Archive
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Sweet dreams
Once upon a time, I saw a client who was looking to divorce his wife. I asked him the reason but was taken by surprise when he told me that their whole marriage had been dictated by the state of their bed and there was now no choice but to bring
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Attempted murder charge after prison incident
A 25-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of a fellow prisoner at a North-East jail. Carl Wilson will appear before South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court today following an incident at HMP Acklington in Northumberland on Wednesday
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Homeless charity needs donations
A CHARITY is calling on people to make donations to help the young homeless people it works with. Nightstop Teesside provides emergency temporary accommodation for homeless young people between the ages of 16 and 25 in the homes of trained volunteer
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Vintage tea party raises a china cup for charity
VINTAGE china and homemade cakes and bunting are to be brought out for a fund-raising tea party. The event in Rosedale East, near Pickering, has been organised by resident Sue Procter. She is raising money for a centre for orphans and street children
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Church closed after thieves steal lead
LEAD thieves have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a church roof. Parishioners at St Cuthbert's Church in Redmarshall, near Stockton, need to raise £30,000 to pay for structural damage on the grade I-listed building, which has been targeted
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Thieving mother spared jail term
A SHOPLIFTER who used her child in a pushchair as a decoy for her crimes walked free from court even though a judge told her she deserved to be jailed. Judge Howard Crowson described Marcela Dotkova as a professional thief and said she was being spared
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Ideas sought on flood work at beck
RESIDENTS are being asked for their ideas to improve land next to the Lustrum Beck when flood defences are built early next year. About £85,000 will be spent on work in Stockton, which includes installing a flap on a culvert, raising the height of
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Village hall banks a generous cash boost
ENTERTAINMENT and information for visitors at a village hall is coming through loud and clear thanks to the arrival of new audio visual equipment. The Banks Group has funded the equipment at Bishopton Village Hall, between Darlington and Stockton,
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Win a pair of tickets to Roger Albert Clark Rally at Croft Circuit
THE Northern Echo has teamed up with North East motorsport venue, Croft Circuit, to give away three pairs of tickets for the Roger Albert Clark Rally Saturday, December 3. The RAC is one of the world’s leading events for historic rally cars
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Plea to donate food for families
SUPERMARKET shoppers are being urged to donate unwanted food to a church to give to vulnerable families over Christmas. Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre, in Bishop Auckland, has launched its People in Crisis service which aims to help
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Councillor calls for a crossing on busy road
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to have a crossing installed on a busy road bend in a bid to prevent schoolchildren getting hurt. Councillor Brian Myers claims about 300 youngsters cross the A690, in Willington, on a tight bend every day as they walk
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Poppy parade's mystery cash gift
MORE than 300 people took part in a parade that could only go ahead thanks to a donation from a mystery benefactor. Willington Community Action had originally said it would be unable to hold the Remembrance Day parade due to the cost of closing
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Residents to vote in parish poll
RESIDENTS are being asked to vote on whether parish council officers should face disciplinary action for using the authority’s credit card for private use. Several members of Ferryhill Town Council are to hold a parish poll, similar to a referendum,
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Emergency crews help safety drive
YOUNGSTERS are being shown the dangers of speeding and careless driving in a bid to reduce road deaths. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is working with schoolchildren as part of Road Safety Week. This year, the event has been
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Norma's plight highlights support black hole
EARLIER this year I was involved in one of several concerts around the country staged as benefit events to raise funds for Norma Waterson, one of the folk scene’s leading lights for many years, and who has been stricken by illness and is currently
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American Music: Quatuor Diotima (Naive V5272)
The Quatuor Diotima present an album of American music, including Steve Reich’s haunting Different Trains, along with Samuel Barber’s String Quartet in B minor.
