Archive
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Burton's Bytes: Putting a classic to the sword
SEVEN SAMURAI 20XX, Publisher: Sega, Platform: PS2, Price: £34.99. Family friendly? Lots of hack 'n slash action makes this a game for older children. JAPANESE film-maker Akira Kurosawa's classic The Seven Samurai has already provided the inspiration
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Record entry for Kelso ram sales
HEXHAM & Northern Marts have announced a record entry of 811 rams for this years Kelso Ram Sales. In addition to the annual entries of top quality Bluefaced Leicester, unregistered Suffolk, Texel and Lleyn Rams, the Company will offer for sale 321
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Prices at the marts
BARNARD CASTLE. Wed of last week. Fwd: 984 sheep. Lt lambs to 112p av 101p; std to 112p av 110.8p; med to 117p av 109.8p; heavy to 111p av 109.6p. Cast sheep: Cont £34; Mule £28.50; Swale £16. Tues. Fwd: 142 cattle, 36 feeding bulls and 96 store cattle
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Women back project for new village complex
MEMBERS of a Women's Institute are selling their 75-year-old hall - and giving away 80pc of the proceeds. Benevolent members of the WI at Bishop Monkton, near Ripon, are hoping the sale will net about £100,000 for the building in the village's main street
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'Tomb-stoning' boys saved from drowning
AN off-duty coastguard out for an evening stroll has saved two boys from drowning. A third boy was rescued by a surfer after the youngsters got into trouble trying to swim against the tide at Saltburn, east Cleveland. Skinningrove coastguard Paul Waugh
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Did you see Led Zep concert?
A Led Zeppelin fan is looking for people in the North-East who remember the rock supergroup's concerts in the region. Keith Lambert, vocalist with tribute band Simply Led, plans to write a book about the band's UK concerts in the late 1960s and early
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M.O.D. may face court over soldiers death
THE FAMILY of a soldier crushed to death between two armoured troop carriers have not ruled out taking the Army to court. An inquest jury recorded a verdict of misadventure into the death of Catterick-based Corporal Eirion Rees yesterday. The 32-year-old
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This butcher's no turkey
A 73-YEAR-old County Durham pie-maker and his wife have been shortlisted for British Turkey Butcher of the Year 2004. Ian Grainger, known to his friends as the "Mad Pie Man", runs North Country Lass at Meadowfield with his wife Margaret. The couple, who
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Are we washing our hands of Sudan?
As the humanitarian crisis in the Sudan escalates to the point where two million lives are thought to be at risk, Glen Reynolds examines the role of the international community in the trouble spots of the world. WHILE the West indulges its interest in
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Beltex rams to 13,000gns
Growing demand for the Beltex as a terminal sire was once again endorsed last Friday when shearling rams made the breed's second and third highest prices at 13,000gns and 12,000gns at the official society sale in Carlisle. The ram lamb record was broken
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Local fans cheer on brave Guisborough rider
BIG-TIME bike racing made a welcome return to the North-East last weekend when 25,000 spectators turned out to witness round ten of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at Croft circuit. Race-starved local fans had been waiting for months in anticipation
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House prices double in university towns
The price of property in the majority of the UK's major university towns has doubled during the past five years, figures showed today. Halifax Estate Agents said property prices in 10 of the 13 top university towns and cities outside of London had risen
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Union may call in the lawyers
LLOYDS TSB could face legal action over plans to move its call centre operations to India. The trade union representing bank workers is considering the challenge under the Data Protection Act. Lloyds announced last year it was shedding nearly 1,000 jobs
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Real Woodgate bid is too good, Bobby
REAL MADRID'S multi-million pound offer for Jonathan Woodgate was hailed as 'too good to turn down' by Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson last night. Woodgate is due to undergo a medical in the Spanish capital today after the two clubs agreed a
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Prayers for pair who died days before getting results
THERE were celebrations and sadness at one school yesterday as A-level students collecting their results mourned the deaths of two "brilliant" pupils. Katy Linighan and Richard Clemot-Escobar died in a car crash only days before they were due to collect
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Thundery storms in August - whatever next?
