Archive
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Car dealership creates 25 jobs
A NORTH-EAST car dealership has revealed plans to create 25 jobs. Vertu Motors is opening a Newcastle showroom for the new luxury Infiniti range, including the Q50 sports saloon and the Q30 hatchback. The Q30 will be made at Sunderland's Nissan
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Business organisation welcomes new chairman
A BUSINESS development organisation supporting oil and gas, nuclear and offshore businesses, has appointed a new chairman. NOF Energy has welcomed Paul Charlton to the role. Mr Charlton, who is chief executive of PDL Solutions, based in Northumberland
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Steel maker resolves council debt
A STEEL maker supporting thousands of North-East jobs has resolved negotiations with a council over millions of pounds of unpaid business rates. Bosses at SSI UK say they have reached an agreement with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council over
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Roof fire at bungalow in Willington
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blaze at a bungalow in Willington this evening. The roof of the property in Birch Drive was reported to be well alight when the emergency services received the call at about 5.30pm. Appliances from Durham and Crook
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Divorce and the Modern Church
The Roman Catholic Church and divorce don’t really go hand in hand. However, last year Pope Francis set a date in October for a summit on family issues and this week he meets with his cardinals to prepare for that summit. Questionnaires handed out
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Sunderland still don't know their FA Cup opponents after Brighton and Hull draw
SUNDERLAND will have to wait to discover the identity of their FA Cup quarter-final opponents after Brighton and Hull City played out a 1-1 draw in their fifth-round tie. Leonardo Ulloa's first-half strike looked to have secured Brighton a place
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Late Mix: Motets, Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Sage Gateshead
The Austrian composer Anton Bruckner is more commonly associated with the vast cathedrals of sound depicted in his orchestral symphonies. But his motets - a distillation of the essence of his work - are no less impressive in their creative genius
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Residents evacuated after sink hole opens up near property
A BUILDING has partially collapsed and properties evacuated after a sink hole opened up in a North Yorkshire street. The sink hole, about 25ft in diameter and believed to be due to a gypsum fault, appeared at a porperty on Magdalens Close, Ripon
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Durham and North Yorkshire council chiefs join fiscal devolution calls
COUNTY council chiefs in the region have joined a growing revolt by demanding more power to run their own affairs. Both Durham and North Yorkshire have urged the Government not to leave them in the slow lane, as devolution is stepped up to England
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Nurses bow out with party
THE Bedale District Nursing Team held a retirement party to say farewell to long standing members of staff, Sister Elizabeth Nee and Staff Nurse Pauline Galloway. Organisers of the party said both ladies would be greatly missed by colleagues and
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Mystery surrounds en masse resignations of Richmond School governors
OFFICIALS are refusing to reveal what has prompted an entire secondary school governing body to resign. Governors from Richmond School and Sixth Form College, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, have also declined to explain the reasons for their resignations
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North-East's favourite greyhound inspires owner to become trainer
A YOUNG man who nursed an injured greyhound to racing success has opened his own training facility. In 2005, schoolboys Tom and Paul Heilbron were told their beloved greyhound Dash would never race again after he tore his tricep muscles. The
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Train enthusiast named Mallard meets namesake record breaking engine in Shildon
A TRAIN driver’s son named Mallard came face to face with his namesake today (Monday, February 17) at an event celebrating the locomotive’s world record breaking feat. David Mallard Elcoat, 63, from London, was given the unusual name by his proud
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University signs agreement with car parts manufacturer
TEESSIDE University has formed a partnership with a leading manufacturer to work together on skills, innovation and research and development. Nifco UK’s managing director and European operations officer Mike Matthews visited Teesside University
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Appeal for witnesses to collision where three people suffered injuries
AN appeal for witnesses has been made after three people suffered injuries as the result a two vehicle collision. The collision, which involved a black Mitsubishi Shogun and a silver Vauxhall Astra, happened occurred on the A174 westbound carriageway
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Man with savings of £70,000 claimed benefits for eight years
A MAN made benefit claims over eight years, despite having £70,000-worth of savings, a court heard. But as 66-year-old Kenneth Walker has repaid the overpaid amount, he was today (Monday February 17) spared an immediate prison sentence. Durham
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Hunt for would-be robber who attacked teenage boy in Stockton
A TEENAGER has suffered a fractured cheekbone when he was attacked by a would-be robber for his mobile phone. The 15-year-old boy was walking along Church Road when he cut through an alleyway running between Church Road and Bath Lane, behind ASDA
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Visitors to tourist attraction encouraged to enter competition to find name for new housing complex
VISITORS to a popular Richmond visitor attraction are being encouraged to enter a competition to name a new £3.3m affordable housing scheme for local people. Broadacres is currently building 24 apartments for rent on the site of the former Aviva
