Archive
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Estate told streets are safer
COMMUNITY leaders have urged residents on an estate to take heed of the progress made to reduce crime. Criminal activity in the Firthmoor area has declined over the past five years, following significant investment in the estate and the formation of new
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Teenager swapped seat after car chase
A LATE-night police pursuit ended with a shunt involving one of the patrol cars. Three police vehicles took part in the four-mile chase, at speeds of between 30 and 80mph, of a car containing five youths in east Durham last November 16. It ended when
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Dales food festival draws record crowd of 21,000
A RECORD number of people attended a North Yorkshire show over the Bank Holiday weekend. About 21,000 people visited the three-day Dales Festival of Food and Drink at Leyburn. The crowd was almost 1,000 more than last year's. Gerald Hodgson, a member
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Macmillan nurses invite public to information day
THE work of Macmillan Cancer Relief is the focus of a public information day being held later this month. Yesterday, a team from the charity got together at the Rutson Hospital, in Northallerton, to publicise the event. It will take place at the Scotch
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Union official spared jail for texts to girl, 14
A FIRE brigade union official who bombarded a girl with explicit text messages has walked free from court. Paul Ahmed, 45, was spared jail despite being told by a judge: "You turned this girl from innocence into something very different." Ahmed was cleared
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Concern at police plan to slash station desk hours
A PROPOSAL to reduce opening hours at police stations across County Durham were strongly criticised this week. One critic claimed the Durham Dales would become "a criminals' paradise". Another said it would damage the public's perception of the police
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Quakers wait for Armstrong tests
ON the eve of Darlington's biggest game of the season, manager David Hodgson is keeping his fingers crossed Alun Armstrong does not join Craig Hignett on the sidelines. Armstrong returned to the North-East yesterday, but did not train ahead of tomorrow's
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Council leader bids farewell
TRIBUTES were paid to a long-serving council leader who stepped down yesterday after ten years. Wear Valley District councillor Olive Brown is succeeded by her deputy Neil Stonehouse, who won a vote of Labour members last week. Mrs Brown, a councillor
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Celebration of the work of town's poet
A BOOK celebrating the life and work of Darlington-born poet Ralph Hodgson, will be launched at Darlington's Crown Street Library. A collection of his poetry has been reissued and copies will be available to buy at the event. The editor of the new work
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11th-hour deal heads off strike
INDUSTRIAL action by more than 200 disabled North-East workers has been averted after factory bosses and unions agreed a deal. The GMB and TGWU unions called for workers at Remploy centres to take action after fears were voiced that the organisation was
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Praise for school's -rare achievement'
INSPECTORS have praised a village school for its turnaround in just six months after Ofsted assessed it as having serious weaknesses last year, writes Lauren Pyrah. Last week, a fresh report on Bishopton Redmarshall Primary School revealed it would no
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Memories of a war shared forever
PEOPLE with memories of the Second World War are invited to Darlington's Crown Street Library on Friday, May 27, to help to record their experiences for future generations. The library will host an open day to mark the 60th anniversary of VE day. On the
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Biggest drop in house prices for a decade
THE largest drop in house prices since 1995 has been recorded in the Yorkshire and Humber region. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says the drop has dented the confidence of surveyors nationally. However, in the longer term, they are optimistic
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Three face court after pub fight
THREE men are facing trial after a fight involving a group of 15 people in a Knaresborough public house. Leon Michael Moynihan, 21, of York, and Darren James McElvaney, 22, of Rosedene Farm House, Old Lackenby, Eston, Teesside, both appeared before magistrates
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Three men facing trial for affray after fracas at pub
THREE men are facing trial on an affray charge after a fight involving a group of 15 people in a Knaresborough public house. Leon Michael Moynihan, 21, of Rowntree Avenue, Clifton, York, and Darren James McElvaney, 22, of Rosedene Farm House, Old Lackenby
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Summer migrants en masse
April, if lacking in major rarities, nevertheless provided much of interest for local birders. The cold weather early in the month tended to hold up what had been some very early arrival dates in March but as soon as the milder conditions prevailed summer
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Sculptor prepares for bronze casting of airman memorial
AS the North-East commemorates the 60th anniversary of VE Day, the final seal will be put on a statue in memory of a once-forgotten Second World War hero. An 8ft sculpture of Andrew Mynarski, a Canadian air gunner who died trying to save the life of a
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Dad At Large: Courting disaster
MY poor, poor wife. All she was doing was obeying her tennis coach's instructions: "You have to follow through with your forehand," he said, demonstrating how the shot should be played. So when the ball came to her in our mixed doubles' match, she followed
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Downing takes time over new Boro deal
STEWART DOWNING has admitted extending his stay at Middlesbrough will be easy if he feels his career continues to benefit from being on Teesside. The 20-year-old winger has enjoyed a scintillating first full season as a regular at the Riverside Stadium
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Son killed father by hurling knife
A son killed his father by hurling a divers' knife from seven-feet away - then went to the pub for a drink. Shipyard worker Joseph Freeman, 56, died in a pool of blood after the seven-inch blade thrown by Joseph Freeman jnr plunged into his neck. After
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Blair's short walk into history
AS fields go, this is a famous one. It separates the Blairs' constituency home of Myrobella in Trimdon Colliery from the low community association hall in which they cast their vote. It's a puddly field, with water collecting in the dips of the football
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06/05/05
NIGHT WE GOT PLASTERED - We were living at Toft Hill, a village near Bishop Auckland. Dad, who was a miner, mam, myself and two brothers. Like a lot of property in those days we had an outside loo (an earth closet) known as the nettie. On VE night there
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Girls gain black belts in rapid time
THREE Bishop Auckland girls made a rapid rise to the top of the martial arts world. Hannah Robinson, aged 11, Sophie Coulthard, 13, and her 15-year-old sister Holly, have joined the elite band of people holding Taekwondo black belts after just three years
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A drop of the black for the Blue
A second screen has opened at a Durham cinema. The Blue Room has been created in a vacant space alongside the main cinema complex at Durham's Gala Theatre. Theatre director Simon Stallworthy said the 72-seat auditorium will allow the Gala to show a wider
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Awards back cleaner air
THE first Smoke Free Derwentside Awards ceremony is being held at Consett Civic Centre next week. People who have successfully quit smoking and smoke-free public places will be presented with awards on May 11. Offices, venues, businesses and schools with
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Southgate praises Academy products
GARETH SOUTHGATE has singled out Middlesbrough's Academy as one of the major reasons why manager Steve McClaren has been able to keep the Teessiders within touching distance of a UEFA Cup place. The reputation of the club's youth system has reached new
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A drop of the black for the Blue
A second screen has opened at a Durham cinema. The Blue Room has been created in a vacant space alongside the main cinema complex at Durham's Gala Theatre. Theatre director Simon Stallworthy said the 72-seat auditorium will allow the Gala to show a wider
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Quirky comedy with a straight-faced cast
The Robinsons (BBC1) Selling Houses (C4) The question that needs to be asked of a new comedy series is the obvious one: does it make you laugh? I'm happy to report that The Robinsons did raise a chuckle, although as it concerned a children's entertainer
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Courting disaster
MY poor, poor wife. All she was doing was obeying her tennis coach's instructions: "You have to follow through with your forehand," he said, demonstrating how the shot should be played. So when the ball came to her in our mixed doubles' match, she followed
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Heaven can wait for Orlando
Steve Pratt talks to the UK's highest earning star in Hollywood, Orlando Bloom, about gaining his chance to make a Ridley Scott bockbuster as leading man. He still feels he has a lot to do as an actor. TOWARDS the end of the interview, Orlando Bloom starts
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Sports pavilion needs players
THE family of a young sportsman who died ten years ago are appealing for people to make use of a sports pavilion built in his memory. Jamie Hill collapsed near his home in Osmotherley in 1995, just days after his 23rd birthday. Doctors at the Friarage
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Vic honoured at 90
A Guisborough man has received an award at the age of 90. Vic Knights, originally from Felixstowe, East Anglia, moved to Brotton in the 1980s and then to his home in Stump Cross, Guisborough, in 1988. Since then he has worked voluntarily to make the area
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Carnegie takes win despite Bell's late charge
