Archive
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Detectives mark first anniversary of savage assault
DETECTIVES are marking the first anniversary of a savage assault by renewing their appeal for information. A 56-year-old man was hurt during the early hours of January 11 last year as he walked past the bus stop outside the Post Office in the King Edward's
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In search of the region's best employees
Inspired by the remarkable story of a North-East woman who walked 15 miles to get to work, we're going in search of the region's best employees. Today's Northern Echo reported the story of Sarah Hodgson, who walked for four hours through the
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Railway boss praises efforts to keep trains running
The General Manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway has paid tribute to the efforts of staff and volunteers in helping to keep trains moving during the worst winter in 30 years. Despite the conditions, which have hit the North East and North York
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Rail managers chuffed by battle to keep steam trains moving
Managers have paid tribute to staff and volunteers who have battled to keep steam trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway moving despite the horrific weather. Officials said they had managed to keep trains running over the vital Christmas period,
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Postie retires after 28 years
POSTMAN Clive Atkinson was delivered a surprise when he turned up for his last day at work. He was hanging up his mail sack after 28 years of deliveries in the Kirby Misperton area and expected his last shift to be just another routine day
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Probe launched into flooded homes
A WOMAN whose home has flooded three times since a new housing estate was built nearby is demanding answers. For 18 years Carole Hodgson lived in Stanhope Gardens, Middlesbrough, unaware that she was living on a flood plain. However, since the sprawling
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Tragic baby was taken off child protection
A BABY who died after her mother fell asleep on the sofa was taken off a child protection plan two weeks earlier, it has been revealed. A Serious Case Review has revealed how the four-week-old Caitlyn Garrigan was placed under protection before she was
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Sherlock Holmes (12A)
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly Running time: 128 mins Rating: ★★★★ I DARE say that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle purists will have a few grumbles but the rest of us can breath a sigh of
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Brian boosts scanner drive
A HEART scanner appeal has received a major boost, with a council chairman donating £500. The Heart of Durham appeal, to raise £47,923 to buy a new 2D Echocardiogram machine for the University Hospital of North Durham (UHND), in Durham City, has been
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Nowhere Boy (15)
Stars: Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Anne- Marie Duff, David Morrissey, David Threlfall, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Sam Bell Running time: 98 mins Rating: ★★★★ THIS story about the early Liverpool years of John Lennon lacks one thing
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Nine (12A)
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren, Fergie, Kate Hudson Running time: 119 mins Rating: ★★ DIRECTOR Rob Marshall scored a notable hit with the stage-toscreen adaptation of
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'Arson' investigation continues
DETECTIVES are continuing to examine evidence as they investigate a suspected arson which wrecked nine vehicles. The blaze at Darlington Car and Commercial Recovery, which is known to look after vehicles impounded by the police, could have
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Thumbs up for town regeneration plans
MULTI-MILLION pound plans to regenerate Billingham town centre have been given the thumbs up by residents. Developer Stockland and Stockton Borough Council have reveal that a public consultation held in November saw 99 per cent of feedback forms state
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Cycling figures continue to increase
THE number of cyclists in Darlington's Pedestrian Heart increased in 2009 according to council figures. A cordon count for January, April and October shows year-on-year increases with July figures falling. A report on cycling, including accident statistics
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New light shed on town's past
THE origins of some of the earnest prestige buildings in Northallerton have been tracked down by a local geologist and historian. John Parkinson, the recently-elected chairman of Northallerton and District Local History Society, has an abiding interest
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Police appeal after jacket stolen
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an outdoor jacket worth £200 was stolen from a store in Northallerton. The theft took place between 11.30am and 12.15pm yesterday, at the Yorkshire Ramblers Store, in the town’s Garthway Arcade. A red Berghaus
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Robbers target newsagents
ROBBERS have stolen a shop till after targeting a newsagents and threatening staff. Two men grabbed the till in Dil Raj Newsagents on Holbeck Way in Thornaby on Monday at 6.15pm. The first male suspect is described as a 6ft 2ins, of
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Watchdog praises council's care service provision
A NATIONAL watchdog has praised North Yorkshire County Council for the standard of its adult social care department, awarding it the highest possible rating in a recent inspection. The department was awarded the top rating of "excellent" by the Care
