Archive
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Tesco "could bid for Northern Rock"
TESCO may launch a bid for Northern Rock as the Government attempts to sell off the nationalised lender before the General Election, it was reported today. The supermarket chain has shown "provisional" interest in buying the bank which was nationalised
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Local hotel development launches restaurant
A LUXURY hotel development opened its doors for an exclusive taster lunch today. Staff at Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth, near Darlington, gave guests a chance to sample the menu at The Clubhouse restaurant overlooking the hotel’s stunning 300
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MICHAEL JACKSON RIP
The recent death of Michael Jackson coupled with the reports that his mother has applied for guardianship of his children inevitably prompts queries from worried clients as to the position should they too die prematurely leaving dependent children. Is
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Delight at Great Yorkshire Show entries
THIS year’s Great Yorkshire Show has become a recordbreaker a fortnight before it is even due to start. Organisers report that they have had more entries for the competitive classes than ever before. The 2009 show sees a total of 12,189 entries
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Headline Game
It's 1-1 so far in the Headline Game on TFM radio... Tomorrow's story is about actress Kara Tointon, who plays Dawn Swann in Eastenders, leaving the BBC soap this month. Our headline is "Swanning off". It's gorra be a "dog's dinner" - that's a "winner
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You Never Know Where the name of Cockfield will turn Up…
Trawling through the internet at the weekend, I Google’d ‘Cockfield’, with some surprising results! First off, I got a ‘Result’ to The Wall Street Journal with a link to the Cockfield Blog. I couldn’t believe it! It was the story of
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Woman, 36, attacked and robbed in town centre
A WOMAN has been taken to hospital after being attacked and robbed in a town centre. The 36-year-old was approached by a man wearing a black hooded top at the junction of Tower Street and Albert Street in Hartlepool at 3.40pm. The man attacked her
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Tributes paid to tireless community worker Ken Saxby
TRIBUTES were paid tonight to former policeman, council leader and tireless community worker Ken Saxby, who has died aged 80. After a 30-year career as a policeman, initially in his home city of Sheffield and later in Teesdale, most people would have
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Footballer who fled to North-East to be deported
AN AFRICAN footballer who fled to the North-East from his war-torn homeland is set to be deported, a court has heard. Ballo Ousmane trained with local league side Marske United, in east Cleveland, after previously playing professionally for
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Eastbourne: an iconic building
Copytakers - those kind people who save my fingers by tapping in longer letters and articles into our computer system - have just sent me more comments about Eastbourne School in Darlington. The school's future, and past, is clearly a big debating
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School of rock for youngsters
HUNDREDS of children learnt about the rock n roll of geology at a special event in Teesdale. More than 200 children from nine schools in County Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria cooked up their own rock recipes at Bowlees Visitor Centre near Middleton-in-Teesdale
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Post Office anger over BBC request in North Yorkshire
A POSTMASTER is angry the BBC has asked him to advertise its programme shortly after losing him trade by stopping him issuing TV licences. Peter Stockdale, who runs Hunton post office, near Leyburn, has been asked to advertise the TV show Antiques
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Boozy teens put nighttime anglers in fear
FISHERMEN say teenagers gathering by a river to drink and take drugs are spoiling their nighttime expeditions. Groups of up to 50 youngsters, aged 11 to 18, meet beneath the A1(M) bridge over the River Wear at Chester-le-Street on Friday and Saturday
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Newcastle's trip to Blackpool is re-scheduled
NEWCASTLE'S Championship trip to Blackpool has been put back 24 hours. The Magpies will now visit Bloomfield Road on Wednesday, September 16 (ko 7.45pm). ** READ MORE NEWCASTLE NEWS IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **
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Carnival saved by business intervention
A councillor has hailed the help of local businesses in saving a community event with more than 25 years of history from the effects of the credit crunch. The Northallerton Carnival will see a fun fair, street entertainers and charity stalls fill the
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Hundreds enjoy free water sports
MORE than 450 people have taken advantage of a month of free water sports. Many of the sessions for Active Durham’s Water Wonders month were held at Freeman’s Quay leisure centre, in Durham. Swimming development officer Laura Welford said: "Water Wonders
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Opticians keep their eye on the ball
