Archive
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Scandinavian market is hungry for ready-meals
A CHILLED foods manufacturer is to export its ready-meals to Scandinavia after being bought by a conglomerate of Danish pig farmers. Pro-Pak Foods, which employs 300 staff in Malton, North Yorkshire, has been sold to the TiCan food group. TiCan was so
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Norton in the running for elusive four-timer
During the six years of the competition few sides have won four games on the bounce but rejuvenated Norton have the chance when they visit champions South Northumberland. Following a poor start to the season which saw them hit bottom spot and go six games
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Northallerton want to put on a show for their fans
Northallerton are hoping last week's victory will inspire them further when they take on Darlington RA on home soil this afternoon. Ian Gill's side have chalked up just two wins, both at opponents' grounds and secretary Ian Morton would like to see the
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Region's scientists offer hope to psoriasis patients
A TEAM of North-East scientists have made a breakthrough that could lead to improved treatment for a serious skin condition that affects millions of people. Scientists at Newcastle University made their discovery as they were studying a drug used in the
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Still standing
ALL along the decks, eyes shielded against the sun by hands, the English try to see what's going on. Slowly, they bring their hands down to rest on their hips while they let out sighs and reach for their crosswords. The French, meanwhile, lower their
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Duo's wage demands still a threat to Souness' hopes
LUIS FIGO and Belozoglu Emre have verbally agreed to join Newcastle United - but manager Graeme Souness fears he could still miss out on both men because of their high wage demands. Souness flew to Turkey this week to discuss terms with Emre and arrived
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'Innocent man named, shamed and blamed'
WHEN Paul Race was arrested for the brutal rape of a 30-year-old woman in the North-East town where he lives, his family always maintained his innocence. Yesterday, his parents spoke for the first time of the torment that started when police arrested
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High-flying unbeaten Esh have that Winning feeling
Esh Winning are still on course for a League and Cup double after reaching the semi-finals of the League's knockout competition with victory over Kimblesworth on Wednesday night. Today, they turn their attentions on Ushaw Moor who are also in with a chance
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Murray playing down his fans' great expectations
IT'S a new dawn and a new day at Wimbledon. As Tim Henman braces himself to drop to his lowest ranking since 1996, super Scot Andy Murray has another chance to make inroads on the world's top 100. After celebrating the routing of 13th seed Radek Stepanek
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Queen visits Iraq soldiers' families
THE Queen has paid a private visit to an Army base in the region to pay her respects to the families of two servicemen killed in Iraq. She visited the Queen's Royal Lancers, based at Cambrai Barracks, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in her role as
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Staff saddle up for long-distance spin to boost college cash bid
A COLLEGE'S bid for special status has won the support of three staff who are about to tackle a marathon bike ride. The group, from Risedale Community College, Catterick Garrison, plan to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats, starting on July 10. The
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Youngsters celebrate success in athletics contest
PUPILS from a primary school that is due to close have achieved their best results in a town sports tournament. Youngsters from Rise Carr Primary School, Darlington, scored big successes in the Darlington Primary School Athletics Competition this week
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Durham in a spin over Bridges
DURHAM are unable to follow the general trend of profiting from spin bowling in the Twenty20 Cup because of Graeme Bridge's back trouble, writes TIM WELLOCK. The left-armer has been told to take two weeks' rest after a scan revealed a disc problem, so
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Advertising career forecast for 8-year-old
AN eight-year-old east Durham girl has just been hailed the area's youngest advertising guru. Shannen McLaren, a pupil at Murton Primary School, won the accolade after designing a poster for Goodyear, which raises awareness and funds for the RNLI and
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Pregnant mum left fighting for her life
A HEAVILY pregnant mother was last night fighting for her life - and the life of her unborn child - after an arson attack at her home in which her only son died. Medical staff were last night battling to save the life of 29-year-old Janine Dodd, left
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Queen visits Iraq soldiers' families
THE Queen has paid a private visit to an Army base in the region to pay her respects to the families of two servicemen killed in Iraq. She visited the Queen's Royal Lancers, based at Cambrai Barracks, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in her role as
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Backing given to hotel proposal
PLANNERS have backed proposals to create a £2.2m hotel and restaurant on a former steelworks site. Derwentside District Council approved the application for the land near Puddlers Corner, in Consett, County Durham, near Derwentside College and Morrisons
