Archive
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Stephenson aiming to end home drought
PAUL Stephenson tonight takes charge of his second - and possibly last - game as Hartlepool United manager. Pool meet Chesterfield at Victoria Park seeking their first win since beating Bournemouth back on December 10. That run has seen them drop into
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Tesco targets US shoppers
TESCO announced its first steps into the US yesterday with plans for a £250m-a-year expansion of its Express store format. The long-awaited move across the Atlantic will see the UK market leader open its first convenience stores on the West Coast next
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'We need these drugs for our loved ones'
Alzheimer's is a terrible, degenerative brain disease which affects thousands of people in the region. Health Editor Barry Nelson investigates why a number of anti-dementia drugs may soon be unavailable on the NHS. IVAN Garnham still can't believe it.
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Maiden visit to port
A GLOBAL shipping line's newest vessel has made its maiden voyage to the region. The Containerships VIII, operated by Containerships Oy, of Finland, called at PD Teesport. The vessel is one of the largest ships using Teesport and is one of four ships
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Job fears of quarry workers over 'bucketful of pottery'
WORKERS say they could lose their jobs over a "bucketful of pottery, flints and fragments" if a quarry extension is rejected. English Heritage says the site of the extension, at Nosterfield Quarry, near Masham, North Yorkshire, is of national importance
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Local store has an eye on award
A NEWTON Aycliffe opticians beat the challenge of more than 500 stores to be named as Specsavers' top outlet. The eye-care chain launched a search for the store in its group which had the best customer service. Mystery shoppers were sent to Specsavers
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Park shortlisted for award
A VICTORIAN park has been nominated for an award. Gateshead Council's £10m five-year restoration of Saltwell Park has been shortlisted for a Civic Trust Award. The work transformed the park and returned its landscape to the way it would have looked at
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Hear All Sides
ACADEMY RESOURCES OVER the past weeks, the council has expended considerable resources and inundated tax-payers, education professionals, governors and trades unions with information demonstrating why they should all support an academy in Darlington.
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Illegal Iraqi immigrant in rape attacks
A DEPORTED illegal immigrant who slipped back into the UK and then carried out rape attacks on two women faced 12 years in jail last night. Three days after evading Customs officers, the Iraqi dragged an 18-year-old girl down a North-East alley at 2am
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Bridge is closed to pedestrians
THE High Level Bridge between Newcastle and Gateshead is to be closed to pedestrians until restoration work is complete. The move, requested by Network Rail, will allow work on the bridge to be carried out more safely and quickly. Restoration of the Grade
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Women challenged to 24-hour kart race for cancer charity
WHAT is believed to be the world's first women-only 24-hour kart race is to be staged at a North-East race track to raise cash for charity. Hundreds of women are expected to take part in the event at Teesside Autodrome, near Middlesbrough, in May. Teams
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Maths sessions add up to good fun
PUPILS at a County Durham primary school have spent two days solving maths problems - and they've enjoyed every minute of it. For the fourth year running, St Joseph's RC Primary School, in Mill Lane, Gilesgate, Durham City, has staged its Great North
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Funding boost for businesses
MONEY has been made available to help North Yorkshire businesses improve their workspace. The property grants scheme is run by North Yorkshire County Council. More than £2m has been provided for the initiative by the European Regional Development Fund
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Tea Rooms staff serve up £50,000 cheque for charities
TEA rooms staff have raised more than £50,000 for charity by organising a series of quizzes, theme nights and pantomimes. The amount is a record for employees at Bettys and its sister company Taylors of Harrogate. Staff have donated the money to seven
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Officials expanding scheme to overcome learning difficulties
A SCHEME to help young people with learning difficulties is being expanded to north Durham. The idea is to help those who do not qualify as officially having "special educational needs" to get into further education. It was tested out last year in the
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Putting brakes on car crime
POLICE are putting the brakes on car crime, which is down by a third on Teesside There was a 38 per cent drop in the number of cars stolen across the area between October and December last year, compared with the same period in 2004. The reduction is
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Probation service role
A NEW assistant chief officer has been appointed to the probation service in North Yorkshire. Walter Burns is the new assistant chief officer of corporate governance. His role will include the duties of the board secretary and ensuring that staff conduct
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David's heartfelt gift to others
A SEVENTIETH birthday provided an ideal opportunity for recovered heart patient David Franks to help other sufferers. The retired building contractor put up a number of prizes which he raffled at a recent party for family, friends and former school pals
