Archive
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Glass attack
A 24-year-old woman needed 25 stitches for facial wounds after a glass attack at the C nightclub, on Newcastle's Quayside, at about 1.35am yesterday. Witnesses are asked to call police on 0191-214 6555.
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News in brief: Railway line safety plea
Residents' fears have led to a call to railway managers for a trackside safety review. Concerns in Teesside include an unlocked gate at Eaglescliffe Railway Station, poor fencing at the Eaglescliffe South Junction and rubbish on the line and dumping on
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Photographic memories of a lifetime are sold off
BIRT PRESTED loved the movies. Not just the swish of the curtains, the rustle of sweet papers and the ubiquitous Pearl and Dean advert break, he loved the technical challenges film-making presented. His passion began in unusual circumstances. Serving
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Bridge action called off as ship stays put
About 200 anti-war protestors took to Gateshead Millennium Bridge last night, chanting resistance slogans in the direction of a Royal Navy ship. Members of Tyneside Stop The War Coalition had hoped to block the progress along the Tyne of the officer training
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Orchid show continues to blossom
Almost 1,000 visited the annual Darlington and District Orchid Society Show at The White Horse Hotel, Darlington, at the weekend. Each visitor was asked to vote for their favourite orchid in the show and the winner was a bloom grown by one of the society's
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Orchid show continues to blossom
Almost 1,000 visited the annual Darlington and District Orchid Society Show at The White Horse Hotel, Darlington, at the weekend. Each visitor was asked to vote for their favourite orchid in the show and the winner was a bloom grown by one of the society's
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New pain relief help
PEOPLE suffering from joint pain are receiving their treatment much earlier since the introduction of an innovative new service in South Durham. Since its launch in July last year, more than 600 patients have benefited from the joint assessment service
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New pain relief help
PEOPLE suffering from joint pain are receiving their treatment much earlier since the introduction of an innovative new service in South Durham. Since its launch in July last year, more than 600 patients have benefited from the joint assessment service
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Bus service to store
Iceland in Darlington's Queen Street Shopping Arcade is closing its doors at 4pm on Wednesday for a nine-day make-over. But customers who still want to shop at Iceland are being provided with a free minibus service, to the supermarket's other store in
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Credit union's work expands
DURHAM'S new credit union is opening its second collection point this week. From Wednesday, people will be able to join the Durham City and District Credit Union and make deposits at the Pelaw View Community Centre, on the Sherburn Road Estate. The union
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Wardens given patrol vehicle
UNIFORMED wardens have been given a new van to help them respond quickly to reports of anti-social behaviour in Darlington's parks and cemeteries. The white van will be used by wardens patrolling the nine parks and three cemeteries in the town, as well
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Workshop date
Children from across the region will be taking part in a half-day workshop called Cuthbert: A Lifepath. The event takes place at Durham Cathedral on Saturday, April 5, and will involve children aged seven to 11.
