Archive
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Groups unite to preserve henges site
QUARRY bosses, campaigners and archaeologists yesterday spoke of their desire to see Thornborough Henges preserved. As the dust settles on a decision by councillors to reject Tarmac's extension to Nosterfield Quarry, near Masham, North Yorkshire, both
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Forces seek a day of reckoning
Prince Charles isn't the only person to emerge this week as an unlikely dissident. Across the country, magistrates, councillors and the business people and community leaders who serve on police authorities are in open rebellion over the Home Secretary's
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Click here for a bargain
IT'S where High Street clearance meets Internet auction sites and, if you fancy a bargain, it could be just the thing. Electrical giant Comet launched its own Internet clearance site around a year ago. It looks pretty much like any other Internet auction
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Roma tie is worthy reward
STEVE McClaren last night expressed his relief at Middlesbrough's progression to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup after admitting Stuttgart had "torn his side to pieces" in the early stages of their second-leg defeat. Christian Tiffert's 13th-minute opener
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McCarthy happy for Elliott to link up with Irish squad
MICK McCARTHY does not want to come between Stephen Elliott and his international career and is willing to allow the striker to join up with the Republic of Ireland next week. Elliott returned to action after more than three months out with a first half
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Father faces life over baby torture
A JEALOUS father who tortured his baby son is facing a life sentence after being found guilty of murder last night. Paul O'Neil, 33, held three-month-old Aaron's face against a gas fire because he was jealous of the attention the boy's mother gave the
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Olympic hopes resting on the shoulders of bobsleigh pair
DAREDEVIL brothers Lee and Karl Johnston will today launch their joint bid to bring Olympic glory to the region. They will be taking a white-knuckle ride for Britain when they play key roles in the four-man bobsleigh, which gets under way this afternoon
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Pool boss pins faith in Boyd
ELEVEN days after their last game Paul Stephenson is confident Hartlepool United are about to see the real Adam Boyd. Last season's leading scorer has spent more time on the sidelines this season than on the pitch. But he's started the last two games
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The white stuff for schools
A recent move to snatch school milk from the under-sevens has been defeated. Ashok Kumar MP, explains why he fought the proposal and why milk is so important to our children. 'MANY will remember the outcry in 1970 when an up-and-coming Conservative education
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Laura Ashley beats expectations
CLOTHING and home furnishings retailer Laura Ashley yesterday signalled the start of a turnaround after new products and better stock levels helped sales. The group said profits for the year would now beat market forecasts, despite a challenging UK retail
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Anger at Centrica profits
BRITISH Gas owner Centrica fuelled anger yesterday by posting an 11 per cent rise in annual pre-tax profits to £1.51bnn. The record results came a week after the company inflicted its 17 million customers with a fourth inflation-busting rise in gas and
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Venison farmer's sales up by 75%
A VENISON farmer has seen sales soar by up to 75 per cent and is due to supply its meat to supermarket group Sainsbury's. Holme Farmed Venison, based in Sherburn in Elmet, between Tadcaster and Selby, North Yorkshire, has seen turnover increase week-on-week
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£50m losses for Multiplex
THE disastrous redevelopment of Wembley Stadium has resulted in Australian construction group Multiplex posting half-year losses of about £50m. Multiplex, which earlier this week acknowledged that the new Wembley would not be completed in time for the
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Boro dig deep to book place in UEFA last 16
MIDDLESBROUGH'S Riverside pitch has been infected by a plague of worms tunnelling far below the surface to prolong their existence. But last night the club's footballers were the ones digging deep to ensure their UEFA Cup campaign did not suffer an untimely
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24/02/06
FOOT-AND-MOUTH: I WAS interested to read that Newcastle University's Centre of Rural Economy has carried out a study of the foot-and-mouth crisis, marking the fifth anniversary of the epidemic which caused untold suffering to farmers and businesses in
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Friends killed in motorbike accident
TWO friends died when their powerful motorcycle skidded into the path of a tractor on a country road, an inquest heard yesterday. John Longstaff, 45, and David Tarn, 30, who had never been on a motorbike before, died instantly in the head-on collision
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Tragic soldier named
A SOLDIER who was killed as he tried to cross the A1(M) in County Durham has been named. Adam David Lloyd was 23-years-old and had been at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire for three months. He was hit by a white van
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Shoptalk: Click here for a bargain
As Comet launches its Internet auction site, Shoptalk takes a look at what it takes to bag a bargain - and how to avoid a costly mistake. IT'S where High Street clearance meets Internet auction sites and, if you fancy a bargain, it could be just the thing
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Second Fire Engine Crash
A WOMAN and her young family escaped serious injury when their car collided with a fire engine. The smash is the second in as many weeks involving an emergency vehicle on route to a call out. The emergency tender was on its was to the Carter Bequest Hospital
