Archive
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"Seriously ill" Tony Benn spends fourth night in hospital
VETERAN Labour politician Tony Benn is spending a fourth night in hospital. The former Cabinet minister, 88, was admitted over the weekend and is understood to be seriously ill. A family spokesman said: "Tony Benn was taken to hospital on Saturday
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More than 200 police staff across the North-East and North Yorkshire breach data protection laws
MORE than 200 police staff in the region have been caught breaching data protection laws - including one officer who revealed confidential details of a murder. Dozens of police officers and civilian workers have been disciplined for accessing confidential
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RA edged out in best of five cup tie
Darlington RA narrowly went out of the Ernest Armstrong Trophy to North Shields by 3-2 at Brinkburn Road last night. The RA took the lead after 8 minutes when Steve Allison headed in a David Mitchell cross, but Gareth Bainbridge levelled from a
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Saltburn teenager tells of Turkey holiday hell as five-year legal battle ends
A TEENAGER who was among 600 people who had their holiday ruined by a sickness outbreak has told of his experience at the end of a five-year legal battle. Dominic Spencer, a college student from Saltburn, fell sick after an outbreak of gastric
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Middlesbrough confirm signing of Real Madrid goalkeeper
MIDDLESBROUGH have signed Real Madrid goalkeeper Tomas Mejias Osorio on loan for the remainder of the season. Osorio agreed to move to Teesside late on transfer-deadline day at the end of January, but complications with the 25-year-old's international
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National Park Authority vows to fight Government plans to allow greater flexibility in converting barns to commercial units
A NATIONAL park authority has voted to block Government planning rules allowing disused barns to be converted into small business units. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is thought to be the only national park in the country to fight
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Blaydon's poor run rumbles on
BLAYDON'S sudden loss of form after their outstanding run continued when they allowed a 26-7 lead to become a 31-26 defeat at home to Richmond. The defeat did no favours for Tynedale as it allowed Richmond to pull seven points clear of the third-bottom
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Catterick road accident victim, Pte Codie Richardson of Norton, Stockton, is laid to rest
HUNDREDS of people gathered to pay their respects to a 20-year-old soldier whose funeral was held today (Tuesday, February 11). Silence quickly fell among the more than 450 mourners packed into an ordinary Stockton street as Private Codie Richardson
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Sunderland fans urged to beware of cup final ticket fraudsters
FRAUDSTERS are trying to cash in on Sunderland fans’cup final fever. The club, the police and the Football League are investigating attempts to sell illegally tickets to Black Cats supporters for the Capital One Cup final against Manchester City
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New trial date agreed for former finance manager accused of defrauding training company
A NEW date has been agreed for the trial of a former finance manager accused of defrauding a training company. Sharon Morris was to go on trial at Durham Crown Court today (Tuesday February 11) having previously denied three counts of fraud, by
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Quakers extend investment deadline after hitting £50,000 target
DARLINGTON FC has extended its deadline for investment after hitting its initial £50,000 goal. The Quakers board of directors tonight spoke of their delight that the crucial target had been achieved. The deadline for further investments through
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The Tyne lifeboat makes return journey home to South Shields
THE WORLD'S second-oldest lifeboat in existence and one of the North-East’s most important examples of maritime heritage has made her return journey home after being fully renovated. The Grade II Listed The Tyne lifeboat, built by J Oliver from
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Nursery children get taste of life at primary school
CHILDREN at a nursery have begun preparing for life at school by celebrating the Chinese New Year. Carlton Miniott Community Primary School’s reception class joined youngsters at the Learning Tree Nursery in trying a range of oriental foods and
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Festival wants to tune in to local volunteers
ORGANISERS of Bedale’s music festival are calling on local people to get involved with the event which brought more than £40,000 into the local economy last year. BAMfest wants to encourage volunteers from the Bedale area to come forward to help
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Rare bird spotted by children gets twitchers in a flap in High Shincliffe
A RARE bird that brought hundreds of twitchers to a quiet village was first discovered by two children taking part in RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, it has been revealed. The myrtle warbler was spotted by Emily Power, 12, and her brother Thomas
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Titanic no bigger than modern sea ferry, North-East expert says
Despite its popular image of vastness the Titanic was no bigger than a modern North Sea ferry, an expert in marine technology has said. The doomed liner was the largest ship afloat when completed in 1912, but a gas processing vessel to be finished
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Man suffers serious head injuries in a Middlesbrough home
A MAN has suffered serious head and facial injuries after being discovered apparently badly beaten in a Middlesbrough house this morning. Officers are carrying out investigations while the injured man was taken to James Cook University Hospital
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Man jailed for drunken confrontation carrying sharpened screw driver on New Year's Eve.
