Archive

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Malbranque back for Sunderland

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Turner forced into changes

BEN Clark and Julin Cherel formed a new central defensive partnership for Hartlepool United against Oldham. In the absence of Sam Collins and Gary Liddle, the pair lined up together for the first-time. Andy Monkhouse returned to the side, in place

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Middlesbrough unchanged for FA Cup test

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gordon Strachan has named an unchanged side for this afternoon's FA Cup third round game with Manchester City. The game is on after referee Stuart Attwell held a pre-match pitch inspection, but most Manchester City fans will not be

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Farmhouse severely damaged by fire

A COUPLE are returning home from Egypt having cut their holiday short to deal with an extensive fire at their County Durham farmhouse and holiday cottage. Firefighters were called to Bowlees Farm, off the A689, near Wolsingham, at 10pm on Friday night

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Police inquiry into death of 11-month-old boy

POLICE are investigating the unexplained death of an 11-month-old boy. The youngster died at an address on George Stephenson Way in North Shields yesterday. The mother of the child was taken to hospital, where she remains today in a

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North-East bomb disposal expert killed in Afghanistan

A BOMB disposal expert killed in Afghanistan on New Year's Eve has been named as Sapper David Watson, from the North-East. Sapper Watson, from 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), known to his friends as 'The Leg', was part of

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"One in ten million" babies born in North-East

A SET of new-born quadruplets made up of two pairs of identical twins were today "doing well" in hospital nearly a week after their birth. The 10-million-to-one babies were born at the Victoria Royal Infirmary, in Newcastle, on December 27. Their parents

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Banish the blues

Statistics show that eight of ten people in the UK suffer from the winter blues syndrome SAD. As one of the best ways to lift your spirits is exercise in the great outdoors, here are some walk suggestions that could fit the bill. OUTDOORS lovers are

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Back to the Garden by Ursula Buchan (Frances Lincoln, £16.99)

DO you read gardening books for pleasure or solely for instruction? Following in the footsteps of Vita Sackville West, who contributed a celebrated column to The Observer, Ursula Buchan writes quietly elegant pieces which, though sparse on

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Top tips on how to ski and save

ONLINE ski tour operator Direct ski.com has come to the aid of cashstrapped skiers with advice on how to ski and save, both in resort and before you travel, from borrowing ski gear to packing tea bags. BEFORE YOU SKI ● Look for ski

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Sissinghurst: An Unfinished History by Adam Nicolson (Harper Press, £9.99)

PROBABLY Britain’s best-loved garden – certainly the first whose popularity forced the introduction of timed admission – Sissinghurst, in Kent, was created by the poet Vita Sackville West, pictured right, and her husband Harold Nicolson

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Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi (HarperCollins, £20)

FORMER Wimbledon champion Andre Agassi, one-time pin-up boy of tennis and winner of eight Grand Slams, has courted controversy for much of his life, but never more so than now. The publication of his autobiography, Open, in which he admits snorting

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Born to Run – The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall (Profile Books, £16.99)

BORN to Run leaves the reader inspired. Christopher Mc- Dougall’s book is about much more than the physical aspects of putting one foot in front of the other and moving them very quickly: it explores the origins of why humans run, why we climbed

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Time To Declare: My Autobiography by Michael Vaughan (Hodder & Stoughton, £19.99)

FORMER England cricket captain Michael Vaughan will always occupy a special place in my sporting memories. Having been at the Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2005 when he caught opposite number Ricky Ponting off the bowling of Ashley Giles, I then

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The Official Formula 1 Season Review 2009 (Haynes); Jenson Button: A World Champion’s Story (Haynes); The Brawn Story: The Man And The Team That Turned Formula 1 Upside Down (Haynes)

AFTER one of the most memorable Formula One season in history, here are three books that encompass every aspect of the race for the title. The official Formula 1 Season Review 2009 breaks down every race from Australia to Abu Dhabi and offers

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Going live in Albert Square

THE big news for EastEnders this year is not finding out who killed ‘orrible Archie, but the soap celebrating its 25th anniversary next month with a live episode on BBC1. The clues suggest the producers will tie the two together as, in addition

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Want not, waste not

Christmas is the time of giving... and a time of chucking out, too. Kate Hodal looks at the best ways to recycle this New Year. UNWANTED clothes, electrical items, books, cards and even furniture can all find themselves wrapped up prettily

