Archive
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Former guardsman was beaten to death
A former Welsh Guardsman was brutally beaten to death as he sheltered from the winter cold while choosing to sleep rough. Richard Jones, 47, was found lying in a pool of blood by a kind-hearted passer-by who had stopped to offer him money for a bed in
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Memories in the gift of a Princess
Q CAN you give me any information on Princess Mary, the only daughter of King George V? - LD Wilson, Guisborough. A THE Princess Mary you mention is not to be confused with the Princess Mary, later known as Queen Mary who was the current Queen's grandmother
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Dispute over growth of estate
WATER bosses are objecting to a local authority scheme which would involve a £1.7m extension to an industrial estate. The last plot on the Leeming Bar industrial estate was sold in the summer, and Hambleton District Council is now seeking to enlarge the
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Kennard can atone
Bobby Kennard, an unlucky loser at Wolverhampton a week ago, can make amends at the same course in the Bet Direct On ITV Page 367 Handicap over two miles this afternoon. Jamie Osborne has his yard in good form and the progressive three-year-old did particularly
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Falcons suffer from international calls
NEWCASTLE Falcons plunged deeper into relegation trouble when they completed a hat-trick of defeats against fellow strugglers yesterday. They were dreadful in the first half hour, but from 24-6 down they showed plenty of spirit and when they got the gap
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Memories in the gift of a Princess
Q CAN you give me any information on Princess Mary, the only daughter of King George V? - LD Wilson, Guisborough. A THE Princess Mary you mention is not to be confused with the Princess Mary, later known as Queen Mary who was the current Queen's grandmother
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Robson won't be moved over precious Bellamy
IT'S a measure of Newcastle's re-emergence as a major force both at home and abroad that Sir Bobby Robson finds himself in a predicament all too familiar to the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. International weeks have long been the bane
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Radio station may be back on air after 30-year silence
COUNCILLORS look likely to back plans to give County Durham its own local radio station. The Radio Authority intends to advertise next year for applicants to run an independent local radio service in the county. There are local stations for Sunderland
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Coroner charged with theft on trial
A North Yorkshire coroner went on trial at Teesside Crown Court yesterday acccused of stealing more than £185,000 from the estates of deceased people. Jeremy David Cave, 53 of The Grange, Balk near Thirsk has denied ten counts of theft between April 1990
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Community centre reopens
A FLAGSHIP community centre that has been used as a model for schemes across the country has reopened after an ambitious refurbishment scheme. Park View Community Association, on the site of Park View school in Chester-le-Street, has reopened its sports
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Stevenage next in line for Tait's Cup heroes
'Oh well, we can concentrate on the league now' are words often muttered in the wake of cup exits. While managers up and down the country will be using the old clich as their trump card this morning, caretaker boss Mick Tait can contemplate a second round
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Mums join baby unit fight
A SMALL army of mums invaded a council meeting on Tuesday to fight the closure of their maternity hospital. The women witnessed a special committee being established to scrutinise the closure of Guisborough Maternity Unit. The mothers and mothers-to-be
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Five jailed for smuggling
THREE Chester-le-Street men were among five gang members jailed for a total of 15 years for importing more than six million cigarettes into the UK black market. The nine-month conspiracy involved hiding the cigarettes in containers supposed to be carrying
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Firefighters' pay talks constructive
New discussions between union officials and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in the firefighters' pay dispute have been described by both sides as "constructive". Fire Brigades Union (FBU) leader Andy Gilchrist met Mr Prescott today at the start of
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Shearer still waiting for goal 100
GARY SPEED is backing Alan Shearer to join Newcastle's 100 Club sooner rather than later. The skipper was frustrated in his attempts to reach a century of League goals for the Magpies in Saturday's 2-1 home win over former club Southampton. Shearer's
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Acting trio honoured by council
THREE young actors who have achieved stardom despite still being at school have received achievement awards from the county council. Chester-le-Street Theatre group junior section boasts more than its fair share of stars in its ranks. Alexander and Dominic
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An ocean of sorrow
AT 9.45am yesterday, there was an eerie calm in Seaham Harbour, east Durham, as four lifeboats bobbed about in silence, their crews watching a wreath float towards the beach where the George Elmy lifeboat was washed up, carrying just one survivor. The
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Last Night's TV: The Spartans (C4): The Art Show (C4): Britain's Best Buildings (BBC2)
