Archive
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Tory candidate chosen
THE Conservative Party has revealed its candidate to fight the seat of North Durham at the forthcoming General Election. Mark Watson, of Kimblesworth, Chester-le-Street, has been chosen to fight the seat currently held by Labour's Kevan Jones with a majority
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Hall plans will enhance fort
PLANS to redevelop a former hotel and nursing home on the site of County Durham's largest Roman Fort have been welcomed by councillors. Wear Valley District Council has given the go ahead to the conversion and redevelopment of Binchester Hall, near Bishop
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Kathryn's a real karate kid
KARATE kid Kathryn Sams has earned her black belt at the age of ten. It makes her one of the youngest martial arts experts in the country. She has been training up to three times a week since taking to the sport in January 2003. Despite being just under
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Why we all need rules and rituals
MY nephew got engaged last autumn. He didn't just come to an agreement with his girlfriend and then discuss what kind of ring they should get. Instead, he went off formally to see her father and ask for the girl's hand in marriage. Only when permission
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Jack Dee set free
Don't be fooled by the appearance... TV comic/actor Jack Dee is never happier than when he's doing stand-up comedy. Viv Hardwick reports on his massive nationwide tour, which reaches the North-East next week. JACK Dee is returning to his first love: a
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Reflections on an emotional day for supporters of a rural tradition
FOR the first time in my life, I attended a hunt meet. It was on the first Saturday following the now notorious ban on fox hunting, February 19. The venue was the market place in Easingwold, the hunt was the York and Ainsty and the day was bitterly cold
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Coastal town sets example for growth
A REVOLUTIONARY approach to the regeneration of town centres is to focus on a North-East coastal town. First launched in 2003, and supported by the Prince of Wales and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, the Civitas exhibition is now touring the English
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Work in progress could be a problem if the inspector calls
THERE are times when you know your timing is just not right. We realised it was one of those moments shortly after arriving at the Frenchgate Hotel in Richmond. The splendid Georgian building is under new ownership and we were tempted to call following
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Little cheer for our ills
IT comes as absolutely no surprise, of course, that Gordon Brown's latest Budget contains its vote-winning goodies, notably help for first-time buyers and free bus passes coupled with council tax refunds for pensioners. The Chancellor has probably done
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Dustbusters go to work on ancient castle
AN army of dustbusters is being formed to protect some of the region's most historic properties. Armed with backpack vacuum cleaners, they are being sent out to tackle the muck and grime that can threaten monuments and collections. English Heritage has
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Final moment in historic battle
IT WAS one of the most famous moments in Naval history. Harried and wounded by Allied warships, the Graf Spee appeared to be trapped after the Battle of the River Plate. Duped into thinking there was no escape, the ship's commander, Hans Langdorff, shot
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Changes to town centre backed
THE most radical transformation of a North-East town centre in decades moved a step closer last night. Planning chiefs supported the changes to Darlington's High Row, which are part of a £6.5m town centre pedestrianisation scheme. A majority of planning
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Never trust a dolphin
The Dark World Of Dolphins (five); What The Ancients Did For Us (BBC2): I BLAME Flipper. Because of that marine TV star, we regard dolphins as gentle sea creatures eager to please and perform. The truth would appear to be different. Watching The Dark
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Girl, 16, struck by car
A CAR hit a 16-year-old girl and left her seriously injured in the road. The girl was in hospital yesterday in a comfortable condition after being knocked over by a red car on the A177 road to Durham in north Stockton. She sustained a broken leg, a deep
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A new era for Eura
A DARLINGTON accountancy practice established in 1939 has a new name. From now on, LSCP LLP will be known as Eura Audit UK. The company is the largest UK member of Eura Audit International, a network of more than 150 independent accountancy firms. The
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On TV
The Dark World Of Dolphins (five) What The Ancients Did For Us (BBC2) I BLAME Flipper. Because of that marine TV star, we regard dolphins as gentle sea creatures eager to please and perform. The truth would appear to be different. Watching The Dark World
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No Refuge keeps north flag flying
Northern racing's emerging holy trinity teamed up to land the opening contest of the Cheltenham Festival for the second day running yesterday. Having struck with Arcalis 24 hours earlier, another big-money purchase came good as No Refuge arrived with
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Business group hits 3,000-deal landmark
A BUSINESS group is celebrating after reaching an important landmark - its 3,000th piece of business. The Blackwell chapter of BNI, which meets at the New Grange Hotel in Southend Avenue, Darlington has been active for just over two years. In that time
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Medics focus on battle to halt MRSA bug
