Archive
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Hargreaves ruled out of England's qualifiers
OWEN Hargreaves has been ruled out for three to four weeks after having an injection in his knee. The midfielder is suffering from tendinitis and will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Russia and Estonia.
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Quakers denied at the death
Darlington 1 Rochdale 1 A YEAR ago this Saturday Darlington reached the nadir of last season with a 5-0 defeat at home to Rochdale that sent Quakers tumbling into the bottom half of the table. Twelve months on, they are among the promotion contenders
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Pools take heed of Wilson's words
Hartlepool United 2 Carlisle United 2 DANNY Wilson got a much improved performance and a better atmosphere inside Victoria Park. He also got a better result as his side secured a late draw with Carlisle. After weakly losing to Walsall on Saturday,
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MATCH RESULT
League Two: Darlington 1 (Tommy Wright 59) Rochdale 1 (Prendergast 88)
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MATCH RESULT
League One: Hartlepool 2 (Richard Barker 39, Michael Mackay 86) Carlisle 2 (Danny Graham 19, 45)
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Detective removed from Madeleine case
THE Portuguese detective in charge of the Madeleine McCann inquiry was removed from the case today after accusing her parents of manipulating British police, it was reported tonight. Goncalo Amaral was reportedly taken off the case following his comments
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Fightstar - Newcastle. 30th September 2007. Sian Williams
Let's start with some honesty; I was a bit optimistic about this concert. I mean, don't get me wrong, I was still excited but wasn't expecting anything spectacular. How wrong I was! The night was fantastic! And yeah, I was (still am) a busted fan as well
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Guidance issued for trail bike riders
GUIDANCE for trail bike riders on which parts of the Yorkshire Dales they can use has been issued. The free leaflet, which is available at petrol stations and cafes in the national park, aims to reduce conflict between off-road motorbikers and walkers
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Musician inspired by fatherhood
A MUSICIAN has released a new album inspired by his experiences as a father. Andrew Yeadon says his new album Look Into The Eyes Of The Innocent takes its name from memories of the birth of his two-year-old daughter Isobel. Mr Yeadon, from Barnard Castle
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Northern Rock shares rebound on take-over talks
Shares in Northern Rock bounced back today after rumours that two private equity firms are due to meet with executives from the mortgage lender to discuss a potential buyout. Sky News said that private equity firms Cerberus and J.C. Flowers are due
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Hard Battle
Barnard Castle 2nds 20 Newton Aycliffe 12 Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club's winning streak came to an end against a strong Barnard Castle 2nd XV. With only 16 players available, losing a man injured in the warm-up was the worst possible start for Aycliffe
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Torpedo Consett Round Up
Saturday September 29th 2007 11.55am Kick Off Torpedo Consett DX 1 Hebburn Town 0 (HT 0-0) This was a great game of football and to be fair it could have gone either way as both sides had their chances. The weather had cleared up nicely for the
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Consett Under 7's at Monkton
Consett Mischiefs 2 Boldon Colts 1 Another great game against in-form Boldon. The Mischiefs played some great football and battled to win this game. Great goals from Sam Overal and Alex Johnson. Man of the match was awarded to Louie Kelman who was exceptional
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Riding centre staff distraught over missing mascot
YOUNG riders and staff at an equestrian centre were in tears after their mascot dog went missing. Middleton Riding Centre has lost its three-year pug cross, which is a favourite of youngsters at the school. Staff at the school think the dog is lost
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Help for parents of underage drinkers
PARENTS worried about their children's drinking are now able to refer them to a special project for help. The Hartlepool-based Straight-Line Project works with young people aged 11 to 17 to help them realise the problems that are created by underage
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Annual town fair gets ready for visitors
ONE of the region's oldest town fairs is gearing up for its annual event this month. Yarm Fair will be in the town's High Street from Thursday, October 18 until Saturday, October 20. The fair will be open from 6pm to midnight on the Thursday and Friday
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Grandfather jailed for sex offences committed 30 years ago
A MAN was jailed for child sex abuse he committed 30 years ago. David Wardle, 62, is now a respected grandfather and pillar of his community, Teesside Crown Court was told. He went to prison still protesting his innocence despite a jury finding him
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Xbox 360 Or Nintendo Wii ?
