Archive
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What not to say to The Queen
LAST week's visit to 10 Downing Street was a great privilege and I'm happy to report that the Prime Minister never once asked for a loan. The thorny subject didn't come up in conversation. The reception for regional newspaper editors, hosted by Tony
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My morning in Muddle Earth
SOME bright spark at school had the inspired idea of telling the kids they could come dressed as literary characters to celebrate World Book Day. My wife happened to mention it as she was going out of the door on her way to work, leaving me to get
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A hunk, a hunk of burning love
IT was meant to be a weekend away from it all - a chance to spend some quality time together and re-ignite the old flame of romance. OK, so we had four noisy children with us in a holiday village in the middle of a forest. But my wife had thoughtfully
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Ian Nicholson
IAN NICHOLSON has been appointed by registered charity Norcare to lead its social enterprise operation. The 63-year-old, from Newcastle, is developing a social enterprise business for Norcare. Norcare provides supported housing bed spaces and floating
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Microsoft is coming down hard on pirates
LAW firm Eversheds is advising businesses to check their software after technology firm Microsoft identified Middlesbrough as a software piracy hotspot. Eversheds intellectual property expert Rupert Bent said that as counterfeiters became more sophisticated
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Talented learners vie for honours
THE finest examples of determination, dedication and sheer hard work among learners in the Tees Valley will be honoured in this year's FE+ Awards. Debilitating health difficulties, enormous personal challenges, talent and enthusiasm for their subjects
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Improved choice could lead to better outcomes for learners
John Adams, director of research at left-leaning think-tank IPPR North, looks at the impact of yesterday's Government White Paper on skills. Yesterday saw the publication of the Government's latest White Paper on skills policy, this time focusing on the
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MP backs church organ-makers campaign following EU directive
AN MP is backing a campaign by church organ-makers to avoid falling within EU laws designed to cut the amount of hazardous metals in electronic equipment that ends up in landfill. Family firm Harrison and Harrison, which employs 50 people at Meadowfield
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Pacifism is not the moral high ground
IT IS ironical that the peace campaigners should have had their lives saved by the military methods they so loftily disapprove. But "peace campaigner" is one of those odd new phrases which actually means something like its opposite. It's like "industrial
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Low tide leaves yacht grounded
A YACHT in trouble off the North Yorkshire coast was towed to safety by volunteers from the RNLI. The Staithes lifeboat was launched at 9.45pm on Monday after the yacht ran aground outside the harbour entrance. The lifeboat crew were returning home after
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Easter bunny on a bike
CHILDREN and pensioners across Darlington will receive an Easter surprise from a motorcycling club. The Coyote Motorcycle Club forms for only one day every year when its members deliver Easter eggs across the town. Last year, 394 eggs were delivered to
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What is the best way to stop secrets from leaking out?
Q I am aware that when completing large sensitive business deals, it is imperative that confidentiality and secrecy is maintained, but how can this be done? A It can be very difficult to stop information leaking to third parties, such as the media. All
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Pool will nurse strikers, despite struggles
HARTLEPOOL United's precarious position in the League One relegation spots doesn't mean their returning strikers will be flogged. Adam Boyd and Joel Porter haven't played much football in a season ravaged by knee problems. Despite their return to action
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Third break-in at town hospice
A hospice boss has spoken of his dismay after a third break-in at one of the charity's buildings in the space of a few weeks. Butterwick Hospice, in Bishop Auckland, was broken into on Sunday evening. The intruder damaged roof tiles as they broke into
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Three-year banning order for football fan
A FOOTBALL fan has been given a three-year banning order after shouting abuse at opposition fans following a derby match. Darlington FC fan Paul Stephen Lupton, 21, was seen waving a bottle at Carlisle United fans at a pub near to the Quakers 96.6 TFM
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Family fun helps youngsters prepare for going to big school
CHILDREN from east Durham took part in a family fun day to help them get used to the next step in their education. Twenty-five families took part in the taster day at Wellfield Community School in Wingate, County Durham. The Day of Discovery was organised
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Takeover talk lifts AB Ports
