Archive
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IT workers to strike over pay and job losses
MORE than 1,000 workers at Hewlett Packard (HP) Enterprise Services will go on strike today (FRI) after talks to resolve a dispute over pay and job losses broke down. The one day stoppage involves HP staff at four sites, including those at
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"Brown to face Iraq inquiry before election"
GORDON Brown's appearance before the Iraq Inquiry will be brought forward to before the general election, it was reported tonight. Reports said senior sources at Number 10 expected an announcement to be made tomorrow. The head of the
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Coldstream Guards on 425-mile march given helping hand by brewery
SOLDIERS enjoyed a refreshing break from a gruelling long-distance march - with the help of a well-known brewery. One hundred Coldstream Guards marching 425 miles from Scotland to London stopped off at the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, as they journeyed
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Cockfield Football Club…
Cockfield FC is having another cracking season under the guidance of manager Andrew Bowman. Andrew was telling me that despite doing well in the league in the run up to Christmas, they’ve only managed to play one game in the last seven weeks due
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Bruce lands Killa blow
SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce has made his first breakthrough in the current transfer window with the capture of defender Matthew Kilgallon from Sheffield United. The York-born player joins the Black Cats for an undisclosed fee and has penned a three
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Thieves steal puppies from litter
POLICE are urging anyone who is offered a Staffordshire bull terrier puppy for sale to get in touch with them as the animal may have been stolen. Three puppies from a litter of eight were stolen from a house on Oldstead Court in Hemlington, Middlesbrough
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War veteran gets grant to attend remembrance ceremony
A SECOND World War veteran is getting £500 from the Big Lottery Fund's Heroes Return 2 programme to attend a remembrance ceremony in Holland. Colonel Harold Dee MBE, 84, from Birtley, Gateshead, will return to the Monument of Tolerance, near
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The Drums Interview 21.01.2010
Sophie Stratford talks to lead vocalist, Jonathan Pierce from the USA’s finest new exports The Drums. Known as "New York's coolest new party band" they have got plenty of backing behind them. The Drums outline what pure, raw, original music is
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Man facing jail on gun charge
A MAN who has admitted having a pistol and ammunition hidden at his home was today warned he is facing a prison sentence of at least five years. George Swainston appeared at Durham Crown Court for a plea hearing on charges stemming from the recovery
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Wilks plays safe, while others gamble and lose in Monte Carlo
GUY Wilks continued to play safe on the second day of the Monte Carlo Rally, the opening round of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge. While others gambled and lost, the Darlington driver drove his Skoda UK Motorsport Fabia S2000 faultlessly
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Mandelson dashes hopes of a Govt wage subsidy for Corus
TALKS to rescue the Corus steelworks will only succeed if the company can find a "shared owner", Lord Mandelson warned this afternoon. The Business Secretary said the only other options were an "alternative use for the plant, or the site altogether
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Swine flu cases fall to lowest total since outbreak began
THE number of swine flu cases in the region has fallen to its lowest total since the recent outbreak began. NHS officials in the North-East said there were a total of 716 suspected swine flu cases issued with antiviral medication between Thursday, January
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Beamish plans to be reviewed
AMBITIOUS plans to upgrade one of the North-East's most popular tourist attractions are to be reviewed because of a £1m shortfall in the budget. Beamish Museum, in County Durham, hopes to carry out seven projects costing £3m to enhance the visitor experience
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Valetine's charity evening
A VALENTINE'S charity evening takes place at Shildon Civic Hall on Friday, February 12. Blues, rock, and soul band CasualSax are performing, followed by a disco. Tickets cost £15, including a hot buffet and dessert. To book, call the Civic Hall
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Boxer wins top regional award
A TALENTED teenage boxer has scooped a top regional award. Steffan Robinson, 16, from Spennymoor, fought off tough competition from more than 40 other competitors to win the Tyne, Tees and Wear CYP championship in Sunderland this week. The youngster
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Meals' service appeals for volunteers
A LONG-RUNNING culinary service staffed by volunteers in Bishop Auckland has launched an urgent recruitment appeal. The twice-weekly lunch club and meals on wheels services have been running at Woodhouse Close Church’s community centre for almost 30
