Archive
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Gray has nothing but praise for former boss Penney
MARTIN Gray has paid tribute to former Darlington manager Dave Penney and insists he has earned his chance to manage Oldham Athletic. Gray takes charge of Quakers’ final game of the season at Chester tomorrow, before teaming up again with Penney
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Fresh changes aim to improve bus service
CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed changes to bus routes in Darlington, but claim some residents are still being left isolated. From Sunday, changes will be made to some of the town’s routes in a scheme Arriva says will improve the speed and reliability
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'Former Gurkhas would be of benefit to Britain'
FORMER Gurkhas would benefit Britain if they were allowed to settle in the country, supporters in the region said last night. Gurkhas and their supporters spoke of their delight after the Government was defeated over guidelines that would have
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Two injured after car strikes house
TWO people were taken to hospital after a car collided with a house. The incident happened on Lunedale Avenue in the Mowden area of Darlington around 6.15pm last night. Police said it is believed the car lost control on a bend, before colliding with
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Roll call of North war dead
HERE is a roll call of the British personnel from the North-East and North Yorkshire to have died on service during Operation Telic since the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. 2003 MARCH 2003 :: Royal Marine Christopher Maddison, 24, of
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Moving ceremony as end of combat operations in Iraq is marked
BRITAIN ended combat operations in Iraq today in a historic move which means UK forces can finally return home after a bloody conflict that has lasted more than six years. The occasion was marked with an upbeat ceremony to hand over military
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New Public Convenience Open
Ferryhill Town Council opened the doors to the newly built toilets in the town centre today. Residents and visitors to the town welcome the additional facilities at a time when other councils are closing public conveniences. Following a
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Mascot Race
Catterick Young Farmers entered their new junior member Jack Henry for the Gold Cup Mascot Race at Wetherby on Sunday 26 April. Following this year's theme of Be Keen, Go Green and Support Your Local Market, Jack's costume was a reusable carrier
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Durham left frustrated
CHAMPIONS Durham were frustrated by rain and Somerset duo Marcus Trescothick and James Hildreth as they sought their first win of the LV County Championship season. Durham began the day in complete control of the match with Somerset following on and
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Middleton Rangers Match reports
Middleton Rangers U12's girls v Teeside Athletic. Sat 21st Feb 09 Playing away at Redcar playing a good side it was tense from the start and the girls knew this, this made the girls more up for what was going to be a good game. Rangers put pressure
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Brown's authority crumbles as expenses vote is axed
GORDON Brown's authority was crumbling tonight after he scrapped a vote to axe MPs' notorious second-home expenses to avoid a second humiliating defeat in just 24 hours. The prime minister pulled back from a showdown on linking claims to "attendance
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Camp Meetings….
To be fair, I pinched this photo off Mike Amos, but being the generous sort he is, he was happy for me to use it in the ‘Cockfield Blog’! Mike had recalled the marvellous Bill Gypp, and how he had sold his accordion to Edwin Coats. Neville Kirby
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April 30, 2009
WHAT’S ON Saturday lunchtime, Jeff Barnhart and John Hallam, Darlington Arts Centre, 01325-486555. Saturday evening, Julian Arguelles Trio and John Abercrombie, Sage, Gateshead, 0191-443-4661. CD REVIEWS Best of Dexter Gordon (Blue Note 5099969538520
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Geordie duo's debut album draws closer
GEORDIE lads Smoove and Turrell are rapidly making 2009 their year as the May release of their debut album, Antique Soul, on Jalapeno Records, draws closer. The pair gained rave reviews from radio DJs like Mark Lamarr, Craig Charles, Stuart
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Suited to Sorrow
Viv Hardwick talks to founder member of The Merseybeats, Tony Crane, about the fateful day his band lost the chance to record Lennon and McCartney songs. WHEN the Merseybeats walked away from a contract with the legendary Beatles’ manager Brian
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Perfect setting for folk week
WHITBY has long been a wellknown centre for folk music, with its harbour and narrow streets oozing atmosphere and revelling in a rich salty history. Such features have made it a perfect setting for the annual August folk week for the past four
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April 30, 2009
WHAT’S ON Northern Sinfonia, conducted by Nicholas Kraemer, Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm, Saturday. Programme: Haydn’s Symphony no 6 and Bach. 0191-443-4661. REVIEWS Rachmaninov: Preludes (Hyperion CDA67700) The Scottish pianist Steven Osborne gives
