Archive
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Beware the Ides of March
NEVER mind the Ides of March - Newcastle's new manager should beware the end of August. When Sir Bobby Robson was sacked yesterday, he became the third successive Magpies boss to be relieved of his duties in the final week of the month. Kenny Dalglish
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Canadian senator backs Echo's appeal for memorial to war hero
A CANADIAN senator, whose brother was a member of Second World War airman Andrew Mynarski's crew, has backed The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal. William Kelly's brother, Jim, was the last surviving crew member of the fateful flight from the Royal
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Dog is firebomb hero
A FIRE dog has been praised after it was called in to sniff out suspected petrol bombers. Durham Police called in Phoenix and handler Dave Myers, of Northumberland Fire and Rescue's Arson Task Force, after one of their vans was firebombed. Two home-made
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New chancellor sought for Durham University
A list of more than 500 names has been suggested to fill one of the most prestigious posts in the academic world. Nominations close tomorrow (Tuesday) in the search for a new chancellor of Durham University to succeed actor Sir Peter Ustinov - who died
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Your starter for a university challenge
Breaking news: students leave university in debt. It may not be scoop of the year, but The Push Guide to Money has calculated the average student debt to be £11,830. To make things worse, they also reckon the average price of a pint in a union bar has
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Councils spurn anti-social behaviour orders
Council leaders in large parts of the region are spurning controversial orders designed to crack down on local louts, new figures show. Six local authorities in the North-East and a further four in North Yorkshire failed to obtain a single anti-social
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Man drowns in river despite friends' desperate rescue bid
A MAN drowned as he attempted to swim across the River Tees yesterday - despite the desperate efforts of two friends to save him. They were unable to reach the man, in his early 20s, and a major operation was launched, involving a helicopter and rescue
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Service that will keep Jessops in the picture
JESSOPS has unveiled a new weapon in the battle to remain a major force in the digitally-driven photographic industry. The photographic retailer has started a joint venture with Pixology, a supplier of digital photography software and networks, to offer
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Now I can be a fan again, says Robson
A campaign has been launched to save the last remaining building which formed part of what was once Europe's largest mental institution. Much of the former Winterton Hospital at Sedgefield, County Durham, has already been developed to make way for housing
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Plans to expand quarry draw criticism
Plans to expand a quarry near an ancient monument have been likened to 'dropping Stonehenge into the River Avon'. The comment comes from archaeologists backing protestors fighting the expansion of Nosterfield Quarry, close to Thornborough Henges, near
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MEP hits out at speed cameras as force hands over £3.2m in fines
THE Government collected £3.2m as a result of fines paid by motorists trapped by speed cameras in the North-East's biggest police force area, a report has revealed. The Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership's first annual report showed that more than
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Carry on Kenneth
Actor Stephen Matthews is taking to the stage as his idol Kenneth Williams. He talks to Steve Pratt. STEPHEN Matthews is reluctant to say he's doing an impression of Kenneth Williams in the play that opens Harrogate Theatre's new season. He doesn't want
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Drink-driver sent to jail after crash kills teenager
A DRINK-DRIVER who killed his teenage passenger when he crashed his car into a taxi after a night out has been jailed. Apprentice joiner Karl Howell, now 20, had been drinking Smirnoff Ice during a night out with his friend, Lee Wise, in Crook, County
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Libraries close as staff strike
Library doors remained closed across a county at the weekend as staff staged a threatened strike. All 38 Durham County Council-run libraries were unable to open due to day-long action by staff members in the public service union Unison. They voted 55-
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Conservatives announce Hartlepool candidate
The Conservative Party Candidate for the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election is to be Jeremy Middleton, a North-East based company director and management consultant who has worked extensively with public and private organisations in the region. Mr Middleton
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Drink-driver who killed passenger is jailed
A drink-driver who killed his teenage passenger when he smashed his car into a taxi after a night out has been jailed. Apprentice joiner Karl Howell, 20, had been drinking Smirnoff Ice during a night out with his pal Lee Wise in Crook, County Durham,
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Is the time right for the talisman Shearer to take over?