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News in brief: Website praise for council
A survey of council's websites has put Darlington in the top fifteen of most improved sites in the country. The survey by the Society for Information Technology Management looked at all 452 Council websites in the UK, assessing factors including useability
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News in brief: Equipment proves Tops
YOUNGSTERS with special needs can enjoy bags more sports, thanks to new equipment. The Saturday Fun Club, in Stanley Youth Centre, won bags of adapted sports gear after a successful application to the Youth Sport Trust's Tops programme. Derwentside District
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College reveals moves to involve community in sport
A college has unveiled sweeping plans to revolutionise sport in the community. Pelton Roseberry Comprehensive was recently awarded specialist sports status by the Government after months of exhaustive fundraising and background work in order to qualify
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Healthy day for pupils
A DUSTBIN derby and giant snakes and ladders were just some of the games enjoyed by pupils in Hartlepool. About 140 children from St Aidan's, Rift House, St Theresa's and Owton Manor primary schools took part in the Hartlepool Environmental Roundabout
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Amnesty plan for scrap cars
A SCHEME is being launched to get rid of cars that could be targeted by arsonists and vandals. A two-week vehicle amnesty is being held in Easington under which the cars' owners can ask for them to be taken to a scrapyard free. The scheme, funded by the
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Council's bid to be the best
DURHAM County Council plans to win promotion to the premier league of councils in the next two years. The Labour-run council was rated good by inspectors who carried out its Comprehensive Performance Assessment just before Christmas. But it aims to join
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Plea for more affordable rural housing
A PLEA for more affordable rural housing has been made to the head of the Countryside Agency. The invitation to chief executive, Richard Wakeford, came from Councillor Yvonne Peacock and Councillor Richard Dunn who attended the Rural Housing Signposts
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Future is clear for artist Beth
BETH Jeffrey had no idea that she would find the job of her dreams when she called in to ask art gallery owners if they would display her drawings. Maralyn and Ron O'Keefe, of The Glass and Art Gallery, in Medomsley Road, Consett, were so impressed by
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Breakfast with an MP
CHARITY workers are hoping to give an MP food for thought when he has breakfast with them this week. Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has accepted an invitation to the Hemlington Family Resource Centre. The centre is run by
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Zero council tax rise hailed as a success story
A Teesside council has said it did not have to raise its share of the council tax this year thanks to "careful management and financial prudence". For the third year running there will be no increase in Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's component
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Chinese go wild for Irish band
A TEESSIDE group has been celebrating the Chinese New Year in style - in China. The Wildcats of Kilkenny went down so well at a musical carnival in Beijing, they have been invited back to play a concert in September in the Forbidden City - the 15th Century
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Search for post office raiders
POLICE are hunting robbers who raided a post office at the weekend. Three men, believed to have been armed with a wooden or metal bar, went into the post office in Addison Road, West Boldon, South Tyneside, and demanded cash. After threatening two members
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Engineering firm's future uncertain
The future of a struggling engineering firm, which is surrounded by rumours of job losses, remained in the balance today. Sloman Engineering, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was forced to lay off 35 of its 126-strong workforce earlier this year. But
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Scheme faces opposition
A scheme to build seven flats on a city centre site in Ripon has sparked protests. Ripon City Council has tabled an objection to the scheme for 20-22 High Skellgate. They believe development would be too intensive and expressed concern there were no garages
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Doctor attacks assembly idea
GOVERNMENT officials have no idea of the crisis facing the countryside, a former GP has warned. Brenda Thiede, of West Scrafton, near Leyburn, said her experience on a number of bodies in North Yorkshire led her to conclude that central government had
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Planning under way for station revamp
THE development of Richmond's former railway station takes another step forward next month. A feasibility study into a planned revamp is to begin next month and is due to be completed in July. The Friends of Richmond Station, who are keen to turn the
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Wearside League: Stokesley joy, but far from Plain sailing
Stokesley SC strengthened their claims for the championship with a workmanlike performance at Annfield Plain. Victory propelled them into second, three points behind Boldon CA who have played five games more. Paul Aldridge quickly put Stokesley in command
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Police retrace final steps of dog owner
Police today re-traced the last walk of a dog owner in a bid to jog memories of passers-by to discover what happened in his "missing final minutes". Exactly a week after George Button was found lying unconscious on a grass verge on a country lane near
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Garden is tonic for patients
A TEAM of green-fingered volunteers has helped brighten the lives of hospital patients by creating a sensory garden and rockery. Young volunteers from The Prince's Trust raised almost £400 to fund the project at Weardale Community Hospital in Stanhope
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Travels with Wesley
A BOOK about John Wesley's visits to the North-East will feature in a national collection celebrating the tercentenary of the birth of the Methodist founder. The Travelling Preacher, by former Sunderland Polytechnic history lecturer Geoffrey Milburn,
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Auditions held for region's next pop star
POPSTAR wannabes will have the chance to shine at a summer concert for new North-East acts. The Talentstar Summer Pop Party will take place in the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley, County Durham, on Saturday, June 21. Stanley promoter Genius Entertainment