FORD Focus WRC driver Dermot Carnegie emerged victorious in the inaugural English Rallycross Masters held at Croft circuit on Monday. The Irishman had to fend off a determined last-ditch effort from local hero Tony Bell as the Ferryhill driver went all
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Howard will step down
Tory leader Michael Howard will stand down to allow a younger leader to take over. Mr Howard did not give a time but said it would be "sooner or later". He said he would stay as leader until the party had the opportunity to consider whether it wanted
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A sombre mood and muted applause as the count begins
"A bad night for Labour...it's not going the way Labour would like it...Labour's majority is very much down...it's not looking very good for Labour... As the early results began to come in and the initial punditry poured out of a large screen in either
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Award for young swimming coach
YOUNG coach Hannah Creelman has just won another swimming accolade. The Thirsk White Horse swim team coach has been crowned Young Coach of the Year at the North Yorkshire Sports Conference. An avid swimmer, she became interested in teaching at the age
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School rewarded for results of hard work
A SCHOOL is celebrating after being named one of the most improved in the country. Stanley College of Technology was named as one of the top 100 improved schools by the Department of Education and Skills for last year's Key Stage 4 results. It means children
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Council relents over cab ruling
CABBIES are celebrating after Durham City Council backed down in their row over a controversial colour code. Hackney carriage drivers carrying banners marched on the council's offices at Byland Lodge last Wednesday to protest at the council's refusal
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Grit your teeth, hold your nose, but do vote
AS voters go into the privacy of the polling booths today, there will be much holding of noses. Because whichever party you vote for has a slightly unpleasant whiff surrounding it. This is an election shrouded in the fog of war. And - forgive another
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CCTV add-on will scan plates for cars of criminals
AN EXPANSION of Darlington's CCTV system is on the cards. The one-off £200,000 boost would not only spotlight vehicles involved in crime, it would also help tackle anti-social behaviour and other offences. Police would be able to monitor the actions of
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Full steam ahead
The rail regulator will shortly make a decision on whether to open up the lucrative East Coast Main Line to real service competition. The Grand Central Railway Company is planning to return direct-to-London high speed rail services to Thirsk and Eaglescliffe
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Council legal team studies all parking fines
A COUNCIL may have to refund up to £70,000 in parking fines. Since on-street parking meters were introduced in Darlington almost six months ago, 2,333 penalty notices have been issued - equating to £70,000 in fines. The council has also collected £112,600
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Let's pull the plug on geek-speak
AN IT service and support group with plans to become a national brand has published a free guide to computer jargon. The light-hearted booklet explains the technical terms used in the IT world so that small businesses can better understand their hardware
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Listen for the strange evening song of an elusive summer visitor
AMONG the more peculiar sounds heard during the summer months is the song of the churn owl. Perhaps it should not be described as a song because it is rather tuneless and monotonous, being little more than a churring sound, usually heard at night. Some
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Allon rocked by untimely exit
A SHOCKED Joe Allon has slammed the timing of manager Neale Cooper's departure from the club. Hartlepool need only one point to guarantee a play-off semi-final place at Bournemouth on Saturday but preparations for the game have been hit by the club's
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Profits rise, but future 'uncertain'
ICI last night warned of weak markets and further price rises, despite a positive start to the year. The chemicals and paint group said pre-tax profits before exceptional items in the first quarter were 33 per cent ahead of the same period last year,
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The fight he couldn't win
IT would have taken an electorate change of heart of swingometer-busting proportions for William Hague to have been ousted yesterday from his North Yorkshire seat. Despite the party he led being trounced in the 2001 election, Mr Hague managed to increase
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25,000 IBM staff wait for axe to fall
IBM workers were braced for job losses last night after the computer and consultancy group announced it was shedding up to 13,000 staff. Most of the losses will be in Europe, although IBM has yet to provide a country-by-country breakdown of where redundancies
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Man hit and tied up by intruders in home
A BUSINESSMAN was recovering at home yesterday after he was tied up and beaten by robbers armed with a revolver and baseball bats. The 45-year-old man, who does not want to be named, said it was a frightening experience, but that you "just have to get
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Musicians gathering from all over world
SOME of the world's leading musicians have been booked to take part in an annual showcase. Ryedale Festival, in North Yorkshire, is recognised as one of the leading cultural events of its kind in the country. Director Malcolm Layfield, who is stepping
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Meeting sees opposition to homes plan stepped up
PEOPLE in Hurworth have launched a fresh wave of opposition to controversial plans for new homes in the village. Residents and parish councillors met on Tuesday to consider amended proposals for a development scheme at Hurworth Place. They agreed the
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Sun shines on action-packed Bedale meet
THANKFULLY the weathermen got it wrong with their predictions of winter conditions returning for the weekend of the Bedale point to point held on April 10 as the sunshine blazed down on a fantastic crowd. As always the venue was Hornby Castle, near Bedale
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Early swallow gets a wintry shock this April
APRIL provided a wide variety of weather with the wind originating from all quarters at sometime or other. Unfortunately, it remained changeable throughout the month - the dry spell from the 20th to the 25th was the longest settled period. Over the month
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Police warn festival-goers not to bring drink or drugs
PEOPLE attending one of the biggest free festivals to be held in the North-East have been warned not to bring drink or drugs. Everyone will be searched before they are allowed into Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, for the Radio 1 Big Weekend tomorrow
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Cardinal looks set for all-the-way win
Read more about Durham here. TRAIL-BLAZING front-runner Cardinal Venture (3.00) might well prove impossible to peg back in the Warwick International Handicap on the final afternoon of Chester's three-day Festival. A single figure draw in stall six should
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Thousands flock to Dales festival despite weather
THE Dales Festival of Food and Drink is probably unrivalled throughout England, Lord Brittan said on Saturday. This year over 21,000 people headed for Leyburn over the bank holiday weekend even though the weather on the first two days was wet and gloomy
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Anglers are praised for lack of rod licence dodging
ANGLERS in North Yorkshire and Cleveland had the lowest prosecution rate in the region for licence dodging last year. They also held on to their good record by scoring the lowest number of prosecutions in the region for March. A total of 61 people were
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'Now Blair knows Iraq won't go away'
SUPPORTERS of anti-war candidate Reg Keys hailed his campaign against Tony Blair a success last night. Mr Keys, who stood against Mr Blair in Sedgefield, County Durham, believed he has sent a clear message to the Prime Minister that issues surrounding
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Village plans fun weekend
THE village of Heighington is holding a weekend of fun and celebrations to raise funds for a recreation playground for local children. The fun starts on Thursday, May 12, and continues until Saturday, May 14, with a traditional village fun fair featuring
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Contractor runs farm; farmer has new career
A FARMER from County Durham has made a successful career change from working on the land to treating patients as a chiropractor. Chris Graham was born and grew up on Lane Ends Farm in Manfield and attended Hurworth House and Barnard Castle Schools. His
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Inquest into stabbing death
An inquest has been opened into the death of a 23-year-old man who was stabbed during a brawl. Craig Stephenson, 23, who survived a police chase car smash that killed his friend in February, suffered a single stab wound to his chest during a disturbance
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Evening tour of gardens
AN evening tour of Durham's famed Botanic Gardens takes place next month. The tour, led by guide Michael Hughes, takes place at 6.30pm on Wednesday, June 8, and will raise money for the city's St Cuthbert's Hospice. Visitors will be able to see the Prince
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Man fails in appeal bid over cruelty charge
AN appeal court panel has ruled that a dog owner was rightly convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to his pet. Stephen Cooper, 37, yesterday failed in an attempt to have an earlier court decision overturned. Cooper had been given a 12-month community
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Youngsters dig in to bring community garden to life
YOUNGSTERS have been getting involved in an environmental project in Hartlepool. The children, whose ages range from six to 13, have now twice given up their spare time to work on a community garden at the Osbourne Road Centre. They have carried out a
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Residents sign agreement to tackle yobbish behaviour
