Archive
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Two killed in motorcycle crash
A man and a woman on a motorcycle were killed when they collided with a tractor at Carlbury Crossings, hear Darlington. Emergency services were called on Thursday to the scene of the accident at Carlbury Crossings, on a minor road from the A67. Police
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Disabled pensioner 'suffered campaign of terror'
A DISABLED pensioner stabbed a boy after a campaign of terror by a gang of yobs, a court was told. Frank Morton, 66, who is deaf and without speech, snapped after enduring the reign of "torment and taunting" by the hooligans who targeted him and his family
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Ministers fail test in truancy crackdown
THE Government's drive to cut the number of children missing school lay in tatters last night as figures showed truancy rates at record levels. About 55,000 pupils a day skipped classes in England during the 2004-2005 school year, 4,500 more than the
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Disgraced church minister to be defrocked
DISGRACED church minister Neville Husband will be defrocked -more than two years after he was convicted of sexually abusing teenagers while serving as a prison officer. He was already serving eight years in jail for molesting five inmates at Medomsley
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Le Tallec's sights are set on making goals
HE MIGHT be topping Sunderland's scoring charts, but Anthony Le Tallec has claimed he would rather have been laying on goals for Jon Stead than hitting the back of the net himself. The Frenchman, who is on a season-long loan at the Stadium of Light, spared
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Hang on a minute, I'm just listening
It's one of the complaints you hear most often, particularly, I think, from men of 'a certain age'. They're always moaning about how intrusive and objectionable mobile phones are. Well, not the phones themselves exactly, but the people who use them. They're
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Tomato source welcomed
PLANS to create a year-round tomato production facility on Teesside creating more than 30 jobs have been welcomed by regeneration officials. The £3m scheme, which will create 32 jobs, will see thousands of tomato plants produced and grown in Billingham
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On verge of rewriting history
DIVERS are on the verge of rewriting the history books after discovering what appears to be the remains of a long-lost Roman bridge. The amateur archaeologists believe they may have uncovered the first Roman crossing over the River Wear on the outskirts
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2,500 days to go - time to get ready
TODAY marks 2,500 days to go before the start of the 2012 London Olympics. And a sports college recognised the landmark yesterday by focusing its attention on the world's biggest sporting spectacle. Pupils at Longfield School, in Darlington, were shown
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They're trying to gag me, says councillor
A LEADING councillor has quit a board that handles regeneration funding applications because, he says, political opponents are trying to stop him asking searching questions. Durham City Council's Mike Syer was the only Labour member of the Liberal Democrat-dominated
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Walk-in centre used by almost a quarter of town's residents
ALMOST a quarter of Darlington's population has now used the town's £2m walk-in medical centre. More than 22,000 people have been through the doors of Dr Piper House for treatment since it opened eight months ago on the ground floor of Darlington Primary
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Quick-thinking youngsters save their brother's life
A DIABETIC twin boy's life was saved by his quick-thinking brother and sister. Daniel Sharkey, 11, started to lose consciousness at his Middlesbrough home while his mother was out walking the dog. In the scare, on Saturday, Daniel's face went grey and
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Pair's bid to beat competition
TWO technicians from a North-East car dealership have made it to the finals of a national competition. Panel beaters Emlyn Cerry and Simon Noble are in the final three for the title of Bodyshop magazine's Panel Technician of the Year and Apprentice Panel
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Writers and artists prepare for month-long literary festival
A FIXTURE in the North-East literary calendar will open in the surroundings of a reputedly haunted medieval hall this weekend. Storyteller Cat Weatherill will present a show, based on her work Kissing the Wind, described as an enchanting, but elegantly
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Dogs can have 'MoT' for free
DOG owners can take advantage of a free "MoT" with a health check for their pets. Just like taking a car for its annual check up, the Dogs Trust and Middlesbrough Council are urging local dog owners to do the same with their four-legged friends. All owners
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Top pen of ten award
AN annual trophy has been presented for high standards at a Northallerton sheep sale. Robert Johnson from RG Johnson and Son of Harrogate won the Alan Weighell Cup for 2005. The trophy is presented each year for the best pen of ten mule shearlings. It
