Archive
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Singing from the soul
Divine intervention or plain good luck, a college tutor's first album is now in the shops as her Christian music career takes off. Women's Editor Christen Pears reports. FATE works in mysterious ways as Darlington College tutor Jayne Lewis has been finding
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Barratt builds safety into
BARRATT Homes is among the first of the large home builders in the UK to commit to a safety scheme for its workforce. The North-East-based housebuilder is hoping to achieve the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) for each of its workers. The
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Success for father and son team
A COMPANY specialising in helping victims of fire and flood is expanding. Less than two years after taking up a franchise with Rainbow International, in Darlington, father-and-son team Charles and Michael Folkes have trebled the size of their operating
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Wheely good food
AMONG life's minor mysteries is that we had never previously eaten at the Fox and Hounds in West Witton - wet Witton for much of last week - save for the occasion of the Licensed Victuallers' Association's charity bike ride. The ride's an annual extravaganza
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Inflation falls
Inflation dipped last month as retailers were forced to slash prices in a bid to attract shoppers in to their stores. Discounting by furniture and food retailers contributed to a 0.2 percentage point fall in the Consumer Prices Index to 1.4 per cent,
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No repeat insists McCarthy
SUNDERLAND'S fans might be getting a nasty sense of deja vu after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Coventry, but boss Mick McCarthy is confident history won't repeat itself again when Crewe visit the Stadium of Light tonight. The Black Cats also opened last season
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Artists must be quick on the draw
Artists can have their work displayed and win a cash prize in a one-day competition. The best work produced at the event, on Saturday, August 21, will go on display at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery. The overall winner receives £175. Those taking
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Tories adopt Mallon method
CONSERVATIVE leader Michael Howard is flying into the North-East today to adopt the Mallon method of crimefighting. Mr Howard has chosen to travel to Middlesbrough - where Ray Mallon, the former detective who advocated zero tolerance policies, is now
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Fire sweeps through college
Bosses at one of the region's leading colleges will be assessing the damage today after fire swept through a classroom block. The blaze broke out in the early hours of this morning at Gateshead College, in Joicey Road, Low Fell. Two classrooms were severely
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Yachtsmen rescued
Two yachtsmen have been found safe and well following the launch of an air-sea search which was scrambled to find them after they issued a distress signal. The Hartlepool and Whitby all-weather lifeboats were launched after the Humber Coastguard received
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Their man for many reasons
WHEN Tory leader Michael Howard flies into the North-East today to launch his party's strategy on law and order, he will have the elected Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, by his side. This is the same Mayor who, despite being elected as an independent
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Howard outlines plans to fight crime
Tory leader Michael Howard today vowed to adopt the Robocop method in his crusade against crime. He travelled to Middlesbrough to meet with mayor Ray Mallon, the former police chief who cleaned up the streets with his no nonsene zero tolerance tactics
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Food bug cases still rising, say officials
HEALTH officials investigating an outbreak of salmonella infections said yesterday that the number of people struck down by the illness continued to rise. Up to last night, there were 69 confirmed cases of the food bug and 14 suspected cases. The outbreak
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Dramatic turnaround that put Mallon back in favour
In 1997, Michael Howard, then Conservative Home Secretary, and Tony Blair, Labour leader and Prime Minister in waiting, were falling over themselves to be pictured with Ray Mallon. Mr Mallon, at that time, was the head of the town's CID and was making
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West End stars appear
STARS from hit West End musicals are returning to a stately home for an open-air performance. The Best of the West End returns to Castle Howard, near Malton, on Sunday, August 22. The show will include songs from Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar
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Safety first, farmers told
HEALTH officials have launched a new campaign to try to cut the number the number of people killed and injured on farms. Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust has joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive to highlight the importance
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Kyle's injury is a mystery
MICK McCarthy will not be wrapping Kevin Kyle in cotton wool despite failing to get to the bottom of the Sunderland striker's lingering hip problem. Kyle missed most of Sunderland's pre-season programme after injuring his hip prior to the club's tour
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Shops closure mystery
MYSTERY still surrounds the sudden closure last month of a North-East factory outlet shopping centre. There was no warning of the closure at Jackson's Landing, in Hartlepool. About 60 staff who turned up for work on Friday, July 30, were told to go home
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Lightning strikes - and Ernest really is in Quaking Houses
A NORTH-EAST pensioner had a lucky escape yesterday when lightning struck his house. Ernest Spinks, 74, was blown out of his garden shed when the bolt hit his chimney stack. Mr Spinks, of Quaking Houses, near Stanley, County Durham, said: "I was standing
