Archive
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Harrison blow for Quakers
DARLINGTON maintained their unbeaten record in pre-season with a 1-0 win over Bradford City at the New Stadium last night. But it was a sickening second-half injury to Quakers defender Alan Harrison which marred the encounter. The full-back was stretchered
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Transforming our forces
FOR years Britain has relied on traditional armed forces to keep the peace and defend the realm. But the UK's armed forces will look very different by the end of this decade. By 2008 the RAF will shed 7,500 jobs, the Navy 1,500 with a further 10,000 civilian
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Turner's dramatic vision of the North saved for nation
A CELEBRATED watercolour of a Northern beauty spot, acknowledged to be one of Turner's finest paintings, has been saved for the nation. The Chain Bridge Over the River Tees, which shows the landscape around the Cauldron Snout waterfall, Upper Teesdale
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Practice makes perfect as orchestra puts on a great performance
AN audience of 500 packed into one of the region's cathedrals to listen to some of the area's most talented young musicians. The North Yorkshire Schools' Symphony Orchestra, made up of more than 80 pupils aged from 12 to 16, gave their annual concert
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Threats to kill man granted bail
A MAN who admitted sending text message threats to his former girlfriend was bailed by magistrates yesterday. William James Tomlinson, 27, admitted sending four texts to Clare Hall on July 6, threatening to kill, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe heard.
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Footwear advice for runners
RUNNERS will be able to have their running style assessed by experts in Darlington's Market Square next month. People will be invited to get on a treadmill so they can find out which training shoes would suit them best, as part of a shoe lab on Sunday
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Youngsters in garden clean-up
A TEAM of hard working youngsters on a Bishop Auckland housing estate have been helping elderly and disabled residents to tidy their gardens. Auckland Youth and Community Centre, on the Woodhouse Close Estate, enlisted the help of 15 young people, including
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Exhibition turns spotlight on city's floating ambassador
A MUSEUM is playing host to an exhibition about a city's floating ambassador. HMS Ocean, Sunderland's adopted warship, will be in town for this weekend's international airshow and will be given the freedom of the city on Monday. Sunderland Museum and
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Occupational therapy wait times rapped
AN inspection of services for disabled adults in Darlington has criticised waiting times for occupational therapy. A report by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) from an inspection carried out in February, states: "Waiting lists for the occupational
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Pupils win top maths prize
Pupils at a North Yorkshire school have shown that when it comes to maths they are among the country's best. Ripon Grammar School proved it had a winning team when pupils won first prize in a national contest held by Edge Hill College of Higher Education
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Picture of village life
PUPILS at Manfield CE Primary School have produced a work of art depicting life in their community as part of a Women's Institute Craft in the Community initiative. The wall hanging, showing their village and the surrounding area, will be sent to a children's
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Court told of sex offender's fatal injuries
An elderly sex offender could have survived the stamping injuries he received to his face when he was attacked in his home, a jury was told yesterday. But as well as the injuries to Arnold Hartley's head, he also suffered further trauma to the neck, which
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Bed blocking strategy is hailed a success
MEASURES to prevent bed blocking in hospitals have been hailed a success by council chiefs. Fears that huge fines for delayed discharges would drain care budgets have proved unfounded, says Durham County Council. The authority's Social Care and Health
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'We will find this man'
THE most wanted man in Britain was still on the run last night as police pledged: "We will find him." More possible sightings have been made of Mark Richard Hobson, the man police want to speak to in connection with the murderous killing spree in North
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It's our land, residents insist
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to prevent a developer building on two open spaces told a public inquiry the land had been used as a local amenity for decades, qualifying it for designation as a village green. Residents who want to save the Blue Heaps and Top of
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Suspect arrested over pub killing
DETECTIVES investigating the killing of a North-East pensioner who was shot as he had a drink at his local, yesterday arrested a man on suspicion of murder. Fred Fowler, 72, was an innocent victim of the shooting, at the Tap and Barrel pub, in Sunderland
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Reynolds hearing adjourned
A hearing to determine whether detectives can permanently confiscate £500,000 seized from George Reynolds' car was adjourned today. The former Quakers chairman attended Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court in County Durham with his legal team to contest
