Archive
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Ice sheet 'may continue thinning for decades'
NEW research involving geologists at Durham University suggests that the largest single contributor to global sea level rise - a glacier of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet - may continue thinning for decades to come. Researchers from the UK, USA and
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Trial starts of five people accused of being part of "high stakes" drugs gang
FIVE people have gone on trial accused of being part of a trans-Pennine drugs operation involving huge amounts of cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine. Four men from Teesside and a woman from the Manchester area are alleged to have been embroiled
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Fresh plans for executive homes in grounds of Hamsterley Hall
FRESH plans have been drawn up for executive homes in the grounds of country estate to help preserve a former country mansion of a celebrated Victorian novelist. Father and son Bill and Steven Spry have submitted plans for 35 homes at Hamsterley
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Muirhead manages a smile after winning a bronze medal
AFTER more than 25 hours of sweeping, fretting and hurrying hard, Eve Muirhead finally managed a smile at these Olympics - and it was worth the wait. There wasn't a gold to go with those dazzling arctic blues eyes but the bronze, won in a tactical
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Stockton agrees to raise council tax and freeze allowances
A PLAN to freeze councillors’ allowances from the coming financial year’s budget has been criticised for not going far enough. Stockton Borough Council’s powerful cabinet committee recommended freezing councillors’ allowances at the same time as
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Ripon to stage festival to celebrate Tour de France visit
CYCLING enthusiasts will stage a festival of events ahead of the Tour de France visiting a city to inspire and enable more people to ride bikes. Le Tour Ripon hopes its programme, which includes a series of talks, a classical concert and a film
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Export cash to support a new British Invasion of pop music talent
50 YEARS since The Beatles made their breakthrough in the US a North-East songwriter has been named among the talented musicians being given support to help break into overseas markets. The successful applicants from the first round of the Music
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Man arrested on suspicion of the 1992 murder of seven-year-old Nikki Allan
A MIDDLE-aged man was today (Thursday, February 20) arrested over the unsolved murder of a North-East schoolgirl 22 years ago. Seven-year-old Nikki Allan was stabbed 37 times and bludgeoned with a brick a short distance from her home in Sunderland
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High value bike thefts prompt police warning in Newton Aycliffe
POLICE are urging cyclists to secure their bikes following a series of high value thefts in a County Durham town. An Identiti Dr Jekyl jump bike was stolen from the conservatory of a property at Hambleton Court in Newton Aycliffe sometime overnight
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Regeneration plans for Northallerton unveiled at public exhibition
A REGENERATION plan for a North Yorkshire market town has been unveiled in a public exhibition following a series of major job losses. Hambleton District Council is part of a task force that has been set up to respond to the closure of two of Northallerton
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Burglar sold stolen items shortly after house break-in
A BURGLAR struck shortly after a woman left home for an evening out, a court heard. The householder, who went out at 6pm, soon realised items were missing on her return, at 10.45pm on January 29. Durham Crown Court heard that she discovered
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Serial thief stole child's quad bike in Darlington, a court heard
A SERIAL thief who stole a quad bike from a child has avoided a spell in prison. Matthew Gilligan, of Hundens Lane in Darlington, stole the black Raptor quad bike on Monday, February 17 and pleaded guilty to theft at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates
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Teenager stole jewellery box from student after spotting open window
A TEENAGER reached through a window and stole a jewellery box belonging to a university student. Lee Day was on his way from a drinking session when he committed the "impulsive" crime, a court heard. The 18-year-old was spotted loitering near
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Frontline services will eventually be hit in Middlesbrough by cuts
CUTS totalling £85m will need to be made in Middlesbrough over the next five years, it has been estimated. Frontline services, which so far have been protected as much as possible by a series of multi-million pound budget reductions, will eventually
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Plans unveiled for major new housing development in Easington Colliery
PLANS have been unveiled for a major housing scheme on the site of former council offices in an east Durham community. Persimmon has applied to Durham County Council for permission to build 80 new homes on the site of the former Easington District
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Life in First World War trench brought to life by history group
LIFE in the trenches of the First World War has been dramatically brought to life to give people first-hand experience of the misery troops faced. The Time Bandits, a group providing historical interpretation and living history and drama, will
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More than 100 wheels stolen during pre-planned raid
THIEVES have stolen more than 100 wheels from brand new trucks in a targeted and pre-planned raid. The owners of Auto Plates UK discovered the audacious theft when they turned up for work on Wednesday morning (February 19). In total 117 wheels
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Thieves target Pickering quarry
Thieves stole hand tools and batteries when they raided Newbridge Quarry, near Pickering, overnight on February 19 and 20. Police are appealing for information - contact Malton police on 101, select option two and ask for Dave Kirk. Alternatively,
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Mowden skipper relishing England outing
