Archive
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Dale authority unveils plan for improvement
A LOCAL authority which came in for criticism following a Government inspection has announced its plans for improvement. Teesdale District Council was rated poor in a comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) published by the Audit Commission in May.
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Boost for swimmer's Olympic dreams
OLYMPIC swimmer Joanne Jackson, from Richmond, has been given a £1,000 training grant. Richmondshire District Council made the award under its Talented Young Sportsperson programme towards travel and training costs. The Richmond School sixth former trains
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A performance fit for royalty
A YOUNG dancer took to the stage in a solo performance for royalty during a fundraising evening for the Central School of Ballet. Leonne Campbell, 17, of Redcar, performed for Sophie, the Countess of Wessex at the London school. Behind the Scenes, which
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McCarthy has no intention of selling
MICK McCARTHY is happy to hear Premiership clubs are casting an admiring eye towards his promotion chasing players, but the Sunderland boss insists he has no intention of selling. McCarthy has spoken out after learning that European hopefuls Everton are
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Nurses getting back to basics
On the basis that a happy patient will probably get better sooner, nurse Chris Stanbury and her colleagues are on a mission to find out what their patients really want, as Barry Nelson discovers. THE feeling that they're "too posh to wash" is a common
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Trust boosts its fundraising
THE Game Conservancy Trust has appointed a new northern fundraiser. The trust has decided to appoint Henrietta Appleton, pictured, left, as fundraiser for an area between the Scottish Border to North Wales because it is heavily involved in research in
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Teenager chases national success
WEST Rounton rider Holly Stevenson is hoping to prove her abilities at national level after qualifying for a top show jumping championship. The 15-year-old Eaglescliffe School pupil is among the qualifiers for the Nutri Science national amateur show jumping
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Burton's Bytes
HALO 2 Format: Xbox. Publisher: Microsoft. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? No. WHEN this game hit the shelves last month, it took more money in three days than any CD album or Hollywood movie on the entire planet. Microsoft must be congratulating itself
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Burton's Bytes: A sequel that's simply celestial
HALO 2, Format: Xbox. Publisher: Microsoft. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? No: WHEN this game hit the shelves last month, it took more money in three days than any CD album or Hollywood movie on the entire planet. Microsoft must be congratulating itself
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'I could cure Natalie of all her phobias'
She seemed to have it all, but fans of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here were stunned by the long list of phobias suffered by neurotic popstar Natalie Appleton. Health Correspondent Barry Nelson meets the mind coach who claims he could cure her in
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Early strikes set up Topcliffe for revenge victory
TOPCLIFFE ended Unison's unbeaten record last Sunday and gained revenge for the 8-0 defeat they suffered the last time the teams met. The visitors got off to a flying start and went 2-0 up inside five minutes, Mike Hodgson evading the Unison keeper to
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Council to take closer look at town centre plan
PLANS for Darlington town centre's £6.5m pedestrianisation scheme are on temporary hold after a senior councillor called in the borough council Cabinet's original decision to approve the plan. A special meeting of the resources scrutiny committee will
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A sequel that's simply celestial
HALO 2, Format: Xbox. Publisher: Microsoft. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? No: WHEN this game hit the shelves last month, it took more money in three days than any CD album or Hollywood movie on the entire planet. Microsoft must be congratulating itself
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Policeman questioned in murder investigation
Detectives were continuing to question a 40-year-old policeman today over the murder of his wife. Pc Ivor Jones was arrested by Cleveland Police colleagues at his £250,000 detached house in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, on Thursday where his 36-year-old
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Policeman arrested over death of wife
A POLICEMAN was arrested yesterday on suspicion of stabbing his wife to death in their bedroom. Maria Jones, 36, mother of the couple's three children, was found dead after receiving multiple stab wounds yesterday morning. PC Ivor Jones, 40, was arrested
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Skipper backs bad-boy Franck
GARETH SOUTHGATE last night insisted Middlesbrough's Franck Queudrue has successfully shrugged off a bad-boy reputation, despite the Frenchman being hit with a three-match ban by the Football Association. Queudrue's appeal against his red card in the
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Santa goes green
SANTA has forsaken his usual red garb in favour of green robes in a bid to promote eco-friendly Christmas trees at one of the region's top beauty spots. Pines, firs and spruce go on sale at Hamsterley Forest tomorrow until December 22 from 10-4, and to
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Quakers set to drum up support
Buoyant Darlington FC has unveiled a new initiative to help drum up support for the Quakers. The club is staging a special "Bang the drum for Darlington" night at next Tuesday's home match against Mansfield Town. Supporters are being encouraged to bring
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Classes are turning energy into art
YOUNG people are channelling their energy into arts projects across the county. North Yorkshire County Council's project, Connecting Youth Culture (CYC), has launched a series of initiatives. Executive member for education Chris Metcalfe said: "Young
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Arts project puts hospital in top three
A HEALING arts initiative in a Teesside hospital has put it in the top three of a national healthcare award. The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, was shortlisted in the outstanding use of arts category in the NHS Building Better Healthcare
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'Millions may be sunk by bill rises'
WATER companies have been given permission to increase bills, leading to a rise of about 11 per cent in the North-East. After the increases were announced yesterday, campaigners said they feared millions of households would struggle to pay their bills
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Sunshine isle councillor 'a scapegoat'
LONG-distance councillor Stephen Gregory has sent a Christmas message to his North-East constituents from his Caribbean paradise island: " I don't give a ****." The former butcher admitted last night he had not taken up a single issue in his Bishop Auckland
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Warning to parents over motorised gifts for children
