Archive
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Crown court bid to evict gipsies will be made after complaints
EFFORTS are under way to evict 100 gipsies who invaded a caravan site, after they were accused of assault, arson and criminal damage. Six travelling families were forced off the land by the gipsies, who had arrived on Teesside to attend the funeral of
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In The Picture: Why TV plays it safe
There are more channels, but less to see as TV bosses stick to tried and tested formulae and give us more of what they know we like. It's official - television offers the same old thing night in, night out. More channels doesn't necessarily mean more
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Clough better
Football legend Brian Clough continues to make a good recovery, following his life-saving liver transplant. A spokesman for the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, said yesterday that the Middlesbrough-born former manager and TV pundit had been moved to a
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Sign language course starts
A NEW sign language course will be starting at a Newton Aycliffe school next week. British Sign Language, Stage 1, begins on Thursday, at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre. The certified course will run each Thursday, from 1.15pm to 3.15pm for 30 weeks
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Region represented
A CHAMPION of people with speech difficulties will be the only delegate from the region at the launch of the European Year of People with Disabilities, in Athens this weekend. Edwin Farr, MBE, from Newcastle, who sits on the General Council of the European
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'Fraud sank sub cafes scheme'
Plans to open a chain of submarine-themed restaurants were sunk when the deal fell through - leaving the man behind the scheme £45,000 in the red, a court heard. Businessman Ian Hopper hoped to involve Hollywood mogul Steven Spielberg in his ambitious
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Team has trial run in bid to launch radio station in city
A VETERAN broadcaster who helped set up Classic FM is behind the latest bid to establish Durham's own radio station. Nigel Reeve, who was among a team of three to set up the national station, is launching the bid with Nick Jordan, through the newly established
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Comment: Facing up to the challenge
WITH frustrations mounting about the continuing lack of a clear strategy for the future of the Blue Circle site, the last thing Wear Valley needed was more bad news on the jobs front. The unexpected closure of Barbour's operation in Crook is another sickening
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Heroin addicts jailed
TWO men were jailed last night for a string of burglaries - including a raid on their former schools. John Forajter, 24, of Linmoor Avenue, Middlesbrough, and Lee Williams, 26, of Margrove Walk, Middlesbrough were appearing at Teesside Crown Court. Forajter
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Salesman is jailed for filming up skirts
A MAN who was caught videoing up women's skirts and searching the Internet for child pornography was jailed for six months yesterday. Salesman Terence Dickinson puzzled a store detective who saw him touring shops carrying a black briefcase with a baseball
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What everyone wants
A SHOPPING mall is hopeful of attracting a big name replacement for discount store What Everyone Wants. Up to 2,500 jobs are to go across the UK with the winding down of the firm, after a buyer could not be found. Manager of Darlington's Cornmill Shopping
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Call for witnesses to serious crash
POLICE accident investigators have appealed for witnesses to a crash in which two people were injured - one seriously - yesterday. The crash involving a Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Maverick and Scania articulated lorry happened at 9.45am on the B6296 road at
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News in brief: Man denies blackmail
A 52-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to blackmail, false imprisonment and causing actual bodily harm. Trevor Thirlwall, of Granville Road, Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. He is charged with detaining Robert Phillips against
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Parish council to organise campaign against builders
A PARISH council is planning to leaflet 3,500 homes to try and prevent a housing development. The community of Eaglescliffe is being mobilised to stop the plan. Egglescliffe Parish Council is to leaflet all 3,500 homes in its parish asking residents to
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Safer cycle helmets firm poised to break into US
AN invention designed to revolutionise road safety is on the verge of breaking into the North American market. Reevu, based in Low Willington, near Crook, County Durham, created a cycling helmet with an built-in rear view mirror which it claims makes
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Call centre staff being sought
MORE jobs are being created by a fast-growing call centre. Churchill Insurance wants to take on 85 more workers at its Thornaby base. The company set up in Teesside four years ago, and employs 664 staff at the company's biggest base outside its Bromley
