Archive
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Fatal arson inquiry: Praise for response over lighter fluid link
POLICE searching for the killer of 11-year-old arson victim Dean Pike have been encouraged by the response to a call for information about a discarded tin of lighter fluid, which may provide vital clues. The yellow 100ml tin of Swan Extra Refined fluid
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Trust had financial problems at time of merger
SENIOR managers of an NHS trust knew they were facing financial problems when the takeover of the Friarage Hospital at Northallerton was being discussed, members of a local authority health watchdog have been told. Spiralling debts surrounding South Tees
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'I won't keep quiet about yobs'
Another week has passed and with it yet further evidence that anti-social behaviour is spiralling out of control. It gives me no pleasure to point out that the dangers of which I warned in this very column last week have already materialised. In Rochdale
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From the top of the world to the chippie
THERE'S no better way to celebrate scaling the world's tallest peaks than with a visit to your favourite fish and chip shop, according to mountaineer Alan Hinkes. The 51-year-old adventurer has returned to the UK after becoming the first Briton to conquer
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Burton's Bytes
DESTROY ALL HUMANS Publisher: THQ. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? Er...a bit too much violence for younger gamers. THE timing couldn't be better. In the week Tom Cruise zaps the cinema box office in War Of The Worlds, games publisher
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Thomas in bullish mood
New Lions captain Gareth Thomas has revealed his determination to turn a one-sided Test series on its head and cause a few overdue problems for the All Blacks. Head coach Sir Clive Woodward is banking on Wales star Thomas' infectious personality to help
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Magic duck is star of Branagh's latest play
PEOPLE in the North can see Kenneth Branagh's new play before it opens in London's West End. He was in the region this week to launch Ducktastic -a play featuring a down-on-his-luck magician, his assistant and a special duck called Daphne. Director Branagh
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Support Our Port: Calls made to fast-track £300m port expansion
PORTS Minister Stephen Ladyman will be urged to fast-track a decision on £300m plans to expand Teesport at a meeting this month. Campaigners will meet Mr Ladyman on Thursday, July 21, to press the case for building a deep-sea container terminal to bring
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Prices at the markets
BARNARD CASTLE. - Tues of last week. Fwd: 134 cattle. Simm hfrs & calves to £760; AA hfrs & calves to £595; BA cows & calves to £590; Lim cows & calves to £570. Bulls: Lim £650; Char £585; BB £550; BA £545. Steers: Lim £620; Char £595;
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Prison hit by second rampage in months
INMATES have gone on the rampage at a North-East young offenders' institution for the second time this year, The Northern Echo can reveal. Young rioters armed with pool cues and pieces of furniture threw snooker balls at prison officers and ripped apart
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NE minister is new president of Methodist Conference
A FORMER radio producer of religious programmes has been elected president of the Methodist Conference. The Rev Graham Carter will start his year of office when Conference opens in Edinburgh in June 2006. A native of Sunderland, he was ordained in 1970
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Solvent addiction nearly killed me - Jordan, 12
A 12-year-old boy told yesterday how his addiction to solvents nearly cost him his life. Jordan Edwards "buzzed" or sniffed deodorants regularly for six months before collapsing at home and was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack. Solvent
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Husband of missing woman takes legal advice
A DISTRAUGHT husband says he is taking legal advice about the way his wife's case was handled by a North-East hospital. Karen Coverdale, 40, went missing in March last year after she left St Luke's psychiatric hospital, in Middlesbrough. She has not been
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Royal Ascot was a family time after harrowing treatment for rare cancer
GARY Verity booked a helicopter to fly him and his wife, Helen, from their farm in Coverdale to Royal Ascot in York two weeks ago. For he is determined to enjoy as much time with her as possible. In January 2004, they were told she had just 18 months
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When a game of cards can get a bit scary
TWO things were missing from my childhood home (or three, if you count indoor plumbing). We never had spirits in the house and we didn't possess a pack of cards. Granted, we were in Cromwell country but it wasn't the Lord Protector's lingering shadow
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Charges are dropped
FIVE men accused after a confrontation following a fire at a village store had the charges against them dropped. They had been accused of chasing and attacking a 20-year-old local man following a fire on a stairwell leading from a flat above the Food
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Licensee puts a shop-less village back in business with Woolyback
AN East Cleveland village is to have its own store again - thanks to a local pub landlord. Skelton Green's last shop closed a year ago, and since then residents, many of whom are elderly, have had to make a near one-mile journey up and down a steep hill
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01/07/05
THE CIVIL LIST: IN reply to Mick Garbutt (HAS, June 27), the Civil List is provided by Parliament to meet the official expenses of the Queen as head of state. Duties include dealing with state papers and organising the Queen's public engagements, activities
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Winrow rules at Witton Castle
PAUL Winrow was in tremendous form when the Honda QRA British quad championship fourth round took place at a dusty Witton Castle track last Sunday. The Ouston rider was headed just once at the Falcon MXC-organised meeting when ATV World Yamaha team man
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Gregorio returns to his homeland
Adolfo Gregorio has turned his back on Darlington after rejecting an offer to stay at the Williamson Motors Stadium, writes Craig Stoddart. After a stop-start season with Quakers, the American has decided to play in Major League Soccer with Real Salt
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Zavone can be a Dragon slayer
RICHARD HANNON holds an enviably powerful hand with his two-year-olds this season, none more so than Zavone (2.40), who looks right on the money for Sandown's Rathbone Dragon Stakes. After what appeared to be a run-of-the-mill debut, Zavone surpassed
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When the world if full of toxins
