Archive
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Chilly dip for Sara
MEMBERS of Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (Sara) will take a bracing dip in the sea on New Year's Day to help raise funds. Meanwhile recent fundraising events, including a social evening in Guisborough and a table top sale at Ings Farm School, raised
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Birning Questions: Tracing the forgotten monarchs
Q PEOPLE often forget that Lady Jane Grey was Queen of England, but aren't there other forgotten monarchs? - Bill Hutchinson Chester-le-Street. A HENRY VIII died in 1547 and was succeeded by his then nine-year-old son, Edward VI. Edward, who was frail
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Wearside League: Birtley and Bolton waste chances
Stokesley SC, who were without a league game, retained the leadership when Birtley Town and Boldon CA both passed up the opportunity to go top. Birtley, who have been in outstanding form, could only draw with Stanley United who grabbed a late equaliser
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Police investigate security call
UNSCRUPULOUS salesmen could be targeting vulnerable people in Derwentside, say police. Police are investigating after someone claiming to be working for Crime Prevention telephoned an elderly woman in Clowes Walk, East Stanley. The caller offered the
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Sunderland left short at Stamford Bridge
THE hapless Kevin Kilbane made sure that Sunderland were ultimately caught with their pants down - both literally and metaphorically - at Stamford Bridge. London's west end has witnessed a few trouserless escapades in its time, more often than not courtesy
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Murder house does not spook us, says owner
THE new owner of the house where a woman was murdered says she hopes to give birth to her third child there next year. Louise Bloomfield and her husband, Andrew, moved into Aeolian House, Morton Palms in Darlington, almost two years ago. The imposing
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Andrew upbeat as Falcons plunge into mire
ROB Andrew continued to look on the bright side of life after witnessing his Newcastle team's steady decline take them to the edge of the abyss yesterday. A fifth successive defeat, three of them at home to fellow strugglers, left the Falcons adrift at
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Job injury boost eases McClaren's blues
STEVE McClaren hopes to have attacking midfielder Joseph-Desire Job back in action for Middlesbrough as soon as possible. The lively Cameroon star was involved in a horrific clash with West Brom defender Darren Moore in the last ten minutes of the match
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Flo takes some heart from his Chelsea return
TORE Andre Flo insists Sunderland will drag themselves out of the relegation morass into which they are once again sinking fast. Title-chasing Chelsea ensured old boy Flo endured a disappointing return to Stamford Bridge on Saturday as Howard Wilkinson's
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Outrage as Neale invited to inquiry
DISGRACED surgeon Richard Neale has been invited to take part in the forthcoming inquiry into the scandal. It raises the prospect of the struck-off former consultant at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, giving evidence while many of his victims are
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You write: Unit had time to care
SIR - I will be adding my name to the petition to save Guisborough maternity unit. It is the least I can do after the excellent care I received there, to try to help others to receive the same. I had my children 11 and seven years ago, but the stay in
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Fitness fans shape up to raise funds for hospice
MEMBERS of a fitness class have raised £420 for St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington. The Staindrop Shape 'n' Tone class meets every week in the Black Swan pub, in Staindrop, thanks to managers John and Barbara Wilson. Members make donations instead of paying
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News in brief: Giving Tree fundraiser
A sponsored eight-mile walk to raise money for Darlington's Giving Tree appeal has been organised by the town's Citizen of the Year. Michael Nicholson, who received the award for his voluntary work, is leading the walk, from Darlington to Middleton St
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Reform of council tax bands welcomed
A COUNCIL leader is hoping people living in east Cleveland will receive a late but welcome Christmas present in the New Year. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced that, under the terms of the Local Government Bill now beginning its passage
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Body-waxer Paul's back for more
DAIRY worker Paul Malton proved there is no pain without gain by having a sponsored all-over body wax at his local pub. The 31-year-old undertook the stunt at the Durham Ox, in Northallerton, yesterday, cheered on by friends and regulars. His hour-long
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Prize-winning play area may have to close
A COMMUNITY-RUN play area that has won a national award could close by Christmas, because the same Government department that handed out the prize won't give it any funding. The park and all weather sports pitch at Delves Lane, near Consett, was the only
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Revealed . . . the sisters of mercy
Sisters Tracey and Lizzie McQueen are putting on a show with a difference to help give a dying woman the gift of life. The pair are going to perform a raunchy strip show in front of a pub audience. The money they raise will help to send cancer-stricken
