Archive
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Closures due to coronavirus across Redcar
CLOSURES of Saltburn cliff lift, libraries and Kirkleatham Museum have been announced in Redcar and Cleveland in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Events will cease at the Tuned In! youth centre, in Redcar from Thursday. All libraries in
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Confirmed case of coronavirus in Hartlepool
Hartlepool has its first confirmed case of coronavirus. Latest figures released by Public Health England show one positive test has been returned in the town. It brings to the total in the North-East to 39: Newcastle 13, North Tyneside 7, South
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Police arrest 22 in Hartlepool drugs raids
A SECOND day of drug raids across Hartlepool yesterday morning brought a further nine arrests. Officers tackling drugs supply and exploitation across the town have executed warrants at least 19 addresses, with a total of 22 arrests made in connection
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Darlington fans are asked to help club 'through these challenging times'
DARLINGTON say the lack of matches due to the spread of the coronavirus could have a significant on the club, so are appealing for their supporters to help “with our cash flow to help us through these challenging times”. Games across the country
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The EFL plans to help clubs during coronavirus and aims to finish the season
MIDDLESBROUGH and Sunderland have been assured that the English Football League intends to finish the rest of the season – and there will be financial help for struggling clubs too. EFL chairman Rick Parry backed the plans during an EFL board conference
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School meal price rise agreed in Middlesbrough
A HIKE in the price of school meals in Middlesbrough has been reluctantly backed in the face of public opposition. Schools may be closed due to the coronavirus, but meal prices in primary schools will rise from £1.90 to £2.05 from April – with meals
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Pregnant woman from Darlington appeals for support after cancer diagnosis shock
A EXPECTANT mother is appealing for support as she battles a rare type of blood cancer. Welcoming a new baby into the world is a exciting time for any mother and for Neasham music teacher Janine Busbridge, it was no exception. Mrs Busbridge
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Tees Valley retail staff celebrate 30 years of combined service
A TRIO of staff are celebrating a combined 30 years of service in retail. Manager Debbie Wood, sales consultant Susan Jobson and supervisor Clair Marsh were have all worked for national footwear retailer Charles Clinkard for 10 years in the Darlington
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Tourism bosses call for council assistance
A CALL has been made for local authorities covering the Yorkshire Dales to be ready to help tourism businesses bounce back as fears grow about the impact on the industry of the Coronavirus. Susan Briggs, who runs the Dales Tourism Network, which
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Auction marts report "business as usual" despite spread of virus
AUCTION marts across the region are attempting to run business as usual – but with extra measures to keep buyers, sellers and staff safe. Marts in Northallerton, Leyburn and Thirsk all reported their major sales were going ahead, and even that
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Schools closed and exams cancelled to slow spread of coronavirus
SCHOOLS across England are to close on Friday, Boris Johnson has announced today. The prime minister has just confirmed the news parents have been expecting at a daily press conference this afternoon. He said: “After schools shut their gates
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MP takes a tour of sports facilities under construction
THIRSK MP, Kevin Hollinrake visited Outwood Academy Easingwold to hear the progress of new sporting facilities currently under construction. The academy had the top performing sixth-form in North Yorkshire last year, above both private and selective
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Auction marts report "business as usual"
AUCTION marts across the region are attempting to run business as usual – but with extra measures to keep buyers, sellers and staff safe. Marts in Northallerton, Leyburn and Thirsk all reported their major sales were going ahead, and even that trade
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Eleventh anniversary of chef Claudia Lawrence's disappearance
TODAY marks eleven years since the last sighting of Claudia Lawrence. On the anniversary of her disappearance, her father Peter Lawrence, 73, spoke to the Northern Echo of the 'rollercoaster' he and has family have been put through for over a decade
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Tees Valley Mayor confident coronavirus plans are on track
Tees Valley Mayor confident emergency plans are on track to meet the challenge of the next few months Following a meeting called by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen of all local council leaders and Chief Executives, along with further discussions
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Councillor calls for common sense on parking