Allergic to Everything (C4); The Great British Loser (C4): BRITAIN is in the grip of an allergy epidemic. More than 15 million of us have an allergy of one kind or another, and it's getting worse. Forty years ago, just four per cent of children had eczema
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Team joins stable block restoration project
A NORTH construction company has joined the restoration team working on an 18th Century house and stable block that was formerly the ancestral home of the late Queen Mother's family. The Gibside estate, at Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, which was taken
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High hopes for office space
A FORMER mining town is hoping to cement its reputation in the call centre industry, with a £6m business park. Two 30,000sq ft office units on the new Whitehouse Office Park site in Peterlee, County Durham, are finished and the third, larger unit is due
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Figures reveal ten per cent rise in sex disease in North
THE region has experienced a large increase in the number of people diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases. The 9.7 per cent rise from 21,202 in 2003 to 23,251 suggests many people are ignoring safe sex advice. The increase in diagnoses dwarfs the
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Attenborough may have to look to his laurels
SPECTATOR rather fancies his chances as an amateur wildlife cameraman. A bane of his life in the back garden between October and March used to be the thieving grey squirrel which regularly plundered nuts from vulnerable plastic bird feeders until rodent-resistant
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Increase in deaths bucks UK trend
A TWENTY per cent leap in the number of road fatalities in a safety camera area has bucked the national trend of the lowest death toll since records began. New Department for Transport (DfT) figures revealed 30 people were killed on Cleveland's roads
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'Africa's fate is in its own hands'
On the eve of the Live8 concert and a week before the world's most powerful nations meet to discuss Africa at th G8 summit, Robert Guest, author of the book The Shackled Continent, gives his own controversial views. Sarah Foster reports. IF there's one
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Artwork united with German twin
BEFORE the demise of the steel industry, Derwentside was twinned with its German counterpart. The twin, Werdohl, also has an industrial past but now the main thing they share is 30 years of associating with each other. To celebrate the friendship, delegates
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Art show number 22
RETIRED headteacher Ken Charlton presents his 22nd solo art exhibition since leaving his desk nine years ago. He brings his Lasting Impressions to the Little Gallery at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, at the weekend. Mr Charlton, who was headteacher at Hurworth
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PTA raises £10,000 for library revamp
PARENTS of children at a Chester-le-Street school have raised £10,000 for a new library for their youngsters. Pupils at St Cuthbert's Infant School in Ropery Lane now have more than 1,000 new books to choose from. The PTA raised the cash by holding, fairs
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Eastbourne pupils and staff angered by super school plan
CHILDREN and staff at a Darlington school have been angered by plans to make it part of a £20m super school. The community at Eastbourne Comprehensive is said to feel "unappreciated" after the borough council announced plans for it to be taken over by
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Dismay at Government's flood protection stance
THE Government's failure to promise firm action to prevent further serious flooding has been met with disappointment. Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh said an attempt to raise the matter in the Commons on Wednesday received a non-commital response from a
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Residents warned over pots protest
RESIDENTS protecting verges outside their homes have received warning letters from council chiefs who fear huge bills over the issue. Householders in Redcar have been left annoyed by inconsiderate motorists parking on grass verges and turning greenery
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Zavone can be a Dragon slayer
RICHARD HANNON holds an enviably powerful hand with his two-year-olds this season, none more so than Zavone (2.40), who looks right on the money for Sandown's Rathbone Dragon Stakes. After what appeared to be a run-of-the-mill debut, Zavone surpassed
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Pledge in hunt for man's killers
A POLICE chief is appealing for an end to a two-year wall of silence surrounding the brutal murder of a drug addict. The badly decomposed body of 31-year-old Darren Manders was discovered by a dog walker, two years ago today, partly concealed under a
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Crowds flock to agricultural show
CROWDS flocked to one of the North's premier agricultural events yesterday to see a bumper crop of cattle, sheep and horses. The 119th Malton Show took place at Scampston Hall, four miles from Malton, North Yorkshire. The event drew entries and attractions
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Fears over private children's home plan -unfounded'
FEARS that a children's home planned for Northallerton would house violent and abusive children or sexual offenders are unfounded, say the applicants. Almost 100 people attended a meeting on Wednesday to voice concerns about plans for a private residential
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Pogatetz facing long wait for Boro debut
MIDDLESBROUGH were last night rocked by the news that new signing Emanuel Pogatetz could be banned for the first half of next season. Pogatetz, who only completed his £1.8m move to the Riverside at the start of the week, is paying the price for the red
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The cutting edge applience of science
Genetically tailored medicines and drugs tested on computers rather than people are part of the vision of Professor Fred Wright. Health Editor Barry Nelson meets the man who is driving forward the North-East's new industrial revolution. THE needleless
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Dishes designed for children will be launched at the Great Yorkshire Show
NORTH Yorkshire entrepreneur Elizabeth Guy is hoping big things will come from her little pies and puds. The Wensleydale businesswoman is all set to launch her youngsters' food venture at the Great Yorkshire Show this month. She has spent the past few
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Encouraging awards
REPRESENTATIVES from the Queen's Award scheme visited winners yesterday to encourage more North-East companies to enter. Stephen Brice, secretary of the Queen's Awards office and David Moore, secretary to the Prime Minister's advisory committee on the
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Riverdance on the up
