Archive
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Band secures future
ONE of the North-East's best known brass bands has hit a high note after securing a five-year sponsorship deal. The Reg Vardy (Ever Ready) Band is the new name for the 28-musician band, formed in 1910 at Craghead Colliery, near Stanley. For the last 12
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Gran At Large: Swapping Teasmades for Teletubbies
IT'S NOT often I need an alarm clock to wake me up. Like many 'mature' people, I rarely sleep much beyond eight. That's in the winter. In the summer, I wake even earlier. During the shortest nights, when it hardly gets dark, there's a curlew that starts
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Swapping teasmades for teletubbies
IT'S NOT often I need an alarm clock to wake me up. Like many 'mature' people, I rarely sleep much beyond eight. That's in the winter. In the summer, I wake even earlier. During the shortest nights, when it hardly gets dark, there's a curlew that starts
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Will this bubble ever burst?
Interest rates may have gone up twice in the last few months, but the housing market has shown no signs of slowing down. With the Halifax yesterday reporting a 1.6 per cent rise in February, Karen Westcott asks: For how long can house prices keep rising
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Bright prospects
Prospects for the UK service industry remained bright after a survey showed the 11th successive month of expansion in the sector. The key activity index from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply was 59.5 last month, marginally lower than the
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Deepcut report to be published
A long-awaited report into the deaths of four young Army recruits at the controversial Deepcut barracks was due to be made public today. The report compiled by Surrey Police, which was received by families of the soldiers yesterday, is expected to make
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You're fired
HOT pants make a comeback in Weatherfield as fire sweeps through the Underworld factory in Coronation Street (ITV1). The knicker fire is sparked off by Nick (I'm too sexy for my shirt) Tilsley imposing a ban on smoking breaks. That inflames hostilities
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Happy McCarthy hails Kyle
SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy hailed striker Kevin Kyle after he shrugged off a dead leg and the attentions of the Walsall defence to fire the Black Cats into the heart of the promotion race last night. Kyle scored Sunderland's second, and set up the
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Ministers will act on 'cold callers'
LAWS will be introduced to stamp out intimidation by doorstep "cold callers" - but the Government is expected to stop short of an outright ban. Consumer Affairs Minister Gerry Sutcliffe surprised MPs yesterday by unveiling Government plans to introduce
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Youths needed for show
YOUNG performers are needed to take part in a stage production. The Dionysis Theatre Company is holding auditions for a production of comic rock musical The Little Shop of Horrors. The project is open to people aged eight to 25. The best will be asked
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Black is back
As Debbie of Archers fame, Tamsin Greig rarely has anything to laugh at on radio. But she tells Steve Pratt she's struggling to keep a straight face during the making of Black Books, which returns for a second series next week. THE name Tamsin Greig might
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The Sleuth with a silver spoon
He's the posh policeman on TV, but actor Nathaniel Parker is far happier on the set of a Hollywood movie. Steve Pratt talks to him about whodunits, starring opposite Eddie Murphy in a Disney film and why he's vowed to reduce his stage roles in future.
