Archive
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MPs attack 'dysfunctional' car insurance market
MOTOR insurance is a "highly dysfunctional market" in which firms' pursuit of profit has led to higher prices for consumers, a report by MPs has said.In some cases, business practices have not been in the consumer interest and have "
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The Grandest of Grand Departs - Yorkshire-style
EXCITEMENT over Yorkshire's staging of the Tour de France Grand Depart hit fever pitch at the opening ceremony this evening - with the 10,000-strong audience breaking into a spontaneous round of chanting the county's name. Alongside whistle-stop
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Three cyclists taken to hospital after two accidents on Buttertubs Pass
A CYCLIST was catapulted over a crash barrier at the top of the famous Buttertubs Pass this afternoon (July 3) - landing just short of a 100ft drop. The high-speed accident was the second in short succession on the descent, which reaches a maximum
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Could Stuart Hall fight for world title in America?
DARLINGTON’S former world champion Stuart Hall hopes for a crack at reclaiming the IBF bantamweight belt – and he could have to go to California to do it. Super flyweight Paul Butler, who took the title off him courtesy of a split decision in Newcastle
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A real hero's tale
THE citation for the Victoria Cross for Company Sergeant Major Stan Hollis leaves no doubt as to the D-Day soldier’s heroic stature.“Wherever the fighting was heaviest throughout the day, Hollis displayed daring and gallantry,” it reads
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Leon ST goes haul in
On the road: THE Leon benefits from being built on the same chassis as the VW Golf and Audi A3 and as such bears many of their characteristics, including above average handling and a ride that should suit most drivers. On occasions it can be deceptive
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Thousands gather for Tour De France's opening ceremony in Yorkshire
THOUSANDS of people have gathered tonight for a spectacular ceremony to mark the arrival of the world's greatest bike race in the UK. Organisers of the Tour de France's visit to Yorkshire say it is the first time the traditional team presentation
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Survey to be carried out to monitor Durham cathedral's bats
DISAPPEARING bats are the subject of a survey being undertaken at Durham Cathedral this week .Working with the Cathedral’s Woodlands and Riverbanks Team, more than 30 volunteers from the Durham Bat Group will undertake three different surveys through
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Car crashes into hedge
A CAR ended up overturned in a hedge this morning (Thursday July 3), 20ft from the carriageway. Two fire engines from Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale were called to the A66, near Bowes, shortly after 9am. An ambulance was also in attendance but
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Jury still out in school head teen sex trial
THE jury in the case of a school head accused of conducting a sexual affair with a teenage boy will resume their deliberations at Durham Crown Coourt tomorrow (July 4).Anne Lakey, 54, currently suspended from her post as chief executive of the Durham
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Victims are winners in battle against crime after £240,000 funding windfall
FOUR projects aimed at supporting victims of crime in the Cleveland Police area have secured Home Office funding of almost £240,000.The force's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Barry Coppinger, announced that Victim's Minister, Damian
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Innovative approach to tackle youth unemployment
THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in the North East in partnership with the County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP) has launched a challenge to tackle youth unemployment across the County.Youth unemployment is one of the biggest issues that the
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Shildon grandmother spared jail after admitting £38,000 benefit fraud
A GRANDMOTHER who over-claimed almost £38,000 in disability benefit for more than 11 years after failing to tell the authorities she had regained her mobility has been spared jail.Pauline Bunting claimed she was barely able to walk and needed a
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School's greenhouse has a lot of bottle
VOLUNTEERS took time out of work to give more than 1,000 plastic bottles a new lease of life - as a greenhouse. The 8ft structure made from empty drinks bottles now stands proudly at Red Hall Primary School, in Darlington, where pupils have launched a
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Stolen war medals re-united with owner
WAR medals stolen from a charity shop display have been returned to their owners.Janice Collinson, manager of the YMCA charity shop, in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, was devastated when two First World War medals, awarded to her husband’s late
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Tree group celebrates 10th anniversary
AN award-winning tree group will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year after planting almost 1,000 new trees.Trees for Cotherstone was set up in 2004 after two of its founding members noted that the area was full of mature trees that were gradually
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Drainage firm targets new work in £750,000 investment
A DRAINAGE firm has invested £750,000 in specialist vehicles to target new contracts.HCS Drain Services, in Stockton, has bought four 26-tonne units to clean larger sewers and empty septic tanks.The company, which is a division of civil engineer
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Vet protest van disappears
