Archive
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Police blitz on problem drinkers
POLICE throughout the region were out in force last night as a Government crackdown on binge-drinkers and anti-social behaviour began with a pre-Christmas blitz. Officers now have the power to issue on-the-spot fines for buying or selling alcohol to people
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Crisis at police force 'will cost jobs'
JOB cuts will be made at a cash-strapped North-East police force but bosses have promised not to reduce the number of frontline officers. Faced with the prospect of having to make nearly £4.5m in savings in next year's budget, Cleveland Police are carrying
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Lib-Dem joy as they win by-election
THE Liberal Democrats are celebrating a by-election victory in the North-East. Their candidate regained Belmont ward on Durham City Council in a contest forced when the sitting councillor resigned from the party to fight as an independent. Former shop
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Gardening: That was the blooming year, that was
I AM sitting on my (false and fashionable) sheepskin rug in front of the fire. The Christmas tree lights are on and the spicy fragrance from the Yuletide potpourri is filling the room with seasonal cheer. This is my first Christmas in my new house, and
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Closure rumours denied
THE owners of North-East engineering company Cleveland Bridge last night moved to quash rumours that its steel fabrication plant in Darlington would close. The Saudi Arabian group Al Rushaid, which became the majority shareholder in the company in 2000
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Music centre set to attract the tourists
AS the first visitors poured through the doors of The Sage last night, leading figures from the North-East's cultural community predicted the showpiece attraction would have a multi-million pound impact on the region's tourism industry. After opening
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You write
Joint action needed: There's a dejected looking bus shelter opposite the Abbey Leisure Centre at Newton Hall. It used to shelter travellers as they waited for the X41 to Chester-le-Street and Newcastle. Now it stands virtually empty. My inquiries have
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Caribbean councillor: I quit and I'm sorry
THE stay-away councillor who provoked a national outcry after it was revealed he was serving his constituents from a Caribbean island 4,500 miles away resigned yesterday. Stephen Gregory claimed hundreds of pounds in allowances for being a councillor
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Fairy enough
CHRISTMAS wouldn't be Christmas without the annual visit to see what's happening on Blue Peter (BBC1, Monday). The now veteran presenter Konnie Huq fumbled her way through making a tree-top angel from a sawn-off plastic bottle, old sock and crumpled crepe
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Talented dancer offered her big break
A RELUCTANT ballet student who overcame her doubts has been awarded one of the country's top dance scholarships. Rebecca Ward, 14, from West Cornforth, County Durham, a pupil at Durham High School for Girls, has been given a Government- sponsored scholarship
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18/12/04
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: MR Draper (HAS, Dec 15) missed the point. The resounding no vote in the referendum on elected regional assemblies was not due to lack of information or any lack of desire to see the North-East prosper. It was because the canny folk
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Cathedral's tree makes an entrance
AS becomes obvious very quickly, the Norman stonemasons who designed the doorways of Durham Cathedral never considered how to squeeze a 26ft Norway Spruce inside. The cathedral's North Door, famed for its Sanctuary Knocker, is about 12ft wide - the Christmas
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Jenny's design cops best card prize
A SCHOOLGIRL'S design was chosen for this year's official Durham Constabulary Christmas card. All local primary schools were invited to take part in a competition to draw up a card. The winning entry came from 10-year-old Jenny Hall, a pupil at St Josephs
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Carolling cash helps homeless
A CHRISTMAS carols concert has raised £250 for a charity helping homeless people in Darlington. Pupils from St Teresa's RC Primary School, in Harris Street, Darlington, performed for parents at their local church. Parents contributed to a collection in
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Initial stage of £2.2m housing project complete
THE first phase of a £2.2m project to redevelop a sheltered housing scheme has been completed. Twelve flats at the council-run Oban Court complex, in Whinbush Way, Darlington, have been refurbished. Each flat now has a fully modernised lounge, hall, kitchen
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Plucky 13 raise £4,000 for charity
THE story of a seven year old boy with leukaemia inspired a group of North-East factory workers to get on their bikes. Thirteen workmates from the 3M factory at the Aycliffe Industrial Estate, County Durham, chose the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Appeal
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Nativity performance
PRIMARY school pupils bridged the generation gap when they performed a Nativity play yesterday. Infant classes from Coundon Primary School staged a modern version of the Christmas story for 20 elderly residents of Bishopgate Lodge, in Bishop Auckland.
