Archive
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105-year-old Darlington resident dies
ONE of Darlington's oldest residents has died aged 105. Former housekeeper Dorothy Hoyland died peacefully on September 19. Born in 1902, in Penistone, South Yorkshire, she came to the area after the Second World War, moving to Barton in 1946 to work
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Gibson named top cricketer by fellow professionals
Durham's West Indian all-rounder Ottis Gibson was tonight named as the Professional Cricketers Association player of the year. The award is voted for by fellow county professional players and has been won in recent years by Andrew Flintoff and Michael
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Woman cut free after car leaves road
A WOMAN was cut free from a car by fire-fighters after a road accident tonight. Fire-fighters were called to the A177 at Garmondsby, near West Cornforth, County Durham just before 9.45pm, following reports that a car had left the road. The woman was
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Teenager named town's volunteer of the year
A YOUNG volunteer has been recognised for his work supporting young people in his community. James Deane was crowned the town's Volunteer of the Year at last nights Darlington Volunteer Awards 2007. The awards were presented in a ceremony at the Darlington
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Police seize work of art that may breach child pornography laws from North-East gallery
POLICE have seized an exhibit from Gateshead's prestigious Baltic art gallery because it may breach child pornography laws. Officers from the Northumbria force are understood to have taken the image of a child away on Thursday last week after being alerted
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Superbad
Superbad So funny I nearly died laughing. Superbad is the same style of film as American Pie. It follows three teenage friends, Seth (Jonah Hill), Evan (Michael Cera) and Fogell (or Mc Lovin as he's known through most of the film (Christopher Mintz-Plasse
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Ward hits brinkburn for six
League Cup. UNDER 12s 9 - 1 Brinkburn Goalscorer(s):Josh Ward (6)Niall Hanratty ,Luke Kershaw ,Callum Sweeten MOM:Josh Ward report; Allstars sponsored By Carlbury Hall ,were away at Harlepool nuclear power station for this league cup match
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VW Eos 2.0 FSI
THE neighbours must have thought I was losing it. Up, down, up, down. It wasn't that I couldn't decide. Logic told me up was a far more sensible option. But to get to up I had to go down. And down necessitated going back up. Imagine this, ad
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Northern Rock shares continue to slide
SHARES in crisis-hit mortgage lender Northern Rock slumped again today as traders speculated over the future of the company. The Newcastle-based firm, the UK's fifth biggest mortgage lender, closed more than 11 per cent down after briefly surging 13
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Addict targeted elderly women
A DRINK and drug addict targeted elderly women to snatch their bags to fund his addictions, a court heard. William Maxwell Abel, 36, was on Monday jailed for at least two-and-a-half years at Durham Crown Court, after admitting the robbery of a 60-year-old
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Consett YMCA Juniors Full Round Up
summaries from Dave Pyke Under 7s Consett Rascals 10 Hebburn Quay 0 Consett racals hit double figures in their 10-1 win against Hebburn Quay, 4 goals from m.o.m. Thomas Wilson, 2 a-piece from Reece McVickers and Joseph Massey with Connor Tipping
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Stan Laurel school arsonist is jailed
AN arsonist who set fire to Stan Laurel's former school was jailed today after breaching a supervision order four days after it was imposed. The 15-year-old from Newton Aycliffe admitted starting the blaze in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on September
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SEAT Altea DSG 2.0 TDi
HOLIDAYS were beckoning, but what to choose for the trip? First thoughts were to go for a big 4x4 - lots of room, a high driving position, chunky boot and a versatile interior sounded perfect for some long-distance work. But, with less than a
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Under 12s Romp home with a convicing win
Ferryhill under 10s . Sponsored by Kelly's News Ferryhill entertained Newton Aycliffe youth and both teams went on the attack from the kick off with both defences holding firm with no clear cut chances from any team . In the second half Ferryhill attacked
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Outstanding teachers in line for top award
SOME of the North-East's outstanding teachers, classroom assistants and school governors are heading to London for a star-studded awards ceremony next month. The Teaching Awards are to be held at the London Palladium on October 21 in front of a 2,000
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September 19, 2007
Solutions ACROSS 1 Disdain. D(ISDA)I+N (Aids anag.) 5 Bear pit. BEAR+P+IT 9 Crochet. C+R+O+CH+ET 10 Abalone. A+B+A+LONE 11 Old master. (anag.) 12 Theft. THE+F+T 13 Donna. DON+N+A 15 Off-centre. OFF+CENTRE 17 Cuban heel. (two
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WPC murder: woman in court
A WOMAN charged with murdering an off duty police officer has appeared in court this afternoon. Susan Phillipson, 41, of Skipton Road, Burnley, was charged with murder at Burnley Magistrates Court, in Lancashire. The defendant spoke only to confirm
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Boro confirm Arca injury blow
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Julio Arca will be sidelined for "at least two months" with medial knee ligament damage. Arca was stretchered off the field during the first half of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Sunderland, just minutes
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Eco-friendly visitor centre short-listed for top award
AN eco-friendly visitor centre that was part of a £1.2m redevelopment is in the running for a top award. The North York Moors National Park has won praise for its efforts at its Danby visitor centre. The centre was part of an overall project costing
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vp
Newcastle Vipers' Ryan Macdonald
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vp
Coventry Blaze v Newcastle Vipers
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Vipers can't hold top spot
Friday, September 21, 2007 Belfast Giants 1-2 Mobilx Newcastle Vipers Saturday, September 22, 2007 Mobilx Newcastle Vipers 1-7 Coventry Blaze ROB Wilson denounced his side's 7-1 reverse at home to Coventry as 'totally unacceptable' on Saturday night
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Hunt for pensioner's "cowardly" attacker
A DISABLED pensioner received hospital treatment after being beaten over the head. The unprovoked attack - described as "cowardly'' by police - came as the 79-year-old locked the front gate of his home in Kelso Court, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough, on
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Sex attacker jailed for 16 years
A SEX attacker who preyed on the same victim for almost two decades was jailed for 16 years yesterday. James Campbell, 45, of Howick Park, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, had denied a series of sickening attacks. But a jury last week found him guilty found
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Consett Under 7's at Monkton
Another superb weekend for the Consett Under 7's. It's definitely the place to see goals and they did not let us down scoring another 15 between the two teams.The Mischiefs result was extra special as Hebburn Town were tipped for honours this year at
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Torpedo Consett Results Round Up
Another good weekend with four games played by the two teams both winning one and drawing one each. Torpedo DX 6 East Durham United Vulcans 0 Torpedo Consett 4 Grindon YPC O Grindon YPC 1 Torpedo Consett DX 1 Hebburn Town 1 Torpedo Consett1
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Clubs' king Jack loses cancer battle
A MAN who became synonymous with North-East club land has died at the age of 75. Jack Amos, who was known as the Jack of Clubs, lost his fight with cancer at his home in Blackhill, near Consett, on Saturday. He had previously overcome lung cancer when
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Man jailed for robbery in own home
A MAN was jailed has been jailed three years for a knifepoint robbery in his own home. David Higgins, 37, held a knife to the throat of Paul Butler, 35, and made him hand over his wallet. Then Higgins, of Park Road, and a friend Paul Emers, of Lilac
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Rock star to mark anniversary
A ROCK star's concerto celebrating the beauty of Durham City will be premiered next month to mark the 175th anniversary of the city's university Former Deep Purple keyboard player Jon Lord, 65, will be one of four soloists, playing Hammond organ, when
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Charity worker latest to fall foul of parking restrictions
SUPERMARKET bosses have defended a controversial parking policy after a charity worker became the latest shopper to be caught out by the restrictions. The Co-operative Group claims the vast majority of motorists are in favour of arrangements in place
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Body of man found in factory
POLICE are investigating the death of a middle-aged man found dead in a factory yesterday. The man, in his mid-50s, was discovered at 1.30pm yesterday at Middleton Minature Mouldings, on the Harmire Industrial Estate in Barnard Castle, County Durham.
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EU treaty
BANK of England governor Mervyn King said in evidence to the Treasury Select Committee concerning Northern Rock that "the Bank of England would have preferred to have acted covertly as lender of last resort", but was prevented from doing so by
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Unitary authorities
YOUR editorial (Echo, Sept 17) explains all we need to know about the unprincipled politics of the Liberal Democrats. Paragraph three states the Lib Dems are against the imposition of a unitary authority for County Durham, followed two paragraphs
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Northern Rock
HOW disappointing to see the queues outside branches of Northern Rock. As Darren Blenkiron pointed out (HAS, Sept 18), Northern Rock has been a generous supporter of sports and charities, especially in the North-East. Northern Rock, of all financial
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Zimbabwe
SOME months ago, Australian Prime Minister John Howard decided to withdraw the national cricket team from a tournament in Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, his decision was not replicated by other nations. More recently, there has been greater media attention
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Jobsworth stores
HOW humiliating and degrading can a supermarket get when refusing to serve a gentleman of 72 years with alcohol because he would not confirm he was over 21 when asked by staff at West Derby, Merseyside (Echo, Sept 20). A Morrisons spokesman said
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'Outsider'row
HOW joyous to watch the political establishment making itself look ridiculous. I refer to the dispute over a Durham City Liberal Democrat describing the city's Labour MP, who hails from Belfast (still part of the UK), as an "outsider". The poisonous
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Business flights
RE the MPs' campaign to save bmi's business flights to London Heathrow from Durham Tees Valley (Echo Business, Sept 19), I would point out that another large airline serves this airport. KLM runs three flights a day to Amsterdam with a flight time
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Man's death treated as suspicious
POLICE have launched an investigation into the death of a man whose body was found near the banks of the River Tyne this morning. The alarm was raised after a member of the public found the body at Clive Street in North Shields. A Northumbria Police
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Dad at Large
CONGRATULATIONS to Peter Barron for his brilliant Dad at Large article about lack of privacy (Echo, Sept 20). Surely such a gifted journalist must have written a book or novel? Or are there too many distractions/disruptions from his offspring?
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Award-winning nurse turns back the clock
AN award-winning nurse went back to basics in a bid to raise funds for terminally-ill patients. Dawn Dyne, from Richmond, is the reigning Marie Curie Nurse of the Year and cares for the desperately-ill in their own homes so they can spend their final
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'It's time to spruce up our vacant shops'
A COUNCILLOR has called for action to spruce up empty shops which he says are blighting a market town. Guisborough town councillor Bill Clarke raised his concerns at a meeting of the town council. He told the meeting: "There are a number of empty shops
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MP attends day care service birthday party
CATERING students played host to former Tory leader William Hague as he officially launched the birthday celebrations of a day-care group. The Richmond MP praised the work of ABLE - Activity Based Learning Environment - a community service based in Catterick
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Residents can make an impact on crime
THE public are being urged to do their bit to help fight crime as a major two-month police initiative reaches its climax. Operation Impact is aimed at giving criminals nowhere to hide and involves the North Yorkshire force together with their colleagues
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Drivers blamed for shortage of wardens
DARLINGTON'S severe shortage of lollipop men and women is partly caused by speeding drivers, a councillor has claimed. Darlington Borough Council struggle to recruit school crossing wardens - as they are officially known - with a number of children's
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Durham link lights the way to visit by London trade guild
A LEADING London trade guild has made Durham the destination for its annual master's weekend. Happy memories from his student days in Durham ensured the city was the natural choice of this year's master of the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers, Simon
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Old pub may become flats
A FORMER pub which played a part in Darlington FC's rise into the football league could be converted into flats. The Forge Tavern, in Prescott Road, Darlington, has been empty for two years. Plans have been submitted to pull down the pub, on the corner
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Safety warning as 200 gully covers are stolen
PEOPLE are being warned to beware of missing gully covers after a recent spate of thefts. Concern has grown on safety grounds over the absence of the gully gratings, which leave sizeable openings at the sides of roads. Officials estimated that 200 of
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Stage success for young holidaymakers
TWO brothers proved they were a top song and dance act when they won heats of a talent competition while on holiday. Adam Allinson, 16, and his nine-year-old brother, Elliot, from Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, won prizes in the Robinson's Fruit Shoot