AN ANONYMOUS white van protest against a leading veterinary practice has ended.A large van painted on both sides with the phrase ‘Dunelm Vets caused suffering to my dogs at great expense’ appeared outside Dunelm Veterinary Practice, on Sunderland
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Terrier that swallowed ball which went undiscovered for two years bounces back
A PLAYFUL Border Terrier has bounced back from a serious health scare after a ball went unnoticed in its stomach for two years. Trixie the dog had come down with a mysterious illness and after becoming concerned her owner took her into hospital
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Colouring book for adults proves a big draw for Guisborough illustrator
A COLOURING book for adults designed by a North-East illustrator is enabling fashionistas to relive their childhoods while drawing up their dream wardrobes.The Fashion Exercise Book by Frances Moffatt is full of ideas from creating coveted clothes to
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Lego present for Cathedral-loving pensioner
A WOMAN has placed 80 bricks on a Lego model of Durham Cathedral to mark her 80th birthday.Ann Dixon was given the bricks as an 80th birthday present by her sister, Margaret Colling.The Cathedral is inviting people to buy £1 plastic bricks for a
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Pacemaker for constipation changes mum's life
A MOTHER who suffered years of bowel problems has spoken of how her life has been transformed after having an operation to fit an innovative pacemaker for constipation. Adele Burlinson, from of East Rainton, near Durham, is one of first people
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Campaigners' dismay as no funding for rural rail link study
CAMPAIGNERS hoping to reinstate a railway to link between North and West Yorkshire are dismayed that a local authority hasn’t provided financial support after publically backing it. The Leeds Northern Railway Reinstatement Group is working to reinstate
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Newcastle begin pre-season - but Debuchy is set to join Arsenal
NEWCASTLE UNITED’S players begin returning for pre-season training this morning, but the club is increasingly resigned to the permanent absence of Mathieu Debuchy. Some of the Magpies’ junior players are due to report to Benton today and tomorrow
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Police urge public not to ring them about road closures
POLICE are reminding people not to ring their control room about Tour de France road closures.North Yorkshire Police say their control room and police stations are receiving large numbers of calls relating to the Tour de France, particularly about road
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Traders warned over cash scam
RETAILERS are being warned to be on their guard after a couple of scams in Middlesbrough town centre saw staff duped by men attempting to seek change. The two men entered a store on Tuesday, July 1 and asked the sales assistant to change £100 in
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£110k awarded to encourage more sport on the Tees
A TOTAL of £110,000 has been granted to help promote water based sports on the River Tees.The cash has been allocated by the lottery-funded Sport England as well as Stockton Borough Council and will go to Stockton-based Tees River Users Trust (TRUT
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Tech-savvy students design their own apps
TECH-SAVVY students were taught how to turn their ideas into reality by designing their own apps.Pupils at Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, worked with IT staff from Atos, based in Faverdale, to design and develop their own app.The group of year 9
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TVU reports major progress on jobs and investment
'WE can handle the big bucks,' is the message to the two main parties from the body responsible for driving growth across Tees Valley. Labour this week unveiled plans to hand up to £30bn of spending powers to regional decision-makers, which followed
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Don't miss our Tour de France coverage online this weekend
KEEP up to date with all the news and the best photos and videos with live coverage of stages one and two at northernecho.co.uk on Saturday and Sunday. Reporters and photographers will be mixing with crowds throughout the Yorkshire Dales and in
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Asda axes 1,360 management jobs
SUPERMARKET Asda is cutting more than 1,000 jobs in an overhaul of its store management.Bosses say 1.360 posts are at risk.The move comes two months after the chain warned 4,100 positions were under threat as it reduces back office jobs and introduces
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Picture postcard project - providing art for the price of stamp
AN artist is helping people rediscover the joy of receiving something nice in the post by mailing people small pieces of artwork. Suzie Devey, from Northfield Close, Stokesley, is creating postcard artwork for people as part of a project that enables
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Family thank Great North Air Ambulance for help
THE DAUGHTER of a man who was trapped between two vehicles has thanked members of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who flew to his aid. Ashleigh Chambers, 23, of South Shields, rushed to her father, Andrew Redhead’s aid when she heard
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Rural parish welcomes new vicar with community ceremony
A RURAL parish welcomed the arrival of its first vicar for more than three years with a ceremony featuring different members of the community. Reverend Jenni Lane took up her position at St Peter’s Church, in Croft, near Darlington, in front of
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Union threatens action over N-E trains
A LEADING rail union is warning of industrial action over the introduction of new North-East built trains it said could lead to the axing of guards and buffet cars. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union has written to the Government making it
