Archive
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Karl's logo is the winning formula for a smoke-free zone
YOUNG Karl Pitt worked with a creative designer yesterday to see his winning anti-smoking logo become reality. Karl, nine, of Tanfield Lea Junior School, won the Smoke Free Derwentside logo competition. As part of his achievement, he enjoyed a tour of
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Nominate a healthy home
A COMPETITION is taking place to reward residential homes which promote and adopt healthy living. The competition, in its tenth year, highlights local authority and privately-run residential homes which demonstrate a commitment to a healthy, clean and
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Vacancy arises for district council seat
NOMINATIONS are being sought for candidates to stand for election in a district council ward. The vacancy in the Pelton Fell ward was created by the retirement of Chester-le-Street Labour district councillor Isabel Howey. Nomination papers can be obtained
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Woman, 84, is seriously hurt by mugger
AN 84-year-old woman was seriously hurt when she was attacked by a robber who made off with Christmas presents. The unnamed woman was struck on the back of her head as she walked in the Milton Square area of Gateshead at 5pm on Wednesday. She fell and
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Sunday ramble to clear cobwebs
A RAMBLE along a newly-designated walkway in the former Durham Coalfield will help to shake off the New Year cobwebs on Sunday. The guided walk is a circuitous route covering eight miles along the Coalfield Way. Walkers are asked to meet at the Hetton
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Holiday turns into a mission to help
RETIRED head teacher, Dorothy Cameron from Preston under Scar in Wensleydale, had expected a pleasant holiday in Sri Lanka with her son, Stuart. Instead she joined the British Consulate team assisting British patients injured in the tsunami disaster.
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Pensioner beaten to death
A MURDER investigation was under way last night after a wheelchair-bound pensioner was beaten to death. Police said that father-of-two Robert Carter had suffered severe head injuries at his home in New Marske, east Cleveland. Police who searched the house
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Truancy texts to create jobs
A COUNTY Durham company is about to triple its workforce in a jobs blackspot as it launches a mobile phone messaging service designed to reduce truanting. On Net Communications, based in Weardale, said it was planning to install its Parent Information
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Rise in pine marten sightings
MORE tantalising evidence has emerged to suggest that an animal once thought extinct in England is living in the region. Some naturalists argue that pine martens have died out in the country, but the latest figures released by naturalists confirm their
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Cup hopefuls find friends in the North
NON-LEAGUE minnows Yeading are running out of replica shirts ahead of this weekend's cup tie with Newcastle - because they're all being snapped up by Sunderland fans. The Ryman Premier Division side, who usually play in front of an average home crowd
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Hospital goes organic - and very local - for its milk
DARLINGTON Memorial Hospital is the first in the country to switch over completely to organic milk. In a landmark deal, the hospital has signed a contract with the local Acorn Dairy as its sole supplier of organic semi-skimmed and organic full-cream milk
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Milking the profits of going natural
Evidence suggesting that organic milk is better for you than the conventional kind was revealed at a conference in the region today. Health Editor Barry Nelson investigates. THEY say that farming is in trouble but one sector seems to be bucking the trend
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Man jailed over driving offence
A FORMER jockey was behind bars last night after he admitted taking part in a high-speed vehicle chase with a child in his car. Philip Urwin drove the vehicle from West Auckland to Evenwood, County Durham, at speeds well above the national limit. A 12
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Prean and Walker sign on to boost Darlington's survival hopes
DARLINGTON Table Tennis Club, based at the Dolphin Centre, have stolen a march on other top level outfits in the British League Premiership with the signing of former English number one Carl Prean, from the Isle of Wight. The 37-year-old has relinquished
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Coyotes tamed by Sunderland
Junior round-up Sunderland Apaches hosted Billingham Coyotes in an under 10 challenge at Newcastle Arena. Dale Sharp put Apaches ahead on 09.41 and Luke Brown equalised for Coyotes two minutes later. Luke Shanks and a brace from Sharp put Sunderland 4
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Lyndsay agrees to televised breast implant op
A WOMAN has agreed to have breast surgery live on TV's This Morning programme. Lyndsay Sanderson, 22, will be interviewed by ITV's Fern Britton and Phillip Schofield as she has a one-hour breast implant operation. The Yarm woman said she has little or
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Time to bring down the curtain on another 12 days of Christmas
YESTERDAY, January 6, marked the official end of Christmas. It was the feast of the Epiphany, otherwise known as Twelfth Day, and that was when the infant Christ was revealed to the world. The event was marked by the visit of the three wise men from the
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Waiting game will help Millagros make amends
MUSSELBURGH-BOUND Millagros (1.10) makes stacks of appeal in division two of the Tom McConnell Novices Hurdle. Ian Semple's five-year-old mare made a promising debut over hurdles when runner-up to Zanjeer at Catterick ten days ago. She actually led and
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07/01/05
NAME AND SHAME: WHY has our council the need to name and shame our fellow citizens for dropping litter when they have already paid their fines? To further humiliate these people is an act of cowardice and is the sort of action that we can only expect
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Villages used as A66 -rat-run'
