Archive
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Defence the key to United's recent change in fortunes
FOR someone who insists he remains an admirer of Graeme Souness' managerial qualities, Newcastle caretaker boss Glenn Roeder is making a pretty good job of ruining his predecessor's already impoverished reputation. In the four weeks since Souness' dismissal
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£6m housing development for older people approved
A MULTI-MILLION pound housing scheme for older people has won planning approval. Work will begin next month to construct of a well-equipped Extra Care housing development, which will replace Tanpit Lodge Elderly Persons' Home, in Easingwold. The building
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Man dies after being shot
POLICE last night named the victim of a fatal shooting as 41-year-old Sean Andrew Webster. It is understood he had earlier become involved in an argument that began in a pub in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Police and paramedics were later called to a house
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Hodgson blast for referee
Manager David Hodgson labelled referee Jonathan Moss inept after Robbie Stockdale's Darlington debut almost ended in disaster. Daryl McMahon's high and late challenge in the closing stages of the 1-0 defeat left the Redcar-born right-back grounded beside
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On TV
Midsomer Murders (ITV1) Dancing On Ice (ITV1) Gideon's Daughter (BBC1) THE good folk of Midsomer Barton were celebrating Oak Apple Week in the traditional way - a fete on the village green, the crowning of a carnival queen and a corpse lying face down
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Taking a fall...and loving it
THE family of Teesside-born Marlene Sidaway never thought for a moment that acting was something she should do as a career. "They liked watching things that we did at school but tended to say, 'you don't want to do that daft acting'," she recalls. So
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Kyle treble helps Blaydon into second
BLAYDON moved into second place in National Three North with scrum half James Kyle scoring a hat-trick in the 48-12 win away to bottom club Kendal. It was planned to rest Kyle, Martin Shaw and a couple of forwards, but as conditions had been too wet to
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'I want my life back'
It is 15 years since the end of the first Gulf War. As evidence mounts of Gulf War Sydrome, Professor Malcolm Hooper calls for an end to the 'obscene neglect' of the suffering veterans. ' IN a report to the defence committee of the House of Commons published
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Parker's World Cup dreams shattered
SCOTT Parker last night admitted his World Cup dreams had all but disappeared after he was omitted from Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad for Wednesday night's friendly with Uruguay. Despite being Newcastle's most consistent performer since his summer
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Darlington turn on style to ground Grasshoppers
THERE was more entertainment in the first 20 minutes of this match than I have seen in the Guinness Premiership all season. Newcastle boss Rob Andrew is right when he says the sterile rugby being played among the top clubs is bound to affect the England
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Fitting tribute to Tino, the Big Fella
AS bitter-sweet as a bar of Bourneville, the Arngrove Northern League staged a benefit match on Tuesday for the family of the late Steven Tierney - a guy, said one of the programme contributors, who'd made a massive impact. So he had. Tino was an 18 stone
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Lawyers survival hopes boosted by victory at leaders Blue Star
Tow Law took a big step towards first division safety when they came back from two goals down to beat leaders Newcastle Blue Star. Lawyers became only the third team to beat the leaders this season and manager Graeme Clark hailed his side's commitment
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North braced for return of ice and snow
THE region was last night bracing itself for a week of heavy snow and plummeting temperatures, as forecasters warned that the weekend's icy conditions were only a sign of things to come. Heavy snow is expected to fall across the North-East and North Yorkshire
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Advice sessions under threat
ADVICE sessions held at six GP surgeries in Darlington could be scrapped if a new source of funding is not found. The Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) outreach service, which helped about 400 people last year with issues including financial advice
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Teamwork holds the key to cleaning up neglected areas
FIVE teams of environmental workers will target neglected areas across Darlington as part of an initiative to clean up the borough. The teams - each of up to 26 people - will be dedicated to rejuvenating and maintaining Darlington's streets, parks and
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Charity shop's donations plea
A CHARITY shop has appealed for anyone with unwanted bric-a-brac or books to donate them to a worthy cause. Volunteers at the Cancer Research UK shop, on High Row, in Darlington, say they are very short of such items, which are two of the main ranges