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Bowes Museum holds fun activities to mark Chinese New Year
CHINESE FUN: Staff at the Bowes Museum are hosting family drop-in activities to mark Chinese New Year. Visitors can make a horse mask, bookmark and puppet while learning about the festival. There will be a Chinese New Year themed trail. The event is
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Hospital apologises to father who was told he had cancer
A HOSPITAL trust has apologised to a father-of-three after he was wrongly diagnosed with potentially terminal cancer. Darren Plant, 41, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was told he could have only three months to live without chemotherapy and
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Students taking part in welding competition
YOUNG people in north Durham are taking part in a national welding competition. Students from Derwentside College will battle it out in The Great British Weld-Off, a skills contest to find the top young welders in the country. The competition
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Burnhope businessman facing lengthy jail term for £1.6m fraud
A BUSINESSMAN who admitted fleecing people out of about £1.6m in an investment scam is today (Monday, February 17) behind bars. David Reid, 49, of Burnhope, near Stanley, County Durham, pleaded guilty to 22 offences of obtaining money transfers
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Teenager told shop staff counterfeit note was "not a fake"
A TEENAGER was caught passing counterfeit currency after leaving a shop and telling staff: "It's not a fake." Alex Hill's remark prompted the boss to check the £20 he had just handed over - and discover it was dodgy. Police checked closed circuit
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Time is running out to have say on crime fighting blueprint for Hartlepool
TIME is running out for people to give their views on a new proposed blueprint for tackling crime and improving community safety in Hartlepool over the next three years. The plan has been drawn up by the Safer Hartlepool Partnership and outlines
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Sedgefield drama group prepares to serve up a sweet treat
A POPULAR drama group will show audience members they can have their cake and eat it with its next production. Rehearsals are now underway for Sedgefield Players next dramatic offering, Waiting for Gateaux, which charts the fortunes of the worst
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Woman accused of stabbing remanded in custody
A WOMAN accused of stabbing her boyfriend seven times has been remanded into custody. Michelle Hopper, 28, of Spiro Court, Consett, appeared before Peterlee Magistrates Court today (Monday, February 17) charged with wounding with intent. A
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Teesside bobsleigh star confident he's making progress
JOHN Baines didn’t crack the top 20 in the two-man bobsleigh on his Winter Olympic debut but he insists he is making big strides in Sochi. Baines placed 23rd with pilot Lamin Deen at the halfway stage on Sunday evening and moved neither up nor
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Durham student aims for Africa summit
A STUDENT is in training to climb Africa’s highest mountain. Lauren Frisby, of Gilesgate, Durham, will attempt to scale Mount Kilimanjaro in September in the hope of raising £2,850 for Practical Action. As part of her effort, Miss Frisby, who
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City of York Council to discuss a weekend treatment centre for drunk people
ALCOHOL EXCESS: A medical centre for drunk people could be set up in York at weekends to ease pressure on paramedics and hospitals. The centre would provide a safe place for people who have drunk too much and would be manned by police, paramedics
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Pomp and ceremony to welcome new Bishop of Durham
THE new Bishop of Durham will finally get down to work this week, following a colourful arrival rich in pomp and tradition. The Right Reverend Paul Butler’s public ministry as the 74th Bishop of Durham will officially begin with his formal enthronement
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Putting Githa back on stage
Tyneside-born playwright Githa Sowerby has been airbrushed from history, according to Pat Riley who wrote her biography and is now acting in one of her plays, as Steve Pratt reports THE more Pat Riley researched the life of Gateshead-born 20th
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Trimdon mugger leaves student terrified to leave her own home after Hartlepool incident
A MUGGER who left a young student terrified to leave her home alone was yesterday (Monday) locked up for three years. Graham Forbes was told his crime has had a profound effect on his victim, who has also suffered sleepless nights. In an impact
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Town council votes to draw a line under costly review
COUNCILLORS have abandoned the idea of trying to claim on insurance after losing a costly judicial review. Yarm Town Council also rejected a proposal from one member to call in police to investigate how decisions were made leading to a legal claim
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Tony ‘The Fridge’ announces final challenge
ULTRA runner Tony ‘The Fridge’ Phoenix-Morrison is running four London marathons in one day as part of his farewell challenge. The 49-year-old grandfather, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, will be carrying his 42kg Smeg Fridge around the course in
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Crook father offers thanks for support after baby son's death
THE father of a baby boy who died at the weekend after battling a rare and aggressive cancer has thanked all those who have given support. Jacob Johnson died at his home in Crook, County Durham, on Saturday morning (February 15) surrounded by friends
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Money, money, money: Durham church's Abba night raises £2,600 for Ugandan orphans
A CHURCH was bouncing to the sounds of Abba to raise money for African orphans. Elvet Methodist Church hosted a singalong screening of Mamma Mia to raise money for the Kwagala Trust, which supports orphaned and abandoned children in Uganda.
