Archive
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Newblood 21st May
Proximity (effect), 2 Foot Maid and Spectrum Seven showed off their stuff on the 21st of May. Each band contributed something different to the night that entertained Darlington’s young music critics (aged 14-17). First up was the punk-rockers Proximity
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NewBlood- Volume 1- 2008-2009
This CD is a must-have to all you NewBlooders who love a variety of different styles of music and enjoy the NewBlood event. The CD has a variety of bands and solo artists, anything to tickle your fancy. It mixes from all different styles of Rock/Pop
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'Darlington's poorest hit hardest by recession'
A MEETING has been held to discuss the effects of the recession on Darlington residents. Members of the board of Darlington Partnership claim the poorest areas the hardest hit. During the meeting, Darlington's director of Public Health Miriam Davidson
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Neuros MPEG 4 recorder
A COUPLE of weeks ago I reviewed two software programmes that could transfer DVDs to iPods and PSPs. They were both very effective, but what options are there for PSP owners who don't have a computer? The Neuros MP4 recorder is the perfect solution
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Formats: Xbox 360, PS3 Publisher: Activision Price: £39.99 UNLIKE the film from which it takes inspiration, Wolverine the game doesn't shy away from the violent potential of a character with razorsharp claws. Parents beware: this game carries an
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Mistaken identity shoplifter remains behind bars
A SERIAL shoplifter remains behind bars after losing his bid to have a prison sentence cut short on appeal. Terence Clegg, 23, was mistakenly released from Durham Prison and remained at large for a fortnight last October after an administrative identity
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Trial of vandal proof light.
A TEST vandal proof light with a plastic sleeve has been installed at the entrance of Beech Wood, in Barmpton Lane. All of the previous lights are damaged, and the bulbs removed by the council to prevent injury to people using the wood as a thoroughfare
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Estate residents urged to join tool scheme
THE organiser of a not-for-profit facility which loans DIY equipment to residents of a Darlington estate has urged people to support the scheme. Residents of Red Hall can borrow lawnmowers, hedge clippers and carpet cleaners for fees up to £2 from
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Chevrolet Epica LT 2.0 VCDI
THESE days, it’s all about getting value for money. In an ideal world we would all want to be seen behind the wheel of a premium-brand vehicle, kitted out with all mod-cons. But as money becomes more of an issue, we are becoming increasingly
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VW Golf Plus SE 1.4 TSi
AS EVERY learner driver knows, until you know what you are doing, parallel parking is a nightmare. Some drivers never manage to master the art of reversing into a parking spot. You see them in busy town centres frantically driving around looking
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Young musicians invited to showcase their talents
LOCAL bands are being invited to showcase their talents later this month. The Battle of the Bands contest will be held in Northallerton on June 19. It is hoped that up to eight groups will take to the stage at the Hambleton Forum. Band members must
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Drug workers to raise awareness of services
A TEAM of health and social care staff who work with people affected by drug misuse are raising awareness of their services. The Hambleton and Richmondshire Substance Misuse Service (HARSMS) is a team of specialist doctors, nurses, a social worker and
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GREEN SCHOOLS: Children grow their own food and monitor electricity usage
GREEN-fingered youngsters are leading the way to a cleaner future by targeting energy wastage and building a nature garden at their school. The Sowerby Primary School-led project has seen several environmental schemes created by pupils over
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More NE swine flu cases confirmed
The first case of swine flu has been confirmed in County Durham. A woman who recently returned from the United States has been struck down by the virus. Her symptoms are mild and she is recovering at home. The diagnosis comes
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ON THE BUSES: A constant companion since childhood
I MAY not be as green as I’m cabbage looking. Though there is much to be said for it, public transport is a myopic necessity, not a far-sighted choice. Green may not be the colour, anyway. I remain the only sportswriter who buys the Pink to find
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CHARITY RECYCLING: Cashing in with innovative trade on eBay
IT is often said that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, and the recession has meant that recycling is more in fashion than ever. With expert timing, traditional second-hand trading has been turned on its head by St Teresa’s Hospice
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NURTURING AN ECO SYSTEM: Sewage-eating bugs are helping to take cleaning up the region’s natural waste to the next level
THE wind rips across the saltplains, tearing at the words on Donna Rawlinson’s lips and whistling them out into the North Sea, where the container ships, vivid red against the blustery blue sky, wait for the tide to turn. From atop a gantry
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Steel production at threatened Corus plant to continue until August
