Archive
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Traffic restrictions in place for Super Bikes
TRAFFIC restrictions ahead of the what could be one of Croft Circuit's busiest weekends on record have been announced. An unclassified road linking Dalton to the A167 will be one way from the A167 for 1,600m, while ten metres of the road near
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Singer to winger for Riverside charity match
SINGER Paul Smith has revealed he is “absolutely buzzing” about the prospect of becoming a winger when he pulls on his football boots to play on the Riverside’s hallowed in Sunday’s Gary Parkinson Benefit Match. Front man for indie band
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Charity set to benefit from a year of Sainsbury's support
CUSTOMERS are being asked to nominate a local charity which will receive a year’s worth of backing from Sainsburys. The supermarket giant is to launch its Local Charity Partner scheme and shoppers in Bishop Auckland are being asked to help. The store
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River life under the microscope
YOUNG ecologists are being invited to learn about river life this weekend. Killhope: the North of England Lead Mining Museum is holding river ecology sessions on Sunday, 15 May. Sessions starts at 1pm and 3pm. A museum spokesman said: "Visitors will
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Call for former workers to help celebrate landmark's birthday
A LANDMARK building in Bishop Auckland is celebrating its 40th birthday this year and workers past and present are being encouraged to attend a reunion party to celebrate the milestone. Vinovium House, near the bus station, is Bishop Auckland’s tallest
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Indian restaurant given MP's backing
AN Indian restaurant has been given the backing of an MP after being nominated for a national award. Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman has nominated The Bengal Merchant in Barnard Castle for the Tiffin Cup - an award to find the Best South Asian restaurants
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TV star to open dog show competition
A DOG show is to see pet owners battle it out to win the title at an animal charity’s fun event. Philippa Thomson, of ITV’s North East Tonight show, is to be the guest of honour at the Stray Aid charity event. She will open the show at Hardwick Hall
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Racial abuse at pizza shop
A DRUNKEN man racially abused a take-away owner and threatened to fight him over a late-night argument about queuing. Patrick McGowan, 23, of Shildon, confronted Abdullah Samir in Pizza Zone, Bishop Auckland, after a night out. McGowan, of Sunnyside
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Wilks back in action in Corsica
DARLINGTON rally driver Guy Wilks is in Intercontinental Rally Challenge action from today. Just under a month after their last rally in Grand Canaria, Peugeot UK's Wilks and co-driver Phil Pugh have resumed their campaign on the Mediterranean island
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Southern Cross asks landlords for rent deferral
TROUBLED Southern Cross Healthcare, employing more than 6,000 North-East workers, has asked its landlords to accept a four month deferral on part of their rents. It comes as the Darlington-based firm, which leases the majority of its 750 care homes,
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Delve into the past
FROM fashion to family trees, Middlesbrough’s past is being brought to life with a host of events to celebrate Local History Month. The centenary of the Transporter Bridge features prominently in the line up with an exhibition of pictures on display
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First section of sea wall lifted into place at town
THE first piece of a £30m sea defence scheme has been lifted into place. The Environment Agency and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council celebrated the installation of the first concrete section of the 2.7km long defence project. About 1,000 pre-cast
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Bumper weekend expected as bikes roll into Croft
CROFT Circuit is hoping for a bumper weekend as the MCE British Superbike Championship rolls into town. Three days of action on the track starts tomorrow and manager of the circuit near Darlington, Tracey Morley, said they had been inundated with calls
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Allotment back in use after vandalism
A COMMUNITY payback allotment scheme is back up and running after an attack by vandals left the site in a mess. The Town Farm allotment, in Middlesbrough, is being used to teach offenders horticultural skills while raising money for Teesside Hospice.
