Archive
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City hosts hockey spectacular
LARGE crowds enjoyed a feast of international hockey in the North-East at the weekend. The European Girls International Hockey Championships was held at the University of Durham's Graham Sports Centre, in Durham City. Eight sides from England, Germany
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Job Search - Vacancies
Bar Staff, meets NMW, 15-35hpw. Experience preferred but training can be given. Ref: DAE 41126. Second Chef/Head Chef, comp rates of pay, 40hpw. At least 4 years experience required. Ref: DAE 41122. Payroll Clerk, £6.50ph, 37hpw. Must have previous experience
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Hodgson pleased with improved performance
Darlington may have twice thrown away the lead to only draw at Bristol Rovers yesterday but manager David Hodgson refused to complain, pointing out the performance was a huge improvement on Saturday's defeat. Quakers, who, including substitutes, showed
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A proper place for schooling
What are the treats reserved for the Easter weekend? I am grateful that New Labour has not managed quite to abolish all bloodsports and so we can still sit back and enjoy the annual baiting of a government minister by the National Union of Teachers at
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Another expansion at hotel
An artist's drawings of a £1m redevelopment of a Darlington hotel have been unveiled. A function suite, which will be added to the west wing of the New Grange Hotel, is expected to be completed in May. It is the third time the hotel has been extended
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Easter bank holiday washout
HOLIDAYMAKERS had to contend with miserable Easter weather as they tried to make the most of the long bank holiday weekend. Mist, rain and a biting wind hit the region on the weekend which is traditionally one of the busiest of the year for the region's
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Herriot's desk recreated in pottery
A NEW limited edition teapot has been produced in the style of James Herriot's famous desk. The exclusive design, which has been created by The Teapottery in Leyburn, features the wooden desk complete with a calendar marking the date of Alf and Joan Wight's
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Struggling railway has great potential
A floundering railway has the potential to become one of the best heritage lines in the country according to rail experts. Weardale Railway has all the right ingredients to be among the top ten railway attractions in the country according to Robin Jones
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Alert youngster hailed for helping find missing girl
A TEN-YEAR-old boy whose ambition is to be a policeman had his first taste of detective work when he alerted officers to the whereabouts of a missing three-year-old girl. Police were called to Blackton Close, in Newton Aycliffe, near Darlington, at 7am
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Police pledge in aftermath of tragedy
POLICE investigating the deaths of two boys on a railway line have pledged to take tough action against anyone caught selling alcohol to children. One line of inquiry into the deaths of Stuart Adams, 15, and Lee Mullis, 14, is that they had been drinking
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Awards for job equality
AN AWARDS ceremony for North-East employers will take place this summer at the launch of the 2005 Equality Awards. The ceremony, staged by Equality NE Ltd, will recognise organisations who show strong equality and diversity and who have improved recruitment
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Council faces capping
HAMBLETON District Council is among nine authorities in England in line for capping after failing to abide by strict guidelines to keep increases below 5.5 per cent. The council must cut its council tax bills or be capped so it can 'learn a lesson', Local
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victorian pumping station throws open its doors to visitors
A TOURIST attraction offered visitors the chance to step back in time over the weekend. The wonders of Victorian engineering were on display when the Tees Cottage Pumping Station opened its doors to the public on Easter Sunday and Monday. The station,
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29/03/05
RICHMONDSHIRE: OVER the years, a study of events at Richmondshire District Council has revealed a certain pattern. We were under the impression that the Westfields land had to be sold off to fund a new sports development across the district. But this
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Council rated for its safety measures
WEAR Valley District council's community safety service has been rated good and awarded two out of three stars by a Government watchdog. The Independent Audit Commission assessed the service and gave it a high score because of the positive effect it has
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Police warn of vigilance after arsonists strike
