Archive
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Welcome to the field of dreams
IT is the dream a film was made of. A young Durham batsman proudly strides out of the pavilion on his home ground to play for England. This scene of reverie featured in a video first shown in January 1990, as part of Durham's application to become the
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Will the Aussies head for Riverside?
MUCH is being made of Riverside becoming England's first new Test ground for 101 years, but the difference is that Chester-le-Street is expected to become an established venue. Bramall Lane, Sheffield, staged only one Test against Australia in 1902 and
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News in brief: Team ready to tackle graffiti
A NEW initiative aimed at tackling graffiti in Hartlepool is to be launched today. An anti-graffiti squad, comprising offenders from Hartlepool on Community Punishment Orders, has been set up Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with the Teesside
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Comment: Why we're still first class
THE North-East is both a winner and a loser today. It is a winner because the Riverside at Chester-le-Street becomes the world's newest venue for a cricket Test match when the gates open at 10.45am. This is wonderful news for the region and we applaud
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Blair battles against Iraq weapons fury
TONY BLAIR was last night struggling to contain the political storm over Iraqi weapons after one of his senior ministers accused "rogue elements" in the intelligence services of briefing against the Government. The accusation by the Leader of the Commons
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Accept euro, Milburn urged
PRO-EUROPEANS told Darlington MP and Health Secretary Alan Milburn yesterday that if Britain rejected the euro, the North-East would pay the price. Mr Milburn and the rest of the Cabinet have until Monday to decide whether Britain is ready to join the
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Unions warn of teaching layoffs
UP to 600 teachers could lose their jobs under a raft of school closures and amalgamations planned in County Durham, unions warned today. The National Union of Teachers said it was demanding talks with the local education authority which has announced
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Tomlinsons begins trading online
THE UK's leading supplier of antique and traditional furniture has shed the industry's dusty image by opening an online trading site on the Internet. Tomlinsons of Tockwith, near York, was inundated with 40,000 visitors to its website www.antique-furniture.co.uk
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Treasure hunt for remains of castle
IRONICALLY, Castle Howard, in the beautiful Howardian Hills in North Yorkshire, owes its name only to a statement of status and not for actually being a castle. However, in the grounds of this impressive home, near Malton, archaeologists are uncovering
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Acquisition proves to be a catalyst for change
CATALYST business Synetix has changed its name. The business, acquired from ICI by Johnson Matthey in November, 2002, has been rebranded as Johnson Matthey Catalysts. The rebranding was unveiled at the Chemspec exhibition in Manchester, yesterday. Despite
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Children sold bootleg cigarettes
Children as young as 12 are being sold bootleg cigarettes from unscrupulous ice cream vendors outside the school gates, it emerged today. The shocking situation came to light in a survey which showed that some youngsters in a North-East town had levels
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Hamilton makes return with interest
Gavin Hamilton marked his return to Yorkshire's team after a year's absence with a career-best 143 not out on the first day of the three-day match against Bradford-Leeds Universities' Centre of Excellence at Bradford Park Avenue yesterday. There was also
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The show must go on
Despite being the bookies' favourite, Newcastle-Gateshead yesterday lost its Capital of Culture bid. Gavin Engelbrecht looks at where North-East culture goes from here. THE mounting tension is palpable as civic leaders wait for the news. Riding high on
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Burglary suspects
POLICE investigating a string of distraction burglaries have arrested a couple in their twenties. They are in custody for questioning about offences in Hartlepool where elderly or vulnerable people have been targeted. The woman has been questioned about
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Billy stranded after flights mix-up
A SCHOOLBOY had a nightmare end to his holidays - when he was flown to the wrong airport. Billy Brown, 12, thought he was disembarking at Leeds-Bradford airport after his half-term treat, but he had actually landed at Teesside. And his mother, Claire
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The joys (and heave-ho!) of gardening
It's summertime! Time to relax in the garden with a tall glass of Pimms and a good book and let the everyday stress melt away to the sound of birdsong. Sounds great, doesn't it? In actual fact, the time I've spent in my garden over the last six weeks
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Disabled rail-user criticises treatment
A DISABLED man said he had to be carried off a train by another passenger after rail staff were not available to help him. Robert Earle said he was appalled by his treatment at the hands of GNER workers on a late-night trip from York to Darlington. The
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Police in U-turn on match transport
POLICE have performed a U-turn on their decision to close Middlesbrough train station on the night the town is flooded with thousands of international football fans. British Transport Police deny bowing to public pressure after their announcement to halt
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Wall builder who has a touch of glass
TALENTED Lawrence Staley is in big demand, day and night, thanks to his two special but contrasting skills. On most days, he is out on farms and moors of County Durham building sturdy dry stone walls that will last for up to 100 years. But at night he
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'We will fight to save our schools'
COMMUNITIES affected by a £300m shake-up of education yesterday learned where the axe is likely fall. Initial plans have identified 23 schools which should be considered for closure and a further 94 which could be merged with others nearby. Families and
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Riverside internationals