Here at rE-view we love our video games and we know you do to. So we decided to have a look at 2 of the so-called next generation consoles, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. What about the Playstation 3 you ask? Well we played it but have
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Riders given new guidance
GUIDANCE for trail bike riders on which parts of the Yorkshire Dales they can use has been issued. The free leaflet, which is available at petrol stations and cafes in the national park, aims to reduce conflict between off-road motorbikers and walkers
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Pools ground under threat
THE future of a North-East football ground is back on the agenda after the club voiced an interest in buying the land. Hartlepool Council has set up a special committee following a request from Hartlepool United Football Club to re-open negotiations
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Drunk filmed herself drop-kicking kitten, court told
CRUEL Nicola Collinson picked up a kitten and booted it like a rugby ball after it crossed her path in the street. Her twisted and bizarre attack, which she filmed on a mobile phone, was played to magistrates when she appeared in court. Collinson, 21
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Man dies in road accident
POLICE are investigating a road smash that left one man dead. The eastbound carriageway of the A177, between Sedgefield and Thorpe Larches, near Stockton, has been closed for several hours this morning after a driver lost control of his vehicle. Durham
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Parents of missing student asked to identify body
THE parents of a student who went missing after a night out in York will be asked today to identify a body police believe is their son. Robert Davies, 20, who studied at the University of York, went missing more than a week ago after drinking with friends
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Quakers sign Fulham keeper
DARLINGTON have today signed Fulham goalkeeper Corrin Brooks-Meade in a month-long emergency loan deal and he will be on the bench tonight when Quakers face Rochdale. He arrives as cover for David Stockdale who sustained a shoulder injury in training
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The Misadventures of Betty Crocker/Diary of a Mad Housewife
John left to go to the pub, so I decided to "make something"! Great. First I decided to make the cheesy scalloped potatoes he loves. Oops, we're out of milk. How about macaroni and cheese. Oops, we're still out of milk. Normally, I would walk across
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Teenager dies in nuclear plant fall
A TEENAGE labourer died after falling 35ft down a manhole on a nuclear power plant. Kevin Horner, 19, had been working in Olkiluoto, Finland, for just seven days when he plunged down the hole. The teenager from Hartlepool suffered severe head injuries
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Business Echo PDF - October 2nd 2007
Business Echo PDF - October 2nd 2007
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Gordon Brown
I WONDER what the people of the North-East make of Gordon Brown's recent coup. It is on record that Brown didn't exactly have a fond opinion of Mrs Thatcher when he and the Labour Party were clawing their way back into government. He tells us
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Election fever
A SNAP election can be an ideal opportunity to seize upon public opinion or a disaster if that opinion turns on its head. Gordon Brown's short tenure as Prime Minister has been quite impressive in its low key, nononsense style. Some political
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Peter Mullen
COLUMNIST Peter Mullen believes "the real world will catch up with New Labour's profligacy sooner or later" (Echo, Sept 25). I suggest he puts his money where his mouth is and places a large wager on Labour being thrown out of office at the coming
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The Sting
WE know we all have to be careful and, yes, health and safety departments are needed, but it seems that the country is going way over the top. Last week I called Darlington council as a wasp nest needed to be cleared from the roof of my house.
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Darlington FC in September By Chris Sykes
Following a solid start to the season, which yielded 2 wins and 2 draws, Darlington next had to take on 4 sides who are expected to be in the race for promotion. Momentum had to be regained after draws against Notts County and Macclesfield, and performances
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Murder hunt after girl's body found in Leeds
POLICE investigating the discovery of a girl's body said they are now treating her death as murder. A man and woman were arrested after the girl was found dead at a house in the Harehills area of Leeds. But a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the
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Northern Rock
I WAS astonished to read letters telling readers that we should be supporting Northern Rock. The correspondent's reason was that this "northern institution" donates a percentage of its profit to charity. I am sure the average person probably donates
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Measurements
CAN you explain why, in light of the recent and long overdue decision by the EU to give up it's ridiculous campaign to force the UK to adopt metric measurements (kilometres, metres, kilos etc), I am still having to put up with The Northern Echo
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Highway Code
ONCE again we see this wimpish Government following Margaret Thatcher's lead of "I'm always right" and declaring - through the new Highway Code - that smoking while driving is an offence. Apparently it can cause an accident due to lack of concentration
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Rubbish
THE behaviour of our lords and masters, sometimes erroneously referred to as public servants, never fails to amaze. The Echo reports that Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (Sep 28) is to try out weekly bin collections as if this had never been
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Stephen Greenway: Many parallels over incident involving F1 racing team
READERS may have seen reports of the $100m fine and world championship penalties that have been imposed on the McLaren Mercedes Formula One team. If you thought the stories of industrial espionage, secret emails and text messages were as relevant
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Pools to put Coles to test against Carlisle
DANNY Wilson last night gave Hull City defender Danny Coles the chance to earn a permanent move to Hartlepool United. The central defender has moved on loan with a view to a full-time deal after finding chances limited on Humberside following
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Join shopping Angels for charity
OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the MetroCentre is appealing to shoppers to help raise awareness and funds. The centre is seeking volunteers from local charities and women's groups to help promote two evening events and is also inviting
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Lunch among the abstracts
Whether contemporary art is your cup of tea or not, the cafe at Middlesbroughs's Institute of Modern Art is worth a visit. MARSKE United FC's programme, recently and deservedly named Britain's best non-league programme - we don't do match day magazines
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Soul searching
Into The Big Wide World (C4, 11.05pm), The Captain Bligh Conspiracy: Revealed (five, 8pm). Stephen Fry: HIV And Me (BBc2, 9pm) Every year 6,000 young people leave care. They're some of the most vulnerable teenagers in the country. They've gone into care
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The house of hope
Since its inception ten years ago, the Lakes and District Education Resource Centre has given a lot of hope to Ferryhill residents. Sharon Griffiths speaks to founding member Veronica Birchall. THERE are people who worry and complain about problems where
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October 2nd, 2007
THE FIVE SENSES Seeing is believing, Observe the changing sky, Notice bright sun leaving, Obscured by cloud to die, This old world still turning, More you seek, more learning. The ear listens to sound, hearing aircraft, in the sky, When perceived, it
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The television makeover that changed ny life
Margaret Eadsforth thought her image was fine, until one of her friends nominated her for a TV makeover, she tells Catherine Priestley. This week millions of viewers will witness her transformation. WALKING along London's Oxford Street at three o'clock
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Steve of the Dead
Film writer Steve Pratt gets a bloody nose - and lots of other bloody bits - when he undergoes a monster makeover to become of the the great 'infected'. DARREN didn't want to get blood on the carpet, so he took me to another room. As I walked along
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England batting lets them down
England's bid to halt a 25-year losing run in Sri Lanka ended in another dismal defeat in Dambulla yesterday. The series win over India three weeks ago had raised expectations that England's developing one-day line-up finally had enough in their armoury
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Labelling it -art' doesn't make it
EVERYONE knows by now that "Klara and Edda Belly Dancing" is a photograph by Nan Goldin of two little girls. One of the girls is skimpily dressed and she is pictured standing over the other girl who lies on her back exposing fully her private parts.