A COLOURED horse belonging to a County Durham owner is continuing to make an early impact in the show ring. Riverdance, owned and produced by Anke Robinbson of Headlam, near Darlington, has made an excellent start to the season after a successful debut
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Prison hit by second riot in months
INMATES armed with pool cues and pieces of furniture threw snooker balls at prison officers and ripped apart a recreation room at a young offenders' institution. Two inmates were hurt as 26 youths became involved in the riot, before barricading themselves
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Rethink on local cancer units
HEALTH managers have widened the scope of controversial proposals to reduce the number of inpatient leukaemia units. Campaigners have battled to keep the six-bed haematology unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital open since plans were announced earlier
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Pogatetz facing long wait for Boro debut
MIDDLESBROUGH were last night rocked by the news that new signing Emanuel Pogatetz could be banned for the first half of next season. Pogatetz, who only completed his £1.8m move to the Riverside at the start of the week, is paying the price for the red
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Region's longest established online firm to double staff
THE North-East's longest established Internet firm is looking to double its workforce after securing more clients. Darlington-based Intermedia has announced two companies - Siesta Travel and Niven Architects - that will make use of its web-based services
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Harmony is her line
PASTEL artist Elizabeth Smith, of Ingleby Arncliffe, has been given her first major exhibition in this area with the opening of Inspired by Nature at Beningbrough Hall, near York. Though the two-day exhibition in the village hall at Swainby, which she
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Exploring a small and peaceful town bursting with history
THIS week's Diary comes from Appleby in Westmorland, where I attended a small conference of crime writers who work and live in the North of England. Although I have passed through Appleby on occasions, I have never had time to explore the town and its
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Young offenders go on rampage at Deerbolt prison
YOUNG criminals wrecked their recreation room and wielded pool cues as weapons in a major outbreak of violence at Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution in Barnard Castle. Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were called to the incident involving 25
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Anger at company move by assembly
THE leaders of a controversial unelected regional assembly are planning to turn the organisation into a limited company to protect members from legal action. The move - dismissed by critics last night as a way to avoid public scrutiny - will involve the
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Children hit write note
A CREATIVE writing competition organised by a church has been hailed as a success. All Saints Church, in Hurworth, near Darlington, opened the competition to children living or going to school in the village. The youngsters produced some inspiring pieces
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Parish plans may need to be revised
PARISH councils in Darlington may have to revise their parish plans if they want them to be included in the planning process. Parish councillors have complained that their local plans have been overlooked by Darlington Borough Council when making planning
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Event is sure to get visitors as high as kites
KITE FLYERS from around the globe are descending on the North-East for a colourful extravaganza at the weekend. The Sunderland International Festival of Kites has attracted a record-breaking 20 international kite flyers to the free event at the Northern
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Ex-teacher's exhibition
RETIRED headteacher Ken Charlton is to present his 22nd solo art exhibition. He brings his Lasting Impressions to the Little Gallery at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, at the weekend. Mr Charlton, who was headteacher at Hurworth Comprehensive School, near
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Coroner attacks Spanish delays
A CORONER yesterday criticised Spanish authorities for their lack of co-operation with an inquest into a North-East holidaymaker's death. Albert Sheldon died in March 2000, aged 73, when he was crushed by a car that mounted the pavement in the Costa del
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Parent passion
THE debate about the proposal to close Hurworth comprehensive school and merge it with Eastbourne school on a new site on the edge of Darlington will have surprised senior borough councillors and officers. Although a question mark has been hanging over
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Man left in pool of own blood after knife attack
A KNIFEMAN terrified drinkers by leaving a family man injured and lying in a pool of blood. Violent thief Keith Hammond wounded Colin Burlinson so badly he thought he had fallen into a puddle. It was only when horrified passers-by warned that his assailant
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Prizes to pupils for safety posters
YOUNG artists were presented with prizes from Durham Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Gary Barnett yesterday. It was during Easington's Safety Carousel event in April that all the youngsters taking part were invited to come up with an eye-catching
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Training in gas installation
A COURSE has been introduced at East Durham and Houghall Community College in response to a major skills shortage. From September, the college's Peterlee campus, will be offering a full-time programme in gas installation. It is seen as ideal for school
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Furniture business expands
A FLOURISHING furniture business has opened new premises in Crook creating jobs for County Durham workers. Joint managing directors Peter and Julie McPartland are hoping to double their 16-member team at their workshop and showroom in Prospect Road, where
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Lottery millionaire Sarah hopes lightning strikes twice
SARAH COCKINGS, the region's most recent Lottery millionaire, is keeping her fingers crossed for Britain in tonight's EuroMillions draw. The 21-year-old, from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, who won £3m on the National Lottery in April, is hoping lightning
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Tournament is tribute to tragic PC
MORE than 100 young footballers showed off their skills in memory of a policeman who died chasing suspects. Colleagues of PC Keith Maddison in Crook and Willington organised a five-a-side tournament for local primary schools. The traffic officer collapsed
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Village flower power to aid hospice