A WEEK-long traffic survey in Neasham, near Darlington, found that almost 45pc of the 20,000 vehicles checked - 8,500 - were speeding. On Wednesday, Neasham parish councillors said the village was being used as a rat-run and accused Darlington Borough
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Phone mast concern
WORRIED residents are fighting plans to enlarge a mobile phone mast only yards from homes. The mast towers over houses in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, and homeowners are demanding it be moved further away. Bill Watson, chairman of residents group Nunthorpe
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Thorpe takes Boxing Day win in tough conditions
THE Richmond Motor Club held their Albert Shaw Trophy Trial over two laps of a 15-section course starting from Wood Yard in Reeth on Boxing Day. The annual event attracted a massive entry of 154 competitors who had to contend with falling snow as well
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Homes and play area planned for former school hockey pitch
THE former convent school hockey pitch site in Richmond could be developed for housing after an application was received from a developer. George Wimpey proposes to build 32 apartments and 16 houses on the land at Reeth Road. The site, one of four areas
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Fortunes if the fat and famous
Celebrity Fit Club (ITV2): WHY they can't go the whole hog and call this Celebrity Fat Club, I don't know. The latest batch of outsize recruits certainly look as if they've eaten the whole hog, while darts champion Andy Fordham looks like he has a whole
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Classic artwork may stay in castle
A PARTNERSHIP between two County Durham visitor attractions could allow a series of 17th Century masterpieces to remain where they have been housed for the past 250 years. Discussions are under way between Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, and Auckland
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Charity marks 732nd birthday with £2m scheme
ONE of the region's oldest charities will today - its 732nd birthday - announce plans for a £2m care home. Work will begin this month on creating the 35-place home in the grounds of the Hospital of God at Greatham. The three-storey home will provide places
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Airport expansion could create thousands of jobs
More than 2,500 new jobs-and a multi-million pound boost to the area's economy are proposed as part of the expansion of Durham Tees Valley Airport which have been submitted to Darlington and Stockton Councils. Airport Managing Director Hugh Lang describes
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Club aims to gain support with flag day
FOOTBALL supporters are being urged to fly the flag for Darlington when the Quakers take on Oxford United tomorrow. At 2.45pm, music will precede the kick-off to the game at the Williamson Motors Stadium, with supporters of Darlington encouraged to bring
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Time for a conference at the fire station
COMMUNITY groups have been invited to make use of a conference room at Stockton Fire Station that opened this week. The meeting room at the station, in South Road, Norton, is available to community and focus groups free of charge. Other organisations
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DJs turn lights off
A CEREMONY was held in Durham to switch off the Christmas lights. Daryl Denham and Vic Ribbands, presenters of Century FM's breakfast show, turned off the festive lights at the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre. They were switched on by Coronation Street's
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Woman ordered to repay stolen cash
A MOTHER of two stole £70 from a pensioner's wallet, a court heard. Victoria Elvin was admitted to the 85-year-old's house in Stanley after she said she was meeting another woman, whose name the victim recognised, Durham Crown Court was told yesterday
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Wind farm approved despite objections from neighbours
A COUNCIL has approved a controversial wind farm despite objections from villagers. More than 30 protesters from East Hedleyhope, in the Deerness Valley, attended a heated debate at the development control committee of Derwentside District Council yesterday
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Still worth supporting
THERE have undoubtedly been many mistakes made at the Weardale Railway, both in managerial and financial terms. There have also undoubtedly been many innocent people who have had their fingers burnt - both creditors and employees, who have been made redundant
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Cab driver dragged along as car stolen
A TAXI driver was dragged along a road by his vehicle after a teenager stole his cab from outside a pub, a court heard yesterday. Tyrone Ackerman saw the Ford Mondeo car outside the Kingfisher pub, in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, with the keys in the ignition
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Contrasting ways to run a railway in the dales
SPECTATOR'S been loathe to make comparisons between the Wensleydale and Weardale railway projects. Until now, that is. Recent weeks have seen the Weardale project plunge into crisis due to "a funding gap". The company which runs the summer services on
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Councillors to get update on road repairs
COUNCILLORS are to be given an update on repairs to potholes in a Teesdale village. For several years, the potholes around the centre of Evenwood have been the source of controversy. The county council has refused to adopt the roads until they are in
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Chance to nominate care staff for awards
PEOPLE in the Durham dales are being asked to nominate health care staff who make a difference to the quality of care received by patients. The Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) has launched the award scheme to reward excellence and service improvement
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Treadmill record-breaker Ross visits town during health campaign
A MARATHON man walking 711 miles on a lorry-mounted treadmill visited part of the North-East yesterday. Record-breaker Ross Coleman attracted lots of attention when he came through Darlington en route to the Millennium Bridge. It was one of the final
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Infection scare halts hip surgery