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Show rabbits butchered in act of mindless cruelty
A PRIZE-winning rabbit exhibitor has been left devastated after four of his animals were slain by vandals armed with kitchen knives. Former joiner Vincent Raine, 83, of Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, has won the UK Dutch Rabbit Club national trophy
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McDermott must fight for his place, says Hodgson
NEALE McDermott has been challenged to fight for his place in the Darlington side by manager David Hodgson, writes LEE HALL. McDermott has yet to start a game for Quakers since joining the club on a one-month loan from Fulham last week. The 20-year-old
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Man admits being Wearside Jack
A MAN arrested after a 27-year police probe has admitted being the notorious hoaxer known as Wearside Jack. John Humble has confessed to writing letters and making a tape sent to detectives hunting the Yorkshire Ripper. Humble's barrister David Taylor
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Traffic chaos as car tows a 'house'
POLICE last night criticised a car driver's attempt to tow a large mobile home along a major North-East road. Hundreds of motorists were left fuming after the 36ft-long trailer bearing the mobile home became distinctly immobile after suffering a puncture
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Pinpointing the pain
What is only the second training centre of its kind in the country has opened in Darlington to teach doctors and nurses western-style acupuncture. Health Editor Barry Nelson investigates. THE traditional Chinese art of acupuncture has always fascinated
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Former addict stole to pay debts
A FORMER heroin addict who stole to pay back debts owed to her dealer has appeared in court. Barbara Cheryl Taylor, 27, pleaded guilty at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday to two counts of shoplifting. The court heard how last month Taylor, of Geneva
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Events announced to make up youth club timetable
DETAILS of activities and workshop taster sessions that could form part of a new Darlington youth programme have been revealed. Haughton Youth Club has been operating for 43 years and will soon launch a new era by moving to the £37.4m education village
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Pupils need water in lessons
YOUNG people have said schools in Darlington should provide water in their classrooms. The Young People's Health Group (YPHG) told Darlington Primary Care Trust's (PCT) joint board/Professional Executive Committee that primary school children should be
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Talks to mark anniversary
A SERIES of talks is to be given in a public hall to mark its 160th anniversary. Scores of organisations have made use of the Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, since it was built in tribute to Harry Witham, of Lartington Hall. Now Dr Pam Grunwell, its events
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Asylum family told they can stay
A FAMILY who fled the terrors of Kosovo have been told they can stay in their North-East home. After months of uncertainty, and with the constant threat of being sent back to Kosovo, the Vulaj family has finally received the news they had been waiting
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Students raise cash for hospice
STUDENTS handed more than £700 to charity after holding a string of fundraising initiatives. Youngsters at Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College presented a cheque for £775.48 to Butterwick Hospice, as a result of a newly-formed partnership between
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Radio station gets full licence
A COMMUNITY radio station which has had two successful trial broadcasts has been granted a permanent licence. Radio Teesdale will be based in Barnard Castle, and hopes to start broadcasting on November 5. The station's previous broadcasts operated under
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Father faces life over baby torture
A JEALOUS father who tortured his baby son is facing a life sentence after being found guilty of murder last night. Paul O'Neil, 33, held three-month-old Aaron's face against a gas fire because he was jealous of the attention the boy's mother gave the
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Musical boost for arts project
THE good old days of music hall are being recreated by the Northallerton Variety Company. It is staging a music hall concert, organised by the local Rotary Club, at the Friarage Hospital's recreation hall on Saturday, March 11. Tony Wormald, of York Magic
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Integrating children in fantastic dance workshops
A GROUP of children with learning and physical disabilities have been enjoying a series of dance-based workshops with their able-bodied counterparts. Five youngsters from Integrating Children have joined seven other children in a Chinese New Year-themed
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Watchdog for moors aims to build numbers
THE watchdog group for the North York Moors National Park aims to build membership following a recent appointment. PR consultant Jane Short has been appointed as development officer for the North Yorkshire Moors Association. Chairman Tom Chadwick said
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£21m development gets a check-up
HOSPITAL chiefs took time out from a multi-million pound development plan yesterday to welcome a VIP visitor. Elise Mackinlay, the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, paid a visit to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton. The chair of the local health
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Yachtsman to speak ... solo
ROUND the world solo yachtsman Alex Thomson will be the guest speaker at a fundraising evening at York Racecourse on Friday, April 7. He first achieved glory in 1999 when, at the age of 25, he became the youngest skipper to win a round-the-world yacht
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Be a sculptor for the day