A HEAVILY drunk man was seen behaving in a threatening manner while carrying a sharpened screw driver late on New Year’s Eve, a court heard. Kenneth Liam McGregor was among several males acting aggressively, exchanging gestures, outside a pizza
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Teen who drove father's BMW at 140mph before crashing it told police: 'My dad's going to kill me'
A TEENAGER who crashed his father's BMW into a wall after driving at speeds of more than 100mph told police: “My dad is going to kill me.” Liam Kirkbright told officers he clocked 140mph in the high powered vehicle, while Teesside Crown Court heard
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Fondant fancy fright fails to floor Angel's Share in TV baking competition
A NORTH Yorkshire bakery survived a fondant fancy fright to make it through to the grand final of a television talent show. Tonight's (Tuesday's) semi-final of Britains Best Bakery tasked the four remaining contestants with making an afternoon
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Defendant admits causing fire at own home
A MAN who attempted to burn down his own home has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentence. Brian Pickering admitted a charge of arson with intent to endanger life on September 15 last year on the eve of his trial at Teesside Crown Court.
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Residents told to stay indoors after chemical fire closes A1(M) in both directions in North Yorkshire
PEOPLE were told to stay inside after a lorry carrying chemicals caught fire on the A1 (M) in North Yorkshire. The road was closed in both directions at Dishforth due to the incident. The incident was reported at 4pm and involved a lorry parked
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Regimental secretaries and charity group visits Catterick veterans' recovery centre
REGIMENTAL secretaries from across the North-East, North West and Scotland have visited Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison so they can spread the word to veterans in their associations. Up to 15 regimental secretaries as well as
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Students learn of need to be careful online as part of Safer Internet Day
STUDENTS across the region learnt about the dangers of cyber-bullying and online predators as part of Safer Internet Day. Held each February, Safer Internet Day aims to promote safer use of online technology. Its message is particularly poignant
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Don't do in Bedale dog owners warned
A campaign to clampdown on dog foulers in the dark is being launched in Bedale after complaints from residents. Police Community Support Officers and the local dog warden are being drafted in to help. Brian Ellis, who lives in Benkhill Drive
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Dig into the past at archaeology day
HISTORY buffs will be digging into the past at an annual event taking place next month. The 10th County Durham Archaeology Day takes place on March 8 in County Hall, Durham City. There will be talks on the Roman fort at Greta Bridge, near Barnard
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Evolution Festival not going ahead this year
ORGANISERS of a North-East music festival have announced it will not be held this year. Evolution Festival promoters are taking a year out from putting on the festival on the quaysides of Newcastle and Gateshead. Jim Mawdsley and Dave Stone
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Young friends raise money together in memory of their beloved sisters
TWO young friends who both lost their little sisters to rare diseases have organised a charity fundraising event in their memory. Charlotte Sands, ten, and Angel Snowdon Smith, nine, from Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, have arranged a party for
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Half-term football sessions for youngsters
A FOOTBALL charity is holding coaching courses for youngsters during the half-term holiday. Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of Light will run a three-day course for three to 14-year-olds at Pelton Primary School, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, from
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Electricity teams sent to help flood-hit south
ELECTRICTY engineers from the region are being sent to help protect power supplies in the flood-hit South-east. Staff and equipment from Northern Powergrid are being sent to the Thames Valley to assist their counterparts at South East Electricity
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Fundraising bid for Spennymoor man with rare condition as he tries to raise awareness of illness
A MAN suffering from an extremely rare illness for which there is no cure is hoping to raise awareness of the condition. James Smith, 27, of Spennymoor, suffers from Wolfram Syndrome, a rare genetic discorder. The illness is so rare that only
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Darlington disability sport team receives £6,500 funding boost from Sport England
A NEW disability sport team has been awarded a funding boost by Sport England to help them increase the number of people who can take part. Darlington Powerchair Football Club, set up last year by father and son team George and James Radcliffe,
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Pupils get a fright as part of National Storytelling Week
YOUNGSTERS from a Thirsk independent school had a scary visitor last week as part of National Storytelling Week. Year three and four girls from Queen Mary’s School in Topcliffe, Thirsk, were greeted by a wicked witch after following a trail of
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Brodsky String Quartet to perform North Yorkshire chamber music concert
TEESSIDE Music Society will be staging a Chamber Music Concert by the Brodsky String Quartet at Stokesley Methodist Church on Sunday, February 16 at 7.45pm. They will be performing music by Borodin, Tchaikovsky and Barber. People are advised to
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Bells chippy sign to be turned off at night, following complaints
A FISH and chip shop owner has pledged to turn off an illuminated sign at closing time, after complaints from residents. Bells moved its Gilesgate fish and chip shop about 100 yards further down Sunderland Road towards the city centre late last
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Special grant to help fight obesity
A grant of £50,000 has been given to Hambleton District Council to establish a two year programme to help overweight and obese adults. The money has come through Public Health, the health and wellbeing service. The authority will be using the
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Club throws its support behind marathon challenge
HARTLEPOOL United players have given their backing to a charity challenge aimed at raising money for Cancer Research UK and the NSPCC. The Pools squad wore a warm-up T-shirt at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday (February 8) in recognition of the
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Bungalow plan for Bowburn communal hall
A COMMUNAL hall is to close and be converted into a bungalow, despite the anger of local councillors. Durham City Homes has been given the go-ahead to turn semi-detached 63 Marlene Avenue, in Bowburn, near Durham, into a three-bedroom bungalow.
