Archive
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Strugglers make life hard for Castle Eden
Durham Coast League: When top met bottom, it was Castle Eden who prevailed to maintain their slender lead but Houghton produced another encouraging performance. Gary Robinson (43) and Craig Dowell with 33 ensured that the home side would face a reasonable
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Nickleby star Charlie's family reunion
HEART-THROB Charlie Hunnam reckons his acting career is being blighted - because he looks too much like Brad Pitt. The North-East star, whose new movie, Nicholas Nickleby, premiered last night, is compared to the Hollywood hunk wherever he goes. It even
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21/06/03
CRIMINAL JUSTICE: THE woefully inadequate legal system in our country is once again in the headlines. A frightened, sad old man, Tony Martin, is robbed by two persistent offenders then jailed when he reacts in, many would say, an understandable way. To
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Playing doctors and nurses
As BBC1's Casualty hits its 400th episode, Steve Pratt revisits some of the nation's favourite TV hospitals Blame it on Tessa Diamond, the TV continuity writer who suggested "something about doctors and nurses" to fill the empty 7.30pm slot on ITV back
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Gang sets youth on fire
A TEENAGER was set alight by a gang of youths in Sacriston on Wednesday. The 17-year-old had come out of his home in Highfield at about 1.15pm when four youths punched him, kicked him and, as he lay on the ground, poured a liquid over him. They then set
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Weekend treats at racecourse
A GIANT screen will beam live action from Royal Ascot to punters at a two-day meeting at Redcar Racecourse today and tomorrow. Ascot will be shown on the giant Tote screen opposite the main stands as the Redcar horse-racing action continues on the flats
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Lintz's title hopes blown away by impressive Tynedale
Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Tynedale moved into third position - their highest rating so far - and dented the title aspirations of Lintz when they easily defeated their rivals. Although Tim Adcock opened with 46, it was a number of smaller
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Crack in road halts traffic
A busy dual carriageway was brought to a halt when a huge crack appeared across the road. The chasm, which is 2ft wide and 10ft deep, split Sunderland from the neighbouring town of Houghton-le-Spring. Experts believe it may be due old mine workings opening
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Dying war veteran who was shuttled between hospitals
HEALTH chiefs have apologised after a terminally ill cancer patient was shuttled between two hospitals against his family's wishes. They have also apologised for failing to ensure that 86-year old war veteran Herbert Allison had adequate pain control.
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Council denies barring its critic
A COUNCIL has denied allegations it has excluded its fiercest critic from applying to join its own standards committee. Bernard Borman, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire, has led a one-man crusade against a number of top executives on Richmondshire District
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MPs to hear of shake-up
Durham County Council leader Ken Manton is to lead a delegation to Westminster on Monday to explain its controversial education shake-up. The meeting will give the education authority a chance to brief the county's MPs and representatives in the House
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Soldiers' special windows
AN Army regiment has reinforced its ties with a ruined church by launching a £6,500 stained glass window appeal. The now-obsolete Durham Light Infantry (DLI) began the appeal to raise money for two stained glass windows at St Brandon's Church, Brancepeth
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Stockton Waite goes on
Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League. Richard Waite produced a five-star performance but could not prevent Stockton from falling further behind in the race for the championship when they went down to leaders South Northumberland. Nearly half
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Clock ticking away fast as big walk day looms
IN just three weeks, the tranquil Weardale countryside will be bustling with thousands of people taking part in the Great North Walk. Walking groups, families, friends and colleagues are signing up in their droves to take part in the ten-mile trek, to
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Race heats up as Tudhoe are toppled
The Readers Durham County League: Evenwood threw the race for the championship wide open when they defeated leaders Tudhoe and on-song Willington also won. The trio have identical playing records but Tudhoe have a two point advantage over Willington having
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Anti-clotting drug hailed by expert
AN expert in the region has welcomed the first of a new type of anti-clotting drug, which could help save lives. Dr Patrick Kesteven, a consultant haematologist at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, said the licensing of Arixtra meant UK surgeons had a new
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Man accused of murder
A man appeared in court charged with the murder of a 37-year-old father. Andrew Evans, 40, of Mona Drive, Douglas, Isle of Man, was remanded on bail to appear before Teesside Crown Court on July 22. Conditions of the bail, imposed when he appeared at
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Strike up the band for prom at priory