“Dangerous” double parking outside a primary school could be solved if parents were willing to walk a few minutes, councillors have said. Parents dropping off and picking up their children from Captain Cook Primary School in Marton should park round
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‘We’re prepared’ says Cleveland Police chief
A SENIOR officer says Cleveland Police has “tried and tested” plans to cope with rising demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. Emergency laws are expected to be passed by the government next week to cope with the deadly virus – with powers to
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Beamish Museum due to close due to coronavirus
ONE of the region's most popular tourist attraction is to close for the forseeable future due to the coronavirus outbreak. Beamish Museum, near Chester-le-Street, has said it would be shut until at least May 1. A spokesperson for Beamish Museum
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Hartlepool Borough Council delay meetings
Full Council and planning meetings are among those which will not be taking place this week after Hartlepool Borough Council postponed all meetings due to the coronavirus outbreak. It was announced yesterday they have taken the decision to postpone
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Coronavirus: DFDS cancels ALL sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam
DFDS will cancel all sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam in response to the latest government coronavirus advice to avoid all but essential travel. The ferry company, which operates King Seaways and Princess Seaways between North Shields and
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Village pub offers free rooms for medical workers
A VILLAGE pub has decided to dedicate its newly-launched accommodation to NHS staff helping to tackle Coronavirus. The White Swan in Gilling West, near Richmond, has recently launched an accommodation offering, but during this time is closing down
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Man dies in house fire in Easington
A MAN has died in a house fire in Easington in the early hours of Wednesday. A spokesperson for the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters said were called to a house on Anthony Street to reports of a fire at approximately
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Yarm school raises thousands at synchronised dance
A preparatory school performed a synchronised dance on Friday. Yarm Prep School gathered 235 children and staff to raise money for Sports Relief. Led by headteacher, Bill Sawyer and organised by teacher Naomi Redhead-Sweeney the children managed
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School closure 'would create geriatric ghetto'
A COUNCIL which is running a commission into how rural communities can be safeguarded has been urged to change or postpone its plans to shut another small Yorkshire Dales school, after villagers claimed the closure would condemn them to “a geriatric
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Coronavirus: Mobile phone networks to scrap data charges for some websites
MOBILE networks are set to scrap data charges for certain websites in a bid to ensure people across the country get access to the latest coronavirus advice from the NHS. Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three are among some of the networks that will give customers
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Coronavirus: King James I Academy takes next step amid virus worries
A SECONDARY school in County Durham has announced it's next step towards operating a normal school day during the Coronavirus pandemic. From Thursday, March 19, King James I Academy, in Bishop Auckland, will be open only for those in years 10,
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Newcastle boss still thinks matches should not be played behind-closed-doors
NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Steve Bruce is coming to terms with the impact the coronavirus is having on the English game, and still does not see the point in matches being played behind-closed-doors. But the Magpies manager, speaking ahead of a meeting
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Review: Royal Northern Sinfonia, Sage Gateshead
AN audience packed into Sage Gateshead for Royal Northern Sinfonia’s latest concert, undeterred by the coronavirus outbreak, though the soloist billed for the night had to cancel at the 11th hour becauses of a scare. Just before her scheduled rehearsal
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Horden rapist climbed into woman’s bed whilst she slept before assaulting her
A MAN has been found guilty of rape after he crawled into a woman’s bed as she slept and assaulted her. John Farrow, 33, of Bruce Kirkcup Road, Horden, was found guilty of one count of rape and sentenced to eight years and 10 months behind bars
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Youth football team strikes college sponsorship deal
A TEAM of young footballers is sporting a brand new training kit after netting a new sponsorship deal. New College Durham has donated funds to Birtley Town Juniors to enable them to buy new training jackets for their under-12’s team. The talented
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Tiny puppies among 20 dogs rescued from 'awful' puppy farm
MORE than 20 dogs have been rescued from appalling conditions at a puppy farm. Officers from Northumbria Police and Northumberland County Council executed a warrant under the Animal Welfare Act at a farm in Rothbury, Northumberland, on March 4.
