Archive
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Mercedes gearing up for N-E festival
A NORTH-EAST band will share the stage with top acts at a North-East music festival following a successful year. Last year, Hartlepool band Mercedes, fronted by husband-and-wife team Sharon and Mark Pinchen, were playing on the stage for local bands at
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Pools of tears as promotion hopes fade
HARTLEPOOL United came within eight minutes of a fairytale promotion during a pulsating afternoon in Cardiff. Sheffield Wednesday broke the hearts of 16,500 travelling fans when they beat Pool 4-2 after extra-time in the Division One play-off final yesterday
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Jumpin' Jamie and all that jazz
Jamie Cullum hasn't visited the North-East yet, but he's about to rectify the situation. The jazz star tells Viv Hardwick how much his music means to him. Jazz star Jamie Cullum refuses to be overawed by being dubbed the £1m man of international music
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Community care for treatment of diabetes
A service offering people treatment for diabetes in north Durham has been launched by Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT). The aim is to increase the proportion of diabetes care delivered in the community and focus on continuing to improve the quality
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Moves begin to repair port's battered piers
A NORTH port's two piers are in a poor condition due to generations of battering by the North Sea, say engineers. As a result, major surveys are to be carried out on the piers, at Whitby, North Yorkshire, by Scarborough Borough Council, at a cost of £280,000
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Nicola in national final of Rock Idol
A NORTH-EAST singer has made it through to the national final of a talent competition. Nicola Brown, of Wrekenton, near Gateshead, has reached the final of Rock Idol, run at 57 Chicago Rock Cafes nationally. She made it through the local heats in Chester-le-Street
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Adult learners pick up well-earned awards
PEOPLE who have changed their lives by going back to the classroom have been honoured by their college tutors. Bishop Auckland College's Adult Learners Awards went to groups and individuals who had shown commitment and dedication to their studies. The
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Stockton move off the bottom
Stockton moved off the bottom of the table with their first win of the season at Tynemouth where runs were in short supply. The first five Stockton batsmen contributed only 33 between them and the omens were not good but Scott Gillespie and Alan Walker
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'We don't want to upset the turkeys'
SHREDDING recycled timber in a Lower Swaledale village is likely to upset turkeys kept in nearby sheds, according to parish councillors and bosses of Cranberry Foods. F D Todd and Sons Ltd wants to store and shred timber at Skipton-on-Swale airfield,
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Film to chronicle hero's story
NORTH-EAST filmmakers have begun work on a documentary inspired by The Northern Echo's Forgotten Hero appeal. The Wartime Memories organisation is producing a DVD chronicling the story of Canadian Second World War air gunner Andrew Mynarski and the newspaper's
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Youths steal teenager's bike in park attack
A TEENAGER had his bike stolen as he cycled through Stewart Park, in Middlesbrough, at about 3pm last Wednesday. Three youths pushed the 16-year-old from his blue and white Raleigh mountain bike before riding away on it. The victim was not injured during
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Residents celebrate rebirth of park
THE sun shone brightly as youngsters enjoyed the reopening of a Middlesbrough park that has undergone a £315,000 revamp. Work has transformed Laycock Park from an under-used area into a vibrant green space for residents to enjoy for generations to come
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Durham in race to improve ecology
DURHAM'S race to be the country's greenest town or city enters the home straight today. The cathedral city currently lies 78th in the list of 613 towns and cities across the UK, with 38 environment-saving pledges having been made. Green promises from
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£1.4bn gas supply deal to be signed
A BILLION-POUND deal to sell the North-East's gas distribution network will be sealed this week. The National Grid has agreed to hand over control of the region's supply to a consortium headed by Chinese businessman Li Ka Shing, for £1.4bn. Negotiations
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Family wins planning fight over town centre takeaway
THE pleas of a family living above the site of a proposed takeaway persuaded councillors to refuse it planning permission. Members of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee turned down an application to convert a former accountants
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Perfect record is ended
Brandon's l00 per cent record ended on Saturday and so too did Jim Allenby's phenomenal run feast. It was surely no coincidence that when he made just 25 Brandon were all out for only 127 of which Dean Storey, who has also been in outstanding form, contributed
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Exchange of ideas with East Europe
YOUNG people from a North-East survival group are to explore eastern Romania during an exchange visit. Nine youngsters and one youth leader from The Pilgrim Club, in Shildon, will embark on their journey in September. The group will travel to the city
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Support team waits for peak confirmation
SUPPORTERS of mountaineer Alan Hinkes were last night anxiously waiting for news of his history-making attempt on the last of the world's highest peaks. Mr Hinkes, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is making an attempt on Kangchenjunga, in Nepal, the