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Appeal launched to save historic church
AN appeal has been launched to prevent the oldest church in a Teesside town from falling into disrepair. A total of £50,000 is needed to protect St John the Evangelist Church, in Marton Road, Middlesbrough. The attractive, floodlit church, off the A66
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Makeover for bus stops
More than 100 bus stops are to get a makeover costing £570,000 to encourage people to use public transport. Work will be carried out on the route of the number 65 bus, the second busiest in Redcar and Cleveland. The service runs from Boulby, through Easington
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MP spreads citizenship message
RICHMONDSHIRE MP William Hague met the voters of tomorrow when he took part in a school event. The former Conservative Party leader spoke on the theme of citizenship to students at Northallerton College and answered questions on topics including university
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Communities raise funds to launch life-saving schemes
TWO life-saving initiatives have been launched - thanks to local fundraising efforts. First Responder schemes have been set up in the Stokesley and Hutton Rudby areas to help fight back against one of the country's biggest killers. The Rotary Club of
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Kids will get busy helping to save bees
CHILDREN are being recruited to save the bumblebee from the threat of extinction. Summer holiday activities for youngsters are being given a dual purpose across Middlesbrough. As well as providing outdoor fun, there is a serious message to the play being
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Young reporters jump at the chance to interview Olympic athlete
EIGHT aspiring reporters have pulled off a scoop - an interview with British long jump record holder Chris Tomlinson. Pupils from Middlesbrough's Kings Manor and Hall Garth schools met the 22-year-old athlete at the town's Clairville sports stadium, on
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Unveiling history
AN exhibition about the history of Coxhoe proved a popular draw for villagers. The event, at St Andrew's Methodist Church Hall, Front Street, featured local author and historian Robin Walton who has spent several years looking into the heritage of Coxhoe
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Surprise, surprise
Sir Ben Kingsley explains to Steve Pratt why playing the bad guy in the new Thunderbirds movie is as good as bing in the Royal Shakespeare Cmpany. You don't expect to interview an actor about the new Thunderbirds film and end up hearing a discourse on
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Hospital tonic over measures to beat bed blocking
MEASURES to prevent people experiencing delays due to hospital bed blocking have been hailed a success by council chiefs. Fears that huge fines for delayed discharges would drain care budgets have proved unfounded, according to Durham County Council.
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Residents seek U-turn over bus service re-route plans
ANGRY residents are launching a petition calling on a bus company to reverse its decision to re-route a service to the fringe of their estate. Residents of Acton Dene, east Stanley, say the move will leave the community's pensioners stranded - and force
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Romans remains prompt special dig
EXPERTS are unearthing more discoveries from Roman times as plans for a major archaeological investigation are stepped up. It emerged last week that a series of unexpected finds had been made at the Faverdale East business park in Darlington, on land
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Unkindest cut
IF I was Cuticle Kate, the nail-buffing queen of EastEnders (BBC1), I wouldn't let Chrissie Watts anywhere near me with a pair of scissors. For Geordie Kate not only shares a business with crimper Chrissie but also her husband, Dirty Den. Chrissie may
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Mayor supports event to help MS sufferers
THE Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Roderick Francis, gave his support to an event for multiple sclerosis sufferers and carers. Health and social care professionals set up their stalls at the town's Dolphin Centre to offer advice and provide information
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Film-making in North-East to get £33m boost
FILM-MAKING in the North-East is to receive a £33m boost with the creation of a fund financed by private investors. One of the first movies to benefit will be boxing champion Glenn McCrory's film Carrying David, depicting the relationship between him
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Comment from The Northen Echo: Voting for the safe option
THE Government knows it is not going to win regional government ballots in either Yorkshire and the Humber or the North West. If those referendums went ahead, there would almost certainly be resounding 'no' votes, causing a great deal of unease for the
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School garden project is a blooming success
Gardeners of the future have been demonstrating their skills. Youngsters at Bedale Primary School have created a colourful oasis after catching the gardening bug. The school decided to create a garden last year and the project became the inspiration for
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Fundraisers help expansion of First Responder scheme
