Archive
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Jail for drunk driver who ploughed car into neighbour's house
A MANIAC who smashed his car into a neighbour's front room was jailed for what a judge described as "the most appalling and reckless dangerous driving". James Irvine was two-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit when he lost control of his Toyota
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Johnson double puts Shildon back on top
Shildon went back to the top of the ENL First Division on goal difference with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bedlington at Dean Street last night. Shildon took the lead after just 48 seconds when Steve Johnson forced the ball over the line in a goalmouth
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Five great things to do this weekend
HILARIOUS stand-up comedy, robots and passionate art - there's something for everyone in Darlington and the North-East this weekend. And don't forget that this weekend is also your last chance to see six iconic streamlined locomotives at Locomotion
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Day-long crime proceeds hearing to settle how much ex-teacher and co-accused made from cocaine dealing
A CONTESTED proceeds of crime hearing will be held to decide how much a cocaine-dealing former teacher made from his illicit activities. Michael Andrew Younghusband was jailed for three years and four months after admitting possessing cocaine with
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Teen who attacked complainant with baseball bat in the street given nine month jail sentence
A TEENAGER who struck his victim in the face with a baseball bat, breaking his jaw in several places, is starting his first jail sentence. Joshua Shuttleworth, 18, emerged from his home in Palm Street, Middlesbrough, after a row had erupted in
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Man who hurled wheel brace at complainant and drove a car at him spared jail
A SIMMERING row between two rival garage owners led to one hurling a wheel brace at the head of the other, a court heard. Gregg Kerr had already threatened to cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to vehicles belonging to the victim when he
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Signatures tablecloth returns to village after 50 years
A TABLECLOTH embroidered with signatures of villagers 50 years ago which was given as a leaving present to a couple emigrating to New Zealand has been returned to its roots. Terry Huffam, of Whangaparaoa, near Auckland City, has given the artwork
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Striking a chord in the orchestra pit
IT is 30 years since the miners' strike - and still the bitterness runs deep. So deep, in fact, that a theatrical production has been dragged into the lingering controversy. Durham Constabulary Brass Band had been booked to perform in a production
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Woman tied up during robbery
A woman was tied up during a robbery at a North-East post office. Police were called to Gosforth High Street in Newcastle when the alarm was triggered just before 9am this morning. (Friday, February 21) The woman was left shaken and with minor
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Workshop for young dancers is a hit
YOUNGSTERS from a youth dance group had the chance to learn from the professionals during a ballet workshop. Ten members of ArtsSpark Youth Contemporary Dance group took part in the workshop with cast members from the BalletBoyz (correct) company
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CD commemorating the First World War will raise money for present-day veterans
A CD of ballads, poems and readings has been released which is designed to depict the personal cost of the First World War. The North-East branch of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, formerly the Army Benevolent Fund, has released the CD as a tribute
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Man beat child with television scart lead
A MAN who beat a child with a television scart lead in a row about him not finishing his school lunchbox has been jailed for a year. Patrick Ngorima “saw red” during the argument with the boy and struck him a number of times with the cable in what
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Farmers meet Rural Payments Agency advisor to discuss new EU payments
FARMERS attended a meeting led by Anne McIntosh and the Rural Payments Agency about changes to the way they will receive payments from the European Union. Richard Anderson, an inspections advisor from Rural Payments Agency, told the meeting at
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Appeal after sneak-in burglary
A PURSE, cash and cigarettes were stolen in a sneak-in burglary at a house in Courtney Drive, Perkinsville,on Thursday (February 20) night. Police are urging householders to keep windows and doors locked. Anyone with information should call
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Work begins on replacement leisure centre for Washington
WORK has begun on an £11m replacement leisure centre. The new centre in Washington, on Wearside, will feature two hydro slides together with a six-lane 25m pool and learner pool with leisure features. It will also have six 3rd Generation (3G
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Animal charity reminds that pets are not just a fashion accessory
AN ANIMAL charity is appealing for people to stop using pets as fashion accessories. The Blue Cross Centre in Thirsk said there has been an increase in people who buy fashionable breeds and then discard them once the trend has passed. Last
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Brave Abbie tells of bottle ordeal
A YOUNG girl who was badly hurt after a glass beer bottle was thrown at the window of her grandmother’s car has spoken of her ordeal. Nine-year-old Abbie Keers was left covered in broken glass and bleeding heavily after the passenger window of
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Brick thrown through window
POLICE are hunting a yob who threw a giant stone through a house window. A 69-year-old woman who suffers from MS and lives along was in the lounge of her house when the glass was shattered. On the floor she found a brick measuring around 18
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Community band formed with grant
