Archive
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Denis and the art of extreme hair
I WAS filled with the spirit of adventure after last week's extreme sports holiday, but finding myself too time and cash deprived to shoot off for a bit of heli-boarding on some Pacific island, I decided to have a radical haircut instead. I had become
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Band takes stardom step
ROCK band Freerunner have taken a step towards stardom after winning Revolution Big Chance, The Northern Echo's music competition. They gave an energetic performance to a sell-out crowd at The Forum Music Centre, in Darlington, on Friday. The group had
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Housing tops list of worries in rural areas
AFFORDING a home is the biggest worry for residents in rural parts of the region, according to a report. And many of them expect it to get worse, said the Skelton-based Yorkshire Rural Community Council (YRCC). The council carried out its survey with
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Nun's book proves a bestseller at cathedral
A NEW publication featuring the life and teachings of St Cuthbert is proving a best-seller in a cathedral bookshop. The book, by Anglican nun Sister Helen Julian, has sold more than 80 copies since it was published last week. Called The Lindisfarne Icon
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Up, up and away for mall launch
THOUSANDS of red balloons will be released next month to mark the opening of a shopping mall. Eighteen thousand balloons will help celebrate the opening of the Red Mall at Gateshead's MetroCentre. Shoppers are being encouraged to support local charities
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Is this the new Robbie Williams?
With his dark looks and cheeky grin, judges on talent show The X Factor have compared Mark Nigrelli with superstar Robbie Wiliams. Steve Pratt meets the pop hopeful. THE X Factor wannabe Mark Nigrelli is suffering for his art at this precise moment. He's
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Things are looking up for Whitehead and Sunderland
SUNDERLAND midfielder Dean Whitehead has his sights firmly set on the top two after Friday night's 1-0 win at Leeds took the Black Cats into the play-off places for the first time this season. West Ham missed the chance to leapfrog Mick McCarthy's side
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Exhibition is home from home
ART has gone on display in Durham Cathedral, produced by a craftswoman who lived in its shadow for 14 years. Greta Hodgson, wife of the former Archdeacon of Auckland and Durham, the Venerable Derek Hodgson, has launched her exhibition, A Celebration of
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Business bosses reject N-E assembly
A poll of North-East businesses delivered a devastating rejection of regional government last night and reignited the debate over plans for self- government. A survey released on the eve of the Labour Party conference showed a big majority of small businesses
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Win hard-earned, Lampard
FRANK LAMPARD insists Chelsea escaped from the Riverside Stadium on Saturday with something most teams will fail to take with them this season - three points. The Chelsea midfielder created the goal for Didier Drogba; cutting his free kick back from the
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Man removes own tooth after failing to find dentist
A desperate patient who found it impossible to register with an NHS dentist resorted to removing his own teeth with a pair of rusty pliers. George Daulat, 47, was suffering severe toothache but could not find anyone to treat him in a town with a chronic
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Pity Me's intriguing name
No one really knows for sure how the village of Pity Me, north of Framwellgate Moor received its intriguing name. One theory derives it from miserere me, a phrase chanted by pilgrims who walked this way. Another suggests the deceased St Cuthbert somehow
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Leukaemia survivor's wedding delight
EVERY bride's wedding day is special, but when Beverley Hodgson tied the knot on Saturday it was that extra bit special. Beverley, 33, of Delves Lane, near Consett, County Durham, battled against leukaemia as a youngster and her wedding was something
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Thanks given to talking paper
Darlington Talking Newspaper celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday with a party at Willow Road Community Centre. Sam Strangeways and Gavin Havery look back at the history of the charity in the town. A SMALL advertisement nestling in the classified
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Religious service to remember Hackworth
A COMMUNITY gathered at a service last night to remember Timothy Hackworth and mark the opening of the museum he inspired. Hackworth's great great-grandchildren were among the congregation at the service, organised by Shildon's Churches Together and the
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Bright future for twin towns
BUSINESS and civic leaders have forecasted a buoyant future for Malton and Norton. Their comments follow the creation of a partnership between the Chamber of Trade and Town Centre Management (TCM) Councillor Jason Fitzgerald-Smith, chairman of TCM, said
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Council's call to save post offices
DURHAM County Council is calling on the Post Office to rethink its plans to close seven branches that are considered unviable. Councillors have condemned the proposals as reducing important community facilities and in some areas petitions have been raised
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Veteran's return to Far East is televised
A war veteran's return to the Far East to pay tribute to his fallen comrades will be featured on BBC One's Inside Out tonight. Douglas Wilks, from Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, was reunited with other veterans when he travelled to the Far East to mark
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Council plea to save post offices
DURHAM County Council is calling on the Post Office to rethink its plan to close seven branches that are considered unviable. The company has identified the businesses for the axe as part of a national review of operations in urban areas. Local politicians
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Show triumph brings up hat-trick for farmer
SHEEP farmer Richard Hird celebrated a hat-trick of wins after one of his home-bred ewes was voted supreme champion by judges at the fourth Langdon Beck Show in Upper Teesdale at the weekend. Mr Hird, who farms at Hunderthwaite, Romaldkirk, added the
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Tenants fear for future of homes
A LOCAL authority which says it cannot afford to keep all of its council housing stock has decided on an arm's-length management approach. The future of Wear Valley District Council's housing stock has been the subject of heated debate with tenants for
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Youngsters get their day in court
A MAGISTRATES' court opened its doors to more than 400 visitors at the weekend to show families how the justice system is carried out. Youngsters from Vane Road Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, took part in a mock trial at Sedgefield Magistrates' Court
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Martial arts class begins
A BEGINNERS' class for children and adults in jujitsu is to be held in Newton Aycliffe. It will be run by the World Jujitsu Federation at Greenfield School every Monday evening for children aged six to 14 years old from 6pm to 7.30pm. Adult classes for
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Couple keep seaside hotel in the family
A SEASIDE hotel is to be refurbished after the owner's nephew decided to take over. Lee Dexter, and his wife Claire, who own the Marine Hotel in Seaton Carew, will take over the Park Hotel, in Redcar. It was previously owned by Mr Dexter's uncle Malcolm
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Children join in charity bid
YOUNGSTERS at a Teesdale primary school served parents and relatives at a coffee morning to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief. The children, in the reception class at Startforth Morritt Primary School, joined in with the World's Biggest Coffee Morning
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Prizes needed
THE Middlesbrough Military Celebratory Association is organising a fundraising event at The Inn Off The Park pub in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, on Friday October 1. The event starts at 7.30pm and entry costs £1. Organisers are appealing for prizes
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Shop hit by ram raiders
RAM raiders tried to smash their way through metal shutters in an attempt to steal from a shop. They struck at the Spar, in Guisborough Road, Nunthorpe, at about 4.50am yesterday using at least two vehicles. The front was extensively damaged and the shop
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Bid to keep traffic on move
DISRUPTION will be kept to a minimum when work starts on a A66 interchange next month, says the firm contracted to carry out the work. Balfour Beatty has assured motorists the £7.3m project, to build the new road layout to provide access to Middlesbrough's
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Warm memories of an African adventure
A GROUP of teenagers have returned from living and working in rural Africa. Eight young people from Northallerton College, Thirsk School and Easingwold School spent three weeks renovating a youth centre and orphanage in Malawi. The group created murals
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Auction date for rare figure
A RARE statuette of Britain's youngest Prime Minister is to go under the hammer. Auctioneers Anderson and Garland, in Newcastle, could hardly believe it when the 16in bronze figure of William Pitt the Younger turned up in the saleroom. Its arrival coincides
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Sale makes pots of cash
A FIRM of auctioneers in Darlington sold more than 70 lots of Linthorpe Pottery at a recent sale. Thomas Watson and Son sold the pottery on behalf of a local collector and advertised on the Internet, which gave buyers the opportunity to view and bid for
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Battling it out at leek contest
GARDENERS battled it out to determine Darlington's best leek-grower over the weekend. The Champion of Champions' Leek Show was held at Darlington Working Men's Club (WMC) on Saturday and yesterday. Now in its 57th year, it included clubs from Darlington
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N-E places in hall of shame
TWO North-East places have come in the top ten of a poll to find the worst in Britain. Sunderland came third and Middlesbrough came tenth in the list, which was topped by Luton. The list was drawn from the unfavourable opinions of 20,000 members of the
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Tenants'views on transfer wanted
MEETINGS to tell council tenants about the possible transfer of their homes to another landlord have been met with apathy. Durham City Council is the latest authority to follow Government orders and hold a stock option appraisal. It could lead to its
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Review to focus on future of forests
THE way the forests of North Yorkshire are managed is coming under review. Vince Carter, Yorkshire regional forestry framework co-ordinator for the Forestry Commission, said the sector faced many challenges. He said: "Changes in economic circumstances
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Watching Brief: Hignett badly missed already as Quakers struggle in front of goal
