Archive
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Magpies need to act fast to land £15m man Carroll
WEST HAM UNITED have edged closer to landing Newcastle United target Andy Carroll after agreeing a £15m fee for the Liverpool striker. Carroll must now decide whether or not to give up aspirations he holds to make a success of his Anfield career
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Nature under threat in the North, new research shows
NATURE is in trouble in the North, according to the results of an in-depth study of the region's flora and fauna. Research for the project, entitled, State of Nature, has been carried out across the country by a coalition of conservation and research
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Scooter and music festival coming to Stanhope
SCOOTER MUSIC: The Stone Valley Scoot and Music Festival will be held at the showground in Stanhope, County Durham, from Friday, June 28, to Sunday, June 30. Attractions will include scooters, rides, stalls and a funfair. There will be two nights of
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Man caught by off-duty policeman after crashing partner's car
A MAN who attempted to flee after overturning his partner’s car on a roundabout was caught by an off-duty police officer, a court has heard. Kenneth Stephen Brown pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a
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Donations sought to help with community centre revamp
A COMMUNITY centre is organising its own Changing Rooms-style project and giving the building a complete makeover. Staff members at the Auckland Youth and Community Centre (AYCC), in Bishop Auckland, were inspired by other similar projects in the
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Care home owner claims to have rectified CQC complaints
FAILINGS found at a south Durham care home by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have already been rectified, the owner has claimed. Tom Chopra said he felt despair after the CQC found Parklands Care Home in Crook failed to meet four national standards
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Runners wanted for Hamsterley 10k
A FOREST trail race looks set to be one a number of events a keen runner will tackle this year to raise money for a popular hospice. Darren Hancock, of Mickleton, Teesdale, hopes hundreds of people will join him when he takes part in the Hamsterley
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Euro visitors enjoy three days in Willington
PUPILS at a Willington school have been showing off their area to visitors from European schools as part of a two-year cultural exchange. Our Lady and St Thomas RCVA Primary School has spent three days hosting staff and children from schools in
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Tickets available for Bishop Auckland comedy night
COMEDY TIME: Comedians Nick Doody, Craig Murray and MC Ray Bradshaw will be taking to the stage at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Friday, June 21, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 in advance or £10 on the door. For more details call 0300-0269524.
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Man stole cheque to reclaim debt from victim, court hears
A MAN stole a cheque which had been sent to someone else to reclaim money he was owed by the victim, a court has heard. Kieron Lee Wynn appeared for sentencing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court in County Durham having previously admitted theft
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Teenager fined after shoplifting to pay rent
STEALING soft furnishings, bedding and pens to give to a person she was staying with in lieu of rent has cost a teenager £182. Nicola Jane Rutter admitted four thefts when she appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court. On March 25, the
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Cyclist dies in collision with lorry on A66
A CYCLIST died in a collision with a lorry on the A66 tonight. The crash took place at 6.25pm on the westbound carriageway close to the slip road for Eaglescliffe, near Stockton. The cyclist, a man in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene
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School caretaker charged with having indecent pictures of children
A SCHOOL caretaker has appeared in court charged with posessing indecent images of children and voyeurism. The 34-year-old has been suspended from his job at Le Cateau Primary School in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. David Taylor, of
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Dealing with Difficult People
Dealing with difficult people was the theme for a training course that I attended today. There was no role play, although the opportunity to be objectionable and cantankerous was clearly relished by many. Instead there was ample opportunity for interaction
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Steel maker celebrates production records
STEEL bosses have celebrated production records at a North-East plant but admitted the start of a vital £38m coal injection facility has been delayed by weeks. The collapse of Wales-based steel contractor Rowecord Engineering, which was installing
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Mountain rescue team help woman knocked over by her dog
MOUNTAIN rescue crews were called out tonight to help a woman who suffered leg injuries when she was knocked over by her dog. The 40-year-old woman from Acklam, Middlesbrough, was out walking with her family near Roseberry Topping on the edge of
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Rising Damp hits Darlington theatre
ONE of the UK’s best-loved sitcoms, Rising Damp, has come to the North-East in a stage production. Darlington Civic Theatre is staging from Tuesday to Saturday the famous sitcom featuring a self-regarding landlord and his tenants in the a seedy
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Nursing union criticises new threat to privatise community services
A NURSING union has voiced fears that a multi-million pound NHS contract to provide community health care in County Durham and Darlington could be handed to a private company. The Royal College of Nursing said it was "completely wrong" for GP commissioners
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The victims of Darlington conman Jonathan Price
The victims of Darlington conman Jonathan Price, who was jailed today, were many and varied. NEIL HUNTER reports THE FLORIST. Price met the businesswoman in 2007 - two years before he was jailed for fraud - but their relationship did not begin
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Darlington make another signing
Darlington have tonight completed their second signing inside a week with a former winger returning to the club. After leaving Spennymoor Town at the end of his contract, Chris Moore has rejoined Quakers where he has signed a two-year deal.