FIVE secret gardens are to be opened to the public for one day only. The village of Tudhoe will be turned into a mini open-air garden when families open their gates to raise money for the St Cuthbert's Hospice appeal. Hospice trustee Gordon Allanson and
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Tickets for Live8 show going fast
PEOPLE wanting to watch the North-East public screening of tomorrow's Live8 concert are being urged to get their tickets now. Gateshead International Stadium is one of eight venues across the country chosen to host a big screen showing TV coverage of
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Cycling to help victims
THE chief executive of a charity has completed a 200-mile cycle challenge to raise awareness of the organisation's work. Steve Twynham, of Victim Support, cycled to all of the charity's offices in North Yorkshire. He finished at York Crown Court, where
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Peep into £1.5m storm chamber
A STORM chamber designed to screen thousands of gallons of rainwater before it is discharged should be finished by September. The £1.5m chamber, next to The Hydro swimming pool in Harrogate, should improve the quality of the water in Oak Beck and the
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School mergers backed after more consultation
COUNCILLORS have agreed with recommendations to merge two schools in Guisborough and another two in Loftus. Members of Redcar and Cleveland Council children's services scrutiny committee agreed on Wednesday that Park Lane Infants' School and Northgate
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Doorstoppers: Warning as caller alters £9 cheque
A WARNING has been issued after a doorstep scam by a bogus charity worker. The man called at the home of a woman in Hutton-le-Hole, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, and sold her a pair of scissors for £9. The woman paid by cheque, which was later altered
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Team joins stable block restoration project
A NORTH construction company has joined the restoration team working on an 18th Century house and stable block that was formerly the ancestral home of the late Queen Mother's family. The Gibside estate, at Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, which was taken
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Lagan makes promising start to track season
YOUNG Northallerton athlete Andy Lagan has made a successful start to the track season after a cross-country season dogged by illness and injury. The 16-year-old 800m runner won in the NYAL for his club Middlesbrough AC and in the area, Yorkshire and
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Burglar was caught riding off on bike
A HOODED burglar caught riding off on a stolen bicycle has been jailed. Career criminal Peter Cessford, 20, of Hendon Valley Court, Hendon, Sunderland, was branded a greedy, remorseless, menace to society by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.
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Appeal to dampen fires in garden
HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to be good neighbours by not lighting fires in their gardens. The appeal has been issued by council officials in Hartlepool who said there was a noticeable rise in complaints about bonfires at this time of the year. They said
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Kelly silent on school plans
EDUCATION Secretary Ruth Kelly yesterday became the latest senior Government figure to sidestep questions over a controversial school take-over. She refused to give her views on plans to close the two schools involved in Britain's first education federation
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Drink-driving couple stopped yards apart
A COUPLE were driving vehicles a few car lengths apart when police stopped them and found both been drinking, a court heard yesterday. Tests showed builder Brian Bain, 65, was more than twice the drink-drive limit, while 57-year-old Sonia Thornton was
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Manager to be hired for centre
COUNCILLORS have agreed to hire a manager to oversee the day-to-day running and marketing of 16 offices. The manager will be responsible for units at the £1.5m Innovation Centre at Colburn Business Park. "The project was developed and marketed as being
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Generous support provides great start to hospice appeal
CHARITY fundraisers hoping to build a much-needed extension to a beloved hospice say their appeal is off to an excellent start - thanks to readers of The Northern Echo. Two months ago, the paper teamed up with St Cuthbert's Hospice in Durham City to launch
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Region's longest established online firm to double staff
THE North-East's longest established Internet firm is looking to double its workforce after securing more clients. Darlington-based Intermedia has announced two companies - Siesta Travel and Niven Architects - that will make use of its web-based services
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Vouchers for free neutering
DOG owners can have their pets neutered for free at a dog show and open day this weekend. The Durham and District branch of the RSPCA is holding the event at 1pm on Sunday, at the Deerness Kennels, in Langley Moor, Durham City. During the day, vouchers
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Art show number 22
RETIRED headteacher Ken Charlton presents his 22nd solo art exhibition since leaving his desk nine years ago. He brings his Lasting Impressions to the Little Gallery at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, at the weekend. Mr Charlton, who was headteacher at Hurworth
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Neglect case dad appears in court
A MAN who drunkenly started a late-night fire at his partner's home as her two children slept upstairs walked free from court yesterday. Nils Jack Jolliffe, 28, suffered third-degree burns to his arms after he forgot about a chip pan he had put on the
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Students put priory workers on-line
STUDENTS from Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, have helped create a web site for a local charity. Gisborough Priory Project now has its own site, www. gisboroughpriory. ik.com. Board member Matthew Tarrant said: "We are pleased to be associated
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Strength of pound against US dollar hits UK_wool price
THE 2005 wool cheque will pay about 54p/kg, a similar value to last year, according to the British Wool Marketing Board's price schedule, just published. Britain is now the fifth-largest source of traded wool and, although auction clearances have been
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On TV
Allergic to Everything (C4) The Great British Loser (C4) BRITAIN is in the grip of an allergy epidemic. More than 15 million of us have an allergy of one kind or another, and it's getting worse. Forty years ago, just four per cent of children had eczema
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Battles new and old are the star show attractions
