Archive
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No headpine
Slaughterhouse - The Task of Blood (BBC2); Escape to the Legion (C4): IT may not quite have been what the careers officer was expecting when young Arran came in for his interview. Careers officer: "So, what do you want to be when you leave school?". Arran
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Crime mission gets under way
A strategy aiming to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and drug abuse was launched this week. The three-year initiative aims to encourage the reporting of hate crimes and domestic abuse and reduce the number of people killed and seriously hurt on the
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Perils of a demoralised society
The judgement in the case of Brian Blackwell, the eighteen-year-old who killed his parents with a claw hammer and a knife, is incoherent and therefore unjust. On the one hand it was declared that Blackwell is "suffering from narcissistic personality disorder
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Dynasty of sex and shopping
IN the 1980s, Jacqueline Gold admits she was a power dresser. "I tried to emulate what I thought a business person was like," she says. "I was very assertive and aggressive and wore shoulder pads, the lot. One day someone told me I looked like I'd walked
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Marion Bernard, Gerry White
THE region's specialist technology venture capital business, NorthStar Equity Investors, has recruited Marion Bernard as chief investment officer. She joins from a London venture capital fund focused on early stage investments. Before that, she was with
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Jury finds taxi driver guilty
A TAXI driver has been found guilty of attacking a paramedic after an ambulance blocked his route on a one-way street. Richard Heslop was cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Richard Hannan, but convicted of an alternative charge of assault occasioning
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City breaks perfect for happier workers
NEIL ALLISON has a motto -work to live, don't live to work. He spent years working in cities such as Manchester and Leeds after he graduated from Sunderland University. He said: "I just felt that I had to get out. People lived their life at work and wasted
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'What you can not enforce, do not command'
The man credited with the quote in the headline was not a high-flying business guru, he was not an analyst, or even a highly-paid management consult. He was Sophocles, a writer of Greek tragedies born in 496BC. About 2,500 years later, as businesses battle
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Prospects for a cut in rates as retailers falter
The prospect of lower interest rates, and a boost to the stockmarket, was provided by the minutes of the previous Bank of England meeting held at the start of June. It showed a reversal of one vote among nine arguing for higher rates to the position of
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'There is no need for anything fancy if you know your onions'
TERRY Laybourne, right, doesn't like interviews. He is engaging and intelligent, affable and articulate, with a wry, self-deprecating sense of humour. But he is also clearly nervous - during our conversation, his left arm constantly sweeps back and forth
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Black Cats facing a crucial month, Arca believes
WITH Sunderland's players due to report for the start of pre-season training this morning, Julio Arca is hoping that the next five weeks will lay the groundwork for Premiership survival, writes Scott Wilson. The Black Cats squad will reassemble at the
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Vandals leave trail of destruction at schools
TWO schools were damaged and a pigeon was beheaded when teenage vandals went on a sickening rampage. One school had 24 windows broken and a newly-built wall demolished, while another had its tennis courts vandalised and building damaged by youths in Stockton
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Farewell to man of integrity, humour and great courage
HUNDREDS of people turned out yesterday to bid a fond farewell to one of the region's most highly-respected councillors. Roderick Burtt, a Conservative member of Darlington Borough Council, died last week, aged 64. Family, friends and colleagues from
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Mystery as baby dies days after accident
Police were last night investigating the mysterious death of a 13-day-old baby. The infant died yesterday morning after being taken to hospital with breathing difficulties - two days after she was thrown to the ground when a car struck her pushchair.