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Couple's narrow escape as car hits their front window
A COUPLE escaped serious injury when a car ploughed into the front of their home. Only 15 minutes earlier, John Taylor and Amanda Cooper had been watching television in the front room. Fortunately, when the white BMW hit the bay window of their terraced
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Father and son devastated after pigeons perish in fire
A FATHER and son are devastated after a blaze destroyed their pigeon loft, killing up to 100 racing birds. About £16,000 of damage and £20,000 of bird stock perished in the blaze, which residents believe was started deliberately. A 50ft club house and
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Farewell to a girl whose smile brightened the day
AS she did in life, Pako Moholo brought together different races, religions and generations when a service of thanksgiving was held in her memory. The 200 friends and family that gathered in her adopted home town of Ferryhill, County Durham, were testimony
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24/02/2006
SUNDAY league stars have been using their mobile phones to get their kicks long before Premiership copycats reportedly followed suit. A number of The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League players regularly use their phones for reasons other
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Serving up local produce at food festival
THE region's answer to Jamie Oliver will be serving up some tasty treats during a food festival at Easter. Chef Guy Middleton has signed up to provide demonstrations of healthy eating at the Wear Valley Food Festival, which takes place at Auckland Castle
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Aaron social worker 'quit job'
A SOCIAL worker has denied she quit rather than be sacked after the murder of baby Aaron O'Neil. Lisa Chamber, 43 revealed she is planning to sue Newcastle City Council for constructive dismissal. Three-month-old Aaron was tortured to death by his father
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Team gets award for marketing efforts
A NORTH-EAST convention bureau fought off fierce competition to win an award for the best marketing campaign at a UK exhibition. The NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau took the award for its pre-show marketing campaign to attract conference buyers to
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Cyclists enhance lives
WORKERS at a Newton Aycliffe factory used pedal power to change to life of at least one local diabetic youngster. A team of 11 cyclists from the 3M plant on Aycliffe Industrial Estate raised more than £3,400 by completing a gruelling 154-mile charity
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Street cordoned off after grenade is found in house
ONE woman came across more than she bargained for yesterday when she discovered a live hand grenade while cleaning out the attic. She hurriedly carried the long-forgotten Second World War trophy - described as live but stable - into the back garden and
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27/02/06
ACTION NEEDED: RE Superintendent Barry Knevitt's reply about the new non-emergency, one number system, adopted by Durham Constabulary (HAS, Feb 21), he may wish to note that the only people with a good word for it and the new centralised control rooms
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Course combines fun with responsible motorcycling
AN initiative has been launched to help young people enjoy the safe and responsible use of motorcycles. Richmondshire Area Motorcycle Project (Ramp) is a five-week course. It offers the opportunity for riders to experience motorcycling in a safe and controlled
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Mayor thanks public for support
A MAYOR is distributing more than 3,000 letters to households, thanking local people for their support during his double term of office. In his letter, Mayor of Ripon Stuart Martin and his Mayoress wife, April, thank people for supporting them through
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Runner to take up fundraising Sahara challenge
A NORTH-East man is preparing to tackle one of the world's toughest challenges. John Davis, 25, will run the 150-mile Marathon des Sables, across the Sahara Desert, in April, in an attempt to raise £3,000 for the Mottey African Development Foundation.
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Teenagers having a ball with futsal
YOUNG people from 13 to 19 from Stockton Borough Council's youth service took advantage of a sports coaching sessop, on Friday. The event, at the University of Teesside's sports hall, was part of a nationwide student volunteering week. Students from Durham
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Teenagers having a ball with futsal
YOUNG people from 13 to 19 from Stockton Borough Council's youth service took advantage of a sports coaching sessop, on Friday. The event, at the University of Teesside's sports hall, was part of a nationwide student volunteering week. Students from Durham
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Two bus stands for market town
TWO bus stands are to be built in Pickering as part of a plan to improve public transport services. Town councillors want them on the edge of the Eastgate car park, not at the nearby roundabout, the main entrance for traffic into the busy market town.