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Road safety pilot scheme
A PILOT scheme to protect children crossing roads in darkness or dull weather has been launched in Ferryhill. The 220 pupils at Dean Bank Primary School have been given reflective wristbands. Local PC Chris Metcalfe hopes the bands, which have been provided
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Mayor's 'sadness at racism'
DARLINGTON'S first black mayor has told of his sadness at increasing problems with racism. Councillor Roderick Francis said he found the present climate "quite frightening" and appealed to the local community to work together to combat the problem. "This
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Councillor resigns seat
A PARISH councillor has resigned from her post because of an increase in home and work commitments. Councillor Holly White had been a member of Heighington Parish Council for less than a year. She joined in February and lives on the Chestnuts development
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Pupils prepare for sports event
SPORTING pupils in Darlington have been preparing for the opening of an £80,000 multi-use games area. The children at Alderman Leach Primary School took part in an activity taster session, ahead of the area opening next year. The school is the first in
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Youngsters tell story of Christmas
PARENTS were moved to tears as they watched 40 children in a Nativity play called Whoops-a-Daisy Angel. The three to five-year-olds, from the nursery and reception classes, performed their Christmas play at Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School. Jenny
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Card savings aid charity
PUPILS and staff have foregone the seasonal tradition of sending cards to raise money for charity. Youngsters at Hurworth School, Maths and Computing College have been joined by their teachers in collecting money for the developing country aid agency
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Lorry driver Peter marks his non-retirement
LORRY driver Peter Walker wants to carry on trucking - so colleagues marked his 65th birthday by presenting him with a non-retirement gift. Mr Walker, from Staveley, near Ripon, who has driven millions of miles during his career, has reached the age when
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An artist's journey
AN exhibition of black and white drawings has opened. The Out of Frame exhibition, by Lewis Robinson, a part-time lecturer of Cleveland College of Art and Design, is about journeys and is being shown at The Arc until the end of December. The Saltburn-based
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The glamour of Vienna comes North
RESIDENTS in north Durham are being offered the chance to travel back in time to a grand Austrian ballroom. The Friends of the Lamplight group has organised a coach trip to the Johann Strauss Gala, which takes place in Newcastle City Hall on Thursday,
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Teenage mum dealt drugs
A YOUNG mother who sold drugs to an undercover policewoman in a nightclub was told by a judge yesterday that she would not go to jail because of her three-year-old daughter. Danielle Moutter,19, sold six ecstasy tablets, for £3 each, to the WPC. Judge
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£500,000 invested in more alley gates for city estates
A SUCCESSFUL programme of installing gates on alleys in Middlesbrough will get £500,000. Over the next two years, more gates will be installed in residential areas in central Middlesbrough, North Ormesby, the Linthorpe, Park and Clairville areas of the
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Caravan in timber yard may have to go
A company that parked a caravan on a timber yard site to provide accommodation for staff is seeking planning approval for it to stay for five years. Applicant RE Duffied and Sons, based at Melmerby, near Ripon, say because of a shortage of local workers
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Army chefs raise £500
ARMY cooks have been helping to ensure a happy Christmas for youngsters in hospital. The Christmas cake raffle, held at Imphal Barracks, in Fulford, York, raised more than £500 for the children's ward at York Hospital. Every year, the chefs from the barracks
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Volunteers sought
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to help rehabilitate young offenders. Most young offenders who plead guilty to a first offence are sentenced to a referral order of between three months and a year, depending on the seriousness of the offence. They appear before
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Anglers raise charity cash
A CHARITY angling challenge is helping to save lives after raising £1,250. Anglers from across the North took part in RAF Leeming's 11th charity open, on the River Swale, at Leeming and Gatenby. This year, funds were raised for the British Heart Foundation
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Players must bring the fans back, Hignett
