Archive
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HSBC sets new benchmark for earnings with £325 a second
HSBC bank has set a new European record for half-year earnings after recording profits of more than £325 a second. The banking group saw profits rise 53 per cent to £5.14bn in the first six months of the year. The improvement, which was ahead of market
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University of Durham taking part in InterTech
The University of Durham has become the latest organisation to confirm it will take part in InterTech 2004. The international technology-partnering event has attracted a line-up of leading businesses and organisations looking to take advantage of the
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Network will support entrepreneurs
A network in North Yorkshire can help people with business ideas to achieve their goals. The Business Accelerator Network (Ban) has been launched by Business Link York and North Yorkshire in partnership with regional development agency Yorkshire Forward
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Where everything is rosy
FANCY a day out staring at walls? That is not nearly as desperate as it sounds when the walls in question are festooned with climbing roses and clematis - to name just two of the attractions of Helmsley Walled Garden. Tucked away between Helmsley Castle
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Museum's red letter day as Postman Pat exhibition opens
POSTMAN Pat and his black and white cat have arrived at a stately home for an exhibition of original illustrations. The collection of about 60 drawings from Ray Mutimer opens today at Newby Hall, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. Mr Mutimer, who lives in nearby
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Blunham is set to repeat feat
Given the sharp and undulating nature of Catterick, course and distance winners are always of interest there. Blunham, who won over seven furlongs from a poor draw in maiden company at this course last year, is fancied to repeat the feat in the Saffie
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Persimmon in move to meet skills shortages
THE UK's second largest housebuilder is to increase the number of apprenticeships to tackle the skills shortage in the construction industry. Persimmon Homes, which is based in York, is increasing app-rentice and graduate placements this year. The total
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Mill nominated for TV restoration
AN 18th Century cotton mill has been chosen as the fifth building to go through to the final of the BBC2 series Restoration. Gayle Mill, near Hawes, North Yorkshire, was chosen as one of eight historic buildings that will compete for the show's prize
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Where everything in the garden is rosy
FANCY a day out staring at walls? That is not nearly as desperate as it sounds when the walls in question are festooned with climbing roses and clematis - to name just two of the attractions of Helmsley Walled Garden. Tucked away between Helmsley Castle
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Regeneration debate
REGENERATION experts from Europe and the UK will meet in the region later this year for a conference being organised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North-East. The two-day conference, titled Delivery of Regeneration and Community
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Son demolishes late father's building
THE demolition of a landmark North-East factory was a nostalgic moment for the man in charge of its downfall, as he paid tribute to his late father, who helped design the building a decade ago. Project manager Jonathan Ryder works for Quorum Developments
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Thank God for our differences
I AM glad that the Pope has instructed his priests to go forth into all the world and preach against feminism. Radical feminists always insist that men and women are interchangeable and that the only differences between the sexes are the obvious physical
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Two hurt as worker falls from building
A construction worker fell two storeys at a business development site yesterday, landing on a colleague. Both men were injured in the accident, at 10.50am, at the site of the flagship Maingate complex, in Team Valley, Gateshead. The man who fell had been
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Warning of more food bug cases
THE number of casualties of an outbreak of the food bug salmonella rose yesterday - and health officials said more cases were likely. Last night, seven people were diagnosed with the infection, taking the number of cases to 28. Another 11 suspected cases
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Danny out to follow Lennox
Danny Williams is ready to emulate Lennox Lewis and become the dominant force in the world heavyweight division. That is the opinion of the man who masterminded Williams' stunning fourth-round knockout of Mike Tyson in Louisville on Friday night. Williams
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Man spared prison after judge is told about ill son
A JUDGE spared a man from jail so he could help care for his son who is suffering from a rare cancer. David Buckley's son, who celebrates his third birthday today, is one of only three children in the UK with cancer of the eyes. Judge George Moorhouse
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Youth banned from entering estate