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When worlds collide
STEVEN Spielberg originally wanted to make the film 12 years ago. He bought the last surviving script for Orson Welles's radio version of The War of the Worlds, and was immediately hooked. He had read the original novel several times while at college,
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House prices to continue climbing
PROPERTY prices in some areas of the region are to rise by more than ten per cent, it was predicted yesterday. Your Mortgage magazine said the cost of property in York could increase by 14 per cent during the next five years, against a general trend of
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Holidaymakers warned over Spanish beach drinks rip-off
NORTH-EAST sunseekers are being ripped off by a Spanish beach gang charging £7 for bottles of water you can buy at supermarkets for 29p. The alarm was raised by holidaymaker David Anderson who spotted a couple paying 20 euros - £14 - for a small water
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Pledge to consider parents' views on new school name
A COUNCIL may be ready to make a U-turn over the name of a controversial new school. Darlington Borough Council's newly-appointed education tsar, Eamonn Farrar, has said bosses would be "idiots" to impose the name Hurworth School on the proposed £20m
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Rutherford dangerman
The game of the day is between Ashington and Leadgate, who are battling it out with Swalwell for pole position. Just one point separates the pair as the season approaches the half-way stage. Ashington are at full strength and with David Rutherford, who
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43 evacuated from Metro train
FORTY-THREE people were evacuated from a Metro train on Tyneside yesterday after a power cable failed. Passengers, including four disabled people, nine adults with learning disabilities, a baby who needed oxygen and several elderly people, became stuck
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Same again for Tykes
Yorkshire have picked the same 12-man squad for their Twenty20 Cup match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge tomorrow, when they will try to cut out some of the mistakes which cost them dear in the Roses clash this week, writes DAVID WARNER. Director
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Famous cars to star in festival
CARS will be the stars when the eighth annual summer festival returns to Durham City next month. Some of the most famous screen cars will take to the streets of the city centre over the weekend of July 2 and 3 - including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The
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Residents call for action over bad behaviour at beauty spot
PEOPLE living near a well-known beauty spot have called for action to stop the "wanton destruction" of the area by unwanted visitors. Cod Beck Reservoir and Scarthwood Moor, near Osmotherley, are visited by thousands of walkers and countryside lovers
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Arts festival brings Brazil closer to home
A DARLINGTON school will have a samba feel to it next month as pupils get a taste of South America. Haughton Community School's performing arts department will hold a Brazilian arts festival from Monday, July 11, to Friday, July 15. Throughout the week
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Reaching the top is the big aim for rising star Abi
THERE is a long-standing joke among tennis fans that goes something like this. 'What do you call a female British player at the second week of Wimbledon?' 'Lost'. Hardly the most original of wisecracks but one that seems to neatly sum up the dearth of
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Teenage rapist showed no mercy
A "MERCILESS" teenage serial sex offender, who was branded a grave danger to women, raped a young mother while he was on bail for an earlier attack, a court heard. Michael Hudson, of George Street, Shildon, County Durham, beat his 32-year-old victim so
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French leave would be just the Job for Joseph and Boro
MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping Joseph Job will complete a move back to France this summer - nearly five years after Bryan Robson brought him across the English Channel. With the growing likelihood that Massimo Maccarone will be rejoining Boro for pre-season
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Duo's wage demands still a threat to Souness' hopes
LUIS FIGO and Belozoglu Emre have verbally agreed to join Newcastle United - but manager Graeme Souness fears he could still miss out on both men because of their high wage demands. Souness flew to Turkey this week to discuss terms with Emre and arrived
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Wind turbines planned for plastics factory site
A PLASTICS company hopes to erect wind turbines at its Newton Aycliffe plant to help power the factory with green energy. Hydro Polymers is proposing the installation of two turbines on its PVC manufacturing site, on Aycliffe Industrial Estate. It submitted
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Amicus brokers deal on pay cuts
UNION leaders last night hailed a deal that offers hope to workers facing pay cuts of up to £3,000. The Northern Echo revealed last month that Cummins Engine Company, in Darlington, had proposed a wage restructuring scheme that would see 95 of the 800
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Myhre seeking new Premiership home
THOMAS MYHRE has made finding employment in the Premiership a priority following his amicable parting with Sunderland after refusing to take a pay cut. The Black Cats confirmed this week the goalkeeper was unlikely to stay and the Norwegian revealed last