AN infection scare has closed the region's largest centre for hip and knee replacements. Bosses at Bishop Auckland Hospital, in County Durham, decided to close the unit because of an unacceptably high level of infections. Since it opened in October, 120
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Daring dippers boost funds
ANIMAL welfare workers are stepping up their campaign for a new sanctuary. Saltburn Animal Rescue Association (Sara) is planning birthday celebrations in March. After achieving charitable status in 1999, a Buy-a-Brick appeal was launched to raise funds
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Education Minister to visit college
A SIXTH form college is to host a visit from a Government minister next week. Dr Kim Howells, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, will meet students at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough on Wednesday. Dr Howells will be taken on a tour of the
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Truancy texts to create 55 jobs
A COUNTY Durham company is about to triple its workforce in a jobs blackspot as it launches a mobile phone messaging service designed to reduce truanting. On Net Communications, based in Weardale, said it was planning to install its Parent Information
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Ten weeks of diversions
TRAFFIC in part of East Cleveland is facing major disruption from next week. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is to do essential resurfacing work on a stretch of the A173 from Park Pit Corner to Skelton - starting on Monday. The work, costing £300,000
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Waiting game will help Millagros make amends
MUSSELBURGH-BOUND Millagros (1.10) makes stacks of appeal in division two of the Tom McConnell Novices Hurdle. Ian Semple's five-year-old mare made a promising debut over hurdles when runner-up to Zanjeer at Catterick ten days ago. She actually led and
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Tony Blair was right to stay away
I think it would have been a pretty poor indictment of the rest of the Government if Tony Blair had felt it necessary to return from holiday early as a result of the tsunami disaster. Other than provide the press with a photo-opportunity, I cannot see
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Guidelines 'threat to paddling pools'
A COUNCIL that has been forced to close its paddling pools last night said new guidance could be the death-knell of other facilities. Harrogate Borough Council, in North Yorkshire, is closing its three remaining paddling pools because of rising costs.
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Poor sales rule out lifeline for clothing chain
NEARLY half the staff at fashion retailer Pilot Clothing faced an uncertain future yesterday after the company went into administration. About 300 jobs are believed to be at risk after efforts by the chain of 70 outlets, which including three stores in
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When every picture tells a horror story
Images of the devastation wreaked by the Asian tsunami may bring home the extent of the tragedy, but do they also undermine the dignity of the victims? Nick Morrison looks at how the disaster is pushing back the boundaries of bad taste. ROWS of corpses
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A treat for the trigger happy
Call of Duty: United Offensive. Publisher: Activision. Price: £25. Format: PC. Family friendly? Realistic bloodshed means this is a game for 16-year-olds and up only. JUST as the Second World War was fought between the Allies and the Axis forces, so the
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - A pigeon shooting match came off on New Year's Day in Mr Fenny's field, on the Norton road, between Mr J Williamson, gun maker, of Stockton and Mr J Bamlet, of Billingham, for £100, 20 double rises, 11/4oz of shot,
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County seeks pensions rethink over -chaos' fears
A SENIOR North Yorkshire councillor has produced fresh evidence of what has been described as the administrative chaos surrounding changes to the way pensions are paid. Coun Shelagh Marshall, who acts as older people's champion at County Hall, has highlighted
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Sage buys Swiss firm for £10.7m
SOFTWARE group Sage has bought a Swiss company in a £10m deal. Sage, which is based in Newcastle, already has 59,000 customers in Switzerland and has bought business management software vendor Simultan. The Swiss company specialises in accounting and
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Bookseller issues profits warning
BOOKshop chain Ottakar's said a lacklustre Christmas left annual profits running below market expectations. The 131-store group, which has stores in Darlington, Northallerton, Sunderland, Harrogate and Hexham, said a 2.2 per cent rise in like-for-like
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Witness support scheme launched
THE first court witness protection and support service on Teesside is to be launched later this month. The service, designed to encourage more witnesses to testify in court, will operate first in Hartlepool and then Middlesbrough. Witness care units were
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December was dry and bright end to a wet and warm year
DECEMBER was mild, sunny and dry here in the North-East, especially during the first two weeks. Maximum temperatures were 0.5 to 1C (1 to 2F) above average but minima were near normal. Rainfall varied from around a third of what we'd usually expect in
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Jury fail to reach verdict in rape case
THE jury in the case of a pensioner accused of a string of sex attacks two decades ago has been unable to reach a verdict. The panel, sitting at Teesside Crown Court yesterday, told Judge Tony Briggs they could not determine whether Brian Leslie Paylor
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Man in court on murder charge
A man appeared in court this morning charged with the murder of a disabled pensioner. The body of Jack Carter, 62, was found by his son in a downstairs shower room at his home in Sandmoor Road, New Marske, East Cleveland. He had suffered severe head injuries
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-Watershed year' is also one of opportunity
THIS year was one of opportunity and also a watershed year for agriculture, said Reg Haydon, national chairman of the Tenant Farmers' Association. In spite of uncertainty and concern over how CAP reforms would work, it would offer the chance to take stock