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Parlour aiming to play it cool in derby
RAY Parlour will not allow his heart to rule his head when he makes his Middlesbrough debut amidst the hurly-burly of Saturday's derby clash with Newcastle. The midfielder, who completed a free transfer from Arsenal this summer, could not have asked for
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Heart attack fan 'improving slightly'
A FOOTBALL fan who suffered a heart attack while watching the opening game of his team's season is "as well as can be expected". The incident happened during half-time at Saturday's Hartlepool game against Bradford at Victoria Park. Paramedics called
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The limited protection of hedging
WITH fuel prices, airlines can hedge but they cannot hide. All major carriers try to offset possible fuel increases by hedging - buying some of their fuel on the futures markets. By agreeing a contract for delivery in the future at current prices, companies
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'Wembley dispute can be resolved'
A RECONCILIATION between Cleveland Bridge and Multiplex, the main contractor at Wembley Stadium, is still possible, a union leader said last night. Engineering company Cleveland Bridge is locked in a legal battle with Australian company Multiplex over
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The twelfth promises to be glorious
IT looks like being a Glorious Twelfth in most parts of the North, with plenty of grouse in prime condition likely to make it a bumper season on many of the moors. A mild and dry spring has meant birds have been able to thrive, so marksmen and women will
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Development presses ahead
THE developers of a business park in Darlington will create a multi-million pound scheme in Gateshead. City and Northern, which is developing Morton Palms, in Darlington, will carry out the latest development on land next to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary
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Driver cut free from cab
A 69-year-old lorry driver had to be cut free from his cab by firefighters after he was involved in a crash with a tipper truck. The man, who has not been named but who is from Derbyshire, is said to be in a critical but stable condition following the
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Police to step up surgeon inquiry
DETECTIVES are stepping up their investigation into disgraced surgeon Richard Neale, The Northern Echo can reveal. North Yorkshire Police have doubled the size of the team looking into the activities of the former consultant at the Friarage Hospital,
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Addict jailed for post theft
A MAN who stole a bag of mail from a Darlington postman was jailed yesterday. Darren Foster, 23, of no fixed address, admitted stealing letters and parcels from the Royal Mail on August 3. He asked for four other offences to be taken into consideration
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Wheely good food
Tracing the route of a charity bike ride, the column stops off for refreshment at one of the pubs along the way. AMONG life's minor mysteries is that we had never previously eaten at the Fox and Hounds in West Witton - wet Witton for much of last week
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Pensioner appeals for return of cash
AN elderly woman who lost her pension while getting on a bus is appealing for the finder to return it. Joyce Portersfield, 79, of Staindrop Road, Darlington, dropped £100 from her handbag while getting her bus fare. She lost the money at noon last Thursday
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Girls Aloud star
GIRLS Aloud will appear at the 96.6tfm Sweet Night at Club M, Tall Trees, Yarm, Teesside, on Thursday, August 26. They will be supported by Soda Club, 69 and Kut Loose. The Sweet Nights are for youngsters aged 11 to 16 and have a discrete police presence
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Depressed lab worker drank cyanide
A MAN drank cyanide because he was depressed about the breakdown of his marriage, an inquest heard yesterday. Christopher James Green, 30, had separated from his wife, Petra, two weeks before he was found dead in his laboratory at the Kenmore refrigeration
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Scheme to retain regiment discussed
PLANS in which the Green Howards regiment could keep its identity despite a Government overhaul of the Armed Forces have been welcomed. Defence secretary Geoff Hoon announced sweeping changes to the Armed Forces last month. Fears were raised that the
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Award celebrations
STAFF at a housing association are celebrating after they were awarded a Charter Mark. Broadacres, in Northallerton, provides housing services to more than 4,500 homes in North Yorkshire. Charter Mark assessor Peter Benzies visited staff, tenants and
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Man drank cyanide
A MAN drank cyanide because he was depressed about the breakdown of his marriage, an inquest heard yesterday. Christopher James Green, 30, had separated from his wife, Petra, two weeks before he was found dead in his laboratory at the Kenmore refrigeration
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Accident verdict on driver
A BUS driver was close to tears yesterday as he described the moments before a woman motorist was killed when her car pulled out in front of him. Darren Ross, 33, from Bishop Auckland, said he believed there was nothing he could do to avoid the Toyota
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Restaurant to judges' taste in floral contest
MINISTERS Restaurant pipped the Dun Cow Inn to win the George Robinson Trophy for best commercial property in the Sedgefield Civic Trust Floral Competition. The Doris Etherington Cup for the best private property in a conservation area was won by Mr and
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World's largest jet model is star draw
A MODEL aircraft believed to be the biggest jet-powered remote-control model in the world will be the star of a popular show. The Yorkshire Giant and Jet Model Spectacular will take place on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 4.30pm, at Rufforth, York.