A FOOTBALL team in need of a new strip for the new season have been helped out by a local business. The Brompton Juniors under-10s side have received a new strip from the Northallerton branch Specsavers, who stepped in to sponsor the team after
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Gardeners urged to watch their shed
Garden and allotment owners are being urged to look after the safety of their garden shed this summer. As part of National Shed Week, which starts Monday, the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership are advising home owners to take care to lock up their
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Claudia: Multiple partners ruled out
DETECTIVES searching for missing chef Claudia Lawrence do not believe rumours that she was involved with multiple partners. An update on the case featured on BBC's Crimewatch this week addressed widespread speculation surrounding Miss Lawrence
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Save our old school
Here are some more comments that have arrived about Eastbourne School in Darlington. Mr RW West, who describes himself as an "old Eastbourne lad", says: "I think a good idea would be to convert the school into a town hall, it would have more
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Thousands quit the smoking habit
THOUSANDS of people have succeeded in kicking the tobacco habit since the smoking ban came into force two years ago. NHS North Yorkshire and York’s Stop Smoking Service has helped a total of 7,611 people successfully quit since July 1, 2007. Service
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The Chippendales needn't worry...
The Darlington Rotary Club nude calendar has certainly put the cat among the pigeons. I'm not saying any of the brave models are starting to feel nervous but I've now had five of them on the phone, checking how it's going to be portrayed in
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MP opens family centre
A NEW Sure Start centre has been officially opened. Roberta Blackman-Woods MP cut the ribbon during a fun day to mark the opening of the Sure Start Centre in Front Street, Kelloe, the fifth Sure Start centre in the Durham City area. Dr Blackman-Woods
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Social worker pens novel
A SOCIAL worker who urged high security convicts to take up creative writing has penned a novel. Richard Hardwick, who worked in Durham’s Frankland Prison, has written a book about teenage homelessness. He said: "At least half the prisoners I work with
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Society organises bus trip
DAY trippers will have a chance to look behind the scenes at a landscaped garden next week. Durham Caledonian Society has organised a bus trip to Portrack House Estate Gardens, near Dumfries, on Saturday, July 11. The coach will leave Finchale Training
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Durham v Worcestershire (LV County Championship, day one, tea)
BOTH Mitch Claydon and Liam Plunkett struggled with their direction but suddenly produced absolute beauties to bowl Ben Smith and Gareth Batty. Both wickets were needed to justify Will Smith’s decision to put Worcestershire in as Smith had made
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Young riders in action at Mickleton
JUNIOR jockeys turned out for a special gymkhana organised by the Barnard Castle and Teesdale Riding Club. Around 30 youngsters aged from five to 17 took part in a series of events designed to test skill and agility. Lezley (correct) Aldrich, who helped
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Dance spectacular at Civic Theatre
DOZENS of tiny tappers are rehearsing for a song and dance spectacular at a North-East theatre next week. More than 100 performers aged from five to fifty are appearing with Spennymoor company the Joanne Banks Dancers in the show Don’t Stop the Rock
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One in five dads "are not doing their bit"
MANY fathers are letting their partners down after the birth of their children, a survey has revealed. The exercise by North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong showed that out of 333 new mums questioned one in five rated their partner’s support as poor
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Woodland setting for adventure play
AN adventure world of flora and fauna could soon spring up under new plans to transform a south Durham woodland. Residents of Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland, will be instrumental in shaping the future of the woodland planted on the site of old pit cottages
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Man assaulted in pub
A 36-year-old man was left with a broken jaw after being assaulted in the Powlett Pub, Powlett Road, Hartlepool, at around 6.30pm on Saturday. The victim, who needed hospital treatment, was punched in the back of the head as well as being hit in the face
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Plan to protect countryside
A FIVE-year action plan is being set up to protect and promote the countryside across Redcar and Cleveland. Redcar and Cleveland Council is expected to welcome a major piece of work, detailing what will be done to sustain and enhance the area, when the
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Feedback wanted on message screens
RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are being asked what they think of television screens broadcasting community safety messages. A questionnaire is being distributed by the Safer Hartlepool Partnership to discover if the screens are having an impact. Messages
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Archbishop of York visits Thirsk auction mart