MAY 20, 1999 PAKISTAN v SCOTLAND PAKISTAN'S 94-run World Cup victory over Scotland was a showcase for the emerging talents of paceman Shoaib Akhtar and rising batting star Yousuf Youhana. The exploits of both helped Wasim Akram and Co continue a 100 per
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Meet the Zimbabwe Test squad
Heath Streak Captain, age 29, Tests 53 Reappointed captain last September less than a year after resigning because form deserted him during his leadership. Dealt with the responsibility at the World Cup admirably as Zimbabwe profited from England's forfeit
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Next season crucial to striker Massimo
MASSIMO MACCARONE is facing a make-or-break season with Middlesbrough. The Italian international striker, Boro's £8.15m record buy, knows he must improve on the meagre nine goals he managed in his first term at the Riverside. Manager Steve McClaren needs
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County wants to close 23 schools
EDUCATION chiefs have announced that as many as 23 schools could close in a shake-up of the education system in County Durham. The schools were identified this week in a wide-ranging appraisal report published by Durham County Council, which is intended
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Youth stabbed
A TEENAGE father-to-be was stabbed to death after helping a friend protect his home from a gang of youths. Seventeen-year-old Chris Cave died in the early hours of yesterday morning after the knife attack on the Lakes Estate in Redcar. He had been watching
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Pupils make a drama out of germs
A PANTOMIME promoting food hygiene is being performed by local youngsters. Pupils from Durham High School for Girls are staging the show at primary schools throughout the area after winning a competition set by Durham City Council's environmental health
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05/06/03
CAPITAL OF CULTURE: THE people of Newcastle-Gateshead send our warmest congratulations to the people of Liverpool on winning the nomination and wish them the very best as they begin the work towards 2008. The competition has had a phenomenal impact on
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Old boy Katich piles on agony for Durham
THE start was delayed by an hour at the Rose Bowl yesterday, and shortly after play began Durham had yet more cause to reflect that it never rains but it pours. Michael Gough didn't travel to Hampshire because of a family illness, Vince Wells had still
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Simple, trivial and oh-so relaxing
The Terry & Gaby Show (five); Bad Girls (ITV2) Good things come in pairs, so they say. Terry and Gaby - as in Wogan and Roslin - is the latest attempt by Chris Evans' production company to find a winning formula, and they can hardly go wrong with
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Conman tricked staff at hospital
A conman on crutches who tricked cash out of hospital workers and taxi drivers was jailed for five years yesterday. Sneak thief Shaun Herrington, 35, was caught by a security officer as he raced through a Teesside hospital with the crutches under his
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Is there a tear in the 'blinking eye'?
Was it too ambitious or did Tyneside suffer from being odds-on favourite to win? Arts Editor Viv Hardwick asks what went wrong with our bid for Capital of Culture 2008. DEFEAT in the European Capital of Culture bid for 2008 faces Tyneside with the loss
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Teenager back behind bars for taking car
A TEENAGER with a long record of motoring offences was back behind bars last night - but not before a plea to a court to lock him up somewhere close to home so his sick mother could visit him. Robert Thompson from Darlington was sent to a young offenders
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Crash tragedy driver
A man has appeared at crown court in connection with the death of a horse and trap driver in a crash. Wayne Walker, 33, died and his horse had to be destroyed after a collision with a Honda Accord. It happened as he was trotting his horse along the A182
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Artistic efforts win gold award
ARTISTIC children and teachers have helped their school to pick up a national accolade. Abbey Junior School, in Darlington, is celebrating after receiving the Artsmark Gold Award, the top honour in a scheme run by Arts Council England. The award covers
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Brother of murdered fan in court
THE brother of a murdered Leeds United fan has appeared before North-East magistrates charged with threatening behaviour, a public order offence that allegedly took place prior to the recent England game against Turkey. Andrew Stuart Loftus, 32, of Leeds
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Shock as more than 20 schools face axe
EDUCATION chiefs last night dealt a blow to communities by announcing that up to 23 schools faced closure. The closures, together with dozens more school mergers, were identified in a report mapping out the future for more than 300 schools in County Durham
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Jobs bonanza as plans are approved to build superstore
A MULTI-MILLION pound supermarket is to open in Chester-le-Street town centre by the end of the summer, creating jobs for more than 200 people. Following years of delay, the Tesco store is expected to be completed by the end of August or beginning of
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Inquest opens into death of teenager
AN INQUEST opens today into the death of a teenager at the wheel of a car which left a road before colliding with two brick gateposts. Lee Hutchinson was driving his white Vauxhall Corsa between the villages of Ludworth and Thornley, east Durham, when
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Axe hangs over 1,500 jobs at C&W
UP to 1,500 jobs are to be axed in the UK by ailing telecoms firm Cable and Wireless. The group also plans to pull out of the US to protect itself from "difficult market conditions". The restructuring plans, which include suspending the shares dividend
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Shopping centre sponsorship for sports teams
A SHOPPING centre is supporting youth sport by providing more than £3,000 in sponsorship to teams from the area. After appealing to schools and community groups to take up its offer to sponsor a team for a year, Hillstreet, in Middlesbrough, was so overwhelmed
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Improving brush strokes
ASPIRING artists are being offered the chance to brush up on their skills in Hartlepool this weekend. The water colour taster session is being held on Saturday, from 9.30am to 12.30pm in the visitor centre at Summerhill, off Catcote Road. A number of
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College seeks to expand after shunning move