PRACTICAL ways of fighting the MRSA superbug were discussed at a conference in the region yesterday. It is hoped that the conference, in Stockton, organised by the North-East regional branch of the Health Protection Agency, will lead to reduced infection
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New owner plans to make Clayton shine
THE new owner of a glass company is planning to achieve a turnover of more than £10m. Ryan Green, 28, has bought Clayton Glass, near Stanley, County Durham, for a seven-figure sum from the Heywood Williams Group, of Huddersfield. The former finance director
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Missing girl tried to save brother
THE search for missing 13-year-old Aimee Greenwood continued yesterday, but no sign of her body has yet been found. Coastguards in Scarborough again searched the resort's beaches for her body during their routine patrols. It is now thought that she dived
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Refugee who infected women with HIV loses appeal
An asylum seeker who infected three women with HIV by having unprotected sex, despite knowing he had the virus, today lost his appeal against convictions for inflicting grievous bodily harm. Musician Feston Konzani, 28, who was jailed for 10 years at
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Children get taste of other countries
YOUNGSTERS at a primary school have been spreading their wings to share the cultures of other countries. Every pupil from the nursery to junior class at Ox Close Primary School, in Spennymoor, has taken part in an international week. Each class learned
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Platform for a fairytale debut
Tynesider Amanda J Kennington somehow won the backing from the areas's Metro operator to give up 25 lucrative poster sites for her Telling Tales art project. Viv Hardwick talks to the artist, who is about to give the North-East commuters a taste of her
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Artwork for life
YOUNGSTERS from a Teesside school who took part in an artwork project are launching an exhibition of their work at a museum. The Transporting Lives exhibition, by pupils from St Michael's RC School in Billingham, will open on Saturday, at Preston Hall
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All aboard Gordon's election battle bus
GORDON Brown fired up Labour's faltering election campaign yesterday with a giveaway Budget that promised £1.5bn of sweeteners to pensioners facing higher council tax bills and homebuyers hit by soaring property prices. The Chancellor sought to trump
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Prize for poet who shuns life's luxuries
AN eccentric poet who has rejected much of the trappings of modern life has won Britain's most lucrative literary award. Gillian Allnutt was last night named the winner of the annual £60,000 Northern Rock Foundation Writer's Award at a ceremony at Gateshead's
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Trio jailed after victim threatened
THE home of a burglary victim was attacked prior to his appearance in the witness box. Teesside Crown Court heard that Roy Hutchinson, 52, was alone in his first-floor flat reading and listening to music on a Saturday evening when three men pushed inside
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Family's anger at driver's sentence
DISTRAUGHT family members last night blasted the prison sentence given to a drink-driver responsible for the deaths of a father and son. Mark Sidney Murray, 22, was jailed for five-and-a-half years after admitting causing the deaths of Malcolm 'Mally'
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'No plans' to close hospital
HEALTH chiefs have told campaigners they have no plans to close a community hospital. The assurance came after a petition with over 2,000 signatures was sent to Secretary of State for Health John Reid. But protesters say they are still concerned about
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'Let the evolution begin'
IT was described as the kind of decision those elected to represent the people of Darlington would only have to make once in a century. On D-Day for High Row, borough councillors were only too aware that their decision would shape the face of the old
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US footballer attecked after moving to Sunderland
An American soccer ace was undergoing surgery yesterday after a brutal attack by a thug weeks after moving to Sunderland. Stuart Holden, 19, signed for Sunderland two months ago and is predicted to have a big future with the Championship promotion hopefuls
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Loan shark told to repay money or return to prison
A loan shark who fleeced a fortune from businessmen across the globe has been ordered to repay £157,000. Dennis Alexander, 49, was told he must find the cash within 12 months or he will go back to prison for two-and-a-half years. Alexander was locked
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Haunting reminder of the power of the sea
THE tragic story of the family swept into the sea at Scarborough will have sent a chill down many parents' spines. We can all understand why the mother, seeing her children being hurled about in the treacherous, icy waves, ran along the railings at the
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Partnership will improve skills in the North-East
PLANS have been announced to improve the way the £500m invested every year on skills in the region is spent. The North-East has published an action plan on skills to create a highly-skilled workforce. A partnership between regional development agency
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Romeo and Juliet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sunderland Empire
IF there's one thing BRB excels at, it's classics, and this production of Romeo and Juliet is no exception. From the opening scene there are lavish costumes, splendid scenery and a cast of colourful characters. Pretty soon, you're immersed in the culture
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Job seeker finds sex line operator ad on government website