STEELMAKER Corus will continue to produce steel at its threatened Redcar plant until at least August after bosses secured new orders. The news means further breathing space for those hoping to save the plant from closure. A 90 day consultation with
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Snowstorm brings a touch of Christmas to Weardale - in June
EARLIER this week it was hotter than Spain, today Weardale was shivering in a snow storm. Although weather men had forecast a change to colder conditions, no one could have foreseen the blanket of snow which covered the higher ground. With rain forecast
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PLASTIC CONVERSION: Recycled plastic flakes help make new bottles
NEARLY every milk container in the UK could soon contain recycled material produced by a innovative North-East company that has received national recognition. Already in 2009 Greenstar WES at the Wilton International site near Redcar, east
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Tories strengthen grip on county council
The Conservatives have strengthened their hold on North Yorkshire County Council, taking 48 of the 72 seats available, on a day that saw Labour representation in the county almost wiped out. The Tories took a net gain of seven seats in County Hall
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ENERGY FROM WASTE: Setting the standards
CREATING energy from waste is not a new concept, but SITA UK’s facility near the River Tees is setting high standards on energy efficiency. Thousands of tonnes of household rubbish from across the region is taken to the huge incinerators at
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Swine flu confirmed at Europe's biggest Army base
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a case of swine flu at Catterick Garrison, Europe's biggest Army base. A soldier is under quarantine at the base, where several other squaddies are also believed to be undergoing tests. The soldier
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Drummond re-elected as Hartlepool mayor
• LIVE ELECTION RESULTS HERE HARTLEPOOL has returned Stuart Drummond as elected mayor, making him the first in Britain to win a third term. The independent candidate, who originally stood as a joke as Hartlepool FC mascot,
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As You Like It
A COMEDY by Shakespeare will be staged in the grounds of a castle. Heartbreak Productions will stage the Bard’s As You Like It in the grounds of Brancepeth Castle, in Brancepeth, near Durham, on Sunday, June 14. The story touches on romance, politics
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New mayor for Aycliffe
A TOWN’S new mayor is following the footsteps of her predecessor by pledging to raise cash to support forces families. The new Mayor of Great Aycliffe Town Council is Councillor Mary Dalton who takes over the chains from Coun George Gray.
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Region has its say at the ballot box
VOTERS across the region went to the polls yesterday in European, county council and mayoral elections. A total of 104 candidates, representing 12 parties, stood in the European elections in the North-East and Yorkshire and Humber regions.
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Animal charity shop appeal
A CHARITY shop that raises money to care for the sick and injured pets of people in need is appealing for donations to boost its stock. The PDSA shop, in Unit 23 of Festival Walk, in Spennymoor, particularly needs donations of good quality clothing
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Masked raiders tie up Shildon shop assistant
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two masked raiders tied up a shop assistant at knife point and made off with a substantial amount of money. At around 5.15pm on Wednesday the pair targeted the 1001 Bargain Centre, in Church Street, Shildon, County
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FERTILISER FROM REFUSE: Even fingernails and diluted urine are welcome
HOW TO COMPOST BETWEEN 30 and 40 per cent of the contents of your dustbin are compostable. Anything that was once alive and has not been cooked is suitable. For little effort, in a year’s time you will have plant food for your
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Well versed
My Life In Verse: Robert Webb (BBC2, 9pm); Numb3rs (five, 11pm); Big Brother’s Little Brother (E4,6pm). THE last time I saw Robert Webb he was dancing around the stage in a wig and leotard performing as that female welder from the musical Flashdance
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‘Bottoms are my business’
Disposable nappies don’t decompose for 500 years, putting enormous pressure on landfill sites. As part of World Environment Day, Jenny Laue talks to one mum who switched to reusable nappies and was so impressed she set herself up in business to spread
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Money for beginners: The potential pitfalls of hire purchase
THE Never Never is back... after years when we’ve taken out loans or used credit cards to spread the cost of buying items such as furniture or televisions, we’ve suddenly gone back to the old way of doing things, back to the days of hire purchase
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HOME EFFICIENCY: North-East Energy Saving Trust advises on home-eco comforts
THE blinking green lights in the corner of the kitchen catch the energy doctor’s eye. “That microwave’s on,” she says. “Why?” She’s right. It’s been on day and night since it was bought a couple of years ago. Why? Well, it’s because
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June 5th, 2009
Mark, Rachael and three-year-old Chloe have just acquired their first allotment. They have been fortunate that it has been well tended over the years. There are four large plots which will only need a little weeding and the soil turning over. They
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A new weapon against killer bugs
