Archive
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Woman remanded for own safety
A WOMAN accused of burgling a neighbours house while he attended the funeral of his wife has been remanded in custody for her own safety. Clare Frances Davies pleaded not guilty to the break-in when she appeared before a district judge at Teesside
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Man jailed for rape that went unsolved for decade
A RAPIST was today jailed for five years for a brutal attack in a North-East park almost ten years ago. Thomas Noble was finally arrested last October after a "cold case review" of the late-night assault. Scientists discovered a match between evidence
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Lunchtime Business Bulletin
Jobs saved as two North-East stores are bought out of administration MORE than 300 jobs in the region have been saved after Vergo Retail Limited bought two troubled department stores from parent company Owen Owen. Vergo, a new company set up by managing
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People’s piper
She says she wants to ignore being 40, but Kathryn Tickell agrees to discuss one of her most important concerts to date with Viv Hardwick and explains why moving house and releasing a new album aren't the best combination for a top Northumbrian piper
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Magicians (15)
MANY have tried and failed. TV comedy double acts have a hard time transferring from small to big screen. If Morecambe and Wise couldn't succeed, what makes Peep Show stars Mitchell and Webb think they can?. They even play a double act, not doing
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Zodiac (15)
YES, that's right the new film from David Fincher, the director of Seven, Fight Club and Panic Room, lasts getting on for three hours - a length normally reserved for historical epics or foreign art movies. The running time is too long although
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EastEnders’ positive side
STEVE PRATT talks to actors Alison Pargeter and Liam McKenna about headline roles in The Northern Exposure Season at West Yorkshire Playhouse. LISON Pargeter decided that if she wasn't in drama school by the time she was 16, "my life would be over
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Great for Kate
sBillingham performing arts student Kate Smiddy beat 600 other hopefuls to a singing tour contract and took the gamble of quitting her studies. On the eve of the show's arrival in her home town, she talks to Viv Hardwick. KATE Smiddy isn't that typical
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Fantastic and free
More acts than ever are playing at Teessidefs massive Middlesbrough Music Live event next month. VIV HARDWICK reports. THE free on-day music festival, Middlesbrough Music Live, Sunday, June 3, will feature bands and artists such as The Twang, Tony
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May 17, 2007
WHAT'S ON: The Sage, Gateshead, has Mingus Big Band on Tuesday 0191-443-4661. CD REVIEWS Michael Garrick New Quartet/Inspirations (Jazz Academy JAZA14) Surprisingly it's four years since the first recording by this new' quartet with Martin
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May 17, 2007
WHAT'S ON: The Durham Sinfonia, conducted by Philippe Bach, will appear at Durham Cathedral at 7.30pm on Saturday. The programme includes George Butterworth's A Shropshire Lad, Sibelius' violin concerto with soloist Geoffrey Silver. Tickets: 0191
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May 17, 2007
THANKS to everyone who entered last week's competition, which asked which pair of popular West Country folk stars have helped me out on my new CD. The answer was Show of Hands, who recently sold out London's Royal Albert Hall for the
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May 17, 2007
AFTER a successful 2006, The Sage Gateshead hosts three of the most talented female country artists in one show. As singer/songwriters go you cannot get much better than Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters and Suzy Bogguss. Peters last played here on
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Puzzle power
Jake Gyllenhaal follows landmark movies Brokeback Mountain and Jarhead with the based-on-truth film Zodiac, looking at a 1968 serial killer. Steve Pratt reports HE'S been seen riding the range in the gay western Brokeback Mountain and joining the
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All fired up
A WEEK doesn't go by without someone saying how much they miss Charlie the builder with the big tool box from Coronation Street (ITV1). The cobbles haven't been the same since he popped his clogs after being bashed over the head by Terrible
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All Stars shine in cup final
The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League, Sunday, May 13, Division One Cup Final The last divisional final of the season saw DSRM All Stars play Smith and Allan in a repeat of a recently-played League Cup quarter final, with Smith and Allan