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Housing scheme grows after funding boost
A PROJECT which helps people get back to work is expanding.Social Housing Enterprise Durham (Shed) began in Moorside, Consett, in 2011, run by Derwentside Homes, and later expanded to east Durham. Now it has opened a new office in Langley Park, near Durham
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New volunteers needed at the Unicorn Centre
RIDING lessons for disabled children and adults could be under threat if more volunteers are not recruited.The Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre, at Hemlington, Middlesbrough, is holding a series of open days to attract new helpers.The
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Darlington Civic Theatre hosts Last Night of the Proms
A NORTH-EAST theatre will host an evening of reflection and rousing performances to commemorate the anniversaries of World War One and Two. The British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra is bringing the Last Night at the Proms to Darlington Civic Theatre
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Precious rings and lucky charms - display explores life in medieval North
A TREASURE trove of gold jewellery and precious artefacts with links to the North-East is go on display in the region.The priceless collection includes rings, badges and pendants dating back to the Middle Ages, all of which were either found in the North-East
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Two reasons for boxing club to celebrate
AN amateur boxing club is better equipped to step into the ring after updating its kit following a funding windfall.Spennymoor Boxing Academy landed £2,000 to buy equipment for members to use in training and to prepare for competition.Durham County
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Underpants drug man in court
A DEALER who concealed drugs down his underpants has been handed a suspended jail sentence.Dale Reeves produced a bag of mephedrone – previously a legal high until it was re-categorised by the Government – from his underwear when police raided
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Cannabis user with a "massive habit" advised to get his ears syringed after courtroom exchange
A JUDGE urged a man to lose his cannabis habit after sparing him jail for producing the drug.David Turner used a rented house to grow 27 plants which if harvested and sold on the street could have fetched up to £12,000.His barrister Ian Hudson
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"Green" car proves a success
AN electric car has staff all charged up at the Northalleron-based Broadacres Housing Association.As part of a 'green week', the association trialled an electric Ford Focus that was used by various people in their different roles.And the vehicle
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Mallard: The Opera tops bill at Brass festival
AN OPERA inspired by the world’s fastest steam locomotive will be premiered in the North-East as part of an annual brass festival which returns next week (Friday, July 11).John Kefala Kerr’s Steamsong, inspired by the 1938 Class A4 Pacific
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Harrogate Tour de France organisers overcome congestion ahead of event
ORGANISERS of Tour de France events in a town the race will visit on both opening stages said their plans for tackling congestion have already proved successful. Lengthy tailbacks developed in Harrogate as part of the town centre ring road, West
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Virgin backs next generation of Bransons
VIRGIN is hosting a roadshow to help up to 1000 aspiring entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.Since its creation in October 2013, Virgin StartUp, a not-for-profit company backed by Sir Richard Branson, has offered financial support, mentoring
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New boar sculpture for Auckland Castle
A FEROCIOUS wild boar which terrorised part of County Durham in the Middle Ages will be featured in the grounds of a North-East heritage attraction.A life-size sculpture will take up residence in the deer park in Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, on Monday
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Tour start important event for UK
THE start of the Tour de France will be a "very important sporting moment" for the UK, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said today (Thursday, July 3).Speaking in the Commons, shadow sports minister Clive Efford said the race would showcase some
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Army of volunteers will help make Tour de France extra special
A RETIRED solicitor is one of 12,000 volunteer tour makers hoping to play their part in making the Tour de France extra special. John Harris, 77, from Harrogate, will find out what his role will be when he reports for duty at 8am on Saturday morning
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Bike ability day proves a hit
TOUR de France fever helped Hambleton’s first-ever bike ability day turn into a big success.More than 50 budding cyclists took part in the event in Northallerton to check out the variety of pedal-powered vehicles that are available.The riders were
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Ewe-nique view of the Tour - thanks to sheepcams
EWE won’t believe it but it’s true – the most unlikely team of photographers will be out capturing the Yorkshire leg of the Tour de France this weekend.A flock of sheep has been recruited to catch the action as the peloton hurtles through
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Multi-million pound plan to turn former university HQ into luxury spa hotel
AN HISTORIC former university headquarters could be converted into one of the region’s leading luxury hotels under multi-million pound plans revealed today (Thursday, July 3). Businessman Shaun Crawley has bought Old Shire Hall, previously Durham
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Phoenix House to benefit from Tour de France challenge bike ride
