Archive
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Darlington’s pitch receives a makeover
While Darlington manager Mark Cooper is planning to changes to squad this summer, the playing surface at The Northern Echo Arena is already halfway through a makeover. The pitch remained in excellent condition throughout the season, arguably
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Barton a Villa target amid contract wrangle
ASTON VILLA aim to tempt Joey Barton into making an early exit from Newcastle United after claims from the unsettled midfielder's agent that the offer of a new contract is no longer on the table at St James' Park. Barton has outlined his
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Cats deny illegal approach
SUNDERLAND were last night forced to strongly refute allegations that they have made an illegal approach for West Ham United's Demba Ba. The Senegalese striker looks certain to depart Upton Park this summer and had been considered at the Stadium of Light
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Durham en route to easy win
WITH Durham currently dominating opponents even more impressively than when they won the title by 47 points two years ago it must be galling to note that leaders Lancashire keep playing on result pitches. Even with a depleted attack the
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Trescothick puts on batting masterclass
There are few better sights in cricket than watching Marcus Trescothick in full flow. This if, of course, unless you were of Yorkshire persuasion on day two of the county's LV County Championship clash with Somerset. He provided a batting
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Strauss is keen to start a “new cycle”
England captain Andrew Strauss has called on his players to put their Ashes glory behind them and begin a new chapter when they face Sri Lanka today. It is less than five months since the opener led his side to a triumphant 3-1 series win Down
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Murray: pressure now on
Andy Murray will not be joining Heather Watson in "happy land" unless he achieves at lot more at Roland Garros this year than Tuesday's first-round win. The fourth seed lost only eight games against French qualifier Eric Prodon but he cut a frustrated
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Boro’s next young guns
MIDDLESBROUGH have revealed details of the latest batch of young apprentices that they hope will follow in the footsteps of Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson - including a few familiar names. A new 11-strong intake are set to arrive at the club's Rockliffe
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Downing in England fold and he intends to stay
Stewart Downing is due to end an impressive season at Aston Villa with an England outing. In an exclusive chat with Chief Football Writer Paul Fraser, the Teessider looks to the future. WHEN Stewart Downing meets up with the rest of the England
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All set for Elusive success
ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL is taken to create a surprise and steal the thunder of Workforce in the Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown. Winner of the Derby and Arc last year, Workforce makes his much-anticipated return in the
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Rocket scientist took life in Hartlepool car bomb incident
A FORMER rocket scientist used his skills to take his own life in a car explosion, an inquest heard. David Bagley blew himself up with a home-made explosive device in his blue Nissan Micra after driving to a deserted industrial site in Old Cemetery
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Sculpture reflects nature
VISITORS to a wildlife reserve could be seeing more than they expected as a new arts project is launched. As part of the Green TV project, Mirage has been made and placed on a pond in Coatham Marsh, near Redcar, by artist Tony Charles. The sculpture
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'I'm an idiot' thief locked up for year
A THIEF who described himself as an idiot after being caught in the act on closed-circuit television cameras was last night starting a 12-month prison sentence. Graham Simms was high on drugs and needed money for more when he stole a mobile phone from
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Tykes continue to struggle
Somerset have continued to dominate day two of their LV County Championship clash with Yorkshire. A century from Marcus Trescothick had helped them reach tea on day two at 272 for two in Taunton. Somerset added 160 runs during the session, with Arul
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Bike stolen during garage break-in
A BIKE was stolen after a garage was burgled in Coronation sometime over the weekend. Chains holding a Carerra Banshee bike to rails cemented into the floor were cut and the bike stolen from a property in Mary Terrace. The bike was black with white
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Pupils actively pursue a fitter lifestyle
HUNDREDS of school pupils have taken part in an event to encourage them to be more active. The Junior Health Festival, which was held at the Unity City Academy, in Middlesbrough, saw primary school pupils from the east of the town enjoy a variety of
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Concern grows for missing father
THE parents of a missing man are desperate for their son to get in touch. John and Julie Fletcher are concerned they have not heard from Scott, 27, of Hartlepool, for nearly two weeks. He has also not contacted his children Lucie, four, and stepson
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Shakespeare on the move
AN outdoor touring theatre will be setting up stage in east Cleveland as it brings a little bit of culture to Gisborough Priory. Oddsocks will be putting their own distinctive spin on Shakespeare classic Macbeth on Thursday and Friday, July 21 and 22
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Train enthusiast makes Flying Scotsman model
A RAIL enthusiast has built a model of the Flying Scotsman out of recycled goods as he bids to win a ride on the locomotive. Andrew Wood, 46, of Eden Close, in Coundon, Bishop Auckland, spent around six weeks creating his model. His entry is made up
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Young gymnast gains international call up
A SPORTS star of the future is celebrating after gaining her first international call up to the Great Britain squad. Amy Tinkler, 11, of Bishop Auckland, is in the Great Britain gymnastics team taking on Sweden on May 28 and 29. The youngster has already
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Durham marching on
DURHAM began to scent their second successive innings win when they had Warwickshire rocking on 30 for three at tea on the second day, in reply to 602 for six declared. With leaders Lancashire on the way to victory at the Rose Bowl, it is vital for Durham
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Listen to tomorrow's Echo Memories
I WENT to Barnard Castle last week primarily to give a talk to the Glaxo Retired Staff Association but I thought I'd kill at least two birds with the one journey. Several people have mentioned I should look at "Murchison's house" because it had a fire
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Rush, MetroRadio Arena, Newcastle
THEY may not have had a hit single for almost three decades, but that hasn’t stopped Rush from selling over 40 million records and having more consecutive gold and platinum albums than any other artists apart from The Beatles and The Stones.