DARLINGTON Mowden Park skipper Cameron Mitchell is confident a record rugby crowd for The Northern Echo Arena on Friday evening will be a stepping stone to even better things. Mitchell is in the England Counties XV to face the Ireland Clubs XV
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Great Aycliffe Town Council presses ahead with council tax rise
A TOWN council voted to increase its council tax demand for the first time in five years last night (Wednesday, February 19). Great Aycliffe Town Council will increase its council tax levy, also known as a precept, by 2.49 per cent for the next
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Vardy family charity ready for surge in interest
A CHARITY that supports families in crisis is preparing for a surge in interest after being featured in a documentary. Safe Families for Children helps mostly Christian volunteers provide safe temporary homes for youngsters whose families have
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Biker hurt in North Yorkshire road smash
A BIKER was seriously hurt when his machine collided with a car on a main road in North Yorkshire. The 35-year-old motorcyclist, from York, collided with a white Vauxhall Corsa on the A59 near Knaresborough at the junction with Station Road, at
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Fairtrade bake off in Middlesbrough
BUDDING bakers are being asked to rise to the challenge of showing off the quality and variety of locally sourced ingredients in Middlesbrough. A baking challenge has been organised as part of the town’s Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations. The
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£3,000 bicycle taken in shed raid
A £3,000 Orange 5 Pro 5 mountain bike was stolen when thieves broke into an outbuilding of a house in Dalehouse, Staithes, on Monday night or Tuesday morning. Also taken as a 43in Samsung plasma TV. Police are appealing for information. Contact Whitby
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Body found at foot of Saltburn cliffs
POLICE are investigating reports that a body has been found at the base of cliffs at Saltburn. A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said officers were called at about 3pm today to reports that a walker had discovered the body. The body is believed
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Appeal after allotment theft
POLICE are appealing for information after a collection of birds was stolen from a village allotment. Goldfinches, siskins and hens were taken from a shed at a site near High Street, Byers Green, which was targeted overnight on Wednesday, February
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Royal portraits to go on display
Contemporary portraits of the Royal Family will be going on show at Beningbrough Hall near York from March 1. They include the first public showing of the christening portrait of Prince George, the engagement portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
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Sadness as Thirsk electrical firm closes after 91 years
A TRADITIONAL business that oversaw the establishment of electricity in numerous areas in North Yorkshire is set to close after 91 years. Grandparents David and Susan Higgs will switch off the lights at Eric Thompson The Electric Shop, in Picks
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Mother who took her baby shoplifting praised for turning life around
A DRUG addict who took her baby shoplifting was praised for making an effort to turn her life around when she appeared in court today (Thursday February 20). Sarah Jane Thompson stashed stolen items in her son’s buggy and sold them on for drugs
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Choral society takes contemporary path
RIPON Choral Society is cutting a contemporary dash with its upcoming concert - by featuring works from two of Britain’s best-known living composers. Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man was commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum to celebrate the Millennium
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Charity fundraisers bid to help critically-ill youngster on trip to Disneyland
GENEROUS fundraisers are backing a critically-ill toddler whose dream trip to Disneyland came under threat after thieves stole his charity collection box. Members of the Miles for Men charity, in Hartlepool, are to man a stall at Asda, in Bishop
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Thief with expensive tastes steals lobster
LOBSTER THIEF: A thief with expensive tastes stole a lobster from Marks and Spencers, Darlington Magistrates Court heard today (Thursday February 20). Paul Lee – of Haughton Green, Darlington – claimed not to remember stealing the dressed lobster,
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Free diabetes health checks on offer
DIABETES screening events will take place in Darlington, with the number of cases in the UK having soared since 2008. NHS data estimated about 850,000 people have the disease but are not aware of it. Health trainers are holding screening days
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Top award for Ushaw Moor Kids Club
A KIDS’ club has been honoured for its work encouraging children to follow healthy lifestyles. Ushaw Moor Kids Club received an Outstanding Energy Club Award from Sports Leaders UK. The national group praised the club’s work in encouraging
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Whitley appoint Leon Ryan as caretaker manager
Whitley Bay have put senior player Leon Ryan in temporary charge of team affairs following the departure of long serving manager Ian Chandler on Wednesday night. Ryan, who skippered Whitley to victory in the Vase final three years ago and is in
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First stage of work to repair the A67 Carlbury landslip finishes early
The first stage of work to repair the damage to the A67 at Carlbury has finished early, with the road expected to be open to motorists from 5pm today (Thursday, February 20). The landslip hit road, a commuter link between Darlington and Teesdale
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Skills course offer to Chester-le-Street parents
DURHAM County Council’s One Point service is inviting parents and carers in the Chester-le-Street area to attend an eight week multi-skills course. The course runs two days a week and is for people receiving benefits. Senior family worker
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Telecoms firm reveals £457m savings
