Archive
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Give me a break, Blair tells rebel MPs
TONY BLAIR'S backbench critics were shouted down yesterday when he pledged to arrange an orderly hand-over of power at Number 10. The Prime Minister faced down his detractors at a packed meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party in his first big test
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Blind driver is back behind the wheel
A FORMER bus driver who is now blind is preparing to get back behind the wheel to raise funds for charity. Lorna Jones, 44, is to take part in a sponsored drive on a race track in aid of the North-East branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind. She will be accompanied
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Labour MPs defeat election opponents to retain their seats
LABOUR's chief whip Hilary Armstrong has held on to the Durham North-West seat with a majority of 13,443 votes. The MP polled 21,312 votes, Liberal Democrat Alan Ord received 7,869 votes, Conservative Jamie Devlin 6,463 and Independent Watts Stelling
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Pigeon fancier takes rival's prize racer
A pigeon fancier took a rival breeder's prize racer hostage in a bizarre attempt to track down his own missing birds. Brian Tumilty, 41, had been devastated when arsonists caused £30,000 worth of damage to the pigeon loft he inherited from his father
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PC rescues boy stuck up to his waist in mud
A POLICEMAN has been praised for wading into thick mud to rescue a youngster who got stuck while fishing in a pond. Timothy Rabot, 11, went to the pond near the Harperley Hotel, at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, on Sunday evening with friends Charlotte and
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Give me a break, Blair tells rebel MPs
TONY BLAIR'S backbench critics were shouted down yesterday when he pledged to arrange an orderly hand-over of power at Number 10. The Prime Minister faced down his detractors at a packed meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party in his first big test
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No sex please, we're parents
WHAT was Tony Blair thinking of when he told the Sun newspaper on the eve of the General Election that he could perform five times a night "at least - I can do it more, depending how I feel"? Cherie made it even worse when asked if he was up to it. "He
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Milburn pledges to stick around town
LABOUR election co-ordinator Alan Milburn has vowed to spend more time in Darlington, ruling out a return to front line politics. The former health secretary made the promise as he swept to a fourth victory in the town's constituency. Although recently
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Bad news
Victoria Bush has been behind bars ever since she left drama school. Steve Pratt talks to the actress about continuing her stint in ITV1's Bad Girls and how she felt about her character being determined to go back to Larkhill Prison. FOLLOWERS of ITV's
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Building a star
Channel Five watchers are used to hearing about George's marvellous medicine when it comes to building property dreams abroad. George Clarke, the North-East-born architect, talks to Viv Hardwick about becoming the face of TV property and his new series
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Hyde and seek
Entertainer and theatre producer Paul Nicholas is finding audiences harder to find than expected with his touring version of Jekyll And Hyde. He tells Viv Hardwick about the trials of touring a new new musical. THERE are times when Paul Nicholas wouldn't
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Computer teacher downloaded child porno images
A computer teacher from the North-East was ordered to register as a sex offender yesterday after downloading more than 100 images of child pornography. Paul Whitfield, 35, is currently suspended from his post as head of IT at Churchdown Comprehensive
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McGrath is the pick of Yorkshire's grafting bowlers
All six Yorkshire bowlers were among the wickets against Leicestershire at Grace Road yesterday but the most deserving of them was medium-pacer Anthony McGrath, who bowled the longest stint of his career and took two of the most important scalps. Yorkshire's
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Top Ten To Rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL: 1 (2) National Treasure 2 (1) Blade Trinity 3 (-) White Noise 4 (3) Without A Paddle 5 (4) Excorcist: The Beginning 6 (5) Manchurian Candidate 7 (6) House Of Flying Daggers 8 (7) Birth 9 (8) Phantom Of The Opera 10 (10) Vera Drake
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Fonda a monster
After a 15-years break from acting, Jane Fonda is delighted her return to the silver screen has attracted so much interest. Steve Pratt talks to her about creating the monstrous role of journalist Viola. JANE Fonda told women around the world to "feel
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Stinking row over new tax ruling for horse businesses
THE latest Government initiative to turn muck into brass is creating a stink among people in the North-East horse world. The industry says it is about to be hit by a new stealth tax in the form of licensing fees - for manure heaps. Rules to be introduced
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Bullied gay theatre worker wins fight for compensation