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Bedale business bites back against recession
A BUSINESSWOMAN is fighting back against the recession by launching a cafe and tea rooms in a market town. Sophie Mitchell, 34, runs The Pantry, in North End, Bedale. The café, which was previously a sports shop, opened before Christmas. Ms Mitchell
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Teenager attacked by three youths
A TEENAGER has had her bag stolen after being attacked by three youths. The 15-year-old girl was assaulted as she walked home from school on Monday afternoon. Initially the youths threw snowballs at the girl before pushing her to the floor and snatching
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Bar's licence up for debate
COUNCILLORS will decide on the future of a new bar and restaurant in Darlington tomorrow. Darlington Borough Council's licensing sub-committee will discuss an application for an alcohol license for Cocoa Bliss, at 54 Bondgate, in Darlington town centre
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Scores of schools to remain closed
The following schools have taken the decision to remain closed because of the severe weather conditions on Thursday January 7 and on both Thursday January 7 and Friday January 8 respectively. These schools are as follows. Thursday January
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Lifeguard's pink boxers charity run
A SWIMMING pool lifeguard is planning to run 178 wearing pink boxer shorts after losing an unusual bet over a lost camera. Nathan Graham, 22, of Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will follow a route from Durham City to Leicester
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Blooming marvellous for city drivers
MOTORISTS will be able to enjoy a burst of floral colour when they pass through Durham this spring following a generous donation. Members of three rotary clubs in the city joined forces to present dozens of daffodil bulbs to Durham County Council.
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Empty shops being transformed
A FORMER Guisborough bakery has been transformed to offer free adult education courses in a new scheme targeting empty or rundown properties across Redcar and Cleveland. Shops and businesses across the borough are benefiting from the council's Uplifting
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Police pledge to provide reassurance to isolated areas
POLICE in North Yorkshire have pledged to step up patrols in rural areas badly affected by snow to support vulnerable and elderly people. The force is working in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, the various district
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Audials One - your digital downloading buddy
IF YOU love music or enjoy listening to the radio then the internet offers unrivalled choice. At the last count there were more than 10,000 stations catering for every taste (Final Fantasy Radio anyone? Thought not, when I checked only six people in
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Snow fails to stop Moors trains
THE heroic efforts of staff and volunteers have kept trains moving across one of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain. Despite the extreme weather conditions only a few services run by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway have had to be cancelled
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Divers brought in to search for missing man
A SPECIALIST underwater search team has been drafted in to help in the search for a man who has been missing for four days. A team from West Yorkshire Police will carry out a search of the River Ure in the hunt for Ian Simpkin, 36, from Wath
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Toddlers play area plans in park
TODDLERS are looking forward to a new play area in one of a series of parks. An application to build a lottery-funded area along the Denes, near Woodland Road, Darlington, will be discussed by councillors next Wednesday. The plans are for a play area
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NewBlood-Darlington Forum-3rd December 2009, Thursday
Every fortnight the Darlington Forum hosts an event for 14-17 year olds on a Thursday. The cost to get in is £3 and refreshments can also be bought on the night. NewBlood offers a chance for local bands to come and play to promote themselves and see what
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Award for grass court tennis club
A GRASS court tennis club has become the first in the country to achieve a prestigious accreditation. Lanchester Lawn Tennis Club has been awarded Tennis and is the only club that operates from grass courts only to achieve this recognition. The accreditation
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Community groups upgrade ponds
DERELICT nature reserves are being brought back to life by dedicated teams of community volunteers to create pleasant areas to enjoy wildlife. The Living Waterways project is bringing environmental improvements to ponds at Harperley Wood, near Stanley
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School cycling shelter set for approval
A SCHOOL is expected to be given permission to build its first bicycle shelters as part of a five-year travel plan to increase cycling among pupils. Heighington Church of England Primary School has applied to build a shelter for 20 bicycles within the
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Businessman gets on his bike for Sport Relief
A BUSINESSMAN is to join some his sporting heroes and part in the ride of a lifetime in an effort to raise money for charity. Richard Barker, managing director of Hill Cross Furniture, based in North Cowton, near Northallerton, is to take part in the
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Staiths were a hive of activity
Echo Memories look back to the days of busy coal staiths ... and a dodgy suspension bridge. LET’S flip the medal over. On the obverse is the world’s first railway suspension bridge – the bridge we’ve been hanging around for a while now.