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Education group's praise for outstanding efforts
NURSERIES, schools and colleges across the region have been named among leading performers by Government education watchdog Ofsted. The "super-list" was drawn up from schools that have received at least one excellent inspection report since the group
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... and research says it's healthier
RESULTS from new research revealed today claim organic milk has more health benefits than the conventional type. The Soil Association's annual conference in Newcastle is to hear today that organic milk has more vitamins and antioxidants than non-organic
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Pool closures blamed on Government red tape
THREE popular paddling pools have been sunk by what has been described as "nanny state" interference. Members of Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet last night reluctantly voted on Wednesday night to close its three paddling pools - in Borrage Green,
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Holborough injury is big blow for Mowden
DARLINGTON Mowden Park are on the look-out for a new scrum half as skipper Richard Holborough is out for at least three weeks. Both he and centre Mark Bedworth have a similar hamstring complaint, which appears to be connected with the lower back. Holborough
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Falcons narrowly miss mid-air crash
Rugby heartthrob Jonny Wilkinson and his team mates narrowly missed being involved in a mid-air collision during a flight to Barcelona on Thursday. Newcastle Falcons' players and management were on board the EasyJet flight when they say they came so close
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Tony Blair was right to stay away
I think it would have been a pretty poor indictment of the rest of the Government if Tony Blair had felt it necessary to return from holiday early as a result of the tsunami disaster. Other than provide the press with a photo-opportunity, I cannot see
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Director refused to take breath test
Financial director David Lloyd Faulkener could find himself out of a job after a visit to a takeaway. Faulkener, 44, was banned from driving for two years by Harrogate magistrates after pleading guilty to failing to provide a breath specimen. A fine of
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Agencies call for action on debt
MOUNTING family debts and low incomes have been highlighted in a report by North Yorkshire County Council. Representatives of the Citizens Advice Bureaux, voluntary organisations, welfare benefits units and the Legal Services Commission met the council
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People urged to comment on plans
HOMES and businesses are to be given an insight into plans for a £55m housing and leisure development. An eight-page brochure is being delivered to 18,000 households and businesses in Redcar, starting from Monday, detailing the town's Coatham Enclosure
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Injured drunk was refused treatment
A MAN was refused treatment at a casualty department on Christmas Eve because of his abusive behaviour, a court heard yesterday. Accounts clerk Simon Kennett, 19, appeared in court at Harrogate yesterday to plead guilty to two charges of using behaviour
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Soldier spared ban despite drink-driving charge
A SOLDIER whose New Year celebrations ended in arrest after a car crash was spared a driving ban yesterday. Craig Haswell, a driver with 38 Engineer Regiment at Claro Barracks, Ripon, who is currently based in Germany before a tour of duty in Bosnia,
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Wellock's World: The technology debate
IT is difficult to decide which is the more mind-boggling - the fact that in 2005 a televised goal is disallowed because the use of technology has not been approved, or the furore surrounding the incident in this football-obsessed world. Cynics might
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Joey gives Quakers a boost
DEFENDER Joey Hutchinson has been told he will be fit to play a part in Darlington's crucial promotion run-in. That was the opinion of club physio Paul Gough last night as Hutchinson was pencilled in for a March return. There were fears the highly-rated
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Access reinstated to remote community
A SHORT-TERM solution to a road closure has re-opened access to a remote community. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's highways partner, Alfred McAlpine, has created a 100-metre temporary access road into Cowbar, near Staithes. A recent landslip forced
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Truancy texts to create 55 jobs
A COUNTY Durham company is about to triple its workforce in a jobs blackspot as it launches a mobile phone messaging service designed to reduce truanting. On Net Communications, based in Weardale, said it was planning to install its Parent Information
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Witness support scheme launched
THE first court witness protection and support service on Teesside is to be launched later this month. The service, designed to encourage more witnesses to testify in court, will operate first in Hartlepool and then Middlesbrough. Witness care units were
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Village flats plan comes under fire from residents
VILLAGERS have voiced concerns over plans for 21 new homes in High Coniscliffe. Fifty residents attended Tuesday night's public meeting to discuss a proposal for five terrace houses and a three-storey block of 16 flats on the former Dick Lawson garden
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The technology debate
IT is difficult to decide which is the more mind-boggling - the fact that in 2005 a televised goal is disallowed because the use of technology has not been approved, or the furore surrounding the incident in this football-obsessed world. Cynics might
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Children to meet past masters
YOUNG historians are being offered the chance to dig deeper into the past this weekend with the help of some TV archaeologists. Julian Richards, of Meet the Ancestors, and Tony Pollard and Neil Oliver, from Two Men in a Trench, will be taking part in
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Out with the old ...
