Archive
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Five-year travel plan drawn up
PEOPLE power will help to shape the face of transport over the next five years. A draft transport strategy has been drawn up by Hambleton District Council to look at key improvements for the next five years. At this week's Cabinet meeting councillors
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Mechanic crushed under car
A FARM hand who enjoyed working on cars was crushed by one after he failed to ensure it was properly supported as he worked under it, an inquest was told yesterday. A jury of eight sitting at the Town Hall in Richmond, North Yorkshire, heard how 38-year-old
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Housing officers help children to kick off
A NEW football club has kicked off at a primary school thanks to a housing group's support. After learning that Laurel Avenue Community Primary School in Sherburn Road, Durham, had been struggling to find volunteer coaches and money to buy equipment,
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McCarthy ultimatum to stars
SUNDERLAND'S big-money flops have been told they have just eight games to save their Stadium of Light careers. The warning came from Mick McCarthy as he vowed to get tough in an attempt to reverse the club's alarming two-year slide that will almost certainly
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Gangs of youths on the rampage
GANGS of youths are terrorising residents and going on a rampage of destruction on a housing estate. The youths, some as young as seven, are smashing windows and ripping out the fixtures and fittings from derelict houses to build fires. The chaos has
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Walking for the gospels
A ST Cuthbert's Day walk is being staged today as part of the campaign to bring the Lindisfarne Gospels back to the North-East permanently. Cultural campaigners, many of them members of the Northumbrian Association, are not content with the British Library's
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Security stepped up at cemetery
SECURITY is to be stepped up at a cemetery, which has been raided by thieves. Nearly £2,000 of gardening equipment was stolen from Rock Road Cemetery in Spennymoor, last week. After cutting through chains at the cemetery gates the culprits then drove
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Newell's fresh approach for 'weary' Pool
DETERMINED Mike Newell is ready to stamp his own mark on Hartlepool United's title-chasing squad. Despite leading the table all season, Pool have stuttered of late and Tuesday's defeat at Wrexham saw their lead at the top reduced to seven points. No-one
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Dog attack 'not a crime of violence' - so no damages
A FATHER-OF-FOUR who lost all feeling in his arm after a dog savaged him says his family is struggling to survive because he cannot work. Dave Taylor, 36, passed out during the attack last year by a powerful Japanese akita dog, which he was minding at
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Hospice celebrates reaching its target
HOSPICE staff are celebrating after being awarded the money to open a full-time care unit at St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington. Darlington Primary Care Trust will give £100,000 a year to the hospice for at least two years. Along with match-funding from
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Celtic footballers will not be charged over party fracas
Three Celtic footballers arrested after a fracas with a photographer during the club's Christmas party will not face any charges, police said yesterday. The players had travelled to Newcastle for their night out, which turned sour after an incident allegedly
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Security cameras help to stop park crime
CRIME in a town centre park has been slashed thanks to closed-circuit television (cctv) cameras installed by Darlington Borough Council. The six cameras were installed in Stanhope Park, in Darlington, last July, at a cost of £136,000. They provide 24-
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Forces unite against
THE foundations are being laid for a new partnership which aims to clear up a litter-strewn beauty spot overlooking the River Swale. Mayor of Richmond Coun Stuart Parsons promised he would dedicate his year in office to generating a sense of civic pride
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Library celebrates the joy of bedtime reading
VISITORS to the Crown Street Library in Darlington could be forgiven for curling up and going to sleep this week, as readers celebrate National Bedtime Reading Week. Darlington Borough Council has teamed up with baker Warburtons to mark the week-long
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Warning issued to fly-tippers
FLY-TIPPERS in Darlington were dealt a severe warning by council officials yesterday. Darlington Borough Council revealed that on Tuesday more fixed penalty notices were issued in one day than in the whole of last year. All the notices, each carrying
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Farmers signing up to wildlife protection scheme
FARMERS in Teesdale are signing up to a Government-led scheme to protect the area's wildlife and rural landscape. Dozens of farmers around Barnard Castle have joined the Entry Level Agri-Environmental pilot scheme (ELS), drawn up by the Department for
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Entertaining the older generation
A WEEK of events aimed at the older generation is being held in Middlesbrough. The week has been organised by Middlesbrough Older Persons' Partnership Board and the Retired Senior Volunteers Programme (RSVP), with the help of Middlesbrough Council, the
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School's recycling efforts aid charity
ENVIRONMENTALLY aware youngsters have raised money for charity through their recycling efforts. Children from St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, in Crook, have been recycling their computer ink cartridges to support a fundraising recycling campaign
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Serenade for former guardsman
FORMER Scots Guard Jack Craggs was given a special treat when he celebrated his 90th birthday this week. The pensioner was serenaded by piper Mel Clement at Devonshire House Nursing Home, in West Auckland. Mr Craggs is the oldest member of the Durham
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Birthday boy's generous gesture
A TEENAGER has given away hundreds of pounds for his 18th birthday to help a young mother fly to the US for urgent medical treatment. Paul Hughes, from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, has donated the £680 he received for his 18th birthday to the Ann
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Independents turn up the heat as local elections loom
POLITICAL manoeuvring at the highest level has begun at a marginal council just weeks away from what is expected to be a tight election battle. Steve Kay, leader of the East Cleveland Independents (ECI), has written a letter, seen by The Northern Echo
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Charity seeks helpers
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help oversee Age Concern's efforts in County Durham. The charity is seeking helpers to expand its board of trustees with the addition of up to six new members. The charity's county headquarters is in Durham with five satellite
