Archive
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Brothers jailed after family feud ended in violence
A JUDGE has today jailed two brothers for smashing up a car in a terrifying armed attack when a family feud erupted into violence. Jason and Wayne Dixon rounded on their brother-in-law Robert Brogan after simmering tensions reached boiling point last
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Yorkshire need to dig in on final day
Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow has called on his side to show their battling qualities on the final day against Somerset. The Tykes lost three late wickets at Taunton to put themselves into a difficult position. Things appeared to be going
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Durham held up by rain
DURHAM'S drubbing of woeful Warwickshire was held up by rain and another injury to Steve Harmison yesterday. But in the 15 overs which were possible they made good progress, three of the four wickets they took going to Ben Stokes, while Michael
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All aboard the Hitachi express!
If anyone doubted the significance of the new generation of express trains being built at Newton Aycliffe, they should have been at the Hitachi open day today. Around 1,000 people, representing 600 companies, turned out to register an interest
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Residents call for living allowance fund to be kept
A HOME for disabled people has called on the Government to protect a vital allowance that allows residents with poor mobility to get out and about. The Leonard Cheshire Disability Home at Bradbury House, in Crook, has joined the campaign in support
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Pupils bring history to life
STAFF and students took a step back in time to celebrate their school's 150th anniversary yesterday. Pupils and their teachers at Escomb Primary School, near Bishop Auckland, dressed in Victorian-style clothes and enjoyed some of the lessons, activities
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Seaside fun for town's big birthday
VINTAGE vehicle lovers are in for a treat when a seaside town plays host to a car and air show as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations. Organiser Glenn Pearson, who owns the Seaview Restaurant, near Saltburn Pier, is expecting 80 vehicles to turn
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Free cooking workshops for kids
FREE children’s cooking activities will be on offer at Barnard Castle’s annual Meet at the weekend. The Love Food Project, which supports the promotion and use of locally grown or reared food in Teesdale, is collaborating with Jan Hodgson from Season
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Meet new mayor
A NEW mayor has taken up his post in Stockton. Councillor Paul Baker, above, who represents the Newtown area of the town, has taken over from Councillor Colin Leckonby. The mayor was voted in at Stockton Borough Council's annual general meeting at the
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Award for 65 years of work
A SCOUT leader has been given the movement's highest honour 65 years after he joined his first pack. Colin Clarke, from Startforth, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, said his passion for the Scout movement was as strong as when he became a member
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Urban farm springs into action
A POPULAR urban farm has witnessed a record number of births this spring. Newham Grange Country Farm, in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, has welcomed 29 lambs including 13 Kerry Hill, 12 Whitefaced Woodland, two Cameroon and two Cameroon-Soay cross. Cows
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Campaigners urge action over energy
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are calling on a local MP to challenge the Government to take tougher action to tackle climate change. Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, is being urged by members of the Middlesbrough and Redcar Friends of the Earth
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Women's advice centre gets cash boost
A DOMESTIC abuse centre has received a much-needed cash injection from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme. My Sister's Place women's advice centre received £159,419 to ensure it can continue to support women and their children at high
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Take That star nervous ahead of Stadium of Light gig
TAKE That star Howard Donald has spoken of his nerves ahead of the band's reunion stadium tour - and said he is trying not to think about what might go wrong. The group are due to kick off a sell-out tour in Sunderland, which will see them perform to
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Teenager, 14, escapes death after falling into North Sea
A 14-YEAR-old boy had a narrow escape when he fell into the North Sea in Hartlepool this afternoon. The boy had been fishing on the North Gare with his friend, when he slipped over the edge and fell into the sea. The police helicopter was called to
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Improved transport for boxing club members
ASPIRING boxers in Shildon will travel to tournaments more comfortably after their club's ageing minibus was replaced. Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership (AAP) stepped in to replace Shildon Amateur Boxing Club's transport because
