Archive
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Museum hosts music day
YOUNG pianists are to be given a master class by musician Vanessa Latache. Ms Latache is professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music, in London. She will lead the master class at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, Durham City
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Children's bus art to aid charity
CHILDREN in County Durham are being urged to put bus travel in the picture. Bus company Arriva is running a painting and drawing competition for youngsters under the age of 11, asking them to depict what they like most about travelling on buses. The company
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Growing concern over radiologists shortage
A STAFFING crisis, which means a £1m brain scanner is lying idle at one hospital, is affecting many North-East trusts, it was revealed last night. As exclusively reported in The Northern Echo earlier this week, a shortage of trained radiology staff at
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Standard bearer's smart award
A MALTON man was judged the smartest standard bearer at the annual reunion of The Green Howards Association. Geoff Buxton was judged the best out of 11 bearers at the Territorial Army Centre, in Scarborough, which attracted more than 300 former Green
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£20m turbine comes off the back burner
A £20m project to improve the efficiency of Wilton Power Station, on Teesside, which was put on hold last year following the collapse of Enron, is to go ahead, safeguarding 160 jobs. The project to build an extra gas turbine at the plant, which serves
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Royal visitor welcomes return of Endeavour
HUNDREDS of wellwishers turned out to welcome the replica of the HMS Endeavour back to the birthplace of its famous captain, explorer James Cook, yesterday. And shortly after she docked, Prince Andrew visited the ship to meet the crew who travel the world
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Mendieta tipped to be Premier star
STEVE McCLAREN has predicted Middlesbrough's Spaniard Gaizka Mendieta is set to become one of the major stars of the Premiership. The midfield maestro hopes to taste victory for the first time in a Boro shirt when Newcastle United make the trip to the
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Oh mother
TURNING a top Tory MP into a single mum for a week was always going to be a more exciting idea in the planning rather than the execution. The result was childless wealthy Conservative MP for Kensington and Chelsea Michael Portillo smiling benignly at
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Grieving families angered by remembrance day snub
A Government department refused to allow the grieving families of soldiers killed in peacetime to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday. Relatives of Army recruits who died at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, and the parents of North-East soldier
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Pupils lead pit disaster tribute
CHILDREN have laid a touching eternal tribute to the miners who died in one of the region's worst-ever pit disasters. About 90 Key Stage One pupils from East Stanley Primary School gathered this week to plant more than 300 crocus bulbs on the site of
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Hats off to new City shop
A MILLINER who has worked for some of the world's most famous designers has opened a shop in Durham. Elena Lewis has made hats for some of fashion's biggest names such as Gianni Versace, Dolce and Gabanna and Rifat Ozbek. But her real ambition was to
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The good, the bad... and Clint
As director Clint Eastwood's latest film goes on release, the 73-year-old macho movie icon talks to Steve Pratt about maturity and being miserly with other people's money. For a man described as "the icon of macho movie stars" and "a living legend", Clint
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In My View: Oh mother
TURNING a top Tory MP into a single mum for a week was always going to be a more exciting idea in the planning rather than the execution. The result was childless wealthy Conservative MP for Kensington and Chelsea Michael Portillo smiling benignly at
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A play that floats my boat
He may end up soaked and starkers, but Matthew Cottle is delighted to be sailing the high seas in his lastest play, he tells Viv Hardwick. FACED with the prospect of stripping stark naked, sailing a cruiser on 12 tonnes of water inside Scarborough's Stephen
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Ex-soldier's bomb-making factory was an 'experiment'
A FORMER soldier whose home was a bomb-making factory was jailed for four years yesterday. Michael Pennock was a corporal who worked on illegitimate explosive devices when he served in Northern Ireland and the Falklands. Teesside Crown Court heard that
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Self-inflicted wounds are taking toll
Darlington manager Mick Tait believes his players have brought their recent slump upon themselves. Three straight defeats are the results of self-inflicted wounds caused by silly defensive mistakes, according to the manager. And ahead of this afternoon's
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Growing concern over radiologists shortage
A STAFFING crisis, which means a £1m brain scanner is lying idle at one hospital, is affecting many North-East trusts, it was revealed last night. As exclusively reported in The Northern Echo earlier this week, a shortage of trained radiology staff at
