Archive
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Orwell classic in the spotlight
AUDIENCES at Newcastle Playhouse are being asked to pay what they feel they can afford for tickets for a performance of a stage version of George Orwell's 1984 next Saturday. If the idea is successful, the company hopes to run similar events in the future
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It's business as usual, says determined Tait
MICK Tait insists Darlington's players have not been affected by yesterday's news that Tino Asprilla won't be moving to Feethams. Asprilla yesterday reneged on his proposed move to the Quakers, but the players and management have rallied round to brush
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'Eyesore' site plan rejected
A BID to give an 'eyesore' building a new lease of life has been rejected by a Government planning inspector. Inspector Kathleen Woodling is under fire over her refusal to allow the conversion of a boarded up seaside bar and restaurant into four flats
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Bert limbers up for title bid
A MUSICAL maestro is set to defend his world title in the North-East - almost 30 years after it was contested in the region. Bert Draycott WCSP - the letters stand for World Champion Spoons Player - is challenging all-comers to beat his cutlery skills
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Tough start for Falcons
NEWCASTLE Falcons face a stern test of their home-grown policy when they kick off their Zurich Premiership campaign at home to Wasps tomorrow. Although Wasps have Wales scrum half Rob Howley on board, and Lawrence Dallaglio back from injury, these two
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Army museum plan hit by cash setback
AMBITIOUS proposals to build a £19m National Army Museum in the region have suffered a huge setback. The Northern Echo exclusively revealed earlier this year that Army chiefs had chosen Marne Barracks, at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, as the ideal
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All clues point to the Solario
ANTE-POST punters seeking clues as to the outcome of next year's Classic races could do worse than take a long hard look at this afternoon's Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown. The seven furlong contest is jam-packed with two-year-old talent, none more
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£10,000 boost for charity
A COMMUNITY group has raised £10,000 for charity in the past 12 months. The Rotary Club of Redcar raised the cash through various events including a trolley dash and Christmas raffle. It has made donations to local and national charities including £1,000
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Pretorius targets return to Test duty
DURHAM yesterday confirmed that South African paceman Dewald Pretorius will be their second overseas player next season. Having already retained Queensland batsman Martin Love, they moved quickly to secure Pretorius, who has played in one Test, against
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Gardening: A bird in the garden is worth its weight in gold
AFTER all the recent sunshine and warm balmy evenings, we've been thrown right into the deepest troughs of depressive weather conditions. Cold winds, lashing rain, mean and moody clouds, thunderstorms and even hail. Add to this the first tinges of yellow
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Out-of-school clubs pilot scheme launched
PEOPLE who fought for seven years to build a community centre are launching pre-school and after-school clubs. The Jubilee Fields Community Centre, in Shildon, has been open for just over a year and it has far exceeded the expectations of the volunteers
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On their marks for Dublin dash to raise charity cash
A CHARITY is preparing for its annual dash to Dublin. Marie Curie Cancer Care's seventh Dublin Dash takes place on September 20, and volunteers are still welcome to sign up for the fun weekend. Teams of between two and four, dressed in silly clothes,
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High emotions turn to anger as stabbing victim mourned
SIMMERING tensions in a North-East city threatened to spill over into violence as marchers found themselves in standoff with police at the scene of a racially-motivated murder yesterday. Hundreds of protestors bearing flowers and posters had come to pay
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Cabbies pull out of bid for school run
A REPUTABLE taxi firm has pulled out of the running for £100,000 worth of school run contracts rather than ask its drivers to undergo stringent new police checks. Darlington's 1AB Taxis has withdrawn from ten contracts with Darlington Borough Council
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'World Cup frustration is behind me' - Southgate
GARETH SOUTHGATE last night admitted he is determined to put his World Cup disappointments behind him. The Middlesbrough defender did not kick a ball in anger for England during their Far East adventure this summer. And Southgate revealed that he never
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Paul takes charge at new store
A LOCAL man has been appointed as the general manager of a new supermarket in Redcar. Paul Lee, 35, will take charge of the new Morrisons Supermarket which is due to open in November. More than 3,000 people applied for 350 jobs at the new supermarket
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Money in pot to help get people working
Organisations which help people to improve their skills to win work have been given a funding boost. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) County Durham is making an initial £300,000 of funding available as part of a £7m programme backed by the European
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New faces out in force in Darlington double
DARLINGTON stages two big rugby matches today, when Mowden Park open their National Three North campaign against Tynedale, while their neighbours at Blackwell Meadows face West Park St Helens in the preliminary round of the Powergen Cup. Mowden have had
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Style to show as the season ends at Ripon
CONSIDERING Ripon is such a superb venue for horse racing it's sad to see their season end before summer is even officially over. But at least the final fixture of the year at the stunning North Yorkshire course has attracted some decent sized fields,
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Crucial time for loco work
WORK on building the first mainline steam locomotive in Britain for 40 years is about to take a significant step forward. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, the Darlington-based registered charity building the Tornado, is gearing up to put the wheels on.