RESIDENTS fed up with anti-social behaviour and littering have signed an agreement to tackle yobbish behaviour. Householders in Walter Street and on part of Cranbourne Terrace in Stockton have vowed to improve community harmony. Terms for the community
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Awards to volunteers
STUDENTS have been recognised for their efforts in an award designed to highlight the work of volunteers. Three Northallerton College 17-year-olds were nominated to go through to the finals of the Yorkshire and Humberside Millennium Volunteer of the Year
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Clean up our towns, councillor urges
A COUNCILLOR is campaigning for a big clean-up in the twin horse-racing towns of Malton and Norton. Councillor David Lloyd-Williams has written to Ryedale District Council (RDC) chief executive Harold Mosley after receiving complaints from the public,
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Mining plan prompts fears over wildlife
A WILDLIFE charity has lodged an objection against a coal company's plans to opencast a former colliery site. The Durham Wildlife Trust is opposed to UK Coal's application for planning permission to work Stony Heap, Leadgate, near Consett. It is seeking
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Safety issues remain over cottages plan
HAMBLETON councillors have insisted that road safety concerns must be addressed if a £1.4m scheme to replace a row of eyesore cottages with 25 new homes in Leeming Bar is finally to be supported. The district council has been working with the Leeds-based
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Girl, 9, to perform at festival
SCHOOLGIRL pianist Sarah Gardner has been invited to play in a prestigious musical festival. The nine-year-old pupil at Teesside Prep School, Eaglescliffe, will take part in the Sunderland Festival of Young Pianists alongside older and more experienced
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News in brief
POLLING STATION: Voters are being reminded that the new Kirkleatham Local Learning Centre is being used as a polling station today. The venue is situated on the site of Green Gates Primary School, Kielder Close, Redcar, east Cleveland. COFFEE MORNING:
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Town to take on grass-cutting
HELMSLEY councillors are so keen to see improvement in cutting the market town's verges and open spaces that they want to take over the job. The town council has agreed that the responsibility is likely to involve it subsidising the work, says town clerk
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Gazebo to mark club's 50 years
A CLUB has celebrated its 50th anniversary with the gift of a community gazebo. Richmond Rotary Club has donated the structure for the town's Friary Gardens. "We wanted to contribute something solid and substantial to mark our presence in the town," said
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - South Durham Regiment of Militia - This fine body of men, now reduced to 210, still continues to be drilled at Barnard Castle. Upon their mustering 300 strong (which they expect to do in a few days) it is rumored that
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Asylum seeker deported amid fears for life
AN asylum seeker has been forcibly deported back to Afghanistan despite fears that he may return to a death sentence. Ali Jafari has served a jail sentence in Afghanistan after giving information to the ousted fundamentalist Taliban regime, under duress
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Fantasy on four wheels
MIDNIGHT CLUB 3: DUB EDITION Formats: PS2, Xbox. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? 12+ : Not content with one mega franchise in the Grand Theft Auto games, Rockstar has revved up another "streetwise" take on a familiar genre. Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
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Age proving no barrier as 62-year-old Doug takes up bodybuilding
A NORTH-EAST man has taken part in his first bodybuilding competition - at the age of 62. Doug Aistrup, of Darlington, took part in the National Amateur Bodybuilders' Association event in Hartlepool on Sunday, competing against the region's best strongmen
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Surreal world of animal sex
Dr Tatiana's Sex Advice To All Creation (C4): IF you stumbled across this late night series these past three nights after a trip to the pub, you probably thought you were very drunk indeed. You'd have been confronted by a posh woman in a low-cut white
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Police seek more specials
POLICE chiefs are looking for more people to volunteer to become part-time officers in County Durham. The Durham force is hoping that, with 2005 being Year of the Volunteer, there will be another increase in numbers of special constables. Carol Oliver
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Labour's majority cut from 167 to 66
Tony Blair has returned to Downing Street, but he sees his majority sharply reduced from 167 in 2001 to 66. The polls showed the Tories had a net gain of 30 seats, while the Lib Dems won nine more seats. Counts in 21 seats are still outstanding. Mr Blair
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Road charge 'is not needed'
PLANS to charge drivers to use one of the region's busiest roads may be unnecessary if a relief road is built, it was revealed last night. Durham County Council - which opened the country's first toll road in 2003 - is seeking Government cash for a £14m-plus
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Councillors reject plan to demolish college campus
PLANS to demolish Redcar and Cleveland College's campus in Redcar and sell the land for housing were turned down by councillors on Wednesday. Dozens of objectors packed the meeting at Belmont House, in Guisborough, and representatives of residents who
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Collingwood puts Durham in sight of winning post
PAUL Collingwood's one-day expertise yesterday propelled Durham to what should prove a winning total in their C & G Trophy tie against Derbyshire at Riverside. The England player hit four sixes in making 82 off 83 balls but after reaching 191 before
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Pet cat killed by dogs
A CAT lover has spoken of her horror at finding her pet dead after it had been mauled by dogs. Margaret Turner, 54, spent Bank Holiday Monday playing with her tabby cat Willow in the garden of her Lanchester home, which backs on to a bridleway. At about
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Special livestock sales
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues of last week. Fwd: 519 cattle, for centenary show & sale. Champion: bred by C R Raine & Son, Stanhope Gate, 8-m-o BB hfr £800 to Mrs M Robinson, East Alwent. Prizes. - Bullocks: 1&2 JW Dent & Sons £650 to W Robshaw
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A haven of Dutch kitsch
From the practical to the purely frivolous, Simply Dutch has everything to enhance your home. IS your front garden crying out for a Landseer lion, just like the ones in Trafalgar Square? Or maybe a knight in shining armour? Or a barrel as high as a house
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Cigarette maker lights up the City with profits rise
BRITISH American Tobacco's (BAT) profits have risen by 8.5 per cent thanks to profit growth across most of its businesses. Pre-tax profits in the first quarter to March 31 increased to £624m from £575m, after four of its five regions produced results
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New tactics pay off as Collier Hill wins in Germany
NOT in Newmarket, but over in Germany was our highest win of the weekend as Collier Hill landed the Group 2 Gerling-Preis at Cologne on Sunday to continue the unbelievable story of this horse of humble origin and his trainer Alan Swinbank. Collier Hill's
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Rhapsody makes rapid progress
FOXHOLM Rhapsody returned from the British Dressage Winter National Championships with eighth place in the PetPlan Elementary Open competition. Owner and rider Deborah Carr-Davidson was pleased with her result as Rhapsody has just upgraded to elementary
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Scott is ready to replace Scot
WHEN it comes to managers, Hartlepool United don't do it by the book - expect the unexpected is the norm from owners Increased Oil Recovery and chairman Ken Hodcroft. The timing of Neale Cooper's departure came as a shock but surely the next appointment
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Mart prices
BARNARD CASTLE. - Wed of last week. Fwd: 580 sheep. Hoggs lt to 123p av 109p; std to 123p av 114.4p; med to 124p av 115.6p; heavy to 119.5p av 111.3p. Cast sheep: Cont £46; BFL £43.50; Cheviot £40; Suff £43; Swale £26. DARLINGTON. - Thurs of last week
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Promotion is reward for Arca
JULIO ARCA feels Sunderland's promotion to the Premiership has justified his decision to sign a new contract and he is happy there will be no fresh doubts about his future surfacing in the summer. Ever since Sunderland dropped into the Football League
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Let's make every vote count
The experts would have us believe there is public apathy towards the General Election but that's not what I've found on the streets. When I've been attending various engagements across the patch, many people have been happy to chat about who they intend
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Strike looms over dinner ladies' working hours
BY MIKE CHIPCHASE DINNER ladies in Redcar and Cleveland primary schools are threatening strike action over plans to reduce their working hours. A union ballot of all staff in primary school kitchens in Redcar and Cleveland is due to be completed today
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Equestrian buyers beware - don't believe all you read
Spring is here and with it comes inches of newspaper columns full of flowery line adverts describing all types of equine, from Shetlands to Shires, for sale. If you throw open one of the market leader's equestrian classified pages, under its "Horses for
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Child killer found dead in prison cell
A CONVICTED child killer who had claimed he was a victim of miscarriage of justice has died in prison. Andrew Pountley, 40, who was convicted of the rape and murder of his girlfriend's daughter Rosemary McCann, aged five, in February 1997, died in his
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East meets West at Stockton
A FORMER pupil returned to his Stockton school last week to direct a special show by Chinese acrobats, singers and musicians. The Yew Chung International School from Shanghai, in China, had just completed a tour around Australia and visited the North-East
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Travellers move back on to rebuilt site
