Archive
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A traditional pub catering for the most questionable tastes
A HOLIDAY in Italy in my late teens has a lot to answer for. A week in Rimini, the Adriatic's version of Margate, seemed the height of sophistication for a gauche lad from suburban London. As well as developing a life-long passion for pasta, it also led
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Police officials refuse to pay parking fines
TWO members of Cleveland Police Authority have refused to pay £60 parking tickets they received while on official business. Couns Barry Coppinger and Ron Lowes both argued that they should not have to pay the fines, and that parking places should have
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Better late than never
Grown-Up Gappers (BBC2); Fat Friends (ITV1): MARGO Carmichael is a wealthy nightclub, bar and property owner from Blackburn who, at 63, decides to take a four-month trip to South East Asia, Pakistan and India "in search of herself". This widow finds it
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Corus shake-up will cost 400 jobs
STEELMAKER Corus is to undergo a £130m restructuring that is expected to cost about 400 jobs. The plans include improving one of its largest steelmaking plants, in Scunthorpe, where it will make structural sections, rail and wire rods. The job cuts will
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Firm's new castle role
A FIRM that designed sets for blockbuster films such as Tomb Raider and Die Another Day has started work on a £250,000 redevelopment of Lumley Castle. The Baron's Hall, dating back to the ninth century, has been the venue for the hotel's Elizabethan banquets
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Two companies win bid for edge of town units
PLANS to develop the Willow Beck Road site in Northallerton were given the go-ahead by the planning committee on Thursday of last week. Hambleton District Council development control committee approved two separate applications to develop land either
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Maestro still has music on his mind after 60-plus years of entertainment
MUSIC maestro Alan Waller, who has been likened to jazz legends Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, is still making music at 78. Most Monday evenings a group of musicians gathers at his Marske home to practise both dance music and classical - from Glenn Miller
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One big soap opera
READERS of Hear All Sides might have noticed in Wednesday's Northern Echo a letter from Richard Caborn, our esteemed Sports Minister. How nice of him to find time to write when he's so busy. Why, only the previous night I had seen him on the televison
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Packs will exploit loopholes: 'Whether that involves killing a fox, we will have to wait and see'
HUNT supporters in the region are expected to turn out in force on Saturday in a show of defiance against the hunting ban. A last-minute attempt to overturn the Hunting Act 2004 was dismissed in the appeal courts on Wednesday. Packs of foxhounds and beagles
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Darlington ease into Durham Cup semi-finals
JUST when the threat of relegation from National Three North had become serious, Darlington Mowden Park raised their game magnificently last Saturday to end their seven-match losing run. After losing at home to Blaydon three weeks earlier, they beat them
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Law out-foxed
AFTER all the huffing and puffing, the Act banning hunting with dogs finally comes into force today. It now falls to the police to enforce the legislation and nobody will envy them in that task. As pragmatic opponents of the Hunting Act pointed out during
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Manager reveals details of 'Wacky House' incident
THE head of a rural leisure centre has admitted that the term "Wacky House" was used to describe the address of some of its disabled clients, following an allegation made in last week's D&S Times. Craigmore House in Barnard Castle, run by Christine
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Young cup semi-finalists desperately seeking a goalkeeper
A JUNIOR football team could have their chances of glory dashed if they don't find a goalkeeper. Having heroically reached the semi-finals of the Russell Foster Cup without a regular No 1, Riverside Under-10s face Hilda Park later this month still searching
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Finding a voice for the region
A trip to Dubai is an invigorating experience which leaves you marvelling at man's creativity. I returned there last week, 14 months after my first visit. The pace at which buildings have gone up is amazing. Not surprisingly, people want to see the same
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Anger as travellers return to showpiece caravan site
TRAVELLERS have moved on to a showpiece North-East business park for the second time in two weeks. Darlington Borough Council will now have to go to court to evict the two caravans, which are on the Morton Palms site on the edge of Darlington. At the
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - A public meeting of persons favourable to the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating drinks on the Sabbath was held on Thursday evening, in the Odd Fellows' hall, Middlesbrough. The Mayor (Isaac Wilson esq) presided
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Healthy arts
Haughton Community School, in Darlington, is running a "healthy arts week" initiative, starting on February 28, when activities including music, drama and dance will be used to promote health issues. Children from Beaumont Hill School will also be taking
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Time to get tough, McClaren
Steve McClaren was content with Middlesbrough's draw in Austria last night - but told his defence they will have to become more solid if they are to become a success on the European stage. Boro took the lead on two separate occasions against Grazer AK
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Shoptalk: A Tardis for tomes
IT must be the smallest book shop in the country. Not much bigger, really, than your average bathroom. Yet The Village Bookshop in Middleton-in-Teesdale is like Dr Who's Tardis - it can take you on amazing journeys. Well, get you just about any book you
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From surgeries to water works, projects vie for top awards
A CHURCH centre in Darlington and a doctors' surgery in Gainford are in the running for this year's North-East architecture "Oscars". The two buildings - St Columba's Church Centre and Gainford Medical Centre - are among 46 entries for the Hadrian Awards