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Toyota IQ
CITY cars have never really bowled me over. The Smart forTwo showed what was possible with the idea, but Mercedes insisted on fitting an atrocious automatic gearbox that wouldn’t have disgraced a 40-year-old Jaguar XJ6. But when I heard that
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Runners wanted for 24-hour fundraiser
RUNNERS and cancer survivors are being invited to take part in a North-East town’s first 24-hour relay event which will raise money for Cancer Research. The Relay for Life takes place at the Eastbourne Sports Complex on Saturday and Sunday September
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I Told You So – The Ultimate Hits Of Randy Travis (Warner Bros/Humphead Records)
MANY moons ago I received an album from the US in LP form with the picture on the cover of a thin-faced young man with short hair with what I would describe as an unsure look on his face. His name was Randy Ray. When I played the first track I
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If the cap fits...
Tomorrow morning's Headline Game story is about a man who had to be freed by the fire brigade in Sunderland after he got his finger trapped in his car's petrol filler cap. Don't ask me how he did it but the headline's going to be "Silly fuel".
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Battlefield visit for school
STUDENTS have learnt about the First World War by visiting the battlefields of Belgium. Year 9 pupils from Teesdale School in Barnard Castle spent time looking at memorials, trenches and First World War Museums. The 72 teenagers also visited Diksmuide
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Historic train runs on North York Moors Railway
TRAIN buffs are being offered the chance to travel on Tornado along the scenic North York Moors Railway. The historic £3m Tornado, the first express steam loco to be built in 50 years, is to run on the line as part of the Spring Steam Gala. The North
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Band takes to the stage for biggest performance of young lives
A TEEN band is just a winning performance away from securing a place in the national finals of a top music competition which could land them a major record deal. Electric Nightmares will perform with a select few acts in front of a packed audience
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Aliens are not invading Darlington, confirms father
UFO spotters have discovered that the truth really is out there - after sightings of strange lights in the sky were confirmed as Chinese lanterns. As reported in The Northern Echo, residents in Darlington thought they were witnessing an alien
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Penney confirmed as Oldham boss
DAVE Penney has been officially confirmed as Oldham Athletic's new manager. Penney, who quit Darlington last night, signed a two-year deal at Boundary Park this afternoon. The former Quakers boss was unveiled at a press conference in
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Volunteers take dive for charity
STAFF and volunteers of a disability charity will take part in a 10,000ft skydive this weekend to raise money for childrens services. Kim Baird, from Darlington Association on Disability's children's and young people's service, has organised the jump
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Staff's fundraising events for baby unit
FUNDRAISERS at a high street store will take part in an anniversary event today for a local hospital. Marks & Spencers is celebrating its 125th anniversary by trying to raise £1.25million over 125 days across the country. In Darlington, staff at the
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Wilkinson deal dependent on medical
JONNY Wilkinson will only complete his proposed move to French club Toulon if he passes a stringent set of medical tests next week. The Newcastle Falcons fly-half is understood to have agreed a three-year deal at Toulon worth between 800,000-1m Euros-a-year
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Cyclists get into gear for charity fun day
HUNDREDS of cyclists are being invited to a family fun day to help raise money for a leukaemia charity. A Big Bikeathon will take place in Darlington's South Park on Sunday, May 3, before a range of family events take centre stage. The
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New documentary looks at the Green Howards
A DETAILED documentary tribute to the thousands of men who have served in the Green Howards over the years has been released on DVD. The film traces the infantry unit’s proud history and goes back 318 years to 1688 when it was raised at Dunster Castle
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Somerset v Durham: Day Three
JUST when they had Somerset by the jugular, Durham were prevented by rain from moving in for the kill at Taunton today. The heavier precipitation which lasted well into the morning gave way to drizzle, which kept returning through the afternoon
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AAP sets priorities
IMPROVING activities for young people became a clear priority for a new community forum at its inaugural meeting. Residents and community representatives attended the first meeting of the East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership at Sedgefield
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Trust slams planning regime