A RECOVERY centre for wounded, injured and sick veterans is set to benefit from the ambitious fundraising effort of a man who aims to cycle the entire Tour de France route.Steve Saddington, 56, will set off on his three-week challenge on July 19 from
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Cathedral organist switches pews to receive degree honour
A CATHEDRAL organist felt right at home as he picked up an honorary degree.James Lancelot, organist and master of the choristers at Durham Cathedral, was awarded an honorary doctorate of music by Durham University in a ceremony held in the Cathedral today
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Authorities share live footage of Tour hotspots to ensure safety
POLICE forces and councils across Yorkshire will share live footage from numerous sites on the opening stages of the Tour de France to ensure the safety of the spectators and riders.Thirsk-based live video specialists Vemotion, which has previously worked
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First World War exhibition plea for women and children documents
THE organisers of an exhibition to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War are appealing for historic documents to illustrate how the conflict affected women and children.The exhibition at the Friends Meeting House, in Kirkgate, Thirsk
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Government blunder leaves disabled waiting at least six months for benefits
DISABLED people are waiting at least six months for vital benefits because of a Government blunder, a minister has admitted.Mike Penning owned up to the mistake of ordering face-to-face assessments for almost all claimants of the new personal independence
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Commemorating First World War role of Durham Light Infantry
AN EXHIBITION commemorating the role of the Durham Light Infantry during the First World War will be unveiled next week.Durham Light Infantry Goes to War at the Durham Light Museum and Art Gallery is being staged in partnership with the National Army
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Michael's quest to thank the best
In May 2013, North Yorkshire entrepreneur Michael Wood was riding high.He had a happy marriage, a fantastic home and a highly profitable business. Life was very good indeed.Yet only a month later the 55-year-old suffered a catastrophic riding accident
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Greene King sets new profits peak
PUB chain Greene King has served up its fifth year in a row of record profits amid a growing thirst for eating out driven by the economic recovery.The firm, whose brands include Hungry Horse and Loch Fyne among its 1,900 outlets, said underlying profits
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Plans unveiled for school rebuild
PROPOSALS for the redevelopment of a Thornaby primary school have been unveiled.Mandale Mill Primary School will be rebuilt at a cost of millions of pounds although the figure has not been revealed.The money has been released through the Government'
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Retail of woe?
LAST week, the CBI announced UK retail sales growth slowed to their lowest level for seven months. Of course, we love a summer event to which those with a vested interest inevitably attach expectations of a retail spending spike. A Jubilee, a Royal Wedding
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Services sector continues growth
THE UK services sector is creating jobs at a record pace as the UK economy continues its growth, a report has revealed. A survey says the industry, which includes banks and restaurants, has hit a six-month peak, fuelling hopes GDP will reach an all-time
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Children upbeat despite vandalism to tour artwork
CHILDREN are still smiling despite vandals attacking their Tour de France artwork.Pupils from Richmond Church of England Primary School designed 12 bikes ahead of the event, with six decorating the school and six fixed to railings surrounding the town
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Ex-Sunderland goalkeeper signs deal with Celtic
FORMER Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has agreed to sign a two-year pay-as-you-play deal with Celtic. Gordon, the former Scotland No 1, has not played first team football since April 2012 but has impressed Celtic's new manager Ronny Deila and
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Bid to find local community heroes
A RAIL company is launching a contest to find people along its routes who make a difference to their local communities.Grand Central Rail is running is Heart of the Community Awards to recognise those who have made contributions to the communities along
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Market comes to town
TRADERS from 30 businesses from across the region will descend on Darlington on Sunday (July 6) for Darlington Sunday People’s Market. The market, held in West Row and Blackwellgate from 11am to 4pm, features a performance by Identity Youth Theatre
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East Cleveland teenager is a Point of Light
A TEENAGER who set up a support group to help siblings of autism suffers has seen his hard work recognised by the Government.Harry Tinkler, who helps to care for his brother Freddie, gives up all of his spare time to work on the Action for Autism Families
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Five minutes with... Andre Rieu
ANDRE Rieu is a Dutch violinist and conductor, famous for creating the Johann Strauss Orchestra. In 2009, he was named the most successful male touring artist by Billboard magazine. As he prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his summer Maastricht
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Marine firm misses out on Costa Concordia work
A NORTH-EAST marine firm has missed out on a contract to scrap the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise liner. Able UK had bid to recycle the vessel, which ran aground after striking a reef off Tuscany, Italy, killing 32 people in January 2012. The
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Flying tonight?