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Hear All Sides: Darlingtin Taxis
IN the last three-and-a-half years, Darlington council has implemented a lot of new regulations about taxis, sometimes consulting with the taxi trade, but most of the time without. For example, the colour red, and advertising. From September 2000, the
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Man admits carrying out sex assaults
A MAN who admitted carrying out sex attacks on a woman and a teenager has been jailed for 18 months. Aidan Robb, 52, indecently assaulted a woman in her 40s when she stayed at his South Shields home in February last year. But Newcastle Crown Court heard
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Scheme offers fast-track to life in the air
BUDDING North-East pilots are being offered a fast-track sponsorship scheme to get them into the right hand seat of a Boeing or Airbus plane. Charter airline JMC has entered into a partnership with CTC McAlpine to launch the pilot cadet sponsorship scheme
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Hear All Sides: Witton Footpath
A FOOTPATH running along the River Wear from the Paradise area of Witton Park to Escomb was enjoyed by many local residents in years gone by. Around 1972, a sand and gravel company started quarrying on land close to the river at Witton Park and changed
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Fifty-year plan designed to manage forest
THE future of a North Yorkshire forest could be secured through long-term plans being drawn up to improve wildlife and replanting. The 20,000-hectare Dalby Forest, in the North York Moors National Park, is at the centre of a scheme to chart the woodland
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Twelve years for masked robbers
TWO masked raiders who held up a convenience store while armed with a sawn-off shotgun have been jailed for a total of 12 years. James Van der Vord, 32, and Kevin Lowe, 39, were two of the three robbers who targeted the Barmston Convenience Store, in
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Helping hand
A Prince's Trust team from Bishop Auckland packed bags in the Co-op store in Shildon, and Asda, Bishop Auckland, to raise money to provide a party for members of The Helping Hands group, at the Lightfoot Centre, Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, on Friday.
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Councils in clash over parishes split
A BITTER row has broken out between parish councils in County Durham and Darlington. Since 1995, when the parishes in Darlington split from the County Durham parishes' association and formed their own breakaway group, they have been struggling to join
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Youth concert
VISITORS to Mount Grace Priory will be treated to some Christmas spirit later this month. A carol concert will be held at the attraction, near Northallerton, and there will also be discounted shopping at the event on December 14. The concert will be performed
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Terrorist suspects may be housed in city jail
PLANS are allegedly under way for Britain's version of Camp X-Ray, which would see suspected al-Qaida terrorists held at one of the region's maximum security prisons. According to newspaper reports, plans are being drawn up to create a detention camp
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Shayler may be home for Christmas
DISGRACED spy David Shayler will be out of jail before Christmas, according to unconfirmed reports last night. If the reports are true, Middlesbrough-born Shayler will have spent only six-and-a-half weeks in prison. Last month, the former MI5 officer
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Great European train journeys in miniature on show at exhibition
SOME of the great railways of Europe were brought to life in miniature at the weekend. Darlington Model Railway Club held its annual exhibition at the College of Technology yesterday and on Saturday. One of the stars of the exhibition was a layout set
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Supermarket staff bag cash for charities
SUPERMARKET workers who proved themselves champion fundraisers by amassing more than £3,000 for different charities over the past couple of years, have made yet another cash contribution. Staff at Brandon Co-op, Durham, have raised the cash through tombolas
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Mural helps break down age barriers
A PROJECT aimed at encouraging more interaction between older members of the community and children has come to fruition with the completion of a mural. The work, created through a partnership between Groundwork West Durham, Haven House, Leadgate Junior
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News in brief: Pair held in drugs swoop
TWO people were arrested and a significant amount of drugs, believed to be heroin, were seized in a raid on a house in Stavordale Road, Stockton. Cleveland Police said that the weekend swoop, which was carried out by members of Stockton Community Police
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Warning to owners as figures highlight risk to older cars
OLDER cars are now more likely to be stolen than new vehicles, new Government figures show. The Home Office's 2002 car theft index reveals that thieves are now targeting older cars in increasing numbers, largely because of the security devices fitted
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Care assistant provides aid for patients
A HEALTH care assistant has devised an aid to help special needs hospital patients who find it difficult to communicate. Kate Burnell, from Stockton, has come up with a special pack for patients with sight, hearing and speech problems. The kit includes
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'Greatest' Shearer goal, says Robson