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What a cheek
Diagnosis Live from the Clinic (C4, 8pm) RHS Chelsea Flower Show (BBC2, 8.30pm) Giant Animal Moves (Five, 8pm) EMBARRASSING Bodies on C4 demonstrated that some people will drop their trousers or whip off their bra in front of the camera in return
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New play equipment for infants' school
CHILDREN are enjoying a range of new playground equipment, following a parents’ fund-raising campaign. Parents at Newton Hall Infants’ School, in Durham City, raised more than £3,000 for new equipment through the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) by
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Tata Steel back in the black
Tata Steel, which employs 1,800 North-East workers, returned to profit last year, it announced today. The firm, which last week announced 390 potential redundancies on Teesside, announced profits of more than $2bn in teh year to March compared to a loss
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Police investigate 'road rage' incident
THE public are being urged top hep an inquiry into a road rage incident which left a female motorist terrified. The woman was driving a red Mini Cooper when she just managed to avoid a collision with a Citroen van o the A19/A64 Fulford roundabout near
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Bank note printer to make job cuts
BANK note printer De La Rue, which has a large North-East operation, is planning to make job cuts after suffering a slump in profits. The 190-year-old company has not unveiled details of where the redundancies might take place as part of a restructuring
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Market report
MARKS & SPENCER was the FTSE 100 Index’s biggest faller yesterday, despite posting a 13 per cent rise in annual profits as analysts worried that its results could be “as good as it gets” for the retailer. The retail bellwether, which has enjoyed
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Business partnership names board
ONE of the region’s local enterprise partnerships has revealed the names of the business leaders who have been appointed to its board. A panel led by Barry Dodd, chairman of York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, selected the following
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Buoyant subsea firm moves base
A SUBSEA construction firm is to expand operations after moving its base in the region. Modus has forecast a 35 per cent rise in turnover to £10m in the coming year after moving into offices in the newlyrefurbished Beaumont House, in Darlington
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Easy runs
AFTER the lack of competition at Worcester last week, it again looked almost too easy for Durham this morning as they comfortably achieved maximum batting points for the fourth time in seven games. Although they then lost the record-breaking fourth wicket
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Monkeys’ business
LAMENTING the death of Eddie Rossi, ever-amiable Bishop Auckland café owner and former ice cream salesman, last week’s column recalled the great influx of stop-me-and-buy-one Italians into North-East England about 100 years ago. As if stirred
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Community wishes to be granted
A WISHING well that allows people to tell community leaders what changes they would like has been unveiled in north Durham. It has been built from recycled furniture by Durham County Councillor Stephen Robinson, who represents Benfieldside. It will
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Royalty
I READ with interest Mick Peacock’s letter about the photo of the Royal Family after the wedding and his comment about the medals worn by the Duke of Edinburgh (HAS, May 24). Prince Philip served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and
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Sad farewell
I RECENTLY visited James Finegan Municipal Hall, in South Bank, to say my personal last farewell to the mighty Wurlitzer organ (Echo, May 23). Kevin Grunill, the organ’s new owner, said about 75 people attended the last playing. Kevin will take
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Lords
JUST a short time after the resounding, and costly, defeat of the Liberal Democrats’ proposed electoral changes they are ready to have another go. As part of proposals to replace the House of Lords heredity system to an elected system, the Lib
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New houses
I REFER to CT Riley’s letter regarding the planning application for 400 new houses on the old Thorn site at Merrington Lane, in Spennymoor (HAS, May 7). Can I stress that all councillors at the Sedgefield Borough planning meeting voted in favour
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Please spare us more Vera
THE final episode of Vera on ITV on Sunday evening seemed to indicate that a further series is planned. Personally, I was not a great fan of this initial series. Brenda Blethyn, who starred as heroine Vera Stanhope, rarely gives a poor performance
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Mrs Thatcher