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Bridal sweet
A love of vintage design combined with mechanical skills have made a North Yorkshire couple a wedding day dream team. Laura Symonds reports TV presenter George Clarke has proved that small can be beautiful. In his series Amazing Spaces, he has
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Panang beef curry
You can travel to the other side of the world, but nothing beats a good pork scratching. Foodie friends Dave Myers and Si King, aka The Hairy Bikers, tell Keeley Bolger about their travels in Asia. Here is one of their recipes for you to try. Ingredients
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Easier walking after rights of way work
STILES have been replaced by gates as part of a drive to improve access around one of Northallerton’s favourite walks. The work has been carried out by Northallerton volunteers through the public rights of way team. The path around Romanby golf course
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Refreshing change
Lisa Haynes unveils the looks to give your beauty regime a lift IF you’ve failed on a detox regime, this season’s make-up is all about creating – or faking – that elusive healthy glow. So if super-green juices just aren’t your thing, digest this
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Piano duo's Durham date
THE Parnassius Piano Duo, Simon Callaghan and Hiroaki Takenouchi, will give a concert at Durham University’s music department, on Palace Green, Durham City, on Monday, February 24, at 7.30pm. The programme will include Rachmaninov’s Suite No 2
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Burglars strike at animal care charity's shop
AN animal charity has pledged to continue with its work after a break-in at its shop and office. Burglars struck at K9 Animal Care’s premises in Granville Terrace, Wheatley Hill, County Durham, some time between closing on Saturday lunchtime and
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Energy talks in Durham
A TWO-day energy summit will be held in the North-East this week. A conference on low-carbon energy solutions will be held at Durham Town Hall on Wednesday and Thursday (February 19-20). Durham County Council is one of 12 organisations across
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Losing face
When Amelia Tearle woke to discover one side of her face paralysed, it was the start of a traumatic experience which, she tells Ruth Campbell, has ultimately made her happier THE first sign something might be amiss was when Amelia Tearle woke one
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Farmers' drive tractors 530 miles to help after flooding
FARMERS have driven two tractors 530 miles to deliver bales of straw to a cattle market affected by flooding in southern Britain. Four members of Boroughbridge Young Farmers drove tractors owned by North Yorkshire farmers John Guttus and Jud Beniston
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Tributes paid to popular racehorse trainer
A POPULAR racehorse trainer and owner has died after a long battle with cancer. David Barker died on Sunday at his home in Scorton, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, aged 44. Mr Barker gave up training in 2009 after being diagnosed with lung
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Creative force
Former policewoman Jacqui Bowley has turned her hand to making some arresting jewellery DURING her eight years with the force, Jacqui Bowley was a dab hand at taking fingerprints. Now, as part of her new business, she’s taking fingerprints
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Shots fired in armed Darlington incident and three men arrested on suspicion of firearms offences
POLICE admitted last night that firearms officers did fire on a van during a dramatic arrest in a busy Darlington street. The admission contradicted earlier statements by Durham Police that no shots had been fired during the arrest of three men
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Bowburn coffee morning
THE Church of Christ the King, on Bede Terrace, Bowburn, will host a coffee morning on Saturday (February 22) from 10am to 11am. There will be cakes and jams for sale. Entry is free. CRAFT FAIR: A craft fair will be held at St Mary and St Cuthbert
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Probation trust found to be of "overall high standard" in recent inspection
AN INSPECTION into a probation trust has found it to be of an overall high standard with offenders making progress against reoffending and child protection a priority. York and North Yorkshire Probation Trust has been evaluated and a report published
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Free security precautions offered to cyclists
CYCLISTS in Darlington took the chance to have their bikes security marked on Monday (February 17). PCSO Andy Cusick, of Darlington police, used UV ink to mark property in Darlington town centre. The free service is part of a drive to discourage
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Pelle-ease your feet
Laura Symonds talks to Moda in Pelle store manager Carrie-Ann Brown about her passion for footwear Trying to resist filling every available storage space at home with shoes has been Carrie-Ann Brown’s biggest challenge in managing the stylish Moda
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Darlington Methodist church opens charity shop to support local community
A DARLINGTON church has opened its own charity shop to support the local community and raise funds for the church. The new shop at Northland Methodist Church, in North Road, Darlington, will be open two days a week, with 20 per cent of the profits
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New group hopes to hit the right note with singers
BUDDING singers are being invited to join the latest branch of Rock Choir. Rock Choir is the UK’s largest contemporary choir, with more than 16,000 members in more than 250 communities. It is opening in Chester-le-Street, County Durham and
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Shildon mother's fundraising night for charities which helped her seriously ill son
A MOTHER whose baby suffered a collapsed lung after he was born seven weeks premature is to hold a fundraising night in support of those who helped the family. Clare Nixon, 22, of Rosedale Crescent, in Shildon, gave birth to her son Kairon early
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CCTV trial to stop illegal parking in Durham
CCTV IS to be installed to catch on camera rule-cheating cabbies and other motorists. Since Durham County Council moved the main night-time taxi rank on Claypath, Durham City, back in 2012, there have been complaints of drivers ignoring the new
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Mystery line-ups
DO you recognise anyone in these two photographs? A Northern Echo reader got in touch and supplied us with the images of two football teams, which were taken roughly between 1920 and 1940. The first shows a team wearing plain shirts posing
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And they would walk one million miles...