A shower of silver and gold fireworks will illuminate the ruins of Gisborough Priory next Saturday, at the end of the annual Priory Prom. The spectacular event will provide the finale to a day of entertainment in the priory grounds in Guisborough, Cleveland's
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Family wins appeal over nursery place
THE family of a boy with special needs who was facing a 12-mile taxi ride to nursery every day is celebrating after council officials agreed he can go to his village school. Three-year-old Isaac Cain, of Lanchester, near Consett, has been diagnosed with
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Mugger jailed for five years
A ROBBER has been jailed for five years for mugging an elderly relative of her handbag containing her life savings. Phil Gascoigne, 26, targeted the 67-year-old as she walked down her garden path, returning from a bingo session in her home village of
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Ex-miner elected president of biggest union
A FORMER North-East coal miner is the new president of the country's largest union. Dave Anderson, 49, said he will use his year in office as head of Unison to campaign against racism and the privatisation of public services. Mr Anderson, who has also
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Kickboxer bids for title glory
A RISING kickboxing star is preparing for the fight of his life - a shot at a national title. Wesley Paul Fagan, 21, of Dipton, near Consett, takes on Michael Johnson of Sunderland on Wednesday, June 25. The victor will be crowned the European Kickboxing
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Road is closed by suspect red liquid
A SUSPICIOUS leak near the site of a former chemical works caused chaos for drivers at the weekend. The fire brigade were called to Faverdale, in Darlington, on Saturday lunchtime after reports of a red liquid coming out of a manhole cover and running
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Cricket club will host a favourite radio show
ONE of radio's hardy perennials will be in Chester-le-Street next week. BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time will be recorded from Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside Stadium on Monday. The show first took to the airwaves in 1947 and is one of the
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Dr Hope confronts critics of Minster charge
THE Archbishop of York will today answer critics who are objecting to plans to charge visitors to the city's historic Minster. Dr David Hope, one of the most powerful figures in the Church of England, has called a news conference to explain how the attraction
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Durham Diary
DURHAM, as feared, are not well-equipped for Twenty20 cricket. Batting-wise, the competition is being dominated by Australians and left-handers, and Durham reflect that with Martin Love scoring 51 in his one innings and Ashley Thorpe averaging 31 from
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23/06/03
ROTHMANS: WHAT is it about the people of the North-East? Year after year we are subjected to job losses as our manufacturing base is eroded due to the lack of care and understanding of politicians, who for the most part have no concept of how wealth is
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Raining dogs and dogs - but not enough to halt record 'walkies'
A teacher was celebrating last night after he organised the world's biggest dog walk - which went ahead despite a thunderstorm. A total of 4,372 pets and their owners took part in the Great North Dog Walk in South Shields, South Tyneside, raising thousands
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MPs to hear of shake-up
Durham County Council leader Ken Manton is to lead a delegation to Westminster on Monday to explain its controversial education shake-up. The meeting will give the education authority a chance to brief the county's MPs and representatives in the House
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Voluntary group moves
A VOLUNTARY group offering support to Darlington residents has moved offices. Darlington Residents' Panel has opened in Church Row, in the Council for Voluntary Service building. The panel was formed in 1994 to act as a go-between for Darlington Borough
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Archery success for Cub Scout
A Cub Scout who first picked up a bow and arrow when he was six has won the County Durham Cub Scouts archery final at Moor House, Durham. Marcus Lee, nine, of Alwyn Road, Darlington, is a member of the 9th Darlington Cub Scouts. He scored 203 out of a
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Police checks cost rise 'will affect care'
STRUGGLING care homes in Darlington are facing a new financial pressure, according to a health care agency. Some homes face closure because of disagreements over the level of contributions from the local authority and costly improvements they were forced
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Fire chiefs issue advice on keeping children safe
FIRE chiefs are calling on people to take simple steps to prevent death or serious injury to children. The County Durham and Darlington brigade is backing Child Safety Week, which starts today. The aim is to reduce the annual toll of 50 deaths of children
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Warnings issued over data protection register fraud
TRADING standards officers are warning companies about a fraud that tricks them into paying for services they do not need. In recent weeks a number of businesses in Darlington have received official-looking letters ordering them to pay £95 to register
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Post office branch to close next month
