Archive
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Call for permanent shelter to save lives of homeless
VOLUNTEERS are to campaign for a permanent shelter for the homeless in Darlington, in memory of one of their colleagues. The In From the Cold project, set up to give homeless people a bed for the night, was shutting its doors this morning. During the
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Popular farm gets funding to expand
A farm is to expand after becoming one of the first in the region to be accredited under a new national scheme to increase schools' access to the countryside. Hall Hill Farm, at Lanchester, near Durham, has been in the Gibson family for three generations
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Official stole from club
A SOCIAL club official has admitted stealing £2,465. Alan Ellison, 37, pleaded guilty to stealing the money from the workingmen's club in Shotton Colliery, near Peterlee, County Durham, during a hearing at Durham Crown Court. Much of the stolen money
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Children's support group to be replaced
A CHILDREN'S welfare watchdog is being replaced with a different statutory organisation next month. South Tees Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) meets for the last time today. The Safeguarding Children Board, which will replace it, is being set up
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MP raises concern over energy costs
BISHOP Auckland MP Helen Goodman has taken up the issue of rising energy prices with Government ministers. Ms Goodman has lent her support following calls for help from householders and businesses, and is calling for changes to be made in this week's
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District judge retires after 23 years
A judge is to retire from the bench after 23 years on the local circuit. District judge John Bailey has sat at county courts across the region, including Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Stockton. He qualified as a solicitor
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Flagship academy is still failing
Inspectors have condemned one of Tony Blair's multi-million pound city academies, 12 months after it became the first of the flagship schools to be failed by Ofsted. Truancy, poor teaching, inappropriate buildings, and "exceptionally low" results meant
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Blaze hits bakery
A bakery was evacuated following a fire in one of the ovens, yesterday. About 40 members of staff evacuated the Pride Valley Foods factory, on the Seaham Grange Industrial Estate, in Seaham, County Durham. Firefighters put out the blaze, which had been
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20/03/2006
LAW AND ORDER: RE rowdy behaviour tackled in joint operation (Echo, Mar 6). Your article on the operation in Crook and the assertion that the local people warmly welcome such a move is, as usual, too little and lacks the truth. A blitz now and again is
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Scout leader could be jailed
A SCOUT leader could be jailed over attempts to deny responsibility for a minor car accident. Rachael Phillips reversed her Daewoo Kalos into a parked car as she was leaving a Scout meeting in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, on September 5, last
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'I shouted I love you as I killed my husband'
THE first time I come into contact with Gina French is indirectly. News of the killing has just broken, and I'm sent to The Charltons, in Guisborough, to find out more. It's an ordinary autumn day when I arrive at the scene of the crime. The street is
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Golfer's double ace
GOLF club chairman Alan Foots has a hole at his local course off to a tee. For he has holed in one twice at the 150-yard 17th at Seaham Harbour Golf Club, in County Durham. A veteran golfer of more than 40 years, it is about a quarter of a century since
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Advice surgery
NORTH Durham MP Kevan Jones is to hold an advice surgery about mineworkers' compensation issues. The surgery is open to ex-mineworkers and their families who need advice or assistance with their claims for compensation for mining-related illnesses. It
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20mph zone established at school to protect youngsters
A BRAKE is to be put on motorists speeding past a Teesside school. Currently, drivers are supposed to drive no more than 30mph on the approach to Clavering Primary School, Hartlepool. But surveys have recorded some traffic travelling at much higher speeds
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Deadline looming for applications
COMMUNITY groups are being reminded that the deadline for grants from The Northern Echo's parent company is looming. Newsquest's Gannet Foundation has hundreds of thousands of pounds to donate to local projects. It will be distributed in the circulation
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Display defeats Davis
FED UP Kelvin Davis was at a loss to explain Sunderland's insipid display at Bolton Wanderers at the weekend. The Black Cats have endured an abject spell of bad fortune since they returned to the top flight but their performances, more often than not,
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Trotters waltz to victory as Cats plunge new depths
THE Reebok Stadium match programme revealed Steve Caldwell was reading Roald Dahl's classic, Matilda, as part of the Premier League Reading Stars - an initiative which aims to encourage families all over the country to read more books. Matilda is a gifted
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Man attacked at bus station
POLICE are urging bus passengers to help them trace a gang who beat up a 21-year-old man on Saturday. The victim, who has not been named, was kicked on the ground by five or six other men who had chased him into Bishop Auckland bus station at about 7.30pm
