Archive
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Jonas fancies Italian job to complete his treble
JONAS GUTIERREZ has a Primera Division winner's medal from his time in Argentina, while he has also fulfilled an ambition to play in Spain, England and at a World Cup. The Newcastle United winger does, though, have another target to achieve before he
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Pardew looking further afield for next transfer target
ALAN PARDEW thinks that scouring Europe for transfer targets can lead to greater value for money and, crucially, better talent for Newcastle United. Pardew has been in France during the past week in the hope of making an early breakthrough in his attempts
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Chelsea boss: no farewell
Carlo Ancelotti last night refused to contemplate the prospect of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Newcastle being his final home game at the club. Ancelotti appears set to be sacked at the end of the season after overseeing the worst campaign at
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Bruce explains Muntari was not value for money
STEVE Bruce claims yesterday's decision to send Sulley Muntari back to Inter Milan proves Sunderland will not be taken for a ride in the transfer market this summer. Had Muntari been involved in today's Premier League game with Wolves, his tenth appearance
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Bruce’s harsh words put Bramble back on track
FOR a relationship that is still going strong after almost three-and-a-half years, Titus Bramble's association with Steve Bruce did not get off to the best of starts. Less than a minute into Bruce's first game as manager of Wigan Athletic, Bramble attempted
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McCarthy expects last-day drama
Mick McCarthy expects Wolves' battle for Premier League survival to continue to the final game of the season. Wolves could make themselves safe this weekend if they win at McCarthy's former club Sunderland and other results involving Wigan, West Ham
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Ancelotti and Wenger defend Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson has received the backing of rival Premier League bosses Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti after being hit with another FA improper conduct charge. This time, Ferguson is in trouble because he elected to praise Howard Webb ahead of last
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Mowbray is under no pressure to sell
TONY MOWBRAY last night warned clubs interested in buying some of his most promising talents that Middlesbrough do not have to cash in to ease their financial situation. Boro chairman Steve Gibson wants Mowbray to trim the playing staff's £24m wage bill
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Storm and Ferrie make cut
Graeme Storm and Kenneth Ferrie have made the cut in the Iderdrola Open, despite a frustrating Friday for the pair. Storm followed up an opening round one-over 71 with an identical score yesterday to start the third round in tied 30th place. He is ten
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Blayon appoint former Falcon
BLAYDON have moved swiftly to appoint Micky Ward as their Director of Rugby the day after the Newcastle Falcons legend bowed out of Kingston Park with a testimonial game. The 32-year-old prop, who has done some coaching at his home club, Wallsend, will
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Kilty in line to set a record
GREAT Britain international Richard Kilty could break Jonathan Edwards' 19-year-old 100m record in this weekend's North-East Track and Field Championships at Gateshead International Stadium. The 20-year-old Teessider, who is now advised by Olympic gold
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Wembley win gives Quakers a platform
It is seven days since Darlington won at Wembley and claiming the FA Trophy has given the club a platform to build on. That is the view of attacking midfield player Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, who says that Darlington demonstrated their ability in the 1-0
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Pools pull off coup with Solano signing
NOLBERTO Solano, the former Newcastle United winger, yesterday made a return to the North-East to sign for Hartlepool United. The 36-year-old turned down a player/coach job in the Championship with Hull City to take up Pools' offer. The move came as
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Staff Benda Bilili at the Sage, Gateshead
STAFF Benda Bilili's story is as fascinating as their music. Discovered playing in the grounds of Kinshasa zoo in the Congo, the band, consisting of paraplegics and former street children, have found fame in spite of and not because of their problems
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School leavers warned over year-end high jinks
TEENAGERS leaving school in the coming weeks have been warned to celebrate sensibly - or find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Police have launched Operation Key Largo in a bid to tackle street drinking and anti-social behaviour which has occurred
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Wilks crashes out in Corsica
GUY Wilks crashed out of the Corsican Rally while pushing for a podium spot. The Darlington rally driver had set the fastest time on today's opening stage of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event and was up to third place overall. However, the
