Archive
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Poetic tribute to town foundations
Rather than peer into the past, this week Echo Memories looks into the future to see how it is being shaped by history In a profitable dream Edward Pease, the Dad of Steam, mover, Quaker, Captain Clean, spent his cash from coal and wool upon an engine
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Real ale pub plan dropped by chain
PLANS to build a £1m real ale pub in Chester-le-Street have been dropped. Pub chain JD Wetherspoon had planned to open the pub on the site of a derelict car showroom in the town's Front Street, where a Chicago Rock Caf is also due to be built later this
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Teenagers with cigarette lighter guns 'risk death'
RECKLESS North-East youngsters who carry handgun-shaped cigarette lighters were warned last night they are risking being killed by police marksmen. Officers in Hartlepool have seized two cigarette lighters, one designed as a Smith and Wesson revolver
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Last night's TV: Doctors, death, depression and who's the daddy?
Holby City (BBC1): IF you're a doctor, at least you know what you might catch when you chat up a girl in a bar. "This one is all over me like a rash," boasted one medic. "She might give you a rash," warned his friend in a nudge, nudge, wink, wink way.
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Threat still looming over car plant that has never had strike
THE threat of a first strike in its history still lingered over Nissan's North-East plant last night. While efforts continued on-site to resolve the outstanding pay and conditions settlement three weeks after it should have been implemented, engineering
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University paves the way for animated Oscar contenders
NORTH-EAST names could soon be emblazoned among the credits of animated blockbusters like Monsters Inc and Ice Age thanks to a new course launched in the region. The first 15 students have just enrolled on the BA (Hons) Animation course at Sunderland
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Rich footballers - and congested motorists
There's a lot of money in the news at the moment, and, whether it's gambling footballers or London congestion charges, it seems that some very basic principles are being missed. All things are relative, money especially so, and it seems stunningly obvious
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Sorry saga of our spendthrift students
Well of course it will be more than £21,000, won't it? £21,000 is the current guess of how much university graduates will owe by the time they've got their degrees. That's taking into account their living costs for three years, plus the universities'
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Warships decision may be further blow for BAE
A DECISION is expected any day on who will win the coveted £2.7bn contract to build the biggest warships ever made in Britain. BAE systems, which yesterday axed more than 1,000 jobs, is vying for the contract with French-owned company Thales Naval, which
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Lee brings up 50 with fine treble at Sedgefield
Graham Lee was more thrilled than most that yesterday's Sedgefield meeting went ahead despite the heavy rain as he ended a 'quiet spell' and reached his half-century for the season in tremendous style with a 951-1 treble on Grattan Lodge, Begsy's Bullet
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School children avoid dirty toilets
School toilets across the North-East are so bad that many children avoid using them for the entire day. The survey, carried out by Newcastle University, calls for urgent legislation to bring school toilets up to scratch. Pupils said the dirty condition
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Critics: A naked success
The Real Monty Keeps It Up, Empire Theatre, Sunderland I WAS beginning to think I was losing my sense of humour - and possibly my libido too - after reviewing the last couple of productions especially for ladies. Depressingly unfunny and crude, not my
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Farming couple join diversification event
A FARMING couple from West Auckland were among dozens from across the country to take part in a special event in London yesterday. The event, at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) headquarters, was to showcase the opportunities
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First stage of youth arts project completed
THE first phase of a youth arts project in Newton Aycliffe has been completed. A meeting in the Youth House at Silverdale Place was held yesterday to mark the end of phase one. Funding provided by a County Durham Youth Development Grant has been used
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Taxi driver gets 18-month ban
A TAXI driver has been banned from driving after he drove while over the legal limit, following an argument with his wife. Arthur Turner, 44, of Faverdale Road, Darlington, was over the legal drink-drive limit while driving his private hire taxi with
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Protests over 'impractical' bus shelter
PLANNING officials have been criticised for erecting a Mediterranean-style bus shelter which leaves passengers freezing and soaking wet. The greenhouse-like shelter, put up in Wolsingham as part of a £300,000 Market Place enhancement scheme, has no sides