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Concert in aid of education
NORTHALLERTON Male Voice Choir is to present a fundraising concert in aid of Marrick Priority Education and Residential Centre. Organised by the friends of the centre, the event is to be held in Richmond Town Hall, at 7.30pm on March 18. Chairman and
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Course to stress safety for teenagers
A FIRE brigade is offering youngsters a course to promote fire safety awareness. Cleveland Fire Brigade's Safety Awareness Fire Education programme (Safe) is a six-week course for 13 to 17-year-olds. The first session will take place today, with another
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Coin parking change
A SHOPPING centre has replaced its car park ticket operation with a coin system to make it faster, more reliable and environmentally friendly. Durham's Prince Bishops Shopping Centre manager Richard Toynbee said: "Being Durham's first available city centre
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Children make homes for birds
WILDLIFE received a boost during the half-term holidays, when young people turned their hands to making bird and bat boxes. The craft session took place at Stockton Borough Council's Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre, Stockton, to encourage children to care
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Planning to make village even more idyllic
A VILLAGE labelled the most stress-free in Yorkshire is drawing up a scheme to improving its quality of life. The parish council-led plan has been produced by councillors and residents of Sinnington, following an in-depth survey. The village got its stress-free
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Cadets celebrating after news of grant
A SEA cadet group is celebrating after it was given more than £160,000 by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. The money will go towards the refurbishment and extension of the Donald Owen Clarke Centre -the Sea Cadets' premises in Chester-le-Street. This
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Anger at free bus travel confusion
A "FREE" bus pass will allow a pensioner to travel only 50 yards to the bottom of his street. However, David Wright, of Sacriston, County Durham, then has to pay half-fare - exactly as he does now. The farce has been caused because of a disagreement about
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Community scheme opens after £750,000 scheme
A DISUSED factory converted into a community resource centre after a £750,000 facelift opens today. Enterprise Place, in Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, will be used to help people aged up to 19 develop job skills. It will offer training and support to people
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Plan to improve estate goes from strength to strength
IT began when a group of parents banded together -sick of the problems on their estate caused by drink and drugs. Three years on and residents are celebrating the official opening of a community house they hope will make a major difference to their lives
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Charity is seeking new homes for greyhounds
A NEWLY-FORMED dog re-homing charity is appealing for loving owners for unwanted ex-racing dogs. Greyhounds Galore was started earlier this year in a bid to relieve difficulties facing the racing breed. Its committed volunteers have been helping dogs
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Crackdown on littering under way
A CRACKDOWN on litter in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, is under way. A new team of anti-litter officers has handed out 160 warning cards to children urging them not to damage the environment. Gateshead Council is taking a tough stance on people who
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Opening day for £40,000 theatre
A THEATRE costing £40,000 has been opened at a pri- mary school by civic dignitaries. The Mayor and Mayoress of Sunderland, Councillor Bill Stephenson and his wife Jean, launched the facility at Barmston Village Primary School, in Washington. The occasion
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Ready to spot writing talent
AN array of North-East writers will judge the national story competition run by The Northern Echo. Orange New Voices, which showcases new writers, is backed by telecommunications company Orange and Darlington Arts Centre. Entries for the adult category
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Ross and Ricky fly the flag
YOUNG athletes Ross Murray and Ricky Stevenson flew the flag for the North-East at the Saucony English National Cross Country Championships, winning silver medals at Parliament Hill. Gateshead Harrier Murray, the North-East and Northern champion, was
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Giving youth a fair chance
IN the run-up to the general election, anti-social behaviour was the number one issue on the doorstep. There was widespread unease that the old values of respect were becoming less widely held. Within days, Tony Blair announced that his most pressing
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Anger at free bus travel confusion