THE Post Office has confirmed it will close a Durham branch next month. The company said the office at Fieldhouse Lane will shut as part of a shake-up "designed to safeguard the future" of branches in the city. The closure is part of a national programme
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Great escape prison pair's charity dash
PRISON workers Vikki Royal and Patsy Hopkins made a dash for freedom - and ended up half way across Europe. The pair, administrative managers at Durham City's Low Newton Prison, turned fugitives at the weekend to raise money for the charity ChildLine
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State of city debated
THE Liberal Democrat leadership of Durham City Council is holding a "state of the city" debate tonight. The event, in the Town Hall, Market Place, at 5.30pm, is open to the public and is part of a drive for greater openness at the council. The council's
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Walkers step out to raise memorial cash
MORE than 400 walkers gathered to raise money for a school garden in memory of a teenager. Pupils and staff at Wolsingham School and Community College have set aside a plot near their sixth form block as a memorial to Suzie Preen. The 18-year-old, from
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Green life on show at fun day
THE latest computer technology showed people the way to a greener life yesterday. A virtual village was one of the attractions at a free fun day held at the Riverside Park, in Chester-le-Street. It featured interactive displays that demonstrated the latest
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Derelict shop bought
AN empty shop which used to sell telephones is being opened after years of dereliction. The town centre eyesore, in Wellington Street, Stockton, has been bought by the company which owns the shopping centre next door. The Wellington Square Development
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Concerns on safety raised by residents
CONCERN has been raised by residents in a poorly lit road after a suspected burglar was challenged. Householders in Railway Terrace, Eaglescliffe, are demanding something is done to make them feel safer after the incident. The potholed road is not owned
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Broadband campaign launched
A CAMPAIGN committee has been set up to help get local residents and businesses connected to broadband. The launch of the Easingwold Broadband Campaign aims to take the town up to date with the Internet technology, following Richmond and Thirsk. Campaign
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Family and friends say farewell
TWO white horses drew the carriage bearing the coffin of 17-year-old Chris Cave to his final resting place. The white carriage - brought from Dublin at the wishes of his mother, Theresa - was in keeping with a funeral organised to celebrate his life.
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News in brief: Good attenders to be rewarded
YOUNGSTERS who have excellent school attendance records are to be rewarded by Stockton Borough Council at a celebration at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday, July 8. Certificates will be presented to children from Stockton and Thornaby
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Help at hand for carers seeking work balance
CARERS wanting to balance their role at home with paid employment are being given a helping hand. Carers' Resource, established 11 years ago, covers a large area of North Yorkshire where 20,000 carers are estimated to be saving the National Health Service
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Man accused of murder
A man appeared in court charged with the murder of a 37-year-old father. Andrew Evans, 40, of Mona Drive, Douglas, Isle of Man, was remanded on bail to appear before Teesside Crown Court on July 22. Conditions of the bail, imposed when he appeared at
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Witness plea after woman hurt in crash
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a crash that led to a woman being airlifted to hospital. The accident happened at about 2.15pm on Friday on the A182 in County Durham, where it passes under the A19 west of Easington Village. A green Toyota Camry
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News in brief: Mind awarded projects cash
Darlington Mind has won £76,662 from the National Lottery's Community Fund for a scheme to make education and training more accessible to people with mental health problems. The charity has also received funding from Durham University's charity committee
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Strike up the band for prom at priory
A shower of silver and gold fireworks will illuminate the ruins of Gisborough Priory next Saturday, at the end of the annual Priory Prom. The spectacular event will provide the finale to a day of entertainment in the priory grounds in Guisborough, Cleveland's
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Police checks cost rise 'will affect care'
STRUGGLING care homes in Darlington are facing a new financial pressure, according to a health care agency. Some homes face closure because of disagreements over the level of contributions from the local authority and costly improvements they were forced
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News in brief: Museum work due to start
WORK on building a £1m extension to Whitby Museum is to start in the next two months. The development, which is being funded by the National Lottery and Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society, will provide the museum - famed for its collection of artefacts
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Fish species return after 80-year gap
A SPECIES of fish has returned to the River Tees after an absence of more than 80 years. The Environment Agency said the discovery of sea lampreys proves the river now has excellent water quality. Five of the eel-like predators were found in the fish
