Archive
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Jail campaign meeting held
A CAMPAIGN to encourage courts to send fewer women to prison is canvassing support in the region. Smart Justice is calling for effective alternatives to custody after it said only 16 per cent of women were imprisoned for serious offences. A conference
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FA Vase: McLoughlin remains confident
Jarrow Roofing manager Richie McLoughlin believes his side can overturn a 1-0 deficit and earn a place in the FA Vase final when they host Didcot on Saturday. Roofing lost to a second half goal against the Hellenic League leaders, but McLoughlin still
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Robinson convinced England are on the up
Andy Robinson is convinced England have emerged from a troubled RBS 6 Nations campaign stronger for the experience and ready to take on the best sides in the world. The England head coach reflected on the lessons learned from a frustrating campaign, in
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Police fail to use new powers for combating 'firework yobs'
NEW laws to end the misery of firework-throwing on Bonfire Night flopped in the North-East and North Yorkshire, official figures show. Not a single on-the-spot fine was handed out on November 5 by any of the Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire or Northumbria
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Hodgson plays the peacemaker
In almost 300 matches as Darlington manager David Hodgson has fallen foul of many a referee, too often sent from the dug-out having been too quick to offer his opinion on the man in black's performance. Although never at risk himself on Saturday, Hodgson
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Pot Noodles and the post feminist cook
I know I shouldn't like them and I know we've heard they're lethal, but I like Pot Noodles, especially the chilli flavour ones. In fact, I like all processed food, food that nearly doesn't look like food at all. Pot Noodles are only a recent find (or
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Househunters pay price for floral successes
A TOWN that has won several awards for its floral displays has seen house prices rise by 258 per cent in ten years. This gives Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, the third largest rise in the country among last year's Britain in Bloom gold medal winners.
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Lucky 13 for Mowden's main man Bedworth
MARK Bedworth again proved what a talisman he is for Mowden Park as they climbed out of the third relegation spot in National Three North. The centre scored 13 points on his return from injury, including a slightly fortuitous try, although Mowden were
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Concerns for man missing from home
THE mother of a man who has been missing for home for a month has spoken of the family's heartache. Brian Sturdy, who is profoundly deaf, was last seen near his home in York on Wednesday, February 16, at 6.30pm. He did not have much money on him and only
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Launch held for bishop's latest works
THE Bishop of Durham's latest theological works were unveiled at the weekend. Durham Cathedral was the fitting setting for the launch of Dr Tom Wright's new book and DVD-based course exploring Christianity. A leading theologian, the Dr Wright has published
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Hopes raised for a new dawn as shopping complex plans revealed
The first pictures of proposals to create a new £90m shopping complex in the heart of Darlington have been released. Stuart Mackintosh reports on the latest phase of the town's transformation. THESE are the eye-catching, futuristic visions that leading
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Sunday worst for Boro
MIDDLESBROUGH'S depressing Sundays became all the more alarming at the Riverside Stadium yesterday when struggling Southampton embarrassed and eased their way past Steve McClaren's men. Thousands had already voted with their feet by leaving the ground
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Lights switched on for theatre group
A THEATRE group is celebrating a cash windfall that will help them perform an original wartime play this summer. The Spennymoor Settlement's Everyman Theatre group wants to stage Put That Light Out this summer. The theatre group received a welcome boost
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Visions of a new centre for shoppers
DEVELOPERS vying to secure a deal to create a £90m shopping complex are preparing to make their final pleas to council chiefs. Four companies are in the running to build the Commercial Street complex, in Darlington, a scheme that has been touted as the
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Worker's vow over armed robbery
A DEVOTED mother told how images of her young son flashed through her mind as she was held up at knifepoint. Shop worker Sharon Miller, 29, put on a brave face and returned to work only hours after the robbery at Devines Newsagents, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough
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Teenager bitten by police dog