THE tentative plans to demolish and build a new town hall in Darlington, along with a supermarket and housing, are a good measure of the high stakes in Britain's long running store wars. For the market leader Tesco future growth in this country depends
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Mental health units may be replaced by £8.6m centres
PLANS to build £8.6m centres for elderly people with mental health problems and mentally disabled people on Teesside have been unveiled. The units would involve closing the centre at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton. It has previously
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Language is no longer
LANGUAGE should no longer be a barrier for people trying to use county council services. North Yorkshire County Council is making access to services easier for residents whose first language is not English through a telephone translation service. The
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McCarthy targets Stead to cushion Kyle blow
MICK McCarthy last night confirmed that he was ready to make a new bid for Jon Stead, after admitting that the loss of Kevin Kyle was hitting Sunderland hard. The Black Cats boss almost signed Stead last January, but after Huddersfield accepted bids of
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Regeneration plan hopes to attract £1bn of private cash
DETAILED plans for a £1bn transformation of part of the North-East have been unveiled. The scheme has been drawn up by consultants on behalf of Middlesbrough and Stockton councils, English Partnerships and the Tees Valley Partnership. The £200,000 study
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Plans unveiled for £2.2m nightclub
A LEISURE company has unveiled proposals for a new £2.2m nightclub in Chester-le-Street. Vimac Leisure Ltd will transform a site in Front Street into a late-night bar and club for up to 800 people. The club will be on two floors, each with an individual
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Protests at casino threat to bingo
BINGO operators in the North-East have launched a fight back against the threat posed by the new breed of super casinos. Many of the country's three million devotees of bingo believe the relaxation of the law proposed in the Gambling Bill, which would
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Conference will look at beef in the SFP world
A SPECIAL one-day conference at Askham Bryan College will give beef producers ideas on how to survive the world of the new Single Farm Payment. The event has been organised by the Beef Improvement Group on Thursday, January 27. Richard Fuller, BIF technical
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Quakers back in the groove
DARLINGTON threw off the despair with which they waved goodbye to 2004 to welcome 2005 in party mood. They made a remarkable recovery from a run of three heavy defeats to win 1-0 at leaders Scunthorpe United on New Year's Day before defeating visitors
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Charity takes active steps to appeal to the not-so-old
THE Darlington branch of a national charity is spearheading moves to achieve a lower age profile - not an easy task when the name of the organisation is Age Concern, But the local group is leading the way by adding 50Plus to the title to signal a shift
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Retained firefighters' eyes are on pensions test case
HUNDREDS of retained firefighters across the North-East and North Yorkshire are waiting to see whether a test case will entitle them to a fire service pension. The House of Lords has granted the Fire Brigades' Union leave to appeal on behalf of the UK's
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Civic -monstrosity' could be swept away by store
A MULTI-MILLION pound project to build a new town hall, supermarket and housing in Darlington town centre was announced this week. Council chiefs are in talks with Tesco about demolishing the town hall and re-developing the eight- acre Feethams site which
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North's £7.5m to ease the suffering
GENEROUS people across the North-East and Yorkshire touched by terrible scenes of the tsunami disaster have given nearly £7.5m to what has fast become the biggest disaster appeal Britain has witnessed. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has collected
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Nash fears for both keepers
DISGRUNTLED Carlo Nash fears manager Steve McClaren has plans to replace both Middlesbrough goalkeepers sooner rather than later. Boro's first and second-choice shot-stoppers are both out of contract in the summer and look no nearer signing new deals
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New taxes could affect country shows
New taxes proposed by the Government could wipeout the region's traditional country shows, organisers fear. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has outlined plans to levy a minimum £5,000 tax on public events attracting more than 6,000 people. Organisers of
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'Assembly report missed the point'
A REPORT by MPs that said an elected North-East assembly would have lacked power and resources missed the point, a business group said. The Forum of Private Businesses, which represents 25,000 small and medium-sized UK firms, said MPs had failed to understand
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Disabled Jack: Man on murder charge
A 33-year-old man was last night charged with the murder of a disabled man who was found dead in his home. Keith Jones, from Redcar, will appear before east Cleveland magistrates in Guisborough today. Police did not give his full address last night. Police
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Runners enjoy Jolly Hog Jog
Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers More than 300 runners turned up at Ripon on December 28 for the annual Jolly Holly Jog, a distance of about 10k over roads, fields and muddy hillsides. Much of it was through Studley Park so if runners found the going tough
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Top marks earn student an award
A FORMER Guisborough student has come top in the country for A-level physics. Ben Grandey, has been awarded the Psalters Horners Advanced Physics Prize after coming top in the Edexcel A-level physics exam by scoring 596 out of 600. A former student of
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Long-awaited flood relief scheme to start at last
AN £800,000 flood relief scheme is due to start in Northallerton next week. The long-awaited sewer scheme should help reduce the risk of flooding on busy streets around County Hall. Yorkshire Water confirmed that contractors Mott MacDonald Bentley are
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Shop Talk: Sleighs to rival Santa's
Dovetail Interiors, in Bedale, sells sledges straight from snow scene fantasies - and whole lot more besides. THEY are the sledges of fairy stories and childhood - curly, old-fashioned wooden toboggans, full of romance and redolent of a world where they
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Police inquiry as man found dead
POLICE are investigating after a man was found apparently beaten to death in his home in New Marske. Father-of-two Robert Carter, known to friends as Jack, suffered severe head injuries in a downstairs bathroom in the house in Sandmoor Road. Mr Carter
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Pool boss aims to tie down his stars
FOLLOWING Adam Boyd's signing of a new contract, Neale Cooper is ready to turn his attentions to tying down the rest of his squad. Hartlepool United, fifth in League One, have been involved in one promotion and four play-off seasons in the last five years