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Knee mystery threat to Newcastle star's future
NEWCASTLE United striker Craig Bellamy could be facing a potentially career-threatening knee operation. The Wales star may be staring at the prospect of a third operation on the same knee and a second for a recurring tendinitis problem. United boss Sir
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Amazing luck that snared bombers
PURE luck enabled police to catch the Real IRA cell responsible for the UK's worst mainland bombing campaign in a decade - just as they were about to commit another atrocity. Undercover customs officers had been investigating suspicious deliveries of
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Tears of joy greet birth of Chancellor's baby
Gordon and Sarah Brown wept tears of joy yesterday at the birth of their son. The Chancellor's wife gave birth at Edinburgh's New Royal Infirmary. Mother and baby were said to be fine. Prime Minister Tony Blair was among those who expressed delight at
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Andrews faces the Saints before finding out if RFU think he's a sinner
NEWCASTLE Falcons will have skipper Mark Andrews in their line-up at Northampton today, but they might have to do without him for the next few weeks. The South African lock goes before an RFU hearing on Tuesday following his sending off at Harlequins
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Regulars give pub top marks
REGULARS who voted their pub as the perfect boozer could be in line for a week of free beer. The Grey Horse in Consett has won the Tyne-Tees region of the Abbot Ale Perfect Pub Awards, after customers nominated it in a national competition run by leading
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Mayor's glittering night to aid MS sufferers
THE Mayor of Darlington hosted a spectacular event last night, as representatives of groups across the borough gathered together for a charity ball. Councillor Ron Lewis was joined by dozens of residents involved in charities and organisations for the
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Youngsters are on the write lines for prize
THE writing skills of youngsters at a Crook primary school have taken them to the final of a national award. Reporters from year six at St Cuthbert's RC Primary School won the journalism category in the regional round of the Write Here, Write Now competition
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Italian trip just the job for charity
A FUNDRAISING drive with a difference will take charity supporters to northern Italy later this month. Steve Poad, of Woodham, Newton Aycliffe, is joining neighbour Andrew Lawrence in a Mini Cooper to make the journey, in celebration of the cult Michael
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Shearer v Southgate in battle of the good guys
AS football reels from the series of scandals which have brought upon it unprecedented shame, two paragons of professionalism meet face-to-face today in a contest featuring all that is good in the game. Gareth Southgate and Alan Shearer are thirtysomethings
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Merson gives McCarthy some food for thought
BEWARE of Paul Merson was the warning from Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy last night ahead of their First Division clash with Walsall. But McCarthy revealed he will not be making any extra plans to deal with the highly-talented former England man. Merson
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Nursing home will replace vandal-magnet office block
A FORMER office block in Shildon is to be demolished and replaced with a nursing home. The home to replace Hackworth House, in Byerley Road, will provide short-term respite care and serve as a day centre for older people with mental health problems. Planning
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Waste firm for trial after boy's death
A WASTE disposal firm was yesterday committed to Crown Court to stand trial for breaching health and safety rules following a fatal accident. Gavin Reed, 11, died after he fell 18 metres from the Table Rock cliff, at a landfill site run by Biffa Waste
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Murals created
PUPILS displayed their artistic skills yesterday with the unveiling of a 30ft mural in their gymnasium. Year 11 pupils at Hylton Red House School, Sunderland, worked with local artist Steve Hunter to paint the mural on the themes of sport and the community
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Health champions are needed for forums
A SEARCH has been launched to find and recruit "champions of health" from among the public on Teesside. The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health is looking to recruit people for 600 Patient and Public Involvement Forums one for every
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Pension help being offered
ADVICE on the Pension Credit scheme is on offer next week. A mobile unit from the Pension Service will be in Stockton High Street on Monday and Tuesday. On board there will be Internet terminals, leaflets and staff to answer questions. The mobile exhibition
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Cancer patient's songs of praise
A SINGER who was told she would not perform again after contracting throat cancer is staging a fundraising music event to thank the people who saved her life and her livelihood. Suzy Martell has organised the show to raise money for York District Hospital's
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19-year-old opens games store in town