TWO life-saving initiatives have been launched, thanks to the fundraising efforts of local people. First Responder schemes have been set up in the Stokesley and Hutton Rudby areas to help fight one of the country's biggest killers. The Rotary Club of
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New lease of life planned for toll booth
AN ancient toll booth is to become a village resource under plans to restore and refurbish it. The oldest building in Topcliffe has been used as a jail and a reading room and was the site where a ransom was paid for Charles I. The parish council is planning
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Plan for travellers' camp
A stop-over camp for travellers could be opened on the edge of a seaside resort. Gipsies camp illegally already in Meggits Lane, Dormanstown, Redcar, east Cleveland. The site could now be adopted by Redcar and Cleveland Council as an official transit
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Sedgefield mayor critical of Blair
The mayor of Tony Blair's County Durham constituency has sparked a political row after branding the prime minister out of touch with local problems. Jim Wayman, the independent mayor of Sedgefield Town Council, accused Mr Blair of ignoring the issues
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Students and retailers work together
TWO of the UK's biggest high street retail chains are improving the way they operate by working with business students. Masters degree students at the University of Sunderland are looking at diversity, and rights and responsibilities issues for John Lewis
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North-East could got it alone on assembly
THE Government is ready to shelve the elected assembly referendum in Yorkshire while pressing ahead with the vote in the North-East, it emerged yesterday. Nick Raynsford, the local government minister, surprised MPs by suggesting the Electoral Commission
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'Miss' says goodbye after more than 40 years
GLOWING tributes were paid on the last day of term to a teacher who has devoted more than four decades to a Darlington school. Judith Burtt retired from Abbey Junior School, where she has taught thousands of pupils over the past 43 years. Mrs Burtt was
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Virgin Mobile off to a shaky start on first day of trading
SIR Richard Branson's first foray on to the stock exchange for 18 years proved a troublesome time as his Virgin Mobile business was priced significantly below expectations. The mobile phone company was originally expected to be valued at £713m but entered
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Care service is criticised
AN inspection of services for disabled adults in Darlington has criticised waiting times for occupational therapy. A report by the Social Services Inspectorate from an inspection carried out in February, states: "Waiting lists for the occupational therapy
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'City toll bollard wrecked my car'
A FURIOUS businessman says his car was a virtual write-off after an automatic bollard smashed through the engine and made the air bags explode. The automatic bollard that guards Durham City's toll road caused more than £6,500 of damage to the car, belonging
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Electric vehicle aids Geest food production
AN innovative electric vehicle designed and manufactured by a North-East company is helping to streamline production of ready made food dishes at Geest's Milton Keynes factory. The 2,000kg capacity Easyloader vehicle produced by SEV Group, of Gateshead
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E-coli inquiry goes on
FINAL test results are still awaited to confirm the source of an e-coli outbreak in County Durham. But public and environmental health experts continue to suspect the infection is linked to Castle Bank butchers shop in Chester-le-Street. The source of
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The Battle for a balanced diet
OUR grandson loved his new cereal. 'Meowbix' he called it, because it had what looked to him like a cat on the packet. It was actually a koala bear, but never mind. The cereal advertised itself as being good for you and good for the planet, so his health-conscious
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Lottery to provide funding for summer camp
HUNDREDS of young people from the region could benefit from a summer camp initiative that has been set up with £12.5m of National Lottery Funding. This summer, 380 youngsters from across Cleveland, Durham, Tyneside, Tees Valley and Northumberland could
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Don't call me Mr Versatile - Lynch
THE latest addition to Mick McCarthy's new-look Sunderland aims to bury any ideas he's arrived with a Mr Versatile tag hanging round his neck. Mark Lynch agreed a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light last week and the former Manchester United defender
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Lancaster bomber to star at airshow
A World War Two Lancaster bomber will be one of the attractions at this weekend's Sunderland Airshow. PA474, one of only two still in an airworthy condition, last appeared at the event in 1999 and is expected to be a big draw. It will fly in with the
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Killeen misses out on day for swingers
DURHAM had cause to regret leaving out Neil Killeen and handing Zimbabwean Andy Blignaut his championship debut yesterday as Mark Davies had to carry the attack on a day when 17 wickets fell at Riverside. With medium-pacers Jon Moss and Mo Sheikh as their
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Turner's dramatic vision of the North saved for nation