DARLINGTON'S Craig Hignett believes the only way attendances will improve at the Williamson Motors Stadium is by continuing to do the business on the pitch. As Quakers travel to Boston United this afternoon, looking for a fourth straight League win, Hignett
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Caribbean councillor: I quit and I'm sorry
THE stay-away councillor who provoked a national outcry after it was revealed he was serving his constituents from a Caribbean island 4,500 miles away resigned yesterday. Stephen Gregory claimed hundreds of pounds in allowances for being a councillor
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Mining passion has become big business for film couple
A COUPLE who turned their passion for North-East heritage into a thriving business have found unexpected success in Australia. From their home in West Rainton, near Durham City, John Mason and Hilary St John run Puddle Productions, an independent film
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Birthday boy freed from custody
A PRISONER who appeared for sentence on his 21st birthday yesterday was released from custody by a judge. Burglar Christopher O'Keefe's lawyer said prison was a depressing way for his client to spend his birthday. O'Keefe and his older brother Michael
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Target practice soldier shot PC
A YOUNG North-East soldier's target practice session ended with a police officer being shot in the face. Brent Jessop, 22, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. However, a judge at Durham Crown Court yesterday accepted that Jessop
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Five easy pieces of advice to shoppers
TRADING standards officers have offered a series of tips to help shoppers enjoy a trouble-free Christmas. Durham County Council's trading standards team gave five pieces of advice to avoid rogue traders. The team suggests shoppers: * Keep their receipts
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Runners raise cash to bring festive cheer to refuge
CHILDREN escaping the trauma of domestic violence will enjoy some extra treats this Christmas, thanks to students who put on their running shoes to raise thousands of pounds for Durham Women's Refuge. Nine students from the University of Durham took part
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Police blitz on problem drinkers
POLICE throughout the region were out in force last night as a Government crackdown on binge-drinkers and anti-social behaviour began with a pre-Christmas blitz. Officers now have the power to issue on-the-spot fines for buying or selling alcohol to people
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Sports centre plan receives warm welcome
A businessman hoping to open an extreme sports centre is holding talks with councillors about the plan. Jonathan Lovatt, of Enterprise West, which runs the Mungle Jungle Children's Entertainment Centre, in Redcar, east Cleveland, believes the town could
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Brighter future beckons for reprieved trains
MORE night mail trains could soon be running if a trial scheme is successful. The trains were axed by Royal Mail but resurrected, on a smaller scale, following discussions with rail firm GB Railfreight. GB Railfreight, part of transport company First,
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'You still have a Job to do,' McClaren tells striker
STEVE McCLAREN has told unsettled striker Joseph Job to forget about leaving Middlesbrough in the transfer window and concentrate on preserving the club's place in the top six. The Cameroon striker grabbed his first goal since August in Wednesday's defeat
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At Your Service: Golden glow of Christmas
The Christingle service at St Cuthbert's church, in Barton, was flawless in its festive spirit. BENEATH the rather neat headline "O little towel of Bethlehem", last week's Church Times carried a timely story about the surge every Christmas in Sainsbury's
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Wearside League
Wolviston, concerned at their disciplinary record, have suspended and fined two players, writes Malcolm Pratt. Paul Edwards has been banned for two weeks and Alan Wigglesworth for seven days which means both will miss today's Wearside League Cup second
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Solid trading puts Arriva in the European driving seat
RAIL and bus operator Arriva said it is well-positioned for expansion in 2005 thanks to a strong performance this year. Each division of the company, which is based in Sunderland, traded in line with, or ahead of, expectations since half-year results
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Money for nothing at all
The six-month saga surrounding controversial councillor Stephen Gregory finally ended yesterday whenhe resigned from Wear Valley District Council, in County Durham. Catherine Jewitt looks at how his Caribbean adventure has affected the town he was elected
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Drunken fight may cost off-duty officer his job
