Archive
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Crowning glory as country pub continues to win real-ale accolades
A COUNTRY pub is celebrating after winning its sixth award in four years. The Crown Inn, in the village of Manfield, North Yorkshire, has been named Yorkshire pub of the year in the Good Beer Guide 2006 - launched by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).
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Historic pages unfolding at libraries
PEOPLE on Teesside are being given the chance to see one of the country's most historic texts. A facsimile of the famous Lindisfarne Gospels went on display at libraries in the Stockton area from Tuesday. There will be handling sessions to allow people
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Parnell will benefit from early wake-up call
IT could be all systems go for Charles Parnell (2.10) at Ayr provided he doesn't get caught napping in the stalls. The Michael Dods-trained two-year-old lost all possible chance with a very tardy start on his Redcar debut, but that forfeiture of vital
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On TV
The Golden Hour (ITV1) Space Race (BBC2) SOMETHING'S not right if you spend more time worrying about the title than the programme itself. The Golden Hour strikes me as a bad name for a medical drama. Not because I don't understand what it means. Even
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Centre follows the talent to Teesside
THE region has been chosen as the home for a national centre that will increase chemical industry exports. UK Trade and Investment's (UKTI) National Chemical Sector centre has moved from London to the Wilton International site, on Teesside. It is led
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No vanishing act as Emerson heads for Teesside
Brazilian Emerson, who returns to the Riverside tonight, could have been idolised on Teesside as a footballing magician. Instead, the only magic the fans remember him for are his regular vanishing acts as Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson discovered. SOMETHING
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'No need to panic over job figures'
THE unemployment rate in the North-East is the highest in the UK, figures have revealed. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the total number of unemployed people rose by 13,000 to 83,000, giving an unemployment rate of 6.9 per cent
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Shipyard calls on agency to back Allseas tender
CRISIS talks are being held today between shipbuilder Swan Hunter and development agency One NorthEast in a last ditch attempt to save hundreds of jobs. Swans is calling on One NorthEast to support and provide funding for its tender for a £50m contract
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Heroism of police officers
HEROIC police officers involved in a dangerous stand-off with a man who threatened to set himself and two children alight have been presented with a bravery award. Inspector Jeff Elms and PC Les Allison, from Cleveland Police, were called to the incident
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Plunkett ploughs onwards
LIAM Plunkett ploughed a lone furrow for Durham yesterday, becoming the county's leading wicket-taker this season on a day when Northamptonshire ambushed the promotion bandwagon. Already looking a certainty for this winter's England Academy, Plunkett
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Cats can claw way back - Stubbs
STRAIGHT-TALKING Alan Stubbs insists coming to terms with the brutality of life in the Premiership has cost Sunderland dear this season. The Black Cats go into Saturday's game against West Brom at the Stadium of Light having lost their first five fixtures
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Boro hope for smooth run past Skoda squad
WITH Middlesbrough's UEFA Cup campaign starting against a Xanthi side sponsored by much-maligned car manufacturers Skoda, it should be no surprise that Steve McClaren's biggest concern this evening is to guard against his players breaking down. With eight
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Battle on for places
DAVID HODGSON believes competition for places is bringing the best out of his squad and has warned that no-one's position is assured in his Darlington side. Hodgson has added nine players to his Quakers squad this season, eight of whom featured in Saturday's
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Bitter pill for cancer sufferer
A FORMER fitter who is dying from asbestos-related cancer has criticised his local NHS trust for refusing to fund a drug which could improve his quality of life. Bernard Hoyland, 63, from Marske, east Cleveland, developed chest problems last December.