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Karen's Caper can sail to Falmouth success
PUNTERS prepared to chance their arm might like to row in with Karen's Caper (3.05) for the feature event on day one of Newmarket's July meeting, the one-mile Falmouth Stakes. Although last year's winner, Soviet Song, has been chalked up at around 15-
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Former county chief executive to lead group
THE retired chief executive of Durham County Council has been appointed to lead its job creation organisation. Kingsley Smith, who retired from his post last week, has been named chairman of the County Durham Development Company (CDDC) -the authority's
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Award for 'eco-friendly' railway museum
THE North-East's first national museum has clinched another award for its environmentally-friendly features. The £10m Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, at Shildon, was given an award in the built environment category of the 2004 County Durham Environment
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Changes nothing to CRoW about
WHEN Carolyn Jasper hit a cow on a sliproad off the A19, it was only her car that was damaged. The animal was among several that had escaped through broken fencing around a field and on to the road. In the dark, the 25-year-old driver was upon them before
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An African oddyssey
BOTSWANA TIME by Will Randall (Abacus, £10.99): AS the G8 bandwagon prepares to roll into Edinburgh to discuss the continent's seemingly endless problems, Botswana Time provides a life-affirming and magical insight into a remarkable country described
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School garden opens five weeks after visionary headteacher dies
A HEADTEACHER'S labour of love was completed yesterday, five weeks after his death. David Fry, headteacher of Finchale Primary School in Durham for the past five years, died from a rare lung condition at the end of May. The 44-year-old had just returned
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Play a part with Quakers
PEOPLE who want to work for Darlington Football Club are invited to a recruitment day. The football club's new season ticket package has been popular and early indications show an increase in sales. This, combined with the opening of corporate areas,
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Job Search: Vacancies
Counter clerk, Leyburn, £5.21ph, 16hrs pw between 9am and 5.30pm Mon-Fri, experience not essential as training provided. Ref: NAL 2593. Kitchen assistant, Northallerton, £4.85ph, 30hrs pw 3 days from 7 between 7.30am and 6.30pm, basic food hygiene certificate
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Firework killing: Youth 'guilty'
A TEENAGER who was part of a gang that pushed a firework through the front door of a house, which then went up in flames, killing a father, admitted man-slaughter yesterday. The court was told the youth - who was 15 at the time and cannot be named for
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Floods toll may top £3m
THE cost of repairing flood damaged roads and bridges in North Yorkshire is expected to top £3m, the county council has said. Priority routes in the worst affected areas have already been reopened, but a number of roads and bridges around Thirlby, near
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Sara Marshall
TTE Management and Technical Training has promoted Sara Marshall to business development manager. The role makes her responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Teesside company, as well as winning new business. The 32-year-old, from Scarborough,
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Honours for pupils who tackled bullies
SCHOOLGIRLS who have gone out of their way to help fellow pupils beat the bullies were yesterday honoured for their efforts. Separate presentations were made to Hannah Wells, 16, and to ten-year-old Stephanie Melia, at their respective schools in Durham
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Step into 'walk zone'
POSTERS telling people the walking distance to a town centre are being put up as part of a council campaign. North Yorkshire County Council is running WalkWise, the first project of its kind in Britain. It aims to provide people with information on how
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Making more than a cosmetic change
A COSMETICS company has more than doubled its workforce thanks to help from Teesside experts. Geneve International has secured a list of blue chip clients for its body scrubs, moisturisers and other toiletries. The company, based at Longbenton, North
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Mosque firebomb attackers 'face jail'
TWO teenagers who admitted firebombing a mosque, a Chinese takeaway and a pizza shop were yesterday remanded in custody while they wait to be sentenced. A judge warned Matthew Howells, 19, and Roy Fisher, 16, that all options will be considered when they
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Big grins from a team with a habit of winning doubles
PUPILS are celebrating a football league and cup double for the second season in a row. The ten and 11-year-olds at Esh Winning Primary School won both the Deerness Valley Primary Schools League and the Aged Miners Trophy, just as they did the season
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Residents intensify efforts to create centre
A RESIDENTS' group has vowed to step up its attempts to transform a doomed school into a community centre. The North Road Community Partnership will develop a business plan to help support its proposals for the Rise Carr Primary School buildings. The
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'Our head's the best'
PUPILS have been singing the praises of their headteacher who is preparing to retire this summer. Youngsters at Belmont Cheveley Park County Primary School, in Belmont, Durham, wrote a series of letters to The Northern Echo saying what a wonderful headteacher
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Pupils tackle Army contest
