Archive
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Vice raid homes revealed
THE first photographs have been released of the inside of one of the properties at the centre of police vice raids in the North-East this week. The shop and residential building in Victoria Road, Darlington, was one of six addresses searched by police
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Senior ministry men to face HFA queries
FARMERS in the North Pennine SDA have an opportunity to quiz two of Defra's most senior representatives on changes to the Hill Farm Allowance, due to be introduced from January 1, 2007. Alan Taylor, head of uplands, forestry and soil, and Jane Brown,
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Police defend cutting breath tests on drivers
POLICE have been criticised following a big drop in the number of breath tests carried out to catch drink-drivers. The annual tally of tests by Cleveland Police fell from 34,200 to 11,000 in four years. The 68pc reduction was the largest of any force
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Strike action leaves workers worse off than colleagues
STRIKE action has left half the workforce at a plastics factory worse off than their colleagues, The Northern Echo can reveal. Striking staff at British Polythene Industries (BPI), in Stockton have ended up with a pay rise 0.3 per cent less than their
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Burton's Bytes: A course that's rather coarse
OUTLAW GOLF 2: Publisher: Take 2 Interactive. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Price: £29.99. Family friendly? Lots of semi-naked flesh makes this a 16+ game. GOLF games have reached a plateau of excellence in recent times. Oh sure, the graphics are tightened up every
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MP unrepentant over £1,500 garden expenses claim
STOCKTON North MP, Frank Cook, has been criticised for trying to claim nearly £1,500 to spruce up his overgrown garden. The House of Commons authorities have refused to pay the Labour MP's expenses claim, submitted for the cost of replanting and paving
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Good start for child care project
PLANS for a centre aimed at providing a community with quality child care took a step closer. A turf-cutting ceremony was held at the site of the Bullion Lane Sure Start Children's Centre to celebrate the beginning of building work behind the Bullion
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Neighbour jailed for murder bid
A MAN who slashed the throat of a neighbour he believed had burgled his home was jailed yesterday for eight years after being found guilty of attempted murder. The verdict was welcomed by the victim's family and by police, who last night issued a warning
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Poet plans charity concert
A TEESDALE poet has organised a concert in aid of tsunami victims. Performance poet David Platstone has been putting together an evening of music and poetry at New College, Durham. Mr Platstone will perform himself, and the evening will also feature a
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Season wiped out at gale-lashed theatre
SCORES of productions were cancelled and hundreds of people left disappointed last night after heath and safety chiefs ordered the immediate closure of a North-East theatre. More than 40 productions have been cancelled at the Forum Theatre, Billingham
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Hoping for a sign
WITH his hand placed on a family bible, George W Bush began his second term as US President with grand words about liberty and peace, but with not a mention of the war which has polarised opinion around the world. And as he embarks on the next leg of
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Petition demands action over waste collection service
RESIDENTS in Hutton Rudby have accused Hambleton District Council of providing a sub-standard waste collection service. About 200 people have signed a petition demanding changes to the wheeled bin system introduced last year. They say that by changing
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Forces unite to fight crime
A CAMPAIGN to clamp down on troublemakers in a village and improve the quality of life for its residents was launched this week. Durham Constabulary's Streetsafe initiative in Sacriston will combine the forces of a range of agencies to target anti-social
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Sinclair winner caps late Mavericks fightback
North Riding County Cup Quarter-Finals Richmond Mavericks 4 Grangetown BC 3 RICHMOND Mavericks conjured three goals in the last ten minutes to earn a place in the North Riding County Cup semi-finals with an amazing fightback against Grangetown Boys Club
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Tickets selling fast for annual sportsman's dinner
TICKETS are now available for the sportsman's dinner staged by Sunderland football fans from the Chester-le-Street area. The annual event, in the banqueting suite at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, is usually held on Maundy Thursday, but is this year taking
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Big Brother searches for summer stars
BIG BROTHER will be visiting the North-East to look for new hopefuls to take part in the reality TV show. Auditions will be held at St James' Park in Newcastle from 9am on Saturday, February 12. A Big Brother spokesman said: "There's no need to send in
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Plans to improve station welcomed
PLANS to improve facilities on Chester-le-Street's 'rundown' railway station have been welcomed. But stationmaster Alex Nelson, who runs the Chester-le-Track ticket agency based on the Network Rail-owned station, says the work is long overdue. Durham
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Singer-saxophonist Stigers to perform
SINGER and saxophonist Curtis Stigers performs in the region on Monday. The American star is playing at the Empire Theatre, in Consett, County Durham. Stigers has been on the pop music scene since 1991, when his self-titled debut album, sold nearly two
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On TV
A Place In The Sun (C4) Sweeney Investigates (BBC2) Cocaine (C4) ANYONE who's ever bought property knows that it's fraught with problems. But marketing executive Rupert hit some unexpected ones as expert Amanda Lamb showed him round Slovenia, where house
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Fire chiefs condemn mergers
FIRE service chiefs have called on the Government to rethink the merger of Yorkshire's fire control centres. Yorkshire and Humberside fire authorities yesterday rejected a Government proposal to merge the region's four control centres. The plans would
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Sex crimes suite is a first for the town
DARLINGTON has become the first town in the region to develop a new type of suite for the victims of sex crimes. Two special rooms have been made available at a new medical practice where complainants or vulnerable witnesses can get sympathetic and confidential
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Historical legends inspire primary pupils
CHILDREN as young as seven opened their own history exhibition yesterday. The primary school children were inspired by the history of their home town of Hartlepool to produce models, drawings and paintings of the past. Their work, containing everything
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Cathedrals given cash to protect region's Christian heritage