A SIXTH form college that withdrew from a town centre redevelopment plan has applied for money to help expand its current site. Bede College, Billingham, is submitting a bid for Learning and Skills Council cash to enable it to improve and expand its Marsh
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Youngsters win Swiss awards
FOUR young fighters have proved they are among the toughest in Europe after medal-winning performances at a martial arts contest. The four, all students at the Phoenix UK Tae Kwon Do Association, in Langley Park, near Durham, competed against youngsters
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News in brief: Membership call to anglers
ANGLERS are being urged to renew their club membership as quickly as possible. Durham City Angling Club has carried out a recruitment drive and membership has reached 250. Membership secretary John Hepworth said: "So far, recruitment for the new year
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Ceramics in their crowning glory
PORCELAIN masterpieces from the largest private collection of its kind in the world have gone on display. The Charles Norman Collection celebrates the output of one of Britain's most prestigious ceramics firm, which was "crowned" by King George III and
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Victory in phone mast fight
THREE schools have won their fight to prevent an 85ft mobile phone mast being erected in their area. The headteacher of one, which has 1,300 pupils, has welcomed the decision by planners to refuse permission. Jonathan Edwards, head of Granby High School
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Event in the Tent's big finale
HUNDREDS of people gathered in the sun for a family fun day that brought to an end a week of events. Northallerton's New Life Baptist Church's Event in the Tent centred on a huge marquee in the town's Bullamoor Park. Events during the week included a
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Government aid pledge on flood
THE Government has confirmed it will provide cash to help meet expenses incurred after flooding in August. The costs arose after the southern part of Scarborough Council's area was hit by a torrential downpour. The council is expected to meet the first
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Lung campaign
The Breathe Easy Teesside group is holding a march on Saturday, June 14, in a bid to raise the profile of lung disease in the area. It starts at the Victoria Gardens, opposite Middlesbrough Town Hall at 12pm, finishing at St Mary's Centre, Corporation
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Residents urged to join green scheme
PEOPLE are being encouraged to put their rubbish to good use as part of a recycling initiative. To encourage people to recycle their green waste at home, councils in County Durham are offering free trials of home composters. The scheme is aimed at enabling
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Singers hope to boost radio station funds
A CHOIR from Yarm will perform this weekend to raise funds for a radio station run by volunteers. The Levendale Singers will perform at the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, at 7pm on Saturday to help fund the refurbishment of the Radio North
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Noah on stage
YOUNG actors will put a new twist on an old story this weekend. The Turrets and Jackass Youth Theatre, in association with Busy Ape Arts and Jack Drum Arts, will perform The Flood, a modern version of the story of Noah's Ark, in Blackhill and Consett
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Festival will mark Wesley anniversary
A FLOWER festival to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, will be held later this month. The Methodist Church, in Consett, will host the festival called The World is My Parish, from Friday to Sunday, June 27
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Professional joins golf club
A golf club in Durham has taken on its first teaching professional in more than 40 years. Chris Calder, 42, has joined Mount Oswald from the Down Royal club in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. He will be introducing a service that will match golfers with the
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Frankie to shine on Star at Haydock
FRANKIE MCDONALD is fast making a name for himself within the apprentice ranks grabbing every opportunity to outshine the senior jockeys. McDonald was on the mark at Bath yesterday producing Amelia to win right on the wire, and followers of Frankie's
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Work starts on extension to give school better facilities
BUILDERS have started work to improve a village primary school for its youngest pupils. The Secretary of State backed plans to redevelop St Helen Auckland Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, which is a grade II listed building. A single-storey 25m x
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Youth offending team comes top of the table
DARLINGTON'S youth offending team has come out top in the area in a national performance table. The performance table is based on figures from 155 youth offending teams across the UK. It ranks the youth offending teams according to a number of criteria
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Almshouse chapel opens
A chapel will re-open to visitors from Sunday. The Grade I-listed chapel at the Sir William Turner Almshouses, at Kirkleatham, near Redcar, will be open to visitors until the end of the summer school holidays. It was built in 1676 and has not been changed
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Anne keen to face new job challenge
FERRYHILL Town Council has appointed a projects assistant following a huge response to an advertisement. More than 100 people applied for an information pack after the job was advertised in The Northern Echo. Seventy-five forms were returned and from
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Youngsters shown the way to be eco rangers
A PROJECT that teaches children about environmental issues has begun in Sunderland. Over ten days, 1,700 pupils will take part in the award-winning Eco Rangers, now in its fifth year, at Herrington Park, near Penshaw. The youngsters are invited to tackle
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Delight as work starts on bridge
AFTER a three-year wrangle, traffic will once again be rolling across a historic North Yorkshire bridge by the end of the year. Next week, work will finally start on the rebuilding of Creets Bridge, at Kirby Malzeard, near Ripon. The bridge dates from
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Cricket produces a cash bonanza
OVER the next five days around 60,000 spectators are expected to be at the Riverside, providing a multi-million pound boost for the local economy. For Durham County Cricket Club alone, the match will generate an extra £250,000 in much-needed revenue.