A 19-YEAR-OLD has become a franchisee of a videogame store after studying on a business course. Paul Whitfield, from Nunthorpe, opened the store in the Market Place, Guisborough, after completing a business administration and information technology course
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Williams left in limbo as move bites the dust
OUSTED Hartlepool United goalkeeper Anthony Williams is remaining at Victoria Park - for now. The former No 1 was due to join Kidderminster on loan, but the deal was scrapped late on Thursday night with the keeper already on his way to the Midlands. After
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Children's flotilla to honour sea captain
A NORTH Yorkshire village is preparing to honour its most famous son on the 275th anniversary of his birth later this month. Children from Great Ayton are getting ready to launch hundreds of home-made boats for the annual Parade of Sail down the River
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Monster of a find on beach stroll
DINOSAUR expert Dave Martill stumbled across a 300-million-year-old marvel as he strolled along a beach. Stepping over a rock, Dr Martill was stopped in his tracks by what looked like a piece of bone. On closer inspection, he realised that a skull was
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Huntsmen ride into battle
HUNDREDS of hunt supporters have committed themselves to the prospect of civil disobedience, ahead of a mass rally against a potential ban. Many people have signed the Hunting Declaration, an independent initiative begun by philosopher and writer Roger
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Ambulance station ready to open
CHESTER-le-Street's new ambulance station could help crews to arrive at emergencies faster. The station has been built in the town's new community hospital, which is nearing completion, and replaces the base a few hundred yards away that has been used
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Folk concert will aid African churches
Churches in Africa will benefit from a folk concert in the region next month. Tickets have gone on sale for the show at Great Ayton's Parochial Hall, in North Yorkshire, on Tuesday, November 18, by da capo, whose number include Friarage Hospital paediatric
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Great-grandmother Joyce to help record abseil attempt
FOR those who imagine retirement is for pottering around the garden and doing crosswords, great-grandmother Joyce Watson is proving otherwise. The 69-year-old, from Peterlee, County Durham, fulfilled the dream of a lifetime three years ago. Throwing caution
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Festival saved as organisers find venues for attractions
A DISPUTE which threatened the future of one of Wensleydale's biggest annual events appears to be over, with organisers having confirmed that they have found new locations for some of the attractions. The Food and Drink Festival, which is held mainly
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MP bids for action over landlords
A REDCAR MP is urging the Government to find a solution to the problem of landlords withholding tenants' deposits. Vera Baird said she hears weekly about cases in the Redcar area where bonds have been withheld and believes they have become a perk for
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Darlington are forced to cry off
DARLINGTON have been forced to call off today's National Three North match at Fylde because of a lack of front-row players. They have signed two Catterick-based army props in an effort to get round the problem, but it has proved impossible to register
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18/10/03
MAHOGANY: POLITICIANS would have us believe that conservation schemes are improving so that there will still be virgin rainforests 50 years from now - what nonsense. An area of tropical rainforest the size of England and Wales is lost every year. At the
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Self-inflicted wounds are taking toll
Darlington manager Mick Tait believes his players have brought their recent slump upon themselves. Three straight defeats are the results of self-inflicted wounds caused by silly defensive mistakes, according to the manager. And ahead of this afternoon's
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Bombers trapped in diesel fraud swoop
CUSTOMS officers investigating a North-East fuel tax fraud uncovered an amazing trail that led to a Real IRA cell conducting a mainland bombing campaign, it was revealed last night. The real story behind the breakthrough that led police to the terrorists
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Premier Commentary: Time is right for Newcastle to reverse their downward spiral
WHO'D have thought when Geremi put paid to Newcastle United's title hopes last March that the then Middlesbrough midfielder's goal had sent the Magpies spinning into a seven-month maelstrom? That 1-0 defeat at the Riverside, which came just a week before
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Police chief honours long-serving Brenda
THE longest-serving civilian at Durham police has stepped down after 39 years with the force. Brenda Surtees, 59, of Leadgate, near Consett, plans to start her retirement with a three-month holiday in the Australian sunshine. She joined the force as a
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New bishop's prayers for region
AS THE new Bishop of Durham waited outside his cathedral on Sunday, he must have wondered if the congregation was ever going to let him in. In a ceremony that dates back centuries, the new bishop is greeted at Durham Cathedral by a closed door - those
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Plus and minus