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Concerns grow for missing teen
CONCERN is growing for the welfare of a teenage boy who has been missing for more than a month. Thirteen-year-old Justin Lee Currie, from Darlington, is believed to be staying in the area. He has not been seen since August 8. He usually wears a tracksuit
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Blaze-scare family give safety plea
A MOTHER has warned families to take proper fire precautions after her family's lucky escape from a blaze. Angela and John Walton and their three sons had to flee their bungalow when it caught fire. But Mrs Walton said that if the family had not taken
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Family receive £200,000 compensation for post-op death
THE FAMILY of a young mother who died in mysterious circumstances following a routine operation has been given £200,000 compensation. Mother-of-two Nicola Pinnegar was just 20 when she died after surgery last June. The asthmatic woman had a simple operation
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N-East tomatoes - even in winter
BRITAIN is to become a year-round tomato producer for the first time thanks to a groundbreaking scheme that uses waste steam and carbon dioxide from a North-East factory. The move will see thousands of tomato plants of all varieties, including many which
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Runner wants good flow of 'sponsors'
A RETIRED Methodist minister has been putting in a few final training sessions ahead of this weekend's Great North Run. The Reverend Brian Shackleton, from Sinnington, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, is running the 13.1- mile race in support of the National
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Following style of skunk-cut batsman
MOVE over Freddie Lundberg, and David Beckham may as well cover up his locks with a Burberry cap, for there is a new sportsman who is setting the latest hairstyle trends. Over the past couple of days, young cricket fans have been visiting their local
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Policeman cleared of assault charge
A police officer has been cleared of assaulting a pro-hunt demonstrator during protests outside the Houses of Parliament. Pc Neil Latteman, 43, was cleared a year to the day since the violent clashes in Parliament Square in Westminster when protesters
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Stoking up a steam dream
THIS week's columns may by now emit a certain tangle o' the isles. We have been over the sea to Skye, and westwards to the Outer Hebrides. The Skye boats sail from Mallaig, where ends the 164 mile West Highland Railway, among the wonders of the world.
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Prince Harry comes of age
TODAY we salute Prince Harry on his 21st birthday - and on his integrity. It's a happy day for him, and certainly not the time to drag up old misdemeanours you wish would simply go away. But the young Prince has done just that. He has apologised yet again
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Scrapbooks reveal how star cricketer rose to top of game
England and County Durham cricket star Paul Collingwood has just helped the national side to a glorious victory over Australia in the Ashes. He started playing as a young boy for his local team and his parents charted his rise to sporting greatness in
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Man brutally beaten with mace
A MAN was brutally beaten with a home-made mace as he waited to pick up a pupil from a primary school. Parents and children watched in horror as the 30-year-old was battered about the head and body by a crazed assailant. The man suffered two broken arms
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Bloomin' well done
COLOURFUL flower arrangements have scooped five awards at this year's Northumbria in Bloom Awards. Stockton is celebrating after winning the main prize, for best town, for the second year in a row. As well as beating off competition from the likes of
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Friends given boost for run-down park
VOLUNTEERS who are overseeing the regeneration of a run-down park were given a boost to their work this week. The Friends of North Park group in Darlington are helping to improve the park, off Cumberland Street, and have already spent £14,000. On Tuesday
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School Closure Debate: Council criticised for letter campaign
PARENTS in Darlington have been sent letters asking them to choose a school for their children - while the fate of two secondary schools remains uncertain. Yesterday, the action group fighting to keep Hurworth School in the village criticised Darlington
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£1.7m 'stealth tax' on motorists
MORE than £1.7m of speeding fines meant for road safety improvements in the North-East has been snatched by the Treasury, the Tories said last night. The cash was claimed by Chancellor Gordon Brown after police and local authorities across the region
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Stonemason in good shape for competition
A CRAFTSMAN from the North-East is sharpening his skills in preparation for the national final of a stonemasonry competition. Gary Holliday, 20, from Consett, County Durham, is competing against other workers at the National Skillbuild competition in
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A flood of leeks at royal show