PARENTS buying exciting gifts for children this Christmas could be heading down the road to disaster. Cleveland Police are warning that motorised scooters, quad bikes and off-road motorbikes bring a host of legal requirements that many parents are not
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Man is cleared of causing death by dangerous driving
A FORMER soldier has been cleared of causing the death by dangerous driving of a pensioner killed in a motorway crash. Mark Coates, 28, lost control of his car on the A1(M) southbound near Durham City and crashed through a fence into a field, causing
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Major review will aim to get traffic moving again
THE entire road network of Darlington is to come under the spotlight in a bid to get the town moving more smoothly. Traffic congestion is a growing problem and is particularly bad in the run-up to Christmas A team of consultants is to review the situation
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Sad tales of tragic tots
Edge Of Life (BBC2): THE subtitle, Is This Baby's Life Worth Living?, gave an idea of the terrible dilemma at the heart of this exceptional documentary. Two sets of parents were confronted with difficult, almost impossible, choices concerning premature
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Fear that extra cash could be a 'one-off'
THE Chancellor's extra £1bn for local services was given a cautious welcome by authorities in the North-East and North Yorkshire said last night. Local government minister Nick Raynsford said: "This is a package of measures designed to give extra funding
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Graham hits all the right notes to secure Youth Orchestra call-up
A YOUNG musician is becoming a big noise in the orchestral world. Eleven-year-old Graham Thorpe has earned a call-up to the National Children's Orchestra for his prowess on the trombone. He first learned to play the piano then two years ago he became
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Air crews to miss Christmas at home
AIR crews from the region are to spend the festive season many miles from home - but it looks as if they will be enjoying a white Christmas. Snow is already thick on the ground in Lithuania, where personnel from RAF Leeming are taking on a round-the-clock
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Council chief's retort over job threat
THE leader of the region's biggest council has broken his silence to describe reports of his demise as "much exaggerated". The Northern Echo revealed this week how Councillor Ken Manton, the leader of Durham County Council, is among a number of senior
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'Pillar of community' jailed for abusing girl
A MAN previously described as a pillar of the community was last night beginning a two and-a-half year jail sentence for sexually abusing a young girl. Former miner Alan Eilbeck was said to have groomed the ten-year-old girl and indecently assaulted her
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Moorland spikes could impale children sledging
A LANDOWNERS' lobby group has stepped in to try to resolve a long-running dispute over dangerous spikes on moorland at Carlton Bank. The Country Land and Business Association is mediating in the row between stud owner Ken Saddington and the North York
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Shop Talk: Homing in on style
After more than 20 years of living and working abroad, Jane Wild has brought the best of her shopping finds to her North-East store. SINCE Jane Wild left Durham more than 20 years ago, she has been living and working on the other side of the world - mainly
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Shops closed to protect staff
OUTLETS of collapsed furnishings chain Courts remained closed last night after customers threatened staff and damaged shops. Administrators said they hoped to open the 88 stores soon, but were forced to take the action to protect workers. More than 3,000
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Lapland mayor invited to concert
A TOWN mayor from Lapland is joining guests at a Christmas charity concert this weekend. Matti Ansala, mayor of the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, will be attending a charity concert for the Feast of St Nicholas in Durham Cathedral today. Rovaniemi in Lapland
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Prices at the Marts
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed. Fwd: 2,353 sheep. Lambs lt to 129p av 98.8p; std to 118p av 103.6p; med to 117.2p av 109.5p; heavy to 112.3p av 105.5p. Cast sheep: Suff £47; Cont £45.50; Mule £44; Swale £24; Leics £40. DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week. Fwd: 418
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Older carers benefit from campaign
A PENSIONER, who has cared for her disabled husband for more than a year, had her income increased by £150 a week as part of a campaign highlighted in a national report. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's welfare rights unit has helped older carers
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Sparks fly in one-day guerilla sales
MARKS & Spencer cut its prices by 20 per cent for a second time yesterday as the high street retailer stepped up its battle to attract Christmas shoppers. The latest one-day promotion, covering more than half of its products, took place amid signs
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Automated laboratory shipped
A company based in the region shipped a water-testing laboratory to the Netherlands this week. Labman Automation, of Stokesley, North Yorkshire, designed and manufactured the laboratory on behalf of Vitens, the Netherlands' largest portable water supply
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Tributes paid after man dies in digger accident
TRIBUTES have been paid to a father-of-two who was killed in a roadside accident. Kevin Bradshaw, 31, died when he was struck on the head by a part of a digger he was repairing. Mr Bradshaw lived with his girlfriend Diane in West Auckland, County Durham
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Letters to the Editor
Respect for mayor Sir, - I read with astonishment the attack by Mr Morris on our Mayor, Coun Tony Hall (D&S letters, Nov 19). My wife sat with the mayor and his wife in the church. They left the church on the instruction of the church warden and certainly
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Murder charge after death of homeless man
A 21-year-old was last night charged with the murder of a homeless man. Brian Kearney, of Morgan Street, in Southwick, Sunderland, was charged with the murder of Barry Sewell. Mr Sewell 49, of no fixed address, was found in Queens Road, Sunderland, at
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Award-winning museum threatened by council's office move
THE sale of an office building by Richmondshire District Council threatens the future development of an award-winning museum. The authority was accused of asset stripping when it opted to dispose of 33 Frenchgate on the open market. The resources committee
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Plea to expand business
A RURAL businessman refused permission to expand his enterprise has returned with fresh proposals for the scheme. David Cowie wants to site a mobile home, kennels and stable block on a number of allotments south of Wilks Hill in the village of Quebec,
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Pupils go wild for garden plan