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In pursuit of science and not the fox
Chris Lloyd went to Barnard Castle in search of fire plates and stumbled across a blue plaque that flew him to the moon. ON the moon is a crater called Murchison. In New Zealand is a town called Murchison, as there is in Australia. In
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Falling in love again... with Marlene
Viv Hardwick talks to Sarah Parks about taking on the role of Marlene Dietrich in Scarborough. AN air of tragedy has been added to the revival of Marlene at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, following the death of playwright Pam Gems – who
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Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (U)
Stars: Zachary Gordon, Devon Bostick, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris, Robert Capron, Peyton List Running time: 101 mins Rating: ** THE second of the week’s sequels, a follow-up to another surprise hit. But Diary Of A Wimpy Kid 2 couldn’t be further
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Show explores death in ancient China
A NEW exhibition exploring ancient Chinese burial practices has opened at a North-East museum. The display, which includes objects reflecting the beliefs and traditions of ancient China’s Han dynasty, will be at Durham University’s Old Fulling Mill Museum
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Global glory
Artistic director of The Globe, Dominic Dromgoole, talks to Viv Hardwick about the merits of touring to North Yorkshire in spite of lack of funding. THE rising reputation of Shakespeare’s open-air The Globe, in London, means that its non-Arts
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Man remanded on kidnap and sex assault charges
A MAN was remanded in custody today after appearing in court charged with four counts of kidnapping and indecent assault. David Bryant, 64, was arrested on Tuesday after an investigation into four sexual assaults on young girls in the 1980s and 1990s
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The Hangover Part II (15)
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Mason Lee Running time: 101 mins Rating: *** THE location has changed but the jokes remain much the same in this sequel to the raucous 2009 comedy about a disastrous
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Bottoms up! Part II
Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis talk about repeating the plot of The Hangover in Thailand. Steve Pratt reports. THERE’S one thing that Bradley Cooper doesn’t want to talk about in relation to The Hangover Part II – Mel Gibson’s
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‘I was £2.2m in debt’
Mrs Brown creator Brendan O’Carroll tells Viv Hardwick how he’s managed to achieve success from the brink of financial meltdown. SO is Brendan O’Carroll finally out of debt, having made a fortune as the monstrous comedy character Mrs Brown in the
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Sebastian: Total
THIS long-awaited debut album follows an already impressive series of EPs and a remix compilation featuring Daft Punk, Kelis and The Kills, amongst others. This is hard to classify, taking in the sound palette of hip-hop, R&B, disco and techno
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Tribes: We Were Children EP
OF the few tipped Next Big Things, none have earned the title more than Camden-hailing Tribes. If the past couple of years have been a rock ‘n’ roll radio ice age, right now our toes are teetering on the edge of a lush new dawn. Joining the
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V-Moda Crossfade LP - the world's most fashionable headphones
BIG headphones aren’t just functional, these days they’re fashionable too. Those tiny white earphones that come boxed with iPods are set to become a thing of the past as kids bin them in favour of something more substantial (and rather better sounding
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Meredith Monk: Songs of Ascension (ECM New Series 476 4307)
This important new work was conceived as a continuous composition; a departure from her recent collaged works. Monk enjoys writing for a string quartet as though the instruments are themselves voices. Here, she teams up with a string quartet of
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Halle: English Spring (CD HLL 7528)
With its latest release, the Halle returns with a collection of lesser-known English orchestral works, showcasing the full range of colour and brilliant playing of this ensemble. Sir Mark Elder and the Halle, who recently thrilled a Sage audience
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Bob Dylan
AS you may have heard, my favourite folk singer Bob Dylan just reached the grand old age of 70 earlier this week, and among the many accolades and tributes is a two-CD set called Younger Than That Now, compiled by York-based singer Chris Eusden
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Rare seal gives North-East its approval
A RARE bearded seal pup was blown hundreds of miles off course from its home in the Arctic seas - to the Northumberland coast. The young traveller is the first recorded visitor of its species to land in the region. Spotted last weekend on Beadnall
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James Farm (Nonesuch 7559- 79778-0)
