Archive
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Salvation Army band milestone
THE first ever Salvation Army band marks a milestone anniversary this weekend. Consett was the first corps to establish a band, and it is celebrating its 125th birthday this year. It was set up by Ned Lennox, who taught the first musicians from his home
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Christie back on track
MALCOLM CHRISTIE took another step on the road back to full fitness last night, scoring one and creating the other as Boro Reserves beat West Brom's second string 2-1. The striker had a good 80 minute work-out after completing 90 minutes against Blackburn
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Paul wraps up two championships
PAUL Swift, of Darlington, has won the MSA and BTRDA British Autotest championships. He started his championship challenge with three wins; missed four events due to British Motor Show commitments, then won three of the five remaining events to win the
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Tutu much
Director Emma Rice is hoping a chorus of approval will greet her production of the Greek tragedy, The Bacchae, she tells Steve Pratt. Director Emma Rice was surprised when she saw her production of The Bacchae previewed during the season launch at West
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Nissan car to be built in Sunderland
Nissan announced today that a fifth model will be built at its car plant in Sunderland, a move that safeguards 1,000 jobs. Speaking at the Paris Motor Show, Nissan Executive Vice President Patrick Pelata told journalists that an as yet unnamed car, based
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Funding shortage threat to tourist information centre
AN award-winning tourist information centre has warned it may have to close unless funding can be found to help with running costs. The centre, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, is staffed by volunteers, but manager Judith Mashiter said it received no support
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Fans' move for statue tribute to Brian Clough
A STATUE could be built in the North-East to commemorate football legend Brian Clough. Middlesbrough Football Club supporters have organised a meeting to look at how money can be raised for the memorial. The Middlesbrough-born former player and manager
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Slim Sue bids for national success
A WOMAN who has lost seven-and-a-half stones in seven months is hoping for success in a national slimming competition. Sue Fenwick, 39, from Romanby, near Northallerton, has won through to the regional final of Slimming World's Woman of the Year contest
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Residents 'should speak out over lack of burial space'
A SHORTAGE of space at a church graveyard has prompted a call for residents to speak out. The cemetery at St Alkelda and St Mary's Church in Middleham has room for only two or three more burials. The town's vicar, the Reverend Brendan Giblin, says the
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Museum concert boost for hospice
A CHARITY concert has raised £1,000 for St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington. The event, at Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, featured the Carol Andrew Singers from Darlington. Jeff Lynn, chairman of the Bowes Music Steering Group at the museum, said: "The
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Fashions spiced with a little Geordie chic
IT WAS described as the ultimate in Geordie chic. And yesterday British designer Scott Henshall did not disappoint as he unveiled his first Newcastle-Gateshead collection during London Fashion Week. Hartlepool-based Scott, a former design student at Northumbria
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Pupils hope for miles of smiles from sid
SMILEY Sid, an electronic device which smiles when drivers are travelling within the speed limit, has been fitted outside a primary school. The road safety speed indication device produces a smiley face if a driver is within the speed limit and a sad
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Batter than the rest
A COUPLE have won a coveted accolade through their efforts developing their fish and chip business. It is two years ago this weekend since Sharon Peel and partner Stephen Threlfall took over Coxhoe Fish Bar, in County Durham. The couple have learned they
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Legal action on assembly leaflet starts
CAMPAIGNERS against the proposed elected North-East Assembly will file papers in London's High Court tomorrow calling for a judicial review of a controversial Government information leaflet. The North-East No campaign, led by former Metric Martyr Neil
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Search for best photographs
THE region's amateur photographers have only a short time left to enter The Northern Echo's photography contest. The Great North Photography Competition, sponsored by Orange, closes tomorrow. It aims to find the best picture of the North in either film
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MP calls for post offices to stay open
NORTH Durham MP Kevan Jones is backing campaigners fighting the proposed closure of two post office branches. He is calling on the Post Office to reconsider plans to shut branches in Masefield Close, East Stanley, and Hollyhill Gardens, South Stanley.