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Toddler inspires fundraising gig
RISING young singing star Jordan Louise Roseberry hopes to hit the high notes in support of a young family friend who is suffering from a life-threatening illness. The 11-year-old singer will take centre stage in a charity concert on Saturday, being staged
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Swapping Teasmades for Teletubbies
IT'S NOT often I need an alarm clock to wake me up. Like many 'mature' people, I rarely sleep much beyond eight. That's in the winter. In the summer, I wake even earlier. During the shortest nights, when it hardly gets dark, there's a curlew that starts
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Runner wins race - despite detour
One of the region's top young runners has pulled off a remarkable victory by winning a key race despite being mistakenly sent off on a 400 metre detour. Fifteen-year-old Simon Watson, was well ahead in the County Durham Schools 5km race when disaster
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£90,000 nightmare over wife's £8,000 loan
A MAN had to sell his home after being told he owed £93,000 for a £8,000 loan he did not know his late wife had taken out. Cynthia Padgett borrowed the money to pay for a holiday to celebrate the couple's 25th wedding anniversary. But their dream trip
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04/03/04
TUITION FEES: I WOULD like to return to the question of university tuition fees, which seems to have been elbowed aside lately by other, newer, events. As I understand it, these fees will not apply in Scotland, yet Scottish MPs were allowed to vote them
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Magpies climb sporting rich list
NEWCASTLE United has risen up the ranks of the world's richest football clubs, according to a report. The Deloitte Rich List places the Tyneside plc at number nine, up four places on last year, with a total turnover of 138.9m euros (£92.4m). It makes
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Strachan nightmare returns
GAVIN Strachan is facing another spell on the sidelines, amid fears he is in need of surgery that could put an end to his season. The Hartlepool United midfielder made a return to action in Tuesday's comfortable win over Chesterfield, a little over a
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Council criticised for high turnover
ONE of the region's councils has been criticised after an independent inspection found it had poor leadership and a high staff turnover. Chester-le-Street District Council also struggled to manage its resources and spent only ten per cent of a £3.5m budget
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Minister visits two village schools to trace his roots
AFTER driving through one of the toughest pieces of legislation this government has produced, on university tuition fees, education secretary Charles Clarke earned himself a reputation as a political bruiser. But Labour's hard nut showed his softer side
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Fred celebrates 105th birthday with party
ONE of the region's oldest residents has celebrated his 105th birthday. Far from putting his feet up, Fred Dickinson, from Hartlepool, still leads an active social life. A regular bridge player, he is often in his local pub enjoying a pint or shopping
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Imiela found guilty
A 49-year-old railway worker was today found guilty of terrorising the South East of England during a year-long campaign of rape in the Home Counties. Antoni Imiela, of Appledore, near Ashford, Kent, attacked seven women and girls aged from 10 to 52 in
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Gospels bring history lessons to life
CHILDREN in County Durham have been learning about history first hand as the copy of a famous book embarked on a tour of the county. Pupils at Castleside Primary School, Castleside, Consett, were the first to see the facsimile copy of the Lindisfarne
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Gospels go on the road
THE Lindisfarne Gospels were on view at one of the oldest Saxon churches in England as the manuscripts started a tour of the region last week. Although not the original, the high-quality colour copy of the gospels thrilled youngsters and villagers at
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Leisure services get passed over
MORE cash for the environment, a freeze on leisure spending and a review of community safety are key elements in Sedgefield Borough Council's budget. The council set its budget for next year and agreed a 6.5 per cent council tax rise. Brian Allen, the
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Cobbler plans to barricade himself in after quit notice
A CAMPAIGNING cobbler said he will barricade himself in his shop after he was ordered to leave for rent arrears. For more than five years, Tony Martin has used the window of his premises in Claypath, Durham, to criticise the local authority. Mr Martin
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Schools to be merged
COUNCILLORS have approved plans to merge Darlington's Harrowgate Hill infant and junior schools. Darlington Borough Council's cabinet met last night and approved the plans. The proposal comes after a Private Finance Initiative offer to replace the infant
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Fashionable way to raise hospice cash
FASHION students had a taste of life on the catwalk and raised more than £1,000 for charity. The students from Darlington College of Technology became models for a night at a charity show in aid of the town's St Teresa's Hospice. The show was organised
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Targeting the bogus callers
IT is estimated that about a quarter of a million people a year are targeted by bogus callers. These criminals prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities to either steal property or dupe them out of money. Sadly, there has been little to deter
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New postcards launched
GREETINGS cards depicting well-known scenes in Darlington have gone on sale and will soon be available online. The range of postcards and notelets, designed by artist Lois Blackburn, include scenes of the Town Clock and High Row. They are available from
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Youngsters rewarded for a tidy town
CONSCIENTIOUS youngsters are to be rewarded for keeping their town tidy. Throughout this month, Middlesbrough Council's Streetscene Services will be handing out prizes to youngsters who are seen using litter bins or who get involved in litter picking
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Monk in line to be adopted by N-E city
A MONK who helped the North-East become the cradle of Christianity in early Medieval England could be adopted as a city's patron saint. St Benedict Biscop, the Seventh Century monk credited with starting the city's glass-making industry, was the founder
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£90,000 nightmare over wife's £8,000 loan
A MAN had to sell his home after being told he owed £93,000 for a £8,000 loan he did not know his late wife had taken out. Cynthia Padgett borrowed the money to pay for a holiday to celebrate the couple's 25th wedding anniversary. But their dream trip
