Archive

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Christmas countdown for this year's top toys

SANTA’S elves must have gone through a retraining program if this year’s ‘must have’ Christmas toys are anything to go by with hi-tech gadgets at the fore. Once again The Northern Echo has teamed up with toy superstore Toys R Us to select a few of

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Strachan hails Scotland after win

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan hailed his pint-sized heroes for emerging victorious in a "heavyweight" contest with the Republic of Ireland.Diminutive playmaker Shaun Maloney separated the sides with a brilliant curling effort in the 75th

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Not enough hours in the day for Murray

IN THE days following his appointment as Hartlepool United manager, Paul Murray admitted sleeping wasn’t an option for a new boss.With so much to plan, too much to think about and not enough hours in the day, Murray was the manager wanting to do everything

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Millions raised for Children in Need

MORE than £17m to help change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK was donated to the BBC Children in Need appeal by 10pm last night (Friday).After Radio 2 held a marathon charity jukebox that lasted into the early evening, the

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The best weekend bets at Cheltenham

Today’s feature race at Cheltenham is the Paddy Power Gold Cup, one of the best handicap chases of the jumps season. Present View would have been the selection on Good to Soft or better ground, but I fear conditions have gone against Jamie Snowden’s runner

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Car Torque .... with F1 commentator James Allen

JAMES Allen is the Formula One broadcaster and journalist who currently fronts BBC Radio 5 Live’s coverage of the sport. Find out more about him by visiting www.jamesallenonf1.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jamesallenonf1 What was your first

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Redcar and Cleveland councillors facing possible deselection named

THE identities of the five councillors facing possible deselection from Redcar & Cleveland Council's ruling Labour group have been revealed. All of those told that they will not be recommended for the next phase of selection ahead of next year's

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Landmark Hartlepool building reopens after refurbishment

A LANDMARK building in Hartlepool has reopened after a major refurbishment.Titan House on York Road, previously known as The Pink Pill for its striking colour, has a fresh new look after being taken over by Housing Hartlepool.It has renovated the 49 flats

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North-East Football Live: Saturday, November 15, 2014

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Community group seek to solve the mystery of 64 soldiers who died in Catterick Garrison hospital during WWI

THE hunt is on to solve the long-running mystery of 64 soldiers who died in a Catterick Garrison hospital during the First World War.Members of support organisation A1 Community Works has launched the Lost 64 project after being awarded £9,900 as part

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Homecoming performance marks soldiers' sacrifice

HUNDREDS of people packed the market place of a North-East town for a poignant live theatre performance in memory of the region's First World War fallen. Homecoming was staged in Darlington on Friday as part of the Tees Valley Commemorates season

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Children in Need fundraisers raise thousands across the North-East and North Yorkshire

SUPERHEROES swooped into schools and workplaces across the region as thousands raised funds for Children in Need. In Bishop Auckland, Cockton Hill Junior School saw Batman, the Incredible Hulk and Cat Woman among the heroes chosen by 240 pupils

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Yorkshire Dales community leader "brought authority into disrepute"

A PROMINENT community leader claims he is the victim of a politically motivated and vexatious conspiracy after an investigator found he had brought a local authority into disrepute.A report into the conduct of Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority member

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Running out of chances

THE search for a solution to the Darlington school formerly known as Eastbourne Comprehensive has been long, tortuous and expensive. Changes of head teacher, the launch of a “federation” with Hurworth Comprehensive, and then an attempt to break

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Best of brass for primary school pupils

ONE of the country’s best baroque trumpeters has paid a visit to brass-playing students at a primary school.Early music specialist Robert Farley today (FRI) visited Howletch Lane Primary School, in Peterlee, as part of a scheme to support young musicians.Musical

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James Wharton MP pledges to fight for NHS but supports EU -US trade deal

THE NHS would 'implode' if the controversial Health and Social Care Act was repealed and not replaced with an alternative reform, Stockton South MP James Wharton told a group of constituents who delivered almost 700 letters from people fearing privatisation.People's