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Former North Yorks police boss suggests embattled chief constable should 'fall on sword'
THE former head of North Yorkshire Police has said it is will be very difficult for under-fire Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell to continue in his post. Della Cannings was speaking as Mr Maxwell vowed to remain in charge of the force, despite being handed
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Bowlers get cash
BOWLERS in Darlington are celebrating after the purchase of new equipment to help more people participate in the sport. Yesterday, Darlington's MP Jenny Chapman joined bowlers at North Park for an introduction to the game. Mrs Chapman bowled the first
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Entries sought for 10k race
HUNDREDS of runners will be hitting the streets for an annual 10k road race next month. The annual 3M Aycliffe 10k Road Race takes place on Sunday, June 19, around Newton Aycliffe. It is being organised by Aycliffe Running Club and sponsored by 3M
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Police seek witnesses to town centre assault
A MAN needed hospital treatment after hewas assaulted on his way home. The attack took place to the rear of Darlington Civic Theatre, in Borough Road, between 1am and 1.15am on Tuesday. One of two men assaulted the 44-year-old, who was making
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Football fan picked up boulder
A QUAKERS fan lifted a boulder over his head because people were "chewing him" on a train, a court heard. Sam Hickman, 20, was spotted with the boulder by British Transport Police (BTP) after travelling from Darlington FC's semi final FA Trophy game
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Off-duty officer saw wine theif
AN alcoholic was spotted by an off-duty police officer trying to steal wine from a store. Andrew Bentley, 33, attempted to walk out of the Sainsbury's store, in Darlington, when he was stopped by the police officer. He arrested Bentley, who pleaded
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Dealer kept drugs and takings in locker at work
A DRUG dealer who started his illegal trade in the playground at the age of 14 has been jailed for eight months. Jason Burton, 23, of WestfieldWalk, Loftus, was caught with more than £350-worth of cannabis after police went to his home looking for someone
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Two hurt in chemical explosion
HOSPITAL staff were on high alert yesterday (FRI) following what turned out to be a "minor explosion" at a North-East chemical plant. Darlington Memorial Hospital’s accident and emergency department (A&E) was in quarantine after two workers from Ineos
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Leisure centre to reopen after £18m renovation
A LEISURE centre will open next month following an £18.5m refurbishment. Work to transform Sixties built Billingham Forum has now finished and will open to the public on Friday, June 3. To mark the official opening, there will be a three-day series
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Woman turns her hobby into a career
A NEW business scheme has seen one woman surfing the crest of a wave. Zoee Smith worked alongside Redcar and Cleveland's Enterprise Team to help develop her Saltburn Surf School business. The 29-year-old, from Brotton, has become one of the poster girls
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Unsfae landmark is demolished
A BISHOP Auckland landmark has been demolished after its condition deteriorated beyond repair. The former hunting lodge in High Bondgate, known as the Gazebo, was knocked down after Durham County Council and English Heritage agreed that public safety
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Local students welcome Russian exchange party
GLOBE trotting Russian youngsters are bringing a foreign culture to local children as part of an exchange visit. Cockton Hill Infants School, in Bishop Auckland, has close links with schools around the world. Staff and the families of pupils are currently
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Ale fellows well met for beer festival
HOPES are high that a real ale festival later this month can become an annual fixture on a town’s calendar. Barnard Castle Rugby Club will hold the beer bonanza on Saturday, May 28 and will have 12 different ales from five different breweries on the
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Shopkeepers hit by handle thefts
TOWN centre shop owners have voiced their anger at thieves who made off with brass door fittings. About nine businesses in Barnard Castle had their brass handles forced from their doors overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. Many of the wooden doors
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Minister to speak at conference
PRISONS Minister Crispin Blunt MP will be in the North-east next week to speak at a conference on the families of offenders. The minister will be joined by Guardian columnist and ex-offender Mark Johnson at the conference in Durham City organised by
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Swedish singer at church
SWEDISH songstress Nathalie Stern will be guest performer at an afternoon tea concert. The singer, who has just returned from a three-week European tour promoting her new album, is to perform at St Michael and All Angels Church, in Witton Gilbert, near
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In the balance