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Hylton look to wrap up League title
Hylton could wrap up the championship if they win at Seaham Park today. They are 20 points ahead of Peterlee with just two matches and 40 points to play for and look certain to celebrate for the first time in almost 40 years. It was in 1964 that they
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Staff play the joker for hospice
Staff from Darlington's Asda store triumphed in the Knockout 2002 tournament at this year's St Teresa's Hospice Family Fun Day. A team of Asda staff won the morning's Knockout session and Darlington Operatic Society took the honours in the afternoon.
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Flo repays club on debut
Tore Andre Flo immediately repayed a slice of his club record seven million pound fee when he marked his Sunderland debut with a point saver in an explosive encounter at the Stadium Of Light. The game erupted inm the final minutes as Manchester United
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Care home residents caught by hidden camera charges
ELDERLEY residents living in sheltered housing are unwittingly paying for CCTV coverage in a North-East town centre, it has emerged. Sheltered housing residents and other vulnerable householders in the Chester-le-Street district pay for the Careline Service
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Drivers warned to stay on guard
DRIVERS are being urged to remain patient in the coming weeks during an expected surge in the number of cars on the roads. The effect of speed cameras on 35 Teesside roads has been to almost halve the number of deaths and serious injuries. But there are
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Football plan seeks approval
PLANS have been submitted for a multi-million pound Soccerdome development for Darlington, creating a regional football centre with 20 pitches and bringing up to 400 jobs. Retailer JJB Sports is hoping to build a 180,000 sq ft development with 20 five-a-side
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I'm an ITV boss... get me out of here
Ailing channel ITV is hoping for a saviour to bring their ratings back up and Channel 5's Dawn Airey could be just the woman for the job. ITV's new ratings hope I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here began this week, stripped across the schedules for two
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Work starts on new homes
WORK started on demolishing Chesterfield House, in Stanhope Road, Darlington yesterday. The controversial scheme to build 30 two and three-bedroom apartments on the site of the house, which was built in 1914 to accommodate doctors and nurses, was approved
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Speaking parrot fashion
A BOY of five used his vocal talents to locate his missing pet parrot in trees at the bottom of his garden. Shane Stubbings, five, was devastated when Jabba, an African grey parrot, flew away from the family home in Sedgefield, on Wednesday. Shane had
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Meeting house opens doors to the public
A VENERABLE North Yorkshire building is being opened to the public next month. Osmotherley's Friends Meeting House will be on show as part of Heritage Open Days organised by the Civic Trust. Osmotherley is well known as the starting point for the Lyke
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Suspension bridge revamp
The 172-year-old Winch Bridge, which spans a gorge across the River Tees three miles upstream of Middleton- in-Teesdale, is to undergo £12,000 of repairs. The bridge is one of the most heavily used pedestrian suspension bridges in the North. The last
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Stars brought to life in show with a difference
STARS from Dean Martin to Marilyn Manson will be brought to life in a special tribute concert tonight. Performers aged from seven to 72 from across the region will be on stage for the Stars In Your Eyes event, in the civic hall, Stanley, County Durham
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Setback over Neale inquiry ruling
DISGRUNTLED campaigners who still believe disgraced surgeon Richard Neale should have been prosecuted are to meet senior police officers. Patients say it may be the last opportunity for North Yorkshire Police to stave off an official complaint about the
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Asprilla turns his back on Quakers
SOUTH American star Tino Asprilla brought an end to the most remarkable transfer saga in North-East football history yesterday when he finally turned his back on Darlington FC. And, as he boarded an early morning British Airways flight to Gatwick and
