Archive
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Durham Diary: Riverside ready for new chairman
DURHAM will unveil a new chairman this week to succeed Bob Jackson, who agreed to take over on a temporary basis following the resignation of Bill Midgley. Jackson, who will stay on as vice-chairman, said: "We had a short list of three and they were all
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100 call centre jobs may be axed
MORE than a 100 North-East call centre jobs are under threat after the Abbey banking group revealed it may transfer the work overseas. If the move goes ahead, about 100 jobs could go at Stockton and 470 at a site near Southampton. The group is understood
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Barnes the inspiration for Northallerton win
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Northallerton go marching on at the top and Jonathan Barnes again inspired them to victory against Marske. Few players have proved so successful and reliable in recent years and he was
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A cushion to combat clots
DEDICATED Joanne Watt worked such long hours she suffered a blood clot that nearly killed her. Now the industrial design student has created a device which could help combat deep vein thrombosis. Doctors diagnosed the life threatening condition after
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Breese leads the way in astounding Durham win
SKIPPER Jon Lewis revealed that he was unable to watch the last hour of the most astonishing win in Durham's first-class history at Taunton on Saturday. After being 95 for five in pursuit of a target of 451, they squeezed home by one wicket with Gareth
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Rude endings
"WELL, I'm never rude about anyone," said my wife on Thursday without the slightest fear of a heavenly thunderbolt striking the house. To be fair, the warm glow of the last Parkinson (BBC1, Saturday) did seem to last some time. Not only did guest Patrick
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Even lonelier at the top
EIGHTEEN months ago it seemed certain that the next General Election would be fought on three issues - the economy, health and education. With the cushion of a substantial majority behind him, Tony Blair must have been looking forward to the election
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You write...
MARGARET THATCHER AS Mr Wardell (HAS, May 8) raises a glass to Margaret Thatcher, I hope he remembers what she did for others: such as the three million unemployed; the thousands of businesses that were destroyed; the destruction of entire communities
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Families united in quest for truth
HUDDLED around a boardroom table, every family has a story to tell. Emotional tales of bullying, of sons found hanged or shot dead have brought together parents from all over the country who are united in finding the truth about what happened to their
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Weardale League: Weakened RA secure a top five finish
Darlington RA completed the season with victory at Harton and Westoe and finished fifth from top. Despite having only 11 regular players on duty with manager Dave Woodcock and secretary Martyn Jackson named as substitutes, they still proved too good for
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£300,000 aid is good start for children
YOUNGSTERS across Darlington will be given the best possible start in life thanks to more than £300,000 of funding for a children's centre. Impressive levels of educational, health and social care will be provided at the centre to be built in the grounds
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Work to begin on nursery for primary school
WORK is to begin on a £100,000 project to create a modern nursery in a a Darlington primary school. By September, the unit at Dodmire Infant School will house, among others, youngsters from Eastbourne Nursery School, which is destined to close on August
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Woman freed from car
A WOMAN was taken to hospital after an accident yesterday on the A171 road in east Cleveland. It happened at accident blackspot Birk Brow, near Guisborough, on the main road from Teesside to Whitby and Scarborough. The woman was released by firefighters
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Volunteers dig deep at garrison
SOLDIERS and civilians joined forces for the fifth annual Coronation Park Community Work Day in Catterick Garrison. The aim of the event, on Saturday, was to improve the environment and create a safer park for use by the community. Dozens of people helped
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Sunshine and vintage vehicles draw the crowds
ROW after of row of highly polished and fine tuned cars, tractors, motorbikes and camper vans stretched out across a County Durham show-ground at the weekend. Hundreds of motor enthusiasts drove their lovingly restored vehicles to Witton Castle, near
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More powers for street wardens
STREET wardens have been granted extra powers to hand out £50 fines for anti-social behaviour. Neighbourhood Patrol Officers on Wearside can now hand out on-the-spot fixed penalty notices, for crimes such as littering, graffiti or dog fouling. The City
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FA investigates attacks following Black Cats game
The Football Association has mounted an investigation after disabled Sunderland football fans were attacked and abused by rival supporters following a crunch match. More than 200 Crystal Palace supporters surged on to the pitch at Selhurst Park after
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Walking in a spring wonderland
OH dear, " I thought to myself, "this isn't going to be too much fun". I was crossing the moors on the A66 on my way over to the Lake District. It was misty, cold and wet. It was the kind of persistent drizzle that works its way right down into your bones