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The punk giving us lessons in beauty
MR Prescott - alias the Stanley Unwin Professor of Gobbledegook - wants new country houses to be built in "innovative designs". He issued a statement last week through the planning minister saying, "Not only do we hope that cutting edge designs for country
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Powerful images of war zones shared with photography students
PHOTOGRAPHER John Gibb is to share his experience of 40 years working in war zones around the world with students in the region. The tutor at Darlington College of Technology is leading a new photojournalism course -the first of its type in the country
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Ceremony marks work on college site
WORK is under way on a university's largest single development programme to relieve pressure on housing. Contractors have moved on to the site of what will become Durham University's 16th college, on the Howlands Farm site, off South Road. The first turf
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Navy students aid rescue of swimmer
ROYAL Navy students from the North-East became involved in a real-life sea rescue while on a training drill in Scotland. The group had been carrying out rescue exercises on Loch Ness and were at the Caledonian Canal, in Inverness, when they saw men in
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Ross happy when debut day ended
JACK Ross might have got his new career off to a winning start on Saturday, but Hartlepool United's new boy was just glad and relieved to get the day over. Ross impressed in a somewhat unfamiliar right-back role at Victoria Park as Pool got the better
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The son who became a preacher man
When he was 12, he was left on the sidewalk by his mother. Now, he heads the largest Sunday school in the US, reaching more than 20,000 children every week. Nick Morrison meets the preacher who's determined to make a difference. BILL was walking down
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Youngsters' play will tackle themes of identity and inclusion
CREATIVE youngsters have been given only two weeks to write, rehearse and perform a summer show. The 60 children from the Stockton area must also design costumes, create a set and choreograph dance routines. They are taking part in this year's summer
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Direct way for residents to help charities
A SCHEME to encourage council-tax payers to switch to direct debit will help charity. Stockton Borough Council will donate £1 to the Mayor of Stockton's two chosen charities for every new direct debit set up this year. Up to £2,000 could be donated to
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Views sought on £2m revamp ideas
CONSULTANTS drawing up £2m plans to secure Bishop Auckland's future will be asking the public for views on their ideas next week. The town has until next month to produce proposals for spending a share of a £20m County Durham Renaissance Initiative to
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Work to preserve character of city street will continue
AN EXTENSION has been granted to allow work to continue to improve a city centre street. An English Heritage grant scheme to aid building refurbishment in Durham's North Road has lifted the run-down image of the western side of the city centre over the
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Open verdict recorded over man found in sea
A RETIRED police officer who had been prescribed anti-depressants for mood swings, died after he was found in the sea at Scarborough. But North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley said it was a mystery why he was found floating in the water near the
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Open day on measures to combat crime
AN open day is being held tomorrow so residents can learn about the work being done to combat crime and disorder in the borough of Stockton. Members of Stockton Borough Council's community safety team and the Cleveland Police Authority will be at Stockton
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Website will promote car-free breaks
A WEBSITE promoting car-free breaks in the Yorkshire Dales has been launched. Holiday company Special Places Tours and the Yorkshire Dales National Park authority have developed the site to promote the exploration of the Dales on foot and by bicycle,
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Hunt for attacker after stabbing
A woman was in a serious condition in hospital last night after being stabbed repeatedly. Police say they are seeking a particular individual in connection with the attack on the 42-year-old, in the garden of her home. Officers were called to Larchwood
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Property developer facing sex charges
A PROPERTY developer molested three young girls repeatedly, a court has heard. Robert James, 53, of Heaton Gardens, South Shields, South Tyneside, touched the girls, aged under 11, and exposed himself to them during a 13-month period that ended in February
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Record crowd at Bikewise event
POLICE hope their most successful motorbike fun day to date will save lives on the road. A record crowd of about 12,000 people attended the annual Bikewise event at Durham Police's headquarters, in Durham City, on Sunday. Attractions included stunt riders
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Man beaten in unprovoked attack