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Mobile phone mast approved
MOBILE phone company Vodafone was last night given permission to erect a 25-metre telecommunications mast in Darlington. The borough council's planning committee approved the plan for the mast and other equipment in Salters Lane. It will replace a 15-
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New centre already expanding
A WALK-IN health centre for Darlington is to be bigger than first planned. Darlington Primary Care Trust's £1m headquarters at Dr Piper House, in King Street, is due to open in December. A meeting of the trust's board heard the facility would be larger
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School technician cleared of indecent assault charges
A SCHOOL computer technician was yesterday cleared of indecently assaulting two young pupils. The 17-year-old information technology specialist was working in a Darlington junior school on an apprenticeship when two boys accused him of touching them on
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Caravans plan is refused
PLANS to site two travellers' caravans on the outskirts of Darlington were rejected by councillors yesterday. Darlington Borough Council's planning committee turned down the application from Tom Mounsey to site the two residential caravans in a paddock
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Expert will advise health authority
ONE of the region's leading primary care experts has joined County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority as an advisor. Professor Tim van Zwanenberg, director of postgraduate general practice education at Newcastle University, will provide
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Healthcare trust decides to ban smoking
A HOSPITAL trust has taken the decision to ban people from smoking anywhere on its property. From March 9 next year - national No Smoking Day - smoking will not be permitted either within Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust buildings
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Youngsters shine at sporting tournament
TEAMS from Sedgefield borough starred in a sports tournament designed to give a wide range of young people the chance to take part in high-level competition. With three firsts in basketball, athletics and girl's football, a second place in mini-hockey
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Labour criticises Liberal Democrats over support for jobs and industry
WORKERS at chemical plant on the outskirts of Hartlepool have been warned: "Your jobs would be at risk under the Liberal Democrats". Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt visited the Huntsman site at Greatham yesterday to say that Labour had safeguarded
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School wins ICT award
A SCHOOL is celebrating after getting an award for the quality of its computer education. Blue Coat Junior School in Newton Hall, Durham, has achieved the Naace Mark for ICT. Headteacher Gill Gleghorn said: "There are only five schools in County Durham
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Plucky gran sees off two conmen
TWO con artists got more than they bargained for when they targeted grandmother Loraine Findley. Mrs Findley, 83, the mother of Bali bomb victim Ian Findley, sent the pair packing, after giving them a sound beating with her trusty bucket. Mrs Findley,
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Roll up for fairground visit
A MODEL maker is counting on the fun of the fair to draw crowds to a new exhibition raising cash for heart patients. After spending five years creating a miniature working fairground, Peter Campbell is putting it on show in Tudhoe Community Centre next
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'Unreliable bus service puts people's jobs in jeopardy'
A NATIONAL bus company has been accused of jeopardising the jobs of east Durham residents. The criticism of Arriva buses followed the failure of eight buses to run from Peterlee on Monday, due to mechanical faults. Angry at the repeated cancelled services
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Four-year-old Sophie inspires her father to start a business
A FATHER'S idea to help his disabled daughter has led to the creation of a business. Tim Leadbitter, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was concerned that his daughter, Sophie, was always the centre of attention at nursery because she needed help from
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Artist celebrates N-E exhibition success
AN artist's first North-Eastexhibition has been hailed a success. Jenny Angold, from Westwick, Teesdale, County Durham, moved to the dale from Dorset in March. She was delighted with the response to her exhibition, which finished this week at Witham Hall
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Art centre reopens
A FLAGSHIP arts complex has reopened after damage to its roof. The Baltic Centre, in Gateshead, closed to visitors on Monday afternoon when high winds lifted aluminium plates on the roof of its single-storey Riverside Building. Workers secured the plates
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Catching Tees' voice
