Archive
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One in nine North-East kids is obese by time they start school
ONE in nine North-East children is obese when they start school – the second worst record in England. And that proportion has doubled to more than one in every five youngsters by the time they leave primary school, shocking figures show. The
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Courage award for caring boy
A CARING teenager whose parents are blind and partially sighted has received a national award. Jonathan Hann, 13, from Barnard Castle, County Durham, was crowned a courageous citizen in the Diana Awards at a ceremony in London's Canary Wharf.
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Trapped shoppers freed from Asda Living lift
Three people were freed from a lift at the Asda Living store at Teesside Shopping Park in Stockton this afternoon (SUN). Two crews from Thornaby Fire Station were called to the shop at about 1.40pm and had freed the trapped shoppers 15 minutes later
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Man jailed for break-in at step-father's home
A MAN who stole money after sneaking into his former step-father’s home drove off in his mobility vehicle, a court was told. The break-in took place while the disabled victim slept on the living room settee of the house, in Peterlee, County Durham
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President of HMS Tricomalee Trust dies, aged aged 86
Captain David T Smith OBE FNI RN, the President of the HMS Trincomalee Trust, has died in Malta after a short illness aged 86. He had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy, starting as a cadet. He had a number of sea-going appointments
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Tackling the Muddy Mayhem
What do you get if you combine extreme obstacles, crazy contestants and lots of lots of mud? Muddy Mayhem of course! Lizzie Anderson takes on the challenge IT all seemed like some kind of surreal dream. Cocooned inside my warm flat, cupping
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Hotel guest has ear bitten off
A 55-year-old man staying at the Travelodge Hotel in Forster Street, Newcastle, had part of his ear bitten off in the early hours of this morning. (Sunday, March 24) Police were called at 4.50am and the injured man was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary
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Palm Sunday procession cancelled
The weather prevented York Minster from staging a Palm Sunday procession in the city centre to mark the beginning of Holy Week. The cathedral had hoped to start its Palm Sunday service in St Helen’s Square and for the congregation and the public to
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The Upbeat Beatles come to Darlington
THE sound of the Fab Four is coming to Darlington as The Upbeat Beatles perform at the town’s Civic Theatre. The tribute group, billed as the best in the business at recreating the authentic sound of the original Beatles, will be tearing up the stage
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Nominate your favourite local pub
Welcome to Yorkshire is encouraging people across the county to nominate their favourite local pub; www.yorkshire.com/pub for a competition. The first round of votes will result in a top 30 list of pubs, which are set to be included in a Yorkshire
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Heart-start machines could give the kiss of life in all public places
A FATHER-of-four who suffered a heart attack is backing a call by the Shadow Health Secretary for a law requiring busy public buildings to install life-saving defibrillators. Many schools, gyms and shopping centres already voluntarily have the
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Hospice patients treated to complimentary beauty treatments
PATIENTS at a North-East hospice have been treated to complimentary beauty treatments thanks to a Darlington shop. Staff from the Body Shop, in the Cornmill Centre, Darlington, visited St Teresa’s Hospice to pamper patients at its day therapy unit
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Musicians battle against the weather to ensure festival's success
DESPITE biting winds and grey skies leaving much of the region shivering, hardy musicians braved the cold to ensure an annual folk music festival went ahead. Musicians and dancers from across the country battled against the weather to take part
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Spennymoor musical society celebrates centenary
A MUSICAL production company is preparing for its centenary show. Spennymoor Stage and Song was established in 1913 by like minded people in the town to share a love of music and to entertain. Over the years it has adapted to suit the audience
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Children's illustrator gives pupils inspiration
A CHILDREN’S book illustrator shed light on turning literature into artwork at a primary school recently. Olivia Lomenech Gill recently spent an afternoon at Aiskew, Leeming Bar Primary School, near Northallerton. The illustrator of Michael
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Mobile policing is just the ticket
BOBBIES have been on the buses in and around Durham City as part a new crime-fighting strategy. Officers took to public transport to talk to members of the public about policing priorities and to get feedback. Members of Durham City's neighbourhood
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Four days and counting - snowbound at Britain's highest pub
GUESTS at Britain's highest pub in Britain have been stranded for four days and counting. (As of Sunday, March 24) Some visitors to the Tan Hill Inn, near Reeth, North Yorkshire, have been snowed in since Wednesday (Wednesday, March 21) as huge
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Hills hit with bad weather
WHILE much of the region escaped the worst of the weekend’s severe weather, on high ground snowfall combined with high winds to cause traffic and power mayhem. One of the region’s busiest roads, the A66 trans-Pennine route between Bowes, County
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Helicopter search underway for missing Stockton man
A MAJOR search is under way for a missing man who has now been seen since the early hours of this morning. Cleveland Police helicopters have joined officers in the search for Tanveer Ahmed, 37, who was last seen on Yarm Lane, Stockton, at about
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Yarm School become first in North-East to lift prestigious Twickenham trophy
YARM School became the first team in the North-East to lift one of the most prestigious trophies in schools rugby at Twickenham. The school's under-18 team were 17-15 victors in the Daily Mail RBS Vase final at the home of rugby in front of a travelling