SIR Bobby Robson hailed Alan Shearer's goal against Everton as the greatest of his career after the Newcastle United captain sparked his side's dramatic fightback. Shearer's 25-yard volley hauled Newcastle level four minutes from time before Craig Bellamy
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Bellamy tribute to caring residents
A SMALL North-East street played host to leading environmentalist Dr David Bellamy as he paid tribute to the winners of The Northern Echo's community competition, Making A Difference. Dr Bellamy was in Hartlepool to present first prize to Brougham Area
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Disability access investigated
WEAR Valley Disability Access Forum has been commissioned to check that disabled people can gain access to the district's community buildings. The forum, based at Crook Business Centre, has been asked to complete audits on 18 places of worship and community
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Lancet detective sacked - five years after suspension
A NORTH-EAST detective has been sacked more than five years after he was suspended from his job. Sean Allen was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing in the wake of the multi- million pound, long-running Operation Lancet inquiry into allegations
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Two dead, six hurt in car crash near hotel
TWO people were killed and six people injured when two cars were in collision outside a hotel at the weekend. The accident happened when a Ford Focus and a Vauxhall Zafira were in a collision at the entrance to Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham City, at
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Phone mast blow for residents
PLANS to install a 25m mobile phone mast are likely to be approved despite objections from residents. Planners are recommending that Chester-le-Street District Council's planning and licensing committee meeting next Monday approve the proposals at the
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Tanya bids for High Street Honey title
IN the 1780s, the beauty of one girl inspired the famous song, Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill. Now, more than 200 years later, another girl from the North Yorkshire town of Richmond, Tanya Robinson, hopes her good looks will see her voted the UK's Number
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News in brief: Helping to clean up city
More than 10,000 people took part in Sunderland's Environment Week by tree planting, cleaning up litter and painting community buildings last week. Pupils at 30 schools also took part in a recycling drive. To mark the end of the initiative, a public open
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Marcello works his magic
Women's Editor Christen Pears experiences body massage and finds the stresses and strains of everyday life melting away. JUST by looking at what he describes as "the languished body" Marcello Viglianco can pinpoint the tension. One look at me lying hunched
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Turning back the clock to golden age of silent films
IN a time of multi-million pound box office hits and dazzling special effects, a Methodist church is going back to basics and recreating cinema's early days. Most people's film-going experience involves the comfort of a modern multi-screen cinema, with
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History of region's coast told in book
A NEW book, telling the tale of Yorkshire's coast as a holiday destination, has gone on sale in local shops. The Golden Age of the Yorkshire Seaside, by Malcolm Barker, focuses on towns such as Filey, Scarborough, Redcar and Whitby before the television
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News in brief: Helping to clean up city
More than 10,000 people took part in Sunderland's Environment Week by tree planting, cleaning up litter and painting community buildings last week. Pupils at 30 schools also took part in a recycling drive. To mark the end of the initiative, a public open
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Antiques dealer seeks damages
A jailed art expert has launched a £50,000 legal battle against the Home Office after a prison officer tried to seduce his wife as he served his time. Mary Duddin was repeatedly sexually harassed by the guard as she visited her husband David, a dealer
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Bulb planting in the park
GREEN-fingered residents gather this weekend to plant more than 30,000 bulbs to make sure their park is a riot of colour next spring. DerwentsideDistrict Council holds its Bountiful Bulbs, Beautiful Blooms planting event in Consett Park on Saturday, from
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Cheek to cheek with a very wet rat
At 76, Sir David Attenborough is celebrating 50 years in broadcasting with his latest natural history series. And, as he tells Steve Pratt, he's already planning the next one. ALTHOUGH he's been making natural history programmes for more than 20 years
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Woman flees sex attacker
A SEX attacker was foiled when his victim managed to escape as he tried to drag her down a deserted footpath. The 31-year-old woman was walking from Front Street, Stanley, to Clifford Road, at around 9pm on Sunday night. She had just passed the Stanley
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Baltic centre reaches shortlist of international building award
A NORTH-EAST arts centre has been shortlisted alongside some of the world's most inspirational buildings for an industry award. But the news comes in the wake of the revelation that part of a £400,000 exhibit by Oyvind Fahlstrom was snatched from the
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Another win, but who gets honour?
