Archive
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Armstrong blow for Quakers
TINKERMAN David Hodgson will make more changes to his Darlington side this weekend after revealing only the fittest will face Lincoln City on Saturday. With two games remaining Hodgson has vowed to take a more cautious approach to his team selection as
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Student on squad
A DURHAM schoolgirl is helping England to qualify for the women's football European Championships. Stephanie Houghton, who is studying at Durham Sixth Form Centre, which doesn't have a girls team, flew out to Italy for qualifying matches after being picked
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Joy as funding to rebuild school is secured
A DEAL has been reached to rebuild a successful school after education officials agreed to underwrite the financing of the project. The £25m project to rebuild Durham Johnston School on a single site will now go ahead after Durham County Council agreed
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Dream start for Alnwick
GOALKEEPER Ben Alnwick made a dream start to his Sunderland career, but confessed he initially feared it was going to be a nightmare. As it turned out the 18-year-old stopper couldn't have asked for a better script to be written with the game against
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Point could prove precious, says McClaren
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren last night claimed that his side's goalless bore draw with Newcastle represented "one point gained rather than two points lost". The Teessiders strengthened their grip on the final UEFA Cup spot by pulling two points
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Choral society begins new season
DURHAM Choral Society will open its 2005 season in Durham Cathedral next month with performances of twentieth century music. The main feature of the concert on Saturday, May 21, will be Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man, which was commissioned by The Royal
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 Blade Trinity 2 National Treasure 3 The Exorcist 4 Without A Paddle 5 Taxi 6 Manchurian Candidate 7 Vera Drake 8 Ella Enchanted 9 Spivs 10 I Heart Huckabees Published: 28/04/2005
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The end is Nighy
Popular actor Bill Nighy speculates about his last 12 minutes on earth if the world was ending, like in The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, and US actor Sam Rockwell talks to Steve Pratt about recreating the role of two-headed Zaphod Beeblebrox. THE
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28/04/05
DANGER DRIVERS: I DO wish the media would stop labelling roads like the A66 and the Guisborough-Whitby road as dangerous. The roads are not dangerous. It is the drivers of some cars and motorcycles who are dangerous. The vast majority of accidents on
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Making a Dent
Turning the TV triumph of Douglas Adams's The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy into a movie was a daunting prospect for Martin Freeman, who admits he was haunted by the Arthur Dent of Simon Jones. Freeman, best known for The Office, also chants to Steve
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Fears over pub licence hold-ups
PUBS could find themselves without a licence to sell alcohol because of a change in regulations, officials warned last night. Councils have received so few applications for new liquor licences that it is increasingly likely that many pubs and restaurants
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Bill still values simple things of life at 100
A GREAT grandfather who celebrated his 100th birthday last Thursday, puts his health and independence down to good Welsh farming stock. Bill Allen, of Sanderson Close, Newton Aycliffe, was brought up in rural Wales and says it was his start in life that
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Shares move by Bede to help target global market
X-RAY tool specialist Bede is looking to raise £9.3m as it guns for a bigger slice of the global market. The Durham-based company yesterday announced it was placing 25,641,026 new shares at 39p each. Finance director David Hall said: "The share placings
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Pupils applaud Martha's record
Seven-year-old Martha Gibson officially has the world's loudest clap. Her record-breaking feat of clapping at 73 decibels has been confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records. Her parents, Tina and Stuart, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, had noticed there
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Comment from The Northern Echo: The politics of the playground
TWO weeks into the three week election campaign and it is reduced to this: "Liar, liar, pants on fire." "Oh no, I'm not." "Oh yes, you are." Behind you - can't you see the electorate is turning off? Politicians wonder why the public rates them lower than
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Steele appeal
Thoroughly Modern Millie is bouncing back into life as a touring musical nearly 40 years after Julie Andrews starred in the film version. Viv Hardwick talks to the UK's touring Millie, Donna Steele, about her life and unexpected love. THERE seemed little
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Grant helps dementia charity