POLICE have called on residents to be vigilant after a number of arson attacks in Bishop Auckland over the Easter weekend. Over four days, five cars have been found burnt out around the town. Inspector Martin Peace, from Bishop Auckland police, said:
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Photographer realises her dream
A FORMER information technology (IT) manager who always had a passion for photography has realised her dream by opening her first shop. Vanessa Gray, who has unveiled her Photos by Vanessa studio in Park Road, Consett, said: "I like to inject some fun
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Scheme creates better cyclists
A SCHEME to improve children's cycling skills could be extended. More than 60 pupils have taken part in the Darlington scheme since it was launched in September last year. The year seven students at Hummersknott School and Language College have been taking
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Late slip leaves more questions than answers
TWO points lost or a point gained? Manager staying or moving on? Easter Monday at Blackpool left more questions than answers for Hartlepool United. Playing against ten men for an hour, Pool went in front but were unable to hang on as they conceded an
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Club shut in smoke incident
POLICE are seeking witnesses after hundreds of revellers were evacuated from a club when a smoke canister was let off. A police spokesman said more than 200 people enjoying a Good Friday night had to flee the Horden Big Club, in Eden Street Club, Horden
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Another expansion at hotel
An artist's drawings of a £1m redevelopment of a Darlington hotel have been unveiled. A function suite, which will be added to the west wing of the New Grange Hotel, is expected to be completed in May. It is the third time the hotel has been extended
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Awards for job equality
AN AWARDS ceremony for North-East employers will take place this summer at the launch of the 2005 Equality Awards. The ceremony, staged by Equality NE Ltd, will recognise organisations who show strong equality and diversity and who have improved recruitment
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College aid for disabled hailed
A UNIVERSITY has been rec-ognised for its commitment to people with disabilities. The Positive About Disabled People award, presented to the University of Sunderland, highlights employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment
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Soaring house prices compound homelessness
HIGH house prices in part of North Yorkshire have led to an increase in homelessness among young people, according to a council report. The average price of a terraced house in Harrogate is £174,584 - one of the highest figures in the country. In a report
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Abuse of health workers a worry
HEALTH bosses have express-ed concern about patient attacks following a staff survey. Sixteen per cent of staff working for Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) have experienced physical abuse from patients in the past year, according
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Geordie Aid cash for Asian wave victims
FUNDRAISERS from all over the North-East have been raising money to help victims of the Asian tsunami. People, schools and businesses are organising events to raise money for Geordie Aid, which is working to help people devastated by the disaster. Youngsters
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Speed limit is to be reduced
RESIDENTS who have been demanding lower speed restrictions through a north Durham village could enjoy a slower lifestyle following new Government speed limit advice. Picktree, between Washington and Chester-le-Street, has a 40mph speed limit which fits
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Riverside landmark
A £200,000 landmark has been reached in the regeneration of the River Tees, at Barnard Castle. A commemorative stone in a new river wall was laid by Stephen Hughes, MEP for the North, to mark the completion of the project. Building the river wall was
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Music traveller employed to raise morale dies aged 92
A WOMAN employed to make music to raise people's spirits throughout the region during the Second World War has died. Frances Helen Anderson, 92, was born in Sussex in 1912 and read music and history at Last Margaret Hall, in Oxford, before studying at
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Happy memory of luck-bringer
FOR Catherine and Alistair Andrew, the appearance of a mysterious black cat as photographs were taken following their wedding last year, was an unexpected good luck charm. However, what the bride and groom failed to realise was that this was no ordinary
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Bus birthday
A tourist bus service is marking its fifth birthday with a trip to a biscuit factory, in Shieldfield, Newcastle. The open-top Newcastle/ Gateshead City Sightseeing Service has attracted more than 60,000 customers since it came into service in 2000.