THE Archbishop of York has met farmers at Thirsk auction mart to discuss the issues affecting the rural community. Dr John Sentamu headed to the Thirsk Rural Business Centre to see it in action and to discuss the problems in the farming world. The archbishop
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Catterick instructors accused of bullying
THREE Army training instructors appeared at a military court today accused of bullying and ill-treating young recruits. Corporal Christopher Jakeman, ex-Corporal Stuart Pagett and Colour Sergeant Michael Heatherington faced charges brought under the
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Vicious hammer attack on teen robbed of mobile phone and cigarettes
A TEENAGER needed hospital treatment after he was attacked with a hammer following a night out in Guisborough. The 17-year-old man was assaulted at around 1.30am on Sunday when he was walking in an alleyway between the town's Hawkstone Close and Aldenham
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Hula Hoop fun in the sun
HUNDREDS of primary school pupils got themselves in a spin when they tried out a new way of keeping fit. Gathered in Middlesbrough's Centre Square the youngsters enjoyed a Hoop Hop session, combining hip hop music with the traditional hoola
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Teenager attacked with hammer
A TEENAGER needed hospital treatment after he was attacked with a hammer following a night out in Guisborough. The 17-year-old man was assaulted at around 1.30am on Sunday when he was walking in an alleyway between the town's Hawkstone Close and Aldenham
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Entrants needed for Flavours of Hambleton competition
ENTRANTS are being sought to battle it out in the Flavours of Hambleton awards after the judges extended the closing date. Hambleton District Council runs the competition and it has extended the closing date for entrants to July 31.
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Talk to raise awareness of refugees' plight
AN ADVISOR to the Government will visit the region this week to raise awareness among schools about the plight of asylum seekers. Sir Keith Ajegbo, a former headmaster turned advisor to the Home Office, will address representatives from schools
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Lloyds to axe 2,100 jobs
THE finance sector was hit by another jobs hammer blow today with news that Lloyds is to axe 2,100 posts. Staff were told that the cuts will affect the firms commercial and group operations, hitting offices across the country. The Unite union said it
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NORTH YORKSHIRE: News in brief
OPEN GARDENS: A dozen houses in Newton-le-Willows will take part in an open gardens event on Sunday, from 2pm to 5pm. Proceeds in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and village hall funds. Home made teas will be served from 1.30pm. Admission costs £3.50
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Great Yorkshire Show already a record-breaker
THIS year’s Great Yorkshire Show has become a record-breaker a fortnight before it is even due to start. Organisers report that they have had more entries for the competitive classes than ever before. The 2009 show sees a total of 12,189 entries compared
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Classic car rally in North Yorkshire
A HISTORIC country house is to host the Alfa Romeo Owner's Club annual rally day for fans of the classic car to visit. The event is at Newby Hall, near Ripon, and it promises to be the largest gathering of Alfa Romeos anywhere in the country this year
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Vaughan quits cricket
MICHAEL Vaughan has confirmed his retirement from all forms of cricket. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the 34-year-old's decision ahead of a scheduled press conference at Edgbaston. Vaughan, who famously led England to
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The Full Monty
Well, well, well...a copy of Darlington Rotary Club's nude calendar has just arrived in a brown envelope. And I can confirm that it's really hot stuff! Anyone from Mr January to Mr December who wants to avoid their picture appearing in tomorrow's edition
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Strictly classroom
Steve Pratt speaks to a dedicated teacher who hopes to make dance part of the mainstream curriculum. TEACHER Alison Dixon is planning to lead her pupils a merry dance. That’s her job. To get them up on their feet and dancing. Based at Greenfield
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Comfort to the Enemy by Elmore Leonard (Weidenfeld and Nicholson, £18.99)
THE latest offering from the master of American crime writing follows the development of Carl Webster from a naive but trepidatious teen to the hot kid of the Marshal service. But this is more than just a comingof- age story. In the form of two
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June 30th, 2009
WHAT DID I SEE? I went to the jungle and what did I see? A lion who roared at me. I went to the jungle and what did I see? A monkey who pulled a face at me. I went to the jungle and what did I see? A koala bear that hugged me. I went to the jungle
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Take That: Now and Then by Martin Roach (HarperCollins, £16.99)
The full story, from fame first time around as a boy band, to mega-comeback as hugely popular man-band, this well illustrated book is a must for all fans of the singers... with or without Robbie.