A MOBILE operator says it has increased profits and made £457m savings. EE, which is Darlington's biggest private employer with about 2,000 workers, says profits before tax increased ten per cent last year to £1.57bn. Bosses said turnover stood
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Wildcats slip to Sharks defeat
Durham Wildcats 74 One Health Sharks Sheffield 84 A LATE surge from Durham Wildcats was not enough to see off One Health Sharks Sheffield as Durham slipped to a home defeat. Durham, who saw RJ Evans lead all scorers with 24 points, actually
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Support for Bishop is rock solid
THE new Bishop of Durham may be incurring the wrath of Government, but his appointment is now set in stone. Ahead of Paul Butler’s enthronement at Durham Cathedral on Saturday (February 22), stonemason Nigel Mawson has engraved his name onto a
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1,000-up for Durham Wildcats star Ralph Bucci
DURHAM WILDCATS captain Ralph Bucci has been praised after reaching 1,000 British Basketball League points for the league rookies. With 33 seconds remaining on the clock at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoon in the 74-84 defeat
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Coalition welfare reforms forcing people into poverty - new Bishop of Durham
THE new Bishop of Durham has set himself on a collision course with the Government before he is even installed, condemning the coalition’s welfare reforms as forcing people into food and fuel poverty. Just days before his Durham Cathedral enthronement
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York date for TV quizmaster
VETERAN journalist and TV presenter John Humphrys will be venturing out of the studio and heading north next month. The Mastermind quizmaster and Radio Four Today show stalwart will be in York to take part in the city’s literature festival on March
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Review: Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Billingham Forum
REVIEW: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Billingham Forum THERE were some great performances in this fun, pantomime-style production of this classic fantasy adventure – but only one made my little girl gasp with excitement merely for appearing. Toto
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Indoor bowls club meets at Chester-le-Street
An indoor carpet bowls clubs meets tomorrow (Friday, February 21) at Chester-le-Street Community Centre, Newcastle Bank, between 1.30pm and 4pm. Disabled players are welcome. Call 0191-388-4752 for details. HISTORY GROUP: A history group meets
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Bike ride for community clear up
A SPONSORED bike ride has been held to raise money to fund a community project. Consett YMCA Prince’s Trust volunteers have raised around £150 for the scheme to enhance parts of Quaking Houses and South Moor, near Stanley. The group of eleven
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Man fined after smashing neighbour's window
A DRUNKEN man who smashed his neighbour’s window when he wouldn’t let him stay the night ended up before magistrates today (Thursday February 20). After falling out with his wife, John Leslie Nixon – of Garden Place, Darlington – knocked on his
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Veterans' Badge for former soldier
A FORMER soldier has been presented with a Veterans' Badge by Mayor of Durham, Councillor Pauline Charlton. Ritchie Davison, who was a staff sergeant with the Light Dragoons, served with the British Army from 1968-96. The 63-year-old, from
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Trimdon Station prepares for charity fashion show
TRIMDON Station Community Centre, on Station Road East, is hosting a charity fashion show in partnership with Butterfly’s Dress Agency in Hartlepool at 7pm tomorrow (Friday, February 21). Tickets cost £2 and all money raised will go to the community
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£35,000 haul stolen from bike shop
RAIDERS escaped with bikes and cycling equipment worth about £35,000 when they targeted a bicycle business. The thieves stole mountain bikes made by Argon, Morida and Norco, as well as racing bikes manufactured by Argon and Bianchi, when they broke
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Man in court over alleged wedding scam in Crook, County Durham
A MAN accused of conspiring to defraud a pensioner out of £6,500 by claiming a woman would marry him if he paid her dowry and airfare has appeared before magistrates. Ibrahim Adeleke Olorunfunmi, of Liardet Street, London, is alleged to have conspired
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Sentamu launches church £1m anti-poverty fund in Durham
THE Archbishop of York launched a new £1m fund to tackle poverty during a visit to the North-East. Dr John Sentamu was shown round Handcrafted, a Christian project providing work-focused training, in Durham City on Wednesday (February 19).
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Paintings of Chubby Brown and Chris Rea feature in Middlesbrough exhibition
FAMOUS alumni from a North-East town are the subjects of a new art exhibition at Teesside University. Oil paintings featuring controversial comic Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown, singer Chris Rea and a video of academic Professor Beverley Skeggs are on display
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Man released on police bail after Shildon restaurant Valentine's Day break-in
POLICE ENQURIES: A man has been arrested following a break-in at Cafe Limone, on Main Street, in Shildon, during the early hours of February 14. The man has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
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"Most important book" on way to the region
A PRICELESS book regarded as one of the most important in English literature is about to go on show at the Yorkshire Museum. A rare copy of Shakespeare’s First Folio is on its way to the museum, in York, where it will remain on show into the summer
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Driver fails to stop after cyclist knocked off his bike in Hartlepool
A cyclist suffered cuts and bruises when he was knocked to the ground after a collision with a car. Police are appealing for information about the incident in which a dark blue Audi A4 failed to stop. The 34-year-old male cyclist was riding
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And for my next trick...
