Archive
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Stock market gave the banks
With Christmas and New Year well and truly behind us, and the Atkins Diet taking effect, focus has returned to the Stock Market. With a sense of shock, there is a realisation that shares put in their best performance for several years in 2003. The FTSE
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Dress codes: They do not necessarily discriminate
SEX discrimination claims often arise out of situations where an employer insists upon different dress codes for men and women. In the latter part of last year, a decision by the Employment Tribunal that a man working in a JobCentre could not be required
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How do you deal with anger in the workplace?
Q What is your view of the recent report that offices across the country are being turned into hotbeds of anger? Do you think the workplace can ever be harmonious? A The workplace can be a very harmonious place. It is true to say that we spend more time
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Michaels Dream to show versatility
BACKING Michaels Dream (1.50) might not turn out to be a nightmare at Southwell this afternoon. Like so many of Malton-based James Hetherton's string, Michaels Dream is a dual-purpose horse, dividing his attention between the jumps and Flat. James takes
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Empowering leaders in the Tees Valley
BUSINESSMEN and women capable of achieving growth and profits for their organisations are being encouraged to look at the bigger picture and use their skills to benefit society as a whole. That is the role of Common Purpose in the Tees Valley, a campaigning
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Digital demand sets sales record
A SURGE in demand for digital cameras during Christmas helped Jessops to a festive record. The photographic specialist saw overall sales increase 13.9 per cent in the five weeks to January 4, with the like-for-like figure ahead 8.3 per cent. Sales peaked
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Protests fail to save town sports centre
RESIDENTS have failed in their bid to save a popular sports centre from closure. Richmondshire councillors have voted to close the Richmond Sports Centre in April. Senior members say the move will save the authority an estimated £40,000. The decision
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Hedge your bets and become an exporter
DESPITE the apparent success of the region's companies in exporting their products around the world, the North-East still has a long way to go. While it may export more goods than it imports, there are still hundreds of small and medium-sized business
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Bardy in front at last
After ten years of trying, part time rally driver Tony Bardy eventually secured an outright victory by winning the Digital Office Solutions Jack Frost Stages rally at Croft Circuit. Driving his Nissan Sunny GTI-R in the Darlington & DMC annual event
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Consultant unwraps the secret of success
CONSULTANT Max McKeown plans to unwrap the secrets of the success of Microsoft, Virgin and easyJet at a business event next month. He will explore the idea of "unshrinking" a business idea at Venturefest York, at York Racecourse, on February 5. Based
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Skin care team aims to cut waiting times
A SKIN service to be launched next month is expected to reduce hospital waiting lists for dermatology and minor surgery. The scheme places Darlington Primary Care Trust at the forefront of skin treatment in the country. A primary care skin team, comprising
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Hudspith clinches relay win
A STORMING anchor-leg run by Great Britain international Ian Hudspith saved the day for defending champions Morpeth Harriers in the 21st Durham Cathedral Relays. Morpeth, who dominated the senior men's event by finishing first and second 12 months earlier
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Writer opposes N-E assembly
WORLD-FAMOUS thriller writer Frederick Forsyth has added his support to the campaign against a North-East assembly. Mr Forsyth - an opponent of a federal Europe - has contacted campaigners urging a "no" vote against a regional assembly, and plans to travel
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Magazine launched in fight against unhealthy lifestyles
HAIRDRESSING salons and supermarkets in the region are to become the new front line in the war against unhealthy living. Thousands of copies of a new NHS glossy magazine called Your Life! are being distributed in places where women might pick them up
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Teen died after being stabbed by friend
A teenager bled to death after he was stabbed in the back by a pal at his 18th birthday party. David Mitchell, 18, plunged a kitchen knife into Paul Best after a row erupted during the gathering at his home on February 13 last year. Newcastle Crown Court
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Annuities begin to lose appeal
In 1976, the pop group Abba released the song Money, Money Money, containing the line, "if I had a little money". In those days, Abba were not singing about the amount of money needed for retirement. However, "a little money" is becoming an accurate description
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Companies challenged on 'offshoring'
COMPANIES will be challenged by a union leader today to make the business case for exporting jobs overseas. Roger Lyons, president of the TUC, will tell a conference that companies including Legal and General, Alliance and Leicester and the Co-op had
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Proving cream does rise to the top