GRANTS to restore the region's crumbling Christian heritage were announced yesterday at some of our best-loved centres of worship. English Heritage yesterday unveiled much-needed grants to help maintain the fabric of cathedrals in Ripon, Durham and Newcastle
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Elliott can be a Place Above
SUCCESSFUL barrister Eric Elliott mixes business with pleasure by virtue of combining the legal profession with training a small string of horses at Whinstone Park near Rushyford. Elliott makes his entries very carefully and the fact he's opted to send
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Defra threatens the old tracks
I SUPPOSE the word that best sums up Defra's new year countryside press release is "inept". It announced the department's programme to open up ancient roads and tracks, which now lie undisturbed and unused on private land, as if they were cocooned and
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Group to take council to court over contract
A CHARITABLE group is seeking a judicial review in the High Court against a North-East council's decision not to award it a contract. Advocacy in Darlington said the town's borough council unfairly and unjustly severed a contract it had to represent people
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Cooper makes Boston pay for party
NEALE Cooper vowed 13 days ago that Boston would be made to pay for their reaction to a goalless draw - and the Hartlepool United boss was happy to be proved right. Pool progressed to round four of the FA Cup and a trip to Brentford with a single-goal
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Campaign groups reject moves to ban off-roaders
GOVERNMENT plans to crack down on motorbikes and 4x4s using ancient green lanes were given an overwhelming thumbs down yesterday. Off-road groups said the proposed legislation was not needed, and groups campaigning to ban vehicles from the tracks said
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Performers get musical invite
CLARINET and saxophone players from across the region are being invited to take part in a musical marathon. Darlington Clarinet Ensemble, the British Clarinet Ensemble and the Tribune Saxophone Octet are asking people to bring instruments for a day of
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Group launches family manifesto
A NORTH-EAST charity has published a manifesto calling for a national family strategy. Launching the manifesto, Relate North-East's chief officer, Karen Wilkinson-Bell, said: "The policy ideas in Relate's manifesto, based on our 66 years' experience,
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Teenager admits she lied in court
A GIRL has admitted lying about an allegation that a councillor, accused of indecently assaulting her, touched her leg. But the 12-year-old girl, who said she was approached at the spa and boating lake in Bridlington, on the Yorkshire coast, last Easter
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Frustration for Kirkby Malzeard as Harlow Hill claim extra time victory
KIRKBY Malzeard saw their Senior Cup hopes end in disappointment last Saturday as visitors Harlow Hill won a thrilling quarter-final tie 4-3 in extra time. Kirkby had beaten the visitors 6-0 in the league just before Christmas and a repeat looked on the
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10,000 jobs may be created with park
A BID has been launched to create 10,000 jobs with a flagship North-East business park development. The proposals would see offices, shops, a hotel and leisure facilities built at Wardley in South Tyneside, on its border with Gateshead. Councillor Paul
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Hutchinson wants to extend his stay
Darlington defender Joey Hutchinson is ready to tell manager David Hodgson his long-term future lies at the Williamson Motors Stadium. Middlesbrough-born Hutchinson is out of contract in the summer and there were fears the highly coveted 22-year-old could
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Inquiry into fake passport website
POLICE are investigating a website that sells fake passports after it was falsely linked to a North-East stamp collector The immigration service has also been made aware of the Vista International Success Agency website after it was found to have links
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Plans for main line steam train gather speed
TWO companies in Darlington are hoping to build the UK's first main line steam train in 40 years. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust charity has already started a project to build a locomotive at the town's Hopetown Carriageworks. The £500,000 scheme could
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Plug pulled on TV show as tycoon gets apology
PART of the BBC's reality TV show Dragons' Den will not be screened following a dispute between a Darlington business tycoon and a technology firm. Entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne threatened legal action after allegations were made by one of the participants
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Commission brings sculptor home
AN internationally-renowned sculptor has returned to his home town to win a commission at a local business park. John Atkin, who has completed a number of commissions across the UK and has exhibited in Europe, Australia and America, has already completed
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Record amount raised by tsunami disaster appeal
PUBLIC donations to the Disasters' Emergency Committee (DEC) Tsunami Appeal totalled an unprecedented £3,759 at the Oxfam charity shop in Chester-le-Street. The figure was reached at the Front Street premises by the close of the DEC official appeal period
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Action group formed amid criticism
A GROUP of residents are joining forces to set up an action group in a bid to tackle rising precepts in Northallerton. The residents, led by ex-mayor, Jack Dobson, are hoping to set up a local branch of the Rate Payers' Association. Mr Dobson has criticised
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Where small means large and regular is for Desperate Dans
PORTION control is a difficult aspect of the restaurant business. One person's generous helping is another's miserly one. How can proprietors get it right? An attempt at tackling this problem is made at The Falcon in Hilton, near Yarm, where almost everything
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Disabled man, 85, dies after 3ft fall from taxi-bus
AN 85-year-old man whose disability scooter fell from the back of a Dial-a-Ride taxi-bus has died. James Hunt fell less than 3ft, but suffered serious head and chest injuries outside the entrance to a supermarket in Clarence Road, Hartlepool. He was taken
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Funding found for arts centre revamp
ARCHITECTS gathered on Monday to mark the start of the £1m refurbishment of Darlington Arts Centre. Funding has been found for the first two phases of the project, which will see the creation of a new 100-seat studio theatre and the conversion of a disused
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Mental pictures better than TV variety
IT SEEMED such a good idea to persuade Catherine Cookson's fans to play "angel" and back a television adaptation of her novel Katie Mulholland. There must be 200,000 of them ready to pay £15.99 to bring the printed word to life in a straight-to-video