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Activities to utilise square
FUN activities for children and adults will take place in a North Yorkshire town this weekend. Trampolines, go-karts and a climbing wall will be available in Ripon market square from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. The event is being organised by
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Ready to stroll along the catwalk
TEN children, teenagers and adults have been named as finalists in a shopping centre's fashion show. The ten were chosen for The Bridges Model Search Competition 2005, following a casting session where 60 semi-finalists were invited to The Bridges centre
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Drive to improve junctions progress
THE campaign to get improvements to the junctions at each end of the Malton by-pass has taken a big step forward with the setting up of an action group. Leading members and officials of Ryedale District Council, Malton and Norton Partnership, the town
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Sitting pretty
LOCAL council officials have come to the rescue of an east community targeted by thieves. Two weeks ago, Charltons village had its Welcome to Charltons sign stolen, along with an ornate bench painted by residents and some plants on show for the Northumbria
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Weymes has a Vision of success at Redcar
JOHN WEYMES was on cloud nine at Redcar yesterday when 12-1 shot Crosby Vision won the opening EBF Maiden Stakes. "He's potentially the best horse I've ever trained," revealed Weymes after his two-year-old had narrowly repelled the late challenges of
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Forging links with Germany
GERMAN students have had a taste of life in England. Sixteen teenagers from a grammar school in Darlington's twin town of Mulheim toured Hurworth School, as part of an exchange visit. The youngsters, with teachers Connie Bril and Erich Bittemann, had
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US firm puts £1m into x-ray vision
TECHNOLOGY developed by a North-East company could lead to x-ray scanners in tube stations and shops across the UK thanks to £1m in funding. Durham Scientific Crystals (DSC), which is based in Sedgefield, was formed two years ago to commercialise technology
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Reaching for the stars
A GREAT deal of time and effort has gone into promoting the virtues of the North-East. Those of us who live in the region are well aware of its strengths: its beautiful countryside, its world-class workforce, and its passionate, friendly people. But nothing
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No red cards for active start youngsters
EX-PREMIERSHIP referee Jeff Winter launched a healthy lifestyle campaign yesterday with schoolchildren. The Teesside sports star took part in a fun-packed fitness session with pupils at Tilery Primary School, Norton, Stockton, to mark the launch of Tees
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Improved coronary care
PARAMEDICS have been trained to use clot-busting drugs to improve care for heart attack patients. The procedure, known as thrombolysis, can dissolve a clot in a blocked artery if applied quickly enough. The treatment is most effective when given soon
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News in brief
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION: An exhibition celebrating the work of artists who have something to say about Coatham Common, in Redcar, will go on display next month. About 20 artists will show their work, at Christ Church, in Coatham, from Wednesday, October 5
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Pogatetz warning for Boro
Emanuel Pogatetz may not be familiar with Tees-Wear derbies but the Austria international knows enough to warn his Middlesbrough team-mates that the visit of Sunderland on Sunday is no foregone conclusion. Summer signing Pogatetz will sample his first
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Village ready to fight estate plan
VILLAGE residents have voted to fight a proposed housing estate which they fear will swamp their community. Sixty people at a public meeting in Wolsingham opposed the plan by Yuill Homes to build 117 homes on the Sawmills site. Yuills has not submitted
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Minister opens the doors at learning centre
A learning centre designed to teach workers new skills was opened by a Government minister yesterday. Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson was at the BT depot, in Darlington Road, Northallerton, to declare the centre open for business. The new facility
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Emergency crew to take on coast-to-coast ride
FIVE ambulance drivers are swapping four wheels for two this weekend to cycle the breadth of the country in support of two charities. The team, from Bishop Auckland ambulance station, is attempting the 140-mile Coast to Coast ride from West Cumbria to
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Development agency may bale out struggling shipyard
REGIONAL development agency One NorthEast said it may provide troubled shipbuilder Swan Hunter with financial support. The regional development agency has met the North Tyneside shipyard's management team for the second time in eight days to try and find