A job seeker got all steamed up when she stumbled across an advert for a sex line operator - on an official government website. Stunned Rachel Thompson, 22, couldn't believe her eyes after a random search for call centre staff on the Jobcentre Plus website
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Authority switches over to new lighting
Energy-efficient lights are being installed in Darlington. Darlington Borough Council hopes to save £28,000 a year by replacing the old mercury lights with the new, efficient white lights. Almost half the lights in the borough are being replaced and Darlington
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Council defends refuge record
A DARLINGTON councillor has criticised authorities that use the town's women's refuge but do not provide similar services of their own. However, one of the councils singled out for criticism by deputy leader Councillor Bill Dixon has said it actually
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Wet nose day swells charity kitty
A rogues' gallery of professionals lined up for wet sponge in the face - to swell Red Nose Day funds. Accountants and business advisors Sanders Swinbank, of Victoria Road, Darlington, set up solicitors, car salesmen, call centre operators, dentists and
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Club appeals for help to acquire own home
A CLUB that organises social activities and offers advice to people with mobility problems hopes to find its own base so it can hold more events for members. Newton Aycliffe Mobility Club was formed less than a year ago and already has about 30 members
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Generous golfers raise more than £2,000 for hospice
GOLFERS helped to raise more than £2,000 for a hospice. About 160 players took part in the event organised by Ian Phillips, last year's captain of Seaton Carew Golf Club. Players paid a fee to play, with the money going to the Hartlepool and District
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Students get in touch with history
THE horrors of the First World War have been brought to life for youngsters trying to understand more about 20th Century history. Boys from Bow School, in Durham, travelled to Richmond, to get some hands-on experience of a soldier's life in the trenches
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Cash raised for charity
STAFF were raising money for charity through a fancy dress day. Customers visiting North Eastern Tyres and Exhausts, in Middlesbrough, were met by a magician, Superman, Supergirl and a comic Sumo wrestler. The girls' stunt and money from a tyre promotion
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Plans to develop fort site cleared
PLANS to redevelop a former hotel and nursing home at the site of County Durham's largest Roman fort have been welcomed by councillors. Wear Valley District Council has given the go-ahead to the conversion and redevelopment of Binchester Hall, near Bishop
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Public gets cold feet over charity walk across hot coals
THE PUBLIC appears to have developed cold feet over a charity fundraising event. St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham, has staged hot coal walks to raise cash over the past two years. But a third stunt, which was due to have taken place in the Market Place,
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Council defends its record on care for battered women
A COUNCIL has hit back at claims that it uses another authority's battered women's refuge without paying for it. Councillor Bill Dixon, deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council, has criticised authorities which use the Darlington women's refuge without
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Top show by youth
A VIDEO and DVD project by a County Durham youth club is due for a national showing this summer. Youngsters at Manor Park Youth Club, in Lanchester, decided they could improve on the usual written application for sports equipment. They turned to technology
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Public meeting to examine GPs' coverage
THE county's under-fire out-of-hours GP service will be examined by councillors next week. North Yorkshire County Council's scrutiny of health committee will look at the arrangements for evening and weekend doctors' cover on Wednesday. The inspection
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Vigilance urged over cold-callers
TRADING Standards chiefs are urging people to be vigilant of cold-callers. The warning comes after a number of incidents in Hartlepool and the Tees Valley. On one occasion, a man claiming to be from Age Concern called at the home of an elderly woman in
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Southgate facing his biggest Boro challenge
DURING Gareth Southgate's time at Middlesbrough he has experienced the lows of battling against relegation and the highs of leading the club into its first European adventure after Carling Cup success. But, as his fourth anniversary at the Riverside approaches
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Out in full force for day-long crime blitz
CRIME in all its forms is being targeted today in a special show of force by police. The North Yorkshire force is holding its first district-wide No Crime Day across the Hambleton area. The intensive operation will feature a range of measures from crime
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Exhibition to put spotlight on artist
AN exhibition of paintings of North-East landscapes goes on show at one of the region's museums this summer. The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, is to stage Sense and Sensibility, an exhibition of work by John Sell Cotman. The exhibition
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African adventure for county pupils
THE sights, sounds and tastes of Africa have come to a County Durham school this week. Heighington Primary School held an African arts week, where pupils in the school learned about different aspects of African culture. The school were visited by three
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Tribute to petal power