AN annual produce show proved a great success. The Royal Oak Butterknowle Leek Club held its sixth annual show at the weekend in the grounds of the Pinfold Medical Practice. Champion leek grower was George Dodds with a stand of leeks measuring 133.15
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Car passenger stabbed in face at junction
A CAR passenger was left needing plastic surgery after he was stabbed in the face after the vehicle pulled up to a road junction. The 20-year-old, from South Stanley, County Durham, was in his father's dark blue Suzuki Vitara at the junction of Avon Road
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Council urged to support pub plan
COUNCILLORS are being urged to support the demolition of a landmark pub, to pave the way for new homes. The future of the White Horse Pub and Hotel, in North Road, Darlington, could finally be determined when Darlington Borough Council's planning committee
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Video link-up goes on trial
A video link that will enable people to come face to face with council officials without having to travel is being put on trial. The scheme has been put together by the County Durham E-Government Partnership, which includes Durham County Council, Derwentside
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Coast protected - ahead of schedule
A MAJOR coastal protection scheme for Skinningrove has been completed ahead of schedule. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is delighted with the results of the £680,000 project, which has provided an additional boost to the village - a slipway for
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Car parking fees are pegged
CAR parking charges in parts of Harrogate district are to be pegged at their current level. There will be no increase in Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge or Ripon, while a small reduction has been made in Harrogate town centre. Inner and outer zones have
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Toilets to be razed for town square
DEMOLITION work is about to start to make way for a town square. People are advised that the Middlegate public toilets, on Hartlepool's Headland, will be closed, from Monday. Hartlepool Borough Council is removing them for the anticipated start, next
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Monty rallies his troops
COLIN MONTGOMERIE has been told the region's passion for golf could prove the difference between winning and losing when the Seve Trophy arrives at The Wynyard next week. The Great Britain & Ireland captain has had a word in the ear of his brother
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Stonemason in good shape for competition
A CRAFTSMAN from the North-East is sharpening his skills in preparation for the national final of a stonemasonry competition. Gary Holliday, 20, from Consett, County Durham, is competing against other workers at the National Skillbuild competition in
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Two injured in nightclub glass attack
A GLASS thrown across a crowded nightclub put two people in hospital, a court was told. Christopher Stephenson denied throwing the glass in the Time nightspot, in King's Road, Harrogate, in the early hours of December 11, last year. But he was found guilty
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Bitter pill for cancer sufferer
A FORMER fitter who is dying from asbestos-related cancer has criticised his local NHS trust for refusing to fund a drug which could improve his quality of life. Bernard Hoyland, 63, from Marske, east Cleveland, developed chest problems last December.
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Cameras at local centres to link councils and residents
AN INNOVATIVE video link scheme to improve council contact with the community is being piloted across County Durham. Video equipment will be installed at community centres in Wear Valley, Teesdale, Sedgefield and Derwentside, enabling residents to come
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Relief at 'damp squib' protest over fuel prices
Oil companies breathed a sigh of relief last night as nationwide protests against rising fuel prices faded into nothing. Critics said yesterday's planned demonstrations at refineries turned into a farce as journalists outnumbered the campaigners angry
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Curb spending or face debt of £21m, council is warned
A COUNCIL will be £21m in debt by 2014 if it does not cut spending, senior officials have said. Reserves would be gone in three years and residents would face a 90 per cent increase in council tax to maintain services. Hambleton District Council has been
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Bloomin' good show
A FLOWER club has enjoyed a colourful demonstration of arrangements based on foliage from the UK and the tropics. Sue Blanford travelled to Darlington from Monmouth to give the presentation to the town's flower club. The next meeting of Darlington Flower
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Shipyard calls on agency to back Allseas tender
CRISIS talks are being held today between shipbuilder Swan Hunter and development agency One NorthEast in a last ditch attempt to save hundreds of jobs. Swans is calling on One NorthEast to support and provide funding for its tender for a £50m contract
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Reduction in 24-hour drinking proposal
A SNOOKER club has reached agreement with objectors to its bid for a 24-hour drinks licence. The compromise, limiting the licence at Durham City Snooker, Pool and Social Club to 18 hours per day, was struck between manager Eddie Rhodes, local police and
