Archive
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Rare eagles spotted in Northumberland
A family of extremely rare giant eagle owls has set up home in a secluded woodland deep in Harry Potter country. The hulking Hedwigs, which have a wingspan of more than six feet, have nested close to the castle used on film as the teenage wizard's Hogwarts
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Hughes happy to be back
Darlington youngster Chris Hughes is delighted to be back in the first-team picture, despite having to play in three different positions in yesterday's win over Macclesfield Town. In his one hour appearance, as a substitute for the injured Neil Wainwright
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Reviews
SEX AND OTHER CHANGES by David Nobbs (Heinemann, £16.99) : When Nicholas Divot decides to go for a sex change and becomes Nicola, his wife Alison is furious - but only because she wants to be Alan and now has to wait her turn. The irony is that she wants
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New strategy aims to end area's commuter belt trend
A CONCERTED effort is to be made over the next decade to halt the trend for the Derwent Valley to become a commuter belt for Tyneside. A key policy document, designed to shape regional planning policies for the next 15 years, is suggesting targeting the
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Love and smiles 24 hours a day
The region's first baby hospice is finally set to achieve its dream of providing round-the-clock care for sick youngsters. Stuart Mackintosh reports on a new dawn for Zoe's place. Stepping through the doors of the first baby hospice to be established
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No let up as injury hits Magpies hard
WHEN Graeme Souness arrived at St James' Park in September, he talked of inheriting one of the best strike forces in the Premiership. How ironic, then, that after weeks of watching his defenders throw away points at every opportunity, the Newcastle boss
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Cats' New Year hangover just refuses to go away
A DIRE encounter at the Stadium of Light yesterday saw Sunderland make it just four points from 12 over a festive period Mick McCarthy will be keen to forget. A poor first half which saw Chris Brown cancel out Darius Henderson's opener was merely the
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Pointing review in right direction
It was a pretty cool idea racing from church steeple to church steeple. Those resourceful sportsmen would probably be delighted, even envious, to know how that race has developed into the hugely popular sport that Point to Pointing is today with over
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Councillors face more High Row questions
CAMPAIGNERS against changes to Darlington's High Row are asking new questions of councillors. The town's Civic Trust, which has collected nearly 4,000 signatures on a petition opposing the work, wants answers about certain matters to be published in the
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Runaway Frankie returns home
A FERRET which escaped from home has been reunited with his owner thanks to an appeal in The Northern Echo. Last week, Frankie appeared in the Echo after he was taken in by the National Animal Sanctuary Support League, in Sadberge, near Darlington. He
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Experts on hand at advice sessions
A SERIES of advice days are being held to help people in Wear Valley who have consumer problems. The Legal Services Commission and Durham County Council are organising events throughout the district this month. Experts will be giving free information
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Photograph works make use of light
AN art exhibition using photography and light will open in Hartlepool on Saturday. Double Vision features images by German photographer Reinhild Beuther, which are displaying in the form of lightboxes, in which the image is lit from behind. Ms Beuther
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Compulsory purchase fears increase as residents campaign to stay in their homes
RESIDENTS have vowed not to give in to council plans to destroy their homes. Concerns are being raised on Middlesbrough St Hilda's estate that compulsory purchase orders are to be issued to bulldoze their property. Middlesbrough Council and regeneration
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Prepare for safe foaling - the signs that show birth is imminent
It is particularly important to look after your mare as she enters the last few weeks of pregnancy. Most importantly she must be fed properly to ensure normal growth of the foal. Additional feeding is required during the last three months of pregnancy
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New year line-up at hall is published
CHINESE culture, jazz and Yorkshire drama are among the attractions planned for a community hall in the coming months. Yarm Fellowship Hall has published its programme of popular events for the next five months. The first concert of the new year will
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Campaign logo decision looming
THE winner of a competition to design a new logo for a campaign to cut smoking in Derwentside will be announced on Thursday. Smoke Free Derwentside was set up in the summer to reduce the amount of smoke in the environment across the district. Schoolchildren
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Cooper is delighted with drubbing of Dons
NEALE Cooper last night lavished praise on his Hartlepool United side after they thumped Milton Keynes Dons at Victoria Park. A 5-0 victory means it's four wins and two draws from their last six games - 14 points from 18, 12 goals scored and three conceded
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The comic who knew that time was running out
The Unseen Eric Morecambe (C4), Uncle Adolf (ITV1) : Here we go again - programmes making promises they can't keep. The Unseen Eric Morecambe claimed to reveal new material that "throws dramatic light on everyone's favourite entertainer". The basis for
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Played one, won one
Local Hero David Bogg was in the dug-out at Darlington FC yesterday as he took another step on the football management ladder - aged just 14. The Northern Echo reports. Winning The Northern Echo's Local Heroes competition is hard to top, but teenager
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Couple fear for man who saved their lives
A NORTH-EAST couple who escaped the devastating effects of the initial tsunami in Asia last night praised the Thai boatman who saved their lives. Peter and Catherine Dixon, of Chilton, County Durham, told of the quick-thinking actions of the boatman -
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The back-street butchers
The new film Vera Drake highlights the agony women enduced when they underwent back-street abortions. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings speaks to a midwife who saw first-hand the sickening injuries caused by illegal abortions. She was an ordinary working