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Derelict cement works target for green energy
PLANS to develop a derelict cement works as a centre for renewable energy are being taken very seriously by a task force charged with regenerating a job-starved dale. One of the ideas under consideration is exploiting energy from "hot rocks" lying under
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Campaigners' growing anger over pain relief
CAMPAIGNERS who are angry at the length of time patients have to wait for pain relief are holding a recruitment drive in the region. Despite calls for improvements, many patients in excruciating pain are forced to wait for months before they can see a
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Suspension bridge revamp
The 172-year-old Winch Bridge, which spans a gorge across the River Tees three miles upstream of Middleton- in-Teesdale, is to undergo £12,000 of repairs. The bridge is one of the most heavily used pedestrian suspension bridges in the North. The last
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Drive against dumping of cars
FIREFIGHTERS in North Yorkshire are pushing for a concerted effort to beat the potentially lethal dumping of unwanted cars. Meetings with police chiefs, the county council, City of York Council, and representatives of the region's district authorities
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Festival offers tasty line-up for beer fans
AN award-winning country pub is holding its first beer festival this weekend. The Crown Inn, at Manfield, near Darlington, has organised entertainment and top quality beers for the three-day event. Up to 14 real ales will be on offer in a marquee that
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Sport Comment: There are no gentlemen left in the beautiful game anymore
ONLY the hardest heart will find no room for sympathy this morning for George Reynolds. A man of the world he may be, who has crammed more into his 66 years of life than nearly all of us will manage, but he still has a childlike naivet about him. For
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American expert to address meeting
AN American psychologist will present a paper to a conference on children's mental health which is being held on Teesside. Dr David Stein, from the US, will be among a number of international speakers addressing the University of Teesside gathering organised
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Top pub ready to bring out the barrel
AN award-winning country pub is holding its first beer festival this weekend. The Crown Inn, at Manfield, near Darlington, has organised entertainment and top quality beers for the three-day event. Up to 14 real ales are on offer in a marquee that has
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Computing success for care workers
NINE care company employees are celebrating gaining computer qualifications. Office workers from Dale Care, in Crook, aged from 17 to 70, passed the European computer certificate of proficiency at their first attempt. The company, which provides home
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City centre street is closed as historic building tumbles
A CITY centre was brought to a standstill and hundreds of shoppers and workers were evacuated after an historic building began to collapse. The Georgian building, in the centre of Newcastle's Grainger Town, will now have to be demolished after it was
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Colligan back for Wolviston
Table-topping Wolviston, the only unbeaten side, start firm favourites against out-of-sorts Cleadon SC who have conceded 34 goals in six outings 2 including 17 in the last week. Centre-back Simon Felstead is doubtful with a calf injury but midfielder
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New term is delayed by building works
THE start of the new term at a York school has been delayed by two days due to an over-run in major building works. The York Manor secondary school, which has about 650 pupils, was due to re-open next Wednesday, but pupils are now being asked to delay
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Incinerator rumours
RUMOURS that a waste tip designed for noxious chemicals and asbestos will be constructed in Loftus, together with an animal carcass incinerator, have been denied by a council leader. David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said a new recycling
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Youth clubs enter a new age of entertainment