MARGARET THATCHER’S time as Prime Minister is blighted by instances of acting without due consultation. With the intention of changing the ways of “seaside scroungers” a ruling was passed in the Eighties that board and lodgings DHSS claimants
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Bin Laden
THE defining moment for western people sick to the back teeth of al Qaida is where they were when Osama Bin Laden was shot. But, thankful as most of us are for the elimination of a dangerous mass murderer, I have a grave reservation. Executing
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Ireland
HOW crass of DW Lacey to ask the question “why must the Irish continue to make a meal of their battle for independence?”(HAS, May 20), when surely the question should be “why can’t the British Government acknowledge the cruelty inflicted on the
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End of days
THE US evangelical broadcaster Harold Camping, 89, predicted that Jesus would return to earth on Saturday and true believers would be swept up, or “raptured”, to heaven. This being the case, I decided against cleaning my bathroom on Friday as
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The final curtain for market?
THE material for the first curtains in our present home was bought in Stockton market. The trader came weekly from Bradford, and his wares were of the quality you would expect from that then top textiles town. Rich red velvet, heavy enough, so it
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Round ready to strike
LETSGOROUNDAGAIN should carry all before him in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Maiden Stakes at Ayr. Trained the best part of 400 miles away at Barry Hills’ powerbase in Lambourn, the Redback colt ran a race full of promise
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Sunderland at Sedgefield
RACEGOERS will be able to spot a footballing icon at Sedgefield Racecourse today as a charity raceday takes place in aid of the SAFC Foundation. Sunderland chairman and former Republic of Ireland star Niall Quinn will be hostings the third annual
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North pointing to Ascot
JEREMY NOSEDA’S recent Kempton winner Point North is being aimed towards the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot next month. The Shalfleet handler saddled Forgotten Voice to win the fiercely competitive one-mile handicap a couple of years ago and Point North
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Gazza bankruptcy petition thrown out
A BANKRUPTCY petition against former Newcastle and England football star Paul Gascoigne was dismissed at the High Court today. A judge was told during a hearing lasting just minutes that Gascoigne, whose whose clubs also included Tottenham and Rangers
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30 big cat sightings reported to Durham Police over past 11 years
MORE than 30 big cat sightings have been reported to police in County Durham in the past 11 years but officers in many cases said they could find no evidence of the mysterious moggies. The large felines, often likened to pumas, panthers or jaguars, have
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Fast and furious action at Croft this weekend
AROUND 100 drivers will take to Croft Circuit this weekend. A total of 18 races feature in a programme of action for saloons, single-seaters and sportscars as part of the British Automobile Racing Club's national championship. The event features two
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Soldiers and civvies to team up for litter-pick
SOLDIERS and civilians will join forces this week, as part of an annual effort to clean up an Army base. Litter and rubbish will be collected in Catterick Garrison, tomorrow. The aim of the event is to improve the environment in the town centre and
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Fears for future of tourism centre
BUSINESS leaders have warned that one of the UK’s most historic cities could be "left behind" if councillors seek to pursue the county’s budding science and technology industry. Like much of North Yorkshire, Ripon’s economy has become increasingly reliant
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Black Cats to face Burnley
SUNDERLAND have announced their second pre-season friendly date by revealing they will travel across the Pennines to face Championship side Burnley at 3pm on Saturday July 30.The fixture will be the first between the clubs since the Clarets were relegated
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A wheely good time
A RACECOURSE has hosted a competition with a difference - one on two wheels instead of four hooves. Competitors took part in Segway races at Thirsk Racecourse, in North Yorkshire, on Monday evening. The races were held between representatives of attractions
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Share your memories of swim club's 50 years
A SWIMMING club celebrating its 50th birthday this year is calling on former members to share their memories of bygone days. Northallerton Otters Amateur Swimming Club was established in 1961 in the wake of a child’s drowning. It is
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Double vision...