SHARES in the UK's biggest ports operator surged yesterday amid speculation that it may be about to receive a £2.3bn takeover offer. Investors jumped aboard Associated British Ports after financial newspaper City AM said a consortium backed by Goldman
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Penny aims for the top
BIG-HEARTED staff nurse Penny Lamont has set herself a gruelling target -tackling one of the world's great mountains. She has worked in the children's ward at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, for more than 20 years and is raising money for the
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Sweethearts mark golden day
TEENAGE sweethearts Anne and Frank Gristwood have celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss. The couple from Heather Lane, Crook, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with close family, including their son Stephen, 43, daughter Angela, 46, and twin grandchildren
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Hat-trick hiring for partnership group
SARAH LILLEYMAN, YVONNE HESELWOOD and ALYSON WAGSTAFF have new roles at The Partners Group, in York. They will be working with clients including Macdonald Hotels, Business Link York and North Yorkshire, and York Cares, at the communications company. Hull
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Garcia seeks Masters amends
For Sergio Garcia, next week's Masters becomes even more important after what happened at the Players Championship. Brilliantly though Stephen Ames played to take the Sawgrass title by six shots from Retief Goosen, his task became a lot easier when Garcia
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Advisor opens new office in London
A FINANCIAL advisor in the North-East is opening a second office in London and expects turnover to increase. Alok Dhanda, who runs Dhanda Financial, in Grey Street, Newcastle, is investing £50,000 in an office in Westminster. Mr Dhanda said the decision
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Faster treatment for minor ailments under plan
PEOPLE in the Yorkshuire Dales suffering from minor illnesses will soon be able to get advice and treatment more quickly. A scheme is being launched at pharmacies in Leyburn and Hawes on Saturday to improve choice and access to health services in Wensleydale
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Boys are super heroes
A GROUP of boys has been transformed into comic book super heroes in a bid to learn more about local heritage. Eight youngsters, aged between ten and 12, have spent every Monday teatime for the past six weeks at Redcar's Central Library. Working with
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Archbishop takes tour of deanery
THE Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu, will visit the Deanery of Stokesley tomorrow. The visit is the eighth of 24 visits to the deaneries that make up the Diocese of York, which extends from the Yorkshire coast to the A1 and from
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School modernisation plans are welcomed
PLANS to build a secondary school in Peterlee as part of an ambitious modernisation programme have been welcomed. The school would be built on the site of Shotton Hall Comprehensive as part of Durham County Council's £90m Building Schools for the Future
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Funding threat to energy scheme
A SCHEME that supports the use of renewable energy in the region faces possible closure due to a lack of Government funding. Renewable Energy at Local Level (Reall) was launched by the Countryside Agency in 2002 to promote the use of environmentally-friendly
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Minister's praise for project funding
THE role of business in funding wildlife projects in the region has been praised by a Government minister. A total of £1.5m has been made available for projects in the region in the Enriching Nature programmes, run by the Sita Trust, using money paid
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Store to close with job losses
MORE than 60 supermarket jobs are under threat after it was announced that a long- established store would close. Staff at the Somerfield store in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, were told at a meeting on Friday morning that the branch would close as
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Changes will help farmers' wildlife-friendly efforts
A HELPLINE has been set up to provide information about changes to schemes that support sustainable rural projects. Some projects delivered by Defra's Rural Development Service will be transferred to regional development agency One NorthEast on September
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New fish oil trial reveals 'stunning' results
NEW North-East trials to see whether taking fish oil can improve children's behaviour and learning have produced stunning results, experts say. The trials involved giving a blend of natural fish oils to pre-school children and adolescents in County Durham
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Former BP boss takes helm at Biofuels
A FORMER vice-president of BP has been appointed as chairman of Biofuels Corporation, on Teesside. Mike Buzzacott, who spent 35 years at British Petroleum, was voted in as chairman at a board meeting yesterday, replacing Field Walton, who announced his
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Energy prices threaten jobs and companies
BUSINESSES struggling with energy costs face another winter of discontent this year as high costs and supply shortages threaten to continue. Alan Hall, regional director of manufacturers' organisation the Engineering Employers Federation, said he feared