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Conman left trail of unpaid bills at nursery schools across region

A CONFIDENCE trickster played on the good nature of staff at nursery schools across the North-East, a court heard. Daniel Watson left a trail of unpaid bills for his two children’s schooling at mostly small private nurseries, over a two-and-a-half

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Woman's cafe is tribute to her gran

A WOMAN has set up a vintage cafe celebrating the life of her grandmother.Jackie O’Beirne, 44, from Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, has opened Gladys’ Tearooms near the Seaton Hotel on Front Street and filled it full of 1940s memorabilia.The launch fulfills

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Present View should be a pleasant sight at Cheltenham

DAYS like this got me interested in this wonderful sport in the first place, and I'm lucky enough to be working at Cheltenham this weekend - mind you, it's not proper work!Today's feature is the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and this year's renewal looks wide

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Who will be crowned our 2014 Local Hero?

Last week saw the judging take place for this year’s Northern Echo Local Heroes Awards. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson profiles the three finalists in each of the nine categories. Award for Remarkable Achievement (Senior) sponsored by Northumbrian

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Artist who painted the Queen turns attention to the Last Tommy

A RENOWNED portrait painter whose subjects include the Queen and the Duke of Kent has just completed his latest work – the “Last Tommy” Harry Patch.Michael McDonald said he was attracted to painting Mr Patch, who was the last surviving soldier to have

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Judge rejects 'Oliver Twist' claim and jails third member of criminal family

A TEENAGE girl who dreamed of breaking with her family’s criminal firm and launching her own crooked enterprise is behind bars tonight (Friday, November 14) after admitting her part in a designer clothing scam that cost high street stores “thousands and

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Hospice hopes to recruit supporters to complete transformation

A HOSPICE is hoping to recruit 500 supporters to raise the funds needed to complete the transformation of its building and services within the decade.Willow Burn Hospice celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, having opened on the site of the former

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Newton Aycliffe woman feels let down by housing provider over moving delays

A DISABLED woman has accused her social housing provider of breaking a promise by failing to prepare her new bungalow in time for Christmas.Donna Appleby, from Newton Aycliffe, has been living out of boxes and suitcases for weeks after claiming she was

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Stay safe walking to and from school

CHILDREN at two schools have been given high visibility snap bands to help them stay safe during the winter months.Housebuilder Barratt Homes donated 300 of the fluorescent bracelets to pupils at Kirk Merrington Primary School and Rosa Street Primary

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Hospital boss 'wants to hear' from public

BOSSES at a North-East hospital trust are going on the road to find out what the public want from their health services.Alan Foster, chief executive of the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, will make short presentations before answering

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Gyms shortlisted in search for UK's best

TWO North-East gyms have been shortlisted in a hunt to find the UK's best gym.The Dolphin Centre gym, in Darlington and Total Fitness, in Stockton, have made it through to the final stages of the competition organised by fitness website payasugym.comJamie

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New centre for victims of domestic abuse opens in Stockton as part new strategy to reduce the crime

A NEW facility dedicated to supporting those living with domestic abuse has opened in Stockton as part of an on-going strategy to reduce the problem and protect victims.Harbour Support Services, who support victims with Stockton Borough Council, have

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Ideas needed soon to save Tudhoe school

CAMPAIGNERS who hope to save a landmark school building must come up with a viable future use for it within weeks to have any chance of preventing its demolition.Many residents object to plans to pull down the former Tudhoe Grange School building, on

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Teesdale crime fighter misses first Farm Watch operation in 25 years - for Buckingham Palace trip

A FARMER who helped set up a rural crime fighting scheme missed his first operation in 25 years- for a date at Buckingham Palace. Peter Stubbs was awarded an MBE by the Duke of Cambridge this morning (Friday, November 14) for his outstanding services

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Wrapping it up for charity

A MAJOR department store is combining Christmas cheer with charity fund-raising.Barkers, on Northallerton’s High Street, is offering customers a free gift-wrapping service when they hold their Christmas Shopping Party on November 27.And in return they

