Archive
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Man remanded over conspiracy to supply heroin
An undercover policeman seeking to track down a drugs gang had a lucky break when he gave a lift to a hitch-hiker who was a heroin addict being supplied by them, a court was told yesterday. The addict was distressed about the death of a friend who had
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Babies facing extra jabs after mix-up
PARENTS have been asked to bring their children in for extra jabs after a mix-up during a vaccination session. Babies due to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and some forms of meningitis were mistakenly given one instead of two
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Footballers go national
TWO teams of Consett youngsters distinguished themselves in a national football tournament, despite not bringing home any silverware. Blackfyne Juniors under-14s won the regional heats of the National Association of Clubs for Young People (NACYP) five-a-side
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Villagers worried about hotel flats plan
RESIDENTS who oppose plans to turn the Croft Spa Hotel into flats say the scheme would tear the heart out of the village. Hotel owners, the Coast and Country House group, have applied for planning permission to turn the 200-year-old hotel into apartments
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Danielle's delight
A FOOTBALL-MAD student has led her team to success, despite having a metal rod in her spine. Danielle Gibson, 18, is captain of Stockton Sixth Form College ladies' football team, but a year ago she was undergoing surgery to correct a curvature of the
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Top officer's 25pc pay award attracts harsh words
PLANS to boost top council officers' pay will leave residents footing the £200,000 bill. Redcar and Cleveland Council cabinet agreed to increase top officers' salaries in a bid to bring them in line with neighbouring authorities, and attract and retain
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Road rage incident
A ROAD rage attack in a busy town centre left a driver with head injuries. A 42-year-old man in a silver Volvo 940 car was waiting at traffic lights next to the Company Row Wetherspoon's pub in Consett, when a dark-coloured Rover 214 pulled alongside.
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News in brief: Industrial estate blaze
Firefighters extinguished a blaze which broke out in an industrial oven at Armstrong World Industries, Kingsway South, on the Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, at 9.30am yesterday. A spokesman for the Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade said the building
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As war troops return, peacekeepers head out
THE British Army's largest garrison has been celebrating the return of troops from the Gulf over the past few days . But while some soldiers from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, are adjusting to being back at home, others are preparing for deployment
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Wellock's World: Dual careers
HAD Liam Botham been born at the same time as his dad (now there's an absurd notion) he could have enjoyed a dual career as a first-class cricketer and top-class amateur rugby player. People like M J K Smith and Peter Squires managed it, but Liam was
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Cannibalism horror of starved dogs
A WOMAN was facing jail last night after starving her dogs so severely that one began to eat the body of the other. RSPCA inspectors have described the rare case of canine cannibalism as the worst that they have come across. When they visited the home
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McClaren disappointed at 'slur'
STEVE McCLAREN has admitted to being "upset'' by claims that he is guilty of spin in suggesting Middlesbrough made "immense progress'' in his second season as manager. McClaren, who according to Dutch sources has declared an interest in Feyenoord's Newcastle
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Union rep's protest over insurance 'sale'
A MAN dressed as a bulldog sparked a tit-for-tat row between a union and bosses of an insurance company. Union rep Bob Bolam wore the costume to protest about the possible sale of Churchill Insurance. Mr Bolam, from the Amicus union, handed leaflets to
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N-E child sex slaves sought on the Internet
PAEDOPHILES are surfing the Internet to find child prostitutes in a North-East town. They are using Internet maps and message boards to pinpoint pick-up points for children involved in vice. The revelations were made at a conference called to discuss
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Mystery surrounds pit memorial cards
A collector of historic postcards has uncovered a mystery about a long-forgotten memorial to the 168 miners who died in the area's worst peacetime disaster. George Nairn discovered two postcards of a wooden gospel mission hall built in memory of the men
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Appeal for sponsors
SPONSORSHIP is being sought for a carnival that organisers hope may become an annual event. Cockerton and Branksome Living Enterprise (Cable) is looking for businesses to help them put on a two-day event in July. Businesses interested in sponsoring the
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Pensioner died of shock, inquest told
A PENSIONER died of shock after suffering a broken leg, an inquest heard yesterday. Edith Constance Bell, 78, from Shildon, died at Bethany House Nursing Home, in Newton Aycliffe, last November. She was staying at the home for a week on respite care when
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Scheme to get more people online
A GOVERNMENT scheme to encourage more people to use the Internet is being backed by Richmondshire District Council. As part of the initiative, residents can have a free Internet starter session at a number of online centres in the district until the end
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Open-air theatre on offer
YOUNGSTERS can enjoy free open-air theatre shows this weekend. Arabian Nights shows in Saltwell Park, Durham Road, Gateshead, from today until Monday. The production is by students from Northumbria University's drama and performance courses. Gavin Angus
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Learning to be sociable
YOUNG puppies in Darlington have been learning how to be sociable at a puppy party. The Puppy Socialisation Party was held at the town's Grange Veterinary Hospital on Wednesday. Breeds as diverse as miniature Schnauzers, West Highland terriers, Jack Russell
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Fall in number of car break-ins
AN operation to crack down on car thieves in Darlington has resulted in ten arrests, police revealed last night. Operation Caraway was launched last month in response to hundreds of vehicle break-ins in the town. During one week in April, 60 cars were
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Mayor receives his lamp of office