A CELEBRATED watercolour of a Northern beauty spot, acknowledged to be one of Turner's finest paintings, has been saved for the nation. The Chain Bridge Over the River Tees, which shows the landscape around the Cauldron Snout waterfall, Upper Teesdale
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No equal access for divorced parents
Parents who split up would not be guaranteed equal access to their children under plans unveiled by the Government yesterday. Ministers want to ensure children see both their parents after a separation. But they said children must not be treated "like
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Robson thrilled by Kluivert deal
SIR Bobby Robson last night compared the signing of Patrick Kluivert to the record-breaking capture of Alan Shearer and insisted: "This will close the gap on the top three." Newcastle's lengthy pursuit of the Dutch international finally came to an end
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In high spirits at the Civic
HOW haunted is Darlington's Civic Theatre? Well it's certainly worth further investigation, according to the Yorkshire Psychic Investigators team who spent an eerie night in the building last month. Inspired by a run of Noel Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit
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Anger at £3.6m bill for council's new headquarters
A POLITICAL row has broken out over the £3.6m cost of a plan to move a council's headquarters to another town. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is proposing to move from Eston, east Middlesbrough, to Redcar. A three-storey office block would be built
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Lehmann eases the pain
Darren Lehmann shrugged off the pain of a stiff back to stop Yorkshire from falling apart on the first day of their Championship match against Somerset at Scarborough yesterday. The Australian left-hander rested in the pavilion until the fall of the fourth
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Charity shops hit by books shortage
THE region is in the grip of a reading frenzy according to Barnado's as its chain of shops struggles to keep up with demand. The charity is facing a paperbacks shortage as avid readers continue to clear shop bookshelves. David Abdale, North-East area
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Anger grows over baby
THE family of a 14-year-old girl who was sent home from hospital with the baby she had just miscarried are calling for national guidelines laying down how foetal tissue should be handled. A storm of condemnation followed The Northern Echo's story yesterday
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Trail blazing
The extravagant musical Blaze to be staged at Darlington's Railway Museum has hit a high point with soprano Suzannah Clarke. She talks to Viv Hardwick about her encounters with the railway children. 'IT'S a bit worrying," admits Middlesbrough's international
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Council calls on language experts
TRANSLATION company ITL has won the contract to handle Durham County Council's language work. The Gateshead business will provide information in a variety of languages, explaining the council services available and how they operate. ITL, which was established
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Cheese firm wins prizes
Wensleydale Creamery has notched up a red, white and blue hat-trick at shows across the British Isles. The dairy, based in Hawes, mimicked the colours of the Union Flag as it recorded victories in England, Scotland and Wales. The creamery's Blue Wensleydale
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Diet experts put 'high-fat' N-E on alert
DIET experts have issued a health warning after a survey showed that the region has some of the unhealthiest eating habits in the UK. High-fat snacking could be contributing to the alarming rise in deaths from coronary heart disease, according to a new
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A Blooming outcry, but he's unrepentant
EURO MP Godfrey Bloom, who provoked an outcry over his apparent dismissal of women's rights on his first day on a committee championing them, was unrepentant last night. And he claimed that far from being censured by his party, the UK Independence Party
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Gran At Large: The battle for a balanced diet
OUR grandson loved his new cereal. 'Meowbix' he called it, because it had what looked to him like a cat on the packet. It was actually a koala bear, but never mind. The cereal advertised itself as being good for you and good for the planet, so his health-conscious
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Dale railway back on track
The rebirth of the railway in Weardale more than half a century after it closed to passengers is a key element of an ongoing regeneration strategy. It is expected to attract 90,000 visitors each year supporting the surrounding tourism industry and, with
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Queen to rule again
QUEEN OF POLAND (3.15) has the class to maintain her unbeaten record in the seven-furlong £30,000 Listed Star Stakes at Sandown. For a man with such an awesome juvenile team, David Loder's two-year-olds haven't exactly set the world on fire to date this
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Strategy to tackle drugs menace in the North-East
AN innovative strategy to tackle the drugs menace in North-East communities will be launched today to cut the number of deaths. Organisations throughout the region have combined their expertise to devise a list of priorities aimed at fighting the drugs
