Archive
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Falcons bank on Taione to sink Bath
NEWCASTLE Falcons are gambling on restoring Epi Taione to the back row for tomorrow's visit of fellow Zurich Premiership strugglers Bath. Both teams are on 14 points, four ahead of Bristol, and after losing to the bottom two clubs in the last two weeks
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Pirates on stage
AN AMATEUR group is hoping to bring a modern twist to a time-honoured classic musical. South Moor Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society is performing Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Ian Mordue, the society's joint publicity officer, said:
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Murder mystery at museum
It's not often you go on a school trip and are confronted with a body and a murder to solve, but it's happening at Beamish Museum. The whodunnit day is the museum's latest initiative to help pupils learn about Victorian life . First at the scene of the
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Sexing up the classics
WRITER Andrew Davies is being mischievious again. "Shall I tell you?," he wonders, then supplies the answer himself: "Yes, I will". The juicy titbit of information concerns a planned film version of George Eliot's novel Daniel Deronda for which he was
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Winter challenge makes a pleasant change
IT was one of those dreary, damp and cold Friday afternoons. The type of day when the weather prevents you from getting on with any of the gardening jobs that need doing. We (myself and trainees) had been out in the rain all morning and were suffering
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Setback for regeneration
A partnership deal to redevelop East Cleveland has suffered a new setback. Redcar and Cleveland Council this week announced that Amey Plc is no longer the preferred bidder in a massive £220m development programme. That means it is back to the drawing
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Wearside League: Redcar still alive and well
Redcar Town are alive and kicking. That's the message from the club despite speculation that they would fold after failing to field a side last Saturday. Today they visit Teesside Athletic in the North Riding County Cup. "It has been a traumatic couple
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Gardening: Winter challenge makes a pleasant change
IT was one of those dreary, damp and cold Friday afternoons. The type of day when the weather prevents you from getting on with any of the gardening jobs that need doing. We (myself and trainees) had been out in the rain all morning and were suffering
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Rubella alert at nursery school
THERE are fears that unborn children could have been exposed to danger after a suspected rubella outbreak in the region. Doctors on Teesside have confirmed that a group of nursery school children are being tested for rubella, or German measles. The suspected
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YMCA wins £30,000 grant to help teens
YOUTH workers have won a £30,000 grant to help keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble. The Lloyds TSB Foundation made the award to the YMCA in Parliament Street, Consett. The cash, spread over three years, means the centre can recruit another
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Elderly risking their health over influenza complacency
THOUSANDS of elderly people are putting their health at risk as public complacency about flu reaches alarming levels, it was revealed yesterday. Just over half of the 16,000 Darlington residents over 65 have been vaccinated against the potentially lethal
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Minister makes pledge on updating rape law
THE Solicitor General has pledged the Government will do all it can to improve the way rape cases are dealt with in court. Speaking at a conference at Teesside University, Harriet Harman said: "Twenty years ago, when there were only three per cent women
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Warning over fuel con
HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to be wary of con men when buying solid fuel. Over recent years, Durham County Council's consumer services department has received complaints and detected a number of solid fuel traders supplying short weight. Philip Holman
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Soldiers used old equipment as modern engines stood idle
A FLEET of modern fire engines remained unused across the region as military firefighters battled blazes in 50-year-old Green Goddesses, it was confirmed last night. Now pressure is growing to use the reserve tenders in the event of an eight-day strike
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Super vets off to Ireland
SUPER VETS Rob Hand and Sheila Allen will be determined to put the North-East on the map in today's big Home Countries and Irish Veterans Cross Country Championships in Ballymena. Durham City general practitioner Hand, the reigning UK Veterans cross country
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Murderer gets life
A MAN who murdered his partner by putting her on to a blazing sofa has been jailed for life. University graduate Victoria Barker, 30, was found dead in the burnt out remains of the living room of the flat she shared with 46-year-old John Collings. Newcastle
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In The Picture: Sexing up the classics
WRITER Andrew Davies is being mischievious again. "Shall I tell you?," he wonders, then supplies the answer himself: "Yes, I will". The juicy titbit of information concerns a planned film version of George Eliot's novel Daniel Deronda for which he was