A NEW £1m youth club has dispelled the image of tatty and under-funded clubs once and for all. Instead of torn snooker tables and faded dart boards, Thornaby's new £1m club - called The Youthy - has a free Internet caf, 20ft climbing frame and big screen
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Grassroots: Washington
COURSES FOR WOMEN: Bridge Women's Education and Support Trust is holding a number of courses in various venues throughout Washington. Enrolment days are from 9am to 7pm, on Wednesday, September 11, and from 9am to 4pm, Thursday, September 12, at their
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End of an era as Britain's oldest pit ceases production
COAL production at Britain's oldest mine ended yesterday. Mining operations at the Prince of Wales colliery in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, have been gradually phased out over the past eight months and yesterday some of the 450 miners who used to work
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School will be ready
A DURHAM junior school flooded during last month's heavy rains will be ready to open for the new term. Belmont Church of England Junior School suffered thousands of pounds of damage three weeks ago. But its 160 pupils will be able to start the academic
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Trio fight it out for Championship glory
With just six points separating leaders Saltburn from Darlington and Guisborough waiting in the wings, the championship is still all to play for. Unexpected results and intermittent inclement weather have combined to produce the most exciting climax to
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Evenwood bid for top spot
Evenwood will return to the top of the table if they win at Brandon today. Current leaders Kimblesworth have a free day and the destination of the championship is very much in the hands of Evenwood, who will finish in pole position if they take 43 points
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Fish farm owner 'feared for safety of his family'
A FATHER falsely branded a paedophile in a series of anonymous leaflets allegedly distributed by a businessman who wanted to buy his fish farm told a court how he spent sleepless nights trying to protect his family. Sidney Boulter bought the property
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In The Picture: I'm an ITV boss... get me out of here
Ailing channel ITV is hoping for a saviour to bring their ratings back up and Channel 5's Dawn Airey could be just the woman for the job. ITV's new ratings hope I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here began this week, stripped across the schedules for two
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'Free me from jail hell' plea to Blair
JAILED charity worker Ian Stillman has made a personal plea to Tony Blair to help free him from a life of hell in an Indian prison. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Stillman urged him to request a full legal pardon from the Indian authorities and
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Anna's golfing talent lands her national title
A GIRL who only took up golfing four years ago has won a major national competition. Anna Scott, 16, was crowned under-16s champion at the Golf Foundation Weetabix Age Group Championship 2002 Grand Final at the Marriott Forest of Arden Golf and Country
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Reynolds vows to bring the best to Feethams
GEORGE Reynolds last night revealed his determination to put the Tino Asprilla saga behind him - by bringing top players to Darlington. As Asprilla left Reynolds and the club's supporters in the lurch when he flew out of the North-East and straight into
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Did Diana force the royals to change?
Five years ago, Diana, Princess of Wales died in a car crash in Paris. On the anniversary of her death, Women's Editor Christen Pears asks whether we have begun to forget her. SHE was the People's Princess, our Queen of Hearts, and we would never forget
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Skate park already a big hit with kids
SKATERS and bike enthusiasts were able to show off their skills when a £95,000 skate park was launched yesterday. Youths in Shildon have been campaigning for years for the skate park, which has been provided with funding from Sport England and Shildon
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13 dogs stolen in raids
Dogs have been stolen from an animal shelter in Claremont Road, Newcastle, in a series of five raids. A total of 13 dogs were stolen, including bull terriers and rottweilers. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0191-214 6555.
