Archive
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Crackdown to stop the badger baiters
FARMERS and naturalists have joined forces in a campaign to crack down on the activities of badger baiters in the countryside. The agreement comes after two attacks on setts in the Bishop Auckland area earlier this year, which prompted Darlington Rural
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Dirty Sunderland? Don't believe a word
SUNDERLAND boss Mick McCarthy has defended his side's disciplinary record ahead of tonight's Stadium of Light showdown with Gillingham and insisted: "We are not a dirty side." Jeff Whitley's second-half dismissal at Reading on Saturday took Sunderland's
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Good Samaritan attacked
THE number of entries for a short story competition launched in the region has soared past 200 as the deadline approaches. Writers wishing to send their work in for The Short Story Competition now have just a week to do so. The competition was launched
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A senseless slaughter
IT is difficult to comprehend Israel's reasoning behind the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin outside a Gaza City mosque. He stood accused by Israel of being the mastermind of Palestinian terror, who had on his hands the blood of the victims of the suicide
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Story competition entries surge
THE number of entries for a short story competition launched in the region has soared past 200 as the deadline approaches. Writers wishing to send their work in for The Short Story Competition now have just a week to do so. The competition was launched
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Superbikes ready for big start
With the scene set for one of the best ever seasons, the British Superbike Championship roars into life this weekend when the opening round of the 13 round series gets underway at Silverstone on Sunday. The championship is regarded as the toughest domestic
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North-East hospital provides UK model for reducing heart deaths
THE success of a North-East town in reducing heart disease deaths is being copied all over the country. Premature deaths from heart disease have plummeted in Darlington, leading to the so-called "Darlington" model of running heart services being adopted
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'Corus needs a larger Teesport'
THERE have been renewed calls for improvements to be made to Teesport to give steelmaker Corus a better chance of survival. On a fact finding visit to Corus's Redcar plant, Liberal Democrat European spokeswoman Fiona Hall said the expansion and upgrade
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Nine admit part in town centre night of violence
NINE men have admitted their part in violence which broke out between a group of off-duty soldiers and local men in a town centre. A total of 11 men were accused of taking part in the disturbance, which was captured on security cameras in Post House Wynd
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School puts forward own rescue plan
A SCHOOL threatened with closure hopes to win a reprieve by outlining alternative proposals to cut surplus places. North Blunts Primary, in Peterlee, is one of two schools in east Durham earmarked for closure in Durham County Council's programme to cut
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Forklift truck firm about to pick up Southern rival
A COMPANY is making further inroads into the UK forklift truck market by taking over one of its national rivals. The Northern Echo can reveal that Rushlift, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, part of the Specialist Hire Group, is about to complete a deal
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League leaves Quakers in limbo
DARLINGTON FC was left on a knife-edge last night after the Football League insisted that George Reynolds must agree to any rescue deal. Administrators Wilson Field held talks with League bosses yesterday, updating them on the precarious situation regarding
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Motorist freed from sinking vehicle
A BRAVE security guard waded through mud flatts to rescue a young woman sinking below the surface while trapped in her car. A 12-year-old girl had scrambled from the Ford Ka following a crash and alerted Joe Carruthers, 36. He leapt 20ft from a road into
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Man charged with rape of 87-year-old
A 21-year-old man was appearing in court today charged with raping an 87-year-old woman in her own home. Tony Plews, of Lincoln Drive, Willington, County Durham, is also charged with robbing the pensioner late on Saturday night. She received treatment
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Medical centre opens
A DOCTOR who served his community for more than 50 years has opened a refurbished medical centre dedicated to him. Staff and a selection of patients were invited to attend the re-opening of Trimdon Medical Centre. The centre, at Dr Jones and Partners,
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Police awards for identical twins
IDENTICAL twins Chris and David Peacock have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to policing in County Durham. The brothers reluctantly called it a day as section officers with the Special Constabulary in Newton Aycliffe when they reached
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Radio station trial ends with optimism