A CHARITY has been given a grant of £10,000 to support people suffering from dementia, their families and carers. The Lloyds TSB Foundation grant will allow Alzheimer's Society Derwentside to employ an information and education worker. The successful
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Adam puts on an England shirt
TEENAGER Adam Bennett made his England soccer debut on Saturday. Adam, of Coundon near Bishop Auckland, was playing in the Football Association's first ever England Learning Disabilities Under-17 squad against a Northern Ireland team. A pupil at Warwick
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Tributes to vicar who dies aged 83
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved vicar who was devoted to the church and to his family. Father Noel Bryce Burt, of Gainford, County Durham, died aged 83, on Monday. Reverend Burt was vicar of Ingleton, near Darlington, for 12 years from 1976. He
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Election candidates vie for votes at church-led meeting
LABOUR Party election co-ordinator Alan Milburn has said leading Britain into war with Iraq was the most difficult decision he has ever taken. Labour's parliamentary candidate for Darlington made the comments to an audience of more than 150 people at
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Workers' pride as Airbus takes off
NORTH-EAST know-how has helped the world's largest passenger plane get off the ground. It was hailed as a testimony to old Europe and a history-making achievement when the double-decker "superjumbo" completed its maiden voyage yesterday. Aviation experts
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Compensation for brain damage in road accident
A YOUNG man who was aged 11 when struck down by a car on his way to school has won compensation at London's High Court. Gavin Honnor, now 22, of Hetton-le-Hole, Tyne and Wear, suffered such severe brain damage in the September 1994 accident that he has
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'Wonderful work' by friends of school
A GROUP of parents and teachers have raised over £20,000 through fund-raising projects to benefit children at a north Durham school. The Friends of St Benet's started three years ago with the aim of raising £5,000 for St Benet's School in Ouston, near
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Refuge receives quality award
THE services provided by Darlington's women's refuge Family Help have been awarded a Quality Mark. The accolade by the Legal Services Commission is in recognition of the refuge's high standard of work, including putting victims of domestic violence in
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Crowning moment for a winning dental receptionist
MOST people dread going to the dentists, but for Rebecca Kipling it's something to smile about. The 26-year-old, from Moorlands Road, Darlington, has been named Dental Receptionist of the Year 2005. Miss Kipling has worked at the town's Springs Dental
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Town welcomes council's controversial £4.5m move
COMMUNITY leaders are supporting a council's controversial plans to build a new £4.5m headquarters in their town. The mayor of Colburn said he would "welcome with open arms" Richmondshire District Council's new offices. The move away from Richmond also
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Taxi driver appeals for licence help
A TAXI driver will be appealing to Darlington Borough Council to help her keep her taxi licence next week. Elaine Finlayson, 51, of Scargill, Darlington, who has been a taxi driver in the town since 1994, wants to extend her licence until May 10 so she
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Killer jailed for three years after double jeopardy change
A KILLER whose victim died more than 18 months after he was assaulted was jailed for three years yesterday thanks to major changes in the law. Father-of-two Keith Stephenson, 21, was spared jail in October 2002 when he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily
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Arson suspected as takeaway gutted
A BUSY takeaway was gutted by fire yesterday morning, following what police fear is the latest arson attack in the area. Six fire engines and one emergency tender, containing 22 firefighters, spent more than an hour tackling the blaze at Olivitos takeaway
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Family mourns Iraq suicide bomb victim
A WIDOW has spoken of her grief after her husband was killed in Iraq by a suicide bomber. Father-of-three Alan Parkin died when his convoy was targeted on the notorious 'Road of Death' near Baghdad Airport. Mr Parkin, 44, from Consett was an ex-Para who
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Fundraiser reaches out to survivors
A BIG-HEARTED North-East man travelled to Thailand to help tsunami survivors rebuild their lives. Neil Burgess, from Middlesbrough, was on holiday in Sri Lanka when the giant wave struck on Boxing Day -and saw its devastating effects first hand. After
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Library sale of bargain books
BOOKWORMS in search of a bargain are being offered the chance to buy ex-library books. Hartlepool Central Library is selling off a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books to make space on the shelves for the latest titles. The sale is taking place
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Birmingham Royal Ballet, Gala Theatre, Durham
ISN'T it sensational when dreams become reality? Britain's premier touring dance company's second visit to Durham City's Gala certainly awakens the promise of spring buds and the first signs of summer blossom for the venue. Interestingly, this tour debuts