IT is a sign of insecurity or guilty conscience, or both, that whenever someone says "I know your editor" - and a lot of people do - the phrase "So watch your step" forms in unspoken parenthesis straight afterwards. The editor puts himself greatly about
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African orphans help church members celebrate anniversary
A METHODIST church celebrated 100 years of worship with a free concert by a group of African orphans last night. Elvet Methodist Church, in Durham, is marking its centenary on Tuesday, November 4. Last night's concert was one of a series of events to
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£20m turbine comes off the back burner
A £20m project to improve the efficiency of Wilton Power Station, on Teesside, which was put on hold last year following the collapse of Enron, is to go ahead, safeguarding 160 jobs. The project to build an extra gas turbine at the plant, which serves
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Double celebration over creation of 130 jobs
THE region received a double jobs boost yesterday with announcements that 130 jobs would be created in Spennymoor and Gateshead. Mail order service company Spark Response, at Follingsby Park, Gateshead, announced it is to increase its workforce by 100
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Car surprise
A PART-TIME typist and singer has won a new car in a cancer charity raffle. Francesca Lavick, of Chester-le-Street, has won a Citroen C3 in a prize draw run by the northern region of Halifax Estate Agents. More than 16,000 £1 tickets were sold to staff
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Lifetime's collection arrives at museum
A COLLECTION of unusual curios has a new home thanks to a North-East museum. The collection was put together by cobbler Jack Anderson, of Marske in east Cleveland, who died in 2001. He called his cottage Winkie's Castle, after his cat, and now the contents
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First-timers struggling
FIRST-TIME buyers are still struggling to get on the property ladder, despite an overall increase in property sales last month. The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) said first-time buyers accounted for only 13.6 per cent of sales, only marginally
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Political row as doctor vacancies increase
THE region is suffering from such a shortage of doctors that in many areas, vacancies run into double figures, according to the Department of Health Its snapshot, taken in June, revealed that 14 primary care trusts were trying to fill more than ten vacancies
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On a final note . . . our teacher needs your vote
A NORTH-EAST teacher is following in the footsteps of Fame Academy's Alistair Griffin and Pop Idol's Zoe Birkett in a national competition organised by Classic FM. Gillian Ash, of Richmond County Primary School, is through to the final ten in the hunt
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The good, the bad... and Clint
For a man described as "the icon of macho movie stars" and "a living legend", Clint Eastwood looks remarkably ordinary in the flesh. You expect someone bigger and more imposing, not a figure that could be any other elderly American tourist staying in
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Tonic for hospital transport services
A PROJECT aimed at radically improving access to the county town's busy hospital for patients and visitors has been completed. Buses will start to use the new bus shelter within the grounds of the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, from Monday, October
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Patients learn about illness from experts
PEOPLE suffering chronic medical condition in Sedgefield borough are being offered another opportunity to take part in a Department of Health initiative. The Expert Patient Programme is a national initiative offering courses to help people more effectively
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Grassroots: Chester-le-Street, Birtley and District
SECRETARY RETIRES: Carole McLaughlin has retired after 13 years as secretary of Birtley East Primary School. AFRICAN AID: The surplus of St John's Church Tear Fund Appeal will go to the North Kigeli Diocese Water and Sanitation Project, in Uganda. OPEN
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Fond memories of Labour stalwart, 95
THE life of a stalwart Labour Party member and dedicated community servant was celebrated at her funeral yesterday. British Legion flag-bearers flanked the gates to St Luke's Parish Church, at Ferryhill, County Durham, as mourners arrived to honour Francis
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Boro football stars back anti-racism poster competition
FOOTBALLERS on Teesside are helping to tackle bullying. Members of Middlesbrough Football Club's first team squad made presentations of signed Boro merchandise to the winners of a poster design competition. The winning posters are to be used in an anti-bullying
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Reynolds plans nightclub at Arena
A PLAN to open a nightclub at Darlington Football Club's new stadium has been submitted to council chiefs and police. Chairman George Reynolds wants to open Club Style, a nightclub under the south stand of the Reynolds Arena, from 6pm to 2am six nights
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Residents try to halt 'Love Shack'
OUTRAGED residents have mounted a campaign against the opening of a "paradise for swingers" on their doorstep. They were reacting to plans, revealed first in The Northern Echo, to open The Love Shack in the converted King's Head Hotel, in Stanley, County
