Archive
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Children brighten up town's archway
ARTISTIC young people have helped design a mural that will brighten up a town centre archway in memory of a former mayor. Children from all the schools in the Spennymoor area of County Durham were asked to suggest images that could brighten up the John
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Magistrates urged to be tougher on drunks
A POLICE authority is urging magistrates to take a tougher line over late-night disorder and drunkenness. Councillor Ken Walker, chairman of the Cleveland Police Authority, said he shared the disappointed and frustration of the police when licences were
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Gardening: A trip to gardening heaven
I HAVE travelled well this week. I have visited the steamy jungles of South and Central America, and walked among the meadows and prairies of California, South Africa and Australia. I have wandered through the mountains and forests of Indonesia, West
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Another signing for club chairman George
SOCCER chairman George Reynolds added the personal touch to his new book at the weekend when he signed copies for fans. The Darlington FC boss was in the town's Ottakar's bookshop on Saturday to promote his autobiography, Cracked It, which tells the story
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What not to buy
IT was supposed to be making history as the first home put under the auctioneer's hammer on British TV, but if all property really is theft then ITV1's House Auction was akin to sacking Iraq's Museum of Antiquities. The Tuesday night hour-long extravaganza
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Health officials issue warning after increase in stomach bug illnesses
HEALTH officials have issued a warning over a sudden increase in cases of a stomach bug. The cryptosporidium infection causes diarrhoea and abdominal pains and its cause has left experts baffled. Usually about ten or so cases would be expected in the
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The lottery that saved some foundlings
Georgian Underworld: The Man Who Saved Children (C4) The event was an 18th Century version of the National Lottery, without Dale Winton. In the audience were rich people, enjoying a night out watching the desperation and distress of the poor. "Contestants
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Revival continues as Falcons eye safety
THE Great Escape continues after Newcastle crowned a terrific second half performance by snatching victory three minutes from time yesterday. Nerveless skipper Jonny Wilkinson superbly converted their only try from the right touchline to lift his side
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Reward for arrest of statue wreckers
A REWARD is being offered for the arrest of would-be thieves who smashed a valuable statue at a country house. They struck at Norton Conyers, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, last Wednesday, and tried to remove a sandstone lion from outside the gates to the
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Meet Corky - puppy with big appetite for coppers
FROM old bones to chair legs, puppies just love to eat things. But one cheeky little pup's appetite left him rattling like a money box and rescue shelter bosses with a lot of expense. Corky had always had an appetite. An apparently insatiable desire to
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Designs on DNA
IT'S the ultimate personalised gift - a piece of jewellery incorporating the pattern of your DNA. It's as unique as you are, as well as being a work of art in its own right. From delicate Swarowski crystal necklaces and champagne flutes to stained glass
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Jockeys' hot tip costs Norman £140,000
LUCK finally ran out at the weekend for the student who won £163,000 with a £4 bet - but it could have been so different. Norman Evans needed to pick only one more winner - in the 3.05 at Kempton Park on Saturday - to scoop a further £140,000. Initially
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Going down to the sea in little ships
THE pride of the North-East's shipbuilding history has been placed under the spotlight in an exhibition featuring a flotilla of miniature vessels. Up to 40 model boats, representing the seafaring trade from the early 1800s to the 1940s, went on view in
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Local artists' work to go on show
LOCAL artists will have a chance to show their work at The Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre's open art exhibition, which is being held for two weeks in July. Paintings, drawings and sculptures of any subject or style will be considered as organisers hope
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Bikers deliver Easter treats
DOZENS of bikers converged on a village near Darlington at the weekend for an annual charity effort to bring a smile to children's faces. The 13th annual motorbike run from Middleton St George took place on Saturday, with about 70 motorcyclists from a
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The feelgood factor
Born And Bred (BBC1); Final Demand (BBC1);Leonardo (BBC1). "Everyone," says matchmaking Jean, "needs at least one stuffed animal in their life". Wise words indeed. What else would you expect as 1950s-set slice of nostalgia Born And Bred returns for a
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Climbing every mountain
ILL health may have forced Alan Hinkes to call off his latest mountaineering trip, but Tyne Tees viewers can follow one of the climber's earlier exploits on Tyne Tees Television. Good Karma tells the story of Hinkes' successful attempt on Annapurna. Northallerton-born
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News in brief: New courses being offered
Four new courses are starting at Chester-le-Street Community Association. Lessons in the Japanese martial art of Aikido begin on Tuesday, April 29. Courses in Yoga for beginners and improvers start on Tuesday, May 13. Musical workshops for pre-school
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Revealed: Last words of a hero