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OAPs scammed of thousands by phone conmen

DETECTIVES are warning people to be on their guard after two pensioners were swindled out of thousands of pounds by a bogus police officer.In both cases the victims, both from Durham City, received a phone call from a man claiming to be from the police

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Major signs off with a Royal Salute

THE thunder of artillery rang out across the city of York today, November 14, to mark the 66th birthday of the Prince of Wales.The 21-gun Royal Salute also marked the retirement of the military officer from the city responsible for the organisation of

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Reindeer burgers, anyone?

A RESTAURANT known for its exotic food is selling Reindeer Burgers in the countdown to Christmas – complete with miniature antlers. The menu at the Court Inn, in Durham City, already includes zebra meatballs and whole roasted squirrel but throughout the

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Cannabis plants seized from Darlington home

POLICE officers raided a house in the Pierremont area of Darlington today (November 14) to shut down a cannabis factory.As well as seizing hoards of plants of the Class B drug, officers also took away equipment used for growing and cultivating the plants.The

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Weekend football betting - can Pools prove the bookies wrong?

Hartlepool put in a professional performance last weekend to dispatch East Thurrock in the FA Cup but where League Two is concerned, Paul Murray’s men remain bottom and bookies don’t expect them to remedy the situation today as they travel to Southend.Bet365

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Talking point: What do Newcastle, Sunderland and Boro need to think about after international break?

THE North East’s top clubs are currently enjoying a two week international break but what five things await when they return to action. Sports writer Mark Ramsay considers what Alan Pardew, Gus Poyet and Aitor Karanka need to address to maintain improved

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Homeless shelter in Colburn to benefit from £90,000 redevelopment in time for Christmas

A HOSTEL for homeless families has been given a major overhaul after a £90,000 refurbishment – and will be ready just in time for Christmas. Richmondshire District Council-owned George Nickling House, Colburn, gives homeless people temporary accommodation

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Bright youngsters add splash of colour to carers' charity

YOUNG volunteers have given their own time and effort to brighten up a charity which supports carers.The youngsters gave the premises of Carers Together, on Queen’s Street, in Redcar, a much-needed makeover with a donation of paint from the Dulux Let’

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Theatre Review: Regeneration, Darlington Civic Theatre

NICHOLAS Wright’s stage adaptation of Pat Barker’s First World War trilogy is timed exactly right in this centenary year, with an awareness demonstrated by the number of younger people in the audience. Second Lt. Siegfried Sassoon (Tim Delap) has

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Theatre Review: Riverdance, Sunderland Empire

THE standing ovation received on the opening night, really says it all. Twenty years on from that momentous seven-minute interlude during 1994’s Eurovision Song Contest, life has changed for so many young Irish dancers and performers, and changed

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Nostalgia key to fundraiser

Children In Need 2014 (BBC1, 7.30pm) THIS is the biggest caper of the charity calendar. After 35 years, there's cause to look back over its long and illustrious history, as it not only features some of the biggest names in showbiz right now, but

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A whisker away from good advice

WE are all pogonophiles now. Match of the Day is full of footballers celebrating their beards; pop stars and actors are proud to be facially hirsute; and half of the office and many of my neighbours are sprouting tufts for “Movember”.Some of the men in

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Diabetes - act today to change tomorrow

Today is World Diabetes Day and this year’s message is “act today to change tomorrow.” Lizzie Anderson discovers why it is important to get testedMichael McCabe looks the picture of health as he cycles into car park of the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton

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We must not grow apart

WITH the public sector squeeze hitting hardest in our region, there has never been a greater case for joined-up thinking between local authorities.It makes complete sense for councils to share expertise and resources, and to present a unified front to

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Man cleared of murdering pal after "divvy" row

A JURY this afternoon cleared a man of murdering his friend in a street fight after he was called "a divvy". Craig Conway admitted killing Simon Bennett in the arranged clash in Thorntree, Middlesbrough, in May. The 30-year-old denied a charge