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Touring play's future in doubt
THE death of actor Adam Faith at the weekend has left the future of a play, due in the region next week, in doubt. Faith, who appeared at the Billingham Forum in the 1960s, was due to perform at the Civic Theatre, in Darlington next week. The touring
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Hunt for doctors focuses on Italy
ITALY is the next target for a North-East medical advisor who is trying to recruit hospital consultants for the National Health Service, it has emerged. Dr Peter Royle, medical director at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust has already scoured Germany
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UniBond League: Three in a row for Moors
Spennymoor have the play-offs in their sights after securing their fourth successive win at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday. It was also Moors' third successive victory by a three goal margin, as the visitors finished the game with just nine men. They
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Initiative for film writers
ASPIRING screenwriters from across the region are being encouraged to take part in a script-writing initiative. Northern Film and Media, in partnership with the Film Council, is providing an opportunity for writers new to screenwriting to attend a screenplay
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Brave Brandon makes big steps on road to recovery
A toddler who nearly died twice and had chemotherapy as he lay on a life support machine, is on course for recovery. Brandon Coleman's life was left hanging by a thread after doctors found a huge liver tumour and discovered other parts of his body were
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Mowden maintain impressive run
DARLINGTON Mowden Park provided more emphatic evidence that they have left the stragglers in National Three North way behind. The winning run which has dispelled any lingering fears of relegation was extended to six games, and if they keep this up they
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Swan Knight aiming to charge to Stratford win
Swan Knight, who shaped much more pleasingly on his second run after an eight month break last time, looks a very interesting runner in the Ian Williams Handicap Hurdle at Stratford this afternoon. Richard Fahey's gelding was useful on the Flat and showed
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£35m revamp for college
AN ENHANCED learning experience will be on offer to students as New College Durham is given a complete makeover for the twenty-fiirst century. The former technical college is to settle on a single campus, at its Framwellgate Moor site, which is to undergo
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Grouchy grouse jockeys for trainer's territory
A grouse is ruffling a few feathers on the racecourse after feeling threatened during his quest for love. The amorous bird has been gallantly defending his territory at Low Moor yard, Middleham, North Yorkshire, and fending off rivals, including racing
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News in brief: Equipment proves Tops
YOUNGSTERS with special needs can enjoy bags more sports, thanks to new equipment. The Saturday Fun Club, in Stanley Youth Centre, won bags of adapted sports gear after a successful application to the Youth Sport Trust's Tops programme. Derwentside District
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Pensioner voices fears over leaks from dumped bombs
A PENSIONER has raised concerns about the possible dangers of a site near Bedale, where hundreds of chemical weapons are said to be buried. Lol Daniel, 76, is concerned because of the thousands of tons of gas shells that he was told were buried at Fox
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Dreams show at art gallery
PEOPLE can step into a dream landscape at a Durham art gallery this week. An exhibition opens at Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery on Saturday. Artist Jan Niedojadlo has created large sculptures for A Dream Landscape from fabric, recycled
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Mobile cameras planned for town
MOBILE cameras will soon be in use around Gateshead enabling police to target problem areas. Funded by Communities Against Drugs, the two cameras will be used throughout Gateshead West and East area commands. Gateshead Council is fitting brackets to lampposts
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Expansion plans are criticised
A NORTH Yorkshire village school's expansion plans have been criticised by planners. Markington Church of England Primary School, near Ripon, wants to build a classroom extension with a staff room above part of the building. The decision will be taken
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
PARKING COMPLAINTS: Ingleby Barwick Parish Council has received complaints about damage to the verges along Lowfields Avenue, caused by parents parking on them when meeting their children from school. The council has asked parents to take more care. FLORAL
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Breaking the chain of domestic violence
Rachel Green has been called the champion of domestic violence victims. Women's Editor Christen Pears meets her. I FIRST saw Rachel Green on the Kilroy programme. County Durham's Strategic Domestic Violence Co-ordinator had been asked to talk about the
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Revealed - Mallon's use of Labour 'spies'
KEY Labour strategists secretly plotted against their own party candidate as they supported Independent Ray Mallon in his race to become Middlesbrough Mayor, The Northern Echo can reveal today. Mr Mallon, the ex-Cleveland police officer famously dubbed
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A clay day with Faith and Jill
From painting pots to creating cosmetics, Jill Myers and Faith Robinson's business offers something for all the family. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. THE smell of freshly ground coffee and the warmth from the kiln make the Clay Caf an inviting
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Nicola beats the big 'uns
WHEN Nicola Jackson's grandfather taught her a few chess moves over Sunday lunch, little did he know just over a year later the primary school pupil would be outsmarting opponents nearly twice her age. Eight-year-old Nicola, from The Avenue, Chester-le-Street
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Trio on top of the world
THEY are best friends and also disco-dancing world champions. Proud trio Amy Walker, nine, Sophie Dickson, nine, both from Marske and Aimi Birkbeck, eight, of Redcar have been taking their trophies to school each day since they won them on Sunday. And
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Here come the bridal displays . . .
