Archive
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Darlington duo on the rise
THE two Darlington clubs both recorded vital wins on Saturday, suggesting they might be in the same division next season. The possibility of exchanging places receded as Mowden Park ended a run of six defeats in National Three North with a 38-14 home
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Mums speak out over closure of maternity unit
MORE than 100 mothers and mothers-to-be met to voice their anger over the closure of a much-loved maternity unit. The Mums' Army, protesting against the closure of the Guisborough unit, heard from former workers about the growing staff crisis which led
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Fears over bus plans growing
VILLAGERS fear they may lose a vital bus service following operator Arriva's announcement that it is to close Stokesley depot in February. Residents in Crathorne, Hutton Rudby and Kirklevington say they have been told by some drivers on the route that
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Super scout wins award
TEN-year-old Joseph Smith, the scout who represented his whole troop single-handed in a swimming gala and won the team trophy - has won an award. Joseph won the Under-16s Unsung Hero award at this year's Local Heroes sports awards, held by The Advertiser's
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News from the WIs
North Lodge WI: THIRTY members braved wet weather to attend the November meeting. President Mrs Dawson opened the meeting and Mrs J Rennie read the minutes. The speaker was John Willis on bottles and unusual finds on the dump. He was very interesting
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New bid to get clock ticking
A NEW attempt is being made to get Redcar's Town Clock ticking again. The Redcar Town Centre Management Executive has submitted a revised application for £10,000 from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget to carry out an expert survey of the broken
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Student's essay wins memorial award
A STUDENT'S powers of persuasion have won her a prize in a national competition. Laura Hunter, 17, of Chapel Street, Tantobie, came third in the Robin McNair prize, earning her £100. She travelled to London on Wednesday to collect her award at a presentation
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Plan to spend £1m on playgrounds
A PROPOSAL to spend £1m on safety measures at east Cleveland's 68 playgrounds has been outlined. Councillors have agreed to allow the bid to find the cash over five years to be considered as part of next year's budgetary considerations. The plan has been
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Wilko urges shot-shy side to be more ruthless
HOWARD WILKINSON has urged his Sunderland players to hit a ruthless streak to help the club climb away from the relegation zone. Saturday's defeat to Birmingham City left Sunderland just a point and a place ahead of the bottom three. And Wilkinson is
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Tait still targeting striker
Mick Tait is still hopeful of landing a striker on loan but admits the difference in wage demands has made it difficult to bring anyone in. "It's not as easy these days as it used to be," said the caretaker boss. "Players were on similar wages in the
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Spitfires disturb a Hornets' nest
Q TWO or three years ago there was a TV drama about the RAF. In it a pilot boasted that he could fly under a bridge and, in the film, this was done at Winston, near Staindrop. I have visited the bridge and it must have taken great flying skill to do this
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Beauty spot vision outlined for former mine spoil heap
THE company behind a big retail development has pledged to create a regional beauty spot on 58 acres of adjacent land. London and Amsterdam has started work on the £40m Dalton Park development, on the reclaimed Dalton Flatts spoil heap, next to the former
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Big contract for bathing firm
A BATHING equipment supplier has won its first major contract after less than a year in business. Aquajoy Bathlifts, based in Consett Business Park, has won a joint order to supply 12 Scottish local authorities with 1,500 units a year. The company, owned
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New homes blocked
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has rejected plans for almost 170 new 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,
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Geremi hints he could leave Teesside
GEREMI issued a chilling warning last night when he confessed he will not decide whether to commit his future to Middlesbrough until next summer, leaving open the possibility of another club luring him away at the end of the season. After a fantastic
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Middlesbrough striker loses licence
Middlesbrough and former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan lost his driving licence today after police had clocked his blue Porsche travelling at 100mph on a motorway in North Yorkshire. Whelan, 27, who left his native Leeds for a spell with Coventry City
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Shopmobility hopes
DISABLED campaigners are closer to securing a 'shopmobility' scheme in every town in the Tees Valley. Members of the Redcar and Cleveland Disability Access Group heard their local council agree in principle on Tuesday to a shopping service for the disabled
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First aid in classroom
A SCHOOL recently put the curriculum on hold for the day, to educate pupils in first aid. Bob Elston, a teacher at Moorside Community College in Consett, witnessed a major car crash on a French motorway when on holiday earlier this year and as a result
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Drugs and stolen goods seized in dawn raids
POLICE have seized thousands of pounds worth of illicit drugs and stolen goods and made 26 arrests in a series of dawn raids in Chester-le-Street, Durham city and surrounding villages. During the course of last week 45 premises were visited across the
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Alarm fault led to escape