"All I ever wanted to do was play for Newcastle. I'd stand on the terraces dreaming of the day I would walk out on that hallowed turf." That day arrived for Alan Shearer on August 6, 1996, when he was paraded as the world's most expensive player as 15,000
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Siblings who drowned may have had heart defect
A brother and sister who died in identical swimming pool accidents two years apart may both have suffered a rare heart defect which can be triggered by water and loud noise. Daniel and Anne-Marie Readshaw were both 13 when they collapsed and died with
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Schoolboy hit in drive-by shooting
A SCHOOLBOY was injured in a drive-by shooting that has alarmed police. Scott Cooper, 12, was shot in the arm close to his home in Darlington by a yob brandishing a weapon from inside a car. Police investigating the shooting have described it as shocking
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Mystery of woman covered in blood
A POLICE search was being carried out last night for a possible assault victim after an hysterical woman, covered in blood, flagged down a car. The woman told the driver early yesterday she had carried out a serious assault on a man and needed to get
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When it needs spelling out
MUCH heralded, the grotesquely titled Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary - a bit like Eats, Shoots and Leaves but described as "a delightful compendium rather than a zero tolerance guide" - is published tomorrow. Compiled by Vivian Cook, professor
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Maccarone leaves the Riverside
MIDDLESBROUGH striker Massimo Maccarone went from despair to joy last night after completing his on-off loan move to Parma. The Italian international has finally moved back to his homeland after Parma agreed a season-long loan deal with Boro - hours after
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Under the weather
Seeking shelter from the torrential downpours, the column finds more than mythical sustenance at the Ancient Unicorn at Bowes. IN the Book of Genesis, it will be recalled, the rain fell upon the earth for 40 days and 40 nights but that it was another
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Limited newsfeed at present
The Northern Echo is experiencing technical problems at the moment and therefore our online newsfeed is limited. We apologise for any inconvenience to our readers.
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Late post costs Royal Mail millions
The Royal Mail was today under increasing pressure to deliver the goods - after it emerged that a record £50m compensation was being paid out for mail arriving late. New figures revealed that the organisation missed all of its targets in the first quarter
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Archaeologists hit out over 'savage threat' to landmark
PLANS to expand a quarry near an ancient monument have been likened to dropping Stonehenge into the River Avon. The comment comes from archaeologists backing protestors fighting the expansion of Nosterfield Quarry, close to Thornborough Henges, near Bedale
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Lib Dems accused of misleading people in by-election
The Liberal Democrats were today accused of "re-writing history" by claiming they are the main rivals to Labour in the Hartlepool by-election. Stephen Allison, the candidate for the UK Independence Party, claimed the Lib Dems were trying to mislead people
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Court hears of police dog attack
A MAN was bitten on the leg by a police dog after football fans clashed with police at a railway station, a court heard. Andrew Baker, 28, allegedly kicked the animal in the head during the violent disturbance at Thornaby railway station. Teesside Crown
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Each-way weight heavy for Tom Tum
TOM TUN is the each-way banker bet of the day provided he's in the right frame of mind for the £20,000 BASF Handicap at York. Despite significant market support on his penultimate outing in the Great St Wilfred Handicap, Tom Tun threw the toys out of
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Appetite for debt hit by rate rises
CONSUMERS' appetite for debt eased during July amid further signs that the housing market was slowing down, figures have shown. People increased their borrowings by £10.41bn during the month, the weakest figure since December last year and £1.1bn below
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Joyce Loebl secures £6m tank contract
DEFENCE specialist Joyce Loebl has won a £6m tank fleet contract - one of its biggest deals to date.\par The company which is based in Gateshead has signed the deal with Alvis Vickers, in Newcastle, to provide computerised engine and gearbox controls
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Man believes attack was racially motivated
A man was left needing ten staples in a gaping head wound after an unprovoked attack which he believes was racially motivated. Lenny Ankum had a bottle smashed over his head and was glassed in the face by a gang of men as he left a pub near Peterlee,
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Robert is left angry at Robson's dismissal
LAURENT Robert last night revealed that he was "really mad" when Sir Bobby Robson told him he had been sacked as manager of Newcastle United. The French midfielder was one of the players Robson gathered together at Newcastle's Benton training ground on
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Canadian senator backs Echo campaign
A Canadian senator whose brother was a member of Second World War airman Andrew Mynarski's crew has backed The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal. William Kelly's brother Jim was the last surviving crew member of the fateful flight from the Royal Canadian
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Consistency is the key for boss Hodgson
DARLINGTON boss David Hodgson last night delivered his verdict on the season so far - and believes inconsistency has cost his side a place among the early League Two pacesetters. After six league games Quakers lie 11th in the table ahead of this Saturday's
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Website forum for Ryanair workers
A WEBSITE has been launched to allow Ryanair workers to speak out against management anonymously. The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) said www.Ryan-be-fair.org will protect the rights of the budget airline's staff and provide an opportunity
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Dirtier Den
THERE'S no lech like an old lech and Dirty Den has a reputation - and libido - to keep up as one of Soapland's most active lotharios. But he really shouldn't have tried to plant a plonker on the lips of Zoe in EastEnders (BBC1). She's not only his son's
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Making up isn't hard to do
He's worked with some of the country's most beautiful stars but now make-up artist Car Ryan is turning his attention to the women of Darlington. He talks to Jenny Needham. IT'S a long time since I've had the undivided attention of an attractive 31-year-old
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Facing an unseen killer
PARENTS Iain and Marie Readshaw are calling for greater awareness of the rare medical condition which claimed the lives of their son and daughter. And it is a call which we are happy to support. It is impossible to imagine how the Readshaw family have
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Hundreds raised in memory of tragic boy
A GOOD friend raised hundreds of pounds in a charity bungee jump yesterday in memory of a 15-year-old boy with epilepsy who died in his bed. The mother of recently deceased Arron Smith watched as family friend Catherine Storey, 39, completed the jump.
