Archive
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Appeal to court on gun charge rejected
A SECURITY firm boss who shot his former business partner with a sawn-off shotgun has had a bid to overturn his conviction dismissed in London's Appeal Court. George Doneathy, a 6ft 6in bodybuilder with a reputation as a "hardman", shot Martin Mandeville
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'Geordie Gunboat' set to return home
A WARSHIP known affectionately as 'The Geordie Gunboat' will be returning to the North-East soon. HMS Newcastle will be berthed at Newcastle's Spillers Wharf from June 19 to June 23, with an opportunity for the public to visit the ship from 1pm to 6pm
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Having designs on the Boro
Congratulations to Liverpool for scooping the title of European Capital of Culture for 2008. It's a shame that the Newcastle-Gateshead bid was pipped at the post, but my own feeling is that Merseyside's need is far greater. Our friends up North have made
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Daniel among the top prizes at Hambleton Show
LOFTUS rider Daniel Nielson was on top form at the recent Hambleton District Show, writes Malcolm Bewsher. Held at The Barugh, Carlton Husthwaite by kind permission of Mr A G Knowles, the event featured courses designed by Brian Candler and Graham Emmerson
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A very muscular massage
Plagued by aching neck and shoulders, Christen Pears tries a new deep tissue massage. AS a journalist, I spend hours hunched over a computer keyboard. I also have a seemingly incurable habit of gripping the phone between my left shoulder and ear while
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News in brief: £45 Toblerone is first prize
A 4.5KG Toblerone, worth £45, is being offered as a prize in a Father's Day competition at the Asda store in Billingham. Youngsters are asked to design a Father's Day card and say why they think their father deserves the bar. The competition is open to
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Expert backs RSPCA's move on exotic animals
AN expert in exotic animals has backed an RSPCA vet's decision to remove reptiles from a shed, a court has heard. Peter Heathcote, the chief executive of the Reptile Trust, a national charity, told Bishop Auckland magistrates that he shared Hannah Bold's
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Flags fly for Bernie
A FAMILY literally put the flags out to greet their serviceman son on his return home to County Durham from active duty in Iraq. The proud Gelders adorned not only the family home, but approach roads in Langley Moor with bunting and Union flags to welcome
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News in brief: Helen praised for her work
THE Mayor of Durham, Councillor Ray Gibbon, will present a certificate to Helen Davison tomorrow recognising her voluntary work for the History of Education Project. Miss Davison, who is disabled, has been a volunteer for 12 years and has produced a database
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MS sufferer praises boss
A WOMAN has thanked her former employer for buying her equipment to help her cope with her illness. Michelle Malcolm had to leave her job as a supervisor at Boyes store, in Newton Aycliffe, three years ago after she developed multiple sclerosis. Mrs Malcolm
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Amusement arcade plans are rejected
A BID to extend an amusement arcade and cafe in Darlington town centre has been blocked by the council's planning committee. Royals Cafe and Amusements, in Crown Street, had applied for permission to extend its first-floor gaming area and convert the
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Show marks jubilee and return of farm stock
A TRADITIONAL agricultural show has lots of reasons to celebrate this year. For, as the North Yorkshire County event marks its silver jubilee, the show on June 22 also sees the welcome return of cattle and sheep to the line-up. And, in another feature
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Cornmill Internet kiosk launch
AN Internet service is giving people in Darlington a wealth of information at the touch of a button. Shoppers in the Cornmill Centre can access a new information kiosk, near the WH Smith store, giving details about learning opportunities in the town.
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Health centre staff organise fun run
A FUN run and family day has been organised by staff at an Ingleby Barwick gym on Sunday. Staff at Bannatyne's Health Club are holding the event to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The fun run starts at 11am from the health club car park, with a four-mile
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Guilds vie for use of flower bed
TWO Darlington organisations are vying for the use of a flower bed in South Park to mark separate anniversaries this year. The Trefoil Guild and the Darlington and District Townwomen's Guild both want to create a commemorative display in the carpet bed
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Air ambulance service seeking teams for It's A Knockout
FUN lovers are needed to boost the funds of an airborne 999 service. Members of The Great North Air Ambulance, above, are staging their own version of It's a Knockout on Saturday, July 19, and are looking for volunteers to join the fun. It takes place
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Ghost town as cricket fans avoid local shops
TRADERS in Chester-le-Street say that while the Test match has done wonders for the area's profile, it has meant disaster for the town's businesses. As more than 12,000 people filled the Riverside Stadium to witness the first day of the five-day Test,
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Romeo and Juliet tale told in open air
AN open air performance of Romeo and Juliet will take place later this month in Hartlepool. The Chapterhouse Theatre Company will bring the tale to Ward Jackson Park as part of Hartlepool's week-long youth arts festival Word of Mouth. On Tuesday, June
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Vaughan's poor run rumbles on
THE batsman formerly known as the world's best landed in Durham yesterday, played a delightful cameo, and then left his public wanting more. After his Ashes feast, the famine continued for Michael Vaughan after a curate's egg of an innings. Under cloudless
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Bishop to unveil church revamp
THE congregation of a 176-year-old church will celebrate this weekend as improvements costing £1m are unveiled. An increase in the number of people attending services at the Holy Trinity church, in Ripon, meant that space was limited and an appeal was
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Town to celebrate heritage day
RESIDENTS of Richmond are to celebrate 1,000 years of history with a day dedicated to the town's heritage. On Tuesday, a heritage day will publicise the town as a tourist destination. The day begins with the cutting of a corporation cake, made at the
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Council stays in assembly
A NEW council regime agreed to stay in the North East Assembly despite protestations that the area had closer connections with Yorkshire. Councillors at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council had considered leaving the North East Assembly, which aims to
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'Solar' car leads to drugs seizure
A SUSPICIOUS car was found to contain about £15,000 worth of drugs. The blue Vauxhall Cavalier was spotted by a member of the public after seemingly being abandoned for more than 24 hours on the Teesdale site at Thornaby, Teesside. With a solar panel
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Rural cricket league still batting on
THE Feversham Cricket League still exists, albeit in further truncated form. There are now only four participating teams - Gillamoor, Harome, High Farndale and Spout House - Slingsby having resigned owing to a player shortage. These four teams will play
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By any name, June brings summer
THE Anglo-Saxon name for this month was Seremonath, which means the dry month and the time of haysel, an old word reflecting the time of hay-making. The Dutch used to call it Zomer-maand, the summer month, while yet another name was Lida serra, joy time
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Offering some floral expertise
BUSINESSES around Darlington are being offered a helping hand to prepare for the Northumbria In Bloom competition. Darlington Borough Council is offering to sell prepared hanging baskets and troughs to businesses in the run up to the judging of the competition