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Youngsters take the first plunge in reopened community pool
CHILDREN in Weardale made a big splash as they celebrated the opening of their community swimming pool at the weekend. More than 30 swimmers turned out in the first hour at Wolsingham Community Swimming Pool on Saturday morning. It was a heartwarming
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No resting on laurels for cautious Whitehead
SUNDERLAND midfielder Dean Whitehead has warned his title-winning team-mates not to take their Premiership place for granted. Whitehead won the Black Cats' Players' Player of the Year award at the end of last season after a series of consistent displays
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Book charts life working on Tees
A SHIPPING company boss has charted the history of one of Teesside's oldest industries through the publication of a book. Casper Shipping: Our Heritage Since 1872 is a colourful record of the life of a company that has been at the cornerstone of shipping
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Community care for treatment of diabetes
A service offering people treatment for diabetes in north Durham has been launched by Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT). The aim is to increase the proportion of diabetes care delivered in the community and focus on continuing to improve the quality
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Meanwhile, it all falls quiet back in Hartlepool town centre
IT was a day of swinging emotions that ultimately resulted in heartbreak for Hartlepool United fans who stayed at home to watch the club's biggest game in its history. Thousands of supporters had travelled down to Cardiff for the Division One play-off
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Dissanayake rocks leaders as title charge hits buffers
Guisborough, aiming to win the championship for a record fifth consecutive season, suffered an unexpected setback against Richmondshire for whom Shanoka Dissanayake produced a match-winning performance. Richmond started the day at the bottom without a
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Splashing out on retirement of long-serving firefighter
ONE of the oldest operating firefighters in the country has hung up his helmet for the last time. Trevor Bell, 58, has ended nearly three decades of service with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue after using new legislation to stay on for an extra three-and-a-half
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Arts award to school
A SCHOOL in Craghead, near Stanley, has been recognised for its dedication to teaching children about the arts. Bloemfountain Primary School has been granted Artsmark Silver status from Arts Council England in its latest rafts of awards. The accolade
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Simcock ponders Royal encounter after Newmarket success
David Simcock is contemplating a crack at the Norfolk Stakes with Classic Encounter after the son of Lujain sped to victory in the turftours.com ''Come To The Irish Derby'' Maiden Stakes at Newmarket yesterday. Simcock's charge took the eye when finishing
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A party first for allergy sufferer Brianie
A little girl who was born with a rare illness has enjoyed her first ever birthday party. Brianie Copeland Donnelly, who turned nine yesterday, had previously been unable to have a party because of her condition, which made her allergic to almost everything
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Searching for the Invisible Man
I'd been persuaded to go on a blind date last week which didn't happen after all. My man bottled it. He hadn't been in touch in spite of having my email for over a week, so I knew something was up. On the morning of our date, I got a cursory email from
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A tale of what might have been at the play-off final
FOR 11 long minutes the thousands upon thousands of supporters from the North-East were having to pinch themselves at the prospect of Hartlepool United playing Championship football come August. Pool were leading but, in one quick flash, a penalty was
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Elementary - what's on the other side?
Murder In Suburbia (ITV1) The Last Detective (ITV1) Tutankhamun Exhumed (C4) YOU don't need to be Hercule Poirot to recognise that detectives come in all shapes and sizes. Ashurst and Scribbens, the female cops from Murder In Suburbia, long to be Cagney
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Police hunting hit-and-run biker after fatal accident
POLICE are hunting a motorcyclist involved in a hit-and-run accident on a notorious stretch of road. A 66-year-old biker from Riccall, near York, died when his bike was involved in an accident with another motorbike at about 4.50pm on Saturday. The B1257
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College hosts chefs contest
A NORTH-EAST college has played host to a competition involving top chefs from across the country. The Civic Chef of the Year challenge, held at Darlington College of Technology, was contested by 24 of the most accomplished chefs in Britain, including
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Bikers 'appalled' by knife attack on sheep
BIKERS said they were appalled by the brutal slaughter of a sheep following a rally at a remote country pub. Police have arrested a 25-year-old man from Middlesbrough on suspicion of killing the sheep with a knife in the early hours of Saturday at the
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Concerts' high note for children's foundation
MUSIC lovers were treated to two charity concerts from one of Europe's leading choirs over the weekend. One hundred members of the Rotterdam Opera Choir, featuring internationally-renowned opera singer Inessa Galante, performed at Durham Cathedral on
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Healthcare reaches out in forty languages