TRUSTEES of a respected conservation group have slammed a newly-established council planning system. In their 67th annual report, trustees of the City of Durham Trust say the new unitary Durham County Council has left Durham "a shrunken city", a "head
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Planned gypsy site near Thirsk refused
A SCHEME for a private gypsy site to be used by a father and son near Thirsk has been refused by planners. Hambleton District Council has turned down Brian and Tom Carter’s plan to create a private gypsy site for use by them only. They aimed to get
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Commando cooks to visit school
TOUGH guy television chefs Gordon Ramsey and Marco Pierre White have nothing on the cooks who will teach pupils how to prepare healthy meals next week. Youngsters at Spennymoor School will learn to cook the Royal Marines way when the fighting
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Boro's answer to London's Soho moves forward
A VISION to transform a derelict area of Middlesbrough into a £17m new media quarter could move a step closer if plans to build a block of innovative apartments are approved. Following the success of Newcastle's creative cluster on Pink Lane
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Police will not fight speed cut
SPEED campaigners in Brancepeth are a step closer to success, after the police decided not to oppose a 30mph limit. Durham County Council has been drawing up plans to cut the 40mph maximum on the A690 through the village since March, but residents feared
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International poetry night
A POETRY evening with an international flavour is to be held next month. Poet Eva Zeller from Tübingen, Durham County Council’s partner town in Germany, will be at Clayport Library, in Durham City, to take part in a literary exchange on Wednesday, May
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Man now missing for more than a year
POLICE are still trying to track down a man who has been missing from his North Yorkshire home for more than a year. Victor Bell, 39, was last seen by family members on March 14 last year, when he declared he was going on a camping trip. His family
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Knowledge is power for Teesside town
A MAYOR has defended his town for having one of the costliest library services in the country by saying education is vital to pulling Middlesbrough out of poverty. A council scrutiny panel looking into provision in Middlesbrough has recommended
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Supermarket hands it to them!
Robert Graham, two years old next month, is the first child today at ASDA, Whinfield, to have his hand print published and mounted with a poem, to celebrate their ‘Baby and Toddler’ event. Downs syndrome Robert attends Harewood House, and mum Samantha
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Urban orchard could produce ripe results
ROUNDABOUTS could be turned into bountiful orchards to improve the health of a Teesside town and ensure local children know where fruit comes from. The mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, has been inspired by an initiative devised by Manchester
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Pupils get a buzz from spelling bee win
FOUR students proved they were word perfect to win through to the North-East final of a national Spelling Bee competition. A team from Wolsingham School and Community College were successful in the first heat of a contest organised by The Times newspaper
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Football team nets seized booze
BOTTLES and cans seized in a crackdown on open-air drinking in a North-East town will be put to good use. Police who have confiscated hundreds of bottle cans since the centre of Willington became an alcohol free zone in February, have given some of
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Support offered to beat recession blues
A RAFT of innovative projects designed to help a Teesside town survive the recession totalling £900,000 have been unveiled. Middlesbrough has not suffered from the credit crunch as badly as predicted due to nearly half of its residents working
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Have your say on increased hospital parking fees
PATIENTS and visitors to James Cook University Hospital are being asked to give their views on its parking charges. Drivers pay £2 for up to two hours and £3 for up to three hours using a pay on foot system. New long-stay parking fees
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Setback in 'student ghetto' campaign
RESIDENTS fighting to save their area from becoming a student ghetto are gearing up for their next confrontation, just days after suffering a major defeat. People living in Whinney Hill, Durham, are preparing to fight a developer’s plans to extend 33
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Centre 'covering costs' - trustees
A COMMUNITY centre which was threatened with closure is now covering its day-to-day running costs, trustees have said. The survival of Alington House, in Durham, was thrown into doubt in 2006, when its then management revealed it was struggling for volunteers
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North-East has its first case of swine flu
THE first case of swine flu has been confirmed in the North-East. Newcastle University has warned that a woman in the city who shares a house with two students has contracted the virus. She is said to have mild symptoms and is being
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Biking World Cup headed for North Yorkshire?