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Husband may sue over 'malicious' murder slur
RETIRED businessman Peter Heron is planning to sue police for what he last night claimed was a "malicious prosecution" over the killing of his wife more than 15 years ago. And he urged the police to dig deeper to find the real killer. Mr Heron also told
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Company selected to carry out 172-home renewal plan
PLANS to regenerate a rundown housing estate have taken a step forward following the appointment of a builder by council officials. George Wimpey North East has been chosen to work with Hartlepool Borough Council and Housing Hartlepool, the not-for-profit
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Cupid will have only three minutes
LOVE is in the air, or soon will be, in Middlesbrough, a university hopes. Efforts are being made to help single students at the University of Teesside find love this Valentine's Day. The university's Students' Union (SU) is organising a Cupid's Arrow
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Crash injuries
TWO people were taken to hospital last night following a car accident in Cleveland Street, Guisborough, shortly after 6pm. The driver and a passenger required treatment, and a woman was released by firefighters after her leg became trapped underneath
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Youngsters to tread the boards
EIGHTY children are taking to the stage next week in a Darlington school. The pupils, aged between 11 and 18, at Carmel RC Technology College, are to perform Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle. The play is about a young woman, Grusha, who saves
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Talent night to aid charities
A CHARITY night has been organised in north Durham to raise money to support people with terminal illnesses. Councillor Elizabeth Coulson, chairwoman of Derwentside District Council, has set up the evening to boost funds for the Willowburn Hospice and
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Car thief was apprehended by farm workers
A CAR thief was chased by the vehicle's owner before being apprehended by a group of farm workers, a court was told yesterday. Daniel Warren, 21, found the Toyota pick-up parked in Stillington Road, Easingwold, with the keys in the ignition shortly before
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Man admits aiding burglary
A MAN has admitted tipping off burglars who took £6,100 in takings and a large amount of stock from a small store. Broom Mini Market, in Conyers Terrace, Ferryhill, County Durham, was forcibly entered overnight on November 7 last year. Durham Crown Court
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Southgate hopes for a miracle
GARETH SOUTHGATE has attempted to talk up Middlesbrough's unlikely chances of overcoming runaway leaders Chelsea by insisting miracles do happen. The Premiership champions visit the Riverside tomorrow with 41 points separating the sides. But Southgate
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Ian raises thousands for cancer charity
A MAN who runs coach trips for charity has been praised by charity officials after raising about £40,000 during the past 25 years. Ian Douglas started his money-making effort almost by chance after organising an outing by car for his Glaxo factory colleagues
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Racist nurse is struck off
A Nurse has been struck off the register for racially abusing colleagues. Carol Allan, 58, was racially abusive towards Patsy Mamba, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard. The former Army nurse made the offensive remarks while on duty at the 56-bed
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News in brief
CAT TRAPPED: Firefighters rescued a cat which fell through the roof and became trapped behind an industrial freezer, in premises in Zetland Road, Loftus, east Cleveland. TABLE SALE: Saltburn Animal Rescue Centre Association will hold a table top sale,
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Convicted sex offender is evicted from council home
A FORMER councillor and convicted sex offender has been evicted by the company that manages homes for the council he once served. East Durham Homes (EDH), which manages council houses in the Easington district, revealed yesterday that one-time Independent
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The last picture from a master of art
THE the final painting of the North-East's celebrated artist Tom McGuinness, with his trademark straw hat placed on the easel and paintbox left open, was started the day before he died. Though only still an underpainting, the picture of ghostly figures
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10/02/06
TWO STANDARDS WHAT strange times we live in. A man is secretly filmed by a BBC film crew at a private political meeting. Later this man's comments are screened nationwide by the BBC. The police become involved, subsequently arrest him and bring charges
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£500m regeneration plan endorsed by Government
A £500m regeneration project, which could create 2,500 jobs, took a major step forward last night after the Government endorsed the scheme. Plans for the joint project involving Tees Valley Regeneration and Hartlepool port operator PD Ports were approved
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New power station will cost £900m
A power station to be built on the banks of the River Tees will cost nearly £900m. The coal-fired power station, being developed by Progressive Energy, is expected to create more than 100 jobs, with hundreds more created indirectly over the next five
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End of an era as ICI halts manufacturing on Teesside
GLOBAL chemical company ICI yesterday called time on its manufacturing operation in a region where it once employed 30,000 people. ICI will no longer have a factory on Teesside if it completes the proposed sale of its oleochemicals operation Uniqema,
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You write...