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Salsa dancing to celebrate International Women's Day
WOMEN in County Durham have celebrated International Women's Day. Durham's Keenan House, home to families of international students from Durham University, hosted a meet the neighbours event organised by its weekly ESOL (English for speakers of other
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Roeder honeymoon well and truly over
IF THERE was a sign Glenn Roeder's honeymoon period in charge of Newcastle United was over then this was it. And quite how Michael Owen, the sidelined £16m striker that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is demanding returns to Anfield this summer, viewed
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Charity gives £100,000 in grants
ONE of the region's oldest charitable bodies has handed out cash to dozens of groups in the North-East. Durham-based Sherburn Hospital, which dates back to the 12th Century, has handed over a total of £261,401 in grants during the past year. The charity
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Injured Cub leader did her jolly best
A CUB leader sang scouting songs to keep her spirits up as she waited for rescue after breaking her leg falling down a ravine. Anne Scott broke her leg in the accident which happened while she was walking with a group of Cub Scouts from Castleside, near
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Police staff quizzed over nude snapshots
TWO civilian police staff face suspension as part of an inquiry into the suspected touting of illicit photographs of a mass naked art shoot. The still pictures were said to have been taken from closed circuit tv footage of American photo artist Spencer
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Ripper hoaxer pleads guilty
Former labourer John Humble, who has admitted being the infamous Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as Wearside Jack, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Leeds Crown Court today. Humble was arrested at his home, in Flodden Road, Sunderland
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Region's pop stars make fleeting visit to North-East in weekend of entertainment
FEMALE pop quintet Girls Aloud provided the eye-catching entertainment at a star-studded North-East charity bash. Saturday's performance at the Rainbow Trust's 20th anniversary ball, at the Newcastle/Gateshead Hilton Hotel, gave Tyneside-born group member
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Bellamy sparkles as ten-man Rovers just too good for Boro
IN January 2005 Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren made a surprise bid to bring Craig Bellamy to Teesside. The irascible striker's relationship with then Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness had reached its nadir and it was clear his future lay away
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Magpies boss keeps his counsel on Boumsong gaffe
GLENN ROEDER last night admitted he will sit down with the calamitous Jean-Alain Boumsong and discuss exactly where things went wrong during Newcastle United's home defeat to Liverpool. Boumsong, hardly a fans' favourite since he made his multi-million
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Region's X Factor idols launch album
HUNDREDS of fans welcomed home the region's X Factor idols today as they journeyed south for the launch of their album. Fans of all ages gathered at Asda, in South bank, near Middlesbrough, to catch a glimpse of Teesside heart throbs Andy and Carl Pemberton
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Wearside Jack trial begins today
A MAN who has admitted being the notorious hoaxer known as Wearside Jack is due to stand trial today. John Humble faces four charges at Leeds Crown Court of intending to pervert the course of justice. Humble was arrested at his home, in Flodden Road,
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Comment from The Northern Echo: School goes back to basics
GOOD luck to headteacher David Triggs who is going back to basics to try to turn things around at a troubled North-East school. Mr Triggs has the unenviable task of getting Middlebrough's Unity City Academy on an even keel - a facility that has received
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Campaigner to close doors on town shop for final time
A BUSINESSWOMAN who led a campaign backed by The Northern Echo to revive Bishop Auckland's town centre is retiring because of her husband's ill health. Margaret and Colin Ellis's electrical goods shop JC Ellis is one of the last family-owned firms in
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Suport for hospice
THE Chester-le-Street Fundraising Group of St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham, will hold a coffee morning and bric-a-brac sale, on Saturday, April 1, from 10am to 1.30pm. Hot meals will be available from 11.30am. The venue is St Mary's and St Cuthbert's Church
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Family complains about police treatment of son
A FAMILY have complained to police that their son was mistakenly targeted during an operation to arrest a suspected gunman. Barman Andrew Simpson said he was frightened to think that he may have been in the sights of police marksmen when he was ordered
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Wardens 'failing to tackle crime'
BRITAIN'S biggest community protection force has received a big thumbs-down from residents of the town it patrols. Seventy per cent of people questioned in a survey said street wardens had failed to make a difference in Middlesbrough. The survey comes
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Boss run down twice by thieves