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Work starts on arts venue
WORK is to start on a striking £70m building which will rival the world's most beautiful arts venues. The Tyneside skyline is set to change forever as the spectacular roof and glass concourse of The Sage Gateshead is built at Gateshead Quays. The £70m
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Recycling of paper proves huge success
A kerbside waste paper collection has diverted 300 tonnes of paper from landfill tips. Due to its success, the scheme is to be extended to six more villages in Hambleton district. Residents in Thornton-le-Moor, Thornton-le-Beans, South Kilvington, Knayton
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Driving home road safety message to tots
THEY bring a whole new meaning to the term boy racer but they're the safest drivers in town. For probably the world's first pre-school driving course is putting children through their paces - in toy cars. In between trying to run over Redcar and Cleveland
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Show chiefs welcome U-turn
ORGANISERS of some of North Yorkshire's top farming shows have welcomed the Government's scrapping of controversial planning laws. If enforced, the new regulations would have meant organisers of many shows, country markets and village fetes needing to
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Festival proves a big draw
THERE was something for everyone at this year's Orange Darlington Festival, which was held over the Bank Holiday Weekend. More than 22,000 people packed the town's Market Square for a wide range of festival fun. Weird and wonderful street acts entertained
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Our beloved girls
It was a display of sheer will and determination to celebrate the lives of their two beautiful daughters. From the moment the Chapman and Wells families went into Ely Cathedral - walking together, talking and supporting each other - to the end of the
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Creative vision brightens estate
CHILDREN on a Darlington estate have been putting their creative talents to good use. With the help of other residents, youngsters on the Firthmoor estate have designed and painted their own community mural. Gateshead artist Steve Hunter has been working
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Tyneside 'a cultural mecca' - US mag
TWO of the region's communities have been compared to cultural Meccas, such as Paris and New York, in a top US magazine. Influential American publication Newsweek yesterday described Newcastle and Gateshead as "new centres of cultural vitality". The pair
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Overseas work
Campaigners make a pilgrimage to Holy Island today in their call for world-wide trade justice. Supporters of the Roman Catholic overseas aid charity Cafod walk from the mainland across the causeway at 11am, before gathering in the Lindisfarne Priory grounds
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Bus driver died in car crash, inquest told
A BUS driver died when he crashed his car into a tree as he drove home after a night out at a local club, an inquest heard yesterday. Victor Frederick Fletcher, 64, of William Street, Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, had been with his son Graham Fletcher
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Festival offers tasty line-up for beer fans
AN award-winning country pub is holding its first beer festival this weekend. The Crown Inn, at Manfield, near Darlington has organised entertainment and top quality beers for the three-day event. Up to 14 real ales will be on offer in a marquee that
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Five top school attenders rewarded
FIVE teenagers from County Durham are in the champions league when it comes to going to school. The 16-year-olds have each achieved a 100 per cent attendance record throughout their secondary school careers. As a reward for the unblemished attendance
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News in brief: Charity drive a big success
A RECRUITMENT drive by Darlington Association on Disability attracted 50 volunteers to help at a playscheme for disabled children and young people. The organisation has been able to provide five play schemes for about 150 disabled youngsters. HOME CARE
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Boost for disabled
BOSSES at the region's biggest shopping centre have given a boost to people with disabilities. MetroCentre chiefs have donated 14 wheelchairs to a home equipment loan scheme at Dunston Hill Hospital, in Gateshead. The scheme allows disabled people to
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Vote for an education champion
A PUPIL or teacher somewhere on Teesside could be in line for an award. Schools in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton have been included in a national search for champions who have helped raise education standards. The Department
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Five options for wall
A LONG-RUNNING dispute about a crumbling cemetery wall could finally be resolved in the coming weeks. Residents in Eston will be given five options to choose from concerning the future of the wall. The sandstone wall runs along Normanby Road and has been
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Bishop admits resignation of dean is only solution
A SENIOR clergyman admitted yesterday that internal troubles at a crisis-hit cathedral could only be solved by the resignation of its dean. The Bishop of Knaresborough, the Right Reverend Frank Weston, spoke out before today's deadline for the congregation