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Acid spill as valve fails on tanker
FIREFIGHTERS wearing chemical suits tackled a spillage of hydrochloric acid at a building firm. The incident happened at Birtley Building Products, in Mary Avenue, Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, on Saturday. A tanker carrying 20,000 litres of the highly
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Walkers stride out to put map jigsaw pieces together
RAMBLERS set off on a series of walks yesterday to make sure that all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle slotted perfectly in place. It did not take too much mental work to solve the puzzle, but some walkers hiked 24 miles to ensure the jigsaw was complete
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Learning team earns praise of inspectors
INSPECTORS have given a council top marks for its adult and community learning service. The Adult Learning Inspectorate has given Gateshead Council a grade one for the service it provides for thousands of people each year. The service, which the Inspectorate
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Carers get chance to highlight their needs
YOUNG carers from the region are taking part in a national conference to highlight the problems they have looking after loved ones. Children from the Positive Future Project, in Hartlepool, North Tyneside Young Carers Project and Sunderland Carers Centre
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Robert lands his ideal job in music industry
A MUSIC-lover has landed his dream job at a recording studio. After leaving school, Robert Shaw, 17, from Moorside, Sunderland, was unsure what he wanted to do. He sought help from Access Training, which offers vocational learning, and it found him employment
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Pupils record a CD
PELTON Junior School choir has released a CD single with the help of a professional sound recordist. A temporary recording studio was set up in the school with the help of sound recordist Donald Wichman from Gateshead. It took two hours to record the
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Prayers after motorbiking vicar killed in horror crash
Prayers were offered at churches across the North-East yesterday for a clergyman biker who was killed in a road crash. The Reverend Ian Currie was returning home to Teesside from a conference in Derbyshire when the accident happened. Police said he lost
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'Smart pills' to be tested in region
EXPERTS claim to have created "smart pills" that make people more intelligent - and they are looking for guinea pigs to try them out. Academics at Newcastle University want people to test the tablets to see if they really do increase electrical activity
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Children go bananas for fruit
FRUIT good, sweets bad - that was was the lesson at one Loftus school this week. The 170 children at St Joseph's RC Primary School had a fun day learning all about fruit and vegetables. They joined nursery school children to take part in games, artwork
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Why we secretly love Big Brother
So Anouska has been evicted from the house and after just one week we have been drawn back into the world of Big Brother. With the self-confessed flirt shown the door it's hard to see what this series will have to offer with no obvious characters left
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Shock at tenant's conviction for drugs
A COUPLE have spoken of their shock at learning that one of their tenants was a drug dealer. Alfie Broadbent and his wife, Ann, run a 50-acre farm on the edge of Stockton, Teesside. They did not realise that while Mr Boadbent was out working in his fields
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Motorist dies after collision
A female motorist has died in hospital four days after being seriously injured in a collision with a lorry. Police today named the dead woman as 24-year-old Denae Mills, of Berwick Court, Trimdon Grange, County Durham. She was cut free from her damaged
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Middleham master looks to continue run
ROYAL Ascot week was an unbelievable one for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, who landed five wins at the Berkshire venue as well as five other victories at other meetings. And the bang in-form trainer can be back in the winner's enclosure at Musselburgh
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Seeking flower power
THE Chelsea Flower Show put the queue into kudos as thousands struggled to capture the same sights and sounds of the world's greatest profusion of plants that the BBC has beamed to the nation all week. The blue-blazered Hooray Henrys and decorous Henriettas
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Bogus callers hunted after desk rifled
POLICE are anxious to trace three men who tricked their way into a pensioner's home by claiming to be from a well-known national company. The men struck in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, at about 9.30pm to 10pm on Friday. The pensioner allowed them into
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All in the mind
THE main thing wrong with asking the question Are You Telepathic? (C5, Thursday) is the obvious response: You should know the answer already. Host Carol Vorderman wouldn't have liked what my wife was thinking. "She's lost all that weight and still got
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School library gets the thumbs up
IT MAY sound like something from a James Bond film but technology that recognises people from their thumbprints has been installed in a village school library. Sacriston Junior School, near Chester-le-Street, recently refurbished its library, throwing
