Archive
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Boil before you chop your carrots, scientists urge
THE health benefits of eating carrots could be increased by a quarter by waiting until they are cooked before chopping them up, a study has found. Scientists at Newcastle University found that cutting a carrot after boiling it could boost its anti-cancer
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THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE STICK
A novel punishment made the headlines in Turkey today when a Judge sentenced a man who had inflicted a beating on his wife, to distribute a leaflet to 1,000 people personally. Apparently it read: “I apologise to my wife and all the people of Arac for
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North Yorkshire village at centre of major police investigation
A MAJOR police operation is underway in a North Yorkshire village after a woman sustained serious facial injuries. Police were called by ambulance to a house in Ingleby Arncliffe where the woman was found at 4.10pm. She was airlifted
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NE in the picture
A SERIES of short videos have been made to promote a popular part of the region. The five short films have been made by visitTeesvalley and are available to view on The Northern Echo website. Each of the films lasts between six and seven minutes and
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Moore the merrier after Croft outing
NORTH Yorkshire driver Sarah Moore discovered that life at the top can be tough, but the feisty 15-year-old held onto the lead of the Ginetta Junior championship after her home race at Croft circuit. A haul of 22 points was enough for the
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Carnival time in Lanchester
ORGANISERS are putting the finishing touches to an annual community event to raise money for charity. Lanchester Lions are putting on their yearly carnival on Saturday and hope to raise up to £3,000. A parade featuring veteran cars and Lanchester Brass
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Unison axe funding for North-East MPs in 'privatisation' protest
SEVEN of the region's Labour MPs have had funding axed by a trade union as a protest against the "privatisation" of public services. Unison - which is the Labour Party's biggest financial backer - said the MPs would no longer be bankrolled unless they
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Bicycle stolen outside busy shop
AN expensive bicycle has been taken from outside a fish and chip shop in Darlington. The bike was stolen from outside Jazz's Fish bar on North Road on June 9 between 5pm and 5.15pm. The bike has been built up using expensive parts. The frame is a
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College students' last hurrah
COLLEGE leavers went out in style at a party they organised themselves. Students from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington held the bash at Blackwell Grange Hotel. The Student Association organised the party to celebrate the end of two
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Thieves the target of shop scheme
SHOPKEEPERS are being urged to join the fight against shoplifters and anti-social behaviour in Darlington town centre. Shopwatch provides a radio link between shops, security, police and the town centre CCTV system, meaning intelligence can be shared
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Further swine flu case confirmed
ONE additional new case of swine flu was confirmed in the North-East tonight. The unidentified patient is the 25th confirmed case associated with the outbreak at Teesside High School in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton. There were no new cases of influenza
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South Durham gymnasts win flurry of awards
YOUNG gymnasts from the North-East swept the boards with awards during a national competition. A 20-strong team of eight to 15-year-olds from South Durham Gymnastics Club won 52 medals between them at the Manchester Invitational Competition - 24 gold
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Prison officer denies leaking story to Sunday tabloid
A PRISON officer and his brother have denied trying to sell "confidential and sensitive" documents to a Sunday newspaper. Paul Capewell, a prison officer at Durham's top security Frankland Jail, is accused of removing the items and using brother John
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Three arrests over shop robbery
POLICE investigating an early morning raid where an elderly shopkeeper was attacked with a broom have made three arrests. Mohinder Devgan, 75, was working in the Lateshopper in Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, at 6am yesterday morning when he was confronted
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Army hunts for new recruits
THOUSANDS of youngsters are descending on Europe’s biggest army base - to see if they are cut out to join the real Professionals. The annual Army Careers Exhibition - Ace - at Catterick Garrison is one of the largest events of its kind and is now in
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Warwickshire v Durham (LV County Championship, tea, day one)
IAN Blackwell again came to Durham’s rescue when the expected run feast was failing to materialise after winning the toss on a glorious day at Edgbaston. Durham slipped to 120 for four, and with Mark Stoneman having retired with a thigh strain
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Summer concert date
A VILLAGE music group will help people swing into summer with a concert next month. Sedgefield Lyric Singers and special guests The Alex Ord Trio will perform at Sedgefield Parish Hall on Friday July 3 and Saturday 4, 7.30pm. Admission is by ticket
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Stand up comics announce new dates
TWO of Britain's biggest stand-up comedians have announced new dates in the region. Michael McIntyre has chosen to play an exclusive warm-up gig in Middlesbrough in July before his huge arena tour this summer. While Jimmy Carr has added an extra performance
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Community can shape plans for play area
YOUNGSTERS can influence how a council spends money on new play facilities in their community. Durham County Council wants to hear the views of children and young people so they can make plans for a new play area at Bessemer Park, in Spennymoor. The
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Darlington versus Leeds clash cancelled
Darlington's pre-season friendly at home to Leeds United has been cancelled. Quakers were due to host Leeds for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 21, but it has been axed due to the sides being paired in today's Carling Cup draw.