ONE of the UK's leading film makers says he was inspired to support a play because it carries "the authentic voice of Teesside". Franc Roddam, who created hit TV programme Auf Wiedersehen Pet, was back in his home town of Stockton last week to promote
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23/09/04
TELEVISION: FURTHER to E Reynolds' excellent letter (HAS, Sept 11), I should like to ask the Government a pertinent question: Why, oh why aren't you concerned about the violent and indecent programmes on TV? This so-called "entertainment" undermines the
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Dismay as Norwich Union plans export of more jobs
INSURANCE company Norwich Union will shed 60 jobs at its York offices as part of plans to outsource work to Asia. The compulsory redundancies, which will also see 70 jobs going in Norwich, follow a decision to export work to India and Sri Lanka, where
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Elliott walking tall with career back on track
COMEBACK kid Robbie Elliott has admitted that he "feels a foot taller" after being given an unexpected chance to resurrect his Newcastle United career this season. The 30-year-old was drafted into Sir Bobby Robson's side to face Middlesbrough on the opening
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Question over store's future
A POLITICIAN has called on a national retail chain to answer rumours that it is about to close Durham's only major city centre supermarket. Doubts have been raised over the long-term future of the Safeway store in the Milburngate Shopping Centre, after
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Join £20,000 toy library
CHILDREN are invited to join a toy library that has been established in Hartlepool. The library and arts and crafts shop, on Usworth Road Industrial Estate, opened in June and has more than 50 members. About £20,000 has been spent on the resource, which
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Discover lost arts of the North
AN event to promote country crafts, lost arts and local products is to be held in Guisborough. Guisborough Forest and Walkway is hosting the Natural Harvest Day on Saturday, October 2, from 10am to 5pm. The day will include craft demonstrations, children's
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£300,000 scheme to prevent cemetery flooding
A £300,000 scheme to alleviate flooding problems at a Teesside town's cemetery has been drawn up after complaints from grieving families. The proposal to prevent future flooding of Stranton Cemetery, in Hartlepool, is likely to go ahead in the coming
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Pupils raise cash for siege victims
Pupils have held a collection for the victims of the Beslan School siege. About 330 people, many of them children, died in the attack on the Russian school earlier this month. Students at Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, decided to go around the
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Rare work for sale
A RARE drawing of a Paris street scene by a North-East artist who is better known for his mining studies, will go under the hammer this month. The drawing by Norman Cornish of an elderly woman walking in Montmartre was done for the artist's 1966 Tyne
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Rail town prepares to welcome museum visitors
THE countdown has begun as the region looks forward to the opening of a multi-million pound museum that is set to attract thousands of visitors. Train enthusiasts from all over the world have already written to the National Railway Museum in anticipation
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The Merry Widow, Newcastle Theatre Royal
YOUNG widows of wealthy old men had been merry long before Franz Lehar put a song in their hearts, but the fascination and irritation of society with women who gain financial security in this fashion remains staple tabloid fare. Although set in Paris,
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Celebrations for 100 years
A DARLINGTON woman celebrated her 100th birthday with a party for family and friends at the weekend. Margaret King was born in Lincolnshire, but her family emigrated to Australia when she was a baby. Her daughter Elizabeth Armstrong said that when they
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Music event to raise cash for orphanage
A CHARITY that supports an Indian orphanage is holding a musical fundraising event. The Cathleen Home Missionary Charity Group, based at the Evangel Church in Chester-le-Street, has been raising money for the orphanage in northern India for the past three
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Quakers' injury blow
DARLINGTON have been dealt a major blow after highly-rated defender Joey Hutchinson was ruled out for the rest of the season. Hutchinson is facing up to seven months on the sidelines after scan results revealed cruciate knee ligament damage. Despite early
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Survivor helps to launch campaign
A NORTH-EAST breast cancer survivor is urging people in the region to support a new appeal. Shirley Gibson helped to launch the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign for Cancer Research UK, which aims to promote the advances in treating the disease
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John North: Will hearts thob on polling day?