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Garland is the best of British
THE founder of a North-East call centre empire will be crowned Britain's best businesswoman today. Chey Garland, chief executive of Teesside-based Garlands, has won the Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year award. Mrs Garland, 48, who narrowly missed
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Brass Band Aid charity effort is launched
MEMBERS of four North-East brass bands are aiming to raise funds for families in Third World countries. Nearly 130 band members will record a "Brass Band Aid" CD next month, which will go on sale to raise money for the charity World Vision, which provides
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Businesses asked for their views
A PARISH council is asking businesses for their views as planning guidelines covering the next 16 years are drawn up. Masham Parish Council, near Ripon, was asked to complete a business needs survey for Harrogate Borough Council covering plans and developments
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Silent killer climbing plant warning
THE campaign to prevent carbon monoxide deaths took a new turn this week with a warning to keep climbing plants away from air vents and flues. And now garden centres throughout the country are to back the move with posters and on the spot advice. British
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New cemetary includes environmentally friendly burial ground
A NEW cemetery has become one of the first in the region to include a purpose built environmentally friendly burial ground. And already scores of inquiries have been received about the green facilities. The first phase of the cemetery in Seaham's Byron's
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Superman's girl
Laurie Anderson, rated as one of the world's top performance artists, makes her North-East debut at The Sage, Gateshead, on Sunday. Viv Hardwick finds out what she has in store for North-East fans... and why she's keen to visit Hadrian's Wall or Holy
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Determined 83-year-old to go on arson patrols on arson patrols
AN 83-YEAR-OLD woman is planning to patrol streets designated for demolition to keep arsonists at bay. Cleveland Police, community police support officers and neighbourhood support workers, employed by the Guinness Trust, are carrying out daily inspections
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Royal honour for Mildred
A 62-YEAR-OLD teacher, who was coaxed out of retirement to return to the classroom, has collected an MBE from Buckingham Palace. Mildred Howell officially retired from teaching in the mid-1990s, but was tempted back to help out at Hurworth School Maths
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Three winning first aiders - both young and old
A LONG-serving first aider who has trained award-winning volunteers has been honoured. Lynda Aunger, superintendent of St John Ambulance Spennymoor Unit, has been presented with a scroll for outstanding contribution to the community by Spennymoor Town
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Offices building work begins
BUILDING work has started on a new office development at a North Yorkshire business park. The first of two office blocks is being built at the Ripon Business Park in a contract worth £1.6m. Thirsk company, Severfield-Reeve Projects, is building the offices
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Dr Who fan's stories included in sci-fi book
DR Who fan Neil Perryman has another reason to celebrate following the return of his sci-fi hero to TV screens. For the Sunderland University media production lecturer's short story has been included in a new anthology of the Time Lord's adventures. Doctor
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Residents can post ideas to rural police
RESIDENTS are encouraged to make suggestions to their local beat bobby to tackle crime in rural areas. Police post boxes are being put up in Derwentside so people can post comments. The boxes display the theme of Durham Constabulary's Street Safe initiative
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Tributes to vicar who dies aged 83
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved vicar who was devoted to the church and to his family. Father Noel Bryce Burt, of Gainford, County Durham, died aged 83, on Monday. Reverend Burt was vicar of Ingleton, near Darlington, for 12 years from 1976. He
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Television star takes lead role
TELEVISION star Paul Nicholas is taking the lead role in Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to a North-East theatre. The Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn hit Broadway musical is playing at the Sunderland Empire from May 17 to 21. A tale of romance and the
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Thirsk victory points to Brace Of Doves win
REDCAR raider Brace Of Doves (3.20) looks like a three-year-old to follow after a battling victory at Thirsk 13 days ago. David Barron's gelding landed quite a nice little touch that day, winning despite the massive disadvantage of being drawn out in
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Return to stage
HIGH Shincliffe singer-songwriter Alex Whittaker returns to the stage with his band Honest Jack - formerly called Alter Ego - on Saturday, at The New Inn, Stockton Road, Durham, at 8.30pm. Admission is free.
