Archive
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Nosam is far from backward
GRAND NATIONAL-winning trainer Norman Mason regularly names his horses beginning with the word Red, however he made an exception for Southwell-bound Nosam, Mason spelt backwards for the uninitiated. It was a novel touch from the genial Brancepeth-based
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£26m centre's first shops open
REDCAR'S £26m Regent Walk Shopping Centre is already open for business - at least for a small number of stores that have jumped the gun. Others are expected to open their doors in the new town centre development in the coming days - ahead of the official
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Danny's the boy to end Quakers' striker search
DANNY Mellanby was last night challenged to become Darlington's 20-goals-a-season striker after putting the injury nightmare that once threatened his career behind him. After a tortuous seven months trying to recover from a debilitating back problem,
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Set your garden on fire with colour
THE last two weeks have seen the leaves on the trees really start to change colour. There has been a crisp edge to the early morning air and the fruit seem to be sagging with tiredness on its branches rather than boasting a plump, healthy glow. The robin
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Emergency plans for Darlington school
SEVERAL high-profile education figures are about to be drafted in to avert a potential crisis at a Darlington school. Eastbourne Comprehensive, which council chiefs admit has many weaknesses, was rocked this week by the sudden resignation after seven
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Treasure hunt
Teesdale Cancer Research UK has organised a treasure hunt around Barnard Castle, on Sunday, October 20. The hunt will start at the Cricketer's Arms, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Entry to the event is £1 and there will be refreshments. Proceeds will go to
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Bridge in line for award
A BRIDGE was recognised as one of the contenders for a Prime Minister's award, with a plaque yesterday. Paul Finch, deputy chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe), presented the plaque, for the Millennium Bridge, to
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Bridge in line for award
A BRIDGE was recognised as one of the contenders for a Prime Minister's award, with a plaque yesterday. Paul Finch, deputy chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe), presented the plaque, for the Millennium Bridge, to
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Anger at 'mercy' for porn teacher
CAMPAIGNERS reacted with fury last night after a primary school teacher was jailed for only six months after admitting a string of child porn offences. Andrew Guffick, 34, formerly of Commercial Street, Ferryhill Station, County Durham, pleaded guilty
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'Thieving Cyclist' steals the show with launch of children's theatre
A ROGUE cyclist helped launch an unusual children's theatre festival yesterday. The Fantome Cycliste - a notorious thief who steals the famous yellow jersey from the Tour de France - was at Durham's Gala Theatre to launch the Take Off 2002 festival. Played
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Pioneering partnership
A COUNCIL has signed a deal that will provide two construction firms with £140m of work. Durham County Council, Balfour Beatty and Wates have forged seven-year strategic alliances, thought to be the first of their kind in the country. For years, councils
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Event offers fun way of learning
RECYCLING and the environment is the theme for a family fun day being held in Spennymoor today. Youngsters and their parents are invited to a fun- packed day of entertainment and activities hosted by Spennymoor Community Learning at its Festival Walk
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Hospital chiefs given go-ahead to apply for foundation status
HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn has given North-East hospital chiefs the go-ahead to free themselves from the shackles of Whitehall control. The Darlington MP marked his third anniversary in the NHS hot seat with a speech in Newcastle confirming the launch
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Artist gives play area a discovery theme
ARTIST Lee Brewster cannot be accused of sitting down on the job. His brief was to create an imaginative play area for children attending the new paediatric outpatients department at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough. Already an elaborate
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News in brief: Protect your valuables
PEOPLE can have their laptop computers and mobile phones security marked at a safety conference today. The Brandon Community Centre, off Brandon Lane, is hosting a community safety day between 10am and 4pm. Crime prevention officers will use ultra-violet
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Opportunity to attend pre-school
PARENTS and children are enjoying new childcare opportunities at Bowes Pre-School. The pre-school is now open for five morning sessions from Monday to Friday. It opens from 9am to 1pm, with the children having the opportunity to have lunch on the premises
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Protests halt riverside building
PLANS for a major development on a riverside site have been suspended following objections. Newcastle City Council decided yesterday to defer its decision on the plans for the east Quayside area pending a site visit and talks with the developer. AWG Developments
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Website prize is just the ticket