A "FREE" bus pass will allow a pensioner to travel only 50 yards to the bottom of his street. However, David Wright, of Sacriston, County Durham, then has to pay half-fare - exactly as he does now. The farce has been caused because of a disagreement about
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Tykes shrug off loss
Although Yorkshire suffered a loss of almost £1.2m in 2005, they expect to make a profit of at least £300,000 in the current year, finance director, Brian Bouttell, will tell members at the annual meeting at Headingley on March 25, writes David Warner
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Boyer pleads not guilty to public disorder
Lee Bowyer has pleaded not guilty to a public order offence after his on-pitch drama last year. It was another no-show in court for Newcastle midfielder Bowyer, 29. He entered the not guilty plea through his solicitor, Angus Ashman. The footballer is
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Stepping out of Africa
It's the footwear of choice for Liz Hurley and the Chelsea set, but what exactly is MBT and what can it do for you? Women's Editor Sarah Foster asks local therapist and convert Sandra Kinchin. I'M sitting in a consulting room, surrounded by wall charts
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Wearside League: Birtley hot on leaders' coat-tails
Birtley Town, comfortable winners over Willington at Hall Lane, are now equal on points with second-top Whitehaven and just two points adrift of leaders Cleadon SC. Their championship hopes were boosted as they racked up their 14th win of the season.
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Relegation is not a formality says the Sunderland new boy
HAVING only made his first appearance for Sunderland on Saturday it is little wonder Rory Delap is refusing to accept his new club's relegation fight is already a lost cause. While no Black Cats player has declared publicly that dropping back into the
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'Don't tar all youths with same brush'
TEENAGE volunteer Laura Grievson has strong views about the yob culture, and feels it is wrong that all youngsters are tarred with the same brush. Laura, 18, said: "The truth is that many young people are doing lots of good stuff in their local community
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The Black Cats Premiership status set to self-destruct in ten games
THE reverberations that crashed out from this encounter could be felt as far away as Burnley, Plymouth and, even Southend. If it wasn't a formality before, it is now. Sunderland are heading back to the Championship and there is nothing manager Mick McCarthy
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Museum to be turned into industries centre
APPROVAL has been granted for a £4m transformation of a museum in the region. Woodend Natural History Museum, in Scarborough, will be turned into a creative industries centre. Woodend, in The Crescent, will be an education and resource centre with 32
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Optimism running high at the Vic despite stalemate
SEVEN draws at Victoria Park this season and it's too many for everyone's liking. There's been one point returns which have sent people away feeling demented (Swindon), bored (Rotherham), relieved (Scunthorpe) and neither here nor there (Tranmere). This
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Calfraz, Heidi and Green can give Hammond an Ayr treble
MICHAEL HAMMOND might easily come away from Ayr with a money-spinning treble via Calfraz, Heidi 111 and Green 'N' Gold. Calfraz (3.40) is first on duty for the Middleham handler when lining up in the Weatherbys Novices' Hurdle, a two-miler in which Blue
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Armed police raids in hunt for robbers
Detectives investigating the multi-million pound Securitas robbery were last night involved in armed raids across the county where the gang struck. Kent Police said a number of search warrants had been executed, although the force refused to reveal if
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Bishops' hopes look doomed
Any lingering hopes of Bishop Auckland avoiding a relegation place in the UniBond League First Division were virtually destroyed when they were beaten 3-1 at Gresley Rovers on Saturday. The result leaves Bishops 14 points below safety and all that can
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A quick upturn is needed after another loss at Leyton
As robberies go, this defeat was hardly on the scale of a £50m raid, but there was certainly no justice for Darlington who matched promotion-chasing Leyton Orient but without reward. The result means the clock is ticking on Darlington's play-off hopes
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Team gets award for marketing efforts
A NORTH-EAST convention bureau fought off fierce competition to win an award for the best marketing campaign at a UK exhibition. The NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau took the award for its pre-show marketing campaign to attract conference buyers to
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Bulldozers moving in on former stadium