A YOUTH has been banned from entering a housing estate following evidence that he harassed residents. Shane Philip Preston, of Salisbury Terrace, Darlington, has been banned from entering Skerne Park in the town because of his behaviour. The 14-year-old
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Railways history goes on display
THE birth and growth of the railways is being recalled in Stockton. People from across the Tees Valley have been to view the Stockton in Steam exhibition, being staged at the town's Green Dragon Museum. Recounting the story of the world's first passenger
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Fed up with being taken for a ride over noise
A COUPLE told of their relief last night after winning a 25-year battle against a theme park to turn the volume down. Stephen and Suzanne Roper brought an unprecedented private prosecution against Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, whose land borders their
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Sealand to move into new site this year
CRUISE travel specialist Sealand Cruising is to move into new corporate headquarters as part of an expansion drive in which the company will tackle mainland Europe and the US. The company has plans to open satellite operations abroad to cope with the
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Dismissal laws are put back on an even keel
Since the introduction in the early 1970s of the right not to be unfairly dismissed, courts and tribunals have strictly applied the principle that compensation for unfair dismissal is limited to financial loss - essentially lost wages and employment benefits
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Blunham is set to repeat feat
Given the sharp and undulating nature of Catterick, course and distance winners are always of interest there. Blunham, who won over seven furlongs from a poor draw in maiden company at this course last year, is fancied to repeat the feat in the Saffie
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Hillarys unveils plans for expansion
EUROPE's largest vertical blinds factory is hoping to increase its workforce by up to 50 per cent during the next six years, it was revealed last night. Hillarys Blinds was yesterday the subject of a management buyout that will help its business plan
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Lunching like a lord
DESPITE one or two breakdowns in communication which even the RAC might be pushed swiftly to repair, the lady of this house is generally very good about being the permanently designated driver. Usually she will fetch and carry without rancour, offering
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Youths facing drug testing
TEENAGERS as young as 14 are to be tested for drugs by police in a North-East town. Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged with burglary, car crime and theft will be tested at Middlesbrough Police Station for heroin, crack and cocaine. From yesterday
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Hodgson's men are still a striker light
Darlington's disastrous search for a striker shows no sign of ending. Potential new signing Sebastian Ferrero is injured and will now not be joining the club, leaving Quakers with just two forwards on the books. Manager David Hodgson had earmarked Ferrero
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Eating Owt: Lunching like a lord
DESPITE one or two breakdowns in communication which even the RAC might be pushed swiftly to repair, the lady of this house is generally very good about being the permanently designated driver. Usually she will fetch and carry without rancour, offering
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Job Search: Vacancies
Gardener, 37.5hpw, £10,000-£15,000pa. Experience essential. Ref: NEU 18756. Laser setter, 36.5hpw, £5.50ph. Must have minimum of two years experience. Ref: SPE 13888. Hair stylist, 16-36.5hpw, £5ph. Must have minimum of three years' experience. Ref: BIS
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Carriage-driver's contest nightmare
CARAVAN company boss Jim Robson is back home after a traumatic 1,620-mile return journey to compete in the world carriage-driving championships in Sweden. It was the first time that Mr Robson, of Wolsingham, County Durham, had been chosen to represent
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Pleasant shock for shoppers after store is struck by electrical storm
SHOPPERS were treated to a supermarket sweep at a packed store when a thunderstorm knocked out all the tills. Managers at the Asda supermarket, at Monks Cross, York, told delighted customers to pay what they wanted for their goods. The store was soon
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TV review
Bad Girls (ITV1) WHAT goes on in women's prison Larkhall is so exciting that I'm almost tempted to change sex and commit a crime just to experience life behind bars. The staff are certainly having a gay old time. Enterprising warder Jim Fenner is determined
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Festival founder is left in the municipal cold
Marking its 20th anniversary, the biennial Durham World Fellowship Club Cricket Festival - as now it has been rebranded - got internationally underway at the weekend. For founder organiser Michael Potts, the occasion was tinged with sadness, however -
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New grave vandalised
VANDALS have stolen wreaths and smashed flower vases placed on a new grave. The family of the woman recently buried at Hipswell Cemetery, near Richmond, have been extremely upset by the desecration. Mayor of Colburn Tom Henry, who is chairman of the joint