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News in brief: Membership call to anglers
ANGLERS are being urged to renew their club membership as quickly as possible. Durham City Angling Club has carried out a recruitment drive and membership has reached 250. Membership secretary John Hepworth said: "So far, recruitment for the new year
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Mixed reaction over plans to build link road in village
VILLAGERS are divided over plans to build a link road - many fearing they could lose their bus service if efforts to de-rail the scheme succeed. The proposals to join Elton and Long Newton, near Stockton, with a new highway have already split both sets
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Fashion student tastes success
A FASHION student from Stockton is celebrating after winning a £250 prize in a competition inspired by chocolate. Nicola Brooks, from Fairfield, was joint runner-up in the contest to design an outfit inspired by the new Cadbury Mighty Minis biscuit range
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A quiet word in your ear about noise . . .
SOUND advice was on offer yesterday as a district council showed its support for a national campaign. An exhibition at Northallerton's Civic Centre was Hambleton District Council's way to raise awareness of the impact of excessive noise on Noise Action
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Royal honours for two groups
TWO voluntary groups have been presented with Queen's Golden Jubilee awards marking their outstanding contribution to local communities. The Junction, in Harrogate, and York Students in Schools (YSIS) have both been honoured with the award after being
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Slow down and recharge those batteries
As the pace of life becomes increasingly hectic, more women are turning to transcendental meditation as a means of relaxation. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. IMAGINE being able to sit down, close your eyes and enter a deep state of relaxation
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News in brief: Village hall's future secure
A VILLAGE hall's immediate future is secure after a committee was told it is to get a county council grant. Fears had been expressed about Aycliffe Village Hall since the start of the year when it became clear that funding was in doubt. The concerns followed
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Record man Vaughan on top of the world
Michael Vaughan can further enhance his position as the world's premier batsman with yet another annus mirabilis in 2003. The year 2002 was by far the most productive of his Test career thus far, scoring 1,481 runs in 14 matches, a 12-month total only
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Accolades for pioneering initiative
A PIONEERING affordable housing initiative has won national recognition for excellence in design after landing two awards. The Poplar Tree Gardens apartments in Sixth Avenue, York, are the first outside London to be factory-built - and could pave the
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Meet the England squad
Nasser Hussain (Essex, capt). Age 35, Tests 81. Now he has given up one-day international cricket, the demands on him should decrease and he hopes to extend his Test career by two years as a result. Although it seems some time ago, he produced battling
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Parents warned over heat danger
POLICE have warned parents they could face cruelty charges if they lock their children inside the car during hot weather. The warning comes after a Stockton officer, who is a father-of-two, spotted a three-year-old girl locked in her parent's car during
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More arrests in crackdown on drugs
EIGHT more people have been arrested in connection with drug related crimes as part of Operation Dream. Three search warrants were yesterday executed in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in a bid to crack down on hard drugs in the town. All eight suspects
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Councils write off £25,000 loans to rail group
THE financial catastrophe that ruined plans for a Millennium celebration of railway heritage has forced local authorities to write off thousands of pounds, it emerged yesterday. Rail 2000, the company behind the doomed Millennium Cavalcade of Steam, which
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Why we secretly love Big Brother
So Anouska has been evicted from the house and after just one week we have been drawn back into the world of Big Brother. With the self-confessed flirt shown the door it's hard to see what this series will have to offer with no obvious characters left
