Archive
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Work starting on world's largest biofuel plant in N-E
A NORTH-EAST plant to convert farm crops into fuel will be the largest in the world, it was revealed yesterday. As work began on the £21m development at Seal Sands, Teesside, business leaders said they hoped that the project would put the North-East at
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Echo Memories: Whether they died splendidly or quietly, they died for us
Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. With the help of Stephen Erskine, Echo Memories traces the life and death if a Hurworth schoolteacher. LIEUTENANT John Gill Appleby "Died Splendidly!", according to the headline in The Northern Echo on August 9, 1916. But
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Teen attacked another after air rifle shot
A TEENAGER attacked another man because of an air rifle incident, a court heard yesterday. Jamie Spence, 18, of Alwyn Road, Darlington, admitted affray against a man, at South Durham Magistrates' Court. A 16-year-old boy from the town, who cannot be named
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Dobbin eyes a treble
Tony Dobbin is the leading rider at Kelso in the last five years and he should be among the winners at the Borders course today. Rising Generation has three wins from his last four starts and he's sure to give a good account in the Dixon Heaney Handicap
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Chamber names guest of honour
THE economic spokesman for the Liberal Democrats will be the guest of honour at a business dinner in the region next week. The Liberal Democrat MP Dr Vincent Cable will address business leaders from across the region at the North East Chamber of Commerce
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Great Park may generate 30,000 jobs
DEVELOPERS last night said plans for the North-East's largest mixed-use development may create up to 30,000 jobs in the region. The Newcastle Great Park (NGP) will cost £800m and take between ten and 15 years to complete. About 50 representatives from
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District remembers war heroes in church services
REMEMBRANCE services in honour of servicemen and women who gave their lives for their country will take place throughout the region this weekend. Services taking place in Wear Valley, on Sunday, unless otherwise stated, are as follows: Bishop Auckland
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Firms urged to consider the disabled
BUSINESSES in the region will be urged to consider employing more blind and partially sighted people at a conference in the region tomorrow. Stockton South MP Dari Taylor has invited Action for Blind People and the Royal National Institute for the Blind
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Service will celebrate life of Peter Ustinov
A WOMAN who died in a head-on collision on the A170 in North Yorkshire has now been formally identified by police. She was Samantha Mary Walker, a 21-year-old who lived in Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering. She was killed on Monday night when the silver
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Theatre appoints chief executive
ONE of the region's leading theatres has appointed a new chief executive. Daniel Bates will take over at York Theatre Royal at the end of January. He is executive director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, in Leeds, a post he had held since 2001, and he
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Woman dies in fire
A 40-YEAR-OLD woman has died in a house fire and a five-year-old boy is in hospital with serious burns. A 47-year-old man and a 22-year-old female managed to escape the fire in Havelock Street, Thornaby, near Stockton, but were detained in hospital. Police
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Shop worker stole cash
A SHOP worker yesterday admitted stealing hundreds of pounds from his employer to pay off a drugs debt. Christopher Beattie, 20, of Nunnery Lane, Darlington, pleaded guilty to taking £500 from the Co-operative Group when he appeared at South Durham Magistrates
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Driver five times over alcohol limit
A WOMAN was nearly five times over the drink-drive limit when she went shopping for supplies for a barbecue, a court heard yesterday. Eileen Grainger's white Nissan Micra had been followed by police into the car park of an off-licence in Hookstone Chase
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Bus company on shortlist
A community bus company has performed so well that it has been short-listed for a £2m financial boost from the Government. The Little Red Bus Company, which started four years ago as a not-for-profit charity, has spread its wings from Harrogate to Hawes
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Spending on disabled is a 'large problem' for council
COUNCIL officials have admitted that overspending on facilities for the disabled is creating a large financial problem. As reported in The Northern Echo last week, Darlington Borough Council officials were considering ploughing more money into their disabled
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No go for all-postal ballot next year