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Girl Guides and Brownies celebrate World Thinking Day
BROWNIES and Girl Guides enjoyed a sleepover and activity weekend to celebrate international friendship as part of World Thinking Day. Members of the Thirsk and Easingwold units of Girlguiding Hambleton Division stayed at the Galtres Centre in
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Housing schemes for South Hetton and Thornley approved
COUNCILLORS have approved plans for more than 100 homes across nearly ten acres of open land, despite neither of the two sites being earmarked for housing in either the local or county plans. Durham County Council’s central and east area planning
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Town pub gig
Rock band Star Jumpers will play at the Market Tavern, South Burns, Chester-le-Street, on Friday night (February 14). The gig starts at 9pm and admission is free. For details call 0191-388 4749 Music night: Music and poems for a winter evening
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Incoming bishop takes oath to The Queen
THE incoming Bishop of Durham has formally taken an oath to The Queen in the last formal step before taking up his role later this month. The Right Rev Paul Butler today (TUES) took the oath acknowledging Her Majesty The Queen as Sovereign and
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Highlights of this year's Bishop Auckland Food Festival unveiled
A TV celebrity chef is hoping to stir up the public’s passion for local produce at a popular annual food festival. Live cookery demonstrations by Channel Four’s Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer are among the highlights of the two-day Bishop
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Singing Chefs group to perform at hospitality industry event
A GROUP of singing chefs will be promoting a hotel, restaurant and bar show in York. The Singing Chefs will perform at the Yorkshire Hotel Show at York Racecourse on February 18 and 19, which promises a packed conference programme with expert advice
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Sunflowers will turn town gold in memory of fallen soldiers
THOUSANDS of sunflowers will help paint a North-East town gold this summer in tribute to its soldiers who fell in the First World War. Packets of sunflower seeds will be handed out from April, and the flowers will be cut down in August to signify
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District council committee recommend council tax increase
COUNCIL tax in Richmondshire could rise by 1.9 per cent if a recommendation from a strategy board committee is accepted by the full council. Richmondshire District Council’s strategy board last night (Monday, February 10) voted in favour of the
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Man who sold his life on eBay to appear on television
A FORMER Darlington resident who gained worldwide fame by ‘selling his life’ on eBay is appearing in a television series. Ian Usher, a former Barnard Castle School pupil from Darlington, sold his house, car and even his friends on the internet
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Two lifeguards from the region have been selected to compete in world championships
TWO lifesavers are to compete in the Lifesaving World Championships later this year. Myles Strudwick, 35, from Thirsk, and 15-year-old Jasmine Dixon from Bedale will compete as part of the Blyth Lifeguard and Swimming Club team in Montpellier,
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Gig Review: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, The Civic Theatre, Darlington
Review: Rachel Smith (Darlington College journalism student) Regularly dubbed by critics as the ‘ultimate celebration concert’, it is unsurprising that critically acclaimed tribute band, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, has managed to sing their way to
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Average North-East care home rated 'above national average'
THE average North-East care home has been rated as being above the national average in a new survey. The results from the 2013 Your Care Rating survey – which claims to be the UK’s largest survey of care home residents - have been released.