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Rap star obsession of savage murderer
A teenager repeatedly listened to the violent lyrics of controversial rapper Eminem after he murdered a defenceless man sleeping rough, a court heard yesterday. Victim Richard Jones, a 47-year-old former Welsh Guardsman, was found dead in a seaside shelter
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Bird enthusiast's criticisms after conviction is lifted
A BIRD enthusiast has criticised the country's leading bird charity after overturning his conviction for a wildlife offence. Michael Davidson was found guilty last August by magistrates at Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, of having equipment that he intended
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Victim named
THE elderly victim of a fire at a house in St Bede's Close, Crossgate Moor, Durham, on Thursday, has been named as 82-year-old Annie Isabella Wardle, known as Belle. She was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham after the blaze broke out in
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How Pop Rival family brawled in the streets
THE brother and sister of Girls Aloud star Cheryl Tweedy's brother and sister have appeared before magistrates after a street brawl. Just weeks after Cheryl, 19, feared she would be thrown out of the Popstars: The Rivals band after being arrested for
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Pipeline team aids church appeal
A CHURCH restoration project is closer to its target of raising £11,000 - thanks to a donation from the team behind a major pipeline scheme. St Lawrence's Church, at East Rounton, near Northallerton, dates back to the 13th Century, and is of great historical
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Tupperware parties a thing of the past
THE fate of the Tupperware party has been sealed. No longer will we be able spend an evening cooing over plastic food containers and enjoying a glass of wine and gossip with the girls. Earlier this week, the US Tupperware group announced it was stopping
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First Selby rail crash claims are paid out
THE first of 88 compensation claims arising from the Selby rail crash have been settled, it emerged yesterday. But the insurance firm handling them warned it would be some time yet before others received compensation. The disaster happened almost two
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'Popular' priest and journalist dies
FATHER Michael Finnigan, one of the region's best known Catholic priests, has died suddenly. He was 59. "He was a very good priest, very popular and very down to earth," said Canon Seamus Cunningham, a Vicar General of the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle
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Late nights for city's retailers
REGULAR late-night shopping looks certain to be introduced in York. For several years, during the run-up to Christmas, stores in York have stayed open later than usual on Thursday nights. Now the local council together with the Chamber of Commerce and
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Nissan workers in crucial vote
WORKERS at Nissan's North-East complex are voting in a crucial ballot that could see Europe's most productive car plant embroiled in the first industrial action in its 18-year history. Bosses at the Sunderland plant have been in talks over pay with the
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The Albany Northern League Today: Willington survival mission
Willington are hoping they can start a revival when they go to Murton today. Willington, one of the oldest clubs in the Northern League, are staring relegation in the face as they lie at the bottom of the second division, three points adrift of the next
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Service to mark new beginning
AFTER a year of negotiations the church parishes of Coatham and Dormanstown in Redcar have amalgamated. The new Parish of Coatham and Dormanstown will maintain two parish churches; Christ Church at Coatham and All Saints at Dormanstown. Vicar John Richardson
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Neil plans teaching trip to China
A TEENAGER is aiming to raise £3,500 to fund a trip to China, where he will spend a year teaching English. Neil Thomas, 18, from Chester-le-Street, is to start work in a Chinese secondary school in September, after completing his A-levels at St Leonard's
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Community centre fitness course aims to increase health
A GOVERNMENT-funded fitness course is about to begin at a community centre. Move to Improve is a free ten-week course starting on Friday, from 1pm to 3pm, at the Farringdon Jubilee Centre, Allendale Road, Sunderland. It is the first to receive funding
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'Brideshead' revisited early
ONE of the region's attractions is opening earlier this year. Castle Howard house - known to millions as the setting for TV's Brideshead Revisited - is opening on February 14, a month earlier than usual. With short breaks becoming more popular, York and
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Injuries clinic
The minor injuries clinic will continue on Tuesdays at Newbiggin-in-Teesdale Village Hall from 11am. For more details and to book an appointment call (01833) 640877.