COUNTY Durham's newest radio station finished a month-long trial at the weekend, and staff are hoping it will lead to a permanent licence. Radio Teesdale, in Barnard Castle, came to the end of its 28-day trial on Sunday, and moves are already under way
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Pensioner climbs Kilimanjaro
WHEN pensioner Elizabeth Mann conquered Mount Kinabalu two years ago, she was determined to tackle another famous peak. Now, the 71-year-old from Darlington has achieved her goal, by reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. For Mrs Mann,
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League leaves Quakers in limbo
DARLINGTON FC was left on a knife-edge last night after the Football League insisted that George Reynolds must agree to any rescue deal. Administrators Wilson Field held talks with League bosses yesterday, updating them on the precarious situation regarding
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Council support to save hospital
A COUNCIL has thrown its weight behind the campaign to save Hartlepool University Hospital. Easington District Council has warned that the closure would have a profound effect on the health and care of residents. Its decision comes in the wake of a number
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Rosie in sister's footsteps
A SCHOOLGIRL is following in her sister's academic footsteps. Ten-year-old Rosie Craggs, who attends Kelloe Primary School, has been awarded a scholarship to Durham High School. Last year, her 12-year-old sister Megan won a scholarship to the same school
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Heart-op patient goes the extra 26 miles in celebration of good health
HEART surgery patient Ken Younger will tackle the London Marathon to raise money for a leading charity. The 55-year-old Seaham councillor will line up alongside partner Carol Vinter next month for a gruelling 26-mile run through the capital's streets.
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'Banks are making too much money'
NINE out of ten people think banks and building societies are making too much money, according to research. About 90 per cent of customers think profits are too high and that banks are failing to balance this against customers' needs, while 69 per cent
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Nappy week backed by MP
EASINGTON MP John Cummings announced yesterday that he is one of the 100 members of parliament supporting Real Nappy Week 2004. The campaign, which is co-ordinated by Women's Environmental Network (WEN), has been launched to raise awareness of the environmental
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40 artists join forces in display
FINAL preparations are under way for an exhibition that will feature sculpture, painting, glassware, pottery and textile work from 40 artists. The exhibition runs this Saturday and Sunday at the Galtres Centre, in Easingwold. It has been organised with
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Chamber orchestra packs its instruments for easter tour
TOWNS and villages in and around the North York Moors will be alive with music during Easter Week. Members of the North York Moors Chamber Orchestra are touring the area with a programme that features music by Mendelssohn and Stravinsky. The orchestra
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Square revamp scheme rejected
councillors have rejected a scheme to enhance a market town's shopping square after fears it could become a target for anti-social behaviour. Dunsmore Estates had wanted permission to alter the layout of Eastgate Square, Pickering, with a landscaping
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Jury told author befriended children before sex attacks
A children's author raped one girl and indecently assaulted others who were fascinated by his writings, a jury was told yesterday. It is alleged William Mayne, who wrote books revolving around the legend of King Arthur, befriended the youngsters before
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Pool no ordinary team, says Westwood
HARTLEPOOL United's away form is among the best in the country. With eight wins on the road this season, only five teams in English football have won more times than Neale Cooper's side. Saturday's victory at Grimsby thrust Pool back into the play-off
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Trawler skipper's trail of damage
A TRAWLERMAN who led emergency services on a dramatic seven-hour chase across the North Sea was in hiding last night. Fishing boat skipper Peter Grylls caused pandemonium - and cost taxpayers £50,000 - when he comandeered a trawler and crashed into four
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Work under way on WH Smith distribution centre
WH Smith is to open a 37,500sq ft news distribution centre on the Team Valley Trading Estate. Construction is under way on the centre, at UK Land Estates' Queen's Park development, on the site of the former Ingersoll Rand headquarters. The move follows
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Mandelson denies Europe job rumours
Former Cabinet minister Peter Mandelson denied today that he had been approached about the possibility of becoming a European Commissioner. Recent press reports suggested that Mr Mandelson was being lined up for the posting to Brussels. The reports were
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Call to businesses to help spread national park message