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Shepherd to solve the crisis?
MANAGERLESS Newcastle United face a fraught beat the deadline day on the transfer front as chairman Freddy Shepherd attempts to solve the club's defensive crisis. Having admitted defeat in the race to sign Wayne Rooney from Everton, the Magpies are armed
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Campaign to save former mental institution
A campaign has been launched to save the last remaining building which formed part of what was once Europe's largest mental institution. Much of the former Winterton Hospital at Sedgefield, County Durham, has already been developed to make way for housing
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Councils spurn anti-social behaviour orders
The family of a teenage brother and sister who died in almost identical swimming pool tragedies has called for greater awareness of a rare heart condition thought to have caused their deaths. Daniel and Anne-Marie Readshaw were both 13 when they collapsed
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Saint's remains committed to shrine
The ninth centenary of a northern saint's preserved remains being committed to a shrine will be celebrated with a series of events at Durham Cathedral next weekend. Saturday marks the 900th anniversary of what has become known as the Translation of the
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Carry on Kenneth
Actor Stephen Matthews is taking to the stage as his idol Kenneth Williams. He talks to Steve Pratt. STEPHEN Matthews is reluctant to say he's doing an impression of Kenneth Williams in the play that opens Harrogate Theatre's new season. He doesn't want
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Letters to the editor
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT JOHN Prescott states assemblies have nothing to do with Brussels, but that it is home grown by the Labour party. What rubbish. Regionalisation was put on the agenda for this country as far back as 1937 in the book, which after being
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St James' chairman yet to endear himself to fans
THE man who stood face-to-face with Sir Bobby Robson yesterday morning to tell him he was being 'relieved of his position' at St James' Park has, at best, enjoyed a mixed relationship with the Newcastle United fans. Despite many supporters voicing concerns
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Weekends aren't what they used to be
Weekends are not what they were. Thank Goodness. A survey by a London tourist organisation has revealed that we're not making the most of our weekends. Too many of us spend the time working, shopping or doing the housework. And after a few carefree hours
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Shipping company invests in its fleet
ONE of the North-East's oldest shipping companies has invested £1.5m to expand its fleet. GT Gillie and Blair, which lists Corus and Cleveland Potash among its clients, has bought three new cargo ships as part of expansion and modernisation programme.
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Old pals go head to head
Goal hero Ryan Valentine may have earned a deserved point by grabbing Darlington's equaliser but he wasn't entirely satisfied with his afternoon's work against Cambridge United yesterday. Yesterday's 1-1 draw was the first time the Welsh full-back had
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Go-ahead given for sanctions against US
THE World Trade Organisation (WTO) has authorised the European Union and other leading trade partners to impose sanctions against the United States in response to illegal anti-dumping rules. EU Trade Commission Pascal Lamy welcomed the ruling, saying:
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01/09/04
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT I TOO noticed the slanted use of images in the Government booklet on the Regional Assembly Referendum (Echo, Aug 28), and I share the view that this crude manipulation calls into question the fairness of the vote. But there is another
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A love story from the horrors of war
Jim Kelly,the last surviving member of the crew who were with Canadian airman Andrew Mynarski on his final mission died earlier this year, aged. Nathalie Bibeau, a researcher for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, who interviewed him for a documentary
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Councillor cleared by probe call for review of complaints procedure
A COUNCILLOR who has been the subject of an investigation into his conduct has called for an overhaul of the complaints process. Bill Blenkinsopp says the Standards Board for England is being used as a means to settle old scores with political rivals,
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Sharon Griffiths Meets...