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Conman who swindled a string of women jailed for seven years
POLICE could be faced with a raft of fresh complaints as a serial conman was jailed for ruining the lives of three wealthy women and their families. Detectives believe that there could be many more victims of life-long fraudster Jonathan Price
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Pair warned they could be jailed after admitting robbery
TWO men are facing possible prison sentences after admitting carrying out a robbery in which £41 was taken from the victim. Adam Hayward Bell, 20, and 22-year-old Paul Bell, who are unrelated, both pleaded ‘guilty’ to a charge of robbery when they
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MP calls on Army to stop recruiting child soldiers
A NORTH-East MP today (Tuesday, May 21) called on the Ministry of Defence to stop recruiting child soldiers – warning the UK is defying international opinion. Alex Cunningham, the Stockton North MP, staged a Commons debate to urge the military
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Former North Yorkshire teacher staging book-signing session in the Dales
Author Andy Seed will be staging a book signing session at Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre in the Yorkshire Dales on May 27, between 11am and noon. The former North Yorkshire primary school teacher’s books include All Teachers Great and Small and
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Virgin boss meets the future stars of NE business
FIVE aspiring entrepreneurs have discussed their ideas over lunch with Sir Richard Branson amid calls for more to come forward. Some of the region’s brightest young business people , backed by Project North East, rubbed shoulders with the heads
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CBI North East director Sarah Green takes up national role
THE North East director of the leading employers’ group the CBI is stepping down from her role in the region to take up a national position. Sarah Green has been promoted to the role of Member Relations Director (Regions and Nations) for the organisation
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Health Secretary clashes with North-East MPs over A&E delays
THE Health Secretary clashed with North-East MPs today (Tuesday, May 21) over long waits in A&E departments, amid evidence the crisis is deepening. Jeremy Hunt was accused of ignoring warnings – made two years ago – that the introduction of
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Death of Dean of Ripon announced
The Ripon Diocese have announced the sudden death of the Dean of Ripon the Very Rev Keith Jukes at the age of 59. The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, Bishop John Packer said he died peacefully in Harrogate district Hospital, only hours after being admitted
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Manfield landlord's concern over work to repair crumbling bridge
WORK to repair a road bridge weakened by flood water is set to begin next week, with business owners hoping the impact on their livelihoods will be minimal. Contractors will begin strengthening the crumbling 19th Century bridge over a beck in Manfield
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Public inquiry gets underway for Bedale bypass scheme
A PUBLIC inquiry into plans for a £42m bypass which would provide a new gateway into the Yorkshire Dales has been told just three minutes will be shaved off waiting times through Bedale. The 3.3 mile long road will bypass Leeming Bar, Aiskew and
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Run for Home
The Lindisfarne Story, featuring The Billy Mitchell Band and original Lindisfarne members Ray Laidlaw and Rod Clements – who wrote the group’s biggest hit, Meet Me on the Corner - is at Newcastle City Hall on Saturday June 8 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost
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Boss jailed for three years over worker's death
ENGINEERING boss Allan Turnbull has been jailed for three years for the manslaughter of a 53-year-old demolition worker at a North-East shipyard. The 61-year-old was sentenced today at Newcastle Crown Court following the death of Kenneth Joyce,
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Overseas visits to North-East and North Yorkshire fell last year
FEARS have been raised that the region's tourism economy is suffering from a cut in marketing after new figures revealed that trips to the North-East and North Yorkshire by overseas visitors have dropped. The latest Government figures showed the
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Rail enthusiasts building replica locomotive show off work at open day
TRAIN WORK: Rail enthusiasts building a full size replica of a G5 locomotive are to put their work on show to the public. The Rail Restoration North–East team will display the engine and engineer’s drawings at the open day on Saturday, June 1, between
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Looking for Lindisfarne Gospels volunteers
DROP-IN sessions for anyone interested in volunteering during the three-month loan of the Lindisfarne Gospels to Palace Green Library, Durham, this summer will be held at Durham Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday, May 22) from 4pm to 6pm and Durham’s World
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Vandals cause thousands of pounds of damages to Jubilee Wood
VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds of damages to a woodland planted in east Durham to mark the Queen’s Diamond jubilee. A series of attacks at Coal Hill Wood, near Thornley, has prompted managers at the Woodland Trust to appeal for people
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Takeaway fined over poor hygiene
HYGIENE FINES: The owner of a Chinese takeaway has been ordered to pay £4,000 in fines after being prosecuted by environmental health officers. Jinuy Li (CORRECT) of Peel Street, Thornaby, who operates Hui on Norton Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty
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Woman reunited with dog amongst Oklahoma tornado rubble
TOUCHING video footage of the moment an elderly woman was reunited with her pet dog amongst the rubble in Oklahoma has emerged. The pensioner, named in reports as Barbara Garcia, was being interviewed on live television next to the heap of debris
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Forest frights at Dalby and Hamsterley
DALBY and Hamsterley forest are among the venues hosting ‘forest fright’ nights where visitors can camp over and enjoy a horror film played on a big screen. Shallow Grave will be screened at Dalby on June 8 and 28 Days Later will be shown at Hamsterley
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Prince Charles' godson unveils green power plan at beauty spot
A GODSON of Prince of Wales and a direct descendant of a Russian tsar are planning to build an environmentally-friendly hydro electric power plant in a national park. Edward van Cutsem, who was a page boy at the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana
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Wheelie bins roll-out across Darlington
HOUSEHOLDS in Darlington are now receiving their wheelie bins ahead of the first collections starting in June. The bins are being dropped off according to each area’s bin collection date and the last of the deliveries are expected to be made next
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Neil Young and Crazy Horse to play Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
INFLUENTIAL rockers Neil Young and Crazy Horse will play Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on June 10. It will be the first time since 2009 that the seminal guitarist and songwriter has played the UK and the first since 2001 that he has been accompanied
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Designer likens Middlesbrough to San Francisco
DESIGNER Wayne Hemingway has compared a retail street in Middlesbrough to San Francisco after visiting it to give a masterclass. The designer and founder of the Red or Dead clothing range visited independent businesses in Baker Street, Middlesbrough
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Police operation targets rogue scrap dealers
BOGUS scrap metal dealers were being targeted in Teesside today as part of a clampdown on rogue traders. Two people stopped by police during Operation Hercules were found to be working while fraudulently claiming benefits and another three will
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Best-selling author to attend bookshop launch party
LAUNCH PARTY: Best-selling author Gervase Phinn will attend the launch party for the new terrace at White Rose Book Cafe, Thirsk, on Saturday, June 1, from 2pm to 4pm. For details, call 01845-524353. ON TRACK: A model railway exhibition to raise
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Man faces jail after claiming for wrist injuries while playing rugby
A MAN is facing jail today after he was caught playing rugby whilst making a £923,000 claim for wrist injuries. David Ribchester, 31, said he could not drive, play the drums or pick up his daughter. But insurance investigators filmed him training
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Dales-inspired Tour de France garden wins Chelsea Flower Show accolade
A GARDEN celebrating Yorkshire’s hosting of the 2014 Grand Départ of the Tour de France has won a silver-gilt at the Chelsea Flower Show. Five-time winner of the race Bernard Hinault and tour director Christian Prudhomme visited the show today
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Award winning children's show comes to Darlington
KIDS THEATRE An adaptation of the BAFTA award winning animation series Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom will be performed at the Civic Theatre in Darlington on Wednesday May 29 at 1pm and 4pm and Thursday May 30 at 10am and 1pm. Tickets range from £9.50
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Warning of fines over misuse of 999 line
CALLERS are trying to restore their mobile phone signal by dialling 999 – leading to a huge increase in abandoned emergency calls. Cleveland Police said they were dealing with abandoned calls on an almost daily basis and warned people faced being
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New deputy chief constable unveiled at Cleveland Police
CLEVELAND Police's new Deputy Chief Constable Iain Spittal said today he is looking forward to helping write "a new chapter" for the force. Mr Spittal is currently serving as Assistant Chief Constable in North Yorkshire Police and will take up
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Family escapes Bishop Auckland house blaze thanks to fire brigade advice
A FAMILY who huddled under blankets to escape a blazing house did so as they remembered safety advice provided by the fire service months earlier. Sharon Parsley and her four children were upstairs in their home on Aclet Close, Bishop Auckland,