This is the name of a new quartet featuring Joshua Redman on tenor and soprano saxophones, Aaron Perks, mostly piano, Matt Penman, bass, and Eric Harland, drums. A talented and experienced group of musicians, they clearly gel as a unit. All the
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Lee Konitz, Brad Mehldau, Charlie Haden and Paul Motian/Live at Birdland (ECM 273 6987)
Any one of these names would be enough to draw one’s attention, but together they are compelling. This live session, in New York’s famous Birdland, must have been a wonderful occasion and it’s great to have this small selection, drawn from two nights
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A dream realised
ONE of the greatest influences on country music had to be The Byrds and one of the greatest influences on pop music had to be The Hollies. So when high harmony singer Graham Nash left the Hollies and teamed up with David Crosby from The Byrds
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'I'd just sing'
Evolution Weekender headliner Katy B is feeling a little bowled over now she’s seen as a star in her own right. Andy Welch reports. IN SPITE of launching a successful debut album and tour, Tyneside’s Evolution Weekender star name Katy B makes
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In the hot seat
ALBERT Square doctor Yusef Khan might well be in need of medical attention himself in EastEnders (BBC1) after winding up Masood Ahmed. The two are old rivals. Zainab has been married to both of them, currently to Masoon although Yusef has appeared
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Marianne Faithfull, The Sage, Gateshead
ABOUT 100 years ago when I was 14, Marianne Faithfull was my style icon and the reason I bought a pair of pink bellbottom trousers and grew my hair long. She had it all. She was beautiful, with her face-framing blonde hair and bee-stung lips,
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Tall order
World’s Tallest Man: Looking for Love (C4, 10pm) The Film Show (C4, 12.10am) Ideal (BBC3, 10.30pm) The Shadow Line (BBC2, 9pm) SULTAN KOSEN, from Turkey, was crowned the world’s tallest man in September 2009 – and he’s still growing. The 27-year-old
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A hairy old time
I COULD tell from my husband’s voice on the phone that it wasn’t good news. “Can you get the jump leads? I’m about two miles away.” He had been dropping our 15- year-old and his friends off at Pickering, to catch a coach which was taking them off
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Dog so hungry it tried to gnaw through tin cans, court told
A MAN who starved a dog for so long that it tried to gnaw into metal cans of dog food has been banned from keeping animals. David Fredrick Wilson's German Shepherd called Stacy was found weighing just 15kg - half her optimum weight, a court heard. Hartlepool
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Rain delay
DURHAM’S steam-rollering of woeful Warwickshire was held up by rain this morning, with only eight balls bowled. It was enough for Ben Stokes to take the final wicket and finish with four for 48 without addition to the overnight total. Play began an
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Showing Willington
OPENING time again, asked formally to cut the ribbon at the Phoenix Christian Centre, in Willington. No matter that the cut became a sustained assault – the scissors’ fault; you know what they say about bad workmen – it’s a remarkable, even visionary
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Black Diamond anniversary
One of the most terrible disasters in Durham mining history will be remembered this weekend. SIXTY years to the day since the underground explosion that ripped away 83 lives, Easington Colliery will solemnly, sombrely remember on Sunday. The memorial
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Fight of the Living Dead
THE extraordinary scrap for survival in the Cabinet is beginning to resemble last weekend’s desperate fight to dodge the drop from the Premier League. On the last day of the football season, no fewer than five teams were threatened with relegation
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Religion
FORTUNATELY HAS readers can differentiate between a jaundiced anti-religious tirade from Rob Meggs and reality (HAS, May 25). The church is accused of being against the good things in life. What nonsense. The church, all major
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Magnificent Mansfield
JAYNE MANSFIELD was an American actress in the Fifties and Sixties. Her voluptuous figure and good looks made her a natural heir to the mantle of Marilyn Monroe. Indeed, her bosom was so famous that talk-show host Jack Paar once welcomed the
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History
TWO hundred people visited the history exhibition held at the Ferryhill cemetery, and now the town council is set to make it permanent. In a town with a population approximately 13,500, 200 visitors represents just 1.48 per cent. Can we afford
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Royalty
PRINCE PHILIP served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War straight from school in 1939. He served aboard HMS Ramillies in 1940 and later the battleship Valiant in Alexandria, being mentioned in dispatches during action in 1941. He
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Star wars?