THE father of a teenager is planning to take legal action after his son was bitten by a police dog. Brian Walker said his son, Karl, 15, suffered puncture wounds to his right leg during the incident. The youngster was with three friends on a college playing
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Shop worker held up at knife-point
A devoted mother told how images of her little boy flashed through her mind as she was held up at knife-point. Shop worker Sharon Miller, 29, put on a brave face and returned to work just hours after the terrifying robbery at Devines Newsagents in Grangetown
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Witnesses sought after boy hurt in hit-and-run
POLICE have arrested a man in connection with a hit-and-run incident in which a 14-year-old boy suffered a fractured skull. Wayne Walker was with friends in his home town of Crook, County Durham, when he was struck by a dark-coloured car, which then drove
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Man fined £1,000 after endangering rare newts
A MAN must pay a £1,000 fine for cleaning his garden pond after he was prosecuted for disturbing the habitat of endangered amphibians. Peter Dennis of Spennymoor, County Durham, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £500 costs after a court heard that great
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Exam gain for wardens
A TEAM of community wardens has gained the highest qualifications in their field. Sedgefield Borough Council's neighbourhood wardens, the first community force in the country, have gained level two National Vocational Qualifications. Last September, the
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Ball skills make money
BISHOP Auckland FC manager Brian Honour took time off from his team's relegation battle to support a hospice. Brian Honour gave £1,008.50 to Sylvia Stoneham, from the Butterwick Hospice, in Bishop Auckland, before a home game against Bridlington Town
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Comments passed to deputy PM
VILLAGERS' objections to plans for eight new homes in Middleton St George have been forwarded to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. The parish council is worried about Darlington Borough Council's decision to grant planning permission for four detached
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Parents threatened with fines if truancy continues
EDUCATION chiefs have issued a fresh warning to parents after dozens of youngsters were caught playing truant from school in Darlington. The latest truancy sweep carried out in the town by the borough council's education welfare service found 36 children
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Build a den and get fit and healthy
YOUNGSTERS can learn how to build their own rustic "des res" while staying fit and active at workshops during the Easter school break. The Forestry Commission is staging den building sessions in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, on Wednesday, March
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Taste of France
LANGUAGE students got a taste of French culture when a theatre company visited their school. Year seven and eight pupils from Eastbourne School, in Darlington, were treated to a performance by the Courgette Volante group. The show mixed French, English
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Ex-pupils go back for careers day
FORMER pupils of a Darlington school have returned to pass on advice to teenagers now facing career choices. They came back for the annual careers morning at Polam Hall School, Darlington, to help youngsters in year nine and upwards who are considering
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Hunting for treasure of chocolate variety
EASTER began early in the attractive grounds of a soon-to-be expanded hospice. An Easter treasure hunt and spring fair was the latest fundraising event to boost the development fund at St Cuthbert's Hospice in Merryoaks, on the outskirts of Durham. The
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Firm set up to help recruit Polish workers
A COMPANY has been set up to help short-staffed firms to recruit workers from Poland. Katie Dennis, of Malton, and Polish business partner Adam Patkowski have established Anglo Polish Communications Ltd. Ms Dennis got the idea after using a contact in
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Russell's penalty save raises stakes at the top
GRIMSBY Town goalkeeper Anthony Williams failed to raise the £1 asking price when a prankster placed him on internet auction site Ebay last week. His Darlington counterpart, Sam Russell would undoubtedly fetch significantly more if he became available
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Pupils try their hands at racing for science
PRIMARY school pupils have been trying their hands at a variety of experiments as part of national science week. The Allertonshire School, in Northallerton, invited year six pupils from the surrounding primary schools to their computer laboratory to celebrate
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Ex-pupils go back for careers day
FORMER pupils of a North school have returned to pass on advice to teenagers now facing career choices. They came back for the annual careers morning at Polam Hall School, Darlington, to help youngsters in year nine and upwards who are considering their
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Launch held for bishop's latest works