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Last chance to run the town
ANYONE wanting to help run Richmond has until this evening to register to join the council. Anthea Dunne, John Robinson, Mike McGarry, Peter Grant and Sheila Clarkejoined Richmond Town Council at the elections on May 1 - but two vacancies remain. Anyone
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Midgley proud to pass Test
DURHAM chairman Bill Midgley left the Riverside last night "tired, relieved and very happy" after hailing their Test debut as a success. Although the Chester-le-Street attendance was more than 2,000 below capacity, Midgley was proud of his club's achievements
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Festival visitors to question a king
VISITORS to Middleham will be able to question King Richard III at the town's summer festival, which begins on Saturday, June 28. The programme begins with local gardeners opening their gates to the public, the Key Centre hosting a sale of rare and unusual
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Youngsters targeted in safe-eating drive
SCHOOLS across Hambleton will be targeted in a national campaign next week to promote safe eating. The district council's environmental health team will be doing its bit for National Food Safety Week by issuing every primary school in the area with a
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News in brief: Helen praised for her work
THE Mayor of Durham, Councillor Ray Gibbon, will present a certificate to Helen Davison tomorrow recognising her voluntary work for the History of Education Project. Miss Davison, who is disabled, has been a volunteer for 12 years and has produced a database
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Pleas for answers on estate future
RESIDENTS on a run-down Thornaby estate say they have been left in the dark about whether they will be allowed to live in revamped homes. About 500 homes on the Mandale Estate are to bulldozed after decades of decay and neglect. But residents are now
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06/06/03
EUROPE: IN making up our minds about the EU we should ask ourselves only one question. Has our current membership of the EU benefited us? There is only one answer to that one: a very definite no. What is the precise nature of the malignancy? Bureaucrats
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Just say 'No'
IT seems obvious, but we report this week the comments of one of our search and rescue teams, welcoming the use of mobile phones in emergency situations. We do so only because the use of mobiles has become an issue in the Lake District where search and
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Catching the action
A PROJECT to capture sport on film has received a £5,000 windfall. The Sports Performance initiative, being run by Framwellgate School in Durham, aims to capture on digital camera and camcorder, performances by pupils and elite sportsmen and women in
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Diesel thief jailed for 21 months
A 23-YEAR-old man who tried to escape from police after being spotted taking part in a "thieving expedition'' was jailed for 21 months yesterday. Steven Knight, of Bevanlee Road, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, faced a theft charge and a string of motoring
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Aircraft, adultery and the real Amy Johnson
The Real Amy Johnson (C4) After her first flying lesson, the instructor told Amy Johnson: "You'd better pack this game up, love, you'll never make a flyer as long as you live." That pilot must have kicked himself when the Hull-born Johnson became a record-breaking
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'Show goes on' for attack victim boss
A VETERAN car retailer has vowed not to miss an important business convention today despite a horrific attack on him earlier this week. Mike Massingberd has said "the show must go on" and will attend the Yorkshire International Business Convention, in
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England in charge over Zimbabwe
ENGLAND are surviving the early loss of Alec Stewart and Anthony McGrath to remain in charge of the Riverside's first Test. Stewart added just one run to his overnight score of 67 before he was trapped leg before by Heath Streak. McGrath was becalmed
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Woman jailed in massive cigarette smuggling operation
A 47-year-old woman was jailed for 18 months for her part in a ''highly organised and premeditated" smuggling operation that sought to bring about 600,000 cigarettes illegally into the UK. Susan Johnson was stopped with her brother, Michael, Christina
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Father-to-be, 17, is stabbed to death helping his friend
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 after the knife attack on the Lakes Estate, Redcar. He had been watching a film
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Scandal of school gate trade in cigs
CHILDREN as young as 12 are being sold bootleg cigarettes from unscrupulous ice cream vendors outside the school gates, it emerged last night. The situation came to light in a survey which showed that some youngsters in a North-East town had levels of
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Rebirth of popular music event
ORGANISERS are promising a secure future for a popular family music festival back this summer after a three-year absence. The Allensford Festival, traditionally held in the Derwent Valley in August each year, was cancelled in 2001 due to the foot-and-mouth
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Groups get computers
RUGBY players, disadvantaged children, rowers, artists and pensioners are among those in the North-East awarded free computers. BT is giving away Internet-ready PCs to 48 community groups across the region as part of its £1.2m Community Connections scheme
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Milburn linked with education job
Health Secretary Alan Milburn could be poised to take over the reigns at the Department of Education, according to reports. The Darlington MP would replace Charles Clarke, who has not long been in the job after replacing Estelle Morris. He is seen as
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Former Quo drummer goes back to school
A FORMER rock star went back to school to host a drumming workshop yesterday. Jeff Rich, who recently stepped down as drummer with Status Quo, spent the afternoon with youngsters at Sacriston Junior School. In a four-part workshop, he talked about his
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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
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Piper playing the right tune for McCarthy
SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy has scuppered Leicester's hopes of a £1m buy-back deal for Matt Piper. Foxes boss Micky Adams, who led Leicester to promotion last season, admitted this week that he wanted Piper to return to the club less than a year
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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
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Classic cars take to the road for fundraising rally
MORE than 30 classic cars are to converge on an historic setting. The cars, dating from the Thirties to the Sixties, will meet at the seventeenth-century Sir William Turner's Almshouses at Kirkleatham. The classic motors will parade through Redcar, before
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Why it's cool to drink water
Hollow eyes? Tired, Irritable? Maybe you're just not drinking enough water. In the week of the second National Drink Water Day, Barry Nelson looks at why we should all be getting into H2O. NOT long ago drinking bottled water was something that foreigners
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Sponsors make it lucky 13 for league
DARLINGTON Building Society is proving that the number 13 is not unlucky for some as it continues to break records as the longest-serving sponsor of local cricket. This will be the 13th consecutive season that the company has sponsored the North Yorkshire
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A sign of deaf awareness
HEALTH workers have won top marks for improving communications between deaf and hearing people. Christine Whitwood, development worker for the Deaf Project in Stanley, organised deaf awareness training for staff from Derwentside Primary Care Trust. The
