Archive
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Challenge to Shadow minister
THE challenges faced by the county's rural economy will be in the spotlight next week. Senior members of the county council will meet the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, David Lidington at Leeming next Tuesday. The councillors
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Plan to tackle social services overspend
A NUMBER of improvements are being made to the county's social care services following recommendations made by an independent auditor. North Yorkshire County Council commissioned PriceWaterhouseCoopers to undertake a detailed study of its social services
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Region pulls together to rebuild its economy...
Leading figures from politics, business support and regeneration agencies have vowed to devote themselves to the regeneration of a recession hit area. Wear Valley District Council organised a jobs summit, held at Auckland Castle yesterday, to discuss
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North takes lead on racism
A video to combat racism against asylum seekers will be launched in the North-East next week. The video comes with a fact sheet called Tackling the Racist Myths and is being launched at Newcastle City Council chamber on Tuesday, as part of Refugee Week
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Attack: man held
DETECTIVES were last night questioning a man on suspicion of attacking a father who has been left with severe head injuries. Mark Connorton, 37, of Marske, is in a critical condition in Middlesbrough General Hospital and has been unconscious since he
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Woman in court on drugs charges
A drug dealer who was caught at home with her supplies insisted she was not a key figure in the drugs world, a court was told yesterday. Police armed with a search warrant went to the home of Kelly Poad, 26, said Dan Cordey, prosecuting at Teesside Crown
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John breaks the £6m barrier
THE Northern Echo's For Your Benefit column has saved its readers an estimated £6m, its collator can reveal. Columnist John Gordon has answered questions from people wishing to know if they are receiving the State assistance they are entitled to. John's
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News in brief: Inquiry into rape claims
Police in Darlington were last night continuing an inquiry into claims that a 16-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by two men on Wednesday night. The teenager told detectives she was attacked at about 10pm near the junction of Northgate and Corporation
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Letter of sympathy for man in pub brawl
A DRINKER who kicked a man unconscious during a pub brawl walked free from court yesterday. Because Omar Ames' victim sent a letter to the judge saying he had started the trouble and did not want his attacker punished, the 25-year-old received a suspended
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Former Echo journalists in blaze escape
TWO former Northern Echo journalists had a narrow escape when fire tore through their honeymoon bungalow. Matt and Karen Westcott were on the first leg of their holiday in Grootbos, South Africa, when the blaze - which started in a nearby hut - spread
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Teenager Christie hits the heights
EXCITING teenage pole-vaulter Mark Christie has hoisted himself to the top of the UK under-20 rankings with a best-ever clearance of 4.96m. Now the 18-year-old Wearsider, who competes for British Athletics League club Sale, of Manchester, is on track
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Gardening: Answering the call of the wild
I think I've been stuck in a time warp. I went away for one week's holiday (not far, just camping in Scotland) but when I returned, my garden had put on a month's worth of growth. I had made sure to cut the lawn the day before departure, and had left
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Scenting success
THE National Sweet Pea Society's Northern Championship Show is returning to this year's Great Yorkshire Show, in Harrogate, after a two-year absence. The show runs from July 8 to 10.
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News in brief: Restaurant boss assaulted
A RESTAURANT manager has been assaulted by a man who stole cash left by a customer. In the incident, at 10.30pm on Thursday, the manager chased a man and woman from Lewis's, in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, but when he caught the woman, the man ran back
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Woman loses £2,000 after conman calls
AN elderly woman was robbed of £2,000 after a bogus caller tricked his way into her home, police said yesterday. The 65-year-old was at home in Darlington when the man, who claimed to be a water board official, called on Thursday. The man told the woman
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Criminals urged to help find driver
Police are turning to the criminal fraternity for help in tracing the hit-and-run driver who killed 87-year-old great-grandmother Betty Cooper. Despite appeals for information from back street garages and the public, detectives have yet to find the Ascot
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Minister vows jobs help - then quits
NORTH-EAST MP Nick Brown has quit his position in the Government - hours after pledging to help beleaguered industries in part of the region. The Newcastle East MP's departure as Work Minister is part of Prime Minister Tony Blair's reshuffle. He is the
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Twenty20 Cup proves a Riverside hit
Summer is the period where all football fans suffer withdrawal symptoms and young Joseph Smith from Sherburn Hill is no exception. Northern Echo readers may remember Joseph, aged ten, as the Under-16 Local Hero Award Winner 2002, following his Cub Swimming
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Sports cash snub is denied
SPORT England was forced on to the defensive last night after figures revealed the North-East was the worst performing of any region when it came to National Lottery funding. The body, which distributes Lottery money for sporting projects, yesterday denied
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Cycle rides offered through spectacular scenery
CYCLE owners are being urged to dust down their saddles for a series of rides through some of the region's most spectacular countryside. The Forestry Commission is marking National Bike Week, from today until June 22, by launching a season of expeditions