BRITONS love ice cream. Despite our all too often rotten weather, we just can't get enough of the delicious creamy flavour. In fact, the UK is Europe's third biggest consumer of ice-cream. Each one of us consumes about eight litres - or 14 pints - every
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Shop closure ends era
ONE of Northallerton's oldest shops has closed its doors for the last time. J Cleminson, which opened in the town in 1884, has sold all manner of hardware goods for the past 120 years. But its owner, Brian Holmes, said the shop cannot now compete with
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From tango to baroque
A COMMUNITY hall will host Europe's only baroque and tango orchestra next month. The Oxford Concert Party will give a concert at Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, on Friday, February 6, at 8pm. The orchestra performs in a range of musical styles, including
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Rape trial jury told of attack on girl, 10
A 49-year-old man from the North-East accused of carrying out a series of rapes in the South-East asked a ten-year-old girl to pretend they were lovers during a five-hour ordeal in the back of his car, a court heard. Antoni Imiela forced the girl into
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Taskforce set up to help save festival
A TASKFORCE is to be set up to try to save one of the North-East's biggest free festivals. The future of the Stanley Blues Festival, in County Durham, was thrown into doubt after Derwentside District Council decided not to back the event, which is scheduled
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20/01/2004
ROAD CONDITIONS: I HAVE heard that Durham County Council blames "inaccurate weather forecasting" for its failure on Thursday. Everyone I have spoken to who spent hours trying to negotiate the "skidlocked" roads around Durham, Crook, Consett and elsewhere
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Signmaker VMS finds room for growth
THE electronic road sign company with the responsibility of directing traffic flow around the 2004 Olympics in Athens is moving to new premises. VMS Limited, which makes and installs digital road and rail signs, is moving to a 35,000sq ft building in
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Interest keen in writing contest
A WRITING competition launched last week is already attracting plenty of interest from authors. The Short Story Competition is organised by Inscribe Media Limited, of Darlington, backed by The Northern Echo, telecommunications company Orange and Darlington
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Young and old join in panto fun
PANTOMIME performers celebrated the success of their production of Aladdin at the weekend. Eight hundred people watched the performances by Guisborough Parish Pantomime Group last week. The group, which has presented a pantomime every year since it was
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Site manager Jack retires after 50 years
VIOLIN-PLAYING site manager Jack Haswell will hang up his hard hat for the last time next month when he calls it a day after more than 50 years in the construction business. Apprenticed at 15, and with a first pay packet of £1.16 and 7d (about £1.78)
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Science with a spark and a top-notch thriller
Great Scientists (five); Without A Trace (C4); HE was born the same year as Shakespeare. He was an intellectual bruiser - a large, flame-haired rabblerouser who loved conflict and confrontation. He was Galileo, the 16th century mathematician and inventor
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Sanctuary appeal to give rabbits a home
ANIMAL rescuers are searching for new homes for dozens of rabbits. Sally and Dave Rowley, of the Weardale Animal Sanctuary, in Stanhope, County Durham, took in 25 homeless rabbits at the weekend, taking their total to 45. The rabbits came from another
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Job Search: Vacancies
Chef/assistant cook, £5.50ph, 26hrs pw 5 days from 7 between 8am and 6pm, good hygiene practice essential, 706 1-2 preferred with good customer service skills, experience of menu planning, costing, food preparation desirable. Ref: DUR 38982. Food service
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Building boom highlights shortages
LUCRATIVE contracts on major developments such as Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 are starving the region of tradespeople. The North-East is enjoying a boom in construction work, particularly at Gateshead Quays, but finding skilled workers has become increasingly
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Borrowing funds Christmas boom
JANUARY, for many businesses, is often a time for reflection and forward planning - and that is particularly true for high street retailers. The likes of Next, Boots, Argos and Marks & Spencer have been reporting back in recent weeks with financial
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The company that has been lifting the world for 150 years
THE invention and subsequent patenting of a revolutionary pulley block paved the way for 150 years of success for the family-owned Pickerings Group. It was on the back of this invention, by company founder Jonathan Pickering, that the company became a
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Lie detector testing introduced at AIG
INSURANCE firm AIG has become the latest group to introduce psychological testing in a bid to reduce the number of fraudulent claims. The US group, which operates in 130 countries, is piloting the system on motor and travel insurance claims it thinks
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TV review
Great Scientists (five) Without A Trace (C4) HE was born the same year as Shakespeare. He was an intellectual bruiser - a large, flame-haired rabblerouser who loved conflict and confrontation. He was Galileo, the 16th century mathematician and inventor