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Action week planned in effort to beat crime
WEST Auckland will be targeted by a multi-agency team as part of a week-long project to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. As part of a Government programme of support, the Home Office has recommended the use of weeks of action in areas experiencing
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Path plan vetoed by council leader
AN unpopular plan to cover green space with cycle paths has been overturned by the council's leader. Darlington Borough Council's plan for a 1km path, from Stockton Road, in Great Burdon, south along the River Skerne to Mill Lane, was approved by its
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New call to rethink plans for demolition
A PLEA is being made to a council to lift a town centre neighbourhood from "uncertainty'' by reconsidering plans to demolish hundreds of homes. In 2005, Middlesbrough Council announced plans to bulldoze 1,500 terracee homes and build 750 houses in a massive
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Certificate shows healthy outlook for pupils
CHILDREN and staff at a Darlington school are celebrating after proving they are the picture of health. Pupils, parents and staff have all contributed to gain National Healthy School Status for Harrowgate Hill Primary. The award ensures the school teaches
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Council wants to sell former hostel
A VICTORIAN town house is on the market and open to offers. The Firs, in Hartlepool's Westbourne Road, was previously used as a hostel, but is now surplus to the requirements of Hartlepool Borough Council. The closing date for sealed bids is 1pm on Thursday
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Robbie skips back for a visit
A PRIMARY school pupil who celebrated every first at a nursery has returned to see his old friends. Four-year-old Robbie Wallace took time out from his schooling at Firthmoor Primary School to return to Maidendale House nursery, in Darlington. Robbie
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Appeal for information on crimes
The following crimes have been reported to Darlington police this month. Anyone with information is asked to call 0845-60-60-365, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111. * Pembroke Court, off Parkgate: A property was burgled between 10am and 2.30pm
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Appeal to drivers to help reduce damage
MOTORISTS in Hartlepool are being urged to do their bit to help reduce criminal damage. Cleveland Police and the Safer Hartlepool Partnership are calling on drivers to park their cars on driveways, or in secure car parks, to reduce the chances of them
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Brutally honest
As a doctor, GP Martin Ellingham's bedside manner is lacking in, shall we say, warmth and compassion. "You haven't told me what's wrong with her," says the mother who's brought her daughter to see the medic. "She's very annoying," is the doctor's diagnosis
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Hundreds of people enjoy a square meal
A LARGE crowd helped to put a new spin on harvest festival when crops are harvested and prayers offered in thanksgiving. Dating back to medieval times, farmers made loaves of bread from the wheat crop which they presented to churches as communion bread
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Ceremony marks start of college's £3m project
A SIMPLE turf-cutting ceremony heralded the dawn of a college's new era as work began on a £3m development. Phase one of the development at Norton College consists of a new sixth-form building and the relocation of four tennis courts and farm buildings
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Awards pay tribute to environmental work
A SEARCH is on in Hartlepool to find the town's greenest residents. Nominations are being sought for the Pride in Hartlepool Awards. The re-branded awards, which replace the Pride in Your Neighbourhood Awards, have been streamlined. They cover five categories
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Football teams compete to boost children's charity
FOOTBALLERS of all ages took to the pitch yesterday to raise funds for a children's charity. Eight teams played on Sunday at Dean Bank Recreation Ground, in Ferryhill, to raise funds for the charity Make a Child Smile, which helps children from Teesside
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Celebrations mark church's 150 years
A town church celebrated its 150th anniversary with a choral evening. St Stephen's Parish Church, in Willington, was consecrated on June 7, 1857, and several events have already taken place throughout the year to celebrate the milestone. The church was
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Rail chance for train fans
DOZENS of rail enthusiasts turned up at Stanhope Railway's recent volunteer day to register their willingness to work with the Weardale Railway Trust. Guests were treated to refreshments and a 20-minute trip on a British Rail 141 train, which took them
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School bids to sever link with church
A SECONDARY school is to put its case for further autonomy, loosening ties from its local education authority. Houghton Kepier School, in Houghton-le-Spring, has foundation school status, leaving decision-making to its governors, with funding still provided
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Convenient changes for church hall
A CHURCH hall has new toilets after receiving a grant. Holy Trinity Church Hall, in Cornforth, now has modern toilets, thanks to an £11,000 grant from local company The Banks Group. The toilets include full facilities for disabled users and families.