There are seven days to go to polling in the Hartlepool by-election, but singing candidate Ronnie Carrol still isn't sure of his policies and recommends asking George. A POTENTIAL high note in the Hartlepool by-election, heartthrob Sixties' singer Ronnie
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Students are blamed for litter in park
A COLLEGE has rejected claims that its students are to blame for litter in a Darlington park. Residents have complained that rubbish is left in Stanhope Park on a daily basis and say students from nearby Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College are to blame
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Growing membership for MG club
THREE years after it was founded with 13 members in February 2001, the Durham MG club has grown to more than 150, forcing it to find a new venue for its meetings The club first met at Durham's Cock of the North hotel, but its expanding membership has
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For God's sake save my life, Mr Blair
BRITISH hostage Kenneth Bigley was made to plead for his life last night in the latest video from his abductors. Reports said Mr Bigley was seen making a direct plea to Prime Minister Tony Blair to save his life in footage broadcast on an Islamic website
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Commission approves BE restructuring
THE European Commission last night gave its approval to a plan to restructure troubled nuclear power company Brit-ish Energy (BE). BE had warned that if the plan was not approved, by European Commissioners and by its shareholders, the company would cease
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Cereal killer
Steph Stokes has always been a bit of a worry. Apart from sounding like that common bird wot wafted in from Luton Airport, she always looks like she's spent too long under the sun lamp. The effects of all those rays have turned her into a homicidal maniac
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Paving way for new leisure plan
COMMUNITY groups could take over more local authority leisure and social facilities under a new strategy being considered by councillors. With talks progressing to take centres at Wolsingham and Willington out of its control, Wear Valley District Council
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London chefs visit top wholesaler
CHEFS from some of London's finest restaurants visited the region this week to sample game from a top wholesaler. Yorkshire Game supplies game bird, wildfowl and venison to 50 London eateries, including The Ivy and Smiths of Smithfield, where Madonna
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Passion is the fashion
Yarm playwright Graham Farrow is attracting would-wide interest thanks to his play Talk About The Passion which looks at the media fascination with child killers. Just before the play runs at Stockton's Arc, Farrow talks to Viv Hardwick. THREE years ago
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Moving news awaited
RESIDENTS of a tiny fellside hamlet are worried that if Sir Bobby Robson agrees to manage Wales it could affect the prices of their homes. The former Newcastle United boss is renovating a wing of historic Urpeth Hall in High Urpeth, near Stanley, after
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Police are getting better, says chief
A POLICE force that received a scathing performance report is making significant improvements, its boss said. Earlier this year, Cleveland Police was one of five forces in England and Wales identified by inspectors as needing substantial improvements.
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Factory will boost the local economy
A £3.5m investment in a steel fabrication factory in North Yorkshire will lead to the creation of up to 40 jobs by January, it was announced yesterday. Allerton Engineering, in Northallerton, said the factory and office complex would allow it to triple
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Mother saves two-year-old son in fire
A MOTHER pulled her toddler from a house fire yesterday. Donna Brown and her two-year-old son, Connor, were treated for the effetcs of smoke inhalation after the fire. Mother-of-four Mrs Brown, of Stockton, said she and her son were still in shock, but
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Slower growth predicted
housebuilder Barratt Developments said it expected house prices to increase much less rapidly in the next 12 months as it reported record full-year results. The company, which is based in Newcastle, said the market had moderated in recent months. It said
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Health service forum
A NEW out-of-hours medical service will be among the topics discussed at a meeting held by the public watchdog for heath services in Sedgefield borough. The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum Sedgefield is scheduled to meet at West Cornforth Community
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Tribute to councillor
CIVIC leaders joined local authority staff and people from community groups at a thanksgiving service for a former council chairman on Tuesday. Coun Belle Bousfield, 74, headed Wear Valley District Council in 1997 and was its housing committee chairman
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Love-All, Actually
Paul Bettany is an unlikely hero in the new romantic comedy movie Wimbledon, in which the non-athletic actor plays a would-be tennis champion. He tells Steve Pratt about his first attempt at being a Hollywood leading man. Hit or miss, Wimbledon is the
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Court clears sacked school-run driver
A BUS driver who described rowdy young passengers as behaving like "a herd of cattle" during a school run was yesterday cleared of dangerous driving. But it emerged last night that 57-year-old Robert Dale has already been dismissed from his job over the
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Chance to take part in football musical
