Archive
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Sponsors keep local football team in business
A FOOTBALL team has been saved from possible extinction following the intervention of an MP and local businesses. Thornaby St Patrick's FC was finding it difficult to keep its head above water when the club contacted Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South
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Classroom opened at rowing club
ROWING will be used to help children learn in a first-of-its-kind classroom. The IT suite in Durham Amateur Rowing Club's new clubhouse is the first to use the sport to boost literacy and numeracy through the Government's Playing for Success scheme.
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Fears growing for British rally champion
FEARS are growing tonight for the safety of former world rally champion Colin McRae, following a helicopter crash. Police in Lanarkshire, Scotland, said the private aircraft crashed just after 4pm this afternoon. At least two people were believed to
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Spare a bed for an actor sir?
THEATRE staff are asking their neighbours if they can spare a bed for a touring actor. The flagship Gala Theatre in Durham City centre theatre needs residents to sign up for a "digs list" to put up actors or performers appearing as part of touring or
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Boro beaten at Upton Park
Dean Ashton put his injury nightmare behind him with his first goal in 16 months as West Ham roared to their first home win of the season against Middlesbrough. The 23-year-old striker added to second half goals from Lee Bowyer and Luke Young's own-goal
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Mill supporters urged to raise the roof
A HERITAGE project which reached the final of last year's Restoration Vallage television project has launched a new fundraising appeal. The Renewable Heritage Trust (RHT) is transforming Howsham Mill, near Malton, North Yorkshire, into an education and
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Darlington defeat Imps
DARLINGTON continued their impressive start to the season with victory over Lincoln City. Saturday's 2-0, courtesy of Pawell Abbott and Ricky Ravenhill goals, extends Darlington's unbeaten start to the season to six games. And it was fully deserved
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Boro name unchanged side
FABIO ROCHEMBACK passed a late fitness test to resume in the Middlesbrough starting line-up at West Ham United today. The Brazilian had been struggling to shake off a knee problem and new signing Gary O'Neil was on stand-by to make his debut. But O'Neil
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Lucky escape for fishing boat crew
THE crew of a fishing boat had a lucky escape today after it was spotted disabled in breaking seas by an off-duty Redcar RNLI volunteer. At about 10.40am, Redcar RNLI crewmember Cameron Bond saw the 16ft fishing boat in difficulties at East Scar, opposite
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Woman released from car
THE fire service attended the scene of an accident to rescue a trapped woman from her car following a three-vehicle collision. The incident happened at about noon at the Newton Cap Viaduct between Bishop Auckland and Toronto in County Durham. Durham
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Northern Rock: Pleas for calm ignored
CUSTOMERS continued to form long queues outside Northern Rock branches across the region today as savers ignored pleas for calm. Long lines formed even before counters opened as worried customers sought to withdraw money despite reassurances from the
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Man unconscious after nightclub fall
POLICE are appealing for help in identifying a man who was injured in a North-East nightclub. The man is thought to have fallen down the stairs in Grey's, in Newcastle, at about 3am this morning. He is white, aged 40 to 48, about 6ft tall and well built
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Stranded family rescued from rocks
A FAMILY of three have been rescued from rocks off the North-East coast. The family, two adults and a child believed to be from Whickham, were stranded by the rising tide, at Sharpness Point, Tynemouth, at about 4.30pm on Friday. A bypasser alerted
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Royal enviro award for family business
A FAMILY business has received Royal recognition of its passion and commitment to community and environmental work. Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate was presented with a Queen's Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development by the Lord Lieutenant of
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Princess Diana
RE Hugh Pender's letter about the Princess Diana memorial service (HAS, Sept 10). Spot on. The choir I am in is singing "I had a Dream" from Les Miserables. It begins "I had a dream my life would be" and ends "Now life has killed the dream I dreamed
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Irritating thought
WIFE Sylvia had a cough so I passed her the Strepsils. Looking out of the window at the time I noticed that none of the birds enjoying their breakfast were coughing. I don't think they do. Cows, horses and sheep do. Later, at the fish pond, they
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Proms concert
DAVID Lacey (HAS, Sept 12) expressed support for the jingoistic and imperialistic sentiments which I knew would be expressed at the BBC Last Night of the Proms concert in Centre Square, Middlesbrough, and for that reason I did not join in an event
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Faith Schools
OUR Government continues to railroad through religious academies, further eroding the vital separation between religion and education, and ignoring opinion polls which show time and again that there are clear majorities opposed to faith schools
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What's in a word?