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Ferry honours concert vow after illness
ROXY Music star Bryan Ferry is coming back to Middlesbrough after cancelling a gig because of a sore throat. He left fans disappointed in March when he pulled out of his concert hours before going on stage at Middlesbrough Town Hall. The North-East-born
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Artist's work chosen for London show
WORK by an amateur painter from Durham has been selected from 10,000 entries to appear in a high-profile exhibition in London. Irene Clarkson, 84, from Belmont, has had a painting accepted for The Daily Mail - Not the Turner Prize exhibition, which opens
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Tribute for boy who drowned
Family and friends have gathered to pay tribute to a 12-year-old boy who drowned while playing near a river last week. About 300 people attended the funeral of Liam Robinson at Holy Trinity Church, West Cornforth, today. Among the mourners were teachers
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Court staff praise after arson attack
SECURITY staff at Teesside Crown Court were yesterday praised for their fast action in evacuating the building after an arson attack on the second floor of the building. Cases were being heard in several of the courtrooms when thick, black smoke was spotted
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In touch with my feminine side
THE text message from my wife came through at 2.30pm in the middle of a meeting at work: "Don't forget - school football tournament - 3pm." I had forgotten but I couldn't miss it. It was a parents' tournament to raise money for the school and I'd promised
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Traces of donkey are found in salami
SALAMI on sale in the region could contain horse and donkey meat, the Food Standards Agency revealed yesterday. The agency has announced it is to launch an investigation to analyse what goes into different makes of salami, chorizo and pastrami. The investigation
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Lindy connects to the US market
COMPUTER company Lindy has bucked the global technology downturn and announced it is expanding across the Atlantic. The Teesside firm, which specialises in connection technology, has set up offices and warehousing in Huntsville, Alabama. It will use the
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AWG challenges bank
WATER group AWG has turned up the heat on German bank WestLB by urging it to "put up or shut up" following four months of takeover wrangling. Anglian Water, which owns Hartlepool Water, rejected the second of WestLB's indicative offers in March but has
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Skipper's student memories
NASSER HUSSAIN took a sentimental trip back to Durham University this week - only to have it ruined by boozy students. "Exams have ended and there were a lot of drunken teenagers about," the England captain joked yesterday. Hussain, 35, was at St Hild
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Actresses' theatre date
Two television actresses are taking to the stage to launch a North-East theatre's summer repertory season. Ruth Madoc, of Hi-de-Hi, and Katharine Monaghan, of Footballers Wives, will star in Soldier Beware, at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday, June
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Athers in Harmison fan club
Former England captain Michael Atherton will be at Riverside today in his role as media pundit. Chief Sports Writer Steven Baker caught up with him, and he was only too happy to talk about the Ashington Express, Steve Harmison. MIKE ATHERTON let out a
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The birth of a Test arena
RIVERSIDE'S fast-track to Test status would perhaps have many, incorrectly, thinking the route has been an easy one. When the site at Chester-le-Street was an area for local dog-walkers, the thought of first-class cricket was enough to have many calling
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Zimbabwe crush England middle order
Zimbabwe's Dougie Hondo tore through the England middle order this afternoon to put a dampener on the festivities surrounding Durham's first Test. Hondo took three wickets in 11 balls as England subsided from 146 for two to 156 for five. Mark Butcher
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Heath demanding a mean Streak
ZIMBABWE captain Heath Streak last night gave his Lord's flops the opportunity to make amends at the Riverside. Streak confirmed Zimbabwe will field an unchanged team in Durham's debut Test after their innings defeat inside three days last month. He said
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What's your tipple - tap or bottle?