A GREEN labour force is helping create an "outdoor'' classroom for schoolchildren. Employees from the Durham East Intermediate Labour Market (ILM), which gives paid work to the jobless, have helped youngsters at West Rainton Primary School start a wildlife
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Millennium bridge set for go-ahead
A MILLENNIUM bridge project at Pateley Bridge is expected to receive the go-ahead next week. It is being recommended that members of North Yorkshire County Council planning committee approve the plan when they meet on Tuesday. Planning officers said design
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In the top four - nationally
A GREAT Ayton farmer is among the four top-performing candidates nationally in the highly respected Basis certificate in crop protection exams. Simon Graves, of Angrove North Farm, undertook the Basis qualification, which demands the equivalent of 16
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Revised £1m station revamp will be 'the ideal solution'
REVISED plans for the £1m revamp of Bedale Station have been announced. The move comes after councillors were told the inclusion of a conference centre in the development would be too expensive. Instead, Hambleton District Council plans to build a gallery
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Timber firm recognises 20 years' loyal service
OFFICE manager Wendy Bainbridge has completed 20 years with North Yorkshire Timber at their head office in Northallerton. To mark the occasion, the 38-year-old was presented with a gold watch and a bouquet of flowers. Ms Bainbridge began her career with
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Waste site scheme likely to be refused
A scheme to create a waste recycling site next to the A1 near Boroughbridge has been criticised for being an industrial process in open countryside. North Yorkshire County Council's planning officers are recommending that the scheme, between the A1(M)
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Attraction puts on a festive theme
A NEW Teesdale visitor attraction is adding some seasonal displays for the festive period. Meet the Middletons, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, a visitor centre that explores life in Middleton in the 19th Century through the eyes of a fictional family is putting
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Celebrating league success
PUPILS are celebrating after league tables revealed their primary school was one of the fastest improving schools in the country. Caldicotes primary, in Middlesbrough, was the 16th most improved school in the country in league tables for the national
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Officers' course success
A POLICE force has finished training its armed officers in a new approach towards people with mental health problems. Sergeant Jon Dowd, of Northumbria Police, came up with a course to help firearms officers and negotiators. It won him a Queen's Award
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Town centre business to be promoted by website launch
A TOWN whose efforts to get back on its feet sparked The Northern Echo's Shopping For a Future Campaign is boosting its image with the launch of a website. Bishop Auckland Town Centre has gone online with a site which will promote events and businesses
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Quest to get more people off sick list
A SCHEME to get people off incapacity benefit and crackdown on the "sick-note culture'' is being extended in the North-East. Gateshead and South Tyneside have been running the Pathways to Work initiative since the start of the year. Now it is to extend
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March date for multi-games area in upper dales
A DERELICT tennis court at Askrigg is to be transformed into the upper dales' first multi-use games area thanks to a National Lottery grant and years of lobbying by local people. Work on the site at Yorebridge starts in January and football, tennis, five-a-side
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'We can all help to make town better'
CAMPAIGNERS hoping to help kick-start the regeneration of their town centre have urged residents and the borough council to pull together to secure a brighter future. Members of Billingham Action Team (Bat) met to discuss the future of the town after
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Newcastle rocked by Butt's hamstring blow
GRAEME Souness last night conceded that Nicky Butt's long-term hamstring problem was an "enormous blow" to Newcastle's hopes of a return to the Champions League. Butt has been ruled out until the New Year after scans revealed tendonitis in his hamstring
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Centre opening turns tide for drug-blighted village
RESIDENTS of a deprived, drug-blighted village who are battling to turn its fortunes around will celebrate a step forward today. A community centre is to open in East Street, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street, and bring back facilities missing for
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Pupils join up . . . but just for a day
CHILDREN have been experiencing life in the US Army Medical Corps during the Second World War. Members of the 42nd Field Hospital Re-enactment Group, which is based in Hartlepool, visited the town's Grange Primary School, yesterday to help the children
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Mayerhofler back for Falcons, but no Jonny
NEWCASTLE Falcons have recalled centre Mark Mayerhofler to their starting line-up for Sunday's Heineken Cup tie at home to Edinburgh, but Jonny Wilkinson is not yet ready to return. The England captain still hasn't done any contact work in training and
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Cardinal is panning for Gold
MURPHY'S CARDINAL, who is being specifically prepared for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, needs to win at Sandown this afternoon if he is to emerge as a serious threat to the three-time reigning champion, Best Mate. Trainer Noel Chance rightly holds
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Council to debate car-free scheme
CONTROVERSIAL plans for the pedestrianisation of Darlington town centre are to be debated again on Monday. The borough council's resources scrutiny committee will discuss the issue when it meets in the town hall. Conservative councillor Charles Johnson
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Bid to build houses up for discussion
A PLAN to build two houses near to a school in a Teesdale village are to be discussed next week. Despite concerns that itcould increase traffic on the road next to Staindrop Primary School, planners at Teesdale District Council have recommended it for
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Attraction puts on a festive theme
A NEW Teesdale visitor attraction is adding some seasonal displays for the festive period. Meet the Middletons, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, a visitor centre that explores life in Middleton in the 19th Century through the eyes of a fictional family is putting
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Next step in £3.9m scheme to revive park's fortunes
THE second phase of a multi-million-pound plan to transform Darlington's South Park has begun. The £3.9m scheme, which received backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to restore the park to its former glory. The first part of the project saw the
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Initiative to clear dumped vehicles proves a success
HUNDREDS of abandoned, untaxed or unlicensed cars have been cleared from the streets in an on-going operation. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade have been operating three successful initiatives and believe