A TRAVELLERS' site has reopened after it was wrecked and closed for a year. The bathrooms, kitchen areas and toilets alongside the 13 pitches were wrecked by vandals. Coun Chris Abbott, of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said: "The only things left
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Murderer given life for killing man mistaken for paedophile
A MURDERER who battered a grandfather to death in the mistaken belief he was a paedophile has been jailed for life. Brian Kearney, 21, donned a dark, hooded jacket and a joiner's belt filled with deadly weapons before cycling to a deserted barn where
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Man who killed grandfather who wasn't a paedophile given life
A murderer who dressed in a "killing suit" before battering a grandfather to death in the mistaken belief he was a paedophile has been jailed for life. Brian Kearney, 21, donned a dark, hooded jacket and a joiner's belt filled with deadly weapons before
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Talks over police jobs
TRADE union is to hold talks with Durham Constabulary over the closure of front desk counters in police stations across the county. Unison is concerned about the effect the changes will have on the hours and pay of up to 40 non-uniformed staff. The force
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Teenage manager is focus of TV attention
AS a camera crew shadowed the 14-year-old around his school, all eyes turned to follow him. But David Bogg, the teenage football manager, from Darlington, took it all in his stride for his small screen debut. The Branksome School pupil is slowly getting
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Labour holding North-East seats
Labour is producing strong results in the North-East, despite losting seats in other parts of the country. Blaydon - David Anderson, Labour. Darlington - Alan Milburn, Labour. Durham North - Kevan Jones, Labour. Durham North West - Hilary Armstrong, Labour
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Take expert advice to avoid pitfalls of horse purchasing
Spring is all about new beginnings. Now that the days have lengthened, the sun finally beginning to warm our heat-starved lives, the long-dormant enthusiasm for riding outside rises once again. It is also the time when any thoughts of change come to fruition
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Collie-cross Fizzy breaks record after nearly being put down
SAVED by her owner from a death sentence, a remarkable pet has raced her way into the list of the world's record-breakers. Three-year-old border collie-cross Fizzy lived up to her name by dashing through 50 pairs of legs in 2.1 seconds to earn an entry
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Quakers go for goals in battle for play-offs
DARLINGTON go into tomorrow's final round of League Two fixtures with their promotion play-off hopes hanging by a thread. Their 0-0 draw at Lincoln City last Saturday was not enough to prevent Northampton Town sneaking into seventh spot on goal difference
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Telephone fault affects thousands
A major telephone line fault which affected thousands of properties across the region is believed to be power-related. More than 100,000 properties in Durham and North Yorkshire were affected by the problem which started shortly after 3pm on Thursday.
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Pupils honoured for giving time to help others
PUPILS have been recognised for giving up their spare time to help others. Three groups of friends at Tudhoe Grange School, in Spennymoor, won Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour thanks to their achievements outside the classroom. Fab, its Fighting
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Raising awareness of osteoporosis
PEOPLE can get advice and information about the fragile bone condition osteoporosis at an awareness day in the North-East next month. The event, organised by the Durham Support Group of the National Osteoporosis Society (NOS), will be at County Hall,
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Nissan shatter Northallerton's promotion dreams
WASHINGTON Nissan secured the third promotion place in division two with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Northallerton Town last Saturday. It was a game Town, who were playing their final game of the season, had to win if they were to have any chance of
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Wellock's World
HOWEVER you cast your vote yesterday, you will not have been influenced by any of the parties' promises with regard to sport. As far as our misguided and blinkered politicians are concerned, sport is an irrelevance. Its benefits to health have been shown
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Pressure is on for squad members seeking selection
Amy Boston from Yarm, and Michael Evans from Rushyford, along with their horses Minsk and Christmas, travelled to the Horseworks Stables at Egmanton, Notts, over the Easter weekend for the first British Young Rider Squad training event of the year. The
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Closure of maternity unit 'cheapest option'
A REVIEW of maternity services at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital has found closure to be the cheapest and least risky of four options, but senior staff insist the unit is safe. The study for the South Tees NHS Trust clinical futures board examined
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Scientist helps team to chemistry prize
A YOUNG scientist from Sedgefield had the right chemistry to win an award in a recent competition. Jane Larcombe, 13, from Sedgefield, was part of a team of four girls from Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe, which competed in the Salters Festival of
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Black hole may make retirement 'a dream'
INVESTMENT managers last night warned that unless drastic action was taken by the Government to tackle the pensions black hole, retirement would becoming an unobtainable dream. Research by the parent company of North-East stockbroker Wise Speke found
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Scheme to find 'expert patients'
A SCHEME that trains people with long-term medical conditions to offer advice and information to fellow sufferers is looking for recruits. The next free six-week course to train "expert patients" will be held in Spennymoor next month. A taster session
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Trophy cabinet set to burst after latest wins
A SCHOOL is celebrating one of its most successful years in the sporting arena after landing an impressive haul of silverware. The trophy cabinet at Tudhoe Grange School, near Spennymoor, is almost bursting thanks to sportswomen who netted football and
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Shearer asked to be left out - Souness
GRAEME Souness last night revealed that a weary Alan Shearer had asked to be left out of his side's surprise 3-1 success at Fulham. The Newcastle skipper was left in the North-East as his team-mates produced one of their most accomplished displays of
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Students win essay contest
HISTORY students have seen their efforts rewarded after they put pen to paper for a college contest. Fifteen students entered The James Barningham history essay competition held at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington. They wrote on a range
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Children warned of railway dangers
SCHOOLCHILDREN on a Darlington estate are to be given a fresh warning of the perils of playing on railway lines, in the wake of a recent tragedy. Teenagers Stuart Adams and Lee Mullis died on a stretch of the East Coast Main Line in Darlington on Good
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Vaughan off to a solid start
England captain Michael Vaughan made the ideal start to his new season with a solid half-century for Yorkshire in their six-wicket win over Ireland in Belfast yesterday in the first round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy. Vaughan put on 91 for
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Owner found pet cat mauled to death by dogs
A CAT lover has spoken of her horror at finding her beloved pet dead after it had been mauled by dogs. Margaret Turner, 54, spent Bank Holiday Monday playing with her tabby cat, Willow, in the garden of her Lanchester home, which backs on to a bridleway
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'Why all the fuss?' says birthday girl Alberta
FRIENDS and family did not let modest Alberta Jackson shy away from attention when she celebrated her 100th birthday this week. South Church Nursing Home, in Bishop Auckland, where Mrs Jackson has lived for about 18 months, was packed for a party. She
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Students dusting off the layers of history
FINAL-YEAR archaeology students are going potty about pottery at a new exhibition which opened last weekend. From Clay To Collection - The Life And Times Of A Roman Pot opened at the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology in Durham City. The exhibition
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Natural wonders on show
ACTIVITIES are being organised to celebrate the natural wonders of an estuary's mud-flats and marshes. English Nature, Hartlepool countryside wardens and the staff of Teesmouth Field Centre have joined together to run events this weekend, inviting the
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Widow opens centre dedicated to VC hero
THE widow of a North-East war hero has officially opened a £2m information centre. Shirley Annand visited Meadowfield, Durham City, to open the building dedicated to the memory of her VC-winning husband the late Capt Richard Annand. Annand House, built
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Cabbie's application is refused
A TAXI driver has had her appeal to extend her licence refused by Darlington Borough Council. Elaine Finlayson, 51, of Scargill, Darlington, wanted to extend her taxi licence until next Tuesday when she is due to re-sit her taxi drivers test. The council
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VE remembered
A Europe Day celebration featuring children from 32 schools will be staged at County Hall, Durham, tomorrow. It will involve up to 300 youngsters in costumes of European nations, taking part in a range of activities on morning and afternoon sessions,
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Farmers have to work together to be price makers
MY CAR is a European diesel, bought with a circuit of the globe on the clock, its radiator embellished with four Olympic-style rings. It goes commendably well, economically covering 30,000 miles a year - until, that is, the driver behaves like a fool.