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Inquest into mother and children deaths opens
The inquest was opened into the deaths of an Asian mother and her two young children yesterday. Nabeala Hussain, 23, of Gresham Road, Middlesbrough, was found dead with her son Danial, three, and 22-month-old daughter Salia Mariam in the back of the burned-out
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Cooking up a celebration
Darlington Arts Centre's bistro is celebrating National Farmhouse Breakfast Week, in the first of a series of themed events. The full English breakfast theme - which also includes healthy options - runs until Saturday, from 9.30am to 2pm each day. It
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Relentless march of the war machine
REMEMBER the last war? Afghanistan. Fought on foot and in the air in response to September 11. What did it achieve? Certainly the two-month bombardment of the caves of Tora Bora brought the deaths of the guests at a wedding. But that wasn't the war's
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Fears that takeover battle may hit stores
COUNCILLORS remain hopeful that big supermarkets will stay in Darlington if a major takeover deal goes ahead. Retail chain Morrisons is one of several companies bidding to take over rival Safeway, in a move which could have important implications for
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Modelling challenge
STEAM engineers are to make a return to Darlington this weekend as families are invited to help with a construction project at Darlington's Railway Centre and Museum. Visitors to the museum in North Road will have the chance to work on a giant papier
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Recruiting people for civil service
ALMOST 2,000 civil service jobs are being created at Government agencies across the North-East. The Department for Work and Pensions begins a big recruitment exercise to appoint administrative officers and administrative assistants today. About half will
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Picture show
An exhibition of watercolour paintings by artist Gillie Cawthorne will be staged at Trevelyan College, Durham University. The exhibition runs from Monday, February 3 to Friday, March 7, and is open from 10am to 6pm.
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The last word
A banned driver has been arrested in Fortuna, California, after taunting police with obscene gestures while fleeing at 5mph on a sit-on lawnmower
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100-year old Florrie's blooming
A WOMAN who was one of 11 children has celebrated her 100th birthday. Florence Gelson grew up in a family with ten siblings, but yesterday, she celebrated her birthday with her two sons, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A party was held
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Ignore Yardie reports, jury told
A JUDGE in a drugs trial yesterday urged the jury to ignore reports in the media about Jamaican Yardies. Six men have been on trial since January 9 at Teesside Crown Court denying a conspiracy to supply crack cocaine last year at a house in Walpole Street
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Echo's exhibition supports campaign to mark pit graves
A MAJOR exhibition is being organised by The Northern Echo to raise money for our campaign to mark the graves of the victims of the North-East's worst coal mining disaster. The exhibition will be held a year after we launched the campaign to coincide
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Spotlight on celebrated collection of costumes
ONE of the country's most celebrated collections of costumes and textiles is about to come under the public spotlight. The Castle Museum, in York, houses vast collections of costumes, jewellery and accessories, dating from the 17th to the 20th Century
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News in brief: Villagers hold peace vigil
A silent Vigil for Peace will be held at Sedgefield Crosshills, on the village green, from 11am to noon on Saturday. The event has been organised by the Sedgefield Against War group. St Edmund's Church will also be open for people to light prayer candles
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Deaths case GP loses appeal
AN "incompetent" GP struck off after two of her patients died, lost her appeal at the Privy Council in London yesterday. Dr Usha Singh, 49, representing herself, told the Law Lords there had been a confusion over names in relation to one patient. Having
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Army fire crews helped by wet weather
WET weather helped keep down the number of fire calls in Tyne and Wear, fire chiefs said last night. Army units dealt with a total of 22 calls relating to 18 separate incidents, although it appears the public have heeded previous warnings and no hoax
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Search is on for musical performers
A THEATRE company is looking for actors, dancers and singers aged between eight and 25 to take part in a production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. The Dionysis Theatre Company will need a cast of 120 when it stages the musical at the Gala Theatre
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Rose West's jail wedding called off