REGARDING correspondents' discussion of why Germany is not spelled with a J, like Jerusalem: Germany (Germania) was originally pronounced with a hard G, like Ghana - since this was the only way to pronounce it. Its pronunciation eventually changed
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European Union
I FEEL Bill Morehead's claim that the EU Treaty is mainly a tidying-up exercise puts him in the same league as Gordon Brown and Tony Blair in the falsehood stakes. EU leaders are jubilant that they have managed to resurrect the old constitution
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Trophy parades
I GREATLY enjoyed seeing Durham County Cricket Club parade the Friends Provident Trophy at Sunderland's Stadium of Light - the home of the major football club of historic County Durham. As a proud Durhamite, I fully expected that the cup would
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Margaret Thatcher
THE use of corporal punishment was removed from schools during the Margaret Thatcher period and children soon realised that illbehaviour carried no consequences. The cane was removed at the school I attended. As a result, those whose actions had
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Fundraising event on restaurant menu
AN entrepreneur, a singer and an actress will be the guests at a charity ball. Chapters Hotel and Restaurant, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, have organised the event to raise money for the holistic cancer care centre at The James Cook University
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Chester's Carlberg Stand Cup
LINAS SELECTION (3.25) looks the pick in Chester's Carlberg Stand Cup despite having to overcome a 410-day absence from the track, writes COLIN WOODS. Kevin Darley and partner numbered a famous Royal Ascot victory during a dazzling high-profile 2006 hat-trick
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Noble backing Bellamy
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble hopes Craig Bellamy can provide the spark against Middlesbrough to kick-start a run at home - just like Carlos Tevez did last season. The Hammers went three months without a win at Upton Park until Tevez inspired victory
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Long day ahead
Reading striker Shane Long is hoping to beat and then meet the man he regards as his idol. The Royals make the trip to Sunderland in search of the result to haul them out of the Premier League relegation zone. The Black Cats' fortunes have been transformed
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Sven slates Ireland
Stephen Ireland was ''stupid'' to lie to the Republic of Ireland about his grandmother dying so he could leave the national squad and return to his distraught girlfriend, according to Sven-Goran Eriksson . Manchester City's former England manager intends
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Gillespie sorry for bust-up
Northern Ireland winger Keith Gillespie has apologised for being involved in a punch-up with a team-mate on a flight home from Iceland. The Sheffield United player admitted his bust-up with West Ham defender George McCartney, as the Northern Ireland team
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Emre apology
Newcastle midfielder Emre has issued a public apology after a launching a furious tirade at the Turkish media. The 27-year-old made hand gestures and shouted towards the press box after his country's first goal in their 3-0 Euro 2008 qualifier victory
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Sir Alex support for Rafa
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez's complaints over the Premier League fixture scheduling and claimed clubs like his own are being punished for their success. Benitez is fuming at the number of
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Hope hails excellent team effort
Hope Powell praised her players' battling performance after they held defending world champions Germany to a goalless draw in their penultimate game in Group A at the 2007 World Cup. After a 2-2 draw in their opening game against Japan on Tuesday, England
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Heskey wants to stay in
Emile Heskey believes he has done enough to warrant keeping his starting place up front for England. The 29-year-old played for England for the first time in three years in the victories over Israel and Russia which revived England's hopes of qualifying
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Torres warning
Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool's club record signing Fernando Torres that life in the Premier League will not always be as easy as this. Torres has made a flying start to life in England, netting three times in four league games for the Reds so far
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Durham to stay intact
DURHAM'S treble-chasing squad, who hope to lift a second trophy by beating Glamorgan today, will remain intact next season. That's assuming Michael Di Venuto returns under his Italian passport and Ottis Gibson accepts a coaching role with England in Sri