BUSINESSES in a national park are being offered the opportunity to help visitors get the best out of the area by joining a network of information points. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is giving its information points a revamp, and is urging
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PM's constituents pay the highest council tax in UK
HOUSEHOLDERS in the Prime Minister's North-East constituency are to pay more council tax than people living anywhere else in the country. The County Durham district of Sedgefield, whose MP is Tony Blair, is to become the place with the highest council
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Marketing specialist takes the reins at Fairbridge Teesside
A TEESSIDE charity that helps young people at risk has a new chairman - bringing to an end one of the longest stewardships on record. Eric Mills, boss of PR and advertising agency Mills Advertising and Publicity, is the new chairman of inner city youth
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Good Samaritan attacked
A good Samaritan was left with a head injury and a broken ankle which required surgery following a violent and unprovoked attack. Police only released details of the incident, which happened on February 29, yesterday. The 34-year-old had gone to help
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Why it's OK to be gay
The Northern Echo's new website columnist, who writes for the gay and lesbian section, tells Sheelagh Caygill how he's come to terms with his own sexuality and aims to promote a positive message. The North-East sometimes has a reputation for being homophobic
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Goodbye to a far from genteel gran
Coronation Street (ITV1) - And so we bid farewell yet again to Liz McDonald, glamorous granny and soap's most unsympathetic mother-in-law. She was given her marching orders by son Steve at the instigation of his new second wife - and indeed, his previous
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'Corus needs a larger Teesport'
THERE have been renewed calls for improvements to be made to Teesport to give steelmaker Corus a better chance of survival. On a fact finding visit to Corus's Redcar plant, Liberal Democrat European spokeswoman Fiona Hall said the expansion and upgrade
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The woman with the child in her eyes
She's displaced Catherine Cookson as the most-borrowed author from the nation's libraries, and now she's attracting huge crowds to her mammoth book signing sessions. Jacqueline Wilson tells Steve Pratt about her fans, crime - and her iron bladder. THE
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McClaren praise for Schwarzer
STEVE McCLAREN believes goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has shown tremendous 'mental toughness' to forget about his Carling Cup blunder and preserve a reputation as one of the best in the Premiership. Schwarzer incredibly allowed a Kevin Davies strike roll
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Flying Coalman willing to get his hands dirty still
Once dubbed The Flying Coalman, our old friend Nigel Tutty is off the wagon but still not afraid to get his hands dirty. Yorkshire area point-to-point champion when first we met in 1988 - he also featured in the National Smokeless Fuels calendar - Nigel
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Family and friends pay their respects to Metric Martyr
North-East greengrocer Steven Thoburn, who became known as the Metric Martyr, received a final farewell from mourners yesterday. Led by his wife Leigh, family and friends filled St Benet's RC Church, close to Sunderland's Stadium of Light, to pay their
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The enlightened way to shop
Yarm's newest store blends designer style with comfort. Women's Editor Christen Pears visits The Conservatory Light streams in through the glass roof and floods the room. There are plants, rattan furniture and doors opening onto a terrace. If it wasn't
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Allerton's £3m expansion plan will double workforce
AN Engineering company has announced plans to double the size of its workforce during the next three years. Work has started on a £3m factory for Allerton Engineering, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire. The structural engineering, bridge building and
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Swarbrick has a chance to shine
RISING star-of-the-saddle Ben Swarbrick has the chance to further showcase his skills aboard Amelia (2.30) at Lingfield this afternoon. Swarbrick partners the mare for his boss, Mark Brisbourne, in division 1 of the Sky Interactive Handicap over six furlongs
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Muscling in on the middle-aged men
More women than men are now joining trade unions and asserting their rights in the workplace. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. Suzanne Robinson doesn't conform to the old trade union image. As a 22-year-old woman, she is far removed from the stereotype
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All to play for, says Bernard
OLIVIER Bernard last night admitted that Newcastle were walking a "thin line" between success and failure as they prepared to fly to the Balearics for Thursday's UEFA Cup clash with Real Mallorca. The Magpies stand on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals
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Fine, but fading fast