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Senior FA man gets his kicks playing a robber
On the football stage there are few bigger players: chief executive of Northumberland FA and a senior national FA council member at Soho Square. Next week, however, Rowland Maughan reverts to an altogether different role. For 40 years he has been among
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Man escapes prison term for offences
A MAN has escaped jail after committing a string of offences, including drink-driving. Robert Hay, 46, of Lucknow Street, Darlington pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, drink-driving, driving without insurance, possession of cannabis, resisting
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Minister rebuts danger claims over 999 service
A GOVERNMENT plan to swap the country's 46 fire service control rooms for nine hi-tech regional centres has led to fierce criticism from the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU). The union says a leaked report highlights concerns that the FiReControl project will
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Wind turbines plan gets the go-ahead despite objections
A COUNCIL has given the go-ahead for a controversial wind farm despite objections from villagers. More than 30 protestors from East Hedleyhope, in the Deerness Valley attended a debate at the development control committee of Derwentside District Council
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Man hurt in chip pan blaze
A MAN in his 50s was taken to hospital after he inhaled smoke during a chip pan fire at his home. The blaze took hold on Wednesday evening at a house in Henley Gardens, Consett. Fire crews were called at about 6.30pm. Watch manger Barry Henderson, of
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Police concerned about missing man
Police have issued an urgent appeal to a man to get in touch with his family after he left his home leaving a note which gave cause for concern. College student Stephen Burn left his parents' home in Hesleden, near Peterlee, in County Durham on Wednesday
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Youngster highlights benefits of living in smoke-free environment
YOUNG Karl Pitt set to work with a creative designer yesterday to see his winning anti-smoking logo highlighting the dangers of smoke become a reality. Karl, nine, of Tanfield Lea Junior School, near Stanley, won the Smoke Free Derwentside logo competition
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Three released over killing
THREE men arrested in connection with the killing of a North-East teenager have been released without charge. A year ago today, the body of 19-year-old Scott Pritchard was found on the doorstep of his home in Lindsay Close, Hendon, Sunderland. He had
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Grant cuts will hit advice service for most vulnerable
A NORTH Yorkshire service which gives housing-related support to vulnerable people throughout the county is facing a cut of almost £1m in central government grant aid in the coming financial year. A warning has been given that there could be more reductions
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Pony dates
BSPS Area 1a. - Jan 16: show at Richmond Equestrian Centre, about 50 classes, BSPS/PUK/CHAPS ridden and in-hand qualifiers including clear round and beginners' working hunter. Classes for all. For schedules send sae to the Secretary, Timber Tops, Thirsk
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Cash raised for tsunami victims
GENEROUS businesses and drinkers touched by the tsunami disaster have raised more than £800. Members at Redcar's Priory Club organised a raffle with dozens of prizes. Club owner Peter Carragher arranged a first prize of 50 pints to the winner, but when
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Refuse collection teams kept busy over Christmas period
REFUSE collection teams from Darlington Borough Council picked up nearly 30 per cent more domestic rubbish than usual over Christmas. In an average week, the authority's employees collect about 535 tonnes of household waste from homes across the borough
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Primary school expected to get £180,000 nursery block
A Darlington school is expected to get its own £180,000 nursery block after years of waiting. Parents, teachers and governors have long campaigned for the facility at St John's CofE Primary School, in Fenby Avenue, and funding from the local authority
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Mixed response to town centre redevelopment
SHOPPERS in Darlington gave their verdict yesterday on the multi-million pound plan by supermarket chain Tesco to redevelop the town centre. The plan would see a new town hall being built as well as a superstore and housing. Janet Bell, 46, of Hurworth
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Roman history inspires school exhibition
SCHOOL children have given a sneak preview of a Roman display set to go on show at a public museum. Romans Revisited was the brainchild of year seven pupils at Huntcliff School, Saltburn, east Cleveland. Their inspiration came from a visit to a Roman
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Teesside refinery captures 60pc of biodiesel market
SALES of an environmentally-friendly fuel produced on Teesside are really taking off. "Bioplus" biodiesel, a 95:5 blend of ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD) with oil from seed-based sources, is produced by Petroplus at its Port Clarence refinery. It began
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Dentist is struck off register
A WEALTHY dentist who called a patient a "tart with a mouth like a cesspit" has been struck off. Leslie Rippon Smith was branded dishonest by the General Dental Council, which found him guilty of serious misconduct. The committee heard how Smith became
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Rural issues boost CLA membership
THE Yorkshire region of the Country Land and Business Association is enjoying a boom in membership. New rural issues and growing concern about the future of the countryside have seen business membership pass the 4,000 mark. "It makes us the most effective
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Chance to win the FA cup - if you've got £300,000
The second, and oldest existing, FA Cup is to be sold at auction, it was announced yesterday. The trophy will be the highlight of Christie's sale of football memorabilia on May 19 and is expected to fetch between £200,000 and £300,000. The auction house
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Our Armageddon and Tyneandthyneagain in fine fettle
OUR Armageddon and Tyneandthyneagain both came through New Year's Day gallops on former trainer Denys Smith's gallops to please their handler, Richard Guest, and show they were on course for their early year and spring campaigns. Guest said that Our Armageddon
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Regulars take over at local
PUB regulars Keith and Carol Sanders have jumped to the other side of the bar and bought their local. After more than 30 years as loyal customers the couple have taken over the reins at the Boosbeck Hotel. And the new owners have vowed to use their intimate
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Compensation deal awaited after man lost leg in 999 call
A COURT could yet decide the damages due to be paid to a man who lost part of his leg after he was hit by a police car on a 999 call. David Layton, along with his wife, Lillian, successfully sued Cleveland Police in May last year following the crash.