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All areas must be covered before leasing your property
LEASING may offer a sensible use of your premises and provide useful income in these difficult times, but expert advice is essential when considering such a move. There are many practical and legal issues which need to be considered prior to leasing
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Joanne Fryett: Region's hope of recovery
IF the national papers would be believed, there is little to look forward to this summer. We are told about corrupt politicians, national finances in more of a mess than ever before, and we’re apparently all going to be sneezing our way through
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Walk to school debate
SCHOOL pupils will be taking part in a debate with youngsters from North Yorkshire on walking to school. Two pupils from Shield Row Primary School, Stanley, and two from Red Rose Primary School, Chester-le-Street, will take on pupils from North Yorkshire
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Are you missing out?
THE global economic downturn has prompted the governments of the G20 to introduce financial packages to help support businesses with a combination of tax cuts and additional investment in key industry sectors. Within the EU single market, Germany
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Homes to get flood protection
WORK to protect 17 homes from flooding is to start next month. Northumbrian Water is to spend £800,000 upgrading the sewerage system in Shiney Row, between Sunderland and Chester-le-Street. The work, which will begin in the week of July 13 and take
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Are we seeing signs of financial recovery?
SOME encouraging figures have been released by the Office for National Statistics. It stated that UK industrial output rose by 0.3 per cent in April, the first increase since February last year. Manufacturing, the backbone of the UK economy,
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Train named after Thirsk's famous vet James Herriot
A NEW honour is being bestowed on the famous North Yorkshire author and vet James Herriot as a train is named after him. Train operator Grand Central is to name one of its locomotives after the vet who wrote several best selling books while based in
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Motor dealership announces share placing to fund expansion
NORTH-EAST motor company Vertu yesterday announced a £30m share placing on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to fund an expansion and acquisition programme which could see turnover reach £1bn. The Bristol Street Motors brand owner, established
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Warning to festival-goers to make sure goods are insured
AN army of about 180,000 music fans heads for the Glastonbury Festival, in the West Country, at the end of the month, and many will not notice they have gaping holes in their insurance policies as they set off. That is the warning from price
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Northern Trust’s double success
NORTHERN Trust has secured two lettings at its new £4.5m industrial development at Linden Park, Number One Industrial Estate, Consett. CAV Advanced Technologies Limited has taken occupation of Units 1C and 1D totalling 11,089 sq ft on a ten-year
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Cooking bus rolls into school
PUPILS and staff at a comprehensive school are getting lessons in safe and healthy cooking as part of a £16.9m Big Lottery Fund supported initiative. The Food For Life Partnership's Focus on Food "cooking bus', a specially designed articulated lorry
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Lettings up at Stockton shopping centre
STENHAM, the global investment management group, and Park Lane Estates have announced that Wellington Square shopping centre in Stockton has experienced an upturn in lettings over the last 12 months. Following the opening of The Body Shop in
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Teenagers rescued from foot of cliffs
A GROUP of teenagers had to be rescued after they became stranded at the foot of cliffs. A lifeboat volunteer braved the freezing North Sea to swim out to the four teenagers who were perched on a ledge, six foot above the incoming tide.