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Saved by the Resistance
As a young hero of the French Resistance in the Second World War, Paul Cresson risked his life to save an injured airman who was in the same plane as VC winner Andrew Mynarski. Alex Mott spoke to him. WHEN Pat Brophy's plane crash-landed in Northern France
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Actors team up to perform Hindu tale
Teenage actors from the Jackass Youth Theatre and professional artists from Jack Drum Arts are teaming up for summer workshops based on a production of the Hindu epic tale The Ramayana. Drumming, music, mask-making, costume making, dance, drama and face
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Prisoners get college classes in the 3Rs
A COLLEGE has joined forces with a jail to offer inmates numeracy and literacy skills. As part of a wider Get On North-East campaign, inmates at Durham Prison are being given the chance to learn life skills. It is hoped they will give them more chance
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Youngsters plan right royal show
A YOUNG people's theatre group is appealing to carnival crowds to support its first production next month. Willington Youth Theatre has been planning its show The Fourth Princess for more than a year. Tickets go on sale on Saturday at a family fun day
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Robson thrilled by Kluivert deal
SIR Bobby Robson last night compared the signing of Patrick Kluivert to the record-breaking capture of Alan Shearer and insisted: "This will close the gap on the top three." Newcastle's lengthy pursuit of the Dutch international finally came to an end
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Swim coach wins Olympic call-up
ONE of Britain's brightest Olympic prospects has received a major boost to her medal hopes. Teenage swimming sensation Joanne Jackson qualified for Athens in April, when she recorded the fastest time in the world for the 400 metre Freestyle event. She
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John North: One woman army of Alcatraz
Church Army sister Anne Williams has bravely gone into battle on one of the region's toughest estates. It may be challenging but she's ready to face the enemy, she tells the column. ANNE Williams, 58, was licensed last Thursday as "community missioner
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United effort raises the roof
A COMMUNITY is determined to rally round to raise thousands of pounds to bring their village church into the twenty-first century. People living in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, have already managed to raise more than £160,000 for the Under the Roof
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Anger grows over baby
THE family of a 14-year-old girl who was sent home from hospital with the baby she had just miscarried are calling for national guidelines laying down how foetal tissue should be handled. A storm of condemnation followed The Northern Echo's story yesterday
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Antics on the climbing wall
YOUNGSTERS on the Red Hall estate, in Darlington, scaled a portable climbing wall as part of summer activities yesterday. The wall, provided by Rock Antics, is one of a number of activities being held as part of a summer play scheme. As well as the climbing
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Eye op gives woman new hope
A BLIND woman hopes an operation, which will involve making a hole in her eyelid, may mean she can see her children and grandchildren for the first time. Judith Smith, 42, who has no left eye and almost no vision in her right eye, lost her sight when
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Slimming to aid hospice
SLIMMERS are shedding pounds to get fit and double donations to a hospice fund. The Manor House Health Club, in West Auckland, is offering to give the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland £2 for every 1lb that new members lose. Anyone who joins up before
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Support for centre
A FAMILY network is winning support from national and local businesses in its pursuit of a permanent base. The Crook and District Parent Carers Support Group is trying to raise enough money to build a centre in the Wear Valley area. Founder member Val
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Mayor provides welcome lift for city's Shopmobility unit
A SUCCESSFUL scheme making the streets of a city centre more accessible to people with disabilities received a civic endorsement yesterday when the Mayor of Durham, Councillor Mary Hawgood, visited the Shopmobility unit. Shopmobility provides a range
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Safety system to protect health staff
HEALTH workers have been given a tracking system to protect them from harm. Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) is issuing district nurses, health visitors and health care assistants with equipment that keeps them in contact with the trust and allows
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Charity shop marks milestone
A CHARITY shop celebrated its tenth anniversary yesterday with a party for volunteers. Merle Hannant and Kathleen Turner were honoured for working at the British Heart Foundation shop, in Newton Aycliffe town centre, since it opened. There were also certificates
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Kingdom Hall replacement is approved
A NEW place of worship is to be created in Darlington after councillors gave their backing yesterday. Proposals were submitted to Darlington Borough Council's planning committee for the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses to be demolished and replaced