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Sound the horn - Ben is the top physics student in the country
A FORMER pupil at Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, has been awarded a prize for being the top A-level physics student in the country. Ben Grandey, 18, of Middlesbrough, scored 596 marks out of a possible 600 in the Edexcel exam. He travelled to London
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On TV
Celebrity Fit Club (ITV2) WHY they can't go the whole hog and call this Celebrity Fat Club, I don't know. The latest batch of outsize recruits certainly look as if they've eaten the whole hog, while darts champion Andy Fordham looks like he has a whole
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Castle inherits a blast from the past
A CANNONBALL thought to have been used during a civil war siege at a castle finally "hit" its target 360 years after being fired. The 20lb iron ball was part of a siege at Helmsley Castle, in North Yorkshire, in 1644. It was found 40 years ago in the
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Delegation will show latest developments
A delegation of companies from the region is hoping to win contracts in the education sector by demonstrating their latest projects at a show next week. Thousands of companies and organisations from the education sector will visit the show in London to
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Don't let fundraising efforts peter out
NO, I'm not callous and oblivious to world events. It's just that, owing to the logistics of weekly publication and public holidays, last week's column was in its place well before the tsunami wreaked havoc along the coasts of South-East Asia. The diary
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Barrister had child porn on home PC
A BARRISTER from the North-East has admitted downloading child pornography on his computer. John Temple pleaded guilty to a total of 34 offences, including the possession of more than 3,700 indecent images of children spanning more than four years. Liverpool
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'How I jumped the hurdle of pain'
After being left disabled and in constant pain from a riding accident, Alex Cutty found relief in an holistic therapy called the Bowen Technique. Marjorie McIntyre talks to her. ALEX Cutty was just 17 and taking part in a Pony Club event when her horse
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Inquiries rise despite fall in borrowing
BORROWING is slowing but the number of people inquiring about taking on new debt is increasing, according to one lender. The latest household borrowing index from HSBC bank shows inquiries about loans and mortgages were 0.9 per cent higher in the last
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Truancy texts to create 55 jobs
A COUNTY Durham company is about to triple its workforce in a jobs blackspot as it launches a mobile phone messaging service designed to reduce truanting. On Net Communications, based in Weardale, said it was planning to install its Parent Information
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Trust backs troubled railway
SUPPORTERS of a heritage railway last night launched their own rescue campaign. The Weardale Railway Trust called an emergency meeting of directors following the appointment of administrators to run the line between Wolsingham and Stanhope, in County
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Forecast failure led to empty shelves
supermarket group Sainsbury's said that a technical glitch had left shelves bare at some of its busiest stores since the start of the new year. The group said a problem with product demand forecasting systems had caused shortages of fruit, vegetables
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Prices at the markets
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 1,793 sheep. Lt lambs to 107p av 96.8p; std to 120p av 108.5p; med to 118p av 107.5p; heavy to 114p av 102.4p. Cast sheep: Cont £47; Mule £42; Leics £36; Swale £25. Top price per kg 120p. DARLINGTON. - Thurs of
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Classic artwork may stay in castle
A PARTNERSHIP between two County Durham visitor attractions could allow a series of 17th Century masterpieces to remain where they have been housed for the past 250 years. Discussions are under way between Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, and Auckland
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Concern for missing woman, 35
POLICE are concerned for the health of a woman missing since Wednesday morning. Deborah Jayne King, 35, was last seen near her home in Goldsborough, near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. She was driving a blue Rover Metro Tahiti, registration D14EBS, through
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Sleighs to rival Santa's
THEY are the sledges of fairy stories and childhood - curly, old-fashioned wooden toboggans, full of romance and redolent of a world where they have proper snowy winters and maybe even wolves still in the forest. There are small sledges, Davos sledges
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Care worker among victims
AN aid worker from North Yorkshire who spent a lifetime helping people and survived an earlier massive earthquake was killed by the Asian tsunami. Robin Needham, 51, who was brought up in Helmsley, was on holiday with his wife, Lucy, and their four children
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Rail dream turns sour as groups battle to save line
WHEN passenger services resumed on a redundant North-East railway last summer, hopes were high that a remote dale would enjoy a golden age of steam. Popular with walkers, families and visitors enjoying a touch of nostalgia, Weardale Railway, in County
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Burton's Bytes: A treat for the trigger happy
Call of Duty: United Offensive. Publisher: Activision. Price: £25. Format: PC. Family friendly? Realistic bloodshed means this is a game for 16-year-olds and up only. JUST as the Second World War was fought between the Allies and the Axis forces, so the
