Archive
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Colleges are forced to reject thousands
UNIVERSITIES across the North-East face having to reject thousands of top A-level students because of an overwhelming pressure on course places. Record numbers of applications have seen universities such as Durham and Newcastle having to turn away students
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Small, but perfectly performed
Allegri Diversi, Dante Sonata, Elite Syncopations, Gala, Durham: AS part of an initiative to bring Birmingham Royal Ballet to new, smaller venues, the visit to Durham's Gala marked a first for the company usually associated with the Sunderland Empire.
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26/04/04
PLAYGROUNDS: FROM a personal perspective, I don't wish to see the demise of Wear Valley District Council, hoping that governance remains local, but yes, it needs to improve. I fear I may hold a minority opinion, as the leadership continues to shoot itself
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Girl escapes abduction bid
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two men attempted to abduct a teenage girl. The 16-year-old was attack-ed as she walked in Thornaby Road, Stockton, at about 11.30pm on Friday. She suffered bruising to her wrist as she struggled free, before running
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Twitters and tawdriness
Sex, Secrets And Frankie Howerd (C4); Love On A Saturday Night (ITV1); The Brief (ITV1); Wren - The Man Who Built Britain (BBC1): THE tears of a clown syndrome - that behind every comedian is a tragic man - has become such a clich that we're disappointed
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Singer moves step closer to national Wannabe title
A SINGER from Darlington is one step closer to a £10,000 prize and a possible signing with the UK's top tribute act agency after proving to be a sensation behind the microphone. Toni Leach has won her local heat of Wannabe 2004, a national karaoke competition
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Police appeal for wtnesses to fire
Police have renewed an appeal for witnesses to a major fire at a North-East factory. The fire, at the Woo One factory, in Hartlepool, last month, is thought to have been started deliberately and is being treated as suspicious. Korean owned Woo One, which
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Depleted Morpeth claim sixth
BELOW-STRENGTH Morpeth Harriers, without their three best runners, finished a creditable sixth in the Nike AAA 12-Stage Road Relay Championships at Sutton Coldfield. And Chester-le-Street's depleted women's team also gave a good account of themselves
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Sweet revenge puts Pool a step closer to Division One
THERE was no hollow feel to Hartlepool United's celebrations at Nene Park this time out. Almost 12 months ago, Pool ended their promotion campaign at Rushden on the final day of the season. But, despite their joy at promotion, looking on as the home side
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Theatre group has message to share on European trip
A UNIQUE theatre group is jetting off to Europe to share its message about the importance of inclusion. The Special Needs Unity Group (Snug) has able-bodied youngsters performing alongside those with disabilities. Snug will be linking up with Derwentside
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Cold wind blows down the Crescent
City shiver, Norman Wilkinson feels the draught. Still the club's all time record goal scorer, he watches helplessly from 80 miles away as York freefall from the Football League. Four points from a possible 51, they will be relegated if they lose at Doncaster
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Old heads roll back years to steady Sunderland ship
Through no fault of their own, Joachim Bjorklund and Phil Babb have come to represent the excesses of Sunderland's Premiership past. After being handed lucrative long-term deals while the Black Cats were still a top-flight club, the ageing pair were quickly
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Stokesley reach final after shoot-out joy
Wearside League: Stokesley SC will play Boldon CA in the final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup following two sharply contrasting semi finals. Whereas the Teessiders won through on penalties following a goal-less draw, Boldon were involved in a ten-goal
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Johnston's main Attraction
ATTRACTION confirmed her readiness for next Sunday's Ultimatebet.com 1,000 Guineas with a pleasing gallop at Ripon racecourse on Saturday. Normally such exercises are shrouded in secrecy, but instead of adopting a cloak and dagger approach, trainer Mark
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Bottle attack victim may face surgery
A MAN may have to undergo facial surgery after having a broken bottle pushed in his face at a club in the early hours of yesterday. The 25-year-old was drinking in The Lounge, Darlington, when the incident happened. Inspector Brian Maudling, of Darlington
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Parents await decision over cutting playgrounds by half
FAMILIES are pleading with councillors to throw out a proposal to rip up more than half of their play areas when they meet today. Members of Wear Valley District Council will decide whether to back officers' recommendations to cut the number of playgrounds
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A wee lamppost problem is solved
ORGANISERS of a town's bid to win Northumbria in Bloom are delighted after they have been given the go-ahead to place hanging baskets from lampposts. It was feared that a number of metal lampposts in Saltburn, could have been too unstable for floral hanging