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Service cuts 'could lead to more car use'
CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposals to cut through-train services in the North-East have extended the battle to the national arena. They have also warned that if passengers are forced to change trains many may simply start to use alternative transport, in
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Ellie (and her hat) steals the show
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD was the star of the show yesterday (FRI) as she took part in a charity fundraising event. More than 120 people attended a fashion show in aid of the NSPCC at Judges Hotel, Kirklevington, Yarm, Teesside. The show was held by The House Store
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Archbishop takes the biscuit
THE Archbishop of York has urged hospice supporters to get involved with a Tea at Three fundraising event next month. Dr David Hope was one of the first to sample a new sunflower biscuit from Thomas the Baker when he took tea at three at Bishopthorpe
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Twists in the tale of 'Loch Fyne pact'
A secret dinner between two leading Labour politicians paved the way for Tony Blair's premiership. Now party history appears to be repeating itself with reports that another secret restaurant meeting has laid the foundations for Gordon Brown's succession
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Farm quad bikes are 'easy pickings'
THIEVES have stolen quad bikes worth tens of thousands of pounds from isolated farms because they see them as easy pickings, according to police. Since November 13 quad bikes worth a total of about £33,500 have been taken from farm outbuildings, garages
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Man killed by Metro train
RAIL passengers watched in horror as a man was killed by a train this weekend. The train struck a man on the tracks as it pulled into Heworth Metro station, in Gateshead. A police spokeswoman said: "The train was evacuated and some people who saw the
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Bag-packing bid for show equipment
YOUNGSTERS lent shoppers a helping hand to raise cash for much-needed equipment. Members of Chester-le-Street Theatre Group's junior section spent Saturday packing bags at the town's Iceland store. Proceeds will go towards buying microphones needed for
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Appeal for bowlers
A BOWLING club in Darlington is seeking younger members. Tom Vout, honorary secretary of the Darlington Woodland Bowling Club, said the average age of existing members was in the sixties. He said the club would welcome fresh talent, but feared many people
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Village offers all the fun of the fair
THE sunny weather brought out the crowds at a traditional carnival funfair held over the weekend in a village near Darlington. Heighington village was alive with music and games as families made the most of the outdoor entertainment that was provided
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Village offers all the fun of the fair
THE sunny weather brought out the crowds at a traditional carnival funfair held over the weekend in a village near Darlington. Heighington village was alive with music and games as families made the most of the outdoor entertainment that was provided
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Shake-up of council grants to businesses
DURHAM County Council is to focus its business aid on cutting-edge industries. The council's cabinet has approved a shake-up of the grants it offers to help inward investment, expansion and job creation. Following a report by consultants Price Waterhouse-Coopers
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New hospital is dream come true for town's ex-MP
A FORMER North-East MP who campaigned for a new hospital for 15 years has seen his dream come true. Lord Radice, the former long-serving MP for Chester-le-Street, chose the official opening of the £10m hospital to make his first public appearance since
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Police bid to stop witness intimidation
POLICE plan to introduce tough measures to prevent vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime being intimidated. Officers say there is a growing culture of reprisals and intimidation, particularly in Ripon. The problem was highlighted by the collapse of
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Councillor stands down from coalition group
AN independent councillor has left the ruling coalition group on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Marske independent councillor Mike Findley, the council's older people's champion, said he had taken the decision because he found it increasingly difficult
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Community barge gets £30,000 grant
A project to turn a barge into a floating community centre has received a £30,000 grant. Work on the Stockton Community Barge, which will be used for educational and community projects, has been ongoing for 20 months. The grant from the Greggs Trust has
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Advice sessions begin
PENSIONERS in Middlesbrough can get more than just a book when they go to the town's central library. Every Friday they will find Department of Works and Pensions advisor Sue Mayhew in the children's section. She will be offering people advice and support
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Beavers eager to learn
A GROUP of 16 youngsters have visited an animal centre as part of a "spider challenge". First Thirsk Beavers were given a tour of the Blue Cross Centre, in Topcliffe, on Saturday, to see the animals and hand over a hamper of pet food. The visit was part