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Territorials mobilised for Gulf peace role
A COMPANY of Territorial Army infantry soldiers from the North-East has been mobilised for operations in Iraq. More than 150 soldiers from Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire have received call-out letters and will
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Playground cash safe after developer keeps his word
A HOUSING developer has decided a village will not lose out on £10,000 for its children's playground after all. Thoroughbred Homes, of Osmotherley, had asked for the sum to be deducted from its agreed contribution of £36,000 towards the play area and
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Great War soldiers enlist for museum
MILITARY life in North-East training camps leading up to the start of the Great War will be recreated next week. The Great War Society will transform part of the Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, into a training camp, showing what life was
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CJD ordeal goes on
A WOMAN at the centre of a hospital CJD scare has died just days after her husband. Mary Russell, 66, of New Marske, was described as being very fit before contracting sporadic CJD in late 2001. Her family, who believe Mary's husband, Ronald, died of
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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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Bringing the Bard to museum
A COMMUNITY theatre group to set to perform its latest Shakespearean production. The Castle Players will present The Merry Wives of Windsor in an open air theatre in the grounds of The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, between July 9 and 12
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'We've had enough of bad behaviour' say youth leaders
BAD behaviour and attitude problems among youngsters attending a youth club in Great Ayton have forced it to close. Jackie Kirk, one of the six leaders of the Methodist Youth Club, said that the section for 11 to 16-year-olds, which meets from 8-10pm
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Illegal snare found at picnic site
COUNTRYSIDE rangers have mounted searches at a popular beauty spot after the discovery of a badly wounded fox in an illegal trap. The fox, which had one foot partly severed by the jagged jaws of the spring trap, was taken away by the RSPCA and had to
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Smallest school's joy at survival in county blueprint
A REMOTE school with just 15 pupils on its current role breathed a sigh of relief this week following the publication of a blueprint on the future of education in County Durham. Carole Connolly, headteacher at the isolated Forest in Teesdale School -
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Pilot thanks safety seat after crash
THE Global Eagle has landed - crash landed that is - with the pilot saved from serious injury thanks to a rally car seat. The unlucky turn of events has forced Warrant Officer Barry Jones, who suffered three broken ribs in the accident, to postpone his
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Tributes paid to tireless war veteran
TRIBUTES have been paid to a war veteran who worked tirelessly on behalf of numerous North-East associations. Leslie Gustard, 82, president of the Durham branch of the Normandy Veterans' Association, died late last month following a short illness. He
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Durham Memories: One giant teapot, 15 pubs, and a pioneer travel agent
Claypath was a centre for leisure, education and worship and a home to dozens of shops and pubs. It was the site of the city's post office, as well as a cinema, workingmen's club and the Blue Coat School. Many of Claypath's shops were demolished during
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Music centre plans back on track
PLANS to revive a music centre in Darlington have been endorsed by councillors this week. Businessman David Cox was granted planning permission to turn the disused centre on the corner of Borough Road and Brunswick Street into a live entertainment venue
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Having designs on the Boro
Congratulations to Liverpool for scooping the title of European Capital of Culture for 2008. It's a shame that the Newcastle-Gateshead bid was pipped at the post, but my own feeling is that Merseyside's need is far greater. Our friends up North have made
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Young artists make their creative mark on borough's subways
ART has gone underground in a new council project, and although it may be hidden from view, it will be admired by thousands of people. Graffiti art will appear in subways across Gateshead over the coming year, in a scheme involving Gateshead Council and
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Grassroots: Derwentside
RESERVOIR WALK: Consett and Vale of Derwent Naturalists Field Club will hold a walk near Grimwith Reservoir on Saturday, June 14. A bus will leave Annfield Plain at 8pm with pick-ups on the way. To book a place, call (01207) 508774 SCHOOL REUNION: Pupils
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One World Cup we can definately win
I KEEP having to nip into the bar here at the Rose Bowl because it's the only place on the ground with Sky TV, and unfortunately Riverside's Test debut is the one match of the summer to which Sky have the rights. As a member of the Great Undished, I know
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Territorials mobilised for Gulf peace role
A COMPANY of Territorial Army infantry soldiers from the North-East has been mobilised for operations in Iraq. More than 150 soldiers from Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire have received call-out letters and will
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News in brief: Get pedalling for bike week
Unusual bicycles from unicycles to tandems are needed to celebrate National Bike Week. Clayport Library, in Durham, is holding a bike event next Saturday, June 14, between 11am and 3pm, and staff are hoping as many people as possible will turn up with
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News in brief: Helen praised for her work
THE Mayor of Durham, Councillor Ray Gibbon, will present a certificate to Helen Davison tomorrow recognising her voluntary work for the History of Education Project. Miss Davison, who is disabled, has been a volunteer for 12 years and has produced a database
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Cass, the collie who cost a lot of lolly
A TALENTED border collie is in the field rounding up her flock today completely unaware of her status as Britain's most expensive sheepdog. Cass the collie has become the most valuable working dog to be sold at auction after fetching £3,300 at a North
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Austen classic staged in park
RESIDENTS of Stockton are being given the chance to see a Jane Austen classic performed in one of the borough's parks. The Illyria Outdoor Theatre Company is to give a performance of Pride and Prejudice in the Walled Garden of Preston Park, Eaglescliffe
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Grounds for optimism over stadium classroom
A PROJECT aimed at raising pupil attainment levels in Hartlepool have moved a step closer. A grant totalling £300,000 has been provided jointly by the Government and the Football Foundation towards providing a classroom at Hartlepool United's ground.
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Toy auctioneer buys US diecast exchange
A TEESSIDE-BASED toy auctioneer, which claims to be the largest in the world, is to open in the US. Vectis of Thornaby has a turnover of more than £5m a year and has just bought The Diecast Toy Exchange in York, Pennsylvania. Bryan Goodall, who has owned
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Grassroots: Chester-le-Street, Birtley and District
Church draw: Christ Church, Lumley, is staging a prize draw instead of a summer fair this year. It will be at 7pm on Monday, in the Old England. Tickets are 50p each and a pie and peas supper is included in the £1.50 entry charge. Car wash: A fundraising
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Support staff 'are underpaid'
A CAMPAIGN to secure more pay for school support staff has been launched in County Durham. Members of Unison launched the campaign on behalf of nursery nurses, classroom assistants, teaching auxiliaries and learning support assistants, at County Hall,
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They're there: you've just g-otter believe it!