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Coronavirus: Bishop Barrington School cuts school day for immediate future
A SECONDARY school in County Durham has announced that it will no longer be operating a normal school day for the immediate future due to limited staffing. From Thursday, March 19, Bishop Barrington School, in Bishop Auckland, will only be open
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Durham University attractions shut due to coronavirus
Durham University attractions shut Durham University has decided to close all its attractions and museums until further notice, due to Covid-19. The university’s attractions include the Oriental Museum, Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green Library
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Durham County Council to shut venues from tonight; authority prioritizing essential services
DURHAM County Council venues will shut from close of play today, or not reopen following winter closures, until further notice. This includes all leisure centres and libraries and attractions including Durham’s Gala Theatre, the Empire Theatre
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Coronavirus: Next accused of 'putting profits before staff' with sale
A FASHION retailer has come under fire after revealing it will honour 'sale' prices in store, despite suggesting an upcoming sale will be online-only as a result of latest government advice. Next, which has dozens of stores across the region including
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Coronavirus: 6 in 10 Britons say they are 'against' supermarket stockpiling
SIX in ten Britons have admitted they think bulk buying is unacceptable as supermarkets across the region continue to be left bare of essential household goods. Across the North-East empty supermarket shelves have become a common occurence as people
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Coronavirus: The Bowes Museum to close until further notice
THE Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, will close its doors from 5pm today due to coronavirus. This includes the galleries, shop and Café Bowes. The park and gardens will be open to pedestrians and outdoor activities will be made downloadable
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Durham Miners' Gala has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak
The 2020 Durham Miners’ Gala has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis. The Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) took the decision today despite the Gala not being until July. Organisers said the reasons for taking the early action are to
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Netflix trailer for Sunderland's series two
THE trailer for the second series of Sunderland's Netflix has been released. Season Two of Sunderland ‘Til I Die, produced by Fulwell73, can be viewed ahead of its launch. The streaming service have also revealed that the series will officially
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Judge in long-running Junior Bryan trial self-isolates over coronavirus fear as jury retires
THE judge in the long-running Junior Bryan trial has gone into self-isolation over coronavirus fear. Judge Howard Crowson called the 11 members of the jury back into court to break the news that he would be forced to continue the trial remotely
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Virus leads to Boro old boy Mikel’s early exit
FORMER Middlesbrough midfielder John Obi Mikel has had his Trabzonspor contract terminated by mutual consent over a dispute surrounding the coronavirus. Mikel, who won the Premier League and Champions League with Chelsea, took to Instagram to protest
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Prestigious courses for talented Richmond students
A GROUP of Richmond Sixth Form College students have completed highly-sought-after residential courses at the prestigious Villiers Park Education Centre in Cambridge. For 30-years, a high proportion of A-level students have secured places on week-long
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Council shuts office and suspends meetings
BARNARD Castle Town Council has closed it offices to the public, following the latest Government guidelines about coronavirus. Woodleigh is shut and all meetings of the town council and its committees are suspended. For the latest
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Age UK to launch shopping, hot meal and telephone befriending service for people self-isolating in Darlington and North Yorkshire
A CHARITY supporting older people in North Yorkshire and Darlington is expanding a raft of services to help those who are self-isolating because of coronavirus. Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington is suspending its social activities, home visits
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Anger over approval for new builders' yard
PLANS to convert a former County Durham garden centre into a builders' merchants have been given the go-ahead, despite objections from residents. Last year, plans were lodged for the Olivers Garden Centre site at Holmhill Lane, Chester Moor, near
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Sunderland season so far review : The Good, bad and ugly of the Black Cats' campaign under Ross and Parkinson
THE PROMOTION that never materialised last season needed to be on the cards and going strong if Jack Ross was going to survive as Sunderland manager. Whether it was the fans’ growing frustrations with certain results early in the season, or the
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Pret and McDonalds offering free drinks for NHS workers
Food chains are offering free drinks and discounts to NHS staff amid the Covid-19 pandemic. McDonald’s said all emergency services personnel and health and social workers in the UK would be able to collect free drinks at all restaurants while Government
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Coronavirus: Full list of HOSPITAL visiting rules across the North-East and Yorkshire