BRIDES-TO-BE had the chance to view everything they need to plan their perfect day at one of the region's leading wedding displays. The Northern Echo's Bride and Groom 2003 exhibition was staged in Auckland Castle, the Bishop of Durham's home in Bishop
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Lots in store
YOUNG at heart Amy Craggs wheeled in some helpers when she won a trolley dash at Asda in Darlington. She bagged almost £350 of groceries after several members of staff and her grand-daughter Angela Dodds, joined the fun. Staff topped off the day last
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Workshop date
Children from across the region will be taking part in a half-day workshop called Cuthbert: A Lifepath. The event takes place at Durham Cathedral on Saturday, April 5, and will involve children aged seven to 11.
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Quakers still aiming to stay clear of relegation
Who said Darlington have nothing to play for this season? Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth - a side who themselves have a lot to play for at the other end of the table - means Quakers are now just seven points above the relegation zone. More worrying
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Athletes take to the streets for half marathon glory
RECORD numbers of runners took part in a half marathon yesterday. More than 1,000 people took part in the 21st Redcar half marathon, watched by about 600 spectators - the first time a significant crowd had gathered for the event. Stephen Hepples, 23,
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Campaigners rally in protest at war threat
HUNDREDS of North-East peace protestors took to the streets over the weekend to voice their opposition to war with Iraq. In Sunderland, veteran Labour MP Tam Dalyell warned that the Prime Minister could find his position under attack from disaffected
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The Albany Northern League Today: 'Rubbish' Brandon still on course for crown
Brandon manager Kenny Lindoe admitted that his side were "rubbish" as they resurrected their title hopes with a 1-0 home win over Guisborough. While leaders Bedlington slipped up, Brandon joined them at the top, but Lindoe admitted that his side was far
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In The Picture: The second chance saloon
Reality TV has already proved it can do wonders to revive flagging broadcasting and TV careers - just look at Tony Blackburn and Claire Sweeney. Now pop has-beens are hoping it can do the same for them. Claire Sweeney's mum didn't want her to go into
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Comic knows which paper he'd read on a desert island
COMIC Vic Reeves reminisced about his early years in the North-East and his connection to The Northern Echo, on Radio Four's Desert Island Discs yesterday. The comedian, who spent his early years in Darlington, was interviewed by Sue Lawley on the classic
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My wonderful children gave me back my life
TEARS stream down Sharon Watson's face as she recalls how her children have helped to pull her life back together. As she sits in the bar in Darlington's Nestfield Club, friends and family are arriving to help Sharon celebrate her return to the outside
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Leading by a nose?