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Brinkburn work together to scoop top Echo prize
BRINKBURN Dene Bowls Club explained they worked as a team to make sure they won the race to become winners of The Northern Echo's Grand Giveaway competition. Over several weeks special tokens were printed in the paper and the Darlington-based bowls club
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Crook save season's best for Horden clash
County Super League Crook Town B produced their best performance of the season when they entertained Horden and won by four points. However the spectacular first half performance should have produced a better end result. John Bourne was the only visiting
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Mixed succes for N-E teams
The North-East continues to perform well in inter-regional tournaments and earlier this month the junior volleyball national finals were held at Sporkpark at the university of East Anglia. For the first time ever the North-East team won gold at Under-
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Wellfield reach final
THE Under-14 Boys Team of Wellfield Tennis Club reached the regional final of the LTA's National Junior Club League with a stunning victory over Blaydon at the weekend. Having fought through the Durham & Cleveland division and beaten Northumbria's winning
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Darlington RA are crowned champions
Darlington RA Ladies Darlington RA were at home against Glendale in the last game of the season knowing they needed to by five clear goals to be crowned league champions. The game started with Darlington pressing with some early pressure and took the
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Bayliss inspires Stokesley win
Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League, Under-17s Junior League South Onight when rain played a major part only three games were completed Stokesley were the major run scorers as they piled up 128 for the loss of just one wicket in their
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Hammy hamstrung by his weight
Invariably he's known as Hammy, but Ian Hamilton could just as easily answer to Porky. The lad's been pigging it a bit. If the question were "Who ate all the pies", Ian - a butcher for 35 years - would prove a pretty good advert for the product, an' all
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A pain in the backside?
We British are mad about gardening, but it sometimes comes with side effects, such as back pain, which can make it feel like a chore WELL, I have survived a very traumatic week in my life. I don't know whether it was the fact that I turned 40
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Death of toddler "suspicious"
POLICE are treating the death of a 22-month-old old boy as suspicious. Officers were waiting the results of a post-mortem before deciding what action to take. An ambulance was sent to Maple Avenue in Scarborough, North Yorkshire for the 22-month-old
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We’re all going on a healthy holiday
With the holiday season beginning in earnest, there are many pitfalls for travellers to foreign countries. Here is some advice on how to stay healthy on your trip THERE'S nothing worse than spending a fortune on your well deserved summer holiday,
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Chewing gum
NOW that the revamp of Darlington town centre is nearly finished it's already starting to be pebble-dashed with disgusting chewing gum. The chaps from the council, I feel, are fighting a battle that can't be won to keep the pavements clean. The
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Calcium intakes
RE your story, "Study links dementia with excess of calcium" (Echo, May 14). The results of the investigation into possible links between high intakes of calcium and vitamin D, and brain lesions in the elderly, need to be put into context. The
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Animal research
I RESENT our taxes being used to fund useless animal studies. UK universities have now spent £10m to research the harmful effects of ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines. How's that going to help human health? After all, the rats and mice
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No smoking signs
IN response to columnist Peter Mullen's article, "No smoke withoutfarce" (Echo, May 15), I would respond with the fact that churches are public buildings and work places and therefore must abide by the same smoke-free legislation as all public
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Paedophiles
IT was distressing to read that Kate and Gerry McCann were studying pictures of paedophiles (including some from Britain) who were "known" to be in the area of Praia Da Luz, Portugal, at the time of the abduction of their daughter, Madeleine.