Many more women than men are now taking up archaeology but far from being glamorous, it's actually a backbreaking occupation. A WOMAN'S place is in the past. More women are becoming archaeologists and interest in archaeology generally is booming. You
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Gadfly: When it needs spelling out
MUCH heralded, the grotesquely titled Accomodating Brocolli in the Cemetary - a bit like Eats, Shoots and Leaves but described as "a delightful compendium rather than a zero tolerance guide" - is published tomorrow. Compiled by Vivian Cook, professor
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Eating Owt: Under the weather
Seeking shelter from the torrential downpours, the column finds more than mythical sustenance at the Ancient Unicorn at Bowes. IN the Book of Genesis, it will be recalled, the rain fell upon the earth for 40 days and 40 nights but that it was another
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No Tees-Tyne switch for McClaren
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial position at North-East neighbours Newcastle. The Magpies board met yesterday to discuss their options in the light of Monday's decision to sack former boss
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Cats' eyes on Boyd as Pool star turns on style
AFTER the danger of being upstaged by his strike partner, Adam Boyd showed yesterday why he is a man in demand. In front of watching Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy, Eifion Williams put Pool a goal to the good and was the first-half scourge of the Colchester
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Family band
A new stage version of hit movie Brassed Off means that husband-and-wife actors Andrew Dunn and Andrina Carroll don't have to worry about who is looking after son Elliot, because he's in the play as well. Steve Pratt reports. AFTER working together five
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Punch and Judi
When it came to making a sci-fi movie only Dame Judi Dench would do, action man actor Vin Diesel tells Steve Pratt. The ex-nightclub bouncer also reveals why he turned down all sequels until he got the second chance to play Pitch Black cult hero Riddick
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (1) Kill Bill - Vol 2 2 (2) Gothika 3 (-) Scooby Doo 2 4 (3) The Girl Next Door 5 (5) The Cat In The Hat 6 (4) Monster 7 (6) Starsky And Hutch 8 (7) Welcome To The Jungle 9 (-) House Of Sand And Fog 10 (-) The Human Stain Published
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Blood-soaked woman baffles police
Detectives have admitted they are baffled after a blood-spattered woman claimed she had attacked a man. A major police operation was launched on Monday, after the bloodstained woman flagged down a car and told the driver she had carried out a serious
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Dodgy Ben is having a ball
Dodgeball is a completely unknown game in Britian but Ben Stiller, his wife Christine Taylor and best friend Vince Vaughn are turning being hit with a ball into a hit at the box office. Steve Pratt reports. AMERICAN actors Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn
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Quest to save old mental hospital wing
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save the last remaining building which formed part of what was once Europe's largest mental institution. Much of the former Winterton Hospital at Sedgefield, County Durham, has already been developed to make way for housing
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Shearer the key to Newcastle decision
NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd will step up his search for Sir Bobby Robson's successor this morning, with skipper Alan Shearer holding the key to his decision. Shepherd will consult with the rest of the United board as he weighs up his options in
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Regrets? Sir Bobby had too few to mention
THERE are few things in Sir Bobby Robson's life that can compete with his all-consuming love of football, but the music of Frank Sinatra holds a special place in his heart. The former Newcastle boss has a soft spot for the legendary crooner, quite apt
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Weekends aren't what they used to be
Weekends are not what they were. Thank Goodness. A survey by a London tourist organisation has revealed that we're not making the most of our weekends. Too many of us spend the time working, shopping or doing the housework. And after a few carefree hours
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Cats' eyes on Boyd as Pool star turns on style
AFTER the danger of being upstaged by his strike partner, Adam Boyd showed yesterday why he is a man in demand. In front of watching Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy, Eifion Williams put Pool a goal to the good and was the first-half scourge of the Colchester
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Police baffled by woman's claim of attack
DETECTIVES have admitted they are baffled after a blood-spattered woman claimed she had attacked a man. A police operation was launched on Monday, after the bloodstained woman flagged down a car and told the driver she had assaulted a man. Officers and
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Brothers guilty of keeping wild birds
TWO brothers who admitted possessing live wild birds were given community rehabilitation orders by a court yesterday. An RSPCA inspector found four caged birds and baited traps when he raided the home of 44-year-old John Dugdale, in Shafto Street, Byers
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Shearer the key to Newcastle decision
NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd will step up his search for Sir Bobby Robson's successor this morning, with skipper Alan Shearer holding the key to his decision. Shepherd will consult with the rest of the United board as he weighs up his options in