RACISM comes under the spotlight in a £50,000 musical being staged in the region next year. The production is a collaboration between The Sage, Gateshead, and Middlesbrough Council. Called Union City and described as a multi-cultural youth project, the
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Dowie praise for battling Hartlepool
IAIN Dowie last night heaped praise on Hartlepool United after his Crystal Palace side sneaked into the third round of the Carling Cup. Pool went down 2-1 in extra time at Selhurst Park after enjoying the better of the game for long periods. And Dowie
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Fans' move for statue tribute to Brian Clough
A STATUE could be built in the North-East to commemorate football legend Brian Clough. Middlesbrough Football Club supporters have organised a meeting to look at how money can be raised for the memorial. The Middlesbrough-born former player and manager
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Council considers adding another tier
A NEW tier of local government could be established in a large part of Durham City. Eight parishes in the city, with a total population of 24,618, do not have a parish council unlike other parts of the district further from the city centre. Now Durham
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Go Tech is ready to break duck for the season
GO TECH (4.00) gets the vote in the most valuable race of the day, the £20,000 ten-furlong Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap at Pontefract. Despite the fact that Tim Easterby's four-year-old has yet to strike so far this term, he went pretty close when finishing
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Bakery celebrates double award
A BAKERY supplying a famous tea room has won two honours at an industry awards ceremony. Bettys Craft Bakery won Craft Bakery of the Year at this year's Baking Industry Awards, and 20-year-old Joanne Sanderson was Young Baker of the Year. The bakery,
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Vodafone announcement puts the next generation in the picture
VODAFONE began its push into the market for third-generation mobile phones yesterday by announcing plans to launch ten handsets before Christmas. The group, which is based in Newbury, Berkshire, said it would begin selling the phones in November in a
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Elderly tenants' footpath plea
ELDERLY people living in council bungalows fear someone is going to be hurt unless the authority installs a footpath. The residents of Tennyson Gardens in Park East Ward, Darlington, have paths from their homes on to the circular road around the cul-de-sac
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Hostage family's hours of agony
THE family of British hostage Kenneth Bigley continued their wait last night as Iraqi authorities backtracked on an apparent concession to his kidnappers' demands. It had been thought that one of the two high-profile female prisoners in US custody would
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Moving news awaited
RESIDENTS of a tiny fellside hamlet are worried that if Sir Bobby Robson agrees to manage Wales it could affect the prices of their homes. The former Newcastle United boss is renovating a wing of historic Urpeth Hall in High Urpeth, near Stanley, after
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Sporting opportunity
A SCHEME allowing children to develop their footballing potential has been given a new home. The Darlington Football in the Community team has moved into the Quakers' Williamson Motors Stadium, in Neasham Road. The initiative, led by former Darlington
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Hospital team gets a grip on tests
A HOSPITAL infection control team will launch a campaign to find a town's cleanest pair of hands today. The team will be testing people as part of Harrogate District Hospital's annual open day, which takes place today. Visitors will be able to see more
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Remote recyling point opens service to rural residents
POSSIBLY the country's highest and most remote recycling collection point will open this week. Keld Youth Hostel in Swaledale, which stands about 350m above sea level, is one of three collection points introduced as part of a rural recycling project launched
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Poor ranked force improves
A POLICE force ranked among the worst in the country a few months ago has already improved its rating in two areas. In June, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary published assessments of the country's 43 forces. North Yorkshire was ranked 38th and
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Pupils take cover from 'hurricanes'
CHILDREN went to university to learn what to do if a hurricane ever hit the Tees Valley. More than 60 pupils from St Hild's School, in Hartlepool, were at the University of Sunderland for a day of tasks and talks on the dangers of hurricanes. Pupils took
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Museum concert boost for hospice
A CHARITY concert has raised £1,000 for St Teresa's Hospice in Darlington. The event, at Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, featured the Carol Andrew Singers from Darlington. Jeff Lynn, chairman of the Bowes Music Steering Group at the museum, said: "The
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Dental places available through plan
TWO dental practices in a market town are now taking on new NHS patients. Five hundred patients on Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Pals) dental data base will now be allocated to the practices in Malton
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New laws help police tackle alcohol issues
NEW laws giving police extra powers to deal with drinking in the streets are due to come into force tomorrow. The measures will affect areas of Malton, Norton, Pickering and Kirkbymoorside. Certain streets will be designated as alcohol restriction zones