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Raid film legacy of daring pilot
One of Britain's great Second World War pilots has died, leaving a spectacular cine-camera account of his daring exploits in the hostile skies above Nazi Germany. Flight Lieutenant Norman Glaholm's pictures, taken from his cockpit, have never been seen
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Murder accused attends husband funeral
A woman accused with her nephew of killing her husband was present at his funeral yesterday. Christina Button, 31, who is expected to stand trial for the murder of husband George later this year, was among the mourners at the funeral service at Sunderland
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Alan goes On The Record for the last time
ONE of the last things Alan Milburn did before quitting the Cabinet was appear on a hospital radio show and choose his six favourite songs. And the Darlington MP and former Health Secretary's choice may give something of an insight into the way he was
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Region's clubs must strive for more Riverside tales
IT has been a truly memorable and historic couple of weeks for North-East sport. And, after the success of hosting the England cricket and football teams, there now should be an attitude from clubs in this region to strive for yet more days like those
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Help on tap for bride who was left without a shower
THE bride-to-be had something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue - but one of life's bare necessities was going to be missing on her big day. Lisa Hornsby, 24, of Seaham, County Durham, was horrified when she was told the water
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Teenager admits taxi arson attack
A DRUNKEN teenager who set fire to a £32,000 taxi walked free from court yesterday. Mark Reineck, 17, targeted the taxi, along with a Renault, which were parked at Planes Farm Road, Planes Farm, Sunderland, on October 6 last year. Newcastle Crown Court
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At Your Service: Native Whit
Linda Shipp began as a lay chaplain for the deaf. Now recently ordained, her signed Holy Communion brings communities together. Linda Shipp was ordained priest two Sundays ago and joyously celebrated her first Holy Communion last Sunday in the town where
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City join chase
KEVIN KEEGAN'S Manchester City have emerged as rivals to Newcastle United as interest intensifies in the player hailed as Norway's answer to David Beckham. Morten Gamst Pedersen, who Norwegian sources claim bends it like Beckham from free-kicks, was watched
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George's case for defence
NORTHERN Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy insists George McCartney can solve Sunderland's central defensive problems. Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy is seeking new recruits at the heart of his rearguard after informing Phil Babb, Joachim Bjorklund and Emerson
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Brave Seoul heads to Korea in family hatch
A NORTH-EAST student is to tackle some of the most inhospitable places on earth - in a family hatchback. Graduate Phil McNerney plans to drive a car more used to the supermarket shopping trip through 16 countries all the way back to the Korean factory
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Security efforts win award for police
police in Cleveland can prove they practice what they preach after winning a top security award. The force has won a Secured by Design award for the high level of security designed into Loftus police station. The new station is a refurbished section of
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Cameras 'helping to stem violence'
THUGS who attack firefighters are being discouraged by surveillance cameras fitted to appliances. The number of reports by crews of violent incidents have fallen on Teesside after the fire brigade installed the equipment last month. Since then, firemen
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Dirty laundry is inspiration for workshops
ONE of North Yorkshire's attractions has been showing youngsters how to keep clean. The World of James Herriot Centre, in Thirsk, is holding a series of washday workshops showing youngsters how their clothes would have been kept clean back in the 1940s
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Police provide insight into their work
CLEVELAND Police are hosting a week-long visit from people who work with children in the Tees Valley and are hoping to gain an insight into policing. The eight teachers and careers advisors will receive information on the role of the police in child protection
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News in brief: Police pledge blitz on bikers
Police have vowed to crack down on errant bikers on North Tyneside after a large increase in the number of motorcycle disorder incidents in recent months. More than 80 incidents have been reported since April in areas including Battle Hill, the Rising
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Children take lead roles in silent mining film
CRIES of Lights! Cameras! Action! could be heard at a mining museum yesterday as children turned the place into a film set. Called The Accident, the silent film at an ironstone mining museum has been made by primary school children. The film depicts the
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Grassroots: Derwentside
GENTLE WALK: Acorn Amblers will be joined by Claire Longstaff for a three-mile walk along Chester-le-Street riverbank on Sunday, June 22. Participants are asked to meet outside Old Stanley fire station at 12.30pm. IRISH NIGHT: Declan Nearney will perform
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Man is cleared of raping boy, 14
A JURY has cleared a man of raping a 14-year-old boy after a four-day trial, which ended yesterday. They took less than an hour to find Paul Thomas, 19, not guilty after the boy alleged Mr Thomas spiked his Coca Cola drink with alcohol and attacked him
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Answering the call of the wild
I think I've been stuck in a time warp. I went away for one week's holiday (not far, just camping in Scotland) but when I returned, my garden had put on a month's worth of growth. I had made sure to cut the lawn the day before departure, and had left
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For Your Benefit: 'They owe you, so query it'