A BUSINESSMAN was left for dead after being run down twice by thieves raiding his works. Company boss Chris Hields had been trying to stop three thieves driving off with a boot full of alloy steel, snatched from his compound. After he was run over the
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Adventurer raising cash for scheme
Everest conqueror Chris Brown, 59, will have his feet firmly on the ground when he raises money for charity. The farmer, from Baldersby, near Ripon, who has raised £150,000 for people with mental illnesses, is taking centre stage at Melmbery Village Hall
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Pilgrimage to call for return of gospels
CAMPAIGNERS seeking the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the region hold their annual St Cuthbert's Day pilgrimage today. Along the six-and-a-half mile route from Chester-le-Street parish church to Durham Cathedral, members of the Northumbrian Association
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Website guide
AN online guide to Wear Valley for businesses, residents and visitors will be launched at Auckland Castle next week. The Durham Dales Directory replaces a market town portal on the Wear Valley District Council website and goes live from Wednesday, March
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£80,000 for carers' charity
A CHARITY organisation aimed at helping carers is looking to recruit more volunteers after receiving an £80,000 grant. The George Hardwick Foundation helps carers, former carers and patients in the Stockton and Middlesbrough area. The organisation has
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Hundreds join the debate
QUEUES formed outside St James' Park on Saturday, but football was not on offer at the Newcastle United stadium. Hundreds of people from all walks of life took up the offer to help shape the future of pension provision in Britain. As part of what was
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Special schools get cash for sport
CHILDREN with special needs are to benefit from a £232,000 project to improve the quality of schools sport. North Yorkshire County Council's education service has secured funding for the initiative. It will centre on Mowbray School, in Bedale, but will
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Garden inspires art exhibition
AN artist has used the contents of her garden to inspire work for her first exhibition. Amateur painter Wendy Ainley, has her first solo exhibition, Floral Medley, at Kirkleatham Museum, in Redcar. The 58 paintings, which are mostly watercolours, are
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Local stars return to the region
X-FACTOR finalists Journey South have visited the region to promote their debut album. The band performed the forthcoming single from the album, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, live on air at the TFM studios in Thornaby, Stockton. The self-titled
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Derelict building restored for use by the community
A DERELICT city centre building has been given a makeover for use by a range of community groups. Antioch House, in Crossgate, Durham, developed by nearby St Margaret's Church, will be dedicated and formally opened this week. The former Rector of St Margaret's
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Modern residents in the spotlight
IT has been a case of lights, camera, action for a group of tenants. Residents enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame as they were filmed by a crew in Middlesbrough. Social landlord Erimus cast some of its tenants in a film to explain £105m modernisation plans
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Double hit-and-run victim undergoing tests
A WIFE is anxiously awaiting the results of hospital tests on her husband who was twice run down by a getaway car. Have-a-go company director Chris Hields suffered a fractured skull, eye socket and broken bones when crooks he caught stealing stock alloy
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Police staff quizzed over nude snapshots
TWO civilian police staff face suspension as part of an inquiry into the suspected touting of illicit photographs of a mass naked art shoot. The still pictures were said to have been taken from closed circuit tv footage of American photo artist Spencer
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Roeder honeymoon well and truly over
IF THERE was a sign Glenn Roeder's honeymoon period in charge of Newcastle United was over then this was it. And quite how Michael Owen, the sidelined £16m striker that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is demanding returns to Anfield this summer, viewed
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War veterans are honoured for their role - 60 years on
MORE than 60 years after the end of the Second World War, a group of men and women were yesterday honoured for the part they played in the fight against tyranny. Several of them stand as straight as they did on the parade ground, but many are now frail
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Chance to see one of oldest locomotives
ONE of the world's oldest locomotives will arrive at a railway museum next month. The Blue Circle locomotive will be giving rides to passengers at Locomotion: the National Railway Museum, in Shildon, where visitors will get the chance to see it in steam
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Dynamic duo back to shoot Pool out of relegation mire
FOUR goals in as many games and what Hartlepool United have been missing all season has returned. Adam Boyd and Joel Porter, 45 between them last season, are back in tandem and giving defenders the sort of headaches they caused week in, week out last
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University gets cash to attract donations
A NORTH-EAST university has been given £250,000 to help attract more private funding. The Government is giving the University of Sunderland's development office the money over three years. Sunderland, which will match the Government's funding, is the