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Biofuels test refinery is on its way to the North-East
BIOFUELS company D1 Oils last night confirmed it was moving a test refinery to Teesside. The Stockton company's prototype refinery, which is in the North-West, will move to Billingham Industrial Estate. It is also moving its offices to Billingham from
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School praised for U-turn after poor Ofsted report
HARD work by pupils and teachers has turned their school around in the wake of a poor report. Headteacher Jane Loomes arrived at Jesmond Road Primary, in Hartlepool, in September, only weeks before Government inspectors arrived to assess the school. In
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Region hosts Euro conference
A EUROPEAN conference on the use of information technology in local and regional government takes place in the North-East today. The meeting, called Evolving eGovernment in Europe's Regions and Cities, takes place in the Gala Theatre, Durham City. It
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Smoke-ban pub earns award
A PUB has earned itself an industry award after going smoke-free last month. The Plimsoll Line pub, in Redcar, which banned smoking on its premises last month, has received a National Clean Air Award. Emma Maxwell, duty manager of the Plimsoll Line, said
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No hard feelings as duo hope to relive Ryder glory
ONE of the pivotal pairings of last year's Ryder Cup victory over the United States is aiming to turn the heroics of Oakland Hills into wonders at The Wynyard. When David Howell and Paul Casey made their rookie appearances in golf's most coveted team
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Drug addict faces three years after stabbing friend
A drug addict who stabbed a friend after a row during an all-day drinking session has been jailed for three years. Gary Hart repeatedly knifed Liaquat Ali in the buttocks and leg after they rowed while boozing at a friend's house in Middlesbrough. Hart
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Jacob's fund may help save others
THE legacy of a North-East schoolboy who died after a severe asthma attack could help thousands of sufferers. Nine-year-old Jacob Fleming, of School Aycliffe, County Durham, died last May after his first asthma attack. Now, in memory of the youngster,
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Monty hopes stars can show Hollywood style
WITH the North-East in the grip of film fever following the premiere of Newcastle-based production "Goal", Colin Montgomerie will call upon his "Hollywood pairing" of Ian Poulter and Nick Dougherty to start the Seve Trophy with a bang. The Great Britain
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Taster sessions
PEOPLE keen to further their education are being encouraged to sample a new range of courses. Taster sessions for courses covering a range of subjects are being offered at the Crown Street Library, in Darlington. The two-hour sessions - held on Tuesday
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Yorkshire left hoping an inspector calls after a real first day farce
Yorkshire were left hoping that the pitch inspector calls at Wantage Road today after they were skittled for 177 by Northamptonshire's two spinners on the first day of their final Championship match of the season yesterday. Matthew Wood and Joe Sayers
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Car sales at Vardy beat the market
MOTOR dealer Reg Vardy has reported strong new car sales, despite a period of uncertainty in the industry. Managing director Robert Forrester said the demand for private new cars had been subdued across the industry, but that the company, which is based
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'PM's pride is costing lives of troops in Iraq'
CHARLES Kennedy will today claim Tony Blair's pride is costing the lives of British troops in Iraq because bringing them home would mean accepting the war was a disaster. In a hard-hitting conference speech, the Liberal Democrat leader will step up pressure
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When a language problem mushroomed
THERE were two things that worried me about going to the South of France for our summer holiday: the flight and the French. When it comes to aeroplanes, I'm a born coward. When it comes to the French, they speak a different language, eat funny food, and
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Ministers fail test in truancy crackdown
THE Government's drive to cut the number of children missing school lay in tatters last night as figures showed truancy rates at record levels. About 55,000 pupils a day skipped classes in England during the 2004-2005 school year, 4,500 more than the
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Hodgson plans changes
David Hodgson is going on the offensive in a bid to ensure Darlington's promotion hunt remains on track. Hodgson watched his side slip down to 10th in League Two after last Saturday's defeat at the hands of Oxford United at the Darlington Football Stadium
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22/09/05
ROYAL VISIT: IT SEEMS to me quite mean of you to portray Camilla in the way you did (Echo, Sept 15) in your report of the royal visit to Richmond. On two occasions she was pictured eating, which is not an easy exercise for the best of us, especially while
