Archive
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Snook making a return call
FORMER Orange boss Hans Snook is to make a high-profile return to the telecoms industry as non-executive chairman of Carphone Warehouse. Mr Snook quit Orange as chief executive in August 2000, but stayed with the mobile phone firm, which employs more
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Research allays fear over food reactions
A STUDY of child deaths carried out by North-East researchers has found that the risk of youngsters dying from food allergies is very small. There had been concern that fatal reactions to food were increasing, but those fears are unfounded. But researchers
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News in brief:Suitcase body: Man faces trial
A MAN is to face trial following the death of a woman whose body was found in a suitcase dumped in a country lane. Kyu Soo Kim, 30, of Holborn, central London, is charged with the murder of Hyo Jung Jin, 21, a South Korean woman whose remains were discovered
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Exhibition proves worthwhile for Lindy
Computer peripherals reseller Lindy Electronics is celebrating a successful trip to the world's biggest technology exhibition. The Middlesbrough-based company was the only independent North-East technology company to have a presence at the annual CeBIT
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Footpath fenced off as land ownership dispute escalates
RESIDENTS fear that a six-foot fence built to block a footpath by a neighbour is a danger to children. The wooden fence, complete with official-looking "footpath closed" signs, was erected because of a dispute between a resident and the council over who
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Teacher joins sports college management
A college teacher is to take up a senior post at a new sporting centre of excellence. Andy West, lifelong learning manager at Northallerton College, is joining King's Manor School, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, as community and sports development director
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Donkey Katie leads the way in Easter story
SPECIAL church events marking Easter take place in the Bedale area this week. Today, there is a morning of crafts and reflection on the story of Holy Week, starting at 10.30am and finishing at noon and organised by St Augustine's Church, Leeming Bar.
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Dog was left to starve
A COUPLE have been fined £100 each and after leaving a dog to starve. Graham and Amanda Warford pleaded guilty at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday to causing unnecessary suffering to the German shepherd dog. RSPCA prosecutor Kevin Campbell
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News in brief, Seaside hotel to be revamped
SCARBOROUGH'S St Nicholas Hotel, one of the biggest in the town, is to be given a £500,000 revamp. Owners British Trust Hotels are to upgrade and refurbish much of the hotel including its public rooms and bedrooms. Hugh Hendry, the general manager, said
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Comment from The Northern Echo: Post traumatic disorders
TO the man in the Post Office queue, the idea that a company can shed 15,000 jobs - with more to come - is amazing. Unless these people do nothing, services must be hit. This will force people to use rival firms, further damaging the Post Office which
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Arson inquiry gets under way
POLICE are treating as arson a fire at a storage plant which caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage. Firefighters took more than two hours to douse the flames at Professional Flooring Services at Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate, near Stanley
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Community to gain pathfinder manager
A neighbourhood manager is to be appointed for Stockton. The manager will be one of three charged with reviving the fortunes of three North East communities. Regeneration Minister Sally Keeble announced the new stage of the £45m Neighbourhood Management
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Who's to blame for this first class mess?