IF you go down to the Tees today you're sure of a big surprise. Staff at Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre are increasingly seeing more otter activity along the river in the heart of Stockton. Over the past year, they have found fresh fish heads and
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Advice offered on red tape
SMALL businesses are being offered free advice on how to cut through legislative red tape. The Yorkshire and Humber Chambers of Commerce's Red Tape Campaign mobile advice surgery will be in the High Street car park in Stokesley on Thursday. The Chambers
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Make a splash to earn some charity cash
WATER babies are being encouraged to take the plunge at their local swimming pool. Youngsters in Hambleton are being urged to splash across a width of the pool to help raise money for Tommy's charity, which funds research into premature birth, stillbirth
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News in brief: Society elects new president
Geoff Walmsley has become the president of the Nidderdale Agricultural Society following the retirement of John Houseman. Mr Walmsley, who suffered a stroke 11 years ago, said he was deeply touched to be offered the position. He will be helped by his
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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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Burton's Bytes: Rap fight game is Def-inately one for the boys
DEF JAM VENDETTA. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Price: £39.99. Format: PS2. THIS is a very strange game. I'd like to meet the man who thought rap superstars would make great wrestlers. He must have an interesting, ah, take on life. Def Jam's premise is
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Club praises football fans' good record
BORO fans have been praised by club officials for making the Riverside Stadium one of the safest in the country as preparations for next week's England game continue. Fears about crowd trouble at the Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia to be held on Teesside
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Attendance record falls in sunshine
BRILLIANT sunshine and blue skies drew a record crowd to the 18th Eastgate sheep show in Weardale on Sunday. Memories of foot-and-and-mouth were put to rest as hundreds of farmers and their families got down to the business of judging the 45 classes of
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Star yearling makes stunning show debut
A COUNTY Durham breeder saw her recently purchased yearling pony voted star of the north at the weekend. Clare Merrigan-Martin, who lives at Stainton near Barnard Castle, is well known in equestrian circles for her success with her skewbald Merrigan,
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Pie makers fined for fire caused by overheating oil
A LEEMING Bar pie company has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds in fines and costs after a blaze which destroyed its factory almost a year ago. Richmond magistrates were told on Monday that the £2m fire had been caused by a potentially dangerous
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Child obesity debate was started by Dales WI
A SMALL North Yorkshire Women's Institute will finally have a resolution on children's diets, exercise and health debated at a national meeting next week. It has taken East Witton WI three years to get the resolution placed on the agenda at the annual
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Arrests total 26 in drugs crackdown
TWENTY-SIX people have so far been arrested as part of a crackdown on drug dealing in a coastal town. Ten search warrants have been executed in Scarborough as part of a four-month campaign, codenamed Operation Dream. Raids which took place this week were
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'Baghdad bounce' blamed for interest rate decision
THE cost of borrowing remains on hold following a low-key final interest rate meeting for outgoing Bank of England Governor Sir Edward George yesterday. Rates were kept at a 48-year-low of 3.75 per cent for the fourth consecutive month at the end of Sir
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North-East couple capture suicide on film
IT was to have been one of the most romantic gestures in one of the world's most romantic cities. Tony McElwee had spent weeks planning to propose to his girlfriend atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But the moment was shattered when a Frenchman in his 50
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Acres of lavender grow where derelict piggery stood
A DERELICT old piggery has been turned into one of the most fragrant places in Yorkshire. Eighteen months ago the 12-acre site was knee-deep in muck and rubbish - a true blot on the local landscape. On Sunday it opened to the public as Wolds Way Lavender
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Rap fight game is Def-inately one for the boys
DEF JAM VENDETTA. Publisher: Electronic Arts. Price: £39.99. Format: PS2. THIS is a very strange game. I'd like to meet the man who thought rap superstars would make great wrestlers. He must have an interesting, ah, take on life. Def Jam's premise is
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Scorton ace steps up national title challenge
SCORTON'S Steve Petch emerged with a superb runner-up placing on last weekend's Mutiny Rally, based in Llandidrod Wells, which comprised the fourth round of the KUMHO National Rally Championship. But the SGP Motorsport Hyundai Accent WRC driver and his
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Shake-up threat to 600 jobs in schools
UP to 600 teachers could lose their jobs under a raft of school closures and amalgamations, a union warned last night. The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said it was demanding talks with Durham County Council's local education authority, which has announced
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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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A winning response
If you're a regular reader, you'll remember our splendid competition earlier this year with the prize of a real VIP weekend for two in London. Courtesy of Le Meridien Hotels, GNER and the Our House musical, our lucky couple were due for a weekend of real
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Website offers advice on late payments
A WEBSITE is offering advice to businesses affected by late-paying customers. The site - www.payontime.co.uk - explains how firms can use a factoring company to free-up working capital and reduce the amount of time spent chasing debts. David Marsden,
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The gold standard
A DARLINGTON junior school is celebrating becoming the first in the town to be granted an Artsmark gold award. The award - a national scheme managed by the Arts Council England - covers every aspect of the arts including music, drama, arts and crafts
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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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Passing the Test with distinction
ENGLAND'S opening batsman Marcus Trescothick leant forward and watched the ball sail past him. It slapped, audibly, into the gloves of the Zimbabwean wicket-keeper. Two people in the South Terrace clapped their hands, once each; second slip clapped twice
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Floowing the hounds to capture hunting tradition on camera
CAPTURING a moment in time is what photography is all about - but one local photographer is hoping to document a tradition that goes back centuries. Andy Elliott, a commercial photographer based in Stockton, is publishing his second book of photographs
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Coming under fire from one of cold callers' new weapons
WHOEVER said an Englishman's home was his castle said it a long time before the invention of telephone selling. Haul up the drawbridge, put the pitch on to boil, they've got two new weapons. We were targeted by the first. Now that even the youngest children
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Steps against meningitis
A 470-mile walk will pass through the region later this year to help raise awareness and funds for meningitis research. Northallerton, in North Yorkshire, and Morpeth, in Northumberland, are two of 11 towns and villages across England that the charity
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Wildlife walks
People across the region are being urged to join walks on Sunday, June 22, in aid of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. They will be taking place at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, Bill Quay Farm, Gateshead, the Scarborough Sea Life Centre, and the
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Eastender Kemp still a ladykiller
LADYKILLER Martin Kemp is about to live up to his television reputation in a chilling true-life period piece. The one-time EastEnder has been in North Yorkshire shooting scenes for a forthcoming thriller for ITV, The Brides in the Bath. At Nunnington
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Boots to axe 500 jobs in restructuring plan
HIGH street pharmacist Boots is cutting 500 jobs in a bid to save £100m. The company has been under increasing pressure from shareholders to improve performance as it faces tough competition from supermarket rivals. The company, which yesterday announced
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Festival of music is cancelled
A CONCERT featuring some of the world's top tribute bands has been cancelled after only 200 tickets were sold. Thousands of music lovers were expected to attend the Great Tribute Weekend at Holme House Farm, Piercebridge, near Darlington, on June 21 and
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Anger as 'Costa del Sol' North Road plan gets go-ahead
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new library and care home flats in Stokesley were approved in principle yesterday. Hambleton District Council's planning committee spent more than an hour discussing the plans before deciding to approve them in principle, subject