A POLICEMAN may be forced to resign in disgrace after a drunken fight in which a female officer was hurt. Durham PC Jonathan Bell lashed out after the WPC tried to arrest him following a late-night brawl while he was off duty. Bell, 29, whose father and
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The Albany Northern League: Young confident of safety
Tow Law manager Geoff Young remains optimistic that his side will escape the drop. Lawyers, who are bottom of the table, go to Brandon this afternoon looking for their first win in seven matches, a run which has seen them drop to the bottom of the table
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Jonny's book aids disability group
THE life story of England's rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson is set to boost the coffers of a North-East charity. Darlington Rugby Club was presented with a signed copy of the Newcastle Falcons star's autobiography, My World. The club, in turn, sent
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Row over late licence
CIVIC pressure group officials fear a successful late licence bid by a city drinking venue may 'open the floodgates.' The 700-capacity Australian theme bar, Walkabout, in North Road, will be allowed to remain open until 2am from Monday to Saturday, and
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Players must bring the fans back, Hignett
DARLINGTON'S Craig Hignett believes the only way attendances will improve at the Williamson Motors Stadium is by continuing to do the business on the pitch. As Quakers travel to Boston United this afternoon, looking for a fourth straight League win, Hignett
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UniBond League: Moors head south
Spennymoor face one of their longest treks of the season when they go to Shepshed Dynamo in the Presidents Cup today. Moors head for the First Division club in Leicestershire smarting from the 3-0 defeat at Wakefield last Saturday. Manager Graeme Clark
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Lie detector tests proposed for former miners
PLANS were drawn up for secret lie detector tests to catch out former miners making false compensation claims, The Northern Echo can reveal. Civil servants in the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) recommended the use of FBI-style polygraph machines
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Baracouda ready to attack
BARACOUDA'S bid for a record fourth success in the Long Walk Hurdle looks set fair to reach fruition in the £75,000 contest at Windsor. Following the retirement of his former regular jockey, Thierry Doumen, who is now pursuing a training career, Tony
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Security expert found murdered
POLICE investigating the killing of a County Durham businessman in Central America believe he may have known his killer. The body of Thomas Purvis, a 44-year-old security expert, was found by a friend in Costa Rica on Monday. He had been stabbed to death
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Anger as police force decides to disband rural patrol unit
PLANS to disband a police unit which patrols rural areas have been criticised. The Beat Support Unit of Durham Police, which has seven officers, was set up five years ago when it was known as the Rural Support Unit. It serves rural and urban parts of
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In praise of the art of bad acting
Jim Carrey is back in disguise for his latest movie, where he plays a fortune-seeking bad actor in Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events. Steve Pratt reports. Today Jim Carrey is going to be himself. Or as much of the real man as the madcap,
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Rambling Minster to keep up Reveley's winning run
HAVING spent 20 years living in the shadow of is illustrious mother, Mary, Keith Reveley is now showing he's every bit as capable of turning out winner-after-winner from the family's Groundhill Farm base at Lingdale, near Saltburn. Keith, who has only
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'Cocaine kits' man to face court
THE man at the centre of a storm surrounding so-called cocaine user kits is to face court action. Stockton shop owner Nabeel Maqsood, 26, will be summonsed to Teesside Magistrates' Court in the coming months. Police said it would be for the offence of
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Ever Ready Richard
Richard Cawley blames his star sign for his multi-faceted career. The Yorkshire-born Gemini lad, who wanted to become a ballet dancer, has been a fashion designer, TV chef, a writer and now a pantomime star. Being a Gemini, Richard Cawley says he's always
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Cotterill's return is no big deal for McCarthy
MICK McCARTHY says he will welcome former Sunderland assistant manager Steve Cotterill with a hand-shake before the game and a bottle of beer after it - but insists that is all he is getting. Cotterill and Howard Wilkinson's reign on Wearside has been
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Collins comes to terms with culture shock
NEILL COLLINS has had ot overcome the culture shock of going from playing before 'one man and his dog' to performing in front of 30,000 fanatical supporters. The former Dumbarton centre back, whose last game came in the 2-0 defeat at Millwall six weeks
