Archive
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Awards for Northern Echo journalist and photographer
NORTHERN Echo reporter David Roberts was tonight named North East Journalist of the Year at the Tom Cordner North East Press Awards. Mr Roberts, who also took home the Online Video Award, was praised for his coverage of the murder of Darlington
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Murder charge after apparent road rage attack on motorist
A MAN was tonight charged with the murder of a County Durham motorist who died days after an apparent road rage attack in Dublin. Karl Donohoe was previously charged with assault causing serious harm to construction worker Raymond Bates in September
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Village club treasurer stole £4,000
A VILLAGE club treasurer has been given a community sentence after admitting stealing £4,000 from its coffers. Neil Proctor, 36, who controlled the finances at the Ivy Leaf WMC in Burnhope, near Stanley, helped himself to the money over a period of a
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Four arrests after cannabis raids
FOUR people have been arrested after police raided a network of cannabis farms in a small town. Officers say they have uncovered a large scale operation to grow drugs at a number of properties in Consett, County Durham. One person was arrested at a
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Durham Challenge Cup semi final draw
The draw for the semi finals of the Durham Challenge Cup has been made. Dunston, who came from behind to beat Durham City in their quarter final in midweek, are at home to Spennymoor, who knocked holders Billingham Synthonia out of the competition.
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Free gardening tips
AN award-winning gardening writer is holding an information session at Harehope Quarry, in Frosterley. The Can Do session, which covers preparing the garden for growing fruit and vegetables in the spring, with Caroline Beck, takes place on Sunday,
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Stolen car found burnt out in Newton Aycliffe
POLICE are appealing for information about a car which was stolen and then found burnt out in Newton Aycliffe. The black Vauxhall Corsa, which has a registration number NL58 VOM, was reported stolen from outside a house in Elmfield Place, Newton Aycliffe
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Police detain protester after dramatic end to Cameron's North-East visit
POLICE led away a protester as the prime minister's motorcade left Newcastle's Centre for Life. Students had found out David Cameron was at the science centre and around 50 began chanting as he left. Some ran into the street as the official
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Local MP criticises oil prices in cold weather
A LOCAL MP has raised fears in the House of Commons that oil companies may be charging more for supplies due to the cold weather. Julian Smith, the Conservative member for Skipton and Ripon, has called for a debate on the matter to see what the Government
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Aussies end England's winning streak
ENGLAND'S record Twenty20 winning streak was ended at eight games after Australia secured a series-levelling four-run win in Melbourne. Paul Collingwood's side were unable to chase down Australia's 147 for seven to suffer their first defeat in the shortest
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Quakers sign striker Modest
DARLINGTON have signed Sheffield Wednesday striker Nathan Modest on loan for the rest of the season. The 19-year-old joins the Quakers on a long-term loan and will go straight into Mark Cooper's squad to face Bath City in the FA Trophy second round
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Students help promote Herriot centre
STUDENTS are helping the World of James Herriot to improve its marketing skills by the use of computers and websites such as Facebook. Alistair Adair, Oliver Tindall and Tom Hendry, of Thirsk School Sixth Form, are helping at the Thirsk-based visitor
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Shirley Wright: Donald and Frances Balfour
SHIRLEY WRIGHT is trying to find people who may be related to her father. She is looking for descendants of Donald Balfour, who was born in September 1884. He married Kate Eleanor Stork, whose children were Mary, born September 1905, and Margaret, born
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Councillor resigns over Miliband 'w****r' row
A SENIOR Tory councillor has quit the day after he called David Miliband a w****r on Twitter. Coun David Potts, the South Tyneside Conservative leader who represents the Cleadon and East Boldon ward, attacked Mr Miliband on the social networking
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Why we yearn for Darcy
Far from happily balancing work, kids and their social lives, modern women still secretly prefer their men to be the provider. But why is that? SO women still want to marry Mr Darcy. Of course we do. We’re not stupid. According to new research
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Laughs keep rocking
Comedy Rock (ITV1, 9pm); True Blood (FX, 10pm); Relocation: Phil Down Under (C4, 8pm); Heston’s Fishy Feast (C4, 9pm); Fast and Loose (BBC2, 10pm); JASON MANFORD is nothing if not persistent. Despite recently finding himself the butt of all jokes
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Gillford Park's future in the league not under threat
Gillford Park have been given a fortnight’s leeway to resolve their ground problems – but they’re not facing expulsion from the league at the moment. The Cumbrian club has had major problems with their landlords this season, and have been prevented from
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Big brother
RECENTLY I have noticed that our reliance on computers is becoming increasingly frustrating. A simple request at a bank takes forever. You have to wait until the machine has all its questions answered. It’s the same at the doctors’ surgery and