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Prince Harry
THE decision not to send a serving member of the Armed Forces to a place of danger because of who he is, is an affront to other servicemen and women. This is a Government that has cut the funding of the Armed Forces to such a level that equipment
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Robinson draws out game with Lawson
Games played 14/05/2007 The top game of the night seen 1st placed P Robinson take on 3rd placed G Lawson. G Lawson set off at a flying pace taking the first 2 legs before Robinson fought back to take the next 2 legs to finish the game as a draw. This
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Mayor plan will raise profile of areas, say its supporters
THE post of mayor could be introduced in two Wear Valley towns after new councils meet for the first time next week. The idea has found support in Bishop Auckland and Willington where councillors were elected on May 3. Proposals are on the agenda at meetings
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News in brief: Young people discussing future
YOUNGSTERS will meet at Hall Garth School, Middlesbrough, for a Student Voice Day today to discuss a five-year national plan focusing on ways of improving the lives of Britain's children and young people. The main focus of the day is "Progress through
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Robber targeted woman who found herself alone
A STREET robber who snatched a mobile phone and handbag from a woman who had lost her friend during a night out has been jailed for three years. Tony Marron grabbed the handset from Sarah Abbott, 24, as she was trying to call her friend after the pair
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After-school club praised for high standards
AN after-school club has been praised following a visit by Government inspectors. The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) visited Rossmere After-School Club, in Hartlepool, last month, as part of a national programme of inspection. Its report,
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Green scheme taps in to moors' woodland energy
A PIONEERING green initiative could see one of the region's most spectacular landscapes used to meet local energy needs. Community buildings, schools and small businesses are among those that could benefit from the new venture on the North York Moors.
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Howling mad
The Wolfman (five, 8pm), The People's Coronation - Timewatch (BBC2, 9pm) A man is crouching over a dead deer and ripping out the contents of its stomach. In order to keep his dominant role in the wolf pack he must eat the animal's liver. As his stomach
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Drunken soldiers attacked foreigner
TWO soldiers launched a "disgraceful" attack on an African man after a drunken night out. Jason Marley and Etienne Winterbach pretended they were from the Immigration Service when they approached Jari Quiro. The pair - both training with the Parachute
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Students heading to Africa to build an orphanage
A GROUP of young people are going to Africa to build an orphanage. Uniformed services students from Derwentside College are raising £16,000 for the trip to Nairobi, in Kenya. They hope to leave at the beginning of August and stay for a month, living
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Travel shop to open
THE region's largest independent travel agent is opening a branch in Derwentside. When Hays Travel's shop, in Middle Street, Consett, opens on Thursday. It will be the company's 33rd branch. Jane Schumm, the firm's retail general manager, said: "We are
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Sandra's surprise birthday walk raised funds for animal refuge
AN animal lover gave up part of her 50th birthday to step out in support of her favourite charity. A five-mile fundraising walk to raise money for an animal refuge may not be everyone's idea of a birthday gift, but Sandra Denham loved it, despite suffering
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Gordon goes a'wooing
EVERY young man who woos a young lady puts on his best clothes, straightens his tie, combs his hair, smiles his best smile and minds his manners. He opens doors for her, he holds out her coat, he allows her choice of seat in the restaurant. Some men are
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At the court of the king of cakes
However crazy your dreams for your wedding, birthday or christening cake, baker Dave Adamson and his wife Anne can fulful the sweetest fantasies. IT looks like something out of a fairy story - a tiny beamed building, like a dolls' house in the shadow
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Developer denies threat to sell land to gipsy families
A DEVELOPER who hopes to build a caravan park on derelict land has denied claims he would sell the land to gipsies if the project hits the buffers. Terry Ward was said to have told at least one resident he could move 50 gipsy families onto the old Skipbridge
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-Dynamic' students are elected
AFTER a hard-fought election campaign, students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College have announced their new president. Six students stood for election at the Darlington college, with candidates proposing changes and policies to improve the student
