Archive
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£550,000 grant will revive village community centre
A VILLAGE community centre is to get a new lease of life thanks to a grant of more than half a million pounds. SureStart Teesdale is working in partnership with Evenwood and Ramshaw Community Centre Association to transform the centre in Evenwood into
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Youngsters' moment
SCORES of youngsters will meet some of their sporting heroes when their academic achievements are recognised this week. More than 100 children will be awarded certificates from Sunderland AFC players in a series of award ceremonies at the Stadium of Light
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Spotlight turned on awareness of Aids
A RANGE of events will be held across north Durham to mark World Aids Day today. Staff from the Specialist Health Promotion Service for Durham and Chester-le-Street and Derwentside Primary Health Trusts will be helping to raise awareness at New College
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Family and friends pay tribute to motorbike crash victim
FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a motorcyclist who died at the weekend. Ian Watson, 44, of Margrove Park, near Guisborough, east Cleveland, was declared dead at the scene after coming off his 900cc Kawasaki bike on the A1 slip road at junction
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Seasonal thieves targeted by police
POLICE, stores and closed circuit television (CCTV) camera operators have launched a Christmas crackdown on shoplifters in Darlington. Late-night shopping in the town begins tomorrow, and the campaign to catch thieves is being stepped up because more
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Prostitute tells court of rape and theft
A FRIGHTENED prostitute promised a knifeman she would perform a sex act for free if he did not hurt her, a court was told yesterday. Teesside Crown Court heard that the 42-year-old woman went with Abdel Khalil to his Middlesbrough home. She later told
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Biker warned to stay away after terrorising ex-partner
A BIKER whose unwanted attentions brought months of terror to his former partner was warned by a court yesterday to stay away from her or face jail. Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates how Stephen Walker, 34, had harassed his ex-partner
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Funding boost for region's schools
THOUSANDS of North-East pupils have been offered the prospect of new facilities to replace crumbling classrooms. The Government has announced that Middlesbrough is among ten areas chosen for the second phase of a drive to modernise secondary school buildings
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Blow for Quakers as Gorrill resigns
THE commercial manager of Darlington Football Club has resigned weeks after the Quakers' chief executive also quit, it was confirmed last night. Bob Gorrill joined the club from Mansfield Town in June, bringing more than 20 years of experience at clubs
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Council cuts fear over £1m paid in error
A COUNTY council that has been asked to pay back £1m to the Government has warned services could be hit. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has told North Yorkshire County Council that it gave the authority too much money last year. The error came
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Tougher fines for drivers on mobiles
NEW road safety measures were unveiled in the region yesterday - with tougher penalties for using mobile phones behind the wheel. The publication of the Government's Road Safety Bill is aimed at tackling drink driving and clamping down on the menace of
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Olympian Joanne thanks council for support
A YOUNG Olympic swimmer has received a financial boost to aid her quest for gold. Richmond's Joanne Jackson has been awarded £1,000 to help pay for training and with the cost of travelling to competitions from the district council's talented young sportsperson
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Pensioner's stand against drugs menace recognised
A PENSIONER who headed a campaign to help rid her village of a gang of drug dealers will travel to London today to get an award recognising her tireless efforts. Anne Blewitt, who is chairwoman of the Community Enterprise Group, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street
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Trophies galore for young swimmers
YOUNG swimmers from Thirsk have brought a bag full of medals home from this year's Ridings League Championships. They were one of 15 teams to compete and six swimmers from Thirsk took part. Ten-year-old Amy Ellerker was the star of the day, winning the
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Arca is anxious for McCartney to stay
JULIO Arca has urged Sunderland team-mate George McCartney to follow his lead by spurning the opportunity of a January move to the top-flight. Premiership surprise packages Everton are poised to make a seven-figure bid for McCartney when the transfer
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Pupil overcomes illness to scoop award
A TEENAGER has been voted Tees Valley Young Achiever of the Year after overcoming illness. Elliott Francis, 17, from Ingleby Barwick, received two awards at the Celebration of Learning Awards 2004 ceremony. He fought off fierce competition to win the