SCHOOL pupils were put through their paces by the Army. Eleven teams took part in the annual Green Howards adventurous activities competition at Richmond Castle last week. Each team of ten students undertook tests of both their physical and mental skills
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Children to learn forensic measures
PUPILS at a Darlington primary school will today find out about the latest security measures to keep school property safe. Darlington Borough Council is launching SmartWater in schools across the town in time for the summer holidays. Pupils at Firthmoor
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Golden ambition revealed
ANN Summers chief executive Jacqueline Gold is considering opening a superstore-version of the lingerie chain in the North-East, The Northern Echo can reveal. The 42-year-old told The Northern Echo she planned to open large retail park versions of the
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Former pupils gather for events to mark 90th anniversary
A DARLINGTON school will turn back the clock for a landmark anniversary celebration this week. North Road Primary School is marking its 90th year with a day of events on Friday. The Friends of North Road Primary School appealed for former pupils and staff
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Students juggle lessons to perfect circus tricks
SCHOOLCHILDREN are practising their circus skills ready for three performances later this month. Fifteen members of Richmond School's circus club will take part in shows on Tuesday to Thursday, July 19 to 21, starting at 7pm each night. During the shows
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Electrical firm counts on Agility Systems
LOGISTICS company Agility Systems has won a contract worth £250,000 with electrical manufacturer Morphy Richards. Agility, based in Darlington, will help Morphy Richards' track, manage and distribute its electrical products more efficiently. Agility will
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Training and jobs are on offer at fair
JOB-HUNTERS are being urged to make tracks to a jobs fair. It takes place on Thursday, in the main square of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, from 9am to 5pm. A number of employers will be present, including Flex-Ability, TK Maxx, Wilkinsons
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Council invited to showcase controversial regeneration
A DECISION to showcase a redevelopment plan that includes the demolition of 1,000 houses as a "perfect example'' of how to improve life for communities, has sparked anger. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's multi-million pound regeneration of the
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Boy injured
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy was seriously hurt when he was knocked down in Washington on Sunday. He ran between parked cars in Hogarth Drive, Columbia, at about 6pm and was struck by a Nissan Micra. He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with a fractured
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Grease to rock on at priory
A DAZZLING red and white Cadillac will be the star of the show when Greased Lightning strikes the stage. All the hits of the musical Grease will be sung on a stage at Guisborough Priory on Saturday. And, in an early curtain-raising performance, David
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Focus on battle against disorder
RESIDENTS will get a chance this week to find out what is being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods. Police and Community Safety Consultative Forum meetings are taking place in the north, south and centre of Hartlepool as part
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Planning unit handed record grant
A COUNCIL'S planning department has received a record grant from the Government. Richmondshire District Council's planning service unit has received a planning delivery grant of £400,000, much more than the £278,000 officers expected. The amount of money
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Alert over cloned car tricksters
POLICE have issued a warning after two people were duped into buying cloned cars and lost nearly £17,000. Criminals clone cars by putting the identity of a genuine vehicle on to a stolen vehicle using false registration plates and stolen or forged log
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Bigger garage plan approved reluctantly
COUNCILLORS approved a homeowner's plans to increase the length of his garage, despite many saying they were reluctant to do so. Wear Valley District Council granted permission for Paul Collinson, of Langley Grove, Bishop Auckland, to add 37.5cm to the
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Park offers £500 award
A RESEARCH award is to be set up to promote study of the natural and historical environment of the North York Moors National Park. The £500 award is being promoted by the Moors' Association and secretary Kath Phalp is seeking applicants to come forward
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Trapeze troupe are hanging about for forest festival
AN outdoor jamboree featuring an aerial dance troop will be staged at a North-East beauty spot at the weekend. People will also be able to try Indian head massage at Chopwell Forest Festival, near High Spen, Gateshead. Now in its 12th year, the outdoor
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Film director honoured
OSCAR-WINNING film director Sir Alan Parker is to receive an honorary award from a North-East university this month. Sir Alan, who has directed classics such as Midnight Express, The Commitments and Fame, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts (HonDArt
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Jail for hoodie youth after breaching car parks ban
A YOUTH banned from wearing a hoodie and barred from entering car parks in a part of the region was yesterday jailed for eight months. Magistrate Oliver Johnson told Christopher James Wood he was a menace to society and he hoped prison would teach him
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Anger after holiday flight is cancelled