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New offices would bring up to 750 jobs
UP to 750 jobs could be created if plans for an office development in North Yorkshire are approved. Developers have submitted an outline planning application to build nine office buildings on a five-acre site at Huntington, York. The Monks Cross Partnership
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Falcon Dowson backed by Jonny
JONNY Wilkinson has sent Newcastle team-mate Phil Dowson a good luck message ahead of this evening's England Saxons clash with the United States, and urged the Falcons flanker to make the most of his international opportunity. Dowson, who missed the majority
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Leader promises council services will be improved
REDCAR and Cleveland Borough Council's leader last night vowed to improve services under the authority's new administration. Speaking at the council's annual meeting at Eston Town Hall, newly-elected Labour leader Councillor George Dunning said: "We will
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Coupland lifts the County championship after tough test
MICHAEL Coupland emerged as Durham County Boys champion after being pushed all the way to the final hole by Dinsdale Spa teenager Callum Tarren. Coupland carded an outstanding opening round 69 and was well placed going into the final round in an attempt
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Award raises landlords' spirits
THE Crown pub in Crook has won a major brewery award. The pub, in Commercial Street, Crook, was founded in the 17th Century and hosts weekly events, including karaoke and quiz nights. It came joint first in the Northern Award for Excellence, organised
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Retiring after 46 years of service
BARNARD Castle Town Council has honoured a retiring councillor who has given 46 years service. Members at a meeting this week called for Alan Wilkinson to be made an honorary alderman and for the council to explore the idea of having a street named after
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Theatre group gets grant to put on show
THEATRICAL youngsters from Shildon are celebrating after bagging a grant to help them take to the stage this summer. The Tearaways Youth Theatre Group has been awarded £500 from the Co-op Community Fund for a show later this year. The group introduces
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Events will be a treat for nature lovers
THREE events will take place at a Teesdale beauty spot during the coming weeks. On Sunday, there will be two walks in Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve. At 2pm, naturalist Cliff Evans will lead a short walk from Bowlees along the banks
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Grant will help recall heroes of war camp
A HISTORY project in a Teesdale village has been given a boost with a grant of almost £18,000. Stainton Grove Community Association wants to create a project about their village, which was dominated by a military camp from The Second World War until
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Officer tells of violent ordeal with knifeman
A POLICE officer has told how a confrontation with a teenager was one of the most violent he had experienced. Christopher Kyle Thompson brandished a piece of wood and a knife at police officers who arrived to arrest him following a complaint of a disturbance
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Revamp step closer thanks to ceilidh
A CEILIDH could help raise more than £1,000 to improve the interior of a parish church. The event, organised by the Friends of St Mary's Parish Church, in Barnard Castle, attracted about 100 people. A profit of £600 was made on the night and Barclays
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Protest fails to open toilets for summer
PUBLIC toilets in Barnard Castle will stay closed for the time being - despite a campaign to have them in use for summer visitors and market traders. A petition was handed to Teesdale District Council this week, asking it to reverse the decision to shut
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Bulldozers starting to reshape town centre
WORK has started on reshaping the heart of Thornaby with half the town centre being demolished. Three Sixties shopping blocks are being bulldozed, with demolition starting on two of them - Brus and Meynell Houses - this week. The £20m revamp should be
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Parish council chairwoman
A PARISH council has announced its new chairwoman. Councillor Marion Jefferson will take over Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council for the year 2007-8. Mrs Jefferson, who has lived in Saltburn since 1980, joined the council in 2003. She has
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M&S collars England contract
RETAILER Marks & Spencer is taking over from Armani as official tailor to the England football teams for off-the-pitch events. The British high street chain will supply formal wear for three years until the end of the 2010 World Cup. Italian fashion house
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Dyson sees the benefits of knuckling down
Yorkshire's Simon Dyson revealed how the loss of his drinking partners had inspired a renaissance in his career. Dyson was a talented amateur who played on the victorious Walker Cup team of 1999, which also featured the likes of Ryder Cup stars Luke Donald