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John steps up to new ambulance service role
BUT for a quirk of fate, new ambulance chief John Darley might have been a professional footballer. He has just taken over as the patient services director for the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service. But as a young man, he nursed an ambition
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A market economy
The news that Darlington Memorial Hospital is leading the way in becoming the first hospital in the country to switch to organic milk is very welcome. It raises two points that are critical for the future of farming, and retailing, in this country. Firstly
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England on slide after Kallis wears them down
England's hopes of maintaining their proud unbeaten record into the New Year came under serious threat in the third Test after South Africa mounted an impressive fightback with bat and ball at Newlands. Heavily beaten in the first Test at Port Elizabeth
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Poorly ex-Corrie star quits panto role
FORMER Coronation Street actress Denise Welch has quit her starring role in a pantomime because of ill health, theatre bosses said yesterday. The North-East actress, who played Rovers Return landlady Natalie Barnes in the soap, is understood to be suffering
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New year, new diet
IT'S that time of year again. No matter how good your intentions were over Christmas, that all-too-tempting surplus of chocolate, snacks and booze leaves most people with an uncomfortably tight waistband by January. So, if your New Year's resolution involves
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Fire centre plan 'risks lives'
THE merger of fire control centres could mean 999 calls made in the North-East being answered at the opposite end of the country, it was claimed last night. The Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) said a leaked Government report showed a "very high risk" of the
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Boro turn to youth in bid to Bridge gap with Blues
STEVE McCLAREN is set to turn to his young guns once again in a bid to blow a hole in Chelsea's Premiership title aspirations and rescue what is left of Middlesbrough's tattered tinsel shreds over the festive period. The Boro boss was already without
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Acclaimed farmer who kept TV soap on its toes
TRIBUTES have been paid following the sudden death of an award-winning farmer whose expertise was even sought by television soap opera Emmerdale. Robert Peter Gill, who was judged to have the finest dairy farm in Britain, died at his home in Barnard Castle
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New strategy aims to end area's commuter belt trend
A CONCERTED effort is to be made over the next decade to halt the trend for the Derwent Valley to become a commuter belt for Tyneside. A key policy document, designed to shape regional planning policies for the next 15 years, is suggesting targeting the
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'We were right to send scrap ships to UK'
US authorities have defended the decision to send four of its former navy vessels to the North-East. The Marine Administration (Marad) responded to criticism from a US ship breaker over the wisdom of sending the so-called Ghost Ships 4,000 miles across
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Quakers get back in the promotion hunt with win
WHILE Darlington waved farewell to 2004 with mixed emotions, it would appear that David Hodgson's men can do no wrong in 2005. Quakers maintained their impressive start to the year with a 3-1 win over Macclesfield Town at the Williamson Motors Stadium
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Countryside day may be annual event
In days of old, only the very rich were allowed to own ferrets and the 'poor' poachers would sometimes have to hide their illicit animals down their trouser legs. To much amusement this practice evolved into a popular sport 'ferret legging', which involves
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Panel looks at asylum trauma
A PEOPLE'S tribunal is to be held over the way failed asylum seekers are being removed from the region. North-East Coalition for Asylum Rights secretary Pete Wadlinski said the immigration service's procedures were ripping apart communities. He is putting
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Souness to look again at transfer policy
A downbeat Graeme Souness last night pledged to re-assess his transfer priorities, despite refusing to blame a goalless draw with West Brom on the absence of his three leading strikers. Craig Bellamy will have a scan on his injured knee later today and
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Stories of miracle survivals emerge from devastated ruins
THE walls of water that devastated Asian shorelines served as reminders of the fragility of life, but yesterday new survivors emerged as a testament to human resilience. The remarkable stories of people adrift beneath the tropical sun for days were told
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Ayr mud will be right up Man Murphy's street
OVERNIGHT rain threatens Ayr's fixture, but if the course survives a 6.45am inspection mud-loving Man Murphy (2.40) will be in his element. Trained at Eastwideopen Farm, near Newcastle, by Billy McKeown, Man Murphy is gradually coming to the boil, having
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Courageous Lindsay overcomes all odds to stay in the saddle
Courageous Lindsay Marriott has fought against all the odds to ride horses. She was born 1969, in Hartlepool, with the genetic condition Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT), otherwise known as Motor Neurone Sensory Deficiency, type two. This inherited neurological
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Too Forward is back
Too Forward's return from the wilderness was completed with a forthright display to win at Folkestone yesterday. The Mark Pitman-trained gelding, a useful hurdler two seasons ago, missed the whole of the 2003/04 campaign with a serious leg injury. Brought
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A homely place for thrills and spills
ON A wet and blustery day, Catterick racecourse threw open its gates to an army of sensibly-clad racing buffs who, with hats pulled down around ears and hands plunged deep into generously cut jackets, braved the cold for an entertaining afternoon on the
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Doctors order organic milk for all
A NORTH-EAST hospital will today become the first in the country to ditch ordinary milk for the organic variety. Bosses at Darlington Memorial Hospital have signed a deal with an organic dairy after receiving positive feedback from patients during a two-month
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What do you fancy?