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Mathew Tait: World Cup Diary
IT'S been nice to get out of my room and take part in last night's England game after spending most of the week in isolation. I was up all through the night last Sunday. I felt achy and had a migraine with stomach cramps right through Tuesday. I don't
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Dennis tip-off led to McLaren punishment
Embattled McLaren boss Ron Dennis has confirmed it was his tip-off that resulted in the team being stripped of all constructors' points and fined £50m. It is the latest twist in the spy scandal, which by the end of the season is almost certain to result
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Tough test threatens Swalwell's title hopes
The last days of the season dawns with Swalwell requiring a minimum of eight points to be certain of clinching their first championship. But they couldn't have a tougher fixture as they travel to play an Ashington side intent on finishing fourth and capable
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Record loss as England are humbled by Springboks
England 0, South Africa 36 England stand one defeat away from a potentially-humiliating World Cup exit after they were smashed 36-0 by South Africa at Stade de France. The reigning world champions must beat Samoa in Nantes a week today to have any realistic
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Plenty of praise but no title for Jones
FRANCIS Jones' dream of British title glory last night ended in defeat - but not disgrace. The heroic 26-year-old was stopped by reigning welterweight king Kevin Anderson less than a minute from the end of their titanic struggle at Kirkcaldy Ice Arena
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Pompey product O'Neil now a part of Boro's English ranks
Most of Gary O'Neil's team-mates at Portsmouth were foreigners, but his deadline day move north has seen him join a club with a much stronger English feel. Chief Football writer Paul Fraser speaks to Boro's £5,5m man.MORE than six years ago, the small
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Ward and May in line to make landmark Falcons appearances
PROP Micky Ward and winger Tom May will both make their 200th appearance for Newcastle Falcons when they kick off their Guinness Premiership campaign at home to Sale Sharks tomorrow.Ward, the 28-year-old tight head from Wallsend, is confident the World
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Gosden launches star duo at Leger
JOHN GOSDEN is firing both barrels at this afternoon's final Classic of the season with Lucarno and Raincoat each having a shot for the St Leger.According to the ante-post market, Lucarno, the 4-1 second favourite, is the better backed of the pair compared
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Football agent reveals secrets
FOOTBALL agent Peter Harrison has spoken extensively for the first time about being subjected to a television sting.Harrison was one of several agents investigated by the BBC Panorama team in a programme entitled Undercover: Dirty Secrets, in September
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North London derby joy crucial if Jol is to stay at Tottenham
AT the start of the season, Tottenham fans would have identified Saturday, September 15 as the date to mark a changing of the guard. It still could be - just not in the way they envisaged.Arsenal's visit to White Hart Lane was supposed to confirm Spurs
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Pools pride in Leeds reverse
RICHIE Humphreys admits Hartlepool United's 2-0 reversal at Leeds United was hard to swallow but insists he is determined to erase the memory of that bitter defeat when Swindon visit Victoria Park this afternoon.Hartlepool dominated the majority of their
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Shiferaw favourite for Pride
NORTH-EAST champion Stephen Hepples knows he will have to produce his best-ever performance to beat Ethiopian Tewodros Shiferaw in tomorrow's big Tees Pride 10K in Middlesbrough.The 27-year-old Redcar-based Great Britain international won the event last
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Quakers' best is still to come says Penney
Unbeaten, top of the table and only two goals conceded. It is fair to say things are going rather well for Darlington, especially so considering their team was built almost from scratch in pre-season.With so many new faces arriving, 13 in total, it would
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King David
"ACHING from top to toe," is how David Troughton describes the impact of starring in both Macbeth and Macbett for the Royal Shakespeare Company's 30th anniversary visit to Newcastle. The Scottish play has its long and worthy track record, thanks to the
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Coffee for pride
GUISBOROUGH is hosting a coffee morning, linked to Guisborough Town Pride, in Sunnyfield House, on Thursday, from 9am to 12.30pm. The event is being held to raise funds for maintaining the winter planting of flower tubs in Guisborough.