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Keep 'gutter politics' out, councillor urges
DARLINGTON'S new mayor, Councillor Marian Swift, was elected last night by the council. Coun Swift, who represents Pierremont ward, was first elected to the council in 1995. She replaces Coun Eleanor Lister, whose one-year term ended. The mayor's escort
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Sex shop has legs to go far in adult world
THE owner of a new adult shop in Darlington has vowed it will not be a "seedy sex shop". Jez Grant and his business partner, Angie Moore, have opened Cherry Pie, in King Street, in a former schoolwear shop. The store sells costumes, lingerie, sex toys
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May 18th, 2007
THERE will be chants of Sam, Sam the dirty man from opposition fans at St James' Park if the publication of Lord Stevens' latest findings further implicates Mr Allardyce in the bungs business. As observed here last week, there is a certain amount of hypocrisy
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Work under way on 25-metre pool
WORK has started on constructing the main pool of the £12.3m swimming complex for Durham. Bluestone poured more than 800 tonnes of concrete to form a plinth that will be the base of the 25-metre, eight-lane pool. Sean Sweet, project manager, said: "We're
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Flats and shops are planned for club site
A PRIVATE club is to knock down part of its base to build flats and retail units. The Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) Club, in Darlington, has applied to build 13 apartments and a commercial development. Its application is opposite another similar
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Cook eases his way to a Lord's ton on opening day
Alastair Cook continued his love affair with Lord's as England exploited West Indies' disrupted build-up to lay the foundations for a major total in the opening npower Test. The Essex batsman has enjoyed his fair share of success at the venue in the 14
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Villagers help Pacific tsunami victims
DISASTER victims in the Pacific Ocean are being given vital support from villagers in North Yorkshire. People on the island of Kolombangara, in the Solomon Islands, were devastated by a tsunami. The tidal wave hit the island in April, killing 45 people
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Art exhibition raises £1,000 for charities
CHARITIES are to share more than £1,000 after a weekend art exhibition proved popular with visitors. The 13th annual exhibition at Richmond Town Hall over the May Day bank holiday saw 22 paintings and several cards sold by local artists, with commission
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Church to hold day of prayer
A PARISH church will hold a day of prayer and giving, with an exhibition of its work, on Saturday, May 26. St Matthew's Church, at Leyburn, has leafleted the town with information about its work and how local people can help. Leaflets were accompanied
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Merger snubs Lib Dems
LABOUR and Independent councillors have stopped Liberal Democrats taking control of a parish council, despite the Lib Dems being the biggest party. Labour lost its majority on Pittington Parish Council following elections earlier this month. Four of the
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New mayor elected for county town
A NEW mayor has been elected in Northallerton. John Prest was handed his chain of office by outgoing mayor David Blades. Coun Blades and his wife, Shirley, have been mayor and mayoress of the town since 2005. Coun Prest has lived in Northallerton all
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Cook is back from hell
Alastair Cook emerged from the ''hell'' of the Ashes to complete the fifth and most emotional century so far in his short Test career. Cook, 22, confirmed his liking for Lord's with an unbeaten 102 out of England's 200 for three on a truncated first day
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A big step forward
A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy has helped raise more than £1,000 for charity by taking part in a sponsored walk. Oliver Coatsworth raised £1,189 for Autism Research by joining a sponsored walk in the Alnwick Garden. Oliver, from Neville's Cross, in Durham City
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Celebrating lives of those killed in service
A NEW war memorial will celebrate the lives of the fallen servicemen of the Sherburn area, and it will commemorate their deaths. The monument and plaque honouring residents of Sherburn Village, Sherburn Hill, Pittington, Littletown and Shadforth killed
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Police ready to tear strips off underage drinkers
UNDERAGE drinkers hiding alcohol in bottles of soft drink could be caught out by a new police device. Officers in Hambleton are hoping to use alco-strips which, when dipped into drinks, can detect the presence of alcohol in seconds. Police will then have
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Diabetes checks
M AND M Chemists, in Sawmill Lane, Meadowfield, is offering people free checks for diabetes and free blood pressure monitoring. For mor information on the checks, call 0191-378-0033.