THE poignant last words sent home by a soldier who died in the war in Iraq were made public yesterday. Royal Marine Chris Maddison - a former pupil of Guisborough's Laurence Jackson School - was wounded when his landing craft was ambushed during a river
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Housing project could still go ahead
A PLAN to build 200 homes on the eastern edge of a North Yorkshire village could still go ahead, despite the county council expressing support for those opposed to the project. Persimmon Homes is seeking Richmondshire District Council's permission to
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Low-cost housing project
ONE of the UK's first low-cost housing projects for ex-service personnel opens in Richmond later this week. The town's MP, William Hague, will perform the opening ceremony at The Gall-eries, on Ryder's Wynd, on Friday. The facilities offer a home, training
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No favours for Fergie as Boro hit by fear factor
WAS it that they showed Arsenal too much respect; was it the disruption caused by the loss of Geremi; or was it that midweek call Steve McClaren received from Sir Alex Ferguson? Maybe it was down to all three. Whichever factors came into play, Middlesbrough
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Tribute to artist and fine teacher
THE life of a North-East artist who died last year is being celebrated in an exhibition of his work. The Man and His Mark, which is on show in the McGuinness Gallery at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, County Durham, pays tribute to the late Ben Johnson. Mr
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Companies get royal pat on back
NORTH companies have been honoured by the Queen for their success in business. They ranged from one employing four to another with a workforce of 108,600. In the North-East, Amec, the international engineering services company with a base in Darlington
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Police target town revealed as hotspot of rail vandalism
STOCKTON has been identified as a trouble hotspot for vandals who are endangering lives on the railway. British Transport Police said there were more hazardous incidents on the tracks between Norton and the town's Bowesfield area than anywhere else in
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Teachers revolt over tests and jobs
THE Government was facing a classroom revolt last night as the National Union of Teachers vowed to scupper national tests - and threatened to strike to stop job losses caused by funding cuts. A quarter of a million teachers in England and Wales will be
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Work begins on plan to increase childcare places
MOVES are under way to create fully-integrated children's centres, delivering high quality early years education, care and health facilities. Durham County Council is hoping to take advantage of the Government's decision to establish a national Sure Start
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Traditional tunes taken on roadshow
A POPULAR project reviving North-East music is going out on the road. The two CDs of the Northumbria Anthology, featuring a wide range of performers, was issued last Christmas and proved a big hit with its mix of folk and music hall tunes. Now many of
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Magpies left all shook up by late Clark strike
THERE'S an old saying that you should never mix business and pleasure. For footballer Lee Clark that remains as true today as it did in May 1999, when his fashion faux pas spelled the end of his career at Sunderland FC. His business is football, but his
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Tasty exhibits have passed their sell-by date
FOOD well past its sell-by date has gone on display in a Richmond supermarket - but shoppers need not worry. The Co-op on the town's Friary Field has linked up with the Richmondshire Museum in an initiative it hopes will help generate interest in the
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Amy becomes the centre of attention as she pioneers naming ceremony
YOUNG Amy Hardy was the centre of attention at the weekend when she became the first baby to benefit from a new naming ceremony - on her first birthday. Her parents, Anna and Neil Hardy, returned to the North-East to mark the birth of their child with
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Weekend not to be forgotten for mayor
HARTLEPOOL Mayor Stuart Drummond had a footballing weekend he won't forget in a hurry. On Saturday, he saw his beloved Hartlepool United promoted from Division Three in bizarre circumstances. They lost 4-0 at Scunthorpe, but were promoted because Bournemouth
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'We play witches, bitches and britches'
York has a special place in the heart of opera singer Catherine Griffiths, she tells Steve Pratt Family and friends of opera singer Catherine Griffiths may not recognise her when she makes her debut on the stage of the Theatre Royal in her home city of
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Prognosis is good for Ann in the US
A YOUNG North-East mother who was in danger of losing a leg to a rare disease is responding well to treatment in a US hospital. Ann Teasdale has already had one leg amputated after contracting the rare condition Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (
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Huge inquiry into football finances
THE biggest probe into football finances is about to be launched - with a staunch Middlesbrough fan at the helm. MP Alan Keen will lead the six-month inquiry, launched in the wake of the ITV Digital collapse and spiralling players' wages, which many believe
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Blair's test in the classroom
IT was "education, education, education" which was immediately flagged up as Tony Blair's priority when he became Prime Minister. And it is education, education, education which is threatening to blow up into a real problem for his Government as he switches
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Hope of kitchen factory rebirth
HOPES were mounting last night that production could re-start at a North-East chipboard factory. Kitchen worktops manufacturer Vertex, in Shildon, County Durham, made the 120-strong workforce redundant last month, apart from a skeleton staff of 11, after