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Return of Royal Charter will form centrepiece of Darlington college anniversary celebrations
DARLINGTON college has unveiled a timeline of events planned to help celebrate its 450th anniversary. Queen Elizabeth (QE) Sixth Form College in Vane Terrace, is in the middle of its 450th birthday celebrations, with a host of events going on inside
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Refuse and recycling collection dates
COLLECTION DATES: Refuse and recycling collections will be one day late across Hambleton and Richmondshire districts next week because of the Bank Holiday. Collections roll forward one day as a result of the holiday on Monday, May 27. In Hambleton
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Tax credits claimants warned over scams
TAX credit claimants in the North East are being warned about scam emails ahead of the July 31 deadline. There are 219,400 tax credits claimants in the North East and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned that during last year’s tax credits
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Police use Facebook to pass on Appleby Horse Fair details to residents
POLICE are using social networking site to keep people up to date with events surrounding Appleby Horse Fair. This is the second year that Barnard Castle neighbourhood police team has operated a Facebook page. Officers will post regular updates
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Former Hartlepool driving instructor killed in road collision is named
THE inquest has opened into the death of a driving instructor who died after his car was in collision with a mini-bus. Colin George Brown, of Lancaster Road, Hartlepool died on Thursday on the B1280 near Sheraton, a village a few miles to the North-West
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Ready meal maker still suffering from horse meat scandal
DAMAGE caused by the horse meat scandal continues to plague a ready-meal maker which has already lost tens of jobs. Greencore Group, which has a plant in Consett, County Durham, revealed a 1.3 per cent drop in UK like-for-like revenues in its half
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Charity fundraiser holds night to raise funds for Marie Curie
CHARITY NIGHT: A legal secretary looking to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Marie Curie is holding a charity night to raise funds. Kayleigh Winter, formerly of Bishop Auckland, takes part in the trek in May next year. She is to hold the charity night on
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Disabled children sent to library instead of doing PE, says Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
SPORT is not taken seriously by government and many disabled children are still sent to the library during PE at school, former Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson said today. The Redcar-based 11-time Paralympic gold medallist, who was recently
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False alarm at Darlington nightclub
OFFICERS from Darlington police and the Royal Military Police were called to Inside Out nightclub, in Beaumont Street, in the early hours of Tuesday (May 21), following reports that smoke pellets had been released by a revellers. A spokesman for Darlington
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Rugby club chosen to be a Legacy Centre to encourage more people to take up the sport
A RUGBY Union club has received a major boost after being chosen to become a Legacy Centre for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Richmondshire Rugby Union Football Club also received a grant of £95,000 to contribute towards the construction of its new
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Taster golf sessions for youngsters on offer over half-term
GOLF LESSONS: Free taster golf sessions for children are to take place at Woodham Golf Club Junior Academy, Newton Aycliffe. The sessions are for youngsters aged between five and 13-years and take place on Tuesday, May 28. The lesson for five to eight-year-olds
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Survey finds a majority of North-East GPs are facing restrictions on new drugs
GPs in the North-East are finding it difficult to prescribe a new type of drug to prevent blood clots because of funding pressures, according to a new survey. The survey, carried out by Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity, found that 53 per cent
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Soccer skills coaching for kids
DURHAM County Council is running a seven-week football coaching course for five to nine-year-olds at the Riverside Sports Centre, Chester-le-Street on Wednesdays between 5pm and 6pm. The course costs £21. For further information and booking call 03000
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Female police officer awarded £20,000 damages after tribunal rules she was discriminated against
A FORMER female firearms officer, who was asked if she wanted a pink gun and was led towards a stash of pornographic magazines, has agreed a £20,000 compensation payout from North Yorkshire Police. Towards the end of last year, an employment tribunal
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Flooding worry over Bowburn housing plan
A DEVELOPER has sought to reassure residents amid fears building more houses in a rapidly expanding village could increase the risk of flooding. Some people in Bowburn, near Durham, are worried if Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) builds