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Grain prices
Thursday's prices Grain Farmers, Thorp Arch. - Wheat: Jan £61.50; Feb £62; Mar £62.50. Barley: Jan £65; Feb £65.50; Mar £66. Oilseed rape: Jan £124; Feb £125; Mar £126. GrainCo, Tyne Dock. - Wheat: Jan £63; Feb £63.50; Mar £64. Barley: Jan £68; Feb £68
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Celebrated history that would be lost
AS Spennymoor United faces the latest in a succession of fights for survival, The Northern Echo looks at the history of one of the region's most famous and celebrated amateur clubs. Spennymoor United was formed in 1901 as an amalgamation of Spennymoor
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Store makes progress
DEPARTMENT store group Debenhams said it expected to report improved market share and profits following the Christmas and New Year period. The forecast came as the group - acquired by a consortium of private equity companies for £1.7bn in December 2003
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Tough assignment for new town manager
NORTHALLERTON'S new town manager, Geraint Williams, is full of good ideas, as one would expect from a man starting a fresh job. Spectator liked the idea revealed last week of a big farming festival and also Mr Williams' other ideas for music festivals
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This vision for Stockton is truly a world-class development, says chief
THE vision of a £300m development that could bring 2,500 new jobs to Stockton was unveiled this week. Tees Valley Regeneration revealed plans for the North Shore project which will transform 56 acres along the banks of the Tees between Stockton and Middlesbrough
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Season wiped out at gale-lashed theatre
SCORES of productions were cancelled and hundreds of people left disappointed last night after heath and safety chiefs ordered the immediate closure of a North-East theatre. More than 40 productions have been cancelled at the Forum Theatre, Billingham
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Action aplenty as top two battle for supremacy
Kildale 5 Kneeton Park 3 THE top two in division one clashed in an incident-packed match at Kildale last Sunday. The home side knew that a win would see them leapfrog over visitors Kneeton Park at the top of the table and they looked fired up from the
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Lee makes instant impact with Warwick double
WELCOME back, Graham Lee! What a way to return to winning, with a double at Warwick last Saturday, both for Howard Johnson. The northern rider who has spent weeks on the sidelines with a broken arm, since plated and screwed, came back in his usual top
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N-E group to supply staff for services
NORTHERN Recruitment Group has won a contract with Scottish Water to supply services across Scotland. The North-East based group, which has had operations in Scotland since 1997, is already placing temporary and permanent staff in a range of roles throughout
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Northallerton hit back to stay in promotion race
NORTHALLERTON Town boss Paul Burton was absolutely delighted with the commitment shown by his side after they came back from a goal down to beat South Shields 2-1 last Saturday. It was Town's fifth win on the trot and extended their unbeaten league run
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Cycle trail's past brought to life
YOUNGSTERS are helping to bring the past to life for walkers and cyclists. People using a cycle trail between Bowburn, Cassop and Quarrington Hill will be given an insight into the area's history. There will be a map pointing out places of interest and
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Blitz on drinking hailed a success
POLICE chiefs have hailed a Christmas blitz on binge-drinking a success. Officers from the south division of Durham Police took part in the crackdown - a Home Office initiative involving forces across the country - from December 17 to January 3. The aim
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Councillor fears he was targeted
A COUNCILLOR fears he was deliberately targeted by burglars. Thieves smashed a window to break into an office at County Hall, Durham, used by Independent county councillor John Shuttleworth. They emptied his filing cabinet and left papers scattered on
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Passion for patchwork
THIS is a rags to riches story. Well, maybe not quite riches just yet, but a thriving small business that makes recycling beautiful. Ragbags is a wonderfully offbeat little company that makes your fingers itch for a needle. For five years now, Ena Bradley
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Homing in on a bargain
A Place In The Sun (C4); Sweeney Investigates (BBC2); Cocaine (C4): ANYONE who's ever bought property knows that it's fraught with problems. But marketing executive Rupert hit some unexpected ones as expert Amanda Lamb showed him round Slovenia, where
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Children use logos to stress smoke risk
FOUR schoolchildren were last night presented with awards for their efforts to design a logo for the Smoke-free Derwentside project. Karl Pitt, 9, of Tanfield Lea Junior School, was the overall winner of the competition, which attracted nearly 600 entries
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School makes trail a vivid experience
YOUNGSTERS have devised an innovative project to give users of a cycle trail an insight into the area's history. Walkers and cyclists on the trail between between Bowburn, Cassop and Quarrington Hill will be able to use a map showing places of interest
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Village hopes banner recalls its mining past
A FORMER pit village's bid to restore part of its mining heritage has taken a major step forward. The Bowburn Banner Group was formally created at a well-attended public meeting in the village's community hall this week. The group aims to restore an existing
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Henman in fine shape
Tim Henman feels he is in better shape than ever to finally make an indelible impression in the Australian Open. Henman has never gone further than the fourth round in the first Grand Slam of the year in eight attempts, despite feeling his game is well
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Pro-Palestine group may be launched
A PRO-PALESTINIAN group may be launched on Teesside. A number of anti-war organisations are supporting a public meeting about Palestine, which will take place in Middlesbrough on Tuesday. Pete Smith, chairman of Teesside Against the War, said: "It is
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Stately home alterations prove unpopular
PLANS to change the entrance to grounds of a stately home near Ripon has come under fire from planners. Planners say the scheme to pull down a listed lodge, entrance gates, piers and walls at Sawley Hall would be unduly elaborate and unnecessary as well
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Bouncing children boost tsunami appeal
A NURSERY school's children were not deterred by bad weather when it came to raising money for the tsunami victims of Asia. The Nursery in Teasdale Street, Consett, had planned to hold a sponsored walk yesterday, but were forced to cancel because of the
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Jail for man who trashed house