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Sonny Clark/Sonny’s Conception (Properbox 161)
This generously-packed four-CD set includes almost all the recordings issued under the bop pianist’s name, from his first solo and trio sessions in Oslo to his half dozen Blue Note LPs. With Art Farmer, John Coltrane, Donald Byrd and Jackie
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Handel: Streams of Pleasure (Naive V5261)
Soprano Karina Gauvin and contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux perform excerpts from some of Handel’s last works, including arias and duos from Alexander Balus, Belshazzar, Hercules, Joseph and his Brethren, Joshua and Theodora. Thrilling renditions.
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Mike Gibbs and the NDR Bigband featuring Norma Winstone/Here’s a Song For You (Fuzzy Moon Records FUZ005)
The wonderful NDR Bigband provides the most glorious backing for Norma Winstone, rich and sumptuous with the most beautiful sounds all vividly captured on disc. Norma too is at her best on a programme including Joni Mitchell’s Blue, Caravan and
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Various Artists: Listen To Me – Buddy Holly (Wrasse Records WRASS295)
RELEASED to commemorate what would have been Holly’s 75th birthday, this album celebrates the life of Charles Hardin Holley, one of rock and roll’s true pioneers. Having seen Elvis Presley perform in 1955, Holly began to incorporate a rockabilly
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Interview: Professor Green
Professor Green is topping the charts, but despite his new-found success, he tells Andy Welch he’s as anxious as ever. PROFESSOR Green is pacing around his dressing room at BBC Television Centre. It’s an iconic building, its circular structure almost
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Tanya’s torment
MAD Max Branning is a glutton for punishment. He just can’t stay away from Tanya, whose past behaviour hasn’t been entirely loving towards him. I mean, burying him alive in a coffin is hardly a sign of affection (unless you are Dracula or a
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The Nutcracker, Northern Ballet, Theatre Royal, Newcastle
CHRISTMAS must be on the horizon, and what a cracking way to ease into the festive season with Northern Ballet’s enchanting version of a ballet classic. Danced to what can be described as Tchaikovsky’s greatest hits, we join the action in the
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Rev’d up
Rev (BBC2, 9pm) Children in Need Rocks Manchester (BBC1, 8pm) Fairground Attractions (Channel 5, 8pm) MORE tea vicar? You can bet that it will be another beer and a fag, and not holy water for the Reverend Adam Smallbone. Since
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What’s up pussycat?
THE boys have been out of their minds with worry. Hermione, our cat, hasn’t been herself over the past week or two. She’s a gentle and affectionate English Blue who loves to be stroked and made a fuss of. But she has been hiding away lately, quietly
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Warrior class
Commons touch, Jon Tait has been to Parliament in his continuing battle to popularise a minority sport. AS usual it is to be a football column; unusually – uniquely, even – this is American football. Jon Tait, a 34-year-old assistant headmaster
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Durham villagers gear up for bypass battle
VILLAGERS are joining forces to fight plans to build a bypass through open countryside. Members of four residents’ groups in Bearpark, near Durham City, have teamed up as Bearpark Action Group (BAG) to oppose Durham County Council’s multi-million pound
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Feeling much more positive
I got weighed yesterday morning. I really felt I'd had a good week so was hoping to get a good result. I needed 4lbs to get me to my 4st award. I got on the scales and found I'd lost 3.5lbs. “Half a pound short,” Dawn, my Consultant
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If I can do it, anyone can
I'm Wendy from a small town in County Durham and four months ago I weighed 32st (I’m now down to 28st, so far!) I turned 40 this year and have been very unhappy for a very long time about my weight. I think I've tried every diet available to mankind
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Crusade to save legendary Yorkshire folk song
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to teach the younger generation about a song considered part of Yorkshire’s cultural heritage - and prevent it being lost forever. The song On Ilkla Moor Bah Tat - said to mean on Ilkley Moor without a hat - has been sung
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Durham council headquarters sealed off after suspicious mail found
PART of a council headquarters was sealed off after a worker received what was initially thought to be a suspicious envelope. A section of Durham County Council’s County Hall HQ, in Aykley Heads, Durham City, was closed off after a member of
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Council tax rise for Bedale residents