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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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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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Dramatic rescue for speedboat family
A FAMILY almost drowned when their speedboat sank in freezing waters a mile from the coast. As they tried to call for help, 24-year-old David Rundle - who was with cousin Craig Rundle, 14, and uncle Leonard Rundle 38 - became tangled in fuel lines and
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Railway jobs face axe in shake-up
ABOUT 45 railway jobs in the North-East are under threat after Royal Mail announced it may withdraw its rail distribution network. The company has revealed plans to abandon a rail-based system in favour of an air and road network, which could be in place
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Society pays tribute to true supporter
THE British Show Pony Society Area 3a held their annual winter points party on May 1 at the Feathers Hotel, Helmsley. A surprise presentation was made to Mrs Anne Furness, who had been chairwoman for more than 20 years and was retiring to be honorary
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Plans approved to build waste recycling centre
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a waste material recycling centre have been given approval despite objections from two councils. Yesterday, members of Durham County Council's planning department backed the new project which will be built on Hackworth Industrial
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Couple's orangery blow
A COUPLE'S plans to build an orangery behind their Grade II listed home have been put on hold by Darlington Borough Council's planning committee. Mr and Mrs Phillips, of Neasham Abbey, in Hurworth Road, Neasham, have applied for listed building consent
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News in brief: Helen praised for her work
THE Mayor of Durham, Councillor Ray Gibbon, will present a certificate to Helen Davison tomorrow recognising her voluntary work for the History of Education Project. Miss Davison, who is disabled, has been a volunteer for 12 years and has produced a database
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Helping consumers get the best deals
A NEW scheme to provide Darlington shoppers with easier access to advice and information has been launched. Darlington council's trading standards department has set up the Darlington Consumer Support Network (DCSN) to help inform consumers of their rights
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Events planned to mark carers' week
A SERIES of events are planned in Newton Aycliffe to mark national carers' week. The focus of this year's week, which takes place from Monday to Saturday, June 15, is on opportunities for carers. Sue Orton, manager of the Princess Royal Trust Sedgefield
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News in brief: Old store site development
A supermarket has been given permission to build houses and a care home at its former site. WM Morrisons has submitted an outline planning application to build a residential development and home in Darlington. The retailer sold the lease of its store
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'Help us block school fields land sell-off'
CAMPAIGNERS against the proposed sale of school playing fields are urging more people to back them. Darlington Borough Council has launched a public consultation exercise after announcing plans to sell off land at Longfield Comprehensive School. Local
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Village hall stalwart praised
RETIRED teacher Brian Blackburn is to be honoured for giving 34 years of support to the village hall at Gainford. He has just stepped down after 28 years as secretary, and before that was on the committee for six years. He was noted for giving friendly
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Wardens on patrol to catch fly-tippers
FLY-TIPPERS who have been littering the alleyways and back lanes around Darlington have been targeted by uniformed wardens trying to clean up the town. In the past two months, Darlington Borough Council's wardens have issued £50 fines to 125 people caught
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Letters: Jungle look
Sir, - I write to vent my anger at the state of the grass verges on the approaches to Richmond. We are now entering our annual calendar of summer festivities, having just staged our annual Richmond Meet, and are about to proudly roll out a number of further
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Pedestrian route must wait until school is developed
PLANS for a safe route to a proposed new school in Darlington have fallen through, it has emerged. Alderman Leach Primary is being relocated to a £2.9m site on the West Park development in a controversial move that was announced last year. Parents and
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Rescue team says mobile phones make life easier
A SEARCH and rescue team covering the North York Moors has welcomed the increasing use of mobile phones in emergency situations. The Cleveland Search and Rescue Team says mobiles have made it easier to communicate with walkers in distress - more than
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Girls aim high with sports tour of far east
A GROUP of teenagers are getting ready for the trip of a lifetime next month. Five girls from Teesside High School, Eaglescliffe, will represent their school in a netball and hockey tour of Singapore, Australia and Fiji. The girls, Ruth Craig, Fiona Lofthouse
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Club ordered to hand back keys
A BOXING club that has trained youngsters for 35 years has been dealt a final knockout blow by its local council. Bosses at Stockton's Impala Boxing and Fitness Club have been forced to hand over the keys for the Frederick Street building to Stockton
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Princess picked
A YOUNGSTER aged between 11 and 16 will be crowned carnival princess at an event at Sacriston Workingmen's Club, from 1pm to 4pm tomorrow. It will start with a disco, and those attending will be able to vote for the princess and two attendants. Admission
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Disabled youths aided
A DISABLED charity has set up a mentoring service for young people. The Maze Project, set up by cerebral palsy charity Scope, helps disabled people in Stockton gain independence. The project wants to hear from people aged 14 and over who may need help
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Hospice fairs
HARTLEPOOL and District Hospice will hold two summer craft fairs. The first is on Saturday, June 14, at East Durham and Houghall Community College, in Peterlee. The second is in the Borough Hall, on the Headland, Hartlepool on Saturday, June 21. Both
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Warning to elderly over spate of thefts
HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to be on their guard after a spate of thefts by bogus officials in the Stockton area. Last week, a man and woman approached an elderly victim to ask for help in finding their cat in her garden. As she went into her garden
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Enterprise award is Michael's goal
THE manager of the Enterprise Academy, which is sponsored by Middlesbrough Football Club, has been nominated for an award. Michael Glenn has been put forward by Business in the Community for the Marks and Spencer Sieff Award, launched last year to mark
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Into business in six weeks after impressing judges
SIX weeks ago, Wendy Scott, from Guisborough didn't even have a business idea. Now she's resigned from her marketing job, is in the process of setting up an event management company, and has won her first contract - organising a charity ball for the Lavender
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Villages will finally get a gas supply
RESIDENTS are to have gas installed at their homes for the first time after a contract for a supply was awarded. Easington District Council has appointed East Midlands Electricity, which installed the gas supply at Haswell and Haswell Plough, to also
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Aggers gives his seal of approval
FROM the commentary box at the top of the stand, the Riverside ground looked an absolute picture. The cricketers in white on the greensward were bathed in warm sunshine; the slate-roofed modern pavilion stood to the left with the slender spire of Chester-le-Street
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MS sufferer makes desperate plea to stay in her village
A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer faces an uncertain future as she fights to remain in the Swaledale village that has been her home for more than 20 years. Heather Coates and her husband, Eric, who was born in the dale, want to build a bungalow suitable for
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Detectives arrest trio in arson manhunt
POLICE have arrested three suspects in connection with a series of arson attacks which left a trail of destruction at haulage depots across the North-East. The arrests follow an intensive manhunt under the name Operation Chariot, following attacks which
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One giant teapot, 15 pubs, and a pioneer travel agent
Claypath was a centre for leisure, education and worship and a home to dozens of shops and pubs. It was the site of the city's post office, as well as a cinema, workingmen's club and the Blue Coat School. Many of Claypath's shops were demolished during
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Schools shake-up puts 26 at risk
UP TO four comprehensive schools and 22 primary schools in Derwentside could close as part of a massive education shake-up. Durham County Council this week announced a £300m overhaul of its schools over the next 15 years. It includes proposals to close