THE recent heavy rain and high humidity has provoked the usual tripe about our changing weather. One television presenter was heard to blithely say what happened in Boscastle this week was going to happen on a regular basis in the future because Britain's
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Help gave Tam the confidence to succeed
A NAIL technician who once ran a roadside nail bar in Vietnam has set up her own business on Teesside with help from the job creation scheme. Tam Williams, moved to Redcar when her husband moved to ICI on Teesside in 1999, but lacked the confidence to
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Memorial concert date
A jazz concert in memory of Brian Lunn, a member of the Tees Valley Jazz Men who died of cancer earlier this year, will be held in St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, on September 1, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £5, to include a drink, are available at the
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Petrol prices on the rise
Motorists were last night warned to expect petrol prices above £4 a gallon after the cost of oil moved within touching distance of 50 US dollars. Fresh attacks in Iraq overnight added to the jitters of traders and sent the price of a barrel of oil to
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Murder trial lover's anniversary suicide
A MAN cleared of killing his lover in a notorious North-East murder trial has been found dead - almost 26 years to the day after she was burnt alive. The body of 46-year-old gipsy Lawrence Wood was discovered in his fume-filled van on Monday. In a bizarre
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Changing face of a village that is home to an unknown soldier
From 1895 to 1920 Langley Park continued to expand with around thirty new streets built during the period. Between 1901 and 1905 an estate known locally as the Kop was built west of Railway Street, consisting of Lambton, Darcy and Dale Streets. The Kop
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400 ways to mark memories in Isabel's travels
WHEN Isabel Dixon's husband, Len, wants to mark the page in his current reading matter, he uses an old envelope to keep his place.Nothing unusual in that you might think, until you learn that his wife has a collection of more than 400 bookmarks, spanning
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Candy Floss Queen and the gispey accused of her murder
The murder of candy floss queen Miriam Culine gripped the North-East during the summer of 1978. Twenty-six years later, the man arrested for her murder has been found dead in his van. The Northern Echo looks back at one of the region's most sensational
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Lifeline loss fear of PO customers
POST offices customers said yesterday they would be losing a lifeline if seven branches threatened with the axe are closed. Branches in Albemarle Road, Bishopthorpe Road, Boroughbridge Road, Clar-ence Street, Fishergate, Gale Lane and Holgate Road, all
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Rector's anger at church vandals
A RECTOR has criticised vandals who caused about £1,000 of damage when they hurled a metal road sign through a 300-year-old church window. Graffiti, including "God doesn't exist" was also strewn across the front door of the Church of St Mary Magdalene
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Victorian medal up for auction
A RARE medal given to children to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee is going under the hammer on the internet. Thediamond-shaped souvenir was handed out to about 1,500 youngsters in Chester-le-Street who joined in the town's anniversary celebrations
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Barnes in control as Northallerton stay in top spot
WITH only seven points separating leaders Northallerton from second-placed Guisborough and just 100 points still to play for, the race for the championship could hardly be closer. Northallerton host fourth-placed Saltburn tomorrow and will be hoping to
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Major blaze at nursing home
FIREFIGHTERS called to a major blaze at a nursing home feared they would be simply too busy to attend the funeral of a former fire chief. But after helping evacuate 42 pensioners - two of whom had to be taken to hospital - and spending several hours damping
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Family's landslide terror as car hit by wall of mud
A FAMILY told yesterday of their nightmare at being caught in a freak Scottish landslide. Alan and Gillian Muxworthy and their children Ben and Sarah, from County Durham, were caught up in the first of two landslides in Glen Ogle, north of Stirling, on
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Wartime relics
Sir, - Local wartime defences were often made by the Home Guard. Two possible examples exist, one a gun slit in Skeeby (pictured above) and a sole surviving concrete block (left), possibly as part of a road block, between Brompton-on-Swale and Broken
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Dunelm is back in business
A NORTH-EAST businessman is hoping to re-establish the name of a site investigation company that went into liquidation last year. Dunelm Geotechnical and Environmental, based on the Meadowfield Industrial Estate, near Durham City, operated nationwide.
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Mortgage lending hits record levels
A SURGE in the number of people buying homes helped boost mortgage lending to a new record last month, figures showed. During the month, a total of £29.2bn was loaned, overtaking the record of £28.2bn set the previous month . The Council of Mortgage Lenders
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Murder trial lover's anniversary suicide
A MAN cleared of killing is his lover in a notorious North-East murder trial has been found dead - almost 26 years to the day after she was burnt alive. The body of 46-year-old gipsy Lawrence Wood was found dead in his fume-filled van on Monday. In a
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Fly high with Brahminy Kite at Sandown
BRAHMINY KITE (2.30) has the potential to build on his promising debut by winning the Combi UK Conditions Stakes at Sandown. Mark Johnston's colt appeared all at sea on first visit to a racecourse at Beverley earlier this month as he toiled in rear for
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So nice to know you curd
POP star Alistair Griffin's secret is out - he's a lemon curd fanatic. But the Castleton-born singer's seven-year ambition to win the class prize at Danby Show was again thwarted last week by 74-year-old Myra Cornforth. Mrs Cornforth, of Strait Lane,
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Pub's the toast of the town
A PUB that has won national recognition for its promotion of real ale is again the toast of local beer enthusiasts. The Beamish Mary Inn at No Place, near Stanley, was voted pub of the year by the County Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra
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Putting kids on the right track
LET no-one be under any illusions, the starting gun for the next General Election has been fired. And in the battle for the hearts and minds of the electorate, I can see law and order playing as crucial a role as any other factor. Of course, traditionally
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Council to revise rule over taxi windows
A COUNCIL has been forced to change its licensing conditions after losing a battle in the crown court over the colour of a taxi-driver's windows. An amended condition relating to the glazing of taxi cabs working in Darlington is being put before the borough
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Go-ahead expected for football pitches
A JUNIOR football club is expected to get its own playing field through the change of use of agricultural land. The Bedale club wants to create the facility off Firby Road, on the outskirts of the town. The 2.3-hectare site would include two training
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Lessons in brain power
CHILDREN at a summer school followed in the footsteps of US President George Bush. The event at Sedgefield Community College was for gifted and talented pupils who are due to start at the school next month. About 30 children from feeder primary schools
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Vicar moving on after 18 years of service
A TOWN bids farewell to its vicar tonight as he moves to pastures new after 18 years. Father Raymond Cuthbertson, vicar at St John's Church, Shildon, is to take up a post at Hartlepool and North Tees Hospital at the end of next month. The 52-year-old
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Decision day for village housing plan
Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee will today consider an application to build three houses in West Park Lane. Sedgefield Civic Trust has objected to the proposal and letters of objection have also been received from residents.