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The Good Plain Cook by Bethan Roberts (Serpent’s Tail, £7.99)
A WONDERFUL glimpse into sex, class and cooking in the 1930s. A rich and Bohemian American – much given to naked sunbathing – lives with her lover, a would-be poet, in a cottage in the English countryside and employs a shy and inexperienced local
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Confinement by Katharine McMahon (Phoenix, £7.99)
IN 1848 Bess Hardemon starts as a teacher at a grim school (think Jane Eyre’s Lowood) and battles benefactors, parents, staff and endless committees to turn it into a success. She is single-minded, determined and has time for little else in her
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‘The joy of saying my name out loud’
For as long as she could remember, Lucy Richardson stammered. She explains how she finally conquered her affliction… and found a husband in the process. WHEN I went on a speech therapy course to help control my stammer, I never imagined that
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Paul Weller, Dalby Forest
DALBY on Saturday night was more wet wood than wild wood, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. Who needs, or wants, Bruce at Glasto when you can have Paul in the forest? The modernist maxim of clean living under difficult circumstances
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It's a PC world: What it Means to Live in a Land Gone Politically Correct by Edward Stourton (Hodder, £7.99)
The only way to counter an increasingly PC world, is to satirise it, says Peter Mullen. EDWARD Stourton is the most charming and gentlemanly of the team of broadcasters who present the BBC’s Today Programme – and by heck it shows throughout this
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Apathy
WITH the recent elections behind us it is again apparent that more and more people simply don’t involve themselves in the democratic process – ie, they do not vote. Indeed, during TV coverage of the elections, a young woman was asked her voting
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Eco responsibility
I TOTALLY agree with JE Langford’s sentiments (HAS June 27) about the dubious eco gain by Sainsbury’s scheme to discourage the use of plastic bags through “use again” bags. I have also found myself buying plastic bags for disposing of kitchen
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On the case
CSI: -Miami (Five, 9pm); World’s Best Diet (ITV, 8pm) IF you’re a huge fan who purposefully avoids reading spoilers to stop the storylines being ruined for you, then you should probably look away now. Considering that Britain is nine months
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Unitary council
TOO many people with too many faces – that’s my reasoning as to why the Labour Party is in such a mess today. I was a member for 28 years until I had to resign recently. I served on Chester-le-Street District Council as a councillor from 1990-
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Transparency
IT is good news that Conservative Phillip Broughton is urging more transparency in the financial arrangements for members of Stockton Borough Council (Echo, some editions, June 27) as a direct result of what he has learned while out canvassing
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Hypocrisy
WE, as a nation, are not renowned for being the best in the world for anything, but in one respect we are top of the league – hypocrisy. The pictures of the young Iranian woman who was shot during a demonstration in Tehran adorned the pages of
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Milburn: who will stand now?
A SUCCESSOR to Alan Milburn as Darlington’s Labour parliamentary candidate could take up to four months to find. Discussions have yet to start to find someone to replace Mr Milburn, who announced his decision to stand down on Saturday.