A MAN was in hospital last night after being severely beaten by three men in an unprovoked street attack. The 33-year-old victim suffered broken ribs and what are described as substantial facial injuries in the incident on Friday night. Last night, he
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Velvet Waters has hidden depths
BATH raider Velvet Waters (2.45) might not be the classiest filly in the world, but what the three-year-old lacks in ability, she more than makes up for in the guts department. As a regular backer it is always comforting to be armed with such encouraging
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Velvet Waters has hidden depths
BATH raider Velvet Waters (2.45) might not be the classiest filly in the world, but what the three-year-old lacks in ability, she more than makes up for in the guts department. As a regular backer it is always comforting to be armed with such encouraging
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Job Search: Vacancies
Kitchen Planner. Competitive rate of pay, 40hpw. Must be experienced. Ref: DAE 40728. Junior Site Engineer. £7ph, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, temp until September. Must be qualified or part qualified in a civil engineering discipline. Ref: DAE 40745. Window Cleaner
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A Super weekend at Croft
BRITAIN'S premier motorsport series makes an historic first ever visit to the race-starved North East when the round ten of the THINK! British Superbike Championship rolls into Croft Circuit this weekend. Never before has the region hosted a round of
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Quakers aim to build on opening win
Darlington get their longest trip of the season out of the way when they play at Yeovil Town this evening and are hoping that history will repeat itself at Huish Park. Much has been made recently of Quakers' poor opening day home record - used by manager
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Living as 14th Century peasant has its appeal
A MAN is going back in time to live like a 14th Century peasant farmer for a week to launch a £10,000 fundraising appeal. Andrew Baird is giving up his home comforts to spend a week living in a thatched crofter's cottage at Ryedale Folk Museum, in Hutton-le-Hole
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Planned Tesco expansion would create 70 jobs
UP to 70 jobs could be created by a supermarket expansion. Tesco has submitted a planning application to Richmondshire District Council to extend its store in Catterick Garrison. If approved, the supermarket firm aims to add more space for new products
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Police send warning to scarecrow's kidnappers
POLICE have warned the kidnappers of a scarecrow that put the brakes on speeding motorists, to return her. The scarecrow, Nancy, who was made to look like a policewoman, was taken from outside her owner's home in Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham,
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Newly-wed tells of river ordeal
A NEWLY-WED who is scared of flying has spoken of her helicopter rescue from a fast-flowing river. Annabelle Wilson, 20, of Toothill Gardens, Grimsby, had to be rescued by helicopter from the River Ure, in North Yorkshire, during her honeymoon after she
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KitKat makes a break with tradition
A CHRISTMAS pudding-flavoured KitKat is due to be launched later this year. Nestl also announced a lime-flavoured version of the top-selling chocolate bar. The latest additions are designed to reverse falling sales of KitKat, made at a Nestl factory in
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10/08/04
REFUGEES: OVER the past years many letters have appeared in your newspaper calling for the African countries to be given their independence. These people got their way and the Africans got their freedom and a vote for a one party state. The new leaders
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Arts centre to focus on festival snaps
THE magic of this year's Riverside Festival has been captured in hundreds of photos that are going on display in Stockton's Arc. More than 700 pictures captured on disposable cameras are being displayed until the end of the month. All the snaps have been
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Watercolour works found in Tasmania
PAINTINGS depicting working class people in the 19th Century North-East have been discovered on the other side of the world. The watercolours, which depict workers, beggars and peddlers in the 1820s, were found in a drawer in a back room of the Tasmanian
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A real find of a cop show
Without a Trace (Ch4); The New Joe Millionaire (Ch4): ANOTHER classy cop show from Channel 4 - no prizes for guessing it's American. It follows the unbelievably gorgeous members of the FBI's missing persons unit as they try to trace the last movements
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Artist in protest display as nude paintings are snubbed
AN angry artist decided to get her own back when three nude paintings were rejected for an exhibition, by displaying them on the village green. Barbara Gardner was so angry after she was told the work was not required that she displayed her pictures on
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Sundial will honour Queen Mother's link with museum
MUSEUM officials are hoping a member of the Royal family will unveil a memorial in tribute to the Queen Mother. A sundial will be built to commemorate the late Queen Mother's patronage of one of her favourite museums. It will be placed in the grounds