Why Spartan children were afraid of cheese THE ancient Greek city of Sparta was, according to historian Bettany Hughes, "a strange place". She bases this observation on such facts as money being outlawed, equality enforced, weak children exterminated,
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Rugby player 'dies' twice
A RUGBY player had to be brought back to life after he "died" twice following a freak accident. Relatives and friends are now awaiting the results of a hospital scan to see if Mark Fletcher will make a full recovery. The accident happened when a scrum
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MP samples life as a handyman on estate visit
DARLINGTON MP Alan Milburn experienced life as a handyman when he visited the Firthmoor estate in the town. Mr Milburn was guest of Face, an independent company that promotes the regeneration of the estate and is based in a terraced house next to the
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Hospital radio given a double cash bonus
A THRIVING hospital radio station is looking to the future after receiving two donations. Darlington's Hospital Radio, Radio Skerne, was presented with two £500 cheques from the Mayor's Charitable Fund and Darlington Lions Club. The cash will go towards
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Designers' fashionable work on show
STYLISH outfits from some of the world's most famous fashion designers are gracing the catwalk of a fashion show this week. All the clothes modelled by Bishop Auckland College students in the Belvedere Club, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Thursday
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Recycling banks moved
THE recycling banks in one of North Yorkshire's market towns have been on the move. Banks in Bedale have been moved to the Auction Mart car-park. Ten banks had been in the Bridge Street car-park. The move is expected to make it easier for both users and
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Move to set up county's own radio station
COUNCILLORS look likely to support plans to give County Durham its own local radio station. The Radio Authority intends to advertise next year for applicants to run an independent local radio service in the county. There are local stations for Sunderland
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Security camera centre goes live
A £120,000 control centre for a network of closed-circuit TV cameras in the Hambleton district is now operational. The monitoring of the district's 41 cameras is being carried out from a purpose-built centre at the authority's Stone Cross headquarters
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Comment: Time to talk, not walk
VITAL talks begin today to resolve the firefighters' strike. Quite simply, those talks must be successful. There are positive noises. John Prescott is suggesting that there is room for manoeuvre over the modernisation plans; Andy Gilchrist of the Fire
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News in brief: Tree to be lit by royal guest
THE Queen of Norway is to light Newcastle's Norwegian Christmas tree in a ceremony at 5.30pm on Saturday, December 7. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bergen will also be present at the ceremony, which takes place outside Newcastle Civic Centre. A
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Dream kitchen a nightmare
A COUPLE say they have faced a catalogue of disasters in pursuit of their dream kitchen. Alan and Sue Leaver paid almost £7,000 for a fitted kitchen from Manchester-company Kitchens Direct, which they say has been a disastrous project. Mr Leaver, of Whitworth
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North's half-million for youngsters
NEARLY half a million pounds was raised for Children in Need through the madcap efforts of people across the region. An array of fundraising activities helped the North-East to give £497,450 to the £13.5m raised nationwide. All the money raised will go
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Footballer airlifted after freak injury
AN accidental injury to a player brought a flying finish to a Sunday morning football match yesterday The Great North Air Ambulance helicopter from Teesside Airport was called to Jubilee Park, in Spennymoor, County Durham, to collect Salvin Arms central
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Now threatened otter's surviving as a 'townie'
THE otter has continued its recovery from the brink of extinction by moving into urban areas for the first time in three decades, according to a report published today. Researchers for The Wildlife Trust discovered the animals using waterways in more
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Shop workers tread a place in history
HOLLYWOOD has its Walk of Fame, imprinted with the hand and foot prints of 2,000 movie stars, film makers and artists. The tribute to the stars runs 18 blocks along the Hollywood Boulevard. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Hartlepool a large cast
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Bus passengers to get updates
WAITING for a bus will soon be less frustrating in North Yorkshire. Harrogate and District Travel, which serves five million customers a year, will shortly complete a scheme to bring instant information about its buses directly to the bus stops. Illuminated
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Students set pace on ice
THE festive season will be a holiday on ice for people in a North-East city this year. A temporary ice rink has been set up outside the Gala Theatre in Durham City. It was opened by Norman Pace, half of the television comedy duo Hale and Pace, who is
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Clean-up leaves town streets safer