BUMPER entries and new attractions are promised when the 147th Great Yorkshire Show opens at Harrogate on July 12. Polo matches are played during the three-day show for the first time, with two teams from Beverley Polo Club, in East Yorkshire, staging
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Chapel with just four members to close
A VILLAGE chapel near Richmond is to close after membership dwindled to just four. Worshippers at Melsonby Methodist Chapel had battled for two years against falling numbers and increasing costs but the burden of running and maintaining the building became
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Man still critical after fatal accident
A MAN remained in a critical condition last night after a car accident in which his wife died. Yvonne Veronica Hodgson died when the car she was in went off the A167 near Chilton, County Durham, and hit a tree late on Wednesday night. The 48-year-old,
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Boro enter the big league
A football club is catering for its expanding support base with the launch of a new home strip. Middlesbrough FC has created a XXXXL kit for its more well proportioned fans. The move to supply tops and shorts with a couple of extra inches of material
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Durham's own Great Scott is the hero
DURHAM found a new hero last night when Gary Scott hit 31 off 25 balls to turn a likely Twenty20 defeat by Yorkshire into a two-wicket win at Headingley. Chasing the Tykes' 123 for seven, Durham were 64 for six in the 11th over when Scott went in and
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Splattered cows and a soccer sham
DESTROY ALL HUMANS, Publisher: THQ. Formats: PS2, Xbox. Price: £39.99: Family friendly? Er...a bit too much violence for younger gamers. THE timing couldn't be better. In the week Tom Cruise zaps the cinema box office in War Of The Worlds, games publisher
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Van attack jail term increased
A MAN who broke the legs of his unfaithful wife by driving a van at her had his "unduly lenient" sentence increased at the Court of Appeal yesterday. Laundry boss Andrew Lincoln, of Colburn Lane, Catterick, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty at Teesside
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Grain report
by Robin Twizell RMD Agriculture OLD crop wheat values have remained unchanged, or a little weaker, with most end-users seeming happy with their cover. New crop prices have also been unchanged as demand into southern EU states is likely to be strong this
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Special livestock sales
SKIPTON. - Mon of last week. Fwd: more than 40 cattle for June Craven dairy auction. Judges: Malcolm & Stephen Abbott, Ings Farm, Dacre, Harrogate. Champion: JD Taylor & Son, Small House, Broughton, home-bred newly-calven pedigree Holstein hfr
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Model nell launches Baywatchers campaign
BAYWATCH came to the region's coast yesterday when model Nell McAndrew braved the rain and fog to don her swimsuit. She was in the resort of Scarborough to launch Yorkshire Water's 2005 Baywatchers summer campaign. The company has signed a deal with Scarborough
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Stop this tawdry trade
PRINCESS Diana had a one-night stand with John F Kennedy Junior. It is one of the sensational claims made in a book written by the princess's former therapist Simone Simmons. Of course, neither Diana nor Kennedy are alive to confirm or deny the allegation
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Sword rampage youth locked up
A NOTORIOUS teenage offender, dubbed Lambton Worm Boy by police, has locked up for a year for his latest misdemeanours. The 17-year-old youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was nicknamed after the legendary beast of medieval folklore that7
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Stepping back in time at park
Members of a Victorian group stepped out in style to publicise a park renovation project. Members of the Saltburn Victorian Society turned out in costume for the Victorian Gala Day at Ropner Park, in Stockton. There were stalls, entertainment and pony
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Friendship sealed after 500 letters and 50 years
TRANSATLANTIC pen-pals celebrated half a century of correspondence by meeting at the Richmond home of one of them. Elaine Wood and Lynda Cole began writing to each other when they were eight years old and members of girl guide and girl scout packs. "We
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Six hundred jobs lined up in expansion of care homes
Six hundred jobs will be created as a care home company more than doubles in size across the region. Gainford Care Homes, named as one of the fastest growing companies in the region last year, already has eight residential nursing and care homes in the
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Man left in pool of own blood after knife attack
A KNIFEMAN terrified drinkers by leaving a family man injured and lying in a pool of blood. Violent thief Keith Hammond wounded Colin Burlinson so badly he thought he had fallen into a puddle. It was only when horrified passers-by warned that his assailant
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Pony dates
Bedale & West of Yore PC. - July 9 & 10: tetrathlon at Northallerton EC. All classes. July 26: ODE at Newfield, Mickley, inc novice challenge & Helen Crockatt, novice & open classes. Sae for schedules to Mrs F Blaine, 7 Stoneybrough Lane
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Baby, it's a top pool
A NORTH-EAST leisure centre has been named in a new directory of the country's most baby-friendly swimming pools. Spennymoor Leisure Centre, in County Durham, has been included in the 20-page booklet, Swimming Starts With Little Swimmers, produced by
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Jury out to debate verdict in Russia scam trial
A LAW undergraduate has denied knowingly becoming involved in a Russian money-making scam. Keith Fuller told Teesside Crown Court he thought Terisav Limited was a legitimate business operating from Russia that imported and exported fish and vodka. He
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Reunion leads to a union as pair's family link revealed
WHEN Kitty Dawson and Margaret Greenhill lined up for a reunion photograph, they never realised how close it would bring them. Both women had been former contestants in the Miss Crimdon beauty competition which, in its heyday, attracted crowds of up to
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Pendant helped raise alarm after fall
PENSIONER Rose Chappell has told how an emergency alarm worn around her neck may have saved her life. The 87-year-old suffered a freak accident when she fell at home and trapped her arm in a draw handle. After pressing her emergency pendant button, Coast
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Police lose "Wearside Jack" tape and letters
POLICE have lost the original audio tape and letters from "Wearside Jack", the elaborate hoaxer who claimed to be the Yorkshire Ripper. Peter Sutcliffe remained at large for months and killed three more victims, largely because West Yorkshire Police fell