TEESSIDE is a magical place that has produced respected magicians Paul Daniels and Pete Firman. To that should be added a third name – John Archer. The former Cleveland police officer has a string of awards to his name and a growing career as a magician
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Brandon shop staff call on shoppers to take part in Co-op consultation
SHOP staff ware shouting out loud that they want to hear the views of their customers. Workers at the Co-operative Food Store in Broom Lane, Brandon, posed with a giant megaphone to promote the Co-operative Group’s nationwide consultation.
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Food with added fun factor
TO be perfectly honest, it was the Valentine menu which titillated our tastebuds and attracted us up to Durham. Advertised in local newspapers, the “£49.95 for two” lovers’ menu was rather saucy, and where better to spend Valentine’s night than
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Classical by Gavin Engelbrecht
REVIEWS: Sarasate: Music for Violin and Piano, Volume 4 (Naxos 8.572709) THE final disc of a successful series from Tianwa Yang and her accompanist Markus Hadulla, containing some of Sarasate’s greatest transcriptions and arrangements. Included are
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Folk by Jez Lowe
I’VE now returned, briefly, from my overseas gallivanting, in time to play a solo show at the splendid venue, The Beamish Mary in No Place, near Stanley. Tonight, in Darlington, instrumentalist and singer Steve Turner is at The Copper Beech. Tomorrow
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Country by Brian Clough
DOLLY PARTON Tour dates have been announced for the month of June. To coincide with the release of her new album Blue Smoke, Dolly Parton returns to the UK with the Blue Smoke World Tour. Starting at the Echo Arena Liverpool on June 8, she works
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Jazz by Peter Bevan
WHAT’S ON: Friday (1pm), Djangologie, Gala Theatre, Durham, 03000-266-600; Saturday, Durham Alumni Big Band, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, 03000-269- 524; Sunday, Alun Owen’s Big Band, Forum Music Centre, Darlington, 01325- 363135. CD REVIEWS: Roland
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The look of Love
IT’S A marriage made in theatrical heaven. Two actors meet and fall in love during a stage production. Then, two years later they are cast as star-crossed lovers – not Romeo and Juliet, but Abelard and Heloise – in another play from the same team
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Modern medieval extremes
Playwright Howard Brenton, wrote Eternal Love – originally called In Extremis – for students at the University of California, where he was resident dramatist. Dominic Dromgoole picked the play up for staging at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, where
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87-year-old North-East building firm enters administration
A FAMOUS North-East housebuilder has entered administration, placing 50 jobs and the future of an 87-year-old company at risk. Yuill Homes, based in Hartlepool, called in administrators from Baker Tilly after succumbing to debt problems. The
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Anton’s puttin’ on the style
CONSIDERING his competitive nature, Anton du Beke is remarkably sanguine about the winning abilities of his celebrity dance partners in Strictly Come Dancing. “It’s not really about the winning because I don’t have any control – it’s for other
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Stalingrad 3D, 15, 131 mins, 3/5 stars
THE highest-grossing Russian film of all time replays one of the bloodiest chapters of the Second World War through the eyes of German and Soviet soldiers involved in the stand-off. Stalingrad is the first project of its kind shot using IMAX 3D technology
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Only Lovers Left Alive
VAMPIRES on screen have always been big business, but trust innovative director Jim Jarmusch to provide a bold twist on the theme with his latest offering. Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton play starcrossed undead lovers, Adam and Eve would you
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The Invisible Woman
BASED on the book by Claire Tomalin, The Invisible Woman charts the fragile relationship between one of the titans of English literature and his muse. Oscar-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes juggles responsibilities behind and in front of the camera
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A New York Winter’s Tale
A NEW York Winter’s Tale has too many elements competing for our attention, and none of them gel. The titanic battle between angels and demons sits awkwardly with the rose-tinted central romance. Colin Farrell is unremarkable in an undernourished
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Game of Thrones
I’VE come late to the phenomenon 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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Diana
STRUGGLING to cope with a maelstrom of emotions in the public eye, Princess Diana (Naomi Watts) pays a low profile visit to the Royal Brompton Hospital, where she is drawn to Dr Hasnat Khan (Naveen Andrews). Seeds of romance are sown between the princess
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Thor: The Dark World
THIS is a sequel-by-numbers that is as big and muscular as its titular hammerswinging hunk, and equally short on sparkling repartee, ricocheting noisily between action, comedy and romance. A couple of plot twists, including the miraculous resurrection
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One Chance
PAUL Potts (James Corden) is a shy and unassuming man, who lives with his parents in Port Talbot. He works in a Carphone Warehouse shop with his best mate Braddon (Mackenzie Crook), but dreams of becoming an opera singer so he listens to classical
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Venue’s vital arts role
WHEN Darlington Arts centre closed, it seemed as though the lights were going out for the arts in Darlington. Now, as plans emerge for expanding its teaching area, creating a new cafe and increasing its live music capacity, The Forum Music Centre,
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Reverend and the Makers: Thirtytwo
REVEREND And The Makers are back with their fourth studio album and if you enjoy the electropop chorus-led catchy anthems that have come to define the Sheffield band, then you will be happy with this effort, which is packed with upbeat stompers.