TWO STANDARDS WHAT strange times we live in. A man is secretly filmed by a BBC film crew at a private political meeting. Later this man's comments are screened nationwide by the BBC. The police become involved, subsequently arrest him and bring charges
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Stadium arson attack could bring demolition forward
A FIRE that swept through one of the stands of a disused former football stadium could force its demolition sooner than originally planned, it was revealed yesterday. The arson attack on the West Stand of the Feethams stadium, in Darlington, caused a
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Shoptalk: An otter way to her heart
As Valentine's Day approaches, men begin to panic. But there's a love nest of present out there - and now when you can shop on the Internet, you lads dont's even have to to into a shop. OK lads, it's Valentine's Day on Tuesday. You've got four days in
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Ex-Boro hopeful jailed for four years
A FORMER Middlesbrough Football Club hopeful who stabbed a teenager after downing a cocktail of drink and drugs was jailed for four years yesterday. Simon Vallily, 20, had taken cocaine and ecstasy after drinking vodka when he plunged a 6in kitchen knife
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On TV
Barking Ben and his barking owner Pets Are People (BBC2) Kidnap Ronnie Biggs (C4) BEN is subject to dark moods and aggressive behaviour. He has a huge inferiority complex, resulting from the trauma of being born on a cold floor and his early deprived
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The Northern Echo Invitational League round-up
DIVISION ONE: Nestfield exacted revenge for their cup defeat a fortnight ago when they took all three points in the league meeting between themselves and Cleveland Bridge. The 5-2 score-line to Cleveland in the cup-tie was reversed as Nestfield maintained
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Armstrong - deal or no deal?
DAVID Hodgson has issued a take it or leave it ultimatum to former Darlington striker Alun Armstrong, writes Lee Hall. Hodgson last night confirmed his interest in re-signing Armstrong, nine months after the 30-year-old left Darlington. Armstrong is a
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Jonny back on the bench
JONNY Wilkinson's third comeback of the season begins on Sunday, when he will be on the bench for Newcastle Falcons' Guinness Premiership match at London Irish. It was against the Irish that he made his last appearance in November, kicking five penalties
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Husband may sue police for murder slur
RETIRED businessman Peter Heron is planning to sue police for what he last night claimed was a "malicious prosecution" over the killing of his wife more than 15 years ago. And he urged the police to dig deeper to find the real killer. Mr Heron also told
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Dice favour Black Jack
LEADING Cheltenham hopefuls Black Jack Ketchum and Denman lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling duel at Bangor. Jonjo O'Neill and Paul Nicholls are both desperate to get another race into their respective stars prior to next month's Festival,
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Fears for missing teenager
POLICE are concerned for the welfare of a teenager who is missing from home. Leanne Hinds, 19, who has learning difficulties, left her home in West Lane, Middlesbrough, at 7.40pm last Wednesday and has not been seen since. She is 6ft, with blue eyes,
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Services facing the axe in pursuit of £14m savings
A RAFT of service cuts has been agreed as the region's biggest council seeks to find almost £14m-worth of savings while pressing for an inflation-busting council tax increase. Library services, schemes for people with learning disabilities and family
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Army flare causes moorland fire
An Army flare is believed to have caused a fire on moorland owned by the Ministry of Defence. Around 40 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze on Hudswell Moor, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Thursday night. Firefighters said around three hectares
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Pupils from around the globe share views on pollution
CHILDREN from three nations came together to discuss air pollution at a Darlington school. The conference at Hummersknott School and Language College was attended by more than 120 pupils. Also taking part in the conference were 30 students from the school's
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Weekend walking in the forest
TWO health initiatives are teaming up for a walking event in Hamsterley Forest at the weekend. Volunteers from Wear Walking for Health, in Wear Valley, and Walking for Life in Teesdale will lead two treks in the forest on Sunday morning. There is a choice
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Teenager selected for camp
A TALENTED young netball player has been selected for a training camp attended by some of the best netballers in the country. Rachel Dauber, 15, has been chosen to attend the England Netball Training Camp next month after excelling in her school team.