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Woman punched in face and stabbed four times
A YOUTH has been arrested after a woman was punched in the face and stabbed four times. A 16-year-old male from Middlesbrough was arrested in connection with incident this morning and is being held in police custody. The woman, 23, was walking along
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Sunnydale shut
PUPILS at a Shildon school will not able to return to school until at least Friday. Sunnydale Community College could not reopen after the festive holidays as expected on Monday after a burst water pipe forced contractors to cut off the water
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Help offered to owners of food businesses
OWNERS of food businesses are being reminded they still have time to attend a special workshop to bring them up to speed with new legislation. The last of a series of free workshops run by Hambleton District Council takes place next Monday,
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Copy of letter sent by Hoon and Hewitt
This is the text of the letter sent by Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt to all Labour MPs concerning Gordon Browns leadership of the party: Dear Colleague, As we move towards a General Election it remains the case that the Parliamentary Labour
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Snow Go Zone!
Today is the first time I’ve missed a days work in over twenty years, although I was out trying to cut the snow and ice from the drive and side road from 6-30am, the ‘Forth Road Bridge’ springs to mind! To be fair, the decision to keep the shop closed
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Ex-ministers call for Labour leadership challenge
TWO former Cabinet ministers called today for a Labour leadership contest. Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt have written to all Labour MPs calling for the leadership issue to be sorted out "once and for all". Ex-Home Secretary Charles
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Wild journey
Lion Country (ITV1, 7.30pm) Horizon: The Secret Life of the Dog (BBC2, 9pm) The Pharaoh Who Conquered the Sea (BBC4, 9pm) THE efforts of British conservationist David Youldon to help stop the decline in numbers of African lions are chronicled
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New port shows confidence in economy
PRIME Minister Gordon Brown said yesterday that a Middle Eastern developer’s decision to go ahead with the creation of a new deep sea port on the banks of the River Thames showed a massive vote of confidence in the UK’s economic recovery. Mr
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Firm’s volunteers work for charities
EMPLOYEES at a financial services firm left the office to carry out charity work. The 90-strong team of employees from Deloitte in Newcastle was taking part in its annual community day. The event, now in its fourth year, is focussed on four key
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Company moves to boost workforce
A MOTOR accident claims company has boosted its workforce by more than 60 per cent and could be set to create scores more jobs on the back of account wins across the country. Wisecall Claims Assistance Limited has landed contracts with several
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Partnership commended for practices
A COUNTY Durham organisation has become the latest business in the North-East to receive formal commendation for its equality and diversity practices. Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP), from Newton Aycliffe, has received the Equality Standard
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Plans for mass rally aim to highlight sector’s plight
A MASS rally to highlight the plight of Teesside’s manufacturing sector is to take place next month, The Northern Echo can reveal. Plans are being made for an event to be held in Middlesbrough on Saturday, February 13, to show the strength of
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Perfect parents don’t exist
THANK Goodness there is no such creature as the perfect parent. How scary would that be? Let’s face it, whatever you do as a parent is wrong. Go to work and you’re neglecting your children. Stay at home and you’re setting them a bad example.
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‘A steady climb is the best we can hope for this year’
FOLLOWING the holiday celebrations North-East business leaders yesterday delivered a sobering message that 2010 would not bring an explosive escape from recession. The Northern Echo’s Shadow Monetary Policy Committee, run in partnership with
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Bad spelling? Join the que...