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Palace honour for Trooping The Colour soldier

A SOLDIER who for the last eight years has orchestrated the spectacular Trooping The Colour ceremony at Buckingham Palace has been honoured by The Queen.Sergeant Major David Lochrie, from Chester-le-Street, is responsible for planning and delivering the

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Charity to honour North-East boxing legend Glenn McCrory

ONE of the region’s best-loved sportsmen is to be honoured by charity to mark the anniversary of his greatest fight. Twenty-five years after he became the region’s first boxer to be crowned World Champion, children’s charity Variety is to present

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Police release image of victim of vicious attack and robbery in Northallerton

POLICE investigating a vicious attack in Northallerton have released pictures of the victim’s injuries. The 43-year-old man was robbed between midnight and 1am on Tuesday, November 11, on Valley Road, near the junction with Central Drive, in the

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Toys "R" Us backs Darlington Toy Appeal

TOY giant Toys “R” Us has teamed up with the Salvation Army and The Northern Echo to back the Darlington Toy Appeal. The appeal, also supported by Darlington Cares, has been launched in a bid to give hundreds of disadvantaged children a Christmas

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Unique reading scheme for Garrison school

PUPILS at a North Yorkshire school are piloting a unique reading initiative. The buddy scheme, supported by the charity Reading Force, encourages service and civilian pupils at Risedale Sports and Community College, in Catterick Garrison, to read together

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Age of track on East Coast Mainline blamed for high number of cracks

THE high amount of relatively old track on the East Coast Mainline leads to more breaks than any other main railway line in Britain, an inquiry has concluded.A Rail Accident Investigation Branch report was launched following three breaks on the line,

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Story of Roman gladiator discovered under museum to be retold

A MUSEUM is to reveal the story of its own Roman gladiator, whose skeleton was discovered buried beneath the grounds of its building.The ancient discovery was unearthed during an excavation in 2010 underneath the Yorkshire Museum in York, which was being

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Youth MPs from across the North East to take part in House of Commons debate

YOUNG politicians from across the North East will gather in the House of Commons today (Friday, November 14) to debate the big issues facing young people around the UK.More than 300 Members of Youth Parliament, elected to represent their towns in a vote

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First World War medal found underneath playground is returned to recipient's family

A FIRST World War medal found by builders beneath a children's play area has been returned to the family of its recipient.The Victory Medal, awarded to Private George Henry Sykes, was found in the late 1990s by Cyril Binns during construction of the play

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Thieves steal hospice raffle prizes and cash

THIEVES have failed to ruin a hospice raffle.Staff from MKM Building Supplies were devastated when thieves broke into their premises in Dragonville, Durham City, in June and stole £2,000-worth of raffle prizes and £500 in raffle ticket takings.The prize

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Allotment holders could win battle to keep town centre site

ALLOTMENTS set to be sold by the church to make way for a new housing development could be saved after a compromise deal emerged. Thousands of people signed a petition to save the allotments in the centre of Bedale, one of the oldest registered allotment

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Sunderland striker Danny Graham keen to find the net after completing Wolves move

UNWANTED Sunderland striker Danny Graham has vowed to get back on the goal trail after completing a loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers for the rest of the year. The Black Cats have agreed to let the 29-year-old head for Molineux until January

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Vintage shop opened by Middlesbrough College students

STUDENTS from Middlesbrough College have opened a vintage shop to improve their knowledge of the retail sector.Second Time Around is on campus and sells second hand clothes and accessories.The young entrepreneurs, who are all Foundation Learning students

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Wind farm could help neighbours cut energy bills

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed news that they can influence how £250,000 from a wind farm developer is spent to benefit those living near the site.Banks Group, which has planning permission to erect four turbines near Stillington, between Stockton and Darlington

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Building society hosts woodcarvers' First World War commemoration exhibition