A SCHEME to encourage children to walk to school has chalked up its millionth pedestrian journey across the country. The Walk Once a Week (Wow) initiative, run by charity Living Streets, rewards children walking to school with collectable badges
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Former furniture showroom to be demolished for four new homes in Clifton Road
AN empty former furniture showroom is to be demolished to make way for four new homes under plans submitted to council officials. The former Clifton Leather and Suite Centre showroom, which stands opposite the Darlington Cattle Mart on Clifton
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Emergency station
THERE were a distressing number of fatal accidents in the early years of the railways in the dales, with employees the regular victims. But there was one train crash in which a number of people, passengers and workers alike, could have been killed
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Straying from main line
THE Great Goodbye starts this weekend at Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon. As we told last week, the six surviving A4 steam locomotives from the 1930s will gather for what will probably be the last time in our lifetimes before two
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Photographer continues working at Fraja Simpson charity event while suffering heart attack
A PHOTOGRAPHER who continued working to raise funds for a girl battling cancer while having his tenth heart attack is recovering in hospital. Paul Booth, of Scorton, near Catterick Village, said he carried on taking photos of guests at a Valentine
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Catterick 10km race hailed a success
A FUNDRAISING 10km race to help injured servicemen and woman take part in extreme sporting challenges has been hailed a success. Although organisers of the first Catterick 10k, on Sunday, February 16, do not yet know how much money has been raised
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Another postponement for Quakers
Darlington have had to pencil in yet another rearranged game after Saturday's fixture with Lancaster City became their third successive postponement at Heritage Park. An early morning inspection confirmed expectations that the pitch was waterlogged
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Tales of school life
Bishop Auckland Market Place is full of distinctive buildings which may one day rise to their original majesty again. Two of them once made up The Mount school, as Memories 162 mentioned FOR nearly 100 years, it offered a “sound, progressive education
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The worst injury of all that afflicted a Darlington boy
‘OF all the terrible consequences of war in the way of personal disfigurement and incapacitation, none can compare with the distress of total blindness,” began an article in The Northern Echo on March 7, 1916. “Unfortunately, that affliction has
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‘Very quiet. Something brewing . . . ‘
GUNNER George James came from the Durham colliery village of Littletown. He left school at 13, followed his father down the pit and when war broke out, he joined the Royal Field Artillery. After training, George, a staunch Methodist, landed
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Village hall committee thanks all who answered questionnaire on hall's future.
QUESTIONNAIRE RETURNS: The Brompton Village Hall Committee would like to thank everyone who has returned completed questionnaires on the future of the village hall. Committee members have now called at every house in the village, but ask that if
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Court hears how 21-year-old man punched his alleged former bully in the face outside Newton Aycliffe pub
A YOUNG man punched someone in the face in front of children before throwing a pint glass at the windscreen of a passing car, a court heard. John Alan Charlton hit the man outside the Oak Tree public house in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, at
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Supportive musical performance day a success
A MUSICAL showcase at a Richmondshire arts centre gave a variety of singers, instrumentalists and songwriters an opportunity to perform in front of a supportive audience. The Old Mill Centre in Skeeby, near Richmond, hosted the event last month
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Get Out of Toon
I HAVE just worked out the thinking of the Newcastle United’s players. Don’t win, don’t draw attention to yourself by playing well or you will be sold. How can a person with all those millions actually want more? Mike Ashley couldn’t possibly
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Housing Bubble
FEARS of a prospective housing bubble in our country could be avoided if planners looked ahead and considered all the land standing idle just waiting to be built on. Building on this land would relieve the pressure on house prices by meeting demand
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Flood Aid
I AM sure I am not alone in sympathising with all those who have been so dreadfully affected by the worst flooding since records began. I am equally sure that most will agree that this Government and its policies have proved inadequate to deal
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UKIP
SURELY, it is an injustice for Ukip to expel Henley-on-Thames town councillor David Silvester for expressing his Christian beliefs and, in particular, linking the recent floods with the introduction of gay marriage. David, like many more in our
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Water Good Show
IN response to Richard Robertson’s comments on Northumbrian Water (HAS, Feb 14). He will be pleased to know that water companies cannot simply do as they please. They are heavily regulated by Ofwat which looks at all aspects of how water companies
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No Yolk
I WAS reading last Friday’s comment on Scotland and keeping the pound (or not). I was enjoying it until I reached the part which read: “It would not want to be under the yolk of Treasury officials in foreign London.” I had visions of Messrs
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Planning
REGARDING plans for a special needs school at Jubilee Farm, near Heighington (HAS, Feb 14). In my view there is a need for a local specialist children’s facility. However, I do not feel this particular one is sustainable by yet another private
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Trappers
HAS anyone noticed how every time one of their employees is caught trying to poison or trap a bird of prey, country estate owners invariably denounce the culprit as a “rogue gamekeeper” acting under his own volition? They then go on to issue
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Scots Independence
I AGREE entirely with The Northern Echo’s editorial (Feb 14) concerning the viability of an independent Scotland becoming part of a sterling zone with what would be left of the UK. In fact, I have often written to HAS about the structural weakness
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A private tragedy
Not all of the Great War’s casualties died on the battlefield – Private Edward Henry Pratt died in Darlington of injuries he received in France In an unmarked plot in Darlington’s West Cemetery lie the remains of Private Edward Henry Pratt who
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Sowing the seeds for 100 years
A PRIORITY for The Northern Echo this year is to do justice to the centenary of the First World War. This is a milestone of extraordinary significance and it must be properly remembered. The planning of our centenary coverage has been under
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Bedale may have to lose car park
BEDALE may have to sacrifice one of it’s town centre car parks as part of the drive for the new £42.5m bypass. Final tenders for the bypass are being considered in the next few weeks with work by North Yorkshire County Council expected to start
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Locomotive labour of love
As The Great Goodbye display attracts big crowds to Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, Ian Noble looks at work done to restore one of its stars A LABOUR of love to restore a historic locomotive to help mark the 75th anniversary
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Keep fit in the park thanks to the Big Lottery
FITNESS equipment specially designed for adults has been installed at Bedale Park thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund. Bedale Town Council applied for the grant as part of a move to help keep adults fit. The four pieces, including
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Appeal after man caught sneaking into house
POLICE are appealing for information after a would-be thief tried to sneak into a house. It happened on Friday (February 14) at an address in Pine Street, Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street. The householder was alerted to the man's presence
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Event to tackle obesity to take place in Catterick Garrison
AN EVENT to promote fitness and wellbeing will take place at Catterick Leisure Centre on Sunday, February 23. US fitness expert Jesse Pavelka will be speaking at the event, presented by Inspirational 360, from 11am until 3pm. Fitness instructors
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Doctor Who to join Red Dwarf crew at sci-fi event
SPACE travellers will have their feet firmly on the ground when they stop off in North Yorkshire this spring. Scarborough’s very first comic-con, celebrating all things sci-fi, is being held at the resort’s Spa Complex on April 5 and 6. And
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Veteran broadcaster Frank Wappat has died
RADIO presenter Frank Wappat has died at the age of 84. The BBC Radio Newcastle broadcaster, who worked for the corporation for 40 years, died earlier today (Monday, February 17) on his birthday. He suffered heart failure and died at the Royal
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Popular cadet force in need of volunteers
A CADET force is urgently seeking more adult volunteers as it struggles to keep up with demand. Stokesley Army Cadet Force is looking for more men and women aged over 18 to volunteer at the local detachment as new cadets continue to sign up.