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Mining community to enter In Bloom contest
A DEPRIVED former mining community is to enter the Northumbria in Bloom competition. Plans were shelved for a joint entry in the contest, featuring five villages in the Stanley area, after the Bloomers action group failed to secure funding for the project
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Haven for wildlife starting to flourish
A COUPLE'S dreams of transforming a redundant quarry into a nature reserve and education centre are starting to flourish. When Tom Mercer, 40, and Jill Essam, 41, bought Harehope Quarry in Frosterley, Weardale, they had a vision of creating a safe haven
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Museum mine saved thanks to ex-pitmen
A PIECE of the region's mining heritage has been secured, thanks to two County Durham ex-pitmen. The Mahogany drift mine at the Beamish Museum, near Stanley, was facing closure because museum bosses could not find a qualified miner needed to enable it
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Killer: I'm sorry for causing death
PENSIONER Elizabeth Hedley's killer told a jury yesterday he was "more than sorry" that he caused her to fall to her death over a car park wall. Michael McKay said he drove his car straight at the 60-year-old to scare her after she went "berserk" during
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Striker Cort given double booking
PREMIERSHIP soccer star Carl Cort was booked twice in one day -by traffic wardens. The former Newcastle United striker has been fined by magistrates after he got two tickets within hours. Cort, now at Premiership strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers, was
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Authority has mark of quality
SEDGEFIELD Town Council has become the first in the North-East, and one of the first in the country, to achieve Quality Council status. Quality Councils were introduced last year as part of the Government's drive to modernise local government and ensure
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Tips from big top
CIRCUS skills trainer Mini Mansell taught pupils at St Helen Auckland Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, some tips from the big top yesterday. The four to 11-year-olds learned about juggling, plate-spinning and balancing. Deputy headteacher Judith
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Former pit village facelift nearly complete
WORK to give a County Durham former pit village a facelift is almost complete. The final stage of a £183,000 regeneration project in Front Street, Cockfield, is about to begin. The work on the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme is expected to cost
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Police report into Deepcut deaths to demand an inquiry
A DAMNING police report on the way the Army cares for young soldiers will recommend the Government holds a public inquiry, The Northern Echo can reveal. The document, due to be released today, is Surrey Police's fifth and final report into the deaths
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Walled garden trust publishes cookbook
ONE of the region's fastest growing attractions is branching out into the cookery business. Helmsley Walled Garden has published a book of local recipes that are based on its produce. The money made from sales will be re-invested in the charity's continuing
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Comedian Roy backs campaign
COMEDIAN Roy Chubby Brown is backing a campaign to raise awareness of head and neck cancers. The Teesside comedian is helping to highlight the Look Ahead to Save Lives campaign to make people more aware of the symptoms that indicate these cancers. On
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Report reveals changing park life
SOARING house prices, village post office closures and increases in traffic are all affecting the quality of life for residents of the North York Moors. But tourism is increasing, the quality of rivers has improved and conditions are better for walkers
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Sunderland in another Midlands masterclass
IT might not be the most glamorous part of the world - but Sunderland seem to have developed a liking for the West Midlands. Last week's win at Birmingham took them into the last eight of the FA Cup, while last night's success at neighbours Walsall keeps
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Author's visit will bring books to life
A POPULAR children's author is coming to north Durham to help pupils celebrate World Book Day. Anita Ganeri, the writer of the Horrible Geography series, will visit Tanfield Lea Junior School, near Stanley, today. She will meet with the school's 220 pupils
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Flood homes put on the map
A DIGITAL map, which will be used to assess insurance premiums in flood-hit areas, has been welcomed by home-owners. However, agencies who regularly battle the threat of rising water insist the technology is not new. Insurance company Norwich Union yesterday
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Charlie's Trousers, Newcastle Live Theatre
SET in a redundant shipyard turned modern art gallery, Alan Plater's newest comedy takes a down-to-earth look at art and the common man through the eyes of Kev, the security guard, and Nev, his former school friend. Nev appears shortly before midnight
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'Worst case scenario' plan drawn up to save Quakers
DARLINGTON FC's future looked more secure last night after administrators revealed details of a new deal to solve the club's financial crisis. Administrators Wilson Field have drawn up proposals they believe will ensure the crisis-hit club is still in
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Flood homes put on the map
A DIGITAL map, which will be used to assess insurance premiums in flood-hit areas, has been welcomed by home-owners. However, agencies who regularly battle the threat of rising water insist the technology is not new. Insurance company Norwich Union yesterday
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Rehearsals under way for concert
REHEARSALS are under way for the next performance of Ripon's St Cecilia Orchestra. Music by Bach, Stravinsky and Mozart will be performed at their next concert, on Saturday, at Holy Trinity Church, Ripon. The programme opens with two of Bach's Brandenburg
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Ministers to act on 'cold callers'
LAWS will be introduced to stamp out intimidation by doorstep "cold callers" - but the Government is expected to stop short of an outright ban. Consumer Affairs Minister Gerry Sutcliffe surprised MPs yesterday by unveiling Government plans to introduce
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MP steps in over job cuts
ALAN Milburn will meet union leaders today to discuss Cleveland Bridge's plans to axe 240 jobs. The Darlington MP said the firm's proposals to lose a quarter of its workforce in the town was not a 'death knell but a blip.' He said: "Hopefully in six or
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Will this bubble ever burst?