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Misadventure verdict on op death
A PENSIONER died of a heart attack after an operation, an inquest heard yesterday. John George Spence, 66, a retired toolmaker, of York Hill Road, Spennymoor, died after surgery to remove his gall bladder at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. The hearing
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New tenants weigh in
ANOTHER empty shop has been occupied in Thirsk town centre. Weigh-and-pay food outlet The Food Weighouse has taken over empty premises formerly occupied by clothes outlet His and Hers. Phillip and Paula Smith have taken over the franchise for the outlet
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Bell's gets ready to batter the opposition
A DURHAM chippie is hoping to be ranked among the best fish shops in the country. Bell's Fish Shop, in Marshall Terrace, Gilesgate Moor, is among ten across the north shortlisted in the 15th Fish and Chip Shop of the Year Competition. Owner Graham Kennedy
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Walking festival
A festival in Wensleydale will offer a range of walks next weekend. Visitors to Hawes can choose from ten walks ranging from an easy five miles round the villages to 20 miles over some of the Pennine fells. At the same time, there will be a pub trail
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Having a say
PEOPLE in Hambleton are to be given a say on planning matters. The district council is planning a scheme to allow the public to address its planning committee. Steve Quartermain, director of planning and environmental services, said the move was in response
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Bus driver died in car crash, inquest told
A BUS driver died when he crashed his car into a tree as he drove home after a night out at a local club, an inquest heard yesterday. Victor Frederick Fletcher, 64, of William Street, Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, had been at Coundon Workingmen's Club
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Four youths arrested over death of fan
FOUR youths have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man who tried to stop thieves taking his car. Glynn Ellis, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, died on Tuesday after he was confronted by a gang of people who attempted to steal his Ford
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Bus passengers left stranded
PASSENGERS living in east Durham villages are being left stranded because of a shortage of bus drivers. The once-an-hour Arriva service 22 between Durham, Wheatley Hill and Hartlepool, often does not run because of the shortages. Now a local councillor
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Housing plan go-ahead likely
PLANS to build houses on the former site of a college look set to win approval, despite objections. Derwentside College has moved from Park Road in Consett to a £6.5m centre in Front Street, on five acres of the Berry Edge site, which opens next week.
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Medals mystery leads to 'secret' order
A PENSIONER believes she can solve the mystery of a box of old books, papers and medals found in the loft of a North-East house. Earlier this week, The Northern Echo reported how Chris Leonard, from Darlington, found a box containing documents including
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Day care centre opens its doors
A DURHAM day centre is to open its doors to the public to stage a disability awareness event. The event will be held on September 28, at County Durham Care's Abbey Day Centre in Pity Me, from 10am to 3.30pm. Various organisations will be on hand to provide
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Library enters the 21st Century
IT has 43 new computers, 15,000 books and 3,000 newly-laid carpet tiles, and now Redcar Central Library is ready to reopen its doors. The library, which has been closed for two weeks for a £20,000 facelift, will open on Monday, September 2. It will be
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News in brief: Filling station to close
ASDA is planning to demolish the filling station at its Stanley supermarket. The scheme will create 38 places in the store's car park and will help ease a shortage of parking on the site. The company is seeking planning permission from Derwentside District
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Flood defence strategy talks
A North-East council has met with Northumbrian Water to help head off any future flooding problems. Hartlepool's mayor Stuart Drummond sat down with water company bosses after touring the town's worst-hit areas. Mr Drummond said: "We have now had the
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Five to follow for Pool boss
CHRIS Turner last night stressed the importance of Hartlepool United's next five fixtures. Pool go to Oxford today, the first of a testing period which also includes a derby with Darlington at Victoria Park on September 14. They also go to Swansea next
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Funding bid crucial as cost of saving hostel is revealed
THE cost of saving a popular Dales youth hostel from closure could be up to £500,000, it has been revealed. The facility at Aysgarth, in Wensleydale, was one of ten earmarked for closure and sale by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) in March because
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Missing girl plea