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Toni Braxton and Babyface: Love, Marriage and Divorce
TONI Braxton has reunited with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, following their first collaboration on Braxton’s 1992 debut, Give U My Heart (written and produced by Babyface). On this duets album – Babyface’s first new studio album in nearly seven years
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Skaters: Manhattan
SKATERS consists of Boston-born Michael Ian Cummings, Los Angeles native Noah Rubin and Joshua Hubbard from Hull. The trio met in Manhattan, and subsequently named their poppunk debut album after the New York borough, with former Paddingtons guitarist
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The Boxer Rebellion: Promises
American accent, this indie-rock quartet are based in London, and after forming in the early 2000s, they’re romping back onto the music scene with their fourth album. The band have taken a step back to their original sound, with tracks like Always
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St Vincent: St Vincent
“HERE’S my report from the edge,” sings Annie Clark as she tees up the frenetic chorus of Birth In Reverse, but the phrase might easily serve as a sub-title for her entire fourth solo album. This is pop music taken to its farthest extremities,
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Beck: Morning Phase
MORE than five years have passed since the release of Beck’s last studio album. Fans have been teased in recent years with the 43-year-old’s experimental, if not genius, book of sheet music and a stand-alone single, and it’s easy to say his 12th offering
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Lisa’s lucky Seven
WITH her album, Seven, a new entry at number 13 in the UK album charts, Britain’s iconic soul singer Lisa Stansfield has announced a ten-date UK tour. Starting in Birmingham on September 5, the tour will include Gateshead and York before concluding
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Phelan down with Gary in attack mode
STICKING up for your mum can have potentially fatal consequences as Gary Windass discovers in Coronation Street (ITV1). A fight leaves scumbag Phelan feeling very bad indeed It all begins with Phelan harassing Gary’s mum Anna. Not a nice thing to do
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UK car industry enjoys 'steady start' to 2014
MOTORING bosses says UK car production has made a steady start to 2014. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed 128,620 cars were made in January, just 0.3 per cent lower than a year ago. It said 25,239 vehicles were
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Sochi 2014: Great Britain's women sweep up curling bronze
GREAT Britain's women curlers ended a 12-year-wait for Winter Olympic success by beating Switzerland 6-5 in their bronze medal-match in Sochi. Eve Muirhead's all-Scottish rink shrugged off the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to Canada
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Five minutes with...George Ezra
The tour has started already. How have the shows been going? THEY’VE been brilliant. They’re sold out too, and even though I knew that before I went on stage, it’s not clear beforehand how that’s going to feel. You know, what does a sold-out crowd
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Attractive Line in Fashion
FASHION LINE can make a successful start to life in handicap company with victory at Wolverhampton. Trainer Michael Bell pitches the four-year-old into the Ladbrokes Handicap after she made it third-time lucky in maiden company at Dunstall Park
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Britain’s curling teams suffer mixed fortunes
THEY are fickle these curling Gods. Eve Muirhead was left looking to the heavens and cursing them while David Murdoch collapsed to his knees and praised them for all he was worth. Over six hours of almost unbearable incremental tension, Great Britain
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Finns fight back to sink Russia
HOSTS Russia crashed out of the men’s ice hockey tournament as Finland produced a determined defensive performance to win their quarterfinal 3-1. Zinetula Bilyaletdinov’s team appeared on course for the last four when Ilya Kovalchuk made the most
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Delays expected while emergency roadworks are carried out to locate gas leak
EXCAVATION works are under way this afternoon (Thursday, February 20) to locate a gas escape near a busy Middlesbrough junction. Lane restrictions will be in place on the eastbound carriageway of Borough Road prior to the junction with Marton Road
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Jackson’s four-man crew feel confident
JOHN JACKSON admits he is still battling his fitness – but insists it’s no pain, no gain in his pursuit of Great Britain’s first Olympic bobsleigh medal in 16 years. His four-man crew started their campaign yesterday with official testing and they
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McCorkell misses out on free skate
THE curtain came down on Jenna McCorkell’s Sochi 2014 campaign and, it would seem, her Olympic career after the Briton’s short programme effort proved not quite enough to see her through to the women’s free skate, with her finishing one place and 0.22
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Humphries and Moyse find golden run
AMERICAN brake-man Lauryn Williams was agonisingly denied her place in history after defending champions Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse sealed Winter Olympics gold for Canada in the woman’s bobsleigh at the Sanki Sliding Center. Williams appeared
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Poulter’s woes continue