YOU may not think it, but houses in the North-East are still a relative bargain when compared to others around Britain - despite more than doubling in price in the last five years. Housing experts say buyers will still get more for their money in this
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Police dog dishes out some ruff justice
FEARSOME Bruno is putting the bite on criminals as the region's first rottweiler police dog. The seven-and-a-half stone recruit was unveiled at Northumbria Police headquarters yesterday. The formidable 20-month-old is a general purpose police dog who
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Soccer club's plans kick off
A TOWN football club is steaming ahead with plans for major improvements to its historic stadium after receiving a cash boost. Willington AFC hopes to net grants of more than £40,000 to redevelop its Hall Lane Stadium to bring it up to new league standards
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Blooming late
Naomi Watts agreed to make 21 Grams without even reading the script, such is the status of Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. She talks to Steve Pratt about the experience. NAOMI Watts may not have gone home with the Oscar for best actress
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Blazin' time promised by folk band
Blazin' Fiddles, one of the hottest contemporary fiddle bands, will perform at the Market House, in Hawes, Wensleydale, on Wednesday, March 31, at 8pm. Members of the seven-piece ensemble will play pieces that reflect their home regions before joining
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Breakfast boosts funds for charity
POLICE across the county will tuck into porridge to raise coppers for a cancer charity. Officers are taking part in Cancer Research UK's Britain's Biggest All Day Breakfast fundraising event next Wednesday and Friday. Durham County Council's catering
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Officers Club vows to fight allegations
A DISCOUNT fashion chain has vowed to fight court proceedings brought by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) following claims it used misleading advertisements. The Officers Club, which is based in Sunderland, and its director, David Charlton, have been
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Stage set for a Royal performance
ROYAL BELUGA might need to make a little more room in his trophy cabinet after the running of today's Forbra Challenge Gold Cup at Taunton. The Tom George-trained seven-year-old has been crying out for three miles, having performed with credit on his
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Man who attacked policeman goes to jail
A man who attacked an off-duty police officer as he tried to arrest a suspected thief was yesterday locked up for nine months. Ian Metcalfe was one of two people who pulled up in a car when Sergeant Alex Clarke was grappling with a teenager who was thought
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Keeping the schools in business
YET more evidence that family sizes are shrinking - almost 200 schools in the North-East and North Yorkshire are threatened with closure because of dramatically falling numbers. As a mother of five I am constantly reminded of what a dying breed we large
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Deepcut report to demand inquiry
A DAMNING police report on the way the Army cares for young soldiers will recommend the Government holds a public inquiry, The Northern Echo can reveal. The document, due to be released today, is Surrey Police's fifth and final report into the deaths
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Zenden off as Boro crash back to earth
BOLO ZENDEN'S Carling Cup heroics were quickly forgotten last night when the Middlesbrough star was sent off in a crushing 3-1 defeat at Birmingham City. The Dutchman's match-winning penalty at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday was in stark contrast to
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Work starts on £35m education village
WORK to build a pioneering £34.9m education village has got under way. The scheme will see three existing schools, a primary, secondary and special school, brought together on one site in modern facilities. The new campus is being built on the site of
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Ameobi strikes to save jittery United
SHOLA AMEOBI rescued Newcastle from a potential European embarrassment with a double strike which saw off the plucky challenge of Norwegian minnows Valerenga. Skipper Alan Shearer's 13th goal for the Magpies in Europe, and 18th of the season, gave Sir
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Hodgson offers James open invitation to kick-start career
DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson has left the door open for former loan star Craig James to make a return to the club. The Sunderland defender is free to talk to other clubs after being told his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season. James