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Matthew beats adversity
A BUILDING surveyor has overcome life-threatening illness to pass professional qualifications with flying colours. Matthew Ward suffered a cancer scare and underwent a double kidney transplant. The 27-year-old had the transplant while working to qualify
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Councillors back action over speeding
TOWN councillors at Pickering have backed action to curb speed in Middleton Road and Swainsea Lane because of worries about the safety of children. A 20mph speed limit is to be imposed, with speed tables at two crossing patrols, near the junction with
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Fun and laughter raises lots of money
RED hair, leg waxing and a charity hitch-hike to Shepherd's Bush TV studios were part of the Comic Relief drive in Darlington. Lesley Mattimo, a security guard at the Cornmill Centre, and her colleague Lesley Tutty, embarked on a mammoth hitch hike to
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£1m community arcade given the go-ahead
PLANS for a £1m community arcade with a grass roof and solar panels have been approved. The innovative scheme, which is the result of months of hard work by the New Shildon Residents' Association, has been praised by planning bosses, who gave it their
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Specials target illegal sale of alcohol by shopkeepers
A TEAM of special constables in Darlington has completed an operation aimed at cracking down on shopkeepers selling alcohol to children. Officers recruited teenagers to visit 25 Darlington shops undercover to try to buy alcohol as part of Operation Needlepoint
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Course tackles N-E shame of teen pregnancies
THE appalling record of unwanted teenage pregnancies in the region will be tackled with a new course at a North-East university. Northumbria University is to launch the Sex and Relationship Education course, which is aimed at teachers, social workers
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Security camera coverage to be extended
A CLOSED-CIRCUIT television system in Marske will be switched on this week to extend coverage across east Cleveland. The three cameras are at the main roundabout, the retail area at Vicarage Drive and the car park at Windy Hill Lane. Pictures from the
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News in brief: Prescription drugs stolen
A LARGE quantity of prescription drugs were stolen from a car in Redcar on Tuesday. The drugs were taken some time between 8.10am and 9.20am from the car outside Scott's Chemist, in Roseberry Square. The thieves took a plastic box containing drugs, including
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Bird feeder gift for police force
A BIRD feeding station has been set up in a police headquarters to encourage more wildlife into the grounds. The station has been donated to North Yorkshire Police, which has its headquarters at Newby Wiske, Northallerton, by the RSPB. The wildlife project
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Paul leads the way
A NORTH-EAST engineer is proving the Modern Apprenticeship scheme can be a success. Paul Warren, 20, has been highlighted by the Government as an outstanding example of how its work-based training programme is helping to plug skills shortages in key sectors
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Flyball team just misses Crufts title
A DOG training club has narrowly missed being crowned champions at Crufts. Barnard Castle Dog Training Club's Barney Bullets flyball team was knocked out in the semi-finals of the competition by the eventual winners, after managing to defeat some strong
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Chef brings a taste of his homeland across the Irish sea
AN Irish chef is bringing a taste of his home country to a quiet corner of rural Durham. Kieran Burke, 31, is the chef at the recently re-opened restaurant at the Wardle Bridge Inn, in Holmside, near Consett, run by Maggie and Bill Smith. He hopes to
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Apathy puts future of village hall in doubt
A LACK of interest in Aycliffe Village Hall could put its future in doubt, a meeting has been told. The chairman of Great Aycliffe Village Hall Association voiced his fears during the organisation's annual meeting. In his yearly report, Harry Moses said
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Sporting hope for embattled community
MORE than 60 young football fans are helping to dispel the unemployment blues in Weardale. At the same time they are sowing the seeds of a strong community spirit that has seen dales people overcome trials and tribulations for centuries. The Wolsingham
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Music students tune in online
ASPIRING pop stars have been given a boost with the opening of an online music centre. Music students will have access to decks, computer mixing and recording equipment - facilities that are often too expensive for young bands and budding producers. The
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News in brief: Prescription drugs stolen
A LARGE quantity of prescription drugs were stolen from a car in Redcar on Tuesday. The drugs were taken some time between 8.10am and 9.20am from the car outside Scott's Chemist, in Roseberry Square. The thieves took a plastic box containing drugs, including
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Re-enactment soldiers fall in for dancefloor manoeuvres
THE North-East's first re-enactment society depicting German troops are gearing up for a dance. The World War Two Axis Re-enactment Society was established five months ago in Thornley, east Durham. Created by Jon Whitehead and Stephen Rushton, the group
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News in brief: Probe into puppy shooting
POLICE are investigating the shooting of a six-month old puppy in front of two children. Sisters Caitlin Brown, 12, and Danielle, ten, have been devastated by the death of their pet Martha. The girls, who live on Crook's Watergate Estate, were walking
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Comment from The Northern Echo: As we begin the war we must think of the peace
THE time for talking is over. The time for debate has passed. Dissent must, temporarily, be suspended. The old world order has failed, and now there are 45,000 of our countrymen at war in a foreign land. We must support them. We can surely all join in
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Statisticians have got their sums wrong, says council
THE transitory nature of Army life could cost Richmondshire's civilian population dear - unless the Government can be persuaded it should be taken into account when it comes to grants. The most recent census of the population of the district indicated
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Nursery will draw families
BUILDERS are hard at work on a nursery designed to attract young families back to the Yorkshire Dales. Recent demographic studies suggest empty properties are more attractive to retired couples or as holiday cottages because working parents with young
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Protesters fight plan for car park
PLANS to turn a public open space near Durham City centre into a temporary car-park has provoked a storm of protest from residents. Angry exchanges took place on The Sands common land on Tuesday, when one of Durham's hereditary Freemen came face to face