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Charity event raises £1,515
A CHARITY evening at a County Durham pub raised £1,515 for leukaemia research at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle. An auction and raffles were held at The Three Horse Shoes, in Pit House Lane, Leamside, Durham. It was organised by landlord Terry
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Bridge revamp work to start
WORK will start on a bridge this week to allow the 7.5 tonnes weight limit to be removed. Little Ayton Bridge, which carries Cross Lane over the River Leven in Little Ayton, near Stokesley, will be refurbished. The arched lattice girders, which give the
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Street art contest lined up
YOUNGSTERS can try their hand at street art this week. Durham Wildlife Trust is holding a pavement drawing event at its Rainton Meadows Visitor Centre on Saturday from 1pm until 3.30pm. Admission is £1 and there will be prizes for the best pieces, for
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Drivers face new parking charges
Increases in car parking charges are intoduced today in east Cleveland. They come into force across Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's car parks. In long-stay car parks, including Saltburn car parks and the Majuba Road car park in Redcar, there is
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Action urged to stop bikers on the beach
LOCAL people and wildlife experts say youngsters riding quad bikes are causing damage and disturbing residents and walkers on a beach. They are calling for action to be taken to stop the youngsters, thought to be mainly boys aged between 14 and 16, who
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'She brought us back from the dead'
In the final part of our series to mark 25 years since Margaret Thatcher's first election victory, Nick Morrison looks at how the Iron Lady altered the economic, social and political landscape of the North-East. AT first, it seemed to be a huge gaffe,
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Pupils' achievement recognised
THREE pupils have been recognised for 100 per cent attendance in five years at school. The trio from West Redcar Community School have not missed a day in that time, even for sickness. Adrian Bowers, Penny Wilson and James Wilson, all 16 and from Redcar
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Area picked to pilot faster homes project
A NORTH-EAST suburb has been selected to pilot a planning and design process. Walker Riverside, in Newcastle, is one of only six areas taking part in the scheme, selected from across the UK by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Called design coding,
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Service cuts 'could lead to more car use'
CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposals to cut through-train services in the North-East have extended the battle to the national arena. They have also warned that if passengers are forced to change trains many may simply start to use alternative transport, in
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In-form Burnmoor make Felling struggle
Federation Special Durham Senior League: Burnmoor strolled to victory dismissing visitors Felling in only 18.2 overs. Paul Burn and Martin Thursfield did the early damage before Ian Conn claimed four wickets for three runs in 14 deliveries as Felling
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Officer speaks of concern at cutbacks to force training
CUTS to police training could leave recruits without the skills needed to do their job, a North-East officer has said. The officer, who does not want to be named for fear of causing embarrassment to his force, hit out at a shake-up aimed at bringing police
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Saturday's cricket round-up: Surrey still searching for win
Surrey were left still looking for their first win in any competition as Gloucestershire completed a 42-run totesport League victory at Bristol. Alex Gidman top scored with 70 and Philip Weston hit 53 as the Gladiators ran up 257 for six after winning
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Disabled football fans are attacked in pitch invasion
DISABLED Sunderland football fans were attacked and abused by rival supporters following a crunch match. More than 200 Crystal Palace supporters surged on to the pitch at Selhurst Park after the South London team's 3-2 first leg victory over the Black
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Author to fight football ban petition
The author of a book detailing violent scenes of football hooliganism is due to appear in court to fight a proposed order banning him from watching his beloved sport. A former member of the notorious Middlesbrough hooligan group the Frontline, John Pulling
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The day Geordies and Arabs came to blows
HUNDREDS of Arab protestors clashing with the predominantly white forces of law and order is an all-too familiar scene these days, whether it's Iraq or any one of a number of troublespots. But what about South Shields in 1930? Few are now aware that four
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Retracing wartime journey to honour memory of the dead
A FORMER soldier has performed an act of respect to bring comfort to the family of a private killed 60 years ago in one of the most crucial actions of the Second World War. Royal Artillery veteran Douglas Wilks laid a spray of poppies at the grave of
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Day the Geordies cand the Arabs came to blows
A new play is being written about the day, back in the 1930s, when Arab-Geordie relations hit an all-time low. Viv Hardwick talks to the man who's been persuaded to put pen to paper. HUNDREDS of Arab protestors clashing with the predominantly white forces