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Treasure trove of mechanical wonders up for auction
A treasure trove of Hornby trains and Meccano toys is being sold in the region. The toys, kept at Frank Hornby's Liverpool factory before it closed in the 1970s, were part of a collection of one of his staff. The items, which include a signed photograph
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Estate plans gather pace
THE regeneration of a Darlington estate has taken another step forward with detailed plans for more new homes being submited for approval. Haslam Homes and Barratts have applied to Darlington Borough Council to build 90 homes on the site of the former
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Art of comedy
Who wears the trousers when it comes to Tyneside productions? Actor Joe Caffrey talks to Viv Hardwick about the appeal of Alan Plater's work and looks forward to the chance of appearing in Elton John's musical version of Billy Elliot. WHEN award-winning
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Pub chain considers TV U-turn
JD Wetherspoon is considering showing televised football in its pubs in a marked shift in business ethos. The chain made its name by serving cheap beer, banning juke boxes and having dedicated no-smoking areas. The group considering showing live matches
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Explosions at Teesside chemical works
A major mopping-up exercise is taking place after a series of explosions at a chemical plant on Teesside. Investigations are continuing into the cause of the blaze at the Shanks chemical works on the Tofts Farm Industrial Estate, Seaton Carew, but it
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Green business park planned
PLANS have been unveiled for an environmentally-friendlybusiness park near Stanley. Environmental group Groundwork West Durham is working with Derwentside District Council and Durham County Council to create a £2.5m 'ecocentre' on the Greencroft Industrial
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Restoration of wildlife area completed
YOUNGSTERS have put the finishing touches to a restored wildlife area. Pupils from the Grove Primary School in Consett, planted 20 mature trees and a range of shrubs at Grove Ponds. The site, which is owned by the Genesis Trust, was dug up to allow the
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Council criticised for high turnover
ONE of the region's councils has been criticised after an independent inspection found it had poor leadership and a high staff turnover. Chester-le-Street District Council also struggled to manage its resources and spent only ten per cent of a £3.5m budget
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Appeal for witnesses in fatal moat fall case
POLICE are still trying to trace people who were seen in the area where a university student was found dead. Detectives investigating the death of 20-year-old Stephen Shaw, whose body was found in a dry moat near Durham Cathedral, ruled out suspicious
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Born for TV
Actress Julie Graham was pregnant when it came to starring as a midwife in a second series of ITV1's William and Mary, so the script was adapted to take in her condition. Steve Pratt reports on Graham's thoughts about becoming a mum at 36 while pretending
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We must heed Valerenga warning - Robson
SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night warned that Newcastle can't afford a repeat of their "insipid'' first-half performance against Valerenga at St. James' Park last night. Substitute Shola Ameobi, a half-time replacement for hamstring victim Craig Bellamy, confirmed
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Author delves into history of village
TWO books depicting the history of one of the region's youngest communities have been launched. The village of Delves Lane, near Consett, was founded in 1921, when the first miners' cottages were built for workers at the nearby Victory Pit. Villager Tony
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Council judged poor in report
Problems left by poor leadership resulted in people in Chester-le-Street getting a bottom-rated council service, says a report out this week. The Comprehensive Performance Assessment, published by the Audit Commission, rates the district council's performance
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Zenden off as Boro crash
BOLO ZENDEN'S Carling Cup heroics were quickly forgotten last night when the Middlesbrough star was sent off in a crushing 3-1 defeat at Birmingham City. The Dutchman's match-winning penalty at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday was in stark contrast to
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Who's the real booby in this game?