A TOWN will be blowing its floral trumpet next week to mark the first day of spring. Harrogate's triumph in winning the Europe in Bloom gold floral award last year will be marked by "planting" the trophy in the town's famous floral centre, Montpellier
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Kindling charity
A CHARITY based in Northallerton has raised £157 for Comic Relief. Members of Chopsticks, which provides work for people with learning disabilities, chopped 94 bags of kindling on Friday, almost double their usual total. They were sponsored by local people
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Children help in show of dad's art
THE son and daughter of one of the country's most celebrated graphic designers put the finishing touches to an exhibition of their late father's work yesterday. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is to stage a display of the works of Abram Games, who
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Olympic star joins school celebrations
A SCHOOL specialising in autism has been presented with a 17-seater minibus. Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey Thompson handed the keys of the £30,000 minibus to Beverley School, Middlesbrough, yesterday. Sporting charity The Lord's Taverners contributed nearly
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Blazing a trail through a town's heritage treasures
A HERITAGE trail taking in the architectural treasures of a north Durham market town will be launched this weekend. The unveiling of the Chester-le-Street Heritage Trail, which is the culmination of a three-year project, highlights 39 points of interest
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No clear-out plan for play-off chasing Quakers
The transfer window closes a week today but despite employing a relatively large squad, Darlington have no plans to off-load any of their fringe players. In previous seasons Quakers have operated with a minimum number of personnel and after going into
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Caravans site plan withdrawn
A PLAN to develop a field at Galphay, near Ripon, into a site for 69 static caravans was withdrawn days before planners were due to rule on the issue. The scheme attracted opposition from Azerley Parish Council and local residents, but there were also
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Cigarettes and alcohol
SHOPKEEPERS warned that the 7p increase in duty on a packet of cigarettes would do nothing to tackle tobacco smuggling. Audrey Wales, national spokeswoman for Retailers Against Smuggling, said: "This is yet another black day for independent shopkeepers
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Winter's sting in the tail
JUST as we were beginning to think we might get away with it, winter arrived with a vengeance. Up until the 18th it was quite warm, about 2C (3 to 4F) above the mean, quite sunny and relatively dry in the east of the region. Then the mercury dropped,
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Plan gets a second chance
COUNCILLORS voted unanimously to reject five new homes planned for a sloping site at a former Ripon quarry. But because members voted against planning officers' advice, they must re-run the application at the next meeting of an area planning committee
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Council increases funding to ease service's cash crisis
A FREE advice service has been handed a financial lifeline with a £10,000 increase in funding from the city council. The council has agreed to give Durham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), in Millennium Place, Claypath, £78,965 in the coming financial year
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Family's plea after death of pensioner
THE family of a pensioner who died while crossing a notorious stretch of road have called for action to prevent further tragedies. Ronald Walker, 70, of Rostrevor Avenue, Stockton, was knocked over as he made his way home from Roseworth Community Social
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Prison governor decides to quit
DURHAM Prison governor Mike Newell, who struggled to deal with high levels of overcrowding, has taken early retirement. It is understood he was unhappy at being stripped of the resources to fulfil his dual role as governor and president of the Prison
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Coastal town sets example
A REVOLUTIONARY approach to the regeneration of town centres is to focus on a North-East coastal town. First launched in 2003, and supported by the Prince of Wales and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, the Civitas exhibition is now touring the English
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Arca amazed by Mick's magic touch
SUNDERLAND talisman Julio Arca says the club's reversal of fortunes is purely down to the management skills of Mick McCarthy. The Black Cats were in dire straits when McCarthy, who celebrated two years in charge of the Wearsiders with a 5-1 victory over
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - At Durham Assizes, on Monday morning, Mr Thomas Mills of Stockton, sail-cloth maker, was called on the petty jury. The summoning officer said he would prefer paying the fine - Mr Barron Parke said: "Let him be fined
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Budget At A Glance
ECONOMY: * Inflation expected to be 1.75% this year and 2% in 2006 and beyond. * Domestic demand forecast to grow by 3.25% to 3.5% this year and 2.5% to 3% in 2006. * Growth last year was 3.1%, as forecast. Growth this year is forecast to be 3% to 3.5%
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Academies struggle
Tony Blair's much-vaunted and part-privately funded city academies were among the worst schools in England. Middlesbrough's Unity City Academy and the town's Kings Academy fared badly in key stage three test results. Only 27 per cent of Unity pupils achieved
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Louie wins top title
A NORTH East puppy has brought a top award back to the region after competing in the world's most prestigious dog show. Louie, a Bedlington terrier, won the special puppy dog class in the Crufts 2005 championship, at Birmingham NEC, which ended on Sunday