THE Bishop of Durham's latest theological works were unveiled at the weekend. Durham Cathedral was the fitting setting for the launch of Dr Tom Wright's new book and DVD-based course exploring Christianity. A leading theologian, the Dr Wright has published
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Police fail to use new powers for combating 'firework yobs'
NEW laws to end the misery of firework-throwing on Bonfire Night flopped in the North-East and North Yorkshire, official figures show. Not a single on-the-spot fine was handed out on November 5 by any of the Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire or Northumbria
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Rescue helpers praised for their efforts
RESCUE heroes have been given awards in recognition of their hard work for their four-legged friends. Redcar MP Vera Baird was joined on Redcar beach, in east Cleveland, by dogs that have been helped by the Bedlington Terrier Rescue and Re-homing Team
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Unpopular parking charge is removed
TRADERS and other businesses in a town centre have welcomed plans to scrap a weekly parking charge. Shop and office workers have been paying £15 a week to park in Peterlee town centre in recent months. The unpopular charge was introduced by the town centre's
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Government to give £8.5m to make accident blackspot safer
VILLAGERS screamed with delight at a surprise announcement that £8.5m of Government money is to tackle an accident blackspot. The cash will go towards building a new interchange at the Long Newton junction of the A66 between Darlington and Stockton. The
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The St Cuthbert's Day march
CAMPAIGNERS have not given up the fight to have the Lindisfarne Gospels returned to the North-East, despite what they say is "stone walling" by the British Library. That was the message that emerged as celebrations were staged for the region's unofficial
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The Albany Northern League: Ground problems mount for Lawyers
Tow Law might have to be play all their remaining home games away from Ironworks Road after their scheduled match with Peterlee was postponed on Saturday. The match referee refused to start the game because the recently repaired goalmouth was unplayable
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Lucky 13 for Mowden's main man Bedworth
MARK Bedworth again proved what a talisman he is for Mowden Park as they climbed out of the third relegation spot in National Three North. The centre scored 13 points on his return from injury, including a slightly fortuitous try, although Mowden were
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Pipers pick up top prize at NE event
TALENTED pipers from Newton Aycliffe won a top prize at one of the largest music competitions in the region. Bill Farrell, Neil Thain and Anthony Britton won the National Power Shield at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association North-East branch open
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Bridge gateway gets a revamp
A TOWN centre landmark that embodies a community's history is being restored. Three local authorities are renovating Newton Aycliffe's "blue bridge". The footpaths and cycleway that run under the bridge have been repaired by Durham County Council and
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Group set up to investigate airport plans
LOCAL councillors are to carry out a detailed study of plans for the £56m expansion of Durham Tees Valley Airport. Middleton St George Parish Council has agreed to set up a committee to examine the scheme after dozens of residents expressed fears. The
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Tribute urged at former pit site
MOVES are being made to include a mining memorial as part of the redevelopment of derelict land that once housed a colliery and cokeworks. A series of meetings are to be staged to raise the issue prior to the start of work transforming the site of the
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Volunteers' meeting delayed
THE annual meeting of Easington Council for Voluntary Service has been put back by almost a month. Members have been notified that the meeting, which was to have taken place on Wednesday, at Shotton Hall, Peterlee, has been cancelled. It will, instead
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College students prepare to fly flag for the region
TEESSIDE students are to represent the North-East at the national college sports finals. Prior Pursglove Sixth Form College, in Guisborough, will have 16 teenagers at the British Colleges' Sport National Finals, to be held in Loughborough next month.
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Hospital job opportunities announced
JAMES Cook University Hospital has put together job opportunities for people receiving benefits. Broker North East (BNE), part of Jobcentre Plus, has teamed up with Sovereign Hospital Services, to help fill vacancies at the hospital. BNE helps people
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Furry arm of law reaches out to hospice
THOUSANDS of pounds in fundraising cash will go towards specialist lifting equipment at a children's hospice. Youngster's being cared for at Zoe's Place, in Normanby, Middlesbrough, were treated to a visit from a furry policeman and his mascot friend.