A FAULTY alarm system allowed a mental patient to escape and attack a toddler, an investigation has concluded. The patient, who escaped in September from the privately-owned Hollyhurst home on Woodland Road, Darlington, assaulted three-year-old Arron
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Brothers' business feud became violent
A cricket bat and a stepladder were used as weapons when a business feud between two brothers flared into violence, a court heard today. Harrogate magistrates were told by prosecutor Stephanie Brown how 53-year-old Malcolm Holder's attack on his younger
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Keltie's spectacular strike earns a point
While goals don't always win games, Clark Keltie's late equaliser on Saturday was well worthy of clinching any encounter. Not content with rescuing a point for his side, Keltie had the audacity to go and almost win the game all by himself after Quakers
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Classic films screened
ELVET Methodist Church, in Durham, is screening a series of classic films this Christmas. The event includes a showing of A Christmas Carol, made in 1910; a 1905 pantomime film of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves; and the dramatic In the Workhouse, Christmas
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Natalie's cups joy
SUPER swimmer Natalie Routledge has once again picked up a clutch of awards after breaking three records and setting four personal bests. In the Eston Amateur Swimming Association's annual swimming gala, the eight-year-old competed in six events. She
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'Rattled' Blair will address the nation
Firefighters will not be allow to cripple the economy with inflated pay claims, Tony Blair will vow today. The Prime Minister is joining the front line in the dispute after his most senior Cabinet colleagues were accused of taking contradictory stances
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Church offers chance to win a 'des res'
A TWO-bedroom mock-Tudor home is to be raffled in aid of a church. The miniature mansion is complete with fixtures and fittings, furniture and its own family. Father Raymond Cuthbertson, from St John's Church, Shildon, has been given the dolls house,
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Protest at pupils' shortcut
A WOMAN says Darlington school pupils are using her garden as a shortcut. Kathryn Fisher, of The Causeway, has complained to Eastbourne Comprehensive School about pupils using her garden as a route to and from school. She says that for several months
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Fundraising for fire safety
VOLUNTEERS have been raising money to improve fire safety. Members of the Darlington branch of the Prince's Trust set up a stall at the town's outdoor market at the weekend, to raise money for smoke alarms for homes on Red Hall estate. The volunteers
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Tim tells of joy at baby's op success
ACTOR TIM Healy spoke of his relief yesterday after welcoming home his baby son following a life-saving operation. Louis, the son of Tim and actress Denise Welch, was rushed to Alder Hey Hospital, in Liverpool, two weeks ago and underwent emergency surgery
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New vets blossoms
BOTANIST and TV personality Dr David Bellamy was guest of honour at the opening of a veterinary surgery in Bishop Auckland. Paul Wilson Veterinary Surgeons moved into Bishop Auckland's former post office six months ago, but held an officially celebrated
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Community centre bid
A NEW community centre could be built in Darlington. Members of the Darlington Bangladeshi Welfare Association are celebrating after receiving a grant from the National Lottery's Awards for All programme. The group plans to use the £4,890 award to carry
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Comment: It's up to you Mr Hall
NEWCASTLE United are lucky to have two of the most respected men in football as ambassadors for the club. Sir Bobby Robson, newly knighted and with a wealth of experience as a successful manager at club and international level, has become one of the game's
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Gun salute tribute to tragic soldier
A FIVE-GUN salute was sounded at the funeral of a young soldier - who returned to his native North-East to man Green Goddesses during the first 48-hour firefighters' strike. Christopher Horvath, 20, of Redcar, east Cleveland, died in a car crash just
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Fans brawl over Banks' famous save
POLICE were called to two soccer fans brawling over goalkeeper Gordon Banks' famous 1970 World Cup save during a speech by the England goalkeeping legend. Banks had just finished giving a speech at a gala dinner when violence broke out. Trouble started
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Artist Dawn launches latest book at gallery event
A LOCAL artist launched her latest children's book at the weekend. Dawn Piggot, from Coxlodge, Newcastle, has been drawing in pastels for several years, often depicting children in famous North-East settings. Earlier this year, she was approached by a
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Gordon's bearded lady gets the chop for panto
FINDING an actor to play the dame in its Christmas panto has proved a close shave for members of one theatre. Electronics student Tim Fairhurst was pencilled in for the role but was then suddenly called on instead to direct the panto - Snow White and
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Artist Dawn launches latest book at gallery event
A LOCAL artist launched her latest children's book at the weekend. Dawn Piggot, from Coxlodge, Newcastle, has been drawing in pastels for several years, often depicting children in famous North-East settings. Earlier this year, she was approached by a
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Former superintendent dies after long service
HARRY PROVINS, retired superintendent at Plaxtons, the Scarborough coach building company, has died at the age of 80. Mr Provins, of Cayton, had worked for the company for 48 years and played a key part in its expansion when it moved from Seamer Road
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Paranormal disturbance in the Big Brother house
PARANORMAL activity will become a feature of the Celebrity Big Brother house, says medium Gary Fowler. Teesside-born Gary, who claims to have seen how events will unfold in the house simply by watching the celebrities arrive on Wednesday, said the housemates