A MOUNTAIN bike course designed to put the best to the test is almost ready for action. The Forestry Commission is putting the finishing touches to a four-mile cross-country championship route in its 8,600-acre estate at Dalby Forest, near Pickering.
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Chrysler to file for bankruptcy
US CAR giant Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection today as it was announced that a rescue deal with Italian firm Fiat had been reached. President Barack Obama said the partnership would give the US' third largest car manufacturer a chance not only
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Crushing damages defeat could cost airport £1m
A NORTH-EAST airport has suffered a crushing blow in a High Court battle to gain £12m damages after a budget airline withdrew its services. Peel Airports, who own Durham Tees Valley Airport, (DTVA), blamed bmi baby for the shattering losses it suffered
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Hi-tech saviour for ancient relics
CONSERVATIONISTS have gone to rack and ruins in their mission to protect the region’s precious historic artefacts. More than £140,000 has been invested in a hi-tech electronic shelving system at English Heritage’s Helmsley warehouse. It is capable of
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Search for unclaimed £50k lotto winner
A LOTTO prize of £50,503 remains unclaimed by a possibly oblivious winning ticket holder in County Durham. The search is on for the owner of a winning ticket, bought in the east of the county earlier this month, who has yet to come forward
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Anger over mountain bike plan for North York Moors
SPORTS enthusiasts could lose a downhill bike track on the North York Moors as angry locals say it will damage a national park. The track is at Carlton in Cleveland, in the North York Moors National Park, and critics feel users will cause erosion
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Army offers North Yorkshire youths taste of military life
YOUNG soldiers are being given a taste of Army life with a five day course being held at Catterick Garrison. The Yorkshire Warrior event involves the Yorkshire Regiment offering potential trainees the chance to try out the Army. The infantry regiment
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Swine flu - your questions answered
Dr Paul Yeo, an expert on viruses, from Durham University's Centre for Bioactive Chemistry, answers questions on swine flu… Swine influenza is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs but human cases can and do happen. The current
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Claudia: Police renew mystery smoker appeal
DETECTIVES investigating the disappearance of university chef Claudia Lawrence have again turned to the public for help. They have renewed their appeal to identify a left-handed smoker seen with a woman on Melrosegate Bridge in York.
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Line-up for All Star game announced
PAUL Gascoigne, Gareth Southgate and Marco Gabbiadini are among the big name stars confirmed in the teams for a fundraising football match in Darlington this weekend. The club has today announced the squads for the All Star game at The Northern Echo
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Going the extra Miley
Steve Pratt talks to Miley Cyrus and her country-singing father Billy Ray Cyrus about the impact of Hannah Montana and playing father-daughter in a movie. MILEY Cyrus is real, Hannah Montana isn’t. That needs to be made clear from the start because
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Charlotte is youngest music winner yet
TOP-class music-making was the order of the day at the finals of the Young Musician of Richmondshire awards. Eight finalists from the Richmond, Bedale and Northallerton areas took to the stage of the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond in front of an
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Geordie Scooby-Doo
The cat (or is it dog?) is out of the bag about Scooby-Doo being played by a Tynesider. Jamie Brown talks to Viv Hardwick about his unusual starring role. FORTY years after the animated, everhungry dog, Scooby-Doo, was unleashed on the world’s
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Bee afraid...