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Milburn will not seek cabinet post
Labour election strategist Alan Milburn has said he will not seek a cabinet post. The Darlington MP has been re-elected and was asked by Tony Blair to help co-ordinate the party's election strategy. Full coverage in Friday's Northern Echo.
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'Remember, even if you were born after war'
A WAR veteran has urged those not old enough to remember the end of the Second World War to continue commemorating VE Day. Sixty years ago Ken Hutchinson, 89, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, was a captain with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders fighting
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Teenage soccer star wins scholarship in America
YOUNG footballer James Pounder is heading for the United States after being signed up by a university there. James, 18, who plays at centre-half for Durham Sixth Centre, where he is studying A Levels, has won a scholarship to the University of Columbia
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Dancer is a step ahead of his Chester rivals
CHESTER'S unique layout poses no problems for Kevin Ryan's Coleorton Dancer (2.00), one of the leading contenders for the Stanleybet Stakes. Predicting the outcome of a tight-knit race around the devilishly difficult course is never easy, however Coleorton
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Racecourse admits parking problems
SEDGEFIELD racecourse officials have conceded they cannot cope with the parking created by record crowds attending bank holiday meetings. On Monday, 5,047 people attended the races - 50 people short of the biggest attendance record. The racecourse's general
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Plans for schools to be revealed
MORE details of two new secondary and five primary schools in Gateshead are to be revealed at public meetings. Illustrations and plans for the schemes went up this week in the schools they are due to replace. It is part of a £62m Private Finance Initiative
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Look smart, town urged
MORE money has been made available to breathe new life into older buildings in part of Darlington town centre's conservation area. Over the past three years, the borough council has worked with English Heritage and regional development agency OneNorthEast
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Dog dirt campaign launched
CHILDREN in Hartlepool are giving dog owners lessons in cleaning up after their pets. Pupils at Fens School, Hartlepool, have designed more than 120 posters carrying a variety of messages urging people to clean up after their dogs. The posters are being
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Theatre worker wins legal battle after gay taunts made
A GAY theatre worker who suffered months of bullying, taunts and discrimination at the hands of his boss has won his legal battle for compensation. Bookings manager Fausto Gismondi was nicknamed "gay boy" by his manager, Ed Tutty, when they both worked
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Free events to mark VE Day anniversary
A VE Day commemoration will be staged 60 years after the end of the Second World War in Europe, in the grounds of a regimental museum at the weekend. Durham Light Infantry Association has organised Sunday's free VE Day picnic, which will feature military
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Too close to call as battle for city seat reaches its climax
ALL sides in the fight for the region's most keenly-contested seat admit that the result of today's election is now simply too close to call. With campaigning in Durham City continuing right up to the moment polling stations close at 10pm, the gap between
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Trial for teenager on second breach of Asbo
A TEENAGER accused of a second breach of an anti-social behaviour order in less than a year was committed for trail yesterday. When Richard Hart, 19, appeared before Harrogate magistrates, he pleaded not guilty to using foul and abusive language and being
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Accident site 'looked like a plane crash'
A CORONER has recorded an open verdict into the deaths of a ten-year-old boy and his teenage sister after a car crash near Durham City. Lee Armstrong was a front-seat passenger in a Citroen Saxo driven by his 19-year-old sister, Jenna, when it crashed
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Gap is closing - but polls point to Labour
THE three party leaders last night fired their final election salvos as the latest polls showed the gap between Labour and the Conservatives narrowing. As a hectic day of criss-crossing the country drew to a close, they made final TV appeals to those
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Guisborough maintain perfect start with two more victories
GUISBOROUGH, the only side with a 100pc record in the premier division, host newly-promoted Billingham Synthonia at Fountains Garth tomorrow happy to name an unchanged line-up. Synners show one alteration with Dave Fairley taking over from Matthew Humphrey
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Council selecting sites to build multi-storey car parks
MULTI-STOREY car parks could be built in two market towns in the region. Harrogate Borough Council is to employ consultants to look at possible sites for the structures in Ripon and Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. The move comes after a study found a
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Providing TLC to ruthless killers-to-be
THEY will grow up to become some of the deadliest and most powerful birds of prey in the skies, but for now they are vulnerable chicks needing tender loving care around the clock at a breeding centre near Bedale. A naked, scrawny goshawk which can be
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Students dusting off the layers of history
FINAL-YEAR archaeology students are going potty about pottery at a new exhibition which opened last weekend. From Clay To Collection - The Life And Times Of A Roman Pot opened at the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology in Durham City. The exhibition
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Faithful fundraiser Hilda
A DEDICATED fundraiser has raised an incredible £10,000 for her chosen charity. Hilda Phillips, of Dene Bank Grange, Ferryhill, started collecting money for the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland, before it opened. She has remained a staunch supporter
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'I thought: why do I have to die so young?'