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Day the Geordies cand the Arabs came to blows
A new play is being written about the day, back in the 1930s, when Arab-Geordie relations hit an all-time low. Viv Hardwick talks to the man who's been persuaded to put pen to paper. HUNDREDS of Arab protestors clashing with the predominantly white forces
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17/05/04
MARGARET THATCHER: AS Mr Wardell (HAS, May 8) raises a glass to Margaret Thatcher, I hope he remembers what she did for others: such as the three million unemployed; the thousands of businesses that were destroyed; the destruction of entire communities
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Smith backs strikers
SUNDERLAND will be going for goals at the Stadium of Light tonight, with striker Tommy Smith insisting his fellow frontmen are ready to fire the Black Cats a giant step nearer the Premiership. Mick McCarthy's side must score at least once if they are
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Strictly nothing to beat
Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1); Football Diaries (BBC2): THE revived, made-over Come Dancing is as clumsy as the celebrities who've been recruited to learn to ballroom dance. And, as for putting Bruce Forsyth back on the box on Saturday nights, I can only
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Reward after theft of five monkeys
A WOMAN who had five monkeys snatched from her home is offering a reward for information. The family of marmosets, native to Brazil, were stolen from a secure outdoor enclosure in the Eastbourne area of Darlington. Their owner, Jane Shields, fears the
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Sudan star takes Deacon's crown
OLYMPIAN Jared Deacon suffered a rare 400m defeat at the hands of an "unknown" 17-year-old African at the North-East Track and Field Championships. The 28-year-old Tynesider - a Commonwealth Games and European Championships 400m relay gold medallist who
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Records tumble as Durham hit top form
AFTER the lord mayor's show at Taunton came the carnival at Worcester yesterday as cock-a-hoop Durham continued their weekend of sensational record-breaking. Never have they heaped such humiliation on first-class opponents in a one-day game, cruising
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Countdown to the day football comes home
The opening of the new Wembley Stadium is just 18 months away and, as Deputy Sports Editor Adam Murray found out, the idea is that the fans come first in the 2006 model. AS Sunderland and Hartlepool chase the route to promotion via Cardiff, many fans
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Young bands' showcase
BANDS are tuning up for a festival aiming to showcase young talent next month. Rockfest has been organised by the Youth Forum at Consett YMCA. Taking place at the YMCA headquarters in Parliament Street, on June 2, it will feature four teenage bands from
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Breese leads the way in astounding Durham win
SKIPPER Jon Lewis revealed that he was unable to watch the last hour of the most astonishing win in Durham's first-class history at Taunton on Saturday. After being 95 for five in pursuit of a target of 451, they squeezed home by one wicket with Gareth
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Officer will help prosecute fly-tippers
OFFICIALS fear fly-tipping will increase in County Durham as the tax on burying waste rises. The Landfill Tax is set to more than double in the next six years, rising from £15 a tonne now to £35 in 2010. Councils fear that some operators will try to avoid
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World's biggest dog walk set
The world's biggest dog walk will be held in the North-East again next month. The Catherine Cookson Great North Dog Walk, held each year in South Shields, is in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest event of its kind. This year, organisers of the
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Spotlight put on laughter
COMEDY fans are in for a treat when the internationally renowned Jongleurs Comedy Club comes to the North-East. Jongleurs will be at the Customs House, in South Shields, South Tyneside, on Thursday, June 10. Customs House marketing manager Robin Byers
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Watching Brief: Passion, commitment and effort boost play-off dream
PERHAPS Hartlepool United are finally getting to grips with the play-offs. At the seventh time of asking, Pool gave a performance more akin to their consistent league form over the last five seasons than the tepid showings which have dogged previous ill-fated
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Pensioner badly injured in attack by Akita dog
A PENSIONER was left badly injured after he was savaged by a powerful Japanese Akita dog. The 85-year-old had serious wounds to both arms and was taken to hospital where he underwent a skin graft operation. He had stroked the dog and was chatting to its
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Boro's calamitous end to historical season
FRATTON Park resounded to choruses of "We want Milan" as Portsmouth's supporters paid tribute to their troubled chairman - but that three-word phrase could also serve as a fitting epitaph to Middlesbrough's season. The Boro fans wouldn't mind Milan when
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Bid to save civil service jobs in N-E
A UNION has today stepped up its campaign to stop the loss of civil service jobs affecting people at a North-East site. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) announced recently that 100 jobs at Mowden Hall, in Darlington, were to be cut. The
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Kimblesworth fail at Evenwood