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Chris has driving ambition to race
WITH every extra kilogram Chris Dent lifts, with every extra mile he runs, with every lap he drives, he gets closer to his dream of making a career out of racing cars. But fitness, speed and skill behind the wheel are not enough if you are a young man
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Second ban for driver
A BANNED driver who drove off after police stopped him on a quad bike received a second ban yesterday. Terrance James, 37, of East Green, West Auckland, admitted obstructing a police constable and driving while disqualified and without insurance at South
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Gun threat lands man in court
A MAN threatened to pull a gun on a group of teenagers after they threw a snowball which hit a window, a court heard yesterday. Jason Todd, 28, of Neville Parade, Newton Aycliffe, was convicted in his absence of using threatening, abusive or insulting
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Learning scheme sets best practice example
AN adult learners' scheme is being used as an example of best practice in the UK for start-up programmes across the country. Easington's Aim High project is already at the forefront of adult learning in the region and has helped about 600 people back
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Mia heads for Wimbledon
A TEENAGE tennis player is looking forward to spending a week at Wimbledon. Mia Robinson, 14, is practising on grass courts in the Durham area before her trip to London. She won the right to play on some of the outside courts through a national competition
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Leaflet records Wesley's visit
A LEAFLET has been published to tell visitors to Barnard Castle the story of how the fire brigade was called out to hose down a crowd when John Wesley first arrived to preach there. The founder of Methodism attracted a huge crowd when he arrived on horseback
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Slimmer inspired by brother's ill health
A BISHOP Auckland woman has shed ten stones and dropped 20 dress sizes. Hospital cook Christine Tonge was inspired to change her lifestyle by her brother's courageous battle against oral cancer She had ballooned to 21st 1lb and had to have a size 32 uniform
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Freemen pay tribute to former chairman
DURHAM Freemen have paid tribute to the lifetime's efforts of their long-serving chairman. Retired journalist Tom Heron, 94, chaired the guild for almost 40 years but retired at the end of last year because of poor health. He was given the honorary title
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Chef appeals for recipes return
A CHEF, whose car was broken into, has appealed to the thieves to return discs containing recipes. Lee Stainthorpe lost a laptop and digital camera worth £1,500 when his blue Rover 200 was broken into on Sunday, but it is his computer discs he is desperate
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Charity antiques sale
CHARITY shop staff have hunted out some bargain buys for an antiques day this week. The event is being held on Thursday at the Help the Aged Shop, 87 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland. Shop manager Jennifer Salt said: "We have spent the past few months
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New twist in 14-year hunt for Ann's killer
DETECTIVES will today unveil a dramatic new twist in the investigation into one of the North-East's oldest unsolved murders. Ann Heron was knifed to death while sunbathing at her home near Middleton St George, Darlington, on August 3, 1990, the hottest
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Pedigree herd to go on show
CATTLE breeders from across the globe will be heading to a North-East family farm to view a pedigree herd at the weekend. Farmer John Nattress, wife Jean and son Ian will play host to delegates from the International Limousin Congress, at Greenwell Farm
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Youngsters' holiday fun at summer disco
POLICE hope a disco for young people will prove a sound investment following the success of a trial night earlier in the summer. The event is aimed at providing summer holiday fun for youngsters in Durham's Belmont and Carrville areas. A disco for the
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£130,000 play bus bringing fun for village youngsters
A £130,000 play bus rolled into action yesterday to give children in rural villages some of the facilities they cannot usually enjoy. The brightly painted blue and green vehicle was unveiled by Sure Start officials in Barnard Castle before making a tour
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Former village postman dies
A FORMER soldier who defied the odds to become a dedicated village postman despite serious war wounds has died, aged 91. Tommy Flintoff walked miles on his daily post round at Winston, near Barnard Castle. But he was in constant pain from wounds inflicted
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Government cash aids fight against town centre crime
PLANS to clamp down on crime in a market town were unveiled yesterday. The Government Office for the North-East has released £113,932 to reduce crime and fear of crime in Chester-le-Street. The money will be spent on a range of projects over the next
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Expanding preserves business benefits fron £30,000 European grant