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Delight across the board as students excel in all areas
SCHOOLS and colleges across the North-East saw A-level records tumble yesterday, with several reporting their best ever results. From traditionally high-flying independent schools to fast-improving state schools, there was unrestrained joy as students
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Appeal for help to find cat's killers
THE owners of a rescue cat that was killed is urging anyone with information to help police find the culprits. Helen and Peter Hammond's cat, Holly, was found dead in the road near their home in Bolam, near Heighington, by a neighbour. Holly, also known
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Students rise to challenge in Romania
A GROUP of college students have spent time undertaking a series of challenges in Romania. The team of 18 to 25-year-olds visited Oared to revamp a hospital corridor and bathrooms. The students, from Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire, undertook
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Health team aims to reduce council staff sick record
WORKERS are taking more than 13 days off a year on sick leave at a Teesside council. The worst performing department at Hartlepool Borough Council is Social Services where an average of 16.1 sick days are taken per worker every year. However, the overall
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Lib Dems seeking views over future of services at hospital
THE row over the future of hospital services in Hartlepool continued last night after the Liberal Democrats launched a survey asking residents for their views. Lib Dem shadow health spokeswoman Sarah Teather joined by-election candidate Jody Dunn for
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Teams' tribute to tragic flier Andy
AN RAF regiment tackled the elements and a team of rugby players in a tribute to one of their comrades who died in a parachuting accident earlier this year. Despite rainstorms, members of RAF Squadron 34 and Bishop Auckland Rugby Club battled it out as
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Quakers fail to find a way through
DARLINGTON'S lack of a cutting edge contributed to their first defeat of the season last Saturday against opponents who played virtually the last 30 minutes with ten men. Despite plenty of possession, Quakers were unable to find a way through a dogged
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Funds boost for walk-in health centre
A walk-in centre is to be established in Darlington after health chiefs secured a funding boost. The Department of Health has agreed to provide Darlington Primary Care Trust with an additional £100,000 a year for the next two years to help staff the medical
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Education project to be discussed
PLANS to create a multi-million pound education and sports centre are expected to be approved next week. The £4.87m education project will see integrated early years and adult learning services under one roof. Plans to demolish Darlington's Skerne Park
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Retail sales slowdown may delay further rate rises
THE first slowdown in retail sales in more than a year could reduce the likelihood of further interest rate rises, analysts predicted last night. Retail sales have slowed for the first time in more than a year after poor weather hit sales of clothing
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Protest to continue over flats project
A SILENT protest has been held against a housing scheme that was approved in May. Protestors vowed to continue their fight against the housing development at Wheatlands Farm Cottages, Redcar Road, Redcar, which was backed by councillors. More than 150
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No cash for rally but lots of support
A RALLY that has an estimated value of £1.2m to a district is not going to receive any cash from the local council. Last year, Ryedale District Council gave the Trackrod Rally £10,000, as well as support to the rally organisers by making the Showfield
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Dobson voices charges concern
A FORMER Cabinet minister has joined the ranks of those who are protesting against controversial parking charges. Former Health Secretary Frank Dobson said he was concerned at the impact of York's evening charges and restrictions on businesses in the
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Church investigates after request sent to dead woman
Cathedral fundraisers have launched an investigation after a woman who died was sent a letter asking her to change her will to bequest money to church funds. The letter, from the Right Reverend John Packer, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, was addressed
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Picnic fun lined up for families
FAMILIES can enjoy a fun picnic at Margrove Park Community Centre, near Guisborough, as well as finding out about SureStart children's centres. The free event, from 10am to 2pm on Thursday, is open to all families in rural east Cleveland and the Overfields
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20/08/04
POST OFFICE: I HAVE MS and visit Victoria Road post office, Darlington, every week to get my incapacity benefit. I resent proposals to close this post office and others. Until recently, I had an order book which was renewed about every six months. Then
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Special sales
CARLISLE (Borderway). Wed of last week. 12th show & sale of registered pedigree red & white cattle. Judge: Robert Cunningham, Maughlin, Ayshire. Champion: Middle Crummie Lee, John Whiteford, Middle Farm, Ruleholme, Brampton, 1,900gns to the judge
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Rural phone boxes across the area face the axe
UP TO 178 public telephone boxes across the D&S Times area face the axe as part of a national viability programme. BT is undertaking a six-week consultation process which involves the review of its call boxes, many in remote rural areas, which are