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Bellamy sparkles as ten-man Rovers just too good for Boro
IN January 2005 Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren made a surprise bid to bring Craig Bellamy to Teesside. The irascible striker's relationship with then Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness had reached its nadir and it was clear his future lay away
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Traffic chaos caused by match crowd
THE biggest crowd of Darlington Football Club's season caused traffic chaos on Saturday, and forced the Quakers to delay kick-off by half-an-hour. Despite Darlington FC's 96.6TFM Darlington Arena stadium being little over a third full for Saturday's visit
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The harshest introduction for Quakers' new chairman
THERE was a chairman called George who once promised Darlington the world. When all new owner George Houghton could offer was a change of fortune, David Hodgson could not help but smile at such a wicked sense of irony. On the eve of Darlington's biggest
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From the editor's chair: When talk doesn't come cheap
IT was BT who profitably declared that it was good to talk, and I'm inclined to agree. The public speaking side of my life as an editor crept up on me almost unnoticed and gradually took over. In my first few months of editing The Northern Echo, seven
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Boss run down twice by thieves
A BUSINESSMAN was left for dead after being run down twice by thieves raiding his works. Company boss Chris Hields had been trying to stop three thieves driving off with a boot full of alloy steel, snatched from his compound. After he was run over the
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'Why I don't mind wearing tights'
MEETING Allan Robinson at his Newcastle home, it's clear that he's no wallflower. The garish stripes of his knitted cardigan announce his presence from afar and in his living room are various props, among them a giant case labelled Clogs the Clown. For
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The harshest introduction for Quakers' new chairman
THERE was a chairman called George who once promised Darlington the world. When all new owner George Houghton could offer was a change of fortune, David Hodgson could not help but smile at such a wicked sense of irony. On the eve of Darlington's biggest
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Residents warned of gas main upgrade
CHANGES are in the pipeline for hundreds of residents as miles of gas main are replaced in a North-East town. Seventeen streets in Middlesbrough will be affected and supplies to homes disrupted as an ageing, old iron main is replaced with modern, durable
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Savage goes on the attack
AFTER receiving his marching orders for the first time in his domestic career, Robbie Savage reacted by pointing the finger at the Middlesbrough players and George Boateng in particular. The Rovers midfielder, somewhat surprisingly, had escaped the ultimate
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Trotters waltz to victory as Cats plunge new depths
THE Reebok Stadium match programme revealed Steve Caldwell was reading Roald Dahl's classic, Matilda, as part of the Premier League Reading Stars - an initiative which aims to encourage families all over the country to read more books. Matilda is a gifted
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Autism register marks its success
AN initiative that has seen the UK's first register of children with autism celebrates three years of progress today. A one-day conference is being held in Newcastle to mark the achievements of the project, known as Database of Children with Autism Spectrum
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Woodward was right
AFTER having watched England end another sub-standard Six Nations campaign with their third straight defeat on Saturday night, an irate Twickenham crowd were moved to claim that nobody had emerged from this season's championship with any credit. An understandable
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'I shouted I love you as I killed my husband'
THE first time I come into contact with Gina French is indirectly. News of the killing has just broken, and I'm sent to The Charltons, in Guisborough, to find out more. It's an ordinary autumn day when I arrive at the scene of the crime. The street is
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Schools in hospice campaign
SCHOOLCHILDREN across Darlington will take part in a week-long awareness campaign for a hospice. St Teresa's Hospice is holding its first Raising and Giving (Rag) Week to raise money for its care services. The event, similar to a university students'
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'Amazing lady' is 104 years young
A DARLINGTON woman celebrated her 104th birthday on Saturday. Dorothy Hoyland was born in Penistone, South Yorkshire, in 1902, and came to the area in the wake of the Second World War, moving to Barton in 1946 to work as a housekeeper for Martin and Mary
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'Why I don't mind wearing tights'
MEETING Allan Robinson at his Newcastle home, it's clear that he's no wallflower. The garish stripes of his knitted cardigan announce his presence from afar and in his living room are various props, among them a giant case labelled Clogs the Clown. For
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Couples celebrate landmark occasions
TWO couples from the region have been celebrating reaching landmark anniversaries. Celebrating their golden wedding are Jim and Heather McKay, of Newton Aycliffe. Mr McKay was a young postman in Darlington when he fell for the guest artist singing in