THE Mayor of Darlington has been presented with a traditional lamp outside his home. Councillor Ron Lewis, who serves the Mowden ward, took over from Councillor Doris Jones last week. It is not known when the tradition of presenting the mayor with a lamp
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News in brief: New recycling centre to open
A £200,000 recycling centre will be opened by Redcar and Cleveland Council at Warrenby, Redcar on Tuesday. The centre, with 35 skips, is sited next to the council's cleansing depot on Tod Point Road and is designed for residents of Redcar, Grangetown,
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Decision to allow masts at church
PHONE masts could be installed on church towers across the region following a landmark decision by an ecclesiastical court. The Chancellor of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, His Honour Judge Simon Grenfell, has ruled in favour of allowing Vodafone equipment
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Environment improvements win accolades for groups
A HERITAGE centre and a community garden have been recognised for enhancing their neighbourhoods at an awards ceremony. Projects to restore the St Mary-le-Bow Durham Heritage Centre and Museum, and create a community garden at Brandon Allotments were
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Expert patients project to offer hope to long-term sick
PATIENTS with long-term health problems are being invited to take part in a pioneering project to help them take control of their conditions and improve their lives. The Expert Patient Programme has been tried in other parts of the UK with some success
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US cars in spotlight
THE history of the American car will be the main attraction at an event in Stockton this weekend. The North-East American Car Club will be holding its ninth Fins and Chrome event, at Preston Park. The event will be open from 10am to 5pm tomorrow and Sunday
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Renderers could get -licence to print money'
FARMERS are in danger of giving renderers a licence to print money, a local leader warned this week. Jeff Sunter, chairman of Darlington NFU, urged all farmers to urgently register their interest in Defra's proposed fallen stock collection and disposal
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Bus scheme aids village transport
VILLAGERS have had their first glimpse of a bus that will improve transport in the community. Coundon and Leeholme Community Transport Initiative unveiled the 15-seater minibus at a fun day recently. Funding for the bus was boosted with a £20,000 grant
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Investing in children wins award
A COLLEGE is celebrating after inspectors praised the progress it had made in supporting pupils. Woodham Community Technology College, in Newton Aycliffe, has been awarded Investing in Children status again. The award came after project worker Helen Mulhearn
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Pensioner died of shock
A PENSIONER died of shock after suffering a broken leg, an inquest heard yesterday. Edith Constance Bell, 78, from Shildon, died at Bethany House Nursing Home, in Newton Aycliffe, last November. She was staying at the home for a week on respite care when
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Display to help vision impaired
AN information display will be set up at Durham Clayport Library, in Claypath, Dur-ham, next week by the County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted. Visually impaired people will be able to find out about services including befriending
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Appeal for help to find missing man
HOLIDAYMAKERS have been asked to help find a missing man who police believe may be on the east coast. Concern is growing for 23-year-old Shane Cheetham, of Rawmarsh, South Yorkshire, who has not been seen by his family for more than a week. While it is
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Council appoints senior officers
TWO senior officers have been appointed to help Richmondshire District Council improve access to its services. Carole Dew, who has been promoted to head of community offices, will expand the role of the council's community offices and reception areas.
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Bedale celebrate memorable season
BEDALE FC have completed their most successful season ever, with the first team challenging for top honours in the Teesside League. The league's tough requirements eventually proved too much and they finished fourth, two places better than the previous
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Company boss banned from driving
THE managing director of a security camera company has been banned from driving for four months. Andrew Westgarth, 37, of Swinburne Road, Darlington, admitted breaking the 30mph speed limit in the town's Victoria Road in January. Westgarth already had
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MP not deterred by 'gun incident'
AN MP has vowed to continue to fight the war on hooligans despite her office coming under attack from what is believed to be an air rifle. Staff at Dari Taylor's office, in Lanehouse Road, Thornaby, arrived at work two weeks ago to find a pellet mark
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Candidate questions election count
A CANDIDATE defeated by one vote in the Richmondshire local elections after his request for a second recount was refused has contacted the Electoral Commission. Conservative Iain McDougall was pipped at the post by Independent Tom Burrows in the Richmond
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Grassroots: Washington
Stylish Show: Springwell Village Junior Drama Group will present Putting on the Glitz in the village hall from next Thursday to Saturday. Performances start at 7.30pm. Folk Night: The Bill Elliott Band and Stu Luckley will entertain at the Davy Lamp Folk
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Wicked women? TV nasty Anne provides strongest link
LOVE her or loathe her, Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson is firmly entrenched as one of this nation's celebrity faces. So when a tourist attraction dedicated to gruesome horror wanted to launch a show called Wicked Women, the caustic star was an obvious
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Project delves into heritage
FREE courses aimed at preserving County Durham's mining heritage start next month. The Durham Miner Project is staging informal six-week courses in Consett, Lanchester and Stanhope helping people learn more about the history of their communities. Students
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Diana's death 'wasn't just an accident'
THE death of Diana, Princess of Wales, was more than an accident, her former butler suggested last night. Paul Burrell echoed claims by Harrods boss Mohamed al Fayed that the 1997 crash which killed Diana and his son, Dodi Fayed, might not have been an
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Trolley dash
Firefighters were called an Asda store in Peterlee, County Durham, yesterday after a boy got his right arm trapped in a trolley. He was released unhurt.