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Magic created at museum
CHILDREN can enjoy free days out at a North-East museum. Youngsters who visit a family fun day at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, on Tuesday, October 28, can get free entry if they join the Merlin kids club. Annual membership, open to
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Williams' move to Harriers collapses
OUSTED Hartlepool United goalkeeper Anthony Williams is remaining at Victoria Park - for now. The former No 1 was due to join Kidderminster on loan, but the deal was scrapped late on Thursday night with the keeper already on his way to the Midlands. After
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Folk concert will aid African churches
Churches in Africa will benefit from a folk concert in the region next month. Tickets have gone on sale for the show at Great Ayton's Parochial Hall, in North Yorkshire, on Tuesday, November 18, by da capo, whose number include Friarage Hospital paediatric
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Wearside League: Call up for Hoggarth
New Marske and North Shields meet in the match of the day. The Teessiders trail their visitors by a couple of points and victory could propel them into second position. New Marske's recently-signed goalkeeper Andrew Hoggarth plays. Stalwart Richard Booth
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Sabotage fear at radio station
OFFICIALS were called in to investigate an alleged sabotage attempt against a new radio station in the region, it has been revealed. Transmissions at Radio Hartlepool, which went on air for the first time at midnight on Monday, were disturbed by interference
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Knight to remember
THE Park Hall Hotel at Chorley, Lancashire, has a lot more to offer than your average place to stay. Where else could you shake hands with Sean Connery and be entertained by Tom Jones, having spent a day in the company of a wizard and the knights of the
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For Your Benefit: Why do I receive no benefits?
Q I am a 55-year-old housewife, unable to work because I am waiting for a knee operation. Why can't I get Incapacity Benefit (IB) or anything else? A You can only get IB if you have recently paid full National Insurance contributions. You could only get
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Grieving families angered by remembrance day snub
A Government department refused to allow the grieving families of soldiers killed in peacetime to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday. Relatives of Army recruits who died at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, and the parents of North-East soldier
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A new world of colour
CHILDREN tried their hand at African art when a professional artist taught them drama, dance and tie-dying. Artist Marie Coffi arrived at Bullion Lane Primary School in Chester-le-Street, as part of the Small World Big Dream festival, a multi-cultural
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Vicar appeals for help
A PARISH priest is fighting a constant tide of vandalism and arson attacks to try to create a peaceful spot for the community. In the past year, the churchyard at Christ Church, in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, has become a focus for arsonists
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Boro football stars back anti-racism poster competition
FOOTBALLERS on Teesside are helping to tackle bullying. Members of Middlesbrough Football Club's first team squad made presentations of signed Boro merchandise to the winners of a poster design competition. The winning posters are to be used in an anti-bullying
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Drugs gang jailed after undercover op
A DRUGS gang which supplied heroin in a former mining community was cracked by an undercover police officer. His work resulted in six members of the ring being jailed yesterday, with a seventh warned to expect a prison sentence when he returns to be sentenced
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Merson gives McCarthy some food for thought
BEWARE of Paul Merson was the warning from Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy last night ahead of their First Division clash with Walsall. But McCarthy revealed he will not be making any extra plans to deal with the highly-talented former England man. Merson
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Tenth ton on trot is Mark of success
As the 2003 Flat racing season approaches the final furlong, Northern Echo Editor, Peter Barron, looks back on Mark Johnston's tenth successive century of winners and discovers he still isn't satisfied. WHEN a two-year-old colt called Hinari Video won
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Amazing luck that snared bombers
PURE luck enabled police to catch the Real IRA cell responsible for the UK's worst mainland bombing campaign in a decade - just as they were about to commit another atrocity. Undercover customs officers had been investigating suspicious deliveries of
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Pioneering contribution to NHS
A COMPUTERISED solution to monitoring the National Health Service is to be unveiled thanks to pioneering work in Darlington. Health officials from across the North-East will attend a conference at the Scotch Corner House Hotel next month, to find out
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Italian trip just the job for charity