RYDER CUP star and former champion Ian Poulter suffered his third first-round exit in four years from the WGCAccenture Match Play Championship. Poulter, whose love of sleep means he happily describes himself as ‘‘half-man, halfmattress’’, was probably
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History on our side, believes Robshaw
CHRIS ROBSHAW has warned Grand Slam-chasing Ireland that recent meetings between the title rivals prevents England from being intimidated by reputations. A host of Ireland’s lauded British and Irish Lions will swagger into Twickenham on Saturday
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Gatland drops under-par Phillips
WALES boss Warren Gatland pulled no punches after dropping scrum-half star Mike Phillips for tomorrow’s crunch RBS 6 Nations clash against France in Cardiff. Phillips, who has won 82 caps, made his international debut in 2003 and was the British
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Wilson unlikely to last distance
DAVID WILSON will anchor England’s scrum for as long as possible against Ireland on Saturday, but admits he is unsure of what he can deliver at Twickenham. A duel with Cian Healy, one of the game’s most accomplished looseheads, awaits a player
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Murray pays due Care attention
CARE will wreck Ireland’s Triple Crown bid in a flash if Joe Schmidt’s men hand him free rein, according to Conor Murray. Ireland scrum-half Murray, who will come up against Care at Twickenham on Saturday, rates his England counterpart among the
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Services at Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, to be downgraded after review
CAMPAIGNERS devastated by a decision to scale back children's and maternity services at a general hospital have vowed to fight on. The decision to press ahead with the scheme at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton has angered opponents, who
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Spurs game on amid Ukraine unrest
TOTTENHAM’S Europa League round-of-32 first leg against Dnipro today is still scheduled to go ahead despite plans for a day of mourning in Ukraine following the political unrest in Kiev, UEFA has announced. Dnipro are based in the city of Dnipropetrosk
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Morrison has World Cup hope
RAVEL MORRISON will spend the rest of the season trying to help QPR get out of the Championship – a move he does not believe will put a late call-up to England’s World Cup squad beyond him. Having seemingly overcome a troubled start to his professional
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British Gas owner reveals £571m profits
BRITISH Gas owner Centrica has revealed £571m profits from its residential energy division for 2013 after increasing gas and electricity prices. The figure marks a six per cent drop on £606m profits in the previous year. Centrica says British
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Southgate’s Toulon challenge
ENGLAND Under-21s manager Gareth Southgate is looking forward to the ‘‘different challenge’’ brought by this summer’s Toulon Tournament, which will see his side face the likes of Brazil and Qatar. The Young Lions boss will take an Under-20s squad
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Costa goal gives Atletico advantage over Milan
Final score: AC Milan 0 Atletico Madrid 1 DIEGO COSTA popped up with a late winner as Atletico Madrid established the upper hand in their Champions League last-16 tie with AC Milan. Milan bossed the first leg at the San Siro for long spells
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Lottery numbers correction
THE winning Lottery numbers printed in today's Northern Echo are in fact Saturday's numbers. The numbers from Wednesday's draw are: Lotto: 17, 19, 35, 37, 46, 48. Bonus: 02. Thunderball: 02, 08, 09, 20, 32. Thunderball: 14. We apologise
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Gunners on verge of exit to Bayern
Final score: Arsenal 0 Bayern Munich 2 ARSENAL defender Per Mertesacker has urged his side to look to last season’s trip to Bayern Munich for proof they can still reach the Champions League quarterfinals despite losing their last-16 first leg 2
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Sleep, perchance to snore...
I HAD two tickets for a live theatre show being screened at our local cinema: “Who would like to come?” I said, waving the golden tickets in the air. I bought them two months in advance as I knew it would sell out, which it did, within two days of
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Baden farewell
BADEN Powell, a fleet footballer with a memorable name, has died, aged 82. He was also a formidable foot runner, caddie for 25 years to Ryder Cup golfer Peter Butler and in later life a teacher. “Hi, I’m Baden Powell,” he said to a staff room newcomer
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Inquest into Durham student's death
AN INQUEST is to be held into the death of a student whose body was recovered from the River Wear. Sopefoluwa Peters, a second-year economics student at Durham University, disappeared while on a night out with friends on October 29. He was
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Bourne again
DOUBTLESS it is appropriate that we are at the National Maritime Museum, in Greenwich, when news arrives that Eastbourne United’s pitch is under a couple of inches of water. It’s barely 11am on Friday and already the FA Vase fifth round tie with
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Police launch patrols to tackle car thieves and vandals in Shildon
POLICE officers are carrying out special patrols in Shildon in a bid to catch crooks damaging and stealing from cars. More than a dozen police officers took part in an overnight patrol after vandals damaged a number of cars in recent weeks.
