Archive
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Woman robbed
An 86-year-old woman was robbed of a small amount of money by two men who forced their way into her home in Calow Way, Whickham, Gateshead, when she answered the door at 11.40am on Monday. The woman suffered injuries to her arm and hands.
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Centre to help foster parents set to spark angry backlash
A RESPITE centre to help foster parents and children could be created in Hartlepool. But council officers have warned that proposals to re-open the former Flint Walk Children's Home to house the centre could cause a backlash from neighbours. The new three-bed
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Pupils reach contest final
THREE youngsters from Stockton are to represent the North-East in the national final of a language competition later this month. David Parker, Sophie Waters and Sam Pratt - all pupils at Holy Trinity School - have reached the final of the Euro Language
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North film's success is spreading
THE big screen success of a North-East film has won it an extended screening and new bookings in the region. A Century In Stone will now be shown at Middlesbrough's UGC Multiplex for the third week, and screenings have been booked at Boldon, in South
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Bishop's palace will not be sold after decision from clergy
ONE of the church's most prized possessions will not be scrapped. Leading clergymen have voted to keep Bishopthorpe Palace, home of the Archbishop of York. The decision was taken despite church reformers calling for buildings to be sold to cut costs.
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Club facing anxious wait over pitch
OFFICIALS at one of the regions most famous amateur football clubs face an anxious wait while experts find out what caused a ten-metre wide crater to open up in their pitch. The Coal Authority has told Tow Law Town FC, in County Durham, that site investigation
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Survivor of Iraq landmine vows to be a soldier again
A TEENAGE squaddie whose leg was blown up by an Iraqi landmine has vowed to be a soldier again. Private Christopher Thompson, who endured months of painful surgery after doctors were forced to amputate his badly injured leg below the knee, was injured
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30/09/04
HUNTING: THE hunting protestors who burst into the House of Commons may not have done their cause any favours but they sure enlightened the rest of us to the laughable lack of security that protects the paltry few of our esteemed MPs who actually turn
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Magpies can cope with conditions, O'Brien
ANDY O'Brien is confident that Newcastle's two gruelling tours of the Far East will ensure they cope with the energy-sapping conditions in Israel's national arena tonight. The Magpies take on Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin in the Ramat Gan Stadium looking to keep
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Tuesday's new face
Tamzin Outhwaite enjoyed facing up to a dual role which cast her as Frances Tuesday, a women needing a new identity after giving evidence against a crooked lover. Steve Pratt reports. FORMER EastEnders and Red Cap actress Tamzin Outhwaite shows a very
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UEFA Cup Diary - Middlesbrough
THE industrial skyline of Ostrava makes an instant impression on every Teessider's thoughts. 'It's home from home' one suggests, followed by a quick giggle. 'Middlesbrough should have no bother getting used to this.' During the 25-minute trip from an
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Show draws on Dales beauty
AN award-winning photographer's images of the Yorkshire Dales go on display at the weekend. Hemant Jariwala has chosen the Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes, Wensleydale, for the launch of his exhibition, called Portraits of the Dales. Mr Jariwala, from
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Village plea for clear signs as overseas drivers struggle
FOREIGN lorry drivers who do not understand English road signs are causing a problem in a small village. Some of the drivers have churned up part of the village green and damaged garden walls as they struggle to do three-point turns in Whorlton near Barnard
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Budding careers take shape
THREE young gardeners have been offered training contracts with their local council. Philp Gray, Eric Appleby and Andrew Shaw have been contracted by Ferryhill Town Council to undertake their NVQ level 2 in horticulture at Houghall College while working
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Residents encouraged to recycle
AN environmentally-friendly group is launching a scheme to encouage people to recycle rubbish. The campaign by the West Rainton Green Group is being supported by North Eastern and Co-op supermarket, in Houghton-le-Spring. Green group chairwoman Lesley
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Fury at move to 'cheat' miners
TWO hundred thousand ex-miners or their families will lose out on potential six figure compensation pay-outs if the Government goes ahead with controversial new proposals, The Northern Echo can reveal. Currently more than half a million claims for compensation
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Apples at the double for events
A celebration of apples is to be held on Saturday. Many varieties of eating and coooking apples will be on sale at a farmers' market and parish church autumn fair, to be held at the same time in Barnard Castle. Pies, tarts, cakes and drinks made with
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Take a chance on Suez
WITH so many classy fillies lined up for this afternoon's Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, the outcome will doubtless have an effect on the state of the ante-post market for next year's 1,000 Guineas. Only two of the seven runners defend unbeaten
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Napoleon Shearer!