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Boss wants Boksic to play for his Boro future
ALEN BOKSIC has been told he is playing for his future at Middlesbrough. The Croatian's contract runs out at the end of the season and Hadjuk Split are interested in taking the striker back to his homeland. Boksic, who is hoping to start against Chelsea
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Laura's music impresses the judges
A YOUNG musician from Marske won recognition at an annual competition for the region's most talented music makers at the weekend. Laura Barber, 16, won her age group category for the orchestral strings section at the ninth Young Musician of the Year competition
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Mum and pups in need of a home
A DOG and her four puppies are in need of loving homes after being given up by their Darlington owners. Cathy, a terrier-cross, was taken in by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League when its owners said they no longer felt capable of looking after
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Stars take to stage in tragic play
ONE of American playwright Arthur Miller's most powerful works is being staged at Darlington Civic Theatre. View From The Bridge, which features TV hospital soap Casualty star Sorcha Cusack and London's Burning actor James Hazeldine, has been running
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Children give fundraising the star treatment
NEARLY 300 Shildon schoolchildren turned themselves into their favourite stars to raise more than £120. Sporting heroes and TV and pop stars turned out at St John's Primary and Nursery School, in Shildon, where pupils dressed as characters such as Gareth
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Woman who was hated to the grave
After years of ill health, Moors Murderer Myra Hindley died yesterday aged 60. Christen Pears looks back at her crimes and her stuggle for freedom. AFTER 36 years in jail, Myra Hindley must have been looking forward to the possibility of release, but
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Turning the town inside out to aid appeal
ELVIS Presley was spotted in Darlington yesterday as charity fundraisers dressed up for Children in Need. Students from Darlington College of Technology wore their clothes inside out and collected bucketfuls of cash from town centre shoppers. One student
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Pupils hold magical day to help the cause
PUPILS at a Darlington school held a Harry Potter day to raise money yesterday. Children and teachers from Red Hall Primary School dressed in capes and hats for the day and raised more than £100. Children paid 50p to go dressed as Harry Potter, Hermione
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Charity day out
People in the region are being invited to join a day-trip to Glasgow to help raise funds for charity. The Teesdale branch of Cancer Research UK is hoping to raise funds for cancer sufferers in the region through the coach trip, on Tuesday, December 10
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New names announced for agency
NEW members were appointed to the boards of regional development agencies (RDA) yesterday. The new names, including four on the board of One NorthEast, were announced by Minister for Employment and the Regions, Alan Johnson. The extra members include
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Comment: Haunted by an icon of evil
TODAY'S front page picture of Myra Hindley is one of the most notorious in the country's history. One glance at it and her eyes drag you back - you know you are staring into the face of evil. For a younger generation which has grown up on a diet of despicable
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US general to visit base
The head of the US missile defence project is to visit the UK base which is key to its success. Defence chiefs have played down the significance of General Ronald Kadish's trip to the RAF Fylingdales early warning radar station, in North Yorkshire. But
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Cyclists head for market town
SOME of the top cyclists from around the UK will be competing in a race staged in a market town later this month. People of all ages and abilities will be taking part in the Hambleton Road Club's cyclo cross race on Sunday, November 24. Northallerton
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Ex-airways worker guilty over drugs
A former British Airways worker was found guilty of drug dealing yesterday. David Newnham, 56, was caught with heroin, morphine, Ecstasy, amphetamines, cannabis resin, tem-azepam and diazepam when police raided his home. He claimed that it was for his
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Lindisfarne fan Dave gets to work with his idols on latest tour
A MEDIA lecturer from Teesside is publicising the latest tour by North-East legends Lindisfarne. Dave Hill, a media lecturer at Cleveland College of Art, has been involved in the music industry since the 1970s and now runs his own record company. As a
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More magic moments as Harry returns
BOY wizard Harry Potter cast his spell on the region once again yesterday as movie fans flocked to his second big screen adventure. Cinemas across the region faced a stampede as The Chamber of Secrets - the eagerly awaited follow-up to last year's smash
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Joy for model girl Camilla
A NORTH-EAST teenager has been named the winner of Channel 4's Model Behaviour contest. Camilla Priest, 19, from Sunderland, was named in last night's show as the winner of the televised contest, along with South African-born Nathan Roberts. The pair