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Extra posts for £4.2m work on motorway services
A NORTH-EAST construction firm is creating 70 jobs in £4.2m motorway services work. Clugston Construction, which has offices in Hebburn, South Tyneside, is building a truck-stop and petrol station on the A1 at Leeming, in North Yorkshire. Bosses
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Shipping container company to expand
A SHIPPING container businesses founded by a North- East entrepreneur is expanding to meet increased demand. Parsons Containers, based in Sedgefield, County Durham, has doubled its container sales turnover in the past two years and increased its
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Big Ballet (C4, 9pm)
THEY, whoever they may be, say that bigger is better, but Wayne Sleep has got his work cut out proving that to be true in the slimline world of ballet. In the Big Ballet series, he’s joined by prima ballerina Monica Loughman in an attempt to get
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Henry VIII & Anne: The Lovers Who Changed History (Channel Five, 8pm)
FEW royal indiscretions have come close to having the impact of King Henry VIII’s affair with Anne Boleyn. In two-part documentary Henry VIII & Anne: The Lovers Who Changed History, historian Suzannah Lipscomb takes a look at their tumultuous
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The White Slums: Reggie Yates’ Extreme South Africa (BBC3, 9pm)
THREE years ago, Reggie Yates experienced the slums of Kibera, in Kenya, for Comic Relief. Now he’s back for a new series in which he spends a week living and working in three rather different and extreme worlds – all of them representing an intriguing
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Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, York Grand Opera House
CAN Buddy the musical really have been around for 25 years? Apparently yes, because this is the 25th anniversary tour and it’s as good as ever. Who can’t resist repeating The Sun’s review that “It’s still Buddy brilliant”? Unlike some jukebox musicals
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Miles Jupp Is The Chap You Are Thinking Of, Durham Gala
UNLIKE many of the caustic comedians touring the circuit, Miles Jupp is a gentlemanly chap who raises concerns rather than rants, is acutely disgruntled more than angrily disaffected. From his daring dalliances with challenging basketballwielding
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Late Mix: Motets – Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, The Sage, Gateshead
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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Sports fields
WILL the cricket ground at Feethams, in Darlington, be the next sports field to be built on, what with huge demand for sports sites in our town? N Tate, Harrowgate Village, near Darlington.
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Miners strike inquiry calls
REGARDING calls for an inquiry into the miners strike (Echo, Jan 10). Previously secret papers, published at the turn of the year under the 30-year rule, not unnaturally give rise to mining communities’ concerns as to how the whole affair was managed
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Care
IN response to the letter written by Allen Forster about the care arrangements for his 96-year-old mother (HAS, Feb 18), while it would not be right to comment on someone’s personal circumstances I feel it is important to allay any concerns people
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Sandwich snatchers
WHAT kind of upbringing did VJ Connor have, that he should condone the stealing of sandwiches from a supermarket in Darlington by two individuals who obviously don’t know how to behave in society, and for not having to work for what they need in life
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Benkenstein
I WAS both surprised and disappointed to read that Dale Benkenstein’s career with Durham has ended with his departure to Hampshire (Echo, Feb 14). His on-field contribution to Durham County Cricket has been immense. Whether batting, bowling
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Sponsorship
I PASSED a roundabout in Easington Village the other day. There was a notice on it asking if anyone would like to sponsor the said roundabout. It made me think. Would it be a good idea to put a big sign on the cliff tops with 20ft high lettering
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Republican
IT is interesting to see the way Aled Jones’ uses his skewed vision of history to support his republican views (HAS, Feb 18). He blames the Royal Family for the decline of Britain. He omits to mention the effects of two world wars, the independence
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For shame
SHAME on you Chris Lloyd, Red Barnes in is Redcar, in Kirkleatham Street, not near Redcar (Echo, Feb 8). It is a Philip Webb House, designed and built by Mr Webb for Gertrude Bell’s father because his wife was rather frail and they thought sea
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Flooding
UNDERSTAND the Government is talking to insurance companies regarding the damage caused in the devastating floods. David Cameron wants them to expedite help and payments for people whose homes and businesses have been affected. Why is the Government
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Conservatives
IF anyone discriminated on grounds of colour, race, gender or sexuality they would be rightly brought to book, but it appears certain people are free to castigate that last great unprotected group – those who dare to have a conservative outlook on
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School hols are an education
WHEN I was 11-years-old, my parents took me on an unforgettable fourweek holiday to the United States – where my uncle had emigrated many years before. I still have the scrapbooks, with their fading photographs and tattered leaflets about the White
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One for the road?