With 15,000 jobs cuts already announced - and more on the way - a postal service once seen as the best in the world is in deep trouble. Nick Morrison looks at what went wrong with the mail. IN just three years, the fortunes of one of Britain's most famous
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Government lifts threat to ban social clubs' bandits
WORKINGMEN'S clubs across the North breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after the Government announced it would not ban one-armed bandits in a gambling review. Culture Minister Richard Caborn told the Commons the Gaming Review Body's recommendation to
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Shooting case jury is discharged
A JURY was discharged yesterday after it failed to reach a verdict in the case of a security firm boss alleged to have gunned down his former business partner. Robbie Doneathy, 35, of Appleby Close, Eaglescliffe, Teesside, was cleared of attempted murder
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News in brief:Gunman flees empty-handed
A shop raider was being hunted by police last night. The masked man who threatened an off-licence assistant with a handgun, fled empty-handed when his noisy and unsuccessful attempts at opening the till brought a second shop worker from the back of the
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Putting a bit of class back in
A primary school at the heart of a housing estate which used to resemble a war zone is looking forward to a brighter future now a multi-million pound rejuvenation scheme is starting to pay dividends. Steve Parsley reports THE view from the windows of
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Body on main line delays train services
An investigation was under way today after a headless body was discovered on the East Coast Main Line. Emergency services were called to a stretch of the track just north of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, at about 6am after receiving reports of a body
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SMK carries on despite losing £2m
JAPANESE electronics firm SMK is to continue production at its Newton Aycliffe operations, despite the plant losing more than £2m in the past year. There will be some job losses, although the company is not yet saying how many will go. The news follows
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Cashier, Darlington, £4.10ph, 6pm-9pm Tues and Thurs, age 18 plus, retail experience an advantage. Ref: DAE 29775. Chamber person, Croft, £4.10ph, 16hrs
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US honour for five brave Brits
A HANDFUL of elite British troops, who held off 500 Taliban and al Qaida fighters for five days, are to be recommended for the US equivalent of the Victoria Cross, it was reported last night. Five members of the Special Boat Service returned to rescue
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Robson targets Roma defender Zebina
NEWCASTLE United boss Bobby Robson has stepped up his efforts to strengthen his suspect defence. Robson has signalled his dissatisfaction with his rearguard, who have conceded 11 goals in their last five games, by making enquiries at home and abroad.
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Skateboarders' hopes dashed by single vote
A bid for a skateboard park in the centre of Richmond failed last night when planners rejected the project by a margin of one vote. It has taken seven years for the North Yorkshire community's youth to win enough support to warrant a formal proposal.
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Hope of works rescue dashed
CAMPAIGNERS have conceded defeat in their three-month battle to stave off a cement works closure which will deal a shattering blow to the economy of an isolated dale. Lafarge Cement UK's announcement yesterday that production will finish at its Blue Circle
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Mallon puts council funds at top of mayoral agenda
RAY Mallon unveiled his election manifesto yesterday with pledges to cut crime, spend on education and get rid of Middlesbrough's cloth cap image. The former head of Middlesbrough CID launched his bid to become the town's first elected mayor with a speech
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Will we never learn our lesson?
SIX months since September 11 and you'd think nothing had changed. Most of the newspapers, and certainly that anti-western bastion of propaganda the BBC, are calling for no military strikes against Iraq. It is as if last year's atrocity in New York had
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Oldies are doing it for themselves
It's been another good week for grown-ups - always cheering for those of us hurtling too fast through our middle years. Granted, 102-year-old Rose Cottle was in the news because she is about to lose her flat in an old people's complex. On the other hand
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In danger of letting our guard down
'I LIKE it when you give us articles about funny goings on in the Church of England, but why do you keep writing about terrorism?" A reader wrote those words to me this week. It would be a fool of a writer who ignored the views of his readers, but the
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The simple ambitions of a life-long Quakers fan
Beneath inarguable headlines like "No pity for a dying man", the Mail on Sunday two days ago devoted a page and a half to the plight of lifelong Darlington FC fan Geoff Wedge. The Quakers' present problems, it should at once be said, have nothing to do
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Manager, Stockton, £16,000 to £20,000pa, 40hrs pw Mon-Sun, required for day-to-day running of store, one year's retail experience essential. Ref: STC
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Win a computer and equipment worth £1,000!