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Helping remove the fear factor
A North-East psychotherapist is working with companies to help their employees remove the fear factor which is holding them back. Business Editor Owen McAteer went to meet him. BEFORE he addresses a putt, golfer Greg Norman wipes the back of his
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Company products in demand as flu toll rises
A BIOTECHNOLOGY firm has seen an increase in demand for its naturally derived products since the outbreak of swine flu. Schools, in particular, have been approaching Phytologica, based at Riverside Park, in Middlesbrough, following the outbreak
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Geek Dinner on menu for women in industry
THE region’s first forum for women working in niche technology and science sectors to meet and share experiences is being launched this week. Durham Girl Geek Dinners is targeting women across the North- East who work in male-dominated sectors
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Men's health group offer lifestyle challenges and choices
A series of health activities to encourage men across the Durham, Chester-le-Street and Derwentside localities to take up a challenge have been organised to coincide with Men’s Health Week. The theme of this year’s National Men’s Health Week is ‘challenges
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Quakers' CVA meeting postponed
THE planned creditors' meeting for Darlington Football Club has been adjourned for one week. The meeting about the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) was due to take place tomorrow but has been put back to midday on Thursday, June 25.
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Become a diesel driver for a fiver
MUSEUM staff are inviting visitors to become a diesel driver for a fiver this weekend. The locomotive crew at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum in Shildon, County Durham, are offering ten-minute sessions at the controls of the museum’
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Youngster helps Thirsk Herriot centre mark 10th birthday
A YOUNGSTER has cut a special birthday cake he designed to help mark the tenth anniversary of the World of James Herriot. Sam Marchant, ten, cut the cake at the Thirsk-based attraction this week as part of a series of events to mark the anniversary.
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Police: Barriers to stop trespassing travellers were success
BARRIERS which were installed along a stretch of road in a County Durham town have helped cut the number of traveller-related problems. Last week police in Barnard Castle installed water-filled barriers along a 250-metre stretch of Bridgegate
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Redundant engineers will be paid to study
ENGINEERS who have been made redundant are being paid to study for a year in order to stop a North-East brain drain. A leading academic said the region was already facing a shortage of young engineering talent before the downturn. It
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Corus free to talk after exclusivity right waived
CORUS can talk to potential purchasers for its threatened Teesside plant after two members of a consortium gave up their exclusive right to buy it. The steel firm could not negotiate with other potential buyers until Marcegaglia, of Italy, and
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Artistic gold for Northallerton College
A PRESTIGIOUS gold standard has gilded a North Yorkshire College’s reputation as a leading place to study the arts. The Artsmark Gold award for Northallerton College is official recognition for providing a consistently high level of arts education for
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Saab saved by Koenigsegg
AILING General Motors has reached an agreement that could see Saab sold to the Koenigsegg sports car group. The Swedish government is expected to guarantee a loan of $600 million to make certain the buy-out goes ahead. GM executives said they expected
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Warning to employers as swine flu takes hold
WITH swine flu now being confirmed as a pandemic, a North-East employment expert is warning businesses to ensure they have a disaster recovery plan in place to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Figures show that employees across the country
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Scrappage scheme ‘is the boost the industry needs’
THE UK car scrappage scheme, which has already directly created at least 250 jobs in the North-East, was last night hailed as the boost the industry needs after more than 60,000 new car orders were received in the past two months. The scheme,
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Quayside cable facility to open next month
A £20M facility making underwater cables for the world’s largest windfarm will officially open next month, creating about 80 jobs. It comes a year after JDR Cables Ltd announced it was developing an umbilical cable manufacturing facility in the
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Occupational hazards