A pub that serves alcohol every day from 9am has opened at a motorway service station. Iain Dooley, motoring correspondent for the Press Association, concludes that while it is irresponsible, there are other factors that need addressing in the drink-drive
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A long time in the dark
SO what exactly has gone wrong at Richmond School – a school which has traditionally enjoyed a positive reputation? What made the entire board of governors resign en masse last week? It is understandable that these questions are being asked by
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Route for new Durham City Town and Gown 10k announced
THE route for the first Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Durham 10k Town and Gown has been announced this week, as hundreds of locals and students limber up for the event on Sunday March 9. The run will start and finish at Maiden Castle sports ground
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Colback confident that Cats can continue cup progress AND retain Premier League status
JACK COLBACK is convinced that Sunderland possess the strength in depth to continue their assault on three fronts this season. Victory against Southampton on Saturday set up an FA Cup quarter-final trip to either Hull City or Brighton and Hove
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Former North-East darts ace and brother deny historic rape and sex assault
DARTS ace Tony Eccles has appeared in court with his brother accused of raping and sexually assaulting a girl two decades ago. Mr Eccles - known as The Viper during his playing career - and elder sibling Glen both denied a string of charges yesterday
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I didn't earn my money at Middlesbrough, admits Gordon Strachan
GORDON STRACHAN has spoken about his ill-fated reign in charge of Middlesbrough, admitting that he did not feel he earned his money while a manager at the Riverside Stadium. Strachan took over as Boro manager from Gareth Southgate in 2009, lasting
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Prince William would be 'bonkers' to destroy royal ivory collection, claims Barnard Castle-based art expert David Harper
A LEADING North-East antiques expert has labelled Prince William's plan to destroy the royal family's ivory collection as “bonkers beyond belief.” The Duke of Cambridge is said to have come up with the idea after launching United for Wildlife,
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Magistrates hear how Darlington skip hire boss owes thousands in unpaid court fines
A SKIP hire boss, sentenced to 18-months in prison for breaching environmental laws, was back in court yesterday (Wednesday, February 19) over unpaid fines in excess of £12,000. Raymond Shepherd, of Albert Skip Hire in Darlington, has outstanding
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Benefits cheat would be 116 by the time £50,000 debt is repaid
A BENEFITS cheat who pocketed more than £50,000 walked free from court - with nearly 85 years to pay it back. Donna Morris would be aged 116 before the debt could be settled at the current repayment rate of just £11.30 a week. A judge said
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No foundation in Demba Ba rumours, say Newcastle United
NEWCASTLE UNITED are not expected to attempt to entice Demba Ba back to St James’ Park in the summer. The Magpies were linked with an approach for their former striker, who is now at Chelsea, by footballdirectnews, the website operated by Sports
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Mobile phone operator could bring jobs to region
A TELECOMS firm could create hundreds of new jobs in the region. Mobile phone network operator EE, which already employs thousands of North-East workers, is bringing more than 1,000 call centre posts back to the UK. The company is Darlington's
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Tortilla chip maker receives £3.5m investment
A NORTH-EAST tortilla maker has received a £3.5m cash injection to develop new products and bolster its presence in the £2.7bn UK snacks market. It's All Good (IAG), which supplies products to Marks and Spencer, is being supported by NVM Private
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Steampunk world created at pumping station
A VICTORIAN water works proved the perfect backdrop for a new photography group on a quest to create images with a twist. Goggles, Goths and Lenses pulls together people with a passion for alternative fashion with photographers who love to capture
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North-East Labour MPs back Ed Miliband's trade union shake-up
THE region’s Labour MPs have thrown their weight behind Ed Miliband’s plans to shake up trade union influence over the party, ahead of a crunch vote. The North-East MPs enthusiastically backed the proposals, arguing they would strengthen – rather
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Oil and gas recruitment firm continues expansion
AN award-winning oil and gas industry recruitment firm has continued its expansion. Oil Consultants, in Washington, Wearside, has opened an office in Dubai, which it says could create new North-East jobs. The move comes after the company, which
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Hitachi reveals preferred bidder for flooring on North-East trains
TRAIN builder Hitachi Rail Europe has revealed its preferred bidder for a deal to fit flooring on its Intercity Express Programme (IEP) rolling stock. Treadmaster Flooring, a brand of Tiflex, based in Cornwall, hopes to lay rubber sections of flooring
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Super-group of military WAGS choir and Swaledale bands forms to raise cash for Help for Heroes and Phoenix House
A SUPERGROUP of brass bands and a military choir has been formed to raise cash for Help for Heroes, with the launch of its CD at a celebration concert. The Military WAGS Choir Catterick, together with Muker and Reeth bands have joined forces to
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Boy band heroes Boyzone to play the home of cricket's champions this summer
THE North-East’s premier cricket ground will host a concert by pop group Boyzone this summer. Durham County Cricket Club is building a reputation for hosting popular musical events at its ground in Chester-le-Street. Following the successes
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Lack of funding results in cancellation of St Helen Auckland gala
ORGANISERS of a popular annual village gala have been forced to cancel it due to lack of funding. The family fun day in St Helen Auckland was due to take place on Saturday, June 28. However, with the event operating at a loss of about £3,000
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Youngsters enthralled by animal encounters at The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle
IT is home to some of the finest works of art in the country. But young visitors to The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, were much more interested in Belinda, the blue-tongued skink, and Prince, the giant African bull frog. The unusual creatures
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Supermarket sandwiches 'front-loaded' to make them appear more appetising, claims customer
A SUPERMARKET has come under fire for “front-loading” sandwiches to make them appear more appetising and filling. One customer was so incensed by the lack of chicken in his butty he complained to staff at Morrisons, in Barnard Castle. John