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Two die in head-on collision
TWO men have died after their car crashed head-on with a prison van last night. The two men were in a Ford Fiesta heading North on the A688 road between Bowburn and Tursdale in County Durham which inexplicably crossed the road completely and smashed head-on
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Artist to unveil 22nd exhibition
RETIRED headteacher Ken Charlton is ready to present his 22nd solo art exhibition since leaving his desk nine years ago. He takes Lasting Impressions to the Little Gallery at Kirkleatham Museum, Redcar, this weekend. Mr Charlton, who was headteacher at
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Funding boost for disabled athletes
DISABLED athletes in County Durham are set to benefit after energy supplier npower ploughed £16,000 into the English Federation of Disability Sport's fund for the forthcoming year. The amount was then matched by Sportsmatch, leaving the EFDS £32,000 to
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ShopTalk: More reasons for a revamp
Ever since its Safeway takeover, Morrison's has struggled to find its feet. Shoptalk gives a consumer's view of its strengths and weaknesses. SO what is it about Morrison's? The supermarket chain has been a northern favourite for years. Made huge profits
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More details sought on housing scheme
HAMBLETON councillors were recommended yesterday to grant conditional planning approval for 12 houses on the site of a garage which closed at Aiskew in May. Original plans to redevelop the Aiskew Motor Company site with housing were withdrawn in February
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Late developer Josh aims high
A BORDER collie given away because he would not work has won through to the world sheepdog championships. White Rose Josh, owned by Derek Bowmer, is also father of the Blue Peter puppies born a month ago. Mr Bowmer, of Scotton, near Catterick Garrison
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Students' art goes on display
STUDENTS from five art classes at the Redcar Adult Learning Centre unveil their work in an exhibition at Kirkleatham Museum this weekend. The exhibition, entitled Creative Companions Return, features 40 paintings, selected by art tutor Janet Outhwaite
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Grease brings colour to priory garden
GISBOROUGH Priory will turn into Rydell High next weekend when rock 'n' roll hits from the musical Grease are performed on an outdoor stage. The organisers expect many of the audience to join in by dressing up in 1950s costumes. And Jane Shearer, from
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Naturalists concerned at illegal bait gathering
ENGLISH Nature has reported an increase in the illegal gathering of bait and shellfish on the Seal Sands area of Teesmouth national nature reserve. No bait or shellfish collection is currently permitted on this part of the reserve, yet in May and June
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Attractions have dried out, but tourists are too cautious
TOURISM attractions in flood-hit areas of the county are keen to stress they remain open, despite fears they might be forced to close. A perception that parts of county remain deluged has prompted some tourists to put off their visits. Several attractions
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Police take action after near-riots in suburb
A TORMENTED community has been promised an increased police presence in an attempt to clampdown on weekend troublemakers. High visibility patrols will be seen the streets of Linthorpe, in Middlesbrough, from tonight after the area experienced near- riots
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Spoilt for choice and stumped by the starters
A PACKED car park was the sight which greeted my arrival at the Black Horse at Swainby. Not only that, there was even a marshal organising things. Surely the pub - albeit popular - could not be so busy early on a Tuesday evening? But it was - with a mix
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Song and dance coming your way
REHEARSALS for the musical Guys and Dolls are in full swing at a community centre. Egglescliffe Community Centre is being transformed to echo the atmosphere of downtown New York in the 1930s. The Centre Stage group is producing the show, written and composed
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Pain relief drugs stolen at hospital
AN urgent investigation was under way last night into security at a hospital after drugs were stolen from an operating theatre. Police and bosses at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital are looking into the theft of ampules of a powerful painkiller
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Beet growers will head for Brussels
SUGAR beet growers from Yorkshire are to converge on Brussels as the debate on the future of the European sugar industry intensifies. They will take part in a rally of all European growers on Monday, July 18. David Wilmot-Smith, a grower from York, said
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Music and dance festival planned
A COMMUNITY group in north Durham is launching its own music and dance festival. The festival in Chester-le-Street has been developed by a range of partners of the Chester West and Central Community Project over the last seven months. Well-known brothers
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In the soup
THE Lions are in the soup, but it can't be Campbell's because Alastair of that ilk is on the tour to ensure that a positive spin is put on everything. As if a party of 45 players and 29 back-up staff were not sufficient reason to question Sir Clive Woodward's
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Bolton returns as top two prepare for vital clash
THE match of the day in the premier division tomorrow pitches second-top Guisborough against leaders Saltburn at Fountains Garth. The result could be crucial to the championship aspirations of both teams. Saltburn, with just one defeat in 13 games, lead
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Looking Back
FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - A few weeks ago an old woman, who had seen better days, took a small tenement in Albert-street, Bishopwearmouth, to endeavour to eke out a scanty existence by the retail of vegetables. The chimney, however, smoked
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Young stars score to keep Duffield team in spotlight
GEORGE Duffield is known for his shrewdness and, before last Christmas, he told wife, trainer Ann Duffield, that Indigo Nights could be the best two-year-old at their Constable Burton yard. So it is proving. On Saturday at Chester, the young filly landed
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Pub pitches for biker custom
A VILLAGE pub is back in business after its sudden closure six months ago. New tenants Stuart and Linda Jackman reopened The Comet, in Hurworth Place, two weeks ago following a major revamp. Plans for the future include making The Comet a pub where bikers
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A midsummer night's record-breaking . . .