DOES anybody else believe that aliens are responsible for the current volcanic ash cloud that is in the sky above Iceland ? I have read that there are a few underground alien bases beneath some volcanoes, so could they be to blame for the recent
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Ken Clarke
JUSTICE Secretary Kenneth Clarke needs to keep quiet about a very delicate subject such a rape. Clearly, he doesn’t know what he is talking about. As Ed Miliband said: “All rapes, no matter what circumstances they are committed in, should all
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Fishing
HAVING seen recent adverts by Northumbrian Water Authority urging people to use its reservoirs, I decided to go to Grassholme Reservoir, in Teesdale. I was accompanied by a friend, who is new to fishing, and my intention was to teach him how
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Re-shuffle for turf-growing firm
A TURF-growing company’s management restructuring has sown the seeds of success. Tyas Turf, based at Murkey Hill, Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, is reaping the benefits of a reorganisation which sees new manager James Metcalfe at the controls. He and
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Euro woes
THE motivation behind the creation of the Euro was not to improve the economies of European countries, but the means to bind it together in order to create a new country called Europe, run by the EU. UKIP’s objections to the euro were twofold
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New world conflicts
IN years to come, the debate will still be raging over who was to blame for the public sector cuts which began to bite in 2011. Was it David Cameron’s Coalition Government recklessly cutting the deficit too quickly and deeply, or was it the fault
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Caring couple
As Foster Care Fortnight continues, Steve Pratt talks to a North-East couple who have been carers for 30 years, looking after babies, toddlers and teenagers – and the difficulty of saying goodbye to them. ANNE and David Charnley have a large family
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New leader for trade group
A TOURISM body has appointed a new chairwoman and is seeking more members. Jessica Sherriff has taken over from Yvonne Rose as chairwoman of the Bedale Chamber of Trade and Tourism. Ms Sherriff, who runs Aiskew-based Jessica Jewellery
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'Glamping' site on planners' agenda
PLANNERS will today debate proposals for a controversial camp site on farmland. Developer Barnaby Smith wants to install up to 40 timber ‘eco-pods’ and safari-style tents or caravans on land at Baxby Manor, near Husthwaite, near Thirsk. The plans, which
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Biker injured in moorland crash
A MOTORCYCLIST is seriously ill in hospital after a smash on a moorland road notorious for bike accidents. Police are now appealing for information for other road users in an effort to piece together the circumstances. The smash happened on the B1257
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Government accused of being Anti-Northern
DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg has been accused of ducking an opportunity to defend the Coalition Government's record - amid claims it is "anti-Northern". Mr Clegg was due to speak at a conference in Newcastle today organised by the left-leaning think
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Club to be a foil for bad behaviour
YOUNGSTERS in Darlington are being steered away from causing trouble on the streets in favour of taking up the sport of fencing. The Street Swords team will be going into schools and youth clubs in the town to gauge interest in the activity before
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Improvements bid for nature reserve
VITAL improvements are being planned for a Darlington nature reserve to boost its attraction to anglers. Environmental charity Groundwork North-East has submitted plans for Maidendale Nature Reserve, near the Firthmoor estate. Its plans include
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Support group shows artwork
A CHARITY support group will hold a members' art display during a cake break event. The Darlington and District Branch of the MS Society has a number of artists among its ranks. Tomorrow, they will display their work at Elm Ridge Methodist Church
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Cheryl Cole replaced on US X Factor over Geordie accent fears
CHERYL Cole has been replaced as a judge on the new US version of The X Factor, it was claimed today. The 27-year-old singer's place on the show - which debuts in September - is likely to be taken by ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, according to
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Paralympic hopeful's plea to save leisure centre
A PARALYMPIC hopeful has called on a council not to close the leisure centre where he learned to swim. Lyndon Longhorne, 15, from Crook, County Durham, yesterday handed a 4,000 signature petition to Durham County Council, which is consulting over plans
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Reaching target audience with Big Society message