WHETHER you have a little wager on Prince Charles and Camilla finally tying the knot or a quick punt on the awful possibility of Jordan and Peter Andre releasing a single together, it's the perfect time for predicting which weird and wonderful events
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Schwarzer hints that a Boro exit is on the cards this month
MARK SCHWARZER last night admitted it is likely he will leave Middlesbrough before the end of the month. The 32-year-old goalkeeper confessed that club have not returned with an improved contract offer since negotiations broke down last November and added
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Signing up for the Army life
FIVE young people from the Bishop Auckland area have taken their first steps towards a military career. They were among 50 recruits from Durham and Teesside who enlisted recently. Major Mike Sherlock, head of recruitment for the area, presented them with
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Authority calls for trees to be recycled
RESIDENTS of Sedgefield are urged to recycle their Christmas trees. Sedgefield Borough Council is taking part in a Christmas tree shredding scheme which will use chippings from trees in community gardens. Tree collection points will be open from today
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Council begins search for street warden scheme cash
COUNCIL bosses are searching their budget in an effort to save an award-winning warden scheme. Government funding for the Wear Valley Warden Scheme, in Bishop Auckland, runs out in March, leaving residents fearing for the future of the vital service.
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Job-seekers project reaps its rewards
A PROJECT that helps people in Darlington get back to work has started to pay dividends, with the first of its job-seekers securing employment. The Central into Work scheme is aimed at unemployed people living in the Bank Top, Central, Northgate and North
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UK's first education village taking shape
THE country's first education village remains on course to open later this year. The pioneering scheme is taking shape in the Haughton area of Darlington and, once completed, will be able to educate children from the age of three to 16. The £35m development
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Campaign to boost cultural life a success
COUNCIL bosses have hailed the success of a campaign to enhance the cultural aspects of Darlington. The borough council approved a cultural strategy, Moving Up, in December 2002 and says it is starting to see considerable progress across the town. Several
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Mayoress still in hospital after fall
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Stuart Martin, has issued a thank you to the public for the concern they have showed after his wife had an accident. Mayoress April Martin is still being treated in the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, after falling down
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Concert in aid of tsunami victims
A NORTH Yorkshire church has joined forces with the town council to put on a concert for the tsunami disaster fund. John Francis Moss, who works part-time at St James' Church, in Boroughbridge, and town mayor Freda Cooper gave themselves a week to organise
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CLA group tops 4,000 members
RURAL issues and concern for the future of the countryside have led to an increase in membership for the local branch of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Some rural groups have reported a declining membership in the past decade as agricultural
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Residents urged to bring green end to festive season
HOUSEHOLDERS are being encouraged to do their bit for the environment as the festive season fades away. Councils have set up recycling arrangements for trees, cards and wrapping to ensure there is a green end to Christmas. Cards should not be placed in
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Thieves target newsagent
A NEWSAGENT is recovering from the shock of being targeted by raiders twice over the festive period. Maynews manager Julie Thirsk was woken at 3.40am on New Year's Eve after raiders triggered an alarm when they forced their way into her shop and and stole
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Shedding light on tracing ancestors
CATHOLIC families in the Consett area have joined forces with Derwentside College to organise a course for people hoping to trace their ancestors. Derwentside Catholic Family History Society has organised the free five-week course in partnership with
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Family travels to Thailand to find missing daughter
The family of missing North-East backpacker Leanne Cox have travelled to Thailand to try to find her. Her heartbroken mother Jean has pinned photographs of Leanne on the huge notice boards already bearing hundreds of pictures of missing people. But British
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Singer Michael to receive award marking decades of entertainment
A SINGER is to receive an award for his dedication to music dating back more than 50 years. Michael Rowntree, an amateur tenor singer, began singing in public at Stockton Parish Church aged only six. Today, he will receive an award for his 40 years' membership
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Calls for clear information on way pensions can be paid