TWO Middlesbrough match-day tickets are on offer as top prize in a spot-the-ball competition played in cyberspace. The contest marks the launch of a website within a designated Middlesbrough on-line education action zone, covering five primary and secondary
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Cadet teams take on great Dales challenge
ARMY cadets from across the region march into the Dales this weekend to test their mettle in a battle of stamina and teamwork. More than 400 youngsters, aged between 13 and 18, will be taking part in Exercise Colts Canter, at Gandale and Wathgill Camps
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Site is chosen for bus station
THE regeneration of Stanley town centre has moved a step closer after council bosses came to a decision over the site for a new bus station. Derwentside District Council has decided to build the station next door to the existing complex in Mary Street
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A first for cathedral
DURHAM Cathedrals' first salaried woman priest is a newcomer to the North - and is impressed by its beauty. The Rev Gilly Myers has taken over as succentor, sacrist and minor canon at Durham Cathedral. Her responsibilities include helping to co-ordinate
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National construction week takes off with help of children
THE skies were filled with colour over a North Yorkshire primary school to raise money for charity. A group of children at Lord Deramore's Primary School, Heslington, watched as 205 balloons were released into the air in celebration of National Construction
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Try out for netball team
GIRLS in Stockton are being offered the chance to try their hand at netball before joining a junior club. The taster sessions will be held next month. The first, for girls aged 11 and 12, will be held at Stockton Sports Centre on Saturday, November 16
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Health awareness focus
AN athlete will help a road show aimed at raising awareness of women's health issues get under way. Allison Curbishley, a British 400m runner, launches the event, Look After Your Health - Because You're Worth It at the James Cook University Hospital,
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Lucy hopes to be on song again
A CHOIR girl from the region has reached the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year competition for the second year running. Lucy Rhodes, 14, a member of the choir at St Peter's Church in Harrogate, will be one of only four girl finalists
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Bury 2-2 Darlington - Nelson denies Quakers
An injury time equaliser from Gateshead-born Michael Nelson denied Darlington their second away win of the season. Quakers last won on their travels at Cambridge on the opening of the day season and Ian Clark looked to have sealed victory when he put
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Step closer to establishing wildlife haven on flood site
PLANS for a wildlife haven in Bishop Middleham are expected to take a big step forward next week. The village has been blighted by severe flooding for many years, but residents have got together in an effort to use it to their advantage. A former allotment
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Fit firemen raise cash for charity
FIREFIGHTERS revealed their fitness by scaling a 320m hill in just 15 minutes. Not only that, but the lads from Grangetown and Redcar fire stations were carrying a 13.5m ladder as they scrambled up Roseberry Topping, near Great Ayton. Last Saturday's
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More sex please, we're British
The showing of the once-banned film A Clockwork Orange on television tomorrow has put the role of the censors in the spotlight. Steve Pratt looks at what's allowed and what's not. WHEN Billy Elliot was shown in cinemas in France, the film was awarded
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It's a witch hunt . . . for her pet cat
BRAVE children are invited to explore around one of the National Trust's most treasured sites in search of creepy crawlies. As the nights become darker and longer, bugs and eerie creatures start to emerge from the damp and gloomy corners of Fountains
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Green-fingered youngsters help gardens to bloom
A GROUP of schoolchildren were the pride of east Cleveland's gardening community on Friday when they scooped an award from Northumbria In Bloom. Pupils from Alderman William Jones Primary School, in Grangetown, went to Eston Town Hall to receive their
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Mother's pride in perfect record
A MOTHER-OF-TWO who regretted playing truant at school became determined to teach her children the value of attending classes. Jeanette Loraine's encouragement has now paid off with her 16-year-old son, Lee, being officially recognised for not missing
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NHS child care move unveiled
HEALTH chiefs are hoping a new initiative will help the NHS hold on to staff in Hambleton and Richmondshire. The Primary Care Trust confirmed recently it would be looking at methods which could make working for the local health service more family-friendly
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Get a feel for olden times
A NEW maritime archaeology centre is to open in Hartlepool this weekend. Hartlepool Borough Council's arts and museums service is staging a range of activities at Sir William Gray House in Clarence Road today and Sunday to coincide with National Family
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People get closer to decision making
TWENTY-FIVE resident representatives will take their seats on Hartlepool Borough Council's neighbourhood consultative forums for the first time next week. They were elected to their roles in recent ballots and will work with councillors on the forums.