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Silvia, at 60, tackles Great North Run
AT the age of 60, Silvia Dawson is looking forward to her 22nd Great North Run this weekend. On Sunday, the mother-of-two will join thousands of other runners at the starting line, near the Tyne Bridge, in Newcastle, for the half-marathon to South Shields
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Renovation company to restore 1937 fire engine to former glory
A FIRM famous for renovating vintage cars has been given its biggest task - to restore a 68-year-old fire engine to its former glory. The chassis of the vehicle, with only its wheels, engine, bonnet, water tank and hose outlets, has been delivered to
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N-E mums are more aware of dangers
PARENTS in the North are more clued up when it comes to the dangers of cot death, a survey has found. Nationally, nearly a third of parents do not receive, or fail to remember, advice they are given. But of those parents surveyed, 87 per cent in the North
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Students' sights on world title
HORTICULTURE students are celebrating victory in a national competition which could see them heading for a world title in Japan in two years' time. Keith Chapman, of Bedale, and Tim Lancaster, of Guiseley, took top honours at the 2005 UK Landscape Skills
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Squatters rescued after arson attack
POLICE are treating a house blaze in which two people had to be rescued as arson. Investigators believe the fire was started deliberately on the stairs of the boarded-up house in Hind Street, Parkfield, Stockton. The man and woman, who are thought to
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Thief makes off with Barbie Beetle fairground attraction
A DIZZY thief is being hunted by police after stealing a bright pink car from a fairground ride. The culprit is not thought to have made a speedy getaway as the Barbie Beetle will not move unless pushed and can only travel in a straight line. The small
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Animal magic
His many jobs have included training a parrot to become a dog and persuading the owls in the Harry Potter series to relinquish their prey on cue. Film and theatre animal trainer, Dave Sousa, tells Lindsay Jennings why he loves working with animals. ONE
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Football fans must book up for free meal
A NORTH-EAST football club is making changes to a successful scheme that has seen supporters enjoy free carveries on match days. Most season ticket holders at Darlington FC have used their free carvery voucher, but Saturday's home game against Oxford
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Phoenix's slump in totesport continues
Yorkshire Phoenix saw their alarming slump in the totesport League continue last night when they lost by five wickets to Derbyshire Phantoms. It was Yorkshire's sixth consecutive defeat and their tenth in 11 matches but victory for Derbyshire moved them
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N-E people get first say on health
A CROSS-SECTION of North-East people are the first in the country to have their say about future health services. One hundred people drawn from a radius of 30 miles of Tyneside took part in what was described as a "public engagement event," yesterday.
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Cutbacks threat to 100 front-line police
A HUNDRED front-line police officers could be axed from the Prime Minister's local force because of Government spending cuts, it has been claimed. The news comes as the Home Office is about to announce the biggest shake-up of the service in more than
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'No need to panic over job figures'
THE unemployment rate in the North-East is the highest in the UK, figures have revealed. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the total number of unemployed people rose by 13,000 to 83,000, giving an unemployment rate of 6.9 per cent
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Horror Channel will bat on after takeover
A SATELLITE channel specialising in horror films has been bought by an international broadcasting company. The Horror Channel, based in Gateshead, was acquired for an undisclosed sum by international broadcaster Zone Vision, which operates channels that
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Work starts on £2.5m project to replace museum's leaking roof
WORK has begun on a £2.5m project to safeguard the future of one of the region's favourite museums. After three years of planning, the first phase of work is under way to replace the main portions of the roof at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County
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Disgraced by our little 'drunk'
IT was supposed to be a relaxed, enjoyable family day out, a friendly game of pitch and putt in a tranquil lakeside setting. All appeared to be going well until a rather anti-social and quite incoherent lad started shouting and singing at the top of his
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Man spared prison for racist abuse
A 21-YEAR-OLD got so drunk he could not remember racially abusing and hitting a shopkeeper, a court heard. Clifford James Moody threatened to set fire to Manjit Singh, the Sikh owner of a newsagent in Spennymoor, County Durham, during a fracas on June
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Not going gently into that...