At this embryonic stage of the season when poor results or weaknesses are usually deemed less crucial given that there's time to rectify them, Darlington's problems have been generally perceived as a lack of killer instinct in front of goal. There has
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Hartlepool by-election 2004: Hospital housing plan is dropped
PLANS to build houses on the site of a threatened hospital were withdrawn by the Government weeks after the announcement of a by-election in which its future was to be a key issue, it has emerged. But opponents fighting a potential loss of health services
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'Forgotten pioneer' is finally recognised
THE day the doors opened at the region's first national museum was one of the proudest moments in the lives of rail pioneer Timothy Hackworth's descendants. About 20 relatives of the former Darlington and Stockton Railway engineer travelled from far and
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Slip-up could have exposed patients to disease
Dirty equipment used at a hospital could have exposed nearly 200 patients to infectious disease. An investigation has been launched into the incident at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, and at-risk patients are to be called in for testing. The equipment
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Wearside League: Narrow victories for the pace-setters
There is no change at the top of the table after leaders Stokesley SC and Darlington RA both won by an only goal. Stokesley had their work cut out at Cleadon SC and there was little between the sides throughout the 90 minutes. The result was settled in
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Pool chief Cooper shellshocked by second half defensive collapse
FIFTEEN minutes of defending as plastic as the fabricated club who formed the opposition and Hartlepool United's day was ruined. Taking the lead against the Milton Keynes Dons at the most unlikely excuse for a football ground you will find, Pool conceded
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Monster fun as scouts flock to weekend camp
NORTH-EAST scouts enjoyed a fun time at an annual camp that has almost grown to its limits. A record 973 scouts, guides and their leaders spent from Friday night to yesterday at the 35th Camp Confido at Moor House, Rainton Gate, near Durham City. Youngsters
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'Forgotten pioneer' is finally recognised
THE day the doors opened at the region's first national museum was one of the proudest moments in the lives of rail pioneer Timothy Hackworth's descendants. About 20 relatives of the former Darlington and Stockton Railway engineer travelled from far and
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Pioneer returned to Iraq's history
THE woman who helped create Iraq is making a comeback to the country's classrooms 30 years after she was erased from the country's textbooks by Saddam Hussein. North-East born diplomat Gertrude Bell played a pivotal role in shaping the country, but in
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Defeat for club rights campaigner
A WOMEN'S rights campaigner has given up fighting to change the workingmen's club movement. Jackie Medley, 59, has quit as secretary of a workingmen's club, which are one of the last bastions of male chauvinism in the UK. She has given up after a 20 year
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Horror as drivers hit crash woman's body
POLICE are investigating after an horrific accident in which a 25-year-old woman died as she staggered from her car following a crash. The woman, who has yet to be positively identified, was killed instantly when she was hit by two articulated lorries
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Fringe issue... we trust not
IN view of the crisis involving British hostage Ken Bigley, it was unwise of Commons Leader Peter Hain to describe Iraq as a "fringe issue" as far as the Labour Party Conference was concerned. And, although he later backtracked after a Downing Street
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Church will stage services at football ground
A popular church is expanding to stage services at a new place of worship, at a football ground. The Bethany City Church kicks-off its new weekly services at Sunderland's Stadium of Light this Sunday having almost outgrown seven-year-old purpose-built
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Pride as a new chapter in history of North-East railways is opened
RESIDENTS of a North-East town were bursting with pride this weekend as thousands of visitors came to the region to witness the start of a new era. Officials unveiled Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon yesterday as people travelled from
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Police may go to Athens to help search for missing man
Police investigating the disappearance of a North-East man in Greece could decide today whether to send officers out to Athens. The international hunt for Melvyn Gamblin, from Darlington, may be stepped up following an internal review of the case. A spokesperson
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Jenas predicts strike duo will score
MIDFIELD dynamo Jermaine Jenas hailed United's strike duo as the best he has ever played with then backed them both to score more than 20 goals each this season. Alan Shearer registered his third of the campaign with a Johnny-on-the spot goal four minutes
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Durham Memories: Pity Me's intriguing name
No one really knows for sure how the village of Pity Me, north of Framwellgate Moor received its intriguing name. One theory derives it from miserere me, a phrase chanted by pilgrims who walked this way. Another suggests the deceased St Cuthbert somehow
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Charity the winner as thousands rise to Great North Run challenge
CHARITY was the winner as 49,000 people took to the streets yesterday for the annual Great North Run. The half-marathon, which has gained a national and international reputation since its launch in 1981, is expected to raise millions of pounds for good