Tabloid Tales (BBC1): AS WELL as attracting huge viewing figures, the recent I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! did much to bring an ex-Page 3 model, described as "a really huge pair of bouncing boobs with a woman attached", to a wider audience. As
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Teenagers team up with professional dancers on the big stage
Pupils are inventing and practising a dance routine for a performance at one of Teesside's leading theatres. The 13 and 14 year olds from Stockton's Our Lady and St Bede's RC School will perform with two professional dance troupes next week. Their contemporary
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'Closure of schools only as a last resort'
EDUCATION chiefs at a North-East council criticised for having too many extra school places said there would be no large-scale school closures. Durham County Council agreed there were 12,000 surplus places in primary and secondary schools in the county
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Mary overcomes odds to mark milestone
AFTER starting with a modest mobile shop, Mary Sparrow became one of the country's leading florists, despite a handicap that would have stopped most in their tracks. Born with one arm, Ms Sparrow overcame her disability and is celebrating 40 years running
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Chance for a chat in Zulu
CHILDREN as young as eight could soon be speaking Italian, Russian and Zulu thanks to a competition for primary school pupils. Last year's competition winner, Lucy Smith, from Teesside, won a trip to Lapland after learning Spanish, Greek and Saami (Lappish
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Supreme test for singer Diana
Diana Ross is one of the star names visiting Newcastle this month. Viv Hardwick reports. DIANA Ross's appearance on Tyneside on March 13 is a welcome distraction from the Motown music legend's current year of hell in the US. The singer, who will be 60
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Ousted ITV chairman collects £15m
FORMER ITV boss Michael Green is to get a £15m pay-off following his ousting from the merged broadcaster. Mr Green, 56, whose hopes of becoming chairman were blocked by shareholders, received a cash-plus-shares package for his final year as chairman of
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Police dog dishes out some ruff justice
FEARSOME Bruno is putting the bite on criminals as the region's first rottweiler police dog. The seven-and-a-half stone recruit was unveiled at Northumbria Police headquarters yesterday. The formidable 20-month-old is a general purpose police dog who
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Historic artefact found at £10m railway museum site
AN important piece of North-East railway history has been unearthed at the region's first national museum. A union banner found in old engine sheds at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, at Shildon, County Durham, will go on display when the £10m
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Bouncers accused of club brawl injury
A MAN injured in a drunken pub brawl could have suffered a broken jaw from clashing with "heavy-handed" bouncers, a court heard. Michael Woods, was celebrating his 21st birthday when he got into a fight with Adam Dawes, in the Lounge nightclub, in Darlington
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New target to cut teenage pregnancies
THE number of teenage pregnancies in Darlington has dropped thanks to a strategy that includes giving free condoms to young people. The rate of conception among under-18s in the town has fallen since 1998, according to figures from the National Teenage
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Rail strike blow for football fans
A RAIL strike is threatening to mar one of the biggest footballing occasions in the North-East. Thousands of fans going to Sunderland's FA Cup quarter final clash with Sheffield United, at the Stadium of Light, on Sunday face travel chaos as part of the
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Teenager boxes clever to next round
A TEENAGER has fought his way through to the Amateur Boxing Association's semi-finals. To win through, Chris Wallace had to defeat the 2003 ABA Champion which he did in style. A pupil at Shotton Hall School, in Peterlee, 15-year-old Chris was delighted
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Hear All Sides
TUITION FEES I WOULD like to return to the question of university tuition fees, which seems to have been elbowed aside lately by other, newer, events. As I understand it, these fees will not apply in Scotland, yet Scottish MPs were allowed to vote them
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Police CCTV van will help combat crime
POLICE in Stockton have received their latest tool in combating crime and disorder. A police van equipped with closed circuit television (CCTV) has been joint-funded through the Community Safety Partnership. The vehicle has been provided by the police
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Crane finishes work at centre
A STRUCTURE that has dominated part of the North-East skyline for three years is about to go. Work begins today on taking down the tower crane at The Sage music centre, in Gateshead. Since it was put up in 2001, the crane has helped install more than
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Work to start on affordable homes
WORK will start soon on the first phase of a housing project in Stockton. The Tees Valley Housing Group is to regenerate land overlooking the A177, at Ketton Road, providing 20 flats for people over the age of 55. Stockton Borough Council's planning committee
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Pet star Tim backs youth initiative
AUF Wiedersehen Pet's Tim Healy revisited Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge yesterday to launch an initiative for young people. Mr Healy, who plays Dennis in the successful television series, was promoting a £9.7m project, Kick Start, that aims to help