HAPOEL Bnei Sakhnin coach Eyal Lachman has pinpointed Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer as the man his side have to stop if they are to achieve the upset of all upsets in this evening's UEFA Cup first-round second-leg tie. Sakhnin must overhaul a two-goal
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Getting the bigger picture
British Isles - A Natural History (BBC1); Mediums - Talking to the Dead (BBC2): WHAT a fascinating and refreshing opening to a new series. Alan Titchmarsh, a man usually confined to the back garden, steps out into the open landscape to take a look at
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Great North couple run up wish list
A COUPLE helped grant wishes to sick children by taking part in the Great North Run. Amanda and Darren Hart, of Northallerton, joined 140 people running in the event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The charity grants wishes to children with life-threatening
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House scheme wins favour
A scheme to build a detached house in part of a former public house car park at Winksley, near Ripon, should be given the go-ahead, say planners. Briahaze Village Homes is applying to erect the property and double garage alongside the former Countryman
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Handy aid to improve home safety
AN initiative to improve home safety will be launched next week. Hambleton Community Safety Partnership has bought supplies of security devices, including spy hole viewers, door chains, window and shed alarms, while smoke alarms have been provided by
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Council urges liaison with Lottery body
A NEW National Lottery fund should work with local authorities to distribute money, according to North Yorkshire County Council. The Big Lottery Fund (BLF) has been set up to distribute money previously given out by the New Opportunities Fund and the
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Designers get in tune
CREATIVE design consultancy somethinkelse has hit a high note after securing a contract to produce a music publication. The Newcastle company has been appointed to design the layout of Piano Life, which is being produced by high street musical instrument
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Classic Kaput!
Director/designer Neil Murray was bound to be anxious about a drama project called Kaput! He doesn't even want to discuss tempting fate with Viv Hardwick. But the project itself links East and West, 19th and 20th centuries and the admired writers Chekov
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Cheapest street to be bulldozed
AN eyesore street that contains the country's cheapest house is to be demolished. Number 57 Costa Street in South Bank, Middlesbrough, hit the headlines last month after it was valued at £5,000 - earning it the title of the UK's cheapest place to live
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Stalwart Cooper ready to fulfil his Euro dream
Middlesbrough stalwart Colin Cooper gets the chance to fulfil one of his ambitions in the Czech Republic tonight. Paul Fraser caught up with the 37-year-old veteran in Ostrava. NINETEEN years after making his Middlesbrough debut, club veteran Colin Cooper
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Football scheme is transferred to new stadium
A SCHEME allowing youngsters to develop their footballing potential has a magnificent new home. The Darlington Football in the Community team has moved into the Williamson Motors Stadium, in Neasham Road. The scheme, led by former Darlington star Kevin
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Workers warned not to go on strike
BOSSES at Stockton's Visqueen plant have threatened to move work away from Teesside if staff strike over pay, it emerged last night. The threat came in a letter sent to about 200 employees at the Yarm Road plant of British Polythene Industries (BPI),
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Nissan vice-president confirms interest in Russia
vice-president of Nissan Patrick Pelata has told a Moscow business journal that the company is considering opening a plant in Russia. Growing sales in the former Soviet state have encouraged the car manufacturer to look into the possibility of opening
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Caged and in chains - but alive
Shackled and caged Iraq hostage Ken Bigley wept as he called the Prime Minister a liar in a new video issued by his kidnappers last night. The 62-year old's family expressed their relief at seeing Mr Bigley alive but renewed their pleas for his captors
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John North: Siding into the foreground
Drawn by memories of childhood adventure, the column visits Locomotion, the newly-opened National Railway Museum at Shildon. OLD Clarey was the ogre who guarded the path to Fairy Glen, or so we believed when we were but bit bairns. Had he been armed with
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Flexible friends take the strain
MORTGAGE lending slowed to its lowest level for a year last month as consumers spent a record amount on their credit cards. The Bank of England reported a fall in lending for the second month in succession, suggesting consumers were becoming wary about
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Jobs safe despite factory merger
A GLOBAL car components business said last night it is to merge two North-East factories in a cost-cutting measure. But TRW, which has plants in Peterlee and Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, said that for now it would retain all 600 staff. A spokeswoman
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A rough reception for United