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£2m Nazi trophy will help clear blackmailer's debts
A NAZI war trophy once owned by Herman Goering is to be sold to pay the debts of a blackmailer. The chalice, said to be worth £2m, was at the centre of a bizarre blackmail plot hatched by Derick Smith, who wanted to retrieve it from a former friend. Smith
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Few cheers as Samsung steps up chip production
SAMSUNG rubbed more salt into the wounds of its North-East workforce yesterday by overtaking Intel as the world's biggest manufacturer of microchips. The company is already under fire after announcing the closure of its plant at Wynyard, near Billingham
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A celebrity - the second time around
As the line-up for the third I'm a Celebrity is announced, Nick Morrison talks to one of the stars of the last series about fame, returning tio the North-East, and dancing with Diana. WAYNE Sleep is a busy chap. It's just before Christmas and he's at
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Two are rescued as river traps van
TWO men had to be winched to safety by an RAF helicopter when their van was stranded in a raging river yesterday lunchtime. They were trapped in their delivery van for an hour and a half after trying to cross the River Wear at Stanhope ford, in Weardale
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Murray's Arca warning
ANY clubs preparing to launch a January swoop for Sunderland's star man Julio Arca were last night warned : "He is not for sale". The skilful South American has been a revelation for the Black Cats in their first season back in Division One and his good
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Hodgson plays the striker waiting game
DARLINGTON manager David Hodgson will put any moves in the transfer market on hold for at least another week. Hodgson is expected to make a renewed move for Sunderland striker Neil Teggart. But with no fixture this weekend - due to Northampton's involvement
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Comment from the Northern Echo: The final blow for Mr Hoon?
FOR the best part of a year Geoff Hoon has stumbled from crisis to crisis. His decision to go on a half-term family skiing holiday as British troops were getting ready for war was a serious error of judgement. And, whatever Lord Hutton may conclude, Mr
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Falling dollar hits furnishing group's profits
HOME furnishings group Courts is to hold a business review after profits were affected by the falling US dollar. The impact of currency fluctuations came to light in figures for the six weeks to January 11, as a four per cent rise in like-for-like sales
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Police to get tough over kerb blocking
THOUGHTLESS motorists who make life difficult for disabled people in Darlington are to be targeted by police. Officers have received complaints about drivers obstructing dropped kerbs, which are designed to help wheelchair users. The worst affected areas
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Officials fail to rule out school closure
EDUCATION chiefs yesterday tried to quash rumours that one of Darlington's most successful secondary schools is to close within five years. Hurworth Secondary School has been considered for closure, with Darlington's other secondary schools, education
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Controversial flats scheme to be reconsidered
COUNCILLORS are being asked to approve plans for 32 flats in Darlington. The proposed development in Woodland Road has come before Darlington Borough Council a number of times and generated much opposition from residents. But Maro Development is determined
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Boy was egged on to set post box alight
PEER pressure led to a 12-year-old boy setting fire to the contents of a post box, a court heard. The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe Youth Court yesterday. Bill Brabban, prosecuting, said
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Shoppers and traders to get say on car parking charges
SHOPPERS and traders are to be given an opportunity to have their say as a council reveals details on future car parking charges in Bishop Auckland. Many traders have been campaigning against the idea of introducing car parking charges in the town, and
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Students observing maths in action
A SCHOOL has joined forces with an engineering company to give students a taste of mathematics in action. Graduate trainees from the Cummins factory, in Darlington, will be working with year ten students at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College
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Anger at catering cutbacks report
UNISON officials have reacted angrily to a report that catering staff may face redundancy. It is predicted that there will be 300 fewer primary school children in east Cleveland over the coming year and that the trend will continue. The Redcar and Cleveland
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Housing office to open on Saturdays
A COUNCIL is to extend the opening hours of one of its housing offices for a trial period. The Easington District Council service in Peterlee will open on Saturday mornings from January 24 until the end of March. Staff will be available to help customers
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Amy draws on talents
AN eye for colour has earned six-year-old Amy Gibson first place in an art competition. The youngster, from Consett, won a creative colouring competition organised by Specsavers Opticians in the town centre. Entrants were asked to brighten up Santa's
