Archive
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Audience will be in the mood
CLASSIC swing sounds of the 1940s will be heard in Durham City at a concert to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Glenn Miller's birthday. The Sounds Of The Glenn Miller Era, featuring the Nick Ross Orchestra, will be staged at the Gala Theatre on Friday
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Fire dog detective helps force
The use of dogs by fire brigades has been hailed as a success. A Northumberland hound sniffed out suspected petrol bombers. Phoenix and handler Dave Myers were called in to help Durham Police after one of their vans was firebombed. Three officers and
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Eating Owt
ONE of the proper restaurant critics was asked in a Sunday magazine questionnaire the other weekend how many times he'd suffered food poisoning in the selfless line of duty. Three or four, he supposed, and clearly must have had a pretty unfortunate shift
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£4.3m grant for Thomas Swan
A FORMER road building company based in a remote village cemented its reputation as a world leader in chemical technology yesterday. The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) has awarded grants totalling more than £4.3m to Thomas Swan, based in the
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Action promised to end flooding nuisance
COUNCIL officials have finally promised to take action over a problem drain. The blockage causes the busy Woodland Road in Darlington to flood, and has caused misery for pedestrians and bus passengers for several years. The water quickly pools after heavy
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Fairtrade status bid to aid poor producers
DARLINGTON is to help sustainable development in the developing world by becoming a Fairtrade town. To achieve the status Darlington Borough Council must prove it supports and promotes Fairtrade, right down to councillor's cups of coffee. Fairtrade helps
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MG Rover rejects talk of a takeover
TROUBLED UK car maker MG Rover last night denied it was a takeover target for China's largest passenger car-maker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). MG Rover has signed a technology sharing agreement with the Chinese company, but chairman
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Town's facilities for youth debated
AN update on youth facilities in the Darlington area is to be discussed next week. Members of Darlington Borough Council's public protection and community partnerships scrutiny committee will discuss youth pod provision in the town. The youth pods are
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Vintage parade in aid of charities
THERE will be a vintage car rally in Darlington over the bank holiday to raise money for charity. St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, and NCH charities, will benefit from the display of cars in Grange Road. On Saturday, a number of retailers in the road
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Community cleaning initiative
VOLUNTEERS have been cleaning up their neighbourhoods with community litter picks. Residents of three areas plagued by illegal dumping joined forces to combat the problem of littering. They concentrated on woodland at South Dene, Willington, and Dene
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Cashpoint bid welcomed
VILLAGERS were delighted yesterday when their only bank made a formal move to install its first cash point. Barclays applied for planning consent from Teesdale District Council to have the machine fitted at its branch in Middleton-in-Teesdale. The next
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Top mark for teacher's scarecrow
TEACHER Janet Dalton is no dunce when it comes to creating scarecrows. Her creative efforts also helped to raise hundreds of pounds to keep alive the 135-year-old St John's Chapel Agricultural Show, taking place on Saturday. Mrs Dalton's scarecrow, based
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Nursing your features
Jenny Needham reports on a skincare clinic which will appeal to those wanting something a bit more extreme than a facial, or those with serious skin problems. IT'S not a beauty salon. It's not a chemist. Nor is it, strictly speaking, a clinic. Lasercare
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Man drowned in river after leaving nightspot
A 54-YEAR-OLD man found floating in the River Tees died as a result of drowning, a coroners' court heard. Andrew Thomas, of Elmwood, Eaglescliffe, disappeared following a night out that ended in the Keys nightspot, in Yarm. He left the pub at about 1.30am
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Call for review of speed decision
RESIDENTS have lodged an official complaint after councillors refused to introduce a lower speed limit on the road that divides their village. People in Chester Moor, near Chester-le-Street, have complained to Durham County Council about its highways
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If you can't stand the heat...