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Teenage arsonists sob as they face lock-up
Two teenage arsonists who burnt down their former school sobbed as they were locked up for two years today. The 14-year-olds - who cannot be named for legal reasons - caused £356,000 worth of damage to Middleton St George Primary School, near Darlington
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Back under the spell of Harry
THEY were everywhere you looked - sitting on park benches in the sun, letting their tea go cold in cafes and their beer go warm in pubs, and missing their stops on buses and trains. The muggles of the North-East and North Yorkshire were under the spell
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Scarecrows help to draw gala crowds
DOZENS of scarecrows greeted hundreds of visitors to a village's fourth gala weekend. Villagers at Croft, near Darlington, had spent weeks preparing for the two-day annual event by making scarecrows to adorn their homes. Good weather helped attract large
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£1m conference boost
ONE of the country's leading unions will hold its annual gathering in the North-East for the first time. The GMB's 2005 Congress at the Newcastle Telewest Arena is expected to attract more than 1,000 people and boost the regional economy. Kevin Curran
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Archbishop in stitches over crafty skills
A LEADING clergyman opened an embroidery exhibition in the region over the weekend. The Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, played host to the It's A Stitch Up exhibition, at Bishopthorpe Palace, in York, which featured historic and traditional embroidery
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Plenty of horsepower at Great Aycliffe Show
FAMILIES and exhibitors turned out in force at the weekend to make this year's Great Aycliffe Show one of the best yet. Every corner of the showground, near the Oakleaf Leisure Centre, Newton Aycliffe, had something different to offer visitors of all
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Pictures issued of football fans who attacked police
Police have issued pictures of a number of drunken fans who attacked officers after this season's Sunderland-Newcastle derby match. The troublemakers threw missiles, including bottles and cans at police, some of whom were on horseback. The incident, after
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Akhtar signing sparks Plunkett into gear
WHO needs Shoaib Akhtar when you've got Liam Plunkett? The 18-year-old Teessider added to his burgeoning reputation with a hostile spell of fast bowling on his National League debut at Old Trafford yesterday, only for Durham to lose by three wickets.
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Wildlife walk aims to spot night flier
A WILDLIFE success story is being celebrated with two dusk walks through 4,000 acres of woodland. The Forestry Commission is staging the treks through Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham on two consecutive Fridays, June 27 and July
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Teenager gives school prize in tribute to murdered mum
A TEENAGER has dedicated a school prize to his mother who was murdered 13 years ago. Kevin Hogg was three when his mother, Julie Hogg, was killed, aged 22. The pizza delivery girl went missing from her Billingham home in 1989 and despite a police search
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Ton-up Hodge
A century from Leicestershire Foxes' Australian batsman Brad Hodge condemned Yorkshire Phoenix to their fifth consecutive National League defeat at Headingley yesterday and left them embedded at the foot of the Division One table. The defeat meant Yorkshire
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Weekend TV: Would you let your mum and dad pick your partner?
Meet My Folks (BBC1, Saturday) LOUISE Butler is a good-looking 19-year-old student and like most teenagers she can't get a boyfriend that her parents approve of. But instead of slamming her bedroom door, turning her stereo up and sulking, Louise made
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Tanks for a great day out as army barracks opens its gates
PARACHUTING displays, martial arts routines and performing bands all made for another successful open day at the largest Army base in Europe. Scores of people arrived at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, on Saturday, to join in the fun at the Army
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Theme bar will run late night buses
LATE night buses will take drinkers home from a new theme bar which opens in Durham city centre next month. The innovative scheme, backed by the police, is being introduced to coincide with the opening of the Walkabout, an Australian theme bar in the
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News in brief: Dogs needed to steal the show
A CALL has gone out for thespian canines to appear in a theatre group's production of the musical Annie. Felling Stage Society is performing the show at The Dryden Centre, in Gateshead, from Tuesday, October 28, to Saturday, November 1, and needs a well-behaved
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Threatened school wins award
A TINY school lined up for closure as part of a £300m shake-up of education has won a top award. Cassop Primary School, near Durham, was one of 11 from the North-East to be honoured at the regional Teaching Awards last week. The win was announced a week
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It's Sunday sunshine for leaders Seaton
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One. Seaton Carew maintained their lead at the top with a weekend double. After narrowly defeating Great Ayton on Saturday, they romped home by nine wickets in yesterday's game with Darlington.