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Catering students thanked for their efforts
HOSPITALITY and catering trainees have been presented with special awards. The New College Durham students were rewarded for their work in hosting the annual general meeting of the Durham Town and Gown Society. Michael Banks, the society’s
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New hours for 14 Durham County Council tips
DURHAM County Council has also announced new opening hours for its other household waste recycling centres. Broomsdene, near Consett, and Cragwood, near Evenwood, which councillors voted to close last April, will shut on Friday, May 31. The
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Bishop slams PM's Geordie Armani gag
A BISHOP has criticised the Prime Minister for claiming Durham County Council paid a clothing allowance so staff could buy the latest from “Geordie Armani”. The Labour-led council has faced repeated criticism over an annual allowance totalling
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Full steam ahead for Clayport's railways week
A LIBRARY is on track for a week of railway-themed family activities. Clayport Library, on Millennium Place, Durham, is hosting a range of free sessions as part of Local History Month. Staff from Darlington Railway Museum: Head of Steam will
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Plans for multi-million pound secondary school rebuild to be considered
MULTI-million pound plans to rebuild a school judged to be in urgent need of redevelopment will be considered by councillors next week. The Government has agreed to fund a rebuild of Ian Ramsey Church of England School, in Stockton-on-Tees, through
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Gypsy gathering progressing without major problems
A LARGE Gypsy gathering in Darlington is progressing without major problems, police confirmed today. Hundreds of caravans arrived in the town yesterday for a gospel-themed meeting, set to last four days. A large marquee set up on a field close
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Olympic champions the Brownlee brothers to stage triathlon through World Heritage Site
OLYMPIC champions, the Brownlee brothers, are to stage their own triathlon through a World Heritage Site in North Yorkshire. The historical grandeur of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon, will form the backdrop to a new triathlon launched
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Social dance
A social dance will be held at the Indoor Bowling Club in Pity Me, near Durham, from 8pm to 11pm on Saturday (May 25). Admission is £2.50. All are welcome. For further information contact Michael Eglinton on 0191-386692. COFFEE MORNING: The North
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Mosaic celebrating history of former pit villages is officially unveiled
A MOSAIC created by residents spanning the generations of two former pit villages was officially unveiled today. The creation, celebrating the history of Wheatley Hill and Thornley, in east Durham, has been placed in the porch of the Wheatley Hill
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Arts Cafe at The Bridge Centre
ARTS SESSIONS Painting tutors will be on hand the Arts Cafe held at The Bridge Centre for Visual Arts on Saturday May 25 from 11am to 2pm. The public are invited to bring painting materials and have coffee and cake with illustrator Amelia Davies, Origami
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Cycling the way to better mental health
HOSPITAL Staff and patients cycled the equivalent of the coast to coast route and back to highlight the benefits of exercise on mental health. The 200-strong group from West Park Hospital used exercise bikes in the hospital’s reception area and
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Dancers raise more than £1,000 for charity
BUTTERWICK Children’s Hospice has benefitted from a dance extravaganza that raised more than £1,000. Almost 200 members of the Tiffany School of Dance in Branksome Terrace took part in a biannual show at Darlington Civic Theatre which attracted
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Picturesque gardens open to public for the first time
THE GARDENS of a picturesque property in Darlington will be opened to the public for the first time this week. A Secret Garden event will be hosted at Chatwyn House in Hurworth on Thursday, May 23 in aid of homeless charity the 700 Club. Visitors
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New park is wheelie good for youngsters
YOUNGSTERS in a former pit village are enjoying a new BMX and skate park. The facility at Hamsterley Colliery, near Consett, was created on waste land near the village’s community centre for £48,000. Consultation by Groundwork North East found
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Theatre group for youngsters seeks new Wear Valley recruits
A NEW theatre musical theatre class is being held for youngsters who want to tread the boards. The Young Kids Entertainment School (Tykes) is set to teach singing, dancing and acting to those aged between six and eight years. The aim is for
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Darlington shopping centre staff to hold hospice fundraiser
A MEMBER of staff from a Darlington shopping centre is hoping to clean up at a family fun day organised to raise funds for a local hospice. Tracy Sherlock, one of the cleaning staff at the Cornmill, in the town centre, has organised the event,
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D.Best fundraisers choose much-loved Tees charity for this year's efforts