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Housing scheme approved
A VILLAGE'S population is to increase by more than a fifth after a housing development was approved. Plans for 12 homes in Brafferton, near Darlington, which has only 50 properties, were unanimously approved by the borough council's planning committee
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Corden blasts missing players as Town earn a point
Chester le Street 1 Guisborough Town 1 GUISBOROUGH remain marooned at the foot of the division one table despite a battling 1-1 draw at Chester le Street last Saturday. The Priorymen had a squad of only 13, so manager Steve Corden was forced to play the
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Deadline fast approaching for would-be female MPs
WOMEN have until next Thursday to put their names forward to be Bishop Auckland's new Labour MP, according to a timetable released yesterday. Expressions of interest must be received by Labour North's offices in Newcastle by Thursday, so that the party's
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Business owners' parking fee protest
BUSINESS owners fed up with new parking charges confirmed yesterday that they would be withdrawing sponsorship for council projects in Darlington. Gallerina proprietors Richard Hindle and Gwen Brown threatened to pull out of borough council schemes in
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'We have the potential to succeed'
THERE is a knock at the door of Howard Gilfillan's office as he explains why inspectors from education watchdog Ofsted have placed Branksome School into the "serious measures" category - the worst ranking for a school and the final stage before possible
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Special sales
PATELEY BRIDGE. - Sat. Fwd: 30 beef store cattle for special sale. Prices. - Lim bullocks: E&SCL Harker, Lofthouse to D Lister, £510 av £500; Lim hfrs: W&R Verity, Bouthwaite to J Barker £538; C Swires & Sons, Bewerley to J Barker £505; E
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County approves 4.9pc increase
NORTH Yorkshire councillors have approved a 4.9pc rise in their share of council tax bills this year. The increase, just under the 5pc level at which the authority was warned that it might have been "capped" by the Government, will finance a budget aimed
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Costello to shine on Kirkham Abbey
UP-AND-COMING young jockey Doug Costello gets the chance to showcase his skills aboard Kirkham Abbey (1.30) in the opener at Sandown today. Twice a winner on the level for top Newmarket handler Michael Jarvis, Kirkham Abbey is now in an equally safe pair
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Taking the lead on the dance floor
At 55, Richard Gere is one of Hollywood's older A-list stars, but, as he proves in his new movie, Shall We Dance?, he's still a good mover. Steve Pratt meets him. Months of learning to ballroom dance for his latest movie paid off in an unexpected way
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Prison officer says he was not responsible for death
A SENIOR prison officer yesterday rejected claims that he bore a significant responsibility for the death of an inmate found hanged in a cell. Leslie Thomas, representing the family of Paul Day, claimed senior officer Paul Sirrell had treated Day "appallingly
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Tonsil op death inquest delayed
A FAMILY who have waited more than three years to find out why their daughter died after surgery will have to wait longer. A much-delayed inquest into the death of 33-year-old Elaine Basham in November 2001 - which was due to start next Tuesday - has
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Family overwhelmed by fundraising effort
SUPERMARKET staff and customers have raised more than £2,000 for a four-year-old girl suffering with a brain tumour. Megan Armstrong was diagnosed with a tumour a third the size of her brain when she was only 14 months old. She then underwent 13 months
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A Tardis for tomes
IT must be the smallest book shop in the country. Not much bigger, really, than your average bathroom. Yet The Village Bookshop in Middleton-in-Teesdale is like Dr Who's Tardis - it can take you on amazing journeys. Well, get you just about any book you
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Jail for duo who raided house
TWO burglars were given jail sentences totalling more than ten years yesterday. Michael Watson, 37, and Lee Morris, 28, were involved in a house break-in during which there was a confrontation with occupant Stephen Hutchinson. Watson returned a few days
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Group asks for help with new garden
A RESPITE centre for people with severe learning disabilities is appealing for help to create a sensory garden. Staff at Aysgarth, in Stockton, are hoping to transform an inner courtyard for its patients. Funding for the project is limited and staff are
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Attacker told he could face jail
A MAN who repeatedly stabbed a neighbour was yesterday warned he faces prison. Stephen Renwick, 40, who called at his victim's house in September 27 last year, lashed out several times with a sharp-bladed implement, which was never found. Durham Crown
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New step towards town site project
A PROJECT to create a town square area at one of the most historic areas of Teesside has taken a step forward. Mayor Stuart Drummond has decided to buy new trees and surfacing materials for the Square, on the Headland in Hartlepool. He had to take the
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Men in court after heroin worth £27,000 is found
HEROIN worth £27,000 was found following a police raid in the North-East. Three men were arrested and have been remanded in custody after appearing at Gateshead Magistrates' Court yesterday. They were charged with possession of class A drugs with intent
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Pre-school needs old phones for play area
A PRE-SCHOOL is appealing for people to donate their old mobile phones to help raise money for a new play area. Scorton Pre-School is taking part in the Fones 4 Schools recycling campaign. If they collect 200 old phones, they will be given a £300 reward
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County Hall burglary case
A MAN has appeared in court charged with burglary at the headquarters of Durham County Council. Brian Wilson, 30, of Chapel Street, Willington, County Durham, is accused of stealing Calvin Klein aftershave worth £25 from County Hall, in Durham City, on
