Archive
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Simpson prime target for Villa
ALEX McLEISH is keen to make Newcastle United full-back Danny Simpson one of his first signings as Aston Villa manager. McLeish took over at Villa Park yesterday, despite criticism from the Villa supporters, and he is understood to have identified
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Ambition is the driving force for Ba
AFRICAN striker Demba Ba last night sealed his move to Newcastle United before explaining the club’s ambition was what helped convince him to move to Tyneside. After spending a couple of days in the North-East, the former West Ham striker flew
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Quinn promises exciting times ahead
SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn has promised supporters that he is working hard with manager Steve Bruce to build an “exciting” squad ahead of the new Premier League season. Sources close to Sweden international Sebastian Larsson last night
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Bluebirds preparing to make Taylor swoop
MIDDLESBROUGH are bracing themselves for a late move by Cardiff City that could scupper Tony Mowbray’s plans to keep Andrew Taylor at the Riverside Stadium. Cardiff yesterday confirmed Malky Mackay, the former Watford manager, has been appointed
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Darlington hero moves to Alfreton Town
Former Darlington striker Chris Senior has joined Alfreton Town.Senior scored Quakers’ winning goal in the FA Trophy final last month, but was released just four days later.He has now signed a two-year deal with Alfreton and will have the chance
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Investigation into man's treatment in police custody
THE police watchdog has launched an investigation into allegations that a man was mistreated while in the custody of a North-East police force. A 47-year-old man from Seaham, County Durham, was arrested for breach of bail conditions and allegedly resisting
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Taser expert sought for Moat trial
An expert on electrical injury is being sought to give evidence at the inquest into the death of shotgun killer Raoul Moat who was Tasered by police, a coroner said today. The 37-year-old ex-bouncer from Newcastle shot himself in the head after
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Demba deal done at Magpies
NEWCASTLE UNITED have completed the signing of Senegal international striker Demba Ba after he signed a three-year-deal at St James' Park.NEWCASTLE UNITED have completed the signing of Senegal international striker Demba Ba after he signed a three-year-deal
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Suspect tried to fix trial
A SUSPECT in a serious assault case wrote to a friend with instructions about how to make sure his accuser did not go to court to give evidence against him. Jonathan Whitworth was on remand in prison accused of throwing water over another man when he
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Heroism honoured
A North-East family was among a British party of 100 attending a long-overdue celebration of one of the British Army's oldest recipients of the VC. Explosive shells rained down on the British HQ as German snipers picked off beleaguered troops
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Town's women can get fit
WOMEN in Hartlepool are being offered street gym and Nordic walking sessions as part of the women's Begin 2 programme run by Hartlepool Borough Council's sport and recreation team. The street gym course is at Ward Jackson Park for eight weeks from Thursday
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Bramble brother guilty of rape
THE brother of Premier League footballer Titus Bramble was warned today he faces an inevitable prison sentence after being found guilty of raping a teenage girl. Tesfaye Bramble - who played for Southend United, Stockport County and Stevenage
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Grateful for help in reaching their goal
A POPULAR centre for adults with learning disabilities is to be unveiled today following a £38,000 revamp. The Warren Road day centre, in Hartlepool, now has a sensory garden, an improved light and sound room, and a spa pool following the yearlong
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Programme helps pupils' confidence
MORE than 200 schoolchildren across Teesside have been taking part in behavioural and motivational workshops. Representatives of Humanutopia, which runs intensive programmes of behavioural intervention, spent Wednesday working alongside the pupils
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Car park to get £1.4m facelift
A BUSY car park in Stockton is set to benefit from a £1.4m refurbishment. Work on the first phase of the improvements to the Castlegate Shopping Centre's multi-storey car park, just off the High Street, is expected to be completed in October.
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West put strikeforce on contract.