THE Government is coming under increasing pressure to provide clearer information on the way pensions can be paid out. North Yorkshire County Council wants the Government to tell people they can receive a weekly cheque as a result of the latest rethink
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McClaren puts faith in youth as injuries mount
STEVE McCLAREN is set to turn to his young guns once again in a bid to blow a hole in Chelsea's Premiership title aspirations and rescue what is left of Middlesbrough's tattered tinsel shreds over the festive period. The Boro boss was already without
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The medics who reach parts other 999 services can't reach
FOR the first time in the autumn of 2004, the number of riding incidents attended by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance overtook those involving motorcycles. Also for the first time, riding accidents were the second most common reason after road accidents for
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A busy year celebrated at annual awards night
Durham and Teesside Group of Endurance Great Britain, held its AGM and Annual Awards Night at Mount Oswald Manor Golf Club, Durham. Trevor Clerk, retiring chairman, presided over the business meeting, where he thanked all those who have allowed the group
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Pedestrianisation is blamed for relocation of town shop
THE owner of one of Stockton's oldest businesses has blamed a town centre revamp for forcing him to quit town. Maddox pet and animal food shop has relocated after almost 100 years of trading. Simon Pocklington, the owner of the store, blamed the pedestrianisation
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Pensioner safe after tsunami disaster
The family of a globe-trotting pensioner feared dead in the Asian tsunami have received the news they were praying for. As hope faded for 159 British tourists Effie Silburn, 75, appeared safe and well. Her family and friends spent eight agonising days
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Shamed by the TV corpse show
The BBC has plunged to new depths of indecent mawkishness in its coverage of the disaster in the Indian Ocean. Every news bulletin offers a running count of corpses and one day last week they asked the question:, "Is this the biggest world disaster ever
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04/01/05
ID CARDS - A good reason for ID cards is to give police the opportunity to check on illegal immigrants already here or coming soon. A visit to Dover illustrates the sheer numbers of lorries travelling to and from Britain. I reckon 100,000 or so illegal
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Couple fear for man who saved their lives
A NORTH-EAST couple who escaped the devastating effects of the initial tidal wave in South-East Asia last night praised the Thai boatman who saved their lives. Peter and Catherine Dixon, of Chilton, County Durham, told of the quick-thinking actions of
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McCarthy has some sympathy
MICK McCARTHY admitted that his side have become the victims of their own success, after seeing his charges booed off at the Stadium of Light yesterday. The Wearside faithful made their feelings known after the final whistle brought to an end a truly
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Looking down on creation
It is more than two billion miles from home, but in a few days a small probe will offer our best chance of yet answering one of man's most persistent questions. Nick Morrison reports on the British scientists aiming to banish memories of last year's ill-fated
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On TV
The comic who knew that time was running out The Unseen Eric Morecambe (C4) Uncle Adolf(ITV1) HERE we go again - programmes making promises they can't keep. The Unseen Eric Morecambe claimed to reveal new material that "throws dramatic light on everyone's
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'We were right to send scrap ships to UK'
US authorities have defended the decision to send four of its former navy vessels to the North-East. The Marine Administration (Marad) responded to criticism from a US ship breaker over the wisdom of sending the so-called Ghost Ships 4,000 miles across
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Campaigners hopeful of new fatal crash Bill
ROAD safety campaigners are to make a renewed attempt in the coming months to introduce a charge of causing death by careless driving. The move follows several high-profile North-East cases in which drivers involved in crashes left court with only fines
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Reunited - survivor of Nazi and killings and her childhood friend
A girl who survived an SS death squad in the Belgian Ardenne was unable to recall little but the name of a friend. Sixty years on, she has been reunited with that friend, Now living in the North-East. Gavin Engelbrecht reports. It was nothing short of
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Mother breaks silence in baby organs battle
A MOTHER whose dead baby's brain was retained without permission ten years ago is still waiting for compensation - because lawyers are haggling over money. Fiona Chilton, from Clifton, York, is one of more than 2,000 mothers across the UK who are members
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New Year cheer for cash-crisis railway
A CASH-strapped railway company, which last week announced it was laying off all its staff, has ended its first winter service on a positive note. The Weardale Railway Ltd, in County Durham, ended its first winter service yesterday after attracting nearly