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‘I love being a bossy cop’
Fay Ripley, had never wanted to star in a cop drama until she was sent the details of Suspects. Now she’s on the hunt for bad guys IT wasn’t the script that made Fay Ripley jump at the chance to star in new Channel 5 crime drama Suspects. In fact
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Why Jill fills the Old Bill
Byker Grove graduate Jill Halfpenny’s has moved on from soap and reality dance to battling crime in Danny Boyle’s new show and couldn’t be happier, as Keeley Bolger finds out FOR someone who’s worked in showbiz for more than 20 years, Jill Halfpenny
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Former TV weatherman Fred Talbot in court accused of historic sex abuse
Former television weatherman Fred Talbot has made his first court appearance today (Tuesday, February 11) accused of a string of historic sex offences. The 64-year-old, who was a regular on the floating weather map in Liverpool's Albert Dock for
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The North-East's Quay Voices jet off to the Canadian Rockies
THE NORTH-EAST’S regional choir is preparing to travel to Canada for a week’s residency in the Rocky Mountains. Quay Voices will be recording a CD of North-East and Canadian folk songs as well as performing in a concert at the Rolston Recital Hall
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No objections from town councillors to Barnard Castle School sixth form centre plans
NO OBJECTIONS: Plans to build a new sixth-form block at Barnard Castle School have been backed by town councillors. The proposals include a new single-storey building with mezzanine situated in a courtyard between the existing dining hall and swimming
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Race night to reform Lanchester Lions
A CHARITY which folded last year after half a century of supporting good causes in north Durham is re-forming. Lanchester Lions, which has for years organised the village carnival and fireworks display, ceased in July due to a lack of members.
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Ready for the Oscar club
From slim pickings, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto have helped to create an award- winning movie. They talk to Steve Pratt JARED Leto likes to repeat Andy Warhol’s remark that labels are for cans not people. “It’s more and more common for all
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Eight people appear at court in connection with October pub brawl
EIGHT people appeared in court charged with violent disorder this morning (TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11) in relation to a pub brawl in Middlesbrough in October. All eight appeared together before district judge Kristina Harrison at Teesside Magistrates
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Marvels of the Mara
Sarah Marshall heads to Kenya’s Masai Mara Conservancies for animal encounters akin to a wildlife documentary CROUCHED in the long grass, her unwavering gaze fixed directly ahead, the world’s fastest land animal sits completely still. A young gazelle
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Options for the future of Cockerton Library to be discussed by councillors ahead of public consultation
RESEARCH into the future options for a closure-threatened library has begun, ahead of public consultation about whether the popular facility can be sustained by the community in years to come. Council funding for Cockerton Library will come to
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Water colours
Wild nature baths, tales of trolls and some of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights entice Sarah Marshall to the remote and less visited region of northern Iceland NOW darkness has engulfed the gnarly volcanic landscape, it’s hard
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Freeze for Hambleton council tax
A COUNCIL which came under fire for not passing on government payouts for parish and town councils is set to freeze its own council tax for the fourth year running. Hambleton District Council leaders said more than £3m had been cut from its budgets
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Healthy marriage Initiative
Across the Atlantic the US Federal Government has been investing in the promotion of healthy marriages.Back in the mid-nineties it was felt that the continual erosion of marriage was having devastating social and economic consequences for the country
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Police warning after catalytic converters are stolen in Sunderland
POLICE are urging drivers to be vigilant after catalytic converters were stolen from vans in a North-East city. There were three reports of thefts from Mercedes Sprinter vans in Thanet Road, Taunton Square and Avonmouth Road, Sunderland, between
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Gale force winds expected to blast the region tomorrow
FORECASTERS have warned that gale force winds and wintry snow showers could hit the region over the next two days. Snow has already fallen over high ground across North Yorkshire and the North-East today (Tuesday, February 11) and The Met Office
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Great supporters
Weave some magic in the garden with the help of hazel and willow ONCE again the year has rolled around, with new life such as snowdrops and irises already emerging, tantalising our senses and provoking our anticipation for the year to come. It
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Day's closure for centre
CHESTER-le-Street Leisure Centre will be closed on Thursday (February 20) because the electricity will be off during essential work at the local sub-station. Centre manager Julie Lewcock said: “We apologise for any inconvenience but we do expect
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Latest of the remaining A4s arrive in Shildon for Mallard anniversary display
A LOCOMOTIVE steamed in to Shildon to take its place in a line-up of historic engines gathering to mark Mallard’s record breaking exploits. The A4 class Bittern steamed up the East Coast Mainline to Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon
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Open-minded
Want to embrace open-plan living? If your answer is yes, Julia Gray gives you some helpful hints on how to get started ONCE upon a time, most of us were happy to live in small rooms, each duly fit for one particular purpose but not much else.