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Rise in minimum wage may 'push firms over the edge'
BUSINESS leaders warned companies could be "tipped over the edge" by an increase in the minimum wage, announced by the Government yesterday. From October, the minimum wage will rise by 30p to £4.50 an hour, boosting the pay of millions of workers. The
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Deric joins the fight to net criminals
A PIONEERING crime-buster has just completed his 100th in-depth investigation - at the tender age of one. In his very short life Deric has already studied the equivalent of four billion pages of text in the battle against high-tech fraud and crime. Deric
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Cinderella and her prince make a date for stardom
BUDDING actresses queued up to audition for a theatre's Christmas show. The response to the hunt for Cinderella was positive and many youngsters queued to make their bid for stardom. But the response from would-be Dandinis was less enthusiastic, and only
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Chemist accused over controlled drugs
A chemist was fighting for his livelihood yesterday after being accused of dispensing controlled drugs without a prescription. Ian Bell, of Dunottar Avenue, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, repeatedly asked a GP to backdate prescriptions for drugs he had
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Profits rise ahead of demerger
DIY and electrical group Kingfisher reported a 17 per cent rise in annual pre-tax profits after seeing strong growth in its DIY division. The home improvement business boasts B&Q and Comet in its portfolio, and saw total sales ahead by 4.3 per cent
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Man in court over plane fire scare
A plane passenger has appeared in court accused of dropping a lit cigarette on the carpet which could have set fire to a packed holiday jet. John Donkin, 41, is alleged to have stubbed out a cigarette before dropping a lit one on the carpet after he was
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Battlefield that was the birthplace of civilisation
Iraq is where civilisation was born 7,000 years ago. Chris Lloyd looks back on the country that gave us time, mathematics and books WHILE we are bombing Iraq back to the Stone Age, it is worth recalling that the country is the cradle of civilisation.
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John North: Unholy desires
How the confirmed bachelor and Methodist preacher John Wesley dallied with scandal and fell for amazing Grace. IT IS a story of intrigue and of dangerous liaisons, of wagging tongues and pointing fingers, of broken hearts, eternal triangles and of a strange
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Man victim of street attack
A 19-YEAR-OLD was headbutted on the street in an unprovoked attack. The victim, who was visiting Devon Close in Redcar, east Cleveland, at 4.40pm on Sunday when he was attacked, suffered extensive swelling to his left eye. His attacker had called out
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Police appeal after man is kidnapped and beaten
A MASKED gang kidnapped a man from his home near Consett, subjected him to hours of torture and then dumped him on a deserted stretch of road hundreds of miles away. The victim, 27, from Burnhope, is recovering in hospital after sustaining serious injuries
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Repeat on the cards
THERE might well be a classic case of dj vu on the opening day of the Flat turf season at Doncaster this afternoon since both Middlethorpe and Dandoun have an outstanding chances of repeating their respective victories on the card 12 months ago. Middlethorpe's
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New recruits join force
THE police force in North Yorkshire has welcomed its first Sikh recruit. Jagjeet Bura was among 51 new probationary constables sworn in at the Attestation Ceremony in County Hall, Northallerton, and took their oath before JP Gordon Charlton. The forces
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War hero to be remembered by museum staff
A WAR hero awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in battle 60 years ago will be remembered by the regiment he served tomorrow. Green Howard Lieutenant Colonel Derek Seagrim, was stationed on the Mareth Line, in Tunisia, on March 20, 1943, when his
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Cement company ignores ultimatum
FRENCH cement giants Lafarge UK have been criticised for ignoring an ultimatum presented to them by Weardale businessmen. Disillusioned business leaders in the Dale demanded that the company, which closed its Blue Circle cement works in Eastgate last
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Armed, dangerous and waging war
British soldiers are ready for action, British planes are flying over Iraq, and British ships are patrolling the Gulf. Chris Lloyd and Nigel Burton look at the hardware and personnel who are waging war on Saddam BRITAIN has amassed a military force in
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Pair keep in perfect step
A COUPLE who made perfect partners on and off the dance floor for more than half a century have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Margaret and Michael Tennick met at The Rink dance hall in Spennymoor and married two years later. They lived
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Teenage girl passenger killed in road accident
A TEENAGE girl died after being cut free from the wreckage of car which smashed into a taxi near Crook last Friday night. Rear seat passenger Lynsey Richards, 17, from Snowdrop Way, Etherley Dene, Bishop Auckland, suffered internal injuries in the accident
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Wayne's football world
A FOOTBALL crazy teenager and his friends have scored a major success to lay a football pitch in their small village. Wayne Davies, 16, first started arguing that his east Cleveland village should have a football pitch when he was just ten. Now, after
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Girl may have died in kinky sex game
A GUESTHOUSE landlord accused of the murders of two young Korean students may have suffocated his first victim in a kinky sex game, a court heard. Kyu Soo Kim, 32, allegedly bound, stripped and killed 21-year-old student Hyo Jung Jin without any apparent
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Students to show talents
ENTERPRISING students will be showcasing their talents at an exhibition at the University of Sunderland next week. Enterprise Fair 03 - the latest in a series run by the university's School of Business - attracts companies and enterprise experts from
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Work at city site uncovers history
WORK started yesterday on a Government office complex that will reveal a piece of North-East heritage for the first time in more than 80 years. The project, to build a home for 400 staff at the Government Office for the North-East, will see the staff
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Phone firm's apology for breakdown
MOBILE phone firm Orange was swamped with calls from angry North-East customers, after the network broke down yesterday. Hundreds of Orange users in Newcastle and Gateshead found they had no service for several hours in the morning. It is the second time