North-East theatres are about to benefit from a regionally funded play, Queen Bee, commissioned from Newcastle-based playwright Margaret Wilkinson. She talks to Viv Hardwick. DO you believe in ghosts, I ask playwright Margaret Wilkinson, who is
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Gently does it
Kate Whiting discovers how Lee Ingleby and Inspector George Gently star, Martin Shaw, find time to laugh while battling North-East crime. LEE Ingleby, who plays Sixties copper John Bacchus in North-East set Inspector George Gently, admits he
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Top Ten To rent
UK DVD/VIDEO RENTAL 1 (-) The Day The Earth Stood Still 2 (1) Quantum of Solace 3 (2) Max Payne 4 (4) Yes Man (2008) 5 (5) Changeling 6 (8) Twilight 7 (10) Body Of Lies 8 (9) Transporter 3 9 (7) How To Lose Friends And Alienate
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Chinese comic cuts
A DISPLAY of contemporary Chinese comics begins a five-month run in Durham tomorrow (MAY 2). 'Manhua: China Comics Now’, features more than 200 pieces of hand-drawn and digitally-created artwork which have featured in the country's distinctive comic
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It’s all Ron
REMEMBER the christening in Sleeping Beauty when the wicked fairy puts a curse on the beautiful princess? That’s a jolly and happy occasion compared to little Amy’s christening in EastEnders (BBC1). Coming so soon after the fiasco of Peggy and
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I wish for happiness by Beth Pullen
I wish for happiness I wish for the stars in the sky I wish for somebody to love I wish for wing so I could fly I wish for happiness I wish our dreams would come true I wish for you to wipe your tears I wish that
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Mark Steel, Arc Theatre, Stockton
I HAD very high expectations of this set, I even feared they may have been a little too high. However, I was not disappointed. Mark Steel, although seemingly part of the comedy mainstream, manages to stand on the outside, providing a funny and
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Jack by Beth Pullen
Jack! Its winter, the morning frost all over the trees The clouds are crying again Its January 27th I think The first time your soft lips touched mine The first time I left like somebody cared It was special, perfect the first indication
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Street wise
Cutting Edge: My Wall Street (C4, 9pm); Professor Regan’s Nursery (BBC2, 9pm); Taggart (ITV1, 9pm) THE Cutting Edge documentary is another look at people struggling to make ends meet in the recession. The gimmick, if you want to call it that,
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Survey shock over use of cigarette machines by children
CHILDREN as young as 11 can easily buy cigarettes from vending machines throughout the North-East, tests have revealed. Underage youngsters were able to buy cigarettes in 58 out of 99 cases in a survey carried out by Trading Standards officers
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Big drains on little resources
FUNDING a teenager’s social life can be an expensive business. Our 17-year-old is constantly looking for handouts. “We’re all going to the cinema and then on to Pizza Express for so-andsos birthday,” he’ll say. He screws up his nose when I hand
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Band aid of a different kind
For years, businessman Mike Devereux has been shipping stuff to South Africa. Now he’s after your redundant musical instruments. HAD Mr Bob Geldof and a sticking plaster manufacturer not thought of it first, they might have called it Band Aid. Mike
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Litter volunteers
I WOULD like to thank The Northern Echo for printing my letter about litter louts (HAS, April 22). As a result, a number of volunteers have contacted me and offered their help in my endless quest to clear up our local woodland. Feelings appear
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Swine flu
ONE will never quite understand the British media. Firstly, they go to the extreme, spreading fear throughout the country of a new flu pandemic and the next day the headlines read: “Don’t panic”. If there ever was a more definite description of
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Gurkhas
THE Gurkhas are historically recognised as part of the UK military – they were often seen as shoppers in the market place in Richmond, North Yorkshire, when I stood as a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate there in 2005. There have
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She’s more to answer – 30 years on
ON Sunday, it will be exactly 30 years since the ballot boxes were opened, the votes were counted and the country was never the same again. Yes, it’s time to reach a judgement on the landmark 1979 General Election that swept Margaret Thatcher to
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50p tax rate
RE the Budget’s 50p tax rate from next April on those who earn more than £150,000. Most high earners can afford to employ accountants/financial experts to offset their legitimate contributions. Politicians argue that expenses/allowances have been
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Military equipment
I CANNOT agree more with your Comment column, headed “Support our soldiers” (Echo, April 27), about special forces, such as the SAS, to benefit from a change in military strategy. My son is a Royal Marine and I can tell you that he himself has
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Cabinet shufflers?