HITHER and slither, we spent Christmas on the skids. Tow Law was predictably snowbound – it may be Easter before again they see grass up there – other parts more surprisingly so. Whatever happened to road salt? Everywhere its absence is bemoaned
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George's delight
WHAT a cheering start The Northern Echo gave the New Year with the fairytale ending to the pre-Christmas sad story of the stolen £800 raised by eight-year-old Darlington boy George Pichl-Mordue for charity (Echo, Jan 1). It helped to restore
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Religion
MIKE Baldasera is offended at the suggestion that the Catholic Church is misogynistic. (HAS, Jan 2.) He maintains that women are happy in their restricted role as crowd extras during the Christmas Midnight Mass ceremony in Rome. They are “loyal
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Unemployment
PROJECTIONS indicate unemployment will peak in 2010 at 2.8 million with young people comprising one-third of that. However, in the face of the worst global recession for 70 years, there are still more 18 to 24-year-olds in work now than in 1997
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Police tactics
AS someone who travels daily along the A689 from Hartlepool to Bishop Auckland I have been stunned of late by the number of police patrol cars and mobile speed units which have suddenly appeared along the stretch of dual carriageway, especially
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HAS contributors
SUSAN Willis disparagingly suggested Christopher Wardell’s letters to HAS could be published in one large volume (HAS, Dec 26). What a wonderful idea. The Northern Echo often publishes books by columnist Chris Lloyd, so why not put one out by
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Tan Hill memories
WE have seen the Tan Hill Inn, Arkengarthdale, in all its remoteness on TV recently. In the Fifties, I was a sales rep for Post Office Telephones and Tan Hill was in my area. After a long, long wait for telephone service, I was able to provide
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Wills wisely shuns the shadow role
THOUGH heard a little less today than a year or two ago, the thought lingers that the monarchy should “skip a generation”. Prince William would be our next king. Regardless of its cause – the perceived unfitness of Charles through his deceitful
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Going the extra mile
THE big freeze comes with a big price tag. As the North-East struggles to keep moving, and the Mayor of Middlesbrough talks of fact-finding missions to Scandinavia to learn lessons on coping with the snow, business leaders estimate that the region
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China execution
THE case of Briton Akmal Shaikh, executed by the Chinese for drug smuggling, presented a dilemma: there did not seem to be any doubt that he was carrying heroin, but at the same time there was the question of his mental health. However, how a
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Wrong move?
COWARDICE rarely pays (even when it does, it’s never justified). As an example, our decision to hand Czechoslovakia on a plate to the Nazis in 1938 led eventually to the country being occupied by the Soviets. Czechoslovakia is home to some of
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Good to talk
More and more retired people want to get involved in community-based projects. Steve Pratt talks to two volunteers in Durham who contribute to the health service – as a hospital visitor and a driver. MARJORIE MORDUE isn’t the sort of person who usually
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Woman killed on A1 was walking on road
A FEMALE pedestrian was killed after being hit by a heavy goods vehicle on the A1 in the early hours of this morning. The woman, who was in her early 40s, was struck by a white Mercedes HGV on the snow-hit A1, in North Yorkshire. The
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McCririck sees punters as losers in decimal change
JOHN McCRIRICK expects some bookmakers to resist the Racing For Change trial initiatives – and that punters could even lose out in the switch to decimal odds. The Channel 4 Racing pundit is wholeheartedly in favour of the proposals, but would like
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Briatore still undecided on return to F1
FLAVIO BRIATORE is to revel in his ‘‘moment of happiness’’ before taking stock as to whether to return to Formula One. Briatore believes his dignity and freedom have been restored after the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris ordered the overturning
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Shopping centre evacuated due to fire
A TOWN centre shopping arcade was evacuated following a fire in an air-conditioning system. The Hill Street Shopping Centre in Middlesbrough was cleared at 9.35am this morning and fire fighters are on the scene. A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said
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School's £6.5m rebuild complete
A SCHOOL'S £6.5m rebuild is complete, and pupils will today (WED) take their first lessons in the state-of-the-art facility. Northwood School, built in the playing fields of North Road Primary School in Darlington, opened its doors for the
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French target for Poyle
POYLE MEG can move a step closer towards achieving a noteworthy French connection by following up last month’s course and distance success at Kempton. Trainer Ralph Beckett is eyeing a Listed contest at Cagnes sur Mer for the fouryear- old filly
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Snow no barrier to protest
CAMPAIGNERS braved the cold to protest against plans for a £25m academy school. Consett Green Spaces Group (CGSG) wants Durham County Council to drop plans to build the proposed academy at Belle Vue, in Consett, saying it should go on the Genesis site