Occupation (tonight, Wednesday and Thursday, BBC1, 9pm) COLD Feet and Murphy’s Law star James Nesbitt admits his latest role as a military veteran proved a daunting prospect. “It’s quite a different character for me – there’s nothing necessarily
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Suncatchers Cafe, Masham, North Yorkshire
WILD garlic is reckoned a botanical grey squirrel – invasive, ubiquitous and not greatly loved. The Darlington & Stockton Times still carried an almost affectionate piece on it two Fridays ago – “the happy knack of thriving almost everywhere”
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Son charged with father's murder in Durham hospital
A MAN has been charged with murder following the death of his father in hospital, The Northern Echo can reveal. The 45-year-old man, from Stanley, County Durham, was arrested after Ralph Stephenson, 86, died in University Hospital of North
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Bid to save forest the size of Yorkshire
A FAMOUS North Yorkshire business has pledged to save 1.5 million hectares of rainforest in its latest climate change initiative. Bettys and Taylors, which runs a chain of tea rooms in the county, plan to save a forested area the size of Yorkshire from
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Supposedly a poet, so show it
EENY, meeny, miny mo; put the baby on the po... I apologise for this lurch into poetry, but I have been sorely provoked by the new Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, whose first effort since her appointment is called Politics and starts like this:
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Park-and-ride
RE your story headlined “Park-and-ride contract may provoke passengers’ fury” (Echo, June 12). That, surely, is the understatement of the year. I have been told Arriva has 100 new buses, 12 of which have been allocated to Bishop Auckland depot
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What a touching tale
I WAS touched by your article, “Big day nears for Robbie’s mother” (Echo, June 11) and I would like to applaud the courage of two-year-old Robbie Jones and his mum, Jill Graham, who have come through an incredibly tough time after Robbie suffered
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Passport to a pampering
Lauren Pyrah tries a one-stop pre-holiday beauty treatment at Saks. IT’S always the same old story before I go on holiday. Instead of winding down and relaxing in preparation for my two weeks of hard-earned, sun-soaked bliss, I run myself ragged
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Labour chances
THE Labour Party did very badly in the recent European elections. This leads some people to take for granted that it will inevitably lose the General Election when it comes, but this is not a conclusion that can be automatically assumed. The turnout
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Labour subs
TALK about rubbing salt into wounds. Try this: “In these tough economic times, we are working to ensure Britain remains prosperous and secure for the many, not just the privileged few.” Or this: “Making this increase was a hard decision, but I
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Cabinet jumpers
THE severely embarrassed and discredited former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears says she now apologises for the “firestorm” that surrounded her calculated departure from her Cabinet post (Echo, June 13) even though she played up to the storm
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An old style war inquiry
IF our politics really had changed, if our Prime Minister really had listened, there would have been a momentous announcement yesterday. Gordon Brown would have announced a public inquiry into the Iraq war. Let’s go one step further. Before any
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The wonder of Wimbledon
As Andy Murray’s victory at the weekend raises hopes of a British victory at Wimbledon, Andy Welch asks veteran presenter John Inverdale what we should expect from this year’s tournament. LOADED with tradition and heritage, Wimbledon is one the world
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Concert transport
I CAN’T agree with your report (Echo, June 12) that there were transport “headaches” around the Take That and Oasis concerts at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light – at least no more than you have to expect at concerts of this size and scale. Nexus,
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Life sentences
THE killers of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, one of the most cowardly, vile murders of recent times, have been given “life” sentences of a minimum 19 years (Echo, June 13). This is another example of British justice becoming a joke. To keep calling
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Sunderland to face Benfica and Atletico Madrid
SUNDERLAND will open their Amsterdam Tournament campaign against Benfica. The draw for the competition, which takes place in Holland between July 24 and 26, has paired the Black Cats with the Portuguese side in the opening game at the Amsterdam
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Open-air Shakespeare