Temperatures rarely rose higher than ten below freezing and the cold was almost as big a danger as the U-boats. Nick Morrison speaks to a veteran of the Arctic convoys about the night his ship was torpedoed and how a miracle saved his life IT was 9pm
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Wristband campaign in memory of Daniel
A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy devastated by the suicide of his teenage brother has been joined by his young cousin in a drive to launch a wristband to help promote the Samaritans. The children, who came up with the idea following the death of 19-year-old Daniel
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Voters hit by election ballot papers gaffe
HUNDREDS of voters across the North-East have been sent invalid ballot papers due to a series of electoral gaffes. Election officials were last night in a race against time to reach several dozen voters still to be contacted since the problems were spotted
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Decision delayed on -totally alien' flats development
A PLANNED flats development in a green area of Guisborough remains up in the air after councillors decided they needed to see the site before making a judgment Barry Parvin, who owns the town's Graceland Nursing Home, had submitted a revised application
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Milner relishes chance to finish on high note
JAMES Milner last night claimed that the elixir of youth could be just the tonic Newcastle need to ensure a season of strife finishes on a positive note. While the last month has been a period of purgatory for everyone at St James' Park, the re-emergence
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Ales of the unexpected: Crime-writers will give talks to drinkers
DRINKERS could be soon propping up the bar with a good book at pubs taking part in a celebration of crime thriller writing. Free book groups called Tales From The Darkside are being held over the next two months at North Yorkshire pubs as part of this
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Costs, export and CAP to be discussed
KNOWING production costs, getting to grips with cross-compliance, and export opportunities are among the topics to be discussed at North Sheep, the Northern Sheep Association's biennial event at Whinfell Park, Penrith, on Wednesday, June 1. Caroline Drummond
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Councillor set to take police authority chair
A Redcar and Cleveland councillor looks set to take over the reins of Cleveland Police Authority when the chairman steps down next month. It is understood that deputy chairman Coun Dave McLuckie is the favoured choice to replace Ted Cox. His appointment
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Village prepares for VE party
IT is difficult to imagine today, but the quiet village of Brancepeth was once at the very heart of the nation's stand against the threat of Nazi invasion. For generations, the village, which nestles in the shadow of Brancepeth Castle just a couple of
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (-) Blade Trinity 2 (-) National Treasure 3 (2) Without A Paddle 4 (1) Exorcist The Beginning 5 (4) Manchurian Candidate 6 (-) House Of Flying Daggers 7 (10) Birth 8 (-) Phantom Of The Opera 9 (-) Spivs 10 (5) Vera Drake Chart supplied
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SEV agrees research and supply deals
AN electric vehicles manufacturer has signed two multi-million pound deals. Roy Stanley, chief executive of the Tanfield Group, based near Stanley, County Durham, said: "This is a big opportunity for the region. "The North-East will be the pre-eminent
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Buy designer bags in on-line shopping mall
DAWN Huntrod has realised her dream of setting up her own designer handbag boutique - but instead of taking on the expense of a shop and staff, she is running the business on-line. Customers can browse through a selection of handbags and accessories from
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Residents get chance to see hall improvements
THE final improvements to Hutton Rudby Village Hall will be revealed on Wednesday. Younger villagers can enjoy organised activities in the new outdoor play area from 5.30. The playground will then be open daily for children of primary school age. At 6.30
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Wounded winner
TONY BLAIR was on course to secure a record third successive General Election victory last night - but with a much reduced majority and a question mark over his continued leadership. Labour's fear that its support in marginal seats would not hold up appeared
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Caldwell relishes Premiership challenge
Read more about the Quakers here. STEVE CALDWELL knows all about life in the Premiership and is relishing the prospect of proving he can star on the big stage after Sunderland's promotion back among the elite. During six years at Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle
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The caped crusader
Jeremy Irons remembers his first role with North-East director Ridley Scott was a port commercial, while co-star Eva Green noticed that Scott always has things under control. Both talk to Steve Pratt about creating the Moors versus Christians movie. E
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Woman must pay £1.21 - for election leaflet
ROYAL Mail has apologised to a Brompton on Swale woman who was charged postage to receive a political General Election leaflet. The Conservative campaign literature should have been delivered Freepost, but Andrea Beswick had to collect the envelope from
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Stadium go-ahead 'saved club'
THE leader of a council which was condemned for making a string of errors over Darlington Football Club's £20m stadium has insisted that the authority had kept the Quakers in business. A Local Government Ombudsman's report had suggested that Darlington
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A country lad
A TEENAGER with a passion for the countryside has become the youngest member of the Yorkshire Dry Stone Walling Guild. Matthew Hacket-Pain, aged 14, from Preston under Scar, near Leyburn, tackled his first project two weeks ago when he repaired a boundary
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Thoroughly Modern Millie, Newcastle Theatre Royal
BOLD, abrasive and thoroughly entertaining, the 21st century Millie cuts to the chase of marrying her boss with precious little charm or sentimentality. Stick-thin Donna Steele is more Carol Channing than Julie Andrews from the famous 1967 film but she's
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Tribute paid to popular biker
THE family of a North-East motorcyclist killed at the weekend have paid tribute to the kind-hearted man. Jimmy Sowerby, from Busty Terrace, Shildon, County Durham, died instantly in a collision with a car at Winscales, near Workington, West Cumbria, on
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Students run mock election
STUDENTS at a Darlington college have held a mock election to run parallel with the national campaign. The candidates, from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Vane Terrace, produced manifestos explaining their party policies, campaigned vigorously
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Farmers voice fears about henges plan
ANGRY farmers say proposed restrictions on ploughing around an ancient monument could threaten their businesses. Consultants are putting together a conservation study for the future management of Thornborough Henges, near Bedale. One of the proposals
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Council earns £1m from other authorities
A NORTH-EAST council raked in more than £1m from other councils, hospitals and housing associations last year, figures have revealed. Darlington Borough Council generated £1.08m from contracting out its services such as nursery-grown plants, asbestos
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Meet the Hungarian horse whisperer
MATRAMINDSZENT is a small village in Hungary and the birthplace of an extraordinary man called Martin Kiss (pronounced Kisch), otherwise known as Django. Born in 1960 as the son of an electrician, tradition would dictate that he should follow in his father's
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Units stolen because 'they would be nicer in my house'
A BURGLAR who stole kitchen units from the home of a family friend told police: "I thought they would look better in our house." The cupboards had been installed in the property by council workers while the tenant recovered at his brother's home following
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Cycle ride for scout funds
A GROUP of scouting enthusiasts are preparing for an endurance challenge to give generations of youngsters from a deprived area the chance of a summer holiday. Mark Hunt, assistant district scout commissioner, scout leaders Kevin Scollay and Stephen Day
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Pet superstore plans for growth
PET superstore chain Pets at Home has announced plans for more than a dozen stores this year after reporting a 45 per cent rise in earnings. The company, which operates 162 stores and employs about 2,500 staff, is planning to open 17 outlets in the next
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Firefighters say attacks may be linked
AN inquiry is being launched to investigate whether a series of arson attacks are linked. Firefighters say whoever is responsible must be caught before someone is killed. More than 14 fires have been started in the Haverton Hill and Port Clarence areas
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Darlington's top players set to return for final
DARLINGTON felt last Saturday's 56-0 thrashing at Halifax was a game too far this season, yet they will have to wait until June 1 to play the Durham Cup final against Westoe. Time was when the authorities would not allow any rugby after April 30, but
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Crop can restore damaged land
biofuels company D1 Oils has signed a deal backed by the Philippines government. The agreement is to develop plantations of jatropha trees that will restore land damaged by mining. Teesside-based D1 will harvest the trees and refine its vegetable oil
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Hussey determined to hit back after Trophy defeat
DURHAM skipper Mike Hussey promised to have his side in healthy spirits at Stockton today following yesterday's stunning C & G Trophy defeat. Needing 14 to win off the last over with one wicket standing, few would have backed Derbyshire against Steve
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Politicians show rivalry can be put to one side
SOME light-hearted quotes from the election in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency would not go amiss today even though all the serious shouting is over. Labour's Ashok Kumar was asked at a public meeting at Saltburn who was his favourite
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Charity night boosts hospice
PEOPLE turned up in their hundreds to a charity night in memory of a baby who died from a rare disease. Nearly £4,000 was raised for the Butterwick Children's Hospice, where three-month-old Leah Lloyd lost her battle against Hirschsprung's Disease. The
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Ten days to deadline and penalty for delay rises
THE deadline for Single Payment Scheme applications is a week tomorrow - but as many as 100,000 could still be outstanding. On Wednesday Johnston McNeill, chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency, expressed concern about the pressure his staff would