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Farmers' market to be discussed
ANOTHER of North Yorkshire's market towns could have a farmers' market in the New Year. The town council in Easingwold has been approached by Northern Dales Farmers' Market Ltd - which already organises markets in Thirsk, Northallerton, York, Leyburn
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Kerbside collections help recycling figures
RECYCLING in the Hambleton district has reached an all time high with two market towns battling to be the best. A total of 550 tonnes of paper has been collected in the area over the past six months, helping to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill
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'North-South divide is narrowing' says Bank delegate
North-East business is "innovative and upbeat", according to one of the most powerful economists in the country. Despite widespread manufacturing job losses, the region has become a success story in other areas, said Marian Bell, one of four external
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Stepping up
A FORMER Bishop Auckland schoolboy has qualified for chartership with the Royal Institute of British Architects. Paul Yeomans, a former pupil of King James 1 School and Community College, is the youngest chartered architect employed by the Greenall, Winskell
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Mum and pups in need of a home
A DOG and her four puppies are in need of loving homes after being given up by their Darlington owners. Cathy, a terrier-cross, was taken in by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League when its owners said they no longer felt capable of looking after
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Riding clothing taken by thieves
A RECENTLY opened equestrian store was targeted in an overnight raid by burglars. Clothing was taken from Paxton's Equestrian Centre, in Framwellgate Moor, near Durham, in the raid. Staff arriving for work yesterday discovered the break-in, which took
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Paul gets fit for ride
PAUL Collins is getting in shape before setting off on the challenge of a lifetime. In the Spring, the 45-year-old, from Middlesbrough, is cycling 300 miles from the Great Wall of China to Tiananmen Square, in Beijing, to raise money for mental health
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Grief-stricken widow took her own life
A WIDOW drowned herself after struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband, an inquest heard yesterday. Marilyn Taylor, 61, of Eden Crescent, Gainford, left a note saying she was unable to cope with the loss of her husband, Brian, who had
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News in brief: Surgery lifts help launched
A TRANSPORT scheme has been launched for elderly and disabled patients at surgeries in Pelton, Pelton Fell and Sacriston, and involves volunteers using their cars to take patients to GP appointments. There is no charge, but a 50p donation is requested
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News in brief: A theatrical appointment
A NEW man has taken over the reins of future events at North Yorkshire's World Heritage Site. David E has been appointed as events and fundraising manager at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon. His background is principally theatrical, with
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The best grandparents in Britain?
AFTER 51 years of marriage, Molly and David Squires know a thing or two about life - but a recent development has still surprised them. Much to their surprise, the couple have just taken the regional title of the national Grandparents of the Year competition
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Haul of stolen goods found in house raid
A HAUL of stolen CDs, mobile phones and games consoles worth about £5,000 was recovered during a police raid on a house. Officers from Stockton Police Task Force discovered the stash when they raided the house in the Parkfield area of Stockton on Thursday
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Hornby revival steaming on
The popularity of model trains and racing cars has proved its enduring quality for Hornby, whose recent revival has shown no signs of running out of steam. The model maker's chief executive Frank Martin said the group had enjoyed excellent sales growth
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Melissa's Santa plea leads to invitation
YOUNG Melissa Wilkinson thought Christmas had been cancelled when she found Santa's grotto had been converted into a cafe. Instead of finding Father Christmas at his usual spot in Middlesbrough's HillStreet Centre, the six-year-old was dismayed to find
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Oil platform's Tyne arrival delayed again
A MUCH-DELAYED attempt to bring the biggest vessel ever to sail into the Tyne has been postponed once more. Just hours before Bonga, a 300,000-tonne floating oil platform, was due to enter the river, the operation was called off. Hundreds of people were
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Oil platform's Tyne arrival delayed again
A MUCH-DELAYED attempt to bring the biggest vessel ever to sail into the Tyne has been postponed once more. Just hours before Bonga, a 300,000-tonne floating oil platform, was due to enter the river, the operation was called off. Hundreds of people were
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Perfect Fellow to leave Knight in the Pink
HENRIETTA Knight's lightly-weighted gelding Perfect Fellow (2.50) has a great chance of smashing Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy's domination of Cheltenham's prestigious Thomas Pink Gold Cup. Pipe, responsible for the hot-favourite, Chicuelo, has won the £100,000