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First day of Christmas for children
EXCITED youngsters were able to get their Christmas wishes in early when they met Santa Claus for the first time yesterday. Children from York House Nursery, in Bishop Auckland, gasped in delight when they visited Santa's Grotto in Bishop Auckland Town
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Star visitor on the ward
POP star Brian McFadden brought some pre-Christmas cheer to sick youngsters yesterday. The Irish singer, who sold millions of albums as part of boy band Westlife, visited the children's ward at Newcastle General Hospital. Mr McFadden, who recently split
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Youngsters enjoy first taste of Christmas with festival of Angels
THE first snow of the festive season fell in Darlington town centre yesterday, promoting squeals of delight from children. However, the snowfall was restricted to one small part of Skinnergate as fake snow brought the spirt of the season to life. The
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Top of the class in road safety
PRIMARY school children were top of the form when they won a road safety quiz for the sixth time in eight years. Ingleby Mill Primary School, from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, beat competition from St Patrick's RC and Wolviston primary schools to win
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Patients have say at staff interviews
A HOSPITAL has recruited former patients to have their say during the staff interview process. The division of surgery at the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, has taken a step towards patient and public involvement by inviting patients
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Hall's 'lost' stairs lead to literary connection
STAIRS which have been hidden from public view for at least 120 years at a North Yorkshire stately home could be re-opened as the owners try to make visits easier. They lead off the main staircase on the first floor of Norton Conyers Hall, a grade II*
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Chairman stands down
THE chairman and producer of talking newspaper the Cleveland News and Views is standing down at the end of the year after working on the project for 24 years. Vincent Moore has performed a variety of roles at the newspaper, produced for sight-impaired
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Seminar offers tips on beating doorstep crime
measures to help the elderly combat doorstep crime were unveiled yesterday. Durham County Council's trading standards service held a training seminar for professionals, volunteers and carers who work with older people. Phillip Holman, head of trading
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Pensioner in pursuit of purse thief
AN elderly woman tried to chase a youth after he stole her purse. The 80-year-old, who has not been named, was attacked at about 2pm on Saturday. She was walking through Ferndene Park in Ryton, Gateshead, towards the Safeway store, when a youth who had
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Hunt for riding gear burglars
HORSE riding gear worth more than £400 was stolen during a burglary at stables in Middleton-St-George. The break-in happened at Ashtree Stables, Sadberge Road between 1am on November 29 and 9am on November 30. Eight horse head collars were taken along
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Cardinal is panning for Gold
MURPHY'S CARDINAL, who is being specifically prepared for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, needs to win at Sandown this afternoon if he is to emerge as a serious threat to the three-time reigning champion, Best Mate. Trainer Noel Chance rightly holds
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Northallerton foiled by late goal after two see red
Norton & Stockton Ancients2 Northallerton Town 2 NORTHALLERTON Town were denied three points by a last-gasp equaliser last Saturday despite having two men sent off for swearing. The SOS - Stamp out Swearing - message which the Albany Northern League
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Sportswear stolen from trading estate
DESIGNER sportswear worth thousands of pounds is heading for the black market this Christmas, after a burglary. A gang of thieves stole 200 bikinis and 200 sets of jackets and trousers from an undisclosed business on Team Valley trading estate, in Gateshead
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'Barman' who can offer a prayer and a pint
A CLERGYMAN has swapped the pulpit for pulling pints in his local pub. The Reverend Tim Tunley, from St Andrew's Church, in Grinton, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, spent a week in the kitchen and behind the bar at the village's Bridge Inn. Landlord Andrew
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Treat in store for Animex festival fans
A computer graphics supervisor who has worked on a string of box office hit films is to share the secrets of his success. Tom Martinek, who has worked on films including Master and Commander, Minority Report and Mission Impossible, will deliver a lecture
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Murray wants to keep Breen
Sunderland chairman Bob Murray last night revealed that the club have opened contract talks with skipper Gary Breen, writes Scott Wilson. The Republic of Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season, and will be free to talk to interested
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Payment to ex-miners expected
FAST-TRACK payments to former miners could begin as early as February, according to Government officials. Following a court judgement last month, it is expected that tens of thousands of ex-miners will receive faster payments for lung damage if they agree
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Brown under fire over jobs
GORDON BROWN was under fire last night over his pledge to shift civil service jobs from London to the North when it emerged the posts moved more than 15 months ago. The Liberal Democrats condemned the Chancellor's "reannouncements" of Ministry of Defence
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Special sales
BORDERWAY (Carlisle). - Wed of last week. Border & Lakeland Holstein Club show & sale. Total clearance for 60 females, av £1,000-plus. Judge: Stephen Morley, Petteril Holsteins. Champion: J&R Hunter, Lanarkshire, Letterkenny Jogger Kathy 2
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What school league tables won't record
From time to time various publications carry question and answer features on public figures, revealing such nuggets of information as their favourite film and the like. Often they include the question: "Who is your hero?", which I've always found a tough
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Biker dies in accident
FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a well-known biker who died in an accident. Ian Watson, 44, of Margrove Park, near Guisborough, died after coming off his 900cc Kawasaki bike on the A1 slip road at junction 49, near Ripon, on Sunday. His wife,
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Managers who are some way short of pensionable age
I KNOW we're all supposed to work longer because of the pensions fiasco, but for Sir Bobby Robson to manage Wolves would be, to coin one of the newer cliches, a no-brainer. For one thing he'd be reunited with Carl Cort, the striker he must secretly have
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Whitehall gets its sums wrong