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£20,000 to help improve town
MORE than £20,000 has been handed out to improve Richmond Town Centre. Richmondshire District Council has given the money to the Richmond Swale Valley Community Initiative to help the organisationpromote and encourage investment in the town. The money
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£2.5m revamp of park gets under way
WORK is under way on a £2.5m project to restore one of Teesside's best loved parks. A new pavilion is being build at Stockton's Ropner Park after heritage lottery money was granted to restore the park to its Victorian glory. The fountain has been removed
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Music event to raise cash for orphanage
A CHARITY that supports an Indian orphanage is holding a musical fundraising event. The Cathleen Home Missionary Charity Group, based at the Evangel Church in Chester-le-Street, has been raising money for the orphanage in northern India for the past three
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Chance to take part in football musical
RACISM comes under the spotlight in a £50,000 musical being staged in the region next year. The production is a collaboration between The Sage, Gateshead, and Middlesbrough Council. Called Union City and described as a multi-cultural youth project, the
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Health trust reflects on year of work
THE health care authority that tackled a major outbreak of food poisoning and pioneered nicotine patches for teenage smokers will reflect on its busy year next week. Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT) holds its annual meeting on Tuesday, in Dipton Community
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MP hopeful vows to speak out for town
HARTLEPOOL candidate Jody Dunn jetted into Bournemouth - and vowed to be the first "half-Finnish, ex-disc jockey in the House of Commons". By-election fever gripped the conference hall yesterday when the 35-year-old barrister took a break from canvassing
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Go Tech is ready to break duck for the season
GO TECH (4.00) gets the vote in the most valuable race of the day, the £20,000 ten-furlong Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap at Pontefract. Despite the fact that Tim Easterby's four-year-old has yet to strike so far this term, he went pretty close when finishing
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Minister faces fury of hunters
HUNT supporters clashed with the Government's Rural Affairs Minister as he left a conference last night. A group protesting at the Hunting Bill attacked Alun Michael's car as he left a meeting with the Association of National Parks in Exeter, Devon. The
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£238,000 to enhance green area
DARLINGTON Borough Council's cabinet has agreed to release £238,321 to improve a green area on the Firthmoor estate. Holgate Moore Green will be improved under the Doorstep Green project. The initiative attracts funding for under-used areas where residents
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Factory hit by blaze
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blaze in an extraction system at the Amdega factory, which makes conservatories, on the Faverdale Industrial Estate, in Darlington, at 5pm yesterday. The fire was extinguished by 6.20pm. Firefighters used a thermal imaging
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Promotion day activities on offer
PUPILS from Darlington joined forces to drum up business for an open day promoting extended schools activities. Hummersknott School and Language College and Skerne Park Primary School will become Darlington's first extended schools, backed by £168,000
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The day my manners let me down
MANNERS are all important in my book. It is the duty of mums and dads to ensure they are not forgotten. I once wrote about the little boy who was watching a magician perform at a children's party. "What's the magic word?" the boy was asked. "Abracadabra
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Call for inquiry on grant advice
CALLS have been made for an inquiry after a community group claimed it was wrongly advised by a council about a sports grant application. Stockton borough councillor Ian Dalgarno has written to the chief executive of the council, George Garlick, to demand
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Advisory post for primary care expert
ONE of the region's leading primary care experts has joined County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority as an advisor. Professor Tim van Zwanenberg, director of postgraduate general practice education at Newcastle University, will provide
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Advice on whooping cough issued
PARENTS have been warned about symptoms of whooping cough after a case was diagnosed at a Teesdale nursery. An unnamed child at Green Lane Nursery and Childcare Centre, in Barnard Castle, is responding to treatment for the infectious illness. All close
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Action plan for winter
DARLINGTON Borough Council has agreed to set aside £263,000 to ensure road surfaces are safe for motorists and pedestrians during the winter season, from October 1 to April 30. The council's cabinet has agreed to distribute a publicity leaflet that will
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Nissan to unveil car for N-E plant
NISSAN is expected to confirm a new model for its North-East car plant today in a move that will safeguard thousands of jobs. Chief executive Carlos Ghosn will fly to France for the Paris Motor Show announcement. He is expected to say that the group's
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On TV last night
The real mystery of Agatha Christie Agatha Christie - A Life In Pictures (BBC2) THE biggest mystery surrounding Agatha Christie isn't the whodunit in her novels, but the 11 days she went missing in 1926. Many have tried but none have made complete sense