GRAEME Souness has warned his Newcastle United players to expect another dose of rough-house tactics as they look to progress to the second round of the UEFA Cup in Israel tonight. The Magpies are firm favourites against Israeli minnows Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin
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New minimum wage will cost us dear, says federation
NORTHERN manufacturers said they were deeply concerned about the introduction tomorrow of a new national minimum wage. The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) said that the region's employers feared the increase - a rise of 7.8 per cent - may damage
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Nissan vice-president confirms interest in Russia
vice-president of Nissan Patrick Pelata has told a Moscow business journal that the company is considering opening a plant in Russia. Growing sales in the former Soviet state have encouraged the car manufacturer to look into the possibility of opening
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Gran At Large: Dancing 'til you drop
JONAH'S feet were tapping to the music. They hadn't yet cleared the tables away so the dancing could begin, but he was ready to go. He already had his shoes off. Then a new sound suddenly burst into the air against the lively notes of the ceilidh band
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New minimum wage will cost us dear, says federation
NORTHERN manufacturers said they were deeply concerned about the introduction tomorrow of a new national minimum wage. The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) said that the region's employers feared the increase - a rise of 7.8 per cent - may damage
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Cat hanged by house intruders
A PET owner has offered a £1,000 reward for information after callous intruders hanged his cat. Billy Mason, of Redmarshall, near Stockton, has offered the reward in hope of catching whoever killed 17-year-old Ninja. The intruders also poured creosote
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Archers are on target for tournament success
VISUALLY-impaired archers from across the region have been taking part in a tournament. During the event, held at Gilesgate Sport College in Durham City, the region's best archers competed against each other, but there was also a chance for people who
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Cooper praise for his shoot-out battlers
HARTLEPOOL boss Neale Cooper hailed his side's fighting spirit after they staged a dramatic comeback in Tuesday's thrilling LDV Vans Trophy win over Hull City. Pool were on the verge of crashing out of the competition at the first hurdle after finding
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Council urges PO to rethink
DURHAM County Council has called on the Post Office to rethink its plans to close seven branches that are considered unviable. The company has identified the businesses for the axe as part of a national review of its operations in urban areas. Local politicians
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Residents urged to have their say
A DEVELOPER hopes to build nearly 300 new homes on a controversial site next to one of County Durham's most famous country halls. Barratt Developments seeks planning permission to erect 298 houses near the ancestral home of folk hero Bobby Shafto - Whitworth
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Superheroes, soap stars and spin
People in Hartlepool go to the polls today in what is likely to be the last vote before the General Election next summer. Neil Hunter takes a look at how the nine-week by-election campaign has taken shape. THEY say a week's a long time in politics - well
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Bid to cut re-offending with weekend jail plan
PRISONERS will be allowed to live at home for part of the week to keep their jobs when a "weekend jail" scheme goes nationwide. Home Secretary David Blunkett announced yesterday that the controversial part-time prison initiative would be introduced at
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Bono urges Blair and Brown to tackle African poverty
Rock star Bono yesterday urged Tony Blair and Gordon Brown to use Britain's influence to transform the future of Africa. The U2 frontman called on the two men to use Britain's presidency of the G8 and EU next year to lead an international effort to tackle
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Jobs safe despite factory merger
A GLOBAL car components business said last night it is to merge two North-East factories in a cost-cutting measure. But TRW, which has plants in Peterlee and Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, said that for now it would retain all 600 staff. A spokeswoman
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Scarlett-faced
THAT Groundhog Day feeling hits Walford as Vicki Fowler, the girl with the changeable accent, follows mum Michelle and starts seeing a college lecturer old enough to be her father. At least we should be pleased she's found someone outside the family with
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Toy-toon is back
A 16-CAR pile-up and a giant airplane landing gear being lowered from the arena ceiling are just two of the massive special effects on view as Toy Story 2 becomes the latest Disney On Ice show to visit Tyneside. From Tuesday until next Sunday, Woody,
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Addict stole from his grandfather
A FORMER heroin addict stole gold rings from his grandfather's home only days after he was released from prison for burglary. Clinton Ross was branded a public menace by Judge Peter Fox after Teesside Crown Court heard he broke into the house in Dodds
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Footwear design service in church