SO WHO is going to get the manager of the month award this time around? Chris Turner, Colin West or Mike Newell? There's a choice of three managers, but there should be no doubt where the honour should be heading. The only sticking point is who should
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Career switch for detective
A RETIRING policeman is switching careers from arresting people to offering them legal advice. While most detectives want to get as far away as possible from suspects when they hand in their badges, Det Con Ian Snowdon is planning on representing them
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Skate parks are set for approval
TWO new £30,000 skate parks for Derwentside look set to get the go ahead next week. A report to the district council's executive published this week earmarks Belle Vue Leisure Centre in Consett and the King's Head playing fields in Stanley as venues for
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Caine considers options
SCOTTISH international Andrew Caine may sacrifice the defence of his North-East and Northern cross country titles in a determined bid to win selection for next year's World Championships. The 25-year-old Tynedale Harrier easily won the Sherman Cup cross
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Striker forgets his Roots to gun down former club
Players have a habit of rising to the occasion against their former clubs and ex-Southend striker Barry Conlon was no exception on Saturday. The 24-year-old enjoyed one of his best performances in a Quakers shirt since joining the club from York City
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News from the WIs and Guilds
Annfield Plain WI: PRESIDENT Mrs Collin welcomed members to the November meeting. Miss Ellwood read the minutes and correspondence was discussed. Mrs Bates gave the financial statement. The Golden Thread, an ex-soldier's moving account of this year's
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Bid made for facelift cash
COMMUNITY leaders have put together a comprehensive plan to regenerate Stanley. They are bidding for £2m from the regional development agency One NorthEast, which would be spent on regenerating the town centre. If successful, experts believe the improvements
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Carriers bid would mean jobs bonanza
A DEFENCE contractor bidding for a £3bn aircraft carrier contract has urged North-East businesses to get a piece of the action. Thales Naval managing director Peter Robertson said that while up to 3,000 jobs would be secured for the construction of the
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Mobile advice 'Pods' will be extended to aid adults
A SCHEME to bring advice and support into the community in mobile "Pods" is being expanded in Darlington. The first Pod scheme - in North Park, Darlington - was a mobile unit that provided a safe environment for young people to obtain help and advice.
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'Package' blown up at TA centre
An investigation was continuing today after a suspect package which a bomb disposal team blew up at a Territorial Army centre turned out to be military equipment. The security scare happened yesterday outside the TA base in Tynemouth, North Tyneside.
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Fresh hope of help
THERE is fresh hope for a Guisborough nursery school threatened with closure. St Nicholas Nursery School in Bow Street, which has existed since 1966, came under threat after struggling to find volunteers. But the school's leader, Christine Parker, said
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School passes the fitness test
THE Newcastle Vipers Ice Hockey Team have helped Catchgate Primary School to celebrate a healthy award. The school was presented with the County Durham and Darlington Healthy School Award by Verna Fee from Derwentside Primary Care Trust and members of
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Three arrested over arson attack
THREE youths have been arrested in connection with an arson attack on a derelict bingo hall in the centre of Stockton. Pubs, cafes, shops and flats on the High Street were evacuated on Thursday as smoke billowed from the Mecca Bingo Hall. Between 40 and
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Congregation under fire for being tight-fisted at services
A SENIOR churchman at Ripon Cathedral has accused its congregation of plunging the building into financial peril. Canon Michael Glanville-Smith claims that many who worship at the cathedral are failing to give any financial support, which could seriously
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Tracing the forgotten monarchs
Q PEOPLE often forget that Lady Jane Grey was Queen of England, but aren't there other forgotten monarchs? - Bill Hutchinson Chester-le-Street. A HENRY VIII died in 1547 and was succeeded by his then nine-year-old son, Edward VI. Edward, who was frail
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New job is child's play
New museum curator Alan Pearce is having fun sorting out exhibits for its latest exhibition - Toys and Games. The display, which opens at the Kirkleatham Hall Museum, near Redcar, on Sunday - also the day of the museum's Christmas Extravaganza - features
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Amy's the nation's No1
A GUISBOROUGH student has achieved the highest mark in the country for her science GCSE. Former Laurence Jackson School pupil Amy Coleman was one of 720,000 students who sat the exam in Britain. Her performance earned her a silver medal from examination