The Readers Durham County League Review: Evenwood won the match of the day to give their early-season chances of retaining the championship a boost. Kimblesworth are expected to again be among the title contenders but it was their rivals who won by six
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Fire bosses to appeal budget cap
Fire service bosses facing major financial problems are to submit "a robust case" to the Government for next year's budget to not be restricted. County Durham and Darlington Fire Authority, which imposed a 19.8 per cent precept as its share of local council
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Performance wins Ashlea a legion of fans
TEENAGER Ashlea Pearson sang before millions of television viewers when she took part in the live finals of the Stars In Their Eyes Kids show on Saturday. Although her performance as Gloria Estefan did not win the public vote, her appearance has won the
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80-year-old Fred celebrates birthday with third parachute jump
A PENSIONER celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday by launching himself out of a plane. Fred Deakin, of Sherburn, near Durham, took part in a tandem parachute jump from 14,000ft with instructor Richard Kalinski at the Peterlee Parachute Centre. He said
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Area picked to pilot faster homes project
A NORTH-EAST suburb has been selected to pilot a planning and design process. Walker Riverside, in Newcastle, is one of only six areas taking part in the scheme, selected from across the UK by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Called design coding,
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Phili sent to bottom by Norton
Foster's ECB East Premier League: Philadelphia, who were expected to have a reasonably successful season following an influx of players, suffered a big defeat at the hands of Norton and for the first time since they entered the league three years ago,
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All to play for as unwanted Porter repays Pool's faith
EIGHT months ago Joel Porter had not even heard of Hartlepool. He was preparing to pack his bags for a return to his Australian homeland after attempts to earn a professional contract in English football were in vain. But, after trials with Wigan and
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Apprentice wins award for welding
APPRENTICE Ben Alderson is celebrating after collecting a top prize for his welding abilities. The 21-year-old Darlington College of Technology student has won the Best City and Guilds Welding and Fabrication Award. Mr Alderson, of Bolam, near Darlington
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Mystery of boy hurt in crash
POLICE teams were yesterday frantically searching for the family of a schoolboy who was seriously injured in a road accident. As the boy lay unconscious in a hospital bed, officers spent the whole day speaking to hundreds of people in Newton Aycliffe,
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Smith backs strikers to fire Sunderland to Cardiff
SUNDERLAND will be going for goals at the Stadium of Light tonight, with striker Tommy Smith insisting his fellow frontmen are ready to fire the Black Cats a giant step nearer the Premiership. Mick McCarthy's side must score at least once if they are
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Injured boy still critical
A ten-year-old boy injured in a road accident at the weekend is today still in a critical condition in hospital. Police, who had initially appealed for help in identifying the boy, traced his parents on Sunday and they spent all day by his bedside in
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Finalists in beauty pageant selected tonight
THE finalists for a revived beauty contest will be decided tonight. Organisers of the Miss Durham competition have received almost 60 entries for the beauty pageant, the final of which will be held at Sedgefield Racecourse next week. The entrants have
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Petition protest over bus route
PEOPLE in Darlington have signed a petition calling for changes to a popular bus service. The 108-signature petition is being sent to the Stagecoach company, in Darlington, to show customers' disquiet over a change in the timetable. The 25A circular service
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Oil prices continue to rise
Oil prices have risen to new highs today on fears that rapidly increasing demand for fuel could outstrip supply. US light crude hit $41.72 a barrel in pre-opening dealing on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest price since Nynex began trading
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Rowing contest whitewash
DURHAM students achieved a whitewash over rowing team rivals Newcastle. Durham University Boat Club were first over the finish line in all four contests of the eighth Northumbrian Water University Boat Race yesterday. Boat club president Katie Oven, 22
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Wardens scheme given accolade
A TEAM of uniformed wardens helping to improve problem neighbourhoods has received an accolade. The Wear Valley Street Wardens scheme has been awarded the Warden Quality Standard by the Neighbourhood Management and Warden Team. The team of six uniformed
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Care trust appoints public health trainee
A NEW recruit will help to tackle health inequalities in the Middlesbrough area. Helen Park, 30, will work as a public health trainee for Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust in the directorate of health improvement and public health. She will work with health
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Finalists in beauty pageant selected tonight
THE finalists for a revived beauty contest will be decided tonight. Organisers of the Miss Durham competition have received almost 60 entries for the beauty pageant, the final of which will be held at Sedgefield Racecourse next week. The entrants have