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Jail sentence warning to thugs who prey on vulnerable
POLICE have given a warning to thugs pretending to be doorstep callers after a man was jailed for seven years. Shaun Porteous, 31, posed as a window cleaner to trick his way into the homes of elderly people on Teesside, before demanding money. During
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Tsunami ted goes back to his roots
A TEDDY bear that belonged to a little girl orphaned by a tsunami disaster nearly 100 years ago was sold at an auction in the region yesterday for £1,500. The kilt-wearing teddy was given to a seven-month-old baby girl who was found in the ruins of Reggio
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (-) The Incredibles 2 (2) Dead Man's Shoes 3 (1) Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow 4 (5) Collateral 5 (4) Saw 6 (-) Super Size Me 7 (6) Walking Tall 8 (-) Trauma 9 (-) Man On Fire 10 (-) Catwoman Published: 17/03/2005
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A delve into the 'grotesque'
GROTESQUE Oriental figures are the subject of a talk in Durham City this weekend. To mark the end of its exhibition of enigmatic Chinese prints, the city's Oriental Museum, in Elvet Hill, will host a talk called Enlightened Grotesques, by deputy curator
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Souness: We went for the kill
GRAEME SOUNESS said his team 'made a very good Olympiacos side look ordinary' at St James' Park, writes Will Scott. Two goals either side of each half means United progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup for the second successive year and take
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Cheese firm wins awards
A FAMILY company of cheese makers has won five honours at the World Cheese Awards in London. Shepherds Purse, of Thirsk, was up against 1,600 entries from around the world, including South Africa, Croatia, Spain and Greece. The company took two gold awards
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Brooney settles the score
Parliamentary Correspondent Rob Merrick takes a look at Gordon Brown's cup-winning performance at the Despatch Box. IT was the day when the Wayne Rooney of British politics came off the subs' bench in an heroic bid to turn the match around as the final
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Pants left at attack scene
A SEX attacker who left his trousers at the scene of his crime was collared when he went to a police station to see if they had been handed in. After trying to rape the 16-year-old, Jordan Johnson, 21, turned up at the home where he lived with his wife
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Children help in show of dad's art
THE son and daughter of one of the country's most celebrated graphic designers put the finishing touches to an exhibition of their late father's work yesterday. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is to stage a display of the works of Abram Games, who
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Duo's chance in the spotlight
STAND-IN strikers Joseph Job and Szilard Nemeth have been urged to produce the little bit of magic that will help Middlesbrough record one of their 'greatest ever victories'. With the first-choice front pairing of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka
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Tennis centre plan blocked
A TENNIS club is considering moving to a new location after a bid to transform its ageing home into a modern sports centre was blocked by planners. The 100-year-old Shotley Bridge and Benfieldside Tennis Club has secured funding of £800,000 to create
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Father jailed after house siege
A FATHER who started a blaze and threatened to kill police during a siege at his home was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday. Robert Hawksby, 42, threw household appliances from the upstairs window and threatened to kill any police officer who
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Plane 'in wrong place'
ACCIDENT investigators say an aircraft which veered off a runway and on to a grass verge was probably lined up for take-off in the wrong place. The plane, carrying a single passenger from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Copenhagen, veered in the wrong direction
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Bus stops to get cameras
SECURITY cameras are to be installed at more than 40 bus stops in Darlington in an attempt to tackle vandalism. The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the North-East, is part a green initiative launched by Darlington Borough Council to encourage
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Sixty years' service to lifesaving at sea
AFTER a lifetime of supporting the Staithes and Runswick lifeboat, Clem James could be forgiven for putting his feet up and taking it easy - but not a bit of it. The 85-year-old, from Seaton Garth in Staithes, never misses a practice, and is always in
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Rising stars to stage concert in region
THEY have played in front of more than 8,000 fans at Old Trafford and shared a stage with the likes of New Order, Doves and Air, and now a Bury-based five-piece are performing in the North-East. Hanky Park will again be supporting electro-pop legends
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Bramble absence a thorny problem
NEWCASTLE marched to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup with arguably the best squad of players in the club's recent history last season. Unfortunately, several of them got crocked when they needed them most. Jonathan Woodgate, Craig Bellamy, Jermaine Jenas
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17/03/05
THE NHS: I CAN reassure P Cutmore (HAS, Mar 7) that co-operation is still very much to the fore between Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland hospitals. Most recently this has been extended to include the University Hospital in Durham. For example,
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WI News