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Revealed - the secret D-Day diary of Lieutenant Taylor
A SECRET account of life as a soldier during the Second World War has gone on show. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Lieutenant Ken Taylor found an exercise book in a German bunker hours after storming the Normandy beaches. Despite a strict ban on soldiers keeping
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Bright future for Saltburn pier
The only remaining pleasure pier on the North-East coast has been guaranteed a bright future. Work has been completed by Redcar and Cleveland Council to illuminate Saltburn's Victorian Pier from dusk to midnight as part of their Lighting our Culture project
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Council staff face pay cuts
Angry union leaders on Wearside are warning of a "winter of discontent" over plans which could see some city council salaries cut by £4,500 a year. Sunderland City Council is amending pay scales following a nationally-agreed job evaluation exercise. But
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How we survived - by human torch soldiers
Three British soldiers last night described the moment they leapt from their burning Warrior armoured vehicle when they were set upon by an Iraqi mob. The servicemen described how they battled to escape from the vehicle when it was engulfed in flames
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Wendy's on her way
LAST Saturday's match didn't seem that bad, but the talk had shifted to railways. Briefly appearing on the line from Leeming Bar to Northallerton, they reckoned, was the English equivalent of the Japanese "Bullet" train. Folk even proudly claimed to have
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Monty hopes stars can show Hollywood style
WITH the North-East in the grip of film fever following the premiere of Newcastle-based production "Goal", Colin Montgomerie will call upon his "Hollywood pairing" of Ian Poulter and Nick Dougherty to start the Seve Trophy with a bang. The Great Britain
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Website pervert offered girl, 14, money for sex
A MAN who performed a sex act in front of a 14-year-old girl he met on the Internet was spared jail yesterday. Andrew John George, 34, offered the teenager, from the Barnard Castle area of County Durham, £100 to spend the night with him and "fulfil his
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Maybe 'wok' is not so bad, say critics
CONSERVATIONISTS say they have modified their initial hostility to plans for the North-East's latest major sculpture. Durham County Council wants to erect a giant steel bowl - dubbed the Wok of the North - on a hillock near its headquarters in the city's
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Police to target cash from crime
New teams of investigators are set to hit the North-East's criminal fraternity where it hurts - in their pockets. Northumbria Police has set up six new teams of financial investigators with the potential to make a huge impact on ill-gotten gains. Each
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John North: Wendy's on her way
Its revival may be temporary, but there's hope that the Leeming Bar to Northallerton passenger route may soon be back on track. LAST Saturday's match didn't seem that bad, but the talk had shifted to railways. Briefly appearing on the line from Leeming
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Conman robs pensioners
An elaborate scam by a distinctive looking con man has left trusting pensioners feeling vulnerable. Cleveland Police are hunting the cruel thief after four similar incidents within days. The shaven-headed suspect, who has a diamond on his front teeth,
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Man guilty of 26 child sex offences
A MAN who abducted and sexually assaulted two schoolboys during a trip to their local park has been convicted of 26 sex offences against children. Angus Bowman, 39, lured the youngsters, aged six and eight, to a secluded area in Easington Colliery, County
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Former soldier gets last chance
A FORMER soldier who got hooked on heroin while trying to help an addict friend kick his habit has been given a final chance to turn his life around. Matthew Bower was told he faced a jail sentence when he appeared in court yesterday accused of a string
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Opportunity knocks for pupils and public at school
A Darlington school is offering activities galore to both pupils and the public. The number of activities on offer to pupils at Hummersknott School and Language College have doubled in a year. Several after-school clubs have been introduced since last
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Music for all tastes
A MUSIC festival will hit all the right notes next month, thanks to a line-up of top talent. The annual extravaganza staged throughout the Easington District promises an array of live acts and musical styles, including folk, jazz, blues, rock and brass
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New life for old furniture
A NEW service allowing east Durham residents to recycle their old furniture or buy refurbished items is now open for business. East Durham Furniture Re-use (EDF) is a community enterprise and registered charity, which provides a free collection service