A COMMUNITY band for all ages and abilities has been formed. Whittonstall Community Band is learning the music of Pirates of the Caribbean, Bohemian Rhapsody and Beatles tracks as its starter pieces. Shotley Low Quarter Parish Council was been
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Inquest opens into student's death
An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of University of York student Hoi-chun Alex Yam. The 19-year-old, originally from Hong Kong, was a second-year psychology student. He was found dead in his student accommodation on February 12
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Olympic-standard velodrome set to open in the summer
THE first hard surface velodrome in Yorkshire and the North East is set to open in the summer after councillors approved plans to develop cycling in the region. The 250-metre Olympic-standard velodrome will be built at York Sport Village on the
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Call for new inquest into death of Redcaps
LAWYERS are pressing for a new inquest to be held into the deaths of a group of military policemen who were murdered by a mob in Iraq nearly 11 years ago. They want to see the original narrative verdict of unlawful killing quashed to allow new
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Cannabis farm discovered at flat fire in Middlesbrough
A CANNABIS farm was discovered at a flat fire in Middlesbrough which was extinguished by three firefighting crews. The alarm was raised at Kensington Road this afternoon (Friday) when emergency services discovered the illegal growing of narcotic
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REG DIGS X Factor star to play in the region
X FACTOR winner Sam Bailey will perform alongside other contestants at the Metro Radio Arena, in Newcastle, on Tuesday, February 25. Tickets start from £33.50. Visit metroradioarena.co.uk for more information. ROCK TRIBUTE: NE/DC will pay
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Parliamentary candidate for Stockton South launches campaign against new housing
A PARLIAMENTARY candidate has launched a major campaign to try and prevent more housing in a south Tees community. Louise Baldock, who is the Labour Party candidate for the marginal Stockton South constituency, is fighting plans to build more houses
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Two stable staff at North Yorkshire racehorse yard up for industry awards
TWO stable staff members from a North Yorkshire horse trainer are in the running for awards that recognise hard work in the horseracing industry. Alfie Mills and Emma Dwyer, who work at trainer Mark Johnston’s yard in Middleham, are hopefuls in
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Cleveland Police make second appeal following road crash
Police are making a second appeal in relation to a collision last weekend. The collision happened at about 7.40pm on Sunday, February 16 at the junction of Ladgate Lane and Marton Road in Middlesbrough and involved a silver Nissan Almera and a
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Pair claim actor Clive Mantle attacked them at Newcastle Travelodge
A MAN accused of attacking former Casualty actor Clive Mantle and severely disfiguring his ear has told a court he was defending himself from the "big monster" that he thought was going to kill him. Philip McGilvray, 33, admits biting the ear of
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Concerns over drainage and traffic in new homes scheme for Leyburn
PLANS for a housing development in Leyburn have been met with concerns from residents who say the current sewage system is not fit to cope with almost 50 new houses. Housing developer Yorvik Homes has not yet submitted proposals to Richmondshire
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North-East Football Live: Saturday, February 22
3:49pm Radcliffe Borough 0 Darlington 2 Goals from Dowson and Galbraith (pen). Quakers were very strong for half an hour then eased up. 3:43pm Arsenal 3 Sunderland 0 (Rosicky
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Governors of Richmond School were issued with warning notice from county council
THE governors at a secondary school resigned en masse after being issued with a warning notice by North Yorkshire County Council, it has emerged. The shock resignation of the entire governing body at Richmond School took place on Monday following
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Artist Sarah Gouldie at Durham Cathedral
ARTIST Sarah Gouldie will showcase her work at Durham Cathedral on Saturday (February 22). She will be in the shop from 11am to 3pm, painting and talking to customers. Ms Gouldie will also launch a new range of wedding cards and four recipe books.
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Heart fund appointment targets business community
THE Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle has appointed a new head of fundraising as part of a new push to increase support from North-East businesses. Ivan Hollingsworth, chair of fundraising with CHUF, said: "
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Event to encourage more people to consider becoming a councillor held in Stockton
A LOCAL authority is trying to persuade more people to consider becoming a councillor. Stockton Borough Council will host a free event called Make a difference – Be a Councillor at Stockton Town Hall at 5pm on Thursday, March 27. Those attending
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Step back in time at 'Art and optimism in 1950s Britain' at Mima in Middlesbrough
THE mood of the region has been captured in a new exhibition called ‘Art and optimism in 1950s Britain’ featuring iconic paintings by Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon. A new-found confidence following the trauma of the Second World War was contradicted
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Woman from Shotley Bridge and man from Stanley among four people charged with supplying drugs
FOUR people were last night (Thursday, February 20) charged with conspiracy to supply controlled drugs. A 32-year-old woman from Shotley Bridge, County Durham, a 36-year-old man from nearby Stanley, a 27-year-old man from Birmingham and a 45-year-old
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Historic house wins award for its work on a walled garden
A COUNTRY hall has won an award for its walled garden in a ceremony that recognises the very best in heritage experiences. Kiplin Hall, near Richmond, has picked up a 2014 Hudson’s Heritage Award with a highly commended in the best new commission