HOSPITALS across the North-East and North Yorkshire have imposed strict revised guidelines on the number of visitors allowed when visiting patients. Some NHS Trusts have placed an entire ban on all but essential visits, while others have drastically
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Coronavirus: The businesses and communities helping the region's most vulnerable
4:40pm Northumberland county show cancelled One of the country's first agricultural shows of the year has been cancelled
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New CCTV released of missing Natalie Jenkins as detective appears on BBC
A Cleveland Police detective appeared on BBC to help with the investigation of missing Natalie Jenkins. New CCTV footage was played on BBC One’s Crimewatch Roadshow this morning of Natalie, which shows her walking towards Albert Park in Park Road
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Coronavirus: Darlington College cancels face-to-face teaching 'until further notice'
DARLINGTON College has suspended all face-to-face teaching 'until further notice' following latest government advice on coronavirus to avoid all social contact. The college on Haughton Road this morning (March 18) announced that all of its students
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Coronavirus: Parkrun suspends all events in the UK
All parkrun events in the UK have been suspended in line with public health advice regarding the coronavirus, the chief operating officer announced today. The closure is with immediate effect, initially until the end of March however the organisation
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Bishop Auckland Food Festival cancelled due to Coronavirus
A FOOD festival which was expected to attract tens of thousands of people to a County Durham town next month has been cancelled in response to government guidance on Coronavirus. Durham County Council has taken the decision to cancel the Bishop
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Age UK Ukulele Band pays a fitting farewell to its oldest member
A much-loved Darlington character has been given a musical send-off. PETER BARRON pays a personal tribute to 'Ukulele Bill' Blewitt MUSIC was always going to play a big part in the farewell to “Ukulele Bill” – and the song choices summed
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Bomb disposal experts called in after man walked into police station with metal baton
BOMB disposal experts were called to a police station after a man walked in with a metal baton and a “suspicious” item. A 48-year-old man was arrested in Sunderland yesterday afternoon after entering a city centre police station with a metal baton
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Village choir donates concert funds to community venues
A VILLAGE choir which raises funds through their concerts dontated half of it to Bedale Community Library. Thornton Watlass Choral Group each year generates money from the concerts they hold around the area donating most of it to charity. This
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Sainsbury's is latest supermarket to announce elderly-only shopping hour
SAINSBURY'S is the latest supermarket to announce measures to help the elderly and vulnerable during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. All its stores will only open to these two groups for the first hour of trading on Thursday, chief executive Mike
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Coronavirus: School closures in North-East
A NUMBER of schools in the North-East are closed today as a result of staff absences due to the coronavirus. Some schools have partially closed to certain year groups. Live coronavirus updates Tonight Prime Minister Boris Johnson
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Coronavirus latest: Schools to close from Friday, case confirmed in Hartlepool
10:21pm Oxfam has announced it will close all of its high street shops until the worst of the coronavirus pandemic has
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Awards for North Yorkshire's unsung heroes
An award scheme which pays tribute to people who help communities flourish is inviting nominations. The awards honour local people and organisations that dedicate their time to help North Yorkshire County Council deliver critical services.
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In the mood for a joyful send-off in memory of 'Ukulele Bill'
MUSIC was always going to play a big part in the farewell to “Ukulele Bill” – and the song choices summed up his life to perfection. As Bill Blewitt was brought into the overflowing Darlington Crematorium, Moonlight Serenade signalled his love
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Pushing back the boundaries
In the latest instalment in a monthly series showing how Durham is Powered by People, PETER BARRON meets a man who has refused to allow his life-long disability get in the way of his sporting achievements WHEN asked about disability, Iain Nairn
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It's 1898 all over again when matches were played in secret as Middlesbrough FC was on a road to glory
The coronavirus has brought chaos to global sport with major football matches played behind closed doors and postponements widespread across elite football, despite Government insistence that the show would go on. Here Dr Tosh Warwick, Heritage Unlocked
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Middlesbrough season review so far - Recruitment woes have hampered Woodgate's attempts to rebuild
THE trouble with a ‘new era’ is that it can always go one of two ways. When Jonathan Woodgate beamed his way through his first press conference as Middlesbrough head coach at Rockliffe Park in June, the club’s brave new world was laid out in front
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More high-profile sporting events scrapped because of coronavirus