DURHAM County Council has ruled out holding an all-postal vote at next year's elections. Electors will vote for councillors in May, possibly at the same time as a General Election. All-postal voting was tried in the European and local elections in June
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Pool staff locked in for charity
SWIMMING pool staff are going to be well and truly locked into some serious fundraising for the annual Children in Need appeal next week. They are going to spend five days ensconced at the pool in Thirsk - 24 hours a day every day. Two of the pool's attendants
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Rubbish put to good use by schoolchildren
PUPILS at a County Durham Infants school are happy to have their latest artwork described as a rubbish project. For the young students at Ouston Infants School have been busy transforming discarded items into mini works of art. The idea came to the school
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Go-ahead given for Olympic size pool
THE first Olympic sized swimming pool will be developed in the North-East after confirmation of final funding was given yesterday. A 50-metre pool with diving area, training rooms and spectator facilities, will be built alongside Sunderland Football Club's
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Springing into action with bulb planting
DAWDON Welfare Park, in Seaham, will be in full bloom in the spring thanks to a joint venture. Seaham Rotary Club has joined forces with Seaham Town Council and the town's Ropery Walk Primary School this week to plant hundreds of crocus bulbs in the recreation
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Opportunity to raise concerns
EAST Durham residents are to be given the chance to voice their views on issues of concern at a meeting next month. Easington District Council has organised the meeting of the Central Area Forum on December 1 at Peterlee Methodist Church, in Bede Way,
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Beaches fail to meet water quality standards
TWO beaches in the North-East and North Yorkshire have failed to meet European water quality standards. Staithes, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, and Spittal, in Northumberland failed the EC quality levels, meaning 96.4 per cent of bathing waters in the
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Clear up or be fined, dog owners warned
DURHAM City Council has launched a zero tolerance campaign against dog fouling. Owners who do not pick up their pets' deposits face a £50 fine as the council's wardens carry out a high-level enforcement crackdown throughout the month. "Neighbourhood wardens
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Update on £2.2m transport project
COUNCILLORS will today be told how progress is being made on one of the biggest transport projects to take place in Hartlepool. A planning application for a £2.2m transport interchange in the town's Church Square was last week agreed by members of Hartlepool
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Children swap school uniform for costumes of storybook heroes
YOUNGSTERS at a Teesside school celebrated Book Character Day by arriving at school dressed as their favourite storybook heroes. Favourites amongst the girls from Teesside Preparatory School, in Eaglescliffe, included Goldilocks, Cruella de Ville, Little
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ASR plans to expand in Middle East
TEESSIDE company ASR Technology is to expand its business in the Middle East after announcing plans for offices in Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The Middlesbrough company, which specialises in computer-based process control systems and factory and plant
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Crash pensioner dies, another fighting for life
A PENSIONER died and her husband is fighting for his life after they were in an accident involving a car at a pedestrian crossing. George Lincoln, 92, and his 84-year-old wife, Sarah, of South Shields, South Tyneside, were crossing a busy main road at
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Details of rescue bid for centre released
A NORTH-EAST council has revealed further details of its plans to rescue a crucial £90m retail development. In September, the St Martin's Property Group pulled out of the Commercial Street scheme in Darlington to concentrate on projects in London. The
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Comment from The Northern Echo: A chance not to be missed
RIGHTLY, the Middle East will be on the agenda when the Prime Minister meets President Bush for talks in Washington this week. Brokering a lasting and secure peace between Israel and the Palestinians is the catalyst to easing many tensions elsewhere in
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Children get a glimpse of life in the army at careers fair
MORE than 350 children from schools across North Yorkshire got an insight into a career with the Army yesterday. Pupils from 11 schools took part in the careers fair at Catterick Garrison. The event was organised by 5 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical
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Anger over handling of pensions
NOT enough is being done by the Government to help people faced with changes to the way the state pensions are paid, says Richmondshire Citizens' Advice Bureau. A three-year project to replace pension books and over-the-counter Giro payments with direct