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Memorabilia of club's arch-rivals
THE latest addition to Middlesbrough Football Club's collection of memorabilia relates to the club's former arch-rivals. Fan Ian Webb has loaned the club a 112-year-old register listing the original members of Middlesbrough Ironopolis, the breakaway football
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Doctors to outline plans for surgery
A DOCTORS' surgery, which has its sights set on relocating, has announced an open evening where its proposals will be outlined to the public. The Leyburn Medical Practice says it needs larger and more modern accommodation to cope with a growing patient
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A credit to the airport
A CREDIT card payment facility for airport car parking is about to be introduced. The automated machine, in the arrivals area of Teesside Airport from next month, will allow people to pay for parking without having to queue at the information desk. Airport
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Student gets taste of pop industry
A STUDENT from Newton Aycliffe has had a taste of the music industry at an advanced pop school. Claire Willmer, 17, a second- year student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington, had been invited to four pop schools, but this was her first
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Store staff spruce up hospice
SUPERMARKET workers rolled up their sleeves to help spruce up rooms at a local hospice. Colleagues from the Asda store in Bishop Auckland helped revamp six rooms in the town's Butterwick Hospice. The doctors' surgery, activity kitchen and hairdresser's
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Mixing with the Masters
Gavin Engelbrecht is taken on a guided tour of the museums of the Dutch Masters, where he falls for a very special young lady. THE subdued bustle of excitement in the crowded gallery seemed to be mirrored in the busy hubbub of Rembrandt's Night Watch,
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Talks urged in jobs loss crisis
COUNCIL bosses are calling a major conference in the wake of recent job losses across the region. Leader of Sedgefield Borough Council Brian Stephens yesterday pledged the loacl authority's support for The Northern Echo's 'Working for the Future' campaign
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News in brief: Protect your valuables
PEOPLE can have their laptop computers and mobile phones security marked at a safety conference today. The Brandon Community Centre, off Brandon Lane, is hosting a community safety day between 10am and 4pm. Crime prevention officers will use ultra-violet
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News in brief: Club buys biopsy guns
MEMBERS of Beechwood and Easterside Social Club, Middlesbrough, have bought two biopsy guns - costing about £900 each - to help hospital doctors diagnose breast cancer. Club trustee Harry Dunn said: "We have had sponsored walks, raffles and donations.
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News in brief: Club buys biopsy guns
MEMBERS of Beechwood and Easterside Social Club, Middlesbrough, have bought two biopsy guns - costing about £900 each - to help hospital doctors diagnose breast cancer. Club trustee Harry Dunn said: "We have had sponsored walks, raffles and donations.
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School scraps pitch floodlights scheme
PLANS to erect eight giant floodlights close to a city's world heritage site have been scrapped following residents' objections. Durham School submitted the plans as part of an application to convert its rugby pitch, next to Archery Rise, into a multi-sports
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Community awards
DURHAM and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust presented awards on Tuesday to six groups that have helped improve the health of the community. The overall winner was St Andrew's Youth Club in Fencehouses, which was awarded £250 from the trust. Chairman
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News in brief: Furniture theft from factory
FOUR SETS of three-seater, two-seater and single seater suites, valued at £2,500, were stolen from a furniture factory in Grindon Way, Newton Aycliffe, between 4.30pm on Wednesday and 8.30am on Thursday. A Leyland Daf van, registration number R972 KAD
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Rising damp forces theatre to postpone opening night
THE scheduled re-opening of a community's theatre has been postponed after severe rising damp was discovered in the walls. The staging of a popular pantomime has been thrown into uncertainty, professional shows have had to be reprogrammed, and plans for
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Pupils get a taste of the Orient
CHINESE dragons, lanterns and even Chinese eye exercises were on the agenda last week for schools staging an oriental festival. Five County Durham primaries took part in a week-long celebration of China following a trip by a delegation of head teachers
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Boro eye winger
STEVE McClaren is contemplating a £1m move for Dutch winger Kevin Bobson when the transfer window opens in January. Even though McClaren has insisted his transfer war chest is empty after he spent more than £20m in the summer, he is keen to sign Bobson
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'Green' awards to be launched
A COUNCIL is launching an awards scheme to encourage businesses and organisations to become more green. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's awards will be part of an action plan aimed at improving the environment. Coun Brian Hogg, lead member for sustainable
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Life-saving officer honoured for wrong-way road drama
A TRAFFIC officer who risked his life to save other motorists from a fugitive who was speeding the wrong way down a dual carriageway has been honoured for his courage. Traffic Constable Michael Hancock was on a routine patrol on the northern carriageway
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You write: Buses 'unreliable'
SIR - I do so agree with Miss Barbara Tinsley (Buses let us down, You Write, Week ending October 5). Arriva does. During the two years my son attended Teesside University he was continuously let down. On one occasion my son missed an important meeting