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Woodland guardians praised for efforts
GUARDIANS of a 50-acre woodland, whose high-profile campaign secured it Town Green status, have been praised by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis for their efforts. Mr Willis was speaking at the annual pre-Christmas gathering of the Harrogate-based
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Accommodation website
DARLINGTON'S Bond Scheme is offering private landlords an incentive to join a website advertising their accommodation. The charity acts as guarantor for people who cannot afford the bond required for private rented property in one lump sum. Prospective
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Housing stock in balance
THE future of Sedgefield Borough Council's housing stock is at a "defining moment", says a report. A copy of the council's housing strategy and business plan, which looks forward 30 years, was presented to members last week. The document discusses options
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Temporary bridge plan
HIGHWAY authorities plan to build a £1.5m bridge to temporarily improve road safety in North Yorkshire. The bridge, which will not open to traffic until September, will be a short-term solution in plans to improve safety on the A1. The bridge will be
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Garage staff nominated for award
HARDWORKING garage staff could be in line for a national award. Cashiers at Atkinson's Garages, which has filling stations in Stanley and Chester-le-Street, have been nominated by petrol company Jet for the title of Cashiers of the Month run by trade
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Recycling bid set up
A DRIVE to raise recycling levels in Hartlepool has received a boost from schools across the town. Thirty-six schools have signed up to a scheme which aims to reduce the amount of paper being thrown away. Operating under Hartlepool Borough Council's Pride
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Art show with an Aids Day message
ART students will today reveal some of their most ambitious work yet in the biggest event in the North-East to mark World Aids Day on Sunday. Thirty-six works of art, each 7ft tall and 2ft wide, are being exhibited in Darlington Town Hall foyer and council
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Offenders' service gains national prize
THE success of a youth offending service in spreading news of its work has been rewarded. Sunderland's Youth Offending Service, and its partners in Gateshead and South Tyneside, took first place in the Press category of the Youth Justice Board's Press
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Football referee attacked
A FOOTBALLER was arrested after a referee was attacked in a local league game at the weekend. The incident happened in the Scarborough and District League match between McCains and Dolphin Dynamics at McCains' Eastfield ground, and resulted in Rod McPherson
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News in brief: Church crisis theme to talk
MICHAEL Clark, deputy president of the British-Israel-World Federation, chairman of Covenant Publishing and constitutional spokesman for the Democratic Party, will speak on the theme of The Crisis in Church and State at two events. The first will be at
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Join in with theatre
A THEATRE group is looking for new members to take part in productions and help out backstage. Classes for Academy Five, part of Cleveland Theatre School, in Billingham, cost £27 a month. The cost of the course includes training in choreography, drama
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Fair trade deal for farmers promoted in shop
A MIDDLESBROUGH Christmas shop is selling farmer-friendly fruit for 20p a piece. Traidcraft, in Corporation Road, has started stocking Fairtrade bananas, which favour small-scale growers as opposed to big businesses. Manager Jenny Medhurst said: "Fairtrade
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Jobs axe falls at chemicals company
THE region's manufacturing industry has suffered another blow with news that a chemical plant is planning to cut jobs. Elementis Pigments, in Birt- ley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has announced the cuts as part of a restructuring exercise.
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Fragile defence worries Robson
IT WAS fitting, in the week of his investiture as football's newest knight, that Sir Bobby Robson should joust in a battle royal with one of his great adversaries. The shame was that his fighting men literally couldn't defend themselves against Sir Alex
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Ready for holiday on ice
THE festive season will be a holiday on ice for people in Durham City. A temporary ice rink has been set up outside the Gala Theatre. It was officially opened on Thursday last week by Norman Pace, half of the famous TV comedy duo Hale and Pace, who is
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Gutted arcade to be rebuilt
WORK is to begin on rebuilding a town centre amusement arcade almost a year after arsonists gutted the building. The business on Front Street, Chester-le-Street, was damaged by the blaze in February. But plans to redevelop the building had to be put on
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'Hall must go' demand fans after new call girls scandal
FANS last night renewed demands for the resignation of disgraced Newcastle United chief Douglas Hall in the wake of fresh allegations involving call girls. They branded the vice-chairman a "disgrace to the club" after a Sunday newspaper printed claims
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Virtual reality video may help solve murder
A VIRTUAL reality video could help solve the mystery of a police officer's murder 17 years ago. The computer-generated film was compiled from police and press photographs taken during London's Broadwater Farm riots in 1985, when Sunderland-born PC Keith
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Steven given scholarship
AN engineering graduate has been recognised for his achievements with an academic honour. Steven Rohan, from Witton Gilbert, has been awarded an Institution of Mechanical Engineers' scholarship. The award was made because of his academic achievements.