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Youngsters who shine will win awards for their efforts
THE pride of Tees Valley's youth will be honoured tonight at a glittering awards ceremony to celebrate achievements in education and training. Thousands of students have been considered in the competition to find the top students of the year but only
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Symbol of new life in dale
A SCULPTURE symbolising re gen eration in Weardale has been dedicated by the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Tom Wright. The Bishop performed his first official duty as patron of the Weardale Society, who commissioned the work with funding from the Arts
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'Without us, the Quakers would be out of business'
THE leader of a council which was condemned for making a string of errors over Darlington Football Club's £20m stadium last night insisted that the authority had kept the Quakers in business. The Northern Echo revealed yesterday how a Local Government
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Dream start for Alnwick
GOALKEEPER Ben Alnwick made a dream start to his Sunderland career, but confessed he initially feared it was going to be a nightmare. As it turned out the 18-year-old stopper couldn't have asked for a better script to be written with the game against
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Anchor store opens
THE first phase in a retail park opens this week, bringing up to 700 much-needed jobs to Durham. A 102,000sq ft B&Q store opens in the Dragonville area of the city this Thursday, creating 200 jobs. It is the anchor development in a £46m retail park
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Bragging rights for Teessiders
MIDDLESBROUGH may not have tasted victory in last night's North-East derby but they will be safe in the knowledge they can claim the cock of the north title and the bragging rights over their neighbours until next season. Boro may not have added to their
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Quality sadly lacking in derby stalemate
LAST night's Tyne-Tees derby was supposed to sort out who are the region's top dogs. After a dour goalless draw at St James' Park, it might be safest to say that neither Newcastle nor Middlesbrough are pedigree performers. Neither side was able to force
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Police fatal crash plea
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident that led to the death of a pensioner. William Wright, 77, from South Moor in Stanley, was struck by a Land Rover Freelander as he tried to cross the A693 in New Kyo at 4.25pm last Thursday.
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A hitchhiker's guide to nostalgia
I WILL never forget the kindly middle-aged couple who, despite a car full of children and luggage, took pity on my friend and I - poverty-stricken, hitchhiking students, standing on the roadside in the pouring rain. They insisted on taking us all the
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Over booked
THE residents of Soapland are not known for curling up in bed with Charles Dickens or Jackie Collins. Reading is something for which they have little time, being too preoccupied with eating, drinking, arguing, marrying, divorcing, cheating on their partners
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Upmarket club now seeking 40 staff
A RECRUITMENT drive is underway ahead of the opening a nightclub in a north Durham market town. The £2.2m Studio, in Chester-le-Street, is the latest upmarket venture for Vimac Leisure, with the search on for over 40 full and part-time staff members to
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East side story
IT WAS exactly as Mr Kipling long since observed, that East was East and West was West and never the twain would meet. Kirkby Stephen West was on the LMS, part of the glorious Settle and Carlisle Railway; Kirkby Stephen East, bigger and grander and barely
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Jesus Christ Superstar, West End Operatic Society, Theatre Royal, Newcastle
THIS is a challenging show for both cast and audience, dealing with the last agonised days of Christ's life. It is tackled by a large ensemble from the long established operatic society and overall, is carried off to great success. The beginning of the
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Miracle girl celebrates 18th birthday
Miracle girl Kaylee Davidson - Britain's youngest heart transplant patient - celebrates her 18th birthday today. Kaylee made medical history in 1987 when, aged just five months, she underwent a life-saving heart swap. She suffered from a viral condition
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Robson's son in pre-match police drama
THE teenage son of football legend Bryan Robson was arrested on the eve of one of the most important games in his father's career, The Northern Echo can reveal. Ben Robson, 15, was picked up with three friends on suspicion of committing a burglary in
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The day a hero private outranked the general
Iraq war hero Johnson Beharry received Britain's top military honour - the Victoria Cross - yesterday and was told by the Queen: "You're very special." Private Beharry said: "She said that she doesn't get to present the VC very often." The Queen had just
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Blair under pressure as Iraq advice is leaked
CHANNEL 4 News last night broadcast details from a document it claimed was the Attorney General's secret advice to Prime Minister Tony Blair about the legality of war in Iraq. The programme said that the contents of the document, drawn up by Lord Goldsmith