AN interpretation service is being launched by health chiefs in County Durham. Durham and Chester-le-Street, Durham Dales Primary Care Trusts (PCT) are to provide the service for people who do not speak or understand English. NHS organisations are obliged
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Tykes dig in for share of spoils
YORKSHIRE restored their dignity and preserved their unbeaten record in the Championship by calmly batting out a draw against Essex at Headingley on Saturday. Although Yorkshire failed by 68 runs to avoid the follow-on, they still reached a respectable
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Couple who lived on riverbank after eviction move into bungalow
A couple who camped out on a riverbank for three weeks after being evicted are to move into a council bungalow. Ex-soldier Kevin Howe, 45, and wife Susan, 39, were put out of a Home Housing property in Barnard Castle, County Durham, after running up rent
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British soldier killed in Iraq roadside bombing
A British soldier was killed and four wounded in an attack on a convoy in southern Iraq yesterday. The troops were travelling in the country's Maysan region on their way to a meeting with Iraqi security officials when a roadside bomb exploded near the
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Rugby club kicks off bid to raise funds to buy ground
A NORTH Yorkshire rugby club is hoping to raise £15,000 to buy its ground. Richmondshire Rugby Club aims to secure its future by purchasing a 99-year lease for its ground at Theakston Lane in Richmond from North Yorkshire County Council. The club currently
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Dramatic win for Dynamos
DELIRIOUS Durham snatched a one-run victory from the jaws of defeat to maintain their unbeaten record in the totesport League at Tunbridge Wells yesterday. Kent were coasting at 170 for three in the 38th over, needing only 20 to win, then Durham's new
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Spennymoor officials awaiting answer
OFFICIALS at the new Spennymoor club are hoping to discover tomorrow night whether they have been successful in obtaining a lease to play at the Brewery Field. A healthy attendance of over 60 people at Spennymoor Catholic Club yesterday morning was given
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TV review
Murder In Suburbia (ITV1) The Last Detective (ITV1) Tutankhamun Exhumed (C4) YOU don't need to be Hercule Poirot to recognise that detectives come in all shapes and sizes. Ashurst and Scribbens, the female cops from Murder In Suburbia, long to be Cagney
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Swalwell edge ahead of Leadgate
It's very much nip and tuck at the top of the table with Swalwell just ahead of Leadgate. The Derwenthaugh side though had just 20 runs to spare against Lanchester but when they bowled out their opponents they claimed 20 points. Mark Cosgrove has made
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Still time to view Buried Treasure
VISITORS to a North-East museum have a last chance to see some of Britain's most spectacular treasures before they leave the region. There are only a few weeks left until the Buried Treasure exhibition at the Hancock Museum, in Newcastle, leaves the region
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EU crisis looms as France says 'non'
FRANCE appears to have rejected the proposed European constitution, throwing the EU into crisis and undermining Tony Blair's plans for a similar vote in the UK. Exit polls released as polling stations closed last night suggested that the French had rejected
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Shortage of workers means county needs more incomers
NORTH Yorkshire needs to attract more people into the county to work because of difficulties in filling vacancies, according to a council official. Justine Brooksbank, the county council's head of human resources, will this week tell members of the audit
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Hear All Sides
RIVER POWER UNFORTUNATELY the suggestion of using our rivers to generate electricity put forward by WI Hodgson (HAS, May 23) is simply not possible. In order for water to have enough force to drive electricity generators which produce power at the levels
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Calls for major upgrade of A64
NEW calls have been made for major improvements to one of the region's heaviest-travelled roads. The urging follows news that £2.5m is to be spent on improvements to the busy A64 Leeds to Scarborough road - work which has been criticised as "a patchwork
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Golf day to support appeal
DURHAM Mayor John Lightley is urging people to play a round and help him raise money for charity by taking part in a golf day. For the eighth year running, teams from across the city will battle it out over 18 holes at Durham City Golf Club to raise money
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Artist draws on inspiring N-E coastline
AN internationally recognised fine art photographer with more than 20 years' experience has opened a gallery on Teesside. Keith Moss is best known for his black and white fine art images, which are collected and sold worldwide. Originally from Huddersfield
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Festival celebrates site work
A FIVE-DAY celebration to mark the transformation of a once-failing visitor attraction will take place next month. The Crimdon Dene area of County Durham had fallen into decline, prompting a £500,000 project to revitalise the section of Durham's Heritage
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Clarke happy to stay on with Quakers
DAVID HODGSON last night revealed how a heart-to-heart with Matt Clarke helped convince the Darlington defender that the Williamson Motors Stadium is the place to be next season. After holding further talks with Hodgson at the weekend, Clarke finally
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Anxious wait over legal bid to halt ghost ships arrival