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Police hold surgeries
POLICE want to meet with town residents to find out their views and offer crime prevention advice. Beat officers in Spennymoor will hold two afternoon surgeries this month to hear people's concerns at stores in the town centre. The first surgery will
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Getting in the swing to help charity drive
SHOWMEN turned out in droves to help one of their colleagues raise thousands of pounds for a children's charity. A charity golf tournament, held at Ramside Hall Golf and Country Club, near Durham, on Sunday, boosted the Mayor of Spennymoor John Culine's
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Great Park may generate 30,000 jobs
DEVELOPERS last night said plans for the North-East's largest mixed-use development may create up to 30,000 jobs in the region. The Newcastle Great Park (NGP) will cost £800m and take between ten and 15 years to complete. About 50 representatives from
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Hot on the trail of the lonesome kite
A volunteer has taken on the task of looking out for a hunting bird nicknamed The Wanderer, which has broken away from the rest of its flock. Retired engineer Ken Sanderson, a volunteer for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) goes out
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Amblers to raise funds for charity
WALKERS will put their best foot forward for a good cause this week by gathering donations for a children's charity during their fortnightly jaunt. Auckland Amblers will collect money for the Save The Children Fund during a two-mile walk this Thursday
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Skateboarders' joy as wait for park nears a conclusion
AFTER years of waiting, fans of skateboarding are finally to get their own skate park. The Northallerton Wheelers will be presented with the keys to the brand new facility this weekend. It brings to a conclusion years of campaigning and negotiation in
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Permanent reminder of steelworks heritage moved into place
A RUSTY slag ladle has been cleaned up to create a lasting reminder of the North's steel-making heritage. The 15-ton ladle, which is six metres wide, was lowered into place at the South Tees Business Centre, in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, after it
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Website puts Gill into national final
A DARLINGTON businesswoman has beaten off competition from hundreds of female entrepreneurs to be shortlisted for a prestigious award. Gill Chapple, the brains behind Bedsearcher, is hoping to clinch first prize in the Artemis category at the 2004 Natwest
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Wijnhard wants to stay with the Quakers
THE future of Clyde Wijnhard took another positive twist last night after the Dutch striker told manager David Hodgson he would like to stay at Darlington. Hodgson admitted on Monday that Wijnhard may have played his last game for the club, with Yorkshire
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Charity effort snowballs in village
A VILLAGE is taking part in a weekend of Children in Need events organised by a youngster and her family. A fireworks display, sponsored walk, Christmas party and leg wax will be part of the fun at Coxhoe on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The fundraising
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Children step out to raise cash
PUPILS at a North Yorkshire school put their best feet forward to help a series of good causes. Youngsters at Le Cateau primary school, in Catterick Garrison, stepped out on a sponsored walk and raised nearly £2,125. The money is being split between a
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Proof of age card to stop bus rows
A PROOF-OF-AGE card is to be introduced for youngsters claiming half-fare on buses in the borough of Stockton. The card, which will be launched by the Stockton Bus Quality Partnership, will hopefully prevent disputes with drivers over whether young people
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Theatre appoints chief executive
ONE of the region's leading theatres has appointed a new chief executive. Daniel Bates will take over at York Theatre Royal at the end of January. He is executive director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, in Leeds, a post he had held since 2001, and he
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Vandals wreck golf club - Jackass style
A GANG of vandals left a trail of destruction as they raced around a golf course in hotwired buggies - in scenes reminiscent of the anarchic film Jackass. Shocked club officials yesterday discovered four of their new golf buggies worth £5,000 each had
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Pitman artist's 85th birthday exhibition
THE work of a Spennymoor-born pitman artist is being celebrated in the month of his 85th birthday. Norman Cornish's distinctive scenes of life in a County Durham mining community are featured in an exhibition that runs until November 28 at Sunderland's
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For sale: train 'set' for a grown-up rail fan