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Chance of fame for next big thing
MUSIC fans will soon have their say in selecting the next big thing in a competition run by The Northern Echo. Online voting will begin on Saturday to pick the four finalists in the Big Chance music contest. The competition, run by music website Revolution
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Taking control of the remote
Flipside TV (C4): THE noble art of TV criticism is best left to the experts. Once you let amateurs loose with the remote control, all hell breaks lose as Flipside TV demonstrates. The good thing, as far as those making fools of themselves on the programme
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Campaigners target Blair seat
A CAMPAIGN to ban fox hunting will be taken directly to the Prime Minister's County Durham doorstep. Animal welfare campaigners are visiting Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency in an effort to enlist support to get hunting with dogs banned. Representatives
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Juninho's Boro exit is near
JUNINHO will meet with Middlesbrough officials today in a bid to agree a severance package that would see him join Scottish champions Celtic. The Brazilian has two years to run on his Boro deal and he hopes for a golden handshake before officially becoming
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Masons' gift takes appeal to £660,000
A SUMMER of successful fundraising has pushed a charity's appeal to new heights. A cheque for £1,000 from County Durham Freemasons is the latest in a steady steam of donations to the County Durham Macmillan appeal. The gift, from the Sunderland-based
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Henges: clear choice
Sir, - As chairman of Heritage Action, an organisation dedicated to heritage sites throughout Britain and Ireland, may I respond to the remarks of your correspondent two weeks ago under the heading "Get a Life" (D&S, Aug 6)? I suspect such sentiments
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DNA workshop amid traditional attractions
A DNA workshop will be one of the unusual attractions at this year's Wensleydale Show in Leyburn on Saturday, August 28. This, plus a fingerprint workshop, will be run by North Yorkshire police who are also setting up a street scene set where actors will
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On TV last night...
Flipside TV (C4) THE noble art of TV criticism is best left to the experts. Once you let amateurs loose with the remote control, all hell breaks lose as Flipside TV demonstrates. The good thing, as far as those making fools of themselves on the programme
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McCarthy moans at trial rule
MICK McCARTHY has demanded a rule change following Sunderland's failure to persuade striker Clyde Wijnhard to stay on trial on Wearside. The former Leeds and Huddersfield forward has been training with the Black Cats, but has left the club after failing
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Just a seabird or the flying herald of storms and doomed mariners?
A FEW days after our recent visit to the RSPB seabird reserve on Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington, I noticed a pair of herring gulls flying over our house. As we live some 30 miles inland, the sighting was interesting even if it was not particularly remarkable
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ShopTalk: Come into the garden
Simon Laycock and Maureen Chapman have transformed the jungle-like space outside their house into an unusual garden centre. WHEN Simon Laycock and Maureen Chapman moved into a 17th century long house in Helmsley, they planned on doing no more than open
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Mowbray all set to row for Olympic glory
RICHMOND-BORN rower Alison Mowbray goes for Olympic gold in the Athens final of the women's quadruple sculls on Sunday morning. The Great Britain team of Mowbray, Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Rebecca Romero were the fastest qualifiers by almost
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Tait has time on his hands
DURHAM yesterday suffered the third washed out day in six since Shaun Tait arrived, leaving the Australian paceman with a maximum of 16 days' play to prove his worth, writes Tim Wellock. After his nightmare debut against Somerset at the weekend, which
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Union anger as 50 jobs go abroad
UNIONS have reacted angrily to proposals by one of the region's best-known employers to outsource dozens of jobs to India. Around 50 former civil service jobs at the National Savings complex at Millburngate House in Durham City are thought to be affected
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Troubled Dyer to come back stronger, Lampard
AFTER drawing on personal experience, England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has backed Newcastle United's Kieron Dyer to emerge a 'stronger' player from his torture on Tyneside. Dyer was subjected to a chorus of boos every time he touched the ball
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Airport sets date for name change
THE date has been set for Teesside Airport to end 40 years of history by formally changing its name, The Northern Echo can reveal. Durham Tees Valley Airport will come into existence on Tuesday, September 21, with a high-profile launch event. Confirmation
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Fly high with Brahminy Kite at Sandown
BRAHMINY KITE (2.30) has the potential to build on his promising debut by winning the Combi UK Conditions Stakes at Sandown. Mark Johnston's colt appeared all at sea on first visit to a racecourse at Beverley earlier this month as he toiled in rear for
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Scheme will find work for 4,000