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Watson, a real favourite
Willie Watson, one of Yorkshire's finest batsmen and a double international at cricket and football for England, has died at his home in Johannesburg, aged 84. The left-handed Watson, who was born in Huddersfield, played for Yorkshire between 1939-57,
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Dialect website wins award
A WEBSITE celebrating North-East dialects has won a prize from The Northern Echo. The site, created by the TeesSpeak group, has been chosen Pick of the Month for April by CommuniGate, the paper's community website team. Community web editor Andrew Hutton
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Rivals start in style
The Readers Durham County League: Two sides who battled it out for the championship last season both started with ten-wicket wins under their belts. Champions Evenwood saw off the challenge from Shildon when they restricted the visitors to only 125. Almost
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Dialect website wins award
A WEBSITE celebrating North-East dialects has won a prize from The Northern Echo. The site, created by the TeesSpeak group, has been chosen Pick of the Month for April by CommuniGate, the paper's community website team. Community web editor Andrew Hutton
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Hunt on for sanctuary
ANIMAL lovers have started to look for a site on which to open a sanctuary for unwanted pets - five years after launching an appeal. Various fundraising events, collections, sponsorship and legacies left to the Saltburn Animal Rescue Association means
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Gardening: Facts behind the folklore
I WAS asked if I chopped, tied or cut. The question (and the answer) became much clearer when the person asking me said one more word - "daffodils". "Oh, you have to leave them for a few weeks until the foliage dies down, " I replied. "That's just a myth
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It's all change for Durham Cup winners Blaydon
Result: Blaydon 28 Darlington 20: BLAYDON face a summer of restructuring after winning the Durham Cup for the second time, while Darlington hope to keep making progress through stability. Nick Gandy, who scored one of the tries in Saturday's final at
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The truth about convent girls
Former convent girls are getting together next month to celebrate their school's centenary. Women's Editor Christen Pears finds out about their schooldays. CONVENT girls have always had a bit of a reputation. Beneath the chaste exterior we expect to find
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Gazza puts shirt on club rescue
FOOTBALL fans are being given a chance to win a signed and framed shirt worn by Paul Gascoigne during his efforts to raise funds for troubled Darlington FC. The North-East legend wore the shirt at an all-star charity match staged at the club in January
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Residents to be consulted over plans for harbour
Harbours in the region are in line for multi-million pound developments. The biggest scheme, earmarked for the upper harbour at Whitby, North Yorkshire, will only go ahead if it has the support of the town's residents, a Scarborough Borough Council report
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Is stowaway ferret a Geordie?
AN animal charity is appealing for information about a stowaway ferret which hitched a lift on a long-distance lorry. The ferret, named Yorkie, was handed over to the RSPCA in Leicester by the lorry's driver, who is from Newcastle, after he found it when
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On the ball for animal charity
A PIECE of North-East footballing history is going under the hammer in aid of animal charity, the RSPCA. The autographed football was used in the 1974 testimonial match of Middlesbrough player Bill Gates, between Boro and Leeds United, and is autographed
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Residents to be consulted over plans for harbour
harbours in the region are in line for multi-million pound developments. The biggest scheme, earmarked for the upper harbour at Whitby, North Yorkshire, will only go ahead if it has the support of the town's residents, a Scarborough Borough Council report
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Pillars will stand as lasting memorial to 'men of iron'
MEMORIES of Eston's mining tradition were rekindled at the weekend when two giant ironstone pillars returned home. The two pillars, each two metres high and weighing two and a half tonnes, were transported from their familiar spot either side of the entrance
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Witness plea after house arson attack
POLICE are treating a house fire on Saturday evening as a possible arson attack. A bundle of lit paper was pushed through the letterbox of a house in Grasmere Road, Darlington, causing damage to the hallway. Fire crews were called to the property at 10.20pm
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Addict who left pensioner to die now faces jail
A HEROIN addict who fled the scene of a car accident, leaving a 73-year-old man to die, is facing jail for a street robbery. Robert Webber, 22, was one of two men in a Ford Sierra that hit and killed Jimmy Mulligan, of Gateshead. Robert Webber and his
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Brave mother's winning smiles
BRAVELY fighting the side-effects of chemotherapy and with great difficulty speaking, a mother's tears speak volumes about the overwhelming pride she feels for her children. Having won the fight against three brain tumours and now battling against a fourth