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Season tickets prizes for quiz
FATHERS and their children will have the chance to win Sunderland Football Club prizes at free quizzes. Organised by the City of Durham Single Regeneration Bid Six group and Sunderland AFC Foundation, the quizzes are at Bowburn Youth Project, from 7pm
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Santa seeks alternative transport
SANTA swapped his sleigh for more up-to-date transport to make an entrance at a garden centre. The festive figure zoomed into Dobbie's Garden World, in Birtley, astride a Harley-Davidson motorbike on Saturday. He greeted local schoolchildren before taking
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Pensioners out of pocket in con
ELDERLY people have been left out of pocket and with repair work unfinished after a spate of calls by cowboy builders. Derwentside Police issued a warning to people in the Stanley area after several complaints. People were approached by two men saying
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Police hope to find owners of stolen goods
DETECTIVES are trying to track down the owners of stolen goods recovered during dawn raids in the Durham area. Police netted thousands of pounds worth of drugs and stolen goods during Operation Arouet, when uniformed and plain-clothed officers raided
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Action taken on vandalism in town toilets
NEWLY-refurbished public toilets have been forced to close earlier each evening after vandals caused extensive damage. Only six months ago, the facilities in Stokesley's market place were given a £50,000 revamp. But over the past few weeks, vandals have
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Teacher accused over porn pictures
A TEACHER is facing a police investigation over claims he showed pornographic pictures to teenage girls. The unnamed science teacher was immediately suspended when the allegations came to light. They centre on claims that he behaved "inappropriately"
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Children await vote result for elections
ANXIOUS youngsters will gather today to hear the results of elections which will give children a voice in local government. The innovative Spice project will see 23 youngsters elected to the Derwentside Young Persons Forum. The 66 candidates have been
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Church offers chance to win a 'des res'
A TWO-bedroom mock-Tudor home is to be raffled in aid of a church. The miniature mansion is complete with fixtures and fittings, furniture and its own family. Father Raymond Cuthbertson, from St John's Church, Shildon, has been given the dolls house,
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News in brief: Church crisis theme to talk
MICHAEL Clark, deputy president of the British-Israel-World Federation, chairman of Covenant Publishing and constitutional spokesman for the Democratic Party, will speak on the theme of The Crisis in Church and State at two events. The first will be at
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News in brief: Applications invited for seat
A NEW town councillor is needed at Pickering. Following the disqualification from membership of Chris Woodvine because of lack of attendance at meetings, the council is seeking applications from residents for the vacant seat. Town clerk Andrew Husband
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News in brief: Church crisis theme to talk
MICHAEL Clark, deputy president of the British-Israel-World Federation, chairman of Covenant Publishing and constitutional spokesman for the Democratic Party, will speak on the theme of The Crisis in Church and State at two events. The first will be at
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Miners' war work revealed in new video
A NEW video tells the story of how miners dug for victory on the Western Front in World War One. Thousands of North-East colliery men volunteered to fight the Germans in Flanders but some served their country in their peace-time occupation - but on the
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'We don't normally get to see our children play'
Women prisoners in Durham jail are launching an innovative scheme to improve the time they spend with their children. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. THE enormous cardboard box in the corner of the room is full of toys - brand new and cellophane-wrapped.The
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Clean-up drive makes a difference
A NORTH-EAST council has been praised in a Mori report for its improvements in street cleaning and refuse collections. The praise for Stockton Borough Council came in the report, The Rising Prominence of Liveability. A survey carried out by Mori revealed
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Milestone man celebrates
SEVENTEEN years after making his footballing debut for his home town club Consett, Jeff Sugden last month notched up a milestone of 500 games. What's even more remarkable is that since Jeff started playing aged 17, he has suffered some horrendous footballing
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News in brief: Competition win for florist
Florist Denise Spooner, 21, won the UK Skill-florist competition held in Manchester and will represent Great Britain in an international contest in June. She works for Richardsons Florists in Barnard Castle. ARTIST VISIT: Local artist Barbara Renton-Wood
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Sporting heroes in the limelight
TEN-year-old Joseph Smith, the scout who represented his whole troop single-handed in a swimming gala and won the team trophy - has won an award. Joseph won the Under-16s Unsung Hero award at this year's Local Heroes sports awards, held by The Advertiser's
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Why North's past is under threat
THE North-East is failing to make the most of its cultural heritage, according to a national report released today. The first State of the Historic Environment Report (Sher) says listed buildings, ancient monuments and historic parks and gardens are the
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It was a fluke, admits Olivier
NEWCASTLE'S Olivier Bernard last night confirmed that his first goal of the season was a complete fluke. The Frenchman, operating on the left side of midfield and only playing because of injuries to Laurent Robert and Hugo Viana, stunned Old Trafford
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Orange sheds jobs
A mobile phone company has shed 66 jobs at its North-East call centres - less than half the amount originally predicted. But it has warned that more may be lost as part of an ongoing restructuring programme. In August, mobile phone giant Orange announced
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Obscure Mass will go ahead
AFTER months of debate, a tiny religious group has finally won council approval to hold a mass in one of Britain's oldest and smallest churches. Philip-James French, a priest in the Holy Catholic Church Western Rite - Orthodox Catholic Faith, planned
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Sunday school's revival
As the baby son of a Dales shepherd prepares to play Jesus in a chapel nativity play, John Hobbs reports on how this has come to pass through the remarkable revival of a Sunday school. Twelve years ago village postmistress Judith Raine said a prayer and
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The Albany League: Despair for Willington as Nissan run rampant