FAMILIES will be able to let their imaginations run riot in a sculpture fun day next week. Professional artists will be on hand to help families create their masterpieces as part of Durham County Council's Sculpture in the Park celebrations, in the grounds
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Couple celebrate 70 years of marriage
A COUPLE who met in a church choir more than seven decades ago are still singing from the same hymn sheet. Alf and Edith Teeder, of Shotley Bridge, Consett, have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The platinum celebration was marked with a third
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Health aids appeal
PATIENTS are being urged to return equipment they no longer need. County Durham and Darlington Home Equipment Loans Service lends devices to people with illnesses and disabilities to help with their rehabilitation and care. Last year, it loaned out 57,000
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McDermott must fight for place
NEALE McDermott has been challenged to fight for his place in the Darlington starting XI by manager David Hodgson. McDermott has yet to start a game for Quakers since joining on a one-month loan from Fulham last week. The 20-year-old - son of Newcastle
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Complaints rise against the eccentric 'Gerbils'
NEIGHBOURS are complaining over the eccentric actions of a man they nickname Gerbils because he keeps an army of rodents in his home. Trouble started when John Maughan, 58, who often wears a German army-style cap, parked a fleet of 13 old cars in the
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Pupils enjoy Queen's Knickers
EXCITED pupils were captivated during a rendition of an award-winning children's book. Redhouse School, in Norton, was treated to a visit by BAFTA award-winning author Nicholas Allan for a story-telling session. Youngsters sat attentively during an animated
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Investment in park
A £1.5m investment programme in Aycliffe Industrial Park, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is to begin next week with improvements to one of the site's main entrances. The works represent the first stage of a three-year project to raise the entire park's
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Capita grows at steady rate
OUTSOURCING specialist Capita, which employs more than 1,000 people in the region, has returned record results for the 17th consecutive year. Darlington's biggest employer said turnover had increased by 12 per cent to £1.44bn and pre-tax profits rose
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On TV
Footballers' Wives Extra Time (ITV2) THE answer to the National Health Service's ills is at hand. Her name is Nurse Jeanette Dunkley, a modern day healer who's more Dr Crippen than Dr Kildare. Supporters of Footballers' Wives will recall that she uses
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Cash-hit authority 'on the road to recovery'
A POLICE authority that had a £7.3m financial black hole has made significant moves towards its recovery. That was the claim by Councillor Dave McLuckie, chairman of the Cleveland Police Authority, on the day members agreed a rise of 4.9 per cent in the
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Appeal for missing girl
POLICE have appealed for information in finding a missing 17-year-old girl. Fidan Bezgincan did not return to her Gosforth home from Newcastle College on Monday. She is 5ft 3in, with shoulder-length black hair, which has a reddish tinge. She was wearing
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Wearside Jack - I confess it was me
A MAN arrested after a 27-year police probe has admitted being the notorious hoaxer known as ''Wearside Jack''. John Humble has confessed to writing the letters and making the tape which were sent to detectives hunting the Yorkshire Ripper. Humble's barrister
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Solano tells Magpies Luque needs time to adapt
NOLBERTO SOLANO fears Newcastle United will not see the best of Albert Luque until next season - but the Peruvian is hoping his prediction is proved wrong. Since making a £9.5m switch from Deportivo la Coruna in August, Luque has failed to look anywhere
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Father jailed for baby death
A father who pushed his babys face against a gas fire before beating him to death against a wall has been jailed for life. The judge said that Paul O'Neil, 33, should not be recommended for parole for at least 22 years for the way he tortured his son
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Show rabbits butchered
A PRIZE-winning rabbit exhibitor has been left devastated after four of his animals were slain by vandals armed with kitchen knives. Former joiner Vincent Raine, 83, of Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, has won the UK Dutch Rabbit Club national trophy
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Trombone of contention - couple sue band
TWO musicians are suing a band after they were kicked out in a row over who plays trombone. Alan and Yvonne Benn claim Northallerton Silver Band broke its constitution by expelling them. The row started in 2003 when Mr Benn was replaced as first trombone
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Chorion sold for £110.7m
THE creator of the Big Breakfast yesterday led a £110.7m management buyout of Chorion, which owns the rights to Noddy and the Mr Men (left). Lord Waheed Alli is part of a quartet of managers who have teamed up with private equity house 3i to buy the London-based
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£1m project to refurbish pub interiors
AN interior design firm has landed a contract to refurbish two North-East pubs. Fluid Design Solutions, in Newcastle, has been appointed by the Centro Pub Company to redesign the interiors of Shooters bar, in Morpeth, and Sammy Jacks, in Front Street,
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Shy boys get nothing
WITH apologies to David Graveney, Durham have never had a world-class spinner. But they certainly produced the sort of spin New Labour would be proud of this week in launching their bid to stage an Ashes Test in 2009. It would have been a surprise had
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Board with the Olympics?