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Keep your car locked - warning from police
MOTORISTS are being urged to be on their guard following a spate of thefts. In the past week, four cars have been broken into in the Lake's Estate, Redcar. Police said they were shocked to discover some of the cars had been left insecure. PC Ian Solomon
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Teesdale Talk: African bishop takes a bit of the dale to Tanzania
SOME features of life in Upper Teesdale are likely to be copied to improve conditions for families in one of the poorest parts of east Africa. Bishop John Lupaa picked up some promising ideas when he spent four days here as a guest of Joyce Jackson and
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New boss appointed for borough council
A CHIEF executive has been appointed for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Amanda Skelton, who is South Tyneside Council's executive director of neighbourhood services, will take over the reins in the new year. Ms Skelton will succeed Colin Moore,
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Prosecution service moves to waterfront
A NEW building housing a vital public service was opened in an up-and-coming area of Middlesbrough yesterday. The Cleveland Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) launched its premises in Hudson Quay, Middlehaven. At the opening, the head of the service, Sir
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Parish council awards grants to local groups
A PARISH council has helped a variety of community groups in the latest round of its grant scheme. Saltburn, Marske and New Marske Parish Council agreed to make the following payments to organisations: * Redcar and Cleveland Citizens Advice Bureau -
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Windfall will be used to back area's industry
A COUNCIL will use a £560,000 business rates rebate from the Government to stimulate economic growth in its communities. Sedgefield Borough Council was given the cash following two years of collecting increasing business rates for the Government. Cabinet
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Hear All Sides
ELECTED MAYOR WE can compare the directly-elected mayor system and the current leader plus cabinet system in Darlington to the systems for selecting the US President and the UK Prime Minister. Our Prime Minister is selected on a similar basis to the current
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Victim was hit with bottle in Route 66
A FIGHT in a Darlington bar ended with a man being struck with a bottle. Darlington Magistrates' Court was shown CCTV footage on Thursday of the attack, which happened at Route 66 on Saturday, May 5. Daniel Michael Chambers, 20, of Jasmin Grove, School
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Memorial for hospital worker
THE memorial service of a hospital worker who died from cancer has taken place. Liz Metcalfe, who worked at Darlington Memorial Hospital for more than 20 years, died in July, aged 57. Her last role was as medical secretary. More than 90 friends and family
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Exhibition details proposals to regenerate market town centre
AN initial study which will lead to a master plan to reinvigorate a market town centre has been unveiled. An exhibition, held in the Chester-le-Street Market Place yesterday and today, marks the beginning of consultation over the study, commissioned from
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I only wanted to help, says big-hearted girl
A SUNNYBROW schoolgirl is embarking on a nine-mile walk tomorrow to raise funds for a girl who lost her limbs after a life-threatening illness. In January, 21-month old Tilly Lockey, from Consett, caught meningococcal septicaemia, a deadly form of meningitis
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Violet takes the spoils at successful show
VIOLET PARR, a supporter of Winston Produce Show since it started more than 20 years ago, took the main honours at the annual event, which was voted a huge success. She took the Chrissie Swindle Memorial Plate for the most points in the show. She was
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Have you lost box of mementos?