OUTRAGE was expressed by North Yorkshire County Council executive on Wednesday at Government plans to take back money already given to the council - much of which has already been spent. The council is expected to be asked to repay £1m of grant money
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Sophie's bunker helps raise £4,500 for charity
GENEROUS golfers have given a children's charity a boost by raising more than £4,500. Bishop Auckland Golf Club has raised the funds for the Rainbow Trust through a series of events organised by this year's captain Mick Burdess. The fundraising drive
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On TV
Edge Of Life (BBC2) THE subtitle, Is This Baby's Life Worth Living?, gave an idea of the terrible dilemma at the heart of this exceptional documentary. Two sets of parents were confronted with difficult, almost impossible, choices concerning premature
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Consumers are turning to buying from farmer
SALES of organic food have increased by more than 10pc in the last year, according to the Soil Association. Retail sales of organic food are now worth £1.12bn and growing by £2m a week, twice the rate of growth of the general grocery market. According
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Brown amends 'stifling tax laws'
CONTROVERSIAL laws that stopped the creation of university businesses were amended by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his Pre-Budget Report yesterday. Regional development agency One NorthEast and the University of Newcastle, which earlier this year said the
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Row over responsibility for removing dangerous spikes
A LANDOWNERS' lobby group has stepped in to try to resolve a long-running dispute over dangerous spikes on moorland at Carlton Bank The Country Land and Business Association is mediating in the row between stud owner Ken Saddington and the North York
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Devilment in the detail
THERE was much, as usual, to admire in Gordon Brown's performance yesterday: his mastery of figures, his family-friendly policies, his dashed good luck and his apparent unconcern as he dashes to the very edge of a deep, black hole. Tony Blair, sitting
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Man jailed for 18 months after sex assaults on girls
A MAN who indecently assaulted two young girls 25 years apart has been jailed for 18 months. Melvyn Peter Clement, 58, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, a Scottish pipe band member and former Territorial Army member, had denied but was found guilty of
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Sunderland fans to show true colours
SUNDERLAND Football Club fans are being urged to get in the festive spirit to help two charities. The club hopes fans attending tomorrow's match with West Ham will buy red and white Santa hats. All proceeds will be shared by the club's registered charity
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Calls flood in after surgeon's suspension
A PHONE-line set up following the suspension of a North-East consultant surgeon took 70 calls on its first day yesterday. Orthopaedic specialist Mr Kassim Mahdi stepped down from hospitals in Bishop Auckland and Durham this week pending an investigation
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Allinson among the goals again as Reeth crush Hawes
REETH hit eight goals past Hawes United last Saturday with goalkeeper Terry Alderson saving and scoring penalties. Chris Hutchinson fired Reeth ahead in the second minute, but Stuart Sunter levelled moments later with a 30-yard strike. Steven Allinson
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Jennifer holds champion to a draw
AN 11-year-old girl defied the odds to hold world chess champion Keith Arkell to a draw at the weekend. Jennifer Openshaw, from Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, was among 100 youngsters from the area who took on the grand master over two days at The Links Primary
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Wellock's World: Managers who are some way short of pensionable age
I KNOW we're all supposed to work longer because of the pensions fiasco, but for Sir Bobby Robson to manage Wolves would be, to coin one of the newer cliches, a no-brainer. For one thing he'd be reunited with Carl Cort, the striker he must secretly have
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Dam protects homes from floods
A new 15-metre high dam is protecting 600 homes and business from floods in two North-East towns. The dam, which is 320 metres long and took 18 months to build, is part of a major £8.8m flood defence scheme for West Auckland and South Church, County Durham
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Toddler-kidnap gunman gets 20-year prison term
A GUNMAN who hijacked a car with a toddler inside as he fled a bungled armed robbery was starting a prison sentence last night. Barry Lynn, 24, on the run from police, threatened a woman driver with a sawn-off shotgun, then sped off across Gateshead in
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Splendid tree - pity about the lights
RICHMOND Round Table members' faces were as red as Rudolph's nose when they discovered their Christmas tree lights were missing just hours before the big switch-on. The club took delivery of its biggest and best tree yet and installed it at the foot of
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Policeman arrested over death of wife
A POLICEMAN was arrested yesterday on suspicion of stabbing his wife to death in their bedroom. Maria Jones, 36, mother of the couple's three children, was found dead after receiving multiple stab wounds yesterday morning. PC Ivor Jones, 40, was arrested
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Inquest told driver was going too fast
A CAR driven by a disqualified motorist was travelling at excessive speed when it became airborne after crashing into a roundabout, an inquest heard yesterday. Cleveland Police crash investigator PC Stephen McKie said Darren McGee's car was being driven
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Brass band on song in competition
A brass band has played its way to the top of one of the region's most prominent competitions. BHK (UK) Limited Horden Band won the championship section of the Northumberland Brass Band Association's Open Entertainment Contest. The competition, at Northumberland
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Carte Diamond sparkles to win on hurdling debut
A GEM of a jumps start came from Carte Diamond at Newcastle last Saturday when Brian Ellison's charge took the juvenile hurdle under Brian Harding. They were five lengths clear of joint favourite Iron Man, one of Graham and Andrea Wylie's strong string
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Police investigate roadworker's death
A HIGHWAYS workman was killed in an accident involving road surfacing machinery on a busy road. Plant operator Kevin Bradshaw, 31, suffered severe head injuries when he was struck by the metal bucket of a Bobcat appliance. Cleveland Police were called
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Curtain up on Sage interior
THE public has been given a preview of the interior of the Sage Gateshead which is due to open soon. During the next few weeks, the Sage Gateshead will be running a short campaign to reveal some of the innovative features of the building on the Tyne in
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The heart of a town's revival
THE Mechanics' Institute in Chester-le-Street began its life as a reading room and education centre for the working men of the town. A century later, the grand old building is returning to its roots - this time as a flagship enterprise and learning centre