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Williams hails great campaign
WHATEVER happens this season, Hartlepool United have had a campaign to be proud of. Saturday's comfortable win at Rushden makes a play-off spot look assured. Pool are five points ahead of Port Vale with only six to play for. And, after being written off
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Auctioneers seeking move
AN auction house is hoping to move out of Darlington town centre. Peter Robinson, who runs the Thomas Watson saleroom, in Northumberland Street, is seeking permission from the borough council to build an auction room on Yarm Road industrial estate. The
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Lee sure team will perform
Spennymoor manager Tony Lee believes that his team will do well in the play-offs even though they lost at Gainsborough in their last league game on Saturday. Moors will be away to Bradford Park Avenue in the first round of the play-offs on Wednesday night
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Convent girls
CONVENT girls have always had a bit of a reputation. Beneath the chaste exterior we expect to find a rebellious streak that even the strictest of nuns couldn't tame. But is it true? Not according to two former pupils of The Immaculate Conception Convent
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Watching Brief: Victory can't hide the great divide
A lesson in football or a crash course in finance - whichever way you look at it, the 19-point gap between Newcastle and Chelsea still takes some of the gloss off yesterday's scintillating 2-1 success to the Magpies. Newcastle might have displayed immense
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Cricket season opener at refurbished ground
A TOWN sports club started the new cricket season in style at the weekend when it held its first match in a refurbished ground. Willington Cricket Club began the 2004 campaign only 24 hours after the ground was re-opened after a £300,000 transformation
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An easy win for Tykes
Yorkshire, as expected, picked up a maximum 22 points from their opening Championship match of the season, but not before they had been uncomfortably stretched by Essex. With the visitors starting the final day still one run in arrears and only four wickets
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'Former petrol station attracting drug users'
CONCERNS have been expressed by residents about the state of a former petrol station in Darlington town centre, which they say is attracting drug users and drunks. Needles, empty cider bottles and rubbish have been dumped behind the former Shell garage
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Extra special golden wedding day
A COUPLE renewed their wedding vows on Saturday - 50 years to the day that they were married. Myles and Rita Lawson, of Olympic Street, Darlington, celebrated their golden wedding surrounded by family and friends at St John's Church, in the town It was
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Youngsters will be DJs for a day
PUPILS will become DJs for a day when they visit a North-East radio station tomorrow. Eight youngsters, from KingsMeadow School, Gateshead, will spend the day at Metro and Magic Radio, in Gateshead, where Metro's drivetime presenter, Wayne, will give
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Pillars will stand as lasting memorial to 'men of iron'
MEMORIES of Eston's mining tradition were rekindled at the weekend when two giant ironstone pillars returned home. The two pillars, each two metres high and weighing two and a half tonnes, were transported from their familiar spot either side of the entrance
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Nurse aiming to fulfil her ambition
AN AUXILIARY nurse is about to embark on a career that will allow her to fulfil her childhood dream. The 36-year-old Darlington mother of twins has secured a place at university to train to become a fully qualified nurse. Sonia Holborn, who works in the
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Pedestrian hurt after car collision
A WOMAN was trapped between a wall and a car when a motorist in a Ford Escort collided with two parked vehicles at the weekend. The 58-year-old woman, from Ferryhill, had been walking her dog in the town's Lime Street, in the early hours of Saturday when
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Teens' reporting chance
AN initiative to give teenagers the chance to develop their interest in the arts is looking for budding reporters from the North. Blast, a BBC initiative, is looking for 16 to 19-year-olds to take part in the Young Reporter Scheme. Successful applicants
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Studio opportunity looming for young performers
STUDIOS aiming to help talented young performers blossom are to open next month. The complex, on the Ever Ready Industrial Estate, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, will house Genius Entertainment, run by Adam Chetter. It will focus largely on producing credible
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Anger follows community building blow
OFFICIALS at a community centre have reacted with anger after youths attempted to burn down the building. Firefighters were called to the centre at Leadgate, near Consett, shortly before 10pm on Saturday. Ken Ball, centre caretaker and main officer, said
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Hodgson quick to praise Tait after Quakers survival assured
UNDER the previous regime it was perhaps quite understandable how Mick Tait handed over the managerial reins with nothing so much as a murmur in November. Some say the England job is the most demanding in football. Try telling that to Tait. The former