A SPECIALITY food business launched 15 years ago in a converted 19th Century barn is about to expand with the help of European funding. Elspeth Biltoft set up Rosebud Preserves at her farm at Healey, near Masham, and now the company produces 20,000 pots
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Councillors to discuss flats plan
PLANS to demolish a former police building and replace it with 36 apartments will be discussed tomorrow. Stockton Borough Council's planning committee has received a planning application to build the one and two-bedroomed apartments on land between High
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Fun for all at the library
CHILDREN in Hartlepool can take part in summer activities in the central library. Highlights include animal stories with Cyril the Squirrel and Dillon the Dinosaur, as well as craft sessions and a teddy bears' picnic. The activities are linked to the
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Road crossing now in place
A SAFETY initiative that could help save people from serious injury has been installed in Station Road, Richmond. The puffin crossing is part of a five-year plan to improve traffic management in the town following local consultation. Tactile paving has
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Praise for football fans after matches
FOOTBALL fans were yesterday praised for their good behaviour after a weekend event went off without incident. Police chiefs commended the thousands of Glasgow Rangers supporters who travelled to St James' Park for the Newcastle Gateshead Cup. Despite
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Thief steals cash box
A CASH box containing £150 has been stolen from a charity drop-in centre. Someone stole the box from the Mind centre, in Newton Aycliffe, yesterday between 9am and 9.30am, while staff were busy cleaning the premises. Councillor Bill Blenkinsop, chairman
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Gold group buries time capsule
MEMBERS of a Darlington society for people aged over 50 have planted a time capsule in the grounds of a new extra-care housing scheme. Members of the Growing Older Living in Darlington (Gold) group chose a number of items to go into the capsule, which
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Firefighters issue farm blazes appeal
A FIRE brigade is asking parents to remind their children of the danger of setting fires in farmers' fields during the summer holidays. The plea comes after two fires were started in fields on the outskirts of Darlington last week. Rural anti-crime campaigners
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Charity antiques sale
CHARITY shop staff have hunted out some bargain buys for an antiques day this week. The event is being held on Thursday at the Help the Aged Shop, 87 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland. Shop manager Jennifer Salt said: "We have spent the past few months
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Development proposals reach a crucial stage
PLANS for the development of the Hemlington Grange area in Middlesbrough have reached a crucial stage with the council looking to spend up to £40,000 to finish the master plan. Consultants White Young Green have been working to deliver a sustainable mixed
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03/08/04
ACCESS LAWS: YOUR report on the Green Paper on parental separation (Echo, Jul 22) made an obvious point which underlined the fact that the current access laws are biased against fathers. The whole article mentioned "parents" at least eight times, inferring
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Fast removal of graffiti artists' work
A town is winning the fight against graffiti artists. Following reports of graffiti in the Stockton area, the borough council took swift action to remove it. The target for removal is within seven days, but the council's average time is within 3.6 days
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Pace of industrial activity quickens
THE UK manufacturing sector moved ahead at its fastest pace in nearly a decade last month, figures have shown. Despite the impact of higher oil prices, strong demand both at home and abroad led to a marked improvement in industry conditions. The closely-watched
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Detention centre is praised by independent watchdog
THE country's oldest purpose-built working detention centre has been praised for its positive atmosphere in the latest report into conditions. The report into Northallerton Young Offenders' Institution by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), pays tribute
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Chef puts parachute jump on menu
IF there is one thing chef Annette Thompson hates it is heights - even standing on a table can make her shake. But later this month she will be forced to overcome her fears after volunteering to make a parachute jump for charity. The 44-year-old, from
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Birthday treat for hospice's funds
WHEN Doreen Constantine was approaching her 60th birthday, she decided she did not want to celebrate in the usual way. Instead of being inundated with treats and presents, she wanted to help cancer patients at her local hospital. So she asked family and
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Queer goings-on at Larkhall