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Derek learns to do as he is told
DEREK NOBBS hit bullseye when he caught the eye of a young paper girl while working near her delivery round more than six decades ago. As the farm labourer and the paper girl - 14-year-old Martha Charlton - exchanged admiring glances, little did they
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Listed building may make way for homes development
AN old wooden mart ring left standing after sales ended last year could be bulldozed to make way for homes. Architects will help determine the future of the 120-year-old listed building at Tow Law, County Durham, where generations of the Vickers family
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Exhibition provides light relief to brighten up your day
ART lovers are invited to Trip the Light Fantastic at an exhibition that was launched last night. The display, at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, brings together a group of five British artists and designers who have been working with glass,
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Arrests could be linked to series of knife-point raids
TWO men have been arrested in a swoop police believe may be linked to a series of Darlington knife-point robberies. The men, aged 25 and 30, were stopped near the Co-op store in North Road, Darlington, at 9pm on Wednesday, and were found to have a knife
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Wallets are opened wide as dentists raise money for charity
THEY are more renowned for dressing up patients' teeth, but yesterday dentists donned fancy dress to raise money for charity. Staff at Kensington Dental Clinic in Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, dressed in an array of costumes for the benefit of Dentaid
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Reward in hunt for robbers
A GANG of armed robbers who sprayed noxious gas into the faces of security guards may have carried out three similar robberies in the North-East. Detectives investigating three robberies across Tyneside are exploring the possibility they may be connected
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Councillors face checks as part of child safety policy
ALL North Yorkshire county councillors are to face a criminal records check. The move is included in a review of child safety measures launched following the murder of Soham schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by school caretaker Ian Huntley.
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Slovakians on study visit
A DELEGATION from a Slovakian city council is visiting north Durham to get ideas about working with the community. Members of the Independent Citizens' Commission from the town of Banska Bystrica, in Slovakia, will visit Lilac House, in Sacriston, as
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£2.4m grant to rejuvenate council's stock of housing
COUNCIL chiefs are celebrating after securing £2.4m in funding from the Single Housing Investment Pot (Ship) to further their regeneration efforts across the district. The funding, allocated by the North-East Housing Board, was approved for Chester-le-Street
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Plan to axe trees conkered
AN attempt to deter nuisance conker collectors by chopping down three horse chestnut trees has been nipped in the bud. Darlington Borough Council refused permission to chop down the mature trees after complaints of vandalism, feeling it was a drastic
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£1.9m sports centre to open
A £1.9m sports centre on Teesside will open its doors to the public this weekend. As well as a sports hall suitable for a variety of activities, the centre, on Hartlepool's Headland, will also have a modern fitness suite, changing and toilet facilities
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Survey reveals residents' vision for future of town
RESIDENTS in Helmsley have told planning experts that it needs affordable homes and industrial units to create jobs and to keep young families in the area. Findings of a survey carried out by consultants WSP Development and Transportation as part of the
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Students go for green by creating a board game
STUDENTS who designed a board game to promote sustainable development have experienced their first taste of success in the world of business. The pupils, from Egglescliffe School, in Eaglescliffe, Stockton, took part in a project to market green industrial
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Blaze wrecks boarded-up takeaway
POLICE are investigating the cause of a blaze which wrecked a disused takeaway on Teesside. Part of the ground floor of the former Rising Sun Chinese takeaway, in Middlesbrough's Upton Street, was destroyed in the fire, which was "well alight'' when fire
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Fire crews object to new station
FIREFIGHTERS have objected to the design of a new station. Planners are due to consider proposals from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue on Tuesday. The service has applied for permission to replace the station in Skipton Road, Harrogate with a new building
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Groups are walking their way to health
TWO health initiatives are teaming up for a walking event in Hamsterley Forest at the weekend. Volunteers from Wear Walking for Health, in Wear Valley, and Walking for Life in Teesdale will lead two treks in the forest on Sunday morning. The first starts
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Crackdown on motorbikes
DARLINGTON Borough Council has joined forces with police to crack down on nuisance motorcyclists. Since the operation got under way last weekend, one vehicle has been seized and 12 anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) have been issued. The operation began
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Tournament for veterans
EXPERIENCED enthusiastic footballers are needed for a veterans' five-a-side tournament. Teams wanting to take part in the Middlesbrough 290 Masters, on March 31, need to ensure that the combined ages of their players on the pitch reaches 290 years at
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Rotary raises £1,620 in festive season
THE Chester-le-Street Rotary Club raised £1,620 for good causes during the festive period. Working in partnership with the Chester-le-Street District Council, members of the club collected Christmas trees from 150 properties. Donations for the collections
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Plan for homes
Barratt Homes has applied for planning permission to build 69 two, three and four- bedroomed houses on land to the north of Catterick Road, in Colburn. The application will be considered by Richmondshire District Council's planning committee.