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'Tragic scenario after crash that led to motorist's death'
A PENSIONER died after a soldier lost control of his car and crashed into a field causing a frightened horse to run on to a motorway, a court heard. James Balmer, 71, lost his life when his car hit the startled animal as he travelled with his wife along
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Councillor refuses to apologise for expenses
A local councillor in one of the UK's most deprived wards has refused to apologise after it emerged he still claims around £9,000 a year expenses while living a life of luxury in the Caribbean. Speaking from his desert island hideaway in the Dominican
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Traditional show has a modern message
A TRADITIONAL fairytale is combined with modern themes in a Christmas show. Teesdale professional theatre company Jack Drum Arts has started a national tour of its show Red Riding Hood and her Amazing Grandmother. The show will be performed at the Witham
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oriental influence helps spinners spice up their work
TRADITIONAL British crafts have been given an Oriental feel in a new exhibition which opened this week. Dedicated North-East crafts-women are showcasing its latest creations in a display at Durham's Oriental Museum. All 20 members of Durham Guild of Spinners
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Wilko must prove fitness
Jonny Wilkinson must prove his fitness to Newcastle boss Rob Andrew by tomorrow if he is to make his second comeback of the season in Sunday's Heineken Cup clash against Edinburgh. Wilkinson missed all of England's autumn Test matches after suffering
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Why mums and dads are in the dock
It may seem far-fetched, but more and more parents are ending up in court after being sued by their offspring. WELL that's it. Any day now, the writs will arrive. If not locked in the slammer, I shall be publicly shamed and end up broke. Humiliated, jeered
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Biofuels maiden results promise a green bonanza
A company planning to build the world's largest renewable fuel plant posted its maiden results yesterday. Biofuels Corporation, of Billingham, on Teesside, which floated on London's junior stock market in June, said work was due to be completed on its
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Regional divide will narrow
The North-South divide in house price inflation will continue to narrow next year, the Nationwide predicted yesterday. Although some convergence did occur during the second half of this year as the market slowed, the effect is expected to become more
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Fury after minister rejects inquiry call
THE Government faced fresh anger last night after it announced a new review of allegations of abuse and bullying at the Army's Deepcut Barracks but stopped short of the full public inquiry demanded by families and MPs. Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram
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Go-ahead given for deadline extension
BRITISH Energy last night announced it had been given permission to extend the deadline for a life-saving financial restructuring. The troubled nuclear power group, which operates Hartlepool Power Station, secured more room to manoeuvre after creditors
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New building to house N-E television memories
A COLLECTION of North-East memories caught on celluloid is receiving special treatment. An archive at Teesside, incorporating temperature and humidity controls to protect old film reels, has received £850,000 government funding. The earliest footage dates
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Jack's last flutter romps in at 40-1
THE family of a lifelong punter gave him the perfect send-off when they placed a bet after his funeral - and won more than £2,000. Jack Ross, 80, loved a bet, so at his funeral last week, in Leadgate, near Consett, County Durham, the family held a whip
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Pool pay for slow start with LDV exit
HARTLEPOOL United paid the price for a slack start as they were knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy by Oldham for the second year in succession. Last season penalties proved their downfall as they lost in a shoot-out; this year they were two goals down
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Going Dutch and a doornail debate
THE King William IV, at Barton on the back road from Darlington to Scotch Corner, is a pleasant wayside pub where on Saturday evening, we were invited to attend a charity presentation and got wrong for being late. There was also what they called a Dutch
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Going Dutch and a doornail debate
THE King William IV, at Barton on the back road from Darlington to Scotch Corner, is a pleasant wayside pub where on Saturday evening, we were invited to attend a charity presentation and got wrong for being late. There was also what they called a Dutch
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Given has sights on United record