BEN Stokes’ first home century, plus 207 minutes of resistance from Dale Benkenstein, kept Durham afloat on the final day against Somerset. But the loss of three wickets in the afternoon kept the match in the balance with the lead standing at 43 with
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Former police authority chairman claims "character assassination"
THE former chairman of Cleveland Police Authority - who is at the centre of a mystery criminal investigation - has also been suspended from the Labour Party. Dave McLuckie resigned from the force's governing body on Wednesday after it emerged
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Man City striker signs for Hartle-Poole
Manchester City striker James Poole has signed for Hartlepool United. An hour after the signing of Nobby Solano was announced, Pools completed the free transfer of the forward. He spent three months on loan at Victoria Park last season and boss
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History project needs volunteers
A HISTORY project is looking for volunteers to share their stories and knowledge of the Denes. People are welcome to attend the next meeting of The Denes Oral History Project on Wednesday May 18, at 6:45pm at Darlington RA Club, Brinkburn Road. For
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Voluntary group to get pensioners online
A VOLUNTARY organisation is hoping to transform technophobe pensioner into silver surfers. eVOLution, in Darlington, is offering Online Basics sessions to help encourage the town's older generations onto the internet. Those who attend the free course
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Leader takes over from closest ally
A SENIOR councillor has stepped out of the shadows of his closest ally with whom he was first elected 32 years ago to become leader of Darlington Borough Council. Councillor Bill Dixon said finances would be the main agenda of his four-year term as
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Masked men threaten police with gun
TWO masked men who threatened police officers with a gun are being hunted by police. Three police community support officers were threatened with a silver handgun after approaching two men in a County Durham field on Thursday afternoon. The officers
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Stokes stars
BEN Stokes was at his outstanding best this morning as he propelled Durham towards safety against Somerset. On six overnight, the 19-year-old all-rounder reached 86 at lunch and Dale Benkenstein was happy merely to keep him company. He moved from ten
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Police hunt armed gang
TWO masked men who threatened officers with a gun are being hunted by police. Three Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) were threatened with a silver handgun after approaching two men in a County Durham field on Thursday afternoon. The officers
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Pools swoop for Nolberto Solano
Nolberto Solano, the former Newcastle United winger, has signed for Hartlepool United.After spending last season at Hull City, the Peru international has made a suprise return to the North-East. He rejected the chance of a new deal at the KC Stadium.
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Biofuel plant to cease production for up to four months
PRODUCTION at Europe's biggest bioethanol plant is to be halted for up to four months. Ensus said the move at its £250m plant at Wilton, Teesside, which opened in February last year, was a temporary measure. All 100 full-time workers will be retained
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Going Gaga
The Graham Norton Show (BBC1, 10.35pm) Paul O’Grady Live (ITV1, 9pm) Phone Shop (C4, 10.55pm) Bee Gees: In Our Own Time (BBC4, 9pm) BACK in the days when Jonathan Ross used to host his Friday-night chat show, he asked Christopher Walken
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Dinnerladies, Sunderland Empire
SITTING curled up on the sofa watching Dinnerladies on the TV back in 1998 with Victoria Wood as Bren and Julie Walters as her frenetic mother, Petula, was warm and comfortingly funny. With Wood’s acerbic writing and a strong ensemble cast,
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Market report
THE London market sank deeper into the red yesterday after further falls in commodity prices hit traders’ confidence. The FTSE 100 Index closed 31 points lower at 5944.96, as mining shares followed the falling price of oil and metals and dragged
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Members needed for enterprise board
THE search is on for two experienced business figures to join the leadership board of Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU), the area’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The board, which oversees TVU’s policies and activities, comprises the leaders and
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Bidding starts as uni unveils latest extension
CONSTRUCTION firms are competing for the multi-million pound contract to develop a world-class business school in the region. Durham University has unveiled plans to build a £16.5m extension to its Mill Hill Lane site, which it hopes will maintain
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All you need is love
AT last, more than 40 years after everyone else, I’ve fallen in love with Paul McCartney. I always preferred George Harrison or John Lennon and, in any case, was more of a Rolling Stones girl myself. But now I love Paul, even despite his very peculiar