A FUNDRAISING drive with a difference will take charity supporters to northern Italy later this month. Steve Poad, of Woodham, Newton Aycliffe, is joining neighbour Andrew Lawrence in a Mini Cooper to make the journey, in celebration of the cult Michael
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Police warning after cash machine confidence trick
PEOPLE using automatic cash machines in Darlington were last night warned to be on their guard after a woman was tricked out of £500 by an elaborate confidence trick. Cheque and credit card investigators are looking for a man who tricked his victim into
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Children's bus art to aid charity
CHILDREN in County Durham are being urged to put bus travel in the picture. Bus company Arriva is running a painting and drawing competition for youngsters under the age of 11, asking them to depict what they like most about travelling on buses. The company
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Off-road bikers get a warning
POLICE have launched a crack-down on off-road bikers who are targeting a patch of land used by walkers and children. The motorbikers are using private land on the Drum Industrial Estate close to Low Flatts Road in Chester-le-Street. But over the past
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Trust's magazine tonic
HEALTH officials have come up with a publication to capture the interest of people living in Darlington. Your Trust magazine has been produced by Darlington Primary Care Trust as a more readable version of the traditional NHS annual report. The glossy
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Careers advisors build knowledge
CAREERS advisors got experience of building work during Construction Week. Connexions Advisors at Bishop Auckland College proved themselves to be quick learners by builing a staircase. Dianne Crystal, Julie Wilson and Helen Whigham usually spend their
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Lads rate mum Emma
A STANLEY model has spoken of her surprise and delight at being rated among the top ten most beautiful woman in the UK by readers of a lads' magazine. Emma Nicholson, formerly Padfield, was voted ninth in Maxim magazine's list of the Top 50 Babes in the
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Off-duty PC grabbed burglars in shop
AN off-duty policeman grabbed a pair of burglars when they smashed their way into his partner's shop at 3am, a court was told yesterday. Teesside Crown Court heard how PC John Dennison, of the Durham Force, and his partner Jill Moorhead, were in the flat
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Training courses help tourism
A TRAINING programme has been launched to meet the skills shortage in the Tees Valley's tourism and hospitality sectors. Businesses will be able to benefit from reduced rates on the programme at Redcar and Cleveland College, introduced in response to
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Call to halt new homes until flooding problems tackled
HOUSING developments in Hartlepool should be put on hold until the severe problems caused by flooding in the town have been dealt with, according to residents. Members of the public spoke out at a meeting and urged Hartlepool Borough Council to postpone
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Cast puts Satan on mend
WHEN Satan the Staffordshire Bull Terrier returned home one day with a mysterious neck injury, he faced possible paralysis. But the help of a PetAid hospital, which provides free veterinary treatment for owners who are unable to afford private vets' fees
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Delight as shop scoops award
FRIENDLY, efficient service was recognised when the results of the inaugural Richmond Retail Awards were announced at a ceremony in the town's King's Head Hotel. The Edinburgh Woollen Mill topped the poll among shoppers when it was named retailer of the
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Fish rescue bid delayed in oxygen-starved pond
A BID to stun fish with a low level electric shock, to rescue them from an oxygen-starved pond, has been temporarily abandoned. Officials from the Environment Agency moved in to save hundreds of fish from Green Pond in Hookstone Wood, near the Great Yorkshire
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Saturday Spotlight: Shearer v Southgate in battle of the good guys
AS football reels from the series of scandals which have brought upon it unprecedented shame, two paragons of professionalism meet face-to-face today in a contest featuring all that is good in the game. Gareth Southgate and Alan Shearer are thirtysomethings
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Batik art on display at town gallery
AN ARTIST who is helping to revive a medieval art form is displaying his work at a gallery this week. Julian Chapman is exhibiting 20 of his works Batik style, which has recently found favour with interior designers. His art features scenes from Middle-Age
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Hotlines created to report illegal fires
RESIDENTS are being urged to use a telephone hotline to report bonfire-builders. Cleveland Fire Brigade is working with borough councils to dismantle illegal bonfires, which cost about £35,000 to put out last year. Firefighters were called to 310 illegal
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Girl's parents keep vigil
A STUDENT is recovering from major crush injuries which she suffered in an horrific accident, just days after arriving in Durham at the start of the university term. Ursula Billington was struck by a runaway Durham City Council van as she walked down
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Officers' marathon ride raises £3,500