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We're still not safe, says Oliver
Newton Aycliffe manager Allan Oliver says that the Newtowners aren’t out of relegation danger yet after a valuable 1-0 away win at Billingham Synthonia on Saturday. The result puts Aycliffe five points above the relegation zone, but as Oliver pointed
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Daft five minutes cost Shildon in quagmire
Shildon manager Gary Forrest reckoned that Barcelona wouldn’t have been able to play on the Culverden pitch after the Railwaymen lost the first leg of their semi final by 2-0 against Tunbridge Wells. The match was in doubt right up to an hour before
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Job only half done as Speedy strikes for Moors
Spennymoor Town manager Jason Ainsley says that the job is only half done after an excellent 3-1 away win in the semi final first leg at Guernsey on Saturday. Moors didn’t allow the long distance, an aborted landing at Guernsey airport, a 4,290
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Polish residents living in Darlington invited to attend police meeting
A POLICE and Communities Together (Pact) meeting for Polish residents living in Darlington will be held on Tuesday, March 26. The event will start at 6pm at The Forum, in Borough Road, and residents are invited to discuss crime and antisocial behaviour
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Easter flower exhibition
A CHURCH’S Easter flower exhibition will be open to the public later this month. The colourful display at St Mary’s Church in Thirsk will be open every day from Saturday, March 30 until Saturday, April 6. Also on display will be an Easter garden
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Grassroots news from Crook by John Phelan
RC Easter Services Catholic Church services over Easter include Maundy Thursday Mass at 7pm in St Josephs RC Church, Tow Law. At Crook St. Cuthberts Church there is a Watching before the Altar of Repose at 9.15pm on Maundy Thursday followed by
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High winds blamed as house chimney and part of wall collapses
A house has partially collapsed in strong winds today (Sunday, March 24). Emergency services were called to the corner of Grove Street and Yarm Road, Stockton, after high winds caused the side of a house to collapse, including its chimney.
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Gisborough Priory hosts Easter egg hunt
A family event is being held at Gisborough Priory woodland in Guisborough on Easter Monday, April 1. The historic and scenic gardens will be open between 1pm and 3.30pm with an Easter egg trail and chocolate eggs for anyone who manages to complete
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Middlesbrough councillor resigns to concentrate on top police job
A VACANCY has arisen in Middlesbrough’s Pallister Ward following the resignation of Councillor Barry Coppinger to take up the role of Cleveland’s first Police and Crime Commissioner. He stepped down from his Executive portfolio for Social Care
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Tees students support women fleeing domestic abuse
MAKE-up and toiletries have been donated by staff and students at Middlesbrough College for vulnerable women who have fled violence. To mark the recent international women’s day, the campus decided to offer practical support to the Harbour Middlesbrough
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Sunderland City Council to begin charging £150 for Telecare
Vulnerable residents and pensioners are to be charged £150 per year for the Telecare alarm system The Sunderland City Council operated rapid-response service, which provides an 'invaluable lifeline' to sick and frail residents, is currently free
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Investigation launched after patient dies following accident involving hospital's revolving doors
An investigation has been launched at a hospital after a pensioner suffered a fracture while using a revolving door - then died. Health bosses are now checking the safety of revolving doors at South Tyneside District Hospital. An inquest is
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Open Treasure thrills for broadcaster Jeremy Vine
BROADCASTER Jeremy Vine was in the North-East over the weekend to support plans to dramatically improve one of the region’s best loved visitor attractions. The 47-year-old presenter is a ‘champion’ of Durham Cathedral’s Open Treasure project, which
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More than £1m spent unblocking region's drains
YOUNGSTERS are being asked to teach their parents to pull the plug on bad habits by a puppet show touring the region’s primary schools. Northumbrian Water’s Love your Drain theatre production has been created to educate youngsters on what should
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Durham Foodbank opens distrivbution points in Teesdale
THE Durham Foodbank is to open its first distribution points in Teesdale. The move follows discussions between the Chester-le-Street based charity – part of the Trussell Trust – Barnard Castle Citizens Advice Bureau and the Reverend Jane Grieve
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Flash mob surprises Durham shoppers
A FLASH mob descended on Durham’s Market Place over the weekend to promote a local charity event. St Cuthbert’s Hospice, based in Merryoaks, Durham, hoped to grab the attention of the ladies shopping in the city centre on Saturday. Up to 30
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Children thirsty for news of stolen frame designed to hold 600 empty bottles
GREEN-fingered children have been left with a recycling quandary after the frame designed to create a greenhouse made up of 600 plastic bottles was stolen. Pupils from Grangetown Primary School cried when they discovered they would not be able
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Funds netted for sports arena
PLANS for a £1.5m indoor football arena expected to create 15 jobs are back on track after funding for the development was secured. Durham County Council granted planning consent for the facility, in the former Thrislington Partitions site, on
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Spennymoor edge closer to Wembley
Spennymoor Town are 90 minutes away from Wembley after winning the first leg of their FA Vase semi-final yesterday, but there was disappointment for Shildon. Moors won 3-1 at Guernsey and now hopes are very high of completing the job in the second
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Emma Calder stages 'Interval' art exhibition in Trevelyan College, Durham