She was the golden girl of British athletics and carried a nation's hopes on her shoulders, but it all ended in tears. Nick Morrison looks at how the burden of expectation left its mark on the most talented distance runner of her generation. IT shouldn't
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Villagers go back to the future for show
VILLAGERS are planning a performance to celebrate the history and culture of their former mining community. Residents in Craghead, near Stanley, are working on a show incorporating live theatre, video, poetry and music. The piece, still in the early stages
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People choose favourite films
THE top five films among North-East people are Breakfast at Tiffany's, Gladiator, Grease, Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Shawshank Redemption, according to a poll. People are now being asked to vote for their favourite out of the five, at www.visitnewcastlegateshead.com
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Rural schools support pledge
SMALL rural schools have been given a pledge of support to help them face up to the problems their size and isolation causes. The important role they continue to play has been endorsed in a study carried out by a working group set up by North Yorkshire
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Teenagers to explore history in community project
YOUNG people are exploring their town's past in a heritage project. Chester-le-Street Youth Centre has been awarded £23,000 through the Young Roots scheme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The cash will go on a 16-month education project
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Game on for workers after smart thinking saves croquet lawn
WORKMEN downed tools to sip champagne and indulge in a game of croquet with the approval of their boss. The team from contractors Laing O'Rourke was relining underground pipes for Yorkshire Water, at Irton Manor, near Scarborough. However, at first it
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Car park scheme a success - honest
A MARKET town has been impressed by the honesty and generosity of drivers. Earlier this year, the parish council at Masham, near Ripon, installed honesty parking boxes, suggesting a 50p fee to park on the Market Place. The contributions have amazed the
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Speed cameras credited as injury accidents decrease
SERIOUS injury accidents have been halved since the introduction of roadside speed cameras across Teesside four years ago. Accidents have fallen by 63 per cent in Stockton, 56 per cent in Hartlepool, 53 per cent in east Cleveland and 36 per cent in Middlesbrough
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Teenage mother lied about being raped
A teenage single mother who lied about being raped was yesterday sentenced to six months' detention. Carli Purvis' lies led to 23-year-old nurse Toby Cullen being questioned by police over the sex attack. The 18-year-old lied to her boyfriend to cover
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Views sought on anti-social behaviour
A SERIES of roadshows have been organised to help people play a role in tackling incidents of anti-social behaviour. Information days will be held in Ryedale next month to assess communities' concerns, improve people's understanding and suggest how to
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Guidelines map out housing areas' future
DRAFT planning guidelines for the proposed redevelopment of part of Hartlepool have been published. Hartlepool Borough Council has drawn up the guidance for housing in the Mildred, Mayfair and Carr Street areas, which were identified for demolition in
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Olympians support helmet campaign
TWO of Britain's Olympic cycling team are encouraging youngsters to wear a cycling helmet. In the North-East and North Yorkshire, 51 child cyclists were killed or seriously injured in 2003, out of a total of 359 casualties. Olympic stars Nicole Cooke
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Anniversary celebration
AN organisation set up to help out-of-school clubs in County Durham has celebrated an an anniversary. Coxhoe-based Tarka was set up five years ago to offer support to the 100 after-school clubs set up in the county over the past ten years. Staff from
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Young actors plan village fright night
A GROUP of youngsters hope to scare the living daylights out of people later this week. Young people from East Harlsey, near Northallerton, are staging their own show at the village hall on Thursday night. The Haunting of Harlsey is based on a 19th-Century
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Woman alleges rape as she slept
A WOMAN was raped after falling asleep at a house party following a night out at a club, a court heard yesterday. The 20-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, woke to find George Abrue, 22, lying on top of her having sex. Newcastle Crown Court
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Forty arrests at nuclear base protest
More than 40 people, including four members of the Scottish Parliament, were arrested during a protest at the home of Britain's nuclear deterrent yesterday. Green Party MSPs Mark Ballard and Patrick Harvie and Scottish Socialist Party MSPs Rosie Kane
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Addict died trying to kick drug habit
AN addict who tried to kick his drugs habit died after taking a cocktail of heroin and diazepam, an inquest heard. Unemployed engineer Ian Pretty, 31, was found dead on the floor of a house in Fountains Court, New Skelton, near Saltburn, east Cleveland
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Force set to meet need for more front-line officers