Willington suffered their heaviest ever defeat in the Northern League when they were thrashed 13-0 at Washington Nissan on Saturday. Willington, near the bottom of the Second Division, were forced to field their 52-year-old manager, Richard Huntley, as
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Miner brands compensation an insult
A former miner whose years down the pits left him with crippling lung disease has blasted a £7,000 compensation offer as an "insult". Nicholas Robson, 86, from Trimdon Station, County Durham, spent 35 years working at Deaf Hill and Ryhope colleries before
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Burning Questions: Spitfires disturb a Hornets' nest
Q TWO or three years ago there was a TV drama about the RAF. In it a pilot boasted that he could fly under a bridge and, in the film, this was done at Winston, near Staindrop. I have visited the bridge and it must have taken great flying skill to do this
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MP blames 'big money'
DURHAM'S MP has voiced his disappointment at the decision to approve plans to turn the Robins Cinema in North Road into a Walkabout Australian theme bar. Judge Beatrice Bolton presided at a two-week appeal brought by Regent Inns against the refusal of
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Winter pub menu is strictly for the birds
A PUB has introduced a winter menu - for wild birds. Staff at the Church Mouse on the Great North Road, Chester-le-Street,were briefed by the RSPB during the Time for Birds launch, an initiative aimed at educating people about caring for birds during
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Generosity overwhelms students visiting Korea
SIXTH formers who took part in a cultural exchange trip to South Korean found themselves the subject of national interest when they arrived. Pupils from The Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street visited the country on a ten-day visit where they stayed
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Domestic violence victims offered advice in hospitals
Police are hoping to reach victims of domestic violence by targeting the region's hospitals. Offers of support and advice for patients affected by the crime are to now be beamed to hospital bedside screens and televisions inside casualty departments,
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Heart patient raises funds
A heart transplant recipient helped others awaiting treatment by holding a fund raising fair. Stuart Watt, 56, who had a heart transplant seven years ago, has since devoted himself to showing his gratitude for his life and the chance to see his two sons
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Launch of new arts network
WRITERS and performers gather this weekend for an afternoon of entertainment to help launch a new arts organisation. Derwentside Arts Network is officially unveiled on Saturday, at 2pm, in St Mary's RC Church Hall in Blackhill, Consett. There will be
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Man gets ten years
A 63-year-old man was jailed for ten years last Friday 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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Sex offender locked up after 22 years of child abuse
A MAN who sexually abused boys and girls over 22 years was jailed on Tuesday for 12 years after a judge branded him a continuing danger to children. Robert Baker Foster, 57, raped or indecently assaulted three girls and two boys, in some cases many times
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Anger at council play site refusal
CAMPAIGNERS desperate to create a children's playground in the centre of Stanhope have accused the district council of penny-pinching. Residents of the Weardale village are confident they can raise the £45,000 needed to build a play area on the Ashcroft
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Traders' traffic victory
TRADERS have won a battle to prevent Guisborough town centre being closed to traffic. Planners who proposed closing off Westgate during a farmers' market had been accused of taking panic measures. However, on Tuesday councillors instead decided to slow
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£25m plan revealed for Walkergate site
NEW plans have been drawn up for the multi-million pound development of the Walkergate site in Durham. The car park, on derelict land below the Gala Theatre, was to have featured a multiplex cinema but an operator could not be found. Now, more than two
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Parents left in the dark over asthma
MORE than nine out of ten parents in the region are unaware of a new way of treating their children's asthma, according to a new survey. Despite high levels of asthma among North-East children, the survey of 347 parents showed widespread ignorance of
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Fall poses mystery
POLICE are trying to establish whether a man jumped or was pushed from a third floor window. The unemployed 22-year-old, who has not been named, was found lying on a Stanley path by a passer-by. He broke his legs and has jaw, collar bone and head injuries
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Hopes high for Test match boom
OFFICIALS have high hopes that Chester-le-Street's economy is set to receive a massive boost from the North-East's first ever Test match next year. The eyes of the world will be on the town in June, when England play Zimbabwe at the Riverside stadium
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Shuttle bus 'a success'
A SHUTTLE bus operating on Britain's first toll road is proving a success, according to a council. Durham County Council introduced the Cathedral bus serving Durham City's peninsula, to coincide with the introduction of a £2 toll to drive through the
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Decision on homes plan deferred for site visit
A BID for outline planning permission to build six houses on gardens in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, have been submitted to the district council. The plans involve building four homes and two bungalows on land between Heathmeads and Victoria Terrace
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Williams' brace hands Newell the ideal start
A PAT on the back for some, a shake of the hand for others and a salute to the travelling supporters - Mike Newell's work as Hartlepool United manager was almost over for the day. And what a first game, first performance and first result for the new manager
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Fire prank youth fails to win sentence cut
A youth who set fire to a sleeping party-goer's hair in a prank that ended in horror today failed to win a cut in sentence at London's Appeal Court. Stephen Pearson, now 21, was one of a duo who set about shaving the eyebrows and dyeing the hair of David
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Wearside League: In form Ferryhill crash to defeat
The improved form shown by Ferryhill Athletic in recent weeks came to an abrupt end at Hill Top on Saturday when they crashed to an 8-0 defeat at the hands of Stanley United in the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup. Recently, the sides shared a 2-2 draw but
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Young soldier's fire duties end in tragedy
A YOUNG soldier who returned to Cleveland to man Green Goddesses during the firefighters' strike died in a road crash at the end of his duties, it emerged this week. In a twist of fate the fatal accident was passed by one of the victim's senior officers