Q Between us my wife and I have State Pensions of £161.06 a week plus a works pension of £14.87 a month and savings of £8,000. My wife gets Attendance Allowance (AA) and our son lives with us, helping out with the rent of £54.20 and council tax of £21.74
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Johnston continues his Royal love affair
MARK JOHNSTON'S love affair with Royal Ascot began with Double Trigger's pulsating success in the 1995 Gold Cup, an unforgettable victory which has since led to a string of big-race wins for the unstoppable Middleham trainer at the world's most prestigious
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Driver killed as car clipped grass verge
AN elderly motorist died after losing control of his car when it clipped a grass verge on a country lane, an inquest has been told. Kenneth Robinson, 73, a retired refuse collector of Church Lane, Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire, died when his Rover
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Robert's king of Castle
NO sooner had Barnard Castle's Robert Dinwiddie helped consign Durham's miserable losing run to the rubbish bin he was switching his sights on ending another. Part of a US-based trio that returned last week to guide Durham to their first win in the EGU
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Sir becomes a Sir, as does Bond star Roger Moore
A north-East headteacher and a James Bond legend share equal honours today. Middlesbrough head John Rowling and Roger Moore both earn a knighthood. The suave actor who played the British master spy in the 1970s and 1980s, heads another glittering roll
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Dream of estate's revival is fulfilled
TWO champions of a Darlington estate told yesterday how their dream had been fulfilled as they laid the foundation stone for a £1.3m community centre. Councillor Roderick Francis and Bill Cook have worked tirelessly for more than four years to raise money
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Health chiefs refuse to rule out hospital closures
HEALTH officials last night refused to rule out the spectre of hospital closures as they began a wide-ranging review of services across Teesside. Health bosses say they are "not ruling anything out" in a drive for greater efficiency. The scale of the
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Now head will always be 'Sir'
A HEADTEACHER who is retiring this year will be Sir for the rest of his life. John Rowling, of Nunthorpe Secondary School, Middlesbrough, is receiving a knighthood for his services to the profession. He, has been teaching North-East youngsters for four
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Gang robs mail van
A ROYAL MAIL van was broken into and post stolen by a gang of three men yesterday. Police are appealing for information following the theft in Taylor Street, Consett. The van was forced open and a large quantity of registered post taken just before 8.30am
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Lanchester's Carlin back to boost leaders' Backworth bid
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside League. Leaders Lanchester welcome back Phil Carlin for a rare appearance in the home game against second-from-bottom Backworth. Carlin has been unavailable for much of the season and his inclusion will enhance Lanchester's
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School clean-up effort
A FAST-FOOD restaurant is continuing its links with a nearby primary school by organising a clean-up of the grounds. Staff from the McDonald's restaurant at Thinford, near Spennymoor, will be joining children to tidy-up Chilton Primary School on Monday
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Fun day for mums-to-be
PREGNANT women in Ferryhill and Chilton are being invited to take part in a fun and information day next week. The Pregnancy Fair has been organised by the Ferryhill and Chilton Sure Start initiative. It will take place in the Millennium Suite at Ferryhill
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Attack: man held
DETECTIVES were last night questioning a man on suspicion of attacking a father who has been left with severe head injuries. Mark Connorton, 37, of Marske, is in a critical condition in Middlesbrough General Hospital and has been unconscious since he
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Labourer killed by pan fire, inquest told
A CHIP fat fire killed a former factory labourer days before Christmas, an inquest heard yesterday. Brian Quinn, 27, was found dead from smoke inhalation in the soot-covered lounge of his first floor flat at The Oval, West Cornforth, County Durham, on
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Toddlers go on the march for charity
TODDLERS at a Sedgefield nursery strode out to raise money for charity. About 25 children from the Cherry Tree Nursery took part in the annual Foresters Big Toddle for Barnardo's yesterday. The youngsters, all aged under four, were joined by staff and
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News in brief: Restaurant boss assaulted
A RESTAURANT manager has been assaulted by a man who stole cash left by a customer. In the incident, at 10.30pm on Thursday, the manager chased a man and woman from Lewis's, in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, but when he caught the woman, the man ran back
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North's awards
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE CBE: The Right Reverend Anthony Michael Arnold Turnbull. Lately Bishop of Durham and formerly Bishop of Rochester. For services to the Governance of the Church of England and to Regional Affairs. (Sandwich, Kent) OBE: Anne
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Man's ride on child's bike led to porn find
A MAN jailed yesterday for downloading child pornography from the Internet came to police attention after asking a boy for a ride on the back of his bike. Andrew Elsdon, 39, offered the boy £1 for "a backer" between two pubs on the outskirts of Durham
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Northumberland
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE CBE: John Crispian Strachan, QPM, DL. Chief Constable, Northumbria Police. For services to the Police. (Northumberland) OBE: Thomas Walker Sale. For services to the community in Alnwick, Northumberland. (Alnwick) MBE: William
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Children to get a healthy start
A NEW healthy eating policy was launched yesterday to help children in north Durham receive the diet they need. Meal-times in some households can be a battlefield for many parents of small children. But health bosses hope some of the confusion surrounding