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The Albany League: Crunch match for Forster
Tow Law manager Graeme Forster believes that today's home game against Prudhoe could be a turning point for his team. Last season's runners-up are in the wrong half of the table, and are in danger of losing touch with the leading group. Forster said:
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Lone cub wins team swim prize single-handed
YOUNG swimming sensation Joseph Smith literally won a team trophy single-handed for his Cub Scout pack. Ten-year-old Joseph from Sherburn Hill swept the board to win races in three strokes in one evening at the Durham City Cub Scouts Swimming Gala. He
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Unibond League: Seven set for debuts
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is set to give seven new signings an outing at Witton Albion today. Honour waited until the outcome of last Saturday's FA Trophy tie at Lincoln United before entering the transfer market, and he has wielded the axe
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Children have fungi fun at forest
CHILDREN had fun with fungi at a workshop last weekend. Artist Peter Hough helped about 20 children create ceramic models on a fungus theme at the Guisborough Forest Walkway Centre, Pinchinthorpe, on Sunday. "There were a lot here and they did a fantastic
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Warning is issued as 'tarmac gangs' target homeowners
HOUSEHOLDERS across North Yorkshire are being warned about teams of itinerant tarmac gangs operating in the area. Trading standards officers in the county have been inundated with complaints from people who have been approached by the teams. They say
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Pair in the spotlight
A CHILD health co-ordinator and a theatre scenery maker will be stepping into the limelight later this month. Michelle Coulson and Peter Archer will be taking lead roles in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma, which is to be staged in Gateshead
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Reid wishes Wilkinson good luck
PETER Reid sent Howard Wilkinson a good luck message last night as he ruefully reflected on what might have been had he remained Sunderland manager. Reid, speaking publicly for the first time since he was sacked on Monday, made it clear he feels the fates
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Merger keeps Terrace Hill riding high
A PROPERTY company at the forefront of a regeneration project in the North-East is to merge with another firm. Terrace Hill, which was chosen to develop Gateshead's £250m Baltic Business Park, is to merge with Glasgow residential investment company CapitalTech
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Sunderland duo kick off with double session
SUNDERLAND'S players were given an early taste of life under Sergeant Wilko yesterday when they underwent a gruelling double training session. A day after Howard Wilkinson confirmed he wanted to squeeze an entire pre-season's worth of work into just one
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Gala Christmas shows need local talent
LOCAL performers are being sought to appear in two Christmas shows. Two different shows will be staged to cater for all tastes in the Gala Theatre's first ever Christmas spectacular. Amateur actors, singers and dancers of all ages will appear alongside
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School gives in to pressure
PLANS to erect eight giant floodlights close to Durham's world heritage site have been scrapped following residents' objections. Durham School submitted the plans as part of an application to convert its existing rugby pitch, adjacent to Archery Rise,
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Bus times changed due to traffic congestion
BUS times on more than 40 services will be changed this weekend. Go North East is planning minor revisions on routes in County Durham and Tyne and Wear, mainly because of increasing traffic congestion. It says the changes, which are effective from Saturday
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Abbajabba hoping the heavens open
YORK'S 2002 season of Flat racing goes out in a blaze of glory with four massively competitive handicaps plus a cracking Listed race for punters to get teeth into. Sadly the forecasters say the sun isn't going to shine, in fact heavy rain is a more than
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Six feet down under
Muriel's Wedding star Rachel Griffiths admits she's a real swot over voice coaching and her accent in Six Feet Under, the quirky US TV series about a family of undertakers, is so convincing her American audience didn't guess she's from Down Under. Although
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The saint who backed a winner
Q Was there ever a saint called Leger and, sticking to a sporting theme, was there ever a real person called St Mirren, as in the football club. - David Blake, Durham. A Both St Leger and St Mirren were saints. St Leger, also known as Leodgar, was a Seventh
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New nightclub plan passed
PLANS for a new nightclub in Redcar have been approved. But now nightclub owner Paul Raffique must push his plans for the club at 28, The Esplanade, Redcar past the Licensing Committee. Only two letters of objection were received by the council, both
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Turner hoping for a TV spectacular
READING the Sunday papers could be a different proposition for Chris Turner and his Hartlepool United squad this weekend. Pool play Bournemouth tomorrow afternoon in front of the Sky Sports cameras, which means Turner could be knocked off his perch at
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Tenner turned out to be £2m
BARMAID Barbara Forth thought it was a night like any other when she turned up for her shift at the Wheatsheaf pub, but by the time she finished work she was £2m richer. Barbara, 38, of Penshaw, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, was pulling pints at the pub
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Cemetery vandalised