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Fun for all the family as park celebrates its new status
A PARK held a family fun day to mark its designation as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). The 100-acre Summerhill site, in Hartlepool, which is being developed by the borough council for a range of sports, outdoor pursuits and conservation, has been created
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Boxing clever for charity
YOUNGSTERS used to stepping into the boxing ring are joining a different battle by helping people across the region to beat life-threatening illnesses. Spennymoor Boxing Academy will join forces with air cadets and local ramblers' groups for a sponsored
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Potash mine hosts visit by dignatories
A DAY-long visit to a potash mine is on the cards when the German Consul General makes a visit to the region today. The Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Norah Cooney, promised Ingo Radcke a trip to the UK's only potash mine, at Boulby, when the pair first
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TV review
Sex, Secrets And Frankie Howerd (C4) Love On A Saturday Night (ITV1) The Brief (ITV1) Wren - The Man Who Built Britain (BBC1) THE tears of a clown syndrome - that behind every comedian is a tragic man - has become such a clich that we're disappointed
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O'Leary wins battle between two of the most wanted men
ACCORDING to recent reports, it would have been no surprise to spot Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich among the crowd at the Riverside on Saturday. The game would have given him an ideal opportunity to watch what many see as two of the Premiership's finest
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Sir David to star in tribute to explorer
distinguished broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough is to star in a tribute to one of the region's most famous sons. Middlesbrough-born folk musician Richard Grainger is making a CD telling the tale of Captain James Cook's first voyage of
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Chance to taste spring in country
PEOPLE who appreciate the countryside can treat themselves to a taste of spring in County Durham over the May Bank Holiday. For early risers, Durham County Council has organised a Dawn Chorus Walk on Saturday, May 1, led by wildlife officer Ian Armstrong
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Decision on proposal for hen business is deferred
A DECISION over a controversial plan for a poultry business in an exclusive village has been deferred. Members of Derwentside District Council's development control committee voted to undertake a site visit to Derwent Oak Farm, in Hamsterley Mill, near
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Bins scheme ensures safe disposal of needles
MOVES to encourage the safe disposal of needles to prevent the risk of people being infected have been hailed a success by health chiefs. Needles are used regularly by people with diabetes to administer insulin and by other patients who are prescribed
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Inspectors tell school to improve GCSE results
A SCHOOL that will form part of the country's first education village has been told it must improve its GCSE results. Haughton Community School, in Darlington, which will move into the £35m private finance initiative "super-school" next year, has otherwise
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Jocky's play-off dream
SWEDISH stopper Joachim Bjorklund is confident Sunderland can book their play-off spot when Crewe visit the Stadium of Light next weekend. Saturday's goalless draw with Wigan means the Black Cats still need five points to be certain of entering the end
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Beardsley in bid to get people fitter
FORMER Newcastle and England footballer Peter Beardsley has launched a campaign to recruit and train fitness instructors. Mr Beardsley and former Sunderland player Kevin Ball are hoping to help plug a gap in qualified instructors in the region. They have
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The man with the four-minute magic
It was the Everest of athletics, but half a centrury ago it was conquered by a junior doctor. As the anniversary approaches of one of the most remarkable runs in history, Nick Morrison talks to the first man to break the four-minute mile, Sir Roger Bannister
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Centurion Waite stars for Stockton
Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League: Richard Waite produced an outstanding man-of-the-match performance leading Stockton to an impressive victory over Philadelphia. He went to the crease after the home side conceded an early wicket to Phili's
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A man who knows his bellows
He can't play the instrument, but Geoff Holter is one of the few people in the country who can repair accordions, and he's still in demand. Alison Lewis reports. ACCORDIONISTS are few and far between in the North-East, so opening a repair shop here might
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Life through the eye of a lens
A PHOTOGRAPHIC study of people at work in Middlesbrough provides an insight into their day-to-day life. Photography students at Cleveland College of Art and Design have produced a series of images that will be exhibited at Ormesby Hall, a National Trust
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Tykes humbled by reject
Yorkshire reject John Sadler came back to haunt his native county with a career-best one-day knock of 88 which set up Leicestershire Foxes for a crushing 145 runs victory over Phoenix in the opening totesport League match of the season at Headingley.