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...while other youngsters get hooked on fishing
YOUNGSTERS from three schools in Bishop Auckland were hooked on fishing after a three-day angling trip. Pupils from Witton-le-Wear Primary School, Wolsingham Comprehensive School and Wearhead Primary School visited Derwent Reservoir, near Edmundbyers,
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Walkers to close Welsh factory
CRISP maker Walkers is closing one of its factories and moving some of the production to a plant in the region. Walkers, which is owned by PepsiCo, is closing its factory at Swansea, in South Wales, with the loss of 250 jobs. Manufacturing of products
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£870,000 centre will offer range of family services
A CENTRE providing training opportunities for families, along with childcare, in a north Durham community, will be opened tomorrow. North Durham MP Kevan Jones will have some youthful back-up when he performs the honours at the £870,000 SureStart children's
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White Horse campaigners to fight on after approval
CAMPAIGNERS last night vowed to continue their fight to save the White Horse pub, despite permission being granted to build an apartment complex in its place. Residents and campaigners said they were "very disappointed" at the decision to demolish the
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Events offered opportunity to advertise free
ORGANISERS of events around the Yorkshire Dales are being given the chance to advertise them for free. The Yorkshire Dales Tourism Partnership event listings for 2006 will be featured online and in tourist information centres. Information on events received
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Honour for car technicians
TWO technicians from a North-East car dealership have made it to the finals of a national competition. Panel beaters Emlyn Cerry and Simon Noble are in the final three for the title of Bodyshop magazine's Panel Technician of the Year and Apprentice Panel
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Flash floods will cost three times park's reserve funds
DAMAGE caused by flash floods will cost a national park authority three times their total reserve to repair, according to a report. The North York Moors National Park Authority is facing a bill of £619,000 to fix bridges, clear debris and replace fencing
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Drivers warned about road works
MOTORISTS are being warned of road works in Hartlepool this weekend. On Sunday, repairs will be carried out on a small area of the Northbound section of the A689, at its junction with Church Street. The work will start at 6am and is expected to be finished
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Council takes youth club on the road to rural areas
A MOBILE youth club could tackle rural isolation for young people in two Durham dales. Education and youth workers met this week to gather support for the scheme, which would cover scattered communities in Weardale and Teesdale. Two purpose-built vehicles
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The 19th hole
THE Northern Echo's competition winner, Mark Brown, had a day he will never forget at The Wynyard Club. It may not have been the first time, nor the last, he has played at the Tees Valley course but this occasion will stick with him forever - and he has
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Healthcare award for teamwork learning
A HEALTHCARE team from Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT) has won an award for developing a learning programme for matrons. The Independent Care Home Matrons Forum team, led by continuing health care co-ordinator Dorothy O'Connor, and continuing health
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Museum closes Queen Mother costume gallery
THERE was dismay yesterday over the closure of a costume gallery opened by the Queen Mother and which later staged a record-breaking display of her garments. The gallery was one of the best- known features of the Bowes Museum, at Barnard Castle, County
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Quiet lane approved in pilot scheme
A PUBLIC highway in Derwentside is to be designated as a quiet lane. Durham county councillors have approved plans to give the status to Pontop Pike Lane, near Annfield Plain, Stanley, as part of a pilot scheme. Quiet lanes are minor rural roads that
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Surgery on patient may have been illegal, inquest is told
ROUTINE surgery which led to a North-East woman's death was unnecessary and possibly illegal, a solicitor has told an inquest jury. The claim was made on the third day of a Middlesbrough inquest into the death of 33-year-old Elaine Basham, from Loftus
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Five more sign up to anti-litter scheme
FIVE retailers in Darlington have joined a campaign to rid the town centre of litter. The businesses have signed up to the borough council's Food On The Go voluntary code of practice. The code details restaurants' responsibilities for litter, including
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Charity night to help boy in battle
FUNDRAISERS trying to buy a wheelchair for a boy with cerebral palsy are staging a charity night next week. Josh Jackson, aged seven, from Newton Aycliffe, needs a specially-built chair to give him more independence and help his development. Friends of