SCORES of holidaymakers were left angry and out-of-pocket when their flight was cancelled after fighting broke out between passengers and airport staff. About 70 travellers on the bmibaby flight to Newquay, Cornwall, were told to get off the plane and
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Award for 'eco-friendly' railway museum
THE North-East's first national museum has clinched another award for its environmentally-friendly features. The £10m Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, at Shildon, was given an award in the built environment category of the 2004 County Durham Environment
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Primary school secretary makes a royal date in her diary
A QUARTER of a century of loyal service has earned a primary school secretary an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party. Margaret Thompson works at St Godric's RC Primary School, in Newton Hall, Durham. The dedicated secretary received her royal
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Community links past and present together on website
A COMMUNITY has gone online to invite people from far and wide on a virtual tour of their village. People of all ages have contributed to the Hunwick Digital Village website, which was launched to bring computer technology to the community. Local groups
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Launch of venture provides hope for young local bands
A COMMUNITY centre is rocking to the sounds of young bands as it takes on the role of rehearsal room following the closure of a well-known studio. When Northern Recording, the co-operative-run studio at Delves Lane, near Consett, shut down, it left a
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Evening of music in park setting
A PROM in a Park is to be staged this evening, beginning at 6pm, in the grounds of Shotton Hall in Peterlee. Two of the country's top opera singers will be leading the musical extravaganza which will also provide a stage for a number of local school children
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School celebrations to mark 50 years on site
A SCHOOL will celebrate 50 years on its site at the weekend. Past and present students and staff at Spennymoor School will celebrate the golden anniversary with a fun-day in the grounds on Saturday. The school opened on April 22, 1912, as Spennymoor Higher
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Update for surgery
AN up-to-date surgery is to open in Marske. The development, in Windy Hill Lane in the village, will open to patients on Monday, July 18. The Zetland Medical Practice will transfer patients from its site in The Wynd. Dr James Gossow said: "The facility
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Opponents regroup as new plan for White Horse sent in
RESIDENTS were yesterday bracing themselves for a fresh battle to save a landmark pub from demolition. The future of the White Horse Hotel, at the north end of Darlington, is being discussed once again after developers revealed new proposals for the site
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Councils urged to boost recycle rates
THE Government has again urged councils to pick up the recycling pace - with figures showing wide variations in how well they are performing. Despite the fact that more and more household rubbish is being recycled across the North-East and North Yorkshire
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Benkenstein top man but Yorkshire take top honours
DALE Benkenstein, man-of-the-match in Durham's win at Headingley last Thursday, took the award again at Riverside last night. But this time it was in a losing cause. After he had revived Durham's pursuit of a 172 target by contributing 53 to a fourth
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Voting for a better system
GEOFF Hoon, leader of the House of Commons, bravely opens up the debate about how to encourage people to vote by saying attendance at a polling station should be compulsory on election day. He even suggests that if you vote, you might get a small reduction
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Moyes wants Magpies to sweat
EVERTON are convinced Craig Bellamy will be at Goodison Park at the start of next season, but boss David Moyes is ready to make Newcastle sweat in the hope of picking up a bargain. Bellamy was a high-profile absentee as the bulk of the Magpies squad returned
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Men who stopped fighting on packed train commended by judge
Three men who intervened to stop football fans fighting on a packed train have been commended by a judge. The brave passengers formed a barrier between rival supporters as they clashed following a game in the North-East last season. Trouble flared on
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Has Seb timed his final surge?
At midday tomorrow, the international Olympic Committee will decide which city will host the 2012 Olympic Games. As London lines up its big hitters ahead of the vote, Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson explains how our chances are too close to call. BARON
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ITV takeover talk lifts shares
BROADCASTER ITV's shares surged by three per cent yesterday amid speculation that a group of investors, including US media conglomerate Time Warner was planning a £6.6bn takeover. Talk of a bid, which may be led by former BBC director-general Greg Dyke
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Three in court on firearms charges
THREE men accused of possessing firearms when their car was stopped by armed police on a main road have appeared in court. All three men, from Manchester, denied the charges against them yesterday, and their case was transferred from Teesside Crown Court
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Huntsman takes its tern to help birds
A CHEMICAL company has redesigned an island on its brinefield in an attempt to attract common terns. Huntsman has carried out the work on a pond in its Number Four brinefield near Greatham Greek, not far from Seal Sands, on Teesside. The company approached
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Is no one going to revive the UK's last mass car producer?