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Regiment presents Iraq souvenir
AN Army regiment has presented a town with an official souvenir to mark the unit's return from Iraq. The photograph features the 150 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police, based at Catterick Garrison. It was presented to Richmond mayor
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Undiscovered talent
AN aspiring writer is aiming to be named the best undiscovered talent nationally. Pete Mactaggart, of Ripon, has written the novel Flying Babies over Fallen Homes. His work won the North of England regional final in the Undiscovered Authors National Writing
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Reward for arrest of hit-and-run motorist
A reward is being offered to help track down a hit-and-run driver who killed a pensioner. A total of £1,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the motorist who caused the death of 75-year-old Bill Hendry. Mr Hendry
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Children take centre stage in festival
CHILDREN from all Richmond and Swaledale primary schools have starring roles in a summer festival. The youngsters will perform at the Swaledale Festival, which runs from May 26 to June 10. Pupils take part in a concert version of Carmen, appear in a locally-written
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Worth a look . . .
POPULAR theatre group threeovereeden is returning to Northallerton next month with a look at one of Europe's great writers. Threeovereeden is bringing the play Young Ibsen to the Hambleton Forum as part of its Ibsenfest tour of the North. Founded in 1999
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Wales call for Collins
DANNY Collins is confident of being fit enough for Wales' crucial European Championships qualifier with the Czech Republic next month, but two of his Sunderland team-mates will not be on international duty after pulling out of the Republic of Ireland
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Leader will work for everyone
THE new leader of a council says she and her colleagues will work together to improve residents' lives. Conservative councillor Melva Steckles was elected leader of Richmondshire District Council on Tuesday. Coun Steckles became ward member for Hornby
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Riise back to haunt AC Milan in Europe
John Arne Riise believes Liverpool are AC Milan's worst nightmare because they hate playing against physical sides. And the Norwegian full-back believes Liverpool will never allow the Italians the freedom to attack they had in the Champions League semi-final
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Brown wants to stay at Old Trafford for life
Wes Brown would be happy to commit himself to Manchester United for the rest of his career. The England defender is coming to the end of his ninth season as a first-team player with the Red Devils and is hoping to celebrate by squeezing out John O'Shea
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Crippling injury list for Chelsea
Joe Cole has warned Manchester United to prepare themselves for a Chelsea side which is at its best when the odds are stacked against them. Jose Mourinho's side will have their backs to the wall against United in the FA Cup final because of a crippling
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Three reasons to smile...
A MARATHON runner has completed a collection of medals for his three children. Keld O'Shea ran his third London Marathon last month to raise money for Action for Dystonia, Diagnosis, Education & Research, which has its roots in the North-East. The charity
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Developer revises plans for 199 houses
A DEVELOPER is making a second bid to win permission for a controversial housing scheme. Miller Homes North-East has submitted a revised planning application to Durham City Council to develop the former Durham County Council's Service Direct depot, in
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Nissan drives deeper into Japanese market
NISSAN yesterday announced plans to export its second model to Japan - only ten weeks after the Qashqai made its way across the waters. The manufacturer's Sunderland plant, which is on course to break its production record this year, will ship the Micra
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Motorist hurt after head-on road crash
A DRIVER was treated by paramedics for injuries caused by his seatbelt after he was involved in a two-car collision near Darlington The man, who has not been named, was hurt when his car and another were involved in a head-on crash in Lime Lane, near
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Uncomfortable time for sofa firm
SOFA specialist ScS Upholstery saw its half-year profits cut in half yesterday and said trading conditions remained "extremely tough". The Sunderland company said it expected the remainder of the financial year to be challenging and warned it was unlikely
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'We can't afford to keep up service'
A BEREAVEMENT counselling charity is to withdraw its services from Stockton because of the lack of financial support. The Tees Valley and Durham branch of Cruse Bereavement Care has said it gets no financial support from within the town. As a result,
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Plasterer's smooth expansion
A SPECIALIST plastering and flooring contractor in the region plans to increase annual turnover by £250,000 and take on ten staff a year. Tabner Plastering Contractors, which is based on Teesside, reported record turnover of £1.25m for the year to April