SHAY Given might have joined the 300 club on Sunday, but the Newcastle goalkeeper has his sights set on an even more illustrious record as he attempts to write his name into Tyneside folklore. Given, who has already won more international caps than any
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Steam scheme at halfway mark
THE organisation aiming to build the first mainline steam locomotive in Britain for more than 40 years has reached a landmark. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust charity announced that its £500,000 bearer bond issue had hit the halfway mark. Bosses said £250,000
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Housekeepers providing home comforts for hospital patients
HOUSEKEEPERS are the latest weapon in a North-East hospital's drive to improve patient care. Following a successful pilot last year, Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has employed 18 housekeepers in medical and surgical wards across the hospital including
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'Next year's market will be subdued'
BANKING group Northern Rock last night predicted that the housing market was likely to be subdued next year, as it issued a trading statement. The group's predictions came as the Bank of England was accused of slowing the economy with a succession of
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Family Venture to keep Murphy's run going
Summer can't have been much fun in Ferdy Murphy's stable as the winners totally dried up for the yard following Shays Lane's success at Hexham in the middle of June. However, things change quickly in racing and, since World Vision ended the drought at
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Fury after minister rejects inquiry call
THE Government faced fresh anger last night after it announced a new review of allegations of abuse and bullying at the Army's Deepcut Barracks but stopped short of the full public inquiry demanded by families and MPs. Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram
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Youngsters help to strike out racism
PUPILS from schools across Darlington yesterday kicked off a new anti-racism campaign targeting the town's youth. Youngsters joined Darlington FC players at the Williamson Motors Stadium for the launch of leaflets aiming to help eradicate racism. The
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Going Dutch
THE King William IV, at Barton on the back road from Darlington to Scotch Corner, is a pleasant wayside pub where on Saturday evening, we were invited to attend a charity presentation and got wrong for being late. There was also what they called a Dutch
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'Be safe with sexual health'
A CAMPAIGN called Be Safe is being launched across the Durham dales to encourage youngsters to take care of their sexual health this Christmas. The campaign is launched to coincide with World Aids Day today, and will run until December 17. It has been
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Childcare Kitemark wins top award
A SCHEME to promote quality childcare in North Yorkshire has itself been given top marks for its efforts in raising standards. The quality Kitemark programme was launched by the county council two years ago to establish standards of good practice for
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Camera club snaps up Echo website award
A KEEN eye for detail has helped a camera club win The Northern Echo's best new website award. Our CommuniGate team chose the Washington Camera Club site as its Pick of the Month. Community web editor Andrew Hutton said: "We have chosen Ken Henderson's
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Blaze-hit shop fixes reopening date
A CHARITY shop that was gutted by fire earlier this year will reopen in January. Flames tore through the National Kidney Research Fund's charity shop in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, in September. The fire, which was sparked by an electrical fault,
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Fur boot protest cost shop £1,000
AN INDEPENDENT shopkeeper in Darlington has hit back at animal rights activists who protested outside her shop in the town. On Saturday, up to 12 protestors, including someone dressed up as a giant rabbit, stood outside Ellie's shoe shop, in Skinnergate
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Chefs to serve up open-air demonstration of festive meals
TWO leading chefs are taking to the streets to help shoppers cook up a great Christmas. Martin Charlton, a chef who has cooked throughout Europe for more than 21 years, and Richard Sim, a former Young Chef of the Year, are holding cookery demonstrations
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Biker warned to stay away after terrorising ex-partner
A BIKER whose unwanted attentions brought months of terror to his former partner was warned by a court yesterday to stay away from her or face jail. Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates how Stephen Walker, 34, had harassed his ex-partner
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New trial date for sex assault case councillor
THE trial of a councillor accused of indecently assaulting two girls in separate incidents has been re-arranged after he fell ill on the day of the hearing. Harry Devine, 54, an independent member of Easington District Council for the village of Wingate
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Students get ready to rock college stage