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Family poverty grants available in Hartlepool
VOLUNTARY and community sector (VCS) organisations in Hartlepool are being invited to bid for grants to help them provide support to local people, with a particular focus on tackling family poverty. A total of £75,000 is available via category
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MP 'overjoyed' at progress of smoking legislation
NORTH-EAST MP, Alex Cunningham, has said he is “overjoyed” that MPs have given overwhelming support to his long-running campaign for a smoking ban in cars when children are present. The Stockton North MP has spent the last three years trying to
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Auction of rare comics underway in Newcastle
There are 448 lots with the furious frenzy of bidding expected to last between four and five hours. Notable entries include issue Number Ones of Spiderman, X-Men, Viz, Aquaman, Daredevil and Hawkman. The Spiderman (Lot 100) has a guide price of
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New outdoor fitness equipment for Bedale
BEDALE Town Council is encouraging residents to get fit with a special range of outdoor equipment for adults. The new fitness equipment will be officially launched on Saturday February 15 at 10am in Bedale Park. The big Lottery Fund has given
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Paratrooper who carried Margaret Thatcher's coffin defends live goldfish neknomination stunt
A PARATROOPER who carried the coffin of Margaret Thatcher has defended his behaviour after drinking a pint of lager containing two live goldfish for a neknomination stunt. Lance Corporal James Steel, from Ripon, North Yorkshire, claimed the two
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Opera star Rachel Mosley to sing at special Bedale concert
Opera North star Rachel Mosley is to sing at a special concert to mark the life of Bedale Baronet Sir Henry Beresford Peirse in the town's St Gregory’s Church. It has been arranged by Sir Henry’s family and friends to help raise money towards the
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Superbrain winner strikes gold for fourth time
TONY has struck gold for a fourth time in The Northern Echo’s Superbrain quiz. Last year’s winner Tony Gold has held onto his crown - a crown he first won in 1986. The semi-retired chartered surveyor from Houghton-le-Spring got 282 marks out
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Morgan rejects the IPL riches for a Test recall
EOIN MORGAN’S decision to skip this year’s Indian Premier League provides some much-needed encouragement for beleaguered England. A miserable winter of discontent continued on Sunday when the England and Wales Cricket Board’s explanation for the
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Cricketers union hits out at major ICC changes
THE Federation of Cricketers’ Associations has issued a damning critique of the wide-ranging changes afoot at the International Cricket Council. FICA, which represents player unions from seven of the ten Testplaying nations, has taken its time
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Stepping back in distance could be key for Apostle
APOSTLE can make the most of the step back to seven furlongs in the Ladbrokes Handicap at Southwell. David Simcock’s decision to try his charge over a mile last time narrowly failed to pay off as he was beaten just a length and a half when third
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Ryan Wigglesworth, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Sage Gateshead,
Ryan Wigglesworth treated an audience at Sage Gateshead to an inspiring display of musical multi-tasking - directing Royal Northern Sinfonia from both podium and piano, while also presenting one of his compositions. Performing live to the nation
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Smith and Mania double
ON the eve of the release of the weights for the 2014 Crabbie’s Grand National, last year’s winning trainer and jockey Sue Smith and Ryan Mania teamed up for a double at Catterick. Unfortunately Auroras Encore has been forced into retirement and
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Celebration to mark long service of volunteers at Billingham charity shop
A PAIR of seasoned volunteers have been rewarded for their dedication to the British Heart Foundation. Ann Webster, 80 and Evie Moralee, 73 have racked up 20 years’ service in the charity’s Billingham store. And the pair were invited to a special
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Long Run heading for Kelso
LONG RUN is to travel north of the border for the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase later this week as connections head to Kelso in search of better ground. The Kempton Park Chase, formerly known as the Racing Plus Chase, on February 22 had been earmaked
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McIlroy’s Scottish Open plan
RORY McIlroy is aiming to follow in Phil Mickelson’s footsteps after confirming his return to the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open following a five-year absence. Mickelson won the event at Castle Stuart last year before going on to triumph
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Is Sindy, almost 18, Darlington's oldest pet dog?