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Bin bags
AS I was waiting at the bus stop the other day I watch council workers emptying dustbins of black bags and throwing them into a truck. Many of them were half-empty. I wondered how many bags were wasted. Could half-empty bags not be left until
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Fair deal
A MAN accused of rape has been found not guilty, but his name has been splashed over the newspapers (Echo, Jan 7). When is the law going to be fair? A man’s name should not be published until he is found guilty. A woman found to have made
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New year
OH how disappointed I was with Rob Merrick’s New Year challenges to watch more football and rugby (Echo, Jan 13). Surely Rob your spare time would be better spent cultivating a wider vision on politics rather than looking at Labour’s 13 years
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Socialism
IN reply to David Ward’s scathing attack on socialism (HAS, Jan 10) in which he states “Socialism has always betrayed the working class”. He also goes on to say it gives power to a small pseudointellectual elite who pretend to govern for the
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Bonus culture
WHY are chief executives and bank bosses receiving huge bonuses when they are already being paid big salaries? There are still thousands of British and migrant workers who only earn the minimum wage, and many pensioners are struggling on a low
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Parish council stems tide of complaints
A PARISH council believes it has now sorted out its problems after members were the subject of a tide of complaints. Vice-chairman of Hurworth Parish Council Ken Pattinson says the council is now heading in the right direction after 18 complaints
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In praise of the Harrier
AFTER watching the majestic Ark Royal sent to the breakers’ yard three years ahead of schedule I wondered what awaited her flight of Harriers. This outstanding aircraft, British through-and-through and years ahead of its time, played a vital
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RAF Seletar
FROM 1928 to 1971, Royal Air Force Seletar, in Singapore, was one of the most colourful and historic of the RAF’s overseas bases. The RAF Seletar Association was formed in 1997 to bring together any personnel who served or were based at Seletar
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Cuts row over Tory’s meeting with PM
A SENIOR Labour politician has criticised his Conservative counterpart for failing to lobby Prime Minister David Cameron against council cuts during a visit to Downing Street. Darlington Borough Council’s Conservative leader, Councillor Heather
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Bomber command
I HAVE long held the opinion that the denial of a campaign medal for the aircrew of Bomber Command who fought in World War Two has been an insult to their integrity and courage. I was reminded of this injustice when listening to Squadron Leader
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Pavements
I HAVE just dropped my grandchild off at Cockton Hill School, in Bishop Auckland. I and many other parents wish to make a formal complaint about the state of the pavements and roads leading to the school. People have been slipping continuously
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Hugh Pender
YOU know when you see Hugh Pender’s name on one of his innumerable letters it will be the usual anti-Conservative, anti- American, anti-police rant. Talk about variations on a theme. Now he moves on to cricket, in which he is clearly well versed
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Politics – a game of two halves
THEY are worlds apart when you think about it. In one, the people are generous in victory, humble in defeat, never trash their opponent or point the finger at colleagues. In the other, the blame game’s the only one in town. In one, everyone plays
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Funny money
Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star John Cleese is embarking on his first-ever UK tour to pay his $1m-ayear alimony. On a trip to York to launch the show, he tells Steve Pratt why this is the best way for him to make money these days. JOHN CLEESE
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Promoting the past
“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.” YESTERDAY, we reported that Wearmouth-Jarrow had formally
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O’Regan returns to Catterick after splitting with Johnson
DENIS O’REGAN returned to one of his old stomping grounds to great acclaim as he lifted the Watt Fences North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick on General Hardi. O’Regan rode plenty of winners at the Richmondshire venue as stable jockey
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Gray and Thomas join squad
TWO back row men from the North-East are among only three players from north of Leicester in the 32-man England Under 20s elite squad, named yesterday. Newcastle Falcons’ Alex Gray is joined by Leeds Carnegie No 8 Ollie Stedman, who was a Newcastle
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Burdon on Bouet
THE life of a 19th Century French artist who lived and worked in Durham will be explored later this month. Many of the drawings of Joseph Bouet, who lived from 1791 to 1856, are still held in Durham University Library’s archives and special collections
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Ripper loses appeal over whole life sentence
YORKSHIRE Ripper Peter Sutcliffe lost a challenge today against an order that he can never be released. A High Court judge ruled last year that the serial killer of 13 women must serve a whole life tariff. Sutcliffe, who is now known as Peter Coonan
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Woakes keeping his feet firmly on the ground