South Moor : THE March meeting marked the 73rd birthday of the institiute. After the welcome had been extended to members and visitors and the minutes read and all other business completed, Rena Raper gave the reading, Do It Yourself. The institute's
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Police to review use of wardens
WARDENS in Darlington are being sent to incidents that a police chief says should be dealt with by his officers. The problem has now led to a review of 'deployment protocols' being ordered in the town. Insp Chris Reeves, who leads the town's anti-social
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A jewel role
David Jason admits he wants to leave Del Boy behind and concentrate on quality family viewing, just like his one-off drama Diamond Geezer for ITV1 on Sunday. Steve Pratt discovers the popular actor has a bee in his bonnet about the future of TV programmes
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Oh, no Mo
There could be several reasons why Silly Billy is looking so down in the dumps. Perhaps he's seen the latest ratings for EastEnders (BBC1). Then again, the new producer might have told him that, in a bid to set temperatures soaring in Albert Square, he's
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Local band wows music fans at sell-out concert
THE Advertiser's music website, Revolution, hosted a sellout gig and showcased some of the region's youngest talent. Output, a young Darlington band with an explosive sound, greeted fans at The Forum Music Centre, Darlington, to kick off the event. Output
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Shearer kidnapped - but dog lover saves the day
FOOTBALL yobs have been blamed for dog-napping a family pet and driving him 200 miles from home. Liverpool fans are thought to have snatched Shearer the spaniel from his Newcastle home two weeks ago. The gang dragged him to a minibus and dumped him on
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Business reaction
THERE was a lukewarm reaction to Gordon Brown's crowd-pleasing Budget from the region's businesses last night. A Government assault on burgeoning red tape and stifling regulations, with the added bonus of a freeze on fuel duty and other tax, was welcomed
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Brown sets his sights on 'grey vote' for election
GORDON BROWN made a blatant pitch for pensioners -the voters who are likely to decide the Government's fate at the next election. The over-65s are most likely to turn out in a General Election and the so-called "grey vote" is vital to Labour's chances
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Tributes to popular ambulance chief
COLLEAGUES turned out in force to pay their last respects to a popular ambulance chief. Retired and serving members of the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (Tenyas) attended the funeral of assistant general manager John Knaggs, at St Joseph
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Schoolgirl hit by car
A TEENAGER is recovering in hospital after being knocked down by a car outside her school. The 16-year-old, who has not been named, suffered serious head injuries after she stepped into the path of an on-coming vehicle outside Bishop Barrington School
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Stars shine in exhibition of musician's photography
PHOTOGRAPHS taken by a legendary rock star have gone on show at a stately home. Eye to Eye, the Photography of Graham Nash can be seen at Nunnington Hall, near Helmsley, until April 17. Nash was a member of one of the UK's most successful sixties bands
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Steelworks site project reaches milestone
A MILESTONE has been reached in the development of the former Consett Steelworks site . The approval of plans for 46 homes in the town signals the start of another of many growing estates in the Derwentside district. But the building work by George Wimpey
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Marathon trip by car for couple's charity bid
A RETIRED couple will start a marathon charity road trip from the North-East to central Asia this morning. Garry and Joan York will travel from Darlington to Kyrgyzstan - which borders Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan and Tajikstan - in a converted Mazda
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Schools singled out for praise after key stage three results
THE Government last night reserved special praise for two of the region's star performers in the latest round of school league tables for 14-year-olds. School Standards Minister Stephen Twigg singled out Stanley School of Technology and Dene Community
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Lisbon Diary
ONE of the many other names given to Lisbon over the years has been the City of Seven Hills and, as the flight touched down in the attractive Portuguese capital yesterday lunchtime, it is easy to see why. The landscape of one of Europe's most popular
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Police pull up ambulance on call
AN ambulance with an emergency patient on board was pulled over by the police for a faulty brake light. Noel Gleeson, who suffers from a heart condition, was in chronic pain from a spine problem and had almost reached hospital when the police car appeared
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Mr Brown's age concern
Chancellor Brown got back into bed with prudence in his ninth, and possibly his last, Budget, but he did indulge in some fiscal flirting with an older consort. Chris Lloyd reports. GORDON Brown's battlebus lurched into Election Avenue yesterday with a
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You write
Recycling delay: I totally agree with Mr Chadwick's comments about rubbish (Advertiser, week ending March 5). Over the Christmas period we also found we had a full month to wait for Premium Waste Management to clear our green boxes. We thought this was
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Bus stops to have security cameras
SECURITY cameras are to be installed at more than 40 bus stops across Darlington in a bid to tackle vandalism. The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the North-East, is part of an initiative launched by Darlington Borough Council to encourage