MIDDLESBROUGH street wardens are keen to hear from anyone who has lost, or knows anything about, a shoebox full of personal letters and photos found in Coulby Newham. The box, found in bushes behind the Willowbank Estate, contained photos, postcards
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Council staff car parks available for public use
WEAR Valley District Council has announced that its staff car parks in Crook are available for public use. Terry Carlton, facilities manager at Wear Valley District Council, said: "The council car parks located at the back of the Civic Centre are open
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Revamp will give -very best care' to residents
THE £3.2m refurbishment of a sheltered housing complex has been completed. The scheme, organised by Darlington Borough Council and the Hanover Housing Association, has helped to refurbish 28 flats in Rosemary Court. Fourteen specialist flats for people
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Criticism as £5,000 spent on consultant
A CHRISTMAS lights committee has come under fire after allotting a third of a £15,000 grant on a consultant. Northallerton Town Council's illuminations committee has been criticised after recommending a scheme which will spend £15,000 on lighting one
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Progress made at Primary Care Trust
COUNTY Durham Primary Care Trust (PCT) is preparing to hold its first annual meeting following its formation last year. The meeting will be held at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee, on September 18. Those attending will learn of the trust's progress after it
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Recycling plan likely to get approved
A BID to build an industrial recycling station is expected to be approved after safety measures were updated. An application to convert a wood recycling unit into a waste transfer station on the Albert Hill industrial estate, Darlington, was previously
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Affordable housing review
PARISH councillors are to investigate the need for affordable housing in their area. The decision was taken by Tanfield Parish Council following an address by Amanda Madden, rural housing enabler at Hambleton District Council. Local builder John Moxon
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Officials battle to contain disease
GOVERNMENT officials were last night struggling to bring the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak under control as cattle culled on a second farm tested positive for the disease. The farm, near Egham, Surrey, where animals thought to be infected were slaughtered
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Shows hit by outbreak
ORGANISERS of an annual sheep fair say the event will go ahead, despite the foot-and-mouth outbreak. Real sheep will be replaced by scarecrow shepherds and animals at this year's Masham Sheep Fair. A dog show and best-dressed shepherd competition will
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Support for market town revival scheme
MOVES to increase trade in a market town have been backed by Durham County Council's cabinet. A draft action plan for Stanhope contains proposals to improve shops and services to attract visitors and give residents more choice. The cabinet supported
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Forfeiting credibility
NORTHERN Rock is one of the North-East's best-known brands. It adorns the shirts of some of the region's biggest sporting names and it is trusted by legions of investors. The shock announcement of the company's financial problems - resulting from a crisis
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Senior officials meet to tackle affordable housing concerns
GOVERNMENT and business put their heads together yesterday to tackle a city's affordable housing concerns. Housing Minister IainWright was joined by senior housing figures at a seminar organised by Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods. Figures show that
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Pensioner to have heartfelt birthday
A PENSIONER is using her 80th birthday to help her favourite charity. Joan Phillips, of Durham City,who celebrates her birthday in November, has asked friends and relatives not to give her presents, but to make a donation to the British Heart Foundation
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Plan to demolish cemetery building may cause anger
A PIECE of Northallerton's history could be demolished and replaced with houses if a controversial plan gets the go-ahead. The Lodge, in the town's cemetery, has been in place since the cemetery was built in the 1800s and is occupied by the caretaker
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New-look trust to outline its progress
COUNTY Durham Primary Care Trust (PCT) is preparing to hold its first annual meeting, following its formation last year. It will be held at Shotton Hall, Peterlee, on Tuesday, when those attending will find out what the trust has accomplished since it
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Education Village defends slump in GCSE results
THE director of Darlington's Education Village has defended the school after it recorded the town's worst GCSE level results. The £37.3m building, which opened in April last year, houses Haughton Secondary School, Springfield Primary School, and Beaumont
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Discount holidays to get kids in school
DARLINGTON families are being offered cut-price holidays out of term time in an effort to solve the town's truancy troubles. Families with school children will receive a ten per cent discount when booking with Hays Travel - if the break is during school
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Coffee's up at new drop-in
A COMMUNITY cafe has opened in North Road, Darlington. The weekly drop-in centre at Northlands Church is open to residents and cafe is run by volunteers from the local community partnership. Partnership member Michelle Thompson said: "The cafe is open
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Like it?