DEMOLITION work on a dilapidated football stadium is expected to begin today. Feethams, the former home of Darlington Football Club, has descended into disrepair since 2003, when the club moved to its new Neasham Road base. Since then, it has been subject
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Still bowled over after 50 years
HALF a century and not out, Dennis and Shirley Barker say married life is every bit as good now as when they first wed. Celebrating their golden wedding anniversary at the weekend, the Sunnybrow couple said that there is no great secret to a happy marriage
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Creative designs sought for project
VOLUNTEER groups and businesses are being challenged to use their imagination for a community banner project. The project has been organised by Shildon Carnival Working Party, which is taking a break from the town's annual gala this year. Those taking
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Hear All Sides
FUTILE BID: IN your report about the proposed academy (Saturday, February 11), you correctly identified Sam Jameson as chair of Hurworth School governors, but omit to mention that Maureen Horton is chair of Heathfield governors. The other support group
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Courses offer for carers
CARERS in the Darlington area are being offered the chance to try a series of courses in the coming weeks. The free sessions are being run jointly by Darlington Borough Council and YMCA's Click It project in Beaumont Street. Get Healthy courses take place
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Mother attacks jail sentence after baby left disabled
A MOTHER whose five-month-old girl was shaken so hard she now has cerebral palsy has condemned the attacker's two-and-a-half year jail sentence. Courtney Laverty has cerebral palsy and is registered blind after being very badly shaken. The Northern Echo
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War veteran told to return to work as benefits stopped
A WAR veteran who suffers from the debilitating effects of Gulf War Syndrome has had his incapacity benefit stopped and been told to go back to work. Les McCourt, 41, of Felling, near Gateshead, says he began showing signs of Gulf War Syndrome only weeks
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From The Editor's Chair: The cse for maximum exposure
THE choice of The Northern Echo's front page picture has again been the subject of debate. A week ago, this column told how a reader had written to say how much he had enjoyed a happy picture showing the children of England cricketers Steve Harmison and
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Warrant issued for woman accused of stabbing
A warrant was issued by a crown court today for a woman accused of stabbing a man. Natasha Dent, of Egglestone View, Darlington, failed to appear at Teesside Crown Court for a hearing. Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said the 18-year-old had been arrested
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Retail park to create jobs and bring back shoppers
A PROPOSED retail park will not only create jobs, but bring shoppers back to Dormanstown. Plans to build a DIY store plus four other retail units and a 287-space car park have been agreed by Redcar and District Council. The development will also include
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Sven Valley visit perplexing
WHEN Sven-Goran Eriksson went to The Valley on Saturday what was it for? At a calculated guess it would seem he had decided to run the rule over Darren Bent before naming his squad an hour or two later. But was there any point of his visit to Charlton
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Donation for centre given by council
A COUNCIL has made an £800 donation towards a pioneering community centre. Ferryhill Town Council has donated the cash to the Ladder Centre, in the Lakes estate in the town. The centre, which was developed by residents to address the increasing problems
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Lottery-funded initiative proves winner for residents
A PROJECT to improve a village's parkland and tackle anti-social behaviour is starting to take shape thanks to a grant secured by residents. Sedgefield Community Association is starting to spend a £50,000 Big Lottery People's Millions grant on environmental
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Serving up local produce at food festival
THE region's answer to Jamie Oliver will be serving up some tasty treats during a food festival at Easter. Chef Guy Middleton has signed up to provide demonstrations of healthy eating at the Wear Valley Food Festival, which takes place at Auckland Castle
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Racing dogs need homes
A NEWLY-FORMED dog re-homing charity is appealing for loving owners for unwanted ex-racing dogs. Greyhounds Galore was started earlier this year in a bid to relieve difficulties facing the racing breed. Its committed volunteers have been helping dogs
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Family rescued after blast at house
A FAMILY was rescued and neighbours evacuated after an explosion wrecked a house early yesterday. Police and firefighters were last night unable to establish what caused the blaze at the empty terraced house. Neighbours woke at about 1.45am to a loud