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New museum to be powered by the elements
WHATEVER the weather, visitors enjoying the attractions at the North's £8m new railway museum next year will be running on energy provided by the elements. The rain and the sun will provide some of the power driving locomotives and interactive displays
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Company 'on the up' set to cut 70 jobs
A CONSERVATORY manufacturer announced 70 job losses last week. Darlington-based Amdega, which employs 370 people, made the cuts despite an upturn in its fortunes. The company recorded its most successful year in 2002, with turnover increasing 13 per cent
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Players net medals
YOUNG badminton stars are celebrating after success in two regional tournaments. More than 60 youngsters competed in the second round of the Darlington Grand Slam and the Ferryhill Grand Prix. The competitions were held at Haughton School and Ferryhill
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Tunnel's opponents put case to inquiry
OPPONENTS of a second proposed Tyne crossing yesterday began outlining their objections to the building of the tunnel. A six-week inquiry started earlier this month into Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority's planned second tunnel, to run parallel
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Doctor nearly killed woman during abortion, inquiry told
A GYNAECOLOGIST who almost killed a pregnant woman during a botched abortion also tried to seduce nurses by offering them a ride in his range of flashy cars, the General Medical Council (GMC) was told yesterday. Consultant Andrew Gbinigie, 47, who had
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New site for college relocation
DARLINGTON College of Technology has announced a 'once in a lifetime move' after plans to relocate to the outskirts of town collapsed. The college, which has 15,000 full and part-time students from across the region, will now move to a new £30m building
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Coming out of his father's shadow
A NUMBING winter wind buffeted the White House on January 20, 2001, as George W Bush was sworn in as the 43rd President of the United States. The temperature was as low as expectations as he made the transition from Governor of Texas to the world's most
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Entrepreneur signs HQ deal
FITNESS entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne has spoken of his delight after completing a deal which will keep his headquarters in Darlington. The announcement from Mr Bannatyne, one of the North-East's richest men, is a huge boost to the town's efforts to attract
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Freddy says get fit
A KARATE champion is visiting schools throughout the area to encourage students to take more exercise and keep fit and healthy. Five-times national karate champion, Rob Loft, has taken on the role of Freddy Fit, a cartoon character who was created to
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Kids quiz candidates
Nervous candidates for a job as a school's deputy head will be grilled by the pupils. Children at Poppleton Road Primary School, Holgate, York, came up with the questions for the hopefuls to answer. They include: How many teeth does a shark have; what
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The penny drops as Malcolm gets appeal for needy children under way
CYCLIST Malcolm Young set the wheels in motion for a fundraising drive to help needy kids yesterday. Mr Young was invited to ride his penny farthing bike outside the Tesco store in Kingston Park, Newcastle. The supermarket chain announced it would give
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Bacon and beans mean charity cash
RED hair, red noses, leg shaving and baked beans made up a day of fun and frantic fund raising. Hundreds of people in North Yorkshire put their sanity briefly on hold to do their bit for Comic Relief. In their efforts to raise money for those worse off
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Pensions deal for troops' partners
THE long-term partners of British service personnel who are killed in the war against Iraq will qualify for pension payouts, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon is due to signal today. In a written Parliamentary statement, Mr Hoon is expected to assure servicemen
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Peace hopes collapse as firefighters reject offer
HOPES of an end to the bitter firefighters' dispute collapsed last night when union activists overturned a recommendation from their leaders to accept a final pay offer. Delegates at a recalled national conference of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) voted
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Train treat for new Dean
THE new Dean of Durham enjoyed his journey to his new diocese - the train buff was a special guest of Great North Eastern Railway. The Very Rev Michael Sadgrove said it was 'a real thrill' to be allowed to travel in the cab of the train from Doncaster
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Schools celebrate
A NEW school created out of a shake-up of primary education services in Spennymoor was officially opened last week. The £1.34m development of North Park Primary followed the controversial merger of the 12-year-old North Road Junior and Bessemer Park Nursery
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Bombed at dawn
IRAQ was under attack early today as the allies launched a surprise dawn raid on Baghdad. Air raid sirens sounded at 2.30am and 20 minutes later explosions were heard. A huge pall of smoke could be seen to the south of the city. With the 1am deadline
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Beavers win new Bronze awards
THREE boys from the most junior branch of the Scouting movement became some of the first in the country to win a new award. District commissioner Tony Gent paid a visit to 26th All Saints' Beaver Scout Group at Ravensdale Road, Darlington, last week to
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Boss blasts schoolboy errors
SIR BOBBY Robson last night blamed 'schoolground defending' for the goals that finally put paid to Newcastle's Champions League hopes. An appalling error from Titus Bramble gifted Patrick Kluivert Barcelona's first goal, and then the defence allowed Brazilian
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Final showdown for Saddam, the great escaper
Chris Lloyd examines the life of Saddam Hussein, a man who was born into rural poverty and became the president of an oil-rich country SADDAM HUSSEIN'S first political act was the attempted assassin- ation of the president of Iraq. It failed. Saddam was
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Lib Dem four announced
THE Liberal Democrats have selected their North-East candidates for the 2004 European Parliament elections. The region's four candidates for the elections are Fiona Hall, Chris Foote Wood, Greg Stone and Nigel Boddy. They are led by Ms Hall, a former
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From the North-East to the heat of the desert
They said their goodbyes to their families weeks ago and are now in action. Steve Parsley analyses the role the thousands of servicemen and women usually stationed in the North-East and North Yorkshire are playing in the conflict IN THE AIR ABOUT 160