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Red Emperor to provide another Norman conquest
Red Emperor, who has run a fair bit better than his bare form this year, can continue his love affair with Newcastle by taking the Come Racing On 16th December Handicap Chase over three miles. Norman Mason's ten-year-old has won three times over this
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Virtuoso performance
A TEENAGE virtuoso learned from one of the best violinists in Europe this weekend. Miriam Davis, of Belmont, near Durham, was one of three lucky members of North-East orchestra Young Sinfonia to win a chance to perform before Thomas Zehetmair, musical
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M and S recruitment drive
Marks and Spencer is launching a recruitment campaign for North-East graduates. The company will be holding an information session tomorrow at the Gateshead MetroCentre store at 4.30pm, for its 2003 Graduate Programme. The recruitment drive is aimed at
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Miners' war work revealed in new video
A NEW video tells the story of how miners dug for victory on the Western Front in World War One. Thousands of North-East colliery men volunteered to fight the Germans in Flanders but some served their country in their peace-time occupation - but on the
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Blind woman mugged
A blind pensioner was mugged as she was leaving church. The 85-year-old was on her way home from St Cuthbert's, Durham City, when the attack happened at around 12.20pm on Sunday. She was walking into the city from the church near the Garden House pub
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Children design mayor's festive greetings
CHILDREN at a village school are providing the inspiration for the Mayor of Darlington's Christmas greetings this year. Councillor Doris Jones has enlisted the help of pupils at Middleton St George Primary School, near Darlington, to design her official
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Council secrecy challenge fails
AN attempt to gain freer public access to Sedgefield Borough Council documents has failed. Liberal Democrat Councillor Gary Huntington told a recent council meeting that he believed some items were being kept confidential when they should be out in the
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Town centre promotional website attracts some exotic visitors
A RESIDENT of the Seychelles was one of the first people to log on to a website dedicated to Bishop Auckland town centre. It was launched by the Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum, a voluntary partnership of public, private and voluntary sector organisations
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School target set for new building
A SCHOOL is embarking on a mammoth fundraising bid to create new premises. St Cuthbert's RC Aided Primary School in Chester-le-Street, currently consists of a building dating back to 1926 when the school opened, and several temporary classrooms, one of
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Firefighters leave picket to aid Green Goddess squads
FIREFIGHTERS from the region left their picket lines over the weekend to attend emergency incidents. Striking crews went to help after people were reported trapped in a car crash in County Durham, on Saturday, while firefighters in North Yorkshire worked
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Asian officer 'driven to brink of suicide'
AN Asian police officer is said to have been driven to the brink of suicide by white colleagues who sent him hate mail and urinated on his bed. PC Jeffrey Sidhu, 34, and two other officers are preparing to sue North-umbria Police over allegations that
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On sentry duty - the knights of the road
STRIKING sculptures with a medieval flavour are standing guard in a North-East town. Four metal sculptures of knights with shields, about two metres high, have been placed on the roundabout at Brus Corner, Hartlepool. They are the last stage of a range
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Fundraising for peace
A CEILIDH will be held in Darlington to raise money in support of a campaign to promote nature and world peace. The Atisha Buddhist Centre has planned the event in aid of the International Temples Project and the World Wide Fund for Nature. The ceilidh
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Party for family and friends heralds quads' sixth birthday
MORE than 50 children crammed into a community hall to celebrate the Moss-Carbert quads' sixth birthday. The Darlington quads - Simon, Jonpaul, Hannah and Adam, pictured - were joined by family, friends and fellow pupils from Corporation Road Infants
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Hammer man admits attack
A CALL centre worker vented his fury against the firm who sacked him by smashing windows with a sledgehammer when he was given a bad reference. Workers had to dive under their desks for cover when Christopher Conlon launched his sledgehammer attack. The
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Dancers Force their way to top
A group calling themselves the Force have proved they are a force to be reckoned with in the dance world. The 16 youngsters, aged from 11 to 15, travelled from their Northallerton homes to the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool to take part in the Disco Kid
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Student designs on the catwalk
STUDENTS' designs will be on display at a charity fashion show next week. The event, in aid of Age Concern and the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund, will be held at the Empire Theatre, Middlesbrough, next Monday. Hosted by John Foster, of BBC Radio Cleveland
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Recycling cash plea is made by scheme
A COUNCILLOR is calling on the Government to fund a national doorstep recycling service by 2010. In Durham, 25,000 households already benefit from a council-funded fortnightly doorstep recycling service, which has increased the level of recycling from
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Ukulele group visits region
A CULT orchestra of ukulele players will perform in the region next month. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will bring its six-stringed Hawaiian guitars to libraries across the county as part of Durham County Council's second Live in the Libraries
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News in brief: Cricketer dies in bike crash
A WELL-known Scarborough sportsman has been killed in a motorcycle accident in Cornwall. David Witty, 28, was a bowler with Staxton Cricket Club and hockey player with Scarborough 1st XI. The annual meeting of the club was postponed at the weekend as
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Campaign against probation centre
FAMILIES who claim their neighbourhood will be hit if a scheme for a big probation service headquarters goes ahead, have mounted a big campaign against it. Residents in Barwick Street, Scarborough, fear their lives could be made a misery by burglars,
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Police chief invited to address concerns
North Yorkshire's new Chief Constable, Della Canning, has been invited to attend the meeting of the Ryedale branch of the Yorkshire Local Councils Association on February 4. The move follows concerns by leaders of Ryedale's five town councils - Malton