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Two arrested over mystery of body in field
TWO teenagers were arrested yesterday after a body was found in a field. Detectives launched a murder inquiry after the dead man was discovered in a field off Abbotsford Road, Felling, in Gateshead, at about 8am on Saturday. The victim is a local man,
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Army pilot begins round-the-world trip
An Army helicopter pilot set off today on his record-breaking attempt to become the first person to fly around the world in an open-cockpit gyroplane. Warrant Officer Barry Jones, 37, aims to set a world record when he flies more than 25,000 miles across
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Comment from The Northern Echo: A question of identity
OUR wallets and purses are full of cards which identify us. Banks, council offices, government departments and even shops all have information which indicate our lifestyle and activities. Increasingly cards are an integral part of our daily lives and
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Blow for cyclists as event scrapped
HUNDREDS of mountain bikers were disappointed at the weekend after one of the biggest races on their calendar was cancelled at the eleventh hour. Nearly 300 cyclists hoped to compete in the second scheduled event of the English Points Series at Hamsterley
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New deal the next target for Clark
WITH league safety assured, Ian Clark has set his sights on earning a new contract at Darlington. Clark is one of a number of players who will become free agents in the summer. Despite the club's poor financial position, boss David Hodgson has been given
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Whatever happened to boy meets girl?
A FRIEND and I went to see a Bollywood film at a cinema in East London last week and it was unlike any cinema I had been to before. It was an old ABC theatre turned into a cinema specialising in Indian films. There was a giant chandelier hanging above
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Horden prove how hungry they are for success
Federation Special Durham Senior League: Current champions Horden made fellow clubs instantly aware that their title would not be surrendered easily. On an opening day when four sides were dismissed for less than three figures Horden mauled the Durham
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Teens' reporting chance
AN initiative to give teenagers the chance to develop their interest in the arts is looking for budding reporters from the North. Blast, a BBC initiative, is looking for 16 to 19-year-olds to take part in the Young Reporter Scheme. Successful applicants
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Hundreds attend student's funeral
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of a gentle student who was beaten to death during a night out. St Cuthbert's Church in Darlington was packed with people at Lee Walker's funeral today. The 22-year-old died on Wednesday March 31 at James Cook
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Skipper has Portugal on his mind
Gareth Southgate is confident he will recover from torn knee ligaments in time for the Euro 2004 championships in Portugal. The Boro skipper injured his knee in training just over a fortnight ago - leaving his chances of a place in the England squadhanging
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Hodgson quick to praise Tait after Quakers survival assured
UNDER the previous regime it was perhaps quite understandable how Mick Tait handed over the managerial reins with nothing so much as a murmur in November. Some say the England job is the most demanding in football. Try telling that to Tait. The former
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Wonderful Wood gives Sacriston opening day blues
Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Sacriston were on the receiving end of a mauling from Ashington's Neil Wood as they slumped to a near 200-runs defeat on the opening day. Wood's innings only came to an end when he was run out but he
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Homecoming for soldier injured in Iraq mine blast
A YOUNG soldier who was wounded in Iraq has defied doctors by making it back to his North-East home almost a month ahead of schedule. Private Chrissy Thompson feared he would be confined to a hospital ward in Birmingham until at least next month, after
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Facts behind the folklore
I WAS asked if I chopped, tied or cut. The question (and the answer) became much clearer when the person asking me said one more word - "daffodils". "Oh, you have to leave them for a few weeks until the foliage dies down, " I replied. "That's just a myth
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Sir David to star in tribute to explorer
Distinguished broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough is to star in a tribute to one of the region's most famous sons. Middlesbrough-born folk musician Richard Grainger is making a CD telling the tale of Captain James Cook's first voyage of
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Woman's death at rail station 'not suspicious'
POLICE were last night trying to contact the relatives of a woman who was killed after being hit by a train on Saturday. Emergency services were called to Northallerton Station, in North Yorkshire, at 9.35am after receiving reports that a woman had been