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Ski club goes global on web
A SKI club is to traverse cyberspace with the help of a college. Harwood Ski Federation director Geoffrey Lloyd has enrolled on a course at Darlington College, in Catterick, North Yorkshire, to develop a club website. The federation has 150 members, who
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Confessions of a castle owner
Sir Thomas Ingilby, whose family has occupied Ripley Castle, near Harrogate, for almost 700 years, has written a book on stately home life. He tells Sarah Foster some of the things the visitors don't get to see. BEING a castle owner, it seems, requires
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Motorsport
AFTER three successive non finishes Castleton driver Ryan Champion eventually got his 2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge campaign up and running in dramatic fashion after the Jedburgh-based Brick and Steel Border Counties Rally went down to the wire
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Neighbours From Heaven: Neighbour's a friend indeed
A WOMAN whose husband fell seriously ill had her prayers answered when a Neighbour from Heaven came to their aid while they were abroad. Joan and Edward Gallagher were stuck 3,000 miles away, in Canada, in January when Mr Gallagher was taken ill. But
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The St Cuthbert's Day march
CAMPAIGNERS have not given up the fight to have the Lindisfarne Gospels returned to the North-East, despite what they say is "stone walling" by the British Library. That was the message that emerged as celebrations were staged for the region's unofficial
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Winning return for Westwood
CHRIS Westwood made a winning return to the Hartlepool United side - and admitted a week's extra training has done him the world of good. The defender helped Pool to victory at Bradford after a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. And although
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Horse racing fan's 100th birthday
A HORSE racing enthusiast and noted poultry breeder celebrated her 100th birthday at the weekend. Katherine Hill was born at Coatham, near Redcar, east Cleveland, on March 19, 1905. After the First World War, her father, an Army major, built a house at
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Luck on our side, Clarke
YOU make your own luck, or so the maxim goes, but on Saturday Darlington needed a little bit of help from the man in the middle. Having gone a goal up through Jason St Juste's first goal for the club, David Hodgson's men had to soak up a great deal of
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Hopes raised for a new dawn as shopping complex plans revealed
The first pictures of proposals to create a new £90m shopping complex in the heart of Darlington have been released. Stuart Mackintosh reports on the latest phase of the town's transformation. THESE are the eye-catching, futuristic visions that leading
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PM pledges action to improve school meals
PRIME Minister Tony Blair yesterday pledged Government action to improve the standard of school meals following a crusade launched by chef Jamie Oliver. The poor standard of some food served to the nation's children was highlighted during the chef's Channel
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Jason's gem of a role
Diamond Geezer (ITV1); Archangel (BBC1); The Adventures Of Robert Louis Stevenson (BBC1): When a top TV name is presented as "you've never seen him before", the makers risk viewers saying - after seeing the evidence - that they never want to see him like
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Luck turns against Souness as Magpies winning run ends
GRAEME Souness has always admitted he would rather be a lucky manager than a good one. The Scot's Newcastle side has had more than its fair share of good fortune since they embarked on a record equalling eight consecutive victories last month - the wins
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Awards for top performers
A TEAM of young performers has been rewarded for sharing their skills with children with a top award. Jackass Theatre Group, in Crook, County Durham, won the regional Millennium Volunteer of the Year Award in the arts category. Through the Millennium
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Top dog Katie's a cracker at Cruft's
A BOSTON terrier's unexpected success at the country's top dog show thrilled her stunned North-East owner. Trish Donnelly was delighted when her six-month-old Boston bitch, Katie, qualified for Cruft's by winning her first dog show class last May. Ten
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500 jobs created and 850 safe under plan
HUNDREDS of jobs are set to be created and 850 safeguarded under a multi-million pound investment programme announced today. Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward said it planned to invest £9.65m in advanced engineering to help companies and researchers
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Coal coast clean-up features in London exhibition