In her monthly column, Barbara Gubbins, chief executive of the County Durham Community Foundation, reflects on the debate generated by David Cameron’s Big Society concept and how different sectors of the community are embracing it, or otherwise. THIS
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Ash cloud boosts rail travel
EAST Coast rail cashed in on disruption at airports caused by the volcanic ash cloud by carrying 5,000 extra passengers. The publicly-run railway was one of the few beneficiaries from Tuesday's travel disruption which saw 68 flights in and
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On trail of the big cats
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 creatures. The large felines, often likened to pumas, panthers
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Trust aims to help cut traffic
THE National Trust is playing its part bin attempting to reduce summer congestion on the roads of the Yorkshire Dales. To ease some of the pressure, the Trust is again helping to fund a shuttle bus service to key destinations including Settle and Malham
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School transport cuts are backed
THE leader of the North-East’s biggest council heralded a “new world” of unprecedented public spending cuts yesterday as his authority axed free transport to faith schools. The plan by Durham County Council, which faces having to make £125m
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Region to be offered chance to lead offshore energy revolution
THE North-East will be offered the chance to lead Britain's offshore wind energy revolution today - as the home of a new £25m cutting-edge research base. Business Secretary Vince Cable will announce a contest to host an elite 'Technology and
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It’s not quite George and Tony yet
BARACK OBAMA joined David Cameron for a joint press conference yesterday. Watching Mr Obama closely, I realised he does not walk like most of us – he pads, stealthily, like a big cat. Alongside him, in the shadow of magnificent 19th Century Lancaster
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MP's concern at £5.3m Durham City revamp
AN MP has hit out at a delay-riddled £5.3m city centre regeneration scheme, branding it 'disappointing' and an 'accident waiting to happen'. Roberta Blackman-Woods, MP for Durham City, made the outspoken remarks in condemning Durham City Vision's
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Firms hoping to reap rewards of rail deal
Hundreds of companies from across the region will visit Newton Aycliffe today to examine the possibility of joining the Hitachi supply chain. Joe Willis speaks to four firms about their hopes. WORK is due to start on Hitachi’s Intercity Express Programme
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Great Dane which 'bit off courier's nose' only wanted to say hello
A DELIVERY driver was told two barking Great Danes just wanted to “say hello” moments before one leapt at him and bit the end of his nose off. Stephen McQuiggin yesterday spoke of the “sledgehammer” blow when one suddenly attacked as he stood
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Man due in court charged with 1995 abduction and assault of two girls
A 64-YEAR-OLD man was last night charged with abducting and assaulting two girls who were abandoned semi-naked miles from their homes during the Nineties. In a crime that struck terror in parents throughout the North-East, the girls were allegedly snatched
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David Cameron's in-laws object to abattoir plan
PRIME Minister David Cameron's in-laws have condemned plans to build an abattoir close to their stately home. Councillors will today decide whether to allow the slaughterhouse to be created in the village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, near York. Officials
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Tata Steel defends job cuts as it announces £1.2bn profits
TATA Steel last night defended its decision to axe 390 North-East jobs just days before announcing a £1.5bn increase in profits. The Indian firm, which employs 1,800 workers in the region, announced on Friday that is proposing to make 300 workers redundant
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Funding award has North East firm buzzing
A COMPANY set up by a Durham University graduate has developed a monitoring device that could halt the decline in bee population which threatens global food supplies. Currently, beekeepers, farmers and food producers are dependent on someone
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Thirsk groups celebrate National Volunteers Week
STAFF and volunteers from two Thirsk organisations are joining forces to celebrate National Volunteers Week on June 1 to 7. Members of The World of James Herriot and Thirsk Volunteer Centre are hosting a historical walk around the market town
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Open Garden in Aid of Hospice
A two acre garden full of unusual plants and climbers will open to the public in Carthorpe near Bedale this Sunday 29th May from 2pm to 5pm. Commander & Mrs Brigham are throwing open their garden at Manor House Carthorpe, in aid of Herriot Hospice