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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Town steps out to get fit
HUNDREDS of people are being encouraged to sign up to pound the streets of Darlington - and take a big step towards a healthy lifestyle. The 18th annual Darlington 10k Road Run will be held on Sunday, August 14, and organisers are hopeful of this year's
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Pages of history turn again
Communities united at the weekend to mark the 60th anniversay of VE Day, the day the guns fell silent over Europe. Crown Street library in Darlington, put original copies of The Northern Echo from VE Day on display to rekindle memories. The pages were
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Warning to female binge drinkers
POLICE in the region last night said young women who binge drink are leaving themselves more vulnerable to sex attacks. Cleveland Police said officers were called to deal with at least four attacks on women in the force area every weekend. They said too
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Town gyms are among cheapest
THE cost of going to the gym in two North-East towns is among the cheapest in the country, research has shown. Hartlepool (£2) and Stockton (£2.90) feature in a list of the cheapest gym sessions in the country. The survey, by the Chartered Institute of
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Art students draw the crowds with a glass act
Students from the region have gone to Hell and back to create their latest exhibition and come up with heavenly results. Seventeen students studying glass at the University of Sunderland have opened their first exhibition only weeks after completing a
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Family bids farewell to soldier killed in Iraq
A military funeral for a soldier killed in a roadside bomb blast in Iraq took place today. Coldstream Guard Anthony Wakefield was blown up almost two weeks ago while on patrol in the southern town of Al Amarah. St Gabriel's Church, Heaton, Newcastle,
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'Boss' Shearer given Shepherd backing
NEWCASTLE United chairman Freddy Shepherd has reaffirmed his desire to make Alan Shearer Newcastle United's next manager. The skipper's recent decision to prolong his contract for another season and combine playing with coaching was another indication
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Town may adopt baby-feeding scheme
A SUCCESSFUL scheme which has created a breastfeeding-friendly town centre is likely to be copied in the North-East. Hull and East Riding has pioneered a scheme which allows private and public sector businesses to display window stickers as part of efforts
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Traders' group shuts up shop
A TOWN'S chamber of trade has been forced to disband after failing to attract new members. Shildon Chamber of Trade meets for the final time in July after members agreed to wind up the organisation. Chairman Brian Stoker said the decision had been taken
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Ex-policeman killed himself in house fire
A RETIRED policeman killed himself by setting his house on fire, an inquest heard. Neighbours of 61-year-old Allan Campbell begged him to leave his home in Coniston Close, Belmont, near Durham City, when they saw smoke. But he refused and stayed inside
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30 new recruits for Crutes
NORTH-East law firm Crutes is to open new offices in Teesside to tap into a growing market. Newcastle-based Crutes follows on the heels of Dickinson Dees, which opened an office in Teesdale, Stockton two years ago and has enjoyed increasing success there
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On TV
Heatwave (BBC1) Compulsion: Love Will Tear Us Apart (BBC2) ANOTHER night on TV, another set of problems. On the BBC, if the hot weather doesn't kill you then a gambling, drug, alcohol or sex addiction will ruin your life. Heatwave was one of those dramatised
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Tourism record broken, but more still needs to be done
RECORD numbers of foreign tourists visited the North-East last year, providing a welcome boost to the region's economy. Figures show that more than 540,000 overseas visitors stayed in the region last year -up six per cent on 2003 - with tourists spending
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Ruling lifts fears of huge payouts
A LANDMARK employment decision is likely to save UK local authorities hundreds of millions of pounds. A 46-page judgement from The Employment Tribunals has ruled that Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council was right to offer staff compensation as part of
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How Explorer discovered a road back to success
UNDER various names and owners, making caravans has been an industry in Consett for more than 40 years. And with a workforce of 450, the Explorer Group remains one of the town's biggest private employers. But, after four decades of steady expansion, the
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Albert Hall motivated for a grand performance in Dante Stakes
MOTIVATOR makes his long-waited comeback at York this afternoon following a winter of spin to match anything on offer during the recent General Election. Michael Bell's unbeaten colt admittedly set the pulse racing by emphatically winning last season's
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Fury at fresh job losses in banking