A MAN was jailed for two years yesterday for terrorising a woman and was banned from having direct contact with her or her family for three years. It was the second time Andrew Gourlay, 31, had been jailed for terrorising the woman at her home, in Barnard
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Sisters set college a triple dilemma
TRIPLETS who signed up for administration courses have been keeping staff at the training centre on their toes. Trainers at the North-East Chamber of Commerce's Northallerton centre have been trying to remember which sister is which, at the same time
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Pub fracas plea
A NEW appeal has been made for information after a man had part of his ear bitten off in a pub. Several people also suffered head wounds during a fracas in Olivers, in Birtley, near Gateshead, at 12.30am on New Year's Day. Five people have been arrested
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Tributes paid to respected farmer
TRIBUTES have been paid to a respected Yorkshire Dales farmer who made several TV appearances and bred the country's oldest working dog. Clifford Alderson, from Reeth, Swaledale, died of cancer aged 87. Mr Alderson was born in Walden, near Aysgarth, in
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Vaughan on the verge of creating history
Captain Michael Vaughan knows an historic success at Centurion will far outweigh his previous triumph at the ground. Vaughan claimed the man-of-the-match award on the 1999-2000 tour here after hitting a maiden Test half-century in England's thrilling
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Pupils win recycle pledge
CHILDREN from three primary schools in the Yorkshire Dales are encouraging their communities to recycle. Pupils from Reeth, Gunnerside and Arkengarthdale are asking residents to make a pledge to recycle waste. Each school is trying to generate as many
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Skate park future hangs in balance
THE future of a controversial skatepark is hanging in the balance after councillors decided to visit the site visit before making a decision. The park, in Kirkbymoorside, was built last year on the town's playing fields using £70,000 of Lottery money.
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Residents aid victims of tsunami
MORE than 50 bags of clothes have been donated for the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster in a collection made by Richmond Town Council. The Mayor of Richmond, Councillor Russell Lord, said the appeal had been a huge success. "Yet again it's a case
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Town manager rebuts criticism that his role 'reinvents the wheel'
THE new town manager post in Northallerton has come under fire from a councillor who has likened proposed strategies to "reinventing the wheel". Coun John Coulson said plans put forward by newly-appointed town manager, Geraint Williams, were already covered
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Royal event
Youth leaders, teachers, parents, carers and young people are invited to a Duke of Edinburgh Award's open evening on Monday. The scheme encourages young people to develop team building and leadership skills. The evening is between 7pm and 9pm, at the
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Poet plans charity concert
A TEESDALE poet has organised a concert in aid of tsunami victims. Performance poet David Platstone has been putting together an evening of music and poetry at New College, Durham. Mr Platstone will perform himself, and the evening will also feature a
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All smiles after pet shop's gift
A Pet shop owner has come to the aid of a girl who lost her parrot. Katelyne Clark, seven, of Lanethorpe Road, Darlington, received a bird for Christmas but it had red mites, a condition similar to fleas. The man who sold the family the bird for £125
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Preparations for child's trust in hand
A COUNCIL is carrying out a review of children's services as part of plans to create a Children's Trust. Stockton Borough Council said everything from children's wards in hospitals to local scout groups will be included in the review, which will be completed
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Security award for car parks
STOCKTON Borough Council car parks have gained Secured Car Park status for the fifth year in succession. They were given the status after it emerged that of 30 vehicle-related crimes in the town last month, none took place in any of the authority's sites
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Call to revive turbines project
PLANS to build the country's largest onshore windfarm could be resurrected. Steel manufacturer Corus and engineering company Amec were awarded planning permission for the renewable energy project in 2002. It was hoped work on the 18-turbine windfarm on
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Councillor fears raid was targeted
A COUNCILLOR fears he may have been deliberately targeted by burglars who broke into his office. The burglars smashed a window to break into the office at County Hall, Durham, which is used by Independent councillor John Shuttleworth. They emptied out
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Pub shooting trial adjourns
The trial of four men accused of being involved in a pub shooting where a pensioner died will be held later this year. Fred Fowler, 72, died and Michael Nixon, 19, was injured when two gunmen burst into the Tap and Barrel pub, in Hendon, Sunderland, on
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Methodist chapels share £84,000 grant to improve facilities
TWO churches in Cleveland have received grants totalling £84,294 to help improve facilities and access. Great Ayton Methodist Church and Guisborough Methodist Church have been given the cash by Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund that utilises
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Reward for gate return
A REWARD is being offered for information leading to the return of a gate that was stolen in Stanley. Mr Garry Reed is offering £20 to see the black metal gate, worth £350, delivered back to his parents' house, in Westfields. It was taken shortly before
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Antiques expert lands TV role
BY LAUREN PYRAH AN ANTIQUES dealer from Barnard Castle is celebrating after being chosen as the presenter of a new Channel Four series. David Harper, who runs Barnard Castle and Darlington-based antiques dealers Kingsley and Co, was told by producers
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Memory of stalwart MP will live on through care for others
TWO palliative care units are being created at community hospitals in Hambleton - in memory of a veteran MP. Joan Maynard was a well-known Labour politician who lived at Sowerby, near Thirsk, for many years before she died nearly seven years ago. An appeal
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Commitment to provide the best facilities to promote Harrogate as a first class venue for any event
AN AMBITIOUS £10m development plan for the Great Yorkshire Showground was unveiled on Wednesday. The five-year project is designed to make the Harrogate ground the centre for agriculture in the North of England. A major consultation exercise will now
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House prices fall, but this year offers new hope