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Photographer celebrates being named runner-up in a national competition
A PHOTOGRAPHER is celebrating after she was named as a runner-up in a national competition. Claire Elliott, 37, of Regent Street, Shildon, was runner-up in the portrait section of the Photographers of the Year Award. The competition entered
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North-East weekend football betting
On the back of a shocking run that has seen them lose six of their last eight league games, and failing to score seven times in that streak, Newcastle will be desperate to arrest their slump as they entertain Aston Villa tomorrow. Encouragingly bookies
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Healthcare firm looks to end £500m Government contract
A COMPANY carrying out fitness for work tests on disabled benefit claims says it wants to leave a Government contract early after staff were made the subject of death threats. Atos Healthcare says it has been in discussions with officials for several
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Appeal after tyre-slashing spree
YORK police are investigating a spate of tyre slashing in the city and are appealing for help from the public to trace the suspect. The tyres on eight vehicles were slashed at various locations between February 14 and 17 and police are appealing
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Kids help open new Sainsbury's in Durham
CHILDREN have helped open a new Sainsbury’s store. Pupils from Neville’s Cross Primary School were joined by headteacher Pam Monaghan for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Crossgate Moor store, in Durham City. The shop used to be The Lodge
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Deck the city with red and white - Sunderland are going to Wembley
SUNDERLAND boss Gus Poyet is backing a bid to turn the city red and white for next weekend’s Wembley final. Sunderland will contest the Capital One Cup with high-flying Manchester City on Sunday, March 2 and thousands of fans will head south for
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Criminal investigation into death of Darlington man James Reddington still on-going
A CRIMINAL investigation into the death of a man killed in a car crash is still ongoing, a coroner’s court heard today (Friday February 21). James Thomas Reddington, from Darlington, died in December when the 4x4 he was travelling in collided with
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Workshop supports people with learning difficulties to use their vote
A WORKSHOP to help people with learning disabilities engage with politics and learn more about their right to vote has been held in Darlington. The Love Your Vote campaign is run by Dimensions, which supports people with learning disabilities and
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Events to commemorate the First World War will be held in Thornaby
VISITORS to Thornaby Central Library are being invited to remember the Great War Centenary at a special commemorative event next week. The library will host Thornaby Needs You on Monday, March 3, for visitors to learn about World War One in a day
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Shoppers urged to be vigilant with sneak thieves operating in Darlington
POLICE have urged shoppers to be vigilant after a spate of attempted distraction thefts. Officers have released CCTV images of a couple they are keen to question after an elderly man was targeted. The 78-year-old was approached by a man and
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Newton Aycliffe contractor offers its services for free to worthwhile causes
CHARITIES and voluntary groups across the North-East are being encouraged to enter a competition that could see them win a DIY SOS-style makeover for a much-loved community facility. JDP Contracting Services, a construction contractor based in
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Free advice sessions for voluntary groups looking to secure funding
VOLUNTEER groups looking for advice and support on how to raise funds are invited to a special event. The free Meet the Funders event will offer advice about how to identify grant-making bodies, how to contact them and how to improve the chances
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Council asked about gritting following death of popular biker
A COUNCIL is being asked about its gritting procedures following the death of a biker thought to have lost control on an icy patch of road. Popular County Durham man Melvin Bandtock died on Saturday, December 28 after becoming trapped under a bus
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Enquiries ongoing into care home death of teenager
ENQUIRIES are still being made about the death of a North-East schoolgirl, a hearing was told today. Danielle Formosa, 14, of Nawton Avenue, Sunderland, was found dead at a children’s home in December. An investigation was launched after Miss
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Intrepid fund-raisers get their legs waxed
TWO male fundraisers braved leg waxing in a bid to raise cash for the UK’s leading heart charity. Matty Burn, 17, and Chris Gray, 22, endured the painful challenge in aid of the British Heart Foundation. They did it all under the public gaze
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New homes planned for Ingleby Barwick
DECISIONS on whether to allow a total of 730 new homes in a south Stockton community will be made next week. Permission has already been granted to build 350 new houses at Low Lane, Ingleby Barwick in return for the building of a new free school
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Exhibition to show how First World War changed a country town forever
RESIDENTS of all generations in a town are working on an exhibition which will show the lasting effect the First World War had on their community. The event in Stokesley will mark the centenary of the war and will chart the social impact of the
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Cannabis farm found after flat blaze
A CANNABIS farm has been found following a blaze in a flat in Middlesbrough this afternoon. The emergency services were called to the flat on Kensington Road at 12.55pm. The fire has now been extinguished, however gas services are on scene
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Police dogs put through their paces in shopping centre
TRAINEE police dogs were put through their paces in the Cornmill shopping centre on Friday (February 21), to the amusement of shoppers. The dogs were given the job of sniffing out trouble from members of the public exiting the centre’s escalators