A FRESH round of job cuts and branch closures in the banking sector drew an angry response last night. In the wake of Tuesday's news that Abbey would cut a further 1,000 posts, Lloyds TSB announced almost 500 jobs would go - including 35 in Stockton -
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Labour celebrate national and regional success
HELEN Goodman took up her first post as MP as voters in Bishop Auckland remained loyal to Labour. Mrs Goodman takes up the gauntlet from Labour stalwart Derek Foster, who served as the constituency's MP for 26 years. She was elected with a majority of
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Riverside visit
STUDENTS travelled to Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium as the finale of a business project. The 22 students, from Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, had been studying for six weeks with members of Middlesbrough FC's business and
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£630,000 for a sure start
A CHILDREN'S centre has been opened in Darlington to give youngsters the best start to life. The £630,000 SureStart facility for under-fours, in the grounds of Mount Pleasant Primary School on the Branksome estate, is offering services including midwifery
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Message in a bottle success
A LIFE-SAVING scheme that uses a message in a bottle is being extended in Darlington thanks to the help of the town's doctors. More than 10,000 plastic pill bottles have already been made available. The white bottles, marked with a green cross, contain
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Alcoholic inmate died of haemorrhage
AN alcoholic prisoner died as the result of a brain haemorrhage, an inquest heard yesterday. Brian Wilkinson, of Station Road, Redcar, east Cleveland, was serving a four-month sentence for twice breaching his anti-social behaviour order and being drunk
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Hats a good idea
AN exhibition challenging the stigma surrounding mental health has arrived in Darlington. A host of celebrities have backed the Hats Off display, organised by the national charity Mentality, which is on show at Doctor Piper House, in King Street. Stars
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Ladies mark 40 years together
THE Cockerton Ladies' Group celebrated its 40th anniversary this week. It marked the occasion by holding a dinner for past and present members at its regular meeting place, Cockerton Methodist Church. The club was set up in 1965 for mums in the area and
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Month's delay in housing vote
VILLAGERS will have to wait another month before a decision on controversial plans for a housing development. Two detached homes and 14 town houses could be created at Croft House, Hurworth Place, were to be decided on by Darlington Borough Council yesterday
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Concerns of disabled group mean road must be dug up
A newly-resurfaced road that was completed weeks behind schedule is to be dug up after complaints from wheelchair users. Campaign group Disability Action in Richmondshire (DAIR) has criticised county council contractors for failing to build dropped kerbs
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McCarthy targets Richardson
SUNDERLAND have earmarked Leeds United full-back Frazer Richardson as the perfect man to kick-start a summer of fine-tuning at the Stadium of Light ahead of a return to the Premiership. Having put former Manchester United defender Mark Lynch on the transfer-list
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Residents rally to block O2 mast
RESIDENTS are mounting a campaign opposing plans to install a 40ft phone mast on a north Durham estate. Garden Farm and West Lane Community Association is writing to more than 1,400 people about O2's planning application for an antennae in Grasmere Road
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Trader hails vibrant market
AS market trader Robin Blair reached his 60th birthday this week, he reflected on how his business has changed since he started as a lad. His family have run a fruit and veg stall in Darlington Indoor Market for 130 years and it has been handed down four
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Children hit by Aids stage concert of hope
A choir of children from Africa is to tour the Wear Valley to raise awareness about Aids orphans. The Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda, central Africa, will be singing at the Wear Valley Christian Centre and St John's High School, Bishop Auckland,
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Bookworms' delight supports hospice
A HAVEN for bookworms opened its doors in Stockton High Street yesterday. The first floor of the new Butterwick Care Hospice store is a book shop with a seating area so visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee while browsing the latest reads. A range of fashions
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Volunteers stage clean-up of village
VOLUNTEERS from Witton Park have taken part in a clean-up of their village. Residents joined with representatives of the Pride campaign and Wear Valley District Council to fill black bags with rubbish. A large amount of broken glass was picked up from
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Youngsters design bench for community
YOUNGSTERS in Tow Law have helped design a seating area. This month, the finishing touches of a woven willow archway were added to the sandstone bench that now stands on the Millennium Green in Tow Law, near the pond. Wear Valley project officer Oliver