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Union fears over 'positive' Orange trial
MOBILE phone group Orange said last night its call centre trials in India were "positive" - but assured staff it was committed to keeping the majority of its centres in the UK. The group, which employs 5,000 staff in Darlington, Peterlee and North Tyneside
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Killer jailed for three years after double jeopardy change
A KILLER whose victim died more than 18 months after he was assaulted was jailed for three years yesterday thanks to major changes in the law. Father-of-two Keith Stephenson, 21, was spared jail in October 2002 when he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily
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Recruits blaze a trail
RECRUITS on a fire brigade course that encourages young people to become model citizens have been honoured at a passing-out ceremony. Fifteen teenagers who completed the 12-week course, run by County Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade, carried out a drill
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Court told man laughed at woman before raping her
A MOTHER-OF-ONE sobbed as she told a court she was raped by a minibus driver after a night out. The woman, who cannot be named, told Teesside Crown Court that David Briggs attacked her in her home in the early hours of October 21. She had been drinking
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New children's centre planned
FAMILIES with young children in Weardale could be offered support through a £600,000 centre planned by the SureStart initiative. The Weardale Children's Centre, based at the Barrington School, in Stanhope, would be one of the first of 30 due to open across
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Garland is the best of British
THE founder of a North-East call centre empire will be crowned Britain's best businesswoman today. Chey Garland, chief executive of Teesside-based Garlands, has won the Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year award. Mrs Garland, 48, who narrowly missed
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Pedal power from students raises cash for Chloe
STUDENTS from north Durham have taken part in a 130-mile bike ride to raise cash for a sick youngster. A group of 11 uniformed services students from Derwentside College rode the coast-to-coast route from Workington in Cumbria to Sunderland last week.
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Speeding driver fined £500 after girl's death
A TEENAGE driver who knocked over and killed a young girl while speeding escaped with a fine of £500 last week. Christopher Mitchell, 19, who pleaded guilty to careless driving, was also disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £200
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Teaching Miss a thing or two
Head On The Block (BBC1); Classroom Chaos (five): EDUCATION, education, education. Two documentaries in one night to give those of us whose schooldays were a long time ago an idea of what life's like nowadays in the classroom. It is not a pretty picture
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An eye for the exotic
AN entrepreneur is aiming to turn his love of travel into a £1m business. Mark White set up M White International in his home town of Consett, County Durham, to import and distribute exotic furniture and goods. He came up with the idea while working for
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Camra fear over Jennings takeover bid
BEER enthusiasts last night urged shareholders in Lake District brewer Jennings to block an agreed £45.8m takeover by Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries. The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) claimed the deal could cut choice and cause the closure of Jennings
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Quality sadly lacking in derby stalemate
LAST night's Tyne-Tees derby was supposed to sort out who are the region's top dogs. After a dour goalless draw at St James' Park, it might be safest to say that neither Newcastle nor Middlesbrough are pedigree performers. Neither side was able to force
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'I can't stop looking after Ben'
No parent expects to outlive their children. But for the families of six Royal Military Policemen killed by a mob in Iraq, this was their fate. In the second of two articles, Nick Morrison talks to John Hyde about the day he buried his son. JOHN Hyde
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Novelist backs murdered Redcap's father
BEST-SELLING novelist Frederick Forsyth is the latest high-profile personality to publicly back the father of a murdered Red Cap's bid to unseat Tony Blair in Sedgefield, it was announced yesterday. The author and newspaper columnist will be visiting
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Centre for crime victims backed
PARENTS of murdered North-East youngsters have thrown their weight behind a national drive for more resources for crime victims, which could lead to the creation of a respite centre in the region. June Richardson, whose four-year-old son, Martin, was
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Wife cleared over drugs suicide of sick husband
A WOMAN who failed to call for help when her frail, reclusive husband took a fatal drugs overdose was acquitted of manslaughter yesterday. Jill Anderson, 49, was found not guilty after a jury at Leeds Crown Court heard she could have saved her husband's