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Hospitals host swaps
DOCTORS at one of the region's hospitals are running an exchange programme with a remote African medical centre. North Tyneside Hospital doctors are training medics at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, in Tanzania, in keyhole surgery techniques. The
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Spectacular display for charity
YOUNGSTERS from across the region will dance the night away in a charity spectacular next month. Performers from the Tiffany School of Dance, Darlington, and Teesside High School for Girls, in Eaglescliffe, are joining forces to put on the show at Darlington
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Crackdown threatens club's plans
PLANS for a million-pound nightclub have been thrown into doubt by tough measures to control anti-social behaviour. Bosses at Nexus, in York, have admitted that proposals to create the biggest club in the city later this year could now be at risk. There
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Pensioners robbed
TWO purses were snatched from the handbags of elderly shoppers in Bishop Auckland town centre. The women, aged between 60 and 70, had their purses stolen when they were out shopping in Newgate Street, on Saturday morning. Police are now warning people
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Youngsters' Smart moves are rewarded
NOMINATIONS for a set of awards that are judged by and awarded to young people will be launched this week. The Smart Awards - the Stockton Mayor's Achievement Recognition Trophy Awards - are run every year for young people aged up to 19 in Stockton borough
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Troubled band makes a comeback at charity gig
A TOWN band which was forced to cancel all performances is back on the music circuit with new members and concert dates. Next month, Spennymoor Town Band will be hosting a concert for the town Mayor's charity. It will be the band's first concert for four
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Ballet students to stage charity show
YOUNGSTERS from across the region are rehearsing for a charity show next month. Performers from the Tiffany School of Dance, Darlington, and Teesside High School for Girls, will be taking part in a show called the Tiffany Dance Spectacular, at Darlington
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Action plan to clean up town centre
AN action plan to clean up a district's streets has been put together by a council. Councillors and officers at Richmondshire District Council have come up with the street cleaning plan, which will be implemented over the next eight months if it is given
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Moors not the merrier after derby defeat
A dank bank holiday, 11am kick-off, Bishop Auckland v Spennymoor United. Both clubs, says Bishops' chairman Terry Jackson in his programme notes, are going through a difficult period. "Let's just hope," he adds, "that both of us come out the other side
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Woods become dog owners' best friend
THE Forestry Commission has joined forces with the Kennel Club to make its woods more dog-friendly. An agreement has been signed to provide better facilities for dogs and their owners in the commission's 55,000 acres of woodland in North Yorkshire. Similar
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Neighbours From Heaven: Disabled man's quest to help others
A DISABLED man who has dedicated his time to help both young and old in his community has been nominated as a Northern Echo Neighbour from Heaven. Tommy Liddle, 49, of Selby Gardens, Consett, County Durham, has nominated his friend John Hinds, 39, of
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Sharon Griffiths meets... Tourist Centre Staff
Staff at Leyburn Tourist Information Centre work tirelessly to promote the area - and also practise what they preach. LAST week was the calm before the storm. Staff at Leyburn Tourist Information Centre had sent out 5,000 brochures promoting the attractions
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Air appeal takes off
AN ambulance service's appeal for backing from businesses has attracted its first company. Solicitors Atha and Co, of Middlesbrough, has signed up to the Great North Air Ambulance to make monthly donations. In return, its name will be on the nose-cone
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On TV
Colditz (ITV1) Mr Harvey Lights A Candle (BBC1) THE ITV1 drama Colditz tore a leaf out of Hollywood's book and took liberties with history. The real life stories of plucky escapees from the high security Second World War castle prison were interwoven
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The Buddhist who went to war
A year after live footage of air strikes on Iraq stunned the world and as the prisoner abuse scandal was ripping a deeper division between east and west, a Buddhist sat in his North-East home wrestling with his conscience. Olivia Richwald reports. Saddam
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Jaws had struck before
THE giant man-eating shark that almost killed a British holidaymaker has attacked another group of terrified tourists. The 18ft Great White tried to tear Mark Currie apart as he cowered in a cage beneath the ocean. Dramatic pictures showed the monster
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Talks on £25m plan to replace school
EDUCATION chiefs have stepped up pressure on the Government to find ways around cash obstacles preventing a £25m replacement for a top-performing school. Education Minister Stephen Twigg met a delegation from Durham Johnston School and Durham County Council