Extra 'panda' car drivers are to be trained to meet a police force's expected need for more front-line officers. Police chiefs in Durham plan to invest in a training programme to produce 120 qualified drivers a year, 40 more than are now taking to the
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Sale of land for housing could fund village plans
COUNCIL land is to be sold off to raise money for regeneration in villages surrounding Durham. The Liberal Democrat city council is setting up a community fund to finance a series of projects. It will also support schemes that benefit the whole district
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Reservoir day promises fun for everyone
AN environmental fun day will take place on the banks of Derwent Reservoir on Bank Holiday Monday. The event, staged by Durham County Council, takes place at Pow Hill Country Park, near Edmundbyers, starting at 12.30pm. Members of the Children's Network
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Young cyclists start Coast to Coast ride
SEVEN teenagers took to their bikes yesterday to cycle 140 miles in a Coast to Coast challenge. The Peterlee youngsters, aged between 13 and 16, set off accompanied by staff from the Easington Youth Inclusion Pro- gramme (YIP), which is part of County
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Deluge continues to spell misery
THE rain has continued to cause misery for North-East homeowners. Chester-le-Street and Durham were put on flood watch by the Environment Agency yesterday after forecasters predicted the miserable weather would continue until Thursday, with more torrential
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Spanish takeover of Abbey would cost up to 3,000 jobs
AS many as 3,000 jobs will be lost at Abbey if the UK bank's takeover by Spain's Santander Central Hispano (SCH) goes ahead. The proposed redundancies - fewer than some reports had forecast - would save £304.8m in the three years following completion
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Swansong for Jem of a boxer
Jem Mace was variously described as the last genius of prize fighting and as the father of modern boxing. What, he, Bulldog Billy Teesdale and the Backtrack column may have in common is that we've all been known to enjoy a pint at the White Swan in Evenwood
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Show date set for calendar launch
COMPETITION entrants are to see their works of art in print. The calendar, featuring work from competitors in the art and photography competition held at the Dales Festival of Food and Drink in Leyburn earlier this year, will be launched at next Saturday's
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TV channel gets animated about ministry
A CARTOON featuring God and the Devil as company directors battling it out for corporate success has attracted interest from Channel 4 television. The Ministry was devised by My Team Animation, of Newcastle, which said it has had thousands of hits since
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Tories in pledge to review 'compensation culture' act
The Conservative Party is to set up a commission to review the Human Rights Act, shadow home secretary David Davis announced yesterday. The Act has given rise to too many spurious rights and fuelled a compensation culture that was out of all sense of
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Sacked N-E steelworkers picket Wembley Stadium
SACKED Cleveland Bridge workers picketed the gates of the Wembley Stadium development yesterday. The action, by 250 workers, was in protest against Hollandia/Fast Track, the company that took over fabrication work on the national football stadium when
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Investors spurred by sporting success
THE country's sporting success can have a direct impact on the investment decisions people make, research has found. Insurance group Prudential said 17 per cent of independent financial advisors reported their clients were more willing to take on risk
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£67m crime-fighting cash lost to pensions
MILLIONS of pounds earmarked for fighting crime in the region are being spent on pension payments for retired police officers, it was revealed last night. Home Office figures show £67m of police authority budgets in the North-East and North Yorkshire
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Northerners saving more
People in the North are saving more than those in the South despite being on lower incomes, research has showed. Northerners saved an average of £84 a month during the three months to the end of June, compared with the £66 southerners set aside, according
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Loss of Forest record spoils Cooper landmark
COLIN Cooper might have etched his name into the Middlesbrough history books on Sunday, but the veteran centre-half is devastated that he was unable to prevent former club Nottingham Forest from disappearing from the annals of the game. Injuries to Gareth
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Sewage devastates homes as beck bursts its banks
SIX families had to throw out carpets and furniture worth thousands of pounds yesterday after flash floods caused devastation in their homes. Most had to move to emergency accommodation after water and sewage more than a foot deep swept through houses
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Confessions of a well-bred slob
Osla Henniker-Major, a self-confessed slob, is taken to task by clean queens Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie in a new series, Too Posh To Wash. She shares her grimy secrets with Sarah Foster. I ARRIVE at Osla's parents' home, an old farmhouse in Chilton
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MG Rover rejects talk of a takeover
TROUBLED UK car maker MG Rover last night denied it was a takeover target for China's largest passenger car-maker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). MG Rover has signed a technology sharing agreement with the Chinese company, but chairman