THREE men who have raised £60,000 for charities over six years have decided to dedicate this year’s efforts to Teesside hospice. Steve McCulloch, Bob Roulston and Ernie Silk have named themselves D.Best and hope to raise £10,000 for the cause in
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York Minster opens new attraction detailing 2,000 years of history
A NEW visitor attraction will open at York Minster this weekend which tells the story of the last 2,000 years of the important site. Revealing York Minster is the largest visitor attraction set within a cathedral in the UK and is based in the undercroft
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Holby City (BBC1, 8pm)
BIBS and babygrows might be familiar presents for Prince William and Kate Middleton, but their old university friend Jules Knight is planning on posting a more unusual gift to the royal couple. Knight, who was friends with the expectant pair while
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The Northern Sinfonia and Chorus, The Sage Gateshead
THE choral works of Scottish composer James MacMillan are infused with an intensity born out of his deep Catholic faith and encapsulated in his Seven Last Words from The Cross. The Northern Sinfonia and Chorus, under the baton of Nicholas Collon
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Celebrating 70 years of Finchale
A TRAINING college which helps military veterans is to stage a fundraising concert to mark its 70th anniversary. Finchale College, in Brasside, near Durham, will present the Salute Our Heroes at the Gala Theatre, in Durham, on Saturday, June 8,
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Police seek dog-owner after bull terrier kills cat and injures woman
POLICE are hunting the owner of a Staffordshire bull terrier which killed a cat and injured a woman. On Tuesday, May 7, a dog was being walked without a lead on Townend Street in the Groves area of York. The dog than grabbed a cat, named Buffy
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Church fun day raises funds for Kenya
A METHODIST church has raised nearly £1,500 by organising a family fun day and plans to use part of it to build a well in a village in Kenya. Hurworth Methodist Church, with its 186th anniversary on Sunday, has collected £1,491 from about 250 people
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Cleveland's new assistant chief constable looking forward to writing new chapter for force
CLEVELAND Police's new Deputy Chief Constable Iain Spittal says he is looking forward to helping write "a new chapter" for the force. Mr Spittal is currently serving as Assistant Chief Constable in North Yorkshire Police and will take up his post
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Sailing club offers chance to try the sport for free
A SAILING club is offering visitors the chance to try the sport for free at its annual open day. Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club will open its gates to the public on Saturday, June 1 between 11am and 4pm. Weather permitting, visitors will be
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Lots of rural charm in country
BUYERS looking for a spacious country home that combines a stunning secluded rural setting with beautifully presented accommodation should take a look at Home Farm Cottage. This immaculate home has been substantially extended and refurbished to
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Darlington rock band, Mustang, offer reward to trace stolen equipment
A REWARD is being offered by a band whose valuable equipment was targeted by thieves. Darlington rockers Mustang have appealed for the safe return of guitar amps stolen at the weekend. A rack of equipment, including Marshall amps, tuners and
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FTSE 100 surged to highest close yesterday
THE FTSE 100 Index surged to its highest close yesterday for more than 12 years as free-spending central banks continue to send investors flocking to shares. The London market closed up 32.6 points at 6755.6, a 0.5 per cent gain and its highest
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Heritage Lottery
PETER MOLLOY took me to task for suggesting the Queen is of German heritage (HAS, May 16). I wasn’t having a go at the Queen for being German. I was merely pointing out that she comes from German immigrant stock, reaching back to the Hanoverian
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Guide dogs say thank you
AS we approach national volunteers week (June 1 to 7) I would like to thank Guide Dogs’ hardworking and committed volunteers in our region for the huge difference they make to our organisation. More than 300 volunteers complete a range of roles
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Oil be darned
NERO fiddling comes to mind at the latest ill-conceived pronouncement from EU bureaucrats. Henceforth, olive oil is no longer to be served at restaurant tables in refillable containers. In future, it will only be available in tamper-proof packets
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Artworks
I ALWAYS believed that, if god gave you a brain, it was there to be used. However, after learning of the results of a Christie’s art sale in America, I am under the impression that so-called art lovers are told what to believe and not what they
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Tax