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Park group raises concerns over town centre redevelopment plan
A COMMUNITY group has voiced its opposition to redevelopment plans for a North-East town centre. The Friends of North Lodge Park group, in Darlington, has sent letters of opposition to council officials, detailing their concerns about proposals for the
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Geordie Aid cash for Asian wave victims
FUNDRAISERS from all over the North-East have been raising money to help victims of the Asian tsunami. People, schools and businesses are organising events to raise money for Geordie Aid, which is working to help people devastated by the disaster. Youngsters
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Park play area targeted
A PLAY area has been vandalised even before it has officially opened. The enclosed children's area, in Darlington's South Park, has been found littered with lager tins, bottles and condoms. Play equipment has also been covered in grafitti, and safety
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Hanging loose at the Stoop
It's time wall-to-wall local radio and rowdy children were made crimes against pub-goers, bemoans the column, SINCE we are to be considering a pub best known for a hanged man, here are some of the things - suspended sentences - for which this column would
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Fighter planes return from Middle East
A GROUP of jet fighters has returned to its North Yorkshire base after taking part in a major international exercise in the Middle East. A detachment of Tornado F3s from XI(F) Squadron at RAF Leeming took part in Exercise Magic Carpet at Thumrait air
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Day Flight win hints at more to come
Last year's French Derby fourth Day Flight resumed winning ways with a workmanlike performance at Kempton yesterday, suggesting there might well be more to come. With Frankie Dettori rushing Blythe Knight through to take the lead after a couple of furlongs
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Terry sights on England captaincy
IF the next two months go to plan, John Terry could end the season with some of the most prized possessions in the game. The Chelsea skipper already has a Carling Cup winner's medal and, with the Premiership title all but sewn up, few would bet against
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Menace sparks double
REDCAR'S abandonment due to a waterlogged course bolstered numbers significantly at Sedgefield yesterday as many race-goers made the late switch to form a huge Bank Holiday crowd at the track. It was touch and go in the morning, but having survived a
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Eating Owt: Hanging loose at the Stoop
It's time wall-to-wall local radio and rowdy children were made crimes against pub-goers, bemoans the column, SINCE we are to be considering a pub best known for a hanged man, here are some of the things - suspended sentences - for which this column would
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Speed limit is to be reduced
RESIDENTS who have been demanding lower speed restrictions through a north Durham village could enjoy a slower lifestyle following new Government speed limit advice. Picktree, between Washington and Chester-le-Street, has a 40mph speed limit which fits
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Services for disabled under review
A MAJOR review of services for disabled people is under way in North Yorkshire. A team of councillors, officers and voluntary workers are looking at ways the county council can improve how it supports people with both physical and sensory disabilities
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Comment from The Northern Echo: By sudden flight...be gone
IT is true to say that during the Blair years, too many discredited politicians have been allowed to hang on when it was clear they had to go - Peter Mandelson, Stephen Byers and David Blunkett being just three examples of men the Prime Minister tried
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Rebecca lands beauty of a medal
A TRAINEE beauty therapist has notched up a kung fu victory. Rebecca Carey, 17, who works at the Visage salon, in Langley Park, County Durham, has just returned from the World Kickboxing Association's World Championships, in Cyprus, with a bronze medal
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Hunt for schoolgirl and man on the run
POLICE were last night hunting for a man who has gone on the run with his 14-year-old cousin after they started a relationship. Detectives are treating the disappearance of schoolgirl Margaret O'Brien as abduction. It is thought the pair were heading
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Ex-soldier explodes myths about war
A FORMER soldier turned author and broadcaster is setting his sights on exploding the myths of the First World War. Major Gordon Corrigan, who appears at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery at 2pm on Saturday, was an officer with the
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Air appeal takes off
AN ambulance service's appeal for backing from businesses has attracted its first company. Solicitors Atha and Co, of Middlesbrough, has signed up to the Great North Air Ambulance to make monthly donations. In return, its name will be on the nose-cone
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Police target rogue bikers
AN intensive crackdown on rogue motorcyclists in North Yorkshire is to be stepped up a gear. Tough measures by police and road safety officers have already resulted in a dramatic drop in motorbike casualties. Last year, rider and pillion passenger deaths