ANYONE who has ever logged on to a gaming site for a spot of Unreal Tournament will know all about the drawbacks of existing modem technology. It's slow and, in the case of a game, that can mean the difference between an enjoyable experience or throwing
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Test drive ends in horrific crash
A COUPLE were recovering from serious injuries last night after a £40,000 sports car they had taken for a test drive was involved in a horrifying pile-up. Lynn Conder was flown to hospital by air ambulance with a suspected broken back and neck following
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Assistant personnel officer, Harrogate, £15,741 to £21,078pa, 37hrs pw, one-year contract, must have two years general personnel experience and excellent
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Engineering firm grows with marine industries
Engineering business Derwent is investing £350,000 to meet a growing demand from customers in the marine and offshore industries. A £150,000 investment from independent fund managers Northern Enterprise has been instrumental in enabling the Tanfield Lea-based
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Cash is pledged to patients' fighting fund
READERS have pledged more than £2,600 from their own pockets to keep hopes of a public inquiry into the Richard Neale scandal alive. The campaign group representing 250 victims of the North Yorkshire surgeon needs to raise £10,000 to continue their legal
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Anger at threat to Post Offices
UNION bosses threatened strike action last night over plans by Consignia to axe 10,000 staff. The company needs to achieve savings of £1.2bn and is to scale down its struggling Parcelforce Worldwide business. It is also restructuring its transport operations
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Indecent images verdict awaited
A JURY will continue deliberations today into allegations a prison officer downloaded indecent images of children from the Internet. Brian Bestford, 49, admits downloading pictures of mostly males from Internet websites, including one titled Schoolboys
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North-East suffers jobs blow
More than 400 workers will be made redundant at car parts plant Federal Mogul Sunderland. A German company will buy the North-East factory after administrators of the car parts plant revealed that it will be closed in six months. The administrators struggled
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Survival day team back in action
A RESCUE team's main fundraising event has made a successful return after an enforced absence. Cleveland Search and Rescue team's Cleveland Survival took place on Saturday after a year's gap due to foot-and-mouth. More than 200 people converged on Goathland
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Night to remember as spotlight falls on the young ones
THE achievements of scores of young people were celebrated at a prestigious awards ceremony last night. The first Positive Young People Awards were held at Darlington Civic Theatre, compered by the editor of The Northern Echo, Peter Barron, and member
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Young actors stage annual performances
A GROUP of youngsters have taken to their stage with their annual school performances. Children at Raventhorpe Preparatory School, in Darlington, performed their annual plays last week. Form five staged the Clown Who Couldn't Smile, while form six performed
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Hospital trusts merger backed
THE creation of a single NHS hospital trust covering the whole of County Durham has moved a step nearer. The South Durham Health Care NHS Trust board has agreed to back a plan to merge with the North Durham Health Care NHS Trust. The plan was drawn up
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Plea to find last Tsarina's jewels
A MUSEUM is to make a televised appeal for information on the whereabouts of valuable jewellery which was owned by the last Tsarina of Russia. The Royal Pump Room Museum, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is eager to unite two sets of gifts which were presented
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Pupils to get £3.8m boost
DISABLED pupils in the region will benefit from a £3.8m investment to improve facilities and access in schools. Schools Minister Catherine Ashton said the cash would be used for a series of upgrades, including ramps, lifts and easy-to-open doors for children
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Festival stage success
AN amateur dramatics group is celebrating acting success following its appearance at a recent festival. Six actors from Shildon's Centre Stage took part in the Saltburn Drama Festival with their version of Evelyn Hood's comedy Victorian melodrama Curses
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Snarling killer's threat to mother
A BABY killer snarled a threat to the distraught mother of his victim as he was led away to begin a life sentence behind bars. Jake Baxter suffered 27 injuries as he was shaken to death and bitten on the face by his mother's partner, 30-year-old Richard
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Man, 75, attacked after visit to pub
A 75-YEAR-OLD man was left badly shaken and injured after being attacked by robbers. The victim was just a few minutes from his home after returning from the Beamish Mary pub, at No Place, near Stanley, at about 8pm on Sunday, when he was attacked by
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Radio gets dale online
AN Internet-based radio service for rural communities has been launched in the heart of North Yorkshire. Radio Ryedale is aiming to keep residents of the scenic district informed of events and happenings in the area's towns and villages. The service was
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Hear All Sides: CANNABIS
I AM sick of reading different articles about "harmless cannabis". Our youngsters are given the idea that cannabis is cool, relaxing and harmless. From first hand experience, let me tell you otherwise. My 15-year-old daughter decided to try some with
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Show seeks craft entrants
ENTRIES are being invited for the handicrafts exhibition at the Great Aycliffe Show, to be held on June 22 and 23. Organiser Marie Robinson said: "Exhibits come from all ages and once people pluck up the courage to enter their work, they tend to keep
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Time to join the euro zone, urges Nissan chief
Car manufacturing boss John Cushnaghan is expected to give an impassioned speech urging the UK to adopt the euro at a national conference in Sunderland tomorrow. Mr Cushnaghan, managing director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, will outline how the UK's
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Retirement plans will close home
A COUPLE have confirmed they are planning to close their residential home for the elderly as they plan for their own retirement. Keith and Margaret Knight, both active members of the Wensleydale community, run a home in St Matthew's Terrace, Leyburn.