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Students to be awarded for success
THE achievements of students in Hartlepool will be celebrated at an award ceremony this month. Hartlepool Borough Council's education department is organising the second Celebration of Success event as part of its Excellence in Cities initiative. The
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Taskforce is created to help tackle anti-social problems
POLICE are launching a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in coastal communities and have vowed to deal firmly with culprits. A neighbourhood taskforce, comprising five people, is being sent into east Cleveland troublespots by Cleveland Police. Team spokesman
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Minicom is installed at hospital
A service is making life easier for people who are hard of hearing. A minicom service has been installed at Harrogate District Hospital so those with hearing impairments can get in touch. The system is now in use in the patient advice and liaison service
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Recognition for volunteer mentors
A GROWING army of volunteer mentors' continued support and advice for a city's young people will get civic recognition this week. Mentoring Project Volunteers will be presented with certificates by Sunderland City Council's director of social services
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Residents win fight to have crossing installed
RESIDENTS are celebrating after winning a long-running battle for a puffin crossing on a busy road. Campaigners have been fighting for more than a decade to have a crossing on the busy A693 Chester Road in Stanley. Durham County Council has always refused
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Synners can hardly Bear last-minute Vase exit
Billingham Synthonia, or Symphonia as Tyne Tees Television discordantly captioned them, travelled on Saturday to Congleton, Cheshire, in the FA Carlsberg Vase fourth round. Congleton is known universally as Beartown - probably the best part of the story
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Girl struck by taxi 'serious'
A TEENAGE girl remained seriously ill in hospital last night after being struck by a taxi at the weekend. The incident happened in Providence Street, in Guisborough, east Cleveland, at 10.45pm on Saturday. Police said the 14-year-old appeared to step
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Budget forecast may hit fire jobs
MORE than 100 firefighters' jobs could be axed to fill a potential shortfall in the fire service budget worth millions of pounds. Changes to the way the fire service is funded means County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service could be left with
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Road tragedy highlights safety fears
A 66-YEAR-OLD disabled man, who died after his electric wheelchair was involved in a collision with a coach, had already inspired a campaign for road safety improvements around the community where he lived. Robert Rickaby, known as Bob to friends in Catterick
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Art centre attracts record numbers
A TROUBLED arts centre has been hailed a success after record ticket sales The £9.5m National Lottery-funded Arc, in Stockton, closed in 2001 after only two years because of debts. Many thought the Dovecot Street centre, which re-opened in September after
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No repeat show for Mills
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren has warned Danny Mills against becoming embroiled in a vendetta against Arsenal in tonight's Carling Cup first leg semi-final at Highbury. Gunners winger Robert Pires lit the touch-paper for a potentially explosive
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One last chance to tell me the truth
War widow Samantha Roberts last night gave Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon "one last chance" to tell her the truth about how her husband died. Speaking after an hour long meeting with Mr Hoon, Mrs Roberts said that ten months after her husband died, the
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The mum who wants Britain's biggest boobs
With reality TV programmes about plastic surgery filling our screens, and new drama series Nip/Tuck about to start, the temptation to go under the knife has never been greater. Sarah Foster talks to two women who have had breast enlargements. LOUISE Wilkinson
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Juninho urges McClaren to attack more
On the eve of Middlesbrough's Carling Cup first leg semi-final at Arsenal, Juninho has demanded a bolder approach from Steve McClaren's side. Chief football writer Clive Hetherington reports. AS once again he seeks the Holy Grail that is Middlesbrough's
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Panto tickets on sale
SEATS are selling out fast for a town's annual fundraising pantomime. The Babes in the Wood is being staged by Northallerton Variety Company every night this week at Hambleton Forum until Saturday. The show is a traditional family pantomime, which is
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Musician to play first home city concert
A NORTH-EAST musician is hoping his first concert in his home city will be a nostalgic night. Eric Clapton look and sound-alike Mike Hall and his band Classic Clapton will play at Durham's Gala Theatre on Thursday, February 5, at 8pm. Mr Hall, 51, was
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Why fish fingers ar the real villains
COR, don't you just bleed for those poor children who were so upset when Prince Philip shot a few pheasants near their school? It took my mind back to my boyhood when my Uncle Alan regularly took me to the woods to shoot rabbits - which my Auntie Edith
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Why do clubs get special treatment?