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Scientist's talk on mine hunt for matter
A SCIENTIST carrying out experiments 1km beneath the North York Moors spoke to students about his research yesterday. Dr Pete Edwards, from Durham University, gave a talk to students from Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, near Stockton, about his
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World record basketball attempt
STUDENT basketballers hope to shoot their way into the record books. Players from Durham University are staging a 12-hour charity scoring marathon on Saturday, in the car park of the Tesco store, in Dragonville, from 9am. They hope to be the first to
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Green group to create £2.5m eco-friendly business park
A £2.5m environmentally-friendly business park could be created in north Durham. Environmental group Groundwork West Durham is working with Derwentside District Council and Durham County Council to create an ecocentre on the Greencroft Industrial Park
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Collector Fred has got a lot of bottle
FRED ALLART has a particular passion for collecting bottles and now part of his vast collection has gone on show. Mr Allart, who lives with his wife, Andrea, in Sherburn Hill, has been seeking out bottles of every shape for more than two decades. This
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Council calendar wins award
A CALENDAR featuring striking shots of buildings in Durham has been honoured for the second year running. Images of Durham shows the more unusual characteristics of the city. It has proved extremely popular with residents and tourists and has experienced
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Pop academy to open
WOULD-BE North-East popstars are being offered places at a Fame Academy-style summer school. The ID Programme, run by Genius Entertainment, will give performers and musicians the chance to develop their talents and music industry knowledge. The free course
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Council tenants face rents rise
COUNCIL house rents in Teesdale are likely to rise by an average of nearly four per cent in the coming year. Teesdale District Council's social and environmental policy committee yesterday voted for the 3.92 per cent average increase after hearing the
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Free parking deal on offer to shoppers
BISHOP Auckland traders are offering a free parking deal to encourage more shoppers to visit the town. Businesses will give customers a 50p refund which is the likely cost of two hours' parking when charges are imposed in July. The offer was the first
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Second plan blocked
A SECOND attempt to build homes behind Richmond's former post office has been blocked following concerns about narrow access roads. Last August, plans for flats on the derelict garage site, off Queen's Road, were described by the local civic society as
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Schoolchildren enter final stage of crime challenge
A GROUP of schoolchildren are entering the final stages of a five-week crime challenge. Next week, the 11 and 12-year-olds from Easingwold School will present the findings of their study. They will perform plays and display posters created during the
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Plans to regenerate dilapidated library
A HISTORICAL building in Hartlepool which has stood empty for the past five years could be given a new lease of life. The former Northgate Library, Carnegie Building, was inherited by Hartlepool Borough Council from Cleveland Council and used as a library
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Memorial issue up for debate
PEOPLE in Chester-le-Street are being encouraged to decide what kind of monument they would like to commemorate their war dead. A public meeting will be held to see how people want to honour some 900 men who laid down their lives for the country. It has
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Worst case scenario plan for Quakers
DARLINGTON FC's future looked more secure last night after administrators revealed details of a new deal to solve the club's financial crisis. Administrators Wilson Field have drawn up proposals they believe will ensure the crisis-hit club is still in
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Residents win fight as plan for sex shop is turned down
PLANS to open a sex shop in Hartlepool have been refused much to the delight of residents who feared it would be detrimental to the area. Provincial Enterprises Limited had applied to Hartlepool Borough Council's licensing committee for a sex establishment
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John North: Ellington in the aisles
MOOCHING (as you do) around the Cannes Music Festival, Ian Luck from Gainford comes across a CD called Duke Ellington: the Durham Connection. There will be several other connections before the music stops. The CD was recorded in Durham Cathedral in 1990
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Hodgson offers James open invitation to kick-start career
DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson has left the door open for former loan star Craig James to make a return to the club. The Sunderland defender is free to talk to other clubs after being told his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season. James
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Ellington in the aisles
MOOCHING (as you do) around the Cannes Music Festival, Ian Luck from Gainford comes across a CD called Duke Ellington: the Durham Connection. There will be several other connections before the music stops. The CD was recorded in Durham Cathedral in 1990
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Historic artefact found at £10m railway museum site