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Police couple take to the saddle for fight on crime
HUSBAND and wife police officers Jeff and Gill Parkes really do work in tandem. The crime-fighting couple are helping to put the brakes on criminals after being given two bikes, helmets and full reflective clothing. The pair picked up their new equipment
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Call to support medieval fair
Sedgefield's 33rd annual medieval fair will take place on Saturday, May 17, and organisers are urging local groups to enter floats. In its early days there were numerous floats in the parade marking the start of the fair, but in the past few years the
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Young dancer taking his first steps to fame
A TALENTED young dancer from the Wear Valley is following in the footsteps of Jude Law and Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell by landing a part in a major production. Alex Nicholson will appear in the musical show Orvin with the National Youth Music Theatre
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Joint effort to crack down on crimes
POLICE and traders have teamed up to stamp out crime and anti-social behaviour in their town centre. Spennymoor police are the first in the Sedgefield division to launch Shop Watch - an initiative similar to the Neighbourhood Watch scheme - in Spennymoor
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Library planning history sessions
A MONTH-LONG celebration of local history is being planned in County Durham. Events ranging from a tour of a university college to locally-themed children's story times are being planned for May by Durham County Council's Clayport Library The events are
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Spectacular engines drawing in the crowds
VISITORS to a North-East rail heritage site had a cracking time yesterday as a series of Easter events got under way. Darlington Railway Centre and Museum's Easter weekend was a hit with young and old, with face-painting, stories and train rides. It was
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Drive to improve leisure services
THE first phase of an extensive programme of improvements to sport and recreation facilities in Darlington is to begin. Officials at the borough council drew up a wide-ranging five-year plan to enhance services after being criticised by an independent
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Multi-role children's care centres planned
MOVES are under way to create children's centres delivering high-quality early years education, care and health services in the most deprived areas of County Durham. Durham County Council is seeking to take advantage of the Government's decision to establish
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Wheels come off for Tait's Quakers
It wasn't just the team coach which failed to fire on all cylinders at the weekend. End of season encounters have a horrible tendency to be, well, horrible. And Saturday's defeat at Macclesfield was proof of that. In fact it was the perfect example of
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Investment in health service
PATIENTS in Middlesbrough and Eston are to benefit from the largest investment into local health services. Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust marked its first year in operation with the approval of a three-year plan totalling £51m. In the first year more
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Megson's message is little comfort to Cats
IT was the epitome of a double-edged sword. Amid all the doom-laden talk of redundancies and squad clearouts, Gary Megson was the bearer of happy tidings for Sunderland. "Leicester got themselves into financial trouble, but because the players were on
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More business help on offer
Businesses in Gateshead are to have extra help following the appointment of a town centre business counsellor. Peter Wilson, of Low Fell Labour Action Team, said: "This will mean that a service supplying free counselling and advice can be provided. It
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Man in critical condition after gas blast
A man is fighting for his life after a gas blast tore the roof off a first floor flat. Police believe the explosion was sparked by a lit cigarette after a gas leak at the property. The man, in his twenties and thought to be squatting at the flat, was
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Reading the rights act
JIM Parker smiles as he reaches for a pile of letters sent from the great and not-so-great of Britain's writers. They're all there, from famous racy novelist Jilly Cooper down to the fellow who writes the history book of his local village. Each card,
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Daffodils aren't the only arrival for Joanne
THE sunny spring has meant this year's daffodils are lasting longer than ever - which is good news for visitors to Farndale this Easter. The splash of colour has been particularly welcomed by one family hard hit by the crisis in the countryside since
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Month of activities celebrates the past
A MONTH-LONG celebration of local history is being drawn up by the Clayport Library, in Durham. The events are part of May's national local history month, organised by the Historical Association and local history groups throughout the country. The project
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Nostalgia dance to raise funds
A 1940s dance and military show will be held this summer to raise money towards the restoration of a former prisoner-of-war camp. The owners of Harperley PoW Camp, near Wolsingham, County Durham, have teamed up with the regional branch of Military Vehicles
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Metro-or-trams verdict soon
THE go-ahead for a revolutionary new transport system, which could link Teesside with Darlington, will be given this summer, The Northern Echo can reveal. Regional development agency OneNorth-East hopes the plans will be a reality by 2010. Experts have
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It's make your mind up time... or is it?