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Dance schools unite to show off talents
TWO dance schools have joined forces and hired a theatre to showcase new talent. The Ian Pyle On Your Toes Dancers, from Ferryhill, have teamed up with the Bishop Auckland's Sandra Welsh School of Dance for the one-off production. Together the schools
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Students produce top ideas for site
TEENAGERS have shown professional construction companies the way forward after producing winning designs for a redundant cement works. Students from five schools were set the task of launching a construction company and devising an alternative use for
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Fighters take part in culture festival
CHAMPION Thai boxers from Trimdon will be taking part in a celebration of Thai culture tomorrow. The charitable event, organised by the Thai Trade and Cultural Organisation, will be held at the Ramside Hotel, on the outskirts of Durham. The event starts
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Search to find cat's owner
VETERINARY staff are trying to trace the owners of a black and white cat. The healthy tom was taken to Wilson's Veterinary Surgery, in Bishop Auckland, on Wednesday night by a client who was worried it was lost. The cat, which is in excellent condition
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Computer investment boost for library users
A £72,000 investment in bringing the latest technology to library users in Darlington will be unveiled next month. An e-library, giving people access to 28 computers, is to open at the town's Crown Street library. The computers, along with new furniture
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Pupils have an eye for detail with Chinese dragon
PRIMARY school children brought an oriental dragon to life to celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year. By painting the second eye on the head of a 30ft paper dragon in a traditional Chinese ceremony pupils at Cockton Hill Infant School, in Bishop Auckland
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Gardening: A rose by any other name...
It's one of those perennial gardening conundrums. What do you do with the plant label? You can't leave it tied on, for as well as disturbing the appearance of the garden (the flickering white colour of most labels is the easiest for the eye to pick out
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Agony goes on as Footsie slides for tenth day in row
Investors endured their tenth day of turmoil yesterday as the FTSE 100 index continued to suffer its longest-ever losing streak. The rollercoaster session was hit by the falling value of the US dollar and war fears. Britain's blue chip shares fell below
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Cyclists take the initiative
A GROUP has been formed to help cyclists in Guisborough enjoy cycle routes and mountain biking. Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough, has special sports college status and is looking at a number of similar initiatives. Youngsters and older cyclists
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Government will decide
THE future of a historic 60ft Grade II-listed wooden fence still hangs in the balance months after a council decision to demolish it. Guisborough Town Council wants to remove the fence outside Sunnyfield House, in Guisborough, and replace it with an metal
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Schools taking shape
A VISIT to Ingleby Barwick will allow guests to assess how work on two schools with community facilities is progressing. Representatives from Stockton Council and the Church of England's York Diocese will be taking a trip to the site of All Saints Secondary
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Poorer students are outshining the wealthy
STUDENTS from poor backgrounds attending a North-East university are less likely to fail their exams than their wealthier counterparts, according to new figures. Of 120 working class students attending Newcastle University, only five failed or had to
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Dinky toys likely to bring big returns
MORE than £400,000 of boxed Dinky, Corgi and matchbox toys are to be auctioned. Experts on Teesside, who will be selling the 1950s to the 1970s collection, say they have never seen so many toys in mint condition. Bryan Goodall, chairman of the Vectis
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A free guide
A free road safety guide being produced by Stockton Borough Council highlights the services on offer for everyone from pupils to parents and cyclists to walkers. It also contains information on cycle routes, motorcycle training, driver training, how to
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Showing the power of flowers
FOUR oil paintings from a North-East museum are to feature in a touring exhibition later this year. The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, has agreed to donate four oil paintings to feature in an exhibition called Flower Power, which will
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Lottery cash lets two garden schemes grow
YOUNGSTERS will learn about gardening thanks to two projects that have won National Lottery funding. Brandon Allotments is getting £21,634 from the £15.3m Seed programme for its community garden, and Brandon Carrside Youth Club is getting £3,169 to create
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Why TV plays it safe
There are more channels, but less to see as TV bosses stick to tried and tested formulae and give us more of what they know we like. It's official - television offers the same old thing night in, night out. More channels doesn't necessarily mean more
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A rose by any other name...