IT could be just the gift for the man who has everything - particularly if he was one of those little boys who always wanted to be a train driver. And while it would never fit under a Christmas tree, it would be guaranteed to be the present to make the
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Piper ready for long-awaited comeback
AFTER eight months on the sidelines Matt Piper cannot wait to kick a ball in anger. The Sunderland winger has been plagued by a long-term knee injury but after travelling to the US to visit top surgeon Richard Steadman in the summer it appears the problem
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Robson comes in from the cold at West Brom
Bryan Robson has finally ended his unwanted three-and-a-half-year exile from the Premiership by taking charge of West Brom. Robson believes his rocky final season at Middlesbrough has been held against him. His otherwise successful seven-year spell on
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Robson comes in from the cold at West Brom
Bryan Robson has finally ended his unwanted three-and-a-half-year exile from the Premiership by taking charge of West Brom. Robson believes his rocky final season at Middlesbrough has been held against him. His otherwise successful seven-year spell on
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A grammarian's Holy Grail
DEITIES most commonly invoked by this column include John Willie Cameron, Arsene Wenger and Geoff Hill, known as Chester because of a supposedly similar walking style to Wyatt Earpp's sidekick. Chester taught English language at Bishop Auckland Grammar
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Andrew faces lizards and lions to keep soldiers fed
A NORTH-EAST Territorial Army chef almost found himself on the menu during military operations overseas. Corporal Andrew Hart, from Darlington, said crowds watching his team taking part in a cooking contest had no idea what catering in the field could
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Meadow case mother is cleared of murder
A mother was cleared of murdering her four-month-old son yesterday at a retrial that was ordered after discredited paediatrician Professor Sir Roy Meadow gave evidence at the original hearing. Epilepsy sufferer Margaret Smith, 39, who stabbed her first
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10/11/04
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: IS anyone else as fed up as I am of being preached at by the liberal elite because we in the West are supposedly so well off while the rest of the world goes in poverty and want? The idea seems to be to induce in us collective guilt
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Leaders pressing for council shake-up debate after vote
COUNCILLORS and officials say the dream of one County Durham council is not dead. Despite people voting last week for one county-wide council instead of three, a shake-up will not happen because it was dependent on a regional assembly Yes vote. Durham
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Out of this world - or a waste of space?
Space Odyssey - Voyage To The Planets (BBC1): AS befits a space journey, this new BBC series moved faster than the speed of light. Within six minutes of the start, we were on day 41 of the mission. By the end, we'd visited Venus and Mars and landed on
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Companies invited to show an interest
DEVELOPERS are being invited to get involved in the Tees Valley's flagship Middlehaven development. As is usual in the industry, an advert seeking expressions of interest has been placed in the trade media in the hope that the country's top developers
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Police search for missing man
POLICE are looking for a 29-year-old man who has not been seen since November 2. Aaron Mark Johnson, who has moved to Middlesbrough from the Huddersfield area, was last seen at 7.15am, leaving Letitia House, in Stockton Road. He is 5ft 6in, slim and with
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Mum uses Internet to diagnose rare illness
A DEVOTED mother searched the Internet to help diagnose her son with a rare disease after he was bitten by a tick. Alex Benn is one of only 200 people a year who are diagnosed with Lyme disease, which can lead to ME, multiple sclerosis, dementia, schizophrenia
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The Lifeblood Appeal
As part of The Northern Echo's Lifeblood campaign, which aims to encourage people to give blood, here are details of forthcoming donor sessions in the region: Thursday King James I College, South Church Road, Bishop Auckland 2.45pm-7pm Friday Community
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Woman dies and two hurt in accident
A YOUNG woman died and two people were injured in a car crash on Monday night. The two-vehicle accident happened on the A170, between Wilton and Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, at about 9pm. A police spokesman said that a woman in her
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On TV
Space Odyssey - Voyage To The Planets (BBC1) AS befits a space journey, this new BBC series moved faster than the speed of light. Within six minutes of the start, we were on day 41 of the mission. By the end, we'd visited Venus and Mars and landed on
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Calls growing for Government pressure over travellers' sites