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No payouts in CJD scare
PATIENTS caught up in the North-East CJD scare discovered yesterday they will not receive compensation. The 24 patients -who all had brain surgery at Middlesbrough General Hospital last summer - were told later they had been exposed to the theoretical
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Weekend of fun lined up for town
COLOURFUL costumes, rhythm 'n' blues and races on land and water add up to a weekend of fun in a County Durham town. The annual Barnard Castle Meet starts tomorrow, with a coronation on Scar Top as town Mayor John Yorker crown's Amy Longstaff as this
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Jason storms to Yorkshire triumph
A YOUNG athlete from Richmond won a county cup in his first race at 1500 metres. Jason Flannery, aged 14, scuppered the opposition to take the under-15s Yorkshire County AAA championship trophy at the Don Valley stadium, Sheffield. The Richmond and Zetland
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Burton's Bytes: Driving force makes race game one to watch
Colin McRae Rally 3.0. Format: PC CD-ROM. Publisher: Codemasters. Price: from £29.99. COLIN McRae has already wowed gamers on the PS2 platform. Now he's looking to conquer new territory on the PC. And, to be honest, that shouldn't be so difficult. The
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Sharks maul Leos to take Sevens title
THIRSK Sharks defeated Leos Ladies in the final of the North Riding Sevens competition at Scarborough earlier this month. After an unbeaten run through the early rounds, which saw them concede only one try, Thirsk went into the final as favourites. They
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New police team makes ten arrests
A NEW crime-busting team in North-West Durham say its members have made a great start. Derwentside Police set up a six-man divisional response unit to tackle crime, in partnership with Derwentside District Council. The team specialises in revisiting crimes
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Simply the best - for the third year running
The Darlington & Stockton Times has been judged to be North-East Weekly Newspaper of the Year for an unprecedented third year running. At the North East Press Awards held at Newcastle Civic Centre on Saturday, the award was made to the newspaper's
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Community's garden plans pay dividends
A SCHEME to transform wasteland into a community garden has received a £500 boost. Waterhouses Community Association has received the grant from the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-op's Community Dividend Fund. The association runs a community centre on
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Comment: Justice system under duress
WHAT kind of precedent does yesterday's judgement in the Court of Appeal set? Nine Afghan hijackers, who subjected passengers to a terrifying ordeal, were acting under "duress" due to their fear of the brutal Taliban regime. And they should not have been
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Reservoir fears
FEARS that flood prevention plans in Stockton will see a heath turned into a reservoir have been allayed by the Environment Agency. Hartburn residents were concerned they would lose the use of a local heath if plans were agreed that use the heath to store
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Couple hunt for lost parrot
A CHESTER-LE-STREET couple is appealing for help in tracing their pet parrot. Jasper, a five-year-old African grey, flew off on Wednesday, May 14, from a garden in Embleton Drive. Owner Bob Barrett said: "He was sitting on my shoulder and there was a
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Pony dates
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - May 26: Fun day at Thorp Perrow, starting at 11am with clear round jumping & SJ, handy ponies 12-2pm, all entries taken on the field, details 01677 460410, open to all, age limit 16. Jun 7 & 8: Tetrathlon, junior
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Mystery surrounds pit memorial cards
A collector of historic postcards has uncovered a mystery about a long-forgotten memorial to the 168 miners who died in the area's worst peacetime disaster. George Nairn discovered two postcards of a wooden gospel mission hall built in memory of the men
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Richmond's Mayor Feelgood needs support
AT Richmond's mayor-making on Monday the spirit of bonhomie filled a packed and expectant town hall. Such has been the impact of last year's mayor, Coun Stuart Parsons, he was duly elected mayor for this year - a rare honour indeed. Coun Parsons' election
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Woman trucker quite at home and keeping fit in a man's world
WORK is just like a holiday for Rachel Walker. "That's what it feels like, seeing so many different places and changes each day," she said. Miss Walker, 31, believes she is the only female trucker-removal operator in North Yorkshire. Based with A and
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Kimberley back home for big day
TEENAGERKimberley Stobbs got the birthday present she had been wishing for - being back at home with her family. The youngster from Burnhope, near Consett, was diagnosed with leukaemia last August. Her sister Kate, ten, donated bone marrow in January
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Message in bottle lifeline for elderly
A SIMPLE but effective measure which could prove a lifesaver for elderly people was launched yesterday. People aged 65 and over, particularly those living alone, are being urged to add to the numbers already taking advantage of the Message in a Bottle
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Teenager injured in fall from building
A TEENAGER was seriously ill in hospital last night after falling at least 35ft from a multi-storey building. The 19-year-old, who has not been named, was found semi-conscious on the pavement by a passer-by after falling from the car park area of Stonebow
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Opulence on right track
HOPES for this afternoon's Haydock card hinge on a 6.45am inspection following a prodigious amount of rain in the area over the past seven days. If the track does prove fit for racing the forecast soft ground will not hinder the prospects of Brian Ellison's
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Women support groups funding boost
THREE domestic violence projects have been awarded £166,000 which will enable them to carry on their work in the North-East. Middlesbrough Domestic Violence Forum, The Wave in North Tyneside, and Durham and Darlington Reducing Violence were among 36 projects
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Village knockout contest
TEAMS will be hurling wellies and negotiating water hazards to raise cash for young cricketers. Shotley Bridge Cricket Club holds its annual Its a Knockout-style competition and fete on Monday, from 1.30pm, at Spa grounds, Shotley Bridge, Consett. Contestants
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Letters: Gas field facts
Sir, - First may I point out we have an interest in the proposal for a gas drilling rig in Westerdale - it's in our field! Also, I understand the D&S is only reporting the facts as people present them. However I'm getting a bit fed-up with the negative
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Patients eased back to independent living
A NEW half-way house for elderly patients coming out of hospital has opened at Sacriston. The Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust is renting two flats in the Graham Court sheltered housing complex for people who are not ready to return home
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Unprovoked attack leaves man scarred
A MAN is recovering after he was hit with a bottle in an unprovoked nightclub attack. The 35-year-old factory team leader, who has not been named, needed seven stitches to his head and will be left scarred. He had gone into Monty's nightclub in Front
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Letters: Stokesley library
Sir,- I write further to the recent coverage and letters that have appeared in the D&S over the last two weeks, and I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the position of North Yorkshire County Council in terms of consultation on the proposed
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Sculptors take to the woods
WORK by artists of international repute is to go on show in an exhibition of contemporary sculpture. For the third year, Newby Hall near Ripon, North Yorkshire, is staging a sculpture exhibition with about 40 works on show. The artists include Sir Anthony
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Town hall blamed for decline in village's Picnic in the Park
A POPULAR annual music event narrowly missed being cancelled owing to a funding crisis blamed on a lack of support by Darlington Borough Council. The musical Picnic in the Park, at Hurworth Grange, which attracted more than 1,000 people last year, has
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Grants keep bracken scheme rolling
VISITORS to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty should have a much clearer view this summer. Six landowning members of the Moorland Association, helped by almost £17,000 funding through the post-foot-and-mouth rural economic recovery project
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Court backs mobile phone mast plan for church tower
PROTESTORS who fought plans for a mobile phone mast on the tower of Hawes parish church were dismayed when a church court ruled the scheme could go ahead. The consistory court of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds granted permission for the mast in spite
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Sasauges sizzle into virtual market place
GOURMET hand-made saus-ages produced on an East Riding farm will soon sizzle their way through cyberspace, thanks to a pioneering web site. Grant Burton's tasty bangers, produced from free range pigs at the 280-acre Manor House Farm he runs with brother
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23/05/03
EXECUTIVE SALARIES: FAT cats should be judged and rewarded on related performance and merit, not for failure. BT is an example of one of the biggest scandals on fat cats' payouts for failure. Some people are still on the gravy train elsewhere, getting
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Anger over jail outings
A MOTHER whose daughter was killed by a drink-driver has condemned a decision to grant him trips out of prison. Susan Briggs, 30, of Durham; Angela Ovington, 28, of Birtley; and Victoria Fisher, 27, from Rochdale, were all killed by Allan Jackson on a
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Want to know what's up a celebrity's bottom?