A MULTI-million pound scheme to tackle high levels of unemployment in one of the region's job blackspots is on course to get nearly 4,000 people into work within five years. Many long-term unemployed people are being advised about debt and low confidence
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Villagers face loss of up to £25m
THE Cornish village of Boscastle faces losses of £25m after this week's flash floods put an end to the resort's tourist season. Up to 25 businesses were destroyed when 10ft-high floodwaters tore through the village at 40mph on Monday afternoon. Homes,
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Assembly costs
Sir, - I have been reading your editorials on the forthcoming referenda on regional assemblies with interest and generally agree with your comments. However, I consider you have been too polite in some of your comments. For instance, when Mr "Two Fat
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Smith and Trueman lead the way
Daniel Smith from Shildon and Louise Trueman from Darlington are the highest-placed regional players in the end-of-season national men's and women's singles rankings. Very few players in Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire compete on the tournament
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Campaign for 50mph limit
HIGHWAYS chiefs are facing renewed calls to lower the speed limit on a busy dual carriageway after rejecting one plea earlier this year. Durham county councillors voted in June to keep the 70mph maximum limit on the A167 at Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street
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Residents in hospital after nursing home fire
Two elderly residents have been taken to hospital after a blaze broke out a nursing home today, police said. A total of 40 people were evacuated from the St David's Nursing Home in Redcar, Cleveland, during the early hours. Two residents were taken to
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Art exhibition opens
ART inspired by some of the finest landscape in the country will be on show this weekend. The North Yorkshire Moors National Park has provided the inspiration for an exhibition at the visitor centre on Sutton Bank, near Helmsley. The work is by members
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Assembling the big guns
THE Government, it seems, is to wheel out its biggest guns to push the case for the North-East Assembly. The arrival of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor next month will mark the start of the campaign for the November referendum
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Yorkshire punished for a slack opening
Leicestershire opener Darren Robinson smashed Yorkshire's new ball attack to smithereens on the first day of the Championship match at Grace Road yesterday. But the tables were turned dramatically in the evening session as four wickets crashed in 17 balls
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Lack of work experience held Peter back
Peter Rayner was 42 and had never worked. He had been advised by his GP that certain work could add to his health problems. Despite taking part in basic employment training and work-based learning for adults, Mr Rayner's lack of work experience was a
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N-E pass rates top national average
THE rush to grab remaining university places began in earnest yesterday as the region's A-level students yet again celebrated record pass rates. Durham University said it had received 1,500 calls in the first three hours that its clearing hotlines were
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Putting kids on the right track
LET no-one be under any illusions, the starting gun for the next General Election has been fired. And in the battle for the hearts and minds of the electorate, I can see law and order playing as crucial a role as any other factor. Of course, traditionally
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Butt has a key role for England
SVEN-Goran Eriksson will hand Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt responsibility for ensuring that England make a solid start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. Butt won his 36th international cap as Eriksson's side strolled to a 3-0 win over the Ukraine
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Metal detective PC finds ring
AN off duty police officer and his metal detector came to the rescue when a woman lost her diamond engagement ring on a riverbank. Metal detecting enthusiast PC Derek Sirett was called in after a two-hour search of the reed beds alongside the River Wear
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Salvage law shake-up
MOTOR salvage yards in County Durham are being warned they face large fines unless they comply with new legislation designed to combat car ringing and the trade in cannibalised vehicle parts. Under regulations recently introduced, anyone involved in the
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Durham Memories: Changing face of a village that is home to an unknown soldier
From 1895 to 1920 Langley Park continued to expand with around thirty new streets built during the period. Between 1901 and 1905 an estate known locally as the Kop was built west of Railway Street, consisting of Lambton, Darcy and Dale Streets. The Kop
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Blair expected to back case for N-E assembly
THE Prime Minister is expected to publicly endorse the case for a directly-elected assembly for the North-East with a high-profile campaign in the region early next month. Although Number 10 declined to confirm the details, it is believed Mr Blair will
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Repairs promised for small but much-loved relics
FRAGILE relics in North Yorkshire have been offered a lifeline. English Heritage has unveiled an ambitious scheme to remove some of the county's forgotten monuments from its buildings at risk register. Nearly £70,000 has been pledged for urgent repairs
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Box office star Flintoff puts England in control