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Quakers clock up miles in search of win double
Darlington get their longest trip of the season out of the way when they play at Yeovil Town this evening and are hoping that history will repeat itself at Huish Park. Much has been made recently of Quakers' poor opening day home record - used by manager
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A Super weekend at Croft
BRITAIN'S premier motorsport series makes an historic first ever visit to the race-starved North East when the round ten of the THINK! British Superbike Championship rolls into Croft Circuit this weekend. Never before has the region hosted a round of
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Troubled theatre gets subsidy
A troubled theatre is getting a £650,000 subsidy from its council owner. Durham City Council is to pump the money into its flagship Gala venue, which opened in January 2002 but was dogged by problems when the firm hired to run it collapsed with debts
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Old mill takes third place
SUPPORTERS of a campaign to bring new life to an eighteenth century cotton mill are now confident of completing their project after the building scooped third place in the BBC 2 series Restoration. Gayle Mill, near Hawes, in Wensleydale, was one of eight
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Olympian feast
WITH Athens hosting the Olympics it's time to start training your taste buds and tuning into Greek food. You'll find dishes bursting with juicy figs, feta cheese, ripe olives, saffron, spices and thick yoghurt, all of which hail from the heart of the
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£3m scheme brought forward
PLANS to build industrial premises in Sunderland that could support up to 300 jobs have been brought forward. Rivergreen Developments plc is building a £3m industrial scheme on the former Brown factory site at Pallion. Phase one of the project is nearly
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Reassurance on church access
RURAL churches struggling financially need not close because they cannot afford to provide disabled access, says a leading clergyman. The Archdeacon of Richmond, North Yorkshire, the Venerable Ken Good, said he was alarmed to hear some churches and chapels
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Violin accident leads to stalwart's memory being kept alive
THE memory of a stalwart from one of the UK's premier music and dance folk festivals will be kept alive by a violinist from Europe. Stockton musician Jack Keane played violin in each one of the previous 39 Billingham Folklore Festivals, but died on New
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Sir Bobby to seal his new Carr deal
TOTTENHAM defender Stephen Carr will be hoping a long-standing knee injury doesn't scupper his £1.5m move to Newcastle. The Republic of Ireland skipper will be on Tyneside within the next 24 hours to finalise personal details and complete a medical before
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Man questioned over fatal boat crash in the Caribbean
A DUTCHMAN was being questioned by police yesterday over a speedboat crash in the Caribbean in which a boy died. Luke Noble, 14, from East Boldon, South Tyneside, his cousin, Stephen Noble, 18, and two teenage friends from the US were thrown into the
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Expansion forces move
A PACKAGING company hoping to take on staff in the next year has taken a 15-year lease at a Tyneside business park. The Restoration Packaging Company is the latest tenant to move in to UK Land Estate's award-winning Waterfront development at Newburn Riverside
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Drilling first for construction worker
A CONSTRUCTION worker has become the first in the region to achieve a training qualification in drilling and sawing. As well as breaking new ground with his NVQ, Rob Smith, 31, from Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, has also achieved his construction skills
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Tales from the riverbank
THE successful restoration of part of part of the River Skerne in Darlington will feature at a storytelling festival. The stretch of water at the eastern end of the town will host one of the events as part of the Tales from the Tees festival. Summertime
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Car overturns in rain
THE driver of a Peugeot 306 car had a lucky escape after it overturned in heavy rain. The motorist is understood to have lost control of the vehicle in a torrential downpour, resulting in the car overturning and ending up on its roof on the A167, at the
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Dog show to aid charities
a companion dog show featuring a variety of classes, including pedigree and fun competitions, is to be held in Hurworth, near Darlington. The event, which will be under Kennel Club rules, is in aid of animal charity the Cinnamon Trust and a local animal
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Community groups urged to bid for £100,000 funding
COMMUNITY and voluntary groups working with young people in Darlington are being urged to have their share of £100,000 of funding. The money is available to support a host of schemes and projects in the borough, but is standing largely untouched because
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Magic carpet to the Big Top