Celebrity Detox Camp (five) There are some things you never expect to see on the telly. One is an ex-member of Boyzone shoving a tube up his bum, pumping 18 litres of coffee solution inside, and then lying back as the contents of his colon are expelled
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Store raided by masked gunmen
A STORE manager has escaped unhurt after becoming involved in a scuffle with two masked raiders. The robbery happened at about 11am yesterday outside the Bells Store, The Oval, Middlesbrough, when the men confronted the manager at his car with what he
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House-wrecker locked up
A TEENAGE joyrider who left a high performance car embedded in the lounge of a house in Chester-le-Street was locked up this week. Three people in the house, in Lingholm, escaped unhurt as they were asleep upstairs when the S-Type Jaguar ploughed through
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Water cooler is a big seller
Family-owned company Ebac, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is recruiting production staff thanks to increasing sales of its home water cooler. Selling in the UK for £79.95p, it cools six-litre bottles at a time. The jobs will increase Ebac's workforce
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Letters: Not needed
Sir, - Residents of Teesdale might harbour some lingering hope that the worthy members of their district council would devote their time and energy dealing with a number of pressing problems affecting those living in the Dale. Ah perhaps not so, for it
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Sorensen blast for Wearside
SUNDERLAND goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen last night launched a furious attack on the Black Cats for pricing him out of a move. The Danish international, who has attracted interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Birmingham, claims Sunderland's
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Opera star to conduct master-class
ASPIRING opera singers are to be given the opportunity to sing with a professional. Internationally-renowned singer Suzannah Clarke is to hold a master-class for the public on Thursday, from 6pm to 8pm, in the main hall at Darlington College of Technology
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School claims rules force it to insist on GCSE languages
A LANGUAGE college, accused of penalising youngsters who are better at other subjects, this week said it had tried in vain to get the rules relaxed. Hummersknott Comprehensive became a flagship school in the North-East three years ago when it was awarded
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Shop Talk: What shall we do today?
A Bank holiday this weekend, followed by half term - an awful lot of us will be out and about, probably with family in tow. But there's nothing worse than getting the family organised, piled into the car and driving for miles only to discover that the
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Grain report
Thursday's prices Kenneth Wilson, Thorpe Arch. - Wheat: May £78; June £80; July £81. Barley: May £70; June £71; July £72 (old crop), £62 (new crop). Oilseed rape: May £175; June £176; July £177. GrainCo, Tyne Dock. - Wheat: May £80; June £81; July £82
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Retraining order for chemical leak firm
A CHEMICAL firm must retrain its staff following the escape of a toxic chemical into the River Tees. The Environment Agency has ordered DuPont, Wilton, east Cleveland, to clean up its act and review procedures, following a month-long investigation into
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Bid for garage: 'I want an answer soon'
THE MANAGER of a threatened garage in Eaglescliffe is demanding an answer to his bid to save the business from falling into the hands of property developers. Andy Adamson, 44, has offered owners Save Retail £350,000 to buy Orchard Service Station in Urlay
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Workers conspired to steal from employer
Three workers at a County Durham factory were caught with a van loaded with stolen electrical goods, a court was told yesterday. A supervisor at the Electrolux factory, in Spennymoor, found products worth £1,786 in part of a warehouse where they should
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Hobbs scorches to victory on Superbike debut
GUISBOROUGH road racer Dennis Hobbs emerged from his first ever British Superbike Championship ride with a dream victory in difficult conditions at Knockhill in Scotland last weekend. The 20-year-old sales manager, who has been contesting the National
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Inmate's face was slashed in revenge attack
A PRISONER'S face was slashed with a home-made knife during a revenge attack by another inmate, a court heard. James Mangle received a 3in to 4in long wound to his cheek in the incident, at Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, Barnard Castle, County
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Road closed off
A SECTION of a town centre road was closed yesterday afternoon because of loose roof tiles on a post office building. Police were called to Darlington Post Office, in Crown Street, and closed part of the road so that a fire brigade aerial ladder platform
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Hospitals to get cancer scanners
HEALTH Secretary Alan Milburn has named the region's hospitals which are to receive cancer scanning equipment. Seven months ago the Darlington MP told the Britain Against Cancer conference that an additional 100 scanners would shortly be installed at
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Drowning under a sea of junk
IN recent weeks, the roadside verges have flourished in spectacular fashion by producing a wonderful display of dense greenery and colourful flowers. The result has been to conceal the awful deposits of litter which became so evident during the winter
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Appeal turning fortunes of threatened seabird
AN appeal for people to come forward to help protect one of Britain's rarest seabirds has been successful. Twenty people have signed up to become volunteer wardens and they will soon be taking turns to watch over two colonies of little terns in the Hartlepool
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£20m housing scheme for Hartlepool
A flagship housing scheme worth £20m will breathe new life into areas of Hartlepool to provide accommodation for the 21st century. Hartlepool Revival was launched yesterday by the town's MP Peter Mandelson and will target areas where Victorian terraced
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Rebels fail to stop plan to clear path query backlog
A GROUP of rebel North Yorkshire councillors has failed to block a radical policy change designed to clear a massive backlog of applications for footpaths to be made public rights of way. More than 300 applications for modifications to the definitive
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Officers cast off to support group
POLICEMEN were yesterday angling for a catch - to help crime victims' families. They were casting their lines on the water at Thirsk's Woodlands Lake for a charity fishing competition. Yesterday's event was organised by Detective Constable Stewart Hopson
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Last Night's TV: Want to know what's up a celebrity's bottom?