THE North-East's links with the travelling community go back hundreds of years. Clink Bank, in Witton Gilbert, Durham, is even named after gipsies who camped there. Clink was the slang term given to the tin items sold by travellers door-to-door. Originating
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Life after the age of the collieries
Collieries have been an important part of many communities across the North-East, but the opening of ironworks and the development if new estates ensured an end to the cycle of decay. By 1894, collieries in Belmont and Gilesgate Moor had closed and a
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Life after the age of the collieries
Collieries have been an important part of many communities across the North-East, but the opening of ironworks and the development if new estates ensured an end to the cycle of decay. By 1894, collieries in Belmont and Gilesgate Moor had closed and a
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The Northern Echo Sport Comment: Baggies are so blinkered
BRYAN Robson will not have been the only person preparing to make a trip to the West Midlands yesterday. Given that the former Middlesbrough manager has been charged with the job of keeping West Brom in the Premiership, it is a fair bet that Terry Venables
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Whether they died splendidly or quietly, they died for us
Tomorrow is Remembrance Day. With the help of Stephen Erskine, Echo Memories traces the life and death if a Hurworth schoolteacher. LIEUTENANT John Gill Appleby "Died Splendidly!", according to the headline in The Northern Echo on August 9, 1916. But
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Crash victim named
A WOMAN who died in a head-on collision on the A170 in North Yorkshire has now been formally identified by police. She was Samantha Mary Walker, a 21-year-old who lived in Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering. She was killed on Monday night when the silver
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Winner Martin foils theft attempt
STUDENT Martin Busby received special praise during a college awards night - after it was revealed he helped foil an intruder. The Darlington College of Technology catering student came to the aid of a member of staff after she spotted a thief stealing
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Health chief's warning over sex pervert doctors
A health chief admitted yesterday that the authorities would find it almost impossible to prevent rogue doctors striking in the region again. Darlington Primary Care Trust chief executive Colin Morris spoke out following the conviction of a GP who used
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More Brits booked for Iraq, say Tories
A BRITISH battalion of 600 infantry have been told to make ready for deployment to Iraq, the Conservatives claimed yesterday as US forces pushed into the heart of Fallujah. The soldiers, understood to be from the 2nd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal
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Lloyds TSB to transfer work
Lloyds TSB yesterday said it was planning to transfer up to 1,000 jobs from the UK to India by the end of next year in a move that could affect staff at the bank's North-East call centres. The banking group said it had decided to increase the number of
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Losses rise at Euro Disney
EURO Disney yesterday announced increased losses after visitor numbers failed to improve on last year. The theme park and hotel operator said about 12.4 million people visited the Disneyland Resort Paris and Walt Disney Studios parks outside the French
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'Pitch revamp is a priority'
A COUNCIL is looking locally for specialist companies to drain a village football pitch. The modernisation of the playing fields in Middleton St George is at the top of the parish council's agenda. A feasibility study was carried out for the scheme, which
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Low-cost airlines create training opportunities
THE boom in budget flights from the North-East has prompted a training company in the Czech Republic to seek closer links with the region. Skills Base s.r.o. has become the most distant company to join the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC). The company
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Entrepreneurs can learn from the US
WORKPLACES are still not offering flexibility, despite less workers remaining in one job for life, a report by Durham Business School has found. The report, by Professor Simon Parker, found that during the past decade, there was little evidence of increased
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Doffing a cap to the 'homing pigeon'
As Durham Cathedral holds a memorial service for Sir Peter Ustinov, Keith Seacroft, who managed Sir Peter's visits as Chancellor to Durham University, recalls his activities in the city and the North-East. ONE of the first things Durham University had
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Companies invited to show an interest
DEVELOPERS are being invited to get involved in the Tees Valley's flagship Middlehaven development. As is usual in the industry, an advert seeking expressions of interest has been placed in the trade media in the hope that the country's top developers