WHEN he began searching for a base to design specialist sports footwear, Wayne Edy never dreamt he would end up renting a Methodist church hall. But from there, he has built a successful business, which involves his designs embarking on a remarkable journey
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On TV last night
British Isles - A Natural History (BBC1) Mediums - Talking to the Dead (BBC2) WHAT a fascinating and refreshing opening to a new series. Alan Titchmarsh, a man usually confined to the back garden, steps out into the open landscape to take a look at nature's
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Bellamy to judge charity competition
ENVIRONMENTALIST David Bellamy will judge a photography competition at a charity shop in Darlington. Barnardos's, on Post House Wynd, which used to be a photography and developing shop, is holding the competition to raise money. Shop manager Jill Payne
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UEFA Cup Diary - Newcastle United
The common consensus among the travelling press pack is that Tel Aviv is not at all like it was advertised in the brochure. Initial fears of a war-ravaged city, ringed by security fences and machine-gun toting guards, have been dispelled and replaced
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Camera network hailed a success
A CLOSED circuit television camera network which was installed ten years ago has helped police make 4,000 arrests. The system started in Darlington in 1994, with 40 cameras around the town, at a cost of £750,000. Since then, a further investment of £275,000
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150-year-old private school bucks trend and admits boys
A LEADING North-East girls' school said yesterday that it will accept male students for the first time in its 150-year history. Polam Hall, an independent fee-paying school in Darlington, said the decision to allow boys into its sixth form from September
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Silence for tragic mum
A MINUTE'S silence was held yesterday for a mother who died when she was trapped under her car in a school car park. Alison Taylor, 36, was pinned down by her car when it rolled down a small embankment as she tried to start it on Tuesday morning. The
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Council could net £6m from free meals
UP to £6m in Government cash could be on the menu for Darlington schools - if more pupils register for free meals. At present, just over 19 per cent of the borough's 16,000 pupils take school meals. But if the figure was to reach 24 per cent - another
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Controversial care home to open
A CONTROVERSIAL care home for elderly people will open next month. Charles Dickens Lodge, in Barnard Castle, is the final home of six extraCare schemes being built across County Durham. The home has been built on the site of the Stoneleigh residential
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Council tax questionnaire
RESIDENTS are to be asked for their views on next year's council tax levels. A questionnaire will be sent out with the next issue of Durham City News, the city council's newsletter. Councillor Carol Woods, finance portfolio holder on the council, said
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Water company fined over pollution of beck
A WATER company has pledged there will be no repeat of sewage discharges into a stream near a housing estate. Northumbrian Water said faulty equipment that led to raw sewage overflowing into Rainton Burn, Houghton-le-Spring, had been removed. The company
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Search for funding
PLANS to return a landmark building on Hartlepool's Headland to its former glory are gathering pace. Talks are under way to try to secure the final funding needed to start restoration of the Carnegie Building. Funds have been earmarked by the North Hartlepool
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Housing list review
A MAJOR review of a housing waiting list is under way with thousands of new application forms being sent out to people in Hartlepool. Housing Hartlepool is reviewing all applications it has held on file. Andy Powell, Housing Hartlepool's Director of Housing
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Owners of dogs face fines for fouling
DURHAM City Council is planning a November crackdown on dog fouling. Wardens will patrol known trouble spots throughout the month and anyone caught breaking the law by not clearing up after their pet will get a £50 fixed penalty. The move follows a responsible
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Gran At Large
JONAH'S feet were tapping to the music. They hadn't yet cleared the tables away so the dancing could begin, but he was ready to go. He already had his shoes off. Then a new sound suddenly burst into the air against the lively notes of the ceilidh band
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Steel plant is demolished
DOZENS of people watched as an old steel plant was demolished on Teesside. The plant at Lackenby, near the Trunk Road, Redcar, was originally opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. Gerard Smith, team leader at the Corus Steel BOS Plant at Lackenby, said
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Dan the man
After latest movie Layer Cake, Daniel Craig may finally have to face up to celebrity fame - particularly after dating model Kate Moss. The modest actor talks to Steve Pratt about a career plan which avoids making Hollywood his home. DANIEL Craig is one
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Church says it with flowers
AN appeal to buy a new pipe organ for St Cuthbert's Church, in Darlington, began in earnest at a striking flower festival at the weekend. The church needs to raise up to £400,000 to replace its 124-year-old organ, which is in a poor state of repair. The