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Course to stress safety for teenagers
A FIRE brigade is offering youngsters a course to promote fire safety awareness. Cleveland Fire Brigade's Safety Awareness Fire Education programme (Safe) is a six-week course for 13 to 17-year-olds. The first session will take place today, with another
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News in brief
CHARITY NIGHT: Ladbrokes Charitable Trust is holding a fundraising night at the Lakes Club, in Redcar, on Tuesday, March 7, at 7.30pm. It will feature The Skip Rats band plus a rock-and-roll disco. Tickets, priced £2, are available at the door or on (
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Children make homes for birds
WILDLIFE received a boost during the half-term holidays, when young people turned their hands to making bird and bat boxes. The craft session took place at Stockton Borough Council's Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre, Stockton, to encourage children to care
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Honour for young cadet
A GIRL who wants to be a soldier has been chosen as a cadet force's representative. Teenager Emma Taylor has been installed as the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for the year. She will represent Cleveland Army Cadets and assist Sir Paul Nicholson, the Lord Lieutenant
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Honour for young cadet
A GIRL who wants to be a soldier has been chosen as a cadet force's representative. Teenager Emma Taylor has been installed as the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for the year. She will represent Cleveland Army Cadets and assist Sir Paul Nicholson, the Lord Lieutenant
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Jimmy brace bounces Baggies
JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink was the Boro hero at the Hawthorns yesterday with his first half double ensuring the Teessiders didn't pick up an unwanted half century. It was 49 games since Steve McClaren's side last won back-to-back Premier League games - ironically
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Former referee recalls 'man in black' days
A FORMER Premiership referee was on hand to sign copies of his candid account of life as "the man in black" at the weekend. Middlesbrough-born Jeff Winter visited the town's Waterstones book store to sign copies of his book, Who's The B*****d In The Black
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Soldier pays visit to school
A TEACHER serving in Iraq with the Territorial Army has returned to his school while on leave. Lieutenant Paul McConnell, 33, from Tudhoe, is working near Basra, southern Iraq, with Cassino Company, the 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment. He left Dene Community
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Lawyers survival hopes boosted by victory at leaders Blue Star
Tow Law took a big step towards first division safety when they came back from two goals down to beat leaders Newcastle Blue Star. Lawyers became only the third team to beat the leaders this season and manager Graeme Clark hailed his side's commitment
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Elliot receives Republic call
STEPHEN ELLIOTT has been given the green light to join up with the Republic of Ireland this week and earn his fifth international cap, writes Paul Fraser. The talented young striker will travel with Black Cats team-mates Liam Lawrence and Gary Breen to
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Calfraz, Heidi and Green can give Hammond an Ayr treble
MICHAEL HAMMOND might easily come away from Ayr with a money-spinning treble via Calfraz, Heidi 111 and Green 'N' Gold. Calfraz (3.40) is first on duty for the Middleham handler when lining up in the Weatherbys Novices' Hurdle, a two-miler in which Blue
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Armed raids as net closes in on robbers
Detectives investigating the multi-million pound Securitas robbery were last night involved in armed raids across the county where the gang struck. As the net closed in on the gang, Kent Police said a number of search warrants had been executed, although
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The Black Cats Premiership status set to self-destruct in ten games
THE reverberations that crashed out from this encounter could be felt as far away as Burnley, Plymouth and, even Southend. If it wasn't a formality before, it is now. Sunderland are heading back to the Championship and there is nothing manager Mick McCarthy
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Bullock renaissance continues
LEE Bullock has had to wait, but now the midfielder is showing Hartlepool United what he is capable of, writes Nick Loughlin. Since his summer move from Cardiff, the Thornaby-born midfielder was in and out of the team without getting the chance to make
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Downing was going to be rested, says McClaren
STEVE McCLAREN last night admitted he had planned to rest Stewart Downing for yesterday's game at West Brom before a reaction to England international's knee injury ruled him out of the game at the Hawthorns. Without the ball skills of their mercurial