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Man dies as gym dream is realised
TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who spent ten years raising money for a new sports centre, only to die minutes after becoming its first customer. Peter Crispin suffered a massive heart attack while working out in the gym at the £1.7m centre at Nidderdale
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N-E hard hit by industry job losses
A QUARTER of manufacturing jobs in the region have disappeared since Labour came to power and the trend is expected to continue, a business leader warned last night. As new figures showed that more than a million manufacturing jobs across the UK have
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Taste of the region's finest
LOVERS of fine food can put away their Easter eggs and indulge instead in culinary delights from across the region at a food festival. Auckland Castle will once again provide the back drop for the Wear Valley Food Festival after last year's success when
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Euro glory beckons as United march on
NEWCASTLE played their 100th European game last night and, while a comprehensive win over Greek side Olympiacos ensured they celebrated their centenary in style, thoughts on Tyneside are already turning towards game 105. After cruising through to the
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Education director to retire early
ONE of Darlington Borough Council's most senior figures is retiring after eight years' service. Education director Geoff Pennington will take early retirement next week, following a period which has seen major changes in the local system. Mr Pennington
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Book to help protect young
A policy document has been approved for protecting children in Darlington schools. Darlington Borough Council's 2005 Child Protection Handbook was approved by the cabinet yesterday. The book details correct procedures for keeping children safe in schools
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Young engineers puzzle over a can of baked beans
PUPILS spent a day working out how to move a tin of beans. More than 130 youngsters, aged 12 and 13, at Our Lady and St Bede's School, in Stockton, were working on a engineering task. They were divided into teams and each team was given identical sets
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Helping to manage long-term illnesses
DERWENTSIDE Primary Care Trust is launching its sixth expert patients programme - aimed at helping people with long-term medical conditions. The new programme will be a morning course, from 10am to 12.30pm, and will be held in Consett Medical Centre,
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Father jailed after house siege
A FATHER who started a blaze and threatened to kill police during a siege at his home was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday. Robert Hawksby, 42, threw household appliances from the upstairs window and threatened to kill any police officer who
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Raising money
ANNA MILLS and Jackie Carruthers, both therapists at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, are to hold an auction on Saturday, April 2, at Stockton Watersports Centre off Portrack Lane, and will take part in the London Marathon to raise money
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Youths are putting lives in danger, warns fire brigade
YOUTHS are putting lives at risk by wasting water from fire hydrants. Cleveland Fire Brigade is working with the police after eight incidents in two nights in the Grangetown area of Middlesbrough. The hydrants are used by firefighters to supplement water
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College aims to raise £3.5m
SCORES of white balloons were released skywards yesterday as a huge fundraising campaign moved into its second phase. Students and staff at Henshaws College in Starbeck, Harrogate, were celebrating the dedication of two new, modern, well-equipped training
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Care home plan will come with petrol station and pub
A CARE home complex has been approved in an area where there is a growing need for beds for elderly people. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee has approved outline permission for a residential care home with more than 70 beds and
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Prize for poet who shuns life's luxuries
AN eccentric poet who has rejected much of the trappings of modern life has won Britain's most lucrative literary award. Gillian Allnutt was last night named the winner of the annual £60,000 Northern Rock Foundation Writer's Award at a ceremony at Gateshead's
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The Forgotten Hero: Mynarksi campaign earns newspaper honour
A CAMPAIGN launched in The Northern Echo has scooped a major newspaper industry award. The Forgotten Hero campaign - to raise £40,000 for a statue in memory of Second World War hero Andrew Mynarski - was awarded the Newsquest Campaign of the Year. Mynarski
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African adventure for county pupils
THE sights, sounds and tastes of Africa have come to a County Durham school this week. Heighington Primary School held an African arts week, where pupils in the school learned about different aspects of African culture. The school were visited by three
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Staff to get bonus for attendance
COUNCIL workers are to be rewarded with bonuses for good attendance records. Ferryhill Town Council's staff have shown their commitment with absence levels well below the national average. They have brought the average number of sick days taken down to
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A delve into the 'grotesque'
GROTESQUE Oriental figures are the subject of a talk in Durham City this weekend. To mark the end of its exhibition of enigmatic Chinese prints, the city's Oriental Museum, in Elvet Hill, will host a talk called Enlightened Grotesques, by deputy curator