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The Great Debate - My View: A stronger voice will be good for the North
I think there is a pride in the region, I do get a sense of regional identity and the TUC supports the idea of regional government. The idea is not new for us. We were discussing it as far back as 1979. We instinctively know that it would have a good
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Plans unveiled for sports complex at ex-steelworks
A MULTI-MILLION pound bid has being launched to create the region's leading learning, leisure and sports complex - and help revive a former steel town. Council and college bosses yesterday unveiled a £20m partnership project to develop a 650-acre site
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Plans unveiled for sports complex at ex-steelworks
A MULTI-MILLION pound bid has being launched to create the region's leading learning, leisure and sports complex - and help revive a former steel town. Council and college bosses yesterday unveiled a £20m partnership project to develop a 650-acre site
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Court is told of sex texts to girl, 14
A TRAINEE scout leader sent explicit text messages to a 14-year-old girl, a court was told yesterday. Benjamin Edward Cockburn also arranged for the teenager to go to his house for a "practical" lesson in "the basics". But the rendezvous was cancelled
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Lorry driver denies girls' assault claims
A LORRY driver accused of carrying out a string of sex attacks on young girls told a court yesterday: "It's total rubbish." Melvin McFadden, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, took the witness stand at Teesside Crown Court to deny eight counts of indecent
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Experience the key to Boro's progress
STEVE McCLAREN has called for Middlesbrough's wise men to lead by example and help complete UEFA Cup victory over Banik Ostrava tonight after having four of his five summer recruits ruled out through injury. Neither Jimmy Floyd Hasslelbaink nor Mark Viduka
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Murderers who shot gentle David in the back are sentenced to life
THREE men have been jailed for life for killing a "quiet and gentle" North-East naturalist during a visit to India. Jagat Singh, Lal Singh and Satish Soni, all aged between 20 and 25, were found guilty of murdering and robbing David Green on January 15
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Farmer's wife expands healing service
A FARMER'S wife has taken the idea of a healthy holiday a step further by teaching a self-healing technique from her bed and breakfast. Julie Watson runs a B&B from Low Lidmoor Farm, in Bransdale, near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, which she farms
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Tiger feet couple run to success in memory of animal-loving mum
A MIDDLESBROUGH nurse and her fianc completed Sunday's Great North Run dressed as tigers, in mem-ory of her animal-loving mum. Alison Jordan, who works at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, and Steven Elphee, donned tiger-striped vests, furry
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Schools' plan gets an airing
AN open day to launch Darlington's first extended schools scheme will be held next weekend. The pioneering scheme will see Hummersknott School and Language College and Skerne Park Primary School providing more services for pupils, families and the wider
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Gay community surveyed on effects of hate crime
CRIME experts have launched a campaign to find out more about the effects of anti-social behaviour on the gay community. Hambleton and Richmondshire's community safety partnerships have joined forces to discover the views and experiences of lesbian, gay
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Millennium Bridge on the blink
A CIRCUIT board costing less than £200 has led to problems for a £22m bridge. The electrical fault on the Millennium Bridge, linking Newcastle and Gateshead, means it cannot tilt to allow ships to pass beneath it. Experts said the bridge, which has been
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Interest rate rises hit the high street
BUSINESS leaders have called for a halt to interest rate rises following more evidence of a slowdown in high street sales. Retailers said this month was unexpectedly weak thanks largely to higher interest rates and rising energy costs. This month's figures
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Five generations - and girls definitely rule the roost
IF new mother Sarah Roper needs a babysitter, she has plenty of options. Her six-week-old daughter Hannah can look forward to birthday and Christmas presents from a grandmother, a great-grandmother and even a great-great-grandmother. The eldest of the
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BBC hosts debate on regional assembly
THE BBC will screen a televised debate this month on the referendum campaign for and against an elected North-East assembly. The debate, featuring leading figures from the Yes and No campaigns before an invited audience, will be shown across the country
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Designers get in tune
CREATIVE design consultancy somethinkelse has hit a high note after securing a contract to produce a music publication. The Newcastle company has been appointed to design the layout of Piano Life, which is being produced by high street musical instrument
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Church gives congregation a say