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Students back protest
STUDENTS have set up a 'solidarity camp' on a threatened piece of common land, to support residents in their fight to stop a car park being built. Durham University Social Forum has pitched up tents on The Sands riverside area in Durham, nearly half of
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Players kept in the dark
CAPTAIN Micky Barron admits Hartlepool United's players are as much in the dark as anyone else when it comes to knowing who their next manager is. Mike Newell was axed three weeks ago and chairman Ken Hodcroft is choosing the man to lead Pool into pastures
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Police launch murder hunt
A MURDER inquiry was opened this week after the death of a man found unconscious in the street. Mark Connorton, 37, the divorced father of a nine-year-old boy, died in hospital after fighting for his life for more than a week. He had suffered severe head
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Comment: Royal security headaches
IN the end, it seems that the intruder at Prince William's 21st birthday party was a harmless prankster with nothing more on his mind than self-publicity. The point is, of course, that he could have had far more sinister motives and it is a cause of great
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Next stop Durham for the Rawalpindi Express
THE world's fastest bowler is heading for Chester-le-Street to play for Durham for the rest of the season. They have agreed terms with Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar, who became the first man to crack the 100mph barrier during last winter's World Cup. The man
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Detective urges child cruelty register after death of baby
A DETECTIVE is calling for a national register for people convicted of child cruelty after a father was jailed for abusing a daughter who later died. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Reddick, who led the investigation into the death of County Durham baby
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Vintage van daubed with racist slogans
PEACE protesters told of their disgust after vandals daubed racist slogans over their vintage van. Thea Khamis and Ben Byrne, who live in the Stanley area, are backing the international Boycott Israeli Goods campaign, in protest at Israel's treatment
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Archbishop backs decision to charge at Minster
The Archbishop of York today backed a decision to impose charges at the historic York Minster. Dr David Hope was speaking at a news conference about the financial management of the Minster, which has come in for heavy criticism in recent months. It has
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Boro's big chance to secure a new Foe for free
MIDDLESBROUGH have been told they can snap up Marc-Vivien Foe on a free transfer. Lyon midfielder Foe was watched by Boro's European scout Don Mackay in Cameroon's historic Confederations Cup victory over Brazil at the Stade de France last Thursday. Northern
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How gardens echo through the ages
I WONDER if any of the gardens that I have designed or had a hand in creating will still be around in 100 years from now. Will anyone say 'oh yes, that was one of Brigid's'? Do my signature curving borders have staying power, or will they be bulldozed
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Athletes meet plea to save ten-miler
RUNNERS rallied yesterday to save the annual Croxdale ten-mile road race - with both winners making a special plea to the event organisers not to erase the ten-miler from the North-East athletics calendar. Durham City Harriers, the organising club, had
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MPs to hear of shake-up
Durham County Council leader Ken Manton is to lead a delegation to Westminster on Monday to explain its controversial education shake-up. The meeting will give the education authority a chance to brief the county's MPs and representatives in the House
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News in brief: Officers hurt in car crash
TWO police constables were taken to hospital after the marked car they were travelling in crashed into a garden wall. The driver, a 28-year-old police constable stationed at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, was responding to an incident in nearby Seamer
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Yorkshire Diary
Yuvraj Singh, happy to have the sun on his back and relieved to be rid of the head cold which had made him feel below par during his first few weeks in England, has been Yorkshire's star performer in the Twenty20 Cup competition. If only more of his teammates
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Environmental fun day for all
A FUN look at greener ways of living will be demonstrated this weekend. A shanty town built by Durham University students and a virtual village displaying the latest green technology will be set up at the Riverside Stadium in Chester-le-Street on Sunday
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Playscheme appeals for volunteers
A PLAYSCHEME for disabled children, which was saved from closure last year, is seeking volunteers for its holiday scheme. Darlington Association on Disability runs playschemes for disabled childrenthrough its Darlington After School and Holiday (Dash)
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School marks new status
A VILLAGE school has unveiled a logo and a name change to celebrate its status as a specialist college. Hurworth Comprehensive School, near Darlington, gained specialist status in mathematics and computing earlier this year after a long fundraising campaign
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News in brief: Mind awarded projects cash
Darlington Mind has won £76,662 from the National Lottery's Community Fund for a scheme to make education and training more accessible to people with mental health problems. The charity has also received funding from Durham University's charity committee
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Would you let your mum and dad pick your partner?
Meet My Folks (BBC1, Saturday) LOUISE Butler is a good-looking 19-year-old student and like most teenagers she can't get a boyfriend that her parents approve of. But instead of slamming her bedroom door, turning her stereo up and sulking, Louise made
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Portrait of former mayor returns home
AN oil painting of a former mayor has been left to Darlington in his son's will. William George Loraine bequeathed the painting of his father, Robert Henry, who was mayor in the 1960s. The serving mayor, Councillor Ron Lewis met members of the Loraine
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Cambodia cycle for cash
TWO men are to cycle across Cambodia in November to raise cash for cancer relief. John Hanratty, from Marton, Middlesbrough, is cycling 600 kilometres from Sihanoukville to Angkor Wat, where Tomb Raider was filmed. with Terry Southeran. Their sponsored
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Carnival times raises community spirits
COMMUNITY spirit was overflowing in Willington at the weekend thanks to a two-day carnival. Throngs of people lined the streets to watch Willington Monarchs Jazz Band lead the parade through Colliery Road and High Street to a new venue. The band switched
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Spotlight on students' projects
STUDENTS from two of the county's schools will be presenting their community projects at the annual Barclays New Futures regional conference tomorrow. Pupils from Wensleydale School, Leyburn and Fulford School, York, will be among those attending the
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Children get to try out university
A SEARCH for future generations of university graduates has started in primary schools. The University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, is in the fifth year of its Meteor programme, in which university student mentors work with children in primary schools.