Location, Location, Location (C4), Watermelon (ITV1), Brits In Bangkok (BBC1) DECISIONS, decisions, nothing but decisions. In the comedy-drama Watermelon, Claire had to choose between two men and a baby. This was because neither seemed keen on sticking
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In The Picture: Hot property
Once our TV screens were dominated by makeover shows. But now, having tired of the interior, programme makers have climbed onto the property ladder and have cashed in on our fascination with buying and selling homes - preferably someone else's. The experts
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Ann steps down after years of devoted service
A member of staff at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, has retired, ending a career that spanned five decades. Last week, patient services manager Ann Jackson stepped down from her post after almost 37 years in the healthcare industry
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A trip to gardening heaven
I HAVE travelled well this week. I have visited the steamy jungles of South and Central America, and walked among the meadows and prairies of California, South Africa and Australia. I have wandered through the mountains and forests of Indonesia, West
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Microchip scheme is a success
The Canine Defence League is visiting towns and villages in the Easington district to microchip dogs, which will enable stray or stolen pets to be reunited with their owners. The campaign began on April 14 and has been hailed a success by Easington District
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Former dispensary for cholera victims welcomes new tenants
THE Gateshead Dispensary is to enjoy a new lease of life. The Grade II-listed building is a monument to the town's battle with cholera in the 19th Century. Now it is home to Business Travel, which has spent thousands of pounds refurbishing the property
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Reception class pupils set the standard with school attendance record
RECEPTION class children at a primary school have been given top marks for attendance. Reception Year One pupils at St Joseph's Primary School, in Gilesgate, Durham, beat other year groups at the school to become the first winners of the Overall Best
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Easter fun and games at community centre
A fun day attracted the crowds to Ingleby Barwick Community Centre on Saturday. Children had their faces painted and played on a bouncy castle while their parents were able to peruse car boot stalls at the event. The day was organised by churches in the
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More fun in hospital after MFI donation
YOUNGSTERS on a children's ward have being putting toys to the test following a £500 donation from the MFI store, in Stockton. The University Hospital of Hartlepool was presented with vouchers to spend at Toys R Us and the Early Learning Centre. Among
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Estate residents in fear of teenagers on the rampage
A GANG of youths is terrorising people living on a deprived housing estate. Each night, teenagers gather in Ladysmith Court, south Stanley, drinking and causing trouble. One woman, who asked not to be named, said youths had attacked residents and nearly
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Cabbies back Capital of Culture bid
TAXI drivers are backing a city's Capital of Culture bid. All 270 members of Newcastle Hackney Drivers Association are packing Back the Buzz kits in their cabs, to support Tyneside's bid for the European Capital of Culture 2008. Jimmy Blake, association
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Crash victim mother's tells of her heartbreak
A MOTHER whose life has been devastated by a car thief told yesterday how she cannot cuddle her children. Shona McKay was injured when a stolen van driven by a 16-year-old boy crashed head on into her family car. Ms McKay's children Keiron, 11, and seven-year-old
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MP calls for probe into steelworks sale
AN MP is calling for an inquiry into the events that led up to the disastrous takeover of a North-East steelworks last year. The takeover of Weardale Steel in Wolsingham, County Durham, by Midlands-based Eastwood Industries led to 85 workers being made
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19/04/03
WAR AGAINST IRAQ: WE are told that the war with Iraq is effectively over. Only time will reveal the consequences of Saddam Hussein's removal and in doing so decide who was right and who was wrong. However, in the here and now, Iraq is not the only country
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Couple's ordeal in desert TV film
THEY always knew it would be a question of survival. But Colin and Paula Green did not envisage being attacked by a swarm of African "killer" bees as they took part in the latest reality TV show, trekking through the Namibian deserts for Channel 4. The
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Hot property
Once our TV screens were dominated by makeover shows. But now, having tired of the interior, programme makers have climbed onto the property ladder and have cashed in on our fascination with buying and selling homes - preferably someone else's. The experts
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News in brief: Survey to look at young lives
YOUNG people across Teesside are being given the chance to have their say in a survey. Connexions Tees Valley is sending out more than 80,000 questionnaires that will cover issues such as relationships and bullying. Martin Barrett, of Connexions, said
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Vicar adds shopping centre to her ministry
THE Reverend June Robson has been appointed chaplain to the region's largest shopping centre. Mrs Robson, vicar of St Marks Church, Darlington, succeeds Canon Lyn Jamieson at the Gateshead MetroCentre. As well as caring for the spiritual welfare of staff
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Football idols enter England game debate
FORMER North-East soccer stars have entered the debate over England's next competitive match possibly being played behind closed doors. David Beckham stunn-ed fans in the region at the weekend when he said it may be necessary for supporters to be locked
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Pool up, but there's no party
PICTURE the scene at 5.06pm on Saturday afternoon. Around 20 minutes after Hartlepool United clinched promotion for only the third time in the club's history and manager, Mike Newell, was totally oblivious to the achievement. That is the how events unfolded
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In My View: What not to buy
IT was supposed to be making history as the first home put under the auctioneer's hammer on British TV, but if all property really is theft then ITV1's House Auction was akin to sacking Iraq's Museum of Antiquities. The Tuesday night hour-long extravaganza
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Bid to attract more visitors to North-East
A CAMPAIGN to attract more travellers to the North-East will be launched on St George's Day. The event on Wednesday will also highlight Newcastle and Gateshead as a leading city break destination and a strong contender for European Capital of Culture