Scientists in the region are being asked to develop a revolutionary bug detector which could help the NHS win the fight against hospital-acquired infections. Health Editor Barry Nelson reports. ONE of the biggest priorities in the National
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Atomic test veterans win right to sue MoD for compensation
BRITAIN'S atomic test veterans today won their High Court bid for the right to sue for compensation. Around 1,000 servicemen, including a number from the North-East and North Yorkshire, who blame their ill-health on involvement in Britain's 1950s nuclear
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Politics
BY far the easiest job in politics is to be leader of the Opposition. Oppositions do not win elections; rather, governments lose them. After the present MPs’ expenses scandal has died down political affiliations will revert to normal. From what
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A GREENER FUTURE: We all have a part to play
WITH big global issues, it is easy to think they are nothing to do with me or that we are too small to change the outcome. But climate change is not just about distant places and generations, it is about our own areas, including the North-East
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Cold callers
THE following is a virtual word-for-word conversation I had a few days ago: “Hello Mr Gregg, is it convenient to talk to you?” “Not really, I’m in bed at the moment. Who is this?” “British Gas – it won’t take a minute.” “What’s it about?” “Your
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European Union
DISTORTED figures and misleading statements about UK membership of the EU are everywhere. It is time to rely on authoritative sources, such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the European Movement. For example, a selection: ● Britain
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Save the whales
AS patron of Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) I know that whales are an incredibly emotive species. This was apparent just 30 minutes from where I live in Cape Town, South Africa, recently when more than 50 false killer whales beached
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Tolerant we may be, but take care...
EVERY week this newspaper features columns that celebrate the excellence of local cafes, restaurants and hostelries. They invariably conjure up images of friendly staff serving wholesome fare in pleasant surroundings. This column begs to differ.
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LOCAL AUTHORITY RECYCLING: It's complex, but green policies are working
JUDGING the success of recycling across the region is akin to piecing together a complex jigsaw, with councils adopting a range of different policies and approaches. Which local authority you are governed by determines whether you have twin
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MPs' expenses
I REFER to your article about MPs’ expenses and more particularly the headline, “Expenses scandal: two more victims” (Echo, May 29). Please do not describe these dishonourable people as “victims”. They are not “victims”. Along with many, many
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Milestone debate
GREY College, a constituent college of Durham University which was named after the North East-born Earl Grey, who became Prime Minister in 1830, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Included in the many events we are holding to commemorate
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Pavement cycling
IN response to VC Day’s letter about pavement cycling (HAS, June 3), the interpretation of the law on pavement cycling was clarified by the Home Office, when Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and wardens were given the power to issue fixed
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Information event for cancer carers
CARERS looking after people with cancer are invited to a number of information events in east Durham area later this month. Information and support will be available each day at the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre, 20 Upper Chare,
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Make or break Cabinet reshuffle underway
GORDON Brown's make-or-break reshuffle was in full swing today in the wake of James Purnell's shock resignation. The threat to the Prime Minister appeared to recede after sources confirmed that Alan Johnson had accepted a move from Health Secretary
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Less waiting time
DISABLED council tenants in East Durham will now have less time to wait for improvements to their homes following the rollout of a successful pilot scheme, it has been revealed. East Durham Homes’ (EDH) Minor Alterations Service allows applications
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Costing the earth
Today is World Environment Day. John Dean asks the experts what the future holds CLIMATE change is one of the biggest threats facing the planet with warming temperatures causing dramatic changes to weather patterns, raising sea levels and triggering
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Losers of the game
THE Northern Echo has done its best to support Darlington Football Club’s attempts to find a way out of administration – this time and the time before that. A successful football club is good for the town, as well as the fans, but the Company Voluntary
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WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: It's time for us all to seize the moment
IN times of recession, when people are trying desperately hard to save every penny, saving the environment slides down their list of priorities. Yet it may be “green” ideas that are the making of us after this recession. There is new green
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Family distraught after blaze guts flat