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Foster carers appeal
STAFF at a local authority fostering service will be clocking up the miles this weekend to give children a better start in life. The team of nine from Durham County Council is cycling from Berwick to Chester-le-Street - each mile representing one of the
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Grassroots: Yarm and Eaglescliffe
TECHNOLOGY SHOW: Yarm School's design and technology department will hold a product show and barbecue on Friday, from 6pm to 9pm. Practical projects and design portfolios will be on display. All visitors are welcome, but anyone wanting a barbecue is asked
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Backing for tourism
A NEWLY-ELECTED leader of a small market town has pledged to work for its growing reputation as a tourist destination. Andy Burrell went to this week's meeting of Masham Parish Council, unaware that chairman John Ellis was standing down. But Mr Burrell
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Mayor's vow to aid the young
A RETIRED prison officer has been elected Mayor of Barnard Castle. Councillor John Yarker will replace outgoing Mayor John Watson, who wished him luck for the coming year. Coun Yarker said: "There's a job of work to do. "There's a number of businesses
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Skatepark concerns go to Ombudsman
THE controversy over a children's skate park at Kirkbymoorside has re-emerged. It has been disclosed that a neighbour has complained to the Local Government Ombudsman about the way the issue was handled by Ryedale District Council. The park, which opened
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Stiff opposition to site for travelling showmen
PLANS to use a field as a permanent site for travelling showmen have provoked a deluge of objections. The proposals would see 28 pitches and a series of access roads built in a field on Pool Lane, in Nun Monkton, between Harrogate and York. If the plans
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Charity seeks volunteers for driving duties
A CHARITY is seeking volunteers to drive people with eye problems to and from hospital appointments. The County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted, based in Durham, is looking for car owners who can occasionally act as driver-escorts for
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Aid leaves for disaster zone
A CONVOY of aid has left Durham City for the scene of the world's worst nuclear disaster. Medical supplies, computer equipment and aid, donated by the public, is being sent to Chernobyl, in the former Soviet Union, to coincide with the 19th anniversary
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Hoax phone pest told to leave council flat
A phone pest is being forced out of her home after pestering emergency services with hundreds of hoax 999 calls. Over nearly three years, Denise Talbot, who is blind, made scores of calls which tied up the emergency services. She also terrorised neighbours
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Agony aunt opens brittle bone event
TELEVISION agony aunt Denise Robertson is to launch an osteoporosis day in the North-East next month. The star of This Morning will be at the Council Chambers in County Hall, Durham, at 1pm on Saturday, June 11 to launch the free event organised by the
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Driving home the foster carer message
PEOPLE interested in becoming foster parents yesterday visited a vintage open-top bus touring the county. The 1947 Leyland Tiger half-cab coach was in Northallerton as part of North Yorkshire County Council's Help Us Raise 100 Smiles campaign. The aim
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Stars in their eyes performers shine out at sixth form college
"TONIGHT, Matthew, I'm going to be Louis Armstrong!" Those were the words of Stockton Sixth Form College principal Martin Clinton as he took to the stage as the legendary jazz singer in a Stars in Their Eyes show at the college last night. Mr Clinton
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City bids to be bloomin' best
GREEN-FINGERED enthusiasts can hear how they can boost Durham's Britain in Bloom bid at a Gardeners' Question Time event. Durham City Council is hosting this Thursday's question and answer session as part of the launch of its Britain in Bloom 2005 campaign
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Post office restart after nine months
A VILLAGE post office has reopened after being closed for nine months. The previous branch in Aysgarth, Wensleydale, closed last August when the sub-postmistress resigned. On Monday, a post office was opened in the village by Steve and Cath Cartridge,
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Youngsters brighten up care home
SCHOOLchildren have been working to improve the gardens of a care home for the elderly in Derwentside. Fifteen pupils from Consett Junior School helped brighten up Brockwell Court Care Home, in Consett. The scheme is part of the Pride in Consett North
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Genius signs deal with US company
A MUSIC company in Derwentside has received a boost as it prepares for the release of its debut single. Genius Entertainment, in Stanley, has agreed a deal with New York company The Orchard, a leading distributor of independent music. The deal will see
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Taste of Europe