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Firefighters tackle estate unit blaze
TEAMS of firefighters tackled a blaze at a business unit on an industrial estate yesterday. They were called to the fire, in an engineering unit at Progress Way, Leeming Bar, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, shortly after 11am. The fire had already taken
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Bosses close tourist centre
BOSSES are to close a tourist information centre at one of the region's most popular visitor attractions - after admitting it was built in the wrong place. The committee that runs Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, is to shut the information
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Swimmers shape up for charity
DOZENS of people will take the plunge at Darlington's Dolphin Centre. The leisure centre will host the local leg of Swimathon, the largest sponsored swimming event in Europe. The challenge, sponsored by Butlins, will take place on Saturday and Sunday
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Play workers appointed for estate
TWO play workers have been appointed to work with children on a Darlington estate. Elizabeth Bennett and Paula Stainthorp will help to organise activities, chosen by youngsters on the Firthmoor estate, on evenings and weekends. The posts were made possible
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College students head for France in search of fame
A COLLEGE'S "Fame Academy" is getting ready to rock in Darlington's French twin town of Amiens. A party of 26 musicians from Darlington College of Technology will travel to the Somme region of France on Sunday, for a five-day tour. The group, which is
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£23,000 in grants on offer for local projects
COMMUNITY initiatives will share £23,000 in grants if Sedgefield Borough Council's cabinet approves spending from the community regeneration revenue budget today. The grants will be used for schemes including environmental improvements, community centres
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Man victim of street attack
A 19-YEAR-OLD was headbutted on the street in an unprovoked attack. The victim, who was visiting Devon Close in Redcar, east Cleveland, at 4.40pm on Sunday when he was attacked, suffered extensive swelling to his left eye. His attacker had called out
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Pod scheme brings dramatic crime reduction
A FACILITY for youngsters on a Darlington estate has caused a dramatic drop in crime, according to community workers. The 20ft converted shipping container in Firthmoor, known as a Pod, is being used as an evening meeting place for teenagers, providing
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News in brief: Celebration of St Cuthbert
A mixed vocal and instrumental evening of Music for St Cuthbert, with associated readings relating to the life and ministry of the 7th Century Northumbrian saint, is being held at St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth, near Durham, tomorrow. The programme begins
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Warning over green damage
VANDALS caught damaging bowling greens will be prosecuted, Ferryhill Town Council has warned. The greens in Dean Bank Park have become a favourite spot for youths playing football. But they have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage, which is so severe
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Plan for waste plant is backed
PROTESTORS fighting plans for a waste and recycling plant near their homes have refused to give up their battle, despite county councillors approving the proposal. After a nine-month campaign, Durham County Council's planning committee ignored an attempt
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Gardeners go back to school
Scarborough Borough Council's parks and countryside services unit has been awarded a contract to look after the grounds of a large number of schools in the town and Ryedale. The £450,000 contract will also see the gardeners maintaining the grounds of
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Special moment for youngsters as tree-planting landmark is reached
THE last of more than 500,000 saplings taking root in Teesside's largest new wood was planted by children from St Mary's Primary School, in Long Newton yesterday. Coatham Wood, which covers 500 acres of former agricultural land, was acquired by the Forestry
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New support centre opens
A COMMUNITY centre offering a one-stop shop for residents' problems has opened. Chopwell Community Centre, built next to Chopwell Library, in Gateshead, aims to bring a wide range of groups under one roof, including neighbourhood relations service, housing
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A wizard adaptation by teenage playwright
AS Hollywood makes millions with its blockbuster trilogy The Lord of the Rings, a drama enthusiast in North Yorkshire has put another Tolkein classic on the stage. Joe Stokeld has adapted Tolkein's book, The Hobbit, into a play and is helping to produce
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£2.8m lottery cash will revitalise river areas
A £2.8m cash boost is set to revitalise one of the region's rivers and create new jobs. In an announcement last week, the Mineral Valleys Project revealed the major plans for the River Wear after being awarded the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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Interest rates 'to remain on hold'
EIGHT members of the Bank of England's interest rate-setting committee voted to keep interest rates on hold this month amid uncertainty over the way the economy was performing. The Monetary Policy Committee adopted a wait-and-see approach, opting to keep
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Probation order for victim of violence
A SERIAL victim of domestic violence had to be restrained by police when she lunged at her boyfriend with a knife, a court heard yesterday. Amanda Swan called officers to her home because she wanted them to throw out her partner Paul McIntyre, Nicholas
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The penny drops as Malcolm gets appeal for needy children under way
CYCLIST Malcolm Young set the wheels in motion for a fundraising drive to help needy kids yesterday. Mr Young was invited to ride his penny farthing bike outside the Tesco store in Kingston Park, Newcastle. The supermarket chain announced it would give
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Backing for MP over tough stance on rogue landlords
NORTH Durham MP Kevan Jones is celebrating after the Government backed his tough stance on the rogue private landlords he says are running former mining communities into the ground. The Home Office has issued a White Paper to tackle anti-social behaviour
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Watching Brief: Bramble nightmare returns
AS career memories go, a home debut against Barcelona is the sort that should be plastered all over a footballer's scrapbook. But August 7, 2002 is unlikely to find any place in Titus Bramble's 100 golden moments. It could have been the greatest night
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Hinkes sets his sights on next peak