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Runners preparing for road race
HUNDREDS of runners of all ages are preparing to take to the streets of Newton Aycliffe for the town's annual 10km road race. Sponsored by 3M Aycliffe, the race on Sunday, June 15 is expected to attract a bigger enry than last year, when 200 people completed
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Garages warned against fax scam
GARAGES across North Yorkshire are being warned to be on their guard against a fax scam which could cost them up to £30 for making a phone call. A fax, from Crest Corporation, Hertfordshire, invites businesses to join a UK vehicle repairer's network with
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Crackdown planned on offenders
COUNCILLORS in York are planning to introduce tough new measures against drivers who ignore parking rules. Offenders who have failed to pay three traffic penalties in the past six months would find their vehicles clamped or removed instead of a fourth
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Go-ahead for accommodation
THE owners of two racing stables in Richmondshire have been given planning permission to build staff accommodation. Two houses will be built at Thorndale, on the outskirts of Melsonby, near Richmond, after Richmondshire district council environment and
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Dishing out advice to families about healthy eating
PARENTS and toddlers were shown how to eat healthily during a cookery demonstration. Health visitors from Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) were delighted when chefs Mick Pereira and Paul Kirby volunteered to help them out. The chefs, from the George
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Town preparing for road race
HUNDREDS of runners of all ages are preparing to take to the streets of Newton Aycliffe for the town's annual 10km road race. Sponsored by 3M Aycliffe, the race on Sunday, June 15 is expected to attract a bigger entry than last year, when 200 people completed
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My Sunday 'best' raised royal smile
Princess Margaret's sharp sense of humour was recalled in a magazine at the weekend, and I can endorse what was said. When she spent a few days in Teesdale, relaxing at Holwick Hall, I had a chance to go there to take her photograph. Naturally I made
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'Geordie Gunboat' set to return home
A WARSHIP known affectionately as 'The Geordie Gunboat' will be returning to the North-East soon. HMS Newcastle will be berthed at Newcastle's Spillers Wharf from June 19 to June 23, with an opportunity for the public to visit the ship from 1pm to 6pm
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New site bridges generations
A COUNCILLOR and his ten-year-old granddaughter led by example by logging on to a new website. Councillor Dan Myers and his granddaughter, Rebecca Hardy, tried out the revamped Easington District Council site. Following months of work, www.easington.gov.uk
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Radical plan puts cars and pedestrians on same road
COUNTY Durham's first example of an innovative street scheme, giving vehicles and pedestrians equal priority, was launched yesterday. The home zone concept, in which people and cars share what would normally be the roads and pavements, originated in the
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Youth scheme reducing crime
CRIME and disorder in a village has fallen, thanks to a scheme aiming to give young people somewhere to go. The finishing touches have been put to a £25,000 youth shelter project near Medomsley and District Community Centre in the Denes, Medomsley, near
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Offer of work for stand-in mother
A CHANCE accident has brought employment for a County Durham woman. Allison Shepherd, of Catchgate, took her son's place when he was unable to attend a meeting to find out more about a project that helps people with computer technology. The Community
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Police fired up for protest
FLAMING petrol bombs, hundreds of bricks and a torrent of verbal abuse were hurled at riot police as they tried to calm angry war protestors. More than 100 raging campaigners taunted the 50-strong police support unit (PSU), called in to diffuse the demonstration
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Unique deal means bright future for league
A MILLIONAIRE has stunned one of the world's oldest football leagues by revising his will to guarantee it will be financially secure long after he is dead. Self-made entrepreneur Brooks Mileson, owner of the Albany Group, announced the unique sponsorship
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National call-up for brave skater
A TEENAGER who refuses to let a rare blood condition rule his life has won a place on a national sports team. Richard Lawson, 14, from Burnopfield, near Stanley, is a haemophiliac - meaning any form of hard physical contact can lead to internal bleeding
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Special livestock sales
KIRKBY STEPHEN. - Wed of last week. - Fwd: 3,462 ewes & hoggs with lambs, gimmer hoggs & cast sheep for New Fair sale. Av up £5.43 on year. Prices, ewes: - Texel X & singles £44 Stoneywood; Suff X & twins £38 Birks Head; Rough Fell &
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Hunger keeps Stew on the boil
ALEC STEWART vowed to make it impossible for England to drop him last night after proving his cricket life continues at 40. Stewart again defied his advancing years as he helped England recover from a middle-order collapse at Riverside. His age has been
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Project to help children
A STUDENT at a North-East university has undertaken a project to help hyperactive children to understand their condition better. Laura Hepburn, 23, from Brotton, was inspired by the work of Professor Steve Baldwin, who set up a clinic specifically to
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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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Day's pay for supermarket boss can be year's earnings on upland farm
FAT cat salaries paid to supermarket bosses were a slap in the face for farmers who struggled to make ends meet while producing the nation's food, the head of the National Sheep Association told an industry gathering. John Thorley, NSA chief executive
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Letters: Village plea
Sir, - I write to ask if anyone, through your newspaper, can tell me about the history of a small cottage in Church Row, Hurworth, with a plaque, high on the wall above the front door with the inscription "Teetotal, freeholds AD1715". My mother, Mabel
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Football stadium protest rejected
COUNCIL bosses have been cleared of any wrongdoing over claims they mishandled complaints about Darlington's new football stadium and its controversial message board. The Local Government Ombudsman has ruled that there are insufficient grounds to suggest
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Stringent registration scheme vital for GM crops
ON the eve of the national debate on GM foods, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors this week demanded a stringent land registration scheme to avoid chaos with any widespread introduction of genetically modified crops. The Government is obliged,
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Catterick winner sets up three on the trot for Barron
THREE off the reel was the score for Maunby trainer David Barron and jockey Dean Mernagh on Friday last and Saturday - and the first one was our nap of last Friday! That was Nathan Brittles at Catterick on Friday, the 40th winner in 20 years' ownership
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Shop Talk: Think of a number... any number
Soon you'll be even less likely to remember the phone numbers you need... you'll be too busy trying to remember the multitude of new Directory Enquiries numbers on offer. It's going to be chaos... Later this summer it's all change for Directory Enquiries
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Concerns over flood plan lead to change
RESIDENTS will get the chance to view revised proposals for a flood defence scheme next week. Two consultation days have been organised by the Environment Agency following suggestions from local people last year on the plan, for Lustrum Beck, in Stockton
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Smart Alec silences the critics
WITH the clamour for his international retirement reaching a crescendo, Alec Stewart silenced his critics with a doughty unbeaten half-century to bring England back from the brink on Durham's big day. As Riverside was anointed as the first new English
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Same sex 'weddings' are given go-ahead
GAY couples will be allowed to 'marry' in East Cleveland. The first same sex commitment ceremonies in the region took place in Darlington last month. On Tuesday Redcar and Cleveland Borough councillors agreed to allow the ceremony, which has no legal
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Made from Wright stuff
THEY look fragile and rickety - and indeed they are - but they launched the technological revolution that eventually took men to the moon. Together, they mark the beginning of manned flight and powered flight - and now they can be seen side-by-side for
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Henry's Place opens, now it's on to other projects
A NEW community regeneration group has completed its first major project. Saltburn Forward has opened Henry's Place, a new adventure play park on Marine Parade in the town, named after Henry Pease, who was instrumental in bringing the railway to Saltburn
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Comment: Basking in cricket glory
DURHAM County Cricket Club did our region proud yesterday. As the Riverside crowd basked in the sunshine that greeted the first ball bowled at a new Test venue in this country for 101 years, the North-East basked in the glory of a wonderful occasion.