VANDALS have desecrated a town's cemetery, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak. Fifteen graves in Redcar cemetery have been wrecked; headstones toppled over, crosses smashed and an angel marking the grave of a child buried in 1932, wrenched
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Recognition for groups' work in the community
AN EXERCISE group for over-50s and an organisation that trains young people to support their peers have won recognition for their efforts. Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust presented community awards to six groups that have helped improve
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Mourners pack church to say farewell to tragic John
SCORES of mourners gathered yesterday for the funeral of John Robertson who was stabbed to death in a Darlington street. Warm tributes to the father-of-one were paid at the service in St Cuthbert's Church. Friends and family of the 37-year-old bricklayer
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Scooter challenge for baby unit
SCOOTER enthusiast David Ormerod launches an ambitious attempt to raise hundreds of pounds for Darlington Memorial Hospital today. The 44-year-old, from Darlington, is embarking on a coast-to-coast trek from Morecambe to Whitby to boost funds for the
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Changes made to road lay-out
MOTORISTS are warned of changes in the road lay-out as work improving the A167 Chester-le-Street bypass moves on to its next phase. The major road scheme refurbishing Park Road North and Central, between Ropery Lane roundabout and the Blind Lane A1(M)
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Traders who sell fireworks to youngsters will be named
DOZENS of shop owners across Darlington face being "named and shamed" if they are found to have illegally sold fireworks to youngsters, it emerged yesterday. Police and council chiefs are joining forces in a major crackdown aimed at dramatically reducing
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Company 'still clear' in tipping case
A FORMER football club chairman says his company is still in the clear over tipping charges, even though he faces a stiff legal bill following a successful Environment Agency appeal to the High Court. Former Bishop Auckland FC boss Steve Newcomb and his
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Bus driver denies causing death
A bus driver pleaded not guilty yesterday to causing the death by dangerous driving of a young boy passenger. Deborah White, 40, was behind the wheel of a Stagecoach bus when 12-year-old Jamie Lee Wells, from Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, was killed in Burlam
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Spared jail after sex with girl, 15
A FATHER-OF-THREE who had sex with a schoolgirl at a party escaped a jail sentence yesterday, because she was almost the legal age of 16. The girl was 15-and-a-half when Robert Lewis, 30, had sex with her on the floor of a bedroom where her boyfriend
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Reunion as school chalks up 100th birthday
CHILDHOOD memories came flooding back for former pupils during a centenary celebration at a Darlington school. Parents and staff at Rise Carr Primary School, in Eldon Street, held a party to celebrate 100 years of the school's history. Former staff and
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Two arrested during dawn drugs raids
POLICE have arrested two suspected drug dealers during dawn raids. Officers swooped on addresses in the Walker area of Newcastle on Thursday. A spokesman said they recovered four kilos of cannabis resin with a street value of £10,000, and an ounce of
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Teenager tells court of hostage nightmare
A teenager freed herself after a terrifying three-hour hostage ordeal only to find her attacker trying to hang himself nearby. Nicola Oley, 19, was tied up and beaten by Mokbul Hussain, 24, after she was lured to his home in Gateshead Terrace, Boldon,
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Dieticians' advice for sufferers
DIETICIANS are offering expert advice to sufferers of coeliac disease at a special fair tomorrow. One person in 1,000 is diagnosed with the disease - which means they are unable to tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats, or any
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Police investigate manhandling claim
POLICE have confirmed they are investigating a pensioner's allegations that he was manhandled by three officers when he tried to persuade them to do something about illegal parking outside his home. Raymond Allan, 75, is embroiled in a long-running dispute
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Pupils celebrate school building's 25th anniversary
A SCHOOL celebrated the silver jubilee of its building with a party yesterday. Belmont Infants School began in the early 1900s in the village's doctors' surgery, but moved to its present location on October 7, 1977. To mark the anniversary, staff and
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Pupils are expelled over cannabis find
FOUR pupils of one of England's oldest schools have been expelled for buying cannabis, storing it in school and smoking it in public places. The pupils, from St Peter's School in York, were found out when one, a 15-year-old girl, was discovered with a
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Dismay over parking problems
A LEADING Consett businessman says his council's policy on car parks is hurting his trade. Gary Thackeray, owner of Thackeray's Butchers in Front Street, believes a parking shortage is driving his customers elsewhere. He feels the problem is due to people
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Council in pioneering building contracts deal
A COUNCIL has signed a pioneering deal that will provide two construction firms with £140m worth of work. Durham County Council, Balfour Beatty and Wates have forged seven-year strategic alliances, thought to be the first of their kind in the country.
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Council in pioneering building contracts deal
A COUNCIL has signed a pioneering deal that will provide two construction firms with £140m worth of work. Durham County Council, Balfour Beatty and Wates have forged seven-year strategic alliances, thought to be the first of their kind in the country.