THE administrators' self-imposed deadline for bidders to register a serious interest in MG-Rover came and went last week with no announcement. Last month, administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) said it had received more than 30 expressions of interest
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Residents could see homes bulldozed
RESIDENTS say they are shocked after learning their homes could be demolished. Occupants of 100 prefabricated bungalows in York have been told that demolition is one of the options being considered by City of York Council. The authority said the homes
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Anger after holiday flight is cancelled
SCORES of holidaymakers were left angry and out-of-pocket when their flight was cancelled after fighting broke out between passengers and airport staff. About 70 travellers on the bmibaby flight to Newquay, Cornwall, were told to get off the plane and
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05/07/05
GEORGE GALLOWAY: I CAN'T believe the publicity you are giving to George Galloway (Echo, June 29). Here's a man - a supporter of Saddam Hussein who murdered thousands of his own people - and yet you give him space to crucify our Prime Minister. To me and
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Training and jobs are on offer at fair
JOB-HUNTERS are being urged to make tracks to a jobs fair. It takes place on Thursday, in the main square of Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, from 9am to 5pm. A number of employers will be present, including Flex-Ability, TK Maxx, Wilkinsons
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Schoolgirl speaks of abduction bid
A SCHOOLGIRL has spoken of the terrifying moment a stranger tried to drag her into his car. Stephanie Lake, 14, was walking through Thornaby at about 8pm last Monday when the man attempted to kidnap her. The Thornaby Community School pupil said she was
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Baby girl nearly chokes on teether
A baby products firm has apologised after a six-month-old girl almost choked on a teether. Sonya Robson said her baby Ffion had the teether in her mouth when she noticed the filling had come out. The mother-of-three, of Columbia, Washington, quickly took
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Waiting is over for farmers
A SIGNIFICANT change has been made to the Government's Environmental Stewardship scheme for farmers. Rather than restrict farmers to quarterly start dates, the scheme will be rolled out with agreements starting at monthly intervals. Since the launch of
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Quakers close in on Duke
Swindon Town have opened the way for Darlington to make midfielder David Duke their second signing of the summer. Duke has already held lengthy talks with Quakers and Swindon boss Andy King last night gave the clearest hint yet that the 26-year-old's
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Ebac will open 'the most expensive spa in the UK'
WATERCOOLER maker Ebac is to open the most expensive spa in the UK. The manufacturer, based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, which employs 350 people in the town, will open a £1m Waterfall spa in Leeds in the autumn, which it says will be the most exclusive
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Man jailed for 12 years after trying to murder girlfriend
A MAN who tried to murder his girlfriend in an apparently motiveless knife attack was yesterday jailed for 12 years. Andrew Burn, 22, slashed Zoe Lonsdale's throat as she slept in their bed before stabbing the 19-year-old and trying to strangle her. The
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Mixed emotions as Yak signs on but Bolo quits
MIDDLESBROUGH finally completed the £7.5m capture of Aiyegbeni Yakubu last night after the striker was granted a work permit on appeal. Boro boss Steve McClaren and chief executive Keith Lamb successfully argued the 22-year-old's case at a hearing in
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Wild Wetlands put in order for ceremony
TWENTY-THREE employees from EDF Energy helped prepare a North-East nature reserve for an official ceremony. The workers, some from the company's Doxford Park premises in Sunderland, worked with a team from Durham Wildlife Trust at its Low Barns reserve
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Mystery as baby dies days after accident
Police were last night investigating the mysterious death of a 13-day-old baby. The infant died yesterday morning after being taken to hospital with breathing difficulties - two days after she was thrown to the ground when a car struck her pushchair.
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Post mortem reveals natural causes in baby death
A baby that was knocked out of its pushchair in a freak three-car accident died of natural causes two days later, a post mortem has revealed. The examination of tragic 13-day-old Ellie Walls, of Kirkstone Close in Houghton-le-Spring was carried out by
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Why the French got a buzz out of Napoleon
THE HIVE by Bee Wilson (John Murray, £14.99): WHEN Napoleon was crowned Emperor of France in 1804, the whole of Notre Dame was decked out in golden bees. Napoleon's advisers knew that bees had represented the kings of Egypt. They also knew that 300 golden
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Ian Miller, Carol Reed
THE property department at the Gateshead MetroCentre has welcomed two new members. Ian Miller, of Gosforth, Newcastle, joins the company as assistant property manager and Carol Reed has taken up the position of secretary to the senior property manager
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Coping with the pain of being apart
With an increasing number of people working away from home, going off to university and travelling, more and more couples are faced with the prospect of living apart. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings looks at how to keep long distance relationships alive
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Maltese couple open new chapter at N-E restaurant
NORTH-EAST businessman Stephen Bell has persuaded a Maltese couple to move to the region to run his hotel's bistro and restaurant. The convenience store millionaire, who sold his Bells Stores empire to Sainsbury's last year, has hired Victor and Victoria
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Contract wins for IT solutions company
AN IT solutions company is celebrating after winning three contracts. Intermedia, based in Darlington, is providing website design for Typhoon International, based in Redcar, east Cleveland. The company is the world's largest manufacturer of drysuits.