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Internet firm aims to help region's businesses
Internet service provider Onyx is launching a bid to stop the region's businesses gambling with their future. The company is aiming to highlight how local businesses do not take enough care when choosing an Internet provider or dealing with web security
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Courts writing off fines
THE region's courts are writing off thousands of pounds worth of fines because officials are failing to enforce them. Finance chiefs say there is a urgent need to improve the information available on offenders in order that they can be tracked. In many
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Last Night's TV: Aircraft, adultery and the real Amy Johnson
The Real Amy Johnson (C4) After her first flying lesson, the instructor told Amy Johnson: "You'd better pack this game up, love, you'll never make a flyer as long as you live." That pilot must have kicked himself when the Hull-born Johnson became a record-breaking
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On the move with a little help from her friends
REBECCA Delap is enjoying more independence after her community raised £10,000 to buy her a new wheelchair. The seven-year-old has a condition that means her muscles do not develop, but still attends Greenland Community Infant School in South Moor, near
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Man spared jail for role in garage raid
A FATHER-OF-TWO who helped raid a garage for a £2,500 scooter walked free from court yesterday. Newcastle Crown Court heard how Stephen Carr, 31, kept watch while two other people used bolt croppers to cut through security chains. Newcastle Crown Court
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Prices at the markets
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 370 sheep. Cont ewes & lambs to £128; Swale gimmers to £43. Std lambs to 162p av 159.8p; med to 161.2p av 155.22p; heavy to 164.2p av 143.11p; owt to 125.2p; lt hoggs to 119.1p av 114p; std to 112.8p av 104.07p; med to
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Top honours go to Cumbria as show celebrates golden jubilee at last
FARMERS from Cumbria took top honours as Tan Hill Swaledale sheep show celebrated its golden anniversary - at the third attempt. The 50th show, on Thursday of last week, attracted 41 exhibitors to 35 classes, slightly down on pre-foot-and-mouth levels
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Pony dates
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - Jun 7 & 8: Tetrathlon, junior and open. Course suitable for experienced minimus competitors. Contact Margaret Richardson, 01325 718227. July 24: Senior one-day event, contact Mrs F A Blaine, 01845 526185. Pony club
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Pensioner's rapist is jailed after 14 years
A BURGLAR who raped an 87-year-old wheelchair-bound widow in her bed was finally behind bars this week - 14 years after the attack. The victim's family spoke for the first time about their trauma after watching rapist David Grady being jailed for 12 years
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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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New-boy Lowe comes through stiffest of tests
DURHAM unveiled a reassuringly composed opener in 20-year-old James Lowe as they set about saving the match against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl yesterday. Looking totally unfazed by having to face Wasim Akram, Lowe helped skipper Jon Lewis put on 79 for
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Teenager stabbed while helping pal
A TEENAGE dad-to-be was stabbed to death after standing up to bullies to help a friend. Chris Cave, 17, died in the early hours of yesterday morning after a knife attack on Redcar's Lakes estate. He had been watching a film with a friend when a group
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Schools considerfight to stave off closure
TEACHERS and governors at more than 100 schools lined up for closure and mergers were last night drawing up their own plans to fight back. A series of meetings are expected to be held in the coming weeks at affected schools across County Durham to put
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Wellock's World: One World Cup we can definitely win
I KEEP having to nip into the bar here at the Rose Bowl because it's the only place on the ground with Sky TV, and unfortunately Riverside's Test debut is the one match of the summer to which Sky have the rights. As a member of the Great Undished, I know
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In need of support to take on the world
A WATER polo player is on his way to the junior world championships - if he can raise enough money to take part. Matthew Bowden, of Newton Aycliffe, has been selected for the Great Britain team invited to play in the tournament in Naples, Italy, in August
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Another fine mess for funnyman Ian
HE has made a career out of impersonating comedy legend Oliver Hardy - but North-East funnyman Ian Wragg did not expect to find himself in a real life fine mess. But that's exactly what happened to the 32-year-old when his suitcase was stolen as he travelled
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Dramatic rescue for speedboat family
A FAMILY almost drowned when their speedboat sank in freezing waters a mile from the coast. As they tried to call for help, 24-year-old David Rundle - who was with cousin Craig Rundle, 14, and uncle Leonard Rundle 38 - became tangled in fuel lines and
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Action is stepped up to save henges
MOVES to protect scheduled ancient monuments near Bedale from the threat of quarrying are gaining momentum. A pressure group holds a special meeting next week to map out a plan of action for fighting a proposal by Tarmac Northern to establish sand and
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News in brief: £45 Toblerone is first prize
A 4.5KG Toblerone, worth £45, is being offered as a prize in a Father's Day competition at the Asda store in Billingham. Youngsters are asked to design a Father's Day card and say why they think their father deserves the bar. The competition is open to
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Residents upset as mast goes up overnight
VILLAGERS woke up to find a 15m telephone mast at the bottom of the gardens. The first the people living off Saltburn Road in Brotton, near Redcar say they learnt of the mast was when workmen started erecting it at 6.45am on Thursday. Campaigners prevented
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News in brief: Invitation to village gardens
GARDENS in Gainford will be opening to the public to raise money for the parish church. St Mary's Church will benefit from the proceeds of the village's annual gardens display, which takes place on Sunday, June 29. Opening times are from 2pm to 5.30pm
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Health checks and advice on offer for men
MEN are being encouraged to have a health MoT as part of an annual awareness campaign. Staff at the University Hospital of Hartlepool are urging men to have a health check as part of National Men's Health Week, which starts on Monday. Nursing staff from
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Town to get new information boards
COMMUNITY groups in Ferryhill will be able to keep residents up-to-date thanks to the provision of new information boards. Ferryhill Town Council and Ferryhill Community Partnership has joined forces to install six boards throughout the town. They were
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Father-to-be, 17, is stabbed to death helping his friend
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 after the knife attack on the Lakes Estate, Redcar. He had been watching a film
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Funding information available
Community groups can find out how to get grants and funding at an exhibition in Newcastle later this month. The Funders' Fayre takes place from 10am to 4pm on Thursday, June 19 at the Centre for Life in Times Square. The exhibition, organised and funded
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Sweet story
GENERATIONS of sweet lovers have reason to mourn the retirement of Betty Watson this week. Mrs Watson has been involved in stocking the pic 'n' mix counter at Woolworths in Redcar for 30 of her 45 years working at the store. Mrs Watson, of East Redcar
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Ex-soldier faces prison
AN ex-soldier could be jailed for downloading child pornography from the Internet. Trevor MacPherson, 28, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to 17 charges of making indecent photographs of children between January 1, 2001 and February 1 last year.