THESE pupils from St Joseph's School, Stanley, were among around 300 children from 32 County Durham schools who celebrated Europe Day by donning fancy dress last Friday. The event, at Durham County Council's headquarters, focused on Denmark, with emphasis
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Agony aunt opens brittle bone event
TELEVISION agony aunt Denise Robertson is to launch an osteoporosis day in the North-East next month. The star of This Morning will be at the Council Chambers in County Hall, Durham, at 1pm on Saturday, June 11 to launch the free event organised by the
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Euro bank's £115m tonic for N-E hospitals
HOSPITALS in the region are to benefit from a £115m European Union loan. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is backing the modernisation of some of the region's largest hospitals, in Newcastle. The loan is part of measures to improve the infrastructure
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Labour keeps key to city
LABOUR held on to the City of Durham, albeit with a much reduced majority, as they saw off a strong Liberal Democrat challenge for the constituency. Newly-elected MP Roberta Blackman Woods was "absolutely delighted" with the result in which Labour kept
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Hodgson undecided over Hignett's future
A DAY after David Hodgson axed a third of his squad, the Darlington manager was this morning waking up to his latest dilemma with Craig Hignett revealing his intention to play on for another season. While Bobby Petta and Curtis Fleming were among those
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Angels keep the memories alive
MORE than 100 wartime munitions workers celebrated VE Day's 60th anniversary at what was probably their last big reunion. Age has not dimmed the spirits of the 100 or so former Aycliffe Angels called back to the site of their Forties war efforts. Now
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Greg is tough on Henman
Tim Henman admitted Greg Rusedski had made life difficult for him after disposing of his compatriot in their absorbing all-British second-round contest at the Hamburg Masters Series. The fifth seed and British number one overcame rain, wind and a Rusedski
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N-East marketing drive welcomed
A MULTI-MILLION pound campaign aimed at promoting the North-East around the world was last night welcomed by business leaders. The marketing strategy is designed to raise the profile and improve the image of the region among people who live and work here
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Lancashire latest to suffer as Durham set a hot pace
ANY cynics believing that Durham's wonderful start to the season cannot last were made to sit up and take notice as they rocked Lancashire at Old Trafford yesterday. The second division leaders closed the first day on 92 for two in reply to Lancashire's
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Rescued boy says he has learned his lesson
A BOY who was rescued after sinking into mud while fishing in a pond says he has learned his lesson about the dangers of playing near water. The Northern Echo reported this week how five police officers formed a human chain to haul 11-year-old Timothy
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'Workers still owed week's pay'
ADMINISTRATORS last night remained tight-lipped on the future of a stricken civil engineering firm. Union leaders revealed on Tuesday that 229 out of 267 workers at the O'Donnell Brothers had been made redundant. But administrators from the DTE Group
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Yakubu arrival signals end for strike rivals
AIYEGBENI YAKUBU'S proposed summer move to Middlesbrough will herald a summer clear-out of striking talent on Teesside as manager Steve McClaren aims to boost his attacking options. Boro have verbally agreed a deal, believed to be worth £6.5m, with both
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Bandstand inspires hopes of gold
gardening enthusiasts are going for gold in a national competition. Darlington Borough Council's entry in the Royal Horticultural Society's national flower bed competition will be focused on the restoration of the bandstand at the town's South Park. The
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Just Desserts!, Darlington Civic Theatre
BEWIGGED, bothered and bewildered, Britt Ekland's character Juliette - a wife about to learn her husband is a love rat - appears quite late in the proceedings. Even so, the somewhat dowdily-dressed former Swedish sex bomb throws herself into the fray
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Overcrowded prison claim is refuted
OFFICIALS have rejected claims by a group campaigning for fewer prison sentences that a North-East jail is overcrowded. Smart Justice, which wants the courts to use non-custodial options such as community sentence and probation for non-violent offenders
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Albert Hall motivated for a grand performance in Dante Stakes
MOTIVATOR makes his long-waited comeback at York this afternoon following a winter of spin to match anything on offer during the recent General Election. Michael Bell's unbeaten colt admittedly set the pulse racing by emphatically winning last season's
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'We know we may not come back at all'
If they successfully row 2,100 miles across the North Atlantic in less than 55 days, they will secure a place in the record books. But five men have already died trying. Lindsay Jenings meets latter-day adventurers George Rock and Nigel Morris. NIGEL