ANIMAL lovers are being encouraged to give a dog a home, as a family that did just that wonder if they are now the proud owner of Darlington’s oldest pet dog. When Dave Spence and his family rescued Sindy, a Shepherd-Whippet cross-breed, from Dogs
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A tumble and an injury costs Jack
JACK WHELBOURNE had only an ice pack and a nasty limp to show for his Olympic short track speed skating final appearance in Sochi. Short track is a sport where thrills and spills are guaranteed and, in Whelbourne’s case, it was a spill rather than
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KP gets a deal with Surrey
KEVIN PIETERSEN has agreed terms to play for Surrey this summer, the county side have confirmed. Pietersen was last week left out of England’s squads for the limited-overs tour of the West Indies and the ICC World T20, with a statement from the
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Mourino offers Pellegrini a lesson in maths
JOSE MOURINHO believes Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is getting his sums wrong as the war of words between the two managers continues to develop. After Mourinho suggested City were the beneficiaries of refereeing decisions his counterpart
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The Grafton touch
A newly-established interior design business has won exclusive rights to sell the Ralph Lauren home collection in Yorkshire. Ruth Campbell makes herself at home in the Harrogate showroom INTERIOR designer Richard Grafton invites me to make myself
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Adding Insult to Injury
WHY has the contract of England’s most successful batsman, Kevin Pietersen, not been renewed by England and Wales Cricket Board? What has he done to deserve this? It seems to me that they are looking for a scapegoat for England’s pathetic performances
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Minder
I SHARE the thoughts of Christopher Wardell on the great Arthur Daley and his favourite TV show, Minder. It made terrific light-hearted television. What shocked me most was Arthur’s wide spectrum of talents. To go from lovable villain to
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Ash Tree
THE perception that ash trees are one of Britain’s most common woodland species isn’t altogether correct. We should realise that the ash is being killed off by fungal infection on a scale not seen since Dutch Elm Disease in the 1970s. The ash
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Darlington Parking
THE debate over Darlington’s town parking seems to run on and on with numerous proposals discussed. The answer seems obvious. Like other major towns and cities why not try a park-and-ride scheme, even if just for a couple of months to judge
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Zoo Animals
DYING zoos often breed giraffes and other “exotic” animals in captivity and create babies in an effort to keep drawing in paying visitors – yet often, there’s nowhere to put the offspring as they grow. Wildlife documentaries have opened people’
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Royal Plea
I READ the story about Prince Charles and Prince William joining forces to protect endangered species (Echo, Feb 10). What a joke. The royals have persecuted wildlife for hundreds of years and still do. Maybe they are worried they won’t have any
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Toure is clear to play on
MANCHESTER CITY have received a huge boost after the Football Association decided to take no action against Yaya Toure for an apparent kick at Norwich’s Ricky van Wolfswinkel. The Ivory Coast midfielder could have faced a threematch ban but the
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Drugs Reply
WRITING about drugs, VJ Connor made the unfounded accusation that via The Northern Echo’s website I had expressed a desire to see all drug users and dealers executed (HAS, Feb 8). I should like to make it absolutely clear that I have never expressed
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It never rains, but it sure pours
WHENEVER we were enjoying a spell of fine weather, my granddad, a Leeds newsagent, would say: “We’ll pay for this – you’ll see.” He knew what he was talking about. Every morning, from 1911 until 1955 he got out of bed at 4am, walked to the bridge in
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Flood Defences
RECENT letters regarding flooding have called for more investment in barricade defences (HAS, Feb 7). These islands have altered shape and land use for thousands of years because of climate or human intervention. For example, the rivers on
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Running after Routledge 100 years on
AN intrepid fundraiser is starting a 9,000-mile journey to Easter Island this week to mark the 100th anniversary of a landmark expedition. Darlington-born Susie Stephen was inspired to take on the challenge after researching the story of Katherine
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Loss of funding sinks our sport
Last week, UK Sport announced it was withdrawing all funding from four Olympic sports. One of those sports is water polo. South Shields’ Angie Winstanley- Smith, a member of the team that played at the 2012 Olympics, explains why the decision is so
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Firing up a conflict
THE public image of the Royal Family has improved significantly in recent years and much of that progress is down to Prince William and Prince Harry. The brothers have shown themselves to be engaging, down to earth and popular and we have found
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Ghost train to Tow Law
NONE who sentiently lived through it is likely to forget the winter of 1962-63. If it were bleak down here, or over there, what on earth must it have been like in Tow Law? It was the Alaska of the North; up there they really did get the drift.
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Man suffers serious head injuries in a Middlesbrough home
A MAN has suffered serious head and facial injuries after being discovered apparently badly beaten in a Middlesbrough house this morning. Officers are carrying out investigations while the injured man was taken to James Cook University Hospital
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Bellway revenues up 41 per cent
HOUSEBUILDER Bellway said higher sales and robust house prices boosted first-half revenues by 41 per cent, as strong buyer demand helped its orderbook swell to £783m. The housebuilder, which has benefited from an upturn in the wider housing market
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Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Chris’s Final Answer (ITV1, 9pm)
IT’S a bittersweet time for Chris Tarrant. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? has not only recently celebrated its 15th birthday, but has now bowed out of the limelight for good. The final episode of the dream-making game show aired last week
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Births, Deaths and Marriages (ITV, 9pm)
IN Births, Deaths and Marriages the team is preparing to leave the register office and move all its records from Old Marylebone Town Hall to three different venues across London. That means packing up more than 100 years worth of historical records
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200 Nips and Tucks and I Want More (Channel 5, 9pm)
LATEST “shocking” documentary from Channel 5 is 200 Nips and Tucks and I Want More. Cameras follow surgery-obsessed people who have developed quite the habit of amending their bodies, and then some. In Liverpool, 28-year-old Carolyn Anderson has
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Barclays cuts 12,000 jobs, and increases bonuses
BARCLAYS is cutting 12,000 jobs this year, including 7,000 in the UK. The bank, which has 140,000 staff in total, said it had already told about half of the staff affected. The cuts came as Barclays said it had increased the total amount it
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TransAtlantic Sessions The Sage, Gateshead
IT was that time of year once again – time for Scottish fiddler Aly Bain and Dobro legend, America’s Jerry Douglas, to bring their troupe of merry musicians from BBC4’s TV series to town. What a night it turned out to be. In total 17 artists were
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Taffy Thomas, MBE - The Storyteller Kirklands Day Nursery, Barnard Castle
THE tradition of storytelling began long before the first word was ever written, an art form that exists in every culture and requires at least two people, a listener and a teller. As the first ever storytelling laureate, Taffy Thomas has been
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Collins rolling back the years under Cooper's guidance
“WITH Sam, I keep saying the same thing, I’ve been in that position at his age and you want players of that experience to have a positive impact.’’ And so Colin Cooper has been proved right in the last two games. Using his experience as a centre-half
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Solving the goals conundrum - how can goal-shy Middlesbrough find a way to the net?