The search is on for a 16-year-old girl who has gone missing from her North-East home. Police are anxious to trace Kirsty Holland, who is known to frequent Washington, Sunderland and Newcastle. She is described as 5ft 5in, of broad build, with brown,
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Conspiracy charges
FOUR men have been committed for trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with conspiring to steal property worth £1,786 from cooker maker Electrolux. Jeffrey Leigh Charlton, aged 29, of Allergate, Durham, Hugh Joseph Rowley, 41, of Chilside Road, Gateshead
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Missing man
Police have renewed their appeal for information on a man missing since July 30. Keith Kane, of Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, is known to frequent the Derwent Park Country Walk area. He is described as 5ft 10in, of medium build, with a large mole on the top
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Dancers and actors in region to offer introduction to opera
DEDICATED singers and actors have travelled from London to put on a performance. The City Opera group has come to Ryedale for the fifth year in a row, this time to perform Puccini's opera, La Boheme, at Helmsley Art Centre. Deputy director at the centre
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Speaking parrot fashion
A BOY of five used his vocal talents to locate his missing pet parrot in trees at the bottom of his garden. Shane Stubbings, five, was devastated when Jabba, an African grey parrot, flew away from the family home in Sedgefield, on Wednesday. Shane had
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Frustration over officer's case
FRIENDS of jailed Army officer Peter Bleach have expressed their frustration at the lack of action over his case. Mr Bleach, who has been in jail for more than six years for his part in dropping arms and ammunition to rebels in West Bengal, is still waiting
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Comment: Childhood has to return
WHEN we think of the summer of 2002, two names will always dominate our thoughts: Holly and Jessica - two ordinary yet beautiful little girls, unthinkably lost to the world. Last night's service in their memory was a coming together of sadness and joy
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Discount retail stores go for £1
POUNDSTRETCHER operator Brown & Jackson has agreed to sell its loss-making retailing chains to its biggest shareholder for £1. The Leeds-based discount group wants to focus on its leading Poundstretcher brand after tumbling into the red in the past
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Tributes as police chief retires at 60
DURHAM Police Authority members have said their farewells to retiring chief constable George Hedges. Mr Hedges, 60, has just one more week left of his five-year contract at the head of the force. At his final authority meeting yesterday he was presented
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News in brief: A good night for charity
BRIAN Jennings, branch chairman of the Motor Neurone Disease charity, accepted a cheque for £758.91 raised at Richmond Comrades' Club, when singer Freddie Briggs, whose wife, Dorothy, suffers from the condition, entertained members. The event was followed
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Tormentors blamed for husband's death
A HAVE-A-GO hero died of a heart attack after chasing a group of teenagers who tormented his family. Lorry driver Jim Bell, 51, collapsed and died at his home just a few hours after he tried to catch the youngsters. His wife, Valerie, 57, is blaming the
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Customer gets in a spin over washing machine
A PUBLIC protest mounted by a disgruntled customer has led to him being barred from a store. Irate Comet customer John Heads was so fed up with his Hoover 1600 - which he bought for £349 seven months ago - that he decided to take his complaint direct
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Thirty-three could be the magic number for Tykes
Yorkshire step out against Somerset at Lord's today hoping that the figure 33 will prove to be just as significant as it did last season when they became County Champions for the first time since 1968. Now they are desperate to win the Cheltenham and
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Public avert train disaster
PASSERS-by averted a rail accident after frantically flagging down a train just metres away from a damaged bridge. The Middlesbrough to Whitby train was about to cross a badly-damaged bridge in the village of Castleton before it was stopped. In a scene
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Developer's warning over Soccer Dome
DEVELOPERS hoping to create a multi-million pound footballing school of excellence have warned they could pull out of the town altogether if planning permission is refused. The former Cummins Engines factory in Yarm Road, Darlington, has been selected
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Reyna talked Flo into move
TOWERING Tore Andre Flo last night revealed how a call to Sunderland midfielder Claudio Reyna helped clinch his club record move to Wearside. Norway striker Flo played alongside Reyna at Rangers for almost a year before the United States World Cup skipper
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Crying foul over Tino's tactics
IT was so audacious, it was simply unbelievable. Colourful was a word which followed Tino Asprilla around the world, from his native Colombia, where he was arrested for a firearms offence, and to Italy, where he wrote off four sports cars. His languid
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Annual show entries up