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Sex offender gets extra term in jail
A teenage girl collapsed sobbing when she learned that a man who used to be her babysitter had been jailed for sex offences, a court was told yesterday, Kenneth Walker, 68, even used his walking stick to perform indecent acts on girls. The 19-year-old
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Eggs galore after Easter campaign
HUNDREDS of Easter eggs have been collected as part of the Eggstravaganza 2002 campaign which aims to make Easter more enjoyable for deprived people in the Darlington area. People were asked to buy an extra Easter egg and take it to the collection points
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Charges may be brought over Porton Down experiments
FORMER civil servants at the Government's Porton Down biological weapons centre may face criminal charges in connection with experiments that killed a County Durham man. Police confirmed yesterday that the results of a three-year inquiry into the experiments
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Troubled teenagers to get help in pilot project
A COUNCIL is to look at ways of re-integrating disaffected teenagers into the community. Durham County Council is concerned at the growth of the "carrier bag culture'' - groups of young people who gather at secluded spots to drink alcohol and take drugs
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Wall proposal under attack
A scheme to replace railings around Scarborough's famous Marine Drive with a sea wall has been criticised by conservationists. The project is part of a multi-million pound sea defence scheme planned by Scarborough Borough Council to safeguard the century
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Council jobs axe tribunal resumes
A TRIBUNAL will resume today to decide whether workers were unfairly dismissed from a North-East authority. Middlesbrough Council dismissed 150 workers from its economic development and transportation department in 1998, as part of measures designed to
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Abbey centre hailed 'a triumph, not tragedy'
A VISITOR centre, perched on the darkly atmospheric cliff top which inspired Bram Stoker's horror classic Dracula, is to be unveiled today. Years of work by English Heritage to exploit the cultural lure of Whitby Abbey have come to an end with the launch
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Gives new meaning to hands-on exhibits
THE first stage of a £100,000 revamp of one of the region's flagship tourist attractions was unveiled yesterday. The changes to the World of James Herriot Centre, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, are part of a five-year plan to develop the £1.4m museum for
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Best of the bonnets on parade
ASPIRING designers were commended for their efforts yesterday when the winners of an Easter bonnet contest were revealed. The competition was run by the Bedale branch of the Skipton Building Society and entries judged by local vicar, the Reverend David
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Television tribute to poet and critic
A POET described as the greatest literary critic of his generation, is to be the subject of a BBC documentary. Ian Hamilton, died in December aged 63, after devoting his life to writing as a poet, biographer and critic. He worked as a literary critic
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Churches to hold evening choir concerts
A POPULAR mixed voice choir will be holding two concerts next month. The Carol Andrew Singers, from Darlington, will perform the first of the shows at St Cuthbert's Church, in Billingham, on Good Friday, at 7.30pm. The second concert, will be held in
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Teacher's new sporting role
A college teacher is to take up a senior post at a new sporting centre of excellence. Andy West, lifelong learning manager at Northallerton College, is joining King's Manor School, in Acklam, Middlesbrough, as community and sports development director
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Loyal workers dedicated to novel way of earning a living
FOUR women from Stockton are celebrating a combined 120 years' service at a local firm preserving the age-old craft of bookbinding. For 30 years, Sheila Hurst, Cynthia Boal, Jennifer Clark and Diane Gosling, have worked at Remploy. They have repaired
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When a sobby performance upstages a soggy carpet
Tears and tantrums - and that was just the press. Film Writer Steve Pratt reviews who did what at the Oscars THERE were tears, tantrums and the threat of a punch-up - and that was only in the press line outside the hottest Academy Awards party. Newly-crowned
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Taxis owner is left bleu by delay over engine part
A DESPERATE taxi driver was forced to drive to France to pick up a replacement car part when he was let down by manufacturers. Graham Thorp, 42, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said a delay in getting a Peugeot fuel pump meant he had to make the
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Fiolino on firm footing for success