INTREPID mountaineer Alan Hinkes is about to scale the heights once more as he continues his epic attempt to conquer the world's 14 highest peaks. At the end of this month, he will fly to the Himalayas to launch his assault on the 8,586m-high Kangchenjunga
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Grassroots: Derwentside
ORGAN GRINDERS: Stanley Men's Thursday Club will be given a light-hearted look at organ grinding by Mrs Donaldson at 10.30am next Thursday, in the Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley. BIRD SHOW: A falconry display will be held by Derwentside Leisure Services
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Students make trip of a lifetime to Asia
A GROUP of youngsters from the Northallerton area are planning to take the trip of a lifetime this summer. Along with two local youth workers from North Yorkshire County Council's community education service, the eight youngsters will be attending a youth
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News in brief: Celebration of St Cuthbert
A mixed vocal and instrumental evening of Music for St Cuthbert, with associated readings relating to the life and ministry of the 7th Century Northumbrian saint, is being held at St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth, near Durham, tomorrow. The programme begins
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Giveaways mark bus service's launch
FREE passes to leisure services will be on offer to passengers on a bus route launched this weekend. To mark the opening of the South Derwentside Link 767 service, launched on Saturday, passengers can travel for free. Their bus ticket will also entitle
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News in brief: Access for disabled talk
BUSINESSES can find out about providing better access for disabled people at a free briefing tomorrow. Darlington College, in Catterick, is holding two sessions as part of a disability awareness day. The briefings, which will tell firms how to comply
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Allied artillery opens fire on Iraqi troops
ALLIED forces have engaged Iraqi troops in the first major ground assault of the Gulf War. The US 3rd Infantry Division lit up the sky with Paladin self-propelled howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems. Explosions inside Iraq could clearly be heard
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Bosses on their bikes for funds
BOSSES at the Bridges shopping centre, in Sunderland, have raised more than £1,000 for charity, and shed a few pounds of their own. Teams from the Bridges centre management joined with others from Harper's Gym and Promovere, in a sponsored challenge at
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Leisure service receives praise
INSPECTORS have given the thumbs-up to leisure services in Derwentside. The Derwentside District Council service is good, with promising prospects for improvement, according to a report from the Audit Commission out today. In a previous report, published
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Police warning to phone thieves
POLICE are warning mobile phone thieves that the devices are useless once stolen, after more than 100 thefts were reported in one area. Easington police say 113 phones were stolen in their area between September and the end of February. In separate incidents
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Youngsters team up for Africa
PRIMARY schoolchildren who gave up their time to organise a charity sale have raised £260. When five pupils from Cestria Primary School, Chester-le-Street, watched the plight of African villagers struggling without clean water on Blue Peter, they returned
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Cadets prepare to meet the top brass
ARMY cadets from around County Durham will have to make sure they look their best when they meet top brass at a military training weekend. More than 140 members of C Company Durham Army Cadet Force, under the command of Major Brian Kitching, will move
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Cadets prepare to meet the top brass
ARMY cadets from around County Durham will have to make sure they look their best when they meet top brass at a military training weekend. More than 140 members of C Company Durham Army Cadet Force, under the command of Major Brian Kitching, will move
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News in brief: Celebration of St Cuthbert
A mixed vocal and instrumental evening of Music for St Cuthbert, with associated readings relating to the life and ministry of the 7th Century Northumbrian saint, is being held at St Cuthbert's Church, Shadforth, near Durham, tomorrow. The programme begins
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
YARM CHARITY FAIR: Yarm Charity Fair will take place on Sunday, June 1, in Yarm High Street. Yarm District Lions Club will organise the event. Invitations and booking forms will be sent out to previous participants. Any group that has not previously participated
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Concern for missing man
A man missing from his Lincolnshire home may be in the North. Douglas Sprakes, 56, from Saxilby, near Lincoln, went missing on Valentine's Day. It is thought he may have travelled to Scarborough. He is 5ft 10in, about 14st, with brown short hair that
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News in brief: Probe into puppy shooting
POLICE are investigating the shooting of a six-month old puppy in front of two children. Sisters Caitlin Brown, 12, and Danielle, ten, have been devastated by the death of their pet Martha. The girls, who live on Crook's Watergate Estate, were walking
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Intelligent bus stop tracks transport across city
STANDING at a bus shelter and wondering whether anything is coming will be a thing of the past in a congested tourist city. Passengers in York will no longer be unsure when the next bus is due, thanks to an "intelligent" bus stop system being introduced
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Son At Large: The Son's turn to shine
SO there I was in an Internet cafe in Oslo. I'd been away for a few weeks and decided to check The Northern Echo website, to see what was going on back home. And there it was, a story about me and my travels. Well, you don't really expect to sit an a
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Farewell to one of Bedale's greats
ONE of Bedale's great characters has died, aged 89. Mollie Hird, of Emgate, was a familiar figure, working for decades as a part-time helper in the saleroom run by M W Darwin and Sons, in the town's Bridge Street. She was also well-known for her love
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Old tennis club site to be developed
THE site of a former tennis and bowling club in Harrogate can be developed for housing, it has been decided. Harrogate borough councillors voted by eight votes to seven to approve the scheme for eight terrace properties at the former base of Low Harrogate
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Mix-up leads to court date for motorist
A 49-YEAR-OLD man spent a night in a police cell thanks to a road accident, a three-month hospital stay and a legal mix-up, a court heard yesterday. Charles Barclay Simpson was at home in Bargate, Richmond, on Tuesday, when police arrived with an arrest
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Towns should press to join initiative