TAXPAYERS in Bedale will pay more for the services provided by their town council next year, after councillors agreed 5.5 per cent increase to the precept. Town councillors will ask Hambleton District Council, which collects council tax, for the higher
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Mystery of missing cats
CAT owners are being warned to be vigilant after the disappearance of several pets in Fishburn. Four cats are thought to have gone missing in the village over the past five weeks and more than 30 concerned residents attended a Police and Communities
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Northern Rock's North-East staff 'delighted' at sale
STAFF at Northern Rock's Newcastle HQ were delighted at the news that the group is to be sold to Virgin Money. Union rep Brian Cole said workers who had borne the brunt of public anger since the bank's collapse could now look with hope to the
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No such thing as a free lunch
NEVER look a gift horse in the mouth is tempting advice – but then I peered into the Government’s offer of a council tax freeze. Chancellor George Osborne has found £675m from “Whitehall underspends” (ahem) to offer town halls the chance to peg
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Respect
REMEMBRANCE Day, is a day when we remember the brave men and women who fought in our wars, some paying the ultimate price in the defence of our nation, giving us the freedoms we enjoy today. Last Friday, I was appalled to find men noisily digging
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Smokin' Joe: The greatest?
I SUPPOSE there comes a moment in every fighter’s life when everything comes together and he achieves all that he has been striving for. That moment came for Joe Frazier in his first fight against Muhammad Ali when he knocked the challenger to
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Not funny
MY wife and I decided to watch a comedian by the name of Michael McIntyre. It was a sellout show, so we thought it should be very funny. From the moment this character bounced onto the stage, shouting and bawling and waving his arms and legs about
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Teesdale buses
DURHAM County Council is inviting transport operators to bid for the right to run some of the threatened bus services in Teesdale (Echo, Nov 5). According to the last paragraph, Arriva has not ruled out bidding to operate some of the axed services
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Strike call
I WOULD like to know how the National Association of Head Teachers can justify a strike when only 53.6 per cent of its members voted. Only 75 to 89 per cent of these were in favour of striking, this represents 40.6 of the total membership – hardly
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Army veteran's nostalgic tale
AN Army veteran has published his first book, chronicling his early days in the service. Fred Carslake, 70, hopes to track down former comrades through publication of his book ‘The Harrogate Army Apprentice - Our Story’. Mr Carslake, who lived in
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Football
INSTEAD of David Cameron playing god by pressing Fifa to allow Engliand’s footballers to wear a poppy in a meaningless friendly he should upbraid the, for not even opening their mouths when the national anthem is played. In my view, this is a
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Prison staff
PRISON officers do an extremely difficult and dangerous job and they are entitled to all the support they can get from the rest of us, including, very definitely, the judiciary. The not guilty verdict on Kevan Thakrar was an absolute disgrace,
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Eating out?
WITH an increasing number of public houses closing due to declining trade, a recent Eating Out article by Nigel Burton (Echo, Nov 14) highlights the unique English approach to this problem with many deciding to lose a day’s takings and close on
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Clergy costs
UNFORTUNATELY, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is unwilling or unable to recognise that he, as an Archbishop of the Church of England, is an employee of one of the biggest land and property owners, and therefore one of the richest institutions
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Immigration
WE have just celebrated another Rememberance Sunday in honour of the service personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting the interests and the shores of this country. Our politicians, on the other hand, feel it necessary
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And so it begins...
AT the end of last week, we expressed serious concern about a “not guilty” verdict on a convicted triple murderer who attacked prison officers with a broken bottle. Kevan Thakrar admitted the assault at Frankland Prison in Durham but was cleared
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Recognition for community stalwart
A STALWART of a community organisation has received a national award in recognition of his years of service. Marcus Grover, vice chairman of Northallerton and District Round Table, has been a member of the fundraising group since 1987.