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Business booming for rural art gallery
ARTISTS who turned their passion into successful rural businesses are celebrating two important milestones. Ron and Maralyn O'Keefe held parties to mark five years since the opening of The Glass and Art Gallery in Consett, and the first birthday of their
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Sunderland exit for Williams and Oster
JOHN Oster is poised to follow Darren Williams out of the Stadium of Light as part of a player cull that could eventually see four star names leave Sunderland. With Michael Bridges on the verge of an emotional return to Wearside, Mick McCarthy has accepted
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The real mystery of Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie - A Life In Pictures (BBC2): THE biggest mystery surrounding Agatha Christie isn't the whodunit in her novels, but the 11 days she went missing in 1926. Many have tried but none have made complete sense of this period, which remained a
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Batsmen face Inzamam's wrath
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq accused his batsmen of lacking responsibility after their seven-wicket defeat by the West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy yesterday. Pakistan were shot out for just 131 in the semi-final at the Rose Bowl as Inzamam's
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Farewell to the Geordie Gunboat
HMS Newcastle returned to the North-East yesterday for an emotional farewell following an illustrious career on the high seas. The vessel, known affectionately as the Geordie Gunboat, docked for the final time in the city of its name and the river on
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Discover lost arts of the North
AN event to promote country crafts, lost arts and local products is to be held in Guisborough. Guisborough Forest and Walkway is hosting the Natural Harvest Day on Saturday, October 2, from 10am to 5pm. The day will include craft demonstrations, children's
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Charity shop appeals for help in financial crisis
A CHARITY shop providing furnishings for needy families is itself facing a financial crisis. The Top and Bottom second-hand store in Woodlands, on the Sherburn Road estate, in Durham, was opened six years ago in an attempt to provide cheap items of furniture
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Companies urged to enter award scheme
AN MP is urging manufacturing companies in his constituency to test their competitiveness in a national award scheme. John Cummings, MP for Easington, has called on local firms to enter the Insititution of Mechanical Engineers (ImechE) Manufacturing Excellence
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Quad biker died from acute heart failure after crashing
A WOMAN crashed a quad bike through a fence at a farm in the region and died after suffering acute heart failure. Yvonne Brown, 54, from Lanarkshire, Scotland, was visiting her sister in West Rounton, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, when the accident
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So what has Cherie got to say?
CHERIE Blair has been taking a lot of stick for making money from the book she's written and for charging for giving talks. But, as a working woman, why shouldn't she? She does lots of unpaid work for charity and no-one suggests she should provide her
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Cash for 'flood threat' couple
TWO agencies have been ordered to pay compensation to a flood-threatened family, after a Government watchdog found they had mismanaged the building of a housing estate. An investigation by Government watchdog the Ombudsman found maladministration with
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Student gains top marks in IT diploma
A COLLEGE student is looking forward to university life this month after scoring a hat-trick of distinctions in a new diploma. Gary Lightfoot, from Marske, obtained three distinctions in the BTEC national diploma for IT Practitioners, which was introduced
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No sightings of missing fan
OFFICERS searching for a North-East man who went missing after seeing the Olympics, in Athens, are continuing to draw a blank. Melvyn Gamblin, who went to Greece last month, has not been seen since September 3, the day he was due to return. The 37-year-old
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Exhibits in a museum that will be beyond compare
On Saturday, the new £11m railway museum at Shildon opens its doors - and its engines - to its first visitors. It will be an historic event in the history of the world's first railway town. Helen Miller looks at what the first visitors to Locomotion will
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Brass band in top ten of national competition
THE region's most famous brass band has won a top ten place in a national competition. The Reg Vardy Band, formerly the Ever Ready Band, was eighth in the British Open, held at Birmingham's Symphony Hall. It was the only North-East band in the competition
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Long service is recognised
TWO volunteers who devoted years to satisfying the reading appetites of elderly and housebound people will be honoured next week. Irene Robson, known to her friends as Rene, has given her free time for 36 years through the Women's Royal Volunteer Service
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Meeting may lead to new destinations
THE newly-renamed Durham Tees Valley Airport could be operating flights to Paris and Berlin soon if talks being held this weekend are successful. Airport bosses hoping to increase the number of destinations from the region are to hold talks with airlines
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Fashions spiced with a little Geordie chic