A SHOW by an artist from the North-East opens tomorrow in Durham City. The exhibition, called Interval, is by Alnwick artist Emma Calder, who attended school in Newcastle and is now in her Final year at Glasgow School of Art. It is being held
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Cash help for students
YOUNG people choosing to study at a north Durham college will be able to take advantage of an enhanced rewards scheme from this September. All full-time further education New College Durham students aged 16-18 will be eligible for a £200 ‘Cash
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The Northern Echo tests out newly refurbished Dolphin Centre gym
When the refurbishment of a council-run fitness centre within walking distance of The Northern Echo’s offices was announced, gym-shy journalists shuffled uncomfortably as the offer of free taster sessions was made. With his forthcoming wedding in mind
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Help to spot kids illnesses
PARENTS and carers are being offered training in how best to deal with common illnesses which afflict their children. Courses will be staged at children’s centres across north Durham in a move to empower parents and carers to self-manage minor
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Memories of Herriot as Skeldale House brought back to life
THE building which became famous as Skeldale House in the BBC television series All Creatures Great and Small, has opened to the public for the first time. The instantly recognisable, stone-built Wensleydale building became known to viewers around
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Recruitment drive to find carers for respite care
Carers willing to offer short breaks to families with disabled children are being sought in Redcar & Cleveland. North-East based agency core Assets Children’s Services is also appealing for families in receipt of disability allowance to get in
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New route for Cleveland Way to take in industrial heritage
THE CLEVELAND Way has been re-routed through the North York Moors - to take in an historical chemical works. The 110-mile national trail currently takes in the heather moorland and dramatic coast of the national park. But now it will also take
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Yarm School in final of regional design award
A NEW school theatre has been shortlisted for a top design award. Yarm School’s performing arts centre was built as part of a £20m, four-year refurbishment which was finally completed this week. The glass-fronted theatre, opened last year by
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IPCC investigates after 34-year-old man's death in police custody
An investigation is underway into the death of a 34-year-old man held in police custody. The incident, which happened on Friday (March 22) at South Shields police station after the man had been arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly
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Spate of robberies against women may be linked
Police are investigating a spate of robberies against women which they believe are linked. Three women, one of them a pensioner, were left terrified on Saturday morning (MAR 23) after they were targeted in Gateshead and Newcastle. The drama
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Ex-soldier saddles up for 250-mile cycle ride, with a difference
FIVE years after losing his leg, a former soldier is preparing to ride 250 miles using a hand cycle to raise money for a charity very close to his heart. Stephen Evans, from Darlington, is hoping to tackle the 250-mile Soldier Ride UK in October
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Thornaby grandmother write book about life as Nazareth House girl
TRACKING down a long lost sister in Australia prompted a Thornaby grandmother to write a book about her traumatic childhood growing up in an orphanage . When Anne Fothergill’s mother walked out on her family in January 1951 her life changed forever
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Residents invited to share views on Darlington's Eastbourne School housing development plans
RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on proposed plans for the site of a former Darlington school. The former Eastbourne School site is set to be transformed into a mixture of affordable, shared and private housing. Darlington Borough
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Police appeal after burglaries
OFFICERS in north Durham are appealing for information following two burglaries in the area. The first took place on Sunday March 10 at around 11.30pm when a garage in Wordsworth Gardens in Dipton was broken into. Access was gained by forcing
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Darlington School of Mathematics and Science students take part in annual enrichment day
STUDENTS have been exploring the world outside of the traditional classroom as part of an initiative designed to enrich their lives. Youngsters at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science went off timetable for an annual enrichment day to take
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New beauty salon opens in Darlington
A NEW beauty salon is bringing a touch of class to a Darlington shopping street. Town mayor, Paul Baldwin, and mayoress, Kim Baldwin, were the special guests at the official opening of the new Guinot beauty salon in High Row. The salon is the
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Yacht rescued in gale force winds
A YACHT crew was rescued when engine failure forced the sailors to steer their boat by hand through stormy waters. The vessel had been sailing from Scotland to Holland when it got into difficulty near Whitby on Saturday morning at about 10.40am
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Cash to fund sports at college
STUDENTS are celebrating getting the chance to do more sports after winning a slice of lottery cash. East Durham College, based at Peterlee, is one of 40 colleges across the country to share in £2m of National Lottery money that is being invested
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NorthYorkshire County Show supporters rally round after £43k loss
ORGANISERS of the North Yorkshire County Show have announced the 35th running of the event will go ahead, despite suffering crippling losses last year. Show secretary Alan Andrew said following numerous donations and fundraising events, he was
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Jailed asylum seeker sues Government for £50,000 claiming false imprisonment
A failed asylum seeker jailed for identity fraud is suing the Government for up to £50,000 - claiming he was falsely imprisoned when they tried to deport him. Mouaz Al Sayed, who is living in Benwell, Newcastle, was refused sanctuary in the UK