It's one of those perennial gardening conundrums. What do you do with the plant label? You can't leave it tied on, for as well as disturbing the appearance of the garden (the flickering white colour of most labels is the easiest for the eye to pick out
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Ball backs Wilko over Cup fever
HOWARD WILKINSON'S controversial policy of sacrificing possible FA Cup glory for Sunderland's No1 priority of Premiership safety last night received the unequivocal support of Wearside legend Kevin Ball. As Wilkinson made it clear ahead of today's Cup
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News in brief: 300 children in charity show
ABOUT 300 youngsters will be performing at a charity event tonight. The children are taking part in the eighth annual Youth Musical Spectacular event at the Sunderland Empire, from 7pm. The show is organised by the Rotary Club of Washington Forge. Proceeds
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25/01/03
GUN LAWS; ONCE again police have been called to deal with a firearm incident. This time it was a cigarette lighter in the guise of a replica Smith and Wesson revolver. The incident ended with the guns (cigarette lighters) being confiscated. I can only
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Mum and child attacked in bed
A MOTHER has told of her terrifying fight to protect her young son when 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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Failing Falcons' dreams becoming a nightmare
NEWCASTLE Falcons are eight matches from the unthinkable. Or even less if they keep on losing. Just as the dream of having one of the best teams in Europe to grace facilities of a similar standard was coming tantalisingly within sight everything has gone
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News in brief: 300 children in charity show
ABOUT 300 youngsters will be performing at a charity event tonight. The children are taking part in the eighth annual Youth Musical Spectacular event at the Sunderland Empire, from 7pm. The show is organised by the Rotary Club of Washington Forge. Proceeds
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News in brief: 300 children in charity show
ABOUT 300 youngsters will be performing at a charity event tonight. The children are taking part in the eighth annual Youth Musical Spectacular event at the Sunderland Empire, from 7pm. The show is organised by the Rotary Club of Washington Forge. Proceeds
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£6,000 prize-winning birds stolen
A PIGEON fancier of nearly 50 years standing said he was 'totally devastated' when his pride and joy £6,000 birds were stolen. Mike Fitzhugh, 59, had travelled to Holland and Belgium to buy the prize-winning pedigree birds but 13 of them were stolen last
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Robson considers rest for leg-weary Shearer
SIR BOBBY ROBSON has admitted he could rest skipper Alan Shearer for Newcastle's game at Tottenham on Wednesday in a shock move. Magpies boss Robson revealed that striking talisman Shearer is feeling the effects of a gruelling schedule of seven appearances
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Behrajan to show Gold form
Behrajan, who turned in his best effort to date at Ascot last month, can enhance his Gold Cup claims by taking the Pillar Property Chase over three miles and one furlong at Cheltenham this afternoon. Under the welterburden of nearly 12 stones, the eight-year-old
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Group's plans outlined
THE Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton has outlined its plans for the coming year. The 30-member club, which runs community projects, plans to replace a broken gate with a new metal kissing gate near the water fall in Great Ayton. The gate will
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Flower power for pets
FLOWERS could be the answer to cure depressed cats and aggressive dogs, a pet practitioner believes. Chris Drinkhall, a qualified Bach flower practitioner after two years' training, has gone into business treating animals. Ms Drinkhall, of West Dyke Road
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DNA conviction may herald sex crimes breakthrough
NORTHUMBRIA Police are poised to make several arrests as part of their investigations into unsolved sex crimes. Under Operation Phoenix, officers have been using DNA techniques to revisit sex cases from 1985 to 1999. This week, officers saw the first
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For Your Benefit: Will situation ever improve?
Q I am 57 and left my husband because of domestic violence. As I am on the sick, I receive Income Support of £53.95 a week. Out of this I have to pay £13 for rent as I am not allowed full Housing Benefit until I get council accommodation. Will my situation
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Skipper McGrath wants a good start
The main aim of new Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath is to get his team off to a good start this season then lead them straight back into the top flight of the County Championship. The 27-year-old Bradford-born batsman was yesterday confirmed as the
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Music time
THE Langbaurgh Theatre Organ Society, which uses a large Wurlitzer at James Finegan Municipal Hall in Eston, has announced its new programme. Admission at the door is £2.50 (£1.50 concessions) and performances start at 2.30pm. Highlights include performances
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Bishops in Leek repeat
Bishop Auckland manager Brian Honour wants a repeat performance from his players at home to Leek Town today. Six weeks ago, Bishops were leading 2-1 against Leek, but with just a few minutes left the Dean Street floodlights went out. Honour said: "We
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Quarry decision faces legal challenge from councillor
A COUNTY councillor is mounting a legal challenge to a decision taken by his own colleagues to approve a controversial planning application. North Yorkshire county councillor Paul Richardson is campaigning against plans to expand a quarry near Ripon Racecourse
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Lee rues robbery which denied goal number two
GOALS have been hard to come by for Graeme Lee. Despite playing in all but one of Hartlepool United's games this season, in the team which has scored more Division Three goals than any other and has been top of the table for 99 per cent of the campaign
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Tow Law tigers - and a few crocs
AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled for a multi-million pound exotic animal sanctuary in the North-East. Tigers, lions, crocodiles, birds of prey and primates are some of the species that will be catered for at the new Exotic Animal Welfare Trust before
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Driven to find winning formula
MOTORSPORT fanatic Johann Gibson is dreaming of life in the fast lane after collecting an honour from racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart. The 29-year-old, from Darlington, became the first woman to graduate from a course at Cranfield University, Oxfordshire
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At Your Service: It's one giant LEP for churchkind
THAT velocipede is what catches the eye, doesn't it, and the laid-back chap riding it is the Rev Adam Wells, ecumenicalist and Arsenal fan. The machine is officially an Anthrotec, the pennant flying behind it says something about sharing a ride and sharing
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Five refugee doctors find jobs after training in N-E
FIVE refugee doctors who fled repression in their own countries have found NHS jobs after retraining in the North-East. Two of the five asylum seeking medics are working in North-East hospitals while the other three have had to move away from the region
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News in brief: Leader meets the taxpayers
The leader of North Yorkshire County Council will be in Richmond next week to tell the public how their money could be spent in the coming financial year. Councillor John Weighell will attend the authority's Richmondshire area committee meeting at the
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Customers fired with enthusiasm
A NORTH-EAST factory has won an international business award. British American Tobacco's UK and Ireland Operations business, which includes the Rothman's plant in Darlington, has been named Supplier of the Year by one of its major customers in the Far
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Ex-prisoner waited three years for attack
A PRISONER waited years to attack an inmate who had indecently assaulted children, a court heard yesterday. Christopher Rawlings bided his time for three years until he got out of prison. Then he sought out the man and viciously attacked him, Teesside
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Therapist Kath on hand to offer help at new drug treatment centre
A CENTRE to help people overcome drug problems was opened yesterday. Chris Mullin, MP for Sunderland South, and Mark Gillman, of the National Treatment Agency, launched the premises of the North East Council on Addiction (NECA), at John Street, Sunderland
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Scrooge success
REDCAR'S Christmas clampdown on shoplifters and vandals has been hailed as a success with more than 77 arrests made throughout the six-week purge. Langbaugh Police's Operation Scrooge, which ran from December 1 to January 17, resulted in more than £1,000
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£1.7m hospital job
PORTABLE building specialist Yorkon has won a £1.7m contract to extend a London hospital. The Portakabin subsidiary will provide a new emergency medicine centre at Whipps Cross University Hospital in East London. The single storey extension adjoining
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Amateur players will wear famous names with pride
THEY are the star goalscorer and shotstopper for Premier League side Newcastle United FC, but there the similarity ends. Graham Alvez, striker and captain, wears the coveted number 9 shirt for the Black and Whites in Gibraltar while team-mate Nicky Ferrary
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News in brief: 300 children in charity show
ABOUT 300 youngsters will be performing at a charity event tonight. The children are taking part in the eighth annual Youth Musical Spectacular event at the Sunderland Empire, from 7pm. The show is organised by the Rotary Club of Washington Forge. Proceeds
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Learn about the theatre
THEATRE lovers are taking the chance to work with the UK's leading acting company. Tickets for a two-hour workshop in Hambleton with experts from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) are selling fast. The company will be unveiling some of the tricks of
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Accused surgeon cleared by GMC
A GYNAECOLOGIST accused of removing a mother's ovaries without her consent during a hysterectomy was cleared of serious professional misconduct yesterday. Nazar Amso, 53, was said to have deliberately ignored the wishes of Linda Alder 35, when he carried
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Eight facing jail after drug raids
Eight men were facing jail last night after a trial which followed two police raids on a North-East house. Five of those arrested were Jamaican nationals who travelled from London claiming they were visiting girls or in the area to buy cheap cars. Police
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Ciara's bone marrow gift saves her brothers
Three young brothers owe their lives to their older sister after she donated the bone marrow that saved them all. Ciara MacMahon, seven, has undergone three operations for the sake of John, four, and twins Rory and Edward, two. Her bravery has been rewarded
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Jail term for banned driver
A banned motorist who crashed head-on into a fellow driver was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday. Robert Barrow, 30, had already been banned for dangerous driving when he crashed a Ford Escort into an oncoming Mondeo, in Concorde, Washington,
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Curtain rises on theatre's new season
ONE of the region's theatres has unveiled its plans for the forthcoming season. The Grand Opera House, in York will be bringing drama, dance, music and comedy to theatre-lovers over the next few months. Just Good Friends star Paul Nicholas and former
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Attackers had ignored pregnant woman's plea
Thugs cut and kicked a young woman, despite her pleas that she was expecting a baby, it was revealed yesterday. The 20-year-old secretary, who is two months' pregnant, was attacked and robbed by two men, one of them armed with a knife, as she left work
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Council denies recycling claim
A COUNCIL has been named and shamed as having one of the worst recycling records in Britain. But Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has hit back, arguing the statistics are out of date and have dramatically improved. Friends of the Earth, which is pushing
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Livestock rules to be eased
RESTRICTIONS on livestock movements, which many farmers claim have threatened their livelihoods, are being reduced. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced this week that the restrictions would be eased. Since the foot-and-mouth
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No clues to mystery of the ghost writer
THE mystery behind one of the region's haunted pubs grows deeper as strange envelopes keep landing on their doormat. A handful of hoax letters and references to a phantom trail have left the owners of a North Yorkshire pub baffled. Bob and Cath Hedley
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Grassroots: Chester-le-Street, Birtley and District
FAMILY TREE: A five-week course in researching your family history will start in Chester-le-Street Community Centre, in Newcastle Bank, from 7pm on Monday. It costs £17.50. To take part, call 0191-388 4752. HIGH KICKS: A kickboxing course has started
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Grassroots: Washington
SAFER ROADS: Plans to improve safety on the A1290 are on display at the Jet garage, in Havannah Road; Nisa supermarket and the Total Petrol garage, both in Blue House Lane; and the Flawless Floor Company, in the former Co-op building in Concord. MUSICAL
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Call for security cameras
HUNDREDS of residents on a Darlington estate have backed calls for security cameras. Vandal attacks in the Skerne Park area have led to demands for closed-circuit television to stamp out the problem. Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Tracey Gregory has
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Sign language course starts
A NEW sign language course will be starting at a Newton Aycliffe school next week. British Sign Language, Stage 1, begins on Thursday, at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre. The certified course will run each Thursday, from 1.15pm to 3.15pm for 30 weeks
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Dog needs a caring home
A LOVING family home is being sought for a crossbreed dog which has been in the care of an animal charity for almost a year. Ben, who is three-years-old, was taken in by the National Animal Sanctuaries Support League after his owners separated. He is
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Car thief jailed for string of offences
A CAR thief was jailed yesterday at Teesside Crown Court after he admitted a string of offences. Paul Theaker, 22, of Auckland Oval, Darlington committed a large number of crimes when he was drunk, the court heard. The father of one, who was attending
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Burglar caught by police ransacking house
A BURGLAR was caught by police as he ransacked a house, a court heard. A neighbour telephoned police when she saw David Soley climb over a wall and disappear around the back of a house. Police, who were quickly on the scene in Darlington, found a broken
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New initiative to aid elderly health care
A PIONEERING new health care scheme which aims to provide the best possible care for elderly people has been launched. Durham Dales Practice has been created by Durham Dales PCT to reach people living in six nursing and residential homes in the area.