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Wheelcahir escort

I HAD to send this good news story to you. I am confined to a wheelchair and on Christmas Eve, at about 5.45pm, I was on my way to Darlington railway station to catch a train to Bishop Auckland. While on my way, I got stuck in the snow near the

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Global warming

GEOFFREY Bulmer wishes he could be as laid back as I am about global warming (HAS, Dec 29). I hope the following will help. There have been periods of global warming and cooling in the distant past which weren’t caused by people driving cars

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Bingo lingo: keep the whole lotto

THE silliest story of the season has come from Suffolk where Sudbury Town Council has asked 75-year-old bingo caller John Sayers to modify his language. Number 88, two fat ladies, it says, may be considered deeply offensive by women of a corpulent

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Think about it...

EVER wonder why there isn’t mouse-flavoured cat food? George Appleby, Clifton, York.

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HAS contributors

I AM used to people having a pop at me, but calling me “pompous” – as did Susan Willis (HAS, Dec 26) – is just plain stupid. I have never been hoity-toity in my life, and I have no desire to change into a snob as I proudly come from

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Religion

I AM wondering whether the average tolerant and fair-minded reader winced uncomfortably at the inappropriate language of Robert Meggs regarding the Nativity and the recent attack on the Pope (HAS, Dec 29). Surely, violent attacks on anyone are

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General election

THIS year we will have a General Election. Whatever your politics, few would argue that after 13 years of a Labour Government, it is time for change. Nowhere is that change needed more than in the North-East. Labour has failed so many communities

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Woeful TV

I WROTE a year ago about the dire programmes on TV over the 2008 festive season. It is hard to believe, but this season was woefully worse with 21 repeats on BBC/ITV alone on Boxing Day. I lost count on other channels. What made it far worse is

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Wootton Bassett: emotion for all

THE repeated scenes at the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett of soldiers being returned home in coffins from Afghanistan are emotional, I think, for everyone. I understand that people lining the route are made up of those who both agree

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Hard work will pay off

ECONOMICALLY, 2009 was a year to forget. According to figures compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), unemployment will have climbed to nearly three million by the end of 2010. At least the same survey gave cause for cautious optimism. A

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Watch this space

Business is booming at the cinema, but what will break the box office in 2010? Steve Pratt finds that Greek gods, Harry Potter, Nelson Mandela and a fresh take on Alice in Wonderland are hoping to do the business. HOLLYWOOD has just enjoyed its

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Bird to defend title at Croft

FORMER national rally champion Paul Bird will defend his Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally title when he takes part in the event at Croft Circuit on Sunday, January 17. The Penrith driver will bring his latest Ford Focus WRC08, in which he

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Games off

BLAYDON’S match at Wharfedale was called off yesterday and is expected to be played on the next available date, March 20. Any further postponements will take the National One programme into May. After a three-week break Blaydon have the consolation

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Falcons need to halt slide, says Golding

HAVING limped through the final weeks of 2009, Jon Golding has urged his Newcastle Falcons team-mates to hit the ground running when they start 2010 with a trip to inform London Wasps tomorrow. Having briefly broken into the top half of the Guinness

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Soderling beats Federer for first time to reach final

ROBIN Soderling claimed his first victory over world number one Roger Federer at the 13th time of asking in Abu Dhabi to reach the final of the Capitala World Tennis Championship. The Swede perhaps had the advantage, having begun his season

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Taylor on assault charge

WEST Indies paceman Jerome Taylor’s return to Australia for the one-day international series is in doubt after he was reportedly arrested for assaulting a police officer in Jamaica. Taylor will learn whether he will be allowed to head back

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Time on McCoy’s side for National

WHAT could prove a significant piece in Tony McCoy’s John Smith’s Grand National jigsaw emerged at Cheltenham as the champion jockey piloted Can’t Buy Time to success in the victorchandler. com Handicap Chase. The National is one of the few

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Mile trip just what the doctor ordered

DR WINTRINGHAM can reap the reward from stepping back up to a mile in the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap at Lingfield. Over seven furlongs at Kempton last time, the Karen George-trained filly finished a length and a half behind Copperwood

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Programme hit hard by weather

TODAY’S meeting at Folkestone has been abandoned because of snow. Officials had no alternative but to call off the fixture after they brought forward their inspection from this morning to yesterday afternoon. ‘‘We’ve got two inches of snow

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Saturday Spotlight: The best and worst of the decade