NORTH-East house prices fell at a firm pace in December according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' monthly housing survey published this week. However, while purchase inquiries and sales in the region have been in decline for several months
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'Bus gate' breaks the beat in town's
PLANS for a bus lane as part of Darlington's "pedestrian heart" scheme have been approved. Objections from the Freight Transport Association were set aside by the council cabinet. And the meeting was told the move would improve some of Darlington's traffic
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Shop Talk: A pure passion for patchwork
Ena Bradley and Jeanette Daley, owner of Ragbags, will go to any lengths to source their fabulous fabrics. THIS is a rags to riches story. Well, maybe not quite riches just yet, but a thriving small business that makes recycling beautiful. Ragbags is
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Page Three pin-up to take on Blair
A FORMER Page Three pin-up and glamour actress - who has just turned 60 - is to challenge Tony Blair for his North-East seat in the General Election. Cherri Gilham, who was a Hill's Angel on the Benny Hill Show in the 1970s, decided to stand against the
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Pupils put on production of note
THE hills of Teesdale are to come alive with the Sound of Music as pupils prepare to stage the musical next week. More than 150 children at Staindrop Comprehensive School are performing the show at the school next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The
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A course that's rather coarse
OUTLAW GOLF 2: Publisher: Take 2 Interactive. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Price: £29.99. Family friendly? Lots of semi-naked flesh makes this a 16+ game. GOLF games have reached a plateau of excellence in recent times. Oh sure, the graphics are tightened up every
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Drink tax pledge for shows
AGRICULTURAL show organisers have welcomed a pledge that they will not face new taxes to hold their events. Licensing Minister Richard Caborn confirmed that county shows and agricultural events would not normally be subject to extra fees proposed under
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The woman who's counting the coppers
As head of finance for Cleveland Police, Ann Hall faces the unenviable task of filling a £7.3m black hole. She tells Sarah Foster how she's helping the force shake off its troubled past. THE verdict was not good. An Audit Commission report, ordered after
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Accolade for shop Angels
STAFF at a North-East charity shop have been recognised by a national award scheme. All 14 workers at the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) shop in Peterlee, east Durham, were shortlisted for the charity's Nationwide Volunteer Award. This week
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Lee try seals derby victory
DARLINGTON heaped more misery on town rivals Mowden Park with a 28-22 victory in last Saturday's derby at Blackwell Meadows. Mowden, looking to bounce back from their 5-0 home defeat by lowly Dudley Kingswinford the previous week, found themselves on
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Winds batter region again - and they'll continue
ELECTRICITY to thousands of North-East homes was cut off yesterday as high winds returned to batter the region. About 4,000 homes in the Seaham area of County Durham lost power in the early morning when a pole supporting the overhead cable network in
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Fall death family prepare for Greek medics' appeal
A FAMILY hope public generosity will help them win justice for their dead son. The parents of North-East holidaymaker Christopher Rochester will fly out to the Greek island of Rhodes next month for an appeal by three doctors convicted of his manslaughter
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Six-year-old girl fits the bill for panto role
A GIRL of six saved the day when a dwarf fell ill during a star-studded pantomime. Dayna Nichols, of Chester-le-Street, stepped in for Jolly and Wheezey, in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. Her co-stars were the stars
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Grants bring properties back into use
PROPERTIES which have stood empty for a long time are being brought back into use in the Harrogate district to help provide affordable housing. The area, which includes Ripon, Masham, Borougbridge, Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough as well as Harrogate
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High calibre individuals' will face many changes in agriculture
FARMWAY, the major agricultural co-operative, has appointed two new directors and a chief financial executive. David Maughan, a well-known and respected farmer from Morton Tinmouth near Darlington, joins the board. He sits on the NFU's North-East Regional
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The power of the local vote
I must confess to finding a lot of television a turn-off and, in the case of ITV's Vote For Me!, that's exactly what I did. For those of you who missed it - lucky you. A cross between Pop Idol and The Weakest Link, it set out to discover who the public
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The early Bird catches pitch inspection
FORMER cricket umpire Dickie Bird was back to the game he loves yesterday - inspecting the pitch for a star-studded charity match. The match, at Scarborough Cricket Club on August 21, is part of the resort's annual cricket festival and will see the Old
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Marts
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 1,949 sheep. Show and sale of Swaledale lambs (Swaledale Sheep Breeders' Association): 1 JW Dent & Sons £45; 2 JF&F Hutchinson £45; 3 ER Thompson £43. Store lambs to £36.50. Lambs lt to 122.2p av 113.20p
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Check builders' credentials
HOMEOWNERS are being warned to beware of cowboy builders in the aftermath of recent storms. The Federation of Master Builders is warning people who have suffered property damage to check the credentials of anyone they take on to do repairs. The FMB is
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Forces unite to fight crime
A CAMPAIGN to clamp down on troublemakers in a village and improve the quality of life for its residents was launched this week. Durham Constabulary's Streetsafe initiative in Sacriston will combine the forces of a range of agencies to target anti-social
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N-E group to supply staff for services
NORTHERN Recruitment Group has won a contract with Scottish Water to supply services across Scotland. The North-East based group, which has had operations in Scotland since 1997, is already placing temporary and permanent staff in a range of roles throughout
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Disabled motorist stranded after service-stop car theft
A DISABLED motorist was left stranded at a service station miles from home when he became the victim of a car-jacking. Seconds earlier, Doug Cleasby, from Stanhope, County Durham, had been talking to the thief while he topped up the water bottle on his
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Ruling is lifted for victims of tsunami
A DECISION by the Foreign Office to make arrangements to issue death certificates for British victims of the Asian tsunami has been welcomed by a North-East man who lost his daughter in the disaster. Foreign Office Minister Douglas Alexander said that