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Wingate pensioner hurt in North Yorkshire bus crash
AN 80-year-old man was injured when the bus he was travelling on was in collision with a tipper lorry. The pensioner, from Wingate, County Durham, was a passenger on a double-decker when the accident happened on the A171 at Aislaby, near Whitby
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Hefty grants handed out to North-East good causes
PEOPLE whose lives are affected by severe ME and chronic fatigue syndrome in the North- East are to benefit from a £293,712 grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The grant to ME North East means the charity will be able to improve its service for people
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Worker who died of Alzheimer's found to have high levels of aluminium in his brain
A NORTH-EAST worker who died of Alzheimer’s disease was found to have high levels of aluminium in the brain, according to researchers. Researchers at Keele University said this is the first time scientists have been able to link an individual who
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Youngsters create routine for old-style theatre show
YOUNGSTERS have created a dance routine to feature in a Darlington Civic Theatre show starring a comedy legend. Stu Francis, of Basil Brush and Crackerjack fame, stars in the Good Old Days of Music Hall and Variety at the Civic, and the theatre
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Spanish student who claims she was racially abused in pub warns tourists could be put off visiting Darlington
A FOREIGN student who alleges she was racially abused because she was speaking Spanish in a Darlington pub has warned similar instances may put visitors off coming to the town. Rocio Reinoso, 30, was enjoying a drink with a friend in the venue
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FA Vase -- quarter finals could see possible repeat of 2012 final
The quarter final draw of the FA Carlsberg Vase could see a repeat of the 2012 final. All of the ties involving ENL clubs from the last round are still to be decided, so none of the clubs will be thinking of the quarter finals yet. However,
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Detectives hit the streets in hunt for attacker who carried out brutal assault on a Middlesbrough man
DETECTIVES are continuing their hunt for the person who carried out a sustained and violent assault that left the victim in a coma with severe head injuries. Gerard Williams suffered fractures to his skull, arms and legs during the attack, described
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Police tackle anti-social behaviour in Cockerton
POLICE in Darlington have acted to tackle anti-social behaviour in Cockerton after concerns were raised by local people. Officers patrolling the area on Friday stopped a group of youths and confiscated alcohol, while on Saturday police were called
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Energy comparison explained
The Online Owls project in Chester-le-Street is holding a special session on energy comparison websites and how to use them to get the best deal. It will be at Pelton Community Centre, Front Street, Pelton, on Thursday (February 20) from 2pm to 4pm
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Sellers required for nearly-new sale
STALLHOLDERS are being sought for a pre-school’s fundraising nearly-new sale. St Osmund’s Pre-School, in Gainford, is looking to boost its funds with the sale of nearly-new goods for babies and children, an Easter-themed afternoon tea and children
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University students are getting ready to take part in Volun-Tees
TEESSIDE University is preparing to celebrate annual National Student Volunteering Week. Students and staff are getting involved both on and off campus by taking part in a range of activities, including volunteering recruitment fairs and visits
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Gift shop wins award for window display
A DARLINGTON gift shop has received a gift of its own after winning a competition. In the run up to Christmas, Distinct Darlington – formed to encourage and promote trade in the town centre – offered a prize to the shop with the finest festive
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Dog owners invited to canine event
AN event promoting responsible dog ownership and offering free micro-chipping takes place in Barnard Castle next month. As part of its Poop Scoop Swoop project, Barnard Castle Town Council has teamed up with the Dogs Trust, to organise the Dogs
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It's nearly time for the opening ceremony - Helvetictoc makes permanent return to Durham
A QUIRKY clock which entertained visitors to the spectacular Lumiere festival is to make a permanent return. Helvetictoc was a feature of the Durham City light festival in 2011 and 2013, projecting the time onto landmark buildings in spoken English
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New footpath under consideration linking Darlington to Hurworth
A NEW footpath linking Darlington to Hurworth could be created by the council. The proposed route runs from Skerne Way to Snipe Lane, using an underpass near the river Skerne and connecting with a public footpath across a golf course and farmland
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Heritage railway mourns death of one of its founding fathers
ONE of the founding fathers of the North York Moors Railway has died at the age of 91. Charlie Hart was a signalman and inspector with British Railways when the line was closed in the 1960s – and when it was relaunched as a heritage railway he
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Darlington Gardening Club to meet this week
THE next meeting of Darlington Gardening Club takes place on Wednesday (February 19) at 7.30pm at Bondgate Methodist Church Hall, in Darlington. Cath Proud will be talking about the plants and flowers of South Africa. All are welcome. PANCAKE
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East Cleveland village to explore the impact the First World War had on residents
A FORMER ironstone mining community has secured lottery funding to explore the impact the First World War had on the village. The Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum at Skinningrove has received £8,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the
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Calling all otter spotters
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to count otters. Durham Wildlife Trust is holding a two-day survey, on April 26 and 27. Last April, more than 100 volunteers took part in the trust’s first survey, which experts say revealed useful evidence confirming