Fiolino, who loves a slog in the mud, has conditions in his favour and makes plenty of appeal in the Annual Members Handicap Hurdle over three miles and three furlongs at Kelso this afternoon. Mick Easterby's nine-year-old has been in fair form over fences
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Youngsters on track to be good citizens
A POLICE scheme to help primary children to become good citizens has been launched in Durham and Chester-le-Street. Kids on Track, a project established by Durham City Police, has recently announced a new sponsor in ADT Fire and Security, and will continue
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New in brief Woman, 80, is robbery victim
AN 80-year-old woman was robbed at her home in Aintree Gardens, Gateshead, by two teenagers when she answered the door to them at 3.30pm on Saturday. The pair, aged 16 and 18 years, forced their way into her house and knocked her to the ground before
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Courtesy for blind plea to motorists
A CITY'S mayor will be leading by example when he helps guide dog owners and blind and partially-sighted people cope with unexpected hazards today. Sunderland mayor Councillor Ken Murray will be asking motorists to park considerately when leaving their
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A 26-mile thank-you by father
A SOLICITOR whose daughter suffered from meningitis as a baby, is taking part in the London marathon to raise money for research into the illness. And David Shorrocks, of Carlton Miniott, Thirsk, is offering a free will to anyone who sponsors him for
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Business news in brief: Honeyman's £500,000 job
HONEYMAN Water Limited, of Barnard Castle, has won a £500,000 deal to design and build a pharmaceutical grade water and clean steam system for the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. The system will be part of a separately-operated pharmaceutical manufacturing
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Compromise lets care home move go ahead at last
THE on-off move of 30 pensioners from a Spennymoor care home took a fresh twist yesterday after a deal was reached over a temporary transfer. Staff and residents at Moor Grange were ready to move to a new home in Meadowfield when the deal fell through
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Youth in court over swearing incident
A TEENAGER has admitted swearing at a neighbour, breaching an anti-social behaviour order imposed 15 months ago. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday. The court heard that a neighbour had been
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Fundraising on timetable
CHILDREN from Yarm Preparatory School have been raising money for good causes over the last few weeks. Youngsters have been putting in more than their usual quote of musical instrument practice, taking part in a marathon effort for the Sargent Cancer
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Police probe woman's terror campaign claims
POLICE and housing officials are investigating a woman's claims that she suffered a six- month campaign of terror. Sarah Matthews, of Tilery, Stockton, has had her windows smashed, fireworks thrown at her puppy, and is verbally abused and threatened in
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Food for thought at festival
HOME-GROWN produce will be the dish of the day at the region's biggest food festival this weekend. Experts from across the region will meet at the Northumbria Food Festival to sell produce prepared on their farms and businesses. Among the exhibitors will
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Time is running out for views on road toll idea
drivers have two weeks to give their views on a proposed £2 road toll for a North-East city. Durham County Council has approved a scheme to charge drivers to use Saddler Street, which leads from Durham Market Place to the peninsula and includes the World
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Cash boost for dinosaur coast
A PROJECT which explores the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth has been given a cash boost. The Dinosaur Coast Project has been awarded a National Lottery grant to continue and expand its work. It means the project has cash to finance 32 initiatives
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In danger of letting our guard down
'I LIKE it when you give us articles about funny goings on in the Church of England, but why do you keep writing about terrorism?" A reader wrote those words to me this week. It would be a fool of a writer who ignored the views of his readers, but the
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Boom in growth for direct mail firm
A Direct mailing company is set to double its workforce within a year. Direct Solutions International (DSI) is looking to add 50 staff to its current workforce of 100 immediately, with further jobs later in the year. The Jarrow, South Tyneside business
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Nicola's up and running
A North-East woman has written a poem about her fight against cancer to encourage others battling with the disease. Women's Editor Christen Pears speaks to her CHRISTINE Ridley Henderson has been diagnosed with cancer three times in the last six years
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Festival stage success