SHOPPERS were invited to sample different kinds of water as part of a national promotion yesterday. To mark National Drink Water Day, Northumbrian Water and Asda in Peterlee organised a taste test. Shoppers were asked to sip tap and bottled water and
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Hospital land plans opposed
PLANS to build houses, staff accommodation and a hotel next to Durham's main hospital have run into opposition. Durham City councillors have deferred a decision on the outline scheme until they have visited the site. Planning officers recommended that
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The perfect job for uncool Mr Sewell
IT was fitting that the art critic and professional southern snob Brian Sewell was taken on a tour of Tyneside by Chris Donald, the creator of Viz comic, this week. Because the haughty, plummy-voiced Sewell, who claims the Millennium Bridge is "like an
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£34m deal for Matrix
MATRIX Securities has signed a £34m deal for a long-term lease of business space in the Cobalt Park. Highbridge Business Park, the developers of the North Tyneside office development, announced that Matrix had taken an interest in two buildings on the
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Final chance to vote for unsigned music acts
MUSIC fans across the region are being encouraged to log on to The Northern Echo's music website Revolution to cast their vote in the Big Chance competition. With voting closing tomorrow, there is only one day left to have your say on who should make
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Cashpoint pays out forged note to student
A STUDENT found himself suspected by a building society of having forged money - even though it came from the society's own cash machine. Chris Wharrad, 20, who is studying law at Durham University, withdrew £300 from his HSBC bank account at the cash
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Mick reveals transfer strait-jacket
MANAGER Mick McCarthy last night warned that Sunderland will be trying to win promotion "on a shoestring''. McCarthy left fans in no doubt about the mammoth task he faces in his bid to lead the Black Cats back into the Premiership at the first attempt
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Brother of murdered fan in court
THE brother of a murdered Leeds United fan has appeared before North-East magistrates charged with threatening behaviour, a public order offence that allegedly took place prior to the recent England game against Turkey. Andrew Stuart Loftus, 32, of Leeds
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Axe hangs over 1,500 jobs at C&W
UP to 1,500 jobs are to be axed in the UK by ailing telecoms firm Cable and Wireless. The group also plans to pull out of the US to protect itself from "difficult market conditions". The restructuring plans, which include suspending the shares dividend
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Dad At Large: In touch with my feminine side
THE text message from my wife came through at 2.30pm in the middle of a meeting at work: "Don't forget - school football tournament - 3pm." I had forgotten but I couldn't miss it. It was a parents' tournament to raise money for the school and I'd promised
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Win new Harry Potter novels
THE Northern Echo's website has teamed up with Ottakar's, in Darlington, to give you the chance to win copies of the exciting new Harry Potter book, which will be released on Saturday, June 21. For your chance to win a copy of Harry Potter and The Order
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Meetings set to discuss school closures and mergers
A series of meetings are being arranged by staff and governors at schools which face uncertain futures under a £300m revamp of education in County Durham. Teachers at some of the 100-plus schools lined up for closure or mergers have told how they plan
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Rookie bowlers to face Hussain's nagging line
NASSER HUSSAIN last night vowed to keep on nagging his bowlers as he prepared to lead England's most nave pace attack in living memory. Hussain has been heavily criticised by a number of former England Test stars, notably Ian Botham, all of whom have
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Feyenoord pave way for Magpies' Emerton talks
FEYENOORD have paved the way for Brett Emerton's long-awaited move to Newcastle United by giving the Magpies permission to begin talks with the Australian international. The clubs have yet to agree a fee, but Feyenoord are willing to let £5m-rated Emerton
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Soap Watch: Squeaky scene
NOT all nannies are sweet and innocent like Mary Poppins. Those in Soapland tend to think and act like Lucretia Borgia. If they're not snogging the neighbours (think Margaret in Brookside), then they're scheming and conniving like the current crop of
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Mystery of 'filthy' talk on tax line
A MOTHER who rang the Inland Revenue to sort out her tax credit said she was greeted with "filthy" language. Kathryn Lee, 41, of Grosvenor Street, Hartlepool, said she was kept on hold on the tax credit helpline for at least 20 minutes. When she was put
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No fears for Mr Midgley
Durham chairman Bill Midgley has remained confident the county's big day would not be spoiled despite the potential threat to Zimbabwe's tour going ahead. Chief Sports Writer Steven Baker reports. IF Bill Midgley was worried that Durham's Test debut would
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Crash tragedy driver in court
A man has appeared at crown court in connection with the death of a horse and trap driver in a crash. Wayne Walker, 33, died and his horse had to be destroyed after a collision with a Honda Accord. It happened as he was trotting his horse along the A182
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Councillors set for pay rise
COUNCILLORS look set to vote themselves a 13 per cent pay rise. Durham County Council's 61 members could see their basic allowances boosted by an average of £1,000 a year. The move is believed to have been backed by the majority of Labour councillors,
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Interest rates remain unchanged
The cost of borrowing remains on hold following a low-key final interest rate meeting for Bank of England Governor Sir Edward George today. Rates were maintained at their 48-year low of 3.75% for the fourth consecutive month, as predicted by analysts,
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Test could be gateway to future
AT 10.45am today this gate will open, and the cricketers of England and Zimbabwe will walk on to the world's newest Test venue. The day of celebration for the North-East will go some way to make up for the region's disappointment yesterday in losing its