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Building sites targeted in £10,000 haul
BUILDING equipment worth more than £10,000 which police believe was stolen, has been recovered. In all, 28 items thought to have been taken from building sites were found in a domestic garage in the Throston Grange area of Hartlepool. Among the items
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Development proposed to revitalise former drugs den
A RUN-DOWN town centre office block could be turned into a £12m site for student accommodation if the scheme is approved by council planners. Campus Lifestyle is preparing to invest the cash to turn the former drugs den, Teesside House, Borough Road,
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Fashion show to support cancer care
FOLLOWERS of fashion have the chance to help support cancer patients and view the latest ladies spring fashions at a lunch in aid of The Holistic Cancer Care Project. Seasons of Great Ayton will be providing the outfits for the event at Middlesbrough's
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Youngsters get active with dance company
PERFORMERS from a dance company put primary school children through their paces yesterday. Newcastle-based Tin Dance Company spent the day at Browney Primary School, Durham City, working with about 100 children aged from nine to 11. Children learned dance
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£70,000 skate park to remain
YOUNGSTERS have won a long-running planning battle to keep their £70,000 skate park open. The park, in Kirkbymoorside, been approved by Ryedale District Council after months of speculation about its future. The facility was opened last year, but sparked
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UEFA Diary: Middlesbrough
GRAZ means Little Castle but there remains very little of the fortress that once stood high and mighty over the city on the Schlossberg. The Schlossberg is a huge hill which overlooks the whole of Austria's second largest populous from the centre and
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Community forests attract scientific interest
THE region's forests have come under international scrutiny in a journal on urban wildernesses. The book called Wild Urban Woodlands focuses on how landscapes around the world, once dominated by heavy industry, have been reclaimed by nature. Produced
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Hopes high for better moors centre
THE North York Moors National Park has applied for more than £500,000 in grants towards a major revamp of the Moors Centre, at Danby. The park announced the ambitious £900,000 scheme last year and has carried out a feasibility study. The project is still
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Pensioner died three months after accident
A PENSIONER died in hospital more than three months after a road accident, an inquest heard. Teesside Coroner's Court heard how Kathleen Popple was involved in the accident in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on May 31 last year. As she crossed a street, a
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Music firm celebrates railway engineer's life
THE story of railway pioneer Timothy Hackworth has been transferred onto disc to sell at the national museum inspired by his legacy. Bishop Auckland-based music producers Paul Thompson and David Hopkins have researched the life of the railway engineer
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All the right steps for dancing accolades
A teenager has received three dance awards which have been compared to top GCSE grades. Lauren Sproats, of Newton Aycliffe, has achieved grade five certificates in ballet, tap and modern dance from the British Theatre and Dance Association. The 14-year-old
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Duke of York award to resident's group
A VOLUNTARY residents' group has been given a pat on the back for reviving a sinking community. Residents in Eston were plagued with vandalism and high levels of crime. But, when the Eston Residents' Association was set up, people in the area joined in
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Closure-threatened nursery fights for survival
A nursery school threatened with closure is mounting a survival campaign. Staff and governors at Dean Road Nursery School, Ferryhill, are hoping to use public pressure to convince education chiefs not to shut their centre in favour of a nursery unit at
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Fatal accident
A CYCLIST was killed after an accident involving a car yesterday. The accident took place at 6.30am at the junction of Washington Road and Folling-sby Lane, in Washington, Wearside. The incident involved a Mazda 323. The driver was not hurt. Witnesses
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Dutch masters paint a rosy picture for Boro
BOLO ZENDEN and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink delivered a Dutch master-class to give Middlesbrough the upper hand in their bid to book a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup last night. But on an icy night in the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium referee Edo Trivkovic
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Drinks group raises a glass to top brands
DRINKS group Diageo reported a four per cent rise in sales of its top brands despite tough conditions in Europe caused by higher taxes and regulation. The group saw volumes rise by two per cent in the UK during the six months to December 31 on the back
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Tenants to have say on new fittings
A COUNCIL has invited its tenants to help choose new interiors for their homes as part of a major refurbishment programme. Chester-le-Street District Council is hosting an open day where would-be contractors will be displaying examples of kitchens and
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Townsfolk petition for a greater police presence
PEOPLE in and around Thirsk are calling for greater police presence to tackle anti-social behaviour. A petition calling for a more visible and active police presence was presented to the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, during his visit last Friday. Della
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Fireworks for Rotarians centenary
NORTH-EAST Rotarians are celebrating their movement's centenary with a firework display. The event will be held on Saturday, February 26, at the Nissan car plant, Washington, starting at 7.15pm. Admission on the night will cost £4 and the proceeds of
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Comment from The Northern Echo: A cruel and unjust delay