A PARISH church is throwing open its doors next week to give residents the chance to have their say on its future. In an unprecedented move, the Parochial Church Council of St Mary's, in Thirsk, has written to present and past church members, and many
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A fairground attraction
A MODEL maker is counting on the fun of the fair to draw crowds to an exhibition raising money for heart patients. Peter Campbell's miniature working fairground will be on show in Tudhoe Community Centre on Saturday, October 9, from 11.30am to 5pm. The
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Grand finale can boost the kitty
As the Flat season draws to a close, racing writer Colin Woods (Janus) gives a progress report on his ten-to-follow. WITH six weeks of the Flat season remaining, those readers with sufficient faith to have invested a £10 level stake on all of the ten-to-follow
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Course looks at churches
HISTORIAN and leading authority on medieval churches Sophie Weston is to run a course this autumn at the Helmsley Arts Centre focussing on ancient buildings in Ryedale. She has retired to Pickering after a career which included being a musician at the
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'Physio direct' scheme launched
A PILOT scheme will mean patients can get help from a physiotherapist without needing to visit their doctor first. From Monday, patients over 18 who have a musculoskeletal problem and are registered with the Mowbray House and Mayford House surgeries,
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Villagers angry at threat to phone box
A BATTLE has begun to save a phone box - the only community facility left in a North Yorkshire hamlet. The residents of Ilton-cum-Pott, high above Masham, near Ripon, are fighting to keep the phone, which British Telecom (BT) wants to remove. The residents
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Hodgson keeps the faith
Confident David Hodgson won't be bringing in any defensive cover despite being without three of his squad's back-line for the foreseeable future. Both Joey Hutchinson and Curtis Fleming are in the Darlington manager's usual first-choice XI but the pair
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Don't underestimate Ostrava, warns Srnicek
MIDDLESBROUGH have been told to underestimate Banik Ostrava at their peril as the Czech Republic champions prepare to welcome the Teessiders to the hostile surroundings of the Bazaly Stadium. Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek, who started
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Pub regulars run up funds
THREE regulars at the Ship Inn, Middlestone Village - Doug Charlton, Nova Reeves and Clare Mitchell - raised £1,500 for Breast Cancer Care after taking part in the Great North Run. The trio, who completed the run in two and a half hours, were supported
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Village farewell for rural officer
THE last Heartbeat-style village policeman in a part of the North-East has hung up his uniform after three decades of serving a rural community. Alan Lambert, 54, has retired after 27 years patrolling the 180sq miles of moorland around Edmundbyers, near
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Proud railway town enters a new era
A TOWN's residents were bursting with pride last weekend as thousands of visitors flocked to the region to witness the start of a new era. Shildon unveiled Locomotion: National Railway Museum on Saturday as people travelled from as far as Canada to see
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Conference aims to promote the North-East's rural economy
A CONFERENCE yesterday began discussing ways to exploit the economic potential of some of the North-East's best-loved countryside. Urban and rural decision-makers met at Beamish Hall Hotel, near Stanley, County Durham, to talk about the region's Areas
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Breen's appeal doomed to failure after fruitless hunt for evidence
SUNDERLAND'S attempts to overturn Gary Breen's red-card at Bramall Lane looked doomed to failure last night as the club searched in vain for TV footage of the incident. The only camera crew at the ground missed the seemingly innocuous clash between the
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Mystery couple saved from blazing building
FIREFIGHTERS last night rescued two people from a blazing building. The fire took hold at a derelict house in Turnbull Street, Hartlepool, just before 6pm. When officers arrived at the house they found flames pouring out of the ground floor windows and
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Health centre grows
A NEW walk-in health centre planned for Darlington is set to be bigger than first planned. Darlington Primary Care Trust's £1m headquarters will be based at Dr Piper House, in King Street, and is due to open in December. The trust's latest board meeting
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Elliott takes a flight of fancy
Robbie Elliott is the one remaining survivor from Newcastle's best away result in Europe - a 5-0 win against Antwerp ten years ago. As he prepares for his 14th European game against Sakhnin tonight, he tells Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson of his highs
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Talk About The Passion, Arc Theatre, Stockton
THIS isn't for everyone. Inside 20 minutes of a 70-minute play, the vengeful father of a murdered six-year-old has half-throttled the callous female publisher of a book glorifying the boy's death in the words of a serial child rapist and killer. But Yarm
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In danger? That's just the parents