An amateur dramatics group is celebrating acting success following its appearance at a recent festival. Six actors from Shildon's Centre Stage took part in the Saltburn Drama Festival with their version of Evelyn Hood's comedy Victorian melodrama Curses
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News in brief: Gunman flees empty-handed
A shop raider was being hunted by police last night. The masked man who threatened an off-licence assistant with a handgun, fled empty-handed when his noisy and unsuccessful attempts at opening the till brought a second shop worker from the back of the
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Police reopen unsolved rape case
A sex attacker who was jailed for trying to rape an 87-year-old grandmother could be quizzed by police over the unsolved rape of a pensioner, six years ago. Police have reopened the mystery Sunderland case just days after 27-year-old builder's labourer
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Jobs axe tribunal resumes
A TRIBUNAL will resume today to decide whether workers were unfairly dismissed from a North-East authority which axed 150 jobs as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Middlesbrough Council dismissed the workers from its economic development and transportation
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Under-fire Reid set to splash out
Sunderland manager Peter Reid looks set to make a last, desperate plunge into the transfer market before Thursday's deadline. And the Wearside boss is believed to be still searching for a proven goalscorer in a bid to shoot his way out of deepening relegation
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Pledge to track down litter louts after danger tip find
THE leader of Middlesbrough Council has vowed to crack down on litter louts after discovering two huge piles of "dangerous" rubbish dumped over the weekend. Councillor Ken Walker said he was left "absolutely fuming" after finding mattresses, armchairs
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To market, to market, no trouble at all...
Ferryhill Town Centre IT hopefully goes without saying that all invitations to visit towns locally are gratefully received. I will respond to these by aiming to visit them all wherever possible over the coming months. Such an invitation arrived from Jamie
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Police issue warning after sex attack
Police are warning women walking on Durham's riverbanks to beware following a daylight sex attack. The warning comes after an unnamed 20-year-old from the city was indecently assaulted on Prebends Bridge on Monday lunchtime. The attack, which left the
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In praise of all-seater services
It is all too easy to overlook the locations in which day-to-day activities are held; the activities that make up the more essential parts of our lives. They are essential, perhaps, because our children rely on them; we need them for social contact and
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Job Search 2002
MORE details about the jobs below are available from the Employment Service Direct on (0845) 606 0234. Leisure club supervisor, £4.53ph, 5 days over 7 on rota. Required for hotel leisure club. Must be aware of Health and Safety regulations and hold first-aid
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Firm is fined £12,000 after contractor's platform plunge
AN engineering firm has been fined £12,000 after a contractor was knocked from a five metre high platform, magistrates heard yesterday. Donald Kidd suffered broken bones and was badly bruised after an overhead crane knocked into a platform he was standing
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The simple ambitions of a life-long Quakers fan
Beneath inarguable headlines like "No pity for a dying man", the Mail on Sunday two days ago devoted a page and a half to the plight of lifelong Darlington FC fan Geoff Wedge. The Quakers' present problems, it should at once be said, have nothing to do
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Mallon puts council funds at top of mayoral agenda
RAY Mallon unveiled his election manifesto yesterday with pledges to cut crime, spend on education and get rid of Middlesbrough's cloth cap image. The former head of Middlesbrough CID launched his bid to become the town's first elected mayor with a speech
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Clubber injured in street battle
RIVAL groups fought a pitched battle in the streets outside a nightclub, which left one man needing plastic surgery. The fight, which was between rival gangs of men and women from Consett and the Highfield area of Rowlands Gill, started at the 70s City
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Deliver us from this silliness
I HAVE sat through the Church of England's touchy feely new Common Worship marriage service and squirmed with embarrassment as the priest prayed that the couple, "be tender with each other's dreams". There ought to be an added rubric in the margin at
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Shooting down the war on crime
IT'S getting rather like the Wild West down here in London. The Home Office has just announced there were three times as many shootings last year as the year before - a colossal increase from 322 to 939. Handguns were banned, you remember, in 1996 following
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How could they rob a woman of103?