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Missing schoolgirl has tried to marry
A 14-year-old runaway has tried to marry her 23-year-old first cousin. Margaret O'Brien ran away with James Patrick O'Brien on Good Friday. It is believed the couple, both from the travelling community in Thornaby, Teesside, approached a priest to marry
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Improvise to help Dettori's defence of title
FRANKIE DETTORI continues the defence of his champion jockey's title at Pontefract this afternoon with every hope of partnering a winner via Improvise (5.20). Clive Brittain's Newmarket raider showed bags of pace last year, twice filling second spot over
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Elderly urged to boost incomes
A CHARITY is encouraging elderly people to boost their incomes by claiming money they are entitled to. Fifty Plus Age Concern is launching its annual Your Rights campaign with a reminder of the benefits and financial help that is available. The campaign
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History talk on namesake
A METHODIST minister is to speak to a history group about his research into another minister who bears his surname. The Reverend Gilbert Braithwaite will speak to the North-East branch of the Wesley Historical Society about the Reverend John Braithwaite
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Blockbuster movies may be coming to village pub
A VILLAGE pub could be receiving a grant for one of its rooms to be turned into a cinema. The Rookhope Inn, in Rookhope, near Bishop Auckland, has followed the lead of other villages by supporting calls for a local cinema. But the pub has gone one step
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Concern for asylum seeker threatened with deportation
FEARS are growing for the future of a Teesside-based asylum seeker threatened with deportation. It is thought that iAhmed Ali Shaheen, 28, who has been living in Middlesbrough for the past eight months, is being held at the Harmondsworth Detention Centre
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Ukip plans to contest seats at election
THE UK Independence Party (Ukip) has announced that it will be fielding candidates in two Teesside towns at the forthcoming General Election. The right-wing party said it would be contesting seats in Hartlepool and Stockton South. The party is also fielding
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Health care staff receive their own Oscars
HEALTH staff in Darlington have been rewarded for their efforts. Darlington Primary Care Trust launched the Outstanding Service Contribution and Recognition (Oscar) awards to mark the hard work and dedication of their staff. The awards were presented
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Farm scheme hit by bats find
THE discovery of bats living in historic farm buildings could hold up plans to demolish and rebuild a farmhouse. Sir Josslyn Gore-Booth has applied to Richmondshire District Council for permission to carry out the work at Home Farm, in Hartforth village
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Shoppers take a spin around
YOUNG shoppers gathered for the chance to win chocolate eggs at Durham's Millburngate Shopping centre at the weekend. Hundreds of eggs were up for grabs as centre staff - along with a colourful character from The Enchantment Factory - hosted the Wheel
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Fights bring a stop to teen club
ORGANISERS of a popular teenagers' disco which was marred by bad behaviour last week have threatened to cancel future events. The party night, held at Atomic bar, in Darlington, last Wednesday, was attended by about 350 children, but ended at 10pm with
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N-E tops table for young on benefits
TWO areas in the North-East are among the worst in the country for their proportion of young people who rely on benefits. A Government study showed that more than one in five 16 to 24-year-olds in Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland relied on benefits
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Unveiling details for music festival
THE first details have emerged of the annual Middlesbrough Music Live festival. The festival, which is now into its fifth year, has previously seen appearances from bands including The Darkness and Keane. This year's event will take place on Sunday, June
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It's war... but not as history knows it
Colditz (ITV1); Mr Harvey Lights A Candle (BBC1): THE ITV1 drama Colditz tore a leaf out of Hollywood's book and took liberties with history. The real life stories of plucky escapees from the high security Second World War castle prison were interwoven
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Speed limit is to be reduced
RESIDENTS who have been demanding lower speed restrictions through a north Durham village could enjoy a slower lifestyle following new Government speed limit advice. Picktree, between Washington and Chester-le-Street, has a 40mph speed limit which fits
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Bid to resolve issues holding back building £25m school
EDUCATION chiefs have stepped up pressure on the Government to help find ways around cash obstacles preventing a £25m replacement for one of County Durham's top performing schools. In a meeting arranged through Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg, Education
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Student may take legal action against Rooney