Kenneth Branagh clearly believes that where there's a Will there's a way in bringing Shakespeare to a wider audience. He talks to Steve Pratt about his latest film - a Japanese version of As You Like It. Shakespeare could have no better ambassador than
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Scheme to help people get on housing ladder
A TOWN'S biggest landlord has unveiled its first homes under a shared-ownership scheme to help people get on the property ladder. Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon launched Erimus Housing's first shared-ownership properties on a new development in west
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Your school is very special - inspectors
A PRIMARY school in Hartlepool has been highly praised following a visit from Government inspectors. The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) visited St Teresa's RC Primary School, in June, and rated the school as outstanding in all seven key areas
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Council requested to resolve anti-social behaviour
COUNCILLORS will be asked to suggest ways in which anti-social behaviour can be tackled in a part of Bedale. A report is due to go before the town council on Monday with the results of a meeting involving councillors, police and residents and business
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£16m health complex to open in town centre
PLANS for a £16m health centre in Hartlepool have been given the go-ahead. The board of the North-East Strategic Health Authority has backed proposals for the project, two weeks after it received planning permission from Hartlepool Borough Council. The
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Staff boost cancer charity in Race for Life
BUILDING society staff have raised more than £500 for a cancer charity. Staff from the Northallerton branch of Skipton Building Society competed in this summer's Race for Life to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Carole Combe, Claire Whitehead, Emma
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Youngsters' creativity in business put to test
STUDENTS have signed up for a competition to test their creativity in business. Several schools have entered the Real Business Challenge funded by Yorkshire Forward. Entrants come from St Aidan's High School, Harrogate, Harrogate Grammar School, Ripon
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Choir boost to the tune of £17,000
THE choir of one of the region's great seats of worship is to benefit from a major financial boost. A cheque for £17,000 from the Friends of Cathedral Music (FCM) will be presented to the York Minster choir tonight. The money will be used towards an
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Cash will help to tackle and improve life
A CHARITY devoted to reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life has been given a financial boost from the world of football. North Yorkshire's Crimebeat charity has received £2,000 from the Premier Football League as part of its community programme
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Foster children play cards right
FOSTER children from across North Yorkshire have been getting into the festive spirit early. All the county's foster children were invited to submit designs for the annual Christmas card competition. "As always, the response has been tremendous. Picking
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Pupils watch world issues in film week
CHILDREN from North Yorkshire schools will be among those taking part in National Schools Film Week. Pupils from Harrogate and York will be among 250,000 children going to the cinema for free to view both current releases and classics from October 15
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Hear All Sides
IAN PORTERFIELD SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn's tribute to Ian Porterfield was fitting for a man who was a legend on Wearside. "He is part of what can only be described as an institution in the long and proud history of Sunderland AFC and the famous
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Lads and dads show their metal
FATHERS and sons have come together to create metal animals which will go on show in Thirsk. The Dads and Lads Metal Bashing project was run by North Yorkshire County Council. The scheme saw fathers and sons meet for a series of workshops to create metal
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'Racism' row may be referred to watchdog
A ROW between two rival politicians over an allegedly racist remark could be investigated by a watchdog who monitors the behaviour of councillors. Durham City Council's Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Carol Woods, wrote in a newsletter that the city's
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Eaga joins FTSE 250 after float
ENERGY efficiency solutions company Eaga has joined the FTSE 250 index only three months after it floated on the London Stock Exchange. In its latest quarterly review, the FTSE Index confirmed the Newcastle PLC was among the latest entrants to the list
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City festival discusses contribution to science
A WEEK-LONG event has been held to look at the contribution the science sector makes to the regional and national economy. York Festival of Science was held this week to look at how the county's high-tech sector is growing, and the contribution its 410
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Market report
MORTGAGE bank Northern Rock led the London market deep into the red yesterday as it became the UK's first high-profile victim of the global credit crunch. The FTSE 100 Index closed 74.6 points lower at 6289.3 -a fall of more than one per cent - after
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Park life
Jenny Laue and her partner escape from the stresses of daily life to enjoy some luxury lodgings in the Northumbrian hills FOR many people, holidaying in a park resort conjures up images of Red Coats and Butlins, but having never enjoyed such a holiday