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Parish water park costs 'staggering'
A VILLAGE'S water park looks likely to come under new management. Middleton St George Parish Council has admitted making staggering losses on its water park, and is looking for a local fishing club to take over responsibility. Members have contacted a
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Grandparents give kit to school
THE grandparents of a young football player have treated his team to a new strip. Marjorie and Jack Hart decided to buy the kit after watching grandson Daniel Pattison play for Eastbourne Comprehensive School's year eight football team. Headteacher Karen
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Crisis at M&S claims more managers
THE crisis at troubled retailer Marks & Spencer claimed a number of managers yesterday. New chief executive Stuart Rose will reduce the number of board directors from six to three and remove a tier of management to speed up decision-making. Mr Rose
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Youngster wins trip in helicopter
THE creative talents of seven-year-old Kimberley Pearson have landed her two competition successes. Kimberley, of South Pelaw, Chester-le-Street recently received £100-worth of clothing after winning a competition with a high street fashion store chain
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Service hopes for two stars
SOCIAL services chiefs in Darlington are hoping to receive an improved rating from the Government. The borough council's social services department, soon to be scrapped to make way for a new children's services unit, will learn in a week's time what star
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Tributes to a dedicated village vicar
FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to a dedicated village priest. The Reverend Ralph Thomas, of Firby Road, Bedale, died aged 81 on October 31, after suffering a stroke. The former vicar of Kirklington, near Masham, met his wife, Norma, while studying
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Timely reminder for fans
MEMBERS of the Chester-le-Street and District branch of the Sunderland AFC Supporters' Association are reminded of travel time changes for the fixture against Ipswich. Buses bound for the Stadium of Light will leave Relton Terrace Workingmen's Club, in
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Footballers are cool customers
YOUNG footballers are hoping a new look will help them become the cream of the crop in Darlington. Pupils from St John's Primary School have been kitted out in new strips, thanks to businessman Kelvin Lazenby. Mr Lazenby, who has ice cream vans in the
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Towns unveil visions of the Wear Valley of the future
VISIONS for the future of Wear Valley's two main towns are about to be revealed. The two different plans -for Bishop Auckland and Crook - will be going on display in exhibitions in the towns, with residents and traders invited to give their opinions.
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Crash teen loses her fight for life
A TEENAGER who was injured in a car crash has died. Samantha Parker, 17, from Redcar, east Cleveland, suffered multiple injuries after the 20-year-old driver lost control in Redcar Road, Marske, shortly before 1am on Monday. Samantha, pictured, was a
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Permanent reminder of steelworks heritage moved into place
A RUSTY slag ladle has been cleaned up to create a lasting reminder of the North's steel-making heritage. The 15-ton ladle, which is six metres wide, was lowered into place at the South Tees Business Centre, in South Bank, near Middlesbrough, after it
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Tributes to popular curate
TRIBUTES have been paid to The Reverend Canon Wilfrid Tymms, who carried out services to parishes and communities in the North-East for more than 50 years. Mr Tymms died on November 2, aged 86. He was born in Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, in 1918 and
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Residents show support for £30m revamp of their estate
PLANS to regenerate a Stockton housing estate have won support in a public consultation, paving the way for the development to start in the next 18 months. The £30m project for the Hardwick estate includes a range of housing, from bungalows to family
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Rubbish cleans up outdoor facility
A COMMUNITY is celebrating after its outdoor relaxation area was transformed - thanks to a load of old rubbish. The area at Well, near Bedale, has been refurbished with the help of a £12,000 grant from Yorventure, funded by landfill tax credits. The paved
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The one that you want
HIGH-school days in 1950s America are being revived on stage by Willington Parkside pupils this week. The cast of Grease have been working for five months on the musical, which ends a three-night run tonight. More than 30 students aged between 11 and
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Alcohol licence approval at store