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Investment in HomeCall services benefits vulnerable
VULNERABLE people are benefiting from a £1m investment in their HomeCall services. The service, run by Coast and Country Housing, will enable 5,000 people to receive a quicker response from staff and emergency services, who can be summoned at the touch
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Beer break for soldiers on epic march
SOLDIERS enjoyed a refreshing break from a gruelling long-distance march - with the help of a well-known brewery. One hundred Coldstream Guards marching 425 miles from Scotland to London stopped off at the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, as they journeyed
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Police officer on rape charges remanded in custody
A POLICE officer was remanded in custody today charged with a string of sex attacks. Pc Stephen Mitchell, who serves with Northumbria Police, is accused of 43 offences, including rape, indecent assault and misconduct in a public office. The 41-year-old
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Youngster re-launches famous road safety seatbelt campaign
A YOUNGSTER is helping save lives on the road by re-launching Jimmy Savile’s famous Clunk-Click Every Trip seatbelt campaign. Nathaniel Todd was joined by North Yorkshire County Council’s Seatbelt Sheriff to begin the 95 Alive Partnership Road
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Arson attacks
THREE cars in the same street were set on fire and totally destroyed in the early hours of today in east Durham. The arson attacks happened in Byron Terrace in Seaham with the first two vehicles – a Volvo 850 and a Hyundai Matrix - targeted between
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Consett's 'Carry On' version of classic fairy-tale
A LONG-STANDING musical stage society promises a right ‘carry on’ with its forthcoming pantomime production. The CBS Musical and Stage Society launches its 65th anniversary year with a new adaptation of the traditional panto, Sleeping Beauty. Audience-goers
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Residents urged to attend budget meeting
RESIDENTS have their chance to put forward their views on proposals to freeze council tax next week. Darlington Borough Council holds a talking together meeting on Monday, January 25, to gauge input about the new budget proposals. The council announced
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Nissan Qashqai Acenta 2.0 dCi 2wd (Price £19,145)
MY boys often indulge in a game of car spotting while we are out and about. The eldest one nearly always wins and one of the reasons is he often picks the Nissan Qashqai as his vehicle of choice. Fitting really, as a great many Britons have too. Built
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Drunken motorist pulled over by Deputy Chief Constable
A SHARP-eyed high-ranking officer pulled over a drunken motorist after witnessing the driver weaving across the road. Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Derek Bonnard was travelling behind a MG car on the A171 Whitby Road near Guisborough, when
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Author becomes patron of Yorkshire
FORMER bobby turned best-selling author Mike Pannett has been granted a new honour - as an official patron of Yorkshire. The writer of Now Then Lad and You’re Coming With Me Lad, he was granted the title by tourist body Welcome to Yorkshire. And he
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Papal award for organist
A LIFETIME of service to the Church has been recognised by a Papal award for a North Yorkshire octogenarian. Dennis Selina, the organist at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Pickering, has been presented with the Benemerenti - meaning "to the well
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Body recovered from River Ouse identified
A BODY recovered from the River Ouse in North Yorkshire earlier this month has now been identified by police. They confirmed that it was that of Pierre Le Moignan, a 21-year-old student at the University of York who went missing late last year. The
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Teenager who raped girl 12 told he may face prison
A JUDGE today warned a teenager who raped a 12-year-old girl that a custodial sentence was the most likely outcome of the case. The 17-year-old admitted two counts of rape of the girl at a previous hearing, at Durham Crown Court, in December. Tony Davis
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Nominations sought for design competition
NOMINATIONS are being sought for a biennial Design Award Scheme recognising the talents of architects, property owners, builders and developers The competition is open to anyone involved in property development and members of the public can put forward
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Body confirmed as that of missing student
A BODY recovered from the River Ouse in North Yorkshire earlier this month has now been identified by police. They confirmed that it was that of Pierre Le Moignan, a 21-year-old student at the University of York who went missing late last year
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Wilks moves up leaderboard in Monte Carlo Rally
DARLINGTON rally driver Guy Wilks made a strong start to the second leg of Rally Monte Carlo this morning. He and co-driver Phil Pugh moved up from tenth overnight to eighth place in the Skoda UK Motorsport Fabia S2000 after stage seven.