THE most unlikely romance of the year - between serial killer Rose West and the bass player of glam rock band Slade - is off. West, who is serving ten life sentences for the murder of ten women and girls at the Gloucester House of Horrors, was said to
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Half-shaven Joe raises £400 for cancer ward
A RETIRED window cleaner became a familiar figure for a few weeks following a charity fundraising stunt. Joe Angus agreed to have half his beard shaved to raise money for the regional children's cancer unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI
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Man denies child porn charges
A MAN accused of downloading pornography from the Internet on to CDs was told by a court yesterday that he would have to stand trial. John Flynn, 40, of Dalby Avenue, Harrogate, pleaded not guilty at the town's magistrates' court to six charges of making
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Man denies 1995 rape of student
A REVELLER arrested for being drunk was charged with a rape committed seven years earlier, a court heard. Police say that DNA taken from Mark Wilkinson linked him with the vicious sex attack - although the 27-year-old denies rape. Newcastle Crown Court
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Customer service up to the Charter Mark
NEWCASTLE City Council's first customer service centre has won the Government's Charter Mark for customer service excellence. The Charter Mark scheme is part of the Government's drive to modernise public services and it is awarded on the basis of results
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Protests over building plans
PEOPLE opposed to a three-storey flat development are organising their protest. Home owners in Egglescliffe want to block plans by George Wimpey property developers to build 24 apartments in South View, between Yarm Road and Urlay Nook Road. Residents
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Customs officers enlist long arm of the anti-smuggling scanner
A NEW weapon is being employed in the fight against cigarette smugglers who are closing down corner shops and putting lives at risk. Customs officials at Tees Dock, Middlesbrough, now have a mobile x-ray scanning machine that can detect cigarettes concealed
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Mother speaks of attack ordeal
A MOTHER has told of her terrifying fight to protect her young son after an intruder broke into her home and attacked the pair as they lay in bed. The 31-year-old woman, who asked not to be identified, was in bed with her child, when she awoke to find
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Car sharing bid launched
A DRIVE-TO-WORK car sharing initiative is to be launched in a bid to reduce pollution and traffic congestion. In the Tees Valley Strategy Unit scheme, drivers will be able to register details on a website, of journeys they are planning. They will be given
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Knauf snaps up insulation firm
Building materials company Knauf has acquired the majority stake in the Hartlepool firm KnaufAlcopor. The UK market leader in glass mineral wool, rock mineral wool, fibre and extruded polystyrene foam insulation solutions will now operate under the new
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Regional award for Margaret
A FEMALE entrepreneur who set up her own computer consultancy 18 years ago has won a business award. Margaret Clare, managing director of Solutions Recruitment, in Newcastle, has been named North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. She set up her consultancy
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Cup fever hits 12th real ale festival
REAL ale fans are gearing up for their own version of the FA Cup. Sunderland-supporting landlord Graham Ford is modelling the 12th annual beer festival at the Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, near Stanley, on the football competition. The beer voted the best
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Taking debt to a higher degree
Graduates could face debts of £21,000 under new plans for higher education funding. But will it stop people going to university? Lindsay Jennings reports FOR American student Stephanie Joyce, the decision over which university she should attend was dictated
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Bid to cut down on car usage
A MAJOR traffic consultation exercise is being carried out to reduce congestion in three of the county's towns. North Yorkshire County Council is developing a traffic management strategy for Easingwold, Malton and Norton, with the aim of making walking
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Research on rail safety barriers may save lives
PIONEERING research by a North-East university into ways to make Britain's crumbling road bridges safer could be put into practice soon. Experts from the University of Teesside have now delivered their final research report to the Government after eight
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Co-ordinator appointed
A BARTERING scheme launched four years ago in North Yorkshire has a new co-ordinator. Kate Lawrence took up the post for the Richmond and district local exchange trading system (Lets), which operates in the Richmond, Bedale and Northallerton areas. The
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News in brief:Almshouse funds boosted