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Dinosaur that left lasting impression
A 180-million-year-old footprint of one of the largest dinosaurs to roam the planet has been discovered on a beach in the region. The 40cm-long print, put on display for the first time yesterday, belongs to a sauropod. The sauropods, such as the Diplodocus
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Pensioner receives Home Office award
A PENSIONER who led a campaign to help rid her village of a gang of drug dealers travelled to London to receive an award recognising her tireless efforts. Anne Blewitt, who is chairman of the Community Enterprise Group in Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street
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03/12/04
CARE HOMES: I AM sick of reading articles and seeing programmes on the television about the state of care homes. I am a resident of the Mains Care Home in Redmarshall, and receive the very best care from the wonderful staff here. I have my own self-contained
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Family double at gallery
THE artwork of a father and his son has gone on display at an east Durham gallery. George Crawford, of Wingate, has displayed his watercolours at Seaton Holme, Hall Walks, Easington Village, before. Now his pictures are being exhibited in the building's
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Artistic gateway to 'green corridor'
SIX pieces of art will be installed in the Stanley area to mark out the communities involved in a self improvement project. The Stanley Green Corridor Neighbourhood Partnership has commissioned six entrance features to act as gateways to the corridor.
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Pat's images of northern grit inspire series of poems
PHOTOGRAPHS that inspired a book of poems and creative writing are on show in Bishop Auckland. The exhibition, called Northern Grit, by photographer Pat Maycroft, has opened this week at The Discovery Centre, Bishop Auckland, Market Place. The work, which
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Sadness and hope mix at new hunt meet
A MINUTE'S silence was observed at the start of the new Bilsdale Farmers' Hunt meet at Cold Moor Cote on Sunday in memory of Dr Hugh Miles, who died in hospital earlier that morning. He was a stalwart of hunting and field sports in Bilsdale and will be
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Army garrison unveils huge 'new town' scheme
A MULTI-million pound scheme to develop a town centre in Catterick Garrison has been unveiled to mixed reactions. It would include new housing, sports grounds, swimming pools, a shopping area with larger retailers, and leisure facilities including a cinema
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What school league tables won't record
From time to time various publications carry question and answer features on public figures, revealing such nuggets of information as their favourite film and the like. Often they include the question: "Who is your hero?", which I've always found a tough
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First cow beef should reach home market next summer
NEWS that the Government is to replace the over 30-month rule with a BSE testing scheme was widely welcomed this week. It will not only allow beef from older cattle to enter the UK food chain but should also re-open export markets. The National Beef Association
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Special people perform the honours at town's newest doctors' practice
A TRIO of special people have set the seal on a milestone for a Darlington doctors' practice. The unique threesome did the honours for the official opening of Blacketts Medical Practice - formerly Netherlaw Surgery - on Wednesday evening. Queenie Griffiths
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Mayerhofler back for Falcons, but no Jonny
NEWCASTLE Falcons have recalled centre Mark Mayerhofler to their starting line-up for Sunday's Heineken Cup tie at home to Edinburgh, but Jonny Wilkinson is not yet ready to return. The England captain still hasn't done any contact work in training and
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'Family friendly' Brown puts golden rule at risk
Chancellor Gordon Brown set out his vision of a "family friendly" welfare state yesterday as he put extra help for working parents at the heart of his annual Pre-Budget Report. His Commons statement included a blueprint for an ambitious ten-year childcare
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MFI optimistic that problems are solved
FURNITURE retailer MFI has forecast a substantial improvement in results at its main business. The group has been rocked by supply chain difficulties, but said an overhaul of the delivery operation and a reduction in costs would help it next year. MFI's
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Care for a carrot? They're free
PRIMARY school children are being given free fruit at school in a bid to promote healthy eating and tackle obesity. Children aged between four and six will receive a free piece of fruit each day under the National School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. Statistics
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Parents defend mayor's manner at memorial
THE parents of a Northallerton red cap soldier killed in Iraq have come to the defence of the town's mayor after he was accused of disrespect. John and Sandra Hyde, whose son L Cpl Ben Hyde died last year, have praised Coun Tony Hall for his support for
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Lights, children, Santa
HUNDREDS of children will light up city streets as part of a Christmas festival. On Saturday, 100 children from three Durham schools will take part in a lantern procession through the city. They will set off at 4pm, from Millburngate Shopping Centre,
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Pony and Riding Club Dates
Cleveland Hunt PC. - Dec 5: jnr and snr rally at Unicorn Centre, 10-1pm, tel Shirley Hockney 01642 723577. Dec 28: Christmas disco, Gt Broughton Village Hall, 7-10pm, names to Clare 01642 712948. Darlington & District RC. - Dec 8: Christmas meal for
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Yuletide market
The farmers' market in Richmond will stay open until 8pm on December 18 to coincide with a visit by Father Christmas. The festivities will also include circus performers, pipers and drummers, plus a lantern workshop and procession. There will also be
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Community lights up for Christmas
VILLAGERS got into the festive spirit last night as their first Christmas lights were switched on. People gathered on the village green in Sherburn Village to see the lights on the Christmas tree go on. The lights were switched on by ten-year-old Richard
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Green Howards fame reaches US
THE fame of one of Britain's oldest regiments stretches far and wide - and has now reached the west coast of the US. An American living in California has set up his own Second World War Green Howards living history group. And to get the details right,
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Youngsters learn about doing time the Victorian way
pupils have been learning about what happened to people when they broke the law in bygone days. Nearly 100 year nine students from The Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, visited the courthouse, workhouse and prison and police museums in Ripon yesterday.