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Boro fail to hit heights
A POOR Middlesbrough hit a season low at the highest League ground in the country. And while the altitude of The Hawthorns may surprise many, by the end of the game on Saturday what came more of a shock was just how Boro returned to the North-East with
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Birthday joy for goalscorer Ritchie
RITCHIE Humphreys celebrated his birthday in fine style on Saturday. Three minutes in and his 25th birthday was marked with his fourth goal of the season to put Hartlepool United on the way to another Division Three victory. Humphreys, who admits he has
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Little museum with big plans wins loan
BIG plans for a small but unique museum have been unveiled. The Tom Leonard Mining Museum in Skinningrove has been given a £130,000 loan by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. That cash will be spent by the museum's managers on buying its buildings
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University centre planned
HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn has thrown his weight behind moves to make a North-East town a centre of educational excellence. Officials are planning to create a university centre in Darlington as part of a £27m redevelopment of the town's College of
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Spy moved to open prison
RENEGADE spy David Shayler has been moved from the high security jail at Belmarsh to Ford open prison after authorities decided he could be trusted under a more relaxed regime. They decided he was a category D case, which means he is unlikely to escape
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'Beatles' in switch-on spectacular
HOMEGROWN Beatles tribute band The Beatle-Maniacs will provide entertainment in the build-up to Redcar's Christmas lights switch-on this Sunday. Brothers Richard and James Jordan, who take the roles of John Lennon and Ringo Starr, are from Redcar. Chris
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Weekend TV: Moses (BBC1)
THIS high-budget programme set out to show that the Biblical tale of Moses was based in fact. But in trying to prove that the baby in the bullrushes, the parting of the Red Sea and the Ten Commandments were not fiction, we were asked to make huge leaps
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UniBond League: Fixtures piling up for Moors
Spennymoor are facing fixture congestion after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Halesowen in the FA Trophy on Saturday. Moors now travel to the Midlands tomorrow night for the replay, which means that their league game at North Ferriby will have
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The Albany Northern League Today: Allen marks debut with with impressive display
West Auckland's loss was Bedlington's gain as striker Roy Allen breathed life back into the champions' season in a 4-1 home win over Dunston on Saturday. Allen, who has scored 15 goals in the league for West this season, moved to Bedlington in time to
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Young soldier laid to rest
A FIVE-GUN salute was sounded at the funeral of a young Redcar soldier who died while back in the North to staff Green Goddesses during the firefighters' strike. Christopher Horvath, 20, died in a car crash after completing firefighting duty in Middlesbrough
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No headpine
COLLEGE staff were celebrating yesterday after they received a national award. Carmel RC Technology College picked up the Healthy Schools Award from Secretary of State for Health and Darlington MP Alan Milburn. Initiatives which led to the college being
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Rare trees planting
AN ambitious project to establish 1,000 rare trees in Darlington by the end of 2005 was given a helping hand on Saturday by Mayor Doris Jones. The mayor planted a black poplar tree at South Burden Community Woodland, next to the River Skerne. More than
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Campaign launched to end tethering 'cruelty' to horses
ANIMAL welfare officials launch a campaign today to combat the plight of tethered horses, a problem that has plagued the region for years. Once again, the North of England's shameful animal cruelty record, which has seen it branded cruelty capital of
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Society wins praise for fundraising
DARLINGTON Operatic Society has earned a certificate of thanks from the town's St Teresa's Hospice after raising £9,065 in 12 months. Some of the money has been used to support further fundraising, allowing the hospice to add £10,000 from a ball, at which
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Company to design electric Army truck
A NORTH Yorkshire firm has been chosen to design and develop an electric off-road cargo truck to be used in military situations. Multidrive Limited, of Thirsk, has been awarded a contract to create a six-wheel, nine-tonne electric truck to demonstrate
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Firemen rescue crash victim
STRIKING firefighters left their picket lines to help rescue a teenager trapped in a car in a serious accident. A police spokesman said two 16-year-old girls were badly hurt when a Vauxhall Vectra, in which they were passengers, was involved in a collision
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Banned motorist given last chance