A FAMILY has been left devastated after fire ripped through their home – killing their dog and cat. Joyce Cox and her 18-yearold son Matthew were not at home when the blaze took hold of their flat in Stockton on Wednesday. Neighbours watched
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Jailed after years of abusing his partner
A YOUNG woman has welcomed the four-year prison sentence handed to her former partner who subjected her to years of violence and abuse. Dennis Moore stabbed girlfriend Sarah Holloway with a knife, hit her with a baseball bat, stubbed out cigarettes
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Mystery of scroll can now be solved
THE mysteries contained within a small and fragile scroll written well over a century ago are about to be unlocked. The scroll has been part of the collection at the Green Howards Museum, in Richmond, North Yorkshire for many years. It was brought
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Hoping to track down model loco
A BROTHER and sister are trying to trace a replica working model of a steam engine which their father built nearly four decades ago. Peter Abel and Ann Nicholson, who are from Darlington, are hoping to find the whereabouts of the five-inch
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Karl Pemberton: Balancing the three Rs is key to success
Balancing the three Rs is key to success MANY people in recent years will have had to make one of the most important decisions of their lifetime and ascertain their Attitude to Risk (ATR) when it comes to long-term savings. This has been somewhat
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Green business is a sign of the times
World Environment Day A COMPANY supplying local authorities across the UK with environmentally-friendly street signs hopes to double its number of clients in the next year. After agreeing five new deals with council areas since March, Stockton-based
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NEWS IN BRIEF: Manufacturers still struggling
MANUFACTURERS are continuing to see the cost of borrowing rise and no improvement in access to finance, despite interest rates falling to a historically low level and efforts to free up the liquidity in the banking system, research has revealed
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Firm increases revenue
AN ENVIRONMENTAL consultancy has announced a 73 per cent increase in revenue for the last year, the largest rise in the group’s 15-year history. SLR, which has an office in Newcastle, experienced an increase in turnover to £54.6m – up from £31.6m
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UK Top 20 rE-view 1st June 2009
1. Dizzee Rascal/Armand Van Helden-Bonkers What I great idea for a song being about being bonkers. I think I used to use that word when I was about four. Now is it me or are the top 2 songs just a bit simple lyrics wise? The thing about this song
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Partnership warms up to changing ways
ONE of Europe’s largest transport companies has teamed up with energy efficiency organisation GoWarm to help its North-East employees reduce their carbon footprints. The GoWarm Arriva project will help its 2,000 employees benefit from insulation
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Market report
THE London market finished virtually flat yesterday as no-change rate decisions from central banks in the UK and Europe failed to make an impact. Investors took the widelyexpected decisions from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank
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New car sales fall
NEW car sales fell sharply last month, with the motor industry saying that it would take time for the Government’s “cash for bangers” scrappage scheme to take effect. A total of 134,858 new vehicles were registered last month – 24.8 per cent down
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Collapse of dairy co-op is ‘devastating blow’ to sector
A DAIRY organisation’s financial collapse was described as a “devastating blow” to nearly 300 of the region’s farms supplying it with milk. Milk co-operative Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) went into receivership on Thursday night, following
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Friends rally to aid cancer fight
A DOZEN young friends are planning to tackle a tough triathlon to help a sick man get the potentially life-saving treatment he needs. Jamie Morgan, 28, from Great Ayton, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, hopes to travel to the US for treatment
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Cecil can strike gold with Midday
MIDDAY can provide legendary trainer Henry Cecil with an incredible ninth win in the Investec Oaks at Epsom. Cecil has always excelled with his handling of fillies and while Midday may not have looked a Classic prospect last season, she showed
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Bruce already thinking beyond three-year stay
STEVE BRUCE intends to remain as Sunderland manager beyond the initial three year deal he’s agreed with Niall Quinn. Bruce earned a reputation for being a managerial mercenary after taking charge of four clubs in the first three seasons of his
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Liverpool’s owners ‘could go bust’
LIVERPOOL’S parent company, owned by Tom Hicks and George Gillett, suffered a £42.6m loss last year – mainly due to interest payments on the debts the Americans took on to buy the club. In the annual accounts released last night, Liverpool’s
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Boro star Tuncay is wanted by top clubs
TUNCAY SANLI is attracting interest from Liverpool who have emerged as the front runners to sign the Turkey forward this summer, despite competition from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. After seeing long-term midfield target Gareth Barry agree a
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Germany display key for Johnson