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Sweet idea for piano concert
THE sweet sound of music filled the air at Barnard Castle School during a chocolate-inspired concert. Five pupils from the school hosted a piano concert based on the theme of music and sweets, prepared by the school's music tutor, Dr Antonina Koleva
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It’s hard work
Yesterday, the number of unemployed young people aged 16 to 24 hit the one million mark for the first time. The Government responded with a series of measures, including the cutting of red tape to make it easier for companies to take on young apprentices
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Cree project launched
A PROJECT is being launched to help men who feel isolated to break out of their shells and face any problems in their lives. East Durham Trust is supporting a range of groups aimed at reducing social isolation among men, with funding from County Durham
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Woman on crutches kicked at policeman
A WOMAN with a pot on her ankle and using a crutch kicked out at a policeman after she was arrested while drinking with friends, magistrates were told. CarolMary O'Connor's plan to cheer herself up during a day out with friends in Darlington town
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Alcoholic sold drug to man
AN alcoholic sold cannabis to a man outside a town centre pub. Anthony James Howard, 52, of Westmoreland Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to one charge of supply of the class B drug and one of possession of cannabis when he appeared before the town's
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Nose broken as friends row
A MAN'S nose was broken during a fight with his brother and best friend during a night out, a court was told. Philip Colin Brown, 25, of Haughton Road, Darlington, admitted using threatening words or behaviour on October 28 when he appeared
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Snap to it!
AMATEUR photographers are being urged to turn their cameras to the regeneration of Darlington for an annual competition. The theme of the 2012 Darlington Thru The Lens competition has been decided as regeneration and how it is reflected in the town
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Pupils criticise alcohol advertising
A GROUP of teenage researchers have found that alcohol advertising aimed at adults is also influencing children in the North-East. Click here to for more information on Alcohol Awareness Week and to sign the Balance petition The Year
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Branson and Virgin buy Northern Rock
SIR Richard Branson's Virgin Money is to buy nationalised lender Northern Rock in a £747m deal, the Treasury announced today. The takeover of the Newcastle-based bank, which was taken into public ownership in February 2008, is expected to be
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Zurbarans' saviour to get royal honour
THE philanthropist and wealthy investment manager who saved the Zurbaran paintings for the North-East will be honoured by the Prince of Wales today. Jonathan Ruffer will receive one of only five 2011 Medals for Arts Philanthropy, which celebrate
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Jobless figures up by 20,000 to 17-year high
UNION leaders claim a sharp rise in unemployment shows the region is “bleeding to death”. The North-East jobless total increased by 20,000 to a 17-year high of 146,000 in the three months to September, official figures showed. The region
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Proposals unveiled to save arts centre
CAMPAIGNERS trying to prevent the final curtain falling at an arts venue have put forward alternative proposals for the facility. Darlington for Culture believes it has a viable business plan to run Darlington Arts Centre, which is expected
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Jury told of relationship's violent past
A WOMAN who died six months after a violent attack at the hands of her former partner had been subjected to a history of repeated domestic violence by him, a jury was told yesterday. Kathryn Cook, 44, was found unconscious in her bedroom by
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"No prospects, no trust, no self worth"
A schoolgirl abuse victim, who has finally seen her attacker brought to justice, tells Lauren Pyrah how the assault has destroyed her life. “HE isn’t a paedophile, he’s a predator. He is a danger to everyone.” These are the words the victim
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England exit not players' fault - Johnson
Martin Johnson denied he had been let down by his players after confirming his resignation as England team manager yesterday. Johnson confirmed English rugby's worst-kept secret when he announced he would not renew his contract, which runs out at the
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Hard work starts now: Capello
Fabio Capello said farewell to his players for another year with a clear warning that their work is not yet over. In defeating Sweden 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a Daniel Majstorovic own goal, England ended a 43-year hoodoo against the Scandinavians.