Bad Girls (ITV1): WHAT goes on in women's prison Larkhall is so exciting that I'm almost tempted to change sex and commit a crime just to experience life behind bars. The staff are certainly having a gay old time. Enterprising warder Jim Fenner is determined
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Nursery celebrates first anniversary
A CHILDCARE business has created more than 20 jobs in its first year of operation. Buttercup Nurseries, in Seaham, near Sunderland, was opened last August by two working mothers struggling to find childcare places in their area. Clair Grimes, a 34-year-old
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Eating Owt
DESPITE one or two breakdowns in communication which even the RAC might be pushed swiftly to repair, the lady of this house is generally very good about being the permanently designated driver. Usually she will fetch and carry without rancour, offering
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FA chiefs' media blackout on Sven sex scandal shambles
The Football Association last night imposed a media blackout on the sex scandal shambles. After initially suggesting there would be a formal response to Sunday night's resignation of chief executive Mark Palios, the governing body ended a long day of
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Newcastle Building Society picks Wendy for position
THE ongoing expansion at Newcastle Building Society has led to the appointment of Wendy Lee as commercial director. The 41-year-old brings considerable experience to the board-level position, having previously worked as sales development director at Legal
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Travellers say farewell to friend
HUNDREDS of people from the travelling community paid their respects to a friend yesterday. Mourners lined the streets outside St John's Church, in Darlington for the funeral of Alfie Welch, who recently died of cancer, aged 71. Six vintage Ford and Bedford
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Robinson sets goal target
CARL Robinson is backing himself to hit the goal trail for Sunderland and ease the pressure on strikers Marcus Stewart and Kevin Kyle. The midfielder, one of the Wearsiders' summer acquisitions, grabbed his second goal in two games in the 3-1 win at Doncaster
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Children arrested following disorder
Two children have been arrested for violent disorder, following an incident involving armed police at the seaside town of Saltburn, east Cleveland. A 13-year-old and a 15-year-old boy are being questioned by police and are today in custody along with
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US attack warnings push oil prices to new high
OIL prices have reached a record high following warnings of possible terrorist attacks against US financial institutions. The cost of crude surged to $43.92 a barrel in New York as the security alert hit a market already stretched by high demand and inadequate
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Help solve this mystery
IT is 14 years ago today that one of the country's most baffling murder mysteries began. Ann Heron's body was found in a pool of blood at her home on the outskirts of Darlington after her throat had been cut. Despite one of the biggest police manhunts
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Strategy hopes to build on the region's assets and replace jobs
Regional development agency One NorthEast has been consulting widely on its strategy for the development of tourism in the area. John Dean reports on how tourism is set to become big business. THERE was a time when the North-East depended for its prosperity
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Survival instincts kept firm alive
ONE of the biggest blows for tourism was the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001, which closed swathes of countryside and was devastating for many attractions. Many businesses were forced to battle the crisis, one of which was North Yorkshire ice cream maker
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McClaren knocks back England talk
STEVE McClaren has insisted he is fully committed to Middlesbrough, despite emerging as the firm favourite to replace Sven Goran Eriksson, should the England boss lose his job this week. Eriksson's position will be discussed at an emergency FA board meeting
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'The vicar who destroyed my faith'
As a child, Rebecca Dale was sexually abused by a vicar. She tells Women's Editor Christen Pears how, after 40 years, she is rebuilding her relationship with God. "DON'T tell anyone what happened or God will be angry." For months the words echoed around
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Falcons duo join academy
Newcastle Falcons duo David Wilson and Stuart Mackie, both 19, have been named in the RFU intermediate national academy squad. Wilson has made four appearances for the Falcons first team from the bench, as well as representing England at Under-21 level
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Free stories on offer for youngsters down at the farm
A NORTH-EAST farm is preparing to stage the first event in a free summer storytelling festival. Tales From the Tees is a new festival that will take place between August 21 and 29 at venues across the Tees Valley. The first event will be on Saturday,
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Police hail new power to curb disorder
POLICE are to use new powers to tackle violence and anti-social behaviour in Catterick Garrison. Officers from Richmondshire Police will issue Dispersal Orders to move on suspected troublemakers for a six-month period from August 14. The new powers are