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Three apply for seat on council
THREE prospective candidates have put their names forward for a vacant seat on a town council. The seat is on Barnard Castle Town Council following the resignation of Councillor David Blackie. The candidates include John Blissett, of Thorngate Wynd, a
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Gardeners to fight allotment site sale
GARDENERS are fighting plans to sell former allotment land to a housing company. The protestors are trying to stop Hartlepool Borough Council from selling the 2.5- acre site. The land was recently reclaimed by the council, which is trying to find ways
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Early nightfall a boon for thieves
POLICE are warning householders that darker evenings are a thieve's best friend following a series of raids. Officers are urging people to take proper security measures after a number of shed burglaries in Sessay, near Thirsk. The thefts are typical of
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Assurances given on rural schools
ASSURANCES have been given that the future of dozens of rural schools is safe. In a report on a draft policy on small schools in North Yorkshire, County education director Cynthia Welbourn said: "They are valued by their communities and are a local asset
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Brigade's teddy bear target
A FIRE brigade has been raising funds to buy teddy bears to give to children involved in incidents attended by fire- fighters. Cleveland Fire Brigade's Prince's Trust partnership team is taking part in a variety of events to raise more than £1,000 to
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Bid to build houses up for discussion
A PLAN to build two houses near to a school in a Teesdale village are to be discussed next week. Despite concerns that itcould increase traffic on the road next to Staindrop Primary School, planners at Teesdale District Council have recommended it for
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Caroline is N-E coach of the year
A TEESSIDE woman has been named as the region's Prince's Trust Coach of the Year. Caroline Dott, from Hartlepool, was selected from five nominees for the title at an award ceremony at the Tall Trees Hotel, in Yarm. She was nominated by her Stockton Riverside
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Golf day raises thousands for charity
A golf day has boosted charity funds by thousands of pounds. Top amateur players headed for the green with keen club golfers for this year's event and raised £4,000. Saltburn Golf Club is donating £2,000 each to the children's ward of the James Cook University
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Food for thought
He is Britain's leading film and theatre poet, although he is perhaps best known for his controversial work V. On the eve of a festival which showcases some of his work, Nick Morrison talks to Tony Harrison. WHEN Tony Harrison had a cottage in Wales,
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Amended plan for houses wins approval
PLANS for more than 120 homes have been approved at the second time of asking. In October, Taylor Woodrow Developments applied for planning permission to build 127 houses in Ewehurst Road, Flint Hill, near Stanley. Derwentside District Council's development
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Full steam ahead with model railway club exhibition
THE North-East's rich railway heritage is brought to life this weekend - in miniature. Darlington Model Railway Club stages its 27th annual exhibition in the town's College of Technology, in Cleveland Avenue, tomorrow and Sunday. There will be a selection
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Ex-funeral director charged with theft
A former funeral director has been charged with stealing thousands of pounds from people who pre-paid him for their own funeral arrangements. Christopher Westcott, 40, used to run Cathedral Funeral Services, in Durham City, but now he is being investigated
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Parking ban to be permanent
EXPERIMENTAL parking restrictions in Osmotherley have been made permanent. A 12-month clearway order to stop visitors parking along the side of the road in the Sheepwash Area of the village was made permanent at a meeting of the county committee for Hambleton
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Pupils cook up a treat in contest
BUDDING chefs at a Darlington school showed off their culinary skills in a television-inspired competition. Teams of pupils from Hurworth School Maths and Computing College battled it out in the kitchen yesterday when they had 45 minutes to prepare a
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Hunt for riding gear burglars
HORSE riding gear worth more than £400 was stolen during a burglary at stables in Middleton-St-George. The break-in happened at Ashtree Stables, Sadberge Road between 1am on November 29 and 9am on November 30. Eight horse head collars were taken along
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Drugs seized in police raids
POLICE raids yesterday netted drugs worth more than £3,500. More than 120 officers took part in morning raids yesterday and Wednesday on 11 homes in the Felling area of Gateshead. They recovered amphetamines and skunk cannabis, £8,565 in cash, perfume
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Views sought on services
A citizens' panel is to be questioned for the first time about council services and the fire authority. Questionnaires will be sent to 2,000 members of the public by Viewfinder to discover residents' thoughts on five sections, including communications
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Taste of Spain in the red mall
A FASHION chain offering a flavour of Spain has opened its first UK store in the North-East. Spanish retailer Bershka yesterday launched its outlet at the Gateshead MetroCentre. The group already has 300 stores in 15 European countries. It joins its sister
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Work to start next year on long-awaited A1 upgrade
THE announcement by the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, this week, of a £700m boost for transport in the Yorkshire and Humber area is good news for some schemes but disappointing for others. The upgrade of the Al(M), comprising the sections from
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CEM secures contract in North Africa
A COMPANY specialising in event management has secured a new client in Tunisia with the help of the Government. CEM Event Management, in Eaglescliffe, worked with the UK Trade and Investment Department to be granted the work. The company will promote
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Quakers captain sings Hodgson's praises