THE three market towns of Pickering, Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley should press to become part of the Market Town Initiative being promoted by the Countryside Agency (CA) said Pickering's clerk, Andrew Husband. He told the town council it was vital the
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Strongman's pull for children to play safely
STRONGMAN Dave Gauder put his extraordinary muscle-power to good use yesterday - to press home the dangers of railway crime. About 200 local schoolchildren gathered at the National Railway Museum in York to see a high-speed train move under Dave-power
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Biting attack star could lose his ear
A FORMER North-East soccer star could lose his ear after an attacker with a grudge tried to bite it off. Ex-Newcastle United striker George Reilly needed 50 stitches to sew his ear back on, and doctors have warned him he could still lose it. The attack
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People given the chance to improve libraries
A SURVEY is being carried out among the county's library users. The North Yorkshire Library Service is already committed to meeting the community's needs, but it wants to establish what services are missing by encouraging people to fill in a questionnaire
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Cameras cut park crime
CRIME in a town centre park has been slashed thanks to new closed circuit television cameras installed by Darlington Borough Council. The six cameras were installed in Stanhope Park in Darlington last July at a cost of £136,000. They provide 24-hour coverage
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New twist in wrangle over barn scheme
A WRANGLE dividing a national park authority has deepened. A further letter has been sent to the Government's Standards Board demanding action against the man leading a campaign for a change of heart over a controversial Wensleydale barn conversion. John
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Minibus appeal gets into gear
GARAGE boss Mark Watson has come up with some egg-stra cash to kick start a school's Easter minibus appeal. Mr Watson's Wolsingham Motor Company has given £400 to launch fundraising at Wolsingham School and Community College. The money has bought dozens
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Magpies' campaign finally comes to end
HAVING cheated Champions League death in November, Newcastle United finally saw their European campaign come to a battling end last night. Ultimately, defeats against Internazionale and Barcelona at the end of 2002 proved their undoing, and their remarkable
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Blair's biggest battle
He may have two landslide elections under his belt, but Tony Blair has gambled his place in history on a successful war against Iraq. Political Correspondent Tariq Tahir looks at what the future holds for the MP from Sedgefield. TONY Blair's political
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School to make way for houses
ONE OF Spennymoor's landmark buildings will be bulldozed to make way for new homes. North Road Junior School has seen thousands of children pass through its classrooms over the years. But the sad decision to demolish the 120-year-old building has reluctantly
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Life-changing school chance is shelved
PLANS to fund places for underprivileged youngsters at Tony Blair's former school have been shelved, after councillors had second thoughts. Last December, Sunderland City Council announced a partnership with the fee-paying Choristers School in Durham,
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New routes to fitness
A NEW walks programme will set people in the Sedgefield Borough on the right path to fitness and good health. Because taking just a small amount of exercise every day can transform people's lives, local authorities and health trusts are sponsoring projects
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Nurseries win lottery awards
HUNDREDS of nursery places will be created across the North thanks to a £450,000 National Lottery grant. In Darlington, the Firthmoor and District Community Association has won £97,032 to create 52 nursery places at a community centre being built in the
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Work begins on housing schemes
WORK has started on four housing developments as part of an £18m overhaul of older people's accommodation. Contracts have been signed by the Hanover Housing Association and Durham County Council for the provision and management of four Extra Care schemes
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Watchdog to look at supermarket bids
FOUR of the five potential bids for supermarket group Safeway have been referred to the competition watchdog for further investigation. Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons - the only group so far to table a firm offer - will now be subject to an inquiry
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Schools take part
HUNDREDS of confident young speakers will thrash out a series of topical issues on the debating chamber floor in Durham this weekend. Teams from 42 schools across the UK, plus a touring group of teenagers from Canada, take part in a competition organised
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MP backs cancer campaign
AN MP is supporting a campaign to ensure that money for cancer treatment is well spent. Gerry Steinberg, MP for Durham City, has pledged to support the Get It Spent Where It's Meant campaign by Macmillan Cancer Relief. He is among more than 70 MPs from
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The mother of all regime changes
When the war has been won, what happens next? Will the US take over, will an Iraqi be installed as a temporary leader, will democracy prevail, or will their be a dash for the country's oil reserves? Chris Lloyd looks at the prospects for post-Saddam Iraq
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Relegation looms large for lacklustre Quakers
It's official. Darlington are fighting to preserve their League status. Any hopes of a hassle-free end-of-season run-in were well and truly crushed last night as Quakers went down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Boston United. Mark
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Star man saves the day
THEATRE managers have confirmed that a touring play will come to Darlington Civic Theatre as planned, despite the sudden death of lead actor Adam Faith. Actor Leslie Grantham, best known as Eastenders' star Dirty Den, has stepped into the main role in
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Notice board upsets town businesses
BUSINESSES have objected to the latest message displayed on a board outside Darlington Football Club's new stadium. The board, erected by club chairman George Reynolds, has previously carried a message falsely suggesting that Century FM presenter Paul
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Durham alumni donating to aid future graduates
FORMER students are donating thousands of pounds to help in research and teaching, plus the support of existing and future generations of university under-graduates. Old boys and girls, many who have gone on to successful careers on leaving Durham University
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Rail pioneers honoured
TWO Victorian locomotive pioneers will be honoured by a city today for their contribution to the industrial revolution. George Stephenson, credited with designing the first locomotive along with his son, Robert, and William Hedley, responsible for the