THE clean-up of once coal-blackened North-East beaches will be highlighted in an exhibition revealing some of Britain's hidden coastal gems. Before and after pictures of a stretch of shoreline at Horden, County Durham, feature in the long-running display
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LibDems join growing row over police force's funding
LIBERAL-DEMOCRAT president Simon Hughes has waded into the growing row over frontline police manpower in part of the North-East. The Bermondsey MP was in Durham, one of the main targets for the LibDems in the forthcoming General Election, to join candidate
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Enough grit to conquer the world
This week, Alan Hinks sets off on an expedition in which he could achieve what no Briton has done before: climb all 14 of the world's five-mile high mountains. He tells Nick Morrison why his 18-year trek is more about grit than obsession. IN between expeditions
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Find out about a career change
TRAINING and business agencies are hosting an open day for learners, employers and job seekers. Various organisations operating in Ferryhill, Chilton and West Cornforth, all under the umbrella of the Sedgefield Learning Borough Initiative, will give details
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Lifeblood Appeal a complete success
ONE year after The Northern Echo urged people to give blood to stop our hospitals running dry officials say the battle has been won. Exactly a year ago tomorrow, we highlighted fears that vital blood supplies for the region's hospitals could be put at
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Pensions rethink eases strike fears
STRIKE action that could cripple public services across the region may be called off today following a late Government peace offering to unions. Leaders of more than 1.5 million council workers and civil servants are meeting to decide whether to cancel
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No headpine
FOX HUNTING I UNDERSTAND why Simon Robinson (HAS, Mar 3) enjoys riding out over the countryside. My wife and myself love the countryside too, and walked in the lakes and dales for many years until the years took their toll. What I cannot understand is
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Pensions rethink eases strike fears
STRIKE action that could cripple public services across the region may be called off today following a late Government peace offering to unions. Leaders of more than 1.5 million council workers and civil servants are meeting to decide whether to cancel
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Show me the way to Emmerillo
CHART-TOPPER Tony Christie is heading for Emmerdale rather than the Texas town of Amarillo. The Seventies crooner is to appear as himself in an episode of the television soap this summer. He follows stars including cricketer Ian Botham, rugby's Martin
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UniBond League: Clark limits his praise
Spennymoor boss Graeme Clark reckoned that physio Mark Givens was his side's best player when they lost 2-0 at home to Frickley on Saturday. Givens was forced to come on to the field as a first half sub for the injured Steve Hutt, and played for an hour
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'Desperate' Kluivert wants long-term deal
AN emotional Patrick Kluivert has revealed he is 'desperate' to extend his stay on Tyneside beyond the summer. The 28-year-old striker was believed to have signed a three-year contract when he joined Newcastle on a free transfer from Barcelona in August
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Town will have a lot to offer
THE modern images of Darlingtion's planned new shopping development, published in The Northern Echo today, give an exciting glimpse into the town's future. For a long time, there was a sense that Darlington was getting left behind by the ambitions of
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Unlikely victory has Quakers eyeing automatic promotion
Successful teams are often blessed with a little bit of good fortune that assists them in their pursuit of glory. On Saturday Darlington fulfilled the criteria of a fortunate team and then some by picking up the most unlikeliest of victories. With that
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Witnesses sought after boy hurt in hit-and-run
POLICE have arrested a man in connection with a hit-and-run incident in which a 14-year-old boy suffered a fractured skull. Wayne Walker was with friends in his home town of Crook, County Durham, when he was struck by a dark-coloured car, which then drove
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Tribute urged at former pit site
MOVES are being made to include a mining memorial as part of the redevelopment of derelict land that once housed a colliery and cokeworks. A series of meetings are to be staged to raise the issue prior to the start of work transforming the site of the
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Union reveals £28.2m in 'lost' council tax
LOCAL authorities in the region are failing to collect millions of pounds in council tax, according to union figures. The GMB said the total amount not collected by the 23 councils in the North-East in the past financial year was £28.2m. In the Yorkshire