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Enterprising pupils highlight NE musicians
A BUSINESS idea by enterprising teenagers looks set to help shine a spotlight on thousands of young musicians across the region. Small Print was set up by seven students from St Leonard's RC School in Durham City, after they realised there was nowhere
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Bird auction forced to stop
A popular pet bird auction has been forced to stop after the organisers were warned they were breaking the law. The event was held at the village hall at Coxhoe, near Durham City, every other Sunday and drew visitors from across the region. But Durham
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'We've given them lunch breaks for donkeys years'
NEWS that Blackpool's seaside donkeys are to be given an hour's lunch break barely raised an eyebrow in a North seaside resort. Officials at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, said their 40-strong team, which give children's rides on the beach, have been having
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Transformation in fortunes for political figure
ONE of the region's leading political figures yesterday completed a comeback when he was reinstated as leader of the North-East's biggest local authority. Earlier this year, Ken Manton's political career appeared to be in ruins when he was deselected
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Attacks force nurse to quit job
A NURSE is being forced to quit her "dream job" after she was attacked three times in a year, leaving her terrified to set foot on a hospital ward. Wendy Boulton's career is in ruins after she became a victim of the rising tide of violence against staff
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PM happy on home ground
TONY Blair led the Labour Party to a record third term in office after increasing his majority in his Sedgefield constitutency. But his success locally was not matched in the rest of the country with the Government's overall majority reduced from 161
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Radio opportunity for N-E bands
AN award-winning student station radio station will be highlighting North-East talent when it goes back on air next week. The University of Sunderland's student radio station, called Utopia FM, which is rated as one of the best student radio stations
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Hospital to be demolished
PLANS to demolish a specialist village hospital and replace it with a new 72-bed psychiatric unit have been supported by councillors. Affinity Healthcare applied to Darlington Borough Council for permission to create the complex on the site presently
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Museum awarded £800,000 to pay for repairs to roof
A MUSEUM in the North-East has been awarded the largest grant of its kind to fund repair work. English Heritage has awarded The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, £800,000 towards the restoration of its dilapidated roof. The grant is the
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Mother asks police to review the way cot deaths are investigated
A grieving mother is calling upon the police to review the way they investigate cot deaths. Barbara Marshall says she accepts the police have a job to do but claims she and her family were treated insensitively after the death of her nine-week-old daughter
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Hairdressing staff brush up on race fitness
STAFF from a hairdressers in the North-East are to swap their scissors for sneakers when they take part in a charity run. The women, who work at Tangles hair salon in Post House Wynd, Darlington, will take part the Race For Life in the town's South Park
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Sending out a message of our pride
TWO million pounds, a plush hotel, business bosses from around the region, big plans and high hopes. It was spring 2002 and regional development agency One NorthEast was banking on a three-year advertising drive, called 'Here. Now' to change people's
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Museum awarded £800,000 to pay for repairs to roof
A MUSEUM in the North-East has been awarded the largest grant of its kind to fund repair work. English Heritage has awarded The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, £800,000 towards the restoration of its dilapidated roof. The grant is the
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12/05/05
WELL DONE: WE thought that you may be interested to know about the VE celebrations held at Brompton School. It was a brilliant performance with a tremendous effort by the headteacher, Mrs Burn, and her staff, the children, parents and villagers. Lunch
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A heatwave which left me very cold
Heatwave (BBC1); Compulsion: Love Will Tear Us Apart (BBC2): ANOTHER night on TV, another set of problems. On the BBC, if the hot weather doesn't kill you then a gambling, drug, alcohol or sex addiction will ruin your life. Heatwave was one of those dramatised
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Alcoholic inmate died of haemorrhage
AN alcoholic prisoner died as the result of a brain haemorrhage, an inquest heard yesterday. Brian Wilkinson, of Station Road, Redcar, east Cleveland, was serving a four-month sentence for twice breaching his anti-social behaviour order and being drunk
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John North: Where have all the flowers gone?