ORGANISERS hope a major clean-up may have left a town's streets safer. Fifty abandoned cars - potential targets for arsonists - have been towed away and more than ten tonnes of dumped furniture and mattresses removed from the streets and alleys of Stockton
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Macho man keeps out Reds
JURGEN MACHO has no intentions of giving up his Sunderland shirt without a fight. The Austrian produced a superb display of goalkeeping to deny second-placed Liverpool the victory they needed to reclaim top spot from Arsenal yesterday. Sunderland's two-month
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Learners to repair damaged homes
BUILDING apprentices are to gain work experience by renovating two vandalised council houses. Youngsters in Newcastle City Council's Cityworks department will work on two houses in Wilton Avenue, on the St Anthony's Estate, Walker, as part of a regeneration
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Pensioners' power show
PENISIONER power will be out in force later this month with a rally calling for better rights for the elderly. Cleveland Pensioners Convention Forum will be calling for a basic state pension of £100 and to restore the link with earnings, at the Grand
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Parents angry as play scheme for disabled is scrapped
PARENTS of disabled youngsters have hit out at their local authority after a play scheme was scrapped. The Dash scheme, run by Darlington Action on Disability during the school holidays, was closed after it no longer received funding from the Children
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Pupils respond to shoebox appeal
PUPILS have packed more than 200 shoe boxes with goodies to ensure disadvantaged children around the world receive a Christmas present this year. Newker Primary School in Chester-le-Street has filled 212 shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child campaign
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Police hunt flat arsonists
POLICE are appealing for help in tracing arsonists who tried to set a flat on fire. The attack at a block of flats in the centre of Newcastle occurred during the firefighters' 48-hour strike. Flame accelerant was poured through the letterbox at one of
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Charity makes two donations
A CHARITY has given out £45,000 to help improve patient care in the York area. The charitable trust of the Leeds Hospital Fund has given £25,000 to the York Health Services NHS Trust, which runs York District Hospital. The money will go towards providing
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Anti-crime group seeks volunteers
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help an organisation which tackles crime in rural areas. Valewatch, farming's answer to neighbourhood watch schemes, needs people to walk regular rural beats in the Easingwold and Thirsk areas. Since its formation, the group
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Funds needed to keep band in tune
NORTH-EAST musicians are embarking on a huge fund-raising campaign to keep their band going strong in the 21st Century. The Cockerton Band - Darlington's only brass band - is in urgent need of new instruments and uniforms. The group, which has been going
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News in brief: Tree to be lit by royal guest
THE Queen of Norway is to light Newcastle's Norwegian Christmas tree in a ceremony at 5.30pm on Saturday, December 7. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bergen will also be present at the ceremony, which takes place outside Newcastle Civic Centre. A
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Good causes benefit from brewery event
LICENSEES and their customers raised almost £11,400 for good causes during a charity cycle ride. About 150 people took part in the North Riding Dales Licensed Victuallers Association Charity Bike Ride, sponsored by Masham's Black Sheep Brewery. The riders
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Mast bid refused
PLANS for a 60ft telecommunications mast alongside the old A1 at Boroughbridge have been turned down because of its impact on the Vale of York. T-Mobile (UK) wanted to erect the structure at the former Byways filling station, along with six antennae,
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Learning visit
CHILDREN at a school near Darlington will be allowed to talk in class thanks to an education programme. Youngsters at Croft Church of England Primary School will take part in the BT education programme, which is designed to help children develop their
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Details of open land to be revealed
NEW areas where people can walk and take part in outdoor activities are being announced next month as part of a controversial Government move to open up the countryside. The Countryside Agency is publishing its draft map of registered common land and
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Angela prepares for big adventure
NURSING home carer Angela Jackson is jetting off to the other side of the world to work with young girls in a children's home. A dedicated Christian, she will be travelling to the Philippines in January to spend ten months helping impoverished youngsters
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Tunnellers monitor impact on wildlife
SOPHISTICATED equipment has been installed to monitor the impact of the proposed new Tyne Tunnel on salmon. The river, once heavily polluted, is now considered one of the country's cleanest, but there are fears that work on the £139m crossing, near Jarrow
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Campaign to target crime
COUNCILLORS are cracking down on crime by teaming up with police for a series of evening surgeries. There have been a number of complaints about crime and anti-social behaviour in Middridge. Now the ward's two representatives on Sedgefield Borough, Vince