The Northern Echo's sister paper, the East Cleveland Advertiser, has helped raise more than £500 for the upkeep of the Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirkleatham, near Redcar. The money, raised from local businesses, has been set aside towards funding
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Historic ship's documents recording restoration handed over
THE full story of the restoration of Nelson's last surviving frigate has itself now sailed into history. Two years after the restoration of the Trincomalee, Britain's oldest surviving warship, was completed at Hartlepool, the story has been lodged in
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Grassroots: Melmerby and Middleton Quernhow Parish Council
PLAY AREA: An estimate from Parkdale Play has been accepted and now all the equipment has been installed on the play area next to Melmerby and Middleton Quernhow Village Hall. Though the council was happy with the installation of the equipment, it was
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Remembering the proud past of an industrial powerhouse
Today it is one of the region's most thriving towns, but back in the 1850s it was little more than a hamlet. Gavin Havery joins Middlesbrough's 150th birthday celebrations LOOKING at the bustling town on the banks of the Tees, it is hard to imagine that
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Extra exercise classes under Help scheme
A FITNESS initiative that aims to help people in Hartlepool improve their health and quality of life is being expanded. The Hartlepool Exercise for Life (Help) scheme was set up in 1999 to work with people referred by GPs, physiotherapists and other health
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Safe zone for residents of flats
TENANTS in a North-East city tower block can rest assured that their homes are a safe zone after the completion of a security scheme. Residents of Cruddas Park House and traders from Cruddas Park shopping centre, in Newcastle, marked the culmination of
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Business briefs: Inflation edges down 0.1%
Inflation fell last month as shoppers benefited from bargains on the High Street, figures showed yesterday. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed underlying inflation in December fell to 2.7 per cent against 2.8 per cent the previous month
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Drink-drive drama on school stage
TEENAGERS have taken part in workshops tackling the problems of drink-driving. The Ape Theatre Company performed Too Much Punch For Judy at Egglescliffe Comprehensive School, Eaglescliffe, yesterday. The drama tells the story of a girl who killed her
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Treasury job seen through
SECURITY glass specialist Romag is celebrating finishing a major contract at HM Treasury's building in London. The Consett company has provided solar control glass for the building in the heart of Whitehall. A total of 1,700 windows were upgraded by removing
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Keyring brings Lotto luck as couple win £3m
A LUCKY Lotto keyring opened the door to a champagne lifestyle for a young couple who won a £3m jackpot, they revealed yesterday. Deborah Purvis, from Newcastle, plans to buy a new house with fianc of five years, Jason White, and their two children after
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N-E speakers tell how to be patient 'Pals'
TWO health workers from the North-East are to address a national conference on how to convey information to hospital patients. Moira Britton, chief executive with the Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust and Joan Breckon, head of patient liaison, will
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Confusion over Euro
A POLL has revealed that 60 per cent of local businesses feel they do not have enough information to make an informed judgement on how entry into the Eurozone might affect them. The poll, part of Durham Business Club's Euro debate on January 31, showed
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Insurance broker strengthens position
A DARLINGTON insurance brokers has strengthened its position as one of the top North-East-based insurance companies with its acquisition of another company. BiB (Darlington) Limited has bought out DMC Insurance Services, which was based in Grange Road
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Plastering unit launch
A NEW plastering unit opened at Darlington College of Technology on Monday. Plastering companies from all over the region attended the official opening, which was carried out by college principal Sarah Farley. Trainee plasterers completing their training
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Traders hoping for £2m town centre funding
DESPERATE traders hope that a bid for £2m of Government money could help turn around their struggling town centre. Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum has applied for funding through the Urban Renaissance Programme to make improvements to the north end
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Magpies close in on £15m double swoop
NEWCASTLE were last night closing in on a £15m double deal as Sir Bobby Robson declared his intention to hunt down Arsenal and Manchester United in ultimate pursuit of the Premiership title. Robson confirmed that the Magpies are in talks with Leeds and