A motorist who had been banned from driving and was caught with a weapon when officers attended the scene of a crash, walked free from court on Friday. Brian Hope, 28, was behind the wheel when police arrived at the crash scene on July 5. Newcastle Crown
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Comment: No time to close ranks
THERE are clearly those who wish the controversy over the Deepcut barracks would just go away. Too many people are asking awkward questions and raking over coals which the Ministry of Defence would like to burn out. But it has gone too far for that. There
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Pensioner dies after head-on collision
A PENSIONER suffered fatal injuries after being involved in a car crash in thick fog. The 78-year-old driver collided head-on with a Vauxhall Astra on Gillas Lane East, a quarter of a mile from the junction with Seaham Road, Houghton-le-Spring, County
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North backs search for top milk monitors
NOMINATIONS to find the North-East's best milk monitors have been flooding in. The Cool Milk at School scheme has been inundated with replies from schools throughout the region looking to find their milk monitor of the term, say organisers. This is the
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Band plays during festive celebrations in market town
DOZENS of residents and visitors packed into a North Yorkshire town centre last night to enjoy carols and see the lights of the Christmas tree switched on. People of all ages turned out for the event at the Town Hall, in Northallerton, which was organised
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Residents urged to increase recycling
HOUSEHOLDERS and businesses in North Yorkshire are being urged to step up their recycling efforts after it was announced that landfill tax is to double in the next five years. North Yorkshire waste management company Yorwaste is encouraging people to
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Resort pool to be brought back to life
A MAJOR funding boost has been announced to bring back a derelict eyesore in a North Yorkshire tourist resort back to life. The South Bay Pool area of Scarborough is to benefit from £900,000 in grants, which will give the local authority the chance to
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Home is where the art is for residents
RESIDENTS have transformed a small part of their town into an open-air art gallery. The At Home I'm a Tourist exhibition is being held in Jackson Street, Gateshead town centre, marking the culmination of a project involving 50 people. Working with community
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Parents unaware of iron deficiency risk
Tens of thousands of parents could be putting their children at risk because they are not aware of the risks of iron deficiency in babies. A survey by infant nutrition experts Cow and Gate has found that almost half of all parents in the North-East do
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Golfers chip in with funding
WOMEN golfers from throughout County Durham have raised £18,585 to enable a breast screening service buy vital equipment. Durham Ladies' Golf Association captain Rita Foy this weekend presented a cheque to consultant radiologist Dr Bill Thompson of the
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Pilot project to give Smart students cost-free rewards
A PILOT scheme to reward young people for good behaviour and outstanding schoolwork with a new Smartcard is expected to be approved by councillors today. Students in the Derwentside district will be able to redeem points awarded to them to gain free access
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Nimble-fingered quilters prepare hospice gifts
A COVER story with a difference has been revealed at a church on Teesside. A team of 21 quiltmakers has spent a year making 31 covers for beds at Stockton's Butterwick Hospice. Jane Neale, the group's spokeswoman, said the gifts were to be used by patients
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Anti-crime scheme to be improved
Police and residents will soon be working more closely together in the fight against crime. Addressing Neighbourhood Watch network leaders at the weekend, Detective Superintendent Susan Cross, Middlesbrough crime manager, said: "I want to work with the
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Transvestite shocker
A STARTLED man has told how he found himself on the end of an indecent proposal when he awoke to find a sex-starved, leather-clad transvestite in his house. The first that John Halliday, 20, knew of the cross-dressing intruder was when he woke up on his
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City streets paved with stalls, musicians and nativity animals
CHRISTMAS festivities got under way in Durham City at the weekend with a range of activities and stalls. One of the main attractions was the Eurocrafts designer/maker exhibition in the town hall offering a range of gifts, as well as Belgian chocolates
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Bishop's praise for fundraisers
A BISHOP has praised fundraisers who realised their £760,000 target in seven months. In April, Holy Trinity Church, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, launched an appeal to build a community centre. Seven months later, the first turf is to be cut, ready for
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Plea over air gun attacks on birds