IT was the former Labour Chancellor Denis Healey who remarked “the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is but the thickness of a prison wall”. While avoidance is technically legal Margaret Hodge MP and the House of Commons Public Accounts
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Tees Valley project management experts win gas platform deal
A North-East technology and project management firm has secured a £2.6m deal to help install a gas platform above the Arctic Circle. The Aasta Hansteen project is another major contract for Middlesbrough-based Unasys and follows on from its work
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Parking
I AM writing on behalf of the people in Darlington who have to pay to park in the front of their house. The cost of a parking permit has now gone up to £40 a year, an increase of £15. As usual no one asked for it – just like the fiasco of the wheelie
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NAAFI
I AM doing research on the Naafi Harwood Club, in Catterick Garrison. It was an outstanding venue in the 1960s but demolished in the 1970s. I am seeking any photographs for a book. JC Lloyd, 55 East Road, London.
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Teenager's Ferryhill advice centre wins award
A DROP-IN advice centre in Ferryhill has become the first in County Durham to receive an Investing in Children award. The One Point Hub, backed by Durham County Council, was praised by the Investors in Children group for redeveloping a waiting
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Vertu buys Co-Op's Land Rover dealerships
VERTU Motors is acquiring the three Land Rover dealerships in a £31m deal. The Co-operative Group Motors dealerships, in addition to a used car site, will operate as a new division within Gateshead-based Vertu, headed up by current operations manager
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Religion – take it or leave it
ARE you still quivering? It’s a serious question. I’ve just been reading about a new movement which began in the US – where else? – called the Quiverers. They are Evangelical Christians who have taken literally the words of Psalm 127: “Lo, children
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A game plan for extra time
Now that Sir Alex Ferguson has finally called it a day, Kate Whiting considers the effect retirement from a busy work life can have on a person’s health and marriage WHEN Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement as manager of Manchester United
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Tackling excess
NOT all footballers are dreadful role models. David Beckham, who played what is almost certain to be his final game as a professional on Sunday, has proved a fantastic ambassador for Great Britain. Paul Scholes, who also retired this weekend
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Watch that’s for your eyes only...
JAMES BOND’S Geiger counter wristwatch from hit movie Thunderball has turned up following years of mystery after it was found at a car boot sale. The prop – one of the many gadgets used by 007 during his half century on-screen – helped the agent
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Stunt riders show off their skills in Darlington
TWO top riders dazzled schoolchildren with their cycling skills to give the youngsters an entertaining break from their exams. The Federation of Abbey Schools had a surprise visit from Danny Butler - a British trials champion who has been ranked
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Student paid £250 for bottle of water - thinking it was an iPad and an iPhone
A FOREIGN student was tricked into paying £250 for a bottle of water, when he thought he was buying an iPhone and an iPad. The scam started in Durham Market Place on Thursday (May 16) afternoon. The 22-year-old student was approached by a stranger
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Stately progress
LAST Wednesday’s plan was to see how they’re getting on at Auckland Castle, even to pay a few quid for the privilege of visiting a building where frequently we’ve been guests. It was delayed by news in that morning’s paper that that splendid steam
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Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, The Sage Gateshead
ONCE country music queen Harris and her long-time friend, band member Rodney Crowell, and their five-piece band stepped on stage, there was only one thing on their mind. For they welcomed the packed hall to join them as they performed music close
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Family appeals for missing student to get in touch
The family of a missing student have appealed for him to make contact, five days after he was last seen. Jason Fyles, who is studying town planning at Newcastle University, was known to have been at an address on Helmsley Road, in Sandyford, in
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Humphreys released by Pools
RITCHIE Humphreys, Hartlepool United's all-time appearance holder, has left Victoria Park after the club opted to release him. He has made 542 appearances since signing from Cambridge in 2001 and was named the club's player of the century in 2008
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Longest-serving Harper still a safe pair of hands
STEVE HARPER wants to prove he can still be a steady pair of hands after bidding an emotional farewell to Newcastle United after 20 years service at St James' Park. Harper, who has long-term plans to step into coaching and possibly management,
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Will Di Canio's hardline approach succeed?