THE coronavirus outbreak continues to wreak havoc on the sporting world, with Euro 2020 and all British horseracing the latest high-profile casualties. On another remarkable day that also saw cancellations in boxing and cycling that affect the
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Bright young minds celebrate British Science Week
YOUNGSTERS were treated to demonstrations and science experiments in celebration of British Science Week. Children at Greenfield Community College – which has sites in both Shildon and Newton Aycliffe – gave up their own time to explore science
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Darlington park launch event cancelled due to coronavirus
AN event launching a new park has been cancelled due to coronavirus. The launch event of East Mount Park, renovated by environmental charity Groundwork together with Darlington Borough Council and Park East Partnership, has been cancelled due to
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Anti-bird netting AND hedge removed from A19 Mount Grace Priory
NETTING on trees along a road to deter birds and wildlife has been removed following a campaign endorsed by a television presenter – but the hedges have gone too. Anti-bird netting installed along the A19 in Hambleton has been removed following
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NETPark businesses join forces to save NHS £250m a year
A HEALTHCARE supplier has joined forces with an electronics firm to collaborate on a new product which could potentially save the NHS £250m a year. Quality Hospital Solutions (QHS) and PragmatIC, both based at NETPark in Sedgefield, are working
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Casual gardener broke into house overnight
A TEENAGE burglar carried out the “particularly mean” offence of targeting a woman he knew to have health and hearing difficulties, a court was told. Adam Lowes was said to have carried out some gardening work at the home of his victim, a woman
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Darlington events for people with autism has 'amazing' debut
PEOPLE with autism and learning difficulties came together this weekend for the first instalment of a new monthly event dedicated to people with additional needs. On Friday, March 13, over 100 people attended Darlington Unlimited's first event,
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Trader of the week: Swept away by former submarine engineer turned chimney sweep
IN the latest instalment of The Northern Echo’s trader of the week, a man who swapped out an engineer suit for soot introduces his chimney sweep business. John Hennessy, who was made redundant in 2016 before setting up Start Sweep Enterprise, stresses
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Coronavirus: Jobs lost in the region as coach firms lay drivers off
SCORES of bus and coach drivers could lose their jobs as firms are forced to 'lay off' staff amidst government guidance to avoid social venues and unnecessary travel. The Northern Echo understands that a number of coaching firms across the North-East
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Mum of three thanks cancer support service for ‘life saving’ help
A MUM of three who faced stopping her chemotherapy as she was too ill to care for her children has thanked County Durham support service Macmillan Joining the Dots for stepping in to help her. Victoria Hope, aged 32, from Newton Aycliffe, was diagnosed
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No Smoking Day spreads message in Middlesbrough
HEALTH experts encouraged more smokers to quit on No Smoking Day 2020 to help meet the region's target of 5 per cent smoking prevalence by 2030.. Smoking still remains the single biggest cause of early deaths in Middlesbrough with one in two life-long
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Coronavirus: Wednesday morning latest - what you need to know
AS coronavirus measures continue to be implemented across the UK, here’s a snapshot of the overnight situation: The UK death toll for coronavirus rose to 71, this includes a patient who died yesterday at Harrogate District Hospital in North Yorkshire
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Coronavirus: Darlington hospice appeals for help as vital fundraisers delayed and cancelled
A HOSPICE is urging the public to help out as it faces losing thousands of pounds worth of fundraising in the wake of big events being cancelled due to coronavirus. St Teresa's Hospice, in Darlington, has started an online appeal for help because
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Innocent remark led to sustained attack on victim
A LIGHT-HEARTED remark, taken in the wrong way, led to a sustained attack that left the victim in hospital for two weeks, a court was told. Liam Savage carried out the unprovoked attack on August 28, 2018, after both had been out in Chester-le-Street
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'The three of you, mob handed, set about him in a shortlived but particularly merciless attack which left him with serious injuries'
A GANG of men armed with an axe, a hammer and metal bar, have been jailed after launching a "merciless" attack over a drug debt. The three were all "tooled up" with weapons during the short, but brutal attack on their victim in his own home, a
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Fines for parking in Darlington disabled bays down 80 per cent
A COUNCIL has seen an 80 per cent decrease in fines issued to people parking in disabled spots. Darlington Council has given out 80 per cent less fines for non-Blue Badge holders parking in disabled parking bays in council car parks over the last
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Man in parked van exposed himself to passing teenage girl
THE quick-thinking actions of a teenage girl shortly after being the victim in a case of exposure helped police to catch the perpetrator. Durham Crown Court was told the girl was walking on Potters Bank in the city at 3pm on April 9, last year,