A FIRST World War remembrance project created by the British W oodcarvers Association is on display at a building society. The national project has seen more than 40 members of the association submit carvings that commemorate the centenary of the start

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Private landlord scheme set to be extended

A PILOT initiative to improve standards of privately-rented housing is proving so successful it could be rolled out across the whole of County Durham.A landlord accreditation scheme is being tried out in South Moor and New Kyo, near Stanley, and plans

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Safer school journeys for pupils

A NEW school bus service running between Chester-le-Street and outlying villages is taking to the road. Service 889 is being provided by Go North East for Year 7 pupils who study at the North Lodge site of the town’s Park View School from and to their

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Dismay as Church ploughs ahead with housing plan

VILLAGERS have accused the church of jumping the gun by pressing ahead with plans to build more than 100 homes on open countryside ahead of a public inquiry.Some residents of Sherburn Village, near Durham City, are fighting to block the Church Commissioners

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Transport firm warns of identity theft scam

A NORTH-EAST transport business is warning firms to stay alert after fraudsters duped its customers in an online scam.Nicholson’s Transport fell victim to an elaborate phishing con where identity details were taken from its website to create fake letters.The

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Jessica Ennis-Hill takes stand against potential re-signing of convicted rapist Ched Evans at Sheffield United

JESSICA Ennis-Hill wants her name to be removed from a stand at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane stadium if the club choose to re-sign Ched Evans. The 25-year-old's former club revealed this week they would allow the ex-Wales international to train

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Ginge to make a major mark at Cheltenham

SPLASH Of Ginge can make it back-to-back course wins in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. The roll of honour for this event really is impressive, featuring the likes of Denman, Imperial Commander and last season’s Festival

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Hymn is right on song

MALCOLM JEFFERSON is keen to let Urban Hymn “do the talking” ahead of the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham today. The extended two-and-ahalf- mile contest has a superb roll of honour, with Gold Cup heroes Denman and Imperial

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Rent office becomes community hub in Bishop Auckland

A FORMER council rent office, which has stood empty for a number of years, has been transformed into a community hub.The Hub has been set up by businessmen and brothers Dr Sanjeev Devgan and Raj Devgan on Proudfoot Drive, on the Woodhouse Estate, Bishop

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Farmer faces Darlington planning hearing over hen houses

A FARMER has been forced to seek retrospective planning permission for sheds housing hundreds of hens. Harry Hodgson is the third generation of his family to run the award-winning Piercebridge Farm, near Darlington. Hens have been kept on the

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Darlington folk tell why they #lovecivic

DARLINGTON residents have been encouraged to show their passion for the town's Civic Theatre using #lovecivic on social media.The project was organised by touring company Theatre Cloud, which recently brought Pat Barker’s novel Regeneration to the stage

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Toomey has chance to make job his own

Crook caretaker manager John Toomey will get the chance to make the job his own at home to Penrith tomorrow. Toomey was previously assistant to Nick Harrison who left last week with the club seven points adrift of the rest at the bottom of the

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Ainsley demands big improvement from his Spennymoor side

Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley says that he is looking for a “big improvement” in his team when they take on Leek Town in the second qualifying round of the FA trophy at the Brewery Field on Saturday. Ainsley was furious after last Saturday’s

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Wetherby’s distance just doesn’t add up

A NUMBER of races at Wetherby over the last five years – including the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase – have been run over the wrong distance, the British Horseracing Authority has announced. Four of the 12 active starts at the West Yorkshire course

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New king of the Castle

Steve Pratt talks to Ben Castle, the son of the late Roy Castle.  IT’S the morning after a “real surreal day of craziness” for Ben Castle, musician and composer son of the late entertainer Roy Castle, when we speak. That day illustrates his wildly

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Album Review: Kate Rusby - Ghost

THE 40-year-old folk singer songwriter is in sombre mood. With a cover featuring Rusby in a white dress in half-shadow, the album's full of string-laden melodies that will haunt you long afterwards. The opener, The Outlandish Knight, is an accordion-accompanied