A Boxing Day outing to see Notts County play QPR brought home how football as a business gets away with what would not be tolerated in any other industry. County have only just come out of administration, having agreed to pay their creditors just 11p
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Death probe continues
AN investigation into the killing of a talented North-East artist, who was shot in India, was contining last night. David Green, 53, of Darlington, was shot in the back as he sketched wildlife in the northern town of Orchha on Thursday night. The nature
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Homely is where the hearth is
The column gets fired up about the Helme Park Hall Hotel, at Fir Tree, which boasts a armth all its own. THE RAC Hotels Guide, 100th edition, has arrived with a 750 page thud. When it first appeared, hotels still had signs saying "No automobiles" and
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False rape claim woman locked up
A WOMAN who cried rape to get attention and sparked a major investigation to find her attacker, was locked up last night. Kirstey Moir's lies cost the taxpayer £100,000 and wasted 800 hours of police time after detectives and the media helped hunt
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Assembly row rages
A SINGLE council covering North Yorkshire could save taxpayers between £10m and £21m, according to the latest report presented to senior county councillors. The Boundary Committee for England is looking at reorganising local government. A single council
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Bobby hails wing wizards
SIR Bobby Robson last night labelled Newcastle's third goal as 'incredible', and heaped praise on both his wing wizards, Laurent Robert and Nolberto Solano. Robert's spectacular overhead on 74 minutes sealed the Magpies win, and was another addition to
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Job Search: Vacancies
General office administrator, Melmerby, Ripon, 30hrs pw 9am to 5pm Mon-Fri, must have own transport, IT experience essential. Ref: NOE 20934. Customer service assistant, Thirsk, £5.23ph, 37.5hrs pw 5 days over 6 between 8.45am and 5.30pm, temporary 3
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A1 planning to extend stretch limo service
A VIP limousine company that transports the stars is expanding in the North-East. A1 Stretch, which is well known for its long list of celebrity clients, is planning to expand its VIP service to the North-East. The group, based in Hemel Hempstead, provides
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Knee problem forces Marco to hang up boots
MARCO Gabbiadini yesterday brought down the curtain on his prolific playing days. A long-standing knee injury means his career is over after 19 games and seven goals for Hartlepool United this season. He scored 273 times in 791 games during a career which
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Family set to sue police
A DEVASTATED family is to take out a private prosecution against police over the death of a father-of-three. Paul Wardell, 32, was with his sister Karen Squires and his children Ashley, eight, and Simon, now 12, when a gang attacked him and broke his
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Weird science works for young entrepreneur
YOUNG entrepreneur Claire Dodd has created an education company that takes science into the classroom - but with a twist. InSCInc uses drama and pantomime to teach Key Stage Two pupils in the region. The show is a presentation of A-ladd-in Space covering
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£30m drugs plot of hanged prisoner
A CONVICTED drugs smuggler who hanged himself in his cell was awaiting trial for his part in a £30m cocaine trafficking ring, it was revealed yesterday. John Shutt, of Kelsey House, Front Street, Kelloe, near Durham, was one of the key figures in a bid
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£2.6m museum block plans to be submitted
PLANS to save thousands of pieces of the region's industrial heritage are to move a step closer. Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has submitted planning applications for an extension to its regional resource centre. Bosses at the
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Record year for Sanctuary
ENTERTAINMENT group Sanctuary said 2003 had been a record year for live music as it posted a 19.7 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £17m. Sanctuary, owner of the biggest live tour booking agency outside the US, said it was involved in about 7,000
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Robert inspires as Magpies ease home
MOVE over Fulham and Liverpool, Newcastle United are coming through. A comfortable, yet impressive, 3-1 victory for the Magpies in last night's battle for fifth place with Chris Coleman's side has put Sir Bobby Robson's men just four points behind fourth-placed
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Awards given after human-chain rescue of drowning woman
A TEAM of policeman and a civilian who saved a woman from a fast-flowing river have been honoured. The six officers joined a local angler to save the woman from the River Nidd at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, in June. Robert Weatherhead was fishing
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All baby killing trials in spotlight
MORE than 250 cases involving parents convicted of killing their babies are to be urgently reviewed following a court judgement yesterday. The Court of Appeal, giving reasons for its decision last month to clear Angela Cannings of murdering her two baby
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Pennies add up to pounds in charity appeal
REGULARS from a Dales pub have saved their pennies over the past few months and, as a result, were able to hand over pounds to a charity which works with blind and partially-sighted people. There has been a large whisky bottle standing on the bar at The
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Hospital's new era steps closer
THE major redevelopment of the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton has moved another step closer. Work on the £18m project is expected to start in the summer after the South Tees NHS Trust chose Interserve Project Services as its construction partner.