FORMER Swindon Town chief executive Nick Watkins once described Paolo Di Canio's preferred style of governance as "management by hand grenade". Less than two months into the Italian's reign at Sunderland, and the pin has well and truly been removed
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Johnson defends Di Canio's hardline approach
ADAM Johnson has backed Paolo Di Canio's disciplinarian approach and insisted the Sunderland manager is right to lay down the law as he attempts to transform his club's fortunes. Di Canio held an end-of-season debrief with his players at the Academy
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National gymnastics title for Paralympic hopeful Kieran
A TEENAGER who lost part of a leg to cancer is celebrating after he and his partner won a national gymnastics title. Kieran Maxwell, from Heighington, near Darlington, took part in the National Development Plan Acrobatic Gymnastics championships
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Waiting game for Ashraf
Yorkshire first-team coach Jason Gillespie has explained why Moin Ashraf has been absent from LV= County Championship cricket this season. Out of the eight senior fast bowlers at Gillespie's disposal, only Ashraf and Iain Wardlaw have not been
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Video: Dozens dead after mile wide tornado rips through city
DOZENS of people have died, including several children, after an enomrous twister more than a mile wide tore through Okalhoma City. Authorities said the death toll was 91 but warned it could rise as rescuers combed through wreckage looking for
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Belmont family's heartbreak, two years on from fatal smash
A COUPLE who want a speeding lorry driver prosecuted for knocking down their son have spoken of their anger that they are still fighting, two years on from the fatal crash. John and Janet Thompson’s son Jake, 27, died five days after being hit
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Temporary buildings firm secures its own Olympic Games legacy
A FIRM supplying temporary buildings, which are used by workers on construction sites, has created its own Olympic Games legacy. Portakabin, based in York, sent 600 modules to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and says it is now recycling
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Outsourcing firm could cut jobs
AN outsourcing firm, which employs thousands of workers in the North of England, could cut hundreds of jobs despite seeing it order book remain strong. Mitie has revealed operating profits had increased to £122m, with pre-tax profits rising five
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Family's plea to missing student
THE family of missing teenager Jason Fyles have appealed for him to get in touch. Jason, 19, from Bowsden Court, Gosforth, was last seen at an address on Helmsley Road, Sandyford, Newcastle, at 2.45am on Thursday, May 16. He is a student at
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Killer jailed for life for "atrocious" murder of van driver
A KILLER was yesterday jailed for life for what his own barrister described as the "atrocious" murder of a van driver. Last night, it emerged that James Brabbs was on bail for carrying weapons when he stabbed to death Mohammed Saleem Khan.
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Deal with Labour saves gay marriage Bill
A BILL to legalise gay marriage was rescued by a last-gasp deal with Labour last night - but at the risk of further inflaming Tory anger with David Cameron. The Coalition reached agreement with Ed Miliband to defeat what ministers had branded a
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Family pay tribute to much-loved cyclist
THE family of a popular cyclist said they can take some comfort know he died doing what he loved. Father-of-three Gordon Holden suffered a heart attack just outside Winston on Thursday, May 16 - 70 miles into a cycle ride with some friends.
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Cleaning firm looks to create new jobs in expansion
A CLEANING firm, which worked on a flagship £105m national football centre, says it wants to create more North-East jobs and expand across the UK after winning a raft of contracts. MJF Cleaning Services, in Darlington, was founded seven years ago
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North-East property firm works on £2.5m home-building contract
A NORTH-EAST property services firm has continued its growth after winning a contract to build an affordable home development. Esh Property Services, part of construction firm, Esh Group, which has a base in Durham, will work on a £2.5m scheme