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News in brief: Artist wanted for school
A COMPREHENSIVE school is seeking a ceramic artist in residence to work with its pupils. Branksome School in Darlington wants the artist to hold occasional workshops in exchange for use of its studio. Anyone interested in taking up the post, or wanting
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Artist in residence makes an exhibition out of the everyday
AN EXHIBITION of the everyday is being staged in Sunderland. Everything Must Go is the work of Durham Cathedral artist in residence Tony Sinden and is on display at Sunderland's Vardy Gallery. The exhibition looks at how Mr Sinden started his work for
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Anger over food directive
Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has received a petition from health food consumers urging him to fight a European directive. The petition, which was collected by the Saltburn Health Foods shop, follows concern that the EU directive
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MP wants ban on happy hour
North Durham MP Kevan Jones has called for a ban on happy hours in pubs and clubs. He told the Commons that it led to "binge drinking". He made the call as MPs debated proposals to relax the licensing laws to allow licenced premises to be open 24 hours
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Art show is up and running
ONE cultural icon becomes another in a stunning new exhibition at Middlesbrough Art Gallery. Canadian Brian Jungen has fashioned a Native American-style mask from Nike trainers - a sculpture that forms the centrepiece of a display by three Canadian artists
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Lifeline service for elderly is proving a huge success
A CRUCIAL support service for elderly people in the Darlington borough is going from strength to strength - and more residents are being urged to take advantage. A record number of people who live alone are now members of the borough council's Lifeline
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Sin-bin mysteries tarnish Darlington's win
THE quality of refereeing at North One level was again the main talking point as Darlington mysteriously had three players sin-binned during a game of little passion. The only time a scuffle threatened to break out Marcus Anderson of the Manchester Society
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Community rallying call to help repair miners' chapel
A SMALL band of loyal worshippers are working against the clock to fund roof repairs to their 132-year-old chapel. The 20 members of the congregation at Tudhoe Methodist Church, near Spennymoor, need to raise £26,000 to pay for new tiles and joists. Structural
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Raiders target garden centre
FOUR men are being sought by police following a violent raid on a garden centre. The thieves were disturbed by the owners of Ravens-worth Garden Nurseries, near Richmond, at about 4am on Saturday. While trying to escape they attacked 66-year-old Bill
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Girls, guns, gadgets - and a madman
As the latest Bond movie, Die Another Day, opens in cinemas this week, Steve Pratt looks at how, after 40 years, Ian Fleming's creation is still leaving audiences shaken and stirred. "MY name is Bond, James Bond". With those words of introduction, one
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Wilkinson's words of praise for his inspired keeper
SUNDERLAND boss Howard Wilkinson last night hailed goalkeeper Jurgen Macho's attitude after his tremendous turnaround in fortunes at the club. Macho turned in a super show at Liverpool yesterday to help his side claim an unexpected 0-0 draw. And a delighted
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England call for Ehiogu
MIDDLESBROUGH'S Ugo Ehiogu last night admitted he will be putting club before country despite receiving an 11th hour England call-up. The 30-year-old centre-back will meet up with the rest of the 26-man squad today following Manchester United defender
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McClaren's spree paying dividends
EYEBROWS were raised in the summer when Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren allowed veteran midfielders Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe to leave. But after another impressive display from the pair's replacements - George Boateng and Geremi - at Chelsea even
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News in brief: Artist wanted for school
A COMPREHENSIVE school is seeking a ceramic artist in residence to work with its pupils. Branksome School in Darlington wants the artist to hold occasional workshops in exchange for use of its studio. Anyone interested in taking up the post, or wanting
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100th wedding is trans-Atlantic dash
LUMLEY Castle's 100th reception this year turned out to be a trans-Atlantic wedding dash. Adam and Wana Cook, who live in Florida, America, decided they wanted to hold their wedding reception at Lumley Castle near Chester-le-Street, not far from where
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Mowden still out of luck
THE tide refuses to turn for luckless Darlington Mowden Park, as they dominated up front but suffered yet another narrow defeat when they lost 20-16 at Waterloo. A home game against Preston Grasshoppers this week gives them the chance to halt a run of
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The Albany League: Consett start climb away from drop-zone
Consett manager Colin Carr has his sights set on survival after his side pulled off a 3-1 win over West Auckland on Saturday. Consett lifted themselves out of the bottom three with this win - their first in four matches. "We tend to improve at this time
