Archive
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Cyclist, 74, dies after collision with car
AN elderly cyclist died after a collision with a car today. The 74-year-old man was riding on Darlington Back Lane, near Fox Hill Farm, between Sadberge and Stockton, when he was involved in an accident with a blue Renault Espace at 2.25pm
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Baker's rickshaw challenge raises £1.3m for Children in Need
COUNTY Durham-born One Show presenter Matt Baker raised more than £1m for Children in Need after cycling almost 500 miles on a rickshaw in just eight days. He started at Edinburgh Castle and travelled through Hawick, Hexham, Barnard Castle, York, Lincoln
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Like father, like son
Steve Pratt chats to the entertainer who likes to known as Barnaby about his love of pantomime and the success of his son, Barnaby ‘Barney’ Harwood. FASCINATING if potentially confusing fact time: new Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood’s real name
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Justice (15)
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Guy Pearce, January Jones, Jennifer Carpenter, Harold Perrineau, Xander Berkeley. Director: Roger Donaldson Running time: 104 mins Rating: 3/5 NEW Orleans schoolteacher Will Gerard (Nicolas Cage) sees his world
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The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (12A)
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Billy Burke, Chaske Spencer, Booboo Stewart, Julia Jones, Sarah Clarke. Director: Bill Condon
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Big days for British basketball
WITH the NBA lockout depriving British fans of their weekly fix of Stateside hoops action, and next year's Olympics promising to showcase the sport's appeal, Durham Wildcats head coach Dave Elderkin feels there has never been a better time to grow basketball
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It’s the Twilight zone
He’s won an army of devotees playing a sexy vampire in The Twilight Saga, but as the penultimate movie is released actor Robert Pattinson is already dreaming of an end to the craziness that comes with fame. Shereen Low reports. THREE years
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Recycled fashion for Durham fundraiser
SCHOOL girls donned clothing made from recycled goods to raise money for Children in Need. Students at Durham High School for Girls, in Durham City, took to the catwalk at lunchtime on Friday. They were challenged to create outfits made from cardboard
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Plea for Christmas presents to help Bishop Auckland's poor
THE Salvation Army is seeking donations of presents to hand out to disadvantaged children at Christmas. The Salvation Army, on Cross Street, Shildon, is to hold a Christingle and toy service to help local youngsters. The charity hands out gifts to children
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Artwork to brighten up train station
TRAIN passengers are to be greeted by colourful paintings as work is carried out to improve a train station. The Friends of Shildon Station group has worked with local teams to create a series of artwork panels for the station. The Friends group adopted
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Grin and bear it
Children In Need (BBC1, 7.30pm) Unreported World (C4, 7.30pm) Janet Jackson – Taking Control (BBC4, 10pm) IT’S that time of year again when, thanks to the selfless actions of a philanthropic teddy bear by the name of Pudsey, we get to make a big
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Meeting to debate plans for homes
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 1,000 homes and a new police force headquarters is to be discussed at a meeting. Middlesbrough Council's planning and development committee is moving from the town hall to Middlesbrough Teaching and Learning
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Shoplifters warned to stay away
PROLIFIC shoplifters are being warned to stay away in the run up to the festive period. Suspected offenders operating in the Redcar area will receive a personal Christmas card through their letterbox as police launch their annual seasonal crime prevention
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Mansion to be turned into flats
A VICTORIAN mansion described as being of "immense local importance" is to be turned into flats. Tunstall Court, built for the Furness shipbuilding family who helped create West Hartlepool, has been derelict in recent years and a magnet for vandals
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Valuable heirlooms stolen in house raid
BURGLARS took silver heirlooms worth thousands of pounds from a house, while the elderly homeowners were upstairs. Officers are investigating the burglary which took place near Wolsingham, in Weardale, on Wednesday night. It is believed thieves
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Africa aid legacy aim for church
A CONGREGATION that has raised thousands for a village in Africa is holding its final moneyspinning concert in its church, which is due to close next year. Worshippers at The Avenue Methodist Church, in Middlesbrough, have already raised £18,000 for
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Centre demolition plan is drawn up
A REDUNDANT leisure centre could be demolished by the end of the year, although no future use has been found for the site. Durham County Council has announced a timetable of demolition for Glenholme Leisure Centre in Crook, which shut on October 1
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Ambling back
Jenny Needham and her husband make a return visit to hotel where they spent their honeymoon – and find it much more relaxing this time round. THE Lake District is simply stunning. No wonder it draws tourists from all over the world. But this
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Best of a bad job?