IT is three years and three months since Elaine Basham died after a routine operation went tragically wrong. But her family are still unable to move on with their lives because of the unanswered questions surrounding her death. We are well used to the
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Murray is in support
NEWCASTLE assistant Alan Murray last night defended his club's supporters despite them turning on chairman Freddy Shepherd and manager Graeme Souness during the Magpies' 2-1 win in Heerenveen. With Souness' side trailing 1-0 in the early stages of the
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On TV
Grown-Up Gappers (BBC2) Fat Friends (ITV1) MARGO Carmichael is a wealthy nightclub, bar and property owner from Blackburn who, at 63, decides to take a four-month trip to South East Asia, Pakistan and India "in search of herself". This widow finds it
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Tait is back for Falcons
MATHEW Tait is back in the Newcastle Falcons team for tomorrow's televised Premiership match away to leaders Leicester, but fellow England centre Jamie Noon is rested. With the Six Nations taking a week's break, Leicester include England prop Graham Rowntree
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Search is on for Will the wallaby
A LOVELORN wallaby has been left home alone after her mate left the nest. Two-year-old wallaby Will went walkabout from his home near Hartlepool after an intruder left the gate to his enclosure open a week ago. The intrepid marsupial hopped out of the
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Study to turn village green
A FEASIBILITY study on turning a former colliery village into one of the greenest in the region gets under way next week. A study is being carried out to determine how much of the energy needs of the village of Edmondsley, near Chester-le-Street, can
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Cosmetics firm sitting pretty in UK
COSMETICS company L'Oral said that its UK division had performed strongly last year, with operating profits across the group up by 16.3 per cent. In the UK last year, sales increased by seven per cent to £607m, shareholders at the annual meeting in Paris
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Shearer and Bowyer ease the pressure
HEERENVEEN is the home of Thialf, the fastest speed skating track in Europe, and, last night, second-half goals from Alan Shearer and Lee Bowyer saved Newcastle when it looked like manger Graeme Souness was going to be the one skating on thin ice. Shearer's
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Sales rise follows weak Christmas
HIGH street sales recovered last month after a weak run-up to Christmas, official figures have showed. The volume of retail sales last month rose by 0.9 per cent - its highest since September last year - against a fall of 1.1 per cent in December, the
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Holiday IT predicting 50 per cent growth
A COMPUTER company is predicting it will grow by 50 per cent this year after launching a £100,000 software package. Holiday IT, in Consett, County Durham, has created a system aimed at the booming market for online holiday bookings. Dubbed QuickRes, it
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Pervert doctor struck off for sex attacks
A FAMILY doctor who filmed himself sexually abusing his patients has been struck off. Dr Syed Amjad Husain recorded sex attacks on five victims, including an elderly woman and two children, while working at Orchard Court surgery, in Darlington. When police
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A game with gore galore
SHADOW OF ROME, Publisher: Capcom. Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? You must be kidding. AS Kenneth Williams once said: "Infamy, infamy, they've all got it infamy!" The murder of Julius Caesar remains a bit of a mystery. Sure, we know he was
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'Worst ranking' for secondary school
A DARLINGTON comprehensive has been given the worst possible ranking by Government education inspectors - the second school in the town to be placed in "special measures" in three years. Ofsted inspectors visited Branksome School and found that many pupils
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Tait is back for Falcons
MATHEW Tait is back in the Newcastle Falcons team for tomorrow's televised Premiership match away to leaders Leicester, but fellow England centre Jamie Noon is rested. With the Six Nations taking a week's break, Leicester include England prop Graham Rowntree
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New technology can make life harder
OUCH! I did touch a sore point with my pleas for less technology and more practicality the other week - and I didn't even mention that some new plasma screens aren't suitable for high definition TV and that pending changes to DVDs could make your new
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Organic pioneers will lose out
THE pioneers of organic farming are expected to be major losers under the new Single Farm Payment scheme. The Soil Association this week said that up to 200 long-standing organic farmers and 600 organic dairy farmers, who converted more recently, have
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Midden burials may show way
WE'VE just buried Ben. He was getting old and arthritis had set in quite badly from a lifetime of being out in all weathers with the sheep. He was a much-respected loyal friend to all the family, but was never too keen on strangers. His one weakness was
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Controversial Coatham plans on show
A WEEK-lONG exhibition of the controversial proposals for the £55m development of the Coatham Enclosure opened on Monday to a mixed response. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's plans for the site include 250 new homes, a hotel, visitor tower and swimming
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A game with gore galore
SHADOW OF ROME, Publisher: Capcom. Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? You must be kidding. AS Kenneth Williams once said: "Infamy, infamy, they've all got it infamy!" The murder of Julius Caesar remains a bit of a mystery. Sure, we know he was
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Lucky Lotto ladies
THESE lucky ladies have scooped £73,258 in a National Lottery draw. The syndicate - 17 receptionists, doctors and nurses from Great Lumley - were out together on the night they won on February 2 and were not aware of the windfall. Senior receptionist
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Junk mail? Do as they say, not as they do ...