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PM pledges action to improve school meals
PRIME Minister Tony Blair yesterday pledged Government action to improve the standard of school meals following a crusade launched by chef Jamie Oliver. The poor standard of some food served to the nation's children was highlighted during the chef's Channel
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Protestors target North research laboratory
ABOUT 100 animal rights protestors took to the streets on Saturday to campaign against an extension to a research laboratory. They met at the cenotaph in the centre of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, at noon, before marching to the premises of Covance, in
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No Sunday best from dire Boro
MIDDLESBROUGH'S depressing Sundays became all the more alarming at the Riverside Stadium yesterday when struggling Southampton embarrassed and eased their way past Steve McClaren's men. Thousands had already voted with their feet by leaving the ground
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Visions of a new centre for shoppers
DEVELOPERS vying to secure a deal to create a £90m shopping complex are preparing to make their final pleas to council chiefs. Four companies are in the running to build the Commercial Street complex, in Darlington, a scheme that has been touted as the
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The St Cuthbert's Day march
CAMPAIGNERS have not given up the fight to have the Lindisfarne Gospels returned to the North-East, despite what they say is "stone walling" by the British Library. That was the message that emerged as celebrations were staged for the region's unofficial
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Date
Show me the way to Emmerillo
CHART-TOPPER Tony Christie is heading for Emmerdale rather than the Texas town of Amarillo. The Seventies crooner is to appear as himself in an episode of the television soap this summer. He follows stars including cricketer Ian Botham, rugby's Martin
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McCartney aims to rub shoulders with best
GEORGE McCartney will line up against some of English football's biggest names on Saturday and, after helping guide Sunderland to the top of the Championship table, the full-back is confident of meeting up with most of them again next season. McCartney
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Unlikely victory has Quakers eyeing automatic promotion
Successful teams are often blessed with a little bit of good fortune that assists them in their pursuit of glory. On Saturday Darlington fulfilled the criteria of a fortunate team and then some by picking up the most unlikeliest of victories. With that
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Dec wants to return home and find love
GEORDIE heart-throb Declan Donnelly has revealed that he is desperate to return to Newcastle and meet a local girl. The co-host of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was reported as saying: "I am still single, but I would love to go back to the North-East
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Pupils show off their talents to a more mellow audience
A PRIMARY school has held an X-Factor style talent show - but thankfully there was no Simon Cowell in sight. Hurworth Primary School, near Darlington, staged The H Factor in the school hall, with parents and pupils voting for the best performances. The
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Running for fun and for charity
FORGET The Cheltenham Festival - Sedgefield Racecourse hosted its own racing extravaganza last week with 800 runners in the field all raising money for charity. It wasn't horses that completed three laps of the track on Friday, but students from Sedgefield
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Taking care of teeth for the borough
A TEAM of health workers in Sedgefield has added a new expert to its ranks. In a bid to improve the borough's oral health, Sedgefield Primary Care Trust has employed dental nurse Debbie Ramshaw. As health improvement facilitator for oral health, she will
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Cash boost for class of interpreters
INTERPRETERS in Darlington have been given a £6,000 grant to continue their language classes. The ten-week interpreting course, run by Darlington and Durham County Racial Equality Council, has been financed by Abbey Trust. Darlington MP Alan Milburn presented
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Investigate your town
A SCHEME to help visually-impaired people enjoy the countryside around Darlington returns next month. The borough council's rural walks continue on Tuesday, April 12, with a walk around Barmpton and Skerne Valley. Anyone interested in taking part in the
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Find out about a career change
TRAINING and business agencies are hosting an open day for learners, employers and job seekers. Various organisations operating in Ferryhill, Chilton and West Cornforth, all under the umbrella of the Sedgefield Learning Borough Initiative, will give details
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Club reacts to downturn in membership