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Team seeking to repair historic 1825 rail bridges near Shildon launch website
TRAIN fans hoping to repair historic bridges which formed part of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway have launched a website to detail their work. The Brusselton Incline Group was set up after the Milk Road and Accommodation Bridges,
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DJ Ali learns to cook at Middlesbrough College
BBC Tees radio presenter Ali Brownlee swapped his studio for a stove to work with Middlesbrough College students. As part of a series of challenges set by his colleagues at the radio station Mr Brownlee, who has never cooked before, picked up tips
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Work to begin on £1.8m Croxdale roundabout on A167
WORK on a new £1.8m roundabout which it is hoped will cut congestion and improve road safety on the busy A167 will begin next week (Tuesday, February 24). While the bulk of the work at the junction of the A167 and B6300, near the Honest Lawyer
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Gardeners face legal battle with council
THREE gardeners are being taken to court by a town council which claims they owe almost £3,000 for the clean-up operation after they left their allotments. Spennymoor Town Council, in County Durham, has launched civil proceedings in a bid to recoup
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Thrillseekers with a head for heights can abseil down the Transporter Bridge in aid of Butterwick Children's Hospice
Butterwick Children’s Hospice, in Stockton, is appealing for daredevils to help it raise funds by abseiling down the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough. Thrillseekers can scale the 165ft iconic structure from 8am on Sunday, April 13. Entry
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Rape charge made in investigation into alleged Tyneside sex ring
A MAN has been charged with raping a teenager by officers investigating a suspected abuse ring. Abdul Jelilou Ouro Kefia, 21, of Duncan Street in Walker, Newcastle, was arrested and charged with the rape of a female under 16 following a report
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Shakespeare workshops for primary school students
BUDDING bards have been treading the boards to help improve their understanding of Shakespeare. Year six pupils from Mount Pleasant School, Darlington, spent a day at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College to learn about the life and times of William
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Better access at nature site thanks to trust's grant
BETTER access and visitor facilities will be created at a nature reserve thanks to a £27,660 grant. The Durham Wildlife Trust is is getting the money from the SITA Trust for work at its Rainton Meadows site between Durham City and Sunderland.
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New Bishop of Durham is welcomed to the county during historic ceremony over the River Tees
POVERTY is a dragon that needs to be slain, the new Bishop of Durham told well-wishers today ahead of a ceremony evoking the legend of the Sockburn Worm. Bishop Paul Butler was officially welcomed to his new diocese at the historic falchion ceremony
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North Yorkshire students receive poultry industry scholarships
TWO Northallerton students have received scholarships to help them pursue careers in the poultry industry. The British Poultry Council Scholarships, offered at Harper Adams University, in Shropshire, make up to £3,500 available to chosen students
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Brave Amy's best friend raises hundreds of pounds for hospital toys
A SCHOOLGIRL who was inspired by her best friend’s battle against a brain tumour has raised hundreds of pounds for new toys at her hospital ward. Last month, Rebecca Stuart, of Sedgefield, County Durham, donated her hair to the cancer charity,
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Philanthropic graduate supports new students at Teesside University
A STOCKBROKER given a bursary which helped him secure a place at one of the region’s universities has awarded a scholarship to two of its students. Peter Atherton, head of Utility Sector at Liberum Capital, has donated £10,000 to Teesside University
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Germany beckons for North-East engineering apprentices
EIGHT apprentices will get the chance to showcase their computer design skills to experienced engineers during a two-week work placement in Germany. The trip, which has been organised by South Durham Training, in Newton Ayliffe, County Durham,
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Fundraising concert for Yorkshire Dales village hall
FUNDRAISING for the refurbishment of Reeth Memorial Hall continues on Saturday, March 8, with an evening of traditional folk music and stories. Zeke Deighton will present a variety of folk songs, readings and anecdotes covering his memories of
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Great North Big Band Jazz Festival returns to Sunderland
HUNDREDS of musicians from across the UK will converge on the North-East next week for one of the biggest jazz festivals in the country. The Great North Big Band Jazz Festival is returning to the University of Sunderland for the 11th successive
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Robots made with kid gloves go into battle
FEARSOME robots created by North-East school children were sent into battle today (Friday, February 21). Nine school teams helped design and build the fighting machines for the Robots Live spectacle. The live show, a spin-off of TV hit Robot
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Coxhoe's Sonnet 43 brewery up for national prize
A ONE-year-old micro-brewery is in the running for a national award. Sonnet 43 Brew House, based in Coxhoe, County Durham, is a finalist in the Best Microbrewing Pub Company category at The Publican Awards. The winners will be announced at
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Tourist information office hands over £50 to Richmond Mayor's charities
A TOURIST information centre has handed over a cheque for £50 to local charities. Hilda Ellis, manager of Richmond Tourist Information Centre, presented the cheque to Richmond Mayor Councillor Bob White as a donation to his mayor’s charities –