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Tamagin the one in form
Tamagin can continue his red-hot run of form with victory in the wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk Handicap. Kevin Ryan's charge has been in fine order, with two wins and two second places from four seasonal outings. The four-year-old plied his trade without
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Not such a Hotbed now, but Appleton's classic lives on
On the weekend that the region's biggish five managed just a point between the lot of them, Raye Wilkinson breezed into the pub with a treasured copy of Hotbed of Soccer, the great classic of North-East football literature. Raye's the Middleham-based
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Mathew Tait: World Cup Diary
I've finally doubled my international try tally - to two! Seriously, it's always good to score tries and being in the Rugby World Cup, in such an important game, makes it twice as nice. But the main thing was that we won the game and qualified for the
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Wales to draw up shortlist
The Welsh Rugby Union board will meet today to draw up a shortlist of potential candidates to replace Gareth Jenkins as Wales head coach. Jenkins was dismissed on Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after Wales had been knocked out of the World Cup with
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A difficult job well done
DAVID Cameron, in his bid to wrestle middle England from Labour, has repeatedly emphasised the need for a revival of traditional family values. We agree with him and "the family" is certain to be one of the battleground issues at the next General Election
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Jol gets a late job saver
Martin Jol saluted the resilience of his Tottenham players after storming back from 4-1 down against Aston Villa to avoid an 'unthinkable' defeat on the club's 125th anniversary. The hosts were cruising when Craig Gardner scored their fourth just before
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New owners for popular inn
Christie Finance, the independent business mortgage brokerage, has assisted Christine and Janine Colvin in acquiring their first public house, The Earl Derby Inn, in the picturesque village of Stanley in Crook, County Durham. The Earl Derby Inn is popular
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Completion date set for The Edge!
Work on a 14,500 sq ft contemporary Grade A office building in York is on schedule to be completed by December. Situated on Hospital Fields Road in the Fulford area of the city, the iconic building is called The Edge and is being speculatively developed
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Designer launches second venture
AN entrepreneur has started his second business at the age of only 21. After setting up his first venture when he left college at 17, Lee Simpson has now branched out to set up graphic design company Studio Eighty Six. It is an extension of his initial
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Law firm advisory role in
NEWCASTLE law firm Watson Burton has advised the shareholders of a manufacturing company which has undergone a management buy-out. The law firm provided legal advice in the sale of Barrett Steel Buildings Limited, in Bradford, which has been bought
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£25m flotation is hailed deal of year
THE £25m flotation of Vertu Motors on the Alternative Investment Market and subsequent reverse takeover of Bristol Street Motors has been hailed as the North-East's deal of the year. The deal, which saw Newcastle-based Vertu float last
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DVD service to help home buyers
THE property division at law firm Gordon Brown Associates has launched a service where prospective home buyers can watch DVDs of properties to help in their search for a home. The firm's estate agencies in Chester-le-Street, Sunderland and Low Fell,
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Eversheds provides guidance over business park transfer
EVERSHEDS has acted on behalf of the owners of a North-East business park which recently let its first premises to Newcastle Building Society, helping in the creation of 500 jobs. The Newcastle law firm represented Highbridge Business Park in its letting
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King of the salesmen
PETER King is a familiar face to many farmers in North Yorkshire and South Durham, writes Rural Affairs Editor Mike Bridgen. He has worked in agriculture for 45 years - 41 of them for the same animal feed company. Now aged 65, he has put his salesman's
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Reminder over hybrid barley potential
FARMERS have been advised to remember the potential of hybrid barley for later drilling. Simon Phillips, product development manager for Syngenta Seeds, said it could be drilled until late October, providing seedbed conditions are
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Flying the flag at international show
THE English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex) will fly the flag at an international food show in Cologne from October 13 to 17. The Eblex stand will host a record number of English red meat exporters at Anuga, the trade-only event which attracts 160,000
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Help offer for farmers facing inspections
A service has been launched to help farmers prepare their paperwork before they are visited by an inspector. With a one in 20 chance of being inspected, farmers can face hefty fines if they fall foul of requirements. Now the North Yorkshire Farming and
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New treatment for lameness in dairy cows
A NORTH Yorkshire company has brought out a new treatment for lameness in dairy cows. More than 70 per cent of dairy herds are said to be affected with digital dermatitis and secondary infections, causing huge financial losses through loss of yield, fertility
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College high-welfare pig unit is opened
THE new high-welfare pig unit at Bishop Burton College has been officially opened. The unit, which has already won the RSPCA's Freedom Food accreditation, was opened by Tim Rymer, chairman of JSR Genetics, and college principal Jeanette Dawson. Representatives
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Business that started with horse and cart