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Beaten - for asking teenager to be quiet
A TEENAGER is beginning a three-and-a-half year custodial sentence for a vicious drunken attack on a passer-by who politely asked him to be quiet. Scott Andrew Punshon was arguing with his girlfriend as the 62-year-old bus driver made his way past them
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Financial support for advice bureau
THE Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for the Hambleton district has secured financial backing of more than £82,000 from the local authority. District councillors have agreed to subsidise the service with £27,450 a year over the next three years. Cabinet members
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Captain Cook historian celebrates 100th birthday
A WOMAN still fascinated by the past celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday. Retired headmistress Queenie Ward loves history, particularly local history, and at the age of 85, wrote a book about explorer Captain James Cook. Middlesbrough Council - Mayor
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Police search for missing teen
A teenager is being hunted by police after running away from home more than 48 hours ago. Nineteen-year-old Leanne Hinds, who has learning difficulties, left her home in the West Lane area of Middlesbrough on Wednesday lunchtime following a minor family
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Pupils to get a taste of health
CHILDREN at a primary school will tuck into nutritious smoothies, fresh fruit and vegetables during a two-day healthy eating event next week. The 500 pupils at Easington Colliery Primary School will take part in activities which will include a taste test
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Council tax to rise by
COUNCIL tax in Hambleton is to rise by three per cent this year. Members of the district council's executive recommended the increase at their meeting on Tuesday. A final decision will be taken later this month by the full council. Three per cent equates
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Creationism talk
The controversial and topical theory of creationism will be discussed in the region next week. Author and scientist Professor Jack Cohen will consider whether life evolved through natural selection or whether there must be a guiding hand in evolution,
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Will the CSA ever get its sums right?
As the Government announced a complete overhaul of the troubled Child Support Agency yesterday, Lindsay Jennings asks if the changes will go far enough. THE changes have been long overdue. Since its inception in 1993, the Child Support Agency has been
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They can blow their bagpipes
LET'S take the high road. After years of wondering why that whisky-drinking, caber-tossing clan of hard men otherwise known as Scots had turned into such limp-wristed wimps there are signs that they were merely slumbering. Even Scottish football has been
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'Sentiment must not stand in way of councils shake-up'
SENTIMENT cannot stand in the way of scrapping historic shires such as County Durham if they do not deliver value for money, a government minister said yesterday. David Miliband, the communities minister, said the test in deciding whether to replace the
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Jonny back on the bench
JONNY Wilkinson's third comeback of the season begins on Sunday, when he will be on the bench for Newcastle Falcons' Guinness Premiership match at London Irish. It was against the Irish that he made his last appearance in November, kicking five penalties
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Manager need not be English, says Shearer
GOALSCORING great Alan Shearer last night urged Newcastle's board to forget about his much-publicised bust-up with Ruud Gullit and consider appointing a foreigner as Graeme Souness' permanent successor. With chairman Freddy Shepherd having drawn up a
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Don't blame McCarthy, insists Arca
JULIO Arca has given manager Mick McCarthy his wholehearted backing and insisted Sunderland's senior players have not forgotten the way he transformed the club in the first two years of his reign. McCarthy's future has been called into question this week
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Why has it taken so long?
IT has been clear for a long time that the Child Support Agency was in urgent need of an overhaul. The CSA has managed to spend £3bn of public money on its administration but has been unable to deliver any evidence that it is more effective than the courts
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A blatant injustice system
THE justice system in this country is now in such disarray it's a wonder that anyone is ever jailed. At times the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts seem to forget what their role is. Rather than protect the public, they seem to be obsessed
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The otter way to her heart
OK lads, it's Valentine's Day on Tuesday. You've got four days in which to get yourselves organised. And before you start muttering and moaning, we've made it easy for you. Knowing how shy and bashful you are, and how you hate going round the shops, we
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Dice favour Black Jack
LEADING Cheltenham hopefuls Black Jack Ketchum and Denman lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling duel at Bangor. Jonjo O'Neill and Paul Nicholls are both desperate to get another race into their respective stars prior to next month's Festival,
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Rolls-Royce firing on all cylinders
BRITISH engine maker Rolls-Royce has seen annual profits soar 49 per cent thanks to strong engine orders and after-sales demand. Pre-tax profits jumped to £584m, beating the £557m figure predicted by analysts. Sales rose nine per cent to £6.6bn. Rolls-Royce
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Thorn's ray of light for industry
MANUFACTURING business Thorn Lighting is build a multi-million pound factory, safeguarding jobs for the foreseeable future, The Northern Echo has learned. Thorn, which has a factory in Spennymoor, County Durham, employing about 700 people, said the factory