A SIXTH-FORM student taking part in her first beauty contest has been crowned Miss Sunderland. Teenager Philippa Attle, from Chester-le-Street, was persuaded to take part after her mother, Beverley, put her name forward. And in the finals at
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Which couple will win our dream wedding?
THIRTY-TWO couples today appeal for your vote to help them up the aisle. The Northern Echo readers have until June 12 to register their vote for their favourite couple. Click here for the full list of entrants and details on how to vote The lucky
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Former club may reopen as a pub
A WOMAN who wants to reopen a former social club has vowed to work closely with neighbours. Experienced publican Bernice Smith wants to reopen the Victoria Social Club, above, in Victoria Road, Darlington as "an old-fashioned boozer". Ms Smith's
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Hall lined up for European title fight
DARLINGTON fighter Stuart Hall is being lined up for a maiden European and Commonwealth title fight this autumn. Hall claimed a Lonsdale Belt outright when he made a third successful defence of his British bantamweight title at Rainton Meadows
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Flood swaps Riverside for Dundee United
FORMER Middlesbrough midfielder Willo Flood has returned to Scotland to sign a two-year deal with Dundee United. Flood made 16 appearances as a Boro player, but was deemed surplus to requirements at the end of the season and released by manager
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N'Zogbia's impending departure sparks North-East interest
CHARLES N'Zogbia has been told he can leave Wigan Athletic with the Lancashire club's blessing after helping them retain their Premier League status last weekend. N'Zogbia's representatives have been given the green light to start discussing
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Henderson proud to be picked for England
DENMARK-BOUND Jordan Henderson has his sights fixed on firing his country to glory this summer after claiming he was never going to pull out of England Under-21 duty. Just 24 hours after helping to bring the curtain down on Sunderland’s Premier
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Gosling hoping to make a fresh start
HIS debut season at Newcastle has been plagued by injury, but forgotten man Dan Gosling insists he will be ready to make his mark when pre-season training gets underway in July. Gosling arrived on Tyneside last summer as a free agent after
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Why Newcastle top Sunderland in Premier League money list
TWO days after the final Premier League table was decided on Sunday, it could be argued that the rankings that really matter were published yesterday afternoon. Flicking through the list of total Premier League payments for the 2010-11 season
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Another fine mess
Car parking has become an increasingly controversial topic in Darlington, with claims from traders that over-zealous restrictions are having an impact on town centre business. Here, the editor of The Northern Echo, Peter Barron, relates his own,
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Deadline set for leisure centre plans
GROUPS hoping to take over the running of six closurethreatened leisure centres have been set a deadline to submit initial business plans. Durham County Council last night confirmed it had received a number of expressions of interest in taking
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Thieves cause £20,000 damage
NEARLY £20,000 of damage was caused to a North-East museum after lead was stolen from its roof. The lead, which police believe was taken to be sold as scrap, was removed from the roof of Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum, which is housed
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Final preparations for Take That show
A HUGE operation is ready to swing into action to ensure North-East pop fans can enjoy Take That live this weekend. Nearly a quarter of a million music fans will descend on Wearside for the band’s first shows since welcoming Robbie Williams
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Cleveland Bridge secures £35m Sri Lanka contract
A TEES Valley based steel fabrication firm has secured a £35m contract to build more than 200 road bridges for a South Asian island nation. The contract Darlington based engineers Cleveland Bridge UK (CBUK) has secured with the Sri Lankan Government
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MPs call for ban on adult film tourbus
A CONTROVERSIAL tourbus heading to the region to film young women stripping and having sex in public must be banned, MPs demanded last night. The Home Office was urged to step in only weeks before the notorious Girls Gone Wild show, run by
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'Landlady must go if pub is to remain open'
THE landlady of a pub near where a man died in an alleged assault must be replaced if it is to remain open, councillors have ordered. The stipulation that Nicola Dickens leave the Grenadier, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, was made as a condition
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City hosts spectacular start to cycling series
THOUSANDS of spectators converged on Durham City last night to witness the thrills and spills of the opening round of the 2011 Halford Tour Series. Regarded as the toughest circuit of the series, cyclists had to contend with conditions more
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Councillor in custody over sex charges
A COUNCILLOR has been remanded in custody and suspended by his party after being charged with two sexual offences. Mark Burton was arrested only days after this month’s council elections and was charged with two offences, one against a child
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Modus set for expansion after Darlington move
AN AMBITIOUS subsea construction firm is set to expand operations after moving to a new base in the region. Specialist contractor Modus has forecast a 35 per cent rise in turnover to £10m in the coming year after recently moving into offices