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After the agony, it's ecstasy
Kelly Holmes put the smile back on the face of British sports fans last night after winning gold in the Olympic's 800 metres in a thrilling race. The 34-year-old from Kent battled hard round the final bend to take the lead inside the last ten metres and
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Loss of Forest record spoils Cooper landmark
COLIN Cooper might have etched his name into the Middlesbrough history books on Sunday, but the veteran centre-half is devastated that he was unable to prevent former club Nottingham Forest from disappearing from the annals of the game. Injuries to Gareth
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Tykes award Vaughan benefit
England captain, Michael Vaughan, has been awarded a benefit season next year by Yorkshire and it should net him a record amount of cash for a White Rose player, writes David Warner. News of Vaughan's benefit was confirmed by Yorkshire's director of operations
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Warning after gull is shot
THE RSPCA has warned that people shooting seagulls in a North-East town will be prosecuted. A gull was shot in the Highfield area of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, a week ago, following a spate of attacks on birds in the Falsgrave area of the town in July
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British Gas to increase energy prices
British Gas is putting up its gas and electricity prices for domestic users. The cost of gas will rise by 12.4% and the cost of electricity will rise by 9.4%, the company said. The new prices take effect from 20 September and are expected to add an extra
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Caravan families stunned by death
A PENSIONER who died after falling into a shallow duck pond yards from his holiday home was last night named as George Beattie. The body of the 69-year-old was found by police at Greenlake Caravan Park, in Crimdon, near Peterlee, east Durham, in the early
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Comment from the Northern Echo: Human rights and reality
TEARING into the Human Rights Act and the so-called 'compensation culture' may be a populist move for the Conservative Party. In the more privileged and prosperous sections of the nation these are deemed to be serious political issues. However, for the
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£67m crime-fighting cash lost to pensions
MILLIONS of pounds earmarked for fighting crime in the region are being spent on pension payments for retired police officers, it was revealed last night. Home Office figures show £67m of police authority budgets in the North-East and North Yorkshire
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Axe hangs over Home Doors GB
FEARS were growing last night for more than 300 factory jobs after receivers closed its sister company. Home Doors GB, in Peterlee, County Durham, is a subsidiary of West Midlands-based BHD, which went into receivership earlier this month. All BHD's subsidiaries
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Persimmon posts profit increase
THE ongoing housing boom helped housebuilder Persimmon post a 45 per cent rise in half yearly pre-tax profits to £220.3m. The York group, which employs 600 staff in the North-East, said its large land bank, relatively low average selling price and excellent
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Park life for little ones
A visit to a park is an inexpensive and fun way to enjoy the last days of summer. Nicola Cutler and her two-year-old son Aidan sample some of the region's finest. Finding something to amuse the children at the end of the long, summer holiday isn't always
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Pony with bags of personality
NO ONE could call Jaffa the pony a dumb animal - for when it comes to personality he is full of it. In fact the cheeky little chestnut has so much character that he's just been named as the northern finalist in the national Cuddly Pony of the Year competition
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Swansong for Jem of a boxer
Jem Mace was variously described as the last genius of prize fighting and as the father of modern boxing. What, he, Bulldog Billy Teesdale and the Backtrack column may have in common is that we've all been known to enjoy a pint at the White Swan in Evenwood
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Conlon's exit is still hitting hard
WHEN striker Barry Conlon left Darlington for Barnsley in the summer few would have anticipated the problems manager David Hodgson would encounter, finding a suitable replacement. But the departure of Conlon, who agreed terms on a move to South Yorkshire
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Scared of my own message
'BE afraid: be very afraid!" That was a trailer for a horror movie back in the 1970s. But recent events in the real world have made it a motto for all of us. I refer specifically to the United States government's decision to withdraw 70,000 of its troops
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TVreview
Bad Girls (ITV1) SCREW Jim Fenner was fondling Karen's bra, something I wouldn't normally mention as this randy women's prison officer seems to think that having sexual relations with the inmates is part of his job description. But on this occasion Karen
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Youth who drowned is named
The youth who died in a weekend tragedy at a renowned beauty spot has now been formally identified as 17-year-old Darren Ian Dey. The teenager, who lived in Coulson Close, Yarm, died on Sunday after getting into difficulties while swimming in the Cod
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Bottling company reaches for Europe