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Scott snaps up Llewellyn
CHRIS Llewellyn last night became the latest to sign up for Martin Scott's assault on League One next season. Wrexham's Wales international striker has followed Cardiff midfielder Lee Bullock in moving to Hartlepool United, days after Thomas Butler signed
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Black Cats facing a crucial month, Arca believes
WITH Sunderland's players due to report for the start of pre-season training this morning, Julio Arca is hoping that the next five weeks will lay the groundwork for Premiership survival, writes SCOTT WILSON. The Black Cats squad will reassemble at the
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Inventor celebrates export success
AN inventor and entrepreneur has won an export order for an award-winning bicycle pump. Julian Peck, founder of the Innoverce group, in Newcastle, is celebrating the first export sale of 5,000 Cyclaire Pumps to Germany. Mr Peck turned the concept of the
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Job Search: Vacancies
Catering assistant, £6.69ph, 16hrs pw 5 days from 7 between 5 and 8.15pm, contracted 835hrs pa. Food hygiene certificate an advantage. Ref: DUR 38744. Trainee team member, £5.70 to £6.30ph, 30hrs pw 5 days from 7 between 7.30am and 2pm or 3-10pm. Experience
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Financial backing for furniture companies
TWO furniture companies have secured the funding they need to expand. Europa Sofabeds and Brundellwood Upholstery, both run by the same management team in Newton Aycliffe, have seen sales increase 150 per cent to £25m in the past six years. Bank of Scotland
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Plans for film set in region is 'no hoax'
THE man behind a multi-million pound movie set in the North-East yesterday hit back at reports it was a hoax, claiming it was "one hundred per cent" still on and involved a team of A-list Hollywood celebrities. Shooting of the £2.5m Addict movie, based
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Still praying for kidnap victim Keith
THE tenth anniversary of the disappearance of Keith Mangan has brought the missing backpacker into the centre of the media spotlight again. But Keith's troubled parents, Charles and Mavis Mangan, do not need an anniversary to bring back thoughts of their
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Blacksmith shows his metal with expansion plan
A BLACKSMITH who can list creating medieval torture equipment as one of his past commissions is planning to open a craft showroom. James Godbold's Blacksmiths of Egton, near Whitby, North Yorkshire, has been in business for 20 years manufacturing hand-crafted
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Drivers show skills on
MOTOR racing drivers are to take part in a street demonstration ahead of a North-East race. The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) will take part in demonstration runs on July 14, two days before the series starts at the Croft circuit,
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10,000 say 'do not extend quarry'
A CAMPAIGN group fighting proposals to quarry land near a prehistoric monument yesterday handed over a 10,000-signature petition. Members of Timewatch were at County Hall, in Northallerton, to give the petition to North Yorkshire County Council. The authority
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Speed key to success in automotive industry
ANDY Thompson has no illusions about why MG Rover failed. "I have been round the Toyota plant, round the Nissan plant and round the Rover plant," he said. "After that, you can understand why Rover went down. "Automotive is the hardest industry in the
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Rowdy children cause bus to stop
CHILDREN were behaving so badly on their way home from school that the driver refused to go on without a police escort. The 826 bus from St Bede's RC Comprehensive School to Elm Park, in Shotley Bridge, near Consett, County Durham, was stopped after students
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Baby girl nearly chokes on teether
A baby products firm has apologised after a six-month-old girl almost choked on a teether. Sonya Robson said her baby Ffion had the teether in her mouth when she noticed the filling had come out. The mother-of-three, of Columbia, Washington, quickly took
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Cruise firm's assets leave huge shortfall
CREDITORS owed more than £600,000 by a collapsed cruise company are likely to recover less than 10p in the pound. Sealand Cruising, which was based in Richmond, went into voluntary liquidation last month with the loss of 26 jobs. The company owes £681,925
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Victory nears in campaign to put brakes on speeders
A CAMPAIGN by parents and governors to stop cars from speeding past a town primary school is set to be a success. People in Easingwold have been pressing for the past year to have traffic calming and a 20mph limit enforced outside Easingwold Primary School
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TSG takes another byte of the North
THE co-founder of software company Sage last night announced his latest IT venture had bought another business. Graham Wylie's Technology Services Group (TSG), which he launched after retiring from Sage in 2003, has bought PJ Howlett Business Systems,
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Uphill challenge as cyclists take part in gruelling ride
ALMOST 100 people have taken part in a gruelling cycle ride. The 70-mile ride on Sunday was the second event out of four in the annual Tourist Trial event. The route took cyclists to the Cleveland Hills, including a testing climb up Clay Bank. The Tourist
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DTI shells out to back university chemists