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Pond islands that will make ideal homes
A chemicalS company is taking steps to help wild birds on one of its sites. Huntsman Petrochemicals has been carrying out improvements to ponds on its brinefields near Seal Sands, Teesside, during the past year. The work, creating and improving islands
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David Wilson
FUND management company NEL has appointed business investor DAVID WILSON as investment director. Mr Wilson, who has been with NEL for more than seven years, will now play a more central role, as well as working to raise funds for North-East businesses
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Mass walkout will be biggest since General Strike of 1926
How will you be affected by today's walkout of up to 1.5 million council workers - the biggest single industrial action since 1926's General Strike? NATIONWIDE industrial action has become something of a rarity these days. The trades union movement has
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Much-loved teacher dies, aged just 31
A POPULAR and "lovely" teacher at a top North-East school has died from a brain tumour. Einhard Robertson, 31, who lived in Darlington, was head of science at Durham Johnston School. He died on Saturday, March 18, two months after he was diagnosed with
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Golden evening ahead for firms
COMPANIES from across the Tees Valley will gather at an event on Friday to celebrate receiving Investors in People awards. The event, being organised by the Gold Club, a group of volunteers who support Investors in People companies in the region, will
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Metek's outstanding achievement recognised at excellence awards
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Metek Building Systems was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Constructing Excellence in the North-East Awards. Metek, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is a division of the MMP Group, and uses a method of construction
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Chemicals firm 'on course'
CHEMICALS company Elementis said it was satisfied with first-quarter trading and was on course to reduce capacity in its chromium division by Friday. The company, which has been carrying out a strategic review of its operations in an effort to increase
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Benkenstein's success could delay his arrival at Durham
NEW Durham skipper Dale Benkenstein is not expected to arrive at Chester-le-Street until a few days before the first match following a successful season in South Africa. He finished third in the national batting averages in helping Dolphins to the final
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Beano publisher gobbles up newspapers
THE publisher of the Beano yesterday agreed a deal to buy some of the Daily Mail group's regional newspapers. Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) restructured its regional newspapers after agreeing to sell titles in Aberdeen for £132m. The Aberdeen Journals
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Long-established store to close with loss of jobs
MORE than 60 supermarket jobs are under threat after it was announced that a long- established store would close. Staff at the Somerfield store in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, were told at a meeting on Friday morning that the branch would close as
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Crisis for upland farmers as payout is delayed
UPLAND farmers across the region could be facing ruin because of the long delay in handing out the new Single Farm Payment. Many have had no payout under the support schemes since October 2004 and hopes of payment by the end of this March have long faded
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'Harry was not a coward, he was a very brave soldier'
NORTH-EAST campaigners fighting for the posthumous pardon of soldiers shot for cowardice were last night celebrating a High Court climbdown by the Government. A hearing in London was told yesterday that the Defence Secretary John Reid is to reconsider
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Police officer's assault conviction is quashed
A POLICE officer who faced losing his job after being found guilty of assaulting a partygoer during an arrest has had his conviction quashed. PC Andrew Davison, who was suspended shortly after the incident, could now return to work. The 32-year-old was
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Hobbs happy with Supersport
AFTER a year of frustration, Guisborough racer Dennis Hobbs is back in love with his bike. The 23-year-old has swapped the British Superbike Championship for its Supersport equivalent and couldn't be happier. Although a collision put paid to his hopes
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Paul Fairlamb
Property consultancy Stanton Mortimer has appointed PAUL FAIRLAMB as a surveyor in its central Newcastle office. He has 15 years experience in the property sector, including six years as a valuation surveyor with North Tyneside Council and eight years
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Comment from the Northern Echo: Take note Mr Blair
ASHOK Kumar has been the epitome of a Blair loyalist - a Labour MP who recognises what Tony Blair has done for the party and the country. That loyalty secured Mr Kumar's support for the war in Iraq, despite his own personal crisis of conscience about
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Ball angered by Lineker and Co.