Andrew Flintoff returned to The Oval and delivered another timely showcase of his talents to swing the momentum back in England's favour and keep them on course for a summer clean sweep at the final npower Test against West Indies. A year on from his
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Night of storms leaves hundreds without power
HUNDREDS of people spent yesterday without electricity following Wednesday night's violent storms. Northern Electric reported more than 500 lightning strikes in the North-East and North Yorkshire, some of which hit overhead power lines and damaged the
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Shoptalk
WHEN Simon Laycock and Maureen Chapman moved into a 17th century long house in Helmsley, they planned on doing no more than open another craft shop, similar to the one they already ran successfully in York. Then they saw the garden... It runs 150ft from
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Protests as BT to axe 664 public phones
TELECOMS operator BT is facing protests over plans to axe hundreds of loss-making public phones, some in remote rural areas. BT Payphones has announced that it wants to disconnect 664 of its 4,121 public phones in the North-East and North Yorkshire. The
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Mystery over 6ft hole in bridge
A LARGE hole which appeared overnight in a bridge was most likely caused by a road accident. Yarm Bridge has been closed to pedestrians since Sunday morning after the 6ft gap appeared. Stockton Borough Council has made the bridge safe and work to repair
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Powers extended to cut garrison town rowdiness
REVELLERS who pour out of nightclubs and disturb the early morning peace could find themselves the target of new police powers. Richmondshire police have now adopted dispersal orders for areas of Catterick Garrison, following successful use of the procedures
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Exemplary Army career rewarded with medal
AN armed forces recruiter has been awarded the long service and good conduct medal. Light Infantry Sergeant Roy Steel, who is based at the armed forces careers office in Darlington, has received the medal for 15 years' service. Sgt Steel enlisted into
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Top-selling ram
THIS January-born Bleu du Maine ram lamb from Stuart and Julia Goldie, of Ferryman's House, Maunby, near Thirsk, topped the breed's pedigree national show and sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday when it sold for 2,000gns. Maunby Butch, a scrapie
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Pub's the toast of the town
A PUB that has won national recognition for its promotion of real ale is again the toast of local beer enthusiasts. The Beamish Mary Inn at No Place, near Stanley, was voted pub of the year by the County Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra
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Was TV detective in dales shoot-out?
REPORTS that one of television's most famous detectives has ditched the sandy beaches of Hawaii for the hills and heather of the North-East have been denied by the star's agent. As moustached private detective Magnum PI, Hollywood star Tom Selleck was
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Ladies shine at Ascot 'rehearsal'
THE champagne is flowing and fine-frocked women, a kaleidoscope of colour, congregate around the racecourse. It can only be Ladies' Day at York and, special as it always is, attracting the fashion-conscious from throughout the country, this year's is
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Stagecoach steps up challenge
A WAR broke out in the budget bus market last night as Stagecoach unveiled a 575 mile trip for less than the price of a cup of coffee and a newspaper. Stagecoach stepped up its challenge against the king of no-frills travel by launching ''Britain's cheapest
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Up at the crack of dawn
IT'S all very well beating Ukraine 3-0 in a meaningless friendly, but on Wednesday night they led us 5-0 in the gold medal table. Does that matter? Obviously not to BBC Radio Five Live, who rushed away from Pippa Funnell's attempt to win an individual
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Park calls for action after dramatic rise in cost of homes
ACTION is needed to create more affordable homes in the North York Moors National Park in the wake of a dramatic leap in property prices, a planning chief has warned. The cost of homes in the area has soared by 30pc in the last year. The average house
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Work under way on three restorations
RESTORATION work at three landmark churches is under way after the congregations helped to raise thousands of pounds. Two-and-a-half years ago, Trinity Methodist Church, in Norton, was destroyed by fire after an electrical fault in the organ. The minister
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Deadline fast approaching for Vibe Award nominations
PREPARATIONS for this year's Vibe Awards, celebrating the achievements of young people across Darlington, are in full swing - and there is still time to nominate. Dozens of youngsters have already been put forward for accolades recognising their courage
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Family and friends say goodbye to Helen
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular teenager who was found dead two weeks ago. Family and friends of Helen Archer, 18, packed St Philip and St James Church, in Tow Law, for her funeral this week. Helen grew up in Tow Law, but had moved to Newton Aycliffe
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Three arrests after two die in city crash
THREE men have been arrested over a city centre car crash in which two men died. The head-on crash happened shortly before 2pm on Wednesday, on the Great North Road, in Newcastle, near Barras Bridge. Three cars were involved in the collision and the drivers