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Teen cut and bruised in attack
Police are appealing for witnesses to a late night attack which left a teenager badly cut and bruised at the weekend. An 18 year-old man was walking to his Bishop Auckland home between midnight on Friday and 12.30am on Saturday morning when he was attacked.He
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Villagers fear loss of service
VILLAGERS fear they may lose a vital bus service following Arriva's announcement that it is to close Stokesley depot in February. Residents in Crathorne, Hutton Rudby and Kirklevington claim they have been told by some drivers on the route that the hourly
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Wardens help reduce crime
THREE community wardens are pounding the beat to help police tackle crime and disorder. Gateshead Council has recruited them to work with police and residents in Birtley. Their duties include reporting on fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles, lighting and
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Market fun is on offer
A PROGRAMME of music and fun has been arranged for Guisborough's first farmers' market. Organisers of the market, which will be open from 10am to 3pm, on Saturday, December 7, expect more than 20 traders to boost the town's regular Saturday market. The
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News in brief: Competition win for florist
Florist Denise Spooner, 21, won the UK Skill-florist competition held in Manchester and will represent Great Britain in an international contest in June. She works for Richardsons Florists in Barnard Castle. ARTIST VISIT: Local artist Barbara Renton-Wood
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Season tickets prizes for quiz
FATHERS and their children will have the chance to win Sunderland Football Club prizes at free quizzes. Organised by the City of Durham Single Regeneration Bid Six group and Sunderland AFC Foundation, the quizzes are at Bowburn Youth Project, from 7pm
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Hopes raised as hospital talks begin
HOPES are high that a town's former Bupa hospital will remain a private hospital. Talks are under way between Bupa and General Medical Clinics (GMC) to take over Scarborough's Belvedere Hospital, which closed in May with the loss of 92 jobs. Adrian Stevenson
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Garage inspections reveal cars' faults
MOTORISTS looking to buy a used car are being urged to be cautious following a survey carried out by a North-East council. An inspection of 31 cars at 15 garages found that 27 - or 87 per cent - had at least one fault that could affect the vehicle's safety
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Buying and selling rate surprise as regional game clears board
A NEW Monopoly version based on a North-East city is expected to have sold out by Christmas. Since its launch last month, the Sunderland version of the popular board game has far outstripped predicted sales. It is selling so well that the firm behind
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Assault may cost cabbie his licence
A CABBIE faces losing his licence after being convicted of assaulting another taxi driver. George Jenkinson, who has been a taxi driver for 34 years, could lose his hackney licence after being convicted by magistrates of common assault and criminal damage
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Father Christmas gets Cairngorm parade under way
SHOPPERS got into the Christmas spirit yesterday when Father Christmas and some of his reindeers dropped into Middlesbrough. The Christmas Cairngorm Parade was watched by hundreds of people. Children adorned as frosty Christmas trees led the parade shortly
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Web move by service helps win key award
A PIONEERING website has helped a council department gain its second excellence award. The Government's Charter Mark has again been given to Sunderland City Council's building control service for its continued pursuit of excellence in services. Its efforts
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Club saved from closure
A STROKE club's plea for volunteers to help it stave off closure have been answered. Three women have offered their aid at the weekly meetings of Durham Stroke Club, which was suffering from a lack of helpers. Helper Margaret Parker said: "The three helpers
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Private school gets top marks for value in national survey
A TYNESIDE independent school has come second in a league table, for achieving value for money. Central Newcastle High School was beaten only by Leeds Girls' High School in The Sunday Times Parent Power table for the North. The survey claims to provide
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Day out after win
A DURHAM pet store has been praised for raising more than £2,000 for charity. Shop chain Pets at Home set its 144 stores nationwide the task of raising money for Dogs for the Disabled. Altogether, the chain raised £124,000, with the Durham store at the
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Striker Craig presents cheque
NEWCASTLE United and Wales footballer Craig Bellamy has presented a cheque to help provide vital facilities for terminally ill children. The Magpies' 22-year-old striker presented a cheque for £10,000 from the northern branch of the Variety Club of Great
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Military show goes to war for the 21st year
A MILITARY extravaganza involving models, demonstrations and participating wargames took place over the weekend. Parade Ground 2002 at the Stockton Sports Centre included 12 demonstration wargames where visitors could see Napoleon at war and Russians
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Church hosts fundraiser
St Luke's Church, in Church Lane, Ferryhill, is holding a lunch to raise money for a sensory room for four-year-old, Shelley Dodds, who is severely handicapped. Her mother, Debbie, 27, and father, Sean, 32, of Dean Road, have already raised nearly £4,000
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Tony pens stirring biography of two airmen
IN the years before the Second World War, Bernard Clayton and Ian Robinson were the best of friends, schoolmates who studied and played together. And on the outbreak of hostilities, they both volunteered to fight for their country with the RAF. From then
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Library shuts for makeover
THE final stage of a library makeover gets under way this weekend. Consett Library closes its doors at 4pm on Saturday, until Monday, December 2, while it is painted inside and out. Kay Winter, group manager at Consett, said: "We are expecting to be really
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News in brief: Have your say on park issues
ANYONE interested in Middlesbrough's Stewart Park is invited to join a meeting at 1pm, on Thursday, in the park's Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. Stewart Park Consultative Group meets three or four times a year and provides a forum for people to consider
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Student attacked after pub fight
A student underwent emergency surgery yesterday to stop him bleeding to death after he was glassed in the neck. The 23-year-old man was attacked at around 1am on Monday morning outside the Dickens Inn on Southfield Lane in Middlesbrough. Police said the