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Sand run challenge for fundraiser Lee
A QUANTITY surveyor from the North-East is preparing for a challenge dubbed the toughest footrace on Earth. Father-of-one Lee Maddison, 35, who lives in Shotley Bridge, near Consett, County Durham, is taking part in the Marathon des Sables in April
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Networking event at Durham college
NEW College Durham, in Framwellgate Moor, Durham City, has hosted a special networking evening for Durham Business Club. Students offered guests beauty treatments and a buffet dinner. More than 80 people attended. The college is a founding
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Ainsley pleased to have had midweek game ahead of Vase tie
Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that his players needed a midweek game ahead of their fifth round FA Carlsberg Vase tie against Newcastle Benfield today. Moors played and lost in the league cup against Guisborough in midweek, but Ainsley
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Keep active, keep warm and keep well is Age UK Darlington's message
Winter is still with us for a while yet. That is why Gillian Peel, chief executive of Darlington Age UK, is reminding older people that her charity is ready to help with a host of winter-related problems and how you can help her help others. What
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Houghton pub team's charity effort
A SPONSORED darts team has raised £2,000 for good causes. Regulars at the Prince of Wales pub, in Houghton-le-Spring, sponsored the pub’s darts team in the recent Durham Lions tournament, now in its 34th year. Their effort alone raised £2,000
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Man and two women injured in confrontation during night out at Beamish
A MIDDLE-aged man was knocked out as trouble flared outside a busy restaurant and wine bar. The incident happened at 9.30pm last Saturday (February 15) in the entrance to the car park opposite the Blue Spider wine bar and Pepe’s Restaurant, in
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Production by award-winning playwright due to visit region
A PLAY which explores human cloning and identity will be performed in York this spring. A Number is written by award-winning playwright Caryl Churchill and directed by Juliet Forster. It is set in the near future and focuses on the conflicts
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Power tools stolen in village raid
THIEVES escaped with a haul of power tools when they raided a workshop in a North Yorkshire village. The incident happened in Kirkby Fleetham, near Northallerton, between 8am and 2.30pm on Wednesday, February 12. They stole an orange Husqvarna
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Universal affordable childcare could save taxpayer £1.5 billion a year
THE provision of universal affordable childcare could save the taxpayer up to £1.5 billion a year by allowing more mothers to go back to work, a report has claimed. Some three-quarters of women with a youngest child aged three or four want to work
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Plans for gym for people with learning difficulties in Seaham
PLANS have been unveiled for a gym for people with learning difficulties in the premises of the National Co-operative Chemists in Malborough, Seaham. An application has been submitted to Durham County Council seeking permission to change the use
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Buzzard destroyed after being blasted by shotgun
A WILD buzzard had to be destroyed after being left severely injured by a shotgun blast. The bird-of-prey was found with five shotgun pellets in its body – one of which had shattered the creature’s wing. The buzzard was found on Brownmoor Lane
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Make a Forceful case for Lingfield victory
FORCEFUL APPEAL should appreciate a slight drop in class as he tackles the Ladbrokes Handicap at Lingfield. Simon Dow’s charge was a winner on his return from a lengthy lay-off at Wolverhampton in January, overcoming a five-month absence to see
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Durham students help out
STUDENTS are to undertake a week of volunteering. Members of Durham University’s Student Communication Action (SCA) will be active in Durham City, Chester-le-Street and Stockton between Monday and next Sunday (March 2). There will be Harry
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Appeal for information following bikes theft
POLICE are appealing for information about a burglary in which mountain bikes were stolen from the outbuildings of a house. The theft happened from a property on Wheatlands, Great Ayton between 11pm on Wednesday, February 12 and 6am on Thursday
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National hopefuls thrown in for Cheltenham
LEADING Grand National candidates Teaforthree and Triolo D’Alene are among 98 entries in the Festival Handicap Chase on the opening day of Cheltenham’s big meeting on March 11. Smart novices like Annacotty, Green Flag, Many Clouds and Sam Winner
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Jewellery workshops to take place in Leyburn
A WORKSHOP on jewellery making will take place at the Old School House Arts Centre in Leyburn on Tuesdays March 4, April 1, May 6 and June 3 from 1pm until 3pm. The tutor will be textile jewellery artist Kathryn Guy and costs £26 for four sessions
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King is making his plans
TRAINER Alan King wants to run Grumeti in the Stan James Champion Hurdle following his pleasing return to action at Wincanton tomorrow. The six-year-old gelding showed up well for a long way in the Kingwell Hurdle before he was outmuscled by Melodic
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Former classmates set for Spennymoor school reunion
A REUNION is being held for former pupils who studied at Spennymoor School and Sixth Form between 1965 and 1972. Arlene Willetts, formerly Gibson, and Gillian McLean, nee Eggleston, are behind the scheme. Mrs Willetts, 60, a teacher at South
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Jenkins confident of upturn
SENIOR statesman Gethin Jenkins has backed reigning RBS 6 Nations champions Wales to recover from their Dublin debacle and retrieve a campaign that is hovering on the brink. Victory over unbeaten Millennium Stadium visitors France tonight would