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City miss chance to go top
Durham City missed a chance to go top of the table because of a second half collapse that led to a 5-2 defeat at Bedlington on Saturday. Manager Billy Cruddas said: "Before Saturday, we'd only conceded five goals all season, but now we've doubled that
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Church to hold services inside football stadium
TO some North-East fans, football is a religion. Now one football club is going all the way and transforming its stadium into a church. Churchgoers from the Bethany City Church will gather on Sunday for a service at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. Bethany
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Region's sporting champions are named
SIX people have been named as Everyday Sport Champions after a ceremony. The men and women, from Darlington, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle, were given the awards for their efforts to get fitter. The ceremony, at the Great North Sport and Fitness
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Souness seeks patience
PATIENCE is not a virtue that many would associate with Newcastle United boss Graeme Souness. The 51-year-old Scot was the 1970s and 80s midfield enforcer for whom the term 'no-nonsense' was invented and, as a manager, it would appear that his patience
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The new Robbie Williams..?
THE X Factor wannabe Mark Nigrelli is suffering for his art at this precise moment. He's having his eyebrows plucked. The stylist has sat him down in a chair in the hairdressing salon at Psyche store in Middlesbrough to prepare him for a photo shoot.
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Sweeney's dismissal angers boss
NEALE Cooper accused Antony Sweeney of lacking maturity after seeing his midfielder sent off on Saturday. The 21-year-old, a regular in the Pool side since forcing his way into the first team picture in April, was sent-off after twice clashing with MK
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27/09/04
FOXHUNTING: I MUST correct N Smith (HAS, Sept 20) as he is clearly mis-informed about hunting's class structure. Admittedly, the protestors who burst into the House of Commons did the protest no favours, and I was dismayed at the sights of violence and
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Bus will be latest attraction to arrive at train museum
LOCOMOTION: The National Railway Museum in Shildon will continue its quest to be energy sufficient when it welcomes its latest addition today. A purpose-built minibus will arrive at the New Shildon site this morning to take on its role of ferrying visitors
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Pretorius adds muscle to Mowden cause
AFTER their first win of the season on Saturday, Mowden Park are hoping for a further boost this week with the arrival of 19st South African lock Naude Pretorius. With another powerhouse, Tongan Kelekolio Paino, due to have his twice-delayed back operation
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Band takes stardom step
ROCK band Freerunner have taken a step towards stardom after winning Revolution Big Chance, The Northern Echo's music competition. They gave an energetic performance to a sell-out crowd at The Forum Music Centre, in Darlington, on Friday. The group had
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Firm wins contract
A FIRM is creating a specialist craft to save stricken submarine crew. Perry Slingsby Systems, of Kirkbymoorside, in North Yorkshire, has been awarded a multi-million pound contract to build the Nato submarine rescue submersible. The craft will be able
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Award proves bakery's rise from the ashes
A FAMILY bakery firm is celebrating success in the industry's major awards just months after fire destroyed its headquarters. Peters Bakery won the Business Solutions Award at the Baking Industry Gala Dinner, held in London. Police are still investigating
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Clarke the man for Quakers
IF recent events are anything to go by Matt Clarke and Darlington were just meant to be. Clarke seemed destined to leave during the summer when relegated Notts County came calling with a "substantial" offer for his services. So definite was Clarke's switch
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School to start virtual register
PARENTS will be able to track their child's movements at a North-East school when a new website is launched. They will each be given an individual log-on code and a password to access the database of information about their son or daughter. The scheme
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The Postman Always Rings Twice. West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
ANY stage version of James M Cain's thriller about love, lust and murder has previous film versions to live up to. Director Lucy Bailey gives this sleek and slick production a suitably filmic look, but something is wrong when you come out talking about
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2,000 Pupils net skills for a successful future career
ABOUT 2,000 pupils found out more about education, training and career opportunities available to them in the Tees Valley. The children had the chance to try a number of activities on the first day of the Skills Village event, held at Redcar Bowl and
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Pride as a new chapter in history of North-East railways is opened
RESIDENTS of a North-East town were bursting with pride this weekend as thousands of visitors came to the region to witness the start of a new era. Officials unveiled Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon yesterday as people travelled from
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Are our hospitals safe in their hands?