A FRAIL 103-year-old woman has become the latest victim of an alarming crime trend in which crooks prey upon the elderly and vulnerable. Two thieves were last night branded as "without remorse" for stealing £100 from the pensioner's purse after offering
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Tearing down religious standards
SOMETHING very nasty has happened in our church. Last week, I went in to conduct the Friday lunchtime service and discovered that the flag was missing. This is not just any old flag. It is the Colour of the Stock Exchange Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers
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Creating an East End moll
Soap characters have a habit of going out of one scene and coming back looking completely different. The latest to undergo a head transplant is Sam Butcher in Eastenders WHEN Albert Square's Peggy Butcher went to Spain for the funeral of missing husband
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Toon with a view
ONE of the posh Sunday papers, which must not be confused with the tosh Sunday papers, published two weekends ago a guide to 200 of Britain's best bars, staggered across 15 cities. Newcastle, alone in the North-East, was on the sybaritic circuit. There
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Eating Owt : Toon with a view
ONE of the posh Sunday papers, which must not be confused with the tosh Sunday papers, published two weekends ago a guide to 200 of Britain's best bars, staggered across 15 cities. Newcastle, alone in the North-East, was on the sybaritic circuit. There
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Arriva to pay for misery
ARRIVA Trains Northern last night finally paid the price for months of misery on the region's railways. A £2m fine on the beleaguered train operator - for slashing its timetable due to a shortage of drivers - was originally imposed in October. But the
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Darlington supporters pledge to help keeper
Dedicated Darlington fans have rallied-round to fund the wages of new goalkeeper Chris Porter. He signed a pay-as-you-play deal last Friday and kept a clean sheet just 24 hours later in the draw with Swansea. But chairman George Reynolds is very reluctant
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'Play-offs still in our sights' insists Westwood
CHRIS Westwood last night refused to give up hope of Hartlepool United securing a Third Division play-off place. Eleventh-placed Pool lie seven points adrift of Rushden and Diamonds in seventh with just five games to go. And while many believe a top seven
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Boksic delight at turnaround
ALEN BOKSIC has spoken of the humiliation he felt at Middlesbrough last season as the club struggled to preserve their Premiership status under Bryan Robson. The Croatian striker was the toast of Teesside on Saturday night after scoring the goal that
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Big names help boost House of Fraser
Australian model Elle Macpherson and fashion designer Paul Smith helped boost profits at House of Fraser over the last year. The department store group, which owns the Binns store in Darlington, said pre-tax profits for the year to January 26, rose 44
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Youngsters get their charity skates on
SUPERMARKET customers got the chance to skate for charity yesterday. The Asda store, in Whinbush Way, Darlington, had a mobile ice skating rink in its car park to raise money for St Teresa's Hospice. A supermarket spokesman said: "We raised £164 and it's
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Snarling murderer's threat to mother
A BABY killer snarled a threat to the distraught mother of his victim as he was led away to begin a life sentence behind bars. Jake Baxter suffered 27 injuries as he was shaken to death and bitten on the face by his mother's partner, 30-year-old Richard
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Challenge goes out to walkers
The Northumbria Long Distance Walkers are looking for 400 walkers and runners to join in their Durham Dales Challenge trek on June 30. Starting from Wolsingham School and Community College, in Weardale, the challengers have to navigate between seven checkpoints
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Council jobs axe tribunal resumes
A TRIBUNAL will resume today to decide whether workers were unfairly dismissed from a North-East authority. Middlesbrough Council dismissed 150 workers from its economic development and transportation department in 1998, as part of measures designed to
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Shop approval is criticised
SIGNS of the times have been ruffling feathers for a civic watchdog aiming to keep a tight rein on advertising slogans, signs and shopfronts not in keeping with a town's upmarket image. Harrogate's James Street has come under the spotlight of Harrogate
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Fines for street mess pests double to £50
IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners and litterbugs are in for a shock with an increase in spot fines in the Sedgefield borough. The penalty for people who allow their dogs to foul, or who discard rubbish, is to double from £25 to £50 from next Monday. Officers at
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News in brief: Churches host choir concerts
A POPULAR mixed voice choir will be holding two concerts next month. The Carol Andrew Singers, from Darlington, will perform the first of the shows at St Cuthbert's Church, in Billingham, on Good Friday, at 7.30pm. The second concert, will be held in