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Poetic tribute to town foundations
Rather than peer into the past, this week Echo Memories looks into the future to see how it is being shaped by history In a profitable dream Edward Pease, the Dad of Steam, mover, Quaker, Captain Clean, spent his cash from coal and wool upon an engine
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Clash over MPs' borders switch
PROPOSALS to alter radically the political make-up of several key North-East constituencies have been presented to a review of political boundaries. The Boundary Commission for England is in Darlington for two days to hear views on its recommendations
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Centre launched
A DROP-IN centre was launched on Monday to provide advice and information about mental health. At the official opening, guest Dr Rosie Page spoke about the mental health problems suffered by her father, Alf Wight, who wrote the James Herriot novels. She
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Man admits to killing elderly widow in Spain
A NORTH-EAST man has confessed to killing an elderly widow in Spain after samples of his DNA were found under her fingernails, it has been revealed. Richarch Monteith, 50, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, who has been locked in Spanish jail for the past
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Domestic violence case can now be reported online
A unique system allowing cases of domestic violence to be reported online has been launched in the region. Darlington Domestic Violence Forum has decided to provide the service to make it easier for anyone concerned about violence to report their fears
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22/01/03
FIREWORKS: ON behalf of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, I would like to thank people for their fantastic support of our Regulate Fireworks Now petition, which calls for an end to the disruption and distress caused to dogs and their owners by
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The Darlington to Dunedin diary, 1879
Stirrings of shipboard romance on journey to a new life Recovered from his seasickness, Jonathan Moscrop's thoughts turn to the people he has left at home in Darlington, and we get the first indication that one of the reasons that he is emigrating to
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Sorry saga of our spendthrift students
Well of course it will be more than £21,000, won't it? £21,000 is the current guess of how much university graduates will owe by the time they've got their degrees. That's taking into account their living costs for three years, plus the universities'
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I hate the man who loves carpets, me
KEN in the pub hasn't been too clever: slight stroke, back and forth to the clinic at the Memorial, latterly looking much perkier. Last week the nurse engaged him in clinical conversation about the sort of things which seemed to make his blood boil. Ken
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Johnson in talks over Riverside switch
MIDDLESBROUGH hope to push through the signing of Seth Johnson after agreeing a £4m fee with cash-strapped Leeds. Left-sided midfielder Johnson would be the fifth international to head out of Elland Road this season following Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Keane
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Council plans to demolish properties
ABOUT 90 council houses are expected to be demolished as part of plans to regenerate two deprived former mining communities. Derwentside District Council has released plans to knock down 49 properties in Heathfield Gardens, Catchgate, near Stanley and
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Johnston's Quest should not be ignored
ATLANTIC QUEST has the class to defy a long absence in the opening Bet Direct Handicap at Lingfield this afternoon. Despite being away from the track for 242 days, punters should not ignore the claims of Mark Johnston's four-year-old, who won on his slightly
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Shelter project will give more aid
EXPANDING a volunteer scheme based in York could give homeless youngsters across Hambleton and Richmondshire somewhere to turn to in an emergency. The Nightstop project is already a success in the south of North Yorkshire and Ryedale also launched a service
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Police welcome more cash to help fight against drug crime
POLICE bosses in the North East have welcomed a share of a multi-million pound Government windfall in the fight against drug-driven crime. All police areas in the North-East and North Yorkshire will share in a £144m national package of measures including
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Environment project work to start soon
WORK on an environmental project at a Ferryhill Station play area is to start this week. The contractors have moved on to the Surtees play area site to begin work on the Doorstep Green initiative. The Countryside Agency initiative is the first of its
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Students keenly await African guest's return
STUDENTS will get a chance to sample South African culture when a special guest pays them a visit next month. Multi-talented artist Raymond Otto is taking his Takalani Tour to Sunnydale School, Shildon, for a three-day visit from Monday, February 24.