A TECHNIQUE perfected in York using crushed crab, prawn and scampi shells to purify water has been given £20,000 by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Carafiltration Limited, which began life at the University of York, received the award after
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Charity run
A charity fun run takes place on Sunday, starting and finishing in Leyburn. It has been organised by senior students at Wensleydale School. Money raised will be shared between Amala Action, Leyburn fire station and Yorkshire Cancer Research. More details
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Didgeridoo sounds the right note for cultures of the world
STUDENTS at Norton School celebrated the cultures of the world during an annual International Week. Indian mirror embroidery, salsa dancing and African cookery were some of the activities students took part in. Visitors were invited to share their culture
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A story of confidence
WORKSHOPS exploring dialogue and storytelling to help adults develop new skills and confidence are on offer this month. The fun workshops, led by Steve Holden, of the Educational Theatre Company, will consider everyday storytelling, as opposed to fiction
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300 take part in charity football tournament in memory of chairman
ABOUT 300 youngsters from 34 teams across south-west Durham competed in a six-a-side football tournament in honour of a former soccer academy chairman. The Wolsingham Soccer Sixes was held for the first time at the Recreation Ground, in Wolsingham, in
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Poster pupils on best behaviour
A PRIMARY school's pupils have taken part in a poster competition as part of a drive to stamp out anti-social behaviour in a community. Eight children at St Benet's School in Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, were presented with prizes following the contest
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Chaos as rubbish tip forced to shut
A PUBLIC rubbish tip was forced to make an unscheduled shut down after skips overflowed and people dumped their rubbish in anger and frustration around the site. Ripon's household rubbish tip in Dallamires Lane shut down on Sunday to avoid what one county
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Arthritis drugs blamed for death
A GRANDFATHER died after he was prescribed medication for arthritis, an inquest heard. Duncan Mann, 56, was prescribed the common treatment Leflunomide, but the tablets had an adverse effect and he died six months later. His family said the former parts
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Performance put focus on disability benefits
A THEATRE group has put on a hard-hitting show in Darlington, in support of a local charity. Moveable Feast Arts, which includes people with learning difficulties, performed at the town's Arts Centre - shortly before jetting off to France to stage a show
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Prize for child law solicitor
A SOLICITOR has won a national award for her work to protect young people in North Yorkshire. Emma Meredith, 27, from Northallerton, has won the award as outstanding newcomer in the field of Child Law from the Association of Lawyers for Children. Ms Meredith
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Sharon gears up for the 24-hour championships with 26-mile 'gentle jog'
As if merely putting a day in, our old friend Sharon Gayter warmed up for world athletics' 24-hour championships with 26 miles across the North Yorkshire moors on Saturday. She did it in four hours 36 minutes. "Just a gentle jog," said Sharon, nursing
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N-E thriving after Lloyds TSB makes the jobs jump to India
WHEN Lloyds TSB closed its Newcastle contact centre last November, with the loss of 960 jobs, it was heralded as the beginning of the end for the industry in the region. The bank's enthusiastic embrace of offshoring - the transfer of jobs to countries
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Singer Jacko inspires students to show off their creative side
TERRIFYING teenagers have been haunting the corridors of Bishop Auckland College. The students recreated the Monsters' Ball look from US singer Michael Jackson's music video Thriller during a hair and make-up workshop last week. The makeover was one of
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Football club to launch youth teams
BRANDON United FC is preparing to launch youth teams but is still on the look-out for extra sponsorship. The Arngrove Northern League side recently appealed for help in running its affairs and several people have volunteered, averting the club's possible
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Trainee Tommy wins work accolade
AN engineering trainee from a Newton Aycliffe factory has won a national award. Tommy Turnbull, of Durham Precision Engineering (DPE), was named craftsman of the year by the Gauge and Toolmakers' Association. The 21-year-old joined DPE, which designs
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Switching to green fuel
WHILE the world looks to the G8 talks to bring new environmental safeguards, a North-East Council was yesterday making its own piece of green history. For the first time, Durham City Council received delivery of bio-diesel to be used in its fleet of environmental
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Students hold party day for elderly people
STUDENTS from an independent school have staged a party to entertain 30 elderly people. The pupils from Polam Hall School, Darlington, put on an afternoon of music and drama for guests from Darlington Town Mission. The mission was formed in the town in
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Farmers plough different furrow
THE number of farmers diversifying to improve profits is increasing, according to research. More than half the farms taking part in the latest survey by rural business advisors received income from diversification, compared to only a third last year.