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Sunshine and vintage vehicles draw the crowds
ROW after of row of highly polished and fine tuned cars, tractors, motorbikes and camper vans stretched out across a County Durham show-ground at the weekend. Hundreds of motor enthusiasts drove their lovingly restored vehicles to Witton Castle, near
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Police hunt launched after girl shot with air gun
Police have launched a hunt to find a trigger happy thug who shot a school girl in the head. His 13-year-old victim, who is not being named, was shot in the face, an air gun pellet lodging in her nasal bone - half an inch from her eye. The youngster spent
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Performance wins Ashlea a legion of fans
TEENAGER Ashlea Pearson sang before millions of television viewers when she took part in the live finals of the Stars In Their Eyes Kids show on Saturday. Although her performance as Gloria Estefan did not win the public vote, her appearance has won the
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Lodge helps hospital ward
THE Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes' Heart-Le-Pool Lodge has presented a DVD player and television to ward 14 of the University Hospital of Hartlepool's mental health unit. Lodge members raised £1,000 in the past year by taking part in a Boxing
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Car boot sales
CAR boot sales are held in Saltburn's Somerfield car park on Sundays, from 9.30am to 3.30pm, to raise money for Saltburn in Bloom and the folk festival. The cost per car is £6 and per van or trailer £8. To book a place call (01287) 624046.
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Murton serve early notice
Durham Coast League: Murton enjoyed a romp in the sun at Boldon CA to serve notice that they will again be strong candidates for the championship. Calvin Stephenson and Shaun Smith restricted the home side to below 100 with Murton strolling to victory
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Villagers support scheme to turn school into hall
A village school that has been neglected for about 20 years is likely to be given a new lease of life as a community hall. Residents of the parish of Gilling, Cawton and Caulton, near Helmsley, have backed the idea of refurbishing and renovating the 110
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Focus falls on towns and villages
AN exhibition exploring the history of five north Durham towns and villages goes on display this week. Entitled Derwentside Then and Now, a Multimedia Extravaganza, it looks at life in the Derwentside communities of Blackhill, Medomsley and Leadgate,
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Shake-up of council grants to businesses
DURHAM County Council is to focus its business aid on cutting-edge industries. The council's cabinet has approved a shake-up of the grants it offers to help inward investment, expansion and job creation. Following a report by consultants Price Waterhouse-Coopers
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Instructors on a high after flypast to celebrate 40 years in the air
TWO Royal Air Force flying instructors have celebrated a milestone achievement in their careers with a flypast. It is 40 years this month since the first solo flights of Flight Lieutenants Dick Shuster and Alan Mawby, from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York
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Estate's fight on crime pays off
PROJECT leaders charged with turning around a run-down estate say the quality of life is improving - and things are due to get better. The Edenhill Project is a Home Office-funded scheme which aims to transform the lives of residents in the Edenhill area
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Cup final managers speak out
THE managers of two amateur football teams involved in an abandoned cup final say there are no hard feelings. The match between Ferryhill Greyhound and Newton Aycliffe was called off by the referee when spectators invaded the field following a sending-off
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Laconia can open account
LACONIA (2.40) looks like finally getting off the mark in the Spa Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Bath today. Stan Moore's sprinter, who has already hit the post and crossbar this season, deserves to find the back of the net and she'll never find and
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Pool survive tough test to keep in hunt for promotion
NEALE Cooper has never had any doubts about the character of his Hartlepool United side. So, even when they went a goal behind on Saturday evening, he knew they would come back into the Victoria Park play-off game. The manager saw his side draw 1-1 with
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Couple celebrating diamond anniversary
ERNIE and Peggy Hutchinson are a shining example of love at first sight being the real thing, because the couple are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. Within seven weeks of meeting the pair decided to marry, before Mr Hutchinson, who was
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Devotion out of my league
I recently found myself at the stage door of a West End theatre with a group of obsessive fans, waiting for the League of Gentlemen to emerge. It wasn't my decision to be there but my friend's, who had an uncontrollable crush on the three actors. She
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Salvation Army centre to give up fight after 126 years
A TOWN centre church is to shut later this year because the building is in need of a £200,000 transformation. Spennymoor Salvation Army will close in autumn after 126 years in the town, because the expenditure of money to renovate its centre in Dundas
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Factory site redeveloped