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Album Review: Pink Floyd - The Endless River

SINCE the Sixties, band founder, guitarist and vocalist Syd Barrett was replaced by David Gilmour, who became a mainstay during their 1970s heyday. Bass player Roger Waters was furious when Floyd reconvened in 1993 without him to record The Division

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Jazz by Peter Bevan

WHAT’S ON: Friday, Djangologie, St. Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook, 01388-768880; Wednesday, Abdullah Ibrahim, Sage, Gateshead, 0191- 443-4661. CD REVIEWS: Mark Turner Quartet/Lathe of Heaven (ECM 3780663) Having appeared on several ECM albums this is

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Garcia challenges FIFA report findings which cleared Qatar and Russia to host World Cup

FIFA's probe into World Cup bidding which cleared Qatar but criticised England descended into farce as the chief investigator himself challenged the accuracy of the facts in the findings. US lawyer Michael Garcia said he will lodge an appeal against

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Jameson signs new Darlington deal

Darlington ’keeper Peter Jameson has signed a new deal with the club in recognition of his form this season, which has seen him become Quakers’ No. 1.The former Gateshead and Sunderland RCA goalkeeper joined the club last season and initially spent most

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Lawes ready to face Springboks

ENGLAND are confident that Courtney Lawes is ready to face South Africa in tomorrow's QBE International at Twickenham following his recovery from concussion. Lawes lasted just 23 minutes of last weekend's 24-21 defeat by New Zealand until a blow

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Barkley's growing pains

ROSS Barkley thinks he grew from a boy into a man this summer as a result of his chastening World Cup experience with England. Barkley looked every inch a star in the making in June when he impressed on his first England start in the humid heat

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Murray sees some Pools improvement

BY the time Hartlepool United’s televised FA Cup tie comes around, Paul Murray hopes Hartlepool United are in a much-improved position to tackle the test.Pools take on Blyth Spartans in the second round on Friday, December 5 in a tie televised by BBC

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Rooney's century of England caps is a story of what might have been

TOMORROW, when Slovenia travel to Wembley for a Euro 2016 qualifier, Wayne Rooney will become only the ninth Englishman to win a century of caps for his country. Given that he only turned 29 last month, there is every chance he will go on to surpass

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Mehdi banks on Newcastle form earning a Africa Cup of Nations call

MEHDI ABEID is banking on the Africa Cup of Nations being given the go-ahead after taking a huge step closer to appearing in the finals by proving he can mix it in the Premier League.Abeid is on international duty for the first time this week, called

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Poyet thinks Sunderland have to think big - like Chelsea did with Diego Costa

GUS POYET dreams of the day when he can think about adding a ‘Diego Costa-type’ signing to take Sunderland to the next level as he struggles to bring greater consistency to the club. It is not that Poyet thinks the Black Cats will ever be in a

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Five Labour councillors on Redcar and Cleveland Council face possible deselection

A NUMBER of sitting Labour councillors on Redcar & Cleveland Council face possible deselection ahead of next year’s elections, the council’s leader has confirmed. The news broke last night (Thursday) and while it is not clear who it involves

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Developer in £700,000 wind power row with Durham Tees Valley Airport

DURHAM Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) was last night at the centre of a bizarre £700,000 row over a green power plan for Middlesbrough FC's stadium. The airport is seeking payments in the region of £700,000 to update its air traffic control system

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Only "bits" of the A1 to be upgraded, Treasury Minister admits

ONLY “bits” of the A1 are likely to be upgraded for now, a Treasury minister has suggested – after the cost of the overall project soared. Quizzed by The Northern Echo, Chief Secretary Danny Alexander suggested the long hoped-for work between Newcastle

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Best green projects honoured at County Durham Environment Awards

A COUNTRY house restoration, a refurbished community arts building and a group of floral fanatics were the big winners in a prestigious environmental awards scheme. Lartington Hall in Teesdale, Barnard Castle’s The Witham, and the Durham in Bloom