POLICE want the public's help to track down thugs who have been using wild birds for target practice. The victims include a swan found shot through the head. It is not the first time that North Yorkshire's wildlife liaison officers have been called in
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Mums say 'We want a promise'
MOTHERS have criticised an NHS chief executive for failing to give categorical assurances Guisborough Maternity Unit will reopen. In his first major interview since making the decision to close, South Tees NHS Trust chief executive Bill Murray said he
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£450m to rescue country post offices
A MULTI-million pound rescue package for rural post offices is being announced by the Government today. About £450m is to be spent over the next three years to maintain the loss-making network. Without the money, up to 80 per cent of Britain's 8,500 country
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Youngsters get planting
ENVIRONMENTALLY aware youngsters rolled up their sleeves to plant 40 trees in their school grounds. The children from Stanley Crook Primary School wanted to show their support for National Tree Planting Week. The four-year-olds were given a grant of £250
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Ciara's bone marrow saves 'Bubble' brothers
A seven-year-old girl who has donated her blood marrow to save the lives of two of her brothers is to help save her third brother. Earlier this year Ciara Mac Mahon saved her brothers John, four, and Edward, two. Now, her bone marrow is to be used to
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Fitness fans shape up to raise funds for hospice
MEMBERS of a fitness class have raised £420 for St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington. The Staindrop Shape 'n' Tone class meets every week in the Black Swan pub, in Staindrop, thanks to managers John and Barbara Wilson. Members make donations instead of paying
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Tributes to four
LOOKALIKES of the fab four put in a Hard Day's Night to warm up crowds during seasonal celebrations in east Cleveland. Tribute band Beatle-Maniacs topped the bill in the High Street, Redcar, yesterday. Local brothers Richard and James John took the roles
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News in brief: E-coli outbreak: Test results due
THE results of tests carried out after ten children and a parent at a North Yorkshire nursery were infected with E-coli are expected to be released in the next few days. The children, aged between one and four, attend the Busy Bears Nursery, in Skipton
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Survivors praise crash firefighters
CAR crash survivors have paid tribute to firefighters who left their picket line to save their lives. Striking firefighters at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, left the protest to help other emergency services rescue four people trapped inside two cars
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Baby rescue soldier hailed as blaze hero
A BRAVE North-East soldier has been praised for saving the life of a four-week-old boy trapped in a burning flat. Private Duncan Smith, who is based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, has been hailed a hero after he scrambled 25ft up a ladder to
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Festive warning for drivers
IT COULD be a costly Christmas if you drink and drive. That's the message from a new kind of anti-drink drive campaign launched in the North-East today. Instead of the government's traditional hard-hitting warnings that come with gruesome images of death
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Firefighters to take strike decision today
UNION leaders will decide today whether to call fresh strikes by firefighters in the New Year following the deepening rift with the Government which has dashed hopes of a breakthrough in the pay dispute. The executive of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU)
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Youngsters take the Woodland path that leads to santa's grotto
CHILDREN enjoyed a magical meander through the woodland of a medieval castle at the weekend to seek out Father Christmas. Leading the walk at Raby Castle, near Staindrop, was radio personality Paul "Goffy" Gough, who opened its woodland grotto. Youngsters
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Battered wife seeks right to challenge murder conviction
A battered wife who fatally stabbed her abusive husband was today launching a bid for freedom. Donna Tinker was jailed for life in April 2000 after a jury found her guilty of the murder of Richard Tinker. The 32-year-old mother-of-three stabbed him with
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Design skills on show at Christmas DIY day
CHILDREN were given the chance to show off their design skills at an event at the weekend. Youngsters were busy creating their own Christmas table centrepiece at B&Q's Hull Road outlet, in York, on Saturday, as part of the store's free children's
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Conference debates ideas for deprived area's future
KEY figures from the public sector, community workers and volunteers turned out in force to debate the future of the Wear Valley economy at the weekend. People at the conference heard about the Local Strategic Partnership and Wear Valley Community Network's
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Charity concert tickets on sale