KEVIN Ball has angrily attacked the BBC's Match of the Day programme, labelling its presenters as disrespectful to Sunderland. The caretaker boss was incensed by comments made following the 2-0 defeat at Bolton ten days ago. After the highlights of the
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Grants available for export exhibition events
SMALL and medium-sized businesses in the region hoping to become exporters could benefit from a £10m programme. UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and trade organisations have launched a scheme to enable companies to gain new export opportunities by attending
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Strike may bring region to a standstill, union leaders warn
THE biggest strike in 80 years could bring the region to a halt, union leaders warned last night. Across the North-East 75,000 workers are expected to strike today, closing schools, libraries and sports centres, and halting burials. The worst-affected
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Garden centre planning to grow
A GARDEN centre is to nearly double the size of its cafe facilities. Family-run Cherry Hill Garden Centre, near Hemlington and Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, will open a large patio. Since opening in 2004, the cafe has more than doubled its staff to cope
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Police condemned over death of black suspect
The officers present when a black former paratrooper choked to death in a police station last night denied any neglect or racism, despite a damning report into their "disgraceful" conduct. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said their
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Sport and health on menu
HUNDREDS of youngsters across Teesside will take part in a sporting activity day this week. More than 400 primary school children are expected to take part in the event at Eston Sports Academy, in Middlesbrough, on Thursday. The event has been organised
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'Girl was raped while left in house'
A TEENAGE girl was raped while her mother was at work, a court was told. It is alleged that Simon Dixon, 28, led the girl into her mother's bedroom, ordered her to undress and then assaulted her. After carrying out the assault, he led her back into her
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Behind bars a children learn the cost of a life of crime
SCHOOLCHILDREN have been given a warning of what life could have in store for them if they break the law. Pupils at Middlesbrough's Acklam Grange Secondary School were treated as prisoners yesterday - even down to sitting in life-sized prison cells to
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Measures are proposed to help safety on roads in area
LOWER speed limits and better cycling facilities will be introduced to improve traffic in Catterick. Officials at North Yorkshire County Council have come up with several measures as part of the new Catterick Garrison traffic strategy. It has been drawn
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£1m available as college teams up with school
MORE than £1m is to be made available as a college teams up with a school to train workers of the future. Northallerton College and the Allertonshire School have been awarded specialist technical status for the third time and secured a second accolade
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Green flag national award for children
GREEN-THINKING youngsters have received national recognition for helping the environment. St Peter's Church of England Primary School , in Brotton, east Cleveland, has been awarded an Eco Schools Green Flag. It is the first in Redcar and Cleveland to
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Burton's Bytes
ATV OFF ROAD FURY 3 Publisher: South Peak Price: £29.99 Family friendly? 3+ JUST ABOUT the only racing genre that hasn't reached saturation point on the PS2, off road racing with all-terrain vehicles is a big deal in America but has yet to enthuse British
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Time to get over the Wall
In the last of a three-part series on emerging economies, John Dean looks at the opportunities present by Eastern Europe. OF all the emerging economies, Eastern Europe is perhaps the one that appeals most to North-East companies. The main reason is distance
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Think you can just evict a problem tenant?