Celebrity Detox Camp (five) There are some things you never expect to see on the telly. One is an ex-member of Boyzone shoving a tube up his bum, pumping 18 litres of coffee solution inside, and then lying back as the contents of his colon are expelled
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The worst outcome
THE consistory court's ruling that a mobile phone mast can be erected on St Margaret's Parish Church in the centre of Hawes appears to be based mostly on a desire to open up a potential revenue stream for the Church of England, rather than the merits
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Brave final battle
LUMLEY Ladies FC ended a promising debut season with the first final appearance for any of the club's teams, in the Tyne Tees League Challenge Cup for under-13s. The Lumley girls went down 6-2 in a brave display against the unbeaten league leaders Boldon
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Work starts on dale's first golf course in 100 years
CONTRACTORS moved in this week to start setting out the first new golf course in Teesdale for more than 100 years. The proposed nine-hole course is being laid out on pasture land round Headlam Hall Hotel with the aid of a farm diversification grant. The
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Pele proves a worthy champion
THE North Eastern Counties Welsh Pony and Cob Association held its recent spring show outdoors for the first time due to the need for larger rings and the increased number of entries. The venue, Streatlam Farm near Barnard Castle, provided easy access
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Teen killed in police chase
A 15-year-old schoolboy was killed today when the car he was in smashed into a parked Army truck while fleeing from a panda car, police said. The 16-year-old driver of the Ford Sierra escaped with minor head injuries despite the car snapping in half on
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Councillor is expelled
A COUNCIL has confirmed the expulsion of a councillor for not attending meetings. Durham County councillor Keith Murray-Hetherington, Labour member for Stanley, fell foul of the law requiring attendance of at least one meeting in six months. His disqualification
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Death at flats not suspicious
THE death of a man whose body was found slumped in a corridor outside his flat is not being treated as suspicious, police said last night. Peter McClean, 47, was discovered by a woman living in the same building on Oakdene Avenue, Darlington, on Wednesday
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Losing sight of their principles
A recent phenomenon of the publishing world appears to be hoodlums telling their life stories. You cannot walk into a bookshop without noticing the faces of grimacing individuals - usually with a skinhead haircut, golden earing and fat cigar - staring
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Dales garden is flower show hit
YORKSHIRE craftsmen have helped create an oasis of tranquillity in the middle of London. Visitors to the Chelsea Flower Show are being transported to a Yorkshire cottage garden overlooking a bridge and a waterfall. The stunning entry is the work of nine-times
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Apprentice on fast track to success
AN apprentice mechanic is racing through his studies. Andy Newlove got off to a flying start when he completed his NVQ level 1 in light vehicle mechanics in only six months at Darlington College of Technology. He is now well on the way to completing level
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Shortage of waste so quarry seeks extra time
SHORTAGE of waste could mean that a controversial Darlington quarry will not be completely landscaped for a further two years. W&M Thompson (Earthworks), operators at Barmpton Quarry, were originally given until September 1996 to finish operations
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Tributes to Gordon Horner
ONE of North Yorkshire's longest serving councillors has died at the age of 73. Gordon Horner, of Huby, served councils across the Hambleton district. A farmer by trade, Mr Horner served on Hambleton District Council from its creation in 1973 until his
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News in brief: £32,000 theft case adjourned
The case against two men accused of stealing £32,285 from Darlington Building Society in the town's Yarm Road has been adjourned. Stephen McGovern, 25, and Brian James McNally, 45, both from Liverpool, are accused of the theft last month. They were given
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Show celebrates life on estate
AN evening of drama, dance, film, animation and art celebrating the regeneration of a Darlington estate will take place next month. The Firthmoor Oratorio, which will be staged at the town's Civic Theatre on Monday, June 9, is the culmination of a three-year
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Police investigate thefts from stores
POLICE are looking for two men and a woman following the theft of several bottles of spiritis from the Safeway store in Cockerton, Darlington, on March 22. One man is described as having short, dark hair and was wearing a dark jacket and a light shirt
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Seconded officer will not be replaced, villagers told
A VILLAGE hit by crime since its community police officer was moved will not be getting a replacement beat bobby. At their last meeting, members of Hurworth Parish Council said crime had risen since PC Karl Lowe was seconded to help with police public
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Norwegian visitors
A wind band from Norway will have a hectic time when it arrives in Teesdale on Thursday for a four-night stay. The musicians from Lillestrom are staying in Barnard Castle as guests of the town band. They will give an informal concert in Durham Cathedral
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Speed king Les wheels his way to charity cash
THE commercial director of a North-East firm is using his love of speed to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Les Cowburn, of Durham Pine, will race a Porsche in one of the heats of the Northern Saloon and Sports Car Championships taking place at Croft
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Ambulance staff honoured
AMBULANCE crews from County Durham have been presented with long-service awards. Staff from ambulance stations in Durham wereamong colleagues from Darlington, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland honoured at a ceremony which was held at Gateshead Civic Centre
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Town's award-winning fish and chip shop claims its plaice in history
RICHMOND may have been well known for its friars in the Middle Ages - but a 21st Century version has been making a mark on the town. Bev Partridge runs Castle Fisheries and has scooped a top award within eight weeks of opening the newest fish and chip
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Joe takes a walk on the wild side
BEAUTY spots in Hartlepool are to be promoted and protected by Joe Davies the borough's newly-appointed Wildspace officer. Working as part of Hartlepool Borough Council's team of countryside wardens, Mr Davies is helping manage the town's four existing