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Rallying call in battle for steel jobs
A CAMPAIGN to save steelmaking on Teesside - and with it 3,600 jobs - will be launched today. Business leaders from across the region will gather on Teesside in an emergency meeting called by the North-East Chamber of Commerce. At the meeting, they will
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Iraqi leadership may be disintegrating
Last night's surgical strikes by Allied aircraft may have achieved their aim of incapaciting the Iraqi command and control apparatus, US intelligence claimed tonight. Officials believe the unexpected air attack may have succeeded because of the failure
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Public schoolboy is spared prison
A PUBLIC schoolboy who admitted giving a savage beating to a friend, which left him fighting for his life, has narrowly escaped jail. James Slade, 18, who pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Lloyd Pickering, 18, on their final night at Durham
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Tension high at Europe's biggest Army base
Soldiers and their families at Europe's biggest Army base were awaiting news of the first strikes against Saddam's forces last night. Steve Parsley reports from Catterick in North Yorkshire TROOPS left behind at Catterick were on a heightened state of
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US writer chosen for college accolade
NOTED US novelist Jean Hegland has become the first writer-in-residence for a North Yorkshire college. Ms Hegland, from Healdsburg, California, will be in residency at York St John College until April 4, during which time she will take various writing
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Students delve into Army history
YOUNGSTERS have been getting to know more about the history of their local Army regiment. Around 100 students from Eastbourne School in Darlington, along with 17 young people from Amiens, France, visited the Green Howards Regimental Museum in Richmond
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Prison staff to receive awards at palace
THE work of prison staff from around the region is to be recognised at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace this week. Staff from prisons across the North-East will visit the palace tomorrow to receive Butler Trust Awards from the Princess Royal, to mark their
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Union call made for more help for unpaid carers
A UNION leader is calling for more help for unpaid carers, after figures compiled at Durham University reveal there are tens of thousands in the North. The research commissioned by the GMB union shows that ten per cent of the population of England and
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Yellow lines to go on city centre streets
YELLOW lines are to be painted in city centre streets to stop unsafe parking by drivers trying to avoid paying charges. Most streets in the centre of Durham have pay and display parking, part of a move to ease congestion and encourage public transport
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The war leaders
General Tommy Franks The commander-in-chief of US Central Command who is leading the war from Qatar. Born in 1945 - his grandchildren call him Pooh after the bear - Franks grew up in Midland, Texas. It was no more than a scratty railroad halt in his youth
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Widow in court on murder charge
THE wife of a dog walker who was found with fatal injuries in a country lane appeared in court last Friday charged with murder. Christina Marina Button, 31, of St Mary's Drive, West Rainton, appeared at Peterlee magistrates court alongside her nephew,
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Hotelier wins path battle
THE new landlady of the Three Tuns Hotel in Thirsk and local residents have won a battle to stop a public footpath running through the hotel car park. The long running saga of the path has generated mixed feelings in the town. Landlady Mary Nelson spearheaded
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Marathon runner on course
A LONG-DISTANCE runner will put her best foot forward next month in a bid to raise at least £1,000 charity. Sarah Gregory, of Parker Drive, Bedale, will run her second London Marathon in April. She wants to raise as much as possible for The Outward Bound
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More people are finding employment
THE number of people out of work has continued to fall and the number of people in work has hit another new high, figures have showed. The number of people out of work was 1.46 million in the three months to January, down 73,000 on the previous three
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Comment: As we begin the war we must think of the peace
THE time for talking is over. The time for debate has passed. Dissent must, temporarily, be suspended. The old world order has failed, and now there are 45,000 of our countrymen at war in a foreign land. We must support them. We can surely all join in
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A prime cut above
THIRSK butcher Sarah Jane Ballard has cut out a trio of firsts. In April 2000 when she took over Johnson's butchers in the Market Place following the retirement of her father, Ray, she not only became the first woman butcher in the town but was the first
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'Our thoughts go out to the lads'
NORTH-EAST veterans of the first Gulf War urged Allied troops to press on and finish the job last night. * Eddie Blench, a founder member of the Gulf War Veterans Association and former corporal in the Desert Rats, said: "My thoughts go out to the lads
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Golden nostalgia show is a hit
A SELL-OUT crowd joined a jubilee celebration of Darlington's history. The Late Late Jubilee Show at Darlington Civic Theatre took a light-hearted trip around the town during the five decades of the Queen's reign. Presented by Coun Roderick Burtt and
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Help is
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is hosting advice days for rural businesses at the Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington, next week - on Monday from 6pm until 9.30pm, and on Tuesday from 11am until 3.30pm. Details from Linda Kiff on
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Storm in a desert that drove Saddam back to Baghdad
The first Gulf War was a huge success for the Allies. Nigel Burton looks back OPERATION Desert Storm began on Wednesday, January 16, 1991, at precisely 7pm Eastern Standard Time. It was 3am in Baghdad when the massive air and missile bombardment began
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LPG cars fare poorly in safety checks
CHECKS on vehicles converted to run on liquid petroleum gas have revealed that alarming numbers failed to reach basic safety standards. More than 40 per cent of the vehicles tested in Northallerton, Harrogate and Scarborough were failed by a team of independent
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Estate champ says it's time to retire
A WOMAN who helped to fight for the regeneration of a Darlington housing estate has stepped down from her post as chairwoman of a community group. Joyce Standing has been chairwoman of the Skerne Park Residents' Association for more than 16 years. She