WHEN leasing commercial premises from a landlord, tenants have rights under Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. They are protected in three ways: * They are allowed to remain in the premises even after expiry of the original term until they wish
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Sharon Griffiths meets... Tour guide Jan Williams
'PASSIONATE people, passionate places,' says the current television advertisement for the North-East. And they don't get much more passionate about the region than Jan Williams. Luckily she's in the perfect job. "The best job in the world, no doubt about
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Heavy going points to victory for Emmasflora
EMMASFLORA (3.00) will be in her element on the rain-softened surface at Sedgefield this afternoon. Following a wet winter there has been no relent from the weather to usher in spring, but that won't worry connections of Emmasflora, who loves nothing
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Yorkshire launch a £6m appeal
An appeal aimed at raising at least £6m over two years was launched by Yorkshire County Cricket Club at their annual general meeting at Headingley, when it was revealed that an anonymous £1m donation had already been received. Known as the Yorkshire Pride
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Legal eagles soar to new heights
DEALS worth a record £95m have been completed by the corporate department of commercial lawyers Denison Till in the past year, which is £5m more than in 2004. Most of the deals were from handling share acquisitions, disposals and management buyouts and
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28/03/06
RAIL FACTS: THE article: Wealthier travellers can afford fare rise (Echo, Mar 23) was wrong. Just as previous suggestions that the review would cut services proved to be wrong, fare rises are not being planned as a result of the review into the Northern
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Owen sets four-week target in bid to repay United
MICHAEL Owen is backing himself to be playing for Newcastle United before the end of the season, but believes the Wear-Tyne derby on April 17 will be a week too early for his return. The £16m striker is desperate to prove his fitness ahead of this summer's
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Overberg turbine could close uk's generation gap
MARINE solutions company Overberg has developed a revolutionary turbine using water to generate energy. The company, in North Shields, North Tyneside, has named the device the Evopod Tidal Stream Turbine, which uses tidal currents to generate electricity
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Egizia Crabbe
THE North East Employer Coalition (NEEC), part of a network of local employer groups committed to increasing job opportunities for disadvantaged people, has appointed a new recruit to work in the Tees Valley. EGIZIA CRABBE has joined the team as director
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Robin Davison
THE Tees Valley Engineering Partnership has appointed ROBIN DAVISON as chairman of its marketing group. The 58-year-old has more than 40 years experience in the petrochemical, nuclear and oil and gas industries and has held specialist roles with a number
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Helping clients to get better returns
PROPERTY group storeys:ssp has appointed PAUL SCRAFTON as director at the company's Newcastle office. He joins from the corporate real estate consulting team at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked for nine years. At storeys:ssp, Mr Scrafton will lead
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TFCM looking forward to a blockbusting 2006
FILM company Twenty First Century Media (TFCM) is moving to bigger offices and is on target to double its turnover this year. The film production company has won contracts worth £150,000 in the first two months of the year and is hiring six people in
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£15m jet crashed after pin broke off
A £15M fighter jet crashed into the North Sea when a tiny metal pin became dislodged. The Tornado spun out of control after a mechanical accident, an investigation has discovered. The pilot and navigator ejected before impact when the Tornado GR4 stopped
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Moore out to impress next boss
NEWCASTLE United's Craig Moore has admitted time is running out for the club's under-fire defence to impress the manager-in-waiting. The back four again came under the spotlight following Sunday's 3-1 capitulation at Charlton, with caretaker manager Glenn
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Authority chief warning to minister over police merger
A POLICE authority chairman has fired a warning shot over the bows of Home Secretary Charles Clarke - urging the Government minister to withdraw his proposal to merge the Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria police forces. Mr Clarke is told in a "Letter
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Talented learners vie for honours
THE finest examples of determination, dedication and sheer hard work among learners in the Tees Valley will be honoured in this year's FE+ Awards. Debilitating health difficulties, enormous personal challenges, talent and enthusiasm for their subjects
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Groundwork Trust plan
AN organisation dedicated to improving the environment could be set up in Darlington, if council chiefs give the go-ahead. Plans have been unveiled for a Groundwork Trust to be established in the town, and they could be approved next month. The Groundwork
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£3.25m health centre 'will improve standards of care'
A £3.25M health centre has opened to the public - the latest facility to be unveiled in a £6m project to improve healthcare in Darlington. The Park Place Health Centre replaces an outdated centre next door, which has been demolished to form a car park
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Teddy that could hold key to finding Jenny
DETECTIVES hunting murdered teenager Jenny Nicholl said last night they had made a significant breakthrough after her teddy bear and CD player were found hidden in woods. The items were found by police search teams at Sandbeck Plantation, near Richmond
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Art project puts a spring in their step on the way to school
Schoolchildren are being encouraged to create a healthy lifestyle. Pupils at Heathfield Primary School, Darlington, have each designed mosaic tiles on the theme of travel to school and playground games. The work was supervised by artist Kirstie Briggs-Bateman
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Boro footballer kicks off event
BORO player Colin Cooper will open a community celebration event on Friday. The Joint Trimdon Regeneration Partnership and Trimdon 2000 have organised an open day at Trimdon Grange Community Centre, on Salter's Lane, from 4pm to 7pm. There will be a pictorial