OUR soon-to-be 13-year-old has dreamed up a really scary birthday party treat for himself and six friends. They want to camp out overnight by the stream down at the bottom of the dark, dark woods. But the most truly terrifying, blood-curdling, mind-numbingly
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Dancing 'til you drop
JONAH'S feet were tapping to the music. They hadn't yet cleared the tables away so the dancing could begin, but he was ready to go. He already had his shoes off. Then a new sound suddenly burst into the air against the lively notes of the ceilidh band
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BBC hosts debate on regional assembly
THE BBC will screen a televised debate this month on the referendum campaign for and against an elected North-East assembly. The debate, featuring leading figures from the Yes and No campaigns before an invited audience, will be shown across the country
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Universities fight back
ONE of the North-East's flagship universities has hit back at accusations that it is failing to recruit enough students from poorer backgrounds. Durham University was one of 17 institutions identified by the Government's Higher Education Statistics Agency
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TV cameras earn praise
A CLOSED circuit television camera network, first installed ten years ago, has helped police to make 4,000 arrests. The system in Darlington started in 1994 with 40 cameras around the town, at a cost of £750,000. Since then, an investment of £275,000
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Youths to take part in games festival
ALOMST 1,500 young people from the most deprived areas of the region will be taking part in a sporting festival with a difference this weekend. The Streetgames Festival will take place on Saturday at Durham University's Maiden Castle sports centre. It
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Bye, bye baby
For every youngster leaving home to start university this autumn, there's a parent left behind strugging with the loss of their grown-up babies. Womens Editor Lindsay Jennings reports on the Empy-Nest Syndrome. FOR Wendy Reaney, the impact of her daughter's
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Flintoff decision was no cover-up - Morgan
English cricket chief David Morgan yesterday rubbished suggestions that Andrew Flintoff's reluctance to tour Zimbabwe had been covered up and insisted that any player who subsequently pulled out of the 14-man squad on moral grounds would escape censure
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Eyeing up new artwork
RESIDENTS and traders are invited to a public meeting to help decide how their town centre will look in the future. People in Spennymoor are being consulted over plans for artwork and landscaping of the town as part of a massive regeneration scheme. A
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Fury at move to 'cheat' miners
TWO hundred thousand ex-miners or their families will lose out on potential six figure compensation pay-outs if the Government goes ahead with controversial new proposals, The Northern Echo can reveal. Currently more than half a million claims for compensation
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Hodgson refuses to go on the defensive
Confident David Hodgson won't be bringing in any defensive cover despite being without three of his squad's back-line for the next two matches. Both Joey Hutchinson and Curtis Fleming are in the Darlington manager's usual first-choice XI but the pair
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Male abuse victims to get refuge
THE first refuge for male victims of domestic violence in Britain is to be set up in the region. The purpose-built unit will be run by the charity It Does Happen, based in County Durham, and will offer men and their children a secure place to escape from
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£1.8m media centre gets go-ahead
PLANS to build a three-storey media centre costing more than £1.8m at the region's flagship cricket ground have been approved. The proposals for Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground at Chester-le-Street-le-Street were endorsed by Chester-le-Street
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Cheating the dying
FOR generations of North-East men, a life down the pit was the only option. It was an option which put bread on the table but, for many, proved to be a killer. With little or no thought given to health and safety by employers, the legacy of a working
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Martial arts team stages display
AN open-air demonstration of martial arts has been held in a Darlington car park. Stephen Moore, founder of Moore's Ultimate Combat, gave the demonstration yesterday with members of his group, including junior members, in the car park of Firthmoor Community
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Helping to fight hunger
STUDENTS at Darlington College of Technology are helping to feed starving children in Africa. Students in the hotel and catering department at the college are taking part in Restaurants Against Hunger Week, from October 9 to 17. Customers at the college's
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Apology to pupils over bus passes
A COUNCIL has apologised after youngsters were refused places on a school bus. About eight pupils of St Leonard's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, in Durham City, were turned away by the driver when they tried to get on at Quebec on Tuesday, even
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'Build-up of grease could cause blaze'
AN expert is warning people that build-up of grease and dirt inside ovens is a major source of kitchen fires. Derek Lancaster operates the Ovenu domestic oven valeting service throughout the Darlington area. He was horrified by statistics showing that