GORDON Brown is a desperate man. Why else is it expected that in his June Cabinet reshuffle he will appoint Schools Secretary Ed Balls as Home Secretary, as reported nationally? This is the man who oversaw last year’s Sats tests debacle in our
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Our debt of honour
IN this column yesterday, we noted the further erosion of Gordon Brown’s authority as he was forced to backtrack over proposed changes to MPs’ expenses. That authority has now been further undermined by yesterday’s historic defeat in the Commons
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Dignity in troubled times
It's sad but unsurprising news that Dave Penney is leaving Darlington to become the new manager of Oldham. It's no secret that Penney has seen his future away from Darlington for some time but he was determined to see the administration-hit Quakers through
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A Nod to the future
The little chap in the blue hat has survived changing fashions, political correctness and PC Plod’s long arm of the law to reach his 60th birthday. Steve Pratt wonders if Noddy’s new look will get the nod of approval from his fans. HAPPY 60th birthday
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Our debt of honour to the Gurkhas
The Gurkhas are a familiar sight around the Darlington area because of their training base at Catterick Garrison. And we should not underestimate the significance of yesterday's historic vote in the House of Commons, when the Government was defeated
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Unsavoury goings on
Another bunfight on TFM radio this morning - this time over pasties. The story for this morning's Headline Game was about a national pie award being won by a Devon company for its Cornish pasties. A big row has broken out because Cornish pasty-makers
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Trip not an issue for Inca says Murphy
BRAVE Inca bids to chalk up the 11th Grade One triumph of an illustrious career when he steps up to three miles for the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown today. The 11-year-old has never won beyond two and a half miles but his
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Nothing like life in either India or the Caribbean
IT’S the opening morning of the Ashes series at an overcast Sophia Gardens, and Andrew Strauss has just nibbled at an awayswinger to leave England 0- 1. Who would you rather see coming out next? Ravi Bopara or Michael Vaughan? I know what my
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Rising can continue progress at Redcar
RISING Kheleyf looks a horse on the up and he can continue his progress with victory in the Boddingtons Redcar Straight-Mile Championship at the Cleveland venue. The three-year-old failed to strike in four juvenile starts for Alan Swinbank but
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All aboard for jobs on the buses
JOBS are being created on the buses as a large North-East operator centres part of its fleet at a new depot. Go North East is creating 20 new jobs in Peterlee, County Durham, with potentially more on the way, as it expands its operations by moving to
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O’Shea gives United a semi-final edge
Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0 UNLIKELY hero John O’Shea gave Manchester United a single- goal lead to take into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Arsenal. The defender’s 17th-minute effort was the least Sir Alex Ferguson
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Nelson passed fit for Pools’ last-day decider
MICKY Nelson has been passed fit for Saturday’s trip to Bristol Rovers. And with Hartlepool United’s League One status at stake, the captain is prepared to spill blood for the cause. Nelson will play with seven stitches holding together a cut
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Sunderland looking out for bargains
RICKY Sbragia will scour the Football League for potential bargains if he is still Sunderland manager this summer, with Danny Collins forming the template of a player who comes from nowhere to establish himself in the Premier League. Sbragia
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Murder jury told of earlier threats to kill
A MURDER trial jury has heard how a man who stabbed to death his former landlord had threatened to kill someone else he said had ruined his life a week earlier. Pizza shop boss Kourosh Nesvadrani said he took the threat seriously and alerted police
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Making a difference to the environment
NORTH-EAST ecologist Professor David Bellamy has agreed to present the prizes for The Northern Echo’s community environmental competition. It will be the tenth successive year that Prof Bellamy will have presented the prizes for Making a Difference
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Vaughan fails to impress