A NATIONAL off-licence chain is to open its first branch in the north Durham area despite objections from local people. Bargain Booze, of Crewe, Cheshire, has 550 franchised premises around the country. It will open in a converted former kitchen and bathroom
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Duchess gets go-ahead for cannabis garden
A DUCHESS has been given permission to grow cannabis, cocaine and opium in her gardens to teach youngsters about the danger of drugs. The Home Office has granted a licence to grow cannabis and the caco plant, from which cocaine is made, at the Duchess
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Family reunion for Mary Jane's 100th
A CHEERY centenarian was reunited with family from far and wide for a celebration of her birthday this week. Mary Jane Booth enjoyed her 100th birthday on Monday with a party at East Green Home, in West Auckland, where she has been a resident for three
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New plans for town on display
RESIDENTS and traders in Wear Valley's two main towns are being asked to back moves to boost business and improve the environment in their commercial centres. A week-long exhibition outlining further plans for Bishop Auckland opens next Thursday, November
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All-postal voting ruled out at council elections
DURHAM County Council has ruled out holding an all-postal vote at next year's elections. Electors in the county will vote for councillors in May, possibly at the same time as a General Election. All-postal voting was tried in the European and local elections
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Community group gets cash as store opens new branch
A COMMUNITY centre has received a boost with the opening of a mini-supermarket. Liz Nesbitt, chairwoman of The Forge Community Resource Centre in Stockton, will be presented with a cheque for £500 when the Tesco Express Store opens in Norton High Street
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Springing into action
Schoolchildren have taken part in a spring bulb planting project, organised by the Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton. During the past eight years, the club has supervised the planting of more than 10,000 crocus and daffodil bulbs in the flowerbeds
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When party time for the kids can mean good business sense
A MOTHER has set up her own party company in Darlington offering imaginative entertainment for children. Wildchilds was launched with a spectacular Halloween party, with 75 local youngsters exploring a haunted ghost tunnel and being entertained by a lively
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Spotlight on region's tourism
TOURISM hot-spots in the North East will be highlighted at one of the country's biggest attractions this week in a bid to promote the region as an ideal short break destination. Tourism promotors from regeneration agency One NorthEast will take a roadshow
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Mobile tests for those roving eyes
A COUPLE have realised their dream by opening an opticians with a difference - one that tests its clients' eyes in their own homes. Orly and Izhak Simkin, from South Africa, have set up Opticians at Home in Consett, based at their practice at the Number
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Pupils head east to visit Great Wall
A GROUP of 45 students and five staff from Yarm School has been on a cultural and educational visit to China. The visit centred on the capital, Beijing, and the former Imperial capital Xian. Highlights of the tour included the Great Wall, the Summer Palace
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LibDems pick out election hopeful
THE Liberal Democrats have chosen their candidate for the Stockton South constituency. Mike Barker, former chairman of the Darlington Liberal Democrats, will fight Labour MP Dari Taylor. The Conservatives have already chosen their candidate - former Coronation
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Council chief may get large pay-out if job is axed
A SENIOR official could receive a pay-out of tens of thousands of pounds if she is made redundant as part of a proposed council shake-up. Janet Barker, the director of community services at Hartlepool Borough Council, could lose her job as part of plans
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Inmates smash up room
Three inmates caused mayhem when they smashed up a room in a bid to be moved to another prison. The three flew into a rage after being relocated to HMP Acklington in Northumberland from another prison. They barricaded themselves into a recreation area
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Miracle baby marks a very happy birthday with family party
Miracle baby Dee-Ann Short, who weighed only 1lb 8oz at birth, bounced around happily yesterday as she celebrated her first birthday at a family party. She was the centre of attention as her parents started a new life with her in Stainton Grove, near
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Students revive Fifties sounds
HIGH school days in Fifties America were revived on stage by Willington Parkside pupils this week. The cast of Grease have been working for five months on the musical, which ended a three-night run last night. More than 30 students aged between 11 and
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Gadfly: A grammarian's Holy Grail