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Hills offering a lot to punters
PUNTERS banking on trainer Barry Hills making a profit at Pontefract could be in for double-delight via Auction Room (2.30) and Shannon Springs (4.00). Hills has always been a sublime handler of the gentle sex, so it will be no surprise if Auction House
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Villagers praised for garden work
VILLAGE residents were complimented by judges in a parish council garden competition. Mike and Pat Birch, from the Arcadia Garden Centre, near Stokesley, praised the high standard of entries in Wolsingham Parish Council's second annual competition. Winners
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Home earns high praise
THE Audit Commission has praised Durham Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association (Dahma) for the way it runs its organisation. Dahma was recently reviewed by inspectors from the commission and was given a two-star rating, citing its strong customer focus and
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Hills offering a lot to punters
PUNTERS banking on trainer Barry Hills making a profit at Pontefract could be in for double-delight via Auction Room (2.30) and Shannon Springs (4.00). Hills has always been a sublime handler of the gentle sex, so it will be no surprise if Auction House
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Taste of Africa returns to Teesside
TEESSIDE is to play host to a cultural event aimed at bringing together communities and businesses from a range of backgrounds. Taste of Africa was such a success last year, at the International Centre, in Middlesbrough, it has had to be moved to accommodate
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Addict admits burglary
A heroin addict has appeared in court charged with burglary. Peter Foreshaw, 31, of Saxon Way, Jarrow, South Tyneside, admitted burgling a house in Jarrow, on July 2, when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday. Robin Patton, prosecuting, said
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Pupils explore history of village
SCHOOLCHILDREN were given a taste of life in medieval times as they explored the past of their village. Children from Ludworth Primary School, dressed in medieval costume, tried their hand at dances from the Middle Ages and ancient skills such as willow
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Marketing firm rockets ahead
THE company behind the marketing of the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) has been shortlisted for two national awards. Rocket Science, based in Middlesbrough, is among the finalists for the way it developed a campaign through data analysis
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On TV
Murder Blues (BBC1) BLACK gun crime is often in the headlines but it takes a series like this to bring home the full horror of the problem. Tale Of Two Cities followed officers from Trident, the Metropolitan Police's elite squad investigating shootings
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Is this the victim of the 'village of hate'?
A former mining community has been labelled a village of hate and forced a persecuted woman to raffle her home. But are reports of a campaign of threats, intimidation and violence really all they seem? Nick Morrison reports. BY any measure, it has been
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Campaign to save local police force
A CAMPAIGN to save North-East and North Yorkshire police forces from the threat of merger was launched by the Liberal Democrats yesterday. They warned that vital local knowledge of crime problems would be lost if the Home Office implemented proposals
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Shearer's still got that hunger to succeed
ALAN SHEARER is convinced he still possesses the goals in his boots to fire Newcastle United back up the Premiership table. But the Magpies' skipper insists that, after 18 years at the highest level, he is ready to move aside and let St James' Park's
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Parents disappointed as pub next to school is approved
plans to build a pub next to a primary school were yesterday approved. A pub will be built on Darlington's West Park development, only 30m from the new Alderman Leach Primary School. The plans - from Pathfinder Pubs - provoked anger from parents, who
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Positive thinking
MARTIN Scott is confident his side will continue their improved form when they go to Chesterfield on Saturday. Pool travel on the back of an impressive display at Charlton in the Carling Cup and two attractive League One performances against Blackpool
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Truancy at record levels
THE Government's drive to cut the number of children missing school lay in tatters last night as figures showed truancy rates at record levels. About 55,000 pupils a day skipped classes in England during the 2004-2005 school year, 4,500 more than the
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Council insists traffic scheme is a success
COUNCIL bosses last night insisted they were content with radical changes to traffic systems in a North-East town, despite severe criticism. Bus stops have been moved and routes altered in preparation for the main work on Darlington's £6.5m pedestrian