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Hear All Sides: University Fees
THE higher education minister, Margaret Hodge, attempts to justify the introduction of student top-up fees by asking why the dustman should subsidise the medical student. I would ask the following in return. In years to come, who will treat the dustman
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Drive on disabled badge misuse
A MONTH-long campaign to stop misuse of parking permit badges meant for disabled drivers is to be launched in Darlington next week. The scheme allows disabled badge holders to use reserved parking places in the town. Similar campaigns have been carried
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Housing project supports veterans
THE keys to an innovative housing project will be handed over today by Defence Veterans Minister Dr Lewis Moonie. Vulnerable ex-services staff will be given the opportunity to build an independent life in Richmond. The Galleries project has been run by
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Death case to reopen
THE family of a young 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 this week, after a ruling in London's High Court. Ronald Maddison, 20, of Consett, collapsed
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Bellion the way forward for boring Black Cats
IN just over half an hour, substitute David Bellion showed a lacklustre Sunderland how entertaining the club's fans should be done. After a five-game unbeaten run, the Black Cats were expected to strengthen their Premiership survival chances at home to
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Campaign against smoking is backed
A TOWN'S campaign to reduce smoking-related illnesses and deaths has received a boost after winning the support of a major leisure attraction. The Warner Village Cinema, in Hartlepool Marina, is the latest business to sign up to the Action on Smoking
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Boro boys are back on song - unlike Massimo
IT was a vignette that betrayed Massimo Maccarone's lack of conviction in front of goal; that summed up how Middlesbrough's record signing is suffering from a confidence crisis. After Gareth Southgate strode forward to trigger a Boro attack and Joseph-Desire
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Miners' war work revealed in new video
A NEW video tells the story of how miners dug for victory on the Western Front in World War One. Thousands of North-East colliery men volunteered to fight the Germans in Flanders but some served their country in their peace-time occupation - but on the
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Life savers thanked
VOLUNTEERS who helped to save the life of a rugby player have been praised. Team-mates of Redcar Thirds player Mark Fletcher, 29, were told that he 'died twice' during efforts to save him during a match on Saturday. The player, who has been at Redcar
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News in brief: Have your say on park issues
ANYONE interested in Middlesbrough's Stewart Park is invited to join a meeting at 1pm, on Thursday, in the park's Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. Stewart Park Consultative Group meets three or four times a year and provides a forum for people to consider
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Flying in the face of the war-mongers
In these days of global uncertainty, it's reassuring to know there is away to ensure peace - it's just a shame it involves behaving like a frog. Nick Morrison reports. AT the end of a long narrow garden, set back from the main road, is a small, neat terraced
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UniBond League: Honour furious after loss
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour blamed poor defending for his side's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Kidsgrove on Saturday. The result leaves Bishops firmly rooted in the bottom two, who will be looking to bounce back by taking advantage of a string
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Local access forum set up
MEMBERS of the public are needed to help to improve their community on a new Local Access Forum. The Forum, which is being set-up by Redcar and Cleveland Council, will give advice on the development of recreation and access strategies, improvement of
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News in brief: Church crisis theme to talk
MICHAEL Clark, deputy president of the British-Israel-World Federation, chairman of Covenant Publishing and constitutional spokesman for the Democratic Party, will speak on the theme of The Crisis in Church and State at two events. The first will be at
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Call to review Army death
THE grief-stricken mother of a soldier shot dead at Catterick Garrison is calling for North Yorkshire Police to re-investigate his death. June Sharples wants police to re-examine how her son Private Allan Sharples, 20, died after he was discovered with
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Villages win funding
VILLAGERS have got a direct bus service to Durham and its hospital and Arnison shopping centre. Three parish councils have won Countryside Agency funding for a year under the Vital Villages Parish Transport Scheme. Durham County Council is also providing
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Radio station wins backing
OFFICIALS are backing plans to give Durham City and surrounding areas their own 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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Cowboy builders at work
Cowboy roofers have left elderly residents out of pocket and with repair work. Derwentside Police are warning pensioners to be on their guard after several complaints. PC Philip Stephenson is to visit home owners in the centre of Stanley to warn those
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Pupils dig deep for the spring
PUPILS helped plant 5,000 spring bulbs last week, to mark the launch of a project to improve play provision for children on a housing estate. The playing field on Hilda Park estate, South Pelaw, is to be regenerated. The project was initiated in 1996
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Public inquiry into Eco plans
PLANS to create a leisure and office development powered by on-site wind turbines near Durham are to go before planning inspectors. A consortium of construction, mining and energy specialists, the Eco Energy Group is fighting a decision to refuse permission
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Weekend TV: Bootylicious (C4); Dr Zhivago (ITV); Daniel Deronda (BBC1)
Fur coats and no knickers It's all the fault of Jennifer Lopez. Women no longer yearn for Kylie's pert behind or to emulate whippet-hipped models. They want a voluptuous J-Lo style bottom. "Downstairs you have all the good bits," it was suggested, and
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Child took store cash
A CHILD helped a crooked couple to make off with more than £2,900 in a daring theft from a village store, say police. The girl, thought to be around nine to 12 years old, entered Springfield newsagent's store in Syke Road, Burnopfield, with a man and
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Just married and back on fire duty
A SOLDIER'S honeymoon went up in smoke after he was called in to drive a Green Goddess the day after his wedding. Gunner Stuart Callander, 27, who serves with the 129th Battery, 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, had planned to spend a romantic weekend in