EARLY flights abroad are fraught occasions, the night before you have to get up at 4am to drive to the airport sleepless affairs. Then there’s the worry you might overlook passports, tickets and handbags as you tumble bleary-eyed from home in the wee
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So little time for Sinitta
SINITTA knows how to make an impression. Remember on The X Factor how she turned up at judge Simon Cowell’s house wearing nowt but some strategically placed palm leaves? And there she was at the weekend launching her first single in more than 20 years
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Rock and roar
More than 70 million people have already seen The Lion King and that’s not counting the eager audiences at Sunderland Empire Theatre who are already buying tickets. A crew of more than 90 including a 12-piece orchestra bring the story of Simba,
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New look for city post office
A CITY centre Post Office has been given a major facelift.Durham City’s main Post Office, on Silver Street, has been substantially modernised as part of a national multi-million pound investment programme.Bosses hope the new layout, which includes
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Church launches appeal to secure its future
A VILLAGE Methodist church faces an uncertain future after a sharing arrangement with Anglicans ended. St John’s Church in Sacriston and its Anglican neighbour St Peter’s joined forces in 2005 to build a new place of worship in Wesley Close for
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Striking a blow for social change
IT was not exactly the interview I had expected. Director Rod Dixon was lined up to talk about Red Ladder theatre company’s union-commissioned musical comedy looking at the 1984/85 miners’ strike through the eyes of three sisters in a Yorkshire
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The Grand Budapest Hotel
ZERO MOUSTAFA (Tony Revolori) secures a coveted position as lobby boy at the Grand Budapest Hotel in the Republic of Zubrowka. He works under legendary concierge Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes). Clients, especially older women, are putty in Gustave’s
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The Book Thief
AS tensions escalate across Germany prior to the Second World War, little Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nelisse) bids a tearful farewell to her Communist mother (Heike Makatsch) and is delivered into the care of foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann (Geoffrey
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Nashville Season 2
FIVE-DISC set of the award-winning drama set in the capital of country music, where veteran superstar Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) and young pretender Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) continue to vie for control of the public’s affections. This
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Midsomer Murders - The Complete Series 16
DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DS Charlie Nelson (Gwilym Lee) probe more instances of murder, deceit and skulduggery in the picturesque county of Midsomer. The detectives investigate a stabbing with an antique sword, a grisly mauling and, in the
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Niagara road trip
Tammy (15, 97 mins) 3/5 stars IT’S been a giddy five years for actress Melissa McCarthy. Cast in the hit comedy Bridesmaids alongside Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne, she deservedly pratfalled her way to numerous awards and an Oscar nomination as
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Sia: 1000 Forms Of Fear
HAVING written hits for artists like Katy Perry, Rihanna and Beyonce, Sia Furler has turned her attention to her own LP. You may have already been introduced to the Australian’s sixth studio album via the first single and album opener Chandelier, which
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David Gray: Mutineers
IT’S been 21 years since David Gray’s stripped-back debut album A Century Ends and the 46-yearold Manchester singer-songwriter returns with his 11th studio album, Mutineers. Gray coffers fans a different sound, with this latest release being much less
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Example: Live Life Living
THE fifth studio album from Elliot Gleave, aka Example, is influenced by the past three decades of dance music. Managing to create heavy synth Eighties nostalgia with Only Human, and a Nineties backdrop to accompany the 32-year-old’s vocals on One
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George Ezra: Wanted On Voyage
IT would appear 2014 is going to belong to this UK male solo artist. Paolo Nutini has made a triumphant return, Ed Sheeran has moved to the next level and Sam Smith has become a household name following his stunning debut. Enter George Ezra. Although
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Duck Sauce: Quack
THE quirky collaboration between DJs Armand van Helden and A-Trak has been on the go since 2009, occasionally surfacing with a hilarious offering backed by a viral sensation of a video. Chief among these is, of course, Barbra Streisand, featured