West Auckland have agreed contracts with their two main strikers, Mattie Moffat and Micky Rae. Moffat returned to the club last year and finished second highest scorer in the first division with 26 goals, while Rae has just been signed from
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Week Four: Preparing body and mind for the big day
Now with a little more than a week to go before the redspottedhanky.com Sunderland City 10k, nerves may be beginning to jangle. With any luck, you’ve been managing to get out regularly with a running partner for some enjoyable and rewarding session
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Police chief warns cable thieves in bid to avoid a tragedy
A POLICE chief has urged thieves who steal electrical cable to think again before they risk their own lives and the lives of others. Chief Inspector Mick Williams from Stockton has described the crime as “nonsensical’” and is shocked that “
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The song throng
TV’s Rock Choir is offering people the chance to join singing sessions. Viv Hardwick reports. THE new TV choir series everyone is talking about not only hits our screens tonight, but also boasts free Rock Choir taster sessions from this weekend
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Young road to success
A tragic moment in a Teesside youngster’s life inspired a film project which is now a benchmark for TV judges. Viv Hardwick goes behind the scenes at the Bright Spark project at Middlesbrough. AN award-winning film by young Teessiders that lasts just
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Charity event for football team
A FOOTBALL team in north Durham is dressing up as Elvis Presley, Right Said Fred and Patrick Swayze to raise money. Consett St Patrick’s Football Team is holding the Stars in their Eyes event in the church hall on Saturday June 25. Players will be entertaining
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Shrew-d move
North-East Shakespeare fans will get the chance to see a Royal Shakespeare Company play at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal in February. Viv Hardwick reports. A stars in Life for Life S predicted in 7DAYS in March, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has
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Potiche (15)
Stars: Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu, Fabrice Luchini, Karin Viard, Judith Godreche, Jeremie Renier Running time: 102 mins Rating: *** THE title translates as trophy wife – namely Suzanne (Catherine Deneuve, as gorgeous as ever), wife of
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The Messenger (15)
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Ben Foster, Samantha Morton Running time: 112 mins Rating: *** OREN Moverman’s The Messenger is a war movie, but the battles are being fought in the mind. It’s a brave film to tackle a subject that’s not obviously commercial
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Bill Atkinson: Atkinson family
BILL ATKINSON is researching his family tree and looking for descendants of his great-grandfather's sister. His great-grandfather was John Atkinson, who was born in 1846, in Byers Green, in County Durham. His sister was Mary Ann, born July 8, 1849 in
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Two men charged with manslaughter of doorman
TWO men have been charged with manslaughter following the death of North-East doorman. Father-of-three Peter Jopling, 40, from Shotley Bridge, County Durham, worked at Decades nightclub in Consett. Paramedics were called at about 3.30am after reports
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Stake Land (15 )
Stars: Nick Damici, Connor Paolo, Danielle Harris, Kelly McGillis, Michael Cerveris Running time: 98 mins Rating: ** OF course we don’t need another vampire movie but this low budget entry in the genre does at least make an effort to be something
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Bad Teacher (15)
Stars: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Justin Timberlake, Lucy Punch, John Michael Higgins, Phyllis Smith Running time: 92 mins Rating: ** BAD Teacher. Good Idea. Bad Movie. Cameron Diaz’s teacher Elizabeth Halsey is the educational world’s answer
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A family tragedy
The Kennedys (BBC2, 9pm) The King Of... (C4, 9.30pm) My Family (BBC1, 9pm) 8 Out of 10 Cats (C4, 9pm) THE story of the Kennedy clan might have been made for television. Their lives embody the American dream – and nightmare. This epic mini-series
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Why we need dads
LET’S hear it for dads. They’re not an optional extra. Sometimes it seems that way. From vast housing estates of single mums, where there’s barely a dad to be seen, to high-profile celebrities or even politicians who make fathers seem positively
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A message of intent
THERE is no doubt that Joanne Fraill has been particularly stupid. But, as the first juror to be prosecuted for contempt of court for using Facebook to contact a defendant, she has also been a little unlucky. Having heard how she caused a drugs
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Margaret Thatcher
I THINK Jim Tague (HAS, June 10) should read my letter again. At no time did I mention I was a Labour supporter. Quite the opposite, actually. I sit on the fence regarding politics. To be honest, I think Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s policies
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Prince Philip
IF the Duke of Edinburgh appeared prickly at times during his BBC TV interview with Fiona Bruce to mark his 90th birthday he could not be blamed, such was the inadequacy of the questions. When asked how he felt now that he had reached the ripe
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Foreign policy
IN a letter from JM Gowland (HAS, June 11) on the Afghanistan military situation, he calls for an end to the “special relationship” between Britain and the United States. That phrase was coined in a speech by Sir Winston Churchill at a time of
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Redcar whale
AS an ex-submariner I am well aware of the effects underwater sonar can have on divers and sea mammals. Depending on the frequency range being used, it can, and is, used to deter sea mammals from certain highly sensitive areas of the sea used
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Day trippers
There were winners and losers on and off the track at Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot yesterday. Lucy Richardson looks at the form of those who romped home victorious in the fashion stakes and those who limped past the finish post. I APPRECIATE that there
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How music makes us better folk
I EXPERIENCED a strange coincidence this week. Though, given what this is all about, maybe I should call it a harmonious one. I had a meeting with someone from The University of Teesside. Out of the blue they asked me who inspired me. I gave an
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Soap, but no washing machine
I DON’T know why I bother to follow television soap operas. They are becoming depressing. There is too much fighting, killing, lying, deceit and stealing in Eastenders. Plus, no one seems to own a washing machine – are they so hard up? If it wasn
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Rats
LARRY the Cat has done a good job on tackling the rats at Downing Street. He would face a harder task if they transferred him to the House of Commons. N Tate, Harrowgate Village.