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Friends' fund to help island 'adopted family'
A NORTH-EAST garage boss, a Swiss businessman and a London blood specialist have teamed up to deliver a lifeline to a village devastated in the tsunami disaster. Through a bank account, set up in Sri Lankan capital Colombo, they have launched a fund to
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Boumsong reveals earlier United bid
NEWCASTLE UNITED'S new £8m defender Jean-Alain Boumsong has revealed he was wanted by the Magpies in the summer - and felt he couldn't turn down the Premiership outfit a second time. Boumsong will be officially unveiled at St James' Park this morning
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Caller could hold key to murder
A caller who left a garbled message with police about the murder of a defenceless teenager could hold the key to solving the crime, detectives said yesterday. Twelve months since Scott Pritchard was bludgeoned to death on his doorstep in Sunderland detectives
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Dale railway placed in hands of administrator
A TROUBLED rural railway heritage line, which opened only last summer, has been placed in the hands of administrators after cash flow difficulties left it unable to meet its financial obligations. Following the devastation of foot-and-mouth disease and
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Future uncertain as Feethams talks are off - or on
CONFUSION surrounds the future of the former Feethams soccer ground. Quakers boss David Hodgson said he had abandoned his dream of turning the football club's former stadium into a community sports centre. He said the landlord, Darlington Cricket Club
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Faith moves singer to pen own songs
SINGER and songwriter Debbie Simpson performs with her band at St Gregory's Church, Crakehall, on January 16. Married with two children, she has led worship at Methodist churches in East Hull for the past 15 years. She trained as a Methodist local preacher
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Access all areas at leisure centres
AN investigation into the level of disabled access at five leisure centres has found that all are doing well. The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forum for Hambleton and Richmondshire carried out a survey of the leisure centres in Bedale, Thirsk,
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Anger over new flight patterns
VILLAGERS angry at changes in RAF flight paths have launched an action group to voice their concerns. People living in Linton, Newton-on-Ouse and Tollerton have formed SAFA, the Safety And Fairness Alliance, to urge Hambleton District Council to rethink
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Partnership looks at tackling crime
A MEETING of police, council officials, firefighters and Army officers has been held to look at ways of combating crime. Members of the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership met at Hipswell Lodge, Catterick Garrison. Among the issues discussed were
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Sunday ramble to clear cobwebs
A RAMBLE along a newly-designated walkway in the former Durham Coalfield will help to shake off the New Year cobwebs on Sunday. The guided walk is a circuitous route covering eight miles along the Coalfield Way. Walkers are asked to meet at the Hetton
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Emma in line for awards
A YOUNG beauty therapist has been short-listed for two national awards. Emma Steel, a therapist at Saks Guisborough, has been named as a finalist for the Saks National Awards in March. The 22-year-old, from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, has been nominated
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Villagers set £70,000 target for play area
A RESIDENTS' group is aiming to raise at least £70,000 to improve leisure and recreation in their village. Ark, the Association for the Rejuvenation of Kirklevington, was set up last April to redevelop the village's play area, owned by the parish council
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Katie Sheppard remembered at awards ceremony
TEN young people are closer to seeing their dreams come true thanks to a Katie Sheppard Award. The award was founded to honour the memory of Katie Sheppard, who was only 19 when she died in a road accident in November 2001. Eve and Graham Sheppard joined
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Roberts brace keeps Town in promotion hunt
Whickham 1 Northallerton Town 2 NORTHALLERTON Town got the new year off to the best possible start and kept their promotion ambitions on track with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at mid-table Whickham on Monday. Town, who are sponsored by Wakes Service Centre
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Time for a conference at the fire station
COMMUNITY groups have been invited to make use of a conference room at Stockton Fire Station that opened this week. The meeting room at the station, in South Road, Norton, is available to community and focus groups free of charge. Other organisations
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Susan leads learning by example
A range of courses has been announced by the Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley. The Bite Size learning courses allow people to take short courses in a range of subjects to help personal development or take the first steps back into learning Last
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Pub regulars in high spirits after takeover
PUB regulars Keith and Carol Sanders have jumped to the other side of the bar and bought their local. After more than 30 years as customers, the couple have taken over at The Boosbeck Hotel, east Cleveland. Mr Sanders said: "We've often talked about running