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Around the world and back
CONSIDERING the motto “The show must go on”, there’s something pleasingly refreshing about an artist backing away from it all to simply put their feet up. When Lisa Stansfield released her debut album Affection in 1989, it went on to sell more
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Museum staff begin task of choosing from35,000 objects for reopening exhibition
WORK on a major redevelopment of a North Yorkshire museum has moved a step closer to completion.While building work is still being carried out at the Green Howards Museum in Richmond, museum staff have been working behind the scenes to finalise which
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Celeb round-up
Lady Gaga... is bringing her artRAVE;The ARTPOP Ball to Newcastle. Love her or hate her, you cannot fail to know who Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta is? Her pop moniker was adopted, it’s claimed, from Queen’s hit single, Radio Ga Ga. She’s won
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Andy goes out on a limb for pay off
PEOPLE can be so cruel can’t they? Handy Andy has had a terrible accident in Emmerdale (ITV1) – arm trapped in a baler (makes me go cold just thinking about it) – but people, okay soap writers, can’t resist making jokes at his expense. “Andy
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Veteran campaigner appointed as councillor
A FIERCE critic of a local authority is due to be appointed as a member of the council.Veteran campaigner Bernard Borman has applied to become a Leyburn town councillor following the resignation of three members earlier this year.He will be confirmed
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Poundland upbeat as profits surge
DISCOUNT chain Poundland is creating 1,000 jobs and opening 60 stores after revealing £1bn annual sales.The business, which has 528 UK and Ireland stores, believes it can target another 750,000 shoppers through the expansion, which also includes
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Tributes paid as 'legendary' Darlington teacher retires
A SENIOR teacher considered a legend by staff and pupils past and present is to retire after dedicating his life to one of the fastest improving schools in the region. Assistant headteacher Dave Tucker hangs up his achievement and pastoral care
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Inclusive sports club opens in Darlington
A NEW inclusive sports club has launched in Darlington to give people the chance to try a host of sports regardless of their physical, learning or sensory ability. OnSide is run by Tees Valley YMCA and takes places every Thursday in the sports
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Free produce project expands to support foodbank
AN INITIATIVE offering fresh produce for free is expanding to work in conjunction with a foodbank.The High Grow project has grown herbs and vegetables in more than 70 small plots across Darlington, free for members of the public to pick and take home.It
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Dave Orford appointed assistant chief constable of Durham Police
DURHAM Police Chief Constable, Mike Barton has announced that he has appointed an assistant chief constable. Dave Orford joined the Constabulary as a constable in March 1995 having previously served in the Royal Engineers. Mr Barton said: “
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Speech therapy course help people with stammers find their voice
STUTTERERS can discover how to find their voice at an open day held by the McGuire Programme.It offers regular four-day courses with intensive support, the next is taking place in Newcastle from Wednesday, July 23, to Sunday, July 27.People who have learned
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Housing plans for Hamsterley Hall narrowly rejected
PLANS for executive homes in the grounds of country estate to enable the preservation of a former country mansion were narrowly rejected by councillors. Steven Spry and David Wilson Homes applied to Durham County Council for permission to build 35 homes
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Balfour hit by £35m shortfall
BALFOUR Beatty shares slumped today after the infrastructure services firm warned of a £35 million shortfall within part of its UK construction arm. It now plans to review the size and area covered by its mechanical and electrical engineering operation
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Government needs a Cilla Black to find farming blind dates, says North Yorkshire MP
A NORTH Yorkshire MP has told ministers to play the role of matchmaker Cilla Black and take inspiration from Blind Date to improve farming in the UK. Partners from around the world need to be found for UK researchers with the new relationships
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Cheryl Cole - Cowell was right to give me the X-Factor boot
GEORDIE singer Cheryl Cole has said that Simon Cowell was right to sack her from the US X Factor - and that she "wasn't well in the head". The star, 31, was left publicly humiliated when she was axed from the TV show just weeks into her high-profile