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Murton wary of a big slip-up
Despite winning six and drawing four of their ten games, Murton will take nothing for granted when they meet Dawdon this afternoon. "They have managed just two victories but will give us a difficult game," said secretary Herbert King. "Every side has
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Complaints about police rise sharply
COMPLAINTS against officers in a North-East police force have rocketed. There was a 70 per cent rise in complaints during the past financial year, compared to the previous corresponding 12 months. Under new recording rules, witnesses and their acquaintances
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One-way traffic system opening
THE first section of a one-way traffic system will open this weekend following months of work. Engineers from Stockton Borough Council will reopen the section of Church Road between the Simon Bailes and Reg Vardy car showrooms tomorrow. The reopening
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Man charged with deception after male refuge inquiry
A MAN who said he opened the country's first refuge for male victims of domestic violence in the North-East has been charged after a seven-month fraud investigation. The Northern Echo can reveal today that Mike Kenny, 34, will appear in court next month
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Secret watch on interview candidates
A SCHOOL is employing a behavioural expert to secretly watch applicants for teaching posts. The Venerable Bede School, in Sunderland, has brought in Matt Hudson to assess applicants during interviews, using the same techniques used by TV hypnotists Derren
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Summer show sellout is group's best ever
A THREE-NIGHT summer show sellout has given an amateur theatre company one of the most successful productions in its history. Sedgefield Parish Hall, in the County Durham town, was transformed into Rene's Cafe for the production of Allo Allo, based on
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Murray playing down his fans' great expectations
IT'S a new dawn and a new day at Wimbledon. As Tim Henman braces himself to drop to his lowest ranking since 1996, super Scot Andy Murray has another chance to make inroads on the world's top 100. After celebrating the routing of 13th seed Radek Stepanek
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National award to Teesside architect
A TEESSIDE architect is building a successful career for himself after winning a top award. Richard Conner, from Stockton, was named as the winner of the AJ Corus 40 Under-40 Award. The prize recognises the most promising emerging architects under 40
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No more smoking at leisure venues
SMOKING will be banned from all council-owned leisure venues across Darlington from next week. The borough council is introducing the ban from Monday, ahead of Government plans to make all public places smoke-free by the end of 2007. The ban will mean
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Jailed for hitting partner with bat
A DRUNK who beat his partner with a baseball bat in a dispute over a can of cider has been jailed for eight months. Colin John Whitehouse struck Julie Potts with the bat three times after she refused to get him a can of cider. Teesside Crown Court was
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The greatest optical illusion on earch
WEDNESDAY night. 11.30pm. A wonderful evening, shirt-sleeve warm. The river splashes by; a mouse squeaks and rushes in the long grass, and the profanities of three youths returning from the pub drift abrasively through the gentle stillness. Behind, the
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Victims spared second wave of floods
FLOOD victims breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after predictions of a second devastating torrent proved wide of the mark. As freak weather swept across England, including a tornado near Coventry and a washout at the Glastonbury Festival, residents
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Singers ready to launch charity single
YOUNG singers will hear the fruits of their labours launched over the airwaves and in record stores in the coming days. Finalists in a regional talent search contest came together to contribute to the recording of a charity Band Aid-style single. About
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Sculpture will highlight world poverty
CAMPAIGNERS will deliver a message in a bottle to world leaders today. In the run-up to the G8 Summit on July 2, a white band will be tied around Middlesbrough's Bottle of Notes sculpture. The band, an international symbol of the Make Poverty History
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When worlds collide
It's tipped as the blockbuster of the summer, and rumoured to be on eof the most expensive films ever made. Nick Morrison looks at how The War of The Worlds is just the latest example of our fascination with invasions from outer space. STEVEN Spielberg
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McCormick's chance to impress TV audience
MORPETH Harrier Nick McCormick, currently the fastest 1500m runner in the UK this summer, could bring his time down even further in a Grand Prix 11 meeting in Prague which is being shown live on Eurosport on Monday night. The 24-year-old full-time athlete
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Love scripturally
IT was a service to celebrate marriage, to sing about it and sometimes - marriage is a democracy in which the woman has two votes, it was said - to laugh about it, too. Like Noah's Ark, the congregation came in two by two, the church so full that some
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Teenage rapist showed no mercy