STUDENTS from Darlington College of Technology are preparing to get the festive season off on the right note. First-year students on the advanced rock and pop course have begun rehearsing for their Christmas concert, which will be held in the main hall
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01/12/04
ZIMBABWE: Thank you for articulating the anger that many people feel over the England cricket tour to Zimbabwe. Your Leader comment (Echo, Nov 25) rightly highlighted the plight of Zimbabweans who suffer appalling human rights abuses under Mugabe's regime
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Councillors might have to step aside for more women
THE leader of the region's biggest council could be the highest profile casualty of a Labour party cull aimed at increasing the number of women councillors. Ken Manton, leader of County Durham County Council, is one of a number of male councillors facing
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Region given £360m for transport
The North-East is to receive more than £360m over the next three years to spend on road and transport improvements, the Government has announced. The cash is over and above that already allocated to a number of schemes such as the upgrade of large stretches
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Jungle japes and Paul's pets
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here (ITV1) - The Paul O'Grady Show (ITV1): You switch on after a week away from the noble art of TV reviewing and find that nothing much has changed. Celebrities are still in the jungle, Natalie "I touched a tree" Appleton
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Pinsent rows out at top
There were no tears from Matthew Pinsent as he finally announced his retirement from rowing yesterday. He had left all those behind on a drenched victory podium at Schinias rowing centre on the outskirts of Athens three months ago, when he had blubbed
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Deepcut review is not enough
MINISTERS and the Ministry of Defence are in denial, but there is a crisis in public confidence in the care and training given to young recruits. The death from gunshot wounds of four young soldiers at the Deepcut Barracks and a growing list of accusations
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Quakers skipper plans festive play-off push
SKIPPER Craig Liddle believes Darlington are finely poised to make a festive fling for the play-offs. Ninth-placed Quakers lie just one point outside the top seven after Friday night's impressive 2-0 win at Cheltenham Town. But Liddle, who reached the
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Funding boost for region's schools
THOUSANDS of North-East pupils have been offered the prospect of new facilities to replace crumbling classrooms. The Government has announced that Middlesbrough is among ten areas chosen for the second phase of a drive to modernise secondary school buildings
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Could hunting ban save the monarchy?
The most prominent beneficiary of the ban on hunting - though he is unlikely to recognise the fact - is Prince William. If the succession to the throne follows the expected pattern, the No 2 heir is unlikely to become king before the third or perhaps
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Fletcher attempts to shift focus to cricket
Duncan Fletcher is hoping his decision to grant England's players a day off will help them focus solely on playing cricket for the rest of their controversial tour of Zimbabwe. England's coach was concerned about several aspects of his side's display
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Plans for new youth facilities in town
YOUNGSTERS in Teesdale could benefit from new £500,000 facilities if plans are given the go-ahead. Plans were submitted this week to Teesdale District Council for youth facilities in the Sports Centre Grounds in Strathmore Road, Barnard Castle. The facilities
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Dogs hurt in multiple accident on motorway
FOUR greyhounds were recovered from the scene of a multiple accident on the A1(M). Two of the dogs were injured and all were said to be distressed after the vehicle in which they were travelling was involved in one of two successive collisions on the
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Jobs boost for town with second food chain store
BUDGET food chain Netto is to create 25 jobs in the region. The company will open a £3m store in Stockton - its second in the town - next summer. Netto's store at Chandlers Wharf will not be affected by the opening of a branch in Maritime Road. Claus
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On TV
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here (ITV1) The Paul O'Grady Show (ITV1) YOU switch on after a week away from the noble art of TV reviewing and find that nothing much has changed. Celebrities are still in the jungle, Natalie "I touched a tree" Appleton
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Joe rises above celebrity jungle challenge to overcome fears
Comic Joe Pasquale faced the most dramatic Bushtucker Trial so far - dangling from a helicopter 200ft above the sea. Joe, who has a fear of flying, had to climb down a rope ladder while braving a wind speed of 110 knots. The trial - dubbed the Hell-O-Copter
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Richmond has the opposition licked