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Chance to speak to police boss
PEOPLE are being given the chance to quiz North Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner. Julia Mulligan will be holding a surgery at the Forum in Northallerton on February 24 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. The surgery is part of a rolling programme
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Active Life Centre AGM, Coxhoe
THE Active Life Centre in Coxhoe will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday, March 11, at 7pm. The meeting will elect the new board of directors for 2014-15. Email: mel@activelifecoxhoe.co.uk TWO WALKS: Durham Ramblers will do seven-mile walks
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Durham display for traditional Japanese dolls
A SPECIAL set of Japanese ornamental dolls have gone on display in the North-East for the first time. The dolls represent the Emperor and Empress and their attendants in the traditional court dress of the Heian Period - 794 to 1185AD. They
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Game of Thrones - The Complete Third Season
I'VE come late to the phenomena that is Game of Thrones, not being part of the Sky TV family. As such, I was told that launching myself straight into Series Three of such a rich and character-deep programme, would very likely cause my head to explode
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Foolhardy cutbacks
THE plan to expand the Army reserves to compensate for the loss of 20,000 regular soldiers appears to be in disarray. Latest figures show that the trained strength of the reserves currently stands at 22,010. That represents a net increase of only
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Medal hope Rowan is hurt in training
BRITISH teenager Rowan Cheshire was left unconscious for several minutes after a heavy fall during training for the women’s ski halfpipe later this week. Cheshire, just 18, is the second youngest member of the 56-strong team in Sochi but is considered
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Richmond bakers congratulated by town mayor
TWO bakers who were runners up in a television competition have been congratulated by the mayor of Richmond. Alex Franks and Di Dinsdale of the Angel’s Share bakery in the Station, Richmond, were finalists in ITV’s Britain’s Best Bakery, which
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Beetle drive to take place in Kirby-Wiske
Beetle drive: Kirby-Wiske Village Hall will host a beetle drive on Friday, February 21, at 7pm. Tickets cost £3 and £1.50 for under16s from 01845-587402 or at the door. The price includes a hot supper. There will also be a raffle.
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Hobbs uncertain Captain Chris will make Gold Cup
TRAINER Philip Hobbs is undecided about whether to head to the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup with Captain Chris after landing the Grade One Betfred Ascot Chase by 19 lengths on Saturday. The 10-year-old, sent off the 8-11 favourite to go one better
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Trotter finds reason for hope in Billingham loss
BILLINGHAM Town’s first goal in over 12 hours of football was enough to give manager Darren Trotter some hope for the future, even though they lost 4-1 at home to Crook Town. The first division’s bottom club are just a couple of defeats away from
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Power, protest and corruption
Kicking The Kremlin: Russia’s New Dissidents And The Battle To Topple Putin by Marc Bennetts (Oneworld, £11.99) 4/5 MARC Bennetts, a British journalist who’s lived in Moscow for 15 years, has a very specific perspective on Russia’s most famous
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Spare Brides by Adele Parks
STILL damaged by the effects of The Great War, 1920s England is the backdrop for Spare Brides, the latest book by Teesside-born author Adele Parks. With its four female protagonists – Ava, Beatrice, Lydia and Sarah – the novel paints a picture of burgeoning
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Terms & Conditions by Robert Glancy
HILARIOUS and heartbreaking in equal measure, Terms & Conditions tells the story of Frank Shaw, a lawyer who specialises in small print. He’s the master of mitigating risk and worst-case scenarios, though he isn’t quite prepared for what occurs
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A Pleasure And A Calling by Phil Hogan
THIS is the fourth novel by Phil Hogan, a British-born author and journalist, whose previous books have covered adultery, divorce and sibling rivalry. This offering takes us on a creepy and unexpected journey, following the life of an unassuming estate
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Innocence by Dean Koontz
MUTANT Addison Goodheart, condemned to a life beneath the city, and scared overlander Gwyneth, being stalked by a stone-cold killer, are brought together by destiny to not only fight their own causes, but the cause of whole humankind. There are
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Song for the Dying by Stuart MacBride
EX-COP Ash Henderson has been sprung from prison legally by his fellow cops to help catch a brutal slayer of women nicknamed the Inside Man – a killer who had given Ash the slip eight years previously. A savage beating in prison before Ash’s release
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Best sellers: Hardbacks
1 Minecraft: The Official Redstone Handbook 2 Minecraft: The Official Beginner’s Handbook 3 Where Memories Go: Why Dementia Changes Everything, Sally Magnusson 4 The Little Book of Mindfulness, Tiddy Rowan 5 Demon Dentist, David Walliams
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British team take part in naked sledding
A BRITISH team taking part in the World Naked Sledding Championships was knocked out of the competition by Germany at the weekend. Holly Garshong, 29, from Barnes, Sunderland, and Thomas Chrusciel, 21, from Eastborne, Sussex, hit the slopes in
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Oh dear, no beer blues
Nothing on the telly, conversation all dried up Fancy going out to drink from the amber cup Wife said I’m sick of you, go on get out of here I wasn’t to tell twice, I’m off to the pub for a beer. You’re guaranteed a welcome, it’s
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UPDATED 12.50pm: Police confirm shots fired in Darlington armed incident
ARMED police fired shots in a busy street in Darlington to force a van carrying three suspects to stop, a force spokeswoman has confirmed. Officers arrested three men at around 5.30pm yesterday in Yarm Road on suspicion of firearms offences.