A BOTTLING company has expanded in Europe by winning 12 orders in the past 18 months. Axis, of Eaglescliffe, Teesside, has seen turnover increase by £400,000 after finding customers in Germany, France and Spain. The recent export success is a long way
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Learning at a snail's pace as children get close no nature
CHILDREN on a North-East estate came face-to-face with some exotic creepy crawlies yesterday. The youngsters, who live on Skerne Park, in Darlington, got to touch and hold creatures from Zoolab, a travelling exhibition that educates children about animals
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Proud day for Alison's family
THE family of North Yorkshire Olympic medal winner Alison Mowbray have told of their pride and delight. The Richmond rower won silver along with crew-mates Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Rebecca Romero, in the women's quadruple sculls on Sunday. The
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Magpies' £20m bid for Rooney rejected
NEWCASTLE United are planning their next move this morning after Everton turned down a club record £20m bid for England sensation Wayne Rooney. The Magpies tabled the incredible offer for the 18-year-old last night as the board attempted to appease fans
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Job Search: Vacancies
Cleaner, £5ph, Mon-Fri 6am-8.30am. Must be 18-plus. Full training given, to work for contract cleaning company. Ref: DAE 40615. Site joiner, £10ph, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Must be time-served. Own transport preferred. Ref: DAE 40970. Electrician, exceeds NMW
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Family's seat tribute a year after soldier's death
THE family of a military police officer murdered in Iraq have paid tribute to him on the first anniversary of his death. Warrant Officer Colin Wall, of Middleton One Row, near Darlington, was killed on August 23, last year, after the 4x4 vehicle he was
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Riyadh ready for change of fortune
RIYADH, cruelly beaten in a pair of nail-biting photo-finishes on two of his last three outings, is fancied to finally get his head back in front at Yarmouth today. Despite a reputation for failing to knuckle down when the going gets tough, Riyadh (4.45
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Salmonella outbreak victim is back home
A RETIRED lorry driver who needed a lifesaving operation after falling victim to salmonella returned home last night. Father-of-four Brian Hume, 66, of Flint Hill, near Stanley, County Durham, was one of more than 100 confirmed cases of the bug that is
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Charity's concern over those in poverty
A CHARITY has found that 3.8 million professionals, including some in the North-East, are living below the poverty line. In a survey of 10,000 adults, of whom 600 were from the region, the Elizabeth Finn Trust found that people such as teachers, nurses
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Heritage centre to show images from across county in exhibition
A SMALL museum in the shadow of a World Heritage site hopes its latest exhibition will draw visitors from its larger neighbour. Durham Heritage Centre, in the former St Mary-le-Bow Church, looks across North Bailey to the Great Rose Window, high above
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Patients benefit from US idea
HEALTH bosses in the region believe they may have the answer to a problem which is costing the NHS £162m a year. Nationally, nearly nine million GP sessions are missed by patients who fail to keep their appointments. But health bosses in Darlington say
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Traffic moves celebrated
A STREET party is to be held on a Darlington estate to celebrate traffic-calming measures. Firthmoor resident Bill Cook will open the scheme during a street party to celebrate the Home Zone, which is the first of its kind in the town. Home Zones create
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Age Concern unveils new look cafe
A NEW look caf will open for the first time today at Age Concern Darlington. The Cafe 50 Plus opens after a period of refurbishment and will initially open from 10am to 2pm. It will serve tea, coffee, teacakes and scones until noon, and after mid-day
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Villagers go back to the future for show
VILLAGERS are planning a performance to celebrate the history and culture of their former mining community. Residents in Craghead, near Stanley, are working on a show incorporating live theatre, video, poetry and music. The piece, still in the early stages
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Employers urged to join in walk to school campaign
EMPLOYERS in Darlington are being urged to give staff extra time to walk their children to school as part of a campaign to increase fitness levels. Darlington Primary Care Trust and Darlington Borough Council's road safety team are encouraging people
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Banner festival gets underway
The third annual Teesdale banner festival starts on Saturday. Forty colourful banners will be draped on buildings in Barnard Castle and 48 displayed at tourists sites at High Force, Low Force, Langdon Beck and Raby Castle. The banners, produced by children
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Patients gain health expertise
PATIENTS who have taken part in a course to help them manage their illnesses attended a celebration event. About 20 members of the Sedgefield Expert Patient Programme were awarded certificates for completing the course. Gloria Wills, acting chairwoman
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Planning wrangle over care home