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Theatre group prepare for show
A COMMUNITY theatre group will be hoping audiences are left wanting more when they stage Oliver next weekend. Stanley Variety Troupe will stage their own pantomime-style version of the musical at the Lamplight Arts Centre on Friday, May 20 and Saturday
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Martin Callanan
NORTH-EAST Conservative MEP Martin Callanan condemned the vast amounts of British taxpayers’ money wasted by Labour, money “which could go towards hospitals, schools, police and regional development” (HAS, May 6) . I look forward to his condemnation
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Cruelty
THIS week a pregnant mare appeared outside a local supermarket in Bishop Auckland. It had no water, was covered in lice, had hair missing in patches on its neck and back, and it appeared to be suffering from mange. As if this wasn’t enough, the
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Police plan reunion
RETIRED police officers will get together one more time at a reunion planned for next month. Durham Constabulary is hosting a Retirees Reunion event at force headquarters in Durham City on Saturday, June 12. All former officers and staff are invited
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Richmond
I AM appalled to learn that following the closure of the tourist information centre in Richmond, the building is to be used by a company selling ice cream and possibly other food items. One such company already has two high profile outlets in
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Laughing at the secret show
I’M not sure how “secret” Lee Evans’s show could be when 450 North-East people enjoyed seeing the biggest comedy star to play Stockton’s ARC since the building opened in 1999. Evans has already sold out three nights at the massive MetroRadio Arena
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Scotland
THE Scottish people enjoy free hospital car parking, free tuition fees, free prescriptions and free care for the elderly. In fact, life north of the border is the proverbial free for all – or is it? The Westminister government, via the English
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Mayoral spending
I FIND it deplorable that the Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Colin Leckonby, an elected representative, would seek to deny people the democratic right to decide if we should have an elected mayor. Regarding his disparaging remarks about the consultation
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New start?
“REVOLUTIONARY”, “unique” and “flagship” are words used by the Government to describe its new work programme. A new dawn, or a simple rework of two old failed work programmes – the Flexible New Deal and America’s Workfare programme? The first
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Vertical pier
BEFORE the local elections Councillor Chris Abbott told the people of Redcar and Cleveland that if the Liberal Democrats gained control of the council they would scrap the idea of a vertical pier in favour of a horizontal pier. Well, the people
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My first Scouting mission
IHAD watched the place for two, maybe three nights, noting what time they came in and when they left. It was pretty clear what they were up to. Funny thing was, I wanted to be part of it. It didn’t take me long to pick out who the leaders were and
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Get tough on knives
KRISTOFER DAVIES – a 19-year-old with a habit of using knives – is a danger to the public. With one conviction for knife violence already on his record, he went on to leave another victim in a wheelchair after pursuing him through Darlington town
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Setting sail again
As Captain Jack Sparrow casts off for a new big screen adventure, Steve Pratt hears from star Johnny Depp about channelling Rolling Stone Keith Richards into his portrayal and why he feels responsible to young fans. OH dear, I’ve screwed
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Wilks secures stage win in Corsica
GUY Wilks secured his first stage win of the Corsican Rally after going fastest on the Erbajolo-Pont d’Altiani run. “I carried two spare tyres and while that made the back of the car slide more in the fast sections I found the balance better in the slow
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Bishop turns barista to raise coffee growers poverty campaign
A LEADING churchman swapped his cassock for coffee - when he became a barista for a day. Customers at Chimes Café in Ripon became his congregation as he learnt how to make the perfect Americano, latte and cappuccino. The Bishop of Knaresborough, the
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Shahzad shows glimpse of class with four-wicket haul
AJMAL SHAHZAD gave Yorkshire the upper hand with four wickets as he showed signs of returning to top form during day two against Hampshire at Headingley yesterday. The 25 year-old fast bowler, who started the day with an obdurate batting effort
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NORTH YORKSHIRE: news in brief
MEDITATION CLASS: Meditation and relaxation classes are held on the third Monday of every month at the Anahata Centre, on Newbiggin, in Richmond. No experience is necessary and everyone is welcome to the next class on Monday, between 7.30pm and 9pm.