IT WAS described as the ultimate in Geordie chic. And yesterday British designer Scott Henshall did not disappoint as he unveiled his first Newcastle-Gateshead collection during London Fashion Week. Hartlepool-based Scott, a former design student at Northumbria
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RSPCA to examine file on battered pup
THE RSPCA is to examine a police file over the death of a puppy that touched the hearts of animal lovers across the country. The charity requested the file after police arrested a man, who was later released without charge. Pictures of the six-week-old
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Solicitors urge swifter action on mine claims
THE Government was last night urged to ease the hidden plight of thousands of Vibration White Finger (VWF) compensation claimants. Solicitors said they were concerned over the treatment of some former mine workers who, because their jobs did not ordinarily
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Butcher turns clock back 20 years
A BUTCHER will be selling meat at 1984 prices next week, to mark 20 years in business. H Coates and Son in Church Street, Coxhoe, celebrates its milestone anniversary on Monday. As a thank you to customers, it will be offering Scotch Premier Beef silverside
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Brothers jailed for bungled robbery
TWO brothers who bungled a supermarket robbery have both been jailed for six years. Christopher and Steven Ball used imitation guns to hold up the Spar supermarket in Roker, Sunderland, last December. Yesterday, they were each sentenced to six years for
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Generation wiped out
A family has been left devastated by the sudden deaths of an entire generation of siblings. Leslie Hedley, 55, died in a car accident with her sister Jesdene Johnston, 58, while on holiday in Canada. The accident happened just over a month after their
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Blow as Hutchinson ruled out for season
DARLINGTON have been dealt a major blow after highly-rated defender Joey Hutchinson was ruled out for the season. Hutchinson is facing up to seven months on the sidelines after scan results revealed cruciate knee ligament damage. Despite early indications
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Batty comedy is pushing back the boundaries
THEATRE bosses hope to bowl audiences over with a comic tale about village cricket. Outside Edge, written by Richard Harris, opened at the Gala Theatre, in Durham City, on Monday, and is proving popular with theatregoers. A spokesman said: "It is a gentle
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Bede sees huge potential
X-RAY technology specialists Bede plc yesterday said it had turned a corner, despite announcing a £2.4m loss. The Durham company said it expected revenues to double by next year, with an anticipated $5bn growth in the semiconductor market. In its interim
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Should we deal with hostage-takers?
As the family of kidnapped Briton Kenneth Bigley were last night waiting to hear his fate, Nick Morrison looks at how hostage-taking has become one of the favourite weapons in the terrorist armoury. IT takes less than 48 hours for the videos to make their
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Dad At Large: The day my manners let me down
MANNERS are all important in my book. It is the duty of mums and dads to ensure they are not forgotten. I once wrote about the little boy who was watching a magician perform at a children's party. "What's the magic word?" the boy was asked. "Abracadabra
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Brass band in top ten of national competition
THE region's most famous brass band has won a top ten place in a national competition. The Reg Vardy Band, formerly the Ever Ready Band, was eighth in the British Open, held at Birmingham's Symphony Hall. It was the only North-East band in the competition
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Minute improvement in train punctuality
The punctuality of Britain's trains has improved by just 0.2% over the past year, new figures showed today. A total of 84.5% of trains ran on time between April and June, compared with 84.3% in the same period a year ago. The Strategic Rail Authority
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Top dogs star in a show to be proud of
THE country's second largest dog show attracted more competitors than ever at the weekend. The Darlington Championship Dog Show featured 9,000 dogs over three days, from all over Europe, challenging for a place at Crufts next year. Judging categories
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Schoolboy fearful after being questioned on puppy death
A schoolboy says he has been living in fear since he was questioned by police over the death of a puppy. Robert Coates was held in a cell by officers investigating the death of a six-week-old mongrel put to sleep after she was attacked in a South Shields
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Earn-as-you-learn scheme pays out to N-E youngsters
TEENAGERS in the North-East are the among the first in the country to receive grants to remain in further education. Hundreds of 16-year-olds in the region applied for an education maintenance allow-ance (EMA) which pays them a weekly sum to help them
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Bede sees huge potential
X-RAY technology specialists Bede plc yesterday said it had turned a corner, despite announcing a £2.4m loss. The Durham company said it expected revenues to double by next year, with an anticipated $5bn growth in the semiconductor market. In its interim
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Comment from The Northern Echo: No place for people quotas
AS Labour has learned to its cost, putting targets on policies can come back to haunt you. Likewise, the Conservative leader may live to regret playing the numbers game with immigration. Michael Howard correctly identifies refugees and asylum seekers