THEATRE-lovers will be able to see Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy Twelfth Night performed in the open air next month. Acclaimed touring theatre company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men will present the show against the backdrop of Fountains Abbey, near Ripon
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Soul can strike Palace gold
A LOT of the focus in the St James’s Palace Stakes will surround hot favourite Mastercraftsman and main market rival Delegator, but the one that looks to have slipped under the radar is Richard Hannon’s Soul City. Mastercraftsman justifiably
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Pair behind dance music album success are revealed
TWO men from the region are behind some of the biggest dance tracks being played in clubs across the country. Nilesh Parmar and Dave Heels, both from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, are music DJs and together formed production team Bass Slammers
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Trader cleared of selling fake good from her Thornaby house
A WOMAN who said she feared being kidnapped by drug dealers if she did not raise £30,000 has been cleared of selling counterfeit goods. Dawn Frost, 51, of Easby Grove, Thornaby, near Stockton, denied 12 counts of selling counterfeit shorts, tracksuits
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Church treasurer who stole £12,000 spared jail
A TREASURER who stole almost £12,000 from church funds to try to buy the love of her cheating husband was spared jail today. Trusted Deborah Stanger was given blank cheques by the vicar to pay church bills, but she made them out to herself. The 44-year-old
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Jeffries to return to the ring in Sunderland
TONY Jeffries will return to the ring in his native Sunderland next month as he defends his unbeaten record as a professional. Jeffries, who claimed a bronze medal in last summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, will take on an as yet unnamed European opponent
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Richmond bus accident pupil ‘happy to be alive’
A POPULAR teenager who was hit by a bus outside his school could be left blinded on one eye – but says he is “just happy to be alive”. Aaron Crockett, 16, was airlifted to hospital following the incident outside Richmond School, in North Yorkshire
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Borderlescott will battle all the way in King's Stand at Royal Ascot
All eyes are focused on Ascot this week as the Berkshire venue hosts its five-day Royal meeting. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson selects five Northern horses to follow. TODAY BORDERLESCOTT (King’s Stand Stakes, Roger Bastiman, 8-1) THE
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Darlington draw Leeds in Carling Cup first round
DARLINGTON have been handed a glamour tie in the first round of the Carling Cup after they were paired with League One Leeds United in this morning's draw. Leeds will visit The Northern Echo Darlington Arena in the week commencing August 10
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Grace’s dismissal gives Spout House another claim to fame
SELDOM far from these Ionic columns, Spout House Cricket Club made a twopage debut in Saturday’s Guardian. Thus was a remarkable statistic revealed about the man reckoned England’s greatest cricketer. We knew, of course, that the Ainsley family
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Hospice thanks volunteers
A HOSPICE is hosting an event to thank its volunteers for their work. St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham, will host a volunteers’ and staff barbecue in hospice grounds on Friday, July 10. More than 360 volunteers and 50 staff help the hospice provide
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Corus free to talk to new buyers for threatened Teesside plant
CORUS can talk to potential purchasers for its threatened Teesside plant after two members of a consortium gave up their exclusive right to buy it. The steel firm couldn't negotiate with other potential buyers until Marcegaglia, of Italy and Dongkuk
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England gamble pays off against Finland
England Under-21 2 Finland Under-21 1 ENGLAND Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce admitted taking Theo Walcott off at halftime during the victory over Finland was a gamble which could have left him embarrassed. Pearce’s youngsters got their
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Southgate backing Steele to succeed
GARETH SOUTHGATE has spoken for the first time of his dismay at losing the services of goalkeeper Ross Turnbull but predicts England Under- 19 captain Jason Steele is capable of stepping into the breach. After refusing to sign a new contract
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Durham weigh up spin for Warwickshire match
DURHAM have added spinners Gareth Breese and Scott Borthwick to the 11 who beat Lancashire for the championship match against Warwickshire, starting at Edgbaston today. As the ground has produced 11 successive draws in the LV County Championship
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Sweet treat at village fete