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NHS chief hails success of largest hospital trust
BOSSES at the region's largest hospital trust have issued an up-beat statement despite recent gloom in the NHS. Len Fenwick, chief executive of the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, said the trust, one of the largest in the UK, is forecasting "the most successful
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Pupils raise money so African children can learn too
CHILDREN have raised enough money to build an entire classroom in an African school and pay a teacher for six months. Pupils and teachers at Bow School, in Durham City, raised £2,190.16 for the Oxfam Unwrapped appeal. The children, aged seven to 13, staged
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Fingerprints led to jail over stolen vehicles
A man was yesterday jailed for handling stolen vehicles on three separate occasions. Anthony Andrew McCauley, 27, was at the wheel in one case and was twice a passenger in stolen vehicles, between July and October last year. Durham Crown Court heard one
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Pupils help to create £4,000 seat
SCHOOLCHILDREN have helped create a seat for weary walkers. Pupils at Our Lady and St Thomas RC Primary, in Willington, and sculptor Phil Townsend, from Eggleston, designed and made a £4,000 seat at Willington Hill on grassland reclaimed from the Brancepeth
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Apprentices fly the flag for region
APPRENTICES are flying the flag for the region after embarking on an environmental project in Germany. A team of 12 from South-West Durham Training (SWDT), in Newton Aycliffe, are visiting the Siemens training facility, in Germany. During their three-week
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Children see their designs come to life
PUPILS saw designs come to life at a free computer workshop. The one-day programme at Bishop Auckland College's Digital Factory, in Newton Aycliffe, introduced students to the principles of design for manufacture, giving them hands-on experience of advanced
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Change of direction for Tracy
A MOTHER-OF-TWO has waved goodbye to a decade of working in social care to embark on a career in the plumbing world. Tracy Ward is well on her way to becoming a fully-qualified plumber for east Cleveland's housing organisation, Coast and Country Housing
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Russian leaders arriving
CIVIC leaders from Russia are to arrive today for a fact-finding tour of County Durham. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Kostroma, Dr Irina Pereverzeva and Elena Nevskaya, will make their first visit to the county, which is twinned with Kostroma. The delegation
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Fungi walk
FUNGI expert Tom Kirby will lead a spring walk around Wynyard Woodland Park on Sunday. He will explain the different varieties of mushrooms. The event, from 10am until noon, is free. To take part, meet outside the Station House visitor centre. Call (01740
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Eating Owt: Taking the bait
THE last time we were in the Wensleydale Heifer, the lady of the house recalled, the elder bairn had phoned to say he'd passed - surpassed - his driving test. Three hours later, he phoned to report that he'd not only damn near wiped out himself and his
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Youth workers ready whatever the weather
A team of youth workers has been appointed to engage with young people in Darlington. The 13 people have been employed thanks to an extra £340,000-a-year investment in the borough council's youth service, following a critical report from education watchdog
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Nora to step down after 35 years
ONE of North Yorkshire's longest serving post mistresses is retiring after 35 years. Nora Dobson runs Low Mill post office in Farndale, in the North York Moors National Park, from her 18th Century cottage. She recalls how the mail for Farndale used to
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Works carried out at town centre junctions
CHANGES are to be made to the sequences of two sets of traffic lights in Hartlepool to increase traffic flow. The works, which will be carried out over the next two Wednesdays, involve the Stockton Street/Victoria Road and Park Road/Waldon Street junctions
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No time for gardening? Call nicenstripy
A FORMER forklift truck driver has set up his own gardening business. Craig McLaren, from Stockton, has started a franchise of nicenstripy, a domestic lawn cutting and garden maintenance company. The 41-year-old said: "I was keen to work within my own
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Roll up for the great holiday pay wrangle
On March 16, the European Court published its judgment in the latest "rolling up" case. The practice of rolling up holiday pay - in which the employer pays an enhancement to the employee's hourly rate of pay and then makes no payment during holiday absences
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Engineer sets its sights on India
AN engineering company that was last year acquired by global group Siemens has secured a number of contracts and is planning to expand into new markets. VAI, in Stockton, became part of Siemens' Industrial Services and Solutions (I&S) division when
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Why justice may be the victim of moving claims
PERSONAL injury lawyers in the region are warning that plans to send higher value compensation cases to small claims courts could discourage people from seeking justice. At present, small claims courts deal with personal injury claims if the compensation
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'Count to 20' advises Ehiogu
UGO Ehiogu fears Emanuel Pogatetz's tendency to snap could contribute to a European exit for Middlesbrough and has urged the Austrian defender to curb his hot-temper. And Boro's experienced former England centre-back has joked that Pogatetz should count
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Benkenstein's success could delay his arrival at Durham
NEW Durham skipper Dale Benkenstein is not expected to arrive at Chester-le-Street until a few days before the first match following a successful season in South Africa. He finished third in the national batting averages in helping Dolphins to the final
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Lester Wilson
LAW firm Watson Burton has announced the appointment of corporate lawyer LESTER WILSON as a partner. He joins from Hammonds, in Leeds, where he was a corporate finance partner. Mr Wilson specialises in mergers and acquisitions, stock market listings,
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Will Brown be a prime mover to aid regions?