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Fire brigade union fears funding bid not enough
A FIRE brigade union claims plans for a two per cent precept tax rise will not raise enough money to cover problems in the service. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority is asking locals to comment on its plans for the coming financial year. But
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Organic farm picks up local food award
FOUR rural businesses who have picked up regional awards are looking forward to a competition's grand final. An organic farm from County Durham and three other businesses in Northumberland have picked up North-East titles in the Countryside Alliance
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Woman picks up award from celebrity chef
A 46-YEAR-OLD Darlington woman has achieved top sales in the region for a new venture headed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Alison Orr was named as one of the shining stars of Jamie at Home at an awards dinner for her performance across the
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‘I was frightened of Mo’
Lisa Williams discovers that Julie Walters wanted to quit the role of Redcar MP Mo Mowlam after studying the background on the popular politician and hearing her voice. JULIE Walters has made a name for herself playing a string of bolshy
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Goodbye Tyne
English rose actress Susan Hampshire tells Viv Hardwick that she feels the time may have come to give up touring in theatre. SUSAN Hampshire is almost certainly on her last theatre tour as a role written especially for her in a stage adaptation
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The Boys Are Back (12A)
Stars: Clive Owen, Emma Booth, Laura Fraser, George Mackay, Nicholas McAnulty Running time: 104 mins Rating: ★★★ THAT’S boys as in youngsters not men about town having a good time. Clive Owen is the sports writer father who is
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A Prophet (Un Prophete) (18)
Stars: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup Running time: 155 mins Rating: ★★★★ FRENCH-Arab Malik (Tahar Rahim) gets six years for his part in a cop-killing crime and viewers get a 155-minute stretch behind bars in this prison drama from Jacques Audiard
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Vitamin D diagnosis changed my life
A WOMAN who suffered in pain for years has spoken of the improvement in her life since being diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency. Susan White, 45, from Widdrington, Northumberland, injured her back and, because she was allergic to fish, she developed
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Softer side of action man Owen
Actor Clive Owen fancies a return to theatre acting after starring in a family drama as a widower. Steve Pratt reports. IF Clive Owen listens to his daughters, Hannah and Eve, we’ll be seeing less of him playing a moody anti-hero and appearing
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Rickets on the rise due to change in children's lifestyles, say North-East medics
CHANGING lifestyles among children is leading to a Vitamin D deficiency and a rise in cases of rickets, North-East medical experts said today. They said youngsters were spending more time indoors on their computers rather than previous generations
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Historic county maps get new lease of life
THOUSANDS of maps showing the changing face of Britain’s biggest county have been given a new lease of life. The huge collection of historic maps of North Yorkshire has been painstakingly catalogued and repaired by staff and volunteer helpers at the
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Van-tage point
Playing the real life Lady In The Van has had quite an impact on North-East actress Rosalind Bailey, she tells Viv Hardwick about the Gala play. MOST of us wouldn’t fancy the idea of someone living in a van in our front garden for 15 minutes
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Fyfe Dangerfield: Fly Yellow Moon
EVER since Guillemots were on everyone’s Ones To Watch lists back in 2004, there’s been something special about the band’s charismatic frontman, Fyfe Dangerfield. Taking a step away from his band for a second, he’s managed simple, emotive string
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Vampire Weekend: Contra
THEIR 2008 self-titled debut album was a big hit with the critics and now the Brooklyn quartet return with another self-assured release. The album picks up where the last left off – albeit in a slightly more relaxed manner. The opening tune
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You Me At Six: Hold Me Down
LOOKING to capitalise on the impressive lift-off achieved by their long-player of a year or so ago, the Surrey emo rockers You Me At Six release their sophomore effort into a fairly crowded hard rock marketplace in which Fightstar, Lost Prophets