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Killer 'sold cannabis from death house'
A man sold drugs from the door of his home as the bodies of two men he had killed lay just feet away, a court heard. Unemployed John Paul Marshall, 43, sold cannabis at the communal entrance to his Gillygate flat, in York, hours after killing Kevin Mulgrew
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Boyd ends speculation by signing new deal
ADAM Boyd yesterday gave Hartlepool United an early Christmas present when he signed a new two-year deal to stay at Victoria Park. Out of contract next summer, the home-grown striker has been regularly linked with a move away from Pool next year. But,
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Jenas and Gerrard are England's future - Souness
GRAEME Souness is relishing a clash of the titans at Anfield tomorrow, after predicting that Jermaine Jenas and Steven Gerrard will eventually form the heart of England's midfield. The Newcastle boss has shown his faith in Jenas' ability by handing the
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Shearer happy to go Dutch
ALAN Shearer expects Newcastle to enjoy the equivalent of two home games when they take on Dutch side Heerenveen in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup. The Magpies will travel to the Abe Lenstra Stadium on February 16 or 17, with the return leg taking place
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A Busted flush
OH dear! Now we've reached the stage of voting Britain's most truly averagely-talented band Busted as The Record Of The Year 2004 (ITV1, Saturday). How is it possible when they are more manufactured than the Thunderbirds puppets they are singing about
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Fairy enough
CHRISTMAS wouldn't be Christmas without the annual visit to see what's happening on Blue Peter (BBC1, Monday). The now veteran presenter Konnie Huq fumbled her way through making a tree-top angel from a sawn-off plastic bottle, old sock and crumpled crepe
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Boro's European success rekindles Zenden's World Cup dream
BOLO ZENDEN believes Middlesbrough's extended run in the UEFA Cup has kept his World Cup hopes alive. Having earned 53 caps for Holland and played in the European Championships in the summer, his fourth major tournament had looked on the cards in Germany
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The season of bad tidings
Soapland residents should be wary of looking forward to a happy New Year when they reflect on what's happened to their fellow Soapstars ove rthe past twelve months. A year is a long time in politics but an eternity in Soapland. As residents gear up for
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Many hands make light work of tree
For many, it is the most visible symbol of Christmas in the North-East. Tony Kearney joins the team working behind the scenes to prepare Durham Cathedral for the festive season. AS becomes very obvious, very quickly, the Norman stonemasons who designed
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First Viz fetches unfeasibly high price
A COPY of the first edition of irreverent cult comic Viz, priced at just 20p, has sold at auction for nearly £500. The comic, which introduced characters such as Sid the Sexist, Billy the Fish and the Fat Slags, was first published 25 years ago. The first
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Solid trading puts Arriva in the European driving seat
RAIL and bus operator Arriva said it is well-positioned for expansion in 2005 thanks to a strong performance this year. Each division of the company, which is based in Sunderland, traded in line with, or ahead of, expectations since half-year results
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Fundraising boss given cancer charity accolade
THE man who masterminded one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the region has been honoured by a national charity. Following the news that the Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham appeal had reached £760,000, way over its initial target
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Sainsbury's calls in law firm for shopping spree
LAW firm Dickinson Dees has negotiated the acquisition of a Midlands convenience store operator for retailer Sainsbury's. The company won work with Sainsbury's after acting for the Bell family earlier this year when it sold its North-East convenience
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Retiring Edie serves up her last school lunch
A WORKER who has served meals at a Darlington school for almost 30 years dished up her last lunch yesterday. Edie Simmons retired from Gurney Pease Primary School on her 65th birthday. Pupils and staff held an assembly in her honour and presented her
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Celebration
Darlington Advanced Motorists group is holding a dinner to celebrate its 21st anniversary on Tuesday, February 8, at Darlington Rugby Club. Former members wishing to attend can contact Brian Day on (01388) 362395.