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Race night boost for autism charity
A CHILDREN'S autism charity has raised £14,000 from a race night. Norton-based Daisy Chain held the event at Sedgefield Racecourse to raise funds to support families who are affected in the region. The evening was hosted by radio presenter and ambassador
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Search for phone theft suspect
POLICE have released an image of the man they suspect stole a £400mobile phone from a stall-holder in Darlington. At approximately 11.20am on Monday, April 4, the victim was sitting at his barrow in the Queen Street Shopping Arcade, when he became
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Plans could help Darlington artists
DARLINGTON artists are to get better opportunities to display their work under plans from an organisation established to help save arts in the borough. Darlington for Culture (DfC), which was set up late last year to protect Darlington Arts
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Man seriously assaulted
A MAN needed hospital treatment after he was seriously assaulted while on his way home. The attack, which involved two men, took place close to the back of Darlington Civic Theatre on Borough Road between 1am and 1.15am on Tuesday, May 10. One of the
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The Way (12A)
Stars: Martin Sheen, Deborah Kara Unger, James Nesbitt, Omar Munoz, Antonion Gil, Emilio Estevez Running time: 128 mins Rating: *** FATHER and son Martin Sheen (lead actor) and Emilio Estevez (director) team up for an emotion-packed drama that
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Attack The Block (15)
Stars: Jodie Whittaker, Luke Treadaway, Nick Frost, John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Jones, Simon Howard, Jumayn Hunter Running time: 88 mins Rating: **** THE concept of the first feature from writer-director Joe Cornish
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Pensioners tackle speeding drivers
SPEEDING drivers found themselves with a new enemy this morning, a group of pensioners determined to make them slow down. Elderly residents of Boulmer Court sheltered accommodation in Chester-le-Street, several of them aged in their 90s, took to the
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Deena bares her soul
Viv Hardwick discovers that Deena Payne is still simmering about her departure from Emmerdale, but loves her current role in Calendar Girls. AFTER 18 years in Emmerdale, Deena Payne admits she was only too delighted to strip off the guise of Viv
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Where are the black dancers?
Artistic director Sharon Watson talks to Viv Hardwick about the crisis facing the 30-year-old Phoenix Dance Company. TOP contemporary dance company Phoenix is 30 years old this year, but is wrestling to fulfil the role it was founded to perform
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The Waterboys: In A Special Place
IN Nick Hornby’s recent novel Juliet, Naked, the plot follows a reclusive rock star who took a step back from the spotlight and failed to record anything for 20 years. He was thrust back in the limelight, however, when his former record company
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Milos: The Guitar (DG 4779693)
The Montenegrin guitarist Milos Karadagli, plays with scintillating finesse in his debut album with the DG label. Milos has set out to bring the classical guitar to a wider audience. He is well on the way to achieving his ambition.
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Julia Fischer: Poeme (Decca 4782684)
The celebrated young violinist Julia Fischer’s features a lyrical and poetic programme headed by Suk’s virtuosic Fantasy; a technically challenging mini-concerto piece. It is accompanied by two well-known tone poems – the elegant Poeme by Chausson
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Morrissey: The Very Best of Morrissey
ELVIS Costello believed, somewhat unfairly, Morrissey always wrote the best song titles but in doing so forgot to write the song. Had the Liverpool musician made that statement today then it would be hard to argue – if judging his last two solo
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A fine old time
I’m currently in the middle of a two-week jaunt around the southern extremities of England with my Bad Pennies, sampling the hospitality and enthusiasm of audiences in Kent, Essex, Surrey, Somerset and Devon, and what a fine old time we’re having
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Durham dig in
WILL Smith continues to contribute to healthy opening stands with Michael Di Venuto without being able to go on to the big score he craves. When Durham followed on 373 behind Somerset the opening pair got their heads down and grafted to take the total
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John Martin Quartet/Dawning (F-ire CD 40)
It’s a real pleasure to hear such an accomplished debut album. Saxophonist and composer Martin is backed by Jonjo Grisdale piano, Tim Fairhall double bass and Andy Ball drums. All are new names to me but they combine well together on a sensibly