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Ganging up to beat the school bullies
CARING teenagers have joined forces to stamp out bullying in their school. Ear To Help is a group of 16 pupils at Bishop Barrington School, Bishop Auckland, who have volunteered to run a support group for victims of bullying. With guidance and training
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Angela is having fun with her new career
TOYS with educational value are in demand from parents looking to give their children a good start. And a new store in Durham aims to help parents make the most of childhood. It is run by Angela Crow, who began by selling toys from the Formative Fun range
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Action pledged over fly-tipping
POLICE have pledged to take action after people living along a road on the outskirts of Darlington complained about fly-tipping and drug abuse. Residents of the handful of houses in Railway Cottages, Neasham Road, say cars are also being burnt out close
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Assistance at hand for homeless
A POST has been created to help people at risk of homelessness. More than 1,000 people told authorities in York they were threatened with homelessness in a 12-month period between 2000 and 2001. During a one-year initiative, the council's homelessness
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Pilot project to promote 'green' farming welcomed
A GOVERNMENT scheme to encourage farmers to be more environmentally aware has been welcomed by the community in Teesdale where the initiative will be piloted. The scheme is designed to help upland farmers grow crops and keep animals in a more environmentally
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Financial praise
EDUCATION chiefs in Hartlepool have received a pat on the back from the Government for their investment in schools. A report has praised Hartlepool Borough Council's investment in education. This year, about £10m has been spent on a wide range or improvements
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Career fund is open to young
YOUNG people are being offered the opportunity to get a career after a leading youth charity secured a cash boost to help them. Musicians and would-be businessmen and women could be given the start they need after the Prince's Trust was awarded £62,500
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Salesman stole from his firm
A STRUGGLING double-glazing salesman who stole cash from his firm has been spared jail. David Rubens, 43, who was supporting two sons at university and a daughter at sixth form college, admitted stealing £2,250 over six months. Rubens, who had £40,000
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Honoured doctor dies
A FORMER GP who treated generations of people in neighbouring east Durham communities has died at the age of 84. Family and friends, many of them former patients, attended the funeral of Dr Bill Brown, at St Cuthbert's Church, Peterlee. On qualifying
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'Devout Christian' guilty of sex crimes
A DEVOUT churchgoer was yesterday found guilty of eight charges of rape and 13 of indecent assault on six young girls. David Courtney, of Mill Lane, Billingham, denied the charges during his trial at Teesside Crown Court. The disabled 61-year-old, and
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Traditional Yuletide pantomime
THE festive season is almost here and the region's theatres are keeping true to Britain's pantomime tradition. In Richmond, the local Operatic Society is preparing to take to the stage with its madcap version of the classic, Babes in the Wood. Writer
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Burglar admits causing road tragedy
A BANNED driver yesterday admitted killing a motorist and seriously injuring his passenger when he crashed a stolen car while fleeing a burglary. Daniel Reay, 23, caused the death of Mofiz Ullah, 68, while dangerously driving a stolen Saab in St Mark's
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News in brief: Surgery lifts help launched
A TRANSPORT scheme has been launched for elderly and disabled patients at surgeries in Pelton, Pelton Fell and Sacriston, and involves volunteers using their cars to take patients to GP appointments. There is no charge, but a 50p donation is requested
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News in brief: Surgery lifts help launched
A TRANSPORT scheme has been launched for elderly and disabled patients at surgeries in Pelton, Pelton Fell and Sacriston, and involves volunteers using their cars to take patients to GP appointments. There is no charge, but a 50p donation is requested
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Early present for groups
A HOST of small community groups are to get an early Christmas present next week. The five women that make up the Tantobie Fundraisers, based in Tantobie, near Stanley, are to present cheques to 18 local organisations, including two churches and two chapels
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Patrols target young arson gangs
A SIX-year-old boy pushes a shopping trolley, stuffed full of paper, towards the bushes. Egged on by the older youths around him, he takes out a lighter, carefully sets the paper alight, and runs off to join the gang. The young arsonist was involved in
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News in brief: Police make raid on house
A MAN and a woman were being questioned by police yesterday after a drugs raid. The pair were arrested on Thursday night after a raid on a house in Redcar's Lakes Estate. Police say cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy worth about £2,000 were recovered.
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Getting tough in anti-social Britain
WE'LL be bombing Iraq by Christmas; your house'll burn down and no one will lift a finger; Osama bin Laden still haunts us with his ghostlike bearded face; the Royal Family is on the verge of abolishing itself; you can't even head a football without dying
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Thieves' haul goes on show
AN Aladdin's Cave of stolen goods will be on show to the public this weekend. There are mountain bikes, gardening tools, electrical goods and toys waiting to be claimed. All the items were recovered by Clevland police during Langbaurgh's successful Operation
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For Your Benefit: Premium must be backdated
Q My Income Support claim was turned down last year but, after I wrote to you, they gave me £21 a week. They had forgotten to include the severe disability premium in my assessment. Should this have been backdated? I have asked the DSS but with no success
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26 arrests in early-morning raids to target drug dealers
POLICE last night hailed the success of a crackdown on criminals which netted thousands of pounds worth of illicit drugs and stolen goods. A total of 26 arrests were made by officers taking part in a series of dawn raids in Chester-le-Street, Durham City
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Union says writing is on wall for ripped-up rag trade
The North-East rags trade is operating on borrowed time and will be obsolete within the next few years, it was declared last night. News that 420 workers had lost their jobs at the Dewhirst clothing factory in Ashington, Northumberland, yesterday added
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Group will try to hold Mass again
A RELIGIOUS row has broken out over attempt by an obscure Christian group to hold a mass in one of England's smallest churches. Philip-James French hit the headlines earlier this year when he was knocked-back at the last minute in his attempt to hold
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Wilkinson eases crisis by capturing loan ranger
SUNDERLAND will snap up highly-rated Derby County goalkeeper Mart Poom on loan this weekend. The Estonian international has been lined up for a two-month loan deal, as Black Cats boss Howard Wilkinson tries to ease his goalkeeping crisis. Third choice
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Gearing up for ball
THE use of a top-of-the-range sports car for the weekend will be one of the items up for auction at a Christmas charity ball this month. The Children's Hope Foundation, which looks after youngsters with special needs, is holding its annual Little Angels
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Architects win design battle for northern Army museum
A firm of architects has been selected to design a £19m Army museum at Catterick. The design for the 52-hectare site, south-east of Marne Barracks and beside the A1, beat competition from four groups of architects who were invited to submit tenders. The
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Collision leads to calls for action
CALLS are being made for safety measures to be implemented at the scene of a fatal car crash. A man died on Wednesday night when his van collided head-on with a car and burst into flames on a bend on the A67 near Teesside Airport. Farmers whose homes
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Football is losing a true giant in mighty Quinn
DESPITE almost 19 successful years in football with Arsenal, Manchester City, Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland, it is the image of Niall Quinn as the genial giant who gave away £1m to charity that seems the one destined to endure. In truth, at 6ft
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West's future may lie south of Hartlepool
COLIN WEST'S short spell in charge at Hartlepool United could come to an end after today's game at Southend United. Caretaker boss West was understood to have agreed to take over at Pool permanently and he had already lined up close friend John Cornforth
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Tribute paid to victims of the cruel sea
THE lifeboat George Elmy was agonisingly close to dry land when it disappeared before the eyes of the anxious crowds gathered on the harbourside. According to Seaham coastguard Paul Thompson, it had set sail in what many local people still describe as
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Quakers seek a change in fortunes for Cup clash
The league may be Darlington's number one priority but come 3pm this afternoon caretaker boss Mick Tait will be putting all thoughts of the Third Division to one side as they hit the FA Cup trail at Wrexham. "The FA Cup is something special," said Tait
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UniBond League: Bishops missing seven regulars
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour is struggling to raise a full squad for Bishops' tie at Birtley in the Durham Challenge Cup. Honour could be missing as many as seven regulars for the trip to the Wearside League club. He is definitely without four
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Van driver blamed for fatal accident
A VAN driver was found guilty last week of causing the deaths of a father and son by dangerous driving. Martin Robinson, 45, and his 23-year-old son David, 23, both from Gainford, died when their Ford Capri was involved in a head on collision on a country
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Region rocks for Pudsey appeal
THE Sugababes, arguably British popular music's hottest girl band, turned up the volume - and the temperature on a chilly night in the North-East - as the Children in Need party got off to a rocking start. Last night's free concert at Middlesbrough's
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£150,000 facelift starts for town
WORK on a £150,000 phase of a three-year scheme to brighten up the heart of Wolsingham will start on Monday. Improvements to Wolsingham Market Place were agreed by Durham County and Wear Valley District Councils in attempt to boost the flagging economy
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Metal wins the day
AFTER months of debate councillors have decided to tear down eighteenth-century decorative wooden fencing in Guisborough. But Redcar and Cleveland Council stressed the fencing, at the Grade II-listed Sunnyfield House, must be replaced with identical metal
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At Your Service: Remembering Norman
As the Last Post sounded, the old soldier died with his boots on at a Rememberance Day service last Sunday. NORMAN Foster had grown old, as those who are left grow old. On Sunday, as on every Remembrance Day since his demobilisation, he stood with his
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Town to get super surgery
A £1M super-surgery for Darlington people is to be created at the former Farmway building. The King Street site will become the headquarters of the town's primary care trust, as well as providing a range of community and medical services under one roof
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Travel firm pledges more help for blind
GUIDE dog owners have been offered extra help to travel with Arriva Trains Northern. The train company, which operates services across the region, has signed up to the Guide Dog Travel Charter, which was recently launched by the Guide Dogs for the Blind
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Addict jailed for 18 months for £7 theft
A DRUG addict took a collection box containing just £7 in a break-in at the home of an elderly churchgoer. Gary Smith, 22, carried out the daytime burglary at the house where the 72-year-old woman lives alone in Sacriston, near Durham. She returned home
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Man hurt in 20ft fall from window
POLICE are investigating to determine whether a man jumped, or was pushed, from a third floor window in a block of flats. The unemployed 22-year-old, who has not been named, was found lying on a path at Stanley, County Durham, by a passer-by. Both legs
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Countdown to eight-day walkout
BRITAIN'S firefighters returned to work last night after a 48-hour pay strike - but time appeared to be running out to avoid an eight-day walkout. Seven people died in house fires while the 50,000 firemen and women were on picket lines and the military
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Dales fare for viewers
TELEVISION presenter Luke Casey takes his audience through the Yorkshire Dales tomorrow, to meet three very different people. Casey, host of The Dales Diary for Tyne Tees Television, meets wheelchair -bound Baroness Masham of Ilton, on his programme at
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Ten years jail for sex abuser
A 63-year-old man was jailed for ten years yesterday after admitting serious sex offences. Stanley Hall, of Durham Road, Redcar, pleaded guilty to five charges, when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court. Deborah Sherwin, prosecuting, said Hall at first
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Hear All Sides: Fire Strike
I AM a trained nurse. I trained for over three years - not six months. Nurses, in general, work well over the average per week, and there's no resting between call outs. I went into nursing with my eyes open, knowing I was going into a profession that
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Toll scheme cuts traffic but bus service struggles
COUNCIL chiefs have defended their funding of buses on a toll road. Durham County Council introduced the country's first congestion charge in October on Durham City's peninsula, which includes the castle, cathedral and university colleges. Unless they
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Man faces court over death of pensioner
AN Iraqi asylum seeker was released on bail yesterday after appearing in court accused in connection with the death of a 79-year-old cyclist. Kawa Ali Said Abdullah, 20, gave himself up to Cleveland Police officers in Stockton, on Thursday. He is accused
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Maternity unit faces uncertain future
THERE was high emotion as the gates of a North-East maternity hospital closed for the final time last night. The last two new mothers at Guisborough Maternity Unit left in the early afternoon, leaving a small team of midwives to prepare for the closure
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Pupils given safety lessons
MORE than 1,200 year six pupils from 35 schools in the Sedgefield borough attended a week-long Children's Safety Carousel arranged by the council's community safety department. The event, at Aycliffe Young People's Centre, gave valuable safety messages
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Work starts on hospice unit
WORK has started on a full-time care unit at St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington. The cellar beneath the building on Woodlands Road has been converted into office and storage space to free up the six rooms above, which will be used as bedrooms. The conversion
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Academics return to their roots
TWO academics who went on to earn fame and fortune in the wider world returned to their North-East roots to be honoured by their former university. Ex-Durham student Dr Peter Ogden and former astronomy professor Richard Ellis received honorary degrees
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Man used deception to pay for hotel stay
A YOUNG man entertained his friends with an indulgent night out at a luxury hotel using false credit card details, Teesside Crown Court was told yesterday. Liam Hickson, 19, of Major Street in Darlington, was challenged about the offence while sharing
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Shopping help is on the way
A shopmobility scheme has been planned for Redcar, in east Cleveland, after a survey revealed more than 200 people would use a wheelchair and scooter loan service. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's executive committee will consider the scheme, which
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Bond pilot puts charity first
STUNT pilot Pete Barnes is to miss the star-studded premiere of the latest James Bond movie - because he is working for the Great North Air Ambulance charity. Londoner Mr Barnes played the part of a Cuban air ambulance pilot called Lopez in the blockbuster
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News in brief: Surgery lifts help launched
A TRANSPORT scheme has been launched for elderly and disabled patients at surgeries in Pelton, Pelton Fell and Sacriston, and involves volunteers using their cars to take patients to GP appointments. There is no charge, but a 50p donation is requested
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Lottery boost for community
FOUR projects have been awarded a share of almost £500,000 by the National Lottery. The grants have been made to community and voluntary groups in Harrogate, York and Hambleton. Adult Placement Services, of Harrogate, is one of the groups. The Community
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Town's unwelcome tag as disease world leader
A North-East town has the world's highest concentration of a little-known but fairly common disease. Dystonia is a neurological condition - caused by a chemical imbalance - that causes involuntary body movements, including sometimes painful muscle spasms
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Child protection figures revealed
A TOTAL of 97 children are on the child protection register in east Cleveland, latest figures reveal. Of these, 31 are in Grangetown; eight in Eston; eight in South Bank; seven in Skelton; six in Kirkleatham; six in Saltburn; and five in Lockwood and
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Police chief orders officers to get tough on criminals
A POLICE chief is getting tough on criminals, saying he is "sick of namby-pambying about with them". Chief Superintendent John Kelly, of Cleveland Police, made the remarks at a meeting in which he heard a catalogue of crime which blights Eston. More than
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500 firms could take up biodiversity challenge
BUSINESSES in the region are being challenged to back efforts to protect wildlife. The North East Biodiversity Forum, supported by English Nature, has organised North-East Business Biodiversity Week, starting on Monday, the first regional event of its
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£39,000 fine for 'shoddy' work that led to disaster
A COMPANY whose "shoddy" system of work turned an industrial town into a "war zone" was fined £39,000 yesterday. Three hundred homes were evacuated and 19,000 put at risk after a junior worker used a wrong piece of machinery and caused a devastating chemical
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Euro funding on offer for groups
COMMUNITY groups in Derwentside are being urged to apply for European funding. The Single Regeneration Budget is offering grants to community groups, residents' associations and charities in Annfield Plain, Catchgate, South Moor, Blackhill and Dipton.
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Children send shoebox gifts around world
PUPILS have packed more than 200 shoeboxes to ensure disadvantaged children around the world receive a Christmas present this year. Newker Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, has filled 212 boxes for the Operation Christmas Child campaign, run by Samaritans
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Grassroots: Washington
FAMILY NIGHT: A family night is held at 7.30pm on Friday, in North Biddick Club, by Our Lady, Queen of Peace RC Parish of Penshaw. MUSIC NIGHT: Moondance play in the Coach and Horses at Usworth tonight. EASTERN ARTS: Biddick Arts Centre is holding six-week
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Special extra for car buyer
LUCKY John Phillips got an added extra when he took delivery of his new car - a £1,000 prize. Mr Phillips, 63, from Darlington, gained the windfall in a promotion organised by Jennings Ford Direct, in Middlesbrough, on the day he collected his Ford Fiesta
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Fish and chip shop wins accolade
A DARLINGTON fish and chip shop has won an award for excellent standards. Brinkburn Fisheries, in Brinkburn Road, was presented with a Friers Quality Award by the Sea Fish Industry Authority. The award is presented to friers who meet standards of quality
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It may be a Grey day at Haydock
GREY ABBEY has the class to grab tomorrow's feature race at Haydock, the £50,000 three-mile Edward Hanmer Chase. There are few finer sights in jump racing than witnessing a pack of seasoned chasers winging over Haydock's notoriously stiff steeplechase
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MP speaks out as protestor is banned
FORMER Tory leader William Hague has backed the right of health campaigner Graham Maloney to attend the Richard Neale inquiry. The businessman, who advises the group set up to represent victims of the surgeon, will not be allowed in when the hearing begins
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Stars take to stage in tragic play
ONE of American playwright Arthur Miller's most powerful works is being staged at Darlington Civic Theatre. View From The Bridge, which features TV hospital soap Casualty star Sorcha Cusack and London's Burning actor James Hazeldine, has been running
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Elderly asked views on care
OLD people across County Durham are being asked their views on the services provided for them. The Labour-run council has embarked on a controversial programme which entails the closure of several residential homes and the building of new establishments
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Elderly people asked for views on services
ELDERLY people in County Durham are being asked their views on the services provided for them. Labour-run Durham County Council has embarked on a controversial modernisation programme that entails closing several residential homes and building new-style
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Tourists may get a taste for Hartlepool
THE only thing Hartlepool and the sleepy Cornish fishing village of Padstow have in common is fish. But, if an ambitious plan by the local council gets under way, they may have something else in common - a resident celebrity chef. Hartlepool Borough Council
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Don't lose out on cash
VOLUNTARY and community groups in Hartlepool are being urged not to miss out on grants. Funding is available from Hartlepool Borough Council's Play Opportunities Scheme until April and groups are advised to get their applications in as soon as possible
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Walk-out leads to council row
A ROW has followed a two-man walk-out at a council meeting after councillors claimed the authority was undemocratic. Independent leader Steve Kay and Liberal Democrat Glyn Nightingale walked out of a Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council scrutiny committee
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Army hits back over claims it responded too slowly
FIREFIGHTERS could have responded to a blaze which engulfed a barn, in half the time it took military personnel, it was claimed yesterday. Ian Moore, pay co-ordinator for Durham and Darlington Fire Brigades Union, said cover provided by the Army during
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News in brief: Congregation celebrates
The 130-year-old Windmill Methodist Chapel, near Bishop Auckland, is celebrating its anniversary tomorrow with a service at 6pm. The preacher will be Gerald Bell. A performance by the Tanfield Lea Choir will take place at 8pm. COMMUNITY TALK: People from
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Lights switch-on draws hundreds
HUNDREDS braved the rain to gather in Middlesbrough town centre to watch the Christmas lights switch-on. Buildings shone in a rainbow of lights after four local youngsters threw the switch to cheers from the audience. Barbara Wren, Middlesbrough town
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Warning issued on postal scam
PEOPLE in Teesside are being warned to be vigilant after reports of a mail scam operating in the area. It is a variation on an old scam in which people are sent a letter, fax or e-mail purporting to be from someone in Nigeria. In this version, the Nigerian
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The Albany Northern League: New man expected at the Lawyers
Tow Law manager Graeme Forster is hoping to sign defender Richie Watson today as his injury hit side prepares for the trip to battling Peterlee. Forster moved for the Spennymoor player after Lawyers were beaten in midweek at Murton in the Durham Challenge
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Thieves steal fountain from Valley Gardens
THIEVES have stolen a two hundredweight lead fountain from the middle of Saltburn's Valley Gardens. The culprits unbolted an protective ornate cage to get at the tiered one-and-a-half metre water feature. The £1,600 fountain was only installed last December
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News in brief: Police make raid on house
A MAN and a woman were being questioned by police yesterday after a drugs raid. The pair were arrested on Thursday night after a raid on a house in Redcar's Lakes Estate. Police say cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy worth about £2,000 were recovered.