A HOUSE that is being converted into a children's home could be prevented from being used until planning permission has been granted. Castlebeck Care (Teesdale) Limited is converting a house in Dene Grove, Darlington, to a care home for 12 to 17-year-
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Escapers' boost for hospice
SUPERMARKET fundraisers have turned £5 into a £700 gift to hospice patients. Diane Wilson and John Bowman travelled to Turkey to win a Great Escape competition run by the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland. With £5 between them when the set off from
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Mixed fortunes for shops applications
APPLICATIONS from two food shops to move premises in Ferryhill met with mixed fortunes. Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee discussed the change of use applications for premises next to each other in Darlington Road. The owner of
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Residents to have say on play park location
PEOPLE are being asked to choose the location of a new children's play park. Residents have been given the opportunity to vote for one of four options as part of a scheme to regenerate Burn Valley Gardens, in Hartlepool. Anyone with an interest in the
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Arsonists kill chickens in allotment fire
ARSONISTS are believed to have started the fire that swept across allotments, killing dozens of animals and causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage. The charred carcasses of more than 50 chickens were uncovered among the debris by firefighters. Greenhouses
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Beer festival set to be event of the decade
BEER enthusiasts will help a brewery celebrate when they gather at a popular real ale festival next month. The Durham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) will hold its 24th festival at Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, between Thursday, September
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Witness call
ACCIDENT investigators are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital at the weekend. Kris Coley, 23, of Shildon, came off his silver Suzuki 1000SV bike on Eldon Bank, near Shildon, on Saturday morning. He was taken to James
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Police probe
POLICE set up a mobile investigation unit on Wolsingham recreation ground yesterday after reports that a teenage girl had been assaulted at the weekend. The girl needed hospital treatment for a foot injury after an alleged incident on Saturday night and
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New library proposed for community
A PERMANENT library service could be created in Coundon. Durham County Council hopes to improve services to the village after its trailer library was withdrawn last year. Since then the community has been served by a mobile library, but the council is
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Shortage of foster parents revealed
THE North-East suffers from one of the largest shortages of foster carers in the country, a survey has revealed. Prepared by the Fostering Network, the report shows a shortage of 1,300 foster parents across the region. Since the organisation's last survey
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Young actors plan village fright night
A GROUP of youngsters hope to scare the living daylights out of people later this week. Young people from East Harlsey, near Northallerton, are staging their own show at the village hall on Thursday night. The Haunting of Harlsey is based on a 19th-Century
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Asian theme for concert
MUSICIANS from around the world will perform in Durham City later this week. The concert, at 11.15am on Friday, in St Nicholas Church in the Market Place, will feature performances by women from China, Thailand, Malaysia and elsewhere in Asia, all now
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Standard Life buys office development
AN office development in the region has been sold for more than £15m. Scarborough Property Company, which has owned Dunedin House, at Teesdale Business Park, Stockton, for ten years, sold it to Standard Life Investments for £15.45m. Although Scarborough
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Small is beautiful as school review pledges more help
SMALL rural schools in North Yorkshire have received a pledge of support to help them face up to problems caused by their size and isolation. The important role they play in communities has been endorsed in a study carried out by a working group set up
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Vote delay means council can relocate
THE postponement of the Yorkshire Regional Assembly referendum could see a council pressing ahead with plans to relocate. Richmondshire District Council had put a proposed move of offices from Richmond to Colburn on hold until after any local government
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University unit re-named after tragic professor
AN academic who died when she was dragged beneath a revolving walkway is to have a permanent memorial to her work. The Social Policy Research Unit, at York University, will next month be re-named in honour of Professor Sally Baldwin. Through her research
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Certificates are proof of patients' expertise
PATIENTS who have taken part in a course to help them manage their illnesses attended a celebration event. About 20 members of the Sedgefield Expert Patient Programme were awarded certificates for completing the course. Gloria Wills, acting chairwoman
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Confessions of a well-bred slob
Osla Henniker-Major, a self-confessed slob, is taken to task by clean queens Kim Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie in a new series, Too Posh To Wash. She shares her grimy secrets with Sarah Foster. I ARRIVE at Osla's parents' home, an old farmhouse in Chilton