A ‘GUESS the number of sweets in the jar’ competition, at Scruton station, raised £80.30 for the village fete on Saturday. Rachael Henderson, manageress of the Coore Arms, in Scruton, is shown checking the results before announcing the winner, Brian
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Newcastle attract interest from American consortium
AN American consortium interested in buying Newcastle United is expected to begin a process of due diligence tomorrow – but Mike Ashley’s hopes of agreeing a deal before the end of the month are receding fast. Ashley stepped up his attempts
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Collingwood proud despite England's Twenty20 exit
PAUL Collingwood praised his England side’s fighting spirit after they were eliminated from the World Twenty20 by a weather-affected match against West Indies. Two showers at the Oval reduced West Indies’ target to 80 from nine overs after
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Housing slump causes black hole in finances
COUNCIL tax may have to rise to plug a £4m black hole in town hall finances opened up by the housing slump, the Tories claimed yesterday. The party unearthed figures revealing how much local authoritys have been hit by the property market crash
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Region is focus of largest ever alcohol debate
THE people of the North-East are being asked their views on alcohol today in what is thought to be the biggest public health debate ever to be held in the region. Drinkers and non-drinkers alike are being asked to take part in the North-East
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Darlington FC sale 'only a matter of days'
A DEAL to sell Darlington FC to their former vice-chairman Raj Singh could be concluded as early as this week, The Northern Echo understands. Sources close to the Quakers, who have been in administration since February, said last night that
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Help wanted for fun day
A COMMUNITY association is appealing for help in staging its second fun day. Witton Gilbert Community Association, in Witton Gilbert, near Durham, is looking for raffle prizes and bands, dance groups and entertainers who would like to perform at the
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Claudia Lawrence love-life claims ‘are unfair’
THE distraught family of missing chef Claudia Lawrence have reacted with distress at claims she had a string of affairs with married men. And they have spoken of their fears that the “unfair and unfounded opinion” could hinder the continuing efforts
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Mother relives Darlington car crash terror
A WOMAN has told how she is lucky to be alive following a three-car collision in a busy town centre. Stephanie May Henry has said if she had not bent down to put her mobile phone in her bag, she would have been killed when a black Vauxhall Astra
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Businessman’s £400,000 dream home demolished
A BUSINESSMAN’S £400,000 dream house built without planning approval has been reduced to rubble. When Peter Howell built the property in Ingleby Arncliffe, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, it sparked a five-year dispute with Hambleton District
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Raider is fended off by elderly trader
AN elderly shopkeeper who fought off a hooded thief during an early morning raid said last night he was only protecting his family’s livelihood. Mohinder Devgan, 75, was sorting through newspapers at the Lateshopper, in Proudfoot Drive, Bishop
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Inquiry into Iraq to be held in private
GORDON BROWN was last night accused of betraying the families of soldiers killed in Iraq after announcing the long-awaited inquiry into the war would be held behind closed doors. The Prime Minister came under attack from MPs on all sides –
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Classic car show at castle
A DAY of motoring nostalgia will come to a castle later this month. The Raby Classic Car and Bike Show takes place at Raby Castle, near Staindrop on Sunday, June 28. Set in Raby Castle's grounds, the show sees over 400 classic cars,
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Lead recovered from car
Police who pulled over a suspicious car discovered £2,000 of stolen lead inside. A member of the public informed the police of the car and its occupants, who were acting suspiciously close to Winston near Barnard Castle on Friday. Two
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Headline Game update
I'm on holiday this week but I'm still looking after the Headline Game from home. I get a text each night from work, telling me the headline so I can go into battle on TFM radio every morning at 8.15. The game got off to a bad start this week when I
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Baby T-Rex set loose in North shopping centre
A T-REX has been let loose among shoppers. The baby dinosaur roared into action at Gateshead MetroCentre to promote a show about prehistoric life. But the fearsome beast showed its soft side by letting pupils from St Peter’s Primary School, in