SCHOOL pupils are preparing to take part in a record-breaking performance of Shakespeare's plays at the weekend. About 80 youngsters from four schools will appear at the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Sunday evening. They will
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Timber merchant at cutting edge
A TIMBER merchant is increasing production after investing £200,000 in technology. Robert Duncan Timber, of Gateshead has installed an automated and computerised timber stacking system. The family-run business, which also has centres in Middlesbrough
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Medal experts seek new finds as rare examples are sold
BONHAMS, the international fine art auction house with an office at Bedale, is sending a team of coin and medal experts back to County Durham and North Yorkshire in search of more interesting finds following the recent discovery of a rare medal. The Seringapatam
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Spurs in with bid for Jenas
TOTTENHAM are ready to test Newcastle's resolve by tabling an improved £7.2m offer for much-admired midfielder Jermaine Jenas. The London club have already been in contact with the Magpies, only to have had their original advances rebuffed when they raised
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Need for farm charity great as ever
THE need for farming's national charity, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, in what its president Lord Plumb describes as "challenging times for agriculture", is as great as it has ever been. This is highlighted in the latest annual review
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Johnny Ball travels to area for museum day
TELEVISION personality Johnny Ball will be in the region tomorrow to open a mobile museum. The entertainer, famous for his fun portrayal of science and maths on children's television, will open The Curiosity Shop, in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre,
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Laser scanning delves into mankind's ancient secret
THE latest technology has been employed to help unearth the secrets of the region's prehistoric rock art. Five rocks in Teesdale, which are carved with stone age engravings, are being recorded using a technique called 3D laser scanning as part of the
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Taxi driver: I hit paramedic in self-defence
A TAXI driver told a court he was acting in self-defence when he hit out at a paramedic after an ambulance blocked his route on a one-way street. Richard Heslop admitted at Teesside Crown Court that he punched the ambulance driver four times, but said
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School staff are in class of their own
Teachers, teaching assistants and schools were honoured for their work at the borough council's first children's services awards evening last night. The award ceremony was staged at the St George Hotel, near Durham Tees Valley Airport. Nominations were
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Prison hit by second rampage in months
INMATES have gone on the rampage at a North-East young offenders' institution for the second time this year, The Northern Echo can reveal. Young rioters armed with pool cues and pieces of furniture threw snooker balls at prison officers and ripped apart
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Group offers a theatrical feast
A THEATRE group has put on a hard-hitting show in Darlington in support of a local charity. Moveable Feast Arts, of Stanley, which includes people with learning difficulties, performed at the Arts Centre - shortly before travelling to France to stage
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Safety advice for pupils
Primary school pupils can pick up advice at a fire safety carousel initiative run by firefighters and council officials in Darlington. More than 1,600 children are expected to attend the sessions, which are held at the fire station, in St Cuthbert's Way
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Think green message
VISITORS to Darlington Market Square were urged to think green this week. The borough council's Big Recycle Roadshow was in town, offering advice on a range of issues from recycling and home composting to real nappies and Fairtrade products. The Tees
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Plan to improve city
A SERIES of exhibitions have been announced to give people a chance to suggest ways of improving Durham City. Civic leaders have launched a public consultation for the 2020 Vision for Durham - an ambitious plan to improve the city centre and increase
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Teams heads to Special Olympics
A GROUP of athletes with learning disabilities are competing in the Special Olympics after more than two years of fundraising. The group of 15 adults and four staff have raised more than £10,000 for their first visit to the National Summer Games in Glasgow
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Rotarians help diabetes patients
TWO young diabetes patients will receive insulin pumps over the next few weeks thanks to the efforts of Bishop Auckland rotarians. A fundraising campaign, which culminated in a sportmans dinner, brought in £5,000 for hospital paediatric consultant Dr
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School Closure Debate: Action committee formed to fight school relocation plan
THE campaign to retain Hurworth School in its village location has taken a step forward with the formation of an action group. Campaigners want to keep the nationally-acclaimed school in their community. Darlington Borough Council has proposed a merger
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Riders raise £700 for leukaemia unit
HORSERIDERS turned out to support a hospital unit where a leukaemia sufferer was cared for during months of treatment. Susan Chapman's friends at the Ivesley Equestrian Centre, near Esh Winning, raised more than £700 for the chemotherapy and haematology
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Fundraisers grow for gold at gardens day
FIVE gardens are to be opened to the public for a day next weekend. Families from Tudhoe Village will open their gates to raise money for the St Cuthbert's Hospice appeal. Two months ago, The Northern Echo teamed up with St Cuthbert's Hospice, in Durham
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Unit gets people on road to work
A mobile unit designed to get people back on the road to work is touring the Wear Valley area this month. The unit has been set up by Wear Valley Action Team for Jobs, and will travel throughout the district this month and next month. Advisors from the
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Children's Whitehall message is ... POW
DURHAM youngsters are to tell politicians what they got out of a two-year play project. Nine of the children who benefited from Play Opportunity Works (POW) will go to London next week to tell ministers, including Minister for Children and Young People
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Fatal arson inquiry: Praise for response over lighter fluid link