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Villagers' pleas for cashpoint answered
VILLAGERS in Middleton-in-Teesdale have finally got a bank automatic teller machine. For years people have been calling for a cashpoint to be installed in the Barclays branch, the village's only bank. There were fears earlier this year that the bank would
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New move to tackle dental health issues
A SCHEME is being launched to improve the dental health of people in the Durham Dales. The area has the third highest incidence of dental decay in the North-East and the rate is 50 per cent higher than the national average. Sixty per cent of children
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Extra play fun on offer
THE final part of a primary school improvement programme has been completed. St Charles RC Primary School, in Tudhoe, celebrated the opening of a £17,000 learning and play centre for pupils in the early years class. The four and five-year-olds will be
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Sports complex revamp will boost town's fitness drive
LEISURE facilities in Darlington have received a boost with a £70,000 sports complex refurbishment. The town's MP, Alan Milburn, performed the opening ceremony at Eastbourne Leisure Centre yesterday. The centre was opened by Prime Minister Tony Blair
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School finds the House Factor in pupils and staff
A GROUP of Darlington teachers swapped their whiteboards and text books for frilly knickers and silly costumes yesterday. The staff at Eastbourne School dropped the curriculum and spent the afternoon watching pupils perform in a TV-inspired talent competition
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Witness appeal to alley fight
FOUR men have been arrested for public order offences following a fight in the alleyway behind the Marine pub, in Saltburn, at 1am yesterday. The men, aged between 17 and 24, are alleged to have been in possession of a number of weapons. Police believe
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Police warn 'lock up'
POLICE in Middlesbrough are asking people for their help in preventing burglaries across the town. People who fail to lock doors and windows are at risk of being targeted by opportunist thieves stealing possessions and Christmas presents, with dark nights
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Preacher is cleared of raping girl
A PREACHER collapsed in tears of joy last night when he was cleared after his third trial for allegedly raping a teenager. Born-again Christian Robin Brown, 52, hugged his weeping brother and sister-in-law, who attended every day of his latest trial at
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Wife is accused of murder
A 45-year-old woman was last night charged with the murder of her husband at their flat in South Frederick Street, South Shields, on Thursday. Jacqueline Williamson, is due to appear before South Tyneside magistrates this morning. It is reported John
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Fire chiefs plea for community help
LIVES could be lost as a result of attacks on firefighters, Cleveland fire brigade chiefs have warned. Two Stockton firefighters, who needed hospital treatment after they were attacked by youths who raided a fire appliance last weekend, have appealed
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An artist's journey
AN exhibition of black and white drawings has opened. The Out of Frame exhibition, by Lewis Robinson, a part-time lecturer of Cleveland College of Art and Design, is about journeys and is being shown at The Arc until the end of December. The Saltburn-based
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Police force to take on more officers
A NORTH-EAST police force has revealed plans to recruit a further 52 community support officers. Outgoing Northumbria Police Chief Constable Crispian Strachan said the force had secured Home Office funding to recruit the extra officers, who will join
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Exceeding expectations
THIS week's announcement that the Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham Appeal has been such an outstanding success is very welcome news indeed. The appeal set out three years ago to plug a hole in health care in the region: Durham was the only English
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70s night for charity
BAR staff donned platform shoes and wigs to raise cash for pupils at a special school. The Turners Mill pub, in Greenstones Road, Redcar, hosted a 1970s fancy dress night, a beach party and a raffle for Kirkleatham Special School. A television and DVD
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Shoppers' generosity praised
Shoppers have overwhelmed organisers of a shoebox appeal with their generosity. A total of 164 boxes, packed with Christmas gifts for children in troubled countries around the world, have been handed in at Durham City's Millburngate Shopping Centre over
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Report highlights health disparities
RYEDALE has been identified as one of the healthiest places in the country. An NHS report said life expectancy was high, infant mortality was low and heart disease and cancer rates were declining. The upbeat picture was in the Scarborough, Whitby and
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European grant helps firm to increase recycling
A company in the region is helping to divert waste from landfill sites. It is the latest beneficiary of a European business development fund managed by North Yorkshire County Council. Family-run Chas Long and Son (Aggregates), in Brompton-on-Swale, near
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Revised plan for housing development
A PLANNING application has been submitted for a housing development in the garden of a large Victorian villa. The application, for outline approval for a site at Primrose House, Primrose Drive, Ripon, was refused by the area planning committee of Harrogate
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The season of bad tidings
Soapland residents should be wary of looking forward to a happy New Year when they reflect on what's happened to their fellow Soapstars ove rthe past twelve months. A year is a long time in politics but an eternity in Soapland. As residents gear up for
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Duck race donations
THOUSANDS of pounds raised during one of Durham's most popular events was handed to charity. Spectators lined the banks of the River Wear last month, to watch three JCB diggers tip 20,000 plastic ducks off Elvet Bridge, for the Grand Durham Duck Race.