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Centre wants people to have a say in new shops
SHOPPERS can have their say over the final pieces of the jigsaw of a retail development to fully open later in the year. Finishing touches are being made to the £18m Byron Place shopping centre, which is expected to enhance the retail sector in the former
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Where are all the boys? asks stage school
STAGE-SHY young men are hindering preparations for two forthcoming theatre school musicals. Durham Stage School and its joint venture, Tyneside Stage School, are starting rehearsals for their major shows, Disco Inferno and Les Miserables, to run on professional
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Pensioner cut free from wreckage of car
A 69-YEAR-old man had to be cut free from his car after his car collided with three other vehicles in Hartlepool. The incident happened at around 7.40pm on Sunday on Marlow Road. The silver Vauxhall Corsa was travelling towards Macefield Road when it
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Disappointing end sees Yorkshire finish sixth
Disappointment at Yorkshire's recent decline but optimism over what the future will bring was voiced by captain, Darren Gough, and Director of Cricket, Martyn Moxon, after the season came to an unexpectedly abrupt end at Headingley Carnegie on Saturday
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Falcons well beaten as Geraghty stars for Irish
London Irish 19 Newcastle Falcons 0 Newcastle's Director of Rugby John Fletcher conceded that his team were lucky to lose by only 19 points at London Irish yesterday. While the Falcons were without their two first-choice fly halves, Shane Geraghty returned
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Tynedale count the cost of victory
Tynedale 19 Mowden Park 8 INJURIES took their toll as two teams fielding several Newcastle Development players struggled for fluidity as Tynedale won 19-8 at home to Darlington Mowden Park. Tynedale are now clear at the top of National Three North with
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Flannery backs coach
Jerry Flannery yesterday backed under-fire coach Eddie O'Sullivan by blaming the players for Ireland's abysmal World Cup and crushed speculation over unrest in the camp. Ireland's group campaign is in danger of limping to a pitiful conclusion against
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Boro too strong for depleted Darlington
Darlington 12 Middlesbrough 60 WHEN David Andrew first played for Middlesbrough 18 years ago Darlington did not feature on their fixture list as it would have been no contest. When he went on for the hosts on Saturday he must have reflected that things
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Aussies cruise into quarter-finals
Australia 55 Fiji 12 Australia booked a World Cup quarter-final clash with either England or Tonga after cruising to a bonus-point victory over Fiji. Matt Giteau celebrated his 50th Test cap by scoring two of Australia's seven tries in a personal haul
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Percy sounds a warning
South Africa full-back Percy Montgomery admits he will not be surprised if Tonga send England spinning out of the World Cup on Friday. The world champions meet the Tongans in a winner-takes-all qualification decider in Paris, and Montgomery is perfectly
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Jonny calls for same again from England
England 44 Samoa 22 England have started dusting themselves down for part two of their World Cup-defining Polynesian double header, with Jonny Wilkinson declaring: ''Exactly the same rules will apply.'' After sending Samoa crashing out of the tournament
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Tonga crunch bound to be tough, says Andrew
Rob Andrew has warned England's players and supporters not to underestimate Tonga when they face the South Sea islanders in their World Cup eliminator at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Friday. England's director of rugby believes the big nations can
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Scots' reserves limit damage
Scotland 0 New Zealand 40 Scotland coach Frank Hadden insists his side's schedule in Pool C of the World Cup forced him to field a weakened team against tournament favourites New Zealand at Murrayfield. Hadden made 13 changes from the side which defeated
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Thomas should be fit
Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins expects to have captain Gareth Thomas available for Saturday's World Cup eliminator with Fiji. Thomas had feared he would be ruled out of the tournament after damaging his ribs in a late tackle from Stirling Mortlock during
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Nelson puts one over pal
MICKY Nelson is a big fan of Adam Boyd - and enjoyed getting one over on his former team-mate on Saturday. The old Pools compatriots were in direct competition in London on Saturday, but there's little doubt Nelson won the duel. Despite not training all
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Riverside derby takes a drink from Spirit of Steaua bottle
THOSE who witnessed the Middlesbrough supporter, in the East Stand corner, frantically waving a flag with 'Spirit of Steaua' emblazoned across its fabric, as both sides entered the Riverside arena, may have felt it was perhaps wishful thinking on his
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Allardyce admits Owen likely to have operation to solve troublesome groin