The column harks back to the days when the stations of Britain were full of flowers... and the trains were full of people coming to view them. LEST readers suppose that it's getting like Rail News around here, it should at once be stressed that today's
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Mum At Large: No sex please, we're parents
WHAT was Tony Blair thinking of when he told the Sun newspaper on the eve of the General Election that he could perform five times a night "at least - I can do it more, depending how I feel"? Cherie made it even worse when asked if he was up to it. "He
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Hignett's poser for Hodgson
A DAY after David Hodgson axed a third of his squad, the Darlington manager was this morning waking up to his latest dilemma with Craig Hignett revealing his intention to play on for another season. While Bobby Petta and Curtis Fleming were among those
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WI news
Consett Afternoon WI: The April meeting was opened by the president and the minutes of the previous meeting were read by the secretary. Verses were read by Joan Dance and Linda Richardson. It was reported that the coffee morning held in the Methodist
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Great Scott will do for striker Boyd
HARTLEPOOL UNITED'S striking sensation Adam Boyd has thrown his weight behind Martin Scott's claim to the Victoria Park hot-seat. Scott's first achievement as caretaker boss was to guide Pool to a League One play-off place for the second successive campaign
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Boy racers warned to drive safely or face prosecution
POLICE are warning boy racers who drive dangerously around Darlington's colleges they could face prosecution. Darlington Police say the sound of revving engines and screeching tyres is increasing the fear of crime in the area and could lead to people
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Art students draw the crowds with a glass act
Students from the region have gone to Hell and back to create their latest exhibition and come up with heavenly results. Seventeen students studying glass at the University of Sunderland have opened their first exhibition only weeks after completing a
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New call for youth facilities
A PARISH councillor has repeated his call for more youth facilities to be provided in a village. Hurworth Parish Council heard this week that anti-social behaviour in the community had declined dramatically over the past month. The village had become
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Smart solution to thefts from farms
HUNDREDS of farms across Weardale and Teesdale are to have their property marked with a solution which can be used to trace stolen property. The SmartWater system will mark trailers, tractors, tools and other items from 350 farms across the area. SmartWater
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Inquiry resumes into fatal car crash
AN independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding a fatal road accident after a high-speed police pursuit has been resumed. The investigation began after Katharine Davis died when the hatchback she was travelling in crashed and overturned
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Euro bank's £115m tonic for N-E hospitals
HOSPITALS in the region are to benefit from a £115m European Union loan. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is backing the modernisation of some of the region's largest hospitals, in Newcastle. The loan is part of measures to improve the infrastructure
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Officers saddle up for mountain bike patrols
POLICE in Consett and Stanley are now patrolling on bikes. Durham Constabulary has spent £3,000 on bicycles and safety equipment for four officers. PC Andy Froggatt said: "It means we can be visible and cover a greater distance in our beats. "It is going
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Cycling week
St John's Chapel Primary School, in Weardale, is celebrating cycling week with various events between May 16 and May 21. The main event will be a sponsored cycle ride on May 21. Anyone wishing to offer sponsorship can call Kerrie Evea at the school on
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Nursery's fundraising day goes with a bounce
YOUNGSTERS enjoyed an energetic time yesterday when they took to trampolines and bouncy castles to raise money for charity. More than 30 children and a few parents took advantage of the sunshine to take part in the event, at the Cheeky Monkeys Day Nursery
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Sports centre to make way for flats
PLANS to demolish one of Darlington town centre's most prominent buildings to make way for apartments were approved yesterday. Larchfield Sports Centre, in Larchfield Street, will be pulled down and 44 sheltered flats for elderly people built in its place
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Fostering effort
CYCLISTS from a fostering service are taking on a 120-mile ride to encourage more people to become carers. The nine-strong team from Durham County Council is cycling from Berwick to Chester-le-Street - each of the 120 miles representing one of the 120
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Market report
Northallerton. Wednesday. Forward 217 store and breeding cattle plus 70 breeding sheep, ewes and lambs. Cattle: Bulls: Lim £570, Bel Blue £515, Pied £490, Char £375, Friesian £352, Simm £310. Heifers: Lim £575, Ab Angus £548, Bel Blue £540, Char £530,
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Fundraising challenge is just a walk in the park for toddlers
TODDLERS and parents are being encouraged to put their best feet forward for charity. Macmillan Cancer Relief is hoping dozens of youngsters will turn out for its toddle around South Park, in Darlington, on Tuesday, May 24. The event is part of the Macmillan
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Allegations fly over e-mails at council
A ROW has erupted in Stockton Borough Council over a member's alleged misuse of the computer facilities. The deputy leader of thecouncil, Councillor David Coleman, has been accused of breaking the authority's rules by using his council e-mail account
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It's been a bumper year for wedding business
THE marriage business is booming in North Yorkshire, say council chiefs in charge of civil ceremonies. North Yorkshire County Council reports that a record 2,903 couples tied the knot at civil weddings in the county in the past 12 months. The county now