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Murderer gets life sentence
A MAN who murdered his lover 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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Openshaw eases home
CHESTER-LE-STREET based Michael Openshaw, fast establishing himself as the North-East's leading road racer, notched a fourth consecutive success in the Brampton-Carlisle ten miler. The 31-year-old Great Britain international, who left Wearside to join
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Crime halved after police crackdown
A CRACKDOWN on youth disorder at a string of teen hotspots is paying dividends, but there is still work to do, say police. Officers in Derwentside two weeks ago launched an operation to tackle petty criminals and unruly teenagers who were blighting the
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Ryhope survive scare to take all three points
Because of waterlogged pitches, just two games went ahead. Ryhope CW improved their position near the bottom, defeating Barnard Castle Glaxo 4-2. It looked all over when Stephen Rochester (2) and Richard Nell put the Wearsiders three up by the 32nd minute
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Families get more choice on address
A RADICAL overhaul in the way tenants apply for council houses will give residents in Stockton more choice in where they live. People on Stockton Borough Council's housing list will soon be able to bid for houses that become vacant under its choice-based
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Family one step closer to finding out about son's death
The family of a young North-East airman who died after lethal nerve gas was tested on him nearly 50 years ago came a step closer to discovering the full truth behind his death today, after a ruling in London's High Court. Ronald Maddison, 20, of Consett
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Bishops hit new low in Cup
Bishop Auckland's season hit a new low when they were knocked out of the Durham Challenge Cup by Wearside League club Birtley on Saturday. And Bishops boss Brian Honour refused to blame the club's injury crisis for their shock 1-0 defeat. "I won't use
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Top academic asks 'Are we alone?'
A top star gazing academic's lecture promises to be out of this world. Professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale says he wants to engage his audience in the debate 'Are we alone? The search for intelligent life.' The 14th Astronomer Royal and present Emeritus Professor
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Attack on blind pensioner 'cowardly' - police
Police have condemned an attack on a blind pensioner as she was leaving church. The 85-year-old woman was on her way home from St Cuthbert's Church, in Durham City, when the attack happened, at around 12.20pm on Sunday. She was walking into the city from
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Brides' tears as dress firm's assets frozen
HUNDREDS of brides-to-be may become the unwitting victims of a North-East fraud inquiry, The Northern Echo can reveal. One of the region's biggest bridal wear companies has been thrown into chaos after its assets were frozen as part of a fraud inquiry
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Drama debut
A youth drama group will take the stage for the first time this week. The Castle Players' Turrets, the youth branch of Barnard Castle's Castle Players theatre group, will appear at Mickleton Village Hall, in Teesdale in the Roses of Eyam. Tickets are
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News in brief: Hero to give RNLI lecture
HONOURED life-saver Peter Thomson will be giving a lecture to the Whitby Civic Society, at Church House, Flowergate, Whitby, tonight. Mr Thomson is the second-longest serving coxswain in the history of the Whitby lifeboat and is the holder of the Royal
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Campaign is relaunched
A CAMPAIGN to have speed humps installed in a residential street has been re-launched in Richmond. Two years ago, people living in St Nicholas Drive were told by North Yorkshire County Council that funding was not available for traffic calming measures
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Brothers donate pocket money to fire crews
FIREFIGHTERS in the region claimed yesterday that they had huge public support in their pay dispute with the Government. Ahead of a potential eight-day strike, due to start on Friday, firefighters in Darlington showed the messages of support that they
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Children's artistry helps to light up town for Christmas
DARLINGTON was flooded with colour yesterday as the run-up to Christmas began in style. The town's festive lights were switched on by Darlington Civic Theatre pantomime star Linda Lusardi and Pop Idol's Aaron Bailey. Thousands gathered to see the event
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Bankrupt boss forced to sell site
A BANKRUPT businessman is being forced to sell the cleared site of what was once his upmarket hotel. The Rolling Stones once stayed at the Queen's Hotel, Stockton, which 66-year-old Ted Winter bought in 1980. Less than a year later, the building was burnt
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Bird hide tribute to conservationist
A bird hide has been opened at a reserve in memory of a keen ornithologist and conservationist. Paddy Fleming, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, who died aged 59 in January, formed the Ragged Robin Wildlife Group, which visited reserves and carried out conservation
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Unibond League: Moors stretch winning run