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Wrangle continues over school scheme
PROPOSALS for a £3m school were still uncertain last night as council officials prepared to hold talks over a major objection. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee met yesterday to consider the blueprint for Middleton St George Primary School
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Artist scales the heights
AN artist conquered Africa's highest peak to raise money for vulnerable children and young people. Sarah Oates from Crook, collected nearly £3,000 for The Children's Society. Ms Oates, a 24-year-old fine arts graduate, took part in a ten-day trek up Mount
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Special needs equipment boost
A NURSERY'S fundraising efforts have helped buy therapy equipment for children with special needs in south Durham. The House of Eden Nursery, at Rushyford, near Newton Aycliffe, started raising money to buy a chair for Sophie Louise Darby last year. Sophie
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Service for abuse victims is expanding
A SERVICE that provides support and guidance for victims of domestic abuse is introducing drop-in sessions in the Sedgefield borough. Number 31 and Soda, which stands for Survivors of Domestic Abuse, have developed an outreach service. Regular drop-in
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Scarecrow competition
AFTER last year's Scare-a-Crow for the Show competition raising more than £500 for the Weardale Agricultural Society, organisers have decided to stage the event again this year. Residents in villages from Westgate to Lanehead are being invited to make
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Fury as electricity bills keep arriving
A MAN says a row with an electricity supplier has left him angry and frustrated. Bus driver Andrew Pavey, 36, of Foxglove Court, Colburn, has received bills asking for thousands of pounds from npower, despite the fact that for the three years he has lived
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Another giant leap as edwards awarded degree
OLYMPIC triple-jump champion Jonathan Edwards CBE has been awarded an Honorary Degree by Northumbria University. Edwards, an adopted Northerner who lives in Newcastle, received his Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law at Newcastle City Hall alongside students
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Service will support trauma-hit families
A CHARITY is working with firefighters to support victims through 999 traumas. The British Red Cross Society is working with Cleveland Fire Brigade to deliver a Teesside Fire Victim Support Service, giving families physical and emotional support and guidance
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Coastguard hurt during search
A COASTGUARD injured his ankle during a search operation. After a 999 call, coastguards at Skinningrove, east Cleveland, were called out on Tuesday afternoon to search under Hummersea cliffs, near Staithes. The call turned out to be a false alarm, but
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Inquest verdict on lorry driver
THE driver of a heavy goods vehicle died of multiple injuries after being crushed between two lorries, an inquest was told. Geoffrey Lawson, 51, was killed when his lorry started rolling down a slight incline trapping him against the body of a vehicle
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Top Ten To Rent
UK Rental (VHS & DVD) : 1 (-) Starsky And Hutch 2 (1) School Of Rock 3 (2) Mona Lisa Smile 4 (3) Along Came Polly 5 (4) Cold Mountain 6 (-) Looney Tunes Back In Action 7 (6) Cold Creek Manor 8 (5) Lost in Translation 9 (-) The Haunted Mansion 10 (
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500,000 shoppers a month at centre
A SHOPPING centre on Teesside has enjoyed a record six months with more than 500,000 shoppers a month coming through its doors. The Wellington Square Shopping Centre, in Stockton, opened in 2001, has seen a 20 to 30 per cent increase in the number of
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Cash boost for people in pain
A MAYOR is backing a charity to help people who have to endure pain throughout their lives. Durham Mayor Councillor Mary Hawgood yesterday accepted £500 on behalf of Campain from the Freemasons of Durham. The money will be used to set up a helpline and
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Look, no strings
Lady Penelope is more that a puppet icon, she's a role model for young children, says actress Sophia Myles who talks to Steve Pratt about her role in the new Thunderbirds. Turning Thunderbirds puppet icon Lady Penelope into a flesh and blood character
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Candidates line up for poll
The battle lines have been drawn for two by-elections being held in Newton Aycliffe next week. The vacancies on Sedgefield borough and Great Aycliffe town councils were created by the death of Councillor Alan Gray earlier this year. Coun Gray's widow,
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Woman stabbed husband in shoulder with a knife
A WOMAN stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife to shut up the voices in her head, a court was told. Carol Rushby, 36, told police on her arrest that she harboured evil thoughts and wanted to be locked up and the key thrown away. Rushby, who suffered
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Third fire at scrap firm in a month sparks call for action
meetings are to be arranged between a port and a Teesside scrap company after the third fire in a month. Toxic black smoke could be seen for miles around after the fire at scrap dealers Van Dalen at Irvine Quay on Tuesday night and yesterday morning.