HOWEVER the Government tries to spin the sale of The Northern Rock to Virgin Money, a loss will always be a loss. Taxpayers stumped up £1.4bn to save the bank from going under in January last year. Assuming the most optimistic outcome from yesterday
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Alcohol legacy in pregnancy
There is growing concern that increasing numbers of babies are being damaged by their mothers drinking during pregnancy. Health Editor Barry Nelson listened to a North-East expert. IT is quite shocking when a hospital consultant compares alcohol
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Residents support call for council disciplinary action
RESIDENTS in Ferryhill have voted in favour of disciplining town council officers who misuse the authority’s credit card. Several members of Ferryhill Town Council brought a parish poll this week after they became angry at the actions of a town council
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Ashington and Whitley swop players
Northumberland neighbours Ashington and Whitley Bay have been invovled in a transfer swop today which sees players returning to their previous clubs. Ashington have signed striker Phil Bell from Whitley. Bell was with Ashington last season, and moved
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Easington threatened with suspension for unpaid fines
Second Division Easington have been threatened with suspension from the league if they don't pay their outstanding fines. The league took the step afere two cheques sent by the club to pay fines and the league's bulletins at the previous management committee
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Hug a goodie
MY wife will confirm that since my retirement I've grown into the role of a miserable old git. To be fair, it hasn't been a major transformation and has required little effort. I have always had an aversion to overt displays of affection but a recent
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Border security
DENIAL is one thing, but ignorance of the facts is something else. The Home Secretary has a range of powers and responsibilities. Border security is a principal concern and is always a politically sensitive issue that requires responsible action. I
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Labour councillors
BECAUSE Labour councillors are in the majority in Middlesbrough, they have the right to decide who chairs meetings. A chairman can, and frequently does, claim thousands in extra allowances. All but one of these chairmen is a Labour councillor. Each
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Darlington Arts Centre
I was amused to read Bill Dixon's Orwellian attempt to present the sale of Darlington Arts Centre in a positive light (Echo, Nov 15). To say that "it gives us the fantastic opportunity to have a nationally recognised arts facility" (when we already have
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Peter Mullen
PETER MULLEN'S suggestion that capitalism no longer exists in this country is simply risible (Echo, Nov 16). Words have meanings and they should be respected. The term capitalism refers to the ownership of the means of production in private sector
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Helping heart research is a ball for support group
SUPPORT group members had a ball to help raise money for a national research appeal. The Darlington Coronary Support Group held a social event in September when members collected £800 towards the British Heart Foundation's (BHF) Mending Broken Hearts
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Plan for self-run allotments
PLANS for allotments in a Darlington village to become self-managed are progressing well. At its latest meeting, Middleton St George Parish Council heard that a meeting of the village allotments steering group was being held on January 30, 2012, where
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Traders tell of Sainsbury's expansion fear
TRADERS are to meet with the leader of Darlington Borough Council in a bid to overcome fears that the £18m expansion of a nearby supermarket will put their futures in jeopardy. Sainsbury's has announced it will begin work next year to create Darlington's
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Family fun down the Riverside as Boro take on Blackpool
AS part of the Football League’s Family Football Festival, Middlesbrough are offering families a fantastic opportunity to get behind Middlesbrough and have a great day out win, lose or draw against Blackpool on Saturday. Children are invited to dress
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Pony beheading was not a random attack, say police
POLICE investigating the death of a stolen pony whose severed head was found on Wednesday believe the animal may have been targeted deliberately. Trigger, a seven-year-old Shetland Pony, was reported stolen last week by his owner, Patricia
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Countdown to popular Santa parade
CHRISTMAS comes to Darlington shopping centre next weekend when Santa and his reindeer fly in for a special parade. The popular reindeer parade, organised by the Cornmill Shopping Centre, will take place on Sunday, November 27, at 11am, in
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Councillor questions number of bobbies on the beat
A COUNCILLOR has questioned why there are so few bobbies on the beat in Richmondshire, as figure show that the area has fewer than five recorded crimes a day. County councillor Stuart Parsons, member for Richmond, made his comments at a meeting of the
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Residents object to extra homes plan
RESIDENTS have objected to a housing firm's plans to amend and extend a development because of the economic climate. Persimmon Homes' proposed housing site on the old Darlington College site, in Cleveland Avenue, will be increased from 114 to 123