TIME is running out to buy a ticket for one of the region's charity events of the year. Three cancer charities are hoping to fill Durham Cathedral for a joint fundraising evening. Broadcasters Sue McGregor and Martyn Lewis will choose some of their favourite
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Sceptic owes me a million, says Big Brother psychic
"JAMES Randi owes me a million dollars," Teesside-born psychic Gary Fowler says with conviction. American sceptic Randi has agreed to part with his hard-earned cash if anyone can prove that psychic powers really exist. And, after successfully predicting
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News in brief: Riders appear in chat show
THE North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters' Club has assembled several 125cc riders for a chat show at Northallerton Town's clubhouse tomorrow night. Reigning British champion Chris Martin will be joined by former champion Steve Patrickson and newcomer
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Chemists take part in pills pilot trial
CHEMISTS in County Durham have been selected to take part in a pilot scheme to help patients gain easier access to medicines. The Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) is one of only 30 in the country to be chosen to take part in the dispensing programme
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News in brief: Church makes repairs appeal
ST James' Church, Coundon, launched its Under the Roof Appeal at an open day in the village yesterday. Parishioners have raised £124,000 in grants from the Northumbria Historic Churches Trust and English Heritage and are asking the community to help raise
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News in brief: Pair held in drugs swoop
TWO people were arrested and a significant amount of drugs, believed to be heroin, were seized in a raid on a house in Stavordale Road, Stockton. Cleveland Police said that the weekend swoop, which was carried out by members of Stockton Community Police
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Scouts put on their postie hats
Scout groups across East Cleveland are organising their own Christmas post service. Collection boxes will be available in each community in the district from tomorrow until Wednesday, December 18, for the Scout post. Sending each card will cost 10p. The
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The Monday Page: Britain's best beat bobby
Singled out for her selflessness and devotion to her job, Helen Graham has been voted the nation's top community police officer. Women's Editor Christen Pears meets her. LIKE millions of other people, Helen Graham takes the bus to work every day but she
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Moss is the pick
Kelso specialist Running Moss is taken to put a poor run behind him and he could be the value bet in the Tote Placepot Champion Chase Showcase Handicap over three miles and one furlong at the Borders course this afternoon. The ten-year-old is in his element
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Locals may lose right to roam in woodland
RESIDENTS could lose the right to roam in woodland they are fighting to protect, because the landowner says it is too dangerous. Householders in Blackhill, Consett, are fighting to save 65 trees on the former Derwentside College site. Local developer
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Campaign urges drug request cut
ANTIBIOTICS will not cure your cold - that is the message behind a campaign launched in the region. So many people are asking for antibiotics when they see their GP that health bosses in Sunderland have decided to take action. Adverts, posters and leaflets
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News in brief: Helping to clean up city
More than 10,000 people took part in Sunderland's Environment Week by tree planting, cleaning up litter and painting community buildings last week. Pupils at 30 schools also took part in a recycling drive. To mark the end of the initiative, a public open
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Darlington edge it
A HOME-BRED front five with an average age of 20 helped Darlington keep up their promotion drive in North Division One. But it was too close for comfort as they squeezed home 27-24 at home to a very useful Bizzrkenhead Park side. Darlington led 20-17
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United villains become heroes
WOULDN'T you just know it? After a turbulent week for Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy, the Newcastle United strikers produced goals of varying quality but equal importance to catapult their side back among the Premiership front-runners. A remarkable show
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Sergeant major in 'bullying scandal'
A SERGEANT major was sensationally named on television last night as the man at the centre of "bullying" allegations at a controversial barracks where a North-East soldier died. Andrew Gavaghan, who is now an Army welfare officer at Catterick Garrison
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02/12/02
EUROPE: "WHY Europe matters to you" by Europe Minister Denis MacShane (Echo, Nov 21) was not very convincing. Europe was dreamed up by politicians for politicians, the new privileged class with expenses for everything. If we are in Europe for economic
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Tests begin on new pool
WORK on a long-awaited swimming pool and leisure centre has taken a major step forward. Engineers arrived on site at the £4.5m development in Stanley last Friday to fill the two new pools with water for the first time as part of a series of stringent