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Cancer sufferer Pauline leads Race for Life
A PENSIONER recovering from breast cancer has won the honour of wearing race number one in this year's Cancer Research UK Race for Life. Pauline Hustwick, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, entered The Northern Echo's competition to wear the coveted race
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Mayor lends support to volunteers' fair
DURHAM'S new Mayor will support an event celebrating the work of the city's volunteers. Durham City councillor Ray Gibbon, who was elected following the Liberal Democrats' election victory, will be at Saturday's volunteers fair. The event will be held
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Bogus caller warning after ID badge theft
POLICE are warning people to be on their guard against bogus callers after a council worker's identification badge was stolen. The female worker had the Darlington Borough Council photo badge, which is used to prove she is a genuine caller, stolen from
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Charity seeks volunteers to help homeless youngsters
A CHARITY in Darlington is appealing for volunteers to help homeless people. Darlington Nightstop provides emergency short-term accommodation for 16 to 25-year-olds. Volunteers give accomodation in their homes for up to three nights to someone who is
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Over-50s group offers advice
THE third annual DAISY day for the over-50s is being held in Darlington's market square tomorrow. Darlington Active Independent and Staying Young (Daisy) aims to raise awareness of sheltered housing schemes in the town as well as encouraging older people
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Walk on the wetside for kids
PEOPLE are being urged to put their best foot forward to support a North-East children's charity. The Children's Foundation Yellow Brick Road Appeal will hold its annual sponsored walk on Sunday, June 22, at the Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre
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Residents' tribute to music halls
RESIDENTS at a Ferryhill home staged their own music hall tribute. A Tribute to Music Hall Stars was performed by people living at Durham County Care's Feryemount Residential Home. The idea for the project started around Christmas when occupational therapist
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Football tips for youngsters
COACHES from Sunderland Football Club have been helping the sporting talents of Bedale. Forty youngsters took part in a two-day coaching course run by the club in conjunction with Bedale Leisure Centre. It was the fifth year the club has travelled to
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News in brief: Membership call to anglers
ANGLERS are being urged to renew their club membership as quickly as possible. Durham City Angling Club has carried out a recruitment drive and membership has reached 250. Membership secretary John Hepworth said: "So far, recruitment for the new year
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Students urged to keep it quiet
STUDENTS are being urged to swot up on their rights and responsibilities when it comes to noise and environmental issues. Middlesbrough Council's community protection service teamed up with the Students' Union at the University of Teesside to mark Noise
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Children move into their new school
A VILLAGE which has waited nearly 40 years for a new school - and at one time feared the old one be forced to close - are finally celebrating. Prior to the half-term holidays, youngsters at Grewelthorpe CofE Primary School, near Ripon, worked in cramped
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Steel team to urge Corus rethink
A TEAM of experts will be employed to persuade steel maker Corus to throw a lifeline to its Teesside works, The Northern Echo can reveal. The Iron and Steel Trade Confederation (ISTC) wants to build a case for Redcar-made iron and steel to be supplied
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Plans to fell ancient yew spark confrontation
PLANS to fell a 200-year-old yew tree has sparked outrage. Residents in Cleasby, near Darlington, are furious that work has already started to pull down the tree, without any consultation. The custodians of the village hall authorised a worker to start
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Villagers voice concern over rise in vandalism
VILLAGERS have voiced their grievances about crime and policing in the community. A public meeting had been called to address residents' concerns that vandalism and disorder have increased in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, which they say is attributed
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Pupils raise funds in memory of crash tragedy teacher
STUDENTS have paid tribute to their teacher, who died in a car accident, by raising money for her favourite charity. Jennifer Askew often led charity fundraising events in aid of the Butterwick Hospice, at Staindrop Comprehensive School, where she was
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Low-key approach to protest
DURHAM breathed an enormous sigh of relief last night when anti-Robert Mugabe protestors promised not to disrupt the Riverside's debut Test. Having previously vowed to cause "chaos" at England's second Test with Zimbabwe at Chester-le-Street, the Stop
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Residents urged to join green scheme
PEOPLE are being encouraged to put their rubbish to good use as part of a recycling initiative. To encourage people to recycle their green waste at home, councils in County Durham are offering free trials of home composters. The scheme is aimed at enabling
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News in brief: Team ready to tackle graffiti
A NEW initiative aimed at tackling graffiti in Hartlepool is to be launched today. An anti-graffiti squad, comprising offenders from Hartlepool on Community Punishment Orders, has been set up Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with the Teesside
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High school pupils' pantomime gives children lesson in food safety
A PANTOMIME promoting food hygiene is being performed by local children. Pupils from Durham High School for Girls are staging the show at primary schools throughout the area after winning a competition set by Durham City Council's environmental health
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News in brief: Heroin seized during raid
POLICE seized cannabis resin, heroin and crack cocaine during a raid on a house in Middlesbrough. Officers from the district support unit used a warrant to search the house at 11pm on Tuesday. Two men were arrested and are being held for questioning in
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Youth offending team comes top of the table