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Choir to raise its voice for first time
A NEW choir will perform its first concert this weekend. Northern Voices has been made up from many former members of the successful Carol Andrew Singers following the retirement of musical director Carol Andrew after 23 years. Northern
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Wheels in motion for charity cycle ride
SERIOUS cyclists and those who just dust their bikes off on a weekend can sign up for a charity challenge. People can now sign up for the Vion Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge next summer, which raises money for Ryedale Special Families. The route
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Ferryhill car park closure
A TOWN centre car park will shut briefly on Sunday November 20. The central car park in Ferryhill will be partially closed from 10am to 11am to allow rehearsals by performing arts group ENTRE CIC. Barriers will be in place and residents are asked not
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Picking Capello's Euro 2012 squad
WITH England scheduled to play just one more friendly between now and the end of the season, thoughts are already turning to next summer's European Championships. This week's victories over Spain and Sweden have showcased a new generation of
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Noble seeking a Premier call up
RYAN Noble is hoping Wednesday's reserves hat-trick against Newcastle will thrust him into Sunderland's first-team squad for tomorrow's Premier League home game with Fulham. Noble, who made three senior substitute appearances in the second
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Jonas hopes for Tevez deal
NEWCASTLE midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has urged the Manchester City hierarchy to seek a rapprochement with his compatriot Carlos Tevez. Tevez is currently on unauthorised leave in his native Argentina, and so will not be involved when Newcastle visit
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Pardew: Change is sign of the times
ALAN Pardew can understand why supporters are upset at the rebranding exercise that transformed St James' Park into the Sports Direct Arena last week, but the Newcastle United manager claims the club has to move with the times if it is to remain
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Yorkshire encouraged to head to the bar
Yorkshire's cricketers will be encouraged to go to the bar in a bid to secure an immediate return to the top tier of the LV= County Championship in 2012. The White Rose county's hierarchy have unveiled a new coaching team led by first-team coach Jason
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Will Phillips haunt Mowbray?
KEVIN PHILLIPS returns to the North-East with Blackpool this afternoon and Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray seriously considered bringing him back earlier. Phillips moved to Bloomfield Road in the summer after leaving Birmingham City at the end of his
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Police reopen inquiries into eight unsolved deaths
CASE reviews into the deaths of eight unidentified people have been launched by police in the hope that new technology will help them. North Yorkshire Police say they have a moral duty to try to solve the cases, some of which date back more
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Yorkshire Air Ambulance forced to quit air strip
AN air ambulance charity has been told to stop using its only base in North Yorkshire as part of enforcement action over noise levels at the airfield. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance has also been served with a notice to dismantle its flight crew
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Marine conservation zones facing delay
PLANS to create conservation zones off the region’s coast have been delayed, which could have devastating results, say conservationists. Six marine conservation zones were due to be designated in the North Sea, to protect rare species such as seahorses
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Pools pin faith in their current squad
WITH two of his strikers yesterday undergoing surgery and another to miss tomorrow's trip to Scunthorpe, Hartlepool United boss Mick Wadsworth will give the players at the club every chance to make their mark. Colin Nish and Colin Larkin needed operations
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Access expands training team
A NORTH-EAST training company is defying the downturn with the recruitment of four new staff. Gateshead based Access Training has expanded to a 23-strong team employees thanks to the launch of training courses for the unemployed and the appointment of
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North-East firms urged to enter export competiton
SMALL firms across the region are being encouraged to show theyve got what it takes to export for growth by entering a new competition run by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). The new "Exporting for Growth" prize was officially launched by the Prime Minister
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Steel Cadets scheme hails its first graduates
A STEEL boss has called on manufacturing firms across the region to extend a pilot scheme aimed at raising the aspirations of Tees Valley youngsters. On Monday, twenty-four young people from the region will become the first graduates of the Tata Steel
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"Staff cheered when the news was announced"
NORTHERN Rock’s executive chairman said Virgin Money’s deal to buy the bank ended years of uncertainty for its staff. Ron Sandler, who took the helm at the Newcastle lender following its nationalisation in 2008 and stepped back into the role