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Pop goes Populator
THREE computer whizkids are living an electric dream after putting their IT skills to creative use by launching an album. The Darlington trio, brothers Luigi and Marco Amicucci and their friend Richard Moon, have formed Populator, an electronic
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Police dog which became internet star retires from duty
A POLICE breeding dog which became a web sensation mothering its newborn pups live on the internet retired from the force today. Heidi, a German Shepherd, has bred 28 puppies in three litters for Northumbria Police, the majority of which have gone on
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January 21, 2010
A RATHER shoddy piece of “smart-alec” journalism in an otherwise reputable national newspaper caused widespread indignation across the UK Folk Scene earlier this week. An article about right-wing extremist politician Nick Griffin included
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Nanci Griffith: The Loving Kind (Rounder Records)
I REMEMBER attending the Peterborough festival and seeing what was probably Nanci Griffiths’ first appearance in Britain. Although I enjoyed her set, I know there were some in the audience who wanted a “more authentic country sound”. If the same
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January 21, 2010
WHAT’S ON: Tomorrow Darlington Big Band, Travellers Rest, Cockerton, 01326- 382676, and Tuesday, Jan Garbarek Group, Sage, Gateshead, 0191- 443-4661. CD REVIEWS: Jen Chapin/revisions (Chesky SACD347) I’m not familiar with the original Stevie
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January 21, 2010
WHAT’S ON: Alfie Boe’s Neapolitan Opera Night, The Sage Gateshead, 7.30pm, Monday. Carl Davis conducts the Northern Sinfonia. Box office: 0191-433-4661. REVIEWS: Sibelius/Prokofiev, Vilde Frang (EMI684 4132) The Norwegian-born violinist presents
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Got the Lott
The Outside-In festival brings stars like Pixie Lott and Lostprophets to the North-East. Viv Hardwick reports. AONE-DAY ticket to the Outside-In Festival next Saturday allows 3,000 ticker-buyers access to multiple stages, five hours of non-stop
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Mandela magic
Sophie Okonedo had to make an extraordinary journey to play iconic South African Winnie Mandela. Viv Hardwick reports. PLAYING South Africa’s most controversial woman, Winnie Mendela, meant that skinny actress Sophie Okonedo was destined for
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New to rent on DVD
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (U, 90 mins, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, DVD £19.99/Blu-ray & DVD Combi-pack £24.99) Featuring the voices of: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Adam Samberg, Mr T, Tracy Morgan, Bruce Campbell, Neil Patrick
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Fame or bu
IT’S the awards season with gongs being handed out left, right and centre at the Baftas, the Oscars, the Golden Globes and our very own National Television Awards. Here in Soapland the judging panel – just me, actually, as judge, jury and executioner
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Hunt is on for £1m lotto winner
NATIONAL Lottery officials are desperately searching for a lucky winner who has still not claimed a £1m prize, Camelot said today. The owner of the winning EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle selection bought their ticket in the York area of North
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More jobs to go at Lloyds
LLOYDS bank is to axe another 400 jobs, with a further 185 posts at risk, union leaders said today. Unite attacked the latest wave of job losses which the union said would lead to the closure of all Black Horse centres, the loans arm of Lloyds. The
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Manufacturing output rises for first time in two years
HARD-hit manufacturers saw output rise for the first time in two years in the three months to January as overseas trade threw the sector a lifeline, the CBI business group said today. Its industrial trends survey for January showed an 11 per cent balance
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Free smoke alarms as part of campaign to improve safety
A CAMPAIGN to offer fire safety advice and crime prevention tips to a north Durham village starts on Monday. Firefighters and police are targeting over 400 homes in Tantobie, near Stanley, to make their homes safer. The area has chosen for a pilot scheme
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The rocky road to the exam room
THIS time last week, I stood freezing at the gate with the little ones, half expecting the school bus not to turn up again. The main road to their school was gritted, but the side roads probably weren’t and everything was moving slowly, so we gave