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Project boosts rural economy
A PROJECT established to help rejuvenate the region's rural economy shattered by the foot-and-mouth epidemic has been hailed a success. Newcastle University's New Rural Economy Project (NREC) was set up in the wake of the crisis in 2001, to provide the
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Resignations fall
RESIGNATIONS among executives in the region fell slightly last year as movements in earnings grew, researchers have found. A survey of managers by the Chartered Management Institute and Remuneration Economics showed that combined earnings for managers
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Action begins against former Equitable bosses
DISCIPLINARY proceedings have begun against four former senior executives at troubled mutual Equitable Life. The Institute of Actuaries has referred allegations of misconduct to a disciplinary tribunal against the society's former managing director and
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'I just thought I must be stupid'
At school she was labelled stupid and when she started work she went to great lengths to hide the fact that she couldn't read or write properly. Nick Morrison meets a woman determined to ensure others don't have to suffer the way she did. "IF you are
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Next bosses gamble on success
BOSSES of fashion chain Next are betting £2.6m on the business in the hope of collecting a windfall five times that size. Next said four directors, including chief executive Simon Wolfson and other senior staff, are investing a total of about £1.5m in
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Prison staff earn praise
PRISON staff have been praised in the latest report into the country's oldest working prison. The report, from Northallerton Young Offenders Institution's Independent Monitoring Board, paid tribute to staff who have kept morale high during a difficult
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Cathedral displays sculptures featuring Christ and St Cuthbert
DISTINCTIVE wood carvings created by a skilled artist in the shadow of Durham Cathedral have gone on display in the World Heritage site. Durham sculptor Fenwick Lawson has produced a number of larger-than-life carvings, some featuring Christ and the early
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Patient shouted racial abuse
A PATIENT who shouted racial abuse at a hospital doctor was given a 12-month conditional discharge by a judge yesterday. Joseph James Holmes, 33, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at South Durham Magistrates' Court to using threatening, abusive or insulting
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Job Search: Vacancies
Kitchen assistant. 18hpw, 9am-3pm, 3 days per week on rota. Meets NMW. Previous experience an advantage but not essential. For duties in residential home. Successful applicants will be required to provide enhanced disclosure at their own expense. Ref:
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Rural tax is higher than city - report
PEOPLE in rural areas pay more council tax than those in cities but receive fewer services for their money, a report has said. The lobby group Sparse, which represents 50 of the country's most rural local authorities, including some in the North, said
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New twist in 14-year hunt for Ann's killer
DETECTIVES will today unveil a dramatic new twist in the investigation into one of the North-East's oldest unsolved murders. Ann Heron was knifed to death while sunbathing at her home near Middleton St George, Darlington, on August 3, 1990, the hottest
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Chris has driving ambition to race
WITH every extra kilogram Chris Dent lifts, with every extra mile he runs, with every lap he drives, he gets closer to his dream of making a career out of racing cars. But fitness, speed and skill behind the wheel are not enough if you are a young man
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Driving ahead with biofuels
The Biofuels Corporation has set up on Teesside. Frances Griss examines how the fuel it will produce will help protect the environment. THE future for motor transport is green and a company on Teesside is forging ahead with plans to produce an environmentally-friendly
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Mother's appeal to help catch rapist
AN emotional appeal by the mother of a teenage rape victim is helping detectives hunt down her attacker. The 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was attacked in Washington Old Village, Tyne and Wear, on July 22 last year. A man dragged
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'Politicians are not always the best advisors'
Q As a businessman employing several women, and about to recruit another, I was slightly bemused by some comments made recently by a newly elected MEP. Godfrey Bloom, a Euro MEP for the UK Independence Party, said: "No self-respecting small businessman
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Far East connection no threat to Aycliffe plant
FILTRONIC has guaranteed the future of its County Durham operations despite shifting more of its production to China. The company described the Newton Aycliffe manufacturing plant as the catalyst that feeds all the other business. Chairman Professor David
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Anyone want to own shares in Spanish market?