As we enter a new decade it is time for a spot of reflection as Northern Echo Sport looks back and ponders who were the best and worst North- East players in the Noughties. Each of our five clubs has had plenty of candidates to fill the best XIs

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Pools out to put a run together

IN reviewing Hartlepool United’s first half of the season, Leon McSweeney admits there’s a fairly simple verdict – could do better. Consistency, or a lack of it, has been the problem for Pools and that goes from each half of a game and not just

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Cech to bounce back

CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti has described Petr Cech as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and expects him to bounce back from his recent jitters. Ancelotti’s men have looked vulnerable from setpieces and Cech’s communication with his defenders

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Johnson backs Zamora

ANDY Johnson believes Fulham strike partner Bobby Zamora can force his way into England’s World Cup squad. Johnson is expected to make his first start since early October in today’s FA Cup third-round tie against Swindon Town after recovering

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Miller relishes role as Darlington’s stand-in skipper

IAN Miller is relishing the extra responsibility at Darlington this season. Appointed skipper when Steve Foster’s contract situation meant he wasn’t going to play, Miller has become one of the elder statesman in a fledgling side. Put forward

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Ferguson tips Leeds for top-flight return

SIR Alex Ferguson expects Leeds United to be back in the Premier League within a couple of years. Leeds head to Old Trafford for the first time since 2004 today, eagerly looking forward to the chance to show what improvement has been made under

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Moyes offers work to sacked Irvine

EVERTON manager David Moyes is prepared to welcome back his former assistant Alan Irvine to the club on a temporary basis until he finds another job. Irvine finds himself out of work after being suddenly dismissed by Coca-Cola Championship

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York tie is just reward

YORK manager Martin Foyle believes the FA Cup third round tie with Stoke this weekend is just what his side deserves for all their hard work this season. The Minstermen travel to the Britannia Stadium on the back of an impressive 11- match

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Regretful Carver planning Newcastle’s exit

JOHN Carver will be plotting Newcastle’s FA Cup downfall this afternoon, but had things gone a little differently this summer, the former Magpies caretaker could have been barking out instructions from the away bench at Home Park. Carver was appointed

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Tevez is praised by boss

ROBERTO Mancini is delighted to see Carlos Tevez playing with a smile on his face. Tevez wore only a scowl for much of last season as his frustration with Sir Alex Ferguson increased. It means the Manchester City striker has more reason than

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Hughton wrestles with balancing act for Cup tie

CHRIS Hughton will be shuffling his pack when Newcastle visit Plymouth in the FA Cup third round this afternoon, but the Magpies manager has pledged to field a stronger line-up than the one that succumbed to Peterborough in the Carling Cup. Newcastle

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Wheater hopes for settled defence

DAVID WHEATER wants the New Year to bring defensive continuity as he looks to recapture the sort of form that can help drive Middlesbrough back towards the Premier League. Wheater readily admits he found things difficult in the aftermath of Robert

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Cats will treat minnows like big fish, says Nyron

NYRON NOSWORTHY insists that Sunderland will avoid losing to Barrow by approaching the game as if it were the biggest of their season. The defender has come under fire in recent weeks, notably following his failure to contain Manchester City

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Plenty to ponder

GORDON STRACHAN claims it would be unfair to compare his managerial strengths and weaknesses to Roberto Mancini before Middlesbrough’s third round tie with Manchester City, but he will be doing all he can to cause an FA Cup shock today. It might

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Bruce’s loyalty change in 1973

EVEN the Newcastle Unitedsupporting Steve Bruce admits that he cheered Sunderland’s FA Cup Final win over Leeds United in 1973. If Barrow were to defeat Sunderland this afternoon it would provide FA Cup romantics with the kind of giant-killing

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Collingwood’s fitness battle

ENGLAND must formulate plans both with and without Paul Collingwood for the third Test – and coach Andy Flower is confident they have the personnel to carry them out. Middle-order batsman Collingwood is rated only ‘‘50- 50’’ to be fit to face

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City’s revellers see in the new year

SUB-ZERO temperatures did not stop revellers venturing out to welcome in the new year. Police across the region reported a busier-than-average night, but said there had been no major incidents. Thousands flocked to Newcastle to see in 2010.