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Moment of weakness
The column shows its muscle, moved by rumours of the demise of Strongarm. Sadly, though, Magnet really has lost its pull. IT WAS as epochal, and as potentially calamitous, as the ravens leaving the Tower. The Britannia, it was announced, had
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Airports
TREVOR Phillips, head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, objects to airport security staff concentrating on Muslims and other groups. So what are these staff supposed to do? Strip search old ladies with grey rinses? Mr Phillips (plus
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Charity boxing night
A MAYOR is inviting people to a charity boxing night. The event will benefit the Mayor’s Appeal of Councillor Dennis Southwell, the Mayor of Durham. The Mayor’s Appeal Boxing Championship will be held at Abbey Leisure Centre, in Pity Me, Durham, on
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Government promises improved rail services through North-East
THE Government today promised passengers improved services on three rail franchises, including a key London to Scotland route which runs through the North-East. The pledge came as the Government laid down requirements for those bidding to run, from next
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Close call
Bellamy’s People (BBC2, 10pm); Extreme Fishing with Robson Green (Five, 9pm); My Dream Farm (C4, 8pm) PAUL WHITEHOUSE and Charlie Higson are back on TV, not with a fresh run of The Fast Show, but as two of the writers of Bellamy’s People. They
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Web names buy-up
ONE national electoral statistic which is not published and probably not recorded is the number of spoilt ballot papers in a General Election. Some are mistakes, but spoiling ballot papers is a message of protest to the candidates, which is what
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Global warming
THE Government continues to believe it is necessary for Britain to switch to various forms of renewable energy – eg, wind farms and solar panels. It has made up its mind and doesn’t want to be confused by the facts. During the recent cold, almost
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Consumerism: the new religion?
THE morning after the bombing of Coventry in 1940 a small group of people gathered in the smouldering ruins of the cathedral. It was then that Provost Howard said these words: “It will be rebuilt to the glory of God.” The words spoken 70 years
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Historic 'Pool
LIKE most of my letters to HAS my recent one questioning the accuracy of the expression “historic town of Hartlepool” (HAS, Jan 13) was meant to be in jest. However, it is apparent that my attempt at humour has completely passed by Tim Brown
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Brown's record
GEOFFREY Bulmer (HAS, Jan 18), along with many of your left-supporting letter writers, follows Gordon Brown in blaming banks and the US for the budget deficit. Mr Brown ran an average £30bn deficit in his last four years as Chancellor. He continued
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Politics
WHILE the mindset of people like Colin T Mortimer (HAS, Jan 16) exists this country will always be a nation of very rich and very poor. The financial crisis we are suffering originated in the US – Mr Mortimer’s Valhalla no doubt – where people
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Benefits
THE recent cold snap has highlighted the issue of pensioners and others on low incomes who are wary to turn up the heating to keep warm and are thus at risk of hypothermia. The current system for cold weather payments is complicated. The £25-a-week
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Wind turbines
I READ Barry Nelson’s feature on health effects of wind turbines, “An ill wind?” (Echo Jan 15), with interest. It may be that people suffer because the UK government’s specification for noise from wind turbines at people’s homes is significantly
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Vital factor missing in this crusade
GORDON Brown’s passion for weakening the iron grip of the rich and powerful on the country’s top jobs rings true, but he is ducking the key issue. This week, the Prime Minister vowed to unleash the “biggest wave of social mobility since the Second
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High hopes
After working as a volunteer in Nepal, town planner Ed Laughton plans to climb Everest to raise money for the organisation providing healthcare for trekkers and the Nepalese people. He tells Steve Pratt how his passion for mountaineering began. ED
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Remember the families