In the latest in our Success 2007 series, Mike Parker speaks to a company that is making waves in the offshore industry. GARY Dawson remembers 1998 well. It was the year in which his family's logistics firm were to take their operations to a new level
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Oakes determined to stay between the posts
Having finally returned to the side on Saturday, Darlington goalkeeper Andy Oakes aims to hold on to the No 1 spot for good this time.After being sent off on his debut during the first game of the season, Oakes served a one-match ban but was kept out
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Ottis is Durham's top man
OTTIS Gibson, who had already won the Professional Cricketers' Association award, was last night named Northern Rock Player of the Year at Durham's end of season dinner at the Newcastle Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel.As Gibson is away coaching the England
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Barton starts in reserves with a warning from Allardyce
JOEY Barton will make his first competitive appearance for Newcastle in this evening's reserves game with his former club, Manchester City, but Sam Allardyce has warned the combative midfielder not to expect a first-team start for up to a month.Barton
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Lesson for business and universities
It is that time of year again when new students pour onto campuses nationwide to commence or continue their studies. I must say it is a welcome sight, adding vitality and spark to under-occupied buildings over the summer months. But universities such
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Lighting company with a bright future
A LIGHTING company is looking to expand after receiving business growth support from NStar finance and business. KLS Lighting Design, which was set up in Newcastle in April, is looking to take on extra staff and boost profits after taking
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Decorator swaps burgers for brushes
AFTER more than 18 years spent working in the fast-food industry, Mick Mushen decided to embark on a new career and become his own boss. Mr Mushen, from Sunderland, now runs MSM Decorators, which has been in business for ten months and is already looking
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House price growth: give it some credit
Though your chances of taking a person at random off the street and engaging them in a detailed and impassioned conversation about stocks in the UK mining sector are remote, ask most people for their view on the housing market and you'll never be short
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Expansion creates 200 jobs
Yorkshire-based York House Construction has completed construction of a £6.5m extension programme at Middleton St George Hospital, near Darlington. The contractors have completed two new units and an extension at the hospital, part of a project which
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Minister's proves a prime buy
Acting on behalf of restaurateurs David and Marion Owens, the Newcastle office of Christie + Co, has sold the freehold interest in Minister's Restaurant in Sedgefield, County Durham, to a multiple operator from the North-East. During their three years
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Building on nursery's success
AN expanded day nursery at Bedale has gone from strength to strength during 18 months of success for staff and children. The Incy Wincy's nursery was praised as outstanding when it was inspected by education watchdog Ofsted. It has also been awarded the
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Youngsters leave their mark on coffee shop
A THEATRE coffee shop has a new name and logo thanks to two ten-year-olds who won a design competition. The Georgian Theatre Royal, in Richmond, asked local school children to come up with a new identity for its second floor coffee bar, and the contest
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Musicians of distinction
PLAYING in a band has paid dividends for four young musicians from Thirsk. Ten-year-olds Morven Hall, Emily Stott and Ella Wheeler, and 11-year-old Martha Barber all have private music lessons and get plenty of practice playing with Thirsk Royal British
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Assault centres' funding boost
THE Government is to create nationwide funding to open centres for victims of sexual assault, just days after one was opened in Middlesbrough. The statement was described as "the best possible endorsement of our determination to put the needs of victims
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Cemetery friends win environmental award
A GROUP of volunteers who have improved a cemetery for visitors have won The Northern Echo's community environmental competition. Now in its ninth year, and sponsored by regional development agency One NorthEast, Making a Difference showcases people helping
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Anti-terror visits for community web centres
SPECIAL branch anti-terrorist officers are to visit communal internet access centres around County Durham. The aim of the visits will be to warn managers of the centres that possible extremists could access the worldwide web using their computers. The
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Fitness classes for new mums and babies
AN eight-week fitness course for new mothers and babies gets under way next week. The series of 45-minute classes begins at Abbey Sports Centre, in Durham City, at 2.15pm, next Tuesday. The yoga-based exercise programme includes simple exercises and breathing
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Praise for efforts to ensure equality in the workplace
THE efforts being made in the North-East to stamp out discrimination and promote equality at work have been celebrated and highlighted. The North-East Equality Awards, organised by Equality North-East, provided a platform to promote the work being done
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New apprentices
Laing O'Rourke has backed the campaign to plug the skills gap in the construction sector by taking on apprentices. The company, which has a regional base on Teesside, is taking on two students from Middlesbrough College as joiners. Laing O'Rourke is
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Plans for future after investment
A DRINKS company has received a significant investment from a private equity house to enable it to expand. Intercontinental Brands, which is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and employs more than 100 staff at a bottling facility on Teesside, secured
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Estate agency expansion brings jobs hope
ESTATE agency Sarah Mains Residential expects to create at least 30 jobs after acquiring two rival businesses. The Tyneside company is also planning to increase turnover by a third within three years after acquiring David Warden, of Washington, Wearside
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RNJ awarded contracts worth £15m
CONSTRUCTION consultant RNJ has secured contracts worth in excess of £15m. The Newcastle company has been appointed by specialist retirement property provider Golden Living to work on five of its developments. The first will be a 57-apartment retirement
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Anger over payout policy for ex-pitmen
A LAWYER has accused the Government of "offending any sense of justice" in its refusal to allow failed Vibration White Finger (VWF) claimants to seek a resolution through the courts. Roger Maddocks, a partner at Newcastle personal injury firm Irwin Mitchell
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Drunk jailed after admitting bungled robbery attempt
A HOODED drunk who carried out a "ham-fisted" attempt to rob a late-night shop using a gun-shaped cigarette lighter has been jailed for a year. James Irven later claimed the bungled raid was a practical joke, but a judge yesterday told him that he had
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New students welcomed at family fun day
A FAMILY fun day was held to welcome new students at the University of Teesside. The event, on Saturday, took place outside the Students' Union building and inside the university's new social venue The Hub, in Middlesbrough. Visitors enjoyed bath bomb
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Meetings to consult residents on crime
RESIDENTS are to be asked to help choose a town's crime-fighting priorities. A partnership group, made up of the emergency services and Middlesbrough Council, is to invite local people to suggest how crime, anti-social behaviour and drug misuse is tackled
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Job training and advice on offer
A dedicated employment and training office has opened. Redcar MP Vera Baird helped launch the facility, in Redcar, on Friday. Training company Avanta, which has had a base in the town since 2002, has opened the new facility to offer more services. These
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All signs point to Rok's Northern expansion
BUILDING company Rok has acquired a plumbing, heating and electrical services company with operations in the North-East. Avonside Services Group Limited, which was formed in 2003 following a management buyout, provides services to the construction industry
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Crackdown nets drugs haul worth thousands
THOUSANDS of pounds worth of drugs were seized in an on-going campaign aimed at cracking down on neighbourhood problems in east Durham. Police joined forces with Customs and Excise, Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, the DVLA, Easington District Council
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Recent crises -must be wake-up call to us all'
GORDON BROWN and Chancellor Alistair Darling both called for better "early warning systems" yesterday in the wake of the Northern Rock crisis. The Prime Minister said he wanted to see the international Financial Stability Forum become a better warning
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Save fees by submitting debt claims online
BUSINESSES looking to recover their debts more quickly are being offered savings of up to 30 per cent on court fees by a North-East law firm. Ward Hadaway, one of the region's debt recovery specialists, plans to start using a system designed to speed
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International trade advice
AN international trade office has been set up in the Tees Valley to help businesses in the region increase their presence overseas. The North-East Chamber of Commerce has opened an office in Hartlepool Enterprise Centre. International trade advisor
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Northern Rock shares plummet to record low
SHARES in Northern Rock hit a record low yesterday on the tenth anniversary of its stock market flotation. The Newcastle-based plc saw its shares touch 144.5p in early trading, valuing the company at about £609m - a decade to the day from the former
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Son's dash to play in memorial
A TEESSIDE construction worker has travelled thousands of miles to take part in a charity football match. Michael McBride, 31, who is working in Russia, flew home to Teesside for the game. Mr McBride and his brother, Kevin, 33, along with friends Chris
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Award joy for leisure trust staff
A LEISURE trust is celebrating winning a quality accolade. Tees Active, based in Stockton, has been awarded a Charter Mark for its excellent customer service. The trust was assessed, over several months, against Government criteria, to obtain the recognition
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Artist's take on global warming in exhibition
A MIDDLESBROUGH man has added his own thoughts on people's attitudes to global warming - on canvas. Khaleel Akhter, who recently finished a Masters in design at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough has three paintings in an exhibition, running
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Invitation to view grass verge plans
A PLAN for improvements to a neglected grass verge in Dene Valley will go on display on Friday. Residents are invited to view the proposals to tidy up a grassed area at the end of Brook Street, between Coundon Grange and Close House. Groundwork West Durham
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Chance to follow in Billy's footsteps
YOUNGSTERS with ambitions of becoming professional dancers are being invited to audition. Would-be Billy Elliots aged 11 to 19 are being sought by Newcastle Dance City Academy for its Durham Foundation Strand, which provides training in contemporary and
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Anti-terrorist officers sweep community centres
SPECIAL branch anti-terrorist officers will be visiting communal internet access centres around the county. The aim is to warn centre managers that possible extremists could access the worldwide web using community computers. The Firthmoor Community Centre