Some commentators have predicted that last week's budget will be Gordon Brown's last as Chancellor and within the next twelve months he will take over from Blair as Prime Minister. Personally, I'm not so sure it will be his last. What we do know, however
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Teddy that could hold clue to finding Jenny
DETECTIVES hunting murdered teenager Jenny Nicholl said last night they had made a significant breakthrough after her teddy bear and CD player were found hidden in woods. Both items were unearthed by police search teams at Sandbeck Plantation, to the
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Claims to fame as Quakers namesakes are reunited
Harry Clarke, probably the most prolific goals to games scorer in Darlington FC's history, celebrated his 85th birthday yesterday with a first visit to the echoing new stadium. His other claims to fame include a distinguished career with Durham County
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On TV
The 46 Year Pregnancy: Extraordinary People (five) A For Andromeda (BBC4) When 26-year-old Zahra Aboutalib was rushed to hospital with excruciating labour pains, doctors ordered a Caesarean. But the Moroccan woman refused the operation and returned to
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Toyota technology could drive ordinary engines to extinction
APART from one or two refinements, the engine that powers your car is not vastly different from the design patented by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach back in 1885. Perhaps that is because, until recently, there seemed little reason to change. Petrol
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Motorist gets that sinking feeling in attempt to cross river
A MOTORIST found himself in deep trouble after attempting to cross a fast-flowing river in his 4x4. The emergency services were called out to rescue the unnamed man from the treacherous waters. Locals said it was "unbelievable" that he had tried to drive
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Heavy going points to victory for Emmasflora
EMMASFLORA (3.00) will be in her element on the rain-softened surface at Sedgefield this afternoon. Following a wet winter there has been no relent from the weather to usher in spring, but that won't worry connections of Emmasflora, who loves nothing
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Louise gives office work the boot
AFTER working as a solicitor, Louise White decided to leave the office life behind and follow in her mother's footsteps by opening a shop. The 27-year-old has opened Cobblestone, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, selling women's shoes, handbags and jewellery
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Just look at what your're missing
ATV OFF ROAD FURY 3, Publisher: South Peak, Price: £29.99, Family friendly? 3+: JUST ABOUT the only racing genre that hasn't reached saturation point on the PS2, off road racing with all-terrain vehicles is a big deal in America but has yet to enthuse
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Link beats its target with room to spare
BUSINESS support group Business Link Tees Valley has announced that it has exceeded its annual targets. The organisation had already helped 8,700 business by last month. Its target for the financial year was set at 7,437. As part of a consortium that
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Youngsters get a taste of African culture
PUPILS got a taste of African culture yesterday with a day-long dance workshop. A professional dancer was at St Nicholas Primary School, in West Tanfield, near Ripon, to teach the youngsters how to move to a beat. Pupils wrote music in the afternoon before
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New health centre may bring bus services back on roads
A BUS service which was withdrawn 12 months ago could be up and running again by July. Hartlepool Borough Council has announced it will fund the re-introduction of the number five service. It was withdrawn in March last year on the grounds that it was
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Ehiogu pleads with Mad Dog to stay calm
UGO Ehiogu fears Emanuel Pogatetz's tendency to snap could contribute to a European exit for Middlesbrough and has urged the Austrian defender to curb his hot-temper. Boro's experienced former England centre-back has joked that Pogatetz should count to
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Conservation areas in town get approval
THE creation of two conservation areas in Middlesbrough has been approved by council bosses. Proposals to protect the old town's heritage have resulted in stringent planning controls that should guarantee Marton Village and The Grove retain their heritage
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Nine cars damaged in street