DARLINGTON skipper Craig Liddle last night paid tribute to manager David Hodgson's transformation of the club from relegation certainties to promotion hopefuls in the space of a year. Hodgson made a shock return in November last year with the club in
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Care home residents get shopping help
A SHOPPING centre opened for some special customers last night. The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland, welcomed residents from care homes across the North-East. Staff provided transport, help with shopping and mobility aids such as wheelchairs. Pupils
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Cereal Prices
Thursday's prices Grainfarmers, Thorp Arch. - Wheat: Dec £63; Jan £64; Feb £64.50. Barley: Dec £67; Jan £68; Feb £69; Oilseed rape: Dec £135; Jan £136; Feb £137. GrainCo, Tyne Dock. - Wheat: Dec £63; Jan £63.50; Feb £64. Barley: Dec £64; Jan £66; Feb
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Bodies found in Darlington home
Police have launched a major investigation after the bodies of a middle aged couple were found dead in suspicious circumstances at their home late on Thursday night. Officers were called to the address in Stephenson Road, Darlington, shortly after 10
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Managers who are some way short of pensionable age
I KNOW we're all supposed to work longer because of the pensions fiasco, but for Sir Bobby Robson to manage Wolves would be, to coin one of the newer cliches, a no-brainer. For one thing he'd be reunited with Carl Cort, the striker he must secretly have
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For sale: a tiny bit of rural heaven, just perfect for a picnic
A NORTH Yorkshire estate agent thinks she has the ideal Christmas gifts for those fond of the great outdoors. For about £5,000, she is offering for sale just over an acre of land in splendid isolation on the North York Moors. And for anyone wanting to
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Shoptalk
SINCE Jane Wild left Durham more than 20 years ago, she has been living and working on the other side of the world - mainly in Asia and on the west coast of America. Now she's back home, with a husband, a baby and a brand new business in the heart of
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Hard choices must be made, force warns
POLICE forces across the region are to get an extra £21m from the Government next year. Cash-strapped Cleveland Police will get £4.1m more. However, last night Chief Constable Sean Price said it would still leave a £5m to £7m funding black hole. The shortfall
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Family butcher is tops for sausages
TWO butchers' shops in Bedale and Northallerton are celebrating after winning a regional sausage competition. Family business JB Cockburn and Sons, in Bedale, won first and second prizes in the pork category of the Northallerton and District Sausage Competition
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Man who terrorised girlfriend is jailed
A MAN who terrorised his girlfriend with knives and also threatened to set her on fire was jailed for two years yesterday. Peter Harrison, 42, of Raby Road, Hartlepool, had previous convictions for assaults on Sherrie Galvanovskis during their three-year
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Pool keen to repel bids for Nelson
HARTLEPOOL United last night hardened their stance over Micky Nelson's transfer saga. Following a week in which Hull City made a £100,000 bid for the big defender and speculation that another club had this week lodged their interest, Pool issued a strongly-worded
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Talks may have changed EU plans
discussions about the future of the region's chemical industry may have led to a rethink about EU proposals that may threaten jobs and investment in the region. A delegation from the European Chemical Regions Network, which included representatives from
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Brown amends 'stifling tax laws'
CONTROVERSIAL laws that stopped the creation of university businesses were amended by Chancellor Gordon Brown in his Pre-Budget Report yesterday. Regional development agency One NorthEast and the University of Newcastle, which earlier this year said the
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One-way traffic plan under fire
A NEW traffic scheme in Stokesley has come under fire from the chairman of the parish council. The scheme, which was approved at the meeting of the County Committee for Hambleton on Monday, will see North Road reduced to a single lane for a distance of
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War huts are finally on the way out
WORK has begun on a redevelopment project that will bring the Friarage Hospital at Northallerton into the twenty-first century. A turf cutting ceremony officially marked the start of building work on the £21m scheme undertaken by South Tees Hospitals
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Cable firm sells network of masts
CABLE company ntl is to sell its network of communication masts and towers after agreeing a deal worth £1.27bn. A consortium led by Australia's Macquarie Group will buy ntl's broadcast business, which has about 2,300 sites, including the UK's tallest
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'Our Christmas lights switch on's better than yours'
A SURVEY published last month claimed that whomever you get to turn on your Christmas lights reflects the kind of neighbourhood you live in. If this is true then Middleton in Teesdale must surely be listed among the creme-de-la-creme, for it has attracted
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Hunts aim to keep hounds busy pending ban appeal
HUNT masters and supporters are drawing up plans of how their animals can be exercised once the hunting with dogs ban becomes law in February. Although the Countryside Alliance is questioning the legality of the ban, any action to overturn it may not
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Bonus point lifts Darlington two places
A PULSATING Darlington derby saw Mowden Park emerge as winners by 30-23 at Yiewsley Drive last Saturday, but the visitors had reason to be satisfied. They went into the match without six first-choice players and came out of it two places higher in National
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Man is cleared of causing death by dangerous driving
A FORMER soldier has been cleared of causing the death by dangerous driving of a pensioner killed in a motorway crash. Mark Coates, 28, lost control of his car on the A1(M) southbound near Durham City and crashed through a fence into a field, causing
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Festive gifts for youngsters
A MAN suffering from brain cancer is bringing festive cheer to youngsters with the disease. Jimmy Gustard, 40, of Urpeth Grange, near Chester-le-Street, is sending gifts to children who will be spending Christmas in Newcastle General Hospital and the