AS STUART Attwell drew his lips to the whistle at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, full-time heralded the 444th minute without a Middlesbrough goal. Emmanuel Ledesma was the last man to find the net in a Boro shirt - in the 1-0 win against Charlton
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Bowler Bresnan backs Blackhall battler Bradley's cancer fight in benefit year
HOWZAT for a fundraising boost? A campaign to raise £500,000 to send a two-year-old cancer sufferer for treatment in the US has secured a huge shot in the arm. Yorkshire and England cricketer Tim Bresnan has decided to make Bradley Lowery’s
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Pardew gears up for Spurs visit by claiming Newcastle can finish ahead of champions
ALAN PARDEW thinks it is an “insult” to suggest Newcastle United’s season is already over by insisting that finishing above Manchester United remains a challenge worth overcoming in the remaining weeks of the campaign. With just four points separating
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MP calls for pensioners to be allowed to contribute to their bus fares
PENSIONERS must be allowed to contribute towards their bus fares to help save services, one of the region’s Conservative MPs told ministers last night. Strict rules that hand all elderly people free passes – or require them to pay full fares –
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Boro wait for Carayol news
AITOR KARANKA should find out later today if Mustapha Carayol will be forced to miss this weekend’s trip to Watford. The 23-year-old was forced to miss the final 16 minutes of Saturday’s goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers after tormenting the
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Engineering company bought by subsea firm
A NORTH-EAST precision engineering firm has been acquired by a subsea company. KRG Industries, in Stockton, has been bought by Proserv. The 35-year-old company, which employs about 170 workers across its Stockton plant and sister Scotland base
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Economy will grow as investment rises, says new report
THE UK's economy will continue to grow this year with businesses investing at their fastest pace for seven years, a new report has said. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says GDP will grow 2.6 per cent in 2014, with investment rising
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Medical testing firm hopes to create jobs
A NORTH-EAST medical testing firm says it hopes to create new jobs after a £350,000 laboratory investment. The Honeyman Group, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, has opened new microbiological and chemical testing facilities. Bosses say they
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Darlington pensioner mugged of £24,000 life savings gets most back after thieves fail to spot most of the cash
A PENSIONER who had her £24,000 life savings snatched in a mugging got most of it back - after two different thieves overlooked the bundles of cash. Burly robber Marek Olszewski swiped the 74-year-old's bag after seeing her with a bundle of notes
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Teacher training provider aims to expand in region
AN expanding North-East training provider is aiming to develop the future generation of education professionals in the region. Based at The Work Place in Newton Aycliffe, Durham Secondary SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) has been
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The Quakers always knew Dan Burn would shine at Fulham
DAN BURN has claimed that facing Manchester United was like a return to playing Conference football with Darlington. The Fulham defender, who arrived from the Quakers in 2011, said he was ‘happy’ to defend against the Premier League champions as
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Poyet satisfied his way is the right way for Sunderland
OVER the course of the last six weeks, Sunderland have earned themselves a lifeline in their fight for Premier League survival and sealed an appearance at Wembley. Despite losing to Hull City on Saturday, Gustavo Poyet has realised that the methods
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Newcastle College team shortlisted for national award
A SPECIALIST team at Newcastle College has been shortlisted in a national awards ceremony in recognition of its outstanding work supporting over 200 students with autism. Newcastle College Autism Support Team has been nominated in the ‘Inspirational
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College's pride as 10 high-fliers win places at Oxford or Cambridge
TEN students studying A Levels at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington have won places at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The students are elated, but their entry to these top universities is dependent on attaining the highest
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Online predators warned: we will hunt you down
A SPECIALIST squad of computer whizz crime fighters has pledged to hunt down the region’s internet predators, after online child grooming cases more than doubled in just one year. Durham Police’s E-Safety Unit saw its caseload rocket from 14 in
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Teacher training programme given the thumbs up for the 12th year running
GOVERNMENT regulators have given a North-East teacher training programmes a thumbs up for the twelfth year running – the only university to sustain this record in the UK. OFSTED, the government department responsible for assessing the quality