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Hole in bridge caused by car crash
THE mystery of a how a 6ft hole appeared in a bridge appears to have been solved by readers of The Northern Echo. On Friday, it was reported that Yarm Bridge, over the River Tees, was closed to pedestrians after a large hole appeared the previous weekend
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Job Search: Vacancies
Factory assembly operative, Stanley. £5.50ph, 40 hpw, Mon-Fri, shifts. Previous experience in the basic use of hand tools is advantageous. Duties include the assembly of small manufactured items. Ref: STG 17217. MIG welder, Stanley. £6.13ph, 40hpw, Mon-Fri
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Firm chosen for hospital extension
THE company chosen to design and build an £8.7m extension to one of the region's hospitals has been named. Kier Northern, based in West Cornforth, County Durham, has been chosen to build the extension to Sunderland Royal Hospital. Among the company's
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MP hits out at export of jobs
A LABOUR MP said he was outraged by a major employer's decision to outsource clerical work to India. Durham MP Gerry Steinberg, who is retiring at the next election, backed Siemens Business Service's bid to run the National Savings and Investments complex
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Teenager to face court over shooting
A TEENAGE boy has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm after an incident in which a canoeist was shot in the eye with an air weapon. The 13-year-old boy has been bailed to appear before Tynedale Youth Court, in Northumberland, on September 6
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Economic growth expected to peak
Economic growth will peak in the final three months of this year before falling to more normal levels next year, research has suggested. The NTC Leading Indicator, a gauge of recent statistics to provide a longer term forecast on the UK economy, was 99.6
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Reject home scheme, say planners
PLANS to pull down a semi-detached cottage and replace it with a four-bedroomed home should be rejected, planning chiefs have said. The plan, for North End, Skelton-on-Ure, near Ripon, would create a property of 120 square metres as opposed to the current
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Region's homebuyers paying more stamp duty
Homebuyers in the North-East are paying up to £1,275 more in stamp duty than when Labour came to power because it is used as a "stealth" tax, it was claimed today. Families struggling to get on the housing ladder are punished by the government's failure
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Juninho delay
JUNINHO'S proposed move to Celtic is still on the cards despite a delay in the transfer, writes Paul Fraser. The Middlesbrough midfielder's advisor, Jonathan Hassall, confirmed the player held more talks with the Riverside's board yesterday in an attempt
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Getting to bones of anthropological issues
SIXTH-formers from across the region were yesterday given the rare chance to examine the cast of a three-and-a-half million year-old skull of early man. The year 12 pupils are taking part in a summer school organised by Durham University to give teenagers
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Firm fined after man has leg trapped under roller
A COMPANY has been fined £14,000 after a worker's leg was crushed beneath a three-and-a-half tonne weight. Chrome producer Elementis Chromium, which was twice given a Queen's Award for enterprise and export, was also ordered to pay £5,510 costs by Teesside
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Carl helps keep the Red Arrows in air after move
A NORTH-EAST serviceman has joined one of the most famous flying teams in the world in time for its 40th anniversary celebrations. Royal Air Force technician Carl English, from Wearhead, County Durham, has become a member of the team that services and
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Man is found unconscious after attack
A MAN was in a critical condition with severe head injuries after he was beaten unconscious. Police believe the 33-year-old was assaulted before he was left unconscious in Stockton High Street, shortly before 1am yesterday. The man was taken to the James
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24/08/04
BRITISH SPORT: I DO worry about the British attitude to sport. It seems to rely totally on success, regardless of any factors which affect a fair result. Paula Radcliffe was never going to win Sunday's marathon; the heat and the course were best suited
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North-East men win
The North-East won the senior men's trophy in Sunday's North of England Inter Counties Championships at Cudworth. Gateshead Harrier Kieron Flannery, the North-East champion, won the 400m hurdles in 56.68 secs, John Stacey took the pole vault gold (3.30m
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Smoking ban at £2.5m bus station
BUS chiefs have imposed a smoking ban in part of a town's showpiece bus station. They have introduced the no smoking zone around the information kiosk at the station in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, an area dubbed Clapham Junction. It is close to a busy
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Nerve gas volunteer 'victim of uncontrollable danger'
AN airman from the North-East who died in secret nerve gas tests more that 50 years ago had been exposed to "uncontrollable danger", according to an unpublished report, an inquest heard yesterday. The hearing into the death of Ronald Maddison in 1950s
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Confessionsofawell-bredslob