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Workers' pride as Airbus takes off
NORTH-EAST know-how has helped the world's largest passenger plane get off the ground. It was hailed as a testimony to old Europe and a history-making achievement when the double-decker "superjumbo" completed its maiden voyage yesterday. Aviation experts
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Echo journalists on shortlist for Press awards
JOURNALISTS from The Northern Echo have been shortlisted for several honours at this year's North-East Press Awards. Leading the finalists in the Tom Cordner Transco North-East Press Awards is Mike Amos, who has been shortlisted for four awards -columnist
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Fish farm plans suffer setback
A COUPLE are to appeal against a planning decision that could threaten their hopes of setting up a fish farm in a remote corner of County Durham. John and Joan Linney, from Shotley Bridge, have spent several years and hundreds of thousands of pounds trying
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Anger over parking charges
A BUSINESS owner has voiced fears over the impact of parking charges in Darlington town centre. The borough council installed parking meters in 24 streets in Darlington last November. Motorists are being charged 80p an hour, to the anger of some independent
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Firefighters tackle blaze
Firefighters were called to a caravan blaze yesterday afternoon. No one was injured in the fire at Saltburn Lane, Skelton, Teesside. Crews from Saltburn and Redcar fire stations attended and put out the fire after receiving a call just before 5pm. The
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'Tourists could be persuaded to stay'
COUNCIL bosses have drawn up a strategy aimed at ensuring Darlington attracts millions of pounds worth of tourists' cash. A tourism review group was set up by the council and it found that, although tourism was booming locally, extra measures could be
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Social unrest predicted over mosque
PROTESTORS forecast social unrest after a controversial mosque was approved in Teesside yesterday. Stockton Borough Council voted in favour of work beginning on a place of worship on the corner of Westbourne Street and Bowesfield Lane, to replace the
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'Get moving' on defences
A COUNCILLOR has called for work to begin as soon as possible on a new flood defence scheme for the River Tees. Stockton Council yesterday gave the go-ahead for the £5m flood defences at Lustrum Beck. But work is not due to start on the scheme until 2007
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Curate will miss people of parish
A CURATE who looked after a town in North Yorkshire when it was without a vicar for 20 months is leaving for pastures new. The Reverend Liz Kitching has served in the parish of Northallerton with Romanby and Kirby Sigston for four years. She was put in
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It's the end of an era at the hall
AFTER spending 31 years keeping Ormesby Hall in pristine condition, its senior housekeeper is decided to hang up her apron. Brenda Baggott was the last remaining member of staff who worked for the Pennyman family before the hall was handed over to the
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Parents appeal for help with nursery school bus funding
PARENTS in isolated communities fear cuts in a transport subsidy could deny their children nursery education. Grants from the Countryside Agency and the Single Regeneration Budget have helped to provide a 16-seater minibus to take youngsters in Upper
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Sessions to prevent pensioners falling
TRAINING sessions have been developed by healthcare staff to look at ways of preventing falls in older people and dealing with such issues as vision, continence and osteoporosis. The half-day classes have been developed by staff from across Durham and
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Upmarket club now seeking 40 staff
A RECRUITMENT drive is underway ahead of the opening a nightclub in a north Durham market town. The £2.2m Studio, in Chester-le-Street, is the latest upmarket venture for Vimac Leisure, with the search on for over 40 full and part-time staff members to
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Expert advice for gardeners on composting
IT may not sound like the most tempting offer, but residents are being invited to come and discuss compost next week. Gardeners in the Stockton area can get first-hand advice by speaking to a compost expert either on Wednesday, at Stockton Market, or
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Healthy cuisine award for university staff
A CATERING team serving food to university students has been praised for providing healthy cuisine. The team at the University of Durham's Queen's Campus, Stockton, has been awarded all three levels in the Food for Health Award Scheme. The award recognised
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Frail pensioner dies
The frail pensioner who was struck dumb with fear after spending up to 24 hours cowering in an outhouse to escape intruders has died. Kathleen Roberts, 86, had only just regained enough confidence to recount her ordeal to her nephew but sadly passed away
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Fiddles on fire as festival is launched
IRISH fiddle legends Cathal Hayden and Frankie Gavin are getting ready to perform at what is billed as one of the finest line-ups of fiddle players ever to be assembled in the UK. The three-day Folkworks Fiddles on Fire Festival kicks off at The Sage