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Students run wild - but all in a good cause
STAFF and students at a Darlington sixth form college dressed up in old school uniforms to raise more than £600 for victims of the Beslan massacre. The students' association at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form organised a St Trinian's Day to raise money for
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Council keeps eye on fundraisers
DURHAM City Council has signed an agreement to regulate the operation of charity fundraisers. Increasingly, charities are turning to teams, often employed by professional fundraising firms, that ask people in the street to sign up for direct debit contributions
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Airman's name finally added to memorial after 60 years
THE name of an airman killed during the Second World War has finally been added to the war memorial in his home town, 60 years after his death. John Robinson, from Rievaulx, near Helmsley, North Yorkshire, died when his plane came down over the Irish
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Police warn over thefts
POLICE in Darlington have again warned that opportunist thieves will prey on absent-minded motorists. A bag was stolen from a car parked in the Oxford Street Mews area of Springfield on Tuesday night. A window was smashed and the thief took the bag from
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Care centre extension
A HEALTHCARE company is refurbishing one of its centres to improve the quality of life of adults with learning disabilities. Castlebeck, whose head office is in Darlington, has also extended the property in Woodland Road in the town to ensure it complies
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GPs' new rules for patients
new out-of-hours health care services are to be introduced on Saturday. New contracts for GPs mean that family doctors will be handing over the responsibility for providing out-of- hours services to Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT). Patients seeking
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Man's death from bridge 'not suicide'
AN inquest jury yesterday returned an open verdict into the death of a man who jumped from a pedestrian ramp at the entrance of a police station after asking to be taken back into custody. Alcoholic Anthony Joyce, 37, who had been arrested for assaulting
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Credit given to trade initiative as tourist numbers on the rise
INCREASED marketing has seen tourism figures in a rural area of County Durham rise substantially. A number of tourist attractions, hotels and tourism operators in Teesdale have reported a growth in business this year, despite the bad weather. It is believed
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Meet the retired miner who really knows his onions
A VETERAN onion grower has once again won a top prize for a king-sized vegetable. Retired miner, Billy Lamb, 64, from Wordsworth Road, Easington Colliery, retained the heaviest onion title for the seventh successive year in the Newcastle Breweries World's
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Have you seen this lost toy?
THE family of a distraught toddler is asking for help in finding a favourite toy. Morgan Chatfield, three, from Barnard Castle, lost the monkey soft toy while out with grandmother Julie Douglas in Darlington town centre last Friday. It went missing between
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Winter health check includes free flu jab
PEOPLE over 65 are being invited to a free pre-winter health check, which includes a flu vaccination. Sedgefield Primary Care Trust has organised an event at Spennymoor Leisure Centre for all over-65s who are registered with doctors in the town. As well
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£18,000 boost for park path
SEDGEFIELD Borough Council's countryside team has been awarded £14,000 to improve footpaths around Ferryhill Carrs nature reserve. The council is adding a further £4,000 to the grant from the Countryside Agency's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. A
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Bid to improve safety on roads
IMPROVEMENTS have been proposed to a busy stretch of road in Hartlepool in a bid to promote road safety. A study was carried out into traffic in an area including the A689, from Truro Drive to Brierton Lane; Catcote Road, from Truro Drive to Brierton
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Residents fled homes as garage fire spread
RESIDENTS were forced to flee their homes in the early hours yesterday as a blaze engulfed a garage. The fire, which is being investigated by police, destroyed the wooden garage behind the property on Leinster Road, Middlesbrough. It spread dangerously
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (3) Scooby Doo 2 2 (9) Paycheck 3 (-) Taking Lives - Director's Cut 4 (1) The Passion Of The Christ 5 (-) Kill Bill Vol 2 6 (6) Shaun Of The Dead 7 (-) Bruce Almighty 8 (5) School Of Rock 9 (4) Monster 10 (8) Girl With A Pearl Earring
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Anyone For Breakfast?, Forum Theatre Billingham
Lovers of TV soaps will recognise several faces in this enjoyable farce, written by actor and playwright Derek Benfield. The plot, as always, is one of misunderstandings and mistaken identities. Shirley decides to give her friend Jane the opportunity
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Gibson fulfils his dream
DELIGHTED chairman Steve Gibson touched down in the Czech Republic yesterday desperate for Middlesbrough to make a bigger name for themselves on the European stage. Gibson has been the driving force behind the club's rise and rise from liquidation in