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Quakers offer four deals
DARLINGTON have offered new contracts to three of their players plus Aman Verma who spent much of the season on loan from Leicester. Manager Mark Cooper has offered one-year deals to Paul Arnison, Paul Terry and Sam Russell while he is hoping
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Di Venuto leads fightback
MICHAEL DI VENUTO’S failure to get through the last two matches without injury is a fair indication that, at 37, he is beginning to creak. But he again underlined his immense value to Durham yesterday. In his fifth season with the county
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Boyd signs new Pools deal
ADAM BOYD last night followed the lead set by Andy Monkhouse and Neil Austin earlier in the day by signing a new contract at Hartlepool United. Boyd has been handed a further year to prove himself again after struggling for form and fitness in
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Taxi driver ordered to remove Christian cross after teen complains
FOR almost 2,000 years the cross has been the most potent and widely-recognised symbol of Christianity and the image has been reproduced in countless shapes and sizes. But a taxi driver was told to remove a cross from his dashboard - after a 15-year-old
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Investigators clampdown on benefit fraudsters
INVESTIGATORS uncovered fraudulent housing benefit claims totalling some £150,000 across the Hambleton district over the last 12 months. Five cases resulted in court action - and two people, including a 66-year-old woman from Great Ayton, received suspended
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Police release CCTV image of Sea Life Centre raid
POLICE have released a CCTV image of a man they want to interview in connection with a raid on a leading tourist attraction. Two men broke into the Sea Life Centre complex in Scarborough on Friday, April 29, and broke into the crazy golf kiosk through
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Magpies eye French pair
NEWCASTLE UNITED are hoping to pull off a French double in this summer by completing deals for Toulouse pair Cheick M’Bengue and Franck Tabanou. Manager Alan Pardew is also keen to add a couple of international- class strikers after heading on
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Graveyard history uncovered
A BURIED cemetery has been toured for the first time by a local historian. Ayresome Cemetery, once one of Middlesbrough’s largest graveyards, was the final resting place for about 11,000 bodies. The site, which was decommissioned in 1962, now lies beneath
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Taylor to sign soon
MIDDLESBROUGH are confident of following up Tony Mowbray’s first signing of the summer by reaching an agreement over the terms of a new contract with Andrew Taylor. Taylor will effectively become a free agent at the end of next month, when his
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Black Cats move for Klose
STEVE BRUCE has hinted at the size of his ambition to bring a top class striker to Sunderland by launching an early move to land German World Cup hero Miroslav Klose. He is out of contract at Bayern Munich at the end of next month and has accepted
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Brave first steps kick-off last "Helen's Walk"
THE first steps on the last charity walk in memory of a woman who died from meningitis were taken by a little boy who lost his legs to the devastating disease. More than £80,000 has now been raised by Terry and Sue Laing who lost their daughter
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Dante win by Royal appointment
YOU know how it is. One of your grandsons gets married, and the wedding isn't exactly what you might call low-key. You couldn't describe the bride's family as poor, but they don't have the money you have and it's fair to say you're saddled with
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Why Falcons' survival was crucial for North-East sport
IT is hard to remember a more successful weekend for North-East football, with Darlington and Whitley Bay lifting trophies at Wembley, Newcastle and Sunderland making themselves mathematically safe in the Premier League and Middlesbrough signing off the
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School pupils visit to Spain
Eight Year 6 pupils from Our Lady & St. Thomas RCVA Primary School in Willington, spent some of their Easter Holiday in Spain, accompanied by three members of staff. They were there as part of a Comenius Project “Building Bridges Across Europe
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Provett does the double
Former Hartlepool keeper Jim Provett scooped two awards at Norton's presentation night last week. Provett, who was signed last summer, won the manager’s player of the year and players’ player of the year awards, while Dale Mulligan won the