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Former mayoress dies at 73
ELAINE Hendren, a former mayoress of Richmond, has died aged 73. She was also a supporter of the town's Meet, twice taking on the role of president's lady. Mrs Hendren was born in Workington, Cumbria, and attended Cockermouth Grammar School before training
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Residents to fight change in bus route
ANGRY residents are launching a petition calling on a bus company to reverse its decision to re-route a service to the fringe of their estate. Residents of Acton Dene in East Stanley, say the move will leave the community's pensioners stranded and force
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
Victorian Friends: The Friends of Victorian Eaglescliffe will meet on Tuesday, at 7pm, at Eaglescliffe Village Hall, Yarm Road. The friends need people to help with fundraising events and community projects. The group has been successful in The Care for
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Pool group honoured
VOLUNTEERS who rescued and restored a community swimming pool have been honoured by the Queen. The team behind the Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool in Stanhope, was presented with a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by Lord Lieutenant Sir Paul Nicholson
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Hope for auction house move
AN auctioneers' firm was yesterday given fresh hope over its plans to establish a new base. The Thomas Watson auction house, in Northumberland Street, Darlington, had submitted proposals to the borough council, seeking permission to create a second home
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Cheesemaker wins contract with Waitrose
BLUE cheesemaker Shepherds Purse has landed a six-figure contract to supply an award-winning product to Waitrose. The company in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, will see its Yorkshire Blue cheese stocked in all 145 outlets of the fresh food retail arm of the
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Evolve investment funds Tricor's expansion plans
A GARDEN products, manufacturing and retail business is to expand after securing a six- figure investment deal. Tricor International Limited, in Marske, east Cleveland, expects to use the cash injection to develop product ranges, increase turnover by
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Council calls on language experts
TRANSLATION company ITL has won the contract to handle Durham County Council's language work. The Gateshead business will provide information in a variety of languages, explaining the council services available and how they operate. ITL, which was established
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Michael's words of hope
A boy's story about his battle against leukaemia has been produced into a small booklet to raise money for charity and bring hope to other families. Eleven-year-old Michael Fogarty was struck down with cancer four years ago, undergoing ten months of chemotherapy
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22/07/04
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: AS someone who also migrated north in the 1990s, I sympathise with Dr Tom Shakespeare's hope that a regional assembly would "change the nature of politics" in the North-East, as he says it has in London (Echo, July 20). However, the
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Queen to rule again
QUEEN OF POLAND (3.15) has the class to maintain her unbeaten record in the seven-furlong £30,000 Listed Star Stakes at Sandown. For a man with such an awesome juvenile team, David Loder's two-year-olds haven't exactly set the world on fire to date this
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Force to tour
Serena Evans is nothing if not persistent. The actress best known to TV viewers as Sgt Dawkins in The Thin Blue Line, realised her ambition to work with Alan Ayckbourn and now, as she tells Steve Pratt, she's appearing in Shaw's Candida, which tours to
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Suspect arrested over pub killing
DETECTIVES investigating the killing of a North-East pensioner who was shot as he had a drink at his local, yesterday arrested a man on suspicion of murder. Fred Fowler, 72, was an innocent victim of the shooting, at the Tap and Barrel pub, in Sunderland
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Going cold on the hard-sell charities
FIRST, there was the North Yorkshire vicar who put a note up in church asking for "paper money only" because he didn't want to waste any more time counting coppers. Now the Bishop of Ripon has upset an ailing 99-year-old widow after writing a letter asking
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Exhibition turns spotlight on city's floating ambassador
A MUSEUM is playing host to an exhibition about a city's floating ambassador. HMS Ocean, Sunderland's adopted warship, will be in town for this weekend's international airshow and will be given the freedom of the city on Monday. Sunderland Museum and
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Calls for top-level inquiry into football club dealings
ONE of the most vocal critics of the firm that oversaw Darlington Football Club in administration is to ask his MP to take his complaints to the highest level. Many creditors were left furious by the deal which saved the Quakers because it meant they
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A punishment that's hard to swallow
The Long Firm (BBC2); Medical Mysteries (BBC1): HARRY Starks never does anything to anyone else that he wouldn't do to himself. So, in the third part of 1960s-set drama The Long Firm, he showed how, given enough saliva, putting a red hot poker in your
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Figures show region is safest, say police