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Making do can help combat new enemy
IN THE middle of a line-up on the school playground, alongside a policeman, a chimneysweep and a Dutch girl, stands a small and very solemn Little Miss Muffet. The photo will be 60 years old on Sunday and that Little Miss Muffet, clinging tightly to the
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Good management can stop the summer insect misery
In pre-chemical days a human assistant was the method of fly control. The shoer's assistant would gently waft away the flies that the horse couldn't reach with his tail, using a fly chaser made from horses' tail hair. Thank goodness those days are long
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Why today is really special
THE verdict on who should govern Britain dominates today's front pages and news bulletins. But vitally important though that verdict is for us all, we should not let the General Election overshadow the importance of today as the 60th anniversary of VE
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New government must pay FMD debts
THE incoming government must urgently pay the £40m owed to contractors who worked on the foot-and-mouth clean up. The Forum of Private Business, the business pressure group which has been fighting on behalf of small firms owed cash by Defra, says the
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Ballyowen seals Zetland double for Marley stable
ROGER Marley's stable picked up a Maiden double at the Zetland point to point held at Witton Castle last Sunday. Just Jay (Middleton), ridden by Richard Wakeham, who was deputising for the injured Clive Mulhall, was the winner in the first division. He
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Family welcomes driver's jail term after pair injured
A DRIVER who was showing off when he crashed his car and badly injured two sisters was yesterday jailed for a year. David Andrew Mitchell was told by Judge George Moorhouse: "My over-riding duty is towards the public, and warnings must go out to others
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Tournament nets research cash
A CHARITY football tournament which pays tribute to a woman who died of cancer has raised £2,500 for research into the disease. More than 200 supporters were at the annual event at Langley Park Welfare Football Ground in memory of Mary Hayton and to raise
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Victorian villagers took their dispute over a buried highway to the assizes
IT came very close to "shock and awe". The huge landslip on the Cleveland Hills in June 1872 aroused what a newspaper described as "intense wonder not unmingled with awe". About 200yds of the Cleveland escarpment at Hasty Bank, south of Stokesley, broke
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Fulfilment of a dream for husband and wife
A GALLERY and workshop specialising in hand-crafted wooden vessels has opened in the region. Hollow Creations at Ingleby Cross, just off the A19 near Ingleby Arncliffe, is run by husband-and-wife team Gordon and Carol Knight. Along with a large wooden
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Curate moving to pastures new
A CURATE who looked after Northallerton when it was without a vicar for 20 months is leaving for pastures new. The Rev Liz Kitching has been in the parish of Northallerton with Romanby and Kirby Sigston for four years. She was put in charge when Canon
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Queen's Head leaves us hot and cold
IT is always something of a dilemma when a reader recommends a restaurant for review. On the one hand, if someone has been so impressed with an establishment that they have taken the trouble to write to the editor about it, then surely it's got to be
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Lizzie the lamb goes to school
SCHOOLCHILDREN were delighted when they had a farmyard visitor this week. Elizabeth the lamb was brought to Roseberry Primary School in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, by nine-year-old Shona Holmes for a show-and-tell session. The new-born lamb belongs
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Second World War veterans tour RAF base
WAR veterans have received a guided tour around one of the region's RAF bases. The veterans visited RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York, as part of celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of VE day. The visit to the former Halifax and Lancaster bomber base
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One-stop inquiry centre to improve service for residents
A NEWLY-COMPLETED one-stop council inquiries office will lead to much better service for residents, say council chiefs. The Richmondshire District Council community office will open on Monday in a converted church in Zetland Square, Dundas Street, Richmond
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05/05/05
PENNY FOR THEM: BP Swaddle makes some interesting points in his letter on economic stability (HAS, Apr 26). Prices of property and many other things are soaring out of all proportion. Since going decimal our money has lost all connection with its old
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Predictions indicate historic third term for Labour
Tony Blair is on course for historic third term with a Labour majority of 66, according to joint BBC/ITV News exit poll. The poll predicts Labour's majority will be reduced from 160 to 66. Full coverage and analysis in Friday's Northern Echo.
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War hero jailed for schoolgirl sex offences
THE decorated career of a Gulf War hero is in ruins after he was jailed for sex offences against a schoolgirl. RAF senior aircraftman Steven Oliver, 33, was left suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following the 1991 conflict. But the career
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Soldier's body to be returned to UK
The body of Guardsman Anthony Wakefield, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq, is to be returned to Britain tomorrow, the Ministry of Defence said today. His body will be returned to RAF Brize Norton in a private ceremony attended by senior military
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Fortnight of fitness for school pupils
TWO weeks of activities are planned for youngsters in Teesdale to encourage them to have a healthier lifestyle. Sport, health and leisure services are teaming up to give primary school pupils a chance to take part in the Teesdale Active and Healthy fortnight
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Girl, 9, to perform at festival
SCHOOLGIRL pianist Sarah Gardner has been invited to play in a prestigious musical festival. The nine-year-old pupil at Teesside Prep School, Eaglescliffe, will take part in the Sunderland Festival of Young Pianists alongside older and more experienced
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Children's art sold to support Unicef
CHILDREN from a Teesside school showed off framed artwork they had created in aid of charity. Pupils from Yarm Early School created the paintings during the school's recent art week, along with local artist Chris Pendlington. The youngsters sold the pictures
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
Ayckbourn comedy: The Yarm Border Players latest comedy, How the Other Half Live, by Alan Ayckbourn, will run from Wednesday, May 11, to Saturday, May 14, at 7.30pm, in the Yarm Social Centre, Bentley Wynd. Tickets cost £5 with concessions £4 and are
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Scientist helps team to chemistry prize
A YOUNG scientist from Sedgefield had the right chemistry to win an award in a recent competition. Jane Larcombe, 13, from Sedgefield, was part of a team of four girls from Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe, which competed in the Salters Festival of
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Aerospace invitation
AEROSPACE and engineering companies are being urged to fly the flag for the region at one of the world's most famous air shows. UK Trade and Investment is taking a delegation to the Paris Air Show. The trip will also include a visit to the British Embassy
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Scott out to stake claim for Pool job
STAND-IN boss Martin Scott is aiming to use tomorrow's play-off decider with Bournemouth as his application to become the permanent manager at Hartlepool United. It is no secret that Scott has done the large share of the work on the training field during
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Shearer can't expect automatic place
WHEN Alan Shearer announced that he was not going to retire at the end of the season, it was not supposed to mean he was going to hang his boots up even earlier. Yet, when the Newcastle skipper walked into Graeme Souness' office last week and asked to
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Vote of confidence for United's rising stars
WHEN the rest of the population go to the polls later today, it is safe to assume that Newcastle's players will be joining them in exercising their democratic right. On the evidence of last night's 3-1 win at Fulham, they seem to have finally rediscovered
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Stones in his Pockets, Gala Theatre, Durham
A TINY Irish village is changed forever when it becomes the location for a major Hollywood film in this superb, award-winning comedy. Extras are needed from the local community and although the County Kerry folk clash with the shallow, image-obsessed
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Party leaders await their fate
The three main party leaders were this afternoon anxiously awaiting to learn their fate as voters went to the polls to decide whether Tony Blair wins a historic third term in No 10. A final Mori poll for the Evening Standard in London put Labour on 38%
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Dirani in driving seat
BRAZIL'S Danilo Dirani will be looking to stretch his lead at the top of the British F3 International Series when Croft hosts rounds five and six this weekend. With the previous rounds at Spa Francorchamps being cancelled due to bad weather, Dirani leads
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Project aims to gauge extent of hate crime
GAY and ethnic victims of crime will be able to report incidents to a member of their community rather than directly to the police under a new scheme to gauge the extent of hate crime. In the last year, a total of 370 hate crimes were reported in County
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McDonald's - it's not just you to blame
JAMIE Oliver would have been proud of us. We let the children stay up late last week to watch Super Size Me, the entertaining film about a reporter who ate nothing but McDonald's meals for a month, in the belief it would put them off fast food for life
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Rail company bids for a direct Thirsk to London link
BUSINESSES and councillors in Thirsk this week backed plans to give the town a direct rail link to London. The York-based Grand Central Railway Company hopes to provide the link from December. This week the plan was seen not only as a boost to existing
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Twins charged with attempted murder
Teenaged twin brothers have been charged with attempting to murder their stepfather and violent offences against their mother and sister, police said. Cleveland Police said the two 15-year-olds faced the attempted murder charge in relation to their 41
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Labour hold Sunderland South
Labour have held on to Sunderland South, with Chris Mullen being re-elected. The seat is the first to declare its result.