Three second half goals stretched Spennymoor's winning run to five matches at Leek on Saturday, writes Ray Simpson. Moors have stormed up the table in recent weeks, and they are now in ninth place, with at least five games in hand on the clubs above them
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Prescott blocks plans for housing development
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has rejected plans for almost 170 homes on the outskirts of a run-down town centre. Derwentside District Council approved proposals by Bowey Homes and Dunelm (Castle) Homes to develop Station Fields, at Kip Hill, near
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Andrew mixes with the best of them
CHEF Andrew Wood has proved he is one of the best in the business when it comes to preparing meals for busy workers. He works at York University for national catering and support services provider Sodexho as an executive head chef. He has already won
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Region could gain millions from South
MILLIONS of pounds could be ploughed into social services and education in the region - at the expense of homeowners in the South. People living in the South-East of England were warned at the weekend that they may have to pay up to 50 per cent more council
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Councils in joint bid to meet targets
THREE County Durham councils are to use the latest technology monitor waste recycling from 80,000 homes. Wear Valley, Teesdale and Derwentside District Councils are joining forces to offer residents a green box scheme for waste collection. Each box will
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Pupils succumb to charms of Harry Potter
MOVIE fans were once again enchanted by the magic of Harry Potter over the weekend after the opening of the latest blockbuster film. The Chamber of Secrets - the follow-up to last year's smash hit The Philosopher's Stone - opened on Friday night to huge
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Porton Down inquest battle
A CORONER will today ask the High Court to allow him to reopen an inquest into the death of an ex-serviceman from a deadly chemical. Ronald Maddison, of Consett, County Durham, died aged 20 nearly 50 years ago, after he was exposed to the lethal nerve
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Hard workers recognised
HARD-WORKING garage staff could be in line for a national award. Cashiers at Atkinson's Garages, which has filling stations in the Stanley and Chester-le-Street areas, have been nominated by petrol company Jet for the title of Cashiers of the Month run
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Athletes are competing for schools glory
PUPILS from across the region will be taking to the field for a major athletics championship tomorrow. The Army's North of England annual Inter-Schools Cross Country Championship takes place at Beverley Racecourse, in Yorkshire. It will see 450 children
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Fitness centres to create 150 jobs
AN international fitness chain has announced it could bring up to 150 jobs to the North-East. Curves for Women, which started in the US and has built up more than 2,500 fitness clubs in less than seven years, is creating at least 30 clubs in the region
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News in brief: Tree to be lit by royal guest
THE Queen of Norway is to light Newcastle's Norwegian Christmas tree in a ceremony at 5.30pm on Saturday, December 7. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bergen will also be present at the ceremony, which takes place outside Newcastle Civic Centre. A
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The stadium of luxury is nearly ready
ONLY two years after it all began, Darlington Football Club's dream stadium is nearing completion. Tangible signs of the last lap in the building project came last week with the installation of the thousands of smart red seats for the spectators. Inside
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Have fun with Echo colouring contest
Does your child love colouring? Is he or she an expert with crayons or felt-tips? The Northern Echo is encouraging talented colourers from the region to enter our Christmas colouring competition. We've put three seasonal pictures on our Christmas website
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Cycling duo relive Mexican adventure
A TEAM of 20 cyclists braved the swamplands and jungles of Mexico to raise up to £100,000 for the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. Joining the adventure were GP Peter Jones and Sport England official Geoff Hughes, both from Sedgefield, County Durham,
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Drug culture increasing crime
A craze for drugs is driving up crime, says Cleveland Police Chief Constable Barry Shaw. Cleveland Police are virtually battling with as many crimes on a daily basis as there are days in the year. The staggering admission is made in Mr Shaw's annual report
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Market concern
THE newly-introduced monthly farmers' market in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has prompted mixed feelings among chamber of trade members. Most members attending last week's meeting expressed concern at the loss of car parking in the market place. Some were
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Pro-life group relaunches as numbers decline
A PRO-LIFE group is trying to re-launch itself in the region after a dramatic drop in the number of young women using its services. From Tyneside to North Yorkshire, the Life pregnancy care service has seen a sharp decline in women contacting them for
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Art show response proves eye opener
THE organisers of an art exhibition for amateur and regional artists are delighted with the response. Nearly 500 paintings and sculptures have been entered for the exhibition at the DLI Museum, in Durham City. Eye Opener, which opened yesterday exceeded