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Uniforms donated
STAFF at a branch of Skipton Building Society have put their old uniforms to good use with help from the Salvation Army. Staff at the Bedale branch, who have just received new uniforms, have donated their old ones to the Salvation Army Trading Company
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Hospital donations is a trolly good show
VOLUNTEERS have donated £2,000 to help benefit hospital patients. The money, raised by volunteers who run the shop and trolley service at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, has been used to buy a Dinamap monitor. The machine will allow the close
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Some visitors were on the river bed above High Force on Sunday evening, when the Tees suddenly rose, consequent on the thunderstorm which had been experienced in the higher reaches. The rising waters were cause for
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Riverside is first class
FOR 101 days, the clock beside the scoreboard had been ticking away, counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until the Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street became the first new Test venue in this country for 101 years. With the days, hours and minutes
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Prescott brushes off questions about V-sign
John Prescott today brushed off controversy over a hand gesture he made to journalists outside 10 Downing Street. The Deputy Prime Minister was photographed flicking a V-sign at reporters yesterday, and today quipped about the ''trouble'' it had caused
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Dog owner sent to prison
A DOG owner was jailed for two months for allowing one animal to die and leaving another emaciated. Durham magistrates heard that Tracy Turnbull, 41, of Oxhill Villas, New Kyo, Stanley, inherited her partner's Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross-breed and
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Public invited to 'chocolate garden' picnic
THE National Trust is inviting visitors to spend a summer's evening relaxing in a beautiful garden while enjoying tranquil music. Later this month, the trust will be opening its regional office at Goddards, in Tadcaster Road, York, for a picnic concert
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Response to plea over man's body
TWO women have come forward following a police appeal for help to identify a man's body. The women, from Darlington, contacted detectives after the body of a 67-year-old was found in a council-owned flat in Whessoe Road, in the town, on May 26. Police
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Tregoning chases Classic
MARCUS TREGONING could add his name to the list of British Classic-winning trainers if as anticipated Hammiya (4.05) wins this afternoon's Vodafone Oaks at Epsom. Three months ago Hammiya wasn't even on the radar as far as the Oaks reckoning was concerned
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Extra cash help for students' costs of travel to college
OUT-of-town students could soon receive up to £475 a year towards travel costs to colleges in Darlington. New Government regulations regarding the provision of transport for students over the compulsory school age came into force in January. From September
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Greeks line up Dabizas swoop
OLYMPIAKOS are ready to hand Newcastle United's Nikos Dabizas a return ticket to Greece. Dabizas was one of five players transfer-listed yesterday as the Magpies began clearing the decks. Left-backs Robbie Elliott and Wayne Quinn, and midfielders Clarence
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North-south divide goes ahead despite warnings
DURHAM Constabulary's decision to press ahead with sweeping changes to its operations has angered councillors in the south of the county. The police authority has given its backing to a blueprint to reshape the face of the force over the coming year.
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A wonderful sporting chance
TWENTY-TWO girls from Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe are preparing for a three-week round-the-world hockey and netball tour. Next month they will head to Singapore, Australia and Fiji. They will spend two days sightseeing in Singapore, followed
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Where others fear to tread
Looking for a partner? Or simply a parking space? Perhaps you need an angle. Sarah Foster meets a women who knows where to find them. ON an ordinary Sunday morning, Christine is tending to her plants. She weeds and waters, and stands back to admire them
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UK steel 'will die' if Corus closes
THE entire British steel industry will collapse and die unless the nation fights to save Corus's Teesside works, a senior union leader declared on Sunday. According to Michael Leahy, general secretary of Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, the Anglo-Dutch
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Baby joy for visa wrangle couple
THE birth of a baby is a momentous occasion for all new parents, but for Chris and Elisa Aktas, the arrival of their son Hasan was extra special. The North-East couple did not expect to be in the same country for the event, never mind the same room, after
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Letters: Snide remarks
Sir, - I was surprised at Spectator's scornful rejection of the Tees Valley concept and disgusted with his snide remarks about Teesside. As I understand it, the impetus for the Tees Valley Partnership came mainly from Darlington when, in 1996, it chose
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Hodgson makes Pool bid
FORMER Darlington manager David Hodgson has made his move to become the next manager of Hartlepool United. Hodgson, out of management since leaving Feethams, is believed to have formally applied for the post, which became available seven days ago when
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A free bed for bawdy Moll
ONE good turn deserves another, as a local theatre company has discovered. North Country Theatre director Nobby Dimon and carpenter Malcolm Wood were scratching their heads about how to create a four-poster bed for the summer production of Moll Flanders
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Heroin and cocaine is set to go up in smoke
HEROIN, crack cocaine and cannabis with a street value of tens of thousands of pounds is set to go up flames. The drugs, seized by officers in recent police raids on Teesside users, are due for incineration. Shipments are sent from Cleveland Police Headquarters
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A lack of pride, in red neon for all to see
THESE days there is, at the confluence of the A1 and the A66 in North Yorkshire, between Darlington and Richmond, a place called "SCOTCH CORNE TEL". Every night after dark, this aberrant message has been seen for weeks, beaming out like a beacon to the
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Driver given bail
A FORMER Darlington man accused of causing the death of a young man in a car accident has appeared in court. Michael Proctor, 31, a graphic designer, of Leam Terrace, Leamington, Warwickshire, is accused of causing the death by dangerous driving of Simon
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Filtronic founder honoured
THE chairman of a North-East company has been presented with an award for engineering excellence. Professor David Rhodes, executive chairman of Filtronic, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has received the Royal Academy of Engineering's highest award
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Gazza to return?
PAUL Gascoigne could be about to make a dramatic return to English football - with Second Division Stockport County. Gazza is currently plying his trade in China, with Gansu Tianma and last month checked into an Arizona clinic to try and combat depression
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Baby unit still needs nurses
MORE staff are needed before a maternity unit can be re-opened. Campaigners formed a 'Mums Army' across East Cleveland and North-East Yorkshire when South Tees NHS Trust closed the maternity unit at Guisborough Hospital last November. Although a progress
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Work begins on trade park
WORK has started on a trade park at the Tyne Tunnel. The 48,000sq ft development by UK Land Estates is the first new-build development at Tyne Tunnel for more than ten years. It consists of 11 factory/warehouse units along with secure car parking. Located
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Support offered by Haines Watts
A NORTH-EAST chartered accountant and business advisor is launching a systems support service. Haines Watts, which has offices in Newcastle and Darlington, has recruited Les Day, a leading specialist in accounting and IT systems, to head up the new service
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NFU 'no' to partial reform
THE European Commission's proposals to reform the CAP by "decoupling" livestock support offer great opportunities for the sheep sector in England and Wales. Kevin Pearce, NFU chief livestock adviser, told North Sheep03 that replacing production-based
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Work to start on £10m rail village
WORK on a £10m visitor attraction in the region will start within weeks. Construction of the Shildon Railway Village, in County Durham - which is expected to attract up to 50,000 visitors a year - is about to start in time for it to open late next year