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Funding crisis sees charity cut back
A CHARITY based in Darlington is cutting back its services because of funding difficulties. The Tees Valley and Durham Branch of Cruse Bereavement Care has also had to stop paying travelling expenses to volunteers because of a lack of money. From June
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Merger to cost 900 jobs
Up to 900 jobs will be cut across Nationwide and Portman after the two building societies merge later this summer, it was disclosed yesterday. Nationwide chief executive Graham Beale said the 500 staff cuts announced in March were expected to nearly
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Shadow minister in region
BUSINESS needs to play a greater role in the economic transformation of the North-East - that will be the message at an event in County Durham this evening. Alan Duncan, the Shadow Minister for Trade and Industry, will be giving a talk to the region's
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Flying kites for mental health
DOZENS of kites took to the skies yesterday to raise awareness of mental health issues. Service users and staff at mental health charity Mind, in Darlington, made the kites before flying them in the town's South Park, yesterday. The event was held as
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Scarecrows a coup for farmer with pigeon problems
SCARECROWS have been given a fashionable makeover by schoolchildren. Pupils from Shildon designed the scarecrows for nearby Low Deanery Farm for a technology project. Eleven year 7 students from Sunnydale Community College for Maths and Computing were
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Research centre will cut energy use by half
THE Wilton Centre - one of the region's most important research, development and commercial office facilities - has set a target to cut its energy consumption and costs by half. Business resource efficiency expert Midas has carried out a free audit of
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It's pot luck at archaeological dig site
A MEDIEVAL village is giving up its secrets. Archaeologists have made a lucky strike in the first week of a dig on the site of the birthplace village of 18th Century explorer Captain James Cook. Experts have unearthed the broken, but otherwise virtually
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Foster children who have to move again and again
MORE than one in ten children in foster care in County Durham is forced to move home at least three times a year, Government figures have revealed.The North-East has a shortage of 1,300 foster carers, so some of the region's most vulnerable youngsters
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Will village efforts all be in vain?
DALES postmistress Maxine Raine has never been one to let the grass grow under her feet.So when she first got wind of the threat to Britain's post offices, she set about diversifying in a massive way.Today, her post office at St John's Chapel, in Upper
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Region's MPs divided over choice for deputy
THE region's MPs are divided between a Blairite and a friend of the trade unions in their choices to be Labour's new deputy leader.Party chairwoman Hazel Blears and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain had received six North-East nominations by the time
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'Eight of North-East's A&E wards face cuts or closure'
HEALTH bosses have denied claims that more than half of the region's hospital accident and emergency wards are under threat.According to a report compiled by the Conservative Party, eight out of the 14 A&E departments in the North-East face cuts or closure.Guidance
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Durham suffer after encouraging opening
Warwickshire v Durham (County Championship) : Day Two (No play day one) THE sheer class of Kumar Sangakarra frustrated Durham yesterday after they won what looked a vital toss at Edgbaston and had Warwickshire reeling on 23 for four.It was almost as
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Charitable fund gives nearly £1m to communities
CHARITIES and community organisations across County Durham and the Tees Valley have received a £900,000 windfall.The Northern Rock Foundation, a charity which receives five per cent of Northern Rock's annual pre-tax profits - more than £163m by December
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Wall-to-wall examination by delegation from China
EXPERTS working to shore up the crumbling Great Wall of China have turned to the North-East for some advice. A Chinese delegation were at Hadrian's Wall on a fact-finding visit researching the heritage and conservation of the region's own great
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Pyrah proves his value
Yorkshire v Loughborough UCCE (University Match) : Day One Richard Pyrah scored his maiden first class century in Yorkshire's three-day match against Loughborough UCCE at Headingley Carnegie yesterday.Pyrah reached the landmark with three consecutive
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Disruptive pair used home of elderly man
TWO women who moved themselves into an elderly man's house and allegedly turned it into a drugs den have been banned by a court.Neighbours said the women had used the vulnerable man's home for years.Their disruptive behaviour forced landlord Housing Hartlepool
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Plan unveiled to give N-E economy a jump-start