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Turning green has health bonus
WORKERS across the region "legged it" to work as part of a drive to persuade people to leave their cars at home. Leg It Day began at a brisk pace at Peterlee's Bracken Hill estate as employees from businesses left their cars and walked or cycled to work
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Testing lunchtime for staff
STAFF are having health checks during lunch breaks as part of a national promotion. To mark National Heart Week this week, LE Group's call centre at Doxford Park in Sunderland invited health professionals and fitness experts to monitor employees. During
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News in brief: Police pledge blitz on bikers
Police have vowed to crack down on errant bikers on North Tyneside after a large increase in the number of motorcycle disorder incidents in recent months. More than 80 incidents have been reported since April in areas including Battle Hill, the Rising
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School pupils building links with Africa
THEY are scenes which seem as far away from Darlington as it is possible to get. Yet the children in this Malawi village have a lot to thank their counterparts at Harrowgate Hill Junior School for. Over the past three years, the school has sponsored two
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Heart service award bid
A PIONEERING heart service has been shortlisted for a national award for helping Darlington angina sufferers enjoy life to the full. The success of the service, run by Darlington Primary Care Trust, was announced during National Heart Week. The trust
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Petition plea for recycling service
A MAN is starting a petition to save the business he claims Darlington Borough Council has run into the ground. Michael Grey, of Treesavers, has run a kerbside recycling initiative in the Darlington area for eight years, employing 11 people. But the borough
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Breaking up Close companions
THE 'for sale' signs are going up outside the houses in Brookside Close now that Channel 4 has confirmed the Liverpool-set soap will end after 21 years in November. The axing won't just leave a gap in the schedules, but put dozens of actors out of work
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Phili look to keep run going
Foster's ECB North-East Regional Premier League. Philadelphia captain Andrew Roseberry is hoping his side can build on last week's unexpected success over Chester-le-Street. Until then, Phili had managed just one victory and were in danger of being sucked
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Actress Melanie gets a bird's eye view of children's work
FORMER Bread actress Melanie Hill came back to her home town for a bird's eye view of children's artwork yesterday. The celebrity, who starred in The Bill and the BBC show, Playing the Field, helped launch Feathered Imaginings Project, an exhibition at
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Newsletter being set up by council
FERRYHILL Town Council is to produce a newsletter four times a year for local people. The council is hoping to demonstrate it is communicating effectively and actively engaging with the community to help it qualify for quality status. Projects assistant
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Show back by popular demand
A PERFORMANCE of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate's Townswomen's Guild Operatic Society's production of The Mikado is back by popular demand. Hutton Rudby Choral and Dramatic Society are doing two further performances of the play. These will take place
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Current plan for fish shelter
IMPROVEMENTS to the River Foss will improve the habitat for fish to spawn. Large wooden boards, or groynes, are being installed at Strensall, north of York, to create currents and provide a shelter for fish. The introduction of spawning gravels and the
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Rising costs delay flyover
A SCHEME to prevent accidents at one of North Yorkshire's worst blackspots has been delayed because of soaring costs. The Highways Agency had planned to start construction of a flyover on the A64 at Bilbrough Top, between York and Tadcaster, later this
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Village regains its paradise from industrial waste tip
A REVIVING village community has reclaimed the Paradise it lost to industry more than a century ago. Environmental campaigner Dr David Bellamy joined the people of Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, yesterday to celebrate the fulfilment of a 15-year-dream
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Letter of sympathy for man in pub brawl
A DRINKER who kicked a man unconscious during a pub brawl walked free from court yesterday. Because Omar Ames' victim sent a letter to the judge saying he had started the trouble and did not want his attacker punished, the 25-year-old received a suspended
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News in brief: Oliver given a new home
Unwanted Samoyed dog Oliver, who was featured in The Northern Echo last month, has found a new home. The nine-year-old dog was taken in by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Darlington, after his owners could no longer care for him. The
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Drive to get village Internet link-up
A CAMPAIGN has started to enable faster and more efficient Internet connections in Sedgefield village. Borough and town councillor John Robinson is so concerned at the disadvantages suffered by village businesses who are unable to get broadband Internet
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North's awards
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE CBE: Gordon Matthew Sumner (Sting), Singer and songwriter, services to the music industry. (Wiltshire. Born Tyne and Wear) OBE: Professor Philip David Lowe. Professor of Rural Economy and founder of the Centre for Rural Economy
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Peng-ball wizard helps Durham to historic win
AFTER the banquet came the fast food, and Durham were so quick that the 4,200 spectators had hardly a moment to savour the tastiest of last night's Riverside morsels A visitor from another planet would be totally perplexed by the week's events at Chester-le-Street
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Geremi's still Boro bound?