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Cotterill's return is no big deal for McCarthy
MICK McCARTHY says he will welcome former Sunderland assistant manager Steve Cotterill with a hand-shake before the game and a bottle of beer after it - but insists that is all he is getting. Cotterill and Howard Wilkinson's reign on Wearside has been
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No magic solution to Magpies' woes - Given
SHAY Given has warned Newcastle's fans not to expect Graeme Souness to wave a "magic wand" when the transfer window re-opens in two weeks' time. The Magpies are rapidly resembling a club in crisis after winning just one of their last seven league games
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TA take a trek to raise cash for MS centre
SOLDIERS from the Territorial Army came to the aid of a therapy centre and raised hundreds of pounds during a gruelling race. Last month, two teams from the 34 Signals Regiment completed a seven-mile trek - the sixth annual Multiple Sclerosis Therapy
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Hospital honours best of Friends
HEALTH bosses have recognised the efforts of volunteers who play a vital role at their local hospital. Members of the Friends of the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, have been presented with long service awards by the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust
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The glamour of Vienna comes North
RESIDENTS in north Durham are being offered the chance to travel back in time to a grand Austrian ballroom. The Friends of the Lamplight group has organised a coach trip to the Johann Strauss Gala, which takes place in Newcastle City Hall on Thursday,
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Pit village remembers its history
A PHOTOGRAPHIC exhibition taking place tomorrow will give residents of a former pit village a chance to travel back in time. Cassop History Society and Durham County Council's Community Heritage Project has organised an exhibition of photographs from
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Shopping centre spreads the festive cheer
CHARITIES across the region will benefit this Christmas after receiving donations of £10,000 from the Gateshead MetroCentre. Seventeen charities have been given sums between £500 and £1,000. Those to benefit include Coping with Cancer North-East, British
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Exports aid for business
AN advisor has been appointed to help North-East businesses take advantage of opportunities abroad. John Holmes-Carrington has become an international trade advisor for the UK Trade and Investment organisation in the region. The 33-year-old, from Norton
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Boyd ends speculation by signing new deal
ADAM Boyd yesterday gave Hartlepool United an early Christmas present when he signed a new two-year deal to stay at Victoria Park. Out of contract next summer, the home-grown striker has been regularly linked with a move away from Pool next year. But,
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Physicists meet, with strings attached
THE origins of the universe and the meaning of everything is to be discussed when some of the world's leading physicists gather in the region this weekend. About 250 of the UK's most eminent particle physics theorists met at Durham University yesterday
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Closure rumours denied
THE owners of North-East engineering company Cleveland Bridge last night moved to quash rumours that its steel fabrication plant in Darlington would close. The Saudi Arabian group Al Rushaid, which became the majority shareholder in the company in 2000
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'You still have a Job to do,' McClaren tells striker
STEVE McCLAREN has told unsettled striker Joseph Job to forget about leaving Middlesbrough in the transfer window and concentrate on preserving the club's place in the top six. The Cameroon striker grabbed his first goal since August in Wednesday's defeat
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Lie detector tests proposed for former miners
PLANS were drawn up for secret lie detector tests to catch out former miners making false compensation claims, The Northern Echo can reveal. Civil servants in the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) recommended the use of FBI-style polygraph machines
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Two months of misery for family
A COMPANY that has left a family without a kitchen for two months last night apologised for ruining their run-up to Christmas. Restaurant worker Caroline Stewart, 52, of Delves Lane, near Consett, County Durham, spent £4,095 on a fitted kitchen at MFI
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Campaigners' welcome for doctors rethink