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Pocket guide tackles terror
A MINI guide on how to deal with terror attacks has been issued to every police officer on Teesside. The pocket-sized card tells officers how to respond to a chemical, radiological or nuclear attack. It is to remind officers how to react to terror attacks
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Headteacher named to partnership group
A GROUP that is leading multi-million pound improvements in Hartlepool has welcomed a new member to its board. Andrew Bayston, who is headteacher of St Hild's Church of England School in the town, has been appointed to the board of the North Hartlepool
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Former UN inspector joins protest at base
A FORMER United Nations weapons inspector joined peace campaigners protesting outside a US base yesterday. Scott Ritter addressed a crowd of up to 100 activists outside Menwith Hill listening station, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The annual Campaign
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Amelia Pearse, Phillip Bainbridge
THE North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) has made two appointments. Amelia Pearce, 22, has joined as marketing services assistant and will be responsible for the design and production of promotional packs for start-up companies. She will also
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NDL wins depot of the year award
A HAULAGE company in the region has won an award. NDL Darlington Limited managing director Trevor Willans and wife, Clare, collected the award from the United Pallet Network UK (UPN) for the Best Hub Depot 2005. It is the first award of its kind the company
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City breaks perfect for happier workers
NEIL ALLISON has a motto -work to live, don't live to work. He spent years working in cities such as Manchester and Leeds after he graduated from Sunderland University. He said: "I just felt that I had to get out. People lived their life at work and wasted
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Hunt for man linked to abduction attempts
DETECTIVES have re-issued their appeal for information about a man who has repeatedly tried to abduct teenage girls. Officers in Hartlepool are looking for the man who hung around the Oxford Road area of Hartlepool on Monday of last week asking girls
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Housing group builds up the team
THE Nomad Housing Group has made six appointments. Vince Walsh, who was in Nomad's development department, has been appointed asset manager. He will ensure the maintenance and updating of the housing stock continues to be properly managed. Steve Plemper
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Nick Shottel and Bastiaan Hogelucht
ONE of Newcastle's best-known restaurant managers is moving to his boss's latest business venture. Nick Shottel, restaurant manager at Caf 21, on Newcastle's Quayside, is to be in charge of food and drink at chef Terry Laybourne's latest venue, Jesmond
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GB husky racer stes up food business
A WOMAN who races huskies for Great Britain has started a business selling nutritional supplements for greyhounds. Pauline Sirrell, 28, has set up Northolm Supplies at her home in Houghton-le-Spring, near Durham. She said: "I started in business as Northolm
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Health is the number one priority
A helpline has been set up to ensure businesses are up-to-date with health and safety legislation. Occupational health specialist Sheila Flood runs No1 Priority Health, in Consett, and is working to make businesses more aware of their legal obligations
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Yardbirds to head Stanley Festival
The band that launched the careers of some of rock's best guitarists will headline the 13th Stanley Blues Festival next month. The Yardbirds, who had five top ten hits including For Your Love, have boasted Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy
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Not quite a roaring trade
The Red Lion in Trimdon Village provides ample fare - if only for the few. CART before the horse trough, a flavour before getting the feet beneath the table - beneath the table, it should be said, of the nearest pub to Tony Blair's rural redoubt - of
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Why Africa needs you
In a personal address prior to this week's G8 summit, TV presenter and VSO president Jonathan Dimbleby explains why Africa is desperate for your skills. YOU don't have to be one of the million people that Bob Geldof hopes will descend on Edinburgh for
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World of 'giraffitude' gives artist Ingrid a licence to thrill
TO her friends, it is no surprise that Ingrid Sylvestre has become a successful designer on the verge of a potentially massive merchandising empire. Her instantly recognisable characters in the fictional Giraffe World sum up what she's about. "I am known
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Mixed emotions as Yak signs on but Bolo quits
MIDDLESBROUGH finally completed the £7.5m capture of Aiyegbeni Yakubu last night after the striker was granted a work permit on appeal. Boro boss Steve McClaren and chief executive Keith Lamb successfully argued the 22-year-old's case at a hearing in
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Moyes wants Magpies to sweat
EVERTON are convinced Craig Bellamy will be at Goodison Park at the start of next season, but boss David Moyes is ready to make Newcastle sweat in the hope of picking up a bargain. Bellamy was a high-profile absentee as the bulk of the Magpies squad returned
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Richard returns to his roots
NEWCASTLE law firm Mincoffs is strengthening its licensing and gaming department with the appointment of licensing expert Richard Arnot to lead the team. Mr Arnot, left, who formerly worked for Dickinson Dees, will be helped by Chris Grunert, right, who
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Interrogations are not disciplinary hearings
Everyone knows that employees have the right to be accompanied by a colleague or trade union representative at disciplinary hearings. This has been law since the introduction of the Employment Relations Act 1999 and, long before that, it was generally