GLEN JOHNSON has revealed his determination to hold onto his England spot and extend his longest consecutive spell of games for the Three Lions. The Portsmouth defender has started the past four internationals and hopes to be part of the side
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Tykes cruise to win
A WONDERFUL partnership of 129 from Andrew Gale and Michael Vaughan steered Yorkshire to an impressive eight wicket victory over Nottinghamshire and move them closer to the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals. For the second time in a week, after his
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Lancashire provide the entertainment
THERE weren’t even any dancing girls at Old Trafford last night as Lancashire are relying on their players to provide all the Twenty20 entertainment this season. But they had no need to get out of third gear as they made it six wins out of
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Aussie stars show Symonds support
AUSTRALIA’S players were attempting to refocus on the World Twenty20 in the aftermath of controversial allrounder Andrew Symonds being sent home. Symonds, 33, is flying back to Australia following an alcohol- related incident which looks to have
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Safina the favourite in all-Russian final
DINARA SAFINA and Svetlana Kuznetsova will meet tomorrow in the French Open’s second all-Russian final after winning their respective lastfour matches in contrasting fashion yesterday. While top seed Safina was a comfortable 6-3 6-3 winner over
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England spirits are high
ENGLAND will enter the World Twenty20 with quiet confidence they can triumph on home soil and finally end their wait to win a major international trophy. Wednesday’s outstanding nine-wicket warm-up hammering of West Indies at Lord’s, when Ravi
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Barton makes plea for yet another chance
TROUBLED Joey Barton is desperate for another chance at Newcastle United – even if it means working under Alan Shearer in the Championship. Discussions are on-going to make Shearer the new manager, but Mike Ashley’s decision to sell the club has
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Changes revitalise chairman
NIALL QUINN has gone from questioning his position as chairman to planning for a concerted push towards the Premier League’s top ten in the last fortnight. Two weeks ago, Quinn wasn’t sure what the future held for either himself or the Black
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£400m plans hope to create a place to ‘live, play and work’
PLANS for a £400m development to breathe new life into a town eyesore could be approved next week. Proposals to develop the north shore along the River Tees, in Stockton, are being recommended for approval by the town’s planning committee. It
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Tribute to the ‘inner beauty’ of mother who died in Cyprus
THE funeral was held yesterday of a North-East business woman who died only weeks after emigrating to Cyprus to get married and start a new life. Lynne Bromley, 49, from Tudhoe, County Durham, and her fiance, George Heywood, moved to the island
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Family of swans killed by air pellets
ANIMAL lovers have spoken of their outrage following the slaughter of a family of swans at a popular North-East nature reserve. One male adult swan and four cygnets were found dead at Gut Pond, Ryton Willows – a site of special scientific interest
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Dominoes players in fire drama
MEMBERS of a dominoes club have spoken of their narrow escape following a suspected arson attack at the church hall they were using. About 15 woman abandoned their game and fled the building when they discovered a teenager had set fire to the
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The ‘David and Goliath’ fight over region’s horizon
On World Environment Day, North-East people are being urged to embrace a more environmentally caring culture, but amid growing support for the green lobby, there is widespread concern over wind farms and what some consider a blight on the landscape
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Motorist taking legal advice over speed fines
A PENSIONER and a wellknown disc jockey are among more than 30 motorists taking legal advice after receiving speeding tickets on the A66. Hundreds of drivers were caught by a speed trap near the Long Newton junction, between Darlington and Middlesbrough
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Motorists leave cars at home and help the planet
MOTORISTS left their cars at home yesterday, as part of a council initiative to improve health, cut congestion and help the planet. Durham County Council was holding its third Do It Different Day, asking workers, residents and visitors to travel
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Creditors to get pittance from club
BUSINESSES owed money by Darlington Football Club are to receive a fraction of their cash under the terms of an agreement drawn up by administrators. Under the terms of the club’s Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), creditors will receive
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Will Gordon rise again?
Political correspondent Robert Merrick asks where did it all go wrong for a Prime Minister once hailed as a man ‘touched by greatness’ but now facing the possibility he will have to leave the job he craved all his adult life. HE is a figure of
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Purnell piles the pressure on Brown
PRIME Minister Gordon Brown was last night openly challenged to stand down as another minister quit the Cabinet. The dramatic move by Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell increases the chance of a leadership battle after he defiantly called