A "MERCILESS" teenage serial sex offender, who was branded a grave danger to women, raped a young mother while he was on bail for an earlier attack, a court heard. Michael Hudson, of George Street, Shildon, County Durham, beat his 32-year-old victim so
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Rape victim recalls night of terror that changed her life
IT had been an ordinary day. Claire was making her way home with her partner after enjoying an evening with friends in the Masons pub, in Shildon. The only thought in her mind was tucking into a meal when she arrived home. Minutes into the journey, her
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Beaten Safin planning for next time
Marat Safin has vowed to keep playing Wimbledon despite crashing out in the third round to Spain's Feliciano Lopez. After losing in the first round last year - to Tim Henman's conqueror Dmitry Tursunov - Safin said he ''hated'' playing on grass and would
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Run feast is on the cards as Burnmoor travel to Daley-inspired Eppleton
Eppleton entertain Burnmoor with the teams third and fourth respectively. Eppleton have topped 200 in their last two matches, with Jim Daley in blistering form and the League runs record in danger. Daley currently has 673 runs with two games to go to
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Orders taken for forgotten war hero DVD
THERE has been a huge response by North-East people trying to order copies of a DVD about war hero Andrew Mynarski. The Wartime Memories Project, which is producing the DVDs, has today released details about how people can order copies. The DVD, which
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Gala meeting attracts musical entertainment
A FULL range of musical accompaniment will help keep crowds entertained at next month's Durham Miners' Gala. Everything from girl bands to big bands will offer something for all tastes at the Big Meeting, at Durham Racecourse, on Saturday, July 9. Sassie
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Russian icons on display in church
RUSSAIN and Coptic icons have gone on display in a North-east church. More than 40 of the colourful religious images, created by artists from St Petersburg, in Russia, and Cairo, in Egypt, are being shown at the Waddington Street United Reformed Church
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Amicus brokers deal on pay cuts
UNION leaders last night hailed a deal that offers hope to workers facing pay cuts of up to £3,000. The Northern Echo revealed last month that Cummins Engine Company, in Darlington, had proposed a wage restructuring scheme that would see 95 of the 800
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Scandinavian market is hungry for ready-meals
A CHILLED foods manufacturer is to export its ready-meals to Scandinavia after being bought by a conglomerate of Danish pig farmers. Pro-Pak Foods, which employs 300 staff in Malton, North Yorkshire, has been sold to the TiCan food group. TiCan was so
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Rubbish at recycling
RECYCLING waste is environmentally crucial and Britain is making progress. We are on track to hit our target of recycling 25 per cent of our rubbish - double the total of eight years ago. But that target means that three-quarters of Britain's waste still
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Hear all Sides
FLOODS AS CHAIRMAN of North Yorkshire County Council, I have been extremely impressed by the admirable response of so many of our staff at the time of the recent flooding disaster. I am sure that very careful advanced planning and the prompt reaction
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Reaching the top is the big aim for rising star Abi
THERE is a long-standing joke among tennis fans that goes something like this. 'What do you call a female British player at the second week of Wimbledon?' 'Lost'. Hardly the most original of wisecracks but one that seems to neatly sum up the dearth of
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Burly pair who kicked and punched victim escape jail
TWO men who took part in a sickening street attack captured on security cameras have been spared jail. Burly Simon Skelton, 24, and Wayne Keers, 28, who admitted affray, kicked and punched their victim as he lay helpless on the ground. Skelton also stamped
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Still standing
James Pattison visits South Brittany, in France, wehre a court order is needed to travel and whre the beetles are more popular than the mysteries of ancient civilisation. ALL along the decks, eyes shielded against the sun by hands, the English try to
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Advice surgeries for people affected by flash floods
VICTIMS of the flash floods in North Yorkshire will get the chance to speak to officials at drop-in surgeries next week. They can put their questions to the Environment Agency's flood experts who will be at a surgery in Helmsley on Monday and in Thirsk
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'I could not believe he was free to do it again'
WHEN a 33-year-old mother of three was attacked only minutes away from her North-East home she was convinced her attacker would strike again. Her worst fears came true when police knocked at her door more than a year later to tell her he had brutally
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Health Secretary intervenes to assess £66m recovery plans
HEALTH Secretary Patricia Hewitt is intervening to check on measures to resolve a North-East hospital trust's deep financial problems. Rising costs at the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust have forced hospital bosses to announce severe spending reductions
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Pregnant mum left fighting for her life