I ARRIVE at Osla's parents' home, an old farmhouse in Chilton, County Durham, to receive some surprising news. Osla, her mother Sally tells me, is in the shower, making herself presentable for me and the photographer. Perhaps it's all a ruse, I think,
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Plumbing the depths of prison melodrama
Bad Girls (ITV1): SCREW Jim Fenner was fondling Karen's bra, something I wouldn't normally mention as this randy women's prison officer seems to think that having sexual relations with the inmates is part of his job description. But on this occasion Karen
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More movie soundtracks used at funerals
BEREAVED families in the region are increasingly turning to movie soundtracks to help them say goodbye to loved ones. According to the North Eastern and Cumbrian Co-operative Funeral Service, more people are trying to personalise funeral services by ignoring
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Catch of the day
The column samples seafood at Seaton Carew before visiting the fascinating industrial landscape of Cockfield Fell. ONE of the proper restaurant critics was asked in a Sunday magazine questionnaire the other weekend how many times he'd suffered food poisoning
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Restaurants hit by chefs shortage
HARD work and unsociable hours has led to a shortage of chefs which could plunge the region's restaurant trade into crisis. One restaurant, Sam's, in Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, was forced to close for two weeks because of a lack of staff. Barry Dowson
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Riyadh ready
RIYADH, cruelly beaten in a pair of nail-biting photo-finishes on two of his last three outings, is fancied to finally get his head back in front at Yarmouth today. Despite a reputation for failing to knuckle down when the going gets tough, Riyadh (4.45
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Phone boxes face axe
Public telephone boxes 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 not paying their way. The number of calls
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Seve Trophy a big coup for Wynyard
EUROPE'S top golfers will be heading to the North-East next summer after the Wynyard Golf Club was given the honour of hosting the acclaimed Seve Trophy. The four-day Ryder Cup style event will see the best from Great Britain & Ireland battle it out
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Fitting career that has lasted for 65 years
DENNIS Franklin loves his job at a shoe shop so much that he has been there for 65 years. The 80-year-old could have retired years ago, but says he has no plans to leave F Robinsons shoe shop, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in the near future. Mr
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The show must go on despite theft of cameras
A 15-YEAR-OLD screenwriter has been forced to study the older craft of writing for the stage after the theft of cameras scuppered a planned production. Russell Grey, from Stockton, originally wrote his screenplay to take advantage of The Stockton Arc
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Sale of the £40m firm that began in a shed
TWO golf enthusiasts who started a business in a shed bought for £36 in the late 1970s yesterday sold their venture for £40m. Howard Bilton and Tony Norton founded the American Golf Discount store chain in humble surroundings at Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf
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Girls hurt as mob goes on rampage
THREE youths were arrested after a disturbance which resulted in two teenage girls being taken to hospital. Trouble flared late last Friday when a gang of about 50 youngsters left a trail of damage in the centre of Great Ayton, North Yorkshire. A number
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McCarthy keeps faith with Myhre
THOMAS MYHRE will complete a remarkable turnaround in fortunes with Sunderland tonight by retaining his place, despite the return to fitness of Mart Poom. Poom will be involved in the squad that takes on the side propping up the whole of the Football
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£4.3m grant for Thomas Swan
A FORMER road building company based in a remote village cemented its reputation as a world leader in chemical technology yesterday. The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) has awarded grants totalling more than £4.3m to Thomas Swan, based in the
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Durham close net on Hussey
DURHAM hope to make an announcement next week about one of their overseas players for next season and the odds are shortening on it being Michael Hussey. The former Australia A and Northamptonshire captain fits Durham's requirements perfectly, except
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Eating Owt: Catch of the day
The column samples seafood at Seaton Carew before visiting the fascinating industrial landscape of Cockfield Fell. ONE of the proper restaurant critics was asked in a Sunday magazine questionnaire the other weekend how many times he'd suffered food poisoning
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Framed man is cleared of robbery
A MAN who told a jury he was framed for an armed raid on a post office walked free from court yesterday. The jury took only half an hour to accept Alan Harrison's story that he was not the gunman in a balaclava who left empty-handed after terrorising
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Girls hurt as mob goes on rampage
THREE youths were arrested after a disturbance which resulted in two teenage girls being taken to hospital. Trouble flared late last Friday when a gang of about 50 youngsters left a trail of damage in the centre of Great Ayton, North Yorkshire. A number