WHAT to do about Abbey National? In July 1989, Abbey National Building Society became a PLC, offering shares to existing investors and borrowers at 130p per share. Also thrown in was a free issue of 100 shares in each case. In order to have qualified
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Northerners work harder than rest of the country
NORTHERNERS work harder and for longer than colleagues in other parts of the country, research reveals. A UK at Work report showed 38 per cent of workers in the region put in more than 40 hours a week, and nearly one in five work more than the 48-hour
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Let festivities begin - for the 40th year
IT was a fortuitous meeting in 1964 which led to the creation of the annual Billingham International Folklore Festival. Over those four decades, the now world-famous event has played host to thousands of singers, musicians and dancers from across the
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Cross-country at a clippity clop
FUNDRAISER Aubrey Hanley and friends are planning a cross-country marathon for charity - but they are doing it in style. They will be doing the coast-to-coast route aboard a custom-made carriage pulled by a 15-year-old Connemara thoroughbred known as
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Blow for Wembley steel workers
CLEVELAND Bridge workers were once again facing the axe last night after the company announced it was stopping all work on the new Wembley Stadium. The North-East engineering firm issued a statement saying it was taking legal action against Multiplex,
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Richmond scoops first deal overseas
AN £11m investment by a North Yorkshire ice cream factory has helped it land its first overseas order. Richmond Ice Cream has invested £7m in an automated cone line that produces 2.5 million cones a week. As part of the investment at Leeming Bar, Richmond
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Harvey's call-up sets dilemma for Yorkshire
Yorkshire's Director of Cricket, David Byas, is mulling over whether to sign another overseas player to see out the rest of the season now that Australia have named both Darren Lehmann and Ian Harvey in their 14-man one-day squad. Their inclusion for
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Teenagers rise to silver challenge
NINE young people from Stanley have successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh's silver award. The teenagers are part of the Derwentside Detached Youth Project based at Stanley Youth Centre, which is part of Durham County Council's Education in the
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Mayor's wife dies at 68 after long illness
THE wife of Darlington Mayor Councillor Roderick Francis, has died after a long illness. Marjorie Francis, 68, died at the couple's home on the Firthmoor estate, in the town, on Friday. The couple had been married for 45 years. They have two children
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Thief steals cash box
A CASH box containing £150 has been stolen from a charity drop-in centre. Someone stole the box from the Mind centre, in Newton Aycliffe, yesterday between 9am and 9.30am, while staff were busy cleaning the premises. Councillor Bill Blenkinsop, chairman
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Views sought on village plans
VILLAGERS are invited to have their say on proposed environmental improvements to the heart of their community. An exhibition has begun outlining proposals affecting Sherburn Village, focusing on the village green area and potential traffic control measures
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Building society customer wins prize
A BUILDING society customer has won a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in a prize draw held to celebrate the refurbishment of the local branch. Libby Hampson, of Barnard Castle, was also presented with flowers and champagne after winning the competition
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Inquiry launched into man's taxi death
A MAN who was dragged along the road after getting out of a taxi has died. The 58-year-old, who has not been named, spent three weeks fighting for his life in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, but died on Friday. Police were only informed of the accident
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Museum display traces history of the railways
People from across the Tees Valley have been to see the Stockton in Steam exhibition at the town's Green Dragon Museum. Recounting the story of the world's first passenger railway line, the display also tells of the later development of the railways in
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Baptism services too long, says rector
BAPTISM services in a cluster of North Yorkshire village churches are being shortened. Fountains Rector, the Reverend Robert Sellers, said the action was being taken because services were too long and wordy. "This is particularly so when lots of young
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Football fans escape jail sentence
THREE football fans who caused city centre mayhem on their return from a friendly match in Scotland were spared jail yesterday. Daniel Petrie, 24, Christopher Robinson, 22, and Kevin Weir, 26, were among 200 Sunderland supporters who were making their
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Firm's charity golf day success
AN annual charity golf day proved to be a success when it raised more than £8,500. Organised by Hunters Estate Agents, the event at Easingwold Golf Club attracted 36 teams consisting of 152 players. The money raised will be shared between two local good
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Funding aids modernisation
A church has been awarded a £13,600 grant to help with modernisation work All Saints' Church, Eaglescliffe, was given the money by Enventure through the Tioxide Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The money will be used to remove a two-storey youth centre building
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Building society customer wins prize
A BUILDING society customer has won a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in a prize draw held to celebrate the refurbishment of the local branch. Libby Hampson, of Barnard Castle, was also presented with flowers and champagne after winning the competition
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New Army recruiting manager
THE Army has a new officer in charge of recruitment in Darlington. Warrant Officer Class 2 Mick O'Reilly has been appointed office manager of the Armed Forces Careers Office, in Northgate. WO2 O'Reilly, originally from Coventry, left school with few qualifications