A HEAVILY pregnant mother was last night fighting for her life - and the life of her unborn child - after an arson attack at her home in which her only son died. Medical staff were last night battling to save the life of 29-year-old Janine Dodd, left
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Pensioner locked in shopping centre
AN 88-YEAR-OLD woman was locked inside an empty shopping centre for two hours. Pensioner Catherine Thorpe feared she was going to have to spend the night in Hartlepool's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. She was only rescued when she found an intercom
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Pub granted controversial licence
A PUB has been granted an entertainment licence after 179 people signed a petition in favour of the move. Katy and Jamie Pearson, of the Lord Nelson in Thirsk, will now be able to host live bands. They have proposed to hold acoustic sessions on Sunday
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Transformed colliery to be dedicated as reserve
A FORMER brickworks and pit in County Durham is to be designated today as a special site for wildlife. Cornsay Colliery will be approved as a Local Nature Reserve by English Nature during a free event to celebrate the start of its transformation. The
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Weekend for brass band enthusiasts
MUSIC lovers are in for a busy weekend as Durham Brass Festival stages three concerts over two days. At 2pm today, Fishburn Band and Easington Colliery Brass Band perform at Crimdon Dene, near Peterlee. The concert will feature traditional brass music
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Hear all Sides - School debate
Give school a chance ON Tuesday, I went to Eastbourne School Sports Day. I saw a school full of pupils and staff all working together. The pupils were encouraging everyone to win and those that did not were cheered and encouraged to keep going. The pupils
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Hundreds of pupils to attend summer school
HUNDREDS of Teesside children will have their holidays cut short as school chiefs try to drive up classroom standards and raise their aspirations. More than 450 primary school pupils will attend a summer school at the University of Teesside and take part
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Talks planned to make use of 'hidden gem'
CROOK residents have been called to a meeting next week to discuss plans to turn a town centre stream into a community beauty spot. The Watergate Warriors youth group has already started the project to brighten up Crook Beck by recording people's ideas
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Animal characters come to life with school production
CROWDS have been entertained by animal antics in the annual production at a Teesdale school. Barnard Castle Preparatory School staged When Toad Came Home, a musical adaptation of the popular Wind in the Willows children's books. The lead role of Toad
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Racegoers gather
EUROPE'S richest two-mile horse race will take place in the North-East today. The 125th Northumberland Plate Festival is one of the biggest sporting and social events in the region's calendar. Twenty-five thousand racegoers are expected to visit Newcastle
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'Homing pigeon boy' appears in court
A ONCE notorious criminal is struggling to rid himself of the drug addiction behind his offending, a court heard. Shaun McKerry, 21, was dubbed 'Homing Pigeon Boy' by police who became familiar with his habit of returning home after committing crime.
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Curtain to rise on town history film
RESIDENTS will be able to learn more about the history of Thirsk when a new film put together by schoolchildren is shown next month. Since February, a group of young people from the town have been working on a project called Thirsk Uncovered. Using film
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Two exhibits to sea
TWO exhibitions with the sea as their central theme are being staged in Hartlepool from today. Monsters of the Deep, which combines two national touring exhibitions - Sharks and Prehistoric Sea Monsters - for the first time, is to be staged at the Museum
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FAIRGROUND ATTRACTIONS PREPARE FOR FINALE OF EVENT
ONE of Europe's largest travelling funfairs is moving on tomorrow. Thousands of people have been to The Hoppings, on Newcastle's Town Moor, which has a mix of white-knuckle rides and traditional stalls. The fair dates from 1882, when it was introduced
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Marking anniversary
TO mark its 120th birthday, Durham High School for Girls has organised a range of celebrations, which began with a service yesterday morning. Yesterday also saw the school's Junior House pupils donning the outfits of their early Victorian counterparts
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Last chance pays off for N-E writer
AN author has had his first crime novel published. A Flicker in the Night, by John Dean, of Darlington, is a dark thriller about a series of arson attacks in the fictional northern city of Hafton. The attacks remind the investigating officers of a previous
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Victory written in the stars
ASTROCHARM (2.40) is the each-way advice at enticing odds of around 16-1 or better for this afternoon's John Smith's Northumberland Plate. With £180,000 prize-money up for grabs, the two-mile Tyneside corker has unsurprisingly attracted a hot field but
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Spreading the healthy food message
TRADING standards officers are joining forces with supermarkets to promote a series of healthy eating exhibitions. The displays will advise shoppers on how to get the most out of the nutritional information displayed on packaged foods and will give advice