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I’m no dictator insists Fulham boss
NEW Fulham manager Felix Magath sees no reason to change the strict training regimes which have helped turn his German teams into winners – declaring “no-one has died”. The 60-year-old replaced Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen last week and the club
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Informal support group for veterans has been set up by Help for Heroes-run Phoenix House
A PEER support group for veterans has been set up at the Help for Heroes-run Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison. The Veterans’ Peer Support Group meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month for wounded, injured or sick veterans
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Brown steps up his return to action
GARY BROWN has completed his rehabilitation from an ankle injury and will leave Darlington on loan to complete his return from injury. The defender has not kicked a ball since being injured in the dying seconds of a pre-season friendly at Gateshead
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Go away, but stay connected
IT used to be that holidays were all about getting away from the real world and switching off – but now, it appears, they are about switching on. Alongside the sunscreen and city guide books, electronic devices are now firmly at the top of travellers
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Children invited to rugby taster session in Newton Aycliffe
DURHAM Tigers Rugby League Club is offering a free taster session at a youth club tomorrow (Saturday, February 22). The club will lead the session, which will include an introduction to touch rugby for girls and boys, at Newton Aycliffe Youth and
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Group getaways can be grand
I’TS not often I get on a bicycle and go for a pedal, but it’s true what they say: you never forget how to ride. As I wobble about trying to find my balance, a flash of green whizzes by. It’s my fouryear- old, on her bike, wearing the biggest smile
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Here’s to a life full of risks
SOMETIMES, coming last is brilliant. We should try it more often. Violinist Vannessa Mae did. Not content with ten million album sales and having earned £30m by the time she was 30, she decided life wasn’t challenging enough. So she had a go at the
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Nothing special about these offers
CAUGHT out by Which? in pricing tactics that are as dazzlingly confusing as the three-card trick – baffling multi-buy deals, special offers that aren’t that special, jumbo packs that are no bargain at all – a supermarket spokesman said, with an apparently
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Tea party was a winner
LONELINESS is a killer disease – twice as deadly as obesity for old people, says new American search. Ironic that in this age of instant communication, loneliness is a terrifying problem. Not just for the old – for teenagers, isolated new mothers
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Outstanding Sedgefield nursery is a home-from-home
A NURSERY that prides itself on being a home-from-home for children and their parents is celebrating after receiving an outstanding Ofsted rating. In its latest inspection, Cherry Tree Nursery, in Sedgefield, was described as exceptional and staff
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Backchat: Pennies for pop bottles
Dear Sharon, AS well as carrier bags, I wish we could do something about cans and bottles that cause dangerous litter everywhere. When I was a girl things weren’t recycled, they were reused many times. We washed our milk bottles and put them
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Edge Of Heaven (ITV1, 9pm)
HARTSWOOD Films has a pretty good pedigree when it comes to comedy. Its executive producer is Beryl Vertue, a legendary figure in showbusiness thanks to her work with the likes of Spike Milligan, Eric Sykes, Ray Galton, Alan Simpson and Johnny Speight
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BB King – The Life of Riley (BBC4, 9pm)
ON New Year’s Day 2013, US blues singer-songwriter BB King took to the stage of the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando. Surrounded by his band, the music legend gave a performance that left the packed-out venue beaming. For a guitarist to keep an audience
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Alan Davies Apres Ski (BBC2, 10pm)
IN the last of Apres Ski with Alan Davies, the QI veteran and assorted guests from the showbiz and sports world take an irreverent look at the latest developments from Sochi as the Winter Olympics draw to a close. Alan is not the first person you
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Brassed Off, York Theatre Royal
THE play of the film has one distinct advantage over writer-director Mark Herman’s admirable movie – a live brass band. There is nothing quite like the rousing sound of brass echoing around the auditorium to stir the emotions and underline the
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RBS to axe 30,000 jobs as part of plans to shrink bailed-out bank
AS many as 30,000 jobs are to go at Royal Bank of Scotland over the next few years as part of plans to shrink the bailed-out bank, it was reported today. The group is expected to use annual results next week to announce its exit from many of its
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Students picked for football management project
TWO sixth-form students have been chosen to form part of a national board to promote participation in grassroots football. Connor Smith and Maddy Wood, students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, have been selected to be members
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Stomp, Sunderland Empire
THE noisiest show clomps, beats and clatters its way into town not with a whimper, but with an almighty bang (and the odd wolf whistle, courtesy of the audience). Stomp is a percussive phenomenon that first assaulted the eardrums of its public
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Photographic exhibition of clucky pensioners in Gateshead
A SERIES OF photographs featuring friendships forged between older people and their hens will be unveiled at an exhibition in the North-East. Dublin-based photographer Mark Henderson was commissioned to produce a series on the HenPower project
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Why no BAFTA for superhero movie of the year?