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Fiveminutes with... Jill Cole
For the first time The Castle Players aren’t doing a Shakespearian comedy. Why did you choose this tragic story of young love? Precisely because it is the first time. We’re on to the third airing for some of the comedies, and it’s such a brilliant
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Feeling prickly
THROUGH the trials and tribulations of fatherhood, I’ve got used to making sacrifices. I’ve stayed up through the night to pick them up from nightclubs. I’ve bled my bank account dry to get them through university. I’ve gone cold because they’ve
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The biter bit
PHIL Thompson, known to a generation of football fans as Pinocchio, spoke last Friday at the latest sportsmen’s evening for St Mary’s Boys’ Club, in Bishop Auckland. He won 42 England caps, seven championship medals, four European Cups, goodness
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Callum column
IT was a wonderful picture: sixyear- old Callum Brodrick – “a bit bigger than two pennorth of copper but not much taller than the stumps” – giving it everything under the watchful eye of umpire Malcolm Dawes. It appeared in Backtrack exactly ten
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Super Mac
THE marvellous John Heighington rings to report that one of his 14-year-old boxers has been named captain of England, and a great deal more successful than many others this flaming, frustrating June. “Brilliant, John. What’s his name then?”
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Emotional conflict
The Honourable Woman (BBC2, 9pm) THE latest US actress to adopt a middle-class English accent is Oscar-nominated Maggie Gyllenhaal, who has film credits from raunchy cult drama Secretary to blockbusters like The Dark Knight. This eight-part political
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Monty Python’s Flying Circus
IT might have been the comedy favourite of another generation but the Monty Python crew have still got it, according to most critics of the first of a 10-night run at the O2. The London show really is the full Monty, proclaimed the Mirror. “It’
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Götterdämmerung, Sage Gateshead
THE LAST instalment of Opera North’s fouryear journey through Wagner’s Ring Cycle reached a cataclysmic conclusion at Sage Gateshead. To the bulk of the capacity audience, who have faithfully made the pilgrimage every year, the seven-hour concert
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What has happened to England’s cricket team?
NEVER mind our poor display in the World Cup, I didn’t expect us to do very well in the first place, but what’s gone wrong with our cricket team? Two years ago we were one of the best teams in the world, but since then we have been annihilated
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Leave cows be
COWS are by nature gentle, placid creatures and it is quite out of character for them to threaten, let alone actually harm anyone (Echo, June 20). They do, however, take a very dim view of anyone with a dog entering a field where they are grazing
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Progress?
DARLINGTON has always been an attractive market town, praised many years ago in John Horsley’s poem for its church spires and some green fields. Sadly, plans agreed by Darlington Borough Council no longer promote beauty. Stand by the River
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Holiday prices
PRESUMABLY, if holiday operators are prevented from reducing prices at off-peak times in order to encourage extra business, then those of us who are unable to travel by train after 9am, or reach our local bar before 7pm can complain that off-peak rail
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Le Tour
ROLL on July 7. By then this stupid cycle race, which does not even have an English name, will have been and gone and something may be done to repair the potholes in the rural roads of North Yorkshire. I am tired of trying to dodge the potholes
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Cycling movies
WHEN I read the report (Echo, June 25) that the Ritz Cinema, in Thirsk, would be screening classic films with a cycling theme ahead of the Tour de France Grande Depart, an old favourite came to mind. A Boy, a Girl and a Bike, starring John MacAllam
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Hearing problem
SOME years ago, the late Princess Margaret paid a visit to Stirling University in Scotland. She was expected to make a speech but it transpired that she had forgotten to bring the transcript with her. On overhearing the resultant conversation
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Luis Suarez
I AM sure English and Italian football fans are delighted at the punishment meted out to Luis Suarez for biting an Italian player. I have seen vicious tackles break players’ legs, and elbows making lots of work for dentists. Most of these crimes
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Post problem
POSTING my daughter-in-law’s 40th birthday card first class, giving two full working days for it to get from Darlington to Newton Aycliffe, I was very upset to find it had not arrived three days later. I went to the post office to ask about first