RESIDENTS of Darlington who have received their February copy of the council magazine Towncrier will find they can have a sticker to attach to their letterboxes: "No junk mail thanks". And what fell out of this month's Towncrier? Three pieces of junk
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Shelter site could get six-month trial
A CONTROVERSIAL shelter for young people could soon be given a six-month trial in a field next to a village play park. WPC Alison Race has been trying to find a spot for a shelter in Middleton in Teesdale for more than a year, with various sites being
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Drinkers rescue car crash victim
FOUR people were taken to hospital following a serious road accident near Heighington village last night. A car burst into flames after a collision with another vehicle on the A68, near The Dog Inn, at about 8.20pm. It is understood that drinkers from
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Frustration reigns as Quakers slip up again
DARLINGTON go into tomorrow's League Two clash at Wycombe Wanderers still searching for the consistency which has eluded them all season. Quakers then welcome third-placed Swansea City to the Williamson Motors Stadium on Tuesday evening as they attempt
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Monuments to a time when the market was the hub of town life
NEWS that Bedale's ancient market cross might have to be transferred to a new site may sound alarming, but the proposal is by no means unique. Since the motor vehicle began to dominate town centres throughout England, several historic market crosses have
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New scheme to vet landlords
A NEW vetting scheme for private landlords is to be introduced in Darlington. Councillors see the move as a way for the private sector to catch up with tenancy action in local authority housing. Two members welcomed the scheme. As the council's cabinet
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18/02/05
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY: YOUR diagram (Echo, Feb 11) showing the present regional government set-up not only confirms my worst fears about the overloaded bureaucracy which we have to support financially, but makes me wonder how anything ever gets done with
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Promotion could keep Stewart at Sunderland
THE future of Marcus Stewart has been the subject of much debate on Wearside of late. Stewart's renaissance continued last weekend when he bagged his second hat-trick of the season in Sunderland's 4-2 demolition of Watford. It took his tally to six in
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Villagers to take protest over new houses to the top
A CONTROVERSIAL decision to approve more new houses in a village will be reported to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. The eight houses in the Middleton St George conservation area received permission on Wednesday despite 105 letters of objection and
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County's bill to tax payers goes up 5pc
NORTH Yorkshire councillors have approved a 4.9pc rise in their share of council tax bills this year. The increase, just under the 5pc level at which the authority was warned that it might have been ''capped'' by the Government. The rise, approved by
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One big soap opera
READERS of Hear All Sides might have noticed in Wednesday's Northern Echo a letter from Richard Caborn, our esteemed Sports Minister. How nice of him to find time to write when he's so busy. Why, only the previous night I had seen him on the televison
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Sarah takes mountain challenge for charity
A DIETICIAN has signed up for a gruelling Peruvian mountain trek to raise money for cancer patients. Sarah Richmond, a former pupil of Huntcliff School in Saltburn, will join about 60 people to take the Inca Trail with Macmillan's Peru Hiking Challenge
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Finding a voice for the region
A trip to Dubai is an invigorating experience which leaves you marvelling at man's creativity. I returned there last week, 14 months after my first visit. The pace at which buildings have gone up is amazing. Not surprisingly, people want to see the same
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End of the chase
IT HAS been part of English country life for centuries - and now it is over. From midnight last night, hunting with dogs became a criminal offence, and as the law became a fact a rural way of life came to an end. The arguing lasted for decades and finally
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Hounded into history
EMOTIONS ran high yesterday as huntsmen and women gathered on a bitterly cold moor for a final day's hunting before the ban. Followers of the Catterick Beagles, based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, who met on Hipswell Moor, told of their anger
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Marts
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 1,452 sheep. Lt hoggs to 110p av 100.6p; std to 117p av 103.9p; med to 118p av 108.3p; heavy to 107p av 103.1p. Cast sheep: Suff to £46.50; Cont to £42; Leics to £40; Mule to £39; Swale to £27. DARLINGTON. - Thurs
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UEFA Cup Diary: Newcastle
THE UEFA Cup is about as far removed from the Albany Northern League as it is possible to be but, for one man, last night's game in the Abe Lenstra Stadion completed a unique double. Hungarian referee Dr Peter Hegyi ran the line as Newcastle took on Heerenveen
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Police give vow over 1952 murder
DETECTIVES are still determined to find justice for a teenage murder victim a year after launching a fresh investigation into a North-East force's longest running unsolved murder. Durham Constabulary reopened the case of May Rebecca Thompson's murder
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Court told of fingerprint link in drugs case
A FINGERPRINT match linked a woman to a major drugs racket dealing in heroin and cocaine, a court was told. Jane Moloney's prints were found on a carrier bag recovered in a police raid that led to the arrest and conviction for drugs and firearms offences
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Tonsil op death inquest delayed
A FAMILY who have waited more than three years to find out why their daughter died after surgery will have to wait longer. A much-delayed inquest into the death of 33-year-old Elaine Basham in November 2001 - which was due to start next Tuesday - has
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Cars targeted by thieves
There was a spate of car crime in Darlington on Wednesday night. Cars were broken into in Stanhope Road, Troon Avenue, Littlebeck Drive, the Rugby Club in Grange Road, Vancouver Street and outside the cinema in Northgate. Thieves also made off with more
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End of an era at town hall reception desk
A FAMILIAR face is leaving Darlington Town Hall at the end of the month. Receptionist Catherine Tate, from Merrybent, near Darlington, will retire on Friday, March 25, just before her 65th birthday. She joined the town hall 27 years ago as a switchboard
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'Tolerance zone' for vice girls rejected
THE idea of a tolerance zone for prostitutes on Teesside has been rejected by officials. Earlier this year, Liverpool City Council voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of a designated area where prostitutes can trade legally and safely. Councillors
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Mill visitors will not flood village, residents are told