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Elliott can be a Place Above
SUCCESSFUL barrister Eric Elliott mixes business with pleasure by virtue of combining the legal profession with training a small string of horses at Whinstone Park near Rushyford. Elliott makes his entries very carefully and the fact he's opted to send
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Kyle gives McCarthy a boost
SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy received mixed news on the injury front yesterday with the surprise return to training of Kevin Kyle tempered by Liam Lawrence's imminent ankle operation. Lawrence will go under the knife on Monday after the club's doctors
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Nature in its most idyllic guise
WORKS by the acclaimed eighteenth century artist Franois Boucher go on show this weekend in a another major exhibition at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle. The museum owns a magnificent landscape by Boucher (1707-70) which is one of only four landscapes
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - A few of the inhabitants of Stockton, thinking that the presence of the Right Hon Benjamin Disraeli as a guest at Wynard Park offered a favourable opportunity for the expression of their feelings of admiration for
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Parking in the space-age
A NEW multi-storey car park will open in Darlington before Christmas, it was announced yesterday. Work will begin next month on the £6.5m development in Crown Street, which will provide 410 car parking spaces - 160 more than at present. The development
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Fans issued shoot-out challenge
DARLINGTON FC fans will get the chance to emulate their heroes by treading the turf at the Williamson Motors Stadium tomorrow. The Quakers will hold a penalty shoot-out competition during half-time of the match against Shrewsbury Town. It represents the
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Enjoying the north-westlife in Ireland's wildest corner
STANDING on the gnarled, wind-honed rocks high above a boiling sea, it's easy to understand why top boy band Westlife believed they were flying without wings. I am perched on Malin Head, yes, the one featured in the weather forecast, at Ireland's most
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Holders Boro too strong for Sunderland
Sunderland-born winger Adam Johnson made his hometown team suffer last night as Middlesbrough's youngsters showed their love of the FA Youth Cup is as strong as ever. After making the final of the competition for the last two years, Johnson's spectacular
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Newest retail park bucks trend with busy Christmas
DESPITE gloomy trading figures elsewhere over the Christmas period, the North-East's newest retail park enjoyed a busy festive season. Management at Dalton Park, near Seaham, County Durham, said many of its retail outlets reported a strong performance
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Fresh complaints over district's bin policies
RESIDENTS in Hambleton have accused the district council of providing a sub-standard waste collection service. About 200 people in Hutton Rudby have signed a petition demanding changes to the wheeled bin system introduced last year. They say that by changing
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Filtronic wins contract to secure and create jobs
ELECTRONICS firm Filtronic has won a major contract that will secure jobs and could lead to expansion. The factory, in Newton Aycliffe, near Darlington, yesterday announced what it described as a highly significant deal with mobile phone component supplier
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Rat Pack show
The sounds of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Junior and Frank Sinatra are being brought to life in a show at Durham City's Gala Theatre. The Rat Pack Party is showing on Monday, January 31, and Tuesday, February 1, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £14.50, concessions
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Tributes are paid after death of 105-year-old Fred
ONE of the North-East's oldest men and most celebrated characters has died aged 105. Fred Dickinson, who still enjoyed a regular glass of beer and a cigarette, died in hospital on Monday. Tributes were paid yesterday to Mr Dickinson, who was one of the
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Huntsman signs deal to build world's largest polyethylene plant
CHEMICAL group Huntsman has signed a licensing deal for the world's largest polyethylene plant which is being built in Teesside. The US company, which has operations in Wilton, Teesside, has bought a technology licence from ExxonMobil Chemical to use
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Terrorist threat influences plan for 999 centre
FEARS over a possible terrorist attack could prove key to the location of a North-East-wide fire-control centre, The Northern Echo has learned. The three-storey headquarters, which will replace control rooms serving the region's four fire brigades, is
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Special livestock sales
PATELEY BRIDGE. - Sat. Show & sale of store cattle. Fwd: 39 cattle, 30 store sheep. Judge: Geoff Watson, Sawley. Prizes. - Ian Smith trophy: 1,2&3 W&R Verity, Stean, all BB hfrs, £525, £490, all to Stephen White. Prices: BB steers S Church
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Schwarzer signs, now time for Tony
BOLO Zenden has praised Middlesbrough's board for securing goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer for another three years, but has urged them to offer teenager Tony McMahon a similarly long-term deal. Schwarzer will put pen to paper on his new contract next week after
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'Delays, dirty trains, gruff staff' - view of rail service
ANOTHER local commuter has added her voice to criticisms of TransPennine Express trains, saying there has been the worst reduction in service she has known in five years of travel on the route. Dr Julie Tuck, of South Otterington, said the rail regulator
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Man jailed for harassing NHS staff
A MAN who became the first person to receive an NHS-wide anti-social behaviour order has been jailed for three years. Fetishist Norman Hutchins was jailed for harassing NHS staff and obtaining gowns and surgical masks by deception. He was also given a
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Souness keen on Faye deal
NEWCASTLE were last night pondering whether to make a formal bid for Portsmouth midfielder Amdy Faye amidst mounting concerns over his injury record. Chairman Freddy Shepherd has spoken to Pompey counterpart Milan Mandaric about the availability of both
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Narrow defeat leaves Priorymen deeper in trouble
Esh Winning 4 Guisborough Town 3 GUISBOROUGH Town, who are battling to get out of the division one relegation zone, went down narrowly in a seven-goal thriller at Esh Winning last Saturday. Despite taking the lead twice and scoring three goals away from
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£20m power plant project is on time - and budget
A £20M project to enhance Wilton power station and underpin jobs is up and running. A new gas turbine and boiler plant at the 155MW combined heat and power station, owned by SembCorp Utilities UK, has been delivered on time and to budget. The project,