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The Abura Tree
Abura, wonder of West Africa And consummate expression of her ways, Your boughs like golden candelabra Upon a multitude of silver trays; Silver and emerald green and dusky red, Quintessence of multi-coloured majesty, Of old, and
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8 Out of 10 Cats (C4, 10pm)
JIMMY CARR, Sean Lock and Jon Richardson have spent so much time in the Countdown studio of late, it wouldn’t be too surprising if they’ve forgotten how to get to their faithful old 8 Out of 10 Cats set. It’s all been thanks to the unexpected popularity
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Match Analysis: Hartlepool United 3 Newport County 0
Full-time: Hartlepool United 3 Newport County 0 ON Thursday, speaking at his pre-match press conference, Colin Cooper admitted there’s a bit of a worrying and convenient script for Luke Williams. The attacker had scored in Pools’ victory at
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My Mad Fat Diary (E4, 10pm)
THE title may have led a few people to expect another documentary about Travellers, but anyone who tuned into the first series of My Mad Fat Diary was instead treated to a touching, funny coming-of-age drama, based on the real-life teenage diaries
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The Culture Show: Damon Albarn – Solo (BBC2, 10pm)
IT’S a good night for Britpop fans, as 1990s drama My Mad Fat Diary returns, and The Culture Show profiles Damon Albarn. As Blur’s frontman, he spent much of the 1990s as an indie pin-up, but he has also been one of the men behind the band Gorillaz
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Paris impressed by North-East exhibition
A GROUP of embroiders have returned from successfully representing the North-East at an international needlecraft show in Paris. Members of the Embroiderers’ Guild from around the North-East took their Mining a Golden Seam Exhibition to the L’Aiguille-en-Fete
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Talented musician secures her place with national orchestra
A TALENTED flautist has beaten hundreds of young musicians to claim a place with the National Youth Wind Orchestra. Millie Stonehouse, from Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire, earned her place after passing several auditions and will be just one of
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Finney was a match for Messi, says pal Docherty
PRESTON’S favourite son Sir Tom Finney was compared to modern-day marvel Lionel Messi as tributes flooded in following the death of the former forward. David Beckham met Finney while on loan at Preston North End in 1995, before becoming England
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Arsenal hang on to avenge thrashing
ARSENAL avenged their Anfield aberration with a 2-1 defeat of Liverpool in a pulsating FA Cup fifth-round clash at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, still reeling from last weekend’s 5-1 Premier League defeat, twice scored in the opening 50 minutes
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Nasri delighted to gain revenge on Chelsea
SAMIR NASRI admits wounded pride was the chief motivation for Manchester City’s successful FA Cup revenge mission against Chelsea. City turned the tables on Chelsea, 12 days after losing to them in the Premier League, with a 2-0 victory at the
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Watching Brief
TWO new quiz formats have been commissioned by ITV Daytime – Ejector Seat and The 21st Question. Presented by Andi Peters, Ejector Seat sees six players take their place in one of six imposing seats – each at the top of a track that leads back
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Shopkeeper stands up to would-be robber who claimed he had a gun
A WOULD-BE robber got more than he bargained for when the shopkeeper he threatened turned out to be a former sergeant major with 25 years’ Army experience. Stuart Curtis was met with a punch in the face when he demanded John Abbott emptied his
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Police hope Neknominate warnings are sinking in
POLICE are hopeful the public has taken heed of warnings about the risks of an online dare and drinking craze. Emergency services and counsellors in the North-East have voiced concerns about the Neknominate game- for which participants complete
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Art lending library will be a highlight of month-long festival
ART enthusiasts could become the proud, albeit temporary, owner of a masterpiece as part of a festival in Darlington this spring. The countdown has begun for the second annual Darlington Arts Festival, which begins in late April and runs throughout
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Region's youngsters turning to legal highs because they are cheaper and trendier than cocaine or heroin
YOUNG people in the North-East are turning to “legal highs” – instead of cocaine or heroin – because they are cheaper and trendier, MPs have been told. Little-known substances such as mephedrone and ethylphenidate are also easier to find outside
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Match Analysis: Watford 1 Middlesbrough 0
Full-time:Watford 1 Middlesbrough 0 YOU can do a lot of things in eight-and-three-quarter hours. Fly from Manchester to New York perhaps. Or drive from London to Edinburgh. If you skipped all the adverts, you could even watch an entire series of
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Karanka reads the riot act and accuses his Middlesbrough players of complacency
A FURIOUS Aitor Karanka accused some of his Middlesbrough players of “thinking they are better than they are” after a fifth successive game without a goal resulted in a 1-0 defeat at Watford. It is now almost nine hours since Boro found the net
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MP seeks inquiry into historic abuse in wake of investigation into Medomsley Detention Centre