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Trilok Gurtu with Simon Phillips and NDR Bigband/21 Spices (Art of Groove/Birdjam MIG 80012)
The virtuoso percussionist leads rock drummer Simon Phillips and the mighty NDR Band in a glorious celebration of his compositions and playing skills. Using a similar kit to the one he played at the Sage, Gurtu gets tremendous support from the
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It is a Hillman Husky
THE first call was at 7.44am. I was not then in the office, but a very keen reader wished to make contact. He, and umpteen others, told me that the "mystery" car in today's Echo Memories is a Hillman Husky. The great thing about so many people contacting
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Sierra Hull: Daybreak (Rounder Records)
A LISTENER to my American Connection show on euvue.co.uk e-mailed me to recommend listening to an artist called Sierra Hull. As a result, I played three tracks from her new release as Album Of The Week. From the opening track, All Because Of You
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Delta dream
Singer-songwriter Delta Maid talks to Andy Welch about leaving behind a career as a vascular scientist to become a blues musician. Are you really called Delta? MY name’s Katie Foulkes, and that’s how I always introduced myself, but people started
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Pick a price at Zizzi
A NEW Italian restaurant is offering diners the chance to win their meal for free. Zizzi will open on Saddler Street, in Durham City, on Thursday, May 12. On opening night and each Thursday night during May, at the end of their meal customers will
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Police hunt masked robbers
POLICE have released pictures of the terrifying moments masked men burst into a newsagents during a robbery last week. Detectives are now trying to trace the distinctive masks worn by the raiders during the robbery in Durham City on Thursday
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Old Farmhouse, Darlington
THE first wooden spoons, it is said, were awarded by mathematics students at Cambridge University to the man who achieved the lowest exam marks but still managed a third class degree. It was long ago. These days there are universities which award
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College to become region's first 'studio school'
A BUSINESS college is set to become the North-East’s first Studio School, offering work and life skills training to hundreds of teenagers. The Durham Federation school has secured £650,000 in Government funding to transform unused buildings
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A week of fashion
As excitement builds ahead of the launch of Newcastle Fashion Week, Ruth Addicott talks to some of the talented young designers showcasing their work. BODYBUILDERS, parachutes and clothing worn in the Antarctic aren’t the first things that spring
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New head for Chorister School
A HISTORIC chorister school has appointed a new headmistress. Yvette Day has taken over leading The Chorister School at Durham Cathedral, which is more than 600 years old. Mrs Day, who was previously director of music at St George’s
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End of the road
I HAVE reluctantly decided to surrender my driving licence on July 1 – which is my 85th birthday. I have held a clean licence for almost 60 years but now several factors have made me decide on this decision. My reactions are slower and the pace
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Doom
ACCORDING to Unison, the public service union, the Government’s reckless spending cuts will mean the loss of 400,000 public service jobs (Echo, May 4). Fewer refuse collectors to stop rubbish piling up. Fewer social workers to look after the vulnerable
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Scotland
ALEX SALMOND has said we English have to hang around for a couple of years while Scots make up their minds about independence. Meanwhile, we keep shoveling English money northwards. Why is it I picture Scotland as a Tam O’ Shantered, kilted beggar
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Whore’s who
If not quite the thrill of the chaste, the column finds an afternoon in Middleham a particularly good bet. Lucy Locket lost her pocket Kitty Fisher found it, Ne’er a penny was there in it But a ribbon round it AN innocent nursery
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Job done
BEING a Darlington FC supporter for more than 50 years, the magic of the trophy win at Wembley will live with me forever. Thanks to your excellent coverage on Monday, I was able to re-live the events again. After going to the wrong place to catch
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Student loans
REGARDING the article by Paul Cook about the number of complaints made about the Student Loan Company (Echo, May 9). Mr Cook makes no mention as to why the loans were delayed. Could the loan application forms have been filled out incorrectly?