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Scotch Corner star in dominant form at Croft
AFTER waiting ten years for his maiden rally victory, former British Rallycross champion Tony Bardy followed up his win on last year's Jack Frost Stages Rally by dominating this year's Darlington and District Motor Club event held at Croft last Saturday
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Taking a cruise in Shackleton's wake to the bottom of the world
IT IS very tempting to do some geographical name dropping after my adventure to the Antarctic Peninsula - returning as I did via South Georgia and The Falklands - but it is quite impossible when talking about it not to mention names that go back to our
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'My soldier son is innocent'
Lance Corporal Mark Cooley's father has dismissed the Iraq abuse allegations against his son as rubbish. Graham Cooley, 49, last saw his son when he was back on leave in Newcastle just over a year ago. He said: "I am behind Mark 100 per cent. He is my
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Family calls for more information for patients after DVT death
THE family of a woman from Carlton Minniott, near Thirsk, who died after suffering from deep vein thrombosis, has called for greater awareness of the condition. North Yorkshire East coroner Michael Oakley recorded a verdict of misadventure on 44-year-old
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Fresh scrutiny of plans to halt Dales exodus
ADOPTION of restrictions on the sale of new housing in the Yorkshire Dales has been delayed to allow the full implications of a planning inspector's recommendations to be assessed. The national park authority accepted most of the 150-plus modifications
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21/01/05
PUBLIC SERVICE: ALAN Milburn's statement that New Labour will give more choice in health and education is as divisive as league tables. What decides 'choice'? Where you live, your status, or facilities available to you? Choice would lead to an elitist
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Wanted: 25,000 more care workers
The population of the North-East is ageing and a lot more care workers are needed to look after the elderly and sick. Health Editor Barry Nelson looks at signs that the industry is rising to the challenge. MAUREEN Horton has been in the care home business
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Store reopens
The former Safeway store in Barnard Castle will reopen as a Morrisons supermarket next Thursday. General manager Shaun Morrison will perform a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9am. He said: "The reopening of the former Safeway as Morrisons means many new jobs
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Police appeal after fight
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was left unconscious following a fight outside a pub. The incident happened outside Blakes in the Thames Centre, Newton Aycliffe, last Sunday. The fight happened between 1am and 1.05am and police are trying
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Blitz on drinking hailed a success
POLICE chiefs have hailed a Christmas blitz on binge-drinking a success. Officers from the south division of Durham Police took part in the crackdown - a Home Office initiative involving forces across the country - from December 17 to January 3. The aim
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Shaggy dog story needs happy end
VETS are appealing for the owners of a six month old puppy to come forward after it was hit by a car. The shaggy collie cross was left lying in the road after the car failed to stop but was rescued by a passer-by who took it to Wilson's Veterinary Surgery
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Enrolment day back on
A fun and course enrolment day, organised by Stanhope Community Centre with the Education in the Community group at Westgate Village Hall, which was cancelled because of bad weather, is now being held tomorrow, from 10am to 2pm.
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Murray poised for control
SUNDERLAND chairman Bob Murray is poised to take full control of the football club, it emerged yesterday. In a statement to the Stock Exchange, he announced he is weeks away from securing a controlling interest in the Black Cats. The kitchen magnate bought
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Care of patient in death trial is probed
HEALTH bosses have ordered a probe into the care received by a mental patient who stabbed his partner to death. Father-of-two Craig Sexton, 30, from South Shields, South Tyneside, admitted the manslaughter of Lynda Lovatt on June 18, last year. He killed
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Inquiry into fake passport website
POLICE are investigating a website that sells fake passports after it was falsely linked to a North-East stamp collector The immigration service has also been made aware of the Vista International Success Agency website after it was found to have links
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The man who could be mayor
LONG-serving councillor John Lightley is Durham's new deputy mayor. Councillor Lightley, 74, from High Shincliffe, was confirmed yesterday in the role after the death from cancer of fellow Liberal Democrat George Hunter, who represented Newton Hall North
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Workforce to benefit from safety scheme
ONE of region's largest health and safety training schemes was launched by listed company PD Teesport yesterday. The port operator will involve more than 400 of its 500 workforce in a training scheme which aims to cut down on accidents at the port. Health
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Woman's fatal fall from cliff still a mystery
THE circumstances surrounding how a woman came to fall to her death from a 400ft cliff may never be known, an inquest has heard. The semi-naked body of 28-year-old care assistant Anthea Calvert was found at the foot of Huntcliff, Saltburn, on a Sunday
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Fears grow over plan to reduce firefigher cover
CONCERN is growing over plans to cut fire cover in a North Yorkshire town. The North Yorkshire Fire Authority is proposing to staff one of Harrogate's two fire engines with a part-time retained crew at night, rather than full-timers. Residents and community
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Youngsters roll out the barrels to apologise for pranks
YOUNGSTERS blamed for acts of vandalism in a North Yorkshire town will be rolling out the barrels around the market place to raise money for elderly people hit by anti-social behaviour. Those taking part in sponsored barrel pushes in Masham want the cash
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Award for IT partnership
THE five councils covering Tyneside and Wearside have received national recognition for their work bringing technology to the streets. TWICT, the Tyne and Wear ICT and e-Government partnership, is the driving force behind the open:tyne&wear initiative
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Filtronic wins contract to secure and create jobs
ELECTRONICS firm Filtronic has won a major contract that will secure jobs and could lead to expansion. The factory, in Newton Aycliffe, near Darlington, yesterday announced what it described as a highly significant deal with mobile phone component supplier