ENGLAND’S newest international Chris Woakes is refusing to get carried away by his match-winning debut against Australia in the first Twenty20 at Adelaide. The 21-year-old stole the headlines on his first night in the England spotlight as he
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Jo'burg Open
Martin Maritz and Tyrone Mordt shared the lead after round one of the Jo'burg Open with both carding nine-under-par 62s, although they came on different sets of 18 holes at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. The South Africans
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Cooper aiming to bring in forward
DARLINGTON boss Mark Cooper is still confident of bringing in a striker before Saturday’s FA Trophy clash with Bath City. The Quakers boss is eager to bring a goalscorer to the club and hopes the deal to bring the player to Darlington can be
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Pools duo claim top honours
MICK Wadsworth and Sam Collins have been rewarded in style with the League One manager and player of the month awards for December. Hartlepool United only played three times last month, but 1-0 wins at Huddersfield and Bournemouth and an FA
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The final North-East derby of the season
WHATEVER the outcome, there is bound to be something uplifting about the final North-East derby of the season in two days time. There always is. The atmosphere will crackle with intensity and passion, the action will be full-blooded and heartfelt
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Charlie bids for national glory
A YOUNG drummer is beating his way to the top after success in a national competition. Charlie Vasilou, 13, who attends Yarm School, near Stockton, has reached the final ten of the Young Drummer of the Year competition. Last year, Charlie, who
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Nolan’s place in history assured
Last October, Kevin Nolan became only the third Newcastle player to score a hat-trick against Sunderland. Assistant Editor Scott Wilson spoke to the midfielder ahead of Sunday’s return at the Stadium of Light, and discovered a player refusing to
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Bruce faces battle to sign Sessegnon
STEVE Bruce has made a bid for Paris St Germain midfielder Stephane Sessegnon but he could face a battle to land the 26-year-old with the French club reluctant to let their want-away star leave. It emerged last week that Bruce had tabled a
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Pardew keen on striker Bothroyd
NEWCASTLE United are close to completing a cut-price move for Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd. Magpies officials have held preliminary talks with their counterparts at the Cardiff City Stadium and are hopeful of completing a deal for the
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Consultations over job losses at force begin
A POLICE force has begun consultations with its civilian staff over redundancies. Officials at North Yorkshire Police have started the 90-day consultation about compulsory redundancies with back office staff, who were previously asked to consider
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Mowbray mulls over Mido
■ Mowbray throws down challenge ■ Manager admits situation is complex ■ Wheater’s Bolton move unlikely TONY Mowbray has challenged Mido to earn a place in the Middlesbrough first team, and admitted David Wheater’s proposed move
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Time capsule buried at site
A TIME capsule has been buried on the site of a new whitewater sports course with the help of 30 children. The youngsters from the Village Primary School, in Thornaby, near Stockton, visited the £4.6m Tees Barrage course yesterday after being
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Shipyard triples workforce
THE workforce at North-East shipyard A&P Tyne has tripled as it celebrates a record-breaking start to the new year. The Hebburn yard – which is working on two major MoD orders, including sections for the new aircraft carriers – has won a string
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Tata wins first round of legal battle
TATA Steel said it had won the first round of a legal battle against the consortium that pulled out of a deal to buy its Teesside steel, leading to the mothballing of its Redcar plant. Teesside Cast Products was partially mothballed in February
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Increased turnover and staff for firm under threat
A 113-YEAR-OLD engineering firm which went down to 24 staff and faced closure during the downturn has increased turnover and staff numbers to better than pre-recession levels. Metal fabrication company Evenwood Industries, making specialist
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Retailers criticised for blaming snow for poor performance
TESCO blamed the big freeze for £50m in lost sales as a host of retailers reported dismal December trading during a day which was billed by analysts as Super Thursday. Co-operative Group, Dixons, Halfords, Thorntons, Game Group and New Look
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Venture hits sales of £1m in first year
A SOCIAL networking venture allowing large companies to gain feedback from customers is to hit sales of £1m in its first year. Better Communities has been launched by North Yorkshire- based brand agency Better and Tyneside-based market research
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Orders for Leaf are on track for its launch
NISSAN has already secured hundreds of UK orders for the Leaf electric car ahead of its British launch. About 500 orders have been placed in this country for the car, which will be built at Sunderland from 2013, and goes on sale in the UK in
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Market report
THE FTSE 100 Index eased back by 26.8 points to close at 6023.9, despite further gains from banks and insurers in the wake of relief over a successful bond auction for under-pressure Portugal and more bond auctions in Spain and Italy. Royal Bank