THE trust restoring Gayle Mill has assured residents that their village will not be deluged by visitors' cars. The pledge came as Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority pressed the North-East Civic Trust
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Romantic pair board Love Bus
ROMANCE was in the air for a Redcar couple who enjoyed a prize Valentine's trip around the town in a specially-prepared Love Bus. Jeannette Emmerson kept the surprise under wraps and persuaded her partner, Bryan Donaldson, to go along by pretending she
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Team prepare for rugby challenge
A COLLEGE rugby team is hoping to make it fifth time lucky as they compete in the final of a tournament. Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, from Darlington, have faced rivals Hartlepool Sixth Form College in the final of the Lynn Mock Memorial Trophy
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Costello to shine on Kirkham Abbey
UP-AND-COMING young jockey Doug Costello gets the chance to showcase his skills aboard Kirkham Abbey (1.30) in the opener at Sandown today. Twice a winner on the level for top Newmarket handler Michael Jarvis, Kirkham Abbey is now in an equally safe pair
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Recluse died after fire in home
A RECLUSIVE man who rarely left his house and kept it tightly bolted and locked, died after a fire at his home, an inquest heard yesterday. Colin White, 58, of Keswick Drive, Spennymoor, died on June 6 last year. An open verdict was recorded at the inquest
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Dementia drug making condition worse
A drug used to treat nursing home patients suffering from dementia is making their condition worse, according to research carried out in the region. Researchers found quetiapine, a common treatment for agitation in people with illnesses like Alzheimer
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It's over, says the law: we continue, hunts reply
THE day hunt supporters throughout England and Wales dreaded, and fought tooth and nail to prevent, has dawned. The Hunting Act 2004 comes into force today, banning the hunting of foxes, deer and hares with dogs. A last ditch attempt by three hunters,
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Angel creator among arts centre's new trustees
A FLAGSHIP North-East arts venue has announced the appointment of four trustees. The renowned artist Antony Gormley, arts writer and BBC television presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon, long-serving Royal Academy exhibitions secretary Norman Rosenthal and Independent
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Exhibition tribute to artistic ability
AN exhibition of work by people using Durham County Council's social care and health services has opened at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. The Appreciating Ability exhibition in the McGuinness Gallery focuses on the talent of the artists, rather than their
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Fence must come down, planning inspector rules
A 2M-HIGH fence in Eaglescliffe will have to be removed or reduced in height. A retrospective application for the fence on the corner of Yarm Road and Station Road was refused by the local authority and the applicant, Mr W Gate of Burlington House, appealed
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Calls for a
A RETHINK has been urged on the proposed closure of public toilets in Richmond Market Place. Town councillors fear the move could hit tourism. A special meeting of the authority agreed to press Richmondshire District Council to reconsider last week's
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Some of the best names for the regional jazz circuit
THE jazz programme is beginning to develop again across the region after a relatively quiet January, writes Peter Bevan. The regular monthly slot at the Arc in Stockton sees one of our finest tenor saxophone players, Lewis Watson, making one of several
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Tenants invited to redesign their homes
A COUNCIL is inviting its tenants to choose the interior design of their homes as part of a refurbishment programme. Chester-le-Street District Council is hosting an open day, when potential contractors will be displaying kitchens and bathrooms. The event
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Chance to learn new skills with free courses
A SERIES of free courses is on offer to people in and around Newton Aycliffe. The Pioneering Care Centre, Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe, will host courses ranging from holistic therapy to computing. As a Learn Direct Centre, it is also able to offer
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Planners back house plan
A CONTROVERSIAL application to build a house in a back garden looks likely to be given planning permission. Six residents have written to Teesdale District Council to object to the application to build a three-bedroomed house in the garden of 23 Woodside
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Inquest told of fatal crash
A WOMAN died after the people carrier she was travelling in left the road and crashed through a hedge, an inquest was told yesterday. Eileen Hancock, 63, of Vart Road, Bishop Auckland, died from head injuries received in the accident, which happened as
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Old people terrorised by drunken youths
A GROUP of residents in Yarm say they are still being terrorised by drunken gangs of youths. Elderly people living in the Willey Flatts area say they are frightened to leave their homes at night because of teenagers who gather in the area to drink and
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Community centre battles to overcome lack of funds
A VITAL community centre for women is fighting for survival due to lack of funding. For over 18 years, the South Bank Women's Centre has provided a wide range of services to the women and girls of South Bank and the Tees Valley. It has been threatened
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Youngsters get active with dance company
PERFORMERS from a dance company put primary school children through their paces yesterday. Newcastle-based Tin Dance Company spent the day at Browney Primary School, Durham City, working with about 100 children aged from nine to 11. Children learned dance
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Site proposed for shelter
A POSSIBLE site has been found in a Teesdale village for a controversial youth shelter. PC Alison Race, the beat officer for Middleton-in-Teesdale, said she hopes to site the shelter in a field behind the play area near Wesley Terrace. Subject to a few
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Support for youth centre proposal
PLANS for a £500,000 youth centre have been recommended for approval despite objections from a town council. Teesdale District Council's planning committee has been recommended to grant planning permission for the Teesdale Community Resources building
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Town eating out guide is launched
A GUIDE promoting good places to eat out has been produced for a Teesside town. About 20,000 copies of the full-colour publication are to be distributed in and around Hartlepool. It is a joint venture between the council and the local restaurant and pub
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Youths fined over car walk
THREE teenagers were fined by magistrates yesterday after admitting walking over the top of parked cars. The 18-year-olds, all from Richmond, pleaded guilty to damaging a Vauxhall Astra on the town's Victoria Road at 3.30am on December 30. Northallerton