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Train of thought
WE made a favourite Friday trip of ours to Helmsley market last week. Up at Meeting House Court is a toy shop you can’t miss. It has two windows and whenever you go there is a model prairie freight train doing a figure of eight journey from one
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Looking to the past for clues to the future
THE optimism from a couple of weeks ago has so far failed to materialise into continued recovery in the stock market. The dynamics of the market have changed somewhat recently. A month or so ago, the release of bad economic news was largely
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Michael Jackson
NO matter what we might think of Michael Jackson, there were many shades to his character and personality, but above all he was undoubtedly a musical genius. It is in his music, groundbreaking in its impact, that we find the man. How often do
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Tenderness after a burst of profanity
WHILE sitting out in the back garden with a book the other day, I witnessed a charming episode in human relationships. A joiner and his lad were fitting a new lock and door handle on one of the old cottages nearby. I couldn’t help overhearing their
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Headline Game
A belated start to the Headline Game this morning - and a point each on a story about women's bottoms. Artist Sue Williams has been given a £20,000 National Lottery grant to study "cultural attitudes towards women's buttocks". Our headline was "National
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Cutting out the middle men
Health Editor Barry Nelson talks to police about their efforts to reduce under-age drinking – including targeting the people who sell alcohol to children or buy it for them. WHEN it comes to children being admitted to hospital because of drink,
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We’ve heard it all before
GORDON BROWN’S new agenda for Government announced yesterday looked like Labour’s manifesto for the next General Election in all but name. The announcement included proposals on a raft of measures for education, healthcare, housing, transport and
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Phone market takeover move could create regulatory concerns
VODAFONE was at the centre of speculation yesterday over a potential move to snap up rival T-Mobile UK and take pole position in the British mobile phone market. The telecoms firm is understood to be mulling over a bid for Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile
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The naked truth
Apart from the speculation about Alan Milburn's successor, the other main gossip last night was about a nude calendar which has apparently been produced by Darlington Rotary Club. Oh yes, some of the town's most eminent luminaries have apparently been
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New development secures investment
The Redforrest Group Ltd, including Astley Signs, has completed the purchase of units 3 and 4 (totalling 32,000 sq ft), together with the lease of the adjacent unit 2 (20,000 sq ft) at Queens Court, the recently completed development by Buildings
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Companies invited to enter national awards
TECHNOLOGY companies and digital firms across the region can enter the annual Deloitte Fast 50 Technology Awards. Entries are open for the awards that, now in their 12th year, recognise and rank technology companies with an exceptional growth
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Succeeding Alan Milburn
There was naturally a lot of chat at the Bannatyne's Bright Sparks competition about who might be Alan Milburn's successor as the Labour candidate to be Darlington MP. Nothing is decided yet but I hear a whisper that there is a strong move for there
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Sharesave a runaway success - so why is interest being cut?
IT is a great way to save, and profitable too, especially if you work for a firm performing well on the FTSE 100. More than 2.3 million employees in listed companies use Sharesave, putting in £5 to £250 a month over three or five years. Companies
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Office space in demand
DEMAND continues to outstrip supply in the prime Newcastle office market, according to GVA Grimley’s Regional City Centre Office Markets Report. Take- up of the city’s grade A office space strengthened slightly in 2008, with 55,000 sq ft
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Jargon-free guides out
SIX jargon-free guides about how to introduce and manage technology are now available free to small businesses. Written for companies new to IT, the guides explain what technology is available, what it could do for the business and how to get
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Helen aims to focus on digital workload
AN award-winning television director who has worked with John Travolta and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has joined a North-East digital media and film company. Helen Spencer, who directed the BBC1 show Your Country Needs You, which selected this
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Firm’s expansion
A SOFTWARE company is looking to secure clients across the UK after launching a range of software. Business Performance Optimiser (BPO), based at the e.volve business centre at Rainton Bridge, is the latest addition to Sunderland’s growing
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Six-figure contract for chamber task
AN IT company has secured a six-figure contract to develop a programme for the North-East Chamber of Commerce (NECC). Perfect Image, based in Newcastle, has set up a customer relationship management system (CRM) which will help the organisation
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Demand for flexible working on rise
AN online search company with an ongoing recruitment drive is offering flexible employment options to meet people’s changed circumstances. Infoserve, based in Darlington, said a growing number of people had approached it recently to ask to work
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Software support receives £3m fillip
A SOFTWARE support programme will benefit from almost £3m of public funding, aimed at creating at least 40 high-tech businesses. Sunderland University has secured the funding from development agency One North East. The £2.9m will be used for
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Bright sparks
I thoroughly enjoyed compering the second annual Bannatyne's Bright Sparks competition in Darlington last night. It's a kind of junior Dragons' Den and has turned into a fantastic event. Around 80 pupils from Darlington secondary schools took part,
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Shepherd set to return to Magpies' helm?