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Memories of Max Jaffa
I WAS interested to read a mention in the John North column, written by Mike Amos, of the late Max Jaffa of Palm Court Orchestra fame (Echo, May 5). Mike’s reference reminded me of a story the great violinist told for the benefit of his radio
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Grass cutting
I WAS interested to read the item in The Northern Echo about Darlington Council’s new policy of refusing to cut the grass on slopes of more than 25 per cent (Echo, May 9). A couple of years ago I was in Edinburgh and the grass was being cut in
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Hugh Pender
HUGH PENDER (HAS, May 10) castigates David Cameron for his response to the reported death of Colonel Gaddafi’s son and other family members during a Nato attack. Mr Pender is completely wrong – when asked directly about the matter, Cameron declined
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Al Qaida
IT appears that suppositions in high places about where al Qaida’s leaders have been holed up have been mistaken. It could well be the case that whatever the criticisms of the Taliban’s rule, their Government in Afghanistan was no more responsible
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Indicators
IN response to V Flanagan (HAS, 10 May), I am heartened by the fact that he knows the correct use of car indicators. However, in my original letter I referred to “motorists in Darlington”, not motorists from Darlington. There is a significant
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No end to the Libyan mission
THERE was uproar when, as the bombardment of Libya began, gung-ho defence secretary Liam Fox suggested Britain might try to kill Colonel Gaddafi. You might remember that the chief of the defence staff slapped down his political boss, insisting:
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Durham follow on
HOW the tide has turned. Two years ago at Taunton, Durham made Somerset follow on 474 behind. Today the boot was on the other foot as Durham were sent back in, trailing by 373 after a spineless display this morning. Somerset escaped with a draw in 2009
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Saluting Quakers' cup victory
BY all accounts, last night's civic reception for Darlington Football Club was a great success. Sadly, I was stuck on a train coming back from London, so I only managed to catch the end of the proceedings. The great turnout shows that
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Former canon honoured
A NORTH-East clergyman and archaeologist will be honoured this weekend. A plaque will be unveiled commemorating the life of William Greenwell at 27 North Bailey, in Durham City, where he lived for many years. Dr Greenwell was born near Lanchester,
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Home and howay
Aalreet, pet, a girl from The Toon is set to conquer America – as long as she keeps her mouth shut. Steve Pratt breaks through the language barrier to find out if Cheryl Cole can succeed. SHE wore a broad smile on her face beneath the huge Seventies-style
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O’Brien’s experienced Seville can dominate the Dante at York
SEVILLE can show there is no substitute for experience in the totesport Dante At York for Aidan O’Brien. Fresh from winning with all four of his runners at Chester’s May meeting and enjoying yet another Derrinstown Derby Trial victory with Recital
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No Duke hazard in Delegator’s victory
DELEGATOR showed enough potential to suggest he could be a fascinating addition to the sprinting ranks as he flashed up the near-side rail in the Duke of York Blue Square Stakes. Saeed Bin Suroor’s five-year-old was sent off the 5-1 favourite
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Trainer Gosden is cheered by Joviality’s win
JOVIALITY shed little light on next month’s Investec Oaks when losing her maiden tag in York’s recognised trial, the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes. Trainer John Gosden said straight after the Group Three race that the Princess Haya of Jordan-owned
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Police appeal over phonebox theft
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after money was stolen from a telephone box on Colburn Lane, in Colburn, at about 11am on Wednesday. A vehicle, a silver Ford transit van with a wide amber light across the rear of the roof and the registration number
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Young musicians wanted for national brass bands
TALENTED brass and percussion players from across the region are invited to audition for one of two national youth brass bands. The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain is open to musicians aged between 12 and 18, while the National Children’s
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Six police forces involved in motorcycle event safety
POLICE will be out in force this weekend in an effort to ensure the safety of thousands of motorcyclists. Hordes of bikers are expected to converge on North Yorkshire for the latest round of the British Superbikes Championship at Croft. And officers
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Couple will not face charges over assisted suicide
TWO people alleged to have helped a North-East pensioner travel to a Swiss suicide clinic will not face charges, it has emerged. Douglas Sinclair, who was suffering from multiple system atrophy, died at the Dignitas clinic, in Zurich, on July 28 last