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Free chance to advance skills
AN organisation improving road safety by teaching drivers advanced skills is holding a free workshop this weekend. Darlington Advanced Motorists will be giving advice and offering coaching to drivers of all levels of experience and ability at Sainsbury's
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New recruits spread healthy diet message
A campaign to promote healthy eating in youngsters has enlisted two animated recruits to help out. Cartoon teenagers Roxie and Billy are helping North Yorkshire County Council to encourage children to eat healthily. They are part of a national on-line
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Rekindling memories at hospital reunion
DECADES of memories were shared when dozens of former hospital workers met up for a night of nostalgia. The 80 people who gathered in Wolsingham had worked at Holywood Hall Hospital - many had stayed friends. For 40 years, the hospital was a sanatorium
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Terror squad drops into town community centre
Firthmoor Community Centre, in Darlington, is used to hosting cake decorating classes, fishing clubs, and football tournaments. It recently had two very different visitors - Special Branch anti-terrorist detectives. The detectives asked centre manager
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Volunteers raise £300 for town's 24:7 service
The Darlington branch of the Samaritans has raised more than £300 to help fund the centre. The 24:7 raffle is run nationwide, with each branch selling tickets. The Samaritans is self-funding and relies on fundraising and donations. The 24:7 campaign
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Jungle fun day
A JUNGLE-themed party is being held in Crown Street Library, Darlington, and in Cockerton Library, on Friday, to celebrate National Bookstart Day. Activities will include crafts, stories and music. For details, telephone the libraries.
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Sky's the limit for work prospects
HUNDREDS of balloons were released to celebrate 80,000 people in Middlesbrough being helped into work. The event, organised by Working Links, also saw a huge jigsaw created next to the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art. Nine teams of staff, jobseekers
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Martyn Pellew: How would your firm cope in an emergency?
How many of us would regard ourselves as experts at our jobs? Over time and with experience, we know what to do, when to do it, why it needs to be done and the consequences of doing nothing. But what if, one day, things didn't quite work out as planned
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Silent movies on show at library
A TEN-week series of silent films begins at Durham's Clayport Library next week. The programme, called Exploring the Silent Cinema, focuses on European films made between 1911 and 1921. Among those to be screened are Witches, Parson's Widow and Leaves
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Violence in street as marriage broke down
A VIOLENT flare-up spilled from a couple's home into the street amid a marriage breakdown, a court heard. Stephen Maurice Martin still lived at the house in Sherburn Village, despite effectively having "separated" from his wife, Johanne Mary, Durham Crown
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Tesco pledges £15,000 to clean-up store site
SUPERMARKET firm Tesco has pledged to spend £15,000 to revamp a run-down Darlington petrol station, which has been earmarked for a new store. The site in North Road is overgrown with weeds and is a hotspot for anti-social behaviour after Shell closed
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Proposals to convert village eyesore
A PLAN to save an old mill by converting it into shops and homes has been welcomed. Challener Developments has been given planning permission to revamp the Old Mill, in Station Road, West Auckland, into three ground-floor shops and 12 flats spread over
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Residents can view development plans
PLANS for a multi-million development set to change the face of a former east Durham mining community were unveiled yesterday. Villagers in Murton were given the chance to view plans for the £40m venture which includes a mix of residential and business
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Enthusiasts turn out for exhibition of classic buses
HUNDREDS of enthusiasts turned out to see a parade of classic buses in the region at the weekend. The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, was the venue for the event which attracted owners of vintage vehicles from as far afield as Bedfordshire
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Getting animated about history
CHILDREN went back in time to tell the story of their home city on video. Pupils at St Thomas More RC Primary School, in Belmont, drew characters and buildings from Durham's past, which were animated to make the history come alive. To get the sequence
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Public fail to engage with councillors
PEOPLE are not taking up their right to ask questions at council meetings. The Labour group promised greater public involvement after May's elections, when their majority was reduced from 15 seats to five and they won fewer votes than the Conservatives
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Bus company offering to set up new service
A BUS company has drawn up proposals for restoring direct services between Seaham and Sunderland. A public meeting was held with residents concerned about the withdrawal earlier this year of services to the Station Road and Dene House Road areas of the
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Athletes get running shoes on for 10km race
THE 19th Snape 10km and 5km fun run near Bedale attracted entries from across the North. The 10k race was won by Tony Lambert, from Harmby, near Leyburn, and the 5km race was closer to 6km after runners had to take detour to avoid livestock. All proceeds
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£4,100 grant secures study into community sports hall
PROPOSALS for a community and sports centre have overcome the first hurdle after trustees secured a grant for a feasibility study. The changing rooms on the Shildon Scout Memorial Field, West Shildon, are only used once a fortnight and are repeatedly