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School expands for anniversary
A SCHOOL, marking its 75th anniversary, is celebrating the opening of its extension. Red House School, in Norton, near Stockton, has a new nursery, classrooms, offices and a larger hall following extensive building work. Alongside this project, a refurbishment
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Local people will use facilities of £500,000 development out of office hours
A FARMER turned property developer has unveiled newly-built office accommodation on the site of his former barns near Bedale. In an ambitious example of farm diversification, Edwin Birtwistle hopes that the new offices at Long Garth, Carthorpe, will appeal
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Taxpayers facing a 4.8% increase
COUNCIL tax payers on Wearside are facing a 4.8 per cent rise in their bills from April. Sunderland City Council plans to agree to the increase, which would add 68p to the weekly bill - £35 a year - for people in Band A properties. Council leader Bob
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Shopping centre sold amid plans to revamp town
A TOWN centre shopping mall threatened with partial demolition is to be sold for £45.1m. The 347,000sq ft Castlegate Shopping Centre Stockton High Street will be bought by Lathe Investments. The centre, built in the early 1970s, was bought for about £30m
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Woman died after fall at home
A WOMAN died after falling down the stairs at her home, an inquest heard yesterday. Elsie Porter, 50, of Chapel Street, Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, suffered a fractured skull and nine broken ribs in the fall, which happened on February 5. Mrs Porter
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Boost to park bid to widen access
A PROJECT to raise awareness of events in the North York Moors has received a £300,000 lottery grant. Heritage Connections - New Audiences is designed to give people who could not normally visit the park a chance to explore the area. A similar project
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Exhibition tribute to artistic ability
AN exhibition of work by people using Durham County Council's social care and health services has opened at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. The Appreciating Ability exhibition in the McGuinness Gallery focuses on the talent of the artists, rather than their
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Mayor thanks children for charity singing
YOUNGSTERS have been entertaining a town's shoppers while raising hundreds of pounds for the Asian tsunami appeal. Every Thursday for the past four weeks, pupils from Greystone Primary School, in Ripon, have been singing on the Town Hall steps as people
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Drugs pick-up driver jailed for two years
A MECHANIC who agreed to give a friend a lift to pick up some drugs was yesterday jailed for two years. Stephen McGlasson, 29, agreed to take a man to Consett to pick up £1,240 worth of cocaine in exchange for £50. Newcastle Crown Court heard how they
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Teenager in court to deny firework death
A teenager appeared in court yesterday to deny the manslaughter of a North-East grandfather in an alleged firework attack. Arthur Lonsdale, 52, died in Sunderland Royal Hospital on October 30, last year, two days after a firework - known as a Little Brother
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Extra £10m earmarked for park
A MULTI-million pound business park that will create up to 1,000 jobs is to have an extra £10m invested in it, developers announced last night. The development at the former Samsung factory, in Wynyard, Teesside, will have an extra 50,000sq ft of offices
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New bid made to relaunch railway
PLANS to restart services on a cash-strapped heritage railway next month have been put on hold while administrators delve into its affairs. Meanwhile, a new business plan aimed at saving the Weardale Railway, in County Durham, from liquidation is being
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Teacher 'helped' pupils in exam
A PRIMARY school teacher who helped pupils during a maths test has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct. Nathan Proud, formerly a teacher at Thomas Walling Primary School, Blakelaw, Newcastle, was given a conditional registration order, which bans
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Champion gears up for Kall Kwik title defence
CASTLETON rally driver Ryan Champion will take to the start line of Sunday's Kall Kwik National Rally in a brave bid to defend the title he won last year on the annual De Lacy Motor Club event. The 29-year-old will again be driving the Champions of Castleton
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Pain that's worse than toothache
Few people have heard of the painful muscle condition fibromyalgia but it blights the lives of hundreds of thousands. Health Editor Barry Nelson reports. ON the inside you are feeling terrible. Aches and pains wrack your body and just getting out of bed
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Condom advert is pulled by cinema
A CINEMA has withdrawn an advertisement for condoms after it was shown before the Magic Roundabout movie. The move comes after student Kay McKennie visited Vue Cinema, Hartlepool, with six-year-old godson Jonathan Usher to watch the remake of the children's
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Shops, and The Echo, are just the ticket for Quakers
TICKETS for Darlington Football Club matches are going on sale across the town as part of an initiative launched by the Quakers and the publishers of The Northern Echo. Newsquest North-East has teamed up with the club to offer supporters a handy alternative
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Aerospace group is on a roll
AEROSPACE group Rolls-Royce has won a £502.6m deal to supply jet engines and services to Middle Eastern airline Etihad. Rolls said Etihad, based in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, had chosen two versions of its Derby-made Trent engine to power
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Workshops staged for writers
Writing workshops were held at a North-East arts centre yesterday. The events were part of Darlington Arts Centre's support for The Short Story Competition, also backed by The Northern Echo and Orange. Workshops at the centre were hosted by creative writing
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Horrors of war provide inspiration for band's new video
A POP group have turned to the past as they strive to have a hit of the future. The first single from Wickerman will commemorate this year's 60th anniversary of VE Day and the song, Save Me, deals with the horrific cost of war. To get the right nostalgic
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Gatehouse may make way for flats
RESIDENTS are to examine plans to demolish one of Darlington's most prominent Victorian properties and replace it with 24 apartments. Mandale Commercial, of Stockton, has applied to Darlington Borough Council for planning permission to demolish The Gatehouse
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Burton's Bytes: A game with gore galore
SHADOW OF ROME, Publisher: Capcom. Format: PS2. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? You must be kidding. AS Kenneth Williams once said: "Infamy, infamy, they've all got it infamy!" The murder of Julius Caesar remains a bit of a mystery. Sure, we know he was
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Mystery swelling hits Grey Abbey's Gold Cup chances