The column visits Eggleston Hall, whose former village policeman made a memorable mark, and fears the food will soon be forgotten. The human memory being so awesome and so unfathomable, it is possible to recall that 30 years ago in Eggleston the village
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Rushworth defies conditions
MUDLARK Brian Rushworth defied atrocious weather conditions to win the British Masters Cross Country Championship at Maiden Castle, Durham City. The 41-year-old Sunderland Harrier, third in the event last year, made no mistake as he took the lead early
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Jury due to give indecency verdicts
A JURY returns to court today to consider its verdicts in the case of a councillor accused of indecency with young girls. Harry Devine, 53, denies indecently assaulting an 11-year-old and inciting her and a friend to commit an act of gross indecency,
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Booked - for talking to a traffic warden
MOTORIST Derek Scott was stunned when he was given a £50 parking ticket - as he asked a traffic warden for directions. Mr Scott, 47, from Hartlepool, had driven down the same road in central London three times as he searched for an address. He stopped
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Eating Owt
THE human memory being so awesome and so unfathomable, it is possible to recall that 30 years ago in Eggleston the village polliss was PC 1288 Elliott (your worships), that the Three Tuns was run (very well) by James and Christine Dykes and that one of
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New baby helps heal the heartache of fire tragedy
A FAMILY who were devastated at losing their four-year-old girl in a house fire spoke yesterday of the new baby that has eased their heartache. Kaynat Akhter died at Christmas 2002 after coming into contact with an open-flame gas fire at her home in Emerson
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Police seeking driver after bike accident
POLICE are appealing for the driver of a car involved in a collision with a BMX bicycle to come forward. The accident happened in Washington Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, between 8pm and 8.30pm on Sunday. The car, which pulled out of a parking bay behind
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Pupils first in line at museum
PUPILS have had a glimpse of what is in store for the thousands of visitors expected at a £10m railway attraction due to open in autumn. A group from Sunnydale School were the first members of the public to walk the full site at Locomotion: The National
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Focus on community learning
COMMUNITY centres are at the heart of plans to improve adult learning in villages. Senior area worker for the Dales Stuart Dexter said he is looking forward to working closely with community centres in Weardale and Teesdale in his new role. The 32-year-old
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TV review
Coronation Street (ITV1) AND so we bid farewell yet again to Liz McDonald, glamorous granny and soap's most unsympathetic mother-in-law. She was given her marching orders by son Steve at the instigation of his new second wife - and indeed, his previous
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Council supports campaign to save hospital
Easington Council has thrown its weight behind the growing campaign to save Hartlepool University Hospital. Backing the anti-closure moves, the council has warned that the proposal would have a profound effect on the health and care of its residents.
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Showing skills on new pitch
A SCHEME to promote the image of football in the community took place yesterday when Middlesbrough star Gareth Southgate met secondary school youngsters. Last year Conyers School, in Yarm, received a £304,000 donation from the Football Foundation to develop
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Forklift truck firm about to take over rival
A COMPANY is making further inroads into the UK forklift truck market by taking over one of its national rivals. The Northern Echo can reveal that Rushlift, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, part of the Specialist Hire Group, is about to complete a deal
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Tie-up will mean £650m for Tesco
SUPERMARKET group Tesco has announced a major step in its expansion drive with a deal to realise £650m from its UK property portfolio. The group will free up capital by establishing a joint venture with privately-owned property group Topland that will
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Fell rescue team in series of call-outs
THREE call-outs in four days have underlined the versatility of a voluntary emergency service. Sunday saw the Swaledale Fell Rescue team in action near Gunnerside. Members of the unit were assembling in the village at the end of a training exercise when
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Lifeguards to return for beach patrols
THE death of an eight-year-old boy swept out to sea has led to lifeguards being reinstated at a North-East beach. Councillors yesterday agreed that lifeguards return to Seaton Carew beach, near Hartlepool, and Hartlepool's Headland beach. However, there
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Ship recycling campaign launched