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Comment: Sunderland's biggest gamble
THE fans have spoken. As far as the vociferous majority are concerned, there is no hiding their disappointment over the appointment of Howard Wilkinson as the new manager of Sunderland. Dour and uninspiring are just two of the adjectives used against
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Event offers fun way of learning
RECYCLING and the environment is the theme for a family fun day being held in Spennymoor today. Youngsters and their parents are invited to a fun- packed day of entertainment and activities hosted by Spennymoor Community Learning at its Festival Walk
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Invitation to an education
FAMILIES are invited to find out more about learning opportunities at a free event today. The Family Learning Weekend, running from 10am to 3pm, at Pennywell Community Business (PCB) premises, in Sunderland, invites people to discover how learning can
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Meet the Mark Spitz of Cub Scouts
DETERMINED Cub Scout Joseph Smith is the pride of his pack after making a sensational single-handed splash at a recent swimming championship. Ten-year-old Joseph swept the board to win all his races in three strokes in one evening at the Durham City Cub
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Competition rules may hit move towards single ITV
THE proposed merger of struggling TV companies Granada and Carlton could pave the way for a single ITV company, it emerged yesterday. But North-East industry analysts say Tyne Tees and Yorkshire Television, which both belong to Granada, will not be affected
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Man fined over rifle offence
A MAN has been fined for owning an air rifle without a suitable firearms certificate. Kevin Thompson, of Church Close Spennymoor, appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday. The court heard that police found the Weihrauch air rifle in a
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MP opposes opencast plan
AN MP says plans to opencast more than 140 acres of farmland will blight the area for many years. Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg has re-stated his backing for residents in the Bowburn area who are fighting proposals by the Eco Energy Group to mine in
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Cinema due to close, in spite of protests
DURHAM'S only cinema could close in early December, despite growing calls for it to be saved. Bill Freedman Ltd, owner of the Robins Cinema in North Road, has given its 21 staff their redundancy notices. It means that the new Harry Potter film, which
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Mandy's business is flying high
CONSETT businesswoman Mandy Scott is celebrating ten years of flying the flag for North-East business this week. The 34-year-old has come a long way since she began making flags on her sewing machine at home in Blackhill. Her company, AA Flags, on Park
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Listed status refused
A FIRE-HIT amusement arcade could be demolished after the Government refused to grant it listed building status. J Noble and Sons Amusement arcade in Chester-le-Street was badly damaged by a blaze in February. But plans to redevelop the building had to
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EastEnders 'villain' wins court appeal
EastEnders "villain" Goldie was in court for real yesterday as he got one over on the law. The DJ-turned-actor was flanked by a minder throughout the short hearing as he successfully got a motoring conviction quashed. The flamboyant star, who terrorised
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Helpers 'bring £51m to area'
THE toil of the army of volunteers in North Yorkshire is worth about £51m to the local economy, it has been claimed. In the Ryedale district alone their work is worth about £9m, says the chief officer of Ryedale Voluntary Action. He told the annual meeting
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Echo appeal leads to suspect's arrest
POLICE say an appeal in The Northern Echo has helped them catch a man suspected of assaulting a 41-year-old woman walker last weekend. A reader came forward soon after the Echo published an account of the alleged attack, which happened in the Etherley
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The rocket man lands at school
A rocket which could soon carry a person into space landed at a school yesterday. Budding engineers and scientists at Walbottle Campus Technology College, Newcastle, welcomed the arrival of creator Steve Bennett and his Starchaser, which is on target
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Director chases pension thieves
A 75-YEAR-OLD whose pension was stolen in the street has told of his gratitude to a good Samaritan who chased the thieves and retrieved the cash. The 75-year-old pensioner, who did not wish to be named, said that just before the theft he was not feeling
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Cyclists head for Havana
THREE women are to cycle across the island of Cuba to raise money for a Teesside hospice - and they have borrowed a digital camcorder to record their marathon for posterity. Sheila Bearcroft, charity shops manager with Teesside Hospice, marketing officer
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Cinema set for final scene
DURHAM'S Robins Cinema could be closed by early December. The picture house's owners, Bill Freedman Ltd, have given staff notice of redundancy. The last movie to be shown will be the next Harry Potter film, likely to guarantee full houses. The company
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Six feet down under
Muriel's Wedding star Rachel Griffiths admits she's a real swot over voice coaching and her accent in Six Feet Under, the quirky US TV series about a family of undertakers, is so convincing her American audience didn't guess she's from Down Under. Although
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Gardening: Set your garden on fire with colour
THE last two weeks have seen the leaves on the trees really start to change colour. There has been a crisp edge to the early morning air and the fruit seem to be sagging with tiredness on its branches rather than boasting a plump, healthy glow. The robin
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Question of mortgage interest
Q I took out a mortgage to buy my council house while I was on Income Support. I had been paying the rent in full because my two sons had been living with me. I have never been allowed any benefit for the mortgage interest, not even now my sons have left
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7,000 bulbs add colour to city
ABOUT 7,000 daffodils will be planted at Ripon this weekend. The bulbs will be planted at Goose Common as part of the city's work to win the Britain in Bloom title next year. Ripon Rotary Rowels and Ripon in Bloom will be busy preparing the site for a