It was once seen as a marginal sport espoused by kids in grunge gear, but snowboarding has made this year's Winter Olympics cool. Chief Sports writer Scott Wilson reports. IT is the abiding memory of the 2006 Winter Olympics. American Lindsey Jacobellis
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Cook prepares defence against energy costs
SPECIALIST engineers William Cook Defence has become the latest firm in the region to take drastic steps to battle soaring energy prices. The Stanhope, County Durham-based company, which employs 250 staff, has switched production from day to night time
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Forgotten images give aerial view of town
AERIAL photographs have been discovered which show how a North-East town looked nearly 60 years ago. For more than 40 years, the photographs of Darlington from the air have been locked away in a filing cabinet in the basement of the town hall. However
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Back Nine must cut out mistakes in bid for Sandown Gold
BACK NINE'S bid for glory in this afternoon's Royal Artillery Gold Cup very much depends on keeping his jumping together. Sandown's fearsome fences take some getting over and Back Nine (3.10) needs to avoid the sort of calamitous mistake that caused his
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Collingwood joins the casualties
Captain Michael Vaughan is fighting to be fit for next week's first Test against India after a recurrence of his knee injury. Vaughan, 31, had a cortisone injection in his right knee on Wednesday and was ruled out of the first-class match with the Indian
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Rogue heroin may be behind three deaths within a week
POLICE fear a rogue batch of heroin could be on the streets after three drug users died in the past week. Detectives in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, say it is too early to confirm whether or not the deaths are linked, but are warning addicts to take precautions
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Cold comfort for some
IN announcing its record profits - just days after increasing energy bills by 22 per cent - Centrica was at pains yesterday to stress that its British Gas division was struggling rather badly. Although Centrica banked an 11 per cent increase in overall
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Prisoners asked to show faith in befriending project
AN inter-faith project to provide mentors for female prisoners on release from jail was launched yesterday. The Open Gate Mentoring Project provides volunteers to befriend women during their time at Low Newton Prison and Young Offenders' Institution,
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Blair defends himself against 1984 claims
TONY Blair yesterday dismissed the Bishop of Durham's claims that Britain was becoming a tyranny akin to the nightmare novel 1984, insisting people can say what they think. Questioned by The Northern Echo at Downing Street, the Prime Minister expressed
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Man admits being Wearside Jack
A MAN arrested after a 27-year police probe has admitted being the notorious hoaxer known as Wearside Jack. John Humble has confessed to writing letters and making a tape sent to detectives hunting the Yorkshire Ripper. Humble's barrister David Taylor
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Dispersal order in force
A DISPERSAL order has been reintroduced on a Teesside hot spot. For the second time, Cleveland Police have introduced the order, to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, on the Westfield Estate, in Loftus, east Cleveland. The order will cover
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Opening a parents' priority - outoor children's play centre
A CHILDREN'S play facility was unveiled on Teesside this week. Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar opened the Sure Start outdoor play centre, in Coulby Newham, on Tuesday. The leisure facility, based at the Manor Youth and Community
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Tribute to a village stalwart
A VILLAGE this weekend will pay tribute to a man who devoted years of his life to local causes. A notice board honouring John Hart Cousans will be unveiled in Potto, near Stokesley, at 2pm on Sunday afternoon. Mr Cousans lived in the village for 39 years
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Bargain hunters flock to town's latest supermarket
THE latest food store in Darlington opened yesterday - and received the seal of approval from the town's mayor. The Lidl store, in Yarm Road, opened its doors to the eager public at 8am - and was officially opened an hour later by Councillor Stella Robson
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School Closure Debate: £40,000 bill to taxpayers for academy information talks
INFORMATION sessions to promote a controversial education proposal have cost Darlington taxpayers £40,000. Officials from Darlington Borough Council have spent the past few months touring community venues and schools, explaining plans to build a £25m
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Coal yard transformed into training garage for young
A COMMUNITY has transformed a former coal yard into a thriving garage which will offer training to young people throughout the Bishop Auckland and Wear Valley area. Dene Valley Community Transport proudly unveiled its new venture this week, just over
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Children's artwork is a right load of old rubbish