TIGHTROPE walking and plate-spinning were some of the skills children were taught at a circus workshop yesterday. The Magic Carpet theatre company held the sessions at Darlington Arts Centre prior to two sold-out circus performances there today. The workshop
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Decision on plans for five homes
PLANS to convert a large Victorian building into houses will be discussed by councillors tomorrow. Norton House, in Hartlepool, was formerly known as Owton Fens Hostel, before it became a residential home for the elderly. An application has been received
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Scheme to retain regiment discussed
PLANS in which the Green Howards regiment could keep its identity despite a Government overhaul of the Armed Forces have been welcomed. Defence secretary Geoff Hoon announced sweeping changes to the Armed Forces last month. Fears were raised that the
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Increased spending on affordable housing boosts group's profits
BUILDING and infrastructure services group Morgan Sindall said a boom in low-cost housing provision had helped half-year profits soar 31 per cent. The group said profits at its affordable housing division more than doubled to a record £5.7m following
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Slow down, visiting
THOUSANDS of bikers preparing to arrive in the region for the tenth round of the British Superbike Championships have been warned to slow down and stay safe. The championships are being held at Croft racing circuit, near Darlington, on Friday, Saturday
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Open verdict recorded over man found in sea
A RETIRED police officer who had been prescribed anti-depressants for mood swings, died after he was found in the sea at Scarborough. But North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley said it was a mystery why he was found floating in the water near the
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Man fails to win cut in sentence
A MAN who used "uncontrollable violence" against two women in a terrifying ordeal in their home has failed to get his sentence cut. Christopher Bourne, 22, of Chapel Row, Tow Law, County Durham, was jailed for four years at Teesside Crown Court in February
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Villagers get postal service
A VILLAGE was celebrating yesterday as its post office re-opened after more than a year. People living in Heighington, near Darlington, have struggled without a post office since the village's service closed in July last year. Postmaster Bob Wilson said
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Third road gap shut for safety
A THIRD central reservation gap at a notorious accident blackspot has been closed while work to improve the junction continues. The gap east of the Aagrah Restaurant on the A64 at Bilbrough, near York, will remain closed until the spring, when the £11m
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I should have been told of patient's decline - surgeon
A CONSULTANT felt he should have been contacted at least five hours before his patient suffered difficulties as a result of a kidney operation, an inquest heard yesterday. Afzal Aktar, 34, of Westbourne Street, Stockton, needed the operation following
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Beach in church hall
THE weather may have been wet, but children in Spennymoor were determined to have fun beside the sea yesterday. More than 50 youngsters from churches served by the Sedgefield Methodist Circuit enjoyed seaside activities at Trinity Methodist Church. Church
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Motorbike event success
POLICE hope their most successful motorbike fun day to date will save lives on the region's roads. A record crowd of about 12,000 people attended the annual Bikewise event at Durham Police headquarters, at Aykley Heads, in Durham City, on Sunday. Sergeant
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Horden's hero returns to old stamping ground
BIG, bigger and biggest, many of the team who took Hartlepool United to promotion in 1990-91 reunited on Sunday for a match to inaugurate Horden CW's spanking new facilities. "We sympathise with them in their efforts to get fit," wrote club chairman Norman
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Lead singer to perform set at local venue
THE former lead singer of popular indie rock band The Seahorses will perform an acoustic concert this month. Chris Helme, current frontman of The Yards, will perform at The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge on the North York Moors on September 16. Following the
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Pensioner uses computer skills to help community
A PENSIONER who had never used a computer before has won top marks in desktop publishing. Jean Oliver, 74, of Stockton, was initially put off sitting in front of a keyboard when she saw the computers at Stockton Riverside College's mobile learning bus
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£5.7m swimming pool is a splash hit with the crowds
CROWDS of excited children and their parents yesterday celebrated the eagerly awaited opening of a swimming pool. The £5.7m pool at the Louisa Centre, in Front Street, Stanley, was to have opened in spring last year, but suffered problems from the outset
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Trio in need of loving homes