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Banned: pair who left pets to starve
A NORTH-East couple have been banned from keeping animals for life after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs by starvation. Ann Marie Mason, 25, and Malcolm Kevin Stagg, 27, both of Coronation Avenue, Tow Law, County Durham, appeared
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Cold comfort
Cold Feet star John Thomson says he knows from experience that Geordies have a great sense of humour. He'll be hoping the North-East audience bring it with them when he performs at this year's Teenage Cancer Trust Bandstand at The Sage in Gateshead as
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Parking meter raider is locked up
A SECURITY officer was jailed yesterday for stealing almost £130,000 in coins from parking meters. Bryn Lynas, 47, whose job was to empty meters for the council, was caught with hundreds of pounds in his car after he raided the machines for two years
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Smidgeon lets the midge in
WE are under attack from all sides. We are being invaded. We are being taken over by minibeasts from a prehistoric age. Midges are besieging our bathroom, flying in through a crack in the window and hanging out in their thousands, like teenagers around
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High praise for Father Murphy
All Saints, in Ferryhill, has received an excellent inspection report. And parishioners reckon it's down to Father Brian Murphy's gentle approach A BIT like an OFSTED inspection - or, worse, a once-over from the At Your Service column - Roman Catholic
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Ghost ships public inquiry
A PUBLIC inquiry to hear appeals by Able UK over plans to dismantle so-called ghost ships in the region will get under way in just over three weeks. The inquiry will be held in the conference centre at Hartlepool College of Further Education, starting
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Ace fundraisers for children's charity
A LOCAL branch of the Children's Society has been nominated for a national accolade in recognition of its service to the charity.The Great Ayton branch has made the shortlist for the Children's Society Star Awards, after raising thousands of pounds this
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Attack on school buses carrying children
VANDALS have caused about £3,000 worth of damage by throwing bricks at two school buses during two separate attacks yesterday afternoon.The Compass Royston buses were targeted in Tollesby Road, Acklam, Middlesbrough at 3.25pm and Junction Road, Stockton
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A taste of success for college's healthy cafeteria
STAFF at a school cafeteria have been presented with a basket of fruit and a certificate after winning a healthy eating award.Food For Thought, at Derwentside College, has gained the national Heartbeat Award.The cafeteria provides healthy sandwiches,
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In memory of councillor
A MEMORIAL plaque has been erected in Crook to honour a community-minded councillor who died in 2004.The tribute commemorates Councillor Belle Bousfield, who served Crook for 17 years, replaces a tree planted in her memory at Esk House, which was removed
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Active Alice celebrates her 100th birthday with a dance
A REMARKABLE North-East woman celebrated her 100th birthday with a trip to her weekly exercise class.Alice Boulter, who reached the milestone on Tuesday, attends the Health Through Activity sessions at Newport Neighbourhood Centre, in Middlesbough
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Threats over bill wrongly addressed
A POWER company has apologised to a pensioner who was bombarded with more than 20 bills and threatened with bailiffs after a mistake in its computer system.Raymond Ainsley, of Darlington, complained every time Npower sent demands to his house - but the
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A day for well-heeled dogs . . .
A RECORD number of pampered pooches were aiming to be top dog at the region's biggest canine show yesterday.The three-day Darlington Dog Society's Championship Dog Show got under way for the 39th time.The show is being held for the third year at Newby
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Company fined after man crushed to death
A NORTH-EAST company has been fined £25,000 after a worker was crushed to death beneath more than a ton of toughened glass.Newnorth Limited, of Scarborough Street, Hartlepool, admitted breaching safety regulations after glazier Stephen Conlon, 30, of
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Teenager stalked his ex-girlfriend
A TEENAGER stalked his ex-girlfriend and spied on her using binoculars after their relationship ended, a court heard.The lovelorn 17-year-old, from Chester-le-Street, bombarded his 15-year-old former sweetheart with texts and phone calls.Consett Magistrates
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Shoes 'drug message' theory is kicked out
COUNCIL chiefs have stepped in to give a rapidly-spreading urban myth the boot.Stockton has been hit by a bizarre craze of people throwing shoes or trainers, tied together at the laces, over telephone cables.Some believe the shoes are a signal of a drug
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Pop duo make a lasting impression for Tilly appeal
ELECTRO pop duo Erasure took time out from their world tour to support the Tilly Lockey appeal.One year-old Tilly, from Consett, County Durham, survived meningitis, but tragically lost both her hands as a result of the disease.Tilly's parents Sarah and
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Roald provides marvellous fun