MICHAEL Owen will see a groin specialist later today after Sam Allardyce admitted that surgery had become more likely following the striker's second injury scare within the space of six days. Owen hobbled off the field after just 51 minutes of yesterday's
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Penney dismisses links to Wednesday post
Dave Penney has distanced himself from reports linking him with a move to Sheffield Wednesday, pointing out that he still has a job to do at Darlington. Reports last week linked Penney with Wednesday, who are currently managed by Brian Laws, whose future
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Supersub Miller hails Black Cats comeback kings after rescuing draw
SUPERSUB Liam Miller hailed Sunderland's never say die attitude after playing his part in the club's dramatic comeback at Middlesbrough. It is the third time this season the Black Cats have scored late goals to take points from a game they probably deserved
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Ferguson insists Cole horror tackle deserved red card
Manchester Utd 2 Chelsea 0 Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a bitter attack on Joe Cole for the tackle he felt should have seen Chelsea reduced to nine men at Old Trafford this afternoon. Chelsea were already a goal and a man down when Cole launched himself
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Rock will still pay dividend
CRISIS-hit mortgage bank Northern Rock said today it still intends to pay shareholders a 30 per cent hike in dividend despite its financial woes. The lender is set to honour the 14.2p a share dividend announced on July 25 for all investors on the share
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In safe hands
Steve Pratt speaks to author Anne Cassidy about having her controversial children's book adapted for the stage. TEACHER turned writer Anne Cassidy has had offers to film her Whitbread Children's Book Award shortlisted novel Looking For JJ in the past.
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English - as she spoke
LOTS of letters arrive on my desk: some nice, some not so nice, some ridiculous, some quite brilliant. A letter from Ivor Wade, of Darlington, falls into the latter category. He wrote in response to a recent flurry of correspondence which began when
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A brief history of the Hawkings
Lucy Hawking dips into her rucksack, pulling out a handful of space rocks (the sweet kind) which she kindly gives me for my children. She's been doing a series of book events for children, she tells me, fishing out a miniature Simpsons doll of her father
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We say 'no' to Mayor but 'yes' to change
WE have consistently argued that government - nationally and locally - is in need of reinvigoration. Arrogance and complacency have developed in recent years, fuelled by pitifully weak opposition, and leading to a deepening sense of disillusionment. It
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Wife could have died from link to asbestos
A FIREFIGHTER'S wife could have died from inhaling asbestos fibres while washing her husband's work clothes. An inquest heard that mother-of-two Kathleen Thompson, 54, was not exposed to asbestos in her work as a clerk, but frequently washed her husband
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Hunt for gang after men are beaten in park attacks
A HUNT has been launched to find a gang responsible for carrying out random beatings in a park. Police said the assaults carried out on lone men -possibly with metal bars -were vicious and senseless. Two attacks carried out near Middlesbrough town centre
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Teenager is charged with murder
A TEENAGER will appear in court today charged with the murder of a man found dying from stab wounds in a van. Robert Richardson was slumped at the wheel of a heating company vehicle in Gosforth, Newcastle, when police arrived at the scene, shortly before
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Women of Year Lunch accolade
TWO women from the North-East are on the guest list for the Women of the Year Lunch. Food scientist Professor Janet Bainbridge and community campaigner June Goodchild are among 450 women invited to this year's event at the InterContinental Hotel, in London's
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Scrabble fans test their skills at competition
COMPETITORS tested their wits on the Scrabble board in an annual prize competition at the weekend. The Durham Grand Weekend has quickly become one of the leading events for members of the Association of British Scrabble Players. Competitors even flew
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Jean's silver service
In 50 years of being a waitress she's served a host of famous names, including the actor Anthony Hopkins and the children of JFK. Now at the age of 72, Jean Barton is still a treasured asset at the renowned Black Swan Hotel in Helmsley. She talks to Women's
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Concerns at funding for Blair's police
CONCERNS have been raised over who will pay for the former Prime Minister's armed protection unit from March next year.Throughout his Premiership, Tony Blair's house, Myrobella, in Trimdon Colliery, County Durham, was guarded full-time by armed officers.As
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From life of seclusion in cave to patron saint of Yorkshire?