DEITIES most commonly invoked by this column include John Willie Cameron, Arsene Wenger and Geoff Hill, known as Chester because of a supposedly similar walking style to Wyatt Earpp's sidekick. Chester taught English language at Bishop Auckland Grammar
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Trip aims to help victim's family
A MAN is hoping to visit the place where North-East naturalist David Green was murdered in India. Since reading about Mr Green's death, Charles Clark has felt a spiritual connection with the popular artist and nature-lover. Mr Clark, who moved from Brandon
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Police surgery dates
POLICE want to meet residents in Spennymoor to find out their views about police matters and offer crime prevention advice. Beat officers stationed in the town will hold two afternoon surgeries this month at stores in the town centre. The first surgery
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Queudrue tells Sven it's time for Downing
STEWART DOWNING has been described as 'every striker's dream' by the man forming an almost telepathic understanding with the youngster down Middlesbrough's left flank. Full back Franck Queudrue is not the only one to believe his 20-year-old team-mate
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Deats we don't cry for
TO die suddenly and needlessly is tragic. But why is a train more tragic than a car? The train crash at the weekend was dreadful, made worse by the fact that it was probably caused by a someone bent on suicide, so desperate to die that he gave no thought
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Swede on trial at Pool
HARTLEPOOL United have taken Swedish frontman Olle Kullinger on trial as Neale Cooper searches for a target man to lead his forward line. Kullinger, 6ft 1in, finished second top scorer in the Swedish top flight in 2003 with 15 goals. This season he bagged
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Cheery waves from waterborne Father Christmas and Rudolph
FATHER Christmas and Rudolf made a splash at a North-East town yesterday. The pair turned up at Hartlepool marina in a red and white speedboat to publicise Santa's forthcoming arrival, on Saturday, December 4, when he will move into his grotto at the
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Right decision, wrong reason
'WE are the people of England and we have not spoken yet.'' GK Chesterton's judgement no doubt still holds true. But the people of North-East England certainly have spoken. And how. "You know what you can do with your Elected Regional Assembly.'' The
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Campaign on drink-drive road deaths
DRINK-DRIVERS killed five people in the North-East and left 58 seriously injured last year, according to figures. Road safety charity Brake is launching a hard-hitting initiative against the menace of drink-driving, amid fears the message is not getting
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Couple blame council for business loss
GARAGE owners who say their customers were driven away by a controversial flats development claim they warned council planners they would be forced to move. George and Irene Stephenson are looking for new premises for their motor business after moving
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Bungling thieves leave equipment at scene
A PAIR of bungling raiders have been branded the stupidest criminals in Britain after their attempt to steal a trailer turned into a farce. The duo, a man and a teenage boy, who tried to take Kenneth Elgey's Ifor Williams open-topped sheep trailer from
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Wijnhard wants to stay with the Quakers
THE future of Clyde Wijnhard took another positive twist last night after the Dutch striker told manager David Hodgson he would like to stay at Darlington. Hodgson admitted on Monday that Wijnhard may have played his last game for the club, with Yorkshire
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The Dog in the Manger, People's Theatre, Newcastle
LOPE de Vega's The Dog in the Manger forms part of the RSC Golden Age season, which showcases Shakespeare's lesser-known contemporaries. On entering, ladies and men are separated, then subjected to a warm-up. Provided with a list of Spanish insults, spectators
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Show some passion, pleads Souness
GRAEME Souness has urged his Newcastle players to show the same belligerence that got him banished to the stands as they look to get their season back on track against Chelsea tonight. The United boss was formally charged with improper conduct yesterday
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Tyne Tees announces plan for £6m production centre
TYNE Tees Television has announced plans for a multi-million pound production centre on the banks of the Tyne. The move marks the end of four decades of television production at the Tyne Tees' sprawling former warehouse complex in Newcastle's City Road
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Johnson at double in Echo event
Howard Johnson celebrated the opening of his new all- weather gallop in style at Sedgefield yesterday. He teamed up with Graham Lee to land both divisions of The Northern Echo Novices Hurdle with the Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned duo, Cotty's Rock and