GREY Abbey has a mystery joint swelling and may miss the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, while Howard Johnson's jockey Graham Lee broke his collarbone as we went to press last Thursday. In addition, Tony Dobbin has a ban which prevents him riding
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Hignett felt embarrassed by the County calamity
CRAIG Hignett admits he was left "embarrassed" by last Saturday's performance against Notts County and has backed his teammates to get Darlington's season on track at Wycombe tomorrow. Quakers slipped out of the play-off places following the 2-1 home
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Taking the lead on the dance floor
At 55, Richard Gere is one of Hollywood's older A-list stars, but, as he proves in his new movie, Shall We Dance?, he's still a good mover. Steve Pratt meets him. Months of learning to ballroom dance for his latest movie paid off in an unexpected way
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Finding a voice for the region
A trip to Dubai is an invigorating experience which leaves you marvelling at man's creativity. I returned there last week, 14 months after my first visit. The pace at which buildings have gone up is amazing. Not surprisingly, people want to see the same
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New record at furnace
HOT metal production records have been smashed by a Redcar blast furnace. Staff at Redcar Blast Furnace at the Corus site broke previous weekly records by producing 67,117 tonnes of hot metal in seven days. The performance, a milestone for the furnace
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Dutch masters paint a rosy picture for Boro
BOLO ZENDEN and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink delivered a Dutch master-class to give Middlesbrough the upper hand in their bid to book a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup last night. But on an icy night in the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium referee Edo Trivkovic
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Award to girl for her bravery at murder trial
A BRAVE youngster has picked up an award for showing great courage when she gave evidence during a murder trial. The 12-year-old was praised for her maturity in difficult circumstances when she came forward with vital evidence that was crucial to securing
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From screen to stage for TV stars
THREE stars of TV show Byker Grove are taking to the stage for a musical set in the North-East. Agony aunt and novelist Denise Robertson's stage show Fine, Fine, Fine! played to sell out audiences in its first run, at South Shields' Customs House, in
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Stop whinging and think positively about your industry
FARMERS have been told to stop whingeing and think positively about their industry. Outspoken economist Sean Rickard delivered his uncompromising message to last week's Arable Outlook conference at Scotch Corner. He had even harsher comments for the politicians
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Developer stumps up £35,000 for public art
AN OFFER to put £35,000 into a piece of public art in Northallerton has been welcomed by the mayor, though he said he would prefer to see money invested in youth facilities. The artwork will be paid for by Rokeby Developments Northern which has just been
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Fun-runner Joe races for lifeboat
SPEEDY shop worker Joe Mewes is ready to clock up his tenth half marathon, without any training. Mr Mewes, who is running the 23rd Liberata Redcar Half Marathon to raise funds for the town's lifeboat, is aiming to finish the race in under 90 minutes.
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Get out and get active in North woods
THE Forestry Commission is launching a new drive to get people off the sofa and into the woods - and Yorkshire's new forest chief is leading the way. A campaign called Active Woods was unveiled last week, to encourage more people to burn off surplus calories
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Trains are back, with a smoother journey
PASSENGERS on the Esk Valley railway line received a Valentine's gift with a difference on Monday, when trains started running again following renewal of the track between Sleights and Whitby. The £2.5m Network Rail project replaced nearly two miles of
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Bogus care worker tries baby snatch
THIS is the face of a bogus social worker who police say attempted to abduct two babies. Detectives this week released the e-fit of the middle-aged woman who called on two mothers - one in Boosbeck, near Guisborough - and tried to take the children away
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Sales rise follows weak Christmas
HIGH street sales recovered last month after a weak run-up to Christmas, official figures have showed. The volume of retail sales last month rose by 0.9 per cent - its highest since September last year - against a fall of 1.1 per cent in December, the
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Swan Lake, Newcastle Theatre Royal
THE St Petersburg Ballet Theatre are performing the popular classic love story Swan Lake as part of their tenth anniversary UK tour. Prince Siegfried falls for Odile, a beautiful woman, trapped in the form of a swan. She is held in thrall to a wicked
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Woman who set ex-lover's bed alight jailed for five years
A woman who doused a bed in petrol and set it alight while her former lesbian lover lay naked with a new girlfriend was jailed for five-and-a-half years today. Jealous Sarah Metcalfe, 47, of no fixed abode, discovered her ex-girlfriend Katie Wrigglesworth
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End of the chase
IT HAS been part of English country life for centuries - and now it is over. From midnight last night, hunting with dogs became a criminal offence, and as the law became a fact a rural way of life came to an end. The arguing lasted for decades and finally
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Tributes to thoese who helped crash victim
Tributes were paid today to pub regulars and staff who helped drag a road crash victim away from the blazing wreckage of his car. Drinkers and workers at The Dog Inn, near Heighington, County Durham, leapt into action after hearing the horrific smash
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Wellock's World: One big soap opera
READERS of Hear All Sides might have noticed in Wednesday's Northern Echo a letter from Richard Caborn, our esteemed Sports Minister. How nice of him to find time to write when he's so busy. Why, only the previous night I had seen him on the televison
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Local firms share in service station work
THE latest stage in the refurbishment of Leeming Bar Services on the A1 is seeing more than £120,000 being spent on a major overhaul of public washrooms and toilets. The development will have taken ten weeks to complete when it is opened before Easter
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Union hoping to safeguard site amid cuts
UNION bosses hope the future of a major civil service site in the region can be safeguarded, but admit that ongoing job cuts are hitting hard. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) revealed last May that up to 100 positions at Mowden Hall, in
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Teacher 'helped' pupils in exam
A PRIMARY school teacher who helped pupils during a maths test has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct. Nathan Proud, formerly a teacher at Thomas Walling Primary School, Blakelaw, Newcastle, was given a conditional registration order, which bans