AN important piece of North-East railway history has been unearthed at the region's first national museum. A union banner found in old engine sheds at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, at Shildon, County Durham, will go on display when the £10m
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'Closure of schools only as a last resort'
EDUCATION chiefs at a North-East council criticised for having too many extra school places said there would be no large-scale school closures. Durham County Council agreed there were 12,000 surplus places in primary and secondary schools in the county
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Pupils learn ways with words
WRITERS and artists are working with students during Hurworth School's book week. Award winning performance poet Adisa is in residence throughout the week, working with pupils and other people in the community. Songwriters Don Rose and Dave King and Hurworth
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Magnet attracts satisfied employees and another award
A KITCHEN retailer that was embroiled in one of the longest strikes in history has been named Retail Employer of the Year. Magnet, based in Darlington, has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes after pledging to pay more attention to the needs of
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Virtual centre launched
NORTH-EAST training company ClickHere has launched a virtual training centre on Tyneside to expand its delivery of workplace-based vocational training. ClickHere, which provides information technology, management development and personal development training
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Glisten buys confectioner for £428,450
CONFECTIONERY group Glisten has made its third acquisition in six months. The company has bought Penguin Confectionery from House of York, of North Shields, adding to its earlier purchase of chocolate football maker Sunya, of York. Glisten paid £428,450
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Tom's Midnight Garden, Darlingon Civic Theatre
MOST people would be a little anxious about a small boy propping the front door open with a slipper at midnight to go off, in his pyjamas, and play with ghostly strangers. But, in the words of Michael Winner: "Don't worry, my dears, it's really a stageplay
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New To Rent
The Italian Job (12, Paramount Home Entertainment, to buy DVD £19.99/2-disc box set with original Italian Job £26.99/VHS £14.99): Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, Donald Sutherland. F Gary Gray's
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The Sleuth with a silver spoon
He's the posh policeman on TV, but actor Nathaniel Parker is far happier on the set of a Hollywood movie. Steve Pratt talks to him about whodunits, starring opposite Eddie Murphy in a Disney film and why he's vowed to reduce his stage roles in future.
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Country club helps asthma sufferers
A LINE dancing and country music club has paid tribute to a founder member, who died last year, by raising more than £4000 for charity. Members of Simply The West, which is based at West Auckland Workingmen's Club, held a charity night and made collections
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Trincomalee sails through tourism test
THREE tourist attractions in the North-East have been shortlisted as finalists in a top national award. Hartlepool's HMS Trincomalee, Sunderland's Museum and Winter Gardens and Seaham Hall Hotel and Serenity Spa have all made the shortlist in the Excellence
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Jockey marries nurse who helped him heal
A top jockey who cheated death when he suffered an horrific fall during a race has married the nurse who brought him back to health. Scott Taylor, 31, could not hide his joy when he said "I do" to pretty Theresa Lishman, 26, at a plush ceremony in Prime
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Youth attempted to abduct girl
A teenager was left shaken and frightened as she fought of a youth who attempted to abduct her. The incident took place at around 8.20pm on Wednesday, near the Safeway store in Ingleby Barwick. The 14-year-old was making her way to a friend's house when
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Targeting the bogus callers
IT is estimated that about a quarter of a million people a year are targeted by bogus callers. These criminals prey on the most vulnerable members of our communities to either steal property or dupe them out of money. Sadly, there has been little to deter
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Boxer takes British title after knock-out success
THAI boxer Terry Anderson, of Newton Aycliffe, has become a British champion for the first time. Mr Anderson, 23, a member of the Darlington Boxing Martial Arts Academy, travelled to Glasgow to challenge the home favourite Billy Bonner for the British
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Sunderland in another Midlands masterclass
IT might not be the most glamorous part of the world - but Sunderland seem to have developed a liking for the West Midlands. Last week's win at Birmingham took them into the last eight of the FA Cup, while last night's success at neighbours Walsall keeps
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Ameobi rescues Newcastle
SHOLA AMEOBI rescued Newcastle from a potential European embarrassment with a double strike which saw off the plucky challenge of Norwegian minnows Valerenga. Skipper Alan Shearer's 13th goal for the Magpies in Europe, and 18th of the season, gave Sir
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Mourners join to offer their respects to dedicated player
FOOTBALL fans have paid their final respects to a young player who was killed in a car accident last week. Many wore the purple colours of Shildon Football Club at the funeral of defender Lee Hainsworth at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Norton Road,