ON the day he was omitted from the England squad, Michael Vaughan’s disappointing day was completed after he went for just five Worcestershire. Widely expected to be back in the international fold, the batsman was not among the 12 names picked
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Miller and Flower play a hard hand
FORMER captain Michael Vaughan was among those snubbed as the first Test squad named in coach Andy Flower’s reign displayed scant regard for reputation. A bold set of picks for the first npower Test against West Indies at Lord’s highlighted that
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Fans urged to buy tickets early
MORE than 1,500 fans have rallied behind their club to ensure they survive the summer. Officials at Darlington Football Club are urging more supporters to buy their tickets ahead of Sunday’s allstars fundraising game. Outgoing manager Dave
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Providing Scottish solutions
A FAST-GROWING technology solutions provider is bolstering its presence in Scotland by opening a base in Edinburgh. The Onyx Group, based in the North-East, has established an office and workplace recovery centre to accommodate up to 250 people
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Working days suffer from swine flu fear
PANIC over swine flu is already starting to impact on business with an increased sickness level seen this week, research has revealed. On Monday, about 27,000 people took the day off complaining of cold, cough and flu symptoms, a figure at least
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Chairman apologises for society’s losses
THE outgoing chairman of Darlington Building Society has made a public apology to its members for the society’s £2.5m annual loss – the first in its history. Speaking at the society’s annual meeting yesterday at its Darlington headquarters, William
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Market report
INVESTORS shrugged off gloomy US output figures yesterday as banking shares led a gain of more than two per cent for the London market and swine flu fears took a back seat. Although the first-quarter figures showed the world’s largest economy
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News in brief: Manufacturing awards launched
AN awards scheme has been launched to reward enterprise, innovation, environmental performance and skills development among the 4,000 manufacturing businesses in the North-East. The EEF Future Manufacturing Awards, launched by manufacturers’
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Federation pledges its support
THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has pledged to meet with Treasury officials to ensure support is provided for small ventures after the “disappointment” of the Budget. The FSB said it was disappointed with the lack of automatic rate relief
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£1.5m deal to light up five-star complex
A TYNESIDE lighting company has won a £1.5m deal to illuminate the region’s newest luxury resort. Rockliffe Hall, the hotel, golf and spa development which will open in Hurworth, near Darlington, later this year, has appointed KLS Lighting Design
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Fresh fears that LDV jobs will be lost
THE directors of beleaguered vanmaker LDV are set to apply for administration, raising fresh fears that hundreds of workers will lose their jobs, it was revealed yesterday. The Birmingham-based firm has not built any vehicles since last year after
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Corus denies reports of buyer pulling out
STEELMAKER Corus last night denied reports that a buyer for its Teesside business could be ready to pull out, and moved to quell speculation that the jobs of its 2,000 workers could be in jeopardy. Speculation yesterday suggested a deal for
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Police arrest man after blaze at pub
A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a pub was left badly damaged. Firefighters were called to The Blacksmith’s Arms, in Stockton Street, Hartlepool, at about 9.30pm on Tuesday. An upstairs flat was badly damaged and initial reports
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University pledge over £48m Gateway project
A UNIVERSITY says it is ready to listen to the views of residents, staff and students in finalising plans for its multi-million pound development. Michael Lavery, Durham University’s director of communications, said the £48m Gateway scheme
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Signs of hope emerge in forum of property agents
North-East Property Forum THERE is no bricks and mortar recovery yet, but the foundations are being laid for an up-turn in the housing market, the second meeting of The Northern Echo’s property forum agreed yesterday. “No one knows exactly when
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Cancer survivors in call to run for charity