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Business leader takes the helm at North-East university
A PROMINENT North-East business leader has taken the helm of Teesside University’s governing body. Alastair MacColl, the chief executive of the BE Group, has taken over as chair of the board of governors having served as its vice chairman for four
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success rate is the best in college's history
FIGURES published by the Skills Funding Agency has shown that the overall success rate for New College Durham is significantly above the national average. According to the government agency, New College Durham achieved an overall success rate of
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New head teacher at Gateshead academy brings fresh approach to curriculum
THE arrival of a new head teacher at Thomas Hepburn Academy in Gateshead marks the start of a new, chapter in the development of the school, which only recently converted to an academy in October 2013. Lesley Craig took up her post at the start
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Five-year-old Holly hailed a hero for saving her dad's life
A PROUD dad is hailing his five-year-old daughter a hero for saving his life after he fell into a diabetic coma. Brave Holly Price found the 47-year-old builder slumped downstairs and calmly injected him in the stomach with glucagon. Barry
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Parents must do more to protect children online - Durham researcher
A RESEARCHER is calling on parents to do more to keep their children safe online. Bex Lewis, a research fellow at Durham University, says parents need to understand the realities of the internet to help their children use digital technology responsibly
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Car Torque ... with comedian Tom Wrigglesworth
EDINBURGH Comedy Award nominee, Sony Award winner, Chortle Award winner and star of Radio 4 and BBC2, Tom Wrigglesworth, will be heading to the Arc in Stockton on Saturday, February 15, and Durham’s Gala Theatre on Friday, March 21 as part of his third
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Law firm offers free workplace performance seminar
EMPLOYMENT law specialists have teamed up with a human resources consultancy to offer businesses a free practical seminar focussing on dealing with managing effective performance in the workplace. Joan Casson at Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors
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Estate agent beefs up security thanks to grant
AN estate agent has become the latest business in Bishop Auckland to benefit from a shop security project. Lifestyle Properties, in Newgate Street, received a grant from Bishop Auckland and Shildon Security Grant Scheme to improve security measures
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Annual meeting planned for RAFA club
BISHOP Auckland RAFA will hold its annual general meeting at its club premises on Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland on Thursday, March 13, at 8pm. CHARITY CURRY: The Rotary Club of Bishop Auckland raised £1167.50 for charity with its annual curry
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Plans to extend and re-open former care home approved
PLANS to expand and renovate a former Bishop Auckland care home and bring it back to use have been approved. Durham County Council planning officers have given the go ahead for 19 self-contained apartments at Langholme Care Home, in High Bondgate
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Full speed ahead for roll-out of Digital Durham super-fast broadband project
THE first phase of a multi-million pound scheme to provide access to super-fast broadband across the North-East is to be rolled out ahead of schedule. Almost 9,000 homes and businesses in 12 towns and villages will benefit when work begins in March
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Last ditch appeal to raise cash for letters by County Durham serial killer
A WOMAN battling to ensure letters written by a County Durham serial killer while in prison go on public display has been given a new deadline to raise the cash needed to buy them. Victoria House appealed for help to find £4,000 after an internet
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Comics go under the hammer at North-East auction
Alliteration alert! Dastardly Duncan Leatherdale delves into the depths of comic collecting at the most amazing auction of all time. THERE was an excited murmur among the two dozen dealers and collectors when Lot 100 appeared on the screen at Anderson
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Barnard Castle town councillors agree £100 donation to North East War Memorials Project
A PROJECT which aims to record every war memorial between the Tweed and the Tees is hoping supporters will help raise thousands of pounds to cover the costs of a new-look website. The North-East War Memorials Project (NEWMP) spent more than £10,000
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Survey findings highlight good levels of satisfaction among residents at Barnard Castle care home
A TEESDALE complex has scored well in a national survey of care home residents. King's Court, in Market Place, Barnard Castle, registered an overall performance rating of 916 out of a possible 1,000. The home, operated by Care UK, achieved
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Thousands rely on Teesdale Disability Access Forum for help and support
THOUSANDS of elderly and disabled people are turning to a Teesdale charity for help and support. The Barnard Castle-based Teesdale Disability Access Forum has provided information, advice and practical support to almost 6,300 people in the past