A LADY I know disagrees with my views about Frozen winning a Bafta instead of Monsters University – and she said that the movie soundtrack to that film is better to sing along to (HAS, Feb 19). I must admit that Frozen does have some very good
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On your marks for annual fundraiser
THE annual Darlington Triathlon will be held at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science on May 4, organisers have announced. The event, organised by Darlington Rotary Club, is popular with tri-athletes nationwide, as it is suitable for beginners
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In the nick of time
THE letter by G Bulmer (HAS, Feb 18) has been written without regard to facts or evidence. He condemns the Liberal Democrats who are in power because the electorate in 2010 had no confidence in the Conservatives or Labour to lead the country alone
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A juicy tom
THE traditional tomato season is some time off, but when was the last time you spotted a juicy, mouth-watering good old British “tom” in the shops? Tomatoes are flown thousands of miles from all corners of the world. Some 300,000 tonnes are
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Best Bakery
REGARDING the ITV programme Britain’s Best Bakery I write with some observations and structured criticism. As with the previous series, which I thoroughly enjoyed I watched every episode. I am an avid baker so all aspects of the programmes
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A weekend to change communities
A SOCIAL justice conference will gather leaders from the charity, church and state sectors next month. Changing Communities will be held in Durham City from March 14 to 16. It will begin with the launch of Ideas Hive, a new website focused
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Shoddy
I WAS shocked to see the shoddy way Caroline Lucas the Green Party MP for Brighton was treated at Prime Minister’s question time when she tried to ask a question on the flooding. What kind of a democracy are we running here when the only Green
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Yorkshire Dales
THE article about the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and barn conversions (Echo, Feb 12) gave a rather misleading impression of what the authority is doing. We very much support the commercial re-use of barns, as part of improving the
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Stick the boot in
I IMAGINE thinking about independence in Scotland will be at two levels. One is the rational level – which arrangement is best. The other is what the majority of Scots feel in their hearts: do they regard themselves in a forced marriage to an intolerable
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Doctors in distress
EVERY day at my surgery in Egton, a small two-doctor practice on the North York Moors, I see vulnerable patients reliant on the care we provide, but now I am facing the stark reality that funding changes could threaten the service we offer and lead
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Guest demonstrator invited to Shildon flower club meeting
DEMONSTRATOR Jan Faulkner, of Great Ayton, will hold an evening of flower arranging, entitled sping forward, at Shildon and District Flower Club, in Shildon Civic Centre, on Monday, March 3, at 7.30pm. Admission is free to club members and £5 for
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A familiar message
THERE were mixed feelings in the North-East when Justin Welby was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. We were happy that the Bishop of Durham had been chosen for such a leading role in the country, but disappointed that his time in our region had
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Harewood relishing his role as elder statesman at Hartlepool
FOR Colin Cooper, team spirit and unity cannot be fabricated. So last weekend, as Luke James celebrated scoring for Hartlepool United and the first person he jumped to was Marlon Harewood, Cooper could read a lot into it. Harewood has yet to score
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Poyet praises Mannone's transformative impact at Sunderland
GUSTAVO POYET has praised Vito Mannone’s transformative impact on Sunderland’s season and urged the Italian goalkeeper to enjoy his emotional return to Arsenal tomorrow. Mannone spent eight years at the Emirates Stadium after joining as a 17-year-old
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Karanka confident about post-Given plans - but is yet to choose his new Middlesbrough number one
AITOR KARANKA is confident Middlesbrough can cope without Shay Given, even though he is still to determine the identity of the club’s new number one. Given will play the final game of his loan spell from Aston Villa when Leeds United visit the
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England's World Cup build-up hits crunch time ahead of home double-header
IT is 17 months until the start of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but from an English perspective, the countdown begins tomorrow. After a satisfactory start to the Six Nations, with a narrow defeat in Paris preceding a facile success in Edinburgh, the
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Newcastle to receive triple boost ahead of Aston Villa game
NEWCASTLE UNITED are set to receive a triple boost ahead of Sunday’s home game with Aston Villa with Fabricio Coloccini, Cheik Tiote and Loic Remy all expected to be available for the game. Remy will return from a three-game suspension as the Magpies
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Sex offender caught out by using false name to avoid library fine
A BOOKWORM is behind bars today - after giving a false name at a library. Lee Rogers had overdue titles and wanted to avoid being fined, his lawyer told a court yesterday (Thursday, February 20). His fantasy fiction landed him in trouble because
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UK's largest crane arrives at Middlesbrough port
A MARINE firm has bought the UK's largest harbour crane, which bosses say will create 40 North-East jobs. Able UK, which operates Seaton Port at the mouth of the River Tees, near Middlesbrough, says the Liebherr crane will allow it to handle increased
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Transport firm eyes increased profits after strong results
TRANSPORT firm Go-Ahead has revealed strong financial results as it looks to boost bus profits to £100m. The Newcastle-based group, which runs services in and around County Durham, Teesside, Sunderland, Newcastle and Gateshead, says it increased
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Police band pulls out of Brassed Off after ex-miners raise sensitivity concerns
A POLICE band has withdrawn from a theatre show about the decline of the coal industry after its involvement stirred up ill-feeling among the region’s mining community. Durham Constabulary brass band had been lined up to play a major role in Brassed
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Laboratory designer goes into administration