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Chef appeals for recipes return
A CHEF, whose car was broken into, has appealed to the thieves to return discs containing recipes. Lee Stainthorpe lost a laptop and digital camera worth £1,500 when his blue Rover 200 was broken into on Sunday, but it is his computer discs he is desperate
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Mayor's wife dies at 68 after long illness
THE wife of Darlington Mayor Councillor Roderick Francis, has died after a long illness. Marjorie Francis, 68, died at the couple's home on the Firthmoor estate, in the town, on Friday. The couple had been married for 45 years. They have two children
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Restaurant offers taste of tradition
AN Indian restaurant specialising in traditional dishes opens to customers in Darlington today. The Jeera restaurant, in Northgate, had a launch party last night. The business, owned by Mokrom Ali, of the Spice Island takeaway shop in the Denes area of
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Jobs hope after placement success
Ten long-term unemployed people in Teesside have won job placements with heating insulation companies, with prospects of permanent work. They were among more than 100 hopefuls who visited two recruitment days run by Redcar and Cleveland Warm Zone in Eston
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Ship to berth in city for final time
HMS Newcastle will make a farewell visit to its adopted city next month. The Type 42 destroyer, which is being decommissioned as part of the Government's defence cuts, will stay on the River Tyne for six days. The visit will begin on Wednesday, September
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Action targets drink hotspots
MOUNTED police officers were among 50 officers involved in a clampdown on drunken violence in a Teesside town. The clampdown on Saturday night and early Sunday morning was designed to reverse statistics that showed a huge increase in violent incidents
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Blazer made for rainy days
SOGGY children arriving dripping wet for lessons could be a thing of the past after a North Yorkshire firm launched the world's first waterproof school blazer. It has been created by School Colours, of Knaresborough. The firm's director Mark Southcott
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Dedicated police team aims to make town centre safer
A CRACKDOWN on town centre crime has been launched in Middlesbrough. The emphasis will be on anti-social behaviour and includes a zero tolerance approach to litter dropping and swearing. A police team dedicated to patrolling the town centre was unveiled
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Caravan site bid rejected after vote
OWNERS of a caravan site have failed in their latest attempt to increase the number of static caravans on land in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Members of Harrogate Borough Council voted against the scheme at Winksley Banks Holiday
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Heron murder will be reviewed
A cold case review of one of the North-East's most baffling murders was announced by police this morning. The announcement came on the 14th anniversary of the killing of Ann Heron, whose body was found at her home on the outskirts of Darlington in 1990
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Party may scupper plan for Blair advisor to stand as MP
A MOVE to secure Labour's nomination for a forthcoming North-East town's by-election by a key advisor to Tony Blair could be scuppered by local party members. Rank-and-file Labour activists seeking the successor to Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson said they
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Access All Areas: Where everything in the garden is rosy
FANCY a day out staring at walls? That is not nearly as desperate as it sounds when the walls in question are festooned with climbing roses and clematis - to name just two of the attractions of Helmsley Walled Garden. Tucked away between Helmsley Castle
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I'll be ready to face Boro, says Kluivert
PATRICK Kluivert has handed Sir Bobby Robson a timely boost by claiming that he will be fit for Newcastle's opening game of the Premiership season. Robson gave the Dutch international his debut in Sunday's Newcastle Gateshead Cup final defeat to Sporting
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Work to demolish site at standstill over bat delay
LODGERS in a disused factory could delay a multi-million pound housing development by several months. Surveys have been carried out at the site of the former Hadley's ironworks, in Middleton St George, near Darlington, to find out whether bats are roosting
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Mia heads for Wimbledon
A TEENAGE tennis player is looking forward to spending a week at Wimbledon. Mia Robinson, 14, is practising on grass courts in the Durham area before her trip to London. She won the right to play on some of the outside courts through a national competition
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Historic racecourse may boost tourism
A former racecourse is set to be protected for posterity. Richmondshire Council is proposing to designate the town's eighteneeth century racecourse as a conservation area. One of the main features of the site on Low Moor, Richmond, is a Grade II- listed
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Disco group's £500 donation
A GROUP that runs discos for youngsters has given a charity a financial boost. MandDET - the Midwifery and Diabetes Educational Trust -which is based in Thirsk, has been given £500 by Nite City Promotions, of Northallerton. Nite City Promotions runs discos
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Expansion needs lateral thinking, as camp shows
ONE of the ways in which the North-East's tourism sector emerged from those dark days of foot-and-mouth was through inventive thinking, which helped develop new tourist attractions. Among them is a project in one of the County Durham areas hit hardest
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Cat of courage Sooty loses second eye
A CAT who has already beaten the odds to survive dreadful injuries has had to endure one further painful operation. Sooty, a family pet who was blasted by a trainee gamekeeper's shotgun seven years ago, had her second eye removed by a vet. She still has