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Pedestrian Heart
I AM sorry if councillor Bill Dixon is “sick” of council tax payers “harping” on about the town centre (Echo, May 28). Recently, our town centre has experienced a bus collision, a bus shelter demolition and only last week, a lorry crashed into
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Twist and Shout
IN response to David Lowdon (HAS June 13) who questioned the influence of The Beatles on popular music. Yes, all the different musical styles he mentioned existed before, but The Beatles made these styles popular. Until the early Sixties, the
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News
COUNTY Councillor Richard Bell has expressed the view that Durham County News should be scrapped to save money (HAS, June 1). Most of the information in this expensive magazine can be accessed by the public elsewhere. My belief is that to discontinue
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Retirement
WITH regard to proposed retirement plans for women, they are so grossly unfair they must be discussed further. My daughter is 57 and expected to claim her small state pension at the age of 60, then it was age 64, now it is to be 66 years and counting
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Boro target has other options
MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping the lure of playing English football will be enough to persuade Dutch playmaker Anouar Hadouir to bide his time before making his next move.MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping the lure of playing English football will be enough to persuade
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Police warning after second Hartlepool flasher incident
POLICE are asking the public to be vigilant after a second indecent exposure took place in Burn Valley Family Woods in Hartlepool last night. Two women, both 24, were walking through the Burn Valley at around 5.30pm and were near to an area of shrubbery
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Yes to homes after residents' backing
PLANS to turn a former care home in a residential area back into a family house have been approved following community support. Newlands, an Edwardian villa in Elton Parade, in the west end of Darlington, will now be restored to its former glory,
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Ravine was plunge 'a drunken prank'
A TEENAGER had a miraculous escape after jumping 60ft from a footbridge into a ravine in what is believed to have been a "drunken prank". The 18-year-old youth was rescued from undergrowth in Pelaw Woods, Gilesgate, Durham, in a lengthy operation
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Fast work for Barnardo's
STAFF and customers at a builders' merchant took on a speed skill challenge to raise money for a children's charity. The Darlington branch of Jewson raised £250 for Barnardo's by getting people to drill five screws into a piece of wood in the fastest
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Sporting winners receive honours
ATHLETES and teams from a wide variety of sports have been honoured at an awards ceremony. More than 100 people attended the Darlington Sports Winners Scheme on Wednesday at Hummersknott School. A spokesman said: "The committee felt that last
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First event for business club
A NEW business club will be launched in Darlington later this month. Darlington Mussel Club will hold its first event on Wednesday, June 29, at Marco Polo restaurant, in Skinnergate. Founder Geoff Bowman said the club was an informal, networking
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Students overcome taxing problems
STUDENTS at a Darlington academy have beaten 70 other schools and academies after being tested on their business knowledge. The team from St Aidan's Church of England Academy won the level two section of Challenge the Chancellor 2011. In the competition
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Chance to salute our Armed Forces
RESIDENTS of Darlington are being invited to a ceremony to honour the Armed Forces. A service will be held in the Market Place on Monday, ahead of national Armed Forces Day on June 25. A raising-the-flag ceremony will thank those serving now,
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Lifelong pal makes Atlantic crossing for 90th birthday celebrations
THE Atlantic Ocean has failed to keep two friends apart who met on the back streets of a North-East town more than 80 years ago. Marjorie Cooper celebrates her 90th birthday today with best friend Betty Goodman beside her. Mrs Goodman
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Former MP fails in expenses libel action
A FORMER North-East MP has lost his libel case against a national newspaper over reports he claimed £5 church donation on expenses. Frank Cook, who was a Labour MP for Stockton North, sued The Sunday Telegraph over three articles reporting on his expenses
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Scrap dealer facing jail for his part in £1.5m rail theft
A SCRAP dealer has been warned he faces a prison sentence for his part in the theft of £1.5m worth of train parts and cabling. Brian Brady, 52, yesterday admitted weighing in the expensive metal at a North-East yard over a ten-month period
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Forces among best for solving distraction burglaries
TWO of the region's police forces have been named among the best in the country at tackling distraction burglaries, while figures showed a third failed solve any. Northumbria Police had the highest detection rate of 49 per cent - with 22 cases