'Generation celebration!" proclaimed the leaflet someone pressed into my hand. It was aimed at all age groups. But over 50s in particular were urged to come along and share their experiences with the younger people there. We were promised an afternoon
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Cutbacks threat to 100 front-line police
A HUNDRED front-line police officers could be axed from the Prime Minister's local force because of Government spending cuts, it has been claimed. The news comes as the Home Office is about to announce the biggest shake-up of the service in more than
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Laughter and smiles as crowds pack the streets to see Charles and Camilla
THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were treated to the warmest of welcomes when they visited the region yesterday. A small crowd of Royal watchers turned out to greet the couple as they arrived at Darlington Railway Station yesterday morning
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Pupils failing to digest Jamie Oliver warning
PUPILS across the region are continuing to take a packed lunch to school despite a continued "Jamie Oliver effect", it was claimed last night. The Local Authority Caterers' Association has said the numbers of children taking school meals dropped by average
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Emerson's Riverside soft spot
SAMBA superstar Emerson will make an eagerly-awaited return to the Riverside this evening claiming that, despite his controversial departure from the club, he remains a committed "Middlesbrough supporter". The much-maligned midfielder spent an eventful
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Hunt goes on for death crash rider
DETECTIVES are still hunting a motorcyclist whose dangerous riding led to the death of another biker. Ralph Snowdon, 67, from Riccall, near York, was killed on May 28 when his machine was forced from the road by a black-helmeted rider travelling at high
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Fire hits country mansion
FIREFIGHTERS battled for more than an hour to put out a blaze at a country mansion - as its owners tried desperately to save personal possessions. The flames billowed out of a first-floor bedroom at Cliffe Hall, near Piercebridge, North Yorkshire, last
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Shed pounds with support
A COURSE is being organised for people wanting to shed the pounds they piled on during their summer holidays. Weight management classes will take place at Red Hall Community Centre, in Darlington, every Friday from September 23, between 10am and noon.
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Laughter and smiles as crowds pack
THE Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were treated to the warmest of welcomes when they visited the region yesterday. A small crowd of Royal watchers turned out to greet the couple as they arrived at Darlington Railway Station yesterday morning
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Finding a path
COUNCILLORS will try again next week to reach a final decision on plans to build a pub near a school. Pathfinder Pubs wants to build the pub close to Alderman Leach Primary School, on the West Park estate, at Faverdale, but Darlington Borough Council
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'Keep off our gates'
RESIDENTS of a Teesdale market town have been told not to lock gates on public land. Teesdale District Council has put up signs by the Upper Demesnes in Barnard Castle stating that any padlocks put on gates will be removed. The Demesnes are managed by
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Many stitches over time raise money for charity
A DARLINGTON charity shop is holding an auction to raise money for the elderly. Age Concern, in Woodland Road, Cockerton, will auction a limited-edition tapestry on Saturday. The tapestry, which is about 16 by 24 inches and framed, is made from wool and
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School travel awards
PUPILS from three secondary schools and 11 primary schools have received civic praise - and cheques - for org-anising their own green ways to school. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Mayor Councillor Peter Spencer presented more than £77,000 in cheques
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Squaring up the boundaries of a cricket pitch
CRICKETERS hoping to emulate the England team's Ashes success will face a tougher challenge than they are used to at a cricket ground next season. Batsmen playing at Sedgefield Cricket Club's ground, on the outskirts of Sedgefield village, are used to
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Heroism of police officers acknowledged with awards
HEROIC police officers involved in a dangerous stand-off with a man who threatened to set himself and two children alight have been presented with a bravery award. Inspector Jeff Elms and PC Les Allison, from Cleveland Police, were called to the incident
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Affordable homes a boost for local people
A DEVELOPMENT of affordable homes has been opened in the Yorkshire Dales. Askrigg Councillor Yvonne Peacock performed the honours and said the six homes were the result of a lot of hard work by the parish and district councils, national park authority