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Police investigate high value metal theft
POLICE are investigating after a high value metal theft. The theft happened at the Yorkshire Water site on Colburn Lane, in Catterick Village, between 5pm on Thursday and 7am on Friday, when thieves broke into a secure compound and stole a large metal
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Eating disorders unit to tackle complex cases
CONSULTANTS have welcomed a dramatic improvement in the region’s eating disorders service. Next week, a 15-bed treatment centre for adult patients will open in West Park Hospital, Darlington. Serving the North-East, North Cumbria and parts of
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Wholesaler fined over cockroaches
A FOOD wholesaler was fined yesterday after officials discovered an infestation of cockroaches at two of its premises, a court heard. Darlington Retail Limited, which supplies restaurants and takeaways across the Tees Valley, was closed down
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Region lagging in green economy
THE North-East is being left behind in the race for lucrative jobs in green energy, an MP has warned. Iain Wright, the Labour MP for Hartlepool, described the Government’s Energy Bill as a wasted opportunity that betrayed Teesside’s plans to lead
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A return to the three Rs – Rises, Riots and Repairs
A year ago, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats formed the country’s first peace-time coalition government for nearly 80 years. They immediately warned of spending cuts and belt-tightening, but also of a new era of education that would take schools
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Toast of the town
THOUSANDS of Darlington fans turned out to celebrate with their heroes last night. Buy match and fan photos from Darlington's trip to Wembley and market square celebrations Jubilant supporters gathered in the town’s market place as
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Opening hours to be cut at recycling centres
OPENING hours at recycling centres are to be reduced from the beginning of July as part of cost-cutting measures, council chiefs have confirmed. North Yorkshire County Council runs 19 centres across the county - including those in Northallerton, Catterick
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Mech-Tool boosts Darlington's engineering prospects
A NORTH-EAST engineering firm is helping to revive the fortunes of a manufacturing hotbed by investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in new machinery and recruiting workers. Darlington-based Mech-Tool Engineering, one of the town's biggest private
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Wembley match-winner is released by Darlington
Darlington's Wembley hero Chris Senior spoke of his disappointment last night after being released by the club - just four days after scoring arguably the greatest goal in Quakers' history. Senior's dramatic 120th minute strike in Saturday's
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Thousands taken from Libyan man
THOUSANDS of pounds in cash were seized from a man police suspected of supplying Libyan nationals with fake student visas, a court heard yesterday. Hamza Mohammed Uasin Tahir Aribi arrived at Durham Tees Valley Airport on January 10 with £4,000
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Suicide bid rapist may be jailed to save money
A DOUBLE rapist who has twice threatened to jump off a bridge was yesterday warned he will be jailed if he wastes the resources of emergency crews again. Thomas Stephens’ suicide bid was thwarted during a costly exercise involving firefighters
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Two of region's police forces in turmoil
TWO of the region’s police forces were in turmoil last night after the chairman of a police authority resigned and a disgraced chief constable refused to go. In a dramatic day: • Dave McLuckie, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority
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1948 Olympic tickets offered for 2012 swap
A PENSIONER hopes to exchange two unused tickets from the 1948 London Olympics to watch the 2012 games. Pensioner Cecil Alderson, from Cockfield, County Durham, was completing his National Service in the RAF at the time of the first London
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'I would not risk career for car fraud', says head
A HEADTEACHER accused of insurance fraud after his BMW car was found burned out told a court that he had nothing to gain by it. Giving evidence at Durham Crown Court yesterday, Alan Bromley said: “Why would I risk my career for this? It’s not
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Pub is a drinker's dream come true
IT may just be a drinker’s daydream, along with scooping the lottery jackpot and being irresistible to the opposite sex. But finally it’s happened, proof that fantasies can come true – a pub serving free beer. However, as always, there
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Passionate people are key to Wynyard move
THE PASSION of its North-East workforce has persuaded global chemical company Huntsman Pigments to locate its new £2m international headquarters and research centre in the region. Confirming the move to Wynyard Park, near Stockton, Huntsman Pigments