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Eventing success in Scotland for North Yorkshire riders
MORTON ON SWALE international rider Nicola Tweddle made the trip up to Perthshire worthwhile with an impressive performance at the Central Scotland one-day event at Scone Palace. The competition got the 2005 British Eventing season under way in Scotland
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Kettlewell is class act at Guisborough trial
THE first of the Guisborough Motor Club's summer series of trials got under way last Saturday night with a massive entry of 125 riders. Starting from the car park area at the top of Birk Brow, the riders dropped down into the disused quarry where Stewart
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Third-time scheme for factory site could be doomed
PLANS to redevelop a former engineering factory site into a multi-million pound leisure and retail complex could be doomed before they even get off the ground. A planning application to turn the Cummins Engine Ltd site, in Yarm Road, Darlington, into
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'Give up the ciggies or the wedding's off!'
An estimated ten million people have already given up smoking in the UK, but every year 35 workers die from exposure to second hand smoke in the North-East alone. Bride-to-be Julia Breen enlists the help of the National Health Service to see if she can
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NE trials prove natural remedies are the best
WORK to improve the behaviour of disruptive schoolchildren has been hailed a success following major international medical trials carried out in the North-East. Experts believe the research could persuade thousands of parents to ditch stimulant medication
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Blair hat-trick
TONY BLAIR was on course to secure a record third successive General Election victory last night - but with a much reduced majority and a question mark over his continued leadership. Labour's fear that its support in marginal seats would not hold up appeared
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Men off menu
Britt Ekland returns to the stage at Darlington with a dangerous farce linked to sex and lies. She talks to Viv Hardwick about the sex and lies in her own life and why she hated the recent film about ex-husband Peter Sellers. MOST middle-aged males will
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Dog owner loses appeal
AN appeal court panel has ruled that a dog owner was rightly convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to his pet. Stephen Cooper, 37, failed in a bid to have an earlier court decision overturned on Wednesday. Cooper had been given a 12-month community
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Thousands of people due to attend festival
Thousands of people will travel to the North-East tomorrow to enjoy a free festival of music with a magnificent line up. People queued all night to get tickets for Radio 1's Big Weekend at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland. US rockers the Foo Fighters
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Mayor welcomes council offices
COMMUNITY leaders have backed 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 has
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Boyfriend admits killing Joanne
The boyfriend of Joanne Nelson yesterday admitted responsibility for her unlawful killing. Paul Dyson, 30, appeared at Hull Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing, where his barrister said he admitted the unlawful killing of the 22-year-old, who
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Drivers have lucky escape
Three drivers had a lucky escape after an accident on a County Durham road. The incident happened at the Winston crossroads on the A67 between Barnard Castle and Darlington happened this morning at around 10.30am. It involved A Volkswagen Passatt, a Peugeot
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A woodland wonderland
Schools in the Craghead, South Stanley and South Moor areas are taking part in a series of woodland walks. Pat Oughtibridge, head teacher at South Stanley Infant School, said: "Woods make great outdoor classrooms, especially for children who don't do
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Turner set for return as Cooper leaves Pool
FORMER Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner has quickly emerged as the front-runner for a shock return at Victoria Park as Neale Cooper's successor. Cooper's near two-year reign as Pool chief came to an abrupt and surprising end yesterday when the club
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Glass attack woman jailed
A MOTHER who lost an eye after she was glassed in a nightclub has seen her attacker jailed. Nadia Gibany had to have a prosthetic eye fitted following the incident at the Aruba club, in Redcar, in October last year. She had been enjoying a night out with
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Hartlepool's Mayor Stuart Drummond is re-elected
IF good things come in threes then newly re-elected Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond must be hoping his beloved Hartlepool United can book their place in the play-offs this weekend and make it a hat-trick of wins. Mr Drummond secured a double victory
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Open verdict recorded on double death crash
A CORONER has recorded an open verdict into the deaths of a ten-year-old boy and his older sister following a fatal car crash. Lee Armstrong was a front-seat passenger in a Citroen Saxo being driven by his 19-year-old sister Jenna when it crashed with
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Call-up is a dream for Webster
WHEN Adrian Webster links up with the New Zealand squad in London next month, the Darlington midfielder will be capping a fairytale comeback in the game. It was 12 months ago that the 24-year-old flew to England from Australia for surgery on a career-threatening
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Blair by the sea, trying to turn tide of apathy
Political editor Chris Lloyd watches Tony Blair's final election campaign in Scarborough last night. HAT began in Sedgefield 25 long days ago ended last night, some 70 miles south in Scarborough, as Tony Blair gave his last address of the 2005 General
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E3 - the only game in town
COMPANIES hoping to break into the multi-billion dollar US video games market will be showcasing their wares at a major industry event later this month. Four North-East software producers are taking part in video games conference E3, held in Los Angeles
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Aim is 72 employees in two years' time
A COMPANY launching its products next week expects to employ up to 72 people over the next 18 months. TimberMate specialises in designing and manufacturing timber products for the home and garden, and aims to have an annual turnover of £20m in two years
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Inquest told of scalding horror
A DISABLED man suffered burns when he was lowered into scalding water after a carer failed to check the temperature, an inquest heard yesterday. Trevor Morris could not move and could barely speak. He had no way of telling his carer that he was in agony
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Steelmaker announces plant upgrade
A £79M upgrade of a Corus plant in Wales will enable the company to replace steel supplied by Teesside. Corus said yesterday it had completed a key part of its restructuring with the opening of a continuous steel slab caster at its Port Talbot steelworks
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John North: Fulfilment of a steam dream
After 18 years of languishing in a shed, the class Q6, number 63395, locomotive is about to regain its rightful place on the rails. THEY called her the Consett Engine and, if they were raggy trousered train spotters, other things much ruder. Class Q6,
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Tour operators on the preacher's trail
TOUR operators are visiting the Wear Valley on a history trail that dates back to the 19th Century. As part of a Busman's Holiday, organised by the Wear Valley Group Travel Showcase, the 40-plus operators are hoping to boost tourism. They will be following
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Birthday celebrations
STAFF celebrated the first anniversary of a rural heritage centre yesterday. They drank a toast, in cups of tea, to the successful 12 months enjoyed by the Meet the Middletons centre at Middleton-in-Teesdale. Numbers to the centre, which highlights the
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Homes plan rejected
PARISH councillors have objected to a controversial housing scheme. Proposals to build 14 town houses and four apartments at Croft House, Hurworth Place, have been submitted to Darlington Borough Council. The application is due to be considered by the
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Adoption group aims to fill the gap
A FOUNDATION has been launched to bring birth parents closer to the children they gave away in a bid to piece together the past life of an adopted child. Connected for Life, part of the DFW Adoption scheme was launched yesterday at Auckland Castle, to
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Cheap fuel for rural families
RESIDENTS who are working hard to breathe new life into an isolated village have launched a project providing cheap fuel to heat the homes of people on low incomes. Six volunteers will take to the roads in Weardale to cut up fallen timber, which will
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Proposal to extend village graveyard
A PROPOSAL has been made to take over a farm field to extend the cemetery at Gainford, near Barnard Castle. Teesdale District Council, which is responsible for the burial ground, is applying to its own planning committee for consent to extend it. Chris
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Bike will help Yvonne beat rush-hour traffic
A woman has won a mountain bike after completing a travel survey. Yvonne Hoare, of Haughton, Darlington, was among 400 people to take part in a survey as part of the borough council's Town on the Move initiative. The study was carried out to build up
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Group celebrates as ride still thrives after 20 years
Two decades down the line and the Ullswater ride for the Cumbria Group of Endurance GB is still thriving, attracting many entries. A very impressive 119 riders from as far a field as Scotland and Wales turned up for the four classes held on Sunday, April