CAMPAIGNERS in the region have welcomed the Government's decision to postpone new tests for doctors. The Department of Health has halted plans to introduce a new licensing system for doctors, which had been due to begin in April. Under the revalidation
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Falcons face physical battle
ROB Andrew has warned Newcastle Falcons to expect a physical battle when they begin their defence of the Powergen Cup against Saracens at Vicarage Road tomorrow. After failing to make progress under three high-profile southern hemisphere coaches, Saracens
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Golden glow of Christmas
BENEATH the rather neat headline "O little towel of Bethlehem", last week's Church Times carried a timely story about the surge every Christmas in Sainsbury's tea towel sales. They call it the Bethlehem boost, sparked by the nativity play need for authentic
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PCs hurt as car hits church wall
TWO police constables were taken to hospital yesterday after their car crashed into a church wall as they responded to an emergency call. The officers were slightly hurt when their marked police car swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle and crashed into
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For Your Benefit: Am I able to give up work yet?
Q What could I claim if I gave up work to care for my wife, who has had a bad stroke and needs a lot of looking after? Our savings are £6,000 and there are still seven years left on the mortgage. We are both 52. A It all depends on whether your wife will
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One wise man and a star
THE story of the Three Wise Men will be examined next week. The curator of astronomy at the Yorkshire Museum in York, Martin Lunn, will be discussing the Star of Bethlehem in a talk on Tuesday at 7.30pm. "I believe there are only three options available
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Given is cautious about window of opportunity
SHAY Given has warned Newcastle's fans not to expect Graeme Souness to wave a "magic wand" when the transfer window re-opens in two weeks time. The Magpies are rapidly resembling a club in crisis after winning just one of their last seven league games
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Crisis at police 'will cost jobs'
JOB cuts will be made at a cash-strapped North-East police force but bosses have promised not to reduce the number of frontline officers. Faced with the prospect of having to make nearly £4.5m in savings in next year's budget, Cleveland Police are carrying
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Season of bad tidings
A year is a long time in politics but an eternity in Soapland. As residents gear up for a festive feast of mayhem and madness, they should consider what's happened to some of their fellow Soaplanders since their moment of glory 12 months ago. This time
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Friends become race rivals
TWO TOP North-East athletes who were team-mates in a high-profile international relay in Bahrain this month will be head-to-head rivals on Tyneside tomorrow. Morpeth Harrier Martin Scaife will be challenging Chester-le-Street's Stewy Bell for his title
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The season to keep in touch
THE Christmas card is 161 years old and at our house, at least, we are still receiving them for people who lived here when Victoria was on the throne. The card was invented by Sir Henry Cole who claimed he was too busy founding the Victoria and Albert
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Jenny strikes gold at games
A student has returned from a major international sports tournament with a fistful of medals after literally bowling over her opponents. Jenny Billingham, 17, of Broompark, near Durham City, was part of Great Britain's ten-pin bowling team for the Commonwealth
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Fundraising boss given cancer charity accolade
THE man who masterminded one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the region has been honoured by a national charity. Following the news that the Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham appeal had reached £760,000, way over its initial target
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The glamour of Vienna comes North
RESIDENTS in north Durham are being offered the chance to travel back in time to a grand Austrian ballroom. The Friends of the Lamplight group has organised a coach trip to the Johann Strauss Gala, which takes place in Newcastle City Hall on Thursday,
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International move
AN event usually held in the North-East to help companies make new contracts with business partners abroad is being moved to Germany next year. InterTech has led to the establishment of links between dozens of North-East companies and overseas businesses