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Fresh bid to stop drunk drivers
A crackdown on drink-driving was so successful it is to be repeated this summer. Hambleton Community Safety Partnership held a roadshow in the run up to Christmas, sending out the message "don't become an accident statistic." More than 10,000 people visited
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Apathy blamed as club teeters
THE future of one of the North-East's best known amateur football clubs hangs in the balance after its owner announced he would quit the club at the weekend. Four years after stepping in to help Spennymoor United escape a financial black hole, Benny Mottram
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Centre celebrates
A SHOPPING centre says it has bucked the national trend by having a bumper Christmas. Managers at the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, in Hartlepool, said more than 45,000 shoppers visited the precinct in one day during the Christmas period. Managers
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Car amnesty
A CAMPAIGN to rid Darlington of its abandoned cars has proved a success, according to council chiefs. Darlington Borough Council launched a fortnight-long car amnesty at the start of this week. The authority is offering a free service to collect and dispose
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Drink-driver had bombshell news
A WOMAN'S dream of becoming a part-time police officer has ended after being banned from driving for a year. Tara Allan, 33, from Park Lane, Darlington, was more than twice the drink-drive limit when police stopped her on the A1 on Sunday. Magistrates
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Businesses pledge support for pedestrian heart project
BUSINESS bosses in Darlington have put on a show of unity over contentious plans to create a £6.5m "pedestrian heart" in the town centre. The project has caused heated debate in the town, mainly about the planned alterations to historic High Row. Conservative
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Funeral parlour thief loses appeal
A BURGLAR has failed in a bid to have his conviction overturned for a raid at a Darlington funeral parlour. David Jonathan Errington's appeal was rejected by Teesside Crown Court judge David Bryant yesterday. He was also sentenced to six months behind
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New boss to develop home care policy
A HEALTH boss has been appointed to develop health care services in a town. One of Ali Wilson's jobs is to find ways of keeping hospital beds free in Hartlepool. Hartlepool Primary Care Trust said that in most cases and with the right support people are
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Police launch support scheme to tackle suicide increases
POLICE officers have been issued with information cards to support people threatening suicide. Teesside has one of the highest suicide rates in Britain. It is 18 per 100,000 people compared to 15.2 per 100,000 in England and Wales. Cleveland Police have
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Councillors ignore chief constable's comments
COUNCILLORS have ignored the advice of a chief constable and allowed a pub to extend its opening hours until 2am. The Wobbly Goblin, in Park Road, Stockton, has had its application to open an hour longer and increase admission from 200 to 300 people,
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10,000 jobs may be created with park
A BID has been launched to create 10,000 jobs with a flagship North-East business park development. The proposals would see offices, shops, a hotel and leisure facilities built at Wardley in South Tyneside, on its border with Gateshead. Councillor Paul
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Injury on gate led led to double tragedy
A mother-to-be and her unborn baby died after she was hit by a swinging garden gate while eight months pregnant, an inquest heard. Kellie Ann Jenkins, 19, died from blood poisoning in a hospital operating theatre after losing her baby. An inquest was
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Microchips to help keep track of half marathon results
THE longest-established half marathon in the Tees Valley will have the latest timing technology this year. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council partner Liberata, which sponsors the Redcar Half Marathon, is bringing in a chip timing system for the event
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Inquest begins to examine death of metallurgist
An opening inquest has been held into the death of retired metallurgist Robert Carter. The body of Multiple Sclerosis sufferer Mr Carter, 62, of Sandmoor Road, New Markse, East Cleveland, was found at his home on January 5. Mr Carter's son Jonathan, a
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Festival re-enactment group prepares to do battle
IT was the battle that marked the end of Viking domination in the North and preceded the Norman Conquest. Now the public will get a close-up view of what the Battle of Stamford Bridge was like thanks to one of the country's leading re-enactment groups
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'Monsters' filmed dying man
A GANG of youths who laughed as they videoed a dying man were branded monsters by a judge. All five were sentenced to periods of detention for their treatment of former baker Roger Winfield, which included nudging him closer to a campfire so he was centimetres
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Suspended Dean to face church court over claims
THE Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Methuen, will face a church court later this year. He was suspended from his duties in September after formal complaints about his behaviour were made to the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, and will
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Season wiped out at gale-lashed theatre
SCORES of productions were cancelled and hundreds of people left disappointed last night after heath and safety chiefs ordered the immediate closure of a North-East theatre. More than 40 productions have been cancelled at the Forum Theatre, Billingham
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Musicians urged to tune in and learn
A project will be launched to improve young brass players' musical mastery. The Durham Brass Initiative will run workshops in Derwentside and Easington for musicians in school and former colliery bands. The project, Free Range Music, will give young players
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The power of the local vote
I must confess to finding a lot of television a turn-off and, in the case of ITV's Vote For Me!, that's exactly what I did. For those of you who missed it - lucky you. A cross between Pop Idol and The Weakest Link, it set out to discover who the public
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A66 bypass dual carriageway plan is partly shelved
FULL dualling of the A66 around Darlington has been shelved in favour of a lesser scheme. Its price tag of £118m is the main factor in the work being ditched. But a meeting next week will be told that a preferred option of part dual carriageway could
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Will the policy work?
THE Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is right to take its time over the adoption of its new housing policy and in particular the plan to restrict the sale of new homes to local people. This is a momentous move, for never before has a public body