FREDDY Shepherd, Newcastle United's former chairman, is reported to be heading a consortium set to launch a £60m takeover bid of the Magpies. According to the BBC, Alan Shearer has been lined up to carry on as manager at the Championship club
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Lottery boost for eco work
LOTTERY funds are to help young people tame the region’s wildest places. Durham County Council has secured Big Lottery Fund money to encourage young people to explore, discover and conserve the environment. The council will appoint an officer
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Accolade for energy project
A SCHEME that focuses on investment in green energy technology has been recognised with a national award. The Alternative Energy Grant, operated by Durham County Council in the Wear Valley area, is unique to the region. The scheme aims to encourage
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Work to start soon on £5m eco centre for youngsters
WORK is to begin in August on a world-class £5m centre for young people in a town, which includes several eco features. The Hub, in Barnard Castle, will offer activities based around education and training, including a vehicle maintenance workshop
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Fresh expertise to help ride out the downturn
AT a time when many law firms are succumbing to the effects of the economic downturn and laying staff off, one North-East legal practice is continuing to expand. Sintons, based in Newcastle, has added to its expanding commercial group by employing
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Protection against the recession
BUSINESS owners are being offered advice on how to protect their companies during the recession. Lawyers, a chartered accountant and a business advisor joined forces to support and advise owners through the economic crisis at a seminar held at
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Nagina Hussain: Information up front helps quick transfer
I AM a tenant of commercial premises and since the economic downturn it has become necessary for me to downsize. I have found someone to whom I would like to transfer the lease. How do I ensure that the transfer takes place as quickly and smoothly
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Sustainability at the heart of company’s plans for the future
It has many strings to its bow, but it is the renewables industry that the Banks Group is focusing on as one of its growth areas. As part of this month’s Success feature, in conjunction with the North East Chamber of Commerce, Lindsay Parker hears
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Charity benefits from white goods recycling initiative
DISADVANTAGED people are receiving washing machines, microwaves and other white goods, thanks to a partnership between a charity and a waste management company. Premier Waste Management, based in Durham City, is providing the East Durham Partnership
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Five take on roles at Ward Hadaway
FIVE staff at law firm Ward Hadaway have been promoted to associates. They are: Laura More, from the public sector team; Lisa Berg, from the private client team; corporate lawyer Ross Paterson; David Brocklehurst, from the planning team, and Nina
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Ethical challenge pays off... for customers too
THE world’s first dedicated social enterprise sports brand is pouring its profits back into changing the community. North Yorkshire-based Kick4change puts 50 per cent of the profits made from its junior football boots and equipment back into
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National Express rejects takeover despite debts
DEBT-RIDDEN East Coast Mai n Line franchise holder National Express has rejected a takeover approach from the UK’s biggest rail operator, it was revealed yesterday. And the move by FirstGroup came as it emerged that National Express – laden with
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Chris Beaumont: Youngsters need support for future
WALKING is great therapy for the soul. It gives you time to think, time to find perspective on the things that are important in this life. On July 19 I’ll have plenty of thinking time as I’ll be walking the Lyke Wake walk – 40 miles over the North
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Man critical after falling 85ft from bridge
A MAN is in a critical condition after falling 85ft from the Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. Sunderland’s RNLI lifeboat was among a host of emergency services called in to action after the man plunged into the River Wear in the early hours of this morning
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Sure sign better times are ahead
A RECRUITMENT company has won a series of contracts which are worth millions of pounds and will fill hundreds of jobs over the next few years. Jo Hand Recruitment, which has offices in Darlington and Middlesbrough, has secured six major supply
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Construction to go ahead as care trust takes site
THE newest development on the Middlehaven site has been taken up, ensuring construction will now go ahead. The 38,000sq ft Hudson Quay 2 building, on the £500m regeneration development in Middlesbrough, has been secured on a 15-year pre-let by