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Whickham appoint Saxton as their new manager
Whickham have announced that Neil Saxton is their new manager. Saxton, the son of former Sunderland boss Bobby, was on the coaching staff at the Glebe under previous manager Terry Ritson, and has agreed to take on full responsibility for the side after
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Castle will no longer be home to the Bishop
THE Church of England has confirmed that Auckland Castle will no longer be used as the home of the Bishop of Durham. The castle, in Bishop Auckland, will still provide offices and the chapel for future bishops, but their living accommodation
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Wedding guest died after fall
A WEDDING guest drowned after he fell into a river in the early hours, an inquest has heard. Stephen Burn left the reception at Durham Rowing Club, on the banks of the River Wear, in Durham City, after a row with his girlfriend and was never seen
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Baby girl joy for tragedy family
PARENTS who lost their first baby to a rare hereditary kidney disorder are celebrating after the birth of their healthy baby girl. Claire and David Vickery’s daughter was born on April 29, to the relief of the couple, from Spennymoor, County
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Headteacher is convicted of car fraud
A HEADTEACHER’S fall from grace was complete yesterday when he was convicted of making a fraudulent insurance claim after having had his BMW car burned out. Alan Bromley, who was described as a man of impeccable character, shook his head in
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Thousands cheer as airmen parade home
THOUSANDS of cheering wellwishers lined the streets to welcome RAF officers and airmen home from Afghanistan. Members of RAF Leeming’s Number 2 Force Protection Wing (2FP), 34 Squadron RAF Regiment and airmen from 609 (West Riding) Squadron
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Boston tee party
TEENAGER Luke Boston has become a star at his local golf club after hitting a hole in one at a charity match. Luke’s lucky strike won him a new car worth more than £12,000 – even though he is too young to drive. The 16-year-old, who
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Pipeline firm in management buy-out
A PIPELINE maintenance company has been acquired by staff in a management buy-out that will see it move to new premises. Inpipe Products, which manufactures pipeline maintenance machines, known as pigs, has been bought for an undisclosed sum
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Thieves target elderly man in distraction burglary
DETECTIVES are hunting two men who tricked their way into the home of an elderly man and stole cash and jewellery. The men entered the 86-year-old victim’s home in Borrowby, near Thirsk at around 12pm yesterday, pretending to be blinds salesmen
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Knifeman's jail term 'a disgrace'
A KNIFE maniac has escaped an indefinite jail sentence despite carrying out a robbery only months after being released for stabbing a man in the back and leaving him paralysed. Judge George Moorhouse yesterday branded 22-year-old Kristofer Davies
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Council apologises for city regeneration delay
COUNCIL chiefs have apologised for a £5.25m regeneration scheme running months late and damaging city centre trade, saying it was probably over-ambitious. Durham County Council boss Ian Thompson defended the controversial Heart of the City
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Wrongly jailed man facing prison term
A MAN wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years will learn today whether he faces more time in jail after he admitted sexually assaulting a young woman. Sean Hodgson the victim of one of Britain’s most serious miscarriages of justice, was freed in 2009
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Him and herd
A CROSS-DRESSING farmer and former X Factor contestant has made a cameo appearance on Coronation Street. Ken Prestidge, who calls himself the X-Farmer, played the transvestite friend of Marc Selby, the longtime love interest of Audrey Roberts
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Woman died after fall into her garden pond
A RETIRED teacher drowned in her garden pond after an ornament toppled over and pinned her under the water. Ann Newton had gone out to feed the birds when she slipped. As she fell into the shallow water, her blouse became hooked on the
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Darlington: a perenially bleak outlook
SOMETHING caught my eye while researching my Jayne Mansfield article last week, and please don't think smuttily of me for it. It was this picture from the Echo after the Quakers' 3-2 home defeat to Oldham on April 8, 1967. The Quakers had been promoted