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MP's support for efforts to turn bridge into bridleway
RICHMOND MP William Hague is backing efforts to turn a disused military rail bridge into a bridleway. He will launch the Bridge the Gap campaign, which hopes to attract Lottery funding, on Saturday. The project at Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond, is
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Discover the magic of mushrooms
FUN with fungi is promised at the fifth Mushroom Magic day at a botanical garden. The event at Harlow Carr Gardens, in Harrogate, on Sunday, involves specialists from the Mid Yorkshire Fungus Group. Activities run from 10am to 4pm and include identification
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'Victorious' Burma junta again snubs UN envoy
Burma's junta showed its contempt for the rest of the world yesterday by yet again delaying a meeting with the UN's special envoy. Ibrabim Gambari has been in the country since Saturday, vainly trying to talk to leader General Than Shwe about the brutal
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'Come and have your say on business matters'
THE chairman of a business association has criticised what he sees as a lack of support from many companies. Don Moore feels Thirsk and District Business Association has no support locally and says many businesses show no interest in most of the major
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Awards night honours for sporting youth
Mountaineer Alan Hinkes was the guest at the 20th annual awards presentation of the Hambleton and Richmondshire Area Schools Sports Association. Awards were presented to students who have represented North Yorkshire during the 2006-7 season.
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Driver freed from van after accident
A man had to be freed from his van yesterday morning following a collision near Leyburn. The man, driving a Citroen van, suffered a broken collarbone in the incident, which happened at about 8.20am, at Halfpenny House, Barden Moor, near Leyburn. The
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Raising a glass for charity
A GROUP rose to the challenge of drinking in every pub in Gilling West and Richmond to raise money for charity. The Light Ale Walkers donned pink T-shirts and collected £1,000 towards Breast Cancer Haven. Havens are day centres staffed by specialist
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Pharmacy grants for health groups
HOSPITALS and health support groups can apply for a grant from the Co-op. The Co-operative Pharmacy is giving away grants totalling up to £20,000. Local hospitals, or specific wards, hospices and groups working to promote better health in the North-East
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Leadership skills earn a place in masterclass
A student has been invited to join a masterclass this week. Chris Jackson, from Bishop Barrington Sports with Mathematics College, Bishop Auckland, earned an invitation to Aim Higher at Durham University, on Thursday, after being named best male student
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Watchdog's praise for high school
A SCHOOL heading for specialist status as it approaches its 50th anniversary is celebrating after it received another positive inspection report from education watchdog Ofsted. Bedale High School has been marked as good following a two-day visit by four
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Curry night in aid of charity
CROOK Community Partnership is holding a charity curry night on Thursday, at 7pm, at Spice Corner, in Hope Street, Crook. Profits made will be split between the Spice Corner's chosen charity, an orphanage in Bangladesh, and funds for Christmas lights
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Theatre treats in store thanks to law firm
BARNARDO'S children, members of Age Concern and patients from St Teresa's Hospice will enjoy free trips to the theatre. The Barnardo's children will see a matinee performance of Danny Champion of the World, on Saturday, and a group from Darlington Borough
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Joel's triumph over adversity
A SCHOOLBOY runner who received a life-saving operation eight years ago has raised more than £500 after completing the Tesco Junior Great North Run. Joel Atkin, a pupil at Sacriston Junior School, completed the two-mile course along Newcastle's Quayside
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Students exchange ideas and friendships during twin town visit
PUPILS from Hummersknott School, in Darlington, are taking part in an international exchange programme with students from Darlington's German twin town. Families of the year ten children looked after pupils from Mulheim an der Ruhr for the seven-day visit
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Sick days will be monitored by councillors
DARLINGTON Borough Council's staff absence level is still above its target. In June, The Northern Echo reported the average employee spent 10.75 days off per year because of sickness in 2006-7. That was up from 9.69 in 2005-6. In response, the council
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Taking lessons about working life
PUPILS at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College got a taste of life at work when leaders of local business dropped by for a day of talks. The World at Work day was arranged to teach students about what can be expected once they leave school and
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Football club crowned TV Premier League champions
IT is a day football fans never thought they would see - but Middlesbrough have won the Premier League.But rather than the well known Premiership squad led by Gareth Southgate, it was an All Star team, featuring former legends, celebrities and fans,
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Hospital cleaners win long battle over unequal pay
MORE than 200 hospital cleaners and domestics in the region have won improved pay and conditions after a sustained union campaign.The staff, who are predominantly female, have been in dispute with the private cleaning company Initial for more than a year.Union
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PCT 'not named' in obesity probe
NORTH-EAST health officials appear to have won a partial victory in their fight with ITV over claims they discriminate against obese patients.Last night - according to advance publicity from ITV - the Tonight with Trevor MacDonald programme was due to