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Charging points kick off electric trials
A NUMBER of blue chip organisations have agreed to provide charging points for electric vehicles as the region takes part in the world’s largest trial project. Tesco, British Gas, CE Electric UK, the AA and MetroCentre’s part owner Capital Shopping
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Women take part in well-being day
SCORES of women from across the region took part in the women in business well-being day, held last week by Network North-East, at the Copthorne Hotel, in Newcastle. The event promoted well-being alongside business networking, and guests were
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Moonlight movers make mounds of money
A GROUP of walkers from a North-East law firm have raised hundreds of pounds for a hospice. The 15 women from Gordon Brown Associates took part in a Midnight Walk organised by St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham. The women, including staff from
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Farmers offered Milk Link lifeline
AN alternative buyer has been found for the remaining dairy farmers in the region hit by the collapse of a milk cooperative. There were 1,800 farms, 288 of them in the North-East and North Yorkshire, supplying Dairy Farmers of Britain (DFB) when
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Airline’s growth will defy recession
AIRLINE Emirates is defying the widespread downturn in the aviation sector to see significant year-on-year growth in passenger and cargo levels on its flights from the North- East. The Dubai-based carrier, which launched its daily service from
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Dods to carry on fine form
MICHAEL Dods and Phillip Makin can do no wrong at present and Aldaado can give them another winner in the freebets.co.uk Free Football Betting Handicap at Hamilton. After three sighters in maidens, he dead-heated on his first handicap start and
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Davies and Plunkett in line to replace key pair
DURHAM have named Mark Davies and Liam Plunkett in their squad to face division one’s bottom club, Worcestershire, at Riverside over the next four days. The champions go into the match with a 12-point lead over second-placed Nottinghamshire,
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Get Carter at Newcastle
AS if ignominy could further be aggravated, Magpies fans will have been discomforted not only to see Roker Park win the 2.35 at Newcastle’s big race meeting on Saturday – the 9-1 odds exactly the same as Sunderland’s hitherto biggest win on
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Middlesbrough not interested in Kuqi coup
MIDDLESBROUGH have turned down the chance to sign former Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi. Manager Gareth Southgate is keen to add experience and more firepower to his squad before the start of the new season, which Boro will open on Friday
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England crushed by ruthless Germany
EURO CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Germany Under-21s 4 England Under-21s 0 STUART Pearce’s England Under-21s were crushed in their European Championship final in Malmo on a familiar evening that featured a goalkeeping error and a ruthless German victory.
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Quinn keen on relegation clauses
WITH Newcastle United continuing to sift through the financial wreckage of their relegation to the Championship, Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has claimed he will not sign anyone who refuses to have a relegation clause inserted into their contract
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Hughton back in charge
MIKE ASHLEY is hopeful of positive developments in his attempts to sell Newcastle United by the end of the week, but he has been forced to confirm the temporary managerial appointment of Chris Hughton. The squad are back for preseason training
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Pietersen has high praise for former England skipper
KEVIN PIETERSEN has hailed the contribution to England cricket of former skipper Michael Vaughan and the calming influence he had on himself at the start of his own international career. Vaughan, who led England to their 2005 Ashes triumph, is
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Safina shows real fight under the roof
WHETHER she wins or loses in Wimbledon, Dinara Safina’s name will be popping up in pub quizzes for years to come. The top seed survived a big scare to advance to the women’s quarter-finals in a historic encounter at the All England Club. In
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Murray survives fright night on Centre Court
ANDY Murray survived a fright under lights but his Wimbledon dream lives on – although only just. As day turned into night, Murray survived a prime-time tussle that decimated TV schedules and enthralled millions. Murray will have no time for
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England crash to Germans
STUART PEARCE revealed after the crushing European Under-21 Championship final defeat to Germany that he will continue in his role for the 2011 campaign. Pearce agreed personal terms on the new deal before travelling out to Sweden and Sir Trevor