A LOAD of old junk was used to entertain visitors to Newton Aycliffe town centre this week when it hosted an unusual arts day. The Greenfield Junk Music group, based at Greenfield Community and Arts Centre, performed six pieces of original music on instruments
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Burglary 'to slide on school floors'
A TEENAGER broke into a school because he wanted to slide along the floors like he did when he was a pupil, a court heard yesterday. Lee George Boulton, 19, admitted a charge of burglary with intent to steal at Northallerton Magistrates Court. He was
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Trader fined for marketing poor-quality eggs as class A
A TRADER who passed off low-quality eggs as "barn" and "free-range" has been fined £1,000. Andrew Stephenson, who runs a registered egg-packing station at Durham Back Lane, Stockton, was found guilty of six offences and must also pay £6,000 court costs
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GP surgery shortages highlighted
CONCERNS over concentrations of GP surgeries in some areas, while others totally lack facilities, have been highlighted in a public health consultation. The issue was raised several times when the public gave its views on frontline health services provided
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Chance to be part of a time capsule
HISTORY fans are reminded not to miss the chance to create a time capsule. An open day is to be held at the archaeological dig on Hartlepool's Headland on Sunday. Visitors to the event can make history of their own, by bringing with them a small passport-sized
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Rock will roll for cancer research
A ROCK night has been organised in Derwentside to raise cash for cancer victims. It is being held on St Patrick's Day, March 17, at the Lamplight Arts Centre. Headline acts include the North-East's only Status Quo tribute band, On The Level, and local
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Youngsters to attend Global Village
YOUNG people from Derwentside are taking part in an international festival this summer. Members of Stanley Woodcraft Folk will join 5,000 people from 70 countries as part of Global Village 2006, in July. The 35 youngsters will discuss issues such as tackling
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Celebrities at nightclubs
A STRING of celebrities are scheduled to appear at nightclubs in the area. Saturday Night Live will feature Fran Cosgrove, the winner of Celebrity Love Island, at the Studio nightclub, in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, tomorrow, while Andy Whymant,
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Fresh proposal would keep health services on one site
HEALTH chiefs are preparing to submit a planning application for permission to create an all-in-one medical centre. Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT) was initially intending to have two buildings in Stanley town centre, to provide enhanced medical
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Sports centre overcomes hurdle
A PROPOSED sports development in a Teesdale Village has overcome its first hurdle. Evenwood and Barony parish councillors have secured £12,500 from Teesdale District Council for a £50,000 sports project. If the remaining funding is found, an all-weather
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Speed device to warn drivers
DRIVERS on two busy roads are being targeted by a speed awareness campaign. A speed indication device is being used for a day this month on Hull Road and Shipton Road, in York. It alerts drivers when they are breaking the speed limit by flashing the words
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New pub's licence is reviewed over fears
A PUB has been told it must install CCTV in order to retain its licence. Harrogate Borough Council's licensing sub-committee made the decision yesterday after reviewing the licence of the Little Wonder pub, in Ripon Road, Harrogate. The committee gave
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Record money raised at ball
A TOWN council's annual civic ball has raised a record amount of money for the mayor's charity campaign. Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Val Raw, hosted Great Aycliffe Town Council's civic dinner dance at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on February
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Free T-shirts at the finish for runners
FITNESS fans will be models as well as runners when they take part in this year's Tees Valley half-marathon. Runners competing in the annual Redcar event, on March 12, will be given a free T-shirt after completing the 13.1 mile event. Staff from two Teesside
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Shock of accident resulted in deaths - inquest
TWO elderly people who suffered from heart problems died as a result of the trauma of a car accident, a coroner ruled yesterday. Peter Chrystal, 93, died when a car collided with his Volvo as he pulled out of his son's farm at Wingate, County Durham,
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Young musicians hope to find the keys to success
YOUNGSTERS in the Ripon area are tuning up for their annual big musical challenge. They are preparing for the city's Young Musicians of the Year 2006 - a celebration of the talent of young people who live, or are at school or have private music lessons
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Mallon's call to halt 'superforce'
The mayor of Middlesbrough Ray Mallon today calls for a legal challenge to be launched to halt the creation of a single North-East police force. The Northern Echo understands that police authority officials on Teesside could seek a judicial review of