Campaign groups, politicians and union leaders were joining forces today to launch a drive to recycle ships in the UK rather than send them to Third World countries to be dismantled. Greenpeace said the initiative followed the controversy over the ''ghost
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Tributes to comedian who 'brightened people's lives'
TRIBUTES have been paid to a comedian and club singer who has entertained the people of the region for more than 50 years. A minute's silence will be held for Frankie Baggs at his beloved Hartlepool United at the club's next home match on Saturday. Mr
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Swinging into action with new play area
A playground for children of all ages is to be created in the site of the old Town Moor play area in Hartlepool. The old play area is being transformed and will feature a range of play equipment including cone climbers and superswings. All the equipment
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Funding to set up buddy scheme
A support scheme has been launched in Hartlepool to support new childminders and ensure they do not leave the profession. More experienced childminders are being recruited as buddies to steer starters through the initial stages of the job. The scheme
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Teenage soldier in Iraq blast horror
A TEENAGE soldier from the North-East lost part of his right leg after a land mine exploded under his vehicle while on patrol in Iraq. Private Christopher Thompson faces months of painful surgery after doctors were forced to amputate his badly injured
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Post crisis solution expected 'in days'
A MAIL crisis could be solved within days after managers met with staff to discuss problems that have led to thousands of letters remaining undelivered. The Communications Workers' Union arranged a meeting between postal workers and management at the
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Book tells stories of Crimea
IT was 150 years ago tomorrow that the main European powers were plunged into a war that still, many generations later, has the power to shock. On March 24, 1854, Great Britain and France declared war on Russia, heralding the start of the slaughter that
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Students rise to the teamwork challenge
STUDENTS from north-west Durham have proved they are among the toughest in the region. Derwentside College's uniformed services department clinched first and third place in the annual inter-college challenge, held this year at Northumberland College's
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'Driver failed to heed road warning'
A TEACHER was killed in a head-on crash after a driver overtook two cars on a dark winding road. Christopher Hornsey drove his Peugeot 306 to overtake the vehicles but crashed into Jennifer Askew's car on the wrong side of the road as she drove towards
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Fine, but fading fast
The column visits Eggleston Hall, whose former village policeman made a memorable mark, and fears the food will soon be forgotten. The human memory being so awesome and so unfathomable, it is possible to recall that 30 years ago in Eggleston the village
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Date
Fine, but fading fast
The column visits Eggleston Hall, whose former village policeman made a memorable mark, and fears the food will soon be forgotten. The human memory being so awesome and so unfathomable, it is possible to recall that 30 years ago in Eggleston the village
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23/03/04
BLOOD DONORS: I'm sure that some of the Echo's readers have thought about donating blood, but still have their doubts. I have given blood and plasma for many years, and have collected the bronze, silver, gold badges, a crystal plate and a 50th anniversary
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Price has gone from zero to hero
A Villain one week, a hero the next - in the space of seven days Darlington goalkeeper Michael Price has played both. At Belle Vue on Saturday, the 20-year-old helped secure a point at Third Division leaders Doncaster Rovers, erasing the memories of a
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Safety study eases concern over Sutton Bank hold-ups
A SAFETY study to find the best way of stopping broken-down lorries from blocking one of the county's steepest roads has been announced. Police figures show that, on average, there is an incident every other day involving a goods vehicle on the A170 at
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Nightclub police drug deal man locked up
A DRUGS "go-between" helped to supply two under-cover police officers with Ecstasy and amphetamines at a nightclub, a court was told yesterday. Joseph James Dodds, 19, was sent to a young offenders' institution for a year after he admitted supplying the
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Stirring up the ghosts of the past
WE have a ghost at St Michael's. I was phoned up one morning by the Secretary of Zion College, an old theological library near the City Temple. He said: "I've come across a large photograph of one of your predecessors. Rather a fine portrait it is too
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Honour for police officers in bridge jump drama
TWO police officers have been presented with a bravery award for risking their lives to stop a man from jumping 60ft from a bridge. One of the officers, Sergeant Sue Robinson, had already been hailed as the region's bravest bobby following a separate