Which party should the electorate of Hartlepool trust when it comes to the future of their local hospital? Health Correspondent Barry Nelson talked to a famous election campaigner and received an unexpected answer. DOCTOR Richard Taylor is very proud
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Singer adds his voice to us missile defence programme protest
A ROCK star joined protestors outside a military base at the forefront of the US's so-called Son of Star Wars missile defence programme. Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke was one of 250 people who marched on RAF Fylingdales early warning base near Whitby
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Theatre group cancels shows after actress breaks her leg
A TOURING play that started in the North-East has been postponed after an actress broke her leg on stage. Jane Hartley was performing in Richard III at Darlington Arts Centre. Just before the end of the evening performance, she fell over and fractured
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North-East tourism fastest growing in country
THE North-East is experiencing faster growth in tourism than any other area of the country, a new report shows. The report, by the VisitBritain agency, shows that visits to North-East attractions rose by 16 per cent last year -the highest of any region
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Toman quits Peterlee post after seeing his side progress in Vase
FA Vase: Peterlee manager Andy Toman watched his side beat Clipstone with a last minute winner on Saturday - and then announced his resignation. The former Darlington and Hartlepool midfielder decided to quit after two years in the job, in which he saved
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Veteran's return to Far East is televised
A war veteran's return to the Far East to pay tribute to his fallen comrades will be featured on BBC One's Inside Out tonight. Douglas Wilks, from Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, was reunited with other veterans when he travelled to the Far East to mark
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Art exhibitions
TWO exhibitions will open at the Baltic contemporary arts centre, in Gateshead, next month. Recent Paintings, by Elizabeth Magill, and Onlyyou, by Carlos Capeln, will be on show at the centre from Saturday until Sunday, November 28. Published: 27/09/2004
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Book places on arts and crafts courses
ASPIRING artists can try a range of arts and crafts courses through Stockton Council's adult education service. Places are still available in woodwork classes at Northfield School, pottery at The Education Centre, introduction to woodcarving at Kiora
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'Bullied' soldier wins freedom
A TEENAGER who claimed he was bullied at an Army base has won a discharge from the military after going absent without leave (awol) for a year. The 18-year-old, who does not want to be identified, said he endured months of verbal abuse at the hands of
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Shot-shy Boro lacking width
WHEN Stewart Downing fired an innocuous 84th-minute shot into the side netting on Saturday, he wasn't just trying to haul Middlesbrough back onto level terms against championship chasers Chelsea. The second-half substitute might not have known it at the
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Kluivert outshines Shearer in the latest permutation
SINCE Patrick Kluivert's arrival from Barcelona in the summer the debate in the pubs and clubs on Tyneside has surrounded which two from four forwards should be employed as the Magpies' first choice pairing? Several permutations have been suggested by
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Family's victory after girl is hit by van
THE parents of a brain-damaged schoolgirl have won a two-year battle to persuade telecommunications company BT to pay out for the road accident which left her unable to move or speak. Ashleigh Cowen, who is now 14, was left fighting for her life when
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Turner stars for Darlington
DARLINGTON remain next to the bottom of National Three North, but to record their first win on their longest trip of the season augurs well for their survival. They beat Bedford Athletic 17-16, with Andrew Turner's fourth penalty edging them ahead ten
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School's specialist status is secured
A SCHOOL in Darlington has secured specialist sports college status after a donation from an energy company. The Northern Electric Charitable Fund, held by Tees Valley Community Foundation, helped Longfield School with a £6,500 boost. It had to find £50,000
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Backpacker killed to fund drug habit
A drug addict threw York backpacker Caroline Stuttle to her death as he snatched her bag for cash to fund his habit, an Australian court heard. Prosecutor Peter Feeney told Queensland Supreme Court in Bundaberg, Australia, that Ian Douglas Previte ignored
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Diamonds are forever for devoted couple