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£1m conference boost
ONE of the country's leading unions will hold its annual gathering in the North-East for the first time. The GMB's 2005 Congress at the Newcastle Telewest Arena is expected to attract more than 1,000 people and boost the regional economy. Kevin Curran
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Fire chiefs issue advice on keeping children safe
FIRE chiefs are calling on people to take simple steps to prevent death or serious injury to children. The County Durham and Darlington brigade is backing Child Safety Week, which starts today. The aim is to reduce the annual toll of 50 deaths of children
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Light shines on hygiene
ULTRA-violet equipment is the latest weapon for health inspectors trying to ensure food handlers wash their hands. The equipment has been bought by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council after a national survey revealed 39 per cent of catering staff do
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Warnings issued over data protection register fraud
TRADING standards officers are warning companies about a fraud that tricks them into paying for services they do not need. In recent weeks a number of businesses in Darlington have received official-looking letters ordering them to pay £95 to register
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Royal Hall survey findings due soon
DECISION day is looming for the 100-year-old Royal Hall in Harrogate. Closed after a ceiling collapse, the building has been the focus of a study by a firm of architects and engineers after crumbling concrete was discovered. Results of the study, largely
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Anger as discos at hall are banned
VILLAGE councillors deny they are being killjoys after suspending discos for youngsters. A petition is circulating in Skelton, east Cleveland, in protest at a decision by Skelton and Brotton Parish Council to suspend discos in the community's civic hall
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Champion to be appointed for tenants
A DRIVE is being launched to get more council tenants interested in what is happening in their area. A "tenant participation champion" is to be appointed in a bid to increase the number of tenants involved in decision-making in Stockton. The post is to
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Hospital abseil effort
PATIENTS and visitors to a Teesside hospital witnessed a charity fundraising event at the weekend. More than 100 volunteers abseiled 80 feet down the university Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton, to raise funds for the Royal National Institute for the
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Circus atmosphere as community gathers for carnival
THE spirit of the circus came to a former pit village as it held its annual carnival. Four floats decorated on a circus theme paraded through Sacriston from The Daisy Hill to Fyndoune Community College on Saturday. One of the vehicles carried carnival
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Romans back in battle during day of activities
FAMILIES had fun travelling back in time at the weekend. Axholmr, a Celtic re-enactment group, put on a display of 5th Century combat at an archaeology fun day at the Summerhill site, in Hartlepool. There were demonstrations of Roman firepower, with a
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Circus atmosphere as community gathers for carnival
THE spirit of the circus came to a former pit village as it held its annual carnival. Four floats decorated on a circus theme paraded through Sacriston from The Daisy Hill to Fyndoune Community College on Saturday. One of the vehicles carried carnival
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Notes on learning . . .