AN MP is seeking a parliamentary inquiry into historic abuse at youth detention centres – and has urged politicians to take care with the language they use. Speaking to Northern Echo about a large-scale police investigation into the former Medomsley
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Banned drink driver jailed after almost hitting police dealing with an attempted suicide
A BANNED young motorist put nine people's lives at risk after taking to the wheel of a car after drinking at a young farmers' function. In “a moment of madness” Henry Walton insisted the designated driver pull over as he and three friends made
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Pamela's committed to firm's drive for success
AS the world's finest winter Olympians showcase their wares in Russia's snowcapped surroundings, the sporting stage also belonged to another North-East performer. Pamela Petty, however, by her own admission, hasn't followed in the ski tracks of
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Match analysis: Sunderland 1 Southampton 0
Full-time: Sunderland 1 Southampton 0 GUSTAVO POYET did not want a replay to worry about, nor did he get one. Sunderland have, though, got another fixture to plan for in the shape of a second quarter-final of the season, this time in the FA Cup
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Poyet thinks cup football approach could keep Sunderland in the top-flight
GUSTAVO POYET is ready to tell his players to play “cup football” every week after watching his relegation threatened Sunderland team take a significant step towards a second Wembley appearance. While the Black Cats struggle to climb away from
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Held at gunpoint - police with machine guns swoop in Darlington street
THIS is the dramatic moment armed police swooped to stop a suspect vehicle on a busy residential street. A Transit van was brought to a halt by plain-clothes police travelling in unmarked cars on Yarm Road, in Darlington at around 5.30pm last night
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Region feeling the Sunday blues
WORKERS in the North-East struggle more than the rest of the UK to drag themselves to work on a Monday morning. According to the mental health charity Mind, 85 per cent of people in the region suffer with Sunday blues and feel anxious about work
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God particle scientist Peter Higgs admits fame is a nuisance
God particle scientist Professor Peter Higgs, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics last year, has admitted that he finds his new-found fame ''a bit of a nuisance''. Speaking in the first episode of The Life Scientific on BBC Radio 4, the
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Crisis facing North Yorkshire's roads as maintenance backlog reaches £322m
THE LEADER of North Yorkshire County Council has warned the Government the state of the county’s roads is reaching crisis point and £5m is needed to undertake urgent repairs. North Yorkshire contains more than 6,000 miles of roads; the country's
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Crook Rotarians bringing Gervase Phinn to the Gala
GERVASE PHINN: The Rotary Club of Crook will present an audience with Gervase Phinn at the Gala in Durham on Wednesday, April 23, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 from 03000-266600.
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Volunteer sought for Neighbourhood Watch role
A NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch officer is being sought for Plantation View and Bridge Field Court, in Howden-le-Wear. Anyone interested should contact John Raw on 101 ext 6742404. SPEED WATCH: A speed matrix deployed in Hargill Road, Howden-le-Wear,
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Coal and logs stolen from Tow Law yard
STOLEN COAL: Large quantities of coal and logs have been stolen from the rear yard of a house on Campbell Street in Tow Law over the past two weeks. A spokesman for Weardale Neighbourhood Policing Team said the thief must have visited the yard on several
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Things to do today
A classic animated movie, dance classes and art exhibitions - there's something for everyone in Darlington and the North-East today. Here's our pick of the events taken from our new What's On section - and don't forget you can find hundreds more
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Tynedale remain in danger, despite Frankland's heroics
BEN Frankland's astonishing run of scoring failed agonisingly to lift Tynedale out of the National One relegation places on Saturday. The centre's habit of joining the pack saw him add two more tries to the seven he had scored in the previous three
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Weightman misses out
OLYMPIC Games 1500m finalist Laura Weightman found herself overshadowed by a 17-year-old rival as Morpeth Harriers had to settle for second place in the Royal Signals North-East Road Relay Championships at rain-swept Hetton Country Park. Running
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Tackling anti-social behaviour remains police priority in Crook
TACKLING anti-social behaviour (ASB) in a town centre will remain a top priority for police as decided by the public. At a monthly Police And the Community Together (Pact) in Crook, it was agreed that officers would continue to make dealing with
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Olly Murs and Michael Buble tribute to sing for charity
MICHAEL Buble and and Olly Murs tribute Jamie Tinkler will be performing at Belvedere Social Club, in Bishop Auckland, on Saturday, March 1, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 and all funds raised will go to the Butterwick Hospice. For more details
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Renewed appeal in murder inquiry
DETECTIVES are renewing their appeal for information to help solve the murder of a doorman on 18 year anniversary of his death. Kevin Nightingale was shot dead while returning to his South Shields home from work on February 17, 1996. Mr Nightingale