CHILDREN at a village school held a day of activities to celebrate author Roald Dahl's birthday.The pupils at Hurworth Primary School dressed as their favourite characters from the late writer's novels.Teacher Dominique Petch said: "We decided to hold
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Tory anger erupts over Thatcher's No 10 visit
TWO Tory frontbenchers launched furious attacks on Gordon Brown yesterday, accusing him of exploiting Baroness Thatcher's "frailty" and "loneliness" to score a "nauseating" cheap political point.Shadow Higher Education Minister Rob Wilson said the way
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Tributes paid to heroic Jane
The grieving husband of charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson said at her funeral yesterday he was humbled to have known her as he paid tribute to her "phenomenal" achievements.Mike Tomlinson broke down in tears as he delivered an emotional eulogy at his
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Turning out rosy for gardens
GREEN-FINGERED residents and businesses were rewarded for brightening up their village at an annual floral awards ceremony this week.Sedgefield Civic Trust held its 27th floral awards night at Sedgefield Parish Hall on Thursday, in partnership with Sedgefield
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Youngsters reveal their characters
CHILDREN at a school have celebrated the work of a popular author.Pupils at Colburn Primary School marked Roald Dahl Day by dressing up in costumes, reading books and making recipes.Sarah Beveridge, assistant headteacher, said: "The whole of the curriculum
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Judge defers verdict on councils shake-up
THOUSANDS of public sector workers face a further fortnight of uncertainty, after a decision on North-East super-councils was delayed.A High Court judge last night deferred his verdict on a council's objection to the Government scheme, which would usher
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Concern as urgent care ends at 10pm
A HEAVILY pregnant mother who was told she would have to take her ill toddler 15 miles to another town's hospital because no late night doctors were available has criticised out-of-hours care.Charlotte McClean, 25, from Darlington, was horrified when
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Jail for bungling robber who left priest, 72, in fear
A BUNGLING robber who stole a priest's car after threatening the pensioner has been jailed for three years after admitting the "red mist" came down when he called at a presbytery.James Lambert pushed and shoved the 72-year-old priest out of way before
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Black Cats boss pays tribute to Porterfield
WHEN Sunderland's class of '73 take centre stage at the Stadium of Light this afternoon, manager Roy Keane will join the club's past in taking the time to pay tribute to the man whose goal clinched FA Cup glory 34 years ago. When Ian Porterfield lost
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Keane backing strikers to fire Cats up table
OPTIMISTIC Roy Keane last night insisted he has the strikers capable of firing Sunderland away from of relegation trouble this season - unlike the last time he embarked on such a losing streak.The Black Cats need to avoid defeat at Reading this afternoon
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Allardyce tells Given to play waiting game
SAM Allardyce has urged Shay Given to remain patient as he attempts to dislodge Steve Harper from Newcastle's starting line-up, but the Magpies manager has admitted the Republic of Ireland international is no longer the club's undisputed number one.Given
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Curfew for failing to send her son to school
A MOTHER who failed to ensure her son attended school has had a curfew imposed on her.Linda Davison, 40, had the curfew imposed on her when she appeared at Consett Magistrates' Court, County Durham yesterday.The order means she must remain
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Southgate praise for his midfield maestros
AFTER a week in which England have dispensed with the need for a holding midfielder, Gareth Southgate has claimed that Middlesbrough's midfield versatility is one of the key factors behind their recent surge up the Premier League table.In recent seasons
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Frightened savers scramble for cash
ANXIOUS savers queued outside Northern Rock branches across the country yesterday, despite assurances their money was safe.Customers of the lender, which is based in Newcastle, were last night urged not to panic after it confirmed it had asked for emergency
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Revealing some state secrets
The North-East's own Government minister spoke yesterday of his enthusiasm for a new light railway, of his excitement about a new 1bn energy centre and about how the region is going to see the Queen's Speech before Her Majesty sets eyes on it. Political
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'They tell you not to panic - then you see hundreds in the queues'
THE silver-haired man, propped on his walking stick, stared at the snaking queue and shook his head."What's all this," he said, to no-one in particular. "Is the new Harry Potter out or something?"The Northern Echo newspaper bill, on the other side of
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What made the Rock begin to crumble?
Q Why does the Northern Rock need help from the Bank of England? A The firm needs to secure access to a greater flow of cash so that it can continue its business. Unlike most banks, which get their money from customers making deposits into savings accounts
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Police officers injured in car crash
THREE police officers have been hurt in a patrol car crash. The officers were in a police-marked Ford Focus when it collided with a red Nissan 200 on City Road, in Newcastle, at about 11pm on Friday. The incident happened near the junction with Sallyport