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Le Tissier not surprised by Pardew
Pardew was appointed as Chris Hughton's successor at St James' Park almost a year ago, three months after he was sacked by Southampton despite guiding the Saints to their first piece of silverware since 1976. Pardew's appointment came as
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Position doesn't reflect performances, says Larsson
The Black Cats have won only two of their opening ten games of the new campaign, form which has left Steve Bruce's side languishing dangerously above the relegation zone. A things stand, the Wearsiders are one point above the bottom three and failure
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Shard of Glass spire takes shape on North Yorkshire airfield
THE spire at the peak of Britain's tallest building has taken shape on a North Yorkshire airfield ahead of its installation in London. Severfield-Rowen carried out a trial build of the 500 tonne structure which will top the Shard of Glass on land adjacent
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No stepping stone, assures Farbrace
FORMER Kent director of cricket Paul Farbrace has assured his Yorkshire bosses that he does not view his new role as their second-team coach as a stepping stone to a bigger job. The 44 year-old ex-wicketkeeper arrives at Headingley as part
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Tait hails ‘magnificent’ capture of Tu’ifua
Newcastle Falcons boss Alan Tait has described the signing of Samoan World Cup star Taiasina Tu'ifua as a "magnificent capture" for the Aviva Premiership club. Flanker Tu'ifua has started training with the Falcons, and Tait is enthused by his arrival
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Jail for Darlington soldier who stole war medals from comrades to sell on eBay
A SOLDIER who burgled his comrades’ rooms to steal their medals which he then sold for thousands of pounds on eBay has been jailed for five years. Sergeant Gordon Hill, 37, of Nursery Lane, in Darlington, was branded disgraceful by a judge
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Poll to decide on card misuse action
RESIDENTS are being asked to vote on whether parish council officers should face disciplinary action for using the authority’s credit card for private use. Several members of Ferryhill Town Council are to conduct a parish poll, similar to a referendum
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Cream is a case of hi ho silver
A HOSPITAL anaesthetist and a farrier are to take the equestrian world by storm with a silver-infused oil they cooked up in their kitchens. The hoof oil uses the antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of silver to prevent horses getting foot
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Ale Caesar! Tony "The Roman" Jose conquers local pub
HE made news worldwide for transforming his terraced home into a shrine to the honour of Caesar. Now Tony “The Roman” Jose has revealed his personal empire’s first glorious conquest – his local pub. Eighteen months ago, he hit the headlines
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Burn and Smith inspire Liddle’s rising stars
DAN BURN and Michael Smith are shining examples to Darlington's burgeoning youth team of what they can achieve. That is the view of Craig Liddle, who cites the duo as being an inspiration to the club's next crop of local talent. Burn and Smith both
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No luck in Boro position, says Bates
Boro lie third in the table behind Southampton and West Ham going into Saturday's match with Blackpool at the Riverside thanks to an excellent start to the season which saw Mowbray's men set a new club record of eleven games without defeat. That form
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Manufacturer Apex wins major hospital contract
A FAST growing manufacturing firm has secured a major contract to supply the electrical wiring for a new hospital development in Scotland. Durham City based Apex Wiring Solutions will supply the wiring for a new emergency care centre at Aberdeen Royal
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"Terrorist" led police on chase
A SELF-CONFESSED terrorist killer has been jailed for leading police on a terrifying chase in his car – all because he was having a bad day. Roy Richmond sped along a footpath at 50mph in a desperate bid to evade a pursuing patrol car on the outskirts
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Festival will bathe city streets in light
A SPECTACULAR light festival begins tonight. Lumiere 2011 will be held in Durham City each night until Sunday. Click here to view a map showing Lumiere installations, events and utilities Thirty-five art installations can be viewed
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Three warders hurt in fresh jail attacks after Thakrar acquittal
THREE North-East prison officers have been hospitalised after inmates shouting “PTSD” attacked them, sources close to the jail have claimed. The assaults, which rocked Durham Prison on Tuesday afternoon, came days after claims of post-traumatic