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Rare bats threaten to close church
AN invasion of rare bats is threatening to close a 1,000-year-old church. Parishioners at St Hilda's Church, in Ellerburn, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, are concerned for their health after Natterer's bats burrowed their way in through gaps in the
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Sir Bobby left with feelings of joy and pain
SIR Bobby Robson last night admitted that the joy of beating Chelsea had been severely tempered by the likelihood of Jonathan Woodgate's season being over. Woodgate pulled a thigh muscle in the latter stages of yesterday's 2-1 win that lifted Newcastle
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Spectrometer to shine
Spectrometer, who is unbeaten in two starts at Hamilton and shaped well over hurdles last time, is taken to beat some better fancied rivals in the totetrifecta Handicap over a mile and a half at the Scottish track this afternoon. Richard Guest's useful
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Durham wait on overseas stars to boost poor start
DURHAM'S opposition to two overseas players per county continues to look fully justified as they flounder at the foot of the Frizzell County Championship's second division. They are expecting Shoaib Akhtar and Herschelle Gibbs to arrive at the end of
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DJ Goffy plans to quit radio station
RADIO presenter Paul "Goffy" Gough has announced plans to quit Century FM after ten years. Goffy has told his bosses he will not be renewing his contract in September. He said: "I have been with Century for ten years and I have had a fantastic time. "
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Milner's tears while Higgins cheers in British Rally
DAVID Higgins took advantage of pre-race favourite Jonny Milner's roll to capture his first victory in the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally. The double US champion brought his Hyundai Accent home two minutes before his nearest rival after ten gruelling
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Region plans Miller tribute
THE 60th anniversary of the death of big band legend Glen Miller will be marked with a concert in the region. The Glen Miller Orchestra will performing at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday, May 20, at 7.30pm. The event will commemorate Miller's death
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Stolen car chase woman avoids prison
A WOMAN who was passenger in a stolen car which led police on a high-speed chase through a busy town centre avoided jail 'by the closest possible margin.' Boozed-up Karen Loughman encouraged the teenage driver to shake off the pursuing patrol car as they
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Grieving parents to fight Army in courts
THE parents of a North-East soldier who died at the controversial Deepcut barracks last night vowed to take the Army to court to get justice. Geoff and Diane Gray, whose 17-year-old son, also called Geoff, died in suspicious circumstances, believe they
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Birthday dancer's dream come true
A DREAM came true for would-be prima ballerina Antonia Barrass on her 11th birthday when she received a letter from a world famous ballet school. She was one of only 16 dancers chosen from 4,000 entrants worldwide to win a place at the Royal Ballet School
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Psychiatrist criticises lack of support for adults with autism
A leading North-East psychiatrist has criticised the lack of NHS hospital places for adults with autism. The criticisms came as a new private hospital for autism sufferers prepares to open this week. Dr Tom Berney, who runs one of the few in-patient adult
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Hero Shearer the toast of Highbury
NEWCASTLE skipper Alan Shearer was a Premiership title winner with Blackburn Rovers nine years ago, and yesterday at St. James' Park he effectively won it again - for Arsenal. That, though, was the last thing on the mind of the old goal-poacher last night
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Children's cracking good time in nesting season
YOUNGSTERS helped to create the largest nest seen in Guisborough forest at an activity morning. The free event, held last week to coincide with the nesting season, was organised by wardens at Guisborough Forest and Walkway at Pinchinthorpe, for children
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Falconer apologises for delays to inquiry
THE Lord Chancellor has apologised for the first time about the delay in deciding an under-fire coroner's future. Lord Falconer has still to decide what will happen to Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield, despite a judicial investigation being completed
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50 years on, rail friends retrace final journey
OLD friends of a railway classic came together at the weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of the last passenger train on an historic stretch of track. The last through passenger train on the Wensleydale Railway, North Yorkshire, ran between Northallerton
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'Police made my cot death agony worse'