ENVIRONMENTAL groups were last night awaiting the outcome of a fresh legal challenge over the export of nine rusting Ghost Ships to the North-East. Papers have now been filed into a US court in a bid to persuade a judge to overturn her decision to allow
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Warning of risks posed by quarries
QUARRY operators across County Durham have warned youngsters not to treat industrial sites as playgrounds during school holidays. Managers say the bank holiday weekend often starts a summer-long concern over the safety of children who trespass at asphalt
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Daughter 'ecstatic' after jail ruling
THE daughter of the elderly victims of quadruple murderer Mark Hobson said she was ecstatic that he would never be released from jail. However, Catherine Wilkins, the daughter of pensioners James and Joan Britton, from Strensall, North Yorkshire, does
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British soldier killed in Iraq roadside bombing
A British soldier was killed and four wounded in an attack on a convoy in southern Iraq yesterday. The troops were travelling in the country's Maysan region on their way to a meeting with Iraqi security officials when a roadside bomb exploded near the
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Loco icon steams in for anniversary
LEGENDARY locomotive the Flying Scotsman will be back in action this week to celebrate the first anniversary of its arrival in the region. The engine, housed at the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York, will be hauling a twice-daily Ride The Legend service
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Car dealership Bailes out air ambulance
SALES staff each donated one hour's worth of wages to help keep a life-saving emergency service flying high. Workers at Simon Bailes car dealerships across the region raised £900, which was donated to the Great North Air Ambulance Service. Staff at the
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Houghton can't end Eden's run
Castle Eden remain out in front and are still unbeaten after seeing off the challenge from Houghton who posted a useful total which belied their bottom-of-the-table position. Ian Hauxwell (32) and Robson with 45 top-performed in the home side's innings
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Moving into a different League
Taking a successful TV comedy series onto the big screen can be a dangerous game. But, as the League of Gentlemen tell Steve Pratt, they're confident their film will appeal to the widest possible audience - as no-one will know what's going on. The history
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Let's go one step further, says Scott
A PROUD Martin Scott last night urged Hartlepool United's heartbroken players to pick themselves up and focus on going one step further next season by claiming a place in the Championship. Pool's first ever play-off final ended in disappointment at the
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Travelling fans sing hearts out
IN their hundreds and thousands Hartlepool United supporters descended on Wales yesterday to turn Cardiff into a glorious sea of blue and white - with a hint of red. Never before, in the club's 97-year history, have the people of Hartlepool experienced
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Promotion aim for businessmen as they outline vision for club
A GROUP of businessmen looking to revitalise one of the region's non-league football clubs met fans yesterday to reveal their plans. Alan Murray, Alan Courtney and Ken Houlahan met Spennymoor United fans in the Catholic Boys' Club, in the County Durham
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As one academy criticised, another gets a glowing report
AN academy school in Middlesbrough has been praised for its leadership, direction and standards by Government inspectors. The Ofsted inspection team said there had been very good progress in establishing The King's Academy, and satisfactory progress in
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Controversial end to Championship dream
NINE minutes from history and a place in the Championship was as close as Hartlepool United may ever be. Leading 2-1, with Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton in sight, referee Phil Crossley awarded Sheffield Wednesday a penalty, sent off Chris
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Pair honoured for dedication to grassroots sport in North-East
TWO long-standing servants of grassroots sport in the North-East have been recognised for their dedication to non-league football. Harry Hodgson and Kenny Carr were hailed true local heroes at the annual dinner of The Albany Northern League on Friday
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Summer move worries O'Brien
ANDY O'BRIEN fears Newcastle United could cash in on him this summer after being shocked by the departure of Aaron Hughes to Aston Villa. O'Brien only signed a new contract towards the end of last season but realises that counts for little if manager
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As one academy criticised, another is praised
AN academy school in Middlesbrough has been praised for its leadership, direction and standards by Government inspectors. The Ofsted inspection team said there had been very good progress in establishing The King's Academy, and satisfactory progress in
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'We paid a harsh penalty'
HARTLEPOOL'S crest-fallen players were last night united as they left the Millennium Stadium. Pool saw their dream of Championship football snatched away after referee Phil Crossley awarded Sheffield Wednesday a late penalty and lifeline as he dismissed
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Police hunt for youths after girl is attacked in her home
A TEENAGE girl was beaten up in her home by youths who her family say have plagued their street for months. Joanne Bartlett, 13, needed hospital treatment for bruising and swelling to her head after the assault in the bathroom of her home in Hurworth