A plan central to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs and businesses in the North-East is being launched today.More than 200 business leaders from across the region will be at the unveiling of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) Action Plan.Regional
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Axe about to fall on post offices
THE first of the region's 200 doomed post offices will be announced in only six weeks, after the government confirmed a mass closure programme yesterday.More than one in six outlets will close - about 2,500 nationwide - with struggling sub-post officers
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Builder halted after house height angers neighbours
A BUILDER has been told to suspend work on a plush executive house after its height exceeded planning permission.Charles Church builders must now apply for retrospective planning permission for the £320,000 detached house, in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton.Residents
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Duck race cash boost for WaterAid
A FLOCK of plastic ducks has changed the lives of more than 100 people in the developing world.WaterAid, the charity adopted by Northumbrian Water, has just received its share of the proceeds from last November's Durham Duck Race, when 20,000 plastic
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Brave youngster meets her heroes
A GIRL fighting cancer has met her pop idols.Brave six-year-old Jessica Harrison from New Marske, east Cleveland, was given a front row seat at the group's concert at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle this week - and a chance to meet the stars.Jessica,
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Jail for man branded a serious risk to women
A THUG labelled extremely dangerous after he battered several women was given an extended sentence of four years yesterday for the protection of the public.The judge said that that security camera footage he watched in court of Stephen Jones punching
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Man appeals against holiday isle conviction
A NORTH-EAST man has launched an appeal after being jailed for three-and-a-half years for his part in a backstreet fight on the Greek island of Crete eight years ago.Michael Tonge, 28, who is from North Shields, in North Tyneside, was originally accused
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Stain on Staithes as beach branded worst in England
A BEACH in the region has been given the unenviable distinction of being the worst in England.Staithes was the only beach in the country that failed to meet even the most basic standards of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which publishes its 20th
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Harper calls for patience
STEVE Harper has urged Newcastle supporters to be patient with new manager Sam Allardyce, and admitted that the Magpies can no longer think of themselves as Champions League hopefuls. Next season will be Newcastle's fourth in a row outside of Europe's
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Waiting for Gordo
THE country is moving into a strange six-week limbo period with neither Tony Blair nor Gordon Brown truly at the helm. It is disappointing that Mr Brown has not had to face a leadership election as he will assume power without having his ideas and policies
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Student attacked by robbers as he walked alone
A STUDENT was attacked by three robbers as he walked alone through the city centre at night. Shane Donnolly, 19, was targeted as he went through an underpass at Sunderland University metro station on November 6. Newcastle Crown Court heard
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Surprise U-turn on hybrid embryos
A GOVERNMENT U-turn cleared the way last night for North-East scientists to pioneer treatments for cancer and Alzheimer's disease using human-animal embryos.In a surprise move, ministers opted to drop plans to ban the controversial technique of creating
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Big price rise forces family from 'home town' cemetery
A FAMILY who wanted to be buried alongside each other when they died are being split up after being hit with a massive price rise for moving out of the area.Malcolm Soulsby's relatives are all buried in Darlington's East Cemetery, in Geneva Road, but
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Messages of support for parents of Jenny
THE parents of murdered teenager Jenny Nicholl have received messages of support and offers of assistance following a police decision to charge a man with their daughter's death.Well-wishers have left messages on the Jenny Nicholl website
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Airport chief executive resigns over 'contract issues'
THE chief executive of the region's biggest airports has resigned as an investigation continues into "personal contractual issues". John Parkin, widely regarded as the man who turned around the fortunes of Newcastle International Airport, was suspended
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Customs win battle over seized cigarettes
CUSTOMS officials have won their latest battle over a consignment of cigarettes and alcohol seized from a ship that was anchored off the North-East.The court clash began when Customs officials seized a haul of cigarettes and drink from a vessel called
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'I fought the boss and won'
Taking on your employer in an industrial tribunal might seem a risky thing to do, but Kerry Yates has done just that - and won her case plus compensation. She talks to Women's Editor Sarah Foster about being wrongfully dismissed and how she fought to