Six years after losing a baby to cot death, a North-East woman says more should be done to curb police intrusion. As Liesa Robson's baby daughter died in an intensive care unit, police officers were sealing off her family home, near Barnard Castle, County
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Bronze win for veteran runner
A PENSIONER from East Cleveland won bronze in a 10km road race at the World Veterans championships in New Zealand, last weekend. Jim Caddy, 79, of Redcar, took part in the 75-80 years category and finished in 57 minutes, just eight minutes behind Raymond
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Fans urged to attend Quakers' game
Cash-strapped Darlington Football Club is urging fans to turn out in force for its last home game of the season - yet another historic occasion in the Quakers' history. Saturday's clash against Swansea City represents the last chance this season for townspeople
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Inferno sweeps through bakery
A MASSIVE fire swept through a bakery yesterday - only months after a blaze at the premises forced the temporary closure of the family firm's shops across the region. The inferno which engulfed Peter's Cathedral Bakers near Durham City spewed out an enormous
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Man who knows his bellows
ACCORDIONISTS are few and far between in the North-East, so opening a repair shop here might seem like a foolhardy venture. The fact that Geoff Holter has spent almost 50 years repairing accordions in the region, but can't even play the instrument adds
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Johnston's main Attraction
ATTRACTION confirmed her readiness for next Sunday's Ultimatebet.com 1,000 Guineas with a pleasing gallop at Ripon racecourse on Saturday. Normally such exercises are shrouded in secrecy, but instead of adopting a cloak and dagger approach, trainer Mark
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Chinese company signs N-E arch deal
A PROJECT to site a ceremonial Chinese arch in the region has moved a step closer. Changshu Classical Gardens Architectural Engineering Company, based in Shanghai, China, has signed a £160,000 contract to provide the arch and to send a workforce to Newcastle
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West End hit to take theatre's panto slot
ANDREW Lloyd Webber's steam-powered musical Starlight Express looks likely to set box office records at Sunderland's revamped Empire Theatre this Christmas. The lavish West End show, about racing railway engines, achieved success by putting its singing
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A strong Riverside Breese
THERE was scarcely a breath of wind at sunny Riverside yesterday, but Gareth Breese created quite a stir on his Durham debut. The little West Indian included a majestic straight six in his sprightly 25 and took three wickets with his off-spin as Durham
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Quay off to a flyer
Durham Coast League: It is easy to see why Bill Quay will be one of the stronger sides this season. Signing the experienced Chris Pleasants was an astute move and the medium pacer, who has served Felling so well over many years, was quickly into form
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Scouting movement on parade in praise of St George
SCOUTS from across County Durham gathered in Bishop Auckland yesterday to celebrate St George, patron saint of England and Scouting. The 2nd Bishop Auckland Scout Group hosted the event at St Anne's Church, in Bishop Auckland Market Place, yesterday two
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Competition a sizzling success
SOME of Britain's best butchers gathered in the region yesterday to showcase tempting treats for the barbecue season. The Guild of Q Butchers national barbecue championships took place at the Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham City. Twelve teams representing
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Club marks start of cricket season in revamped ground
A TOWN sports club started the new cricket season in style at the weekend when it held its first match in a refurbished ground. Willington Cricket Club began the 2004 campaign only 24 hours after the ground was re-opened after a £300,000 transformation
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Traders raise fears at plan for street car parking fees
TRADERS in a Darlington street are to meet council officials in protest at plans to introduce on-street car parking charges. Businesses in Grange Road fear their shops could be forced to close if fewer people come to the street because they have to pay
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Tower's popularity causes a hitch
A piece of high-tech public art has broken down just days after it was unveiled. People all over the world were invited to send text messages to the Spectra-txt tower in Middlesbrough which would then change colour on demand. But since the April 15 switch-on
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West End hit to take theatre's panto slot
ANDREW Lloyd Webber's steam-powered musical Starlight Express looks likely to set box office records at Sunderland's revamped Empire Theatre this Christmas. The lavish West End show, about racing railway engines, achieved success by putting its singing
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Pupils find out about working life in the National Health Service