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Lights out after van collision
TRAFFIC lights failed after they were hit by a van, causing rush-hour delays last night. Queues of vehicles trailed back southwards on the A177 at Durham as far south as Shincliffe, after the lights failure at the New Inn crossroads, at the junction of
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Sessions to prevent pensioners falling
TRAINING sessions have been developed by healthcare staff to look at ways of preventing falls in older people and dealing with such issues as vision, continence and osteoporosis. The half-day classes have been developed by staff from across Durham and
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Sherry reception marks 100 years
A WOMAN from Derwentside has celebrated her 100th birthday in style. Elizabeth Keenleyside, of Greenacres Road in Shotley Bridge, had a sherry reception followed by dinner with family and friends at Blackhill Masonic Hall. Chairman of Derwentside District
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Restaurant to the rescue for 999 crew
AMBULANCE crew on stand-by duty beside a busy section of the Great North Road in North Yorkshire are never short of refreshments. For they are being provided with free tea and coffee - compliments of the nearby McDonald's restaurant. Northallerton ambulance
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Look out, weeds, we're coming to get you
A WEED-BUSTING team is hitting the streets of Middlesbrough to keep the town looking spick and span. Four quad bike-riding street cleaners will patrol their own patch and tackle problem areas to keep the town weed-free. Bob Kerr, Middlesbrough Council's
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College puts its campus up for sale
A COLLEGE campus has gone on the property market and is expected to be used for housing. Gateshead College is selling its Durham Road site so it can move to a £42m site at the Baltic Business Quarter Gateshead Quays. The move is due for completion in
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Council is 'pig-headed' over colour of taxis, say cabbies
CABBIES have accused Durham City Council of being "pig-headed'' in the row over the colour of the city's fleet of taxis. Hackney cab operators successfully challenged in magistrates' court the city council's insistence that all their vehicles should be
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Drugs seminar tackles issue
A SEMINAR to help employers tackle the problems of drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace has attracted 11 businesses. The session was organised by Hambleton Community Safety Partnership and took place in Northallerton. It was aimed at small to medium-sized
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Work begins on town's seafront to improve road safety features
WORK has begun on road improvements to a town's seafront. Traffic signals at the junction of Redcar's Esplanade with West Terrace are to be upgraded to incorporate a new toucan crossing point for the National Cycle Route, which is to be extended along
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Kay's title is a first for girls
A WOMAN who switched careers to fulfill her ambition of becoming a surveyor has been named a Student of the Year. Kay Devlin, 42, who works for Darlington Borough Council, and is a day release student at the town's College of Technology, is the first
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Camp hosts VE party
A TOURIST attraction with a wartime connection is recreating the magic of Victory in Europe Day six decades on by reviving a traditional British celebration. Harperley Prisoner of War camp, near Crook, is staging its own VE Day street party on May 8,
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LG Philips rejected £20m for city factory
ELECTRONICS firm LG Philips turned down a £20m Government grant to invest in new technology at its Durham factory, where 760 jobs are now doomed. The company announced the closure of its Belmont Industrial Estate plant earlier this year. Hilary Armstrong
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Superstore opens creating 200 jobs at new retail park
DIY chain B&Q has created 200 jobs with the opening of a superstore at a new retail park on the edge of Durham City. Durham City Retail Park at Dragonville has already attracted a host of tenants. The B&Q store will have a VIP opening today when
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Hussey blow softened by Harmison's one-day boost
THERE was mixed news for Durham yesterday, with Steve Harmison being made available for next Monday's totesport League match at home to Sussex while skipper Mike Hussey will miss more of the season than expected. Australia want Hussey to return home for
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John North: East side story
In the late 19th century 120 railway workers were employed around Kirkby Stephen. And this year will be a turning point in the plan to bring Kirkby Stephen East back to life, say the volunteers who now look after the line. IT WAS exactly as Mr Kipling
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Garland is the best of British
THE founder of a North-East call centre empire will be crowned Britain's best businesswoman today. Chey Garland, chief executive of Teesside-based Garlands, has won the Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year award. Mrs Garland, 48, who narrowly missed
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Dr Who fan's stories included in sci-fi book