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Multi-talents of visitor saves show
THE show will go on for Northallerton's operatic society thanks to a multi-talented performer. The society faced a crisis in August when the director for this month's production of Annie, Beryl Dixon, had to pull out when her husband was taken ill. Hard-pushed
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Steelworks may have found saviour
A POTENTIAL saviour has emerged for a North-East steelworks facing closure. Talks have already have started with at least one company interested in buying Weardale Steel. Administrators, who have taken over the management of the company's manufacturing
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Green-fingered youngsters help gardens to bloom
A GROUP of schoolchildren were the pride of east Cleveland's gardening community on Friday when they scooped an award from Northumbria In Bloom. Pupils from Alderman William Jones Primary School, in Grangetown, went to Eston Town Hall to receive their
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'Fairy at forty' singer on stage - at 88
AN entertainer who is famous for singing the comedy song Nobody Loves A Fairy When She's Forty is celebrating her 88th birthday - and still appearing on stage. Eileen Young, of Graham Court, Darlington, is a concert party stalwart and supported the town's
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Praise for hosptial trust
A HOSPITAL trust has been praised for improving the working life of its staff. External assessors spent three days at the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust in Middlesbrough and decided it was a dynamic place to work. The assessors - from the Government's
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Church set to become arts venue
A FISHING village's church is set to take on a dual role - as a centre for artists and craftworkers. The idea is on the drawing board for St Peter's Church, Staithes, near Whitby, as part of a £1.8m Government-funding Single Regeneration Budget award
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Jamie to offer views of youth
A TEENAGER from the region has become one of the first in the country to join a local government partnership initiative. Jamie Dillon, 18, from Darlington, has become one of the first Members of the Youth Parliament (MYP) to be elected to a Local Strategic
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News in brief: Catenians to celebrate mass
A MASS for the Catenian Association will be held at York Minster, at 11am today. The mass will see 2,500 Catenians and their families attending from more than 100 groups. People are expected to travel from as far afield as Aberdeen, London, Chester and
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Region's future in the spotlight
THE future of Yorkshire in Europe will come under scrutiny at a one-day event in York next week. The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) has organised a line-up of leading experts to discuss the region's role over the next few years. Among the speakers will
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£80,000 work begins on resort's cliffs
Cliff repairs costing £80,000 begin on Monday. Two sections of storm-damaged cliff behind the Spa approach road in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, are to be restored. The area suffered in November 2000 when torrential rain made the land slump. Work will
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Pets should be chipped
ANIMAL welfare officers are becoming concerned about the number of cats that have gone missing recently from the Wolviston Court area of Billingham. In the past two weeks, 12 have been reported missing to Stockton Borough Council's animal welfare team
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£1m windfall for resort's older people
HUNDREDS of older people are set to benefit from a £1m windfall in Scarborough. The town's Age Concern group has been given the money by the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund, said Stephen Dunmore, chief executive of the fund. "The healthy living
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Disabled support group
THE future of a group which helps Scarborough's disabled people is under threat. Scarborough and District Disablement Action Group (Dag) has called a public meeting at the town hall on Friday, November 22. Bridget Hardy said the group had helped local
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Plan for new park-and-ride is announced
PLANS for a fifth park and ride scheme in York have been submitted. The proposed location for the new service will be at Monks Cross, where retail and employment sites already exist. A city-wide consultation showed that 98 per cent of the 3,800 respondents
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Teamwork brings Innoveytion
TWO North-East engineering companies have joined forces to collaborate on the development of products for the food and pharmaceuticals industries. Autoveytion UK, of Sedgefield, and the Express Group, of Gateshead, have established Innoveytion to exploit
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Stage is set for fifth RSC visit
ONE of the country's leading theatre companies is to make another visit to the county town of North Yorkshire next year. Tickets for the Royal Shakespeare Company's visit to Northallerton will go on sale next week - and leisure staff are expecting a sell-out
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Richardson ready to repay Turner's faith
MARCUS Richardson is desperate to repay Chris Turner's faith. Signed ten days back after his contract expired at Torquay, the big striker made a quick impression as a late substitute in last week's win at Shrewsbury. And now the front-runner is desperate
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Region's talent thrown into the Melting Pot
TALENTED youngsters from across the county will take part in a fundraising concert this weekend. About 50 dancers, singers, actors and musicians will come together for the Melting Pot Showcase, at Durham's Gala Theatre, on Sunday. The event, sponsored
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Youngster sought to play in Full Monty
THE date has been announced for auditions to find a young actor to star in the West End smash, The Full Monty. The producers of the hit musical, in collaboration with Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools, are looking for a ten to 13-year-old boy to play the
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Call for more to consider adoption
A COUNCIL is calling for more people to think about adoption during a national campaign. The City of Sunderland's Adoption Agency is calling on people to give a child a new start in life for National Adoption Week, which starts on Monday. In Sunderland