A student who claims to be have been attacked by Wayne Rooney has threatened to take legal action against him. Patrick Hanrahan, 22, has claimed he was punched in the head three times by Wayne Rooney in Manchester's Tiger Tiger nightclub. The accusation
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Women urged to get screened
WOMEN are being urged to keep their appointments with a mobile breast screening unit, which is touring parts of the county. The unit is going to the ambulance station in Thirsk in April to provide routine screening for women living locally. It will also
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Rare butterflies produce their first offspring of the season
THE arrival of spring has seen the first year of breeding for some rare species of butterfly at a nature reserve. Breeders at Butterfly World, at Preston Park, near Stockton, said the end of winter had seen endangered species produce their first offspring
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Sale of school site falls through
A DEAL to sell a former school site to housebuilders has collapsed. The old Coulby Newham School was due to be bought by Harrom Homes for £4.5m. However, the housebuilding firm ran into trouble getting planning permission to build houses on the site following
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Village pub bids for film project
A VILLAGE pub wants to open a mini cinema in one of its rooms. The Rookhope Inn in Rookhope, near Bishop Auckland, has followed the lead of other villages by supporting calls for a local cinema. But the pub has gone one step further by offering to show
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Job Search: Vacancies
JCB Operator, Murton. Exceeds NMW, 39hpw. Experience and full driving licence required. Ref: YOR 90211. Security Officer, Northallerton. £4.85ph, 58hpw. Full training given, must have a 10-year checkable history. Ref: NAL 1520. Mill Machine Operator,
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Bus service offer
PEOPLE with mobility problems can use a special bus to go shopping. Access Bus Service Number 8 picks up in Shotton, Wheatley Hill, Peterlee, Castle Eden, Wingate, the Trimdons and other remote villages, in County Durham. The bus can take people to the
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Title up for grabs
A COUPLE will soon be handed the title of Lord and Lady of Teesside, following a competition by a shopping centre. The Hill Street Centre, in Middlesbrough, has bought the title and offered it up as the main prize in a competition at the centre. To commemorate
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Ballet students to stage charity show
YOUNGSTERS from across the region are rehearsing for a charity show next month. Performers from the Tiffany School of Dance, Darlington, and Teesside High School for Girls, will be taking part in a show called the Tiffany Dance Spectacular, at Darlington
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Couple to fight school ruling
A COUPLE have sought legal advice after a tribunal ruled that a local education authority does not have to pay to send their disabled daughter to the school of their choice. Jayne Croft and Stefan Reay, of Hollowfield, in Chilton, County Durham, say the
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Owen eyes Shearer's goals tally and shirt
MICHAEL Owen is hoping to move above Alan Shearer in the record books at St James' Park tomorrow and, with the Newcastle legend due to retire this summer, the Real Madrid striker has refused to rule out also replacing him in a black and white shirt. Owen
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Rock classics offered
A GROUP of musicians who play electric blues and rock classics will be staging a concert in north Durham. Bluessential will be taking its brand of Chicago-style rock music to the Daisy Hill in Sacriston at 8.30pm on Friday. Bluessential plays music made
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Hunt for schoolgirl and man on the run
POLICE were last night hunting for a man who has gone on the run with his 14-year-old cousin after they started a relationship. Detectives are treating the disappearance of schoolgirl Margaret O'Brien as abduction. It is thought the pair were heading
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Job Search Vacancies
Bar Supervisor, £5ph, 16-35hpw. Previous experience essential. Ref: DUR 44050. General Assistant, £5.12ph, 16hpw. Must have six months retail clothing experience, however training will be given. Ref: DUR 44128. Sales Consultant, £6.36ph, 15-30hpw. You
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Numeracy and literacy debate
HEALTH and social care officials in the North-East have met to look at ways in which services cater for people with numeracy and literacy needs. The Skills for Life and Health workshop brought together a range of people working in health and social care
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Bishops take the derby day honours
Bishop Auckland gave themselves some hope of avoiding relegation from the Unibond League Premier Division when they beat Spennymoor 4-2 in the ground-sharing derby at the Brewery Field. Former Spennymoor player Chris I'Anson put them into the lead from
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Chefs conjure up sweet creations
CHEFS from across the region poured, blew and piped sugar into a variety of amazing creations at a masterclass hosted by a North-East college. Sponsored by baking and confectionery products supplier, Bako Northern, the sugar session at Darlington College
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Moors not the merrier after derby defeat