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Inheritance tax cut 'won't help North-East'
VERY few people in the North-East will benefit from flagship Tory plans to make only millionaires pay inheritance tax, it emerged last night.The estate bequeathed by the average homeowner in nearly every local authority is below the current £300,000 threshold
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Ewe must be joking - September spring lamb
FARMER Jim Wilkinson can probably claim a world record for the earliest spring lamb - born in September.Mr Wilkinson couldn't believe his eyes when he went to tend his flock on Friday morning. On closer inspection, he discovered one of his sheep had given
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England call-up... aged 14
A SCHOOL-AGE footballer in the North-East has fulfilled many a grown man's dream after been called up for international duty - aged 14.Bruno Pilatos, who plays for Middlesbrough Football Club's youth team, has been selected for the England under-16s squad
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Review of drug cost raises hopes for cancer patients
HOPES have been raised that North-East lung cancer patients will soon be able to benefit from an expensive new drug.Yesterday, drug watchdog Nice (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) agreed to take another look at its provisional guidance
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Sharp-eyed residents halt charity bag thefts
CHARITY clothing collectors have thanked the North-East public for their help in beating bogus gangs who try to steal donations.After criminals stole about £200,000 worth of doorstep donations, The Northern Echo launched an appeal for householders to
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TV broadcast clue to when Brown will call election
GORDON Brown has booked a TV broadcast for next week, in the clearest sign yet that he may be planning a November election.A senior BBC source at the Tory conference in Blackpool revealed that Labour had pencilled in a party political broadcast for next
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Fighting back after a stroke aged 17
A WOMAN who suffered a stroke as a teenager has set up her own branch of a charity after she was left unable to walk, talk or even read seven years ago.Louise Kenworthy was 17 and in the middle of her A-levels when the stroke turned her life upside down
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Theatre group 'will go to ball' for anniversary show
MIDDLESBROUGH Theatre will celebrate its 50th anniversary year with a popular traditional pantomime this Christmas.'Allo 'Allo star Arthur Bostrom, who played Gendarme Crabtree in the TV sitcom, will headline Cinderella as an ugly sister when he takes
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Transport fears as livestock markets resume
The region's livestock industry and farmers need a clear idea as to when more foot and mouth restrictions can be lifted, it was claimed.Angus Collingwood-Cameron, North-East director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), was speaking before
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Artist faces jail for Turkish picture
ARTIST Michael Dickinson is to go on trial next week accused of insulting the Turkish Prime Minister's dignity. The 57-year-old, from Durham, was arrested for displaying a poster of his work entitled Good Boy. It shows Recep Tayyip Erdogan - the Turkish
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Council launches cash appeal to fund academies
EDUCATION bosses have launched a nationwide search for multi-millionaire sponsors for three new academies.Bosses at Durham County Council want charities, businesses and religious groups to help pay for the academies, in the Consett, Stanley and Durham
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Durham's heroes given civic reception
Durham County Cricket Club players were feted as sporting heroes when they were given two civic receptions yesterday.The players, who have just recorded the most successful season in their 125-year history, began their victory tour with a trip from their
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Boro skipper reveals pain
GEORGE Boateng last night admitted that Gareth Southgate's decision to drop him from Middlesbrough's starting line-up had "cracked his confidence".But after Julio Arca's knee injury ended his temporary exile, the Boro skipper insisted he would answer
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Court is used as cell due to packed prison
THE Government has defended the region's prisons after criminals were allegedly detained at a North-East court until 10.30pm on Friday because of a lack of cells.Court sources have revealed that one defendant eventually had to be taken to a police station
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Residents left scratching heads over gargoyles riddle
IN the dead of night, at seemingly random locations across the region, large stone heads are appearing alongside a mystifying clue.The gargoyles, which all feature the same carved symbol and come with the riddle attached, have been placed outside homes
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Gordon tips Wallace for Scotland honours
CRAIG Gordon last night tipped Sunderland team-mate Ross Wallace to be a surprise inclusion in Alex McLeish's squad for Scotland's European Championships qualifiers with Ukraine and Georgia.McLeish will name his 23-man squad tomorrow afternoon as Scotland
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Kay prepared for unexpected
World Cup winner Ben Kay has rallied England for their quarter-final showdown with Australia, declaring: ''We have to perform as though our lives depend on it.'' England headed for Marseille yesterday, revitalised by successive victories over Samoa and
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Rovers have too much bark and bite for Cats
THROUGHOUT last week members of the Sunderland squad took time out to promote the Premier League's flagship good cause initiative - Creating Chances. But, after this frustrating defeat to Blackburn Rovers, Roy Keane could be forgiven for thinking the
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Army 'hit by decline in family standards'
THE breakdown of traditional family values was last night blamed for teenagers leaving school undisciplined, materialistic and lacking in morals.The conclusion was drawn in an independent report into the standard of recruitment at Catterick Garrison,