Demolition work is being carried out to make way for a £35m development that will transform a former factory site. The former Viasystems factory, on North Tyneside, will be turned into international office space. Quorum Development Partners has appointed
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Future of Quakers club to be decided this week
DARLINGTON Football Club today enters the most important week in its 121-year history as creditors weigh up a £150,000 offer to save the Quakers. A meeting of creditors will take place on Wednesday and will be followed the next day by former chairman
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Fruity message in cancer battle
HEALTH workers have been encouraged to join the battle against cancer by eating more fruit and vegetables. The Derwentside and the Chester-le-Street primary care trusts marked Cancer Prevention Week by setting up stands offering a quiz, draw and fruit
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Store refurbishment plan
A DEPARTMENT store in Stockton is to be refurbished in summer. Debenhams, in the town's Wellington Square, is to change its layout to incorporate a bigger young fashion world on the ground floor, targeted at the 16 to 22-year-old age group. The women's
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Authors to pass on tips
TWO local history authors will be passing on tips next week. Alan Betteney and Peter Moon have published books on topics ranging from ships and trains to graveyards. They will be at the Green Dragon Museum, Stockton, on Thursday, from 10am, as part of
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Support group for mums
A support group has been formed to persuade mothers to breastfeed their babies. The group was opened at the Bearpark Community Centre, near Durham, by the Brandon and Deerness Valley Sure Start Programme. Weekly meetings provide mothers with the chance
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Alan hangs up his horn
AFTER two decades of holding up an ancient and much-loved tradition, Alan Oliver is to take a breather. Every day for 20 years Mr Oliver, a postman, has donned the distinctive tricorn hat and frock coat that go with the 1,000-year-old role of Ripon Hornblower
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Youngsters back games bid
DOZENS of North-East youngsters will take part in an athletics contest next week to support London's bid for the 2012 Olympics. In Newcastle, more than 200 pupils will compete in school games on Tuesday to coincide with the International Olympic Committee's
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Officer will help prosecute fly-tippers
OFFICIALS fear fly-tipping will increase in County Durham as the tax on burying waste rises. The Landfill Tax is set to more than double in the next six years, rising from £15 a tonne now to £35 in 2010. Councils fear that some operators will try to avoid
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Trust to end outdoor music event
POPULAR summer evening concerts have ended after a decision by the National Trust. The trust, which owns Fountains Abbey, its grounds and Studley Royal estate, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, has pulled the plug on its Music by Moonlight concerts. They have
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Summer of rest for Southgate as his Euro 2004 hopes fade
MIDDLESBROUGH skipper Gareth Southgate last night accepted that his battle to be fit for this summer's European Championships is likely to end in failure. Southgate will learn his fate this afternoon when England boss Sven Goran Eriksson names his provisional
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Martin stars as Synners skittle Wolviston
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Keith Martin and Martin Cull combined to send Wolviston back to the pavilion with only 69 runs on the board at Billingham Synthonia. The visitors' batsmen never got to grips with the attack
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Surveyor dies
A surveyor who saved his town a lot of money thanks to his vast knowledge of the underground drainage system has died at the age of 90. Edgar Dixon often surprised councillors with his understanding of ancient pipes and gulleys under the streets of Barnard
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Williams paid for 'theatrics'
BRISTOL CITY goalkeeper Steve Phillips last night claimed over-theatrics from Eifion Williams was the reason why referee Paul Taylor refused to point to the penalty spot. After Ritchie Humphreys' defence splitting pass set Williams free, the Welshman
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TV review
Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1) Football Diaries (BBC2) THE revived, made-over Come Dancing is as clumsy as the celebrities who've been recruited to learn to ballroom dance. And, as for putting Bruce Forsyth back on the box on Saturday nights, I can only
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Festival hits milestone
A MUSIC festival marking its 80th birthday is under way. Consett Music Festival, which started at the weekend, is regarded as a platform for talented youngsters and features brass bands, choirs and aspiring young musicians from across the region. To mark
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No sign of house prices slowdown
HOUSE prices have continued to rise across the region, according to figures published yesterday. Property website Rightmove said there were no signs of the housing market cooling in its May House Price Index. The figures show that over the last quarter
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Cabinet's rescue bid for embattled Blair
Cabinet colleagues tried to shore up Tony Blair's position yesterday after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott fuelled speculation about his leader's future. Senior ministers were jockeying for position in anticipation of the Prime Minister stepping down