POLICE searching for the killer of 11-year-old arson victim Dean Pike have been encouraged by the response to a call for information about a discarded tin of lighter fluid, which may provide vital clues. The yellow 100ml tin of Swan Extra Refined fluid
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Allotment Watch launched to deter vandals and thieves
A TOWN has launched a crime fighting network to tackle vandalism and improve security at its allotments. Ferryhill Town Council has joined forces with police and allotment holders to create the Allotment Watch scheme, which was launched yesterday. The
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Italian flavour for former station appeal event
SUNSHINE, summer gardens and dales arts and crafts helped add nearly £4,000 to the Richmond station appeal at the weekend. Organisers from Richmondshire Buildings Preservation Trust have now turned their attention to events for July in their bid to raise
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Community triumphant as work starts on childcare unit
WORK has started on a childcare facility for 35 children in rural North Yorkshire. The unit in Hawes, Wensleydale, is the culmination of four years' work by the Upper Dales Childcare Partnership. The community group was formed in 2001 amid concern over
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College athletics success story simply keeps on running
COLLEGE athletes have again proved their worth on the track and field. The boys and girls teams from Northallerton College have become Hambleton and Richmondshire area champions for the fourth and fifth years running respectively. The youngsters competed
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Farmer goes high-tech to protect his colleagues
A NORTHALLERTON farmer has found himself at the forefront of agricultural crime prevention, following a major cash investment in his bright idea. Brian Richmond has received funding from NorthStar Equity Investors to develop an innovative device which
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High-flying businessman is football hooligan
A HIGH-flying businessman has earned the tag of football hooligan after being handed a three year banning order after he was filmed hurling chairs at opposing fans. Mark Jones, a self employed IT consultant who works across Europe, gave an address in
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Jazz Warrior concert
JAZZ trumpet player Abram Wilson is to perform in Durham City next week as part of the city's annual Brass Festival. The 29-year-old New Orleans-based musician - dubbed the Jazz Warrior - is regarded as one of the hottest trumpet players in the world,
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'Public evenly divided over windfarms'
A POWER company claims four out of ten people support plans to build a wind farm on the County Durham border with Northumberland. Npower held two public consultation sessions concerning its plans to build seven wind turbines at Kiln Pit Hill, near Consett
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Site for £25m major hospital development gains approval
THE site for a major hospital which will see doctors' surgeries and residential facilities under one roof has been given approval. The £25m development in Redcar will replace services currently at Stead Memorial Hospital, as well as additional outpatient
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Road to close for repairs
THE A692 Consett Road at Watergate Bank, in Gateshead, will be closed to traffic on Sunday for roadworks and drain cleaning. The road will be closed between Whickham Highway and Pennyfine Road from 4am to 6pm. Access will be remain available to residents
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This charity cheque will not bounce!
A FORMER top policeman says a national registration scheme for bouncers is being introduced at the cost of local knowledge. Retired Cleveland Superintendent John Turner says introduction of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulations has sounded
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Training leads to office career
TEENAGER Natalie Gray is forging an office career thanks to a community project. Natalie, has been given a permanent job as an administrator at West View Advice and Resource Centre, in Miers Avenue, Hartlepool, after successfully completing a two-year
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Castle to host VE proms
A LAST Night of the Proms concert to commemorate VE Day will be held in the grounds of a North Yorkshire castle tomorrow. The Alan Owens Big Band and soloist Simon Stafford will perform in Richmond Castle. The Richmond Town Council event will raise funds
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Support sought for charity event
A PLEA has been made for public support for the County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted group's fundraising coffee morning, in Chester-le-Street, this Saturday. The society, which provides services for visually impaired people throughout
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Chief Constable to step down
ONE of the region's most senior police officers has stunned colleagues with the announcement that he is to retire. Paul Garvin, Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary, will announce today that he is quitting his post at the end of the year. The 56-year-old
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Six hundred jobs lined up in expansion of care homes
Six hundred jobs will be created as a care home company more than doubles in size across the region. Gainford Care Homes, named as one of the fastest growing companies in the region last year, already has eight residential nursing and care homes in the
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Scott brings in his first new recruits
Martin Scott yesterday made his first signings as Hartlepool United manager, writes Nick Loughlin. Attacking midfielder Lee Bullock moved from Cardiff and Thomas Butler put pen to paper on a new contract after spending the final months of last season
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Row 'may hit town future'
A COUNCIL claims opposition to a proposed seafront redevelopment could scupper the chances of bringing millions of pounds of investment to Redcar. The row centres on the sale of land for housing, to pay for a new swimming pool and leisure centre. Coun
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Hoddle's Miller movement
WOLVES boss Glenn Hoddle last night gave Sunderland the green light to make a fresh approach for striker Kenny Miller. Hoddle finally broke his silence on the Scotland international's situation to admit he was already planning for a possible departure
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Racing pigeons die in suspected arson attack
MORE than 80 racing pigeons died in a suspected arson attack on an allotment. Devastated owner George Skidmore, 72, can't bare to look at the cremated wreck of his pigeon loft, which was found ablaze late on Thursday evening. Mr Skidmore, who has under-gone