A WORKING men's club is being forced to downsize as membership declines. The club, in the Haughton area of Darlington, has submitted plans to the borough council to demolish part of the site and refurbish buildings. The proposed scheme would see an old
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School's £500 sports award
CHILDREN at a village school will be well equipped on the sports field when the new term starts next month. South Hetton Primary School, in east Durham, has been awarded a £500 grant from the Barclays Spaces for Sports programme. It will be used to supply
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'Eyesore' home plans are backed
PLANS to build nine two-storey houses in a village have been approved despite 80 residents signing a petition against the proposals. People living in modern bungalows that face the site in Old Malton Road, Staxton, near Scarborough, say they are out of
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Effort to rid town of fire dangers
FIREFIGHTERS are joining forces with local people and residents' groups to make a "clean sweep" of a north-west Durham community. The Firebusting Day, tomorrow, is aimed at removing potential fire hazards and arson targets from roadside verges and street
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Support for move to axe council tax
A CAMPAIGN for the abolition of the Council Tax has been backed by Redcar and Cleveland councillors. Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Redcar, is gathering petitions against the Tax in favour of a fairer alternative. The political party will
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Car parks meeting adjourned for safety
A MEETING to decide the fate of two public car parks has been moved to a larger venue. More than 150 people turned up to the meeting of Richmondshire District Council's special resources committee on Thursday night, leading it to be called off for safety
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Shake-up gives new powers to officers
POLICE community support officers (CSOs) are to get more powers to deal with troublemakers as part of a shake-up of neighbourhood policing. North Yorkshire Police Authority is meeting today to discuss the plans, which have been drawn up by Chief Constable
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Partners pledge to get tough over misuse of beauty spot
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to stop inconsiderate visitors from damaging a moors beauty spot. Cod Beck Reservoir and Scarth Wood Moor, near Osmotherley, are well-known picnic areas. But their popularity among day trippers and campers has caused problems
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Woman resigns after food van row
THE woman whose comments about a chip van resulted in a village being called the snobbiest in Britain has resigned. Kay Allinson-Cooke said in her letter of resignation from the post of chairwoman of Corbridge Business and Visitor Network that she regretted
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Graduation leads to record police numbers
A RECORD number of police officers have graduated in a ceremony at York Racecourse. A total of 65 were confirmed in the office of constable at the event last week. North Yorkshire now has 1,552 officers, more than at any time before. The officers have
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Hot pot who conquered world
POTTERING about the World Billiards Championship, an event desperately diminished, last Friday's column recalled Willie Smith, the Darlington linotype operator who twice became world champion in the 1920s. Willie's remembered elsewhere, too. He features
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Company to donate flat-pack school
A CONSTRUCTION firm will help a community devastated by the Asian tsunami by rebuilding its school. Through a charitable appeal it is running, MMP Group, in Newton Aycliffe, is working on a scheme to rebuild a 350-pupil school in the Kamala district,
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Worker's vow over armed robbery
A DEVOTED mother told how images of her young son flashed through her mind as she was held up at knifepoint. Shop worker Sharon Miller, 29, put on a brave face and returned to work only hours after the robbery at Devines Newsagents, in Grangetown, Middlesbrough
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Market future to be debated
THE future of the weekly Bedale Market will be under the spotlight at a meeting next month. Hambleton district councillors, who have been trying to address the decline of the Tuesday market, concluded in November that its future could lie in local hands
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Disabled athlete honoured
AN international disabled teenage athlete was invited to a draw a raffle held in her honour at her former nursery. Oxhill Nursery on Eden Terrace, in Stanley, asked 16-year-old Mary Suggett to be their guest of honour yesterday. She is raising funds to
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Jail campaign meeting held
A CAMPAIGN to encourage courts to send fewer women to prison is canvassing support in the region. Smart Justice is calling for effective alternatives to custody after it said only 16 per cent of women were imprisoned for serious offences. A conference