YOUNG people discovered what it is like to work in the NHS in a scheme designed to enhance the long-term health of the community. About 200 pupils from six schools in east Durham attended the launch at the Glebe Centre, Murton. They learned about the
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Theatre group has message to share on European trip
A UNIQUE theatre group is jetting off to Europe to share its message about the importance of inclusion. The Special Needs Unity Group (Snug) has able-bodied youngsters performing alongside those with disabilities. Snug will be linking up with Derwentside
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Quick return on cards for Jan at Guisborough
Not even an injury to new professional Imran Jan could dampen Guisborough's satisfaction with their performance at Park Drive on the opening day of the season. Fortunately, it looks as if the West Indian will soon be back in action. "Imran turned the
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Olympian hero Steve to join rowing events
ONE of the greatest Olympians the world has seen is coming to the North-East. Rower Sir Steven Redgrave, the only man to win gold at five successive Olympics for endurance sports, will raise money for one of the region's charities. He will attend the
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Fundraiser takes over the controls
THE new chief executive of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance has been named as fundraising supremo, Martin Eede. Mr Eede, 56, has worked with a number of charities, including the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, now called Rethink. Its turnover increased
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Future of housing offices in doubt
TWO of the Harrogate district's five area housing offices could be in doubt as the local authority considers its options for the future. The borough council's housing stock has fallen from 5,277 in 1992 to 3,947 as more and more tenants have exercised
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YMCA centre dedicated to educating the community
A learning centre has opened in a market town to provide residents, employees and visitors with a wide range of training opportunities. The YMCA Community Learning Centre has been set up in a former video shop in Richmond Market Place. It has a computer
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Sweet success in competition
A YOUNGSTER won an Easter competition in the Cleveland Shopping Centre, in Middlesbrough. Kelly Wilson, of Middlesbrough, correctly said that there were 367 sweets in the jar in Thorntons shop window. She won £50 vouchers for the centre and a Thorntons
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Village story editor needed
THE hunt for an editor capable of putting together a book chronicling the story of a village comes to a head this week. Catterick has been awarded a grant by the Local Heritage Initiative and even has a working title for the finished article, which may
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Cancer care charity given £12,000
A FUNDRAISINGscheme has donated more than £12,000 to Macmillan Cancer Relief. Health Through Warmth, an npower initiative which trains community workers to spot the life-threatening risks of living in cold, damp homes, pledged to donate £5 to the charity
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Quick return on cards for Jan at Guisborough
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Not even an injury to new professional Imran Jan could dampen Guisborough's satisfaction with their performance at Park Drive on the opening day of the season. Fortunately, it looks as
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Saints eye league title after second successive promotion
The Albany Northern League: Newcastle Benfield Saints capped a remarkable first season in the league by clinching the last promotion place on Saturday - and they could even go on and win the Second Division title. Saints, who were promoted from the Northern
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Wildlife team to undertake field survey
EXPERTS arrive next month to study the flora in an 18-acre field which local people hope will become a site for wildlife conservation. Yorkshire Wildlife representatives will examine the land on the edge of the River Swale, at Catterick, on Saturday,
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1860 educational logbooks reveal some things never change
NEW light has been thrown on the life of a school following the discovery of hand-written logbooks dating from the 1860s. The books were found at Northgate Junior School, Guisborough, east Cleveland Headteacher Pat Anderson said: "The logbooks make fascinating
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Memorial Spitfire planned for road
A FULL-SIZED reproduction of a Second World War Spitfire could soon be in place on a North-East roundabout. Several organisations in Thornaby, near Stockton, have come together to try to secure lottery funding for the plane. The idea is to commemorate
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Pillar man will tower over gallery entrance
AN artist engaged in creating a sculpture for the region is to have his work displayed at the Olympics. Norwegian artist Nicolaus Widerberg has already been commissioned by Northumbria University to create Pillar Man, a 6.4metre sculpture that will take