AGENTS acting for Geremi last night launched a desperate attempt to rescue his proposed move to Middlesbrough. Riverside boss Steve McClaren has warned he will turn his attention elsewhere for a right-sided midfielder if Real Madrid refuse to lower their
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Spotlight on gipsy music festival
A TWO-WEEK festival celebrating gipsy culture opens in the North-East today. Gipsy artists from across Europe have travelled to entertain in the Newcastle-Gateshead Gypsy Festival, which features theatre, music, dance, film and photography. Among those
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Illegal burning prompts warning
AN increasing number of illegal fires in a town has prompted a stern warning to companies across the county from the Environment Agency. It has found that a small number of businesses have been flouting environmental regulations by burning commercial
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Grassland will not Stray from pink
Harrogate's tradition of cherry blossom trees turning avenues pink across the Stray in spring has been saved following a public outcry. Residents had feared that 50-year-old cherry trees would be replaced by a different species to give a "golden" look
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Man's arm was broken by thief
A MAN who tackled two thieves breaking into his car was left with his arm broken in two places, a court was told yesterday. The attack left Maxwell Sneddon in hospital for several days and with two metal plates in his left arm. His mother had to go into
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'Business should have more influence on quangos'
A BUSINESS organisation is calling for the private sector to be given more influence over public bodies. The North-East Chamber of Commerce is asking the region's quangos to review their purpose and strategy following a survey of business leaders appointed
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Supermum Marie wins son's praise
DANIEL Readshaw had no doubt who to vote for when it came to a competition to find the country's number one mother. For the youngster - who has seen his mum Marie forced to deal with the tragic death of his 13-year-old sister - knew how richly she deserved
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Hylton provide stern test for Murton
Durham Coast League: Murton face a massive test against table-topping Hylton as they bid to bounce back from last week's shock defeat. Hylton have a one-point lead over Murton, who were toppled from pole position last weekend and although the season is
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High-flying Guisborough wait on Towse decision
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League. THREE successive wins have moved Guisborough into second, but it is not all good news at Fountains Garth. They anxiously await a fitness report on captain and professional David Towse ahead of their game
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News in brief: Police pledge blitz on bikers
Police have vowed to crack down on errant bikers on North Tyneside after a large increase in the number of motorcycle disorder incidents in recent months. More than 80 incidents have been reported since April in areas including Battle Hill, the Rising
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Leaders Tudhoe look to make it count
Readers Durham County League: The double programme affords Tudhoe the opportunity to extend their lead over Evenwood at the top of the table. Evenwood play only once and Esh Winning, Willington and Ushaw Moor will also aim to take advantage and further
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£40m 'cultural quarter' scheme unveiled
Academics have unveiled plans for a £40m super museum in the region. Newcastle University and several partners aim to create a cultural quarter in the north end of Newcastle to balance the attractions of the Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides. Regional
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Laughing off the rumours
Plain MP Alan Milburn arrived home in the North-East yesterday saying he expected gossip about why he had stepped down as Health Secretary. "The rumours will go on and there is nothing I can do about it," he said as he posed for photographers with his
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Tories sweep to victory in by-election
TORIES have been celebrating after sweeping to victory in the North Tyneside mayoral by-election. Borough councillor Linda Arkley won on a 4.5 per cent swing - as much as can be calculated in such a contest - compared to May last year. The 51-year-old
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Pupils enjoy world tour of music and dance
A WORLD of music came to a small North-East primary school. Asian dancers, African drummers, a samba band and singers of French songs all beat a path to Cromwell Road Primary School on South Bank in Middlesbrough. The event was organised by the school
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Art of football
IF you want to find a classic example of an unmade bed, then most parents don't have to look much further than the nearest child's bedroom. Imagine (BBC1, Wednesday) brought us scenes of artist (although many wouldn't use the title) Tracey Emin arranging
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Perhaps we're all missing the point
ALAN Milburn's decision to give up his £71,433 Cabinet minister's salary to spend more time with his family had yesterday's newspapers covered in confusion. "Blair is rocked by great Milburn mystery," shouted the Daily Mail. Mr Blair, who struggles with
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Ruth pulls out of N-E theatre date
HI-DI-HI star Ruth Madoc has been forced to pull out of a show in the North-East because of ill health. West End actress Samantha Hughes will take over the lead female role in Sailor, Beware! at Darlington Civic Theatre after a doctor advised Ms Madoc