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Record-breaking start for annual celebration
THE biggest annual event on Richmond's calendar is on course to be a record-breaker even before the programme begins this weekend. Richmond Meet is usually preceded by a fundraising show a few days ahead of the main programme and, this year, it was the
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Information centre opens with a party
A ONE-STOP shop with advice and information on childcare will celebrate its opening next week. Middlesbrough Council's new chairman, Councillor Peter Porley, will join staff, parents and shoppers to celebrate the work of Childcare Plus, in Captain Cook
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If music be the food of lambs
A STRING quartet played in the unusual venue of a working dales farm in a musical prelude to the Swaledale Festival. The Oopsie Mam Ushka musicians busked at Hazel Brow farm, Low Row, on Tuesday as part of a series of roving performances, named Barnstorming
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Year dedicated to little Emily
THE new mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Council is dedicating fundraising which will take place during her civic year to those who cared for her granddaughter when she was seriously ill. Four-year-old Emily Coney was at James Finegan Hall, Eston yesterday
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Children taught dangers on site
YOUNGSTERS have been given a lesson in safety around construction sites as work on the second stage of a major road project gets under way. Stockton Borough Council, Birse Civils and Arup consultants are working in to create the £17m South Stockton Link
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Wensleydale patients placed on vaccination alert
PEOPLE living in Wensleydale were put on a vaccine alert this week. More than 200 patients of an Aysgarth surgery were being contacted in a scare over vaccine storage. But a health service official stressed the vaccines were not high-risk ones such as
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News in brief: New recycling centre to open
A £200,000 recycling centre will be opened by Redcar and Cleveland Council at Warrenby, Redcar on Tuesday. The centre, with 35 skips, is sited next to the council's cleansing depot on Tod Point Road and is designed for residents of Redcar, Grangetown,
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Tracing city's medieval centre back to its routes
Most of the main streets in Durham's city centre can be traced back to medieval times. The Market Place, Silver Street, Saddler Street, Old and New Elvet, Gilesgate, Claypath, Crossgate, the Baileys and the former streets of Millburngate and Framwellgate
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An old favourite returns from sea
A STATUE of James Cook looked down on the fishing port of Whitby last night as a replica of his ship glided magnificently into the harbour. If his spirit was watching the scenes of welcome, perhaps the seafaring adventurer would have smiled at the legacy
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Falling for Brotherly love
As the fourth series of Big Brother begins tonight, TV writer Steve Pratt looks at what attracts viewers to the reality show and why one former housemate feels he got a raw deal. As a fresh batch of contestants move into the Big Brother house tonight,
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Witnesses sought after conmen strike
AN e-fit description of a bogus caller who preyed upon two elderly ladies this week has been released by police. Two men escaped with a quantity of money after conning their way in to the homes of their victims by claiming to be water board officials.
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Sheep event will show quality of meat and breeding stock
THE final touches are being put to a major farming event which is expected to attract more than 10,000 farmers to a North Yorkshire farm. North Sheep03 takes place at Walburn Hall Farm, on the A6108 between Leyburn and Richmond, on Wednesday, June 4.
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Investing in children wins award
A COLLEGE is celebrating after inspectors praised the progress it had made in supporting pupils. Woodham Community Technology College, in Newton Aycliffe, has been awarded Investing in Children status again. The award came after project worker Helen Mulhearn
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Farewell to the whistling postman
FOR years, the people of a North-East town knew their post was coming long before it dropped through their letterbox. Harry Dunn, who has died at the age of 88, always announced his arrival by whistling a cheerful tune as he delivered the mail around
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Help needed to root out plant thieves
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are being asked to help catch thieves who are ruining the appearance of the town. Shrub beds around the town have been plundered during the past couple of weeks, with plants worth several hundred pounds being taken. The Golden
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Pupils in science day at university
YOUNGSTERS from schools across Hartlepool had the chance to take part in a number of different science experiments at a taster event. A group of students from each of Hartlepool's six secondary schools took part in the event at the University of Durham
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Practical training course for students
A PIONEERING project to help students with learning difficulties travel with more independence has been hailed a success. A group of 17 students, aged 16 to 19, from Catcote School, in Hartlepool, took part in the nine-week course, with help from Hartlepool
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Villages join mini-recycling initiative
TWO more villages in the Hambleton district have joined the recycling revolution. Helperby, near Easingwold, and Busby Stoop, near Thirsk, have become the latest villages to get recycling centres. Sites are being created in the car parks of the Oak Tree
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News in brief: Making splash for charity
Water babies are encouraged to take the plunge and splash the width of the Stokesley Leisure Centre pool to help raise money for Tommy's Charity, which carries out research into premature birth, stillbirth and miscarriage. Assistant manager David Earl
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Forum waits for Lords judgement on green space
CAMPAIGNERS say they are confident the House of Lords will rule in their favour in a landmark case for the future of green spaces. Members of the Washington First Forum took their fight to preserve the sports arena at Princess Anne Park, Washington, to
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Bypass plan approved
A VILLAGE'S long-awaited bypass, designed to reduce congestion on the former Great North Road, has won planning approval. Durham County Council plans to start work on the £8m route, which has been called for since 1939, at Chilton, near Ferryhill, next
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News in brief: Swimming pool ready to open
Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool, in Stanhope, opens for the summer season tomorrow. The pool will be open between 4pm and 7pm, with additional opening times from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, until July 18. After July 19 it will open from noon
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Recycling project brings school environment prize
WASTE-CONSCIOUS pupils are celebrating after their school was the only one to be recognised in environmental awards. The Ferryhill Interact Club, at Ferryhill Comprehensive School, was among eight recipients of the 2002 Environment Awards, held at County
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Ambulance staff honoured
AMBULANCE crews from County Durham have been presented with long-service awards. Staff from ambulance stations in Durham wereamong colleagues from Darlington, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland honoured at a ceremony which was held at Gateshead Civic Centre
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Wensleydale Railway already looking to growth
A LINK to the main line at Northallerton is crucial to a project to restore scheduled passenger trains to the Wensleydale railway, it was said on Monday. The Wensleydale Railway Company was revealing more about its future plans and describing developments
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Defendant tells of fall-out with boy
A man who is accused of grooming a boy he met in an Internet gay teen chatroom told a court yesterday that he had lots of young friends. Michael Britton, 51, who bought the youngster a £2,500 motor scooter, Champagne and cake for his 16th birthday, said
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Neighbours from Hell face renewed council crackdown
A CAMPAIGN to tackle noisy, rude and abusive neighbours in Stockton has been given a boost thanks to a grant from the Home Office. A total of £19,269 has been earmarked by the Home Office to the Safer Stockton Partnership in a bid to help them tackle
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Losing sight of their principles
A recent phenomenon of the publishing world appears to be hoodlums telling their life stories. You cannot walk into a bookshop without noticing the faces of grimacing individuals - usually with a skinhead haircut, golden earing and fat cigar - staring
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Driving force makes race game one to watch
Colin McRae Rally 3.0. Format: PC CD-ROM. Publisher: Codemasters. Price: from £29.99. COLIN McRae has already wowed gamers on the PS2 platform. Now he's looking to conquer new territory on the PC. And, to be honest, that shouldn't be so difficult. The
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Beginners can pull on their dancing shoes
BALLET has returned to Stokesley Leisure Centre with new courses suitable for beginners. The courses follow hot on the heels of a ten-week series of classes held earlier this year, which attracted more than 100 visits. "This new class will cater for complete
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Durham Memories: Tracing city's medieval centre back to its routes
Most of the main streets in Durham's city centre can be traced back to medieval times. The Market Place, Silver Street, Saddler Street, Old and New Elvet, Gilesgate, Claypath, Crossgate, the Baileys and the former streets of Millburngate and Framwellgate
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Short-term task force tackles tourism
HUNDREDS more jobs could be created in North-East tourism, thanks to a new regional emphasis on the industry. Tourism leaders and industry specialists have formed an influential taskforce to look at the issues and opportunities facing this growth sector
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War memories of Consett men
A POSTER from 1918 showing some of the Consett men who gave their lives during the First World War is to go on display. The page, taken from the Consett Guardian newspaper, has pictures of soldiers who died during the conflict. It will be framed and put
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Prices from the marts
DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 305 cattle, 875 sheep. Steers med to 108.5p a kg or £569.63 each av 92.7p; heavy to 116.5p or £735 av 94.7p; hfrs med to 121.5p or £572.28 av 101.8p; heavy to 120.5p or £680.83 av 97.3p; young bulls med to 103.5p
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Glowing report by school inspectors
A COMPREHENSIVE school has been given a glowing report by government inspectors. Wolsingham School and Community College, in Weardale, is a successful school, said an Ofsted team, which visited last month. Some teaching is excellent, while the school
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Hadaway Lad wraps up jockeys' title for Tutty
THE final meeting of the Yorkshire season, the South Durham at Howe Hills, saw great finishes to both the male and female jockeys' championships. In the men's, Lee Bates came to the meeting trailing Nigel Tutty by four points. But, after the win of Sarah
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Little girl assaulted in shop
A THREE-year-old girl was left extremely distressed after she was assaulted by an elderly man in a Darlington charity shop, police said last night. The child was not far from her mother in St Teresa's Hospice Charity Shop, in Skinnergate, when the assault
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Goodwill tour for railway company
A TRAIN company which has suffered through strikes and personnel shortages is to embark on a goodwill tour aimed at winning over members of the public to rail travel. Staff at Arriva Trains Northern have been signed up by bosses to tour shopping centres
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Grant for historic town centre
GUISBOROUGH'S historic town centre could benefit from up to £750,000 after it was selected by English Heritage for a grant. The town was among five in the North-East to win a grant from English Heritage's economic regeneration scheme (Hers). Under the
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Dual careers
HAD Liam Botham been born at the same time as his dad (now there's an absurd notion) he could have enjoyed a dual career as a first-class cricketer and top-class amateur rugby player. People like M J K Smith and Peter Squires managed it, but Liam was
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School's long wait for nurse is over
PUPILS with special needs have finally got their own school nurse - after an 11-year wait. Parents and staff at Villa Real School, in Consett, have been campaigning for more than a decade to get a dedicated, on-site nurse at the school. Their wish has
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Tan Hill show marks its 50th after delays
THE 50th Tan Hill sheep show goes ahead on Thursday after being postponed twice. The event, at the Tan Hill pub, in Arkengarthdale, was cancelled in 2001 because of foot-and-mouth disease and again last year because restrictions were still in force. The
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Happy diamond returns
A PITMAN's daughter and a former soldier have celebrated 60 years of marriage. Leonard and Mary Greenslade, of Hollyhill Gardens West, South Stanley, met at a dance at Annfield Plain. Mrs Greenslade was born in New Kyo. Mr Greenslade, originally from