THE word “family” has leapt to the forefront of the election campaign, with Labour and Conservatives bickering over who has the most familyfriendly policies. Labour plans include encouraging couples to use mediation to settle problems, changing
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Renault eyeing Heidfeld
NEW Renault team principal Eric Boullier has revealed Nick Heidfeld could again be reunited with Robert Kubica. Renault are the only established Formula One team yet to fill both race seats, even though they are due to launch in Valencia at
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Beckett switch having positive effect on Royale
KEENES ROYALE appears to have benefited from the switch to Ralph Beckett’s yard and can follow up a recent win in the Great Offers At wolverhamptonracecourse. co.uk Handicap at the Midlands venue. After three modest runs in maidens last season
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Del Potro survives five-set thriller
REIGNING US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro survived an epic five-set match against American James Blake to move into the third round of the Australian Open. The 21-year-old fourth seed had to rally from behind to overcome his older rival
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Gebrselassie 2012 gold target
HAILE Gebrselassie will restrict himself to just two marathons a year before bidding for a third gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Gebrselassie, who has two Olympic 10,000 metres titles already under his belt, is determined he can
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Royals hand Lumb IPL deal
HAMPSHIRE’S Michael Lumb has become English cricket’s latest Indian Premier League signing after agreeing a deal with Rajasthan Royals. Ireland-born Eoin Morgan was the only England-qualified player to be bought in Tuesday’s auction, with Test
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Murray controls wind and Gicquel
ANDY MURRAY revealed he struggled with the windy conditions on the Margaret Court arena, despite securing his passage into the third round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Marc Gicquel, on Wednesday. The fifth seed looked
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Baltacha pulls off a surprise victory
BRITISH number one Elena Baltacha upset 30th-seed Kateryna Bondarenko at the Australian Open to ensure she would at least match her best-ever result at a grand slam. Baltacha defied a rankings difference of over 50 places to win the second-round
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“Do you think alcohol is problem for young people in Darlington? (why?)”
“Do you think alcohol is problem for young people in Darlington and why? My answer is yes!!! I think alcohol is a problem for young people in Darlington because it is a drug and can seriously harm you. Everybody drinks alcohol, and it
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Campbell sues troubled Pompey
PORTSMOUTH have confirmed they are being sued by former player Sol Campbell on the day that the club’s chief executive, Peter Storrie, appeared in court accused of cheating the public revenue. In the latest financial blow for the south coast
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Liverpool 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0
Liverpool 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0 MANAGER Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool’s rivals for Champions League qualification that his side will only get better in the second half of the season. A 2-0 victory over current fourth-placed side Tottenham
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Aston Villa 6 Blackburn Rovers 4 (Villa win 7-4 on aggregate)
Aston Villa 6 Blackburn Rovers 4 (Villa win 7-4 on aggregate) ASTON VILLA are through to their first major final for ten years after recovering from an opening half hour horror show to overcome ten-man Blackburn in a dramatic Carling Cup semifinal
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Pools relish their nadir
DENIS BEHAN believes the lowest point in Hartlepool United’s season can prove an incentive for better times. After rolling over and losing 5-0 to MK Dons last weekend, Pools responded with a gritty and solid display at Charlton on Tuesday.
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Wilks makes solid start in Monte Carlo
GUY Wilks stuck to Skoda's gameplan and made a solid start to his 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge campaign yesterday, completing the opening day of the Rallye Monte Carlo in tenth position. Freezing conditions, rain and low cloud made
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Strength key, says Wenger
ARSENE WENGER hailed the mental strength of his Arsenal side after they went top of the Premier League last night – but moved to diffuse a row over William Gallas’ controversial tackle which left Mark Davies with a suspected broken ankle.