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£2.4m to strengthen bridges
WORK to strengthen four bridges on major routes through the region is to be carried out at a cost of £2.4 m. The Highways Agency has announced that the improvement scheme will begin in County Durham on Monday. The four bridges are Barton North, Barton
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...as task force meets to plot a way forward for Corus
THE task force set up in the wake of massive job losses at Corus Teesside two years ago has met to discuss the plant's future. The group intends to draw up a business plan for the survival of steelmaking on Teesside. It also wants to examine a diversification
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In The Picture: Breaking up Close companions
THE 'for sale' signs are going up outside the houses in Brookside Close now that Channel 4 has confirmed the Liverpool-set soap will end after 21 years in November. The axing won't just leave a gap in the schedules, but put dozens of actors out of work
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Jail for man who smuggled drugs
AN unemployed Darlington man has been jailed for seven years for trying to import more than £250,000 of drugs into Britain. John Edward Harrison, 22, claimed he did not know how the cocaine and Ecstasy ended up in the fuel tank of his hatchback car. But
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Driving back the years
VETERANS from a bygone era of motoring are being fine tuned as they prepare for an annual trail round mainly rural roads of the North-East tomorrow. A total of 115 lovingly preserved elder statesmen of the roads, all at least 50-years-old, are expected
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Brass band recaptures former glory
A FORMER colliery band is making a big noise again in the world of brass after a completing a revival in recent years. The BHK (UK) Ltd Horden Band, from east Durham, is celebrating winning promotion to championship level, the highest grade in brass circles
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£50,000 boost for hi-tech school
CUTTING edge technology has taken pride of place in a classroom. Design and technology lessons at Easington Community School have taken a leap forward, with the installation of about £50,000 worth of equipment to help pupils study the subject. The comprehensive
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Nursery rhyme garden to open
HOSPICE mascot Lenny Bear has been helping Sheila Markwick prepare her garden for the public. Among the attractions in her nursery rhyme garden, in Albion Avenue, Acomb, York, is a teddy bears' picnic, Humpty Dumpty, and Alice in Wonderland figures. Next
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North's awards
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE CBE: Gordon Matthew Sumner (Sting), Singer and songwriter, services to the music industry. (Wiltshire. Born Tyne and Wear) OBE: Professor Philip David Lowe. Professor of Rural Economy and founder of the Centre for Rural Economy
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News in brief: Classic cars in parade at fair
More than 100 trade stands have already booked into this year's Wykeham Country Fair, which is being held near Scarborough on July 19 and 20. A few limited pitches are still available in the shopping village. More than 70 vintage and classic vehicles
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Golfers on course for finals in Portugal
FOUR golfers are on their way to Portugal next week, after winning a regional tournament. The quartet, from the Consett area in County Durham, are representing the Miners Arms, Blackhill, in the Golfing Pub of the Year tournament. They will compete against
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Action urged to cut rising death rate on busy road
COUNCILLORS and a coroner have called for urgent action to be taken to improve one of the North's busiest roads which also has a high accident rate. Murray Naylor, deputy leader of North Yorkshire County Council said public worries over safety and inadequacy
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Queen's list honours the region's finest
POLICE chiefs, a lifeboatman and a civil servant are among those from the North-East to be named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Crispian Strachan, 52, Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, has been awarded a CBE for his work fighting crime in
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Fury as thief wins right to sue Martin
A court decision which will see farmer Tony Martin sued by the burglar he shot and injured was last night condemned as outrageous. Career criminal Brendon Fearon, 33, won the right to sue Martin for a reported £15,000 damages for wounds he received during
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Opening door to sound of art
A MAJOR piece of public art is to be unveiled on Monday. Called Threshold, it will look like a giant mirror-finished stainless steel door frame. The sculpture is interactive and will respond to the people who walk through the doorway every day on their
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Child sex offender has jail term cut
A 54-YEAR-OLD man with a history of alcohol problems yesterday won a cut in his jail term for indecently assaulting two young girls. David Paul Vetters, of Coggan Close, South Bank, York, was jailed for five years at York Crown Court last August after
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Ten years of not knowing what happened to my sister
It is ten years since North-East mother Laura May Al Shatanawi was murdered by her cheating husband. Hassan Shatanawi killed the trainee travel agent in an allotment shed and hid the body, which, to this day, has never been found. Neil Hunter reports.