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Rebuilding of cemetery wall gets under way
WORK will start today on rebuilding a 36 metre section of wall at a Loftus cemetery. It will take six weeks to complete and cost in the region of £50,000. The 40-year-old wall, in Loy Lane, Loftus, will be re-built using existing stones and strengthened
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Choose a healthier lifestyle,
OLYMPIC gold medal winner Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson is to start a programme of fitness and activities to encourage healthier lifestyles. Redcar-based Dame Tanni will launch the Redcar and Cleveland Physical Activity Strategy on Thursday. The event takes
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Archaeological dig offers hope to town campaigners
AN archaeological dig taking place in a town's high street may provide a last-ditch chance for residents to oppose a development. The excavation is taking place on the site of a former tyre and exhaust fitting centre in Yarm High Street. Archaeologists
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Pipers pick up top prize at NE event
TALENTED pipers from Newton Aycliffe won a top prize at one of the largest music competitions in the region. Bill Farrell, Neil Thain and Anthony Britton won the National Power Shield at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association North-East branch open
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Police on alert for football clashes
POLICE chiefs revealed last night that they had been on alert for potential violent clashes involving North-East football supporters at a weekend match. A Darlington fan and two Grimsby Town followers were arrested by Humberside Police during a highly
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Culture and time for fun
A TROOP of Barnard Castle scouts have been given a taste of culture. Twenty-five members of 1st Barnard Castle Scout Group spent a weekend at the Acomb youth hostel in Hexham, Northumberland. The trip combined fun with cultural experiences. The scouts
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Wearside League: RA defeat softened by Stokesley's slip
There were shocks for both Darlington RA and Stokesley SC on Saturday but Coxhoe Athletic made no mistake and gleefully closed in on the pair. RA, who had lost only once in 26 games, were favourites to chalk up their 22nd win of the season but Boldon
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Fears of the drop are greatly eased
ON A wonderful day for Darlington and Teesside clubs, relegation worries were greatly eased. Darlington's third successive win almost certainly means they need only one more victory from their remaining four games to secure a third season in National
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21/03/05
FOX HUNTING: I UNDERSTAND why Simon Robinson (HAS, Mar 3) enjoys riding out over the countryside. My wife and myself love the countryside too, and walked in the lakes and dales for many years until the years took their toll. What I cannot understand is
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Cooper in play-off pledge as Pool get back on track
NEALE Cooper has made two promises if Hartlepool United make the play-offs this season. First, on the back of Martin Allen's dips into the River Tees, the Pool boss told a recent fans' forum he would jump into the town's Marina if they reach the Millennium
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Harrier success for Sunderland
SUNDERLAND Harriers launched their centenary year celebrations by retaining the DP Furniture Express North-East Harrier League senior men's title after a nail-biting last-ditch tussle with arch-rivals Morpeth. The Wearsiders went into the fourth and final
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Back Henderson for a Cunning victory at Hereford
NICKY HENDERSON'S stable came right back to form during last week's Cheltenham Festival, a trend all set to continue at Hereford courtesy of Cunning Pursuit. (Hereford, 3.10). Having made a winning debut over jumps at Wincanton in December, punters took
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We must stick it out together, McClaren tells angry fans
FRUSTRATED manager Steve McClaren has urged the club's supporters to remain patient in an attempt to help Middlesbrough emerge from a disastrous run of form that is threatening to ruin their season. Boro have taken just seven points from a possible 30
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'Hunting ban will be hard to enforce'
A SENIOR North-East policeman has warned that the ban on hunting will be difficult to enforce. The outgoing chief constable of Northumbria Police, Crispian Strachan, admits to having adopted a softly-softly approach to dealing with the banned sport. In
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Anniversary and promotion would be the perfect marriage for boss
NO MATTER what happens in the final seven games of the season, Mick McCarthy is already guaranteed to be receiving some silverware in two months' time. The Black Cats boss celebrates 25 years of marriage on May 24 - some two weeks after his Sunderland