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - The clatter of horses galloping in the direction of the Fire Brigade Station on Saturday, shortly before mid-night, attracted a big crowd to the fire station to learn where the fire was. The enquirers were informed
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Appeal for missing mum to get in touch
THE relatives of a missing woman are appealing for her to contact them. Elaine Degnan, 37, went missing from Weaverham Road, Norton, near Stockton, with her two-year-old son Lewis on Monday and has not been seen since. Ms Degnan, who is separated from
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Special sales
HEXHAM. - Last Fri. Fwd: 495 hoggs, gimmers & ewes with lambs at foot for special catalogued sale. Prices. - Mule gimmers & twins: £126, £109, £105 The Fawns; £125, £123 Taylor Burn; £108 Edges Green. With singles: £120 East Fourstones. With triplets
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Stars send their best wishes to theatre
SIR Cliff Richard has given his backing to the £11m restoration project for the Royal Hall Theatre in Harrogate. In a letter of support to the restoration trust, he recalls appearing there when he was a fledgling performer almost 45 years ago. He took
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Rugby players back 'ditch the car' drive
RUGBY stars threw their weight behind a drive to get people in the North-East to ditch their cars on short trips. Newcastle Falcons players Richard Arnold, Warren Britz, Craig Hamilton and Hugh Vyvyan proved that leg power is best as they shunted a carriage
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Shepherd seeking Bowyer
NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd yesterday flew to London in a bid to secure Lee Bowyer on a pre-contract as Aston Villa were ruled out of the race for the former Leeds star. New Villa manager David O'Leary, Bowyer's old Elland Road boss, has been told
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Beardsley's anxious wait for verdict on 'bullying' claims
NEWCASTLE United were last night awaiting the outcome of a Premier League investigation into allegations of bullying, verbal abuse and intimidation at the club's youth academy. The inquiry, being held in London, has heard complaints against former England
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Thunderbirds are going to help services
TRAIN company GNER has turned to the Thunderbirds in an attempt to improve the speed and reliability of East Coast Mainline services. GNER has signed a contract with freight operator EWS for the hire of 125mph Thunderbird rescue locomotives. Four high-speed
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New director to lead housing team
CHESTER-LE-SREET District Council has appointed a temporary director to run its troubled housing service. Over the next six months Bernadette Marjoram will work on improvements to the service, which in the last 18 months received two damning reports from
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Teesdale Talk: Respects paid to victims of murder in dale
In the sunlit peace of Holy Trinity churchyard at Startforth on Monday I paid respects at the grave of my old reporter friend Mark Johns, who was shot dead 20 years ago. His stone is plain, with only his name and dates, in contrast to the man himself,
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Workers fear worst as jobs crisis grows
HUNDREDS of North-East workers feared the worst last night as electronics company LG Philips dealt another blow to the British manufacturing industry. The company - a partnership between the Dutch Philips group and Korean company LG - announced the closure
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Di Venuto keeps Durham at bay
TASMANIAN Michael Di Venuto rose like a colossus above the rest of the shambolic batting at Riverside yesterday, denying Durham the chance to take an even stronger grip of their game against Derbyshire. Jon Lewis and Michael Gough survived ten overs at
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Little lost Sherbert's happy landing
A SHOPPING centre's staff did not get into a flap when a yellow budgie was handed in to lost property. The bird had flown into the Gateshead MetroCentre and landed in the safe hands of a shopper, who took it to the customer services desk. A spokeswoman
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Friends scheme gets cash boost
A BEFRIENDING scheme for elderly people in hospital has received a £5,846 cash boost. Friends in Deed, based at Chester-le-Street's Highfield Hospital, was launched by Bessie Hall a year ago after she had a stay in hospital. Volunteers sit and chat to
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More victims of the latest TV fad - I can't bear to watch
RITUAL humiliation has never appealed to me as a spectator sport so I can't join in the discussions on a range of popular television shows. Big Brother; I'm a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here; The Weakest Link; Susannah and Trinny's scathing indictments
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Branson praises friendly region
VIRGIN boss Sir Richard Branson was in the North-East yesterday to open his latest call centre and announce plans to take on another 290 employees. He is increasing the number of staff at Centre North-East, in Albert Road, Middlesbrough, to meet the growing
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Bath chair blues for theatre group
AMATEUR actors are in a spin for the want of a prop. Members of Eaglescliffe's Centre Stage Theatre Group need a bath chair for their production of Noel Gay's musical Me and My Girl. The group has trawled museums to find one to borrow, but to no avail
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Eleanor wins backing for kayak challenge
RIPON Grammar School student Eleanor Rutter will be winging her way to the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships in Austria next week with help from two local companies. Ripon plumbing merchant Plumb Center and manufacturer Myson Radiators have jointly
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Birthday for healthcare business
A FORMER NHS nurse who set up her own business has celebrated the first birthday of her thriving health firm. Champagne corks popped as Sheila Flood, from Chester-le-Street, marked a successful year in business as Number One Priority Health Care at Prospect
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No costs through the roof with green Cabriolet
MIDDLESBROUGH Mayor Ray Mallon knows something the weathermen don't - he hopes. While TV forecasters predict rain, rain and more rain, Middlesbrough's optimistic first citizen went on a convertible civic car run-around yesterday. He swapped his Smart
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The joyous words that brain op man feared he would never hear: You're a father
FATHER-TO-BE Graham Clark underwent a life-or-death brain operation not knowing if he would ever see his unborn child. But he woke from surgery to find he had a new life and new baby boy. Mr Clark, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, hugged his pregnant