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Pool hero urges Hodcroft to aim for First Division
JOE Allon believes Hartlepool United chairman Ken Hodcroft has the ideal role models to follow. Hodcroft is currently sifting through the applicants in choosing who takes over from Mike Newell as Pool boss. Newell was axed a fortnight ago and Hodcroft
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Jail term suspended because of suffering
A BUSINESSMAN who turned benefit cheat avoided a jail sentence yesterday because of the torture he suffered as a hostage 20 years ago. John Smith, 56, was captured by rebels in Suriname, Syria, while running a timber and fisheries firm in the early 1980s
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14/06/03
HEALTH SERVICE: THERE is a difference between telling people how to run their lives and firmly advising them that they are causing much of their own ill health by their lifestyle, especially where smoking, drinking, drugs and obesity are concerned. There
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Comment: Out-dated and insulting
THE Queen's Birthday is marked with a long list of honours for the great and the good. It is commendable that there is recognition for ordinary people, like Nunthorpe headteacher John Rowling, who have achieved extra-ordinary - and often unsung - things
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Police hunt for rapist
DETECTIVES have released an e-fit of a man they are hunting for the rape of a woman who was attacked as she made her way home from a night out in Newcastle. The attacker struck after the 21-year-old got out of a taxi and started walking towards a housing
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Drive to raise charity cash
The largest ever gathering of Subaru Impreza owners comes to Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, tomorrow. A convoy of about 500 of the high-performance cars will descend on the theme park for a series of activities in the "Northern Big One
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Cot death tragedy
A BABY boy has died following an accident in his cot. Shane Bland, aged six months, is believed to have become trapped between the mattress and the bars of his cot. Shane was discovered unconscious by his parents at their home in Byker, Newcastle. He
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Car chase brothers sentenced
Two brothers who led police on high speed car chases were sentenced yesterday to do hard work for the community. Christopher Dowson, 19, and his brother John, 23, ignored police sirens as they raced through town centre streets at over 60mph, said Martina
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Spotlight on gipsy music festival
A TWO-WEEK festival celebrating gipsy culture opens in the North-East today. Gipsy artists from across Europe have travelled to entertain in the Newcastle-Gateshead Gypsy Festival, which features theatre, music, dance, film and photography. Among those
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Man guilty of sexual assault on teenager
A TEENAGER who went to sleep on a sofa woke in the early hours to find that someone had sexually assaulted her, a court was told yesterday. The 15-year-old babysitter's clothes had been disturbed, said Ian Skelt, prosecuting. Police traced other people
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Exhibition's last day
Tomorrow is the last chance to visit a popular exhibition. The CentreStage exhibition, at Hartlepool Art Gallery, in Church Square, explores the development of theatre, using costumes, props, memorabilia and special effects. Entry is free and there are
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In My View: Art of football
IF you want to find a classic example of an unmade bed, then most parents don't have to look much further than the nearest child's bedroom. Imagine (BBC1, Wednesday) brought us scenes of artist (although many wouldn't use the title) Tracey Emin arranging
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Excavations yield more of town's Roman origins
MORE evidence of Hartlepool's Roman past has been uncovered at a dig in the town. The remains of a Roman building have been unearthed during a dig by Tees Archaeology at the Summerhill site, off Catcote Road. Phil Abramson, site supervisor, said: "We
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Gang robs mail van
A ROYAL MAIL van was broken into and post stolen by a gang of three men yesterday. Police are appealing for information following the theft in Taylor Street, Consett. The van was forced open and a large quantity of registered post taken just before 8.30am
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International debut for schools' orchestra
A GROUP of talented musicians from schools in Ferryhill are preparing for a trip to France. The trip represents a huge step forward for Ferryhill Comprehensive School's music department since its revival in 1999 with the arrival of music teacher John
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Auction aims to make dream come true
PUPILS at a Hartlepool school are auctioning football memorabilia to help raise money for a classmate suffering from a degenerative eye disease. The 15-year-old pupil of St Hild's C of E School, who is not being named, suffers from retinitis pigmentosa
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Ear plugs bring children's groups a charity bonus
A PILE of more than 1,700 used ear plugs has resulted in cash donations to three North-East hearing support organisations. Employees from seven companies with operations in the Tees Valley have been saving the ear plugs to raise money for deaf and hearing
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Children take lead roles in silent mining film
CRIES of Lights! Cameras! Action! could be heard at a mining museum yesterday as children turned the place into a film set. Called The Accident, the silent film at an ironstone mining museum has been made by primary school children. The film depicts the
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Thief dislocates pensioner's finger
A 71-YEAR-old widow's finger was dislocated by a thief who snatched her handbag. Lillian Young, of Bishopsgarth, Stockton, said she was approached by a man on a bicycle who grabbed her handbag from behind. Describing the attack as "out of the blue", Mrs
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School jumps to follow inspectors' ideas for improvements