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Rock is Virgin territory for Branson
NORTHERN Rock’s ownership saga finished where it started yesterday with Sir Richard Branson finally getting his hands on the bank he first tried to buy following its collapse four years ago. The deal, potentially worth more than £1bn, will
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Affair rumours led to player's suicide
A TALENTED young goalkeeper was plagued with depression and embarrassment after rumours about his fiancee’s alleged affair with the brother of England captain John Terry made national headlines, an inquest heard yesterday. County Durham-born
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Council HQ evacuated over suspicious package in post
PART of a council headquarters was evacuated yesterday after an office worker received a suspicious package. A section of the education department, on the third floor of Durham County Council’s County Hall, in Aykley Heads, Durham City, was
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Landlord's anger as teen vandal avoids fine
A TEENAGER who trashed a privately-rented house and left the owner with a £20,000 bill walked free from court without having to pay a penny in compensation yesterday. Judge Howard Crowson told Lee Davis – who has not worked since he left school
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Reassurance over fears of predatory paedophile
POLICE have attempted to reassure the public following a spate of reports by children of motorists acting suspiciously. North Yorkshire Police are investigating nine incidents made this week in Richmond, Northallerton, Thirsk, York and Selby
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Rider Philippa a celebrity in Ireland after high jump
A RIDER from the region has become a celebrity in Ireland after she was the only woman to take part in a showjumping competition. Philippa Curry, from Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, cleared a 6ft 6in jump in the puissance class at Cavan International
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Shocking reoffending rates revealed
REOFFENDING rates in the region are the worst in the country, an online tool shows. According to data released by the Ministry of Justice, 30 per cent of offenders in Durham and the Tees Valley committed further crimes within 12 months.
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Mowbray to work on keeping Rhys
TONY MOWBRAY insists Rhys Williams is happy with life on Teesside but it is up to Middlesbrough to prove they can fulfil his Premier League dreams. Mowbray was disappointed with comments that surfaced while the player was on international
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King's Hotel owners launch recruitment drive
A LANDMARK hotel which was devastated by a fire which destroyed its top two floors and roof is set to fully reopen in the new year, creating an initial 30 jobs. The King's Hotel is undergoing a £7.5m refurbishment following the blaze, which was one of
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Liddle hopes Hatch will stay
DARLINGTON expect to confirm the departure of Exodus Geohagon this morning, but Craig Liddle still hopes the club can retain the services of Liam Hatch for the longer term. Geohagon is thought to have spent last night weighing up a move back to the Football
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Easington have three points deducted
Second Division club Easington have been hit by a heavy fine and points deduction. The newly promoted club was unable to raise a team for their away game at Gillford Park in October, and were charged by the league for failing to fulfil the
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Esh aim to stay second
Esh Winning, who climbed into second in midweek, are at Brandon, and are without suspended midfielder Chris Smith, while midfielder David Duke and defender Graham Irving are both injured. They have also signed defender Chris Beckett from Newton Aycliffe
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Aycliffe hope to stretch winning run to six games
Newton Aycliffe are hoping to stretch their winning run to six games against Tow Law at Moore Lane. Manager Allan Oliver is without midfielders Josh Gray and Ben Wood, while striker Danny Mellanby is unavailable. Lawyers manager Ian Davison will have
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FA Vase: "We'll be up for it" -- Chandler
Whitley Bay manager Ian Chandler believes that his players will be at their best when they begin their defence of the FA Vase again at home to Tadcaster Albion on Saturday afternoon. Whitley, who haven’t lost in 26 Vase ties, go into the game more vulnerable
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Let there be light - thousands attend spectacular Lumiere festival
THOUSANDS of awe-struck visitors swarmed through Durham City last night, as the spectacular Lumiere light festival got under way. The city’s streets were full to bursting as huge crowds toured 35 art installations, stopping to marvel at major
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Local derby in league cup draw
The draw for the last 16 of the Brooks mileson Northern League Cup has thrown up a very interesting local derby. Shildon will play West Auckland at Dean Street, where the visitors have already won in the league this season. The holders, Newcastle Benfield
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Severed head of stolen pet pony found in Spennymoor wood
THE owner of a stolen pet pony spoke of her devastation last night after discovering the animal’s severed head. Trigger, a seven-year-old Shetland Pony, was last seen in his paddock in Spennymoor, County Durham, at 5.30pm last Tuesday.