A LABORATORY maker has gone into administration. MSS Clean Technology, based in Sheriff Hutton, near York, is continuing to operate and complete contracts while a buyer is found. The company, founded in 1982, specialises in laboratories, cleanrooms
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Residents criticise MP over rejection of meeting invitation
CAMPAIGNERS have spoken out against an MP after he refused to meet them to discuss concerns about elderly care. Members of campaign group, the Friends of Brentwood Lodge, asked Richmond MP William Hague to meet with them to talk about elderly care
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Phyllis the kestrel set to star in new BBC vets documentary
A KESTREL called Phyllis is set to capture the hearts of animal lovers when a new BBC documentary is screened in the spring. Viewers will follow the progress of the grounded bird of prey as part of a new show called More Creatures Great and Small
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Charity boss describes prison project closure as "great shame"
THE boss of a charity which operated a project working with some of the country’s most damaged and vulnerable female prisoners has described its closure as a “great shame”. The Learning Shop, based at HMP Low Newton, near Durham City, whose inmates
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North-East housing providers reveal merger
TWO North-East housing providers have revealed plans to merge. Fabrick Housing Group, in Middlesbrough, and Vela Group, based in Hartlepool, will form the new Thirteen Group in April. The two groups, which together own more than 32,000 homes
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College system review poses 'significant threat to everything fantastic about Durham University'
DURHAM University has defended itself against claims an internal review is putting its world-renowned collegiate system at risk. A wide-ranging review is assessing how the world top 100 University manages its accommodation, commercial services
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'Why controversial changes to rural GP services are bad news for my patients'
THE British Medical Association is urging the Government to think twice about changing the funding formula for small and rural GP practices. North Yorkshire GP Dr Julian Fester explains why the changes will seriously undermine the services he will
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Manufacturing industry strengthens as output grows
MANUFACTURING order books remain robust, with output growth accelerating this month, a report has said. The CBI Industrial Trends Survey says total order books improved slightly compared to January, though they are still below levels recorded in
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Mine bosses deny scaling back plans
A COMPANY aiming to build a £1.5bn mine in a national park has denied it intends to scale back the plans. Sirius Minerals says it still wants to extract up to 15 million tonnes of polyhalite every year from under the North York Moors National Park
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Loneliness is 'blighting the lives' of 20,000 living with cancer
ALMOST one in four people living with cancer in the North-East – an estimated 20,000 people – are suffering with loneliness as a result of their cancer, according to a leading charity. In many cases their cancer leaves them housebound and unable
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Independent report highlights improvements in facilities and education at Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution
CONSIDERABLE improvements have been made to the standard of accommodation at a North-East young offenders' institution, according to an independent report. There have also been “notable and positive changes” in the way inmates at Deerbolt YOI,
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Easy-paced martial arts class proves popular with Teesdale's older folk
A GROUP of older folk are getting a kick out of taekwondo classes with a difference. Easy-paced sessions have been organised by one of the sport’s grand masters for those of a more mature age who prefer a gentle approach to their exercise.
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Sehwag to skipper MCC against Durham
BIG-HITTING India batsman Virender Sehwag will captain MCC in the annual Champion County match against Durham in Abu Dhabi, starting on March 23. Two days previously Muttiah Muralitharan, the leading wicket-taker in Test history, will skipper the MCC
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Woman to tackle charity walk in memory of her father
A DAUGHTER is walking 118 miles in memory of her father to raise money for the charity that helped look after him. Vicky Whitfield, from Newton Aycliffe, is planning to walk from Shildon to Hull via Whitby over five days. Her father, Michael
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Teesdale businesswomen's group to focus on social media
THE successful use of social media will be the theme of a business networking group's March meeting. The Teesdale Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) group will focus on tips, tricks and suggestions to make the most of Facebook and Twitter at The
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Monthly tea dances planned at Scarth Hall, Staindrop
MONTHLY tea dances have been added to the bill at a village hall. Dancers are welcome to waltz, fox trot or rhumba their way to the Scarth Hall, Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, for the first event on Sunday, March 23. Music will be provided
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Police and volunteers join forces for first Farm Watch operation of the year
MORE than 200 police, fire officers, forestry workers and volunteers took part in the first Farm Watch operation of 2014. It involved five police forces and covered vast swathes of rural areas in the North-East and North-West. In the Durham
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Plans for 12 affordable houses in Cotherstone approved
PLANS for 12 new houses in Teesdale have been given the go-ahead despite claims there is no need for extra housing. Durham County Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the development for the edge of Cotherstone. Councillors were
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Cause of the First World War to be investigated at Bishop Auckland Town Hall
WAR CAUSES: Glynn Wales will investigate the causes of the First World War in a lecture at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Tuesday, March 25. The talk is being hosted by the Bishop Auckland Civic Society and will start at 7.30pm. Entry costs £2 or is
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Cash stolen in armed robbery at Bishop Auckland service station
POLICE have launched a manhunt after an armed robber stole cash from a County Durham service station. The masked man threatened the cashier at Parkhead Service Station, in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, before making off with a quantity of cash