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Virgo wins £4m contract
A MARKETING agency has won a key contract to manage the launch of a £4m business centre. The Virgo Consultancy, based in Durham City, will handle the marketing campaign for the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Virgo was one
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Breathing life into a deprived city area
A REGENERATION project breathing new life into a city's traditional heart has chosen the blueprint for a £2m park. The Sunniside Partnership, in Sunderland, has chosen Newcastle-based Robinson Landscape Design to create an area where community events
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Online advice to help with housing issues
A NEW project will make it easier for residents to seek advice from a national housing charity. Durham online initiative, which is funded by the Legal Services Commission, uses information communication technology to help people to access a range of legal
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Parents pay tribute to son who died in road crash
THE grieving parents of a 19-year-old man have paid an emotional tribute after he was killed in a two-car collision. John Ashley Pardew, of Bainbridge Avenue, Willington, was in his silver VW Bora on the B6286 between Hunwick and Sunnybrow at 12.40pm
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Pupils cast their votes in early election
ELECTION fever gripped primary schoolchildren who went to the polls this week to elect a new member of the school council. Four candidates contested the election at Kelloe Primary School, near Durham City, which has been designed to be as realistic as
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Eaga in £3m deal with gas provider
A SOCIAL enterprise company has agreed a £3m deal to help ensure the poorest people in Britain are receiving the correct benefit payments. British Gas has chosen Newcastle's Eaga Partnership as preferred bidder, subject to contract, to act as managing
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Altec's order book reaches new record
A PRECISION engineering company in County Durham is expanding to enable it to meet demand. Altec Engineering, at Bowburn, near Durham, has bought premises near its factory, with a further 2,500sq ft of land available for future expansion. The company
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DIY store will create 50 jobs
A DIY chain will create 50 jobs when it opens a new store on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland. It is hoped that the 25,000sq ft development for Homebase will be trading by the end of next year. The announcement comes after the company was given planning
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Training the craftsmen of tomorrow
A training scheme will plug a skills gap in the region's manufacturing sector. South West Durham Training Limited, in Newton Aycliffe, is recruiting staff for one of only two recognised pattern and model making apprenticeships in the North-East. Pattern
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Family of boy lost in fire speak of grief
The heartbroken family of an eight-year-old boy who died in a tragic house fire have spoken of their deep grief at the loss of their "wonderful little boy". The parents and grandparents of Liam Blakelock, who died in the fire at the family home on the
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Gran At Large: Why we all need rules and rituals
MY nephew got engaged last autumn. He didn't just come to an agreement with his girlfriend and then discuss what kind of ring they should get. Instead, he went off formally to see her father and ask for the girl's hand in marriage. Only when permission
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Former mayor and council chairman dies
MOURNERS are gathering this Friday to pay their last respects to a man who had the unique distinction of serving as both Durham's mayor and county council chairman. Former councillor James 'Jim' Mackintosh died, following a recent illness, in Dryburn
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Fairground attraction
BORED with the Beano, 12-year-old Paul Evans and a school friend produced a comic of their own and hawked it, 2p a read, among their pals. Unmoved by the movies, he persuaded teachers to screen something from the Hammer House of Horror in the school green
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Murphy bids for double celebration
FERDY MURPHY has his sights firmly fixed on a famous Cheltenham double via Joes Edge (2.00) and Your A Gassman (4.40) on day three of the Festival. Impatient backers have no time at all to wait for Joes Edge, who turns out in the opening Jewson Novices
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Tories in race to find opponent for Blair
THE Conservative Party faces a race against time to find a candidate to contest Tony Blair's seat in the next General Election. With an election expected to be held in May, the Conservative Party is searching for a new hopeful to stand in the Prime Minister's
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Robotic love
Steve Pratt talks to one of the creators of Robots, Chris Wedge, who reveals tha the project wasn't his company's first choice. But he agrees this is animations golden age. PIXAR may not be a name that many cinemagoers know but must gain more nods of
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Eaga in £3m deal with gas provider
A SOCIAL enterprise company has agreed a £3m deal to help ensure the poorest people in Britain are receiving the correct benefit payments. British Gas has chosen Newcastle's Eaga Partnership as preferred bidder, subject to contract, to act as managing
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Exhibition to put spotlight on artist
AN exhibition of paintings of North-East landscapes goes on show at one of the region's museums this summer. The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, is to stage Sense and Sensibility, an exhibition of work by John Sell Cotman. The exhibition
