand to personally deliver son Kai when he came into the world three weeks early. Mother Joanna Handley was at home in Chapelfields
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Last Night's TV: Teen Species (BBC1)
Why teenage boys really must stay in bed. THIS is a message to mothers of teenage boys everywhere who've ever experienced difficulty getting their sons out of bed in the morning - that moment when a maternal plea to "get up now" is met with a muffled
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Parts plan launched by Vardy
ONE of the largest car and van parts supply centres in the country is set to be opened in the region by motor retail group Reg Vardy. In partnership with car makers Renault, Nissan, Rover, Fiat and Alfa Romeo, the company is merging its parts' franchise
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Comment: Confusing the drugs message
EVERYONE agrees that something must be done about Britain's drugs policy, but everyone has violently differing opinions on what should be done. David Blunkett, then, is quite brave to do anything at all. In reclassifying cannabis, he is formalising what
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Footage hoped to help track armed robbers
POLICE hope shots of an armed raid at a petrol station may help them track down the masked robbers. The two men threatened a cashier at knifepoint at the Burn Moor petrol station, just outside Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on Monday evening, before
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TV gardening crew focuses on community
TELEVISION viewers will today be let into the secrets of how a North-East community is transforming its surroundings with a touch of greenery. Gardeners World cameras visited Heaton, in Newcastle, in June to record its third Greening Heaton day, organised
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The trouble with parents today...
When children get into trouble, it is often the parents who get the blame. Now a new approach to youth crime by working with parents is boasting some remarkable results. Nick Morrison reports. IMAGINE you are the father of three boys. They're a bit of
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Gambler 'had £2,000 in drugs house'
A GAMBLER was carrying more than £2,000 in cash when he was arrested in a drugs house, a court heard yesterday. Colin Noble, 29, from Darlington, was carrying the money when he was arrested in a house where crack cocaine and heroin worth £6,300 was seized
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Open day helps pupils to pick college courses
YOUNGSTERS have been enjoying a flavour of student life during a series of taster days at Redcar and Cleveland College. The sessions are designed to give year ten pupils from schools throughout the area an idea of what they might like to study when they
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Five-year plan for 4,000 extra homes
PLANS have been unveiled for a city's biggest house-building programme for decades. At a major conference staged by Sunderland Housing Group, the organisation revealed plans to secure funding for 4,000 extra homes in the Sunderland area over the next
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Bid for fund to improve market towns is launched
Hambleton councillors have overruled officials by making recommendations to further help local market towns. The district council's environment and economy scrutiny committee is urging the council cabinet to establish a £50,000 improvement fund for each
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Special honour for farming stalwarts
Twenty people who between them have accumulated almost 840 years of farm service are being honours at this year's show. The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is presenting them each with an engraved tankard, a certificate and a badge giving them free admission
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Singing scientist Owain opts for a musical career
TALENTED student Owain Bennett was spoilt for choice when it came to selecting a career. In addition to being an excellent scientist - he gained a first-class degree in physics - the 22-year-old is also an accomplished tenor. He was faced with the dilemma
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Championship-winning pupils collect top trophy for netball skills
CHILDREN at a Redcar school are in a class of their own when it comes to netball. Youngsters at Riverdale Primary School have just been declared champions of the sport in east Cleveland. The school's netball team, coached by teacher Sarah Metcalfe and