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Crash driver injured
A DRIVER had a lucky escape after his Fiat Brava car left the A1 in North Yorkshire, and ploughed through saplings on an embankment before coming to a halt. The accident happened on the northbound carriageway near Kirkby Fleetham, a mile south of Catterick
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Pupils ready to help
YOUNGSTERS from across the country are to have a great holiday thanks to the hard work of a group of Darlington students. A group of 35 students and staff from Carmel RC Technology College will set off on their annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Lourdes
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Night to remember as spotlight falls on the young ones
THE achievements of scores of young people were celebrated at a prestigious awards ceremony last night. The first Positive Young People Awards were held at Darlington Civic Theatre, compered by the editor of The Northern Echo, Peter Barron, and member
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New library to host fun events
A SERIES of activities are being held to mark the opening of a new library in an East Durham village. Durham County Council's library, next to the community centre at Wingate, is staging free events for children and adults which started yesterday and
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Residents act to stop the dealers
THE campaign to get drug dealers off the streets of Darlington is continuing to attract support from people in the town. There have been 90 calls to Crimestoppers since the Rat on a Rat initiative was launched three weeks ago. Police in Darlington have
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Children grin and bear it with sweet treats
EASTER came early for youngsters who use a resource centre in Houghton-le-Spring. Cable company NTL Home donated hundreds of chocolate eggs to children at the creche in the Houghton Racecourse Community Access Point. The treats were handed out yesterday
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Focus on drug abuse in youth justice plan
DRUG and alcohol abuse are being given a high priority in Darlington's Youth Justice Plan for the next three years. Councillor Bill Dixon, cabinet member with special responsibility for social issues, told councillors: "Unless we tackle the problems of
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Tribute to ambassador
FORMER Lord Lieutenant of Durham David Grant has died, at the age of 80. Businessman Mr Grant was the chairman of Darchem, Darlington, between 1963 and 1992. He was Lord Lieutenant of the area for nine years. In 1980, Mr Grant was awarded a CBE, which
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Closures 'not a disaster' ex-mayor tells traders
A FORMER mayor of a North Yorkshire community is urging businesses not to panic at the closure of two shops n the town centre. Richmond's only cobbler's shop is expected to shut within the next few days. National rationalisation is understood to be the
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Medical row baby back with parents
A DISFIGURED baby at the centre of a legal row over her medical treatment has been returned to the care of her parents. Three-month-old Maria Rafi, who was born with half a face, was the subject of court proceedings after her parents, Suzanne Taylor and
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News in brief, Recycling in aid of animals
AN animal rescue centre is appealing for people to save their printer, toner and laser cartridges to help boost funds. Farplace Animal Rescue in Westgate, Weardale, is able to collect and recycle the used equipment to raise money for the work it carries
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Bid to clear roads for Easter travel
MOTORISTS are being told to look forward to a trouble-free Easter Bank Holiday on Britain's roads. The Highways Agency has announced that, wherever possible, roadworks will be stopped over the holiday period to minimise disruption. Restrictions will only
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Police authority chief announces retirement
A COUNCILLOR is to stand down today as chairman of Northumbria Police Authority. Councillor George Gill, who has led the police authority since joining it in 1985, will be retiring from Gateshead Borough Council at May's local government elections because
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Railways artist goes solo at 75
AFTER a lifetime of travelling and painting, railway artist Roy Wilson is staging his first solo exhibition at the age of 75. More than 40 of his paintings and sketches will go on display at the National Railway Museum, in York, over Easter - including
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Festive drinking binge led to death
A MAN drank himself to death, following a festive binge, an inquest was told. A verdict of misadventure was recorded on the death of unemployed 49-year-old David Arundel Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield said death had followed consumption of an "acute
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Half a century of golden memories
A FERRYHILL couple have celebrated half a century of married life. Richard and Sylvia Tonge were married at St Aidan's Church, Chilton, on March 22, 1952. Mr Tonge, 77, was a miner from the age of 14 and spent 31 years in the collieries at Mainsforth,