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Rapist left his victim for dead
A RAPE victim who was left for dead at an isolated spot close to a river told last night of her relief after her brutal attacker received an indeterminate prison sentence. Michael Preston was jailed indefinitely for the protection of the public
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Couple to play Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie on radio
HUSBAND and wife Tim Healy and Denise Welch have taken on one of the most daunting roles in their acting careers - portraying the legendary Sir Bobby Robson and Lady Elsie. The actors play the popular couple in a one-off radio drama to be
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Backwards step for our cricket coverage
There are times when it's best to get the embarrassment over and say sorry as quickly as possible. Today is one of those days. Our report of the Nottinghamshire versus Durham cricket match has been printed in reverse. It looks like a foreign
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Best could leave Magpies after Nolan exit
WEST HAM'S new captain Kevin Nolan aimed a thinly veiled swipe at Newcastle Uniteds decision makers yesterday before it emerged manager Alan Pardew wants to offload another goalscorer.WEST HAM'S new captain Kevin Nolan aimed a thinly veiled swipe at Newcastle
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Hartlepool United fixtures announced
Hartlepool will get the new League One season under way with a trip to MK Dons on August 6. HARTLEPOOL will get the new League One season under way with a trip to MK Dons on August 6. Home ties against Walsall and Huddersfield follow
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Middlesbrough fixtures announced
MIDDLESBROUGH will kick-off the new Championship season by welcoming Portsmouth to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, August 6. Boro fans will have to wait until October 18 to lock horns with former manager Steve McClaren though, when Tony
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Newcastle United fixtures announced
NEWCASTLE UNITED have been given the intriguing second weekend fixture of a trip to arch-rivals Sunderland when the Premier League campaign begins in August. The Magpies, who will face Arsenal at St James' Park on August 13, have been handed
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Police act to stop baby murder rumours
POLICE have been forced to counter rumours spread on a social networking site that a baby has been murdered. An investigation is underway into the death of a nine-week-old girl in Darlington - but police insist it is being carried out on behalf
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Two-year-old Farrah saved by hero binman
A BINMAN was last night being hailed a hero after saving a toddler's life. Paul Thompson was on his rounds when a distraught woman ran towards him carrying an unconscious girl, begging for his help. Mr Thompson cleared the two-year-old's
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Man drove wrong way on A19 for ten miles
A CONFUSED motorist drove ten miles in the wrong direction along a dual carriageway, a court heard. Pavlos Achilleas, a stranger to the North-East, intended to drive south back to London following a failed liaison with a woman in the region
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Region will be first to elect police chiefs
THE region will choose its first elected police chiefs next year, after the Liberal Democrats dropped their opposition to the controversial shake-up. Nick Clegg - who had urged the Cabinet to accept three-year trials of the idea in a handful
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Plan for one-site stroke service
CONTROVERSIAL plans to concentrate vital 'hyperacute' stroke treatment services at a single County Durham hospital have been announced. If the proposals are accepted it will mean that patients in County Durham and Darlington who suffer a suspected
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Hixon signs three more for RCA
Sunderland RCA manager Neil Hixon has signed three more players as the exodus from Stokesley continues. Hixon has signed two players who were at Stokesley last season. Defender/midfielder Brian Close started his career as a youngster at Middlesbrough
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Sunderland fixtures announced
SUNDERLAND face the exciting prospect of facing old foes Newcastle United in their second game of the new Premier League season. After the Black Cats have started the campaign with a date at Liverpool to face former midfielder Jordan Henderson
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Top scorer Speedy leaves Moors
Spennymoor striker Steve Richardson has decided to leave the champions for Bedlington. Richardson was a key part of Moors' title winning campaign, and with 21 league goals was their leading scorer. Moors manager Jason Ainsley said: "Speedy has informed
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Siemens deal continues revival of North-East train building
HUNDREDS more train building jobs are heading to the North-East after workers again pipped Midlands-based rivals to a lucrative Government-led order. Siemens expects to create about 300 skilled jobs at its factory in Hebburn, South Tyneside, and hundreds
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Residents meet Minister over plans for England's biggest windfarm
RESIDENTS are confident of defeating a bid to build what could be England's biggest wind farm on their doorstep, after meeting a Government minister yesterday. The bullish message came after the campaigners - faced with living in the shadow of the giant