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Work starts on safety schemes
WORK is starting on a series of projects in Thirsk as part of a drive to cut the number of road casualties. The measures are aimed at improving safety for all road users - but specifically accidents involving pedestrians and turning vehicles. Among the
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Competition bringing out the best in Quakers
DAVID HODGSON believes the battle for starting places is bringing the best out of his squad - and has warned that no position is assured in his Darlington side. Hodgson has added nine players to his squad this season, eight of whom featured in Saturday's
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The beast
Nic Greenshields never saw himself as the beast, but the producer of this latest version of the classic fairytale thought his 6ft 6in build was just what they wanted. He talks to Viv Hardwick about his odd hair-raising experience in this lavish musical
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Taking pride in a community
YOUNG people turned out in force to clean up their community. The youngsters, from Trimdon Station and Deaf Hill, were taking part in a litter pick as part of Groundwork East Durham's Sorted II programme. The project was launched to help deal with anti-social
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Town roadworks delay village buses
FEARS have been expressed that bus services in a village could deteriorate because of a multi-million pound facelift in Darlington. Hurworth Parish councillors heard at its meeting on Tuesday that buses serving the village had already been hit by major
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Video link-up trial
A video link that will enable people to come face to face with council officials without having to travel is being put on trial. The scheme has been put together by the County Durham E-Government Partnership, which includes Durham County Council, Derwentside
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N-E people get first say on health
A CROSS-SECTION of North-East people are the first in the country to have their say about future health services. One hundred people drawn from a radius of 30 miles of Tyneside took part in what was described as a "public engagement event," yesterday.
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Inventor is on her trolley
AN entrepreneur who invented a trolley to move recycling bins has been helped to promote her business. The North-East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), in Sunderland, has opened a department to help new business owners and promote and market their
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Disgraced by our little 'drunk'
IT was supposed to be a relaxed, enjoyable family day out, a friendly game of pitch and putt in a tranquil lakeside setting. All appeared to be going well until a rather anti-social and quite incoherent lad started shouting and singing at the top of his
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Date
Work starts on £2.5m project to replace museum's leaking roof
WORK has begun on a £2.5m project to safeguard the future of one of the region's favourite museums. After three years of planning, the first phase of work is under way to replace the main portions of the roof at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County
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New design for garden security
AN experimental security scheme at allotments hit by vandals could be a model for tackling similar problems at other sites. The gardens, in Waverley Terrace, Hartlepool, are to be re-designed to initially create 12 high-quality plots, subject to satisfactory
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Decision on school field fence deferred
CONTROVERSIAL plans to erect a 6ft fence around school playing fields have been put on hold. The proposal would see a fence erected between homes in West End Avenue, Harrogate, and playing fields belonging to Harrogate Grammar School. At present, there
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Dinner dance to aid charities
MAYOR of Stockton Mick Stoker is offering a night of dining and dancing at the mayor's annual charity dinner, on Thursday, November 3. Beginning at 7.30pm, it includes a three-course meal followed by after-dinner music, with dancing, from The Dee Dowling
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Monty rallies his troops
COLIN MONTGOMERIE has been told the region's passion for golf could prove the difference between winning and losing when the Seve Trophy arrives at The Wynyard next week. The Great Britain & Ireland captain has had a word in the ear of his brother
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15/09/05
ANTI-YOB UNIT: I AM writing to you in utter disbelief that the Darlington anti-yob unit is being disbanded because it is doing such a good job (Echo, Sept 10). It has reduced youth disorder by 40 per cent and has been a great success, but because local
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Plunkett ploughs onwards
LIAM Plunkett ploughed a lone furrow for Durham yesterday, becoming the county's leading wicket-taker this season on a day when Northamptonshire ambushed the promotion bandwagon. Already looking a certainty for this winter's England Academy, Plunkett