NINE cars parked in a back street were damaged when paint-stripper was thrown over them. Residents of Front Street, Perkinsville, near Chester-le-Street, discovered the damage, the cost of which is not yet known, when they got up for work yesterday morning
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Footie legends host charity night
FOOTBALL legends Malcolm "Supermac" McDonald and Eric Gates will host a charity evening in Stanley to raise money for cancer patients. The Football Talk-In will be held at Stanley Central Club, and will give fans the chance to discuss the beautiful game
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Police on alert after youth disorder blamed on alcohol
POLICE in Stanley are to visit all off-licences in the area as part of a clampdown on drunken teenagers. Officers say a recent increase in reports of youth disorder in the town is linked to the sale of alcohol to under-age drinkers. The trouble-makers
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Couple swap technology for tills and livestock
A HUSBAND-and-wife team are opening their second food shop at Easter and hope to expand the brand across the region. Simon and Jackie Edwards opened The Little Shop, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, two-and-a-half years ago, selling a range of local
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Webster in doubt for Brazil clash
ADRIAN WEBSTER'S dream date with Brazil on June 4 has been thrown into doubt after the Darlington midfielder was ruled out for the rest of the season. The 25-year-old has been told he will require arthroscopic surgery to remove floating bone in his foot
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Bid for town green may be backed
PLANS to register an area of Richmond as a town green are likely to be approved. Margaret Gruffydd, who lives in the town, has applied to North Yorkshire County Council to register The Green. The land is next to Richmond Bridge and is overlooked by the
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ISDN, CLI, CMS, DDI . . . is it all really necessary?
When I first entered the world of telecoms more than 20 years ago all telephone systems were virtually the same. They allowed you to make, receive and transfer calls. If the system was large enough, this was governed by a receptionist who was - more often
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Monkey business with a message
ENTREPRENEURS of the future were given a lesson on how a 7ft monkey mascot can convey a business message. Pupils taking part in the Future Business Magnates competition learned about marketing and PR and how to compete in the marketplace. Students from
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All that many of us will inherit is a headache
At this time of year, tax planning often takes precedence over outright investment ideas. With the April 5 deadline approaching rapidly, scope for manoeuvre around the existing tax allowances is running out. These matters are increasingly important after
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New Labour - new leader?
In an exclusive article for The Northern Echo, Tees Valley MP and Blair loyalist Ashok Kumar says thank you to the Prime Minister for all he has done for party, consituency and country - but that he should stand aside for Gordon Brown sooner rather than
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Budget capped as tax rises are set
HOUSEHOLDERS in the North-East will pay an average of 4.2 per cent more council tax, making the average bill £928. The rise, an average across all property bands, is based on rates set by all the region's councils and is the lowest in the country. Band
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National walkout brings chaos to region
INDUSTRIAL action by workers on the public sector brought the north east to a standstill today. An estimated 150,000 council workers and public transport operators joined the national walkout. The strike is a protest by public sector workers against plans
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Newspaper managing director to retire
THE managing director of Newsquest North East has announced his retirement. David Kelly, 60, has been managing director of the company, which is based in Darlington and publishes The Northern Echo, Darlington & Stockton Times and the Advertiser Series
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Legal team hit by delay over killer's appeal
THE legal team representing childkiller Suzanne Holdsworth has yet to make a decision over whether to formally appeal against her conviction. Solicitors for Holdsworth, from Hartlepool, hope to prove she was not responsible for the fatal head injury that
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Chance to improve writing skills as part of competition
A library in the region will be the venue for one of the workshops staged as part of the short story competition run through The Northern Echo. Pickering Library at Pickering Community Resource Centre, in North Yorkshire, will host a free two-hour writing