A GROUP of cancer survivors is urging people to join them on a 24- hour fundraising run. The runners, all from Redcar, east Cleveland, will be taking part in the town’s third Relay For Life in aid of Cancer Research UK. With only five weeks to
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Survey shock over use of cigs machines by children
CHILDREN as young as 11 can easily buy cigarettes from vending machines throughout the North-East, tests have revealed. Underage youngsters were able to buy cigarettes in 58 out of 99 cases in a survey carried out by Trading Standards officers
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Body of oil worker found in North Sea
THE body of a North-Eastworker who disappeared from an oil platform has been found. Martin Lindsay, from Teesside, went missing from the Beryl Alpha platform in the North Sea on Tuesday morning. The 51-year-old was discovered following an underwater
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The day Onions brought tears to the eyes of both the opposition and his family
DURHAM paceman Graham Onions certainly brought tears to the eyes yesterday. Firstly his mother’s when he rang her immediately after receiving a 7.30am call to say he was in the England Test squad, then Somerset’s as he celebrated by bowling
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£3.5m cable thefts hit railway projects
THE improvement and expansion of the region’s rail network is being hampered by scrap metal thieves, it is claimed. Network Rail says it paid out £3.5m in compensation to rail operators in the past 12 months because of delays caused by cable
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Hero of Blitz comes out of storage for rally
A HERO of the Blitz will go on the road for the first time in nearly three decades this bank holiday weekend. Betsy, a 1941 fire appliance, was based in Middlesbrough during the Germans’ Second World War bombing campaign. After its wartime service
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Durham busy turning the screw on Somerset
Somerset v Durham (County Championship) : Day Two SOMERSET wanted a result after their stalemate against Warwickshire. And barring rain they’re going to get one – a resounding thrashing. After Dale Benkenstein made his championship-best
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Boro ace signs a new deal
TONY McMahon last night expressed his delight after signing a new three-year contract with Middlesbrough. McMahon, whose previous contract was due to expire at the end of the current campaign, penned a new threeyear deal with the Teessiders yesterday
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Gurkhas storm to Commons victory
GORDON BROWN was under fierce pressure last night to end his “shameful” treatment of former Gurkhas after suffering a damaging defeat in the Commons. Campaigners led by actress Joanna Lumley demanded an immediate U-turn after MPs – including
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Murder victim hid betting scam
AN internet betting fraudster who was murdered with his girlfriend switched money between bank accounts to hide its illegitimate origins, a court was told yesterday. Zhen Xing Yang and his lover, Xi Zhou, both 25, banked £233,000 – more than
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Honours for region’s disabled sports stars
THEY have achieved sporting success up to international level, however they perhaps do not get the recognition that many of our sportsmen and athletes take for granted. However yesterday, the cream of the North-East’s disabled sporting talent
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Pandemic is imminent as alert raised
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) last night raised its alert level to five, indicating that a pandemic is imminent. Director General of the organisation Dr Margaret Chan announced the change at a press conference in Geneva. She said: “Influenza
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Town should do more for cyclists, says politician
A SENIOR German politician claims his counterparts in the North-East’s only cycling demonstration town should do more to make life easier for bike riders. Wolfgang Golasowski, Bremen’s vice-senator for transport and the environment, has called
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Murder victim spoke to police about fears
MURDERED teenager Simon Everitt reported an attack by one of his alleged killers hours before disappearing, a court heard yesterday. The 17-year-old, originally from Escomb, near Bishop Auckland, seemed “petrified” as he spoke to police officers
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North jobs axed to save US factories
A BRITISH-OWNED chemical company was last night accused of failing to support UK industry and jobs after it pulled the plug on its North- East plant while pledging to sustain two factories in the US. Unions said they were “absolutely disgusted