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Dangerous dog is saved from death
A DANGEROUS dog has been saved from death by the woman it attacked. Barbara Anderson told Darlington Magistrates Court that she did not want the dog, named Lady, to be destroyed, despite the extensive injuries she received after it bit her. The dog's
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Magistrates court case hearings
The following cases were heard by Darlington magistrates yesterday: ASSAULT CHARGE: Rachel Milne, 20, of Whytebridge Drive, Darlington pleaded guilty to assaulting Catherine Hamilton. Magistrates heard that Milne had been upset at the death of a close
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Rallying call to save old buildings
RESIDENTS worried about the loss of old buildings in Darlington are holding a public meeting tonight. The event, at the town's Dolphin Centre, could lead to the formation of a pressure group. Representatives from English Heritage and the North-East Civic
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Park bosses to take legal advice over Fylingdales
NATIONAL park chiefs are to take legal advice over the plan to upgrade Fylingdales early warning base for the US Son of Star Wars project. In the wake of the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) agreement to the scheme, park bosses want to know more about the
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First aid plea to businesses
BUSINESSES are asked to help a campaign to recruit junior life-savers. The Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (Tenyas) is to issue primary school children with a first aid handbook. They want businesses to help them by sponsoring the publication
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Jail terms reduced following appeals
TWO North-East men who were working on the Isle of Wight when they attacked a guitarist in a pub had their jail terms more than halved by senior judges yesterday. Shaun Michael Donovan, 26, of Keswick Street, Hartlepool, and Christopher Michael Pegg,
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Cut in hoax calls eases the burden
SERVICEMEN standing in for striking firefighters in south west Durham were relieved yesterday that their time was not wasted by hoax callers. Forces personnel received one call during the daylight hours, which was a hoax call to a property in Darlington
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Attempted murder charge
A MAN appeared in court yesterday accused of attempting to murder the mother of his two children in a scissors attack. Ian McConnell, 29, was alleged to have attacked Jennifer Baines at her new home in Rugeley Close, Roseworth, Stockton, after the breakdown
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Solicitor is struck off
A solicitor with two previous findings of misconduct against him was struck off when he appeared before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday. Timothy Nigel Husbands, 38, of Petch's Cottages, Liverton, Saltburn, east Cleveland, admitted borrowing
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£550,000 boost for school sport
PUPILS at a North-East primary school will soon be able to benefit from top class sports and arts facilities thanks to a £550,000 grant. The money has come from Space for Sport and Arts. Work is due to start on the project in the coming weeks and will
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Visiting nurse's heart to heart
A VISIT to a hospital on Teesside is proving an eye opener for a theatre nurse from Romania. Mona OLaru is spending a week shadowing heart surgery staff at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. Jenny McKnight, assistant director of cardiothoracic
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Echo's exhibition supports campaign to mark pit graves
A MAJOR exhibition is being organised by The Northern Echo to raise money for our campaign to mark the graves of the victims of the North-East's worst coal mining disaster. The exhibition will be held a year after we launched the campaign to coincide
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Military facing boredom battle
WAR may be hell, but it seems preferable to a dull day in Darlington. Across the country, 30,000 members of the Armed Forces were making preparations yesterday to ship out to the Gulf, possibly to do battle with Saddam. But in one quiet corner of the
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City hosts youth forum on disability
AN international youth project looking at disability will be held in County Durham next month. Shoulder to Shoulder will involve more than 40 young people from the county and Europe, including Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. The event
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Vow to oppose estate plans
A PARISH council chairman has vowed to lead opposition to a proposed development in a North Yorkshire village. Keith Hyman, chairman of Huntington Parish Council, said there was real concern about plans for the Birch Park estate. If approved, 226 apartments
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German course
A German course is starting tomorrow for beginners and those wanting to improve their skills. The course will start at Queen Elizabeth's Sixth Form College in Darlington from 7pm until 9pm. The 11-week course costs £46. For information call (01325) 461315
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Ripper theory on unsolved murder
THE Yorkshire Ripper and the infamous hoaxer Wearside Jack may have joined forces to carry out the unsolved murder of a prostitute during the 1970s. A perverse loyalty between the two notorious figures could hold the key to the killing of Preston call-girl
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Louise sets off on fact-finding trip to Ghana
A WORKER from a water supplier is going on a fact-finding mission to Ghana to see the problems caused by the lack of clean drinking water. Louise Robinson, from Northumbrian Water, will travel to the west African state with the company's adopted charity
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Customs officers enlist long arm of the anti-smuggling scanner
A NEW weapon is being employed in the fight against cigarette smugglers who are closing down corner shops and putting lives at risk. Customs officials at Tees Dock, Middlesbrough, now have a mobile x-ray scanning machine that can detect cigarettes concealed
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Quick-thinking TA soldier honoured
A TERRITORIAL Army soldier yesterday received an award for his quick-thinking, which saved the life of a woman and her daughter. Lance Corporal Anthony Simpson, 41, of Billingham, was first on the scene after a five-vehicle accident on the A66 near Scotch
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Artists in competition
ARTISTS from all over the North-East are invited to enter an annual competition. The Dover Prize promotes art and rewards amateur and professional artists. Original drawings, paintings, watercolours and prints are permitted. Artists can enter up to three
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Winged invaders
THEY are over-wintering, overwhelmingly attractive and over here. A wave of invading waxwings has been reported in Country Durham. With their handsome plumage and acrobatic antics among the branches of berry-bearing trees, the birds are a delight to watch
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Overhaul brings new rules
The City watchdog has outlined new rules for the way financial products are sold following a radical overhaul of the system. The Financial Services Authority announced late last year that it was abolishing the current regime, known as polarisation, and
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Nissan worker sacked after singing Elvis' hits
Elvis fan David Jewers was all shook up when he was sacked after singing along to the King's hits whilst working on the Nissan production line. An employment tribunal heard yesterday how the part-time club singer felt 'intimidated, patronised, and threatened
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Salmon decision to be left late
No final decision will be taken about a Cheltenham target for Beef Or Salmon until the final days before the Festival, his trainer Michael Hourigan confirmed yesterday. The seven-year-old novice put himself in the picture for the Tote Cheltenham Gold
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Grassroots - Yarm & Eaglescliffe
YOGA CLASSES: Two yoga classes are taking place in Yarm. The first is at the Youth and Community Centre, High Church Wynd, Yarm, on Mondays, from 6.30pm to 7.45pm. Enrolment is £14 and for details contact Lesley on (01642) 272637. The second class is
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Raider armed - with a pen
POLICE are hunting a would-be robber who tried to hold up a hairdresser's salon - armed with a pen. The man burst into Allusions hairdressers in Stanley, County Durham, just before 5.30pm last Friday. Brandishing the pen, he threatened the female counter
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Former inmate's claim rejected
A jailed art expert who claimed a prison warder tried to seduce his wife has lost a claim for damages against the Home Office. It was alleged that Mary Duddin was repeatedly sexually harassed by the guard as she visited her husband, David, a dealer who
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Pensioner mugged
A MUGGER who assaulted an elderly woman and stole her handbag as she walked along an alleyway was being hunted by police yesterday. The woman was in the alleyway leading from Newbiggin to Victoria Road, Richmond, when she was accosted and her bag was
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Bank card theft teen sentenced
A TEENAGER who stole his stepfather's bank card and used it for fraud after a period of living rough in his car to escape his brutality, has been sentenced. Matthew Swale, 19, was conditionally discharged for a year by Harrogate magistrates after admitting
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New faces to lead church's choir
A DARLINGTON church has appointed two new faces to lead its choir after the sudden death of its organist. David Garrood, 61, died while practising on the piano at the parish church of St James the Great in December. Now, Stephen Edmonds, 25, and Jo Ramadan
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News in brief: Garage raiders take £600 bike
Burglars made off with a distinctive mountain bike after breaking into a garage in Bradley Cottages, near Medomsley, Consett. The Rockhopper competition bike, worth about £600, was stolen on Sunday. It was painted in metallic blue, yellow and black. Burglars
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News in brief:Almshouse funds boosted
The Northern Echo's sister paper, the East Cleveland Advertiser, has helped raise more than £500 for the upkeep of the Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirkleatham, near Redcar. The money, raised from local businesses, has been set aside towards funding
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Grassroots: Catterick Parish Council
CEMETERY EXPANSION: Plans for extension of the cemetery have been approved provided the Environment Agency is satisfied that all the criteria laid down for burial grounds are covered. Boundary walls need to be built and the site made ready for burials
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Many hands make art work in village project
ONE year ago, an arts group held an "inspiration day" in the hope of coming up with ways of picturing life in their village in a work of community art. The initiative by Terrington Arts, based in the village of the same name near Malton, led to a workshop
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Comment: Looking for a skilful way out
IT was like 2002 all over again. Most people thought that the firefighters' strike had been put away with the Christmas decorations, but there they were, out again yesterday, burning with indignation on the picket line. And there was their union, occupying
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Choir seeks more singers
A CHOIR is holding an open evening in an effort to increase its membership. Hartlepool Male Voice Choir is holding the event at the Corner Flag Club near the Mill House Leisure Centre on Friday at 7.30pm. Anyone interested can go to the open evening or
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News in brief: Family trees
Elizabeth Melrose, from North Yorkshire County Libraries, will hold workshops to help people trace their family tree. The two-hour sessions will provide advice and information on the resources available. The free afternoon classes take place on Monday
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Remembering the proud past of an industrial powerhouse
Today it is one of the region's most thriving towns, but back in the 1850s it was little more than a hamlet. Gavin Havery joins Middlesbrough's 150th birthday celebrations LOOKING at the bustling town on the banks of the Tees, it is hard to imagine that
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Britain will back me on war, insists Blair
Tony Blair insisted yesterday that Saddam Hussein was "rattled" - and confidently predicted the British public would back military action against Iraq if he failed to surrender his weapons of mass destruction. The Prime Minister refused to rule out the
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'People power' praised after council backs pool scheme
THE dream of building a multi-million pound swimming pool in Redcar looks likely to become a reality. Councillors agreed that a scheme to build 250 homes and develop leisure facilities at the 35-acre Coatham Enclosure leisure site, which could attract
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Athletes sought for team selection
YOUNGSTERS are being encouraged to take part in an indoor athletics competition in Stockton next month. Selectors for the Tees Valley Team will be at the contest, at Thornaby Pavilion, on Monday, February 17, between 11am and 4pm. Events will include
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Petrol bomb thrown at car
A DOORMAN had a fortunate escape after thugs tried to pet- rol bomb his car as he drove to work. The man, who has not been named, was leaving his home in East View, Dipton, County Durham, to drive to work at the Trades nightclub, in John Street, Consett
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Man who cheated ex-wives convited of perjury
A businessman who cheated his two ex-wives out of their share of his fortune was today convicted of perjury. Agricultural consultant Graham Shipley, 57, from York, was found guilty of two charges of lying to prevent his first ex-wife, Susan, getting a
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Toda targets switch to struggling Black Cats
JAPANESE World Cup star Kazuyuki Toda last night revealed he is desperate to stay on at Sunderland beyond this weekend. The 25-year-old midfielder has been on trial at the Stadium of Light for the past 11 days and he is due to leave Wearside at the end
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I hate the man who loves carpets, me
KEN in the pub hasn't been too clever: slight stroke, back and forth to the clinic at the Memorial, latterly looking much perkier. Last week the nurse engaged him in clinical conversation about the sort of things which seemed to make his blood boil. Ken
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New business venture is a family affair
THE launch of a promising business venture has proved a real family affair for budding entrepreneur Janice Graham. She is banking on her sister, daughter and niece to help her make her latest enterprise a real success story in Darlington. Janice, 42,
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Police raids net drugs and stolen goods
DRUGS and stolen goods worth thousands of pounds have been seized in a string of police raids. In Langley Park, near Durham City, officers raided two houses in Railway Street on Friday evening. Police from the Lanchester section, backed up by officers
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Armed siege ends after caravan site stand-off
AN armed police siege at a country caravan park came to a peaceful end yesterday after more than 12 hours of negotiations. The situation was resolved without a shot being fired when two men were escorted from their isolated caravan at about 10.30am. One
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Firefighters urge fresh talks to stop strikes
FIREFIGHTERS' leaders last night said they wanted to resume peace talks tomorrow, in a bid to stop further strike action. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) asked conciliation service Acas to arrange fresh negotiations ahead of two 48-hour stoppages due to
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Pool strengthen lead at top
FIVE points clear at the top, five wins in a row, Hartlepool United gave a five-star show at Macclesfield last night. Eifion Williams' 14th of the season was enough for the points and Pool's third 1-0 win at Moss Rose in as many years; the only sticking