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Sophie's ready to be Annie
A TALENTED teenager will play the starring role in a forthcoming production of Annie. Sophie Begg, 13, of Pity Me, near Durham, will appear at Newcastle's Theatre Royal in the show by the Newcastle Upon Tyne Operatic Society, from October 28 to November
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You write: Buses 'unreliable'
SIR - I do so agree with Miss Barbara Tinsley (Buses let us down, You Write, Week ending October 5). Arriva does. During the two years my son attended Teesside University he was continuously let down. On one occasion my son missed an important meeting
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News in brief: Air ambulance fund takes off
SUPPORTERS of a fundraising night for the Great North Air Ambulance have got their campaign off to a flying start. Popular performers Fever, a trio, are giving their services free the event on Friday at Tindale Crescent Working Men's Club, Bishop Auckland
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Hear All Sides: Minimum Wage
DT Murray (HAS, Sept 28) makes a good point about the inadequate level of our minimum wage. Should British people be concerned about the exploitation of workers in some countries in which a minimum wage like ours is only a dream? This enables these countries
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Recognition for groups' work in the community
AN EXERCISE group for over-50s and an organisation that trains young people to support their peers have won recognition for their efforts. Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust presented community awards to six groups that have helped improve
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Grenoble to provide stern test of Falcons' Euro ambitions
THE disappointment of failing to qualify for a second successive crack at Europe's top competition will be forgotten when Newcastle Falcons take the field at Grenoble tonight. There will be no time for dwelling on the past because the pool format has
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Bus times changed due to traffic congestion
BUS times on more than 40 services will be changed this weekend. Go North East is planning minor revisions on routes in County Durham and Tyne and Wear, mainly because of increasing traffic congestion. It says the changes, which are effective from Saturday
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At Your Service: Round the Horn and back to basics
A-Z IN the back pocket, weather eye on the scurrying clouds above, it's an exact 30 minute walk - on these poor old legs, anyway - from Newton Aycliffe town centre to St Francis's church on the new town's western frontier. Immediately upon arrival, the
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You write: Buses 'unreliable'
SIR - I do so agree with Miss Barbara Tinsley (Buses let us down, You Write, Week ending October 5). Arriva does. During the two years my son attended Teesside University he was continuously let down. On one occasion my son missed an important meeting
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Officers line up as station closes
POLICE officers old and new are being summoned to Loftus Police Station one last time. The main part of the 150-year-old station is to be converted into affordable housing and will close in early November. Now police officers, including any retired policemen
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TV newsman revisits college
TELEVISION journalist George Alagiah revisited his student days this week when he opened new university accommodation. When the BBC newscaster had been a student in Durham in the late 1970s, en-suite rooms complete with 'shower pods' were a long way off
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Work to start on new Tesco store
WORK on a £12m town centre development for Chester-le-Street is expected to begin at the end of this month. After years of delay Tesco supermarket is to start work on a new store near the viaduct in Chester-le-Street. The development was first announced
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News in brief: Protect your valuables
PEOPLE can have their laptop computers and mobile phones security marked at a safety conference today. The Brandon Community Centre, off Brandon Lane, is hosting a community safety day between 10am and 4pm. Crime prevention officers will use ultra-violet
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News in brief: Protect your valuables
PEOPLE can have their laptop computers and mobile phones security marked at a safety conference today. The Brandon Community Centre, off Brandon Lane, is hosting a community safety day between 10am and 4pm. Crime prevention officers will use ultra-violet
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Man dies in track tragedy
A REDCAR man has died following a trail bike accident. Malcolm Todd Nicolson, a 41-year-old father of two, suffered fatal head and neck injuries after an accident at Low Hardwick Farm, Sedgefield, County Durham. His family, of Mersey Road, Redcar, were
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Saturday Spotlight: Nemeth finally lets his football do the talking
WITH a tired grimace on his face, a clearly exhausted Szilard Nemeth pointed to his soaking T-shirt and said: "Look I'm sweating. "After that, even our training seems easy." It sounded as if he was referring to a visit from the Spanish Inquisition. In
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Student scarred for life in attack
A STUDENT has been scarred for life by a knife wielding yob in an unprovoked attack. The 20-year-old, who is in his final year at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, has been left with a 6in facial wound. "I am scared to walk out of the front door
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Fans' conference to debate football's key issues
The football authorities will be confronted by the collective voice of 100,000 supporters tomorrow when the game's inaugural fans' conference takes place in Birmingham. The Football Fans' Parliament, chaired by TUC general secretary John Monks, will host
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Justice: a trick with smoke and mirrors
AFTER listening to Ray Mallon expound his crime reduction strategy inside Middlesbrough's frighteningly Gothic - although rather wonderful - Town Hall, I stepped outside and walked past the modern crown court buildings. Gathered outside the court doors
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Benefits department must do better, say inspectors
A GOVERNMENT watchdog has warned a Teesside benefits department that it needs to improve its performance. The Benefits Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) has told Stockton Borough Council that it must reduce the time it takes to process claims. In the BFI's Best