HE lived an austere life of secluded devotion, spurned the attention of kings and lived for decades in a spartan riverside cave.In his time, he was renowned across Europe and his home became a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people, but over the
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World champion Zara crashes to ninth at annual horse trials
ROYAL rider Zara Phillips attracted the crowds, but could only make ninth place at the Aske Horse Trials.The BBC Sports Personality of the Year entered three horses in the annual event, near Richmond.The sprawling lands of Aske Hall, which is owned by
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South beats North as East meets West
MESSING about on the river took on a Chinese feel yesterday.A stretch of the River Tyne hosted the Chinese Arts Association's annual Dragon Boat Festival.But it was two crews of paddlers from farther south, on the River Wear, who took the honours.Spectators
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X Factor's Martin to hold concert
A SINGER is planning a concert to thank a charity that has supported him since childhood.X factor contestant Martin Quigley was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 11.The 23-year-old Neil Diamond fan will sing Diamond's songs and other classic hits at
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Badgers rehomed to reduce road dangers
A FAMILY of badgers has been given a new home to keep them safe from traffic.Road builders created and installed an artificial sett when it was discovered the badgers' original home lay in the path of a planned dual carriageway.The move followed a wildlife
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Three die in North Sea accident
THREE men have died after an accident involving an anchor chain aboard a gas rig standby vessel in the North Sea. It happened on the Viking Islay in the BP Amethyst gas field - off the East Yorkshire coast, the boat's operators, Aberdeen-based Vroon
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Legal discussions begin ahead of jockeys' trial
LEGAL discussions are today expected to begin ahead of the trial of six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon and two others from North Yorkshire on race-fixing allegations. Fallon, 42, and fellow riders Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, together with three
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Pools celebrate IOR anniversary in style
A TENTH wedding anniversary is known, in traditional terms, as the tin landmark. Hartlepool United's decade under the control of Increased Oil Recovery was marked with a golden performance. On September 22, 1997 IOR took control of the club, Pools were
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Tragic soldier's courage under fire in danger zone
A POPULAR young soldier who was found dead in his barracks had served in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan.Last week, The Northern Echo reported how John Dean Myers had been "living his dream" in the Army.The 18-year-old rifleman, from Darlington
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£250 fine - for driver who killed a toddler
A NORTH-EAST mother fled court in tears as the man who killed her daughter left with only a £250 fine.Charlene Ryan, 21, was with her 20-month-old daughter, Aisling Marie Nic-Suibhre, when they were hit by a car that mounted the pavement.The driver, Stephen
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'Bluetongue disease unlikely to spread to region this year'
THE bluetongue disease that has hit a farm in East Anglia is unlikely to reach the North-East soon, a leading farmer believes.David Maughan, a member of the North-East livestock board of the National Farmers' Union, thinks the disease will be restricted
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Magpies' stock rises after Hammers nailed
PRIOR to yesterday's home game with West Ham, Newcastle's players wore T-shirts displaying their support for the club's embattled sponsors, Northern Rock. And just as the North-East's leading bank will be hoping to recover from a particularly bad week
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Passions running high in Tees-Wear clash
GIVEN how one of Gareth Southgate and Roy Keane's early clashes during their playing careers ended in controversy, it was fitting that a first meeting as managers would be an afternoon of high drama. It was back in 1995 when Keane infamously received
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Downing puts case forward to solve Boro striker crisis
MIDDLESBROUGH are on the verge of a striker crisis and manager Gareth Southgate is having to consider all of his options - with an emergency signing a serious option. But, after grabbing his third goal of the season against Sunderland, left-winger Stewart
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Sought-after games are stolen from store
BURGLARS may have deliberately targeted a computer store to get their hands on what could be the biggest selling game of the year. The thieves broke into the Chips computer store, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, taking Halo 3 games and limited edition
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Driving ambition to make mark in local government
On Thursday, Darlington will have a referendum on whether the town should have an elected mayor. One of the country's 13 elected mayors is the Redcarborn Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock. Owen Amos spoke to him. When he was 18, Steve Bullock