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Group vows to fight post office closure
A SENIOR citizens group has launched a campaign to keep a threatened post office open. The Neville Parade branch, in Newton Aycliffe, is one of 11 in County Durham and Darlington that could be closed from November. The Post Office says the closure is
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Plea to find missing owl
A BIRD enthusiast has appealed for help to trace his missing barn owl. The nocturnal bird of prey disappeared from its owner's home in Seaham, County Durham, on Tuesday evening. It was still attached to its leash and the owner fears it may die if not
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Bell brothers take over at designer clothing store
THE family behind the Bells Stores convenience chain has bought a designer clothing store. Stephen Bell, chief executive of Bells Stores, and his brother, Peter, have taken over The House, in Yarm, Teesside, which is owned by lifestyle group Steel River
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Masons' gift takes appeal to £660,000
A SUMMER of successful fundraising has pushed a charity's appeal to new heights. A cheque for £1,000 from County Durham Freemasons is the latest in a steady steam of donations to the County Durham Macmillan appeal. The gift, from the Sunderland-based
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Life under canvas no longer an ordeal
WHEN Wynyard is mentioned, my first thought is never of Sir John Hall, of the top-lifestyle houses built there, or even of the day I swept up the wide drive to the hall itself in the family banger to interview the chef. Instead, it's of 1957 and sleeping
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TV star's off-the-field success
YESTERDAY'S results pushed Ashley Scott into the spotlight for the second time. The 18-year-old sports enthusiast, a pupil at Emmanuel College, in Gateshead, has already achieved fame as a finalist in the BBC television show Born To Win, where she demonstrated
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Trust cash boost to help cut sex diseases cases
AN NHS Trust has been successful in securing £540,000 funding to help fight the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust will receive £110,000 immediately from the Department of Health, £180,000 for each of
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Wellock's World: Up at the crack of dawn
IT'S all very well beating Ukraine 3-0 in a meaningless friendly, but on Wednesday night they led us 5-0 in the gold medal table. Does that matter? Obviously not to BBC Radio Five Live, who rushed away from Pippa Funnell's attempt to win an individual
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School sports pitch plan
A school in Darlington looks likely to get a sports pitch despite strong objection from local residents. The multi-use games area proposed for Whinfield Junior School will go before the town's planning committee on Wednesday. Planning officers have recommended
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Gypsy wants a home
A ROUGH-COATED lurcher is looking for a home after her owner had to give her up because he could no longer look after her. Voluntary rescuer Angela Taylor, who works with the North-East Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue charity, took in Gypsy, who is about
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'Tomb-stoning' boys resuced by coastguard
AN off-duty coastguard out for an evening stroll has saved two boys from drowning. A third boy was rescued by a surfer after the youngsters got into trouble trying to swim against the tide at Saltburn, east Cleveland. Skinningrove coastguard Paul Waugh
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Hats off to cycling success for Scouts
FUNERAL director Keith Rawlings is spearheading a Coast to Coast cycle challenge to boost the funds of a local scout troop. The 54-year-old keen cyclist will lead a party of 13 tackling the 134-mile trans-Pennine route over the Bank Holiday weekend. Mr
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Allison ready to set sail
CRUISE ship performer Allison McAreavey has landed her most exciting venture to date. The singer is preparing to board the Costa Magica for its inaugural journey to the Mediterranean. The 30-year-old, from Darlington, said: "It is the first inaugural
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N-E pass rates top national average
THE rush to grab remaining university places began in earnest yesterday as the region's A-level students yet again celebrated record pass rates. Durham University said it had received 1,500 calls in the first three hours that its clearing hotlines were
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Youngsters draw on their talents to create graffiti mural
YOUNGSTERS have been given free reign to create graffiti in a seaside town. The young artists have created a 16ft graffiti wall on the side of the Connexions' One Stop Shop, in Redcar, as part of a project helping them to put their talents to positive
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Farms failing safety checks
GOVERNMENT inspectors found nearly a third of farmers breaking health and safety regulations during recent farm visits. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited 100 farms in North Yorkshire in June and last month. They found defective ladders being
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Visitors have a muddy good day at rural show
NOT even the unseasonal weather could deter people eager to see a host of countryside events. Crowds flocked to the Pickering showground by the A169 to see sheep shearing displays, gun dogs, heavy horses and birds of prey. For shoppers, there were stalls
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Grants made to community
Robin Hood's Bay is to get £1,000 from the county council to fund a wireless Internet facility to improve neighbourhood security. It will also provide free networking and communication for businesses and indiviudals in Broadband Co-operative Limited.