POLICE forces in the region have hailed new crime figures as proof that the North-East and North Yorkshire are among the safest places in the country to live. Statistics compiled as part of the British Crime Survey, which questions tens of thousands of
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Confusion surrounds Rooney future
David Moyes remains optimistic that Wayne Rooney will agree to stay at Everton. The 18-year-old England man will have a scan today on his broken foot when he finally arrives back at Everton from his holiday in America. Talks are planned on his new contract
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Village police officer charged with forgery
A VILLAGE beat bobby appeared at crown court yesterday accused of forging a signature on a witness statement. PC Paul Martin Gallagher, a former beat officer for the West Cornforth area of County Durham, is charged with perverting the course of justice
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Prisoners get college classes in the 3Rs
A COLLEGE has joined forces with a jail to offer inmates numeracy and literacy skills. As part of a wider Get On North-East campaign, inmates at Durham Prison are being given the chance to learn life skills. It is hoped they will give them more chance
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Pilots eject as plane crashes into sea
Two top gun pilots ejected as their fighter jet nose dived into the North Sea today. The £15m Tornado GR4 had been on a low-flying exercise when disaster struck. The pilot and co-pilot ejected with seconds to spare as the plane ditched seven miles off
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Juninho determined to earn Boro future
A DETERMINED Juninho spoke last night of his desire to stay and fight for his place at Middlesbrough. The World Cup winner has been at the centre of transfer rumours recently after Boro brought in Mark Viduka and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink to the Riverside
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Drivers on mobiles warned
POLICE patrols are to crack down on drivers using mobile phones. Durham Police fear that someone will soon be killed because a driver has been distracted by talking on a mobile phone. Announcing the new get-tough policy, Chief Insp Paul Goundry said:
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Painting PC's website tribute to Big Meeting
A POLICEMAN has launched a website dedicated to the Durham Miners Gala. North-East "exile" Geoff Smith, based in Manchester - known in his home region as "the painting policeman''- has posted a selection of the 500 digital photographs he took at the recent
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Friends remember Leslie
CLASSMATES of a bright schoolboy who collapsed and died during an exam paid tribute to his life in an emotional ceremony last week. Leslie Pilkington collapsed during a SATs maths test at Shield Row Primary School, Stanley, in May, and died shortly afterwards
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Police in hunt for attackers
A MAN was left scarred after being beaten in an unprovoked attack. The 26-year-old victim was walking home from Roseworth Estate, in Stockton, Teesside, when he was approached by two men. As he crossed The Green, by the railway line, on the path that
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Regiment gets its marching orders
THE most radical shake-up of the UK's armed forces for a generation will see the region lose a historic infantry regiment, it was announced yesterday. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced sweeping reductions in frontline strike aircraft, warships, tanks
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TV review
The Long Firm (BBC2) Medical Mysteries (BBC1) HARRY Starks never does anything to anyone else that he wouldn't do to himself. So, in the third part of 1960s-set drama The Long Firm, he showed how, given enough saliva, putting a red hot poker in your mouth
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Regional assembly referendum postponed
This autumn's referendum on a regional assembly has been dramatically postponed in Yorkshire. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said only the North-East would now be going to the polls on November 4. He postponed the referendums in Yorkshire and the
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Music school opens
A NEW music school aimed at helping the stars of the future is opening at the weekend. The Northern School of Contemporary Music is the brainchild of well-known drummer Stuie Ellerton, frustrated by the lack of training facilities for music students in
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Mother appeals to hunted son
Police issued a tearful message from the mother of a man wanted in connection with two double killings in North Yorkshire. Detectives are hunting Mark Hobson in connection with the murders of twin sisters Claire and Diane Sanderson and an elderly couple
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MP backs campaign to scrap age barrier
A NORTH-EAST MP yesterday pledged to support a growing campaign to end age discrimination against disabled people over 65. John Cummings, who represents Easington, County Durham, is one of more than 150 MPs who have so far signed an Early Day Motion calling
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Gran At Large
OUR grandson loved his new cereal. 'Meowbix' he called it, because it had what looked to him like a cat on the packet. It was actually a koala bear, but never mind. The cereal advertised itself as being good for you and good for the planet, so his health-conscious
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Park venue for music event
A TOWN park will be transformed next week with an outdoor show. Colourscape will take its show, The Tube, to Applegarth, Northallerton, on Wednesday. The free one-day event will feature large environmental sculptures and musicians. "This is a great way