ICE cream maker Richmond Foods said a new flavour of its popular Fab ice lolly helped increase its market share, despite this year's poor summer weather. The manufacturer, which runs Europe's largest ice cream factory at Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire,
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Headteacher's pledge for big improvements
THE new headteacher of a North-East school has pledged to make big improvements following the results of a Government inspection. Jesmond Road Primary School, in Hartlepool, was visited by Ofsted inspectors. Their report said the school provides a satisfactory
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The top of the premier league
Tony Blair didn't make the top five and Margaret Thatcher trails to a Welsh windbag. As the result of a poll to find the most successful 20th century occupant of 10 Downing Street is announced, Nick Morrison looks at what makes a good prime minister HE
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Why mums and dads are in the dock
It may seem far-fetched, but more and more parents are ending up in court after being sued by their offspring. WELL that's it. Any day now, the writs will arrive. If not locked in the slammer, I shall be publicly shamed and end up broke. Humiliated, jeered
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Work begins on £3.6m flats complex
WORK has started on a £3.6m luxury flat complex in Darlington. The complex, in Coniscliffe Road, includes a luxury three-bedroomed, 1,500sq ft penthouse and 23 two-bedroomed flats. The flats are being built by Stapleton Investments. Each of the homes
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Compass profits head south as school lunch margins fall
Catering company Compass said it had become more selective about school lunch contracts after the division contributed to a fall in full-year profits. The group, best known for its Upper Crust sandwich chain and for serving food to blue-chip companies
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Mean thieves steal Giving Tree presents
thieves yesterday made off with Christmas presents intended for needy people. Two teenage boys took carrier bags packed with gifts, from beneath a Christmas tree in the Alpha Radio studios, in Woodland Road, Darlington. The presents had been donated by
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Treat winter bugs at the chemist
SUFFERERS of colds and sore throats in a North-East town have been urged not to bother their doctor. People in Hartlepool with minor complaints have instead been asked to go straight to their local chemist. NHS managers say many people believe they should
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Villagers unite
A VILLAGE has overwhelmingly backed a scheme to save its village shop and post office. More than 93 per cent of residents in the 700-strong community of Bishop Monkton, near Ripon, have given their backing to a scheme which would save the shop. A public
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Partnership's tree planting day looms
A NEW partnership is helping to plant trees in a community wood. The Rotary Club of Seaham and the Friends of Hazel Dene are working with Seaham Town Council, Durham County Council and Ropery Walk Primary School to plant a group of trees in Hazel Dene
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Pupils' art on show - and it could prove a nice little earner for school
THE artistic talents of more than 120 youngsters has gone on show for parents and relatives to admire. Every pupil at Nevilles Cross Primary School, in Durham, produced one piece of art work for the exhibition. Among the pieces on show are drawings, collages
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It all adds up to a riverside treat for bright sparks
YOUNGSTERS were given a guided tour of a football stadium after hitting the back of the net in numeracy and literacy lessons. A total of 24 pupils from St John the Baptist and Whitehouse schools, in Stockton, were shown round Middlesbrough Football Club's
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Queudrue's red card appeal is thrown out
MIDDLESBROUGH'S appeal against Frank Queudrue's red card at Spurs has been thrown out by the Football Association. Queudrue was dismissed by referee Phil Dowd in Sunday's Premiership clash at White Hart Lane after a two-footed lunge at Noe Pamarot. Dowd's
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RAF visit for school
YOUNGSTERS at two North Yorkshire primary schools enjoyed some visitors from the skies when the Royal Air Force dropped in. Pupils of Ainderby Steeple CE and the Dales primary school at Morton-on-Swale got a close-up glimpse of a Merlin helicopter. Personnel
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Family grieving after youth dies in car driven by cousin
A TEENAGER died yesterday when a car driven by his 16-year-old cousin crashed into a tree. The accident happened at about 1.40am, when a silver Volkswagen Sharan people carrier containing four youths left the road and hit a large tree. Police said the
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Series of tragedies led to teenager's death by heroin
A FAMILY was hit by a third tragedy in a year after a teenager died of an overdose, an inquest was told yesterday. Eighteen-year-old Leanne Brown, from Loftus, died in July, six months after her three-year-old brother Tyran died of meningitis, and a year