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Opportunity to visit 'best-kept secrets'
DOZENS of properties across the Yorkshire Dales will be open to the public next month. The Heritage Opens Days 2004 initiative will see churches, museums, halls and gardens allowing free access between September 10 and 13. The event will celebrate architecture
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Work started to improve appearance of cemetery
WORK is being carried out to help improve the appearance of a cemetery. Hartlepool Borough Council's countryside wardens and volunteers have been tidying up the entrance to the Spion Kop Cemetery, which overlooks the North Sea near the town's Central
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In the wilderness
FEW technologies have affected our daily lives as much as the mobile phone. It has spawned a new way and language of communication and this week we report on our business page how one Northallerton restaurant is harnessing the power of the mobile phone
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Zoe to wed fellow Pop Idol star
NORTH-EAST Pop Idol Zoe Birkett is to walk down the aisle with second series finalist Mark Rhodes. The pair have become engaged after a four-month romance and will be the first reality TV pop stars to say "I Do". Nineteen-year-old Zoe, from Darlington
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Nothing wild west about this seriously good food
AFTER living around here for more than 20 years, there's a well-known hostelry in one of the most scenic areas of the Yorkshire Dales the doors of which I have never darkened. The reason for not trying the CB Inn in Arkengarthdale was really quite irrational
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Education director forecasts bright future for schools
A BUOYANT future for the county's schools has been predicted by the county's education boss, Cynthia Welbourn. In a report to the county council's executive on the Department of Education's five-year strategy for education, she said that it would benefit
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Campaigners fight PO closures plan
CAMPAIGNS are being launched to save post offices from being closed. The Post Office has revealed that offices in Marshall Terrace, Gilesgate Moor, and in Front Street, Nevilles Cross, are among 11 in the county that are facing the axe in November. The
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Copter rescues pair from vehicle stranded in river
TWO people had to be airlifted to safety after their four-wheel drive vehicle was swept downstream while attempting to ford a swollen river. An RAF helicopter had to winch the pair to safety when their vehicle got stuck while attempting to driver over
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Corner cupboard opens
A TEENAGE entrepreneur has brought city bar culture to a North Yorkshire market town. Katrina Shaw, 19, has opened Kat's Bar, in Rosemary Lane, Richmond, following a £75,000 refurbishment of the premises, formerly known as Rosie's Bar. She said: "I have
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Teams' tribute to tragic flier Andy
AN RAF regiment tackled the elements and a team of rugby players in a tribute to one of their comrades who died in a parachuting accident earlier this year. Despite rainstorms, members of RAF Squadron 34 and Bishop Auckland Rugby Club battled it out as
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Retail sales slowdown may delay further rate rises
THE first slowdown in retail sales in more than a year could reduce the likelihood of further interest rate rises, analysts predicted last night. Retail sales have slowed for the first time in more than a year after poor weather hit sales of clothing
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Putting a classic to the sword
SEVEN SAMURAI 20XX, Publisher: Sega, Platform: PS2, Price: £34.99. Family friendly? Lots of hack 'n slash action makes this a game for older children. JAPANESE film-maker Akira Kurosawa's classic The Seven Samurai has already provided the inspiration
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Pervert banned from the Internet
A CHILD porn addict was yesterday banned from using the Internet. Police may go into the home of Paul Hinchcliffe, 52, to make sure he has not broken the ban, which is a condition of his bail. Hinchcliffe, who admitted downloading 1,193 images of child
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Fine display by Wensleydale team
A BADMINTON team from Wensleydale School in Leyburn came very close to winning a county tournament recently. The under-15 girls' team narrowly lost 4-3 in Sheffield and assistant head of PE, David Rucker, described it as a remarkable achievement as the
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - The Spectator writes: Our old friend the Spanish prisoner with a fortune of £37,000 in an English bank, who mourns a dead wife who was an English lady, is now casting his languishing eyes towards Darlington. At any
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Keltie is searching for more
Darlington midfielder Clark Keltie is determined to see an improvement in his game this season, as he aims a repeat of the performances that earned him rave reviews when he broke into the side two years ago. Mick Tait gave him a chance in 2002 and Keltie
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Return of an actor who scandalised a town
NOTORIOUS Georgian actor Edmund Kean will return to the Richmond stage after nearly 200 years in a drama which charts his rise to fame. Kean made his London debut in 1814 and, five years later, gave a sensational performance at Richmond's theatre. His
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Group's appeal to Lotto rapist
Campaigners have written a letter to National Lottery sex offender Iorworth Hoare asking him for £1m of his winnings to fund a new rape crisis centre. Tees Valley Sexual Violence Forum has contacted the convicted rapist to donate some of his £7m windfall
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Chance of fame for next big thing
MUSIC fans will soon have their say in selecting the next big thing in a competition run by The Northern Echo. Online voting will begin on Saturday to pick the four finalists in the Big Chance music contest. The competition, run by music website Revolution
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Fury as Customs swoop on booze
Half the stock from a floating off-licence was seized by Customs last night when owner Philip Berriman refused to meet a 24-hour deadline to put it into storage. Mr Berriman is now planning to sue the Government because he claims they have illegally impounded