RESTAURANT workers found themselves in deep water for Comic Relief yesterday. Fifteen staff from TGI Friday's, Teesside Retail Park, took on three teams of students from the University of Durham's Queen's Campus, Stockton, in dragon boat races on the
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Valentine desperate to pick up points and soon
Dejected Darlington defender Ryan Valentine has called on his teammates to act now before it's too late after Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth edged them a point nearer the relegation zone. Quakers are now just seven points from safety with 11 games to
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Leisure centre prices to rise three per cent
LEISURE centre prices in Sedgefield borough are to rise by an average of three per cent. But the new pricing structure includes a concessionary scheme for the unemployed and those claiming benefits, and an increase in swimming session times from 45 minutes
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Green scheme mix-up apology
TEESDALE people have inundated their local authority with complaints about a plan to increase recycling. Teesdale District Council officials have apologised to the public for not collecting their recycled goods. They have also admitted that workers have
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Brighter future for unwanted pet
A PLAYFUL dog with an unhappy past has found a new home. Staff at the Ramshaw Rescue Centre, West Auckland, named the one-year-old brindle cross breed dog Lucky when it was brought to them last week. Kate Wilson-Cruddace, who works at the centre, said
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Bus service to store
Iceland in Darlington's Queen Street Shopping Arcade is closing its doors at 4pm on Wednesday for a nine-day make-over. But customers who still want to shop at Iceland are being provided with a free minibus service, to the supermarket's other store in
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News in brief: Equipment proves Tops
YOUNGSTERS with special needs can enjoy bags more sports, thanks to new equipment. The Saturday Fun Club, in Stanley Youth Centre, won bags of adapted sports gear after a successful application to the Youth Sport Trust's Tops programme. Derwentside District
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Samaritans to improve local services
WORK has started to transform the headquarters of the Samaritans in Darlington to help the charity cope with an increase in calls for help. Last year, the Darlington branch of the national charity was contacted by 23,000 people, either by telephone, letter
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News in brief: Website praise for council
A survey of council's websites has put Darlington in the top fifteen of most improved sites in the country. The survey by the Society for Information Technology Management looked at all 452 Council websites in the UK, assessing factors including useability
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Work starts on boosting Samaritans' local service
WORK has started to transform the headquarters of the Samaritans in Darlington to help the charity cope with an increase in calls for help. Last year the Darlington branch of the national charity was contacted by 23,000 people, either by phone, letter
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Experts to audit artwork
TWO experts are to carry out an audit of a town's modern art collection. The works by Lowry, Graham Sutherland, Frank Auerbach, Bridget Riley and Stanley Spencer are earmarked for display in a gallery due to open in Middlesbrough in 2005. Conservators
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Diamond couple celebrate milestone
A COUPLE are celebrating 60 years of married life by returning to the church where they said their vows for a blessing. Jane and Harold Applegarth were married at St Cuthbert's Church, Durham, in 1943. Yesterday, the Darlington couple returned to the
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Accolade for mum
A MOTHER has been rewarded for her hard work in helping a community project introduce children to reading. Wendy Brown is a volunteer with the Sure Start project in Darlington where she helps to put together Story Sacks for children in the area. Each
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Nature reserve 'is an oasis' in town
PLANS have been drawn up to transform a neglected corner of a market town into a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. A proposed facelift of a 3.85-acre site at Guisborough, east Cleveland, with its designation as a Local Nature Reserve, is to be unveiled
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Top marks for sporty school
YARM Primary School has won Sport England's Active Mark Gold Award for sport and physical activity. The school promotes physical activity with the children taking between 90 minutes and two hours of exercise in lessons each week covering activities such
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Charity's money pool
A SHOPPING centre proved that every penny counts when it presented the proceeds of a pond collection to charity. Pennies thrown into the Christmas grotto pond at Durham's Prince Bishop's Shopping Centre were counted adding up to £450. The sum was donated
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Man fighting for life after crash
A MAN was fighting for his life after a head-on collision between two cars. The accident happened at 11pm on Saturday on the A692 near the Potter's Wheel pub in Sunniside, near Gateshead. An Audi and a Volkswagen are believed to have hit each other and
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Hear All Sides: Darlington
I AM becoming increasingly frustrated to keep reading letters about how bad a place Darlington is to live in. If some of the comments are to be believed, we live in a town that has ridiculously high council tax, the streets are strewn with litter, the
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Smoke alarm saved family
A FAMILY of three were taken to hospital after being overcome by smoke in a house fire. The parents were given oxygen at the scene, at Lime Tree Court, Saltersgill, Middlesbrough. Their daughter - a woman in her 20s - breathed in fumes as she went to
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A day behind the TV cameras
BUDDING film-makers from across the North-East have had a taste of life behind the cameras. More than 100 youngsters spent a day at Tyne Tees Television in Newcastle. The event was part of the Royal Television Society Young People's Video Festival, which
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Knife incident at seminar
A MAN was arrested and later released following an incident involving a knife during a seminar at York University, police said last night. Officers were called when the man, believed to have been carrying a knife, entered a classroom during a seminar.