A PUPPY and two kittens are in need of new homes. The animals, each only a few weeks old, are being cared for by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League. The previous owners of Mac, a 12-week old collie-cross, both had full-time jobs so were unable
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Stitch in time saves wedding plans
A BRIDE-TO-BE had to make a last-minute substitution at the weekend when her bridesmaid was taken ill. Months of planning had gone into making sure that Donna Rolph and Paul Foster had the perfect wedding. But the preparations went awry when, on the eve
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TV review
Without a Trace (Ch4) The New Joe Millionaire (Ch4) ANOTHER classy cop show from Channel 4 - no prizes for guessing it's American. It follows the unbelievably gorgeous members of the FBI's missing persons unit as they try to trace the last movements of
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Death at detention centre is probed
POLICE are investigating the death of young teenager found hanging in his room at a privately-run detention centre. The discovery was made by staff at the Hassockfield Secure Training Centre (STC), at Medomsley, near Consett, County Durham, as they made
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Lehmann to return for Tykes
Darren Lehmann returns to boost Yorkshire Phoenix in their day-night match against Derbyshire Scorpions at Headingley today when a win is badly needed in order to claw their way back into the totesport League promotion race. Yorkshire still have to play
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Heavy rains cause flooding
Firefighters were called to deal with 47 flooding incidents across Teesside as heavy rain blocked drains and deluged homes. All the incidents were recorded between 9pm and just before midnight on Monday. Worst hit was the Stockton area with firefighters
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Mother demands answers after son's death
A grieving mother today demanded answers after her teenage son was found hanging at the detention centre where he was being held. Adam Rickwood, 14, from Burnley, died after being found in his room at the Hassockfield Centre, in Consett, County Durham
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Council's lengthsmen go marching into action
A team of old-style council workers have held a passing-out parade with a difference before beginning their mission to keep County Durham clean and tidy. The five-strong squad formed a final muster in Durham before collecting their yellow vans to mark
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Oil market turbulence forces BA to raise fuel surcharges
BRITISH Airways announced yesterday it was letting passengers bear the brunt of rising oil prices despite turning around its fortunes in the first quarter. The airline said it would more than double its fuel surcharge for long-haul passengers following
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Cabbie wins tinted glass battle
A TAXI driver has criticised a council for wasting taxpayers' money after he took them to court over his car windows - and won. John Stoddart, of Galaxy Cars, was refused a hackney carriage licence by Darlington Borough Council, in May, because they said
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Nursery wins Ofsted praise
A CHESTER-le-Street nursery has received praise from Ofsted inspectors. Ouston Community Nursery was found to provide a welcoming child-friendly environment, where youngsters enjoyed a broad range of activities. The pupils, the inspectors reported, are
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Firefighters rescue horse from stream
QUICK-THINKING firefighters adapted a machine used to carry hay bales to save a horse from drowning in a stream. The horse, a three-year-old gelding called Bobby, had wandered from its stable at Seaton Delaval, North Tyneside, and into the stream, which
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Eating Owt: Wheely good food
Tracing the route of a charity bike ride, the column stops off for refreshment at one of the pubs along the way. AMONG life's minor mysteries is that we had never previously eaten at the Fox and Hounds in West Witton - wet Witton for much of last week
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Violin accident leads to stalwart's memory being kept alive
THE memory of a stalwart from one of the UK's premier music and dance folk festivals will be kept alive by a violinist from Europe. Stockton musician Jack Keane played violin in each one of the previous 39 Billingham Folklore Festivals, but died on New
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See what's afoot, if you dare...
A SUMMER season of ghost walks starts this week in Richmond, where a stroll through the town is enlivened by scary stories of plague victims, Arthur and his knights and the legend of the disappearing drummer boy. Amateur actress Rhoda Fraser will lead
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Latimer Hinks recruits two up-and-coming professionals
A recruitment drive at a Darlington firm of solicitors has led to two appointments. CLAIRE CONWAY has joined Latimer Hinks from Berrymans Lace and Mawer, in Stockton. Ms Conway, 22, will work on the administration and taxation of trusts. ALEX PEEBLES
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House prices still growing steadily
HOUSE price inflation has risen in every part of the UK except for the North-East and London, Government figures showed last night. The Office for the Deputy Prime Minister said that nationally, the year-on-year inflation rate rose to 13.9 per cent in