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England facing up to a survival battle
GRAEME SMITH and Hashim Amla piled on the punishment for England to set up a series-levelling platform on day three of the third Test at Newlands. Nothing went right for England’s hard-working attack as they wilted in the 100 degreeplus heat
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England reject tamper claims
ENGLAND last night denied ‘‘ball-tampering’’ after South Africa voiced concerns to match referee Roshan Mahanama about the tourists’ behaviour in the field during day three of the third Test. A South Africa spokesman read out a statement at the
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Bad weather proves snow problem for Quakers
DARLINGTON chairman Raj Singh has reassured supporters that the club’s solid financial position makes them able to “take the hit” of four consecutive match postponements. Quakers haven’t played a game since the 5-0 thrashing at Torquay United
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Snowbound
Nigel Dowson, Darlington haidresser, fellow blogger, and one of the best barometers of public opinion I know, was having a moan about school closures when I popped in for a haircut yesterday. "How come that because I woke up this morning as a hairdresser
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Honour for retired teacher
A FORMER teacher and council officer whose lifelong passion for education began while growing up in the North-East has been given an OBE. Eric Wood was born in Langley Moor, near Durham, the son of a miner. He went to Brandon Junior and Ushaw Moor
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Boro indebted to Gibson
MIDDLESBROUGH’S latest annual accounts confirm that chairman Steve Gibson continues to bankroll the club after highlighting the extent of the club’s growing debts. Figures released yesterday, for the year ending December 31, 2008, indicated a
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Butt still to decide on his playing future
NICKY BUTT will wait until his Newcastle United contract expires in the summer before deciding on his next move. The experienced former England and Manchester United midfielder turns 35 at the end of the month and helping the Magpies to promotion
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£300,000 of cannabis is seized in raid
DRUGS with a street value of about £300,000 were seized by police in a morning raid in a residential street yesterday. Police confiscated 325 cannabis plants in the raid on the house in Darlington, arresting a Vietnamese man in his 20s who was living
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Traffic-calming calls after Keeghan death
THE death of a nine-year-old girl has led to a call for the Government to install trafficcalming measures outside every school. Keeghan Smart died after she was in collision with a car near Hardwick Green Primary School, in Tithebarn Road, Stockton
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Government to unveil £500m business fund
LORD MANDELSON will today explain how a £500m fund will establish the region’s businesses of tomorrow and bring a fast return to economic growth. The Business Secretary will promise long-term investment in new technologies such as biosciences
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Arctic advice on coping with snow
A NORTH-EAST mayor may visit Scandinavia for advice on coping with heavy snow as local authorities admit they are rationing road salt to cope with the conditions. Mayor of Middlesbrough Ray Mallon said he intended to draw up a blueprint to help
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All in a day’s walk...
A RESTAURANT supervisor went more than the extra mile to show her dedication to work when she walked nearly 15 miles in the snow to make sure she started her shift on time. Undeterred by the lack of taxis or public transport when her car got
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Health bosses call for caution
NORTH-EAST health bosses have urged people to take extra care of themselves and others as the cold snap intensifies. The appeal follows a surge in the number of people admitted to hospital with serious heart and chest problems. They want everyone
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Jurors weep as evidence of alleged torture emerges
A MURDER trial jury sat in shock as they heard more details of the alleged horrors that went on inside a house where a father is said to have been tortured to death. Andrew Gardner’s partner, her brother and her ex-lover are accused of slashing
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Police called as jet anger erupts
POLICE were called to a North-East airport yesterday after furious passengers were barred from leaving a plane grounded for two-and-a-half hours in heavy snow. A man was arrested after the disturbance at Durham Tees Valley Airport, near Darlington
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Turner’s transfer Gamble is set to pay off for Pools
JOE GAMBLE yesterday completed the formalities of his transfer from Cork City to Hartlepool United. Manager Chris Turner feels he has finally landed the combative, ball-winning midfielder his side have been lacking this season, and the 27-year-old
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One fatality in snow travel chaos
THE latest blast of wintry weather brought chaos to roads and other transport networks round the North-East this morning. Further overnight snowfalls led to major rush hour problems despite the best efforts of ploughs and gritter crews.
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'I thought the plane was going to crash'
A North-East woman relives her terror when the plane she was travelling on to Detroit was involved in an attempted bombing. Mark Tallentire reports. "DAD, it’s me. Yes, I’m alive." With those words – heard on a telephone answering machine