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Warm welcome for flying visitors
NESTING areas on Teesside are being spruced up ready for migrating visitors from Africa. Tees Valley Wildlife Trust wardens have been brought in to make the site, a collapsed section of river bank, more appealing to the a colony of sand martins. A sign
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The stage is set for updated Romeo and Juliet
A MODERN adaptation of Romeo and Juliet written and performed by disabled people is staged at the Gala Theatre, in Durham, this week. Ronnie and Julie is the most ambitious play ever attempted by the cast, from the Abbey Day Centre, in Durham. In Shakespeare's
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News in brief: Sponsorship for players
A SHOPPING centre wishes to sponsor two youth soccer squads next season. Middlesbrough's Hill Street Centre wants to hear from school or community groups in need of support. The management is looking for a boy and a girl team. To apply, write to the manager's
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10/03/03
ASYLUM SEEKERS: PETE Winstanley (HAS, Feb 7) disagrees with a decision not to allow a woman from Uganda to stay in England. He should bear in mind the fact that England is only 500 miles long and 200 miles wide, is already one of the most over-populated
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Phillips feeling the pressure
KEVIN PHILLIPS confessed last night that he feels under more pressure than ever as he tries to fire Sunderland to an increasingly unlikely survival mission. The striker, who has scored 130 goals in his five and a half years at Sunderland, has carried
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If rubbish is your bag...
A North-East council is searching for ways to tackle the plastic carrier bag mountain without putting a 10p tax on each bag. Lindsay Jennings looks at how other countries cope. IT IS estimated that the UK grocery industry uses enough carrier bags to carpet
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Glass attack
A 24-year-old woman needed 25 stitches for facial wounds after a glass attack at the C nightclub, on Newcastle's Quayside, at about 1.35am yesterday. Witnesses are asked to call police on 0191-214 6555.
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Bridge action called off as ship stays put
About 200 anti-war protestors took to Gateshead Millennium Bridge last night, chanting resistance slogans in the direction of a Royal Navy ship. Members of Tyneside Stop The War Coalition had hoped to block the progress along the Tyne of the officer training
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Athletes take to the streets for half marathon glory
RECORD numbers of runners took part in a half marathon yesterday. More than 1,000 people took part in the 21st Redcar half marathon, watched by about 600 spectators - the first time a significant crowd had gathered for the event. Stephen Hepples, 23,
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Region sends invitation to tour bosses
SCARBOROUGH and Ryedale's tourist industry could be in line for a boost as a result of an initiative by English Heritage. The Government's conservation agency is joining hotels and holiday attraction operators to bring more visitors to the town by inviting
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Marathon effort by Sarah
A LONG-DISTANCE runner is planning to raise £1,000 for an educational charity. Sarah Gregory, of Parker Drive, Bedale, will be running her second London Marathon next month and hopes to raise funds for the Outward Bound Trust, which organises activities
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Dales historian dies, aged 85
DALES historian Elsie Thompson has died, aged 85. Mrs Thompson was a familiar figure in Reeth and at Richmond, where she lived for nearly 20 years and where she was deputy registrar until the age of 70. She was born at Reeth, on November 11, 1917, the
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Road closure threat to pub
A PUB landlady believes that a road closure could ruin her business. Barbara Walker, who runs the Bay Horse in Great Smeaton, says that when road resurfacing work takes place during the next two weekends she could lose customers during what are normally
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School auction
PARENTS of children at Danby Primary School, on the North York Moors, are appeal-ing for help with an auction of promises later this month. A mezzanine floor has been installed at the school to accommodate music and information technology lessons, and
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Bodybuilder's test of strength
BODYbuilder Eddie Ellwood is celebrating after winning the regional heat of the Britain's Strongest Man competition. Mr Ellwood, from Hartlepool, was one of 16 contestants who took part in the event, at the Louisa Centre, in Stanley, County Durham. The
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Thank you gift to sales chief
A CAR showroom sales manager has received a thank you from his bosses for loyalty. David Walker, 45, of Ingleby Barwick,has worked at the Stockton branch of Jennings Ford for more than 15 years. Mr Walker, who is responsible for a 12-strong sales team
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Northerners get last laugh, says study
A SURVEY carried out by leading pub restaurant chain Brewers Fayre has proved that Northerners really do have the last laugh. The study confirmed that easy-going residents in the North laugh on average four times more a day than Southerners. As part of
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Football Comment
CONSIDER this sequence of fixtures: Leicester City at home, Rochdale at home, Southampton away. No big guns there, no tricky trip to a doughty lower-division cup fighter. OK, so Southampton isn't the easiest place to go, but Wolverhampton Wanderers exposed
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A look at the Irish
With St Patrick's Day just around the corner, I took the chance to re-acquaint myself with Dublin last week. I'd been away too long, and I'm delighted to say that the magic that I remembered is still there, along with many new treats to enjoy. The rise
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Clare Short shock for 'reckless' Blair
International Development Secretary Clare Short signalled last night that she will resign from the Government if Britain goes to war against Iraq without United Nations backing. After weeks of speculation about her position on the Iraqi crisis, Ms Short
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Two dead and three injured in pile-up
TWO motorists died and several more were injured in two accidents in North Yorkshire at the weekend. A woman was pronounced dead at the scene and a man died in hospital following a three-car pile-up, involving a Renault Laguna, a Ford Focus and a Fiat
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Reveller recovering after 50ft plunge
A MAN is recovering after diving 50ft on to rocks during stag night high jinks. William Plenderleith, 27, from Stonehouse, Scotland, suffered spinal injuries and a broken heel after he plunged from the promenade at Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, early on
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Birthplace of a venerable institution
Q WAS the Venerable Bede born at Jarrow or Sunderland and was Sunderland part of Jarrow? Also, what is the oldest part of Sunderland? - Bill Hutchinson, Chester-le-Street AIN 674 AD, the year of Bede's birth, a well-travelled Northumbrian noble called
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Boys arrested following school fire
Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire at a North-East school. The pair, who are from Middleton St George, near Darlington were arrested on Friday night and have been released on police bail until March 24. The
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Bookings open for carnival
Stallholders and traders are invited to book places at a carnival in the grounds of Walworth Castle Hotel, near Darlington, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26. Places at the event, organised by the Butterwick Children's Hospice, can be booked, at a cost of
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Search for post office raiders
POLICE are hunting robbers who raided a post office at the weekend. Three men, believed to have been armed with a wooden or metal bar, went into the post office in Addison Road, West Boldon, South Tyneside, and demanded cash. After threatening two members
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Tributes paid to caring teacher
TRIBUTES have been paid to a teacher who died in a road accident at the weekend. Jennifer Askew, 54, suffered serious head and leg injuries following a crash on the C18A road between Howden-le-Wear and Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, on Friday. Mrs Askew
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Late drinking plan goes flat
RED-faced licensees had an application for a late-night drinks licence for a conference turned down after it was discovered that the delegates are all teetotal. Scarborough Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) had applied for pubs in the town to stay
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Up, up and away
THIEVES stole a giant helium balloon that was tethered in the region last week. The balloon, measuring 15ft in length and 8ft in diameter, was disconnected from thick ropes that held it in position above the Towngate Distribution Centre, in Brompton-on-Swale
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News in brief: Sponsorship for players
A SHOPPING centre wishes to sponsor two youth soccer squads next season. Middlesbrough's Hill Street Centre wants to hear from school or community groups in need of support. The management is looking for a boy and a girl team. To apply, write to the manager's
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Farmhouse destroyed
POLICE are hunting arsonists who destroyed a landmark farmhouse, a listed building near an abbey. Firefighters from three stations tackled the blaze at Abbey Lands Farm, at Whitby Abbey Plain, North Yorkshire. Police said it was the most serious of a
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Brothel charge couple to sell home
A SEX shop owner accused of running a brothel has put his remote eight-bedroom mansion up for sale. John Middleton, who is charged with two counts of living on the earnings of prostitution, is selling Barrenthwaite Hall, at North Stainmore, Cumbria, for
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'I still can't believe Paul has gone'
The heartbroken fiancee of a man who apparently committed suicide in a smoke-filled car says she cannot understand why he left her. Distraught Vicky Ward, 20, said news of Paul Williams' death had left her stunned. Ms Ward is eight weeks pregnant by Mr
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Harper is ready to stand in for Given
Understudy Steve Harper is on stand-by for Newcastle United's Champions League clash with Inter Milan after goal keeper Shay Given dislocated a finger in training. Given is confident of being fit for the visit to the San Siro, where the Magpies must avoid
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Comment: Listen to the people
IN years to come, historians will ponder over the meaning of Labour's shocking defeats in last year's mayoral elections in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool - towns which traditionally have been so supportive of Labour that they would even have elected a monkey
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Weekend TV: Surrounded by scandal but still staying clean
The Real Cliff Richard (C4); DNA: The Story Of Life (C4) THE randy young man in the film clip is annoyed that his girlfriend won't go all the way. "Sex is natural when two people are supposed to be in love," he tells her. Hey, just a minute, the frustrated
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Stabler kick earns West a shock second victory
WEST Hartlepool have done it again. After their shock win against Chester last week, they sprang an even bigger surprise by beating North Division One leaders Cleckheaton on Saturday. The scores were level with two minutes of normal time left when West
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We're teachers - please let us out of here
CHILDREN at a North-East school have the power to decide which teachers they allow to go home and which ones will be detained at school for three nights this week. In a charity event inspired by recent reality television game shows, youngsters at Yarm
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Youth orchestra performs Russian pieces
THE Tees Valley Youth Orchestra (TVYO) is to hold a concert of Russian music this week at the Stockton Baptist Tabernacle. The 70-piece orchestra is made up of some of the most talented young musicians in the area and is the flagship orchestra of the
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Residents are urged to help green scheme
A LOCAL authority is keen to encourage residents to help with a recycling scheme launched today. Gateshead Council is asking for support for its Kerb-it project. Householders are asked to help the scheme by contributing to a fortnightly collection of
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Burning Questions: Birthplace of a venerable institution
Q WAS the Venerable Bede born at Jarrow or Sunderland and was Sunderland part of Jarrow? Also, what is the oldest part of Sunderland? - Bill Hutchinson, Chester-le-Street AIN 674 AD, the year of Bede's birth, a well-travelled Northumbrian noble called
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Teenager in court on murder charge
A teenager appeared in court today charged with the murder of a 12-year-old schoolgirl. Ronald Pattinson, 18, of Belsay Place, Arthurs Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, appeared before magistrates in the city following the stabbing of Natalie Ruddick, who was
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Entertainment: "Tim and I are like ships in the night just now"
With an equally famous actor for a husband, and a son recovering from life-saving surgery, it's a wonder North-East actress Denise Welch finds time for her own career. Viv Hardwick reports. DENISE Welch is going to find prison a welcome break after one
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Waiting lists fall as heart campaign pays off
HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn's drive to speed up heart surgery has produced a "spectacular" drop in patients waiting longer than six months, according to new figures. The news - on the third anniversary of Mr Milburn's national heart plan - means The
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Top dogs have their day
TWO North-East labradors proved they were top dogs when they won their classes at Crufts. Breeder Judith Charlton, of Balk, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, was delighted when her black labrador, Foxrush Blue Sapphire, won the best bitch class, and yellow
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Shedding light on aspects of science
AN award-winning museum is to come out of hibernation for a science weekend. Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, in Weardale, will stage themed workshops on Saturday and Sunday to help celebrate Science Week. An array of minerals will be
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Murphy seeks Festival history with Historg
FERDY MURPHY'S four-pronged assault on this week's three-day Cheltenham Festival was the subject of a major boost last Thursday when a substantial downpour eased the ground from the fast side of good, to good to soft in places. "All four of our horses