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12-year-old racing champion James hopes for more titles
YOUNG racing champion James Johnston is looking for a new go-kart to help him collect more trophies. The 12-year-old go-karter from Ushaw Moor, County Durham, has won 14 trophies in his first season of competitive racing despite breaking his arm. Backed
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Bird survey set for weekend
North-East bird lovers have been invited to help discover which bird will be crowned the number one feathered visitor to gardens this winter. The RSPB which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Big Garden Bird Watch -- the world's biggest survey
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McKenna's mind management!
PAUL McKenna can change your life. He knows this for a fact - because he's already turned his own life around using the same techniques. Best known for his stage and TV hypnotism shows, McKenna has far more strings to his bow than simply persuading burly
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Eating Owt: Homely is where the hearth is
The column gets fired up about the Helme Park Hall Hotel, at Fir Tree, which boasts a armth all its own. THE RAC Hotels Guide, 100th edition, has arrived with a 750 page thud. When it first appeared, hotels still had signs saying "No automobiles" and
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Drive repairs conman robs pensioner
POLICE have released an e-fit of a conman who took a large amount of money after tricking his way into a pensioner's home. The man knocked on several doors in the Bilton area of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, last week, offering to resurface drives or repairs
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Knee problem forces Marco to hang up boots
MARCO Gabbiadini yesterday brought down the curtain on his prolific playing days. A long-standing knee injury means his career is over after 19 games and seven goals for Hartlepool United this season. He scored 273 times in 791 games during a career which
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Your chance to play the stars
North-east football fans have the chance to play alongside some of the biggest names in the game to help save the Quakers. Giants of the modern game, including Kenny Dalglish, Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley, Chris Waddle and Ally McCoist will be playing
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Young and old join in panto fun
PANTOMIME performers celebrated the success of their production of Aladdin at the weekend. Eight hundred people watched the performances by Guisborough Parish Pantomime Group last week. The group, which has presented a pantomime every year since it was
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Interest keen in writing contest
A WRITING competition launched last week is already attracting plenty of interest from authors. The Short Story Competition is organised by Inscribe Media Limited, of Darlington, backed by The Northern Echo, telecommunications company Orange and Darlington
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Premier friends back the Quakers
SUPPORTERS were last night urged to turn out in force for vital talks that could shape the immediate future of crisis-torn Darlington Football Club. Darlington Supporters' Trust is staging a public meeting tonight as the desperate battle to prevent the
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Michaels Dream to show versatility
BACKING Michaels Dream (1.50) might not turn out to be a nightmare at Southwell this afternoon. Like so many of Malton-based James Hetherton's string, Michaels Dream is a dual-purpose horse, dividing his attention between the jumps and Flat. James takes
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Tributes to ex-football chairman: 'a man of passion'
Mike McCullagh, the former chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club, has died aged 68. Last night, one of his three sons remembered him as a man who had great passion for the area. "He was born and bred in Middlesbrough and that is why he had such a passion
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Travel agency celebrates 30-year service milestone
A BUSINESS which prides itself on the personal touch is celebrating three decades of service. Jean Eddy established the 2J's travel agency in Ferryhill 30 years ago and the business is still going strong. Originally developed as a sideline in a record
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Shoppers aid appeal for diabetic children
SUPERMARKET shoppers dug deep into their pockets to help children with diabetes enjoy a better quality of life. Customers at the Morrison's store in Bishop Auckland filled the collection boxes at a Christmas crib manned by volunteers from the town's Methodist
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Raven is a top dog
RAVEN is well on her way to stardom having been shortlisted for an award in a competition. Supporters are wanted to help the 20-month-old labrador, whose owners live in Darlington, become this year's winner of the Drontal Coolest Canine competition. Raven's
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New railings for park
NEW railings are being installed in Darlington's South Park as part of restoration work. The £21,500 programme of works is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Work started yesterday and it is expected to take six weeks for railings to be replaced from
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Hall expansion plans win support