THE freedom of the roads has inspired two Durham prison officers to raise £3,500 for a local cancer charity. The pedal-pushing officers, Don Turpin and Mark Fowler, hit their target after completing the 700 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats. The
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Youngsters set to battle for stardom
MORE than 2,000 young performers are gearing up to take part in the region's answer to Pop Idol. Singers, dancers, bands and musicians from County Durham, Teesside and Tyne and Wear are putting the finishing touches to their performances ready for the
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Of bristles and a very old boar
IN a rare moment of wonderment, this week I found myself captivated by the display of toothbrushes in Darlington's Boots. In fact, the moment grew into a full half-hour as I stood there caught by the agony of choice. Normally, I would just chuck the cheapest
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At Your Service: Plus and minus
In the village that was home to a famous mathematician, one or two thing still aren't adding up. IT is a sign of insecurity or guilty conscience, or both, that whenever someone says "I know your editor" - and a lot of people do - the phrase "So watch
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Jail sentences passed on the 'foot-and-mouth burglars'
A FATHER and son who targeted isolated homes across the North-East for high-value burglaries were jailed for a total of ten years yesterday. Grant Curley and son Michael carried out a string of raids at remote farmhouses and country homes. Police nicknamed
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Warning over sex website racket
TWO men who ran a website allowing prostitutes to advertise on the Internet have been handed 12-month suspended jail sentences. Colin Dale, 51, and Brian Sullivan, 57, were users of prostitutes who began the Boro Working Girls website as a hobby. But
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Survivor Christine at charity event
Celebrity "survivor" and ex-politician's wife Christine Hamilton is to be the guest speaker at an NSPCC fundraising lunch. It is being held on Friday, November 28, at the Seaham Hall Hotel, in Seaham, County Durham, which was recently named as Hotel of
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Robson laments draw
SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night admitted that Newcastle's UEFA Cup second-round pairing with FC Basel is the draw he dreaded. Basel, managed by former Spurs boss Christian Gross, were pipped by Grasshopper Zurich to the Swiss Championship last season, but
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Bombers trapped in diesel fraud swoop
CUSTOMS officers investigating a North-East fuel tax fraud uncovered an amazing trail that led to a Real IRA cell conducting a mainland bombing campaign, it was revealed last night. The real story behind the breakthrough that led police to the terrorists
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Great-grandmother Joyce to help record abseil attempt
FOR those who imagine retirement is for pottering around the garden and doing crosswords, great-grandmother Joyce Watson is proving otherwise. The 69-year-old, from Peterlee, County Durham, fulfilled the dream of a lifetime three years ago. Throwing caution
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'Explosive' growth in sales at Samsung
ELECTRONICS group Samsung said yesterday an "explosive increase" in sales of memory chips for mobile phones and digital cameras had contributed to a 40 per cent growth in the division. The South Korean group, which has a manufacturing plant in Wynyard
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Drama with balls
As with most televison dramas about the beautiful game, Kay Mellor's Gifted keeps away from action on the pitch, but, in the light of recent events, it is nothing if not topical. A Yorkshire first division football star player with lots of money, a flash
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Duke of York opens terminal
A £20M cargo terminal on Teesside which will double the capacity of Britain's second largest port was opened by the Duke of York yesterday. Teesport container terminal No 2 was opened following two years of research, which highlighted a demand for extra
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Dispute over ghost ships goes to Parliament
THE row over plans to bring 13 toxic former US Navy ships to the North-East will be discussed in Parliament. Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Norman Baker has tabled questions asking what action has been taken by the Government to protect British
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Comment from The Northern Echo: The cruellest judgement
LIKE new parents the world over, Gordon and Sarah Brown wept tears of joy yesterday as their baby came into the world. After the heartbreaking loss of their premature baby daughter Jennifer in January last year, the safe arrival of their son must be even
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A real Positive day
PATRICK HASLAM has prepared Positive Profile (2.50) specifically for this afternoon's £125,000 Tote Cesarewitch and at odds of 20-1 or better rates a rattling good each-way bet in the two-and-a-quarter-mile lung-bursting marathon. "Immediately after Positive
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In The Picture: Drama with balls
As with most televison dramas about the beautiful game, Kay Mellor's Gifted keeps away from action on the pitch, but, in the light of recent events, it is nothing if not topical. A Yorkshire first division football star player with lots of money, a flash