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How to fix the North- South divide
ONLY the oh-so-proper speaking style betrayed that the politician was from a different age – the words sounded bang up-to-date. It was a recording, played by one news programme, to ram home just how long Governments have been promising to end London
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‘Labour threat is from Ukip’
THE United Kingdom Independence Party is on the up, according to a succession of opinion polls taken in the last couple of months. One of the latest suggests Ukip has the support of 34 per cent of Britain’s voters. But while the popular view is
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Delivering a mixed bag
THIS week’s announcement, via The Northern Echo, that a £50m designer outlet village is being planned for a site at Scotch Corner has coincided with further concerns being expressed about what the future holds for Darlington town centre. We revealed
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Newsham Open Gardens
Six gardens in Newsham, near Richmond, will be open to visitors on Sunday July 13th from 2:00pm until 6:00pm. These vary from a small traditional cottage garden to a half acre site with ponds and a waterfall and includes Ivy House and Broaches
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Froome shocked former team-mate Daryl Impey tested positive for drugs
DEFENDING Tour de France champion Chris Froome expressed his dismay after discovering his friend and former team-mate Daryl Impey had tested positive for drugs as the cycling world descended on Yorkshire for the Grand Depart. Froome had to deal
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Unison asks Darlington Council why "senior managers get pay rises and bin men pay cuts"
UNISON has criticised Darlington Borough Council for what it believes is preferential treatment for senior management over pay and pensions. Speaking at a cabinet meeting this week, Dawn Taylor, assistant branch secretary of the union's Darlington
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Spennymoor sign former Darlington defender Joe Tait
Spennymoor Town have announced the signing of former Darlington defender Joe Tait. The centre-back has penned a two-year contract at the Brewery Field having left Gateshead where he moved to 12 months after leaving Darlington. He returned to
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Yorkshire v Durham: NatWest T20 Blast
Yorkshire v Durham: NatWest T20 Blast THE NatWest T20 Blast failed to live up to its billing on a dry Headingley pitch last night as Durham won a low-scoring match by 28 runs. While seaming pitches in four-day cricket have prevented England
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Cooper will name his new assistant soon
COLIN COOPER is ready to confirm the identity of his new assistant manager in the next couple of days. The Hartlepool United boss has been working without a right-hand man since Craig Hignett left Victoria Park for Middlesbrough back in March.
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Stokes returns to squad
ENGLAND welcomed back “vivacious character” Ben Stokes in an otherwise unchanged squad for the first Investec Test against India. Without long to dwell on the dramatic last-gasp defeat against Sri Lanka at Headingley, selectors opted to take an
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Opinions divided over plans for new £50m designer shopping village
PLANS to create a £50m designer outlet village at Scotch Corner have been met with mixed reactions. Draft proposals for a 250,000 sq ft complex featuring 90 stores from top luxury brands, including Armani, Gucci and Prada, were yesterday revealed
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Cannabis addict jailed for three years for terrifying axe robbery on local store
AN apprentice painter and decorator was yesterday (July 2) jailed for three years after using an axe to rob a village store yards from his own home.Cannabis addict Marcus Richardson was clad in black and his face was partially covered as he sauntered
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Golf shorts: Patterson tees up match play semi-final spot in style
FORMER Durham county champion David Patterson booked his semi-final place in style for the County Match Play Championship at Wynyard.Patterson had work to do against Wynyard’s Callum Tarren but after edging one up going down the last, the Seaham
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Green light for Lumiere return, as Arts Council pledges £1.2m
MORE than £1m in Arts Council funding has been promised to bring a spectacular light festival back to the North-East twice over the next three years. Lumiere 2013 attracted 175,000 people to the streets of Durham City over four nights last November
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Could Durham Union be touched by Open presence?
FOLLOWING the success of the Brabazon Trophy’s second visit to Seaton Carew, the English Golf Union is ready to recommend more visits to the area – and there is even a chance of it becoming an Open qualifying venue. This week has seen 11 golfers