DARLINGTON'S youth offending team has come out top in the area in a national performance table. The performance table is based on figures from 155 youth offending teams across the UK. It ranks the youth offending teams according to a number of criteria
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Endeavour orchestra to play on board ship
A CONCERT is taking place on board HM Bark Endeavour at the weekend. The Endeavour Orchestra and Chamber Choir, based at the University of Durham Queen's Campus, Stockton, were established two years ago by students Helen Mann and Hannah Elliott, who will
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Carers' centre praised
A CARERS' centre has been awarded the Government's Disability Symbol for its commitment to helping people with disabilities. Hambleton and Richmondshire Carers Centre in Northallerton will be able to use the symbol on all its documents. The Department
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Residents kept in the picture
A TRIANGULAR mosaic created by residents of a close community has completed the picture in their open space. After six months of hard work, the spectacular artwork is now on show at the Millennium Green community open space, behind Leeman Road, in York
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New police unit recovers £80,000 cannabis plants
A NEW crime-fighting team marked its biggest success yesterday, after a raid on a flat recovered drugs worth more than £80,000. Derwentside police's Divisional Response Unit (DRU) raided an address in West Road, Annfield Plain, near Stanley and recovered
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Test cricket under way
TICKETS sales for the inaugural Test match at the home of Durham County Cricket Club rocketed this week. Extra seating has been mounted at Chester-le-Street's Riverside ground to cater for crowds of up to 12,000 during each day of the second Test. After
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Walkers provide £500 boost for cancer fight
A GROUP of prison staff swapped their uniforms for hiking gear when they walked 28 miles to raise money for charity. The nine-strong team from Northallerton Prison walked from Ingleby Greenhow to Pickering to raise £500 for their home town's Breast Cancer
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Agencies consider merger option
PLANS to merge two leading regeneration and investment organisations in the Tees Valley are being considered by the area's five local authorities. The plan involves the merger of the inward investment arm of the Tees Valley Development Company (TVDC)
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News in brief: Countdown to village festival
PROGRAMMES for Middleham Festival, which runs from June 28 to July 6, are available throughout the town and from tourist information offices. The festival begins with open gardens and a plant fair. There is also a flower festival at the church at Coverham
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Triple funding bring benefits
MORE than £71,000 has been secured in grant funding to help improve the benefits service in the Richmondshire District Council area. The authority has also appointed a new head of benefits, Stephen McGinnes, who will be looking to build on existing good
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Appeal for relatives to identify man
POLICE are trying to trace the family of a North-East man who led a hermit-like existence. Detectives in Darlington believe the body of a man found in a council-owned flat in the town is that of Maurice Alex Kinney. They are hoping to trace relatives
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Scheme leads to ideal job for John
THE latest graduate from a council's training programme has gained a permanent job. John Hay, 23, had been unemployed for quite a while when he took part in Hartlepool Borough Council's Work Route programme. During skills training and guidance sessions
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Squeaky scene
NOT all nannies are sweet and innocent like Mary Poppins. Those in Soapland tend to think and act like Lucretia Borgia. If they're not snogging the neighbours (think Margaret in Brookside), then they're scheming and conniving like the current crop of
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Scheme to upgrade A1(M) is launched
A THREE-MONTH roadworks scheme is due to start on a stretch of the A1(M). The £2.15m scheme, on the road between Bradbury and West Cornforth, in County Durham, starts on Monday. The work will be carried out in several phases and is intended to renew and
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Paceman Steve is fast learner
Ashington produced Jackie Milburn and the Charlton brothers. Now the town has a new sporting hero. Tim Wellock reports. FROM Ashington to Ashes. The story of Stephen Harmison's rise from the old Northumberland mining town to Test matches at Adelaide,
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Steam train lines up tour
STEAM enthusiasts will have the rare opportunity to take a rail tour around the North-East this weekend. The North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group (NELPG) is running a locomotive out of Middlesbrough this Sunday on the first leg of a journey to
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Go-ahead for hotel scheme
PLANS to extend a popular North-East hotel have been given the go-ahead. Councillors in Darlington have granted planning permission for work at Hallgarth Golf Country Club and Hotel, on the outskirts of the town. The hotel, which is a Grade II listed
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Travel system delay is costly
A DECISION on a revolutionary rapid transport system linking Darlington and Teesside has been delayed until the autumn at a cost of £30,000, it was revealed last night. Consultants were this week due to make recommendations on whether a metro, trams or
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Tributes to former prison governor
ONE of the most respected figures in the prison service has died at the age of 70. Paul Whitehouse, who did much during his 25-year career to rehabilitate criminals, was a governor of Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution, at Barnard Castle, County Durham
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Last Night's TV: Simple, trivial and oh-so relaxing
The Terry & Gaby Show (five); Bad Girls (ITV2) Good things come in pairs, so they say. Terry and Gaby - as in Wogan and Roslin - is the latest attempt by Chris Evans' production company to find a winning formula, and they can hardly go wrong with
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News in brief: Membership call to anglers
ANGLERS are being urged to renew their club membership as quickly as possible. Durham City Angling Club has carried out a recruitment drive and membership has reached 250. Membership secretary John Hepworth said: "So far, recruitment for the new year