A couple celebrated 60 years of marriage this weekend with a small party for close family and friends. Connie and Bobby Todd, from High Road, Stanley Crook, were married in St Catherine's Church, Crook, on September 23, 1944. Mr Todd, 91,who worked as
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Couple keep up winning tradition
LEEK-GROWING couple Billy and Sheila Wilthew grabbed the first two places at their village show at the weekend. The former cement worker and his wife have dominated the placings for years at the annual show at Frosterley, in Weardale. This time it was
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Youngsters have Wild West fun
YOUNGSTERS enjoyed a party with a Wild West theme to mark a youth centre's first anniversary. West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust's (WMNT) young people's development team organised the event at St Cuthbert's Youth and Community Centre, in West Lane
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Council collects unwanted cars
UNWANTED and unroadworthy vehicles are being targeted by Stockton Borough Council. The authority is offering to collect redundant vehicles for free until the end of October, when new legislation will see motorists charged £140. The council has access
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Football teams get kitted out
FIFTEEN youth football teams have been kitted out with strips and tracksuits. The kit, given to the sides run by Consett YMCA Juniors FC, was bought with money from The Children's Fund, the YMCA Movement Trust and Consett YMCA. The money was given to
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Nun's book proves a bestseller at cathedral
A NEW publication featuring the life and teachings of St Cuthbert is proving a best-seller in a cathedral bookshop. The book, by Anglican nun Sister Helen Julian, has sold more than 80 copies since it was published last week. Called The Lindisfarne Icon
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Headteacher fears school may lose identity in merger
AN INFANT school community may oppose proposals to amalgamate with a nearby junior school. Cabinet members at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are due to discuss plans to amalgamate Park Lane Infant School with Northgate Junior School, in Guisborough
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Safety checks on electric blankets
PENSIONERS in Hartlepool can have a safety check on their electric blanket before the cold weather sets in. The council's trading standards team will carry out inspections at Hartlepool Civic Centre, in Victoria Road, on Thursday, 21 October, and Friday
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2,000 Pupils net skills for a successful future career
ABOUT 2,000 pupils found out more about education, training and career opportunities available to them in the Tees Valley. The children had the chance to try a number of activities on the first day of the Skills Village event, held at Redcar Bowl and
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Refusal looms for bungalow
A scheme to replace a timber bungalow in the green belt with a stone building has been recommended for refusal by planners. The applicants want to build the bungalow on a field near Mount Pleasant Farm, Gallowgate Lane, in Weeton. Planners have been told
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Initiative will help children with disabilities
CHILDREN with disabilities are to receive more help during the first years of their life thanks to a North Yorkshire initiative which has secured national funding. North Yorkshire County Council's education and social services departments are joining
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Teenager's anguish as arsonists kill pigeons
Arsonists have wiped out a pigeon fancier's birds for the second time in six months. Up to 70 pigeons are believed to have been killed when a blaze destroyed three lofts on Friday night. In March this year, teenager Alan Todd's entire stock of birds was
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Healthy food on school menus
HEALTHY food is being promoted at hundreds of schools in North Yorkshire under a new five-year catering contract. Less fat, salt, sugar and processed foods will be available in the county's 312 primary and six special schools, while there will be more
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Sugar guild claims trophy
DARLINGTON Sugarcraft Guild came first and won a trophy at a recent exhibition in Durham. Everything on the table was made out of sugar and the theme was "a song for you". The guild meets in Walkington House hall in Vane Terrace, near the arts centre
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Youngsters try their mettle
Children are getting an early taste of student life in an attempt to encourage them to go to college. Hundreds of teenagers from across Darlington are taking part in the scheme, run by Darlington College of Technology. The under-16s get the chance to
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Pub finds path to national awards
A DARLINGTON pub has reached the finals of a national award event, designed to recognise the industry's top performers. The Springfield, in Salter's Lane South, has beaten off competition from across the country to be shortlisted for the Pathfinder Pubs
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Campaign for learning centre