DR Who fan Neil Perryman has another reason to celebrate following the return of his sci-fi hero to TV screens. For the Sunderland University media production lecturer's short story has been included in a new anthology of the Time Lord's adventures. Doctor
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Three arrests over death
DETECTIVES have arrested three people in connection with a violent confrontation that ended in the death of a 23-year-old Teesside man. Craig Stephenson died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest during the incident, involving up to 30 people
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Motorsport event 'not under threat'
GOVERNMENT officials have allayed fears that one of the world's oldest motorsport events could be at risk. Organisers of the Scott Trial, in Swaledale, said a change in Common Agricultural Policy payments could put the event at risk. Under the new Single
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Terrified widow's burglary trauma
A PENSIONER who hid like a terrified animal for 24 hours as thieves ransacked her home has been so traumatised by her ordeal that she cannot speak. Detectives said 86-year-old widow Kathleen Roberts has not spoken a word since she was found huddled in
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Terrified widow's burglary trauma
A PENSIONER who hid like a terrified animal for 24 hours as thieves ransacked her home has been so traumatised by her ordeal that she cannot speak. Detectives said 86-year-old widow Kathleen Roberts has not spoken a word since she was found huddled in
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Changes to way 999 calls handled
PATIENTS calling 999 with a cut finger or earache will no longer automatically be sent an ambulance. From the start of next month, callers in North Yorkshire with a minor ailment will be transferred to a trained advisor. Options open to the advisor include
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New ways to woo tourists
COUNCIL bosses have drawn up a strategy aimed at ensuring Darlington attracts millions of pounds worth of tourists' cash. A tourism review group was set up by the borough council to see how the industry was performing in the town - and whether further
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Farewell to a businessman who worked his way to top
A man who became one of the world's most powerful business leaders died on Monday at the age of 71. Lord Alex Trotman had been taken ill suddenly at his home in Osmotherley and died at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. He leaves
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Bragging rights for Teessiders
MIDDLESBROUGH may not have tasted victory in last night's North-East derby but they will be safe in the knowledge they can claim the cock of the north title and the bragging rights over their neighbours until next season. Boro may not have added to their
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Robson's son in pre-match police drama
THE teenage son of football legend Bryan Robson was arrested on the eve of one of the most important games in his father's career, The Northern Echo can reveal. Ben Robson, 15, was picked up with three friends on suspicion of committing a burglary in
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Couple shocked at order to remove gate
A COUPLE have been told a gate to their land will have to be removed because it was put up without planning permission - 20 years ago. Arthur and Moira Clarke, of Fox Flats, Sycamore Street, formerly Allendale Cottages, near The Dene, Medomsley, were
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Gran At Large: How we're born to boast
"I'VE seen the Eiffel Tower!" That's Jonah's boast at nursery, ever since our family trip to Paris. He's very proud of this achievement, if only because he really was hugely impressed by the famous landmark. On the other hand, don't we all have the occasional
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More misery on road
MOTORISTS are set to face further traffic chaos in Darlington town centre over the next few weeks as more work is carried out on the ring road. The borough council has been undertaking work on the road in recent weeks as part of its £6.5m 'pedestrian
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Spotlight stays on PM's character
Tony Blair last night insisted that he had not lied as the Tories continued to focus their election campaign on his character. Mr Blair accused the Conservatives of shying away from the issues to attack him personally. His comments came as Tory leader
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Dealership chain ready to spend £36m
THE owners of the Mills Garages chain of car dealerships have up to £36m available for acquisitions and are eyeing a number of deals. European Motor Holdings (EMH) is believed to be on the verge of acquiring dealerships in the North-East, although chief
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Mother may face trial over truancy case
A MOTHER has appeared in court accused of failing to ensure her teenage daughter attended school. Lesley Fountain, also known as Ann Madden, is said to have 'failed to cause' her 15-year-old daughter Melanie to attend Blackfyne Community School in Consett
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Burglars feel the pinch as unit has impact
A FOUR-MAN police unit is notching up spectacular results in helping to track down burglars. Yesterday, one of the officers described how, thanks to new co-ordinated policing, notable successes were being recorded. PC Dave Nunn, the burglary support officer