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Operation Lancelot impacting on burglaries
FIGURES for the half-way stage of the police initiative Operation Lancelot show that it is proving successful in reducing burglaries. The operation was launched in November and is running for four months throughout Sedgefield borough. Detective Chief
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Blueprint for town's future is debated
MANY of Darlington's most influential figures came together yesterday to discuss a visionary blueprint for the future. Darlington Partnership held its assembly at the Dolphin Centre, where key speakers told of plans to enhance health, transport, education
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Club helps charity with furniture gift
PATIENTS will benefit from football-branded furniture thanks to a club shop's donation. Newcastle United's club store has donated items worth more than £12,000, including cabinets, desks, drawers, wardrobes and blanket boxes, to the Fleming Children's
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Emily gets expert advice
A TEENAGER who has played for England's table tennis youth squad, is coaching another young hopeful. Claire Wilson, 17, is helping nine-year-old Emily Greener to perfect her game every week after lessons at St Teresa's Primary School, in Darlington, where
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Army fundraisers pull together to reach cancer charity target
A MARATHON gun run took place yesterday with more than 100 soldiers taking the strain to pull a field gun around their barracks. Weighing 1.8 tonnes, the Second World War gun was pulled around a course at Catterick Garrison's Vimy Barracks in aid of the
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Holocaust memorial produced by young
YOUNGSTERS in Newcastle have created a colourful homage to the city's cultural influences. Hundreds of people aged 13 to 21 took part in a project to build a stone cairn during National Youth Week. They decorated rocks with a message or symbol of peace
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Tudor times under the microscope
A MUSEUM is turning its attention to the Tudor era for its latest exhibition. From today until March 14, the Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology, in Durham, is hosting Tudor Times. Aimed at children, it explores areas including home life, crime and punishment
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Technology courses on offer for all
A CHESTER-le-Street school is offering free computer classes and courses over the Internet. The Hermitage School was recently awarded £220,000 by the Government to open a UK OnLine centre. The school is launching free computer tuition, where people can
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Care group expands
MORE than 200 jobs will be created by a new expansion plan unveiled by one of the region's largest independent providers of care for the elderly. The Portland Group, which has care homes throughout the North-East, has planned a two-pronged approach to
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A £1m invitation to the next generation
A TEESSIDE social club has just completed a £1m extension to attract young people. Members of believe their future lifeblood is in the hands of today's young people who need to be attracted to social club life. The extension to the Dorman Long United
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Mother sounds the alarm over bogus health visitor
FEARS have been raised that young families are at risk from a bogus caller claiming to be a health visitor. Police were alerted by a young mother, who was visited by a woman in her late 30s or early 40s, at her home in Kimblesworth, near Sacriston, County
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Euro law 'no bar to sacking staff'
A religious organisation has been assured that new laws will not prevent it sacking staff who do not share its beliefs. The Newcastle charity, the Christian Institute, is worried about a proposed EU Employment Directive that would ban discrimination on
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Thugs try to bomb passing car
A NIGHTCLUB doorman had a lucky escape after thugs tried to petrol bomb his car as he drove to work. The man, who has not been named, was leaving his home in East View, Dipton, to drive to work at the Trades nightclub in John Street, Consett, when the
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Woodland making a comeback
NATIVE woodland which was a key feature centuries ago in what is now the North York Moors National Park is making a comeback. About 250 hectares of woodland has been planted, with a further 150 hectares planned. The scheme is a joint venture between the
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International attention for village schools
YOUNGSTERS at two village schools came under international scrutiny when some of Europe's top academics paid them a visit. The university lecturers from Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Portugal, Estonia and Sweden train schoolteachers in their home
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Pantomime under threat, charity warns
THE charity behind Ripon's annual pantomime is worried that next year's show may not go ahead, unless there is help from the public. The cast usually play to packed houses and the production has often proved a stepping stone for up-and-coming actors and
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Cadets rise above challenge to achieve solo gliding wings
A GROUP of teenage Air Cadets are celebrating after achieving their solo gliding wings before being old enough to take their driving tests. The four Hartlepool cadets have all completed Gliding Scholarships provided free by the Air Training Corps (ATC
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Cancer mum's giant leap for charity
A FORMER cancer patient with a fear of heights is preparing to take the plunge for charity. Victoria James, 44, a district nurse from Tynemouth, North Tyneside will abseil 100ft from the Tyne Bridge, in Newcastle, tomorrow. Although she usually avoids
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Skybet.com Great Yorkshire Chase
Tonoco, who looks a different horse after a wind operation, can continue the excellent season of Sue and Harvey Smith's and looks the value bet in the skybet.com Great Yorkshire Chase over three miles at Doncaster. This previously decent hurdler and novice