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I'll put it right, says head
THE new acting head of a school rocked by claims of high levels of bullying and truanting this week insisted its fortunes would be turned around. Eammon Farrar took charge of Eastbourne Comprehensive School in Darlington, this week, replacing Karen Pemberton
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Ruling lifts fears of huge payouts
A LANDMARK employment decision is likely to save UK local authorities hundreds of millions of pounds. A 46-page judgement from The Employment Tribunals has ruled that Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council was right to offer staff compensation as part of
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Engineering company first out of blocks
TEESSIDE firm Glamal Engineering has become the first company to be granted planning permission to develop on the former Samsung site, in Wynyard. The Billingham-based company had its application to develop on the £45m business park, now known as Wynyard
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Man charged over firearms
A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with possession of a banned firearm and ammunition after a car was stopped by armed police. It was alleged that, during a search of the black Jaguar, police found a pistol and five rounds of ammunition under the
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Over-50s to share memories online
SILVER surfers from the area are being urged to share their memories by putting them on a local history website. A day-long event is being held on Friday, May 27, at Hartlepool Central Library, York Road, to enable residents over 50 to put their recollections
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Foster carers appeal
STAFF at a local authority fostering service will be clocking up the miles this weekend to give children a better start in life. The team of nine from Durham County Council is cycling from Berwick to Chester-le-Street - each mile representing one of the
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Getting the message
IT is not the first time One NorthEast has had a crack at coming up with a publicly-funded marketing campaign to promote the region. Three years ago, under a previous management team, the regional development agency came up with a strategy with the meaningless
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Wildlife haven needs volunteers
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help create a wildlife haven. People in the Gaunless Valley, near Bishop Auckland, are being urged to help plant reed beds and meadow flowers at the newly-created wetlands between West Auckland and Ramshaw. Accessing Wetlands
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Charity walker to take on riverside challenge
A RETIRED insurance broker will follow the country's best-known river from its source to the sea on a sponsored walk in aid of a national charity. Ian Thomson, of St Edmund's Green, Sedgefield, plans to complete the 184-mile trek along the River Thames
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For all the write reasons
'Why do people read these columns?", my husband pondered. "What makes them bother?" It's a good question. I'd not given much thought to it until then. Of course, a lot of people never read columnists. They buy a paper for the sport or the news and that's
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Live venue wins fight for later opening hours
A COMPROMISE has been reached following objections to a music venue's bid for later opening hours. Operators of the Fish Tank, in Neville Street, Durham, were refused an extension to its public entertainment licence by the city council in January. Following
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Councils seeking bins for dog dirt
RURAL parish councils are uniting to try to persuade their local authority to provide dog waste bins. Etherley Parish Council has enlisted the support of parish councils in Teesdale to try and have dog bins provided. The chairman of Etherley Parish Council
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Wardens set up hamper programme for elderly
COMMUNITY wardens are setting up a scheme to distribute hampers to pensioners. They are working with charity Help the Aged to give away the hampers in September to pensioners across Stockton. And they are contacting shops and businesses for donations
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Training programme earns FA award
A COMMUNITY football coaching scheme has won national recognition for its high standards. The Middlesbrough Football Community Project (MFCP) has been awarded a Football Association Charter Standard mark for its holiday courses, in recognition of the
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Councillors in alliance with talk of coup to seize power
THE political future of Stockton Borough Council is expected to be decided next week - with an announcement which could see the ruling Labour group kicked out of office. Opposition groups have been in talks this week over plans for a coalition to seize
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Kitchens retailer has 'no plans' to cut workforce
MFI last night insisted there were no plans to cut back its 600-strong workforce at the Hygena factory in Stockton. Concerns were raised after an alliance enabling furniture retailer MFI to sell its Hygena-branded kitchens from Currys stores was scrapped
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Freedom of city parade
AN Army regiment will next week exercise its freedom of the city of Ripon. Members of 38 Engineer Regiment, based at Claro Barracks, will take part in the celebrations from May 19 to 22. The Corps silver, some of it dating back as far as the Zulu war
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WI news
St Helens: THE meeting opened with the secretary reading the minutes and correspondence and reminding members of the forthcoming coffee evening on May 18, at 7pm. The event is open to all and will be held in Selby Close Community Centre, St Helens. Kathy
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No sex please we're parents
WHAT was Tony Blair thinking of when he told the Sun newspaper on the eve of the General Election that he could perform five times a night "at least - I can do it more, depending how I feel"? Cherie made it even worse when asked if he was up to it. "He