A YEAR ago dyslexia sufferer Laura Gannon barely had the courage to leave her home. But thanks to a course, the mother-of-two is now helping drive a campaign to set up a learning support centre in Peterlee. Ms Gannon, who lives with her family in Peterlee
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Council plea to save post offices
DURHAM County Council is calling on the Post Office to rethink its plan to close seven branches that are considered unviable. The company has identified the businesses for the axe as part of a national review of operations in urban areas. Local politicians
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Book launch is a roaring success
THE 1940s returned at the weekend as local history enthusiasts launched their latest book. People dressed in military and civilian costumes of the era as Wheatley Hill Local History Club held a 1940s Day in the village working men's club. Members launched
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Business bosses reject N-E assembly
A poll of North-East businesses delivered a devastating rejection of regional government last night and re-ignited the debate over plans for self government. A survey released on the eve of the Labour Party conference showed a big majority of small businesses
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Inventor seeks a patent for creation
PART-time inventor Kieran Wilkinson has created a smoke alarm that could be a life-saver for the disabled and elderly. The specialist technical officer for North Tyneside Council is now seeking a patent and a manufacturer to bring it into production.
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Cyclists raise £3,500 for cancer care
PROPERTY company staff raised almost £3,500 for the fight against cancer using pedal power. Nine employees of UK Land Estates, in Gateshead, raised the money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care at Elswick, Newcastle, by cycling 188 miles from Edinburgh to
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Archaeologists apply for licence to investigate ship
Fresh evidence about a mystery shipwreck has prompted archaeologists to apply for a government licence to carry out further investigations. The collier ship, which dates back to the 18th or early 19th century, has been exposed for the third time in recent
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On TV at the weekend
Dirty Filthy Love (ITV1) Dirty War (BBC1) The O.C. (C4) THOSE writers always bemoaning the disappearance of the single play on TV should be welcoming with open arms the series of one-off films showing on ITV1 on Sunday evenings. They're providing a welcome
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Holland set to help Emperor to victory
DARRYLL HOLLAND'S booking for Welsh Emperor (2.50) represents a crucial factor in the five-year-old's bid to win the £20,000 Sam Collingwood Conditions Stakes at Hamilton. Welsh Emperor is a big bruiser of a racehorse, much better served by strong all-action
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Payout to charities after open day
GOOD causes benefited from a £17,000 hand-out after racing stables opened their gates to the public. MP William Hague, who represents Richmond, presented cheques to eight local charities from money raised during the Middleham stables open day. More than
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Is this the new Robbie Williams?
With his dark looks and cheeky grin, judges on talent show The X Factor have compared Mark Nigrelli with superstar Robbie Wiliams. Steve Pratt meets the pop hopeful. THE X Factor wannabe Mark Nigrelli is suffering for his art at this precise moment. He's
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Work begins to reduce disruption on steep bank
A STUDY into traffic problems on a well-known hill has started. Police figures show that, on average, there is an incident involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, every other day. The narrowness of the road
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Holland set to help Emperor to victory
DARRYLL HOLLAND'S booking for Welsh Emperor (2.50) represents a crucial factor in the five-year-old's bid to win the £20,000 Sam Collingwood Conditions Stakes at Hamilton. Welsh Emperor is a big bruiser of a racehorse, much better served by strong all-action
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Early start for gold-hope Tanni
Tanni Grey-Thompson will be up before the sun today as she goes into her own personal D-day aiming to become Great Britain's most successful Paralympian of all time on the final day of athletics at the Athens Paralympics. The Redcar-based wheelchair racer
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Parnaby keen to take his second chance
STUART Parnaby has vowed to put previous disappointments behind him as he seeks to make his mark on the Middlesbrough first team. The 22-year-old was initially promoted to the senior ranks in October 2002 and, after making his league debut in a 2-2 draw
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Bomb threat sparks air alert
A SEARCH of a Greek airliner was under way last night after the plane was forced to divert to Stansted airport for an emergency landing following a bomb threat. Police said well-rehearsed procedures had immediately been followed after an anonymous call