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Thanks for war veterans
MINISTER for Veterans Kevan Jones handed out Veterans Badges to 23 ex-servicemen yesterday, including a 90-year-old Second World War medic. The North Durham MP attended the Armed Forces Day celebrations held in the grounds of the DLI Museum
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Children’s hospice celebrates five years
A NORTH-EAST children’s hospice released balloons into the sky to mark its fifth anniversary. Zoe’s Place, in Middlesbrough, invited families and their friends to enjoy a party on Saturday. Mark Guidery, chief executive of Zoe’s Place, said:
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Pensioner spared jail for sex assaults
A PENSIONER arrested for child sex offences dating back 23 years after one of his victims spotted him at a funeral was spared jail yesterday. Donald Ward, 67, admitted indecent assaults on two schoolgirls in Tow Law, County Durham, between 1986
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Anger as travellers leave rubbish at site
TRAVELLERS who set up camp near a County Durham village left a “disgraceful” mess when they left at the weekend. Rubbish, overturned portable toilets and gas canisters could be seen strewn across the stretch of land in Close House, near Bishop
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£1.5bn boost for housing sparks queue-jump row
A £1.5BN Government cash injection to tackle Britain’s housing crisis was overshadowed yesterday by a row over whether local people would queue-jump council waiting lists. Unveiling what was dubbed an “early election manifesto”, Gordon Brown
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Lane phantom being hunted
A SPRIGHTLY pensioner has vowed to track down a “phantom” who created a sitting area for her at the side of a country lane. Stella Redfearn is determined to discover the identity of whoever placed a table, two chairs and other home comforts
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Criticism as academy site already ruled out
A COUNCIL that wants to build three academies is facing mounting criticism after it ruled out a former steelworks as a possible site. Durham County Council, which wants to build academy schools in Durham, Consett and Stanley, considered the
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Artist flees Turkey in artwork insult row
AN artist cleared of insulting the Turkish Prime Minister has fled the country amid reports the case against him has been reopened. Michael Dickinson faced the prospect of up to two years in a Turkish jail after his collage showing Tayyip Erdogan
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Mick changes gear after 22 years in unit
A MOTORBIKE-MAD police officer is celebrating his retirement after 30 years in the saddle. Mick Alder, of Bishop Auckland, has been the longest-serving member of Durham Police’s motorcycle section, spending 22 years with the team. The 49-year-old
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Escapologist promotes brass festival
A BRASS music festival was launched yesterday by a leading escapologist. David Straitjacket held crowds in awe in Durham Market Place as he encouraged people to visit the Brass Durham International Festival. He had a 6in nail hammered
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Possible CCTV sighting of missing chef Claudia
POSSIBLE sightings of missing chef Claudia Lawrence have been reported from as far away as South Africa, it emerged yesterday. Detectives have also been examining CCTV footage taken in London after another reported sighting. Miss Lawrence vanished
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Schoolgirl comes to rescue on scooter
A QUICK-THINKING ten-year-old rode a mobility scooter half a mile to rescue her stricken great-granddad after he suffered an angina attack. Kyra Young became concerned for 89-year-old Jack Atkinson after he failed to return home after taking
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Friends put their best stilettos forward for charity
TWO friends are planning the trip of a lifetime when they step out for charity along the Great Wall of China. Kirstie Wilson and Nicky Harland plan to cover a 150-mile stretch that will take six days of walking up and down steep steps and along
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They said break a leg, but maybe not like this
A TEENAGE performer showed his star quality when he refused to quit after breaking his foot during rehearsals for a West End theatre show. Theo Close, from Darlington, fell badly during dance rehearsals for a variety show at Her Majesty’s Theatre
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Don’t own up – just rot in jail
Jenny’s parents release new message to her killer. THE parents of murdered shopworker Jenny Nicholl last night said it might be “better for society” if her killer continues to deny his guilt – because it means he will stay in prison.
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Speeding rider died in barrier collision
A FATHER-OF-FIVE died after the powerful motorcycle he was riding crashed into a safety barrier at high speed, an inquest heard. In a tragic twist of fate, John Michael Hewitt’s 17-year-old son had also died in a motorcycle accident on the