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Event will highlight Norwegian businesses
A DELEGATION from Norway will be visiting the Tees Valley later this month to highlight business opportunities in the Scandanavian country. The party, from companies based along the west coast of Norway, will be at the Belasis Business Centre
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Bird traps land man before magistrates
A FATHER of 16 has been convicted of possessing items for the purpose of trapping wild birds. John Dugdale, 50, was found with two caged traps when the RSPCA and police searched his home in Byers Green, Spennymoor, County Durham, on August 3,
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Veterans’ care ‘to improve’
HEALTH chiefs have promised improvements to a pioneering project helping military veterans with mental health problems following feedback from users. An independent review of the Veterans Mental Health Project run by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys
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Graduates on course for a rowing record
A GRUELLING attempt to break the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean is under way with four Durham University graduates making up part of the team. Team Hallin are trying to row from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in fewer
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Second enterprise partnership for region approved
A NEW body to win private-sector jobs for part of the region was finally approved yesterday – three months after ministers ruled its proposals did not come up to scratch. A local enterprise partnership (LEP) – covering County Durham, Tyne and
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Number of flu fatalities doubles
THE number of people who have died from flu in the UK since September has more than doubled in a week, according to the latest figures. The national total of 112 deaths – including 95 who had the H1N1 swine flu strain – is well above the 50 cases
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We're taking nothing for granted -- Irwin
Dunston manager Billy Irwin is taking nothing for granted as he prepares for their much-delayed third round FA Carlsberg Vase tie at home to Leicestershire side Heather St Johns this afternoon. Five other Northern League clubs have already booked their
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Pack's chance to reduce the gap on top two
The top two in the second division, Newton Aycliffe and Guisborough, don’t have a game, so the chasing pack have an opportunity to reduce the deficit. North Shields, who are third, are at home to Northallerton, and manager Anthony Woodhouse will be Ross
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Council chair dispute settled
A COUNCILLOR was suspended for a month yesterday after a tribunal ruled on an argument over who was first sitting in a chair. Councillor Billy Blenkinsopp’s suspension marks the end of a 16- month row with Councillor Dorothy Bowman which he estimates
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Smashing life in tennis secures award for John
TENNIS stalwart John Schofield was last night named the overall Local Hero of 2010 for his lifetime of dedication to the sport at grassroots level. Mr Schofield has spent more than 40 years supporting tennis after starting work with Yarm Tennis
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Gallery sales promise lots more lute
ELIZABETHAN music brought to life by a North-East lutenist is being sold at one of the country’s leading art galleries. The CD features Robin Thodey, from Durham City, playing the lute, a guitar-like instrument popular in Elizabethan times.
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Decision to strike boy was ‘instinct’
A CARE officer who struck a 14-year-old painfully on the nose hours before the teenager killed himself told police he was acting ‘‘on instinct’’, an inquest was told. Adam Rickwood, the youngest person to die in custody in modern times, was found
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‘Government is dumping rural societies’
AN MP has said the shelved plan to build four fire stations is an example of the Government abandoning rural communities. Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman voiced concerns that a programme to upgrade fire stations in Barnard Castle, Stanhope,
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‘What an honour’
A COUPLE who are celebrating the first anniversary since quitting smoking have named their budgie after the NHS worker who helped them kick the habit. It is 12 months since Val and Kevin Porter gave up smoking. Since then, the couple, from
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‘Accident was bid to commit suicide’
A MAN suffering from depression, who claimed to have driven head-on into an elderly couple’s car to kill himself, walked free from court yesterday. Darren Storey’s Nissan Almera swerved across the white line into the path of a Renault Megane
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Firm to pay students' university degree fees
STUDENTS at the region’s leading university are being offered an escape route from £9,000-a-year fees under a groundbreaking scheme. Accountancy firm KPMG, which recently recorded a £1.6bn annual turnover, will pay the fees of 75 young people
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Lib-Dems admit defeat in by-election
THE Liberal Democrats today conceded defeat in Oldham East and Saddleworth as the coalition suffered a bloody nose in its first by-election test. Party president Tim Farron said its candidate Elwyn Watkins had come a decent second to Labour
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Retired fire fighter saves man from house blaze
A RETIRED fire fighter saved the life of an elderly disabled neighbour by rescuing him from a house blaze. Dave White used his years of experience with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to save the man when the fire broke out in his