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Barbour factory shutdown shock
STUNNED workers were left in tears last night after the shock announcement that another major County Durham employer is to close its factory. News that waxed jacket makers J Barbour and Sons Limited is to shut its plant in Crook - which employs 87 - came
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Derelict houses to be demolished
AROUND 90 council houses look set to be demolished as part of plans to regenerate two deprived former mining communities. Derwentside District Council has released plans to flatten 49 homes in Heathfield Gardens, Catchgate, near Stanley, and a further
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A liking for footie and a punch-up
From place-names to dialect, surnames to slang, the North-East has always been a region apart. Nick Morrison looks at how we got our distinctive character. WHEN they wanted a break from the thieving, the Robsons, the Charltons and the Milburns would get
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We will behave, youths promise
THREE 12-year-olds from Redcar have signed up to special anti-social behaviour agreements in an attempt to stop them causing mayhem on the streets. The friends, members of a gang on the Lakes estate which involves children as young as eight, have picked
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Police raids net drugs
DRUGS and stolen goods worth thousands of pounds have been seized after a string of police raids. In Langley Park, near Durham, officers raided two address in Railway Street on Friday evening. Police from the Lanchester section, backed up by officers
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Angry Wilko sets sights on Oren after Toda snub
NORWAY winger Tommy Oren will begin a week's trial at Sunderland tomorrow as Howard Wilkinson steps up his attempts to strengthen their squad after he was left fuming and stunned by Kazuyuki Toda's snub. After Japan midfielder Toda signed a 12-month loan
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Warm welcome back for Darlington striker Conlon
Darlington welcome back striker Barry Conlon for this afternoon's clash with Division Three high-flyers Torquay United with caretaker boss Mick Tait admitting: "We've missed him." The big Irishman has had to sit out Quakers' last three games through suspension
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New pool in major building plan
DETAILS have begun to emerge of a £30m housing and leisure scheme for Redcar - including a new £2.5m swimming pool. Developers Persimmon Homes - the chosen partners of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council - vowed the swimming pool at Coatham Enclosure
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Bolton's loss boost for Boro
MIDDLESBROUGH last night received encouragement in their pursuit of Derby County striker Malcolm Christie when Bolton Wanderers dropped out of the chase. As revealed in Northern Echo Sport yesterday, Bolton manager Sam Allardyce asked about Christie this
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Warning over recycling scheme plan
A MAN who has organised recycling collections around Darlington for eight years says residents will suffer under a proposed new scheme. But Darlington Borough Council, which is planning to run its own recycling scheme for the first time in six years,
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Mother's gift to childless couple
A MOTHER-OF-THREE, who is having a baby for her childless best friend, told of her delight yesterday. Bronwen Williamson insisted that her decision to become a surrogate mother was "ethically right" and is looking forward to the birth of the baby girl
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Darlington forced to wing it for Sandal clash
AFTER having a glut of wingers to choose from a few weeks ago, Darlington suddenly find that five of them are unavailable for today's match at home to Sandal. They have suspended Mark Butler for one match because of the punch which earned him a red card
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Notes of levity in a war-weary world
IN these war-weary days, the most startling piece of information this week comes from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. It has worked out that the note that most toilets sound when they flush is an E-flat. CHANNEL 4 had a wondrous piece
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Reforms could end NHS warning
THE former Health Secretary Frank Dobson has warned that the next wave of Government reforms could spell the end of the NHS as we know it. Mr Dobson told a North-East audience that plans to introduce so-called "foundation" hospitals would create a two-tier
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Learning centre opens doors
A COMMUNITY has celebrated the official opening of a £224,300 learning centre. The Kirkleatham Local Learning Centre, West Redcar, was built with money from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Community Investment Fund. The centre, which
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Keltie hoping to join Wallsend hall of fame
It was perhaps only a matter of time before Darlington's latest sensation Clark Keltie made it as a professional footballer. After all, he'd plied his trade as a raw teenager with the famous Wallsend Boys Club, renowned for producing a regular crop of
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Tiny tortoises smuggled
TOURISTS have been reminded to take care about what they bring home after two rare Tunisian tortoise babies were jetted illegally into the region. The babies, estimated to be about three months old, were handed to the Reptile Trust in Burnopfield after
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Hudspiths miss Manchester
MORPETH Harriers will be without big guns Mark and Ian Hudspith in today's North of England Cross Country Championships at Manchester. The brothers, who demonstrated their form by recording the fastest times in anchoring their club to first and second
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New housing services for homeless to answer critics
AN ACTION plan to improve housing services for the homeless has been agreed by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Last October the Audit Commission gave the council just one star out of three for its homelessness and housing advice service. The council