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Europe a fitting finale to Shearer's career - Speed
GARY SPEED has insisted it would have been a "footballing tragedy'' had Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer missed out on Europe in his final season as a player. Newcastle's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, coupled with Aston Villa's 2-0 home defeat by nine-man Manchester
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Williams wants repeat result
DARREN WILLIAMS is hoping that history repeats itself when Sunderland take on Crystal Palace for a place in the First Division play-off final tonight, writes Scott Wilson. Williams is the sole survivor from the Black Cats' last appearance in the play-offs
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More awards for our winning journalists
WRITERS working for The Northern Echo have again been honoured at the North-East Press Awards. Mike Amos was among the awards yet again, being named North-East Columnist of the Year, a category he has dominated over the years. Mike was also on a shortlist
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Cabinet's rescue bid for embattled Blair
Cabinet colleagues tried to shore up Tony Blair's position yesterday after Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott fuelled speculation about his leader's future. Senior ministers were jockeying for position in anticipation of the Prime Minister stepping down
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Laconia can open account
LACONIA (2.40) looks like finally getting off the mark in the Spa Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Bath today. Stan Moore's sprinter, who has already hit the post and crossbar this season, deserves to find the back of the net and she'll never find and
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Eriksson hailed as right man to lead England to Portugal
THERE'S no better man to lead England to Euro 2004 glory than Sven-Goran Eriksson, according to Kieron Dyer. And Newcastle United's midfield star, who hopes to be in the England squad after returning to action in the Magpies' final two Premiership games
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Cancer battle spurs Tara on for race
A WOMAN is to run a charity race after she battled breast cancer. Tara Richards, 34, hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research when she takes part in the Race for Life, in Darlington's South Park, on Sunday, June 20. Mrs Richards, from North
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Tailor retires after suiting-up the wealthy
A tailor who made suits for wealthy men from all over Britain is bowing out of his tiny shop after 35 years of cutting and stitching. Kenneth Brown has attracted many titled people and military leaders to his premises in Barnard Castle, Co Durham, without
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Former fisherman in coastal protest
A FORMER fisherman has taken to sea to highlight the ailing industry's plight. Dave Horsley, 60, of Hartlepool, is sailing down the North-East coast as part of a national protest against the decline in Britain's fishing fleet. Mr Horsley, who retired
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Jaques shines for Yorkshire
Yorkshire's latest overseas batsman went from a Jaques to a King on his debut for Phoenix in their totesport League match against Sussex Sharks at Headingley yesterday. Australian left-hander, Phil Jaques, thrashed his way to a faultless 105 as Yorkshire
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Village turns back the clock for popular annual medieval fair
PEOPLE turned out in their hundreds for Sedgefield's annual medieval fair on Saturday. Fair queen Kirsty Smith and attendants Chloe Bassford, Olivia Coates, Jessica Coulson and Fay Dovaston travelled in style in two vintage cars to lead the opening parade
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Robson earns bargaining chip
SIR BOBBY ROBSON intends making it hot for chairman Freddy Shepherd this week when they resume crunch talks over Newcastle's future direction. Manager Robson's near-five-year tenure has been thrown into doubt after a bitterly disappointing season. His
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Yorkshire Diary
Who, if anyone, will become the first overseas player to score a century on his Championship debut for Yorkshire? Several have got close to the milestone only to run out of steam - or partners - as they have approached the finishing line. The latest to
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Lorry driver in court over sex charges
A lorry driver has appeared in court to deny a series of child sex charges. Melvin McFadden, 54, of South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, pleaded not guilty to nine counts of indecent assault, four of indecency with a child, and one charge
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Ground Force Tommy's Greek scare
Ground Force star Tommy Walsh was held by Greek police for five hours amid mistaken fears he was trying to expose security lapses at the Olympic stadium, he said yesterday. The television builder was grabbed by officers after he tried to have his photograph
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New jobs at fuel company
About 100 jobs could be created on Teesside as a sustainable fuel company prepares to invest in the emerging biodiesel market. D1 Oils Limited, a North-East based developer of alternative sustainable resources, announced last night it had spent the last
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Pensioner praised for kicking out conmen
Police have praised a feisty 81-year-old who kicked two doorstep conmen out of her house. The pensioner acted when she realised that two conmen pretending to be plumbers had walked into her home. When they asked her to turn on all her taps so they could