A dank bank holiday, 11am kick-off, Bishop Auckland v Spennymoor United. Both clubs, says Bishops' chairman Terry Jackson in his programme notes, are going through a difficult period. "Let's just hope," he adds, "that both of us come out the other side
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Happy memory of luck-bringer
FOR Catherine and Alistair Andrew, the appearance of a mysterious black cat as photographs were taken following their wedding last year, was an unexpected good luck charm. However, what the bride and groom failed to realise was that this was no ordinary
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Minister to give talk on namesake
A METHODIST minister is to speak to a history group about his research into another minister who bears his surname. The Reverend Gilbert Braithwaite, from Newton, in Powys, Wales, will speak to the Wesley Historical Society North-East branch about his
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Eggs-tra incentive to visit museum
YOUNG visitors to a museum were given the chance to search for chocolate treats over the bank holiday weekend. Children explored the Beck Isle Museum, in Pickering, on Saturday, Sunday and yesterday, during the annual Easter egg hunt. The museum, which
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Milner is hoping to prove his worth
FORGOTTEN forward James Milner is determined to use this evening's Under-21s clash with Azerbaijan as a way of forcing himself into the Newcastle first team. Great things were expected of the 19-year-old when he left his hometown club Leeds to make a
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Why coal lost out in the long haul
Harry Mead digs deep into a history of coal, more than any other mineral, the stone that changed the world. COAL: A HUMAN HISTORY by Barbara Freese (Heinemann, £12.99) BARBARA Freese acknowledges a little difficulty with her subject. Coal lacks glamour
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Utopia, and how we can get there
TOWARDS A LIBERAL UTOPIA, edited by Philip Booth (published by the Institute of Economic Affairs ISBN 0 255 36563 2 £15): 'UTOPIA" is a word made up by Sir Thomas More, the title of his book published in 1516. It has come to mean a perfect place, somewhere
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Closest friends were gifted at playing sports
THEY were inseparable - two schoolboys who shared a love of sport and a deep friendship. Stuart Adams, 15, and Lee Mullis, 14, were gifted sportsmen. Lee was an outstanding golfer, and Stuart's passion was football. Both were popular with everyone they
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Elderly urged to boost incomes
A CHARITY is encouraging elderly people to boost their incomes by claiming money they are entitled to. Fifty Plus Age Concern is launching its annual Your Rights campaign with a reminder of the benefits and financial help that is available. The campaign
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N-E tops table for young on benefits
TWO areas in the North-East are among the worst in the country for their proportion of young people who rely on benefits. A Government study showed that more than one in five 16 to 24-year-olds in Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland relied on benefits
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Woman stops mugger from taking her bag
A woman who won a tug of war with a mugger for possession of her handbag, says she does not know where she found the strength to put up a struggle. Lynn Thompson, 54, who has a weak heart and bad leg, said: "I am surprised I put up a struggle, as I think
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Eating Owt...at The Busby Stoop
SINCE we are to be considering a pub best known for a hanged man, here are some of the things - suspended sentences - for which this column would probably swing: l Parents who regard pubs as an indoor adventure playground for their unruly and objectionable
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Huntsmen's peace role
HUNTSMEN and hounds rode into a market place at the weekend in an attempt to make amends with residents following a pro-hunting stunt. Members of the Saltersgate Farmers' Hunt met in Pickering, North Yorkshire, for the first time in 60 years, to demonstrate
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National ambition an added spur for Arca
SUNDERLAND'S Argentinean star Julio Arca has more reason than most to help fire the Black Cats back into the Premiership as he bids to kickstart his international career. The former Argentinos Juniors man is keen to see the Stadium of Light full to the
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Problem dog cured of barking . . . £95,000 later
A PROBLEM dog who has cost his owners £95,000 has finally been retrained. Four-year-old Patches hated being left alone, and his constant barking while owners Beverley and Eric Greathead were out was upsetting their neighbours so much that the couple decided
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Pirates plunder a point as Quakers surrender
IF Darlington are to be in the play-off mix come May, then manager David Hodgson will no doubt recall how they achieved it the hard way. It's fair to say that nothing is assured in the wonderful - and often unpredictable - world of Darlington. Not even
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Films may be coming soon to local pub
A VILLAGE pub could be receiving a grant for one of its rooms to be turned into a cinema. The Rookhope Inn, in Rookhope, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, has followed the lead of other villages by supporting calls for a local cinema. But the pub has