AN action plan is being implemented at a Teesside school following a Government inspection. Teachers have welcomed the Government Ofsted inspection report at The Lakes Primary School in Redcar which praises the school's "family atmosphere". The inspectors
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Cyclist killed raising money in baby's name
A CHARITY cyclist has been killed in a tragic accident while trying to raise funds for the hospital service that saved his daughter's life. Ian Abberley, 40, was part of a five-strong team that was cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats in aid of the
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Daredevil appeal for charity
PEOPLE who fancy abseiling, parachuting or other daredevil stunts to raise money for charity are being sought out. Linda McDonough is the new fundraising manager for the Chester-le-Street and Durham branch of Marie Curie Cancer Care and wants anyone with
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householders urged to get recycling habit
HOUSEHOLDERS are being asked to sort out their waste for special collections as part of a recycling scheme spreading across a county. Kerb-side collections of special containers filled with waste paper, glass and cans are made on alternate weeks on normal
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14-year-old convicted of school fire attack
A BOY believed to be the youngest in the region to be forced to wear an electronic tag was convicted of causing £60,000 worth of damage to a school yesterday. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a two-year supervision order
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County by-election
THE race is on to replace a shamed councillor who was forced out after failing to attend meetings. Durham County councillor Keith Murray-Hetherington, the Labour member for Stanley, was ousted in May, after he did not turn up for a single meeting in six
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Diamond celebration
CHILDHOOD sweethearts Walter and Annie Piper have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. The couple, who live in Darlington, have enjoyed 60 years of wedded bliss since they were childhood sweethearts. Mr Piper, 88, and his wife, 81, were born
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Books signing
HISTORIAN Richard Almond will sign copies of his book Medieval Hunting at the weekend. Mr Almond, a senior lecturer at Darlington College of Technology, will be joined at The Crown pub, in Manfield, at 5pm on Sunday, by members of the Zetland Hunt. The
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Books signing
HISTORIAN Richard Almond will sign copies of his book Medieval Hunting at the weekend. Mr Almond, a senior lecturer at Darlington College of Technology, will be joined at The Crown pub, in Manfield, at 5pm on Sunday, by members of the Zetland Hunt. The
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Newsletter being set up by council
FERRYHILL Town Council is to produce a newsletter four times a year for local people. The council is hoping to demonstrate it is communicating effectively and actively engaging with the community to help it qualify for quality status. Projects assistant
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News in brief: Oliver given a new home
Unwanted Samoyed dog Oliver, who was featured in The Northern Echo last month, has found a new home. The nine-year-old dog was taken in by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Darlington, after his owners could no longer care for him. The
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Tories sweep to victory in by-election
TORIES have been celebrating after sweeping to victory in the North Tyneside mayoral by-election. Borough councillor Linda Arkley won on a 4.5 per cent swing - as much as can be calculated in such a contest - compared to May last year. The 51-year-old
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Actress Melanie gets a bird's eye view of children's work
FORMER Bread actress Melanie Hill came back to her home town for a bird's eye view of children's artwork yesterday. The celebrity, who starred in The Bill and the BBC show, Playing the Field, helped launch Feathered Imaginings Project, an exhibition at
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Police 'shop thugs' plea
POLICE are urging people to "shop" the vandals in an effort to stop persistent anti-social behaviour in the market town of Pickering. In one recent incident, youths carved graffiti into a wooden table in Riverside Walk, causing £200 damage. Community
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Book on town's history goes into print after an 80-year delay
AFTER more than 80 years, a book about Darlington's history was formally published on Thursday night. The book is the result of research carried out by the Victoria County History, a project started in 1899 and dedicated to the Queen. In the North-East
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Book on town's history goes into print after an 80-year delay
AFTER more than 80 years, a book about Darlington's history was formally published on Thursday night. The book is the result of research carried out by the Victoria County History, a project started in 1899 and dedicated to the Queen. In the North-East
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Drive to get village Internet link-up
A CAMPAIGN has started to enable faster and more efficient Internet connections in Sedgefield village. Borough and town councillor John Robinson is so concerned at the disadvantages suffered by village businesses who are unable to get broadband Internet
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England match policing 'the best'
TACTICS employed by a North-East police force to ensure there was no violence at Wednesday's England match could become a blueprint for forces across the country. A huge presence of more than 500 Cleveland Police officers meant the atmosphere remained
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Cot death tragedy
A BABY boy has died following an accident in his cot. Shane Bland, aged six months, is believed to have become trapped between the mattress and the bars of his cot. Shane was discovered unconscious by his parents at their home in Byker, Newcastle. He
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Carers celebrate symbol of success
A CARERS centre granted the Disability Symbol was presented with the award yesterday. Staff at the Hambleton and Richmondshire Carers Centre chose to mark the occasion during Carers Week, with a coffee morning in their new premises in Northallerton's