ENTRIES were up by at least a third in this year's Skelton and Brotton Parish Council Annual Produce Show. Money raised by an auction of exhibitors' produce at the end of the show, went to local charities. Michael Garland won the vegetable section and
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Mental health unit planned
A SPECIALIST centre to cater for mentally ill older people is to be opened in Darlington. The £4m unit is to be part of an expansion at the newly-planned hospital at West Park in Faverdale. County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, which
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Hear All Sides: Blue Circle
I AM sure the people of Weardale are, like me, appalled at the suggestions for the future of the now closed Eastgate cement works amounting to nothing more than daffodil growing and bee keeping. These interests may be worthy, but are hardly adequate for
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Playing field to be sold
A SCHOOL playing field is set to be sold off for housing development. Part of the playing fields at Darlington's Longfield Comprehensive School are to be put up for sale. The 17,991 square metres of land, including the hockey pitch and running track,
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Phillips' position under threat after double deal
PETER REID has warned striking talisman Kevin Phillips that the arrivals of Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart mean he is no longer guaranteed a place in Sunderland's starting line-up. Phillips is set to form a new partnership with club record signing
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News in brief: Charity drive a big success
A RECRUITMENT drive by Darlington Association on Disability attracted 50 volunteers to help at a playscheme for disabled children and young people. The organisation has been able to provide five play schemes for about 150 disabled youngsters. FAMILY FUN
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Campaigner writes book of remembrance
TRIBUTES to the war dead of a seaside town have been recorded for posterity in a book. Eric Howden, who has been involved in the Redcar Cenotaph Restoration Fund and has already restored the town's war memorial, has written the book. All profits raised
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Five top school attenders rewarded
FIVE teenagers from County Durham are in the champions league when it comes to going to school. The 16-year-olds have each achieved a 100 per cent attendance record throughout their secondary school careers. As a reward for their unblemished attendance
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Green groups row over upgrade
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners were last night at loggerheads over plans to upgrade the road dubbed the most dangerous in Britain. The Northern Echo revealed last week how the Government is to press ahead with a dual carriageway upgrade for the A66. The 50
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Job does the Job
Middlesbrough finally ended a seven game winless run by overcoming Blackburn Rovers at the Riverside 1 - 0 this afternoon . Cameroonian sub Joseph-Desire Job grabbed a last ditch winner in stoppage time to clinch all three pionts for Boro - something
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Mystery over doctor's decision to quit practice
MYSTERY surrounds the resignation of an outspoken general practitioner at a Darlington health centre. Patients at the Park Place Health Centre have been left confused by Dr John Hopkins' decision to quit his post at the practice. In November last year
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At Your Service: A shore thing at the Busk stop
THERE may have been a population explosion in Stalling Busk. At 2.30pm last Sunday it's put at 12; two hours later the estimate has risen to 17. It will in either case be appreciated that Stalling Busk - pronounced as in dolling, or possibly lolling,
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Drug crimes targeted
POLICE have netted thousands of pounds worth of drugs and made several arrests in Ferryhill over the last few months. Officers have staged eight major operations in the town during the last six months, tackling people involved with class A drugs and their
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Winger Blomqvist snubs 'unprofessional' Boro
JESPER Blomqvist took a parting shot at Middlesbrough last night after opting to join Charlton Athletic. The Swedish winger had been expected to sign a 12-month contract at the Riverside after spending over a month with Steve McClaren's men. But, with
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For Your Benefit: Way to cover care home fees
Q My sister of 82 has been paying her care home fees of £2,500 a month out of her savings. Now these savings have reduced to £17,000 is there not some help available with the costs? A Once savings go below £19,000, social services can help. If the home
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Brake on thefts
A HOLIDAY resort is hoping to put the brakes on car thieves. Car theft and stealing from cars outside sea front arcades at Redcar and the town's leisure centre is above the national average and the highest in East Cleveland. The police, local council
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Counting them in
CLICK Em Inn is probably the greatest name for a pub in the history of the county. It sounds like the sort of place where a policeman who was over-enthusiastic with the handcuffs would have had a stool reserved for him at the bar. The inn is now a farm