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Two wheel terrors and thrills
3-D footage and stunt skating may be helping to sell Starlight Express to North-East ticket-buyers but James Gillian's singing is also on the right track - even if he risks falling flat on his backside. Viv Hardwick reports. YOUNG James Gillan doesn't
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Red faces after Cathedral clanger
RED-FACED airport bosses hardly got a new era off to a flying start when they confused Durham Cathedral with another place of worship thousands of miles away. Durham Tees Valley Airport came into existence in a blaze of publicity last week, with tourist
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McClaren admits Teessiders short of more than just shirts
UTTERED with a hint of sarcasm, manager Steve McClaren could quite easily have been delivering an assessment on Middlesbrough's failings when he explained the reason why striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played the whole of the second half wearing Ugo Ehiogu's
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Hughes does a Gazza - and nearly slides in to score
Macclesfield Town deserved the three points more than Darlington as they made goalkeeper Sam Russell earn his money. But David Hodgson's side came within inches of earning a draw at Moss Rose on Saturday. Youngster Chris Hughes was one of a trio starting
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Clough began as a Synner
A MILLION misty-eyed words on Cloughy's passing and not one on his first senior club: it really did begin at Billingham Synthonia. Peter Lax, lifelong Synner and former ICI workmate, recalls Clough scoring three in five games for the Northern League side
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North-East tourism fastest growing in country
THE North-East is experiencing faster growth in tourism than any other area of the country, a new report shows. The report, by the VisitBritain agency, shows that visits to North-East attractions rose by 16 per cent last year -the highest of any region
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Charity's appeal for advisors
A CHARITY is appealing for three business advisors to come forward. Volunteers are needed for the Young Enterprise Programme in York, which involves practical, fun activities led by a volunteer from local business or the community working in schools.
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Two wheel terrors and thrills
3-D footage and stunt skating may be helping to sell Starlight Express to North-East ticket-buyers but James Gillian's singing is also on the right track - even if he risks falling flat on his backside. Viv Hardwick reports. YOUNG James Gillan doesn't
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Woman dies after suspected burglary
An 81-year-old widow who was savagely battered during a suspected burglary at her home almost three months ago has died in hospital, police said today. Great-grandmother Mary Richardson, who suffered severe head injuries and multiple bruising, never left
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Blunt Hodgson gets the right response but wrong result
IN a week in which the football world mourned the death of Brian Clough, few managers would deny the legacy Old Big Ead has left behind. Least of all Darlington boss David Hodgson, who, like Clough, has never been afraid to speak his mind. Hodgson's bluntness
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Nurses express fears for patients
NURSES on a North-East psychiatric ward have expressed fears that patients may needlessly be put at risk if they are transferred to a new hospital 20 miles away. In a strongly-worded letter to health trust chief executive Sandy Taylor, staff at the secure
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Beaten Bishops angry after 'goal' disallowed
UniBond Lague: Bishop Auckland were annoyed about a disallowed goal that turned possible victory into defeat at Radcliffe Borough on Saturday. With the scores 2-2 in the last minute of normal time, Bishops' defender Mark Foster had a goal disallowed for
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McClaren admits Teessiders short of more than just shirts
UTTERED with a hint of sarcasm, manager Steve McClaren could quite easily have been delivering an assessment on Middlesbrough's failings when he explained the reason why striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played the whole of the second half wearing Ugo Ehiogu's
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A welcome change
Dirty Filthy Love (ITV1); Dirty War (BBC1); The O.C. (C4): THOSE writers always bemoaning the disappearance of the single play on TV should be welcoming with open arms the series of one-off films showing on ITV1 on Sunday evenings. They're providing a
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Two wheel terrors and thrills
YOUNG James Gillan doesn't care a hoot about being called Rusty. In fact, he's the first choice heroic locomotive as the Scottish performer prepares to bring Starlight Express to Sunderland's Empire Theatre for a massive Christmas run. Despite the rollerskate-powered