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Nursing president visits region
MAURA BUCHANAN, president of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), met with nurses and healthcare assistants during a visit to the North-East yesterday. Ms Buchanan began her visit to the region by giving a speech at Teesside University on the
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28,000 homes still ‘unfit’ to live in despite pledge
UP to 28,000 homes across the North-East are still unfit to live in – despite a Government pledge to bring them all up to scratch by this year. A watchdog has warned the decent homes programme will take eight years longer than planned and cost
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MS drug tested on sufferers in region
MULTIPLE sclerosis patients in the North-East have been among the first in the world to benefit from a promising new drug. Seven patients under the care of Professor David Bates, from the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, have been taking
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nnovative training scheme recycles old cycles
I A SCHEME transforming scrap bikes into shiny new sets of wheels has proved a hit. The Cycle Centre, in Middlesbrough bus station, has been asking for donations of broken children’s bikes since last year. Mike O’Reilly, Cycle Centre co-ordinator
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Businesses to toast success
BUSINESS owners will be toasting the success of their club at a wine-tasting evening next month. Durham Business Club, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, is to hold its February meeting at Lanchester Wine Cellars, the leading wine merchants
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Robotics firm bought out by rival to boost growth
A NORTH Yorkshire robotics company has been bought out by a rival North-East firm as it looks to expand into the growing nuclear market. Hallin Robotics Ltd (HRL), in Malton, North Yorkshire has been bought by SMD, of Wallsend, North Tyneside
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Workforce to double thanks to expansion
A COUNTY Durham company which makes inventory control systems is planning national expansion, in a move which could help raise turnover to £15m and bring up to 20 jobs to the region. Propeller Holdings develops systems which enable major manufacturing
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Uni building is approved
CONSTRUCTION of a £35m Durham University building is to get under way after planning permission was given. The Gateway Building, an administrative headquarters and student services facility, was designed by Newcastlebased Space Group, partnered
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Web success proves green is good
THE UK’s leading ethical retailer has shown that consumer commitment to buying eco-friendly products has not been dented by the economic downturn. Ethicalsuperstore.com, the Gateshead-based “ethical Amazon”, saw a 55 per cent rise in sales during
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Still no decision on train factory
A DECISION over whether the North-East will be the location for a train assembly plant – creating hundreds of jobs – has yet to be made, nearly a year after the original announcement. The Agility Trains consortium comprising Japanese company
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A place for fun
A FORMER childminder is using the skills learned during her career to establish her own business in County Durham. Donna Etherington is opening children’s soft play area and activity centre Bamboozles Adventure World, in Bishop Auckland. Bamboozles
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Dedicated officer praised as drugs raids lead to arrests
EIGHT men were arrested in police raids on the homes of suspected drug dealers in villages on the outskirts of a city today. Today's operation, in the Durham area, was "uniquely" said to have been down to the dedicated work of a police community
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Family set sights on charity trek in Nepal
A FAMILY of fundraisers will trek in Nepal to mark the 25th anniversary of a hospice – and give it a cash boost. Husband and wife Graham and Margaret Millar are to be joined by their daughter, Lucy Robertson, on the trek for York’s St Leonard
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Stepping up to the mark
THE search to find the region’s top worker has delivered a bumper postbag of nominations. The Northern Echo has joined forces with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) to reward inspirational employees. The first winner of the monthly
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Davies unhappy with Magpies
NEWCASTLE UNITED’S approach for Nottingham Forest defender James Perch has sparked an angry response from Billy Davies, who labelled the Magies bid as “derisory.” After last night agreeing terms with Danny Simpson over a three-year deal, Hughton
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Cats pounce to land former Magpies target
SUNDERLAND were last night on the verge of agreeing a deal to land former Newcastle United target Matt Kilgallon. After spurning the Magpies’ advances earlier this month, the Sheffield United centrehalf had reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement
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Quakers’ true grit needed
DARLINGTON set their standards high in Tuesday’s shock win at Rotherham and manager Steve Staunton is demanding they maintain them for the remainder of the season. Staunton’s side got their season restarted with a 2-1 victory at Rotherham, who
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Strachan puts £1.5m price tag on Pogatetz
MIDDLESBROUGH are bracing themselves for a final take-it-or-leave-it offer from Panathanaikos for Emanuel Pogatetz, but will demand around £1.5m for the experienced defender. After losing out to Premier League Wigan Athletic for Gary Caldwell
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‘It was very lonely; I was inside for a fortnight”
While children’s spirits soared during the recent spell of snowy weather, the region’s elderly residents hid away, too frightened to set foot outside. Lucy Richardson reports. WATCHING them sip cups of coffee while enjoying a catch-up, the
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Approval granted for statue relocation
THE Government has approved the relocation of a North-East landmark, despite the opposition of thousands of people. Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, has given listed building consent for the statue of Lord
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Bakery staff are asked to take a 10% wage cut
A BAKERY in the North-East is asking staff to take a ten per cent pay cut. County Durham-based Peters Bakery, which runs both a bakery and a chain of shops, is understood to have put the proposal to staff last week. Company bosses are
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Inspector rules against plan to develop industrial site
A DEVELOPER’S attempt to regenerate a “prestige employment” site with the potential to create 1,000 jobs has been dealt a fresh blow. A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal by Commercial Development Projects after its application
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Town’s families to get help in £4.75m pilot
FAMILIES in a North-East town are to receive more support in a £4.75m pilot scheme. Ed Balls, Minister for Schools, Children and Families, has unveiled a Support for All – the Families and Relationships Green Paper, which will be rolled out
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Power station work to start
WORK on a £40m green power station in the region will begin on Friday. French-owned Dalkia’s proposals for a combined heat and power plant in Chilton, County Durham, were backed by planners last year. MP David Kidney, a junior energy and climate
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Free lunch in exchange for signs return
A LANDLADY has offered a Sunday lunch in return for the safe return of four notice boards. Over the past two years, Kate Umpleby, landlady at the Foresters Arms in Coatham Mundeville, near Darlington, has seen about £1,000 worth of signs stolen
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Fate of Aycliffe Angel’s care home hangs in the balance
As an Aycliffe Angel, Connie Soakell risked her life to make ammunition for the war effort. Now her council-run care home is under threat. Local Government Correspondent Mark Tallentire reports. YESTERDAY morning, Durham County Council said it wanted
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Praise given after crime falls recorded
POLICE have been praised by councillors after figures showed that crime in a town has dropped significantly in the past month. At a meeting of Northallerton Town Council, Inspector Nigel Slater, from North Yorkshire Police, said the number
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Photographs are donated to rail group
HISTORIC photographs of a former railway works have been donated to a railway preservation group. The photographs of North Road Railway Works, in Darlington, were handed to the North-East Locomotive Preservation Group (NELPG) yesterday. They
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Police officer in court over sex attack claims
A SERVING police officer yesterday appeared in court charged with serious sex attacks over an eight-year period. PC Stephen Mitchell, who serves with Northumbria Police, was remanded in custody after he appeared before magistrates accused of
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We all loved him so much
Widow pays tribute to her childhood sweetheart – and adds: ‘The girls are being so brave’. HE was a loving husband, devoted daddy – and hero. Corporal Lee Brownson, 30, poses proudly with his wife, Leeanne, and daughters, Ginalee, ten
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Ex-pat to face trial for wife's murder
A MAN who emigrated to Canada 15 years ago is awaiting trial for the alleged murder of his wife. David Miller is in custody after his 46-year-old wife, Susan, was fatally stabbed on Boxing Day at the couple’s home in Chilliwack, near Vancouver
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Fate of stables open day in balance again
FEARS are again being voiced for the future of a major event in the region’s horseracing calendar. The Middleham Stables Open Day, always staged on Good Friday, has been highly successful over the past two decades. Last year, the event, which is