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French out of favour to build new ships
A FRENCH bid to build two Royal Navy aircraft carriers may be scuppered because the US government would rather share technology with a British company. French defence group Thales is bidding against the UK's BAE Systems for a £2.9m contract for two 60,000
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Hospice event
A HOSPICE is looking for stallholders to take part in its annual craft fete. The Butterwick Hospice, at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is holding the event at the Queens Head Hotel, in the town, on Thursday, December 5 from 1pm to 8pm. To book a place
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Volunteers offered help
ADVICE sessions are being held to help voluntary organisations in the Sedgefield borough apply for funding. Community and Voluntary Organisations Sedgefield (Cavos) is organising events in Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor. Emma Howitt, development officer
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Village hall hosts children's stage bow
DOZENS of youngsters from a youth drama group will take to the stage for the first time at a rural village hall later this week. Members of the Castle Players' Turrets, the youth branch of the Castle Players theatre group, will appear at Mickleton Village
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News in brief: Hobby courses are launched
Hobby courses in gardening, interior decorating and design, beauty skills and driving theory have all been linked to the new English and maths curricula for adults, on offer from Stockton Borough Council's adult education service. Jocelyn McIntyre, Stockton
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Floral suit wins fashion prize
A FLAMBOYANT floral suit has earned its student designer an award. Northumbria University student Clare Freeman, 23, was named Best Designer at the Visa fashion show at the MetroCentre on Tyneside. Clare's menswear piece won her £500 and a further £500
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Schools make Activemark
TWO east Cleveland primary schools have become the first in the district to receive Sport England's Activemark. Bankfields Primary, at Eston, and Ravensworth Junior, Normanby, will receive certificates and plaques from the national scheme rewarding schools
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Star rating for councils unchanged
STAR ratings for social services departments in the North-East are unchanged after a second round of assessments. While some authorities around the UK gained additional stars since the first ratings were published in May, the 12 North-Eastern councils
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Businesses do their bit for wildlife
NORTH-EAST businesses are being urged to play a major part in aiding the region's threatened wildlife. The North-East Biodiversity Forum has arranged a week of activities for companies to highlight how they can take a more active role. The initiative
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Record £9,200 for Dinky toy tanker
A 1960 Dinky toy that has never been out of its box has been sold for a record £9,200 by North-East auctioneers. The pristine black and white glucose delivery tanker, emblazoned with Sweeteners for Industry, was specially commissioned for Corn Products
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Ranger Terry spreads message about reserve
WHEN retired railman Terry Beer heard that his local nature reserve needed help, he did not hesitate to offer his services. Now he is helping raise public awareness about Drinkfield Marsh, in Darlington, as one of the town's first volunteer rangers. Mr
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Middlesbrough surgeon saves life
A brain surgeon and his son have saved a man's life while trying to keep a royal appointment. Popular neurosurgeon Fred Nath was trekking through the Himalayas on his way to be decorated with the prestigious Suprabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu by the king of
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Councils in joint bid to meet targets
THREE County Durham councils are to use the latest technology monitor waste recycling from 80,000 homes. Wear Valley, Teesdale and Derwentside District Councils are joining forces to offer residents a green box scheme for waste collection. Each box will
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News in brief: Hobby courses are launched
Hobby courses in gardening, interior decorating and design, beauty skills and driving theory have all been linked to the new English and maths curricula for adults, on offer from Stockton Borough Council's adult education service. Jocelyn McIntyre, Stockton
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Hear All Sides: Fire Strike
AS I sat watching the news, I thought what was this world coming to? Strikes, muggings, murders, drugs, bombs. Firemen should never strike. Will they feel any guilt at all when they hear of the tragedies that will happen? What about all the dirt that
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Finding the lost pieces in the family jigsaw
Within two years, parents who have given their children up for adoption will have the right to trace them. Lois Wren, who was adopted as a baby, explains the pull of family ties to Sarah Foster. LOIS remembers vividly the moment she discovered she was
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Swim and you're winning
IT was the sort of performance that exemplifies all that can be good about sport. Ten-year-old Joseph Smith arrived at Durham City Baths to take part in the Durham District Cub Scouts Swimming Gala expecting to be joined by his Belmont 1st Scouts team-mates