FESTIVAL visitors learned that an unusual looking guitar on display did a lot more than was expected. The special instrument was on show as part of York's Leaning Festival 2003, in North Yorkshire, which celebrates lifelong learning among people living
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Doctor makes peace with Daleks for convention
EARTH'S arch-enemies of television times gone by, the Daleks, were in conciliatory mood at the weekend. Their mission was not to exterminate but to urge fans of the Time Lord to attend one of the UK's biggest Doctor Who conventions, planned for the autumn
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News in brief: Good attenders to be rewarded
YOUNGSTERS who have excellent school attendance records are to be rewarded by Stockton Borough Council at a celebration at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday, July 8. Certificates will be presented to children from Stockton and Thornaby
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Towns selected to lead way
TWO market towns have been targeted to benefit from a new development programme. Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, aims to enhance the two rural areas in the first year of its ten-year Renaissance Market Town (RMT) programme. The initiative
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Farming couple scoop out a n-ice little earner
AS the country sweltered in the recent heatwave, farmers Nicola and Brian Eddon found a cool way of expanding. The couple, who farm near Pickering, on the North York Moors, have already diversified by setting up Farwath Tea Garden and Crafts at their
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Deaths lead to call for speed limit
A HOTEL director has called for a 50mph speed limit to be introduced to prevent further fatalities. Robin Smith, director of the Ramside Hall Hotel, has witnessed several accidents on the A690 at the bottom of the hotel's driveway, at Carrville, Durham
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Wonderful Watts strikes to see Blackhall through
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division. It was only a question of time before Blackhall's batsmen struck form and to Darlington's misfortune they choose Saturday as the day. Not content with posting a formidable total, the Colliers
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Cooking up more cash
VOLUNTEERS have helped a nature trust to set up what could be a lucrative sideline fuelling summer barbecues. People from Durham and Northumberland joined staff from the Durham WildLife Trust on a two-day charcoal burning project in Baal Hill Wood, near
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GPs' accolade
THE Jubilee Medical Group GP practice in Newton Aycliffe has been highly commended in the Association of Health Care Communicator awards, under the category of patients and public involvement. The group was nominated by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust,
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Health care initiative
A NEW partnership is preparing to provide a health care roadshow in the Sedgefield borough. The Your Health Roadshow initiative will offer health information and advice, primarily for people over 50. The roadshow will be visiting Trimdon Village Hall
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News in brief: Dogs needed to steal the show
A CALL has gone out for thespian canines to appear in a theatre group's production of the musical Annie. Felling Stage Society is performing the show at The Dryden Centre, in Gateshead, from Tuesday, October 28, to Saturday, November 1, and needs a well-behaved
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Is this where Orwell created Big Brother?
George Orwell was born 100 yeras ago this week, but it's much more recently, and purely by chance, that his link with a house overlooking the Durham hills was discovered, a house where the beginnings of his famous novel 1984 may first have been formulated
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Bid to keep training service open after courses decision
MOVES are being made to keep a vital training service for vulnerable young people in County Durham open. Parents, community leaders and young people who have benefited from the scheme have demanded the Learning Skills Council (LSC) reviews a decision
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Event celebrates town's namesake
A TOWN'S talent will be celebrated at its second cultural heritage day next month. The event will be held on Thursday, July 3, from 10am to 1pm, in the grounds of Shotton Hall School, Peterlee. It will feature musical and dramatic performances from children
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News in brief: Dogs needed to steal the show
A CALL has gone out for thespian canines to appear in a theatre group's production of the musical Annie. Felling Stage Society is performing the show at The Dryden Centre, in Gateshead, from Tuesday, October 28, to Saturday, November 1, and needs a well-behaved
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Wards benefit from fun weekend
A CAR dealer has provided a taste of Disney for three children's hospital wards with a donation of Jungle Book goodies. Simon Bailes Limited, which has dealerships in Northallerton, Guisborough and Stockton, was provided with a range of Jungle Book 2
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MBE for woman who makes town bloom
FRIENDS of a woman known as 'Mrs Saltburn' had a pleasant surprise when they learnt she had been awarded the MBE. Jackie Taylor received the honour for her services to Saltburn-by-Sea, notably for her work on the coastal town's annual Britain in Bloom
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Acid spill as valve fails on tanker
FIREFIGHTERS wearing chemical suits tackled a spillage of hydrochloric acid at a building firm. The incident happened at Birtley Building Products, in Mary Avenue, Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, on Saturday. A tanker carrying 20,000 litres of the highly
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What if he really had been a terrorist?
A prankster sparked an urgent inquiry into security surrounding the Royal Family after he gatecrashed Prince William's 21st birthday party dressed as Osama bin Laden. Home Secretary David Blunkett ordered the inquiry after stand-up comedian Aaron Barschak
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Four hurt as Jaguar crashes through pub
STRUCTURAL engineers have been called in to view a 100-year-old pub after a Jaguar car crashed through one of its walls, sending tables and chairs flying. The car ended up wedged halfway through the wall of The Plough Inn, on Pelton Lane, near Chester-le-Street
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US boy, 16, survives cliff fall on moors
A TEENAGE tourist from the US is lucky to be alive after plunging 50ft from cliffs on the edge of the North York Moors. The 16-year-old boy, who was visiting the area with his parents from Virginia, is reported to be comfortable in the Friarage Hospital