PLANS to enlarge Witham Hall, Barnard Castle, at a cost of more than £6m have won strong support. Dozens of residents have written messages backing the proposals since the blueprint was put on public display a fortnight ago. Town mayor Councillor John
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Landmark benefits case
A LANDMARK legal victory for a nine-year old partially-sighted girl will help young people throughout the country. Durham County Council's welfare rights team represented the girl, from Newton Aycliffe, when her claim for Disability Living Allowance (
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Survey shows support for rail link to reopen
HUNDREDS of people are backing the reinstatement of a 25-mile rail link which was closed more than 40 years ago, an independent survey has revealed. Support for reopening Ripon's railway link south to Harrogate and in the opposite direction to Northallerton
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Tucking into fruit as schoolchildren opt for healthier lifestyles
PUPILS queued up yesterday for the launch of a tuck shop that only sells fruit. Consett Junior School opened a fruit bar to encourage youngsters to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The scheme was only open to Year 3 pupils, and more than half of them took
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Cash to help wildlife thrive
A GRANT scheme to help natural environment projects across Hambleton still has cash in its pot. The £8,000 Natural Environment Fund is being used to achieve the aims of the district's Biodiversity Action Plan. Councillors want to see wildlife habitats
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£18m hospital revamp will be contracted out to firm
THE £18m redevelopment of the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton is the first project to be contracted out under a national "value for money" scheme. South Tees NHS Trust has chosen Interserve Project Services as its construction partner for the project
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Housing problem in town to be debated
PLANS to tackle problems blighting neighbourhoods in Hartlepool are to be discussed, with residents urged to have their say. Three community exhibitions have been arranged to enable people to give their views on the findings of a Hartlepool Borough Council-commissioned
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Recruit's first day surprise
AN NHS recruit got a surprise when she met the head of the service on her first day. Barbara Bright, 36, was taken on by Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) under the Gateway to Leadership scheme, the idea of National Health Service chief executive Sir
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School praised for Quality Mark after government inspection
AN MP has praised the work of a Redcar primary school that has been awarded the Primary Quality Mark. Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, congratulated Wheatlands Primary School, in Hundale Crescent, for its success following an inspection by the Basic Skills
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Pensioner wins energy efficiency competition
WHEN Allan Green completed an entry form for an Age Concern prize draw in the autumn it was more to fill in time than a serious attempt to scoop the top prize. Yesterday, the Richmond pensioner was at the branch of the charity where his wife, Lenora,
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Minibus cash helps people get about
A MINIBUS service is to be launched after a community group and a council successfully applied for a £42,750 grant. The Government has allocated the money to the Future Regeneration of Grangetown scheme (Frog) and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
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Schools merger plans will not threaten memorial park
A PLAY park built in memory of a four-year-old County Durham girl is not under threat despite school merger plans. John and Michelle Ord helped raise £25,000 for the facility at Murton Nursery School following the death in a road accident of their daughter
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Green fuel on European stage
A TEESSIDE company that produces environmentally-friendly fuel is to address a European conference promoting the use of "green" biofuels. The British Association For Biofuels and Oils (BABFO) conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, in
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How do you deal with anger in the workplace?
Q What is your view of the recent report that offices across the country are being turned into hotbeds of anger? Do you think the workplace can ever be harmonious? AThe workplace can be a very harmonious place. It is true to say that we spend more time
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Pigeon club finds new home
RICHMOND'S pigeon fanciers have been smoothing ruffled feathers after a move from their home for the past 50 years. Members of the town's Homing Pigeon Society have kept equipment in an outbuilding in the yard of the Town Hall public house for decades
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Miners warned of looming deadline
FAMILIES of former miners who contracted crippling lung diseases are continuing to miss out on compensation, say solicitors. The warning comes as the cut off date for claims under the Government's national compensation scheme for lung disease looms closer
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Job Search: Vacancies
Lead worker's artist, Darlington, exceeds National Minimum Wage, minimum 20 hours Monday to Friday. Must have two years' experience in all aspects of lead colour work on glass. Ref: DAE 37478. Hair stylists, Darlington, exceeds National Minimum Wage.