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Ex-Echo journalist to retire from training role

A FORMER Northern Echo journalist who has spent several years training future generations of reporters will retire. Jon Smith, a former features editor and chief sub-editor of The Northern Echo, has taught hundreds of student journalists at

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Museum nursery to be transformed

PART of a museum’s overgrown nursery garden untouched in more than a decade is to be transformed by a community project. The nursery garden at the rear of The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, was once brimming with fruit and

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Weather fails to deter hunt gatherings

THE cold and wintry weather was not enough to stop a hunt meeting for its annual New Year’s Day gathering. The hard frost and snowy conditions stopped the Derwent Hunt going ahead because of concerns for the horses’ wellbeing, but about 250 supporters

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Volunteers to research area’s Roman legacy

VOLUNTEERS will be trained to analyse radar images as part of a major project to unearth the underground activities of the region’s Roman invaders. The three-year archaeological project will cover 300sq km and is the first major examination

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Fire fighters still at farm blaze

FIRE fighters are still at the scene of a large blaze at a County Durham farmhouse this morning. Two crews remain at the building, understood to be Bowlees Farm off the A689 near Wolsingham. Fire fighters were called to the property at 10pm last night

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Snow prompts travel warning

MOTORISTS have been warned of further hazardous driving conditions as the big freeze continues this weekend. Sleet and snow showers are expected to continue across the region into the middle of next week, weather experts have warned. Ice will

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Police officers enlist help from the cyber sleuth

A CRIME-FIGHTING system being developed by three police forces has caught its first suspect. Durham Police are working with forces in Lancashire and Cumbria to develop the Sleuth system. Only two hours after a briefing about the system

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New-born lambs make an early arrival

A COUPLE were greeted by two unexpected new arrivals at their snowcovered farm on New Year’s Day. A ewe belonging to Michael Radford and Emma Robinson, who run East Under Hurth Farm, at Forest-in-Teesdale, in Upper Teesdale, gave birth to triplets

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Red squirrels are the star attraction

NATIVE red squirrels in the Yorkshire Dales have proved to be a popular attraction for day-trippers. Figures show that, in a 23-week period between July and November last year, 600 people took advantage of a trail set up from Hawes to a viewing

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Tardis present opens up a world of possibilities for Rob

THE David Tennant era may be over, but one Dr Who fan is determined to carry on the tenth Doctor’s legacy. Rob Baines, a teenage filmmaker with a passion for adventures in time and space, writes, directs, films and appears in his own “alternative

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Victim’s daughter recalls sea tragedy

IT was a poignant moment for Valerie Thorpe when she saw the George Elmy lifeboat for the first time in nearly 50 years. It brought back vivid memories of the night her father, Len Brown, died along with eight others when the vessel sank only

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Big sister helps out in a big way

MORE than £15,000 has been raised for a specialist sensory room for a baby with a rare brain condition. One-year-old Rebecca Sands, of Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton was diagnosed with lissencephaly, which means smooth brain, when she was ten

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Families welcome in 2010 with some new arrivals

THE new decade brought some new year cheer for couples across the region as hospital delivery rooms saw some new arrivals. Two of the first newborns of the year in Darlington arrived a week late – but in time for their new grandmothers’ birthdays

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Blair braced for Iraq inquiry

Many questions remain unanswered about the invasion of Iraq by Britain and the US. Soon they will be put to former Prime Minister Tony Blair by Sir John Chilcot’s Iraq Inquiry. TONY BLAIR is braced for a return to the political spotlight with

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Watchdog: Leaders are more effective

DURHAM County Council is now providing more effective leadership, according to the Audit Commission. The verdict, from the commission’s organisational assessment published in December, represents a quick turnaround for the authority, which came

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Are you being served?

On the eve of the biggest council shake-up in a generation, Local Government Minister John Healey said: “The acid test will be whether these councils deliver their promises including better services, leadership and achieving more for less.”

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Taking the plunge

AN overnight flurry of more snow failed to stop a plucky band of swimmers from enjoying their annual New Year’s Day dip in icy sea water. About ten hardy people welcomed 2010 by wading into the North Sea to raise money for Saltburn Animal Rescue

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A life of luxury at parents’ expense

A COUPLE who won a court order forcing their son to repay them £100,000 may end up with nothing after it emerged he spent the money on a luxury lifestyle. Pensioners Noel and Margaret Foreman say they gave their eldest son, Neil Foreman, £120,000

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Police force spent £5m on hiring cars

THE region’s police forces have spent nearly £5m on car hire over the past five years, it is claimed. Figures released by the Liberal Democrats, following a Freedom of Information request, show that forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern