Archive

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On TV last night

The Shield (five) Hitler's Children (C4) THE rule with TV cop shows is that the new captain must be an outsider, who'll offend officers that have been passed over and come in like a new broom to clean up any dirty business in the department. The potential

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Marton maintain challenge after run feast

Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Marton maintained the pressure on leaders Thornaby with a near-200 run victory at Bedale. A first-wicket partnership of 171 between Chris Lane (101 not out) and Graham Shaw (117) laid the foundations

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Guilding the Lillians

THE lights are on in Northumbria University's Lipman Theatre, illuminating swathes of green and blue fishermen's netting. The women rehearsing for their show are all members of the Guild of Lillians, a new theatre group set up to give a platform for women's

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Murton crushed

Durham Coast League: Castle Eden considerably improved their chances of winning the championship when they sent rivals Murton crashing to only 44 all out on Saturday. It was Murton's first defeat of the season. Runs were in short supply throughout but

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Teenagers hunted after sex assault

TWO teenagers are being hunted after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted. The two males, riding bikes, approached the girl and an 11-year-old friend in Fairfield Road, Stockton, near St Joseph's Primary School. They followed the girls to a shop

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Councillors are last hope for family in search of new home

A CUT-PRICE land deal being put to councillors could mean a desperately-needed new home for a family with two disabled boys. The boys, Jake and James Howes, will be in Wear Valley's council chamber at Crook, County Durham, on Wednesday, hoping members

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My life of fear as Saddam's doctor

Dr Ala Bashir was one of Saddam Hussein's inner circle. As the Iraqi dictator's personal physician, he was many of the regime's horrors, and now he has written about his experiences in a new book. Hannah Stephenson meets the man who knew everything, from

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New blood needed before Shearer can take back seat

ALWAYS one to voice his frustration when named as a substitute in the past, Alan Shearer is ready to accept the support role on a more frequent basis this season. The problem with his admission is that Newcastle have no-one to fill the talismanic captain's

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MSA British Championship

JUST champion - that was delighted Darlington driver Paul Swift this week after winning the MSA British Autotest Championship for the second successive year, writes Matt Westcott. And, to cap a memorable weekend, the talented Team Carpet Time star scored

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Vineyard owners raise a glass to their teetotal ancestors

A TEAM of family history experts at a small museum has helped forge a remarkable link between a dales community and a vineyard in Australia. Villagers at Westgate, in Weardale, County Durham, now know they can taste a tipple of Westgate wine if they are

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Durham Diary

IT'S a remarkable fact that the three second innings double centuries scored against Durham have all been by Derbyshire players. It began with Mohammad Azharuddin at Chesterfield in 1994, when Durham made 625 for six (Mark Saxelby 181) and Derbyshire

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Thousands of trees planted as woodland park develops

MORE than 12,000 trees have been planted as part of a project to open up an area of woodland to the public. The five-hectare site at Wynyard was opened in a joint venture between Tees Forest and Cameron Hall Developments, owned by North-East entrpreneur

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Magistrate steps down from bench

A SENIOR magistrate from the North-East has marked his retirement at a ceremony. David Irwin, left, who was appointed as a JP shortly before the local government shake-up in 1974, has stepped down from his role. Mr Irwin, who lives in Darlington, served

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Public enjoys open day fundraiser at care home

THE grounds of an attractive, historic residential home opened to the public for a popular annual fundraising event at the weekend. Christ's Hospital, also known as Sherburn Hospital, at Sherburn House, near Durham, was a church-built medieval leper colony

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Group signs up two new members

A CONSERVATION and landscape group has elected two new members. They joined the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership at the annual forum, which was held at Melmerby Village Hall. Botanist Maggie Keyte's interests cover landscape

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Expansion as Age Concern opens centre

AGE Concern County Durham has opened a new centre in Chilton. The move came because of an expansion in services and an increase in staff and volunteer numbers. Sedgefield borough mayor, Councillor Jackie Piggott, officially opened the premises at Rosewood

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Dutchman offered contract after classy first-half show

ON trial defender Shelton Martis may have had less than 45 minutes to impress at the weekend, but the Dutchman may have done enough alreadyto earn a permanent move to Darlington. While Saturday's bomb scare at the Williamson Motors Stadium may have brought

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Mayor seeks to clean up as squad moves in

STREETS near a town centre will be cleaned up today. Council workers will move in to tidy up streets in the Grange ward area of Hartlepool in a week-long scheme which is part of the authority's Operation Clean Sweep initiative. They will target mainly

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Sayers' ton helps seal victory

YORKSHIRE reached the magical figure of 400 to beat Leicestershire by six wickets on Saturday. They picked up 17 points from a game in which they had earlier failed to gain a single batting bonus point - the second time they have managed the feat this

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Cash crisis denied by senior clergy

SENIOR clergy in North Yorkshire have described as "nonsense" suggestions that the Church of England is facing a financial crisis and planning to cut 3,000 posts. In the August issue of the Ripon and Leeds Diocese newsletter, a statement dismisses the

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Appeal to traders in bloom judging

TRADERS are being urged to help a city's chances in an important environmental competition by decorating their shop windows. Judges for Britain in Bloom will run the rule over Durham on Thursday, August 4, and the Durham City Forum hopes that some eye-catching

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Showman's trip to Palace

A PROMINENT showman and his family shared a day to remember at a Royal Garden Party in London. John Culine, his wife, Davinia, and youngest daughter, Claudia, were among 8,000 people invited by the Queen to Buckingham Palace. Prince Philip, Prince Charles

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Plans for new campus take a step forward

PLANS to extend the University of Teesside by creating a campus in Hartlepool have moved a step closer after local councillors agreed to free up land. The Hartlepool councillors accepted a proposal to use the Albert Street car park, off Stockton Street

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Festival is streets ahead when it comes to having fun

A HOST of entertainers took to the streets at the weekend for one of the star attractions of Darlington Festival 05. The Street Theatre Day saw some of the country's finest outdoor performers descend on the Market Square and High Row on Saturday. Shoppers

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More than 100 people a day visit walk-in medical centre

NEARLY 17,000 people have been treated at Darlington's walk-in medical centre in its first six months - making the facility one of the busiest in the country. An average of more than 100 people a day visit the clinic in Dr Piper House, on the ground floor

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Guilding the Lillians

A guild of theatre producers is giving a voice and platform for women's talents in the North-East. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings reports. THE lights are on in Northumbria University's Lipman Theatre, illuminating swathes of green and blue fishermen's

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Embroidery on display

A NORTH Yorkshire church is opening its door to the public for a two-part exhibition. The Victorian church at Baldersby St James, near Thirsk, is hosting an exhibition of fine church embroideries, including a magnificent new altar kneeler. The Memorial

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Police and residents oppose longer hours for theme bar

A THEME bar is again facing objections from residents and the police as it seeks to stay open even later. Walkabout, in the former Robins Cinema in North Road, Durham, is applying to Durham City Council to extend its licence from 2am to 2.30am Mondays

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Pupils study crime and safety

YOUNGSTERS at two secondary schools have completed a crime and safety study. The pupils, from Stokesley and Bedale, took part in a programme called Crime Challenges, run by the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership. They studied anti-social behaviour

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Ibiza party as reward

AN award-winning team of hairdressers has been celebrating success with style - on the party island of Ibiza. The Northallerton salon of Saks picked up the L'Oral Salon Award at the group's annual Saks National Awards earlier this year. The prize was

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More than £200,000 paid in unclaimed benefits

MORE than £215,000 in unclaimed benefits has been handed out following a project to increase awareness. More than 100 people in west Middlesbrough received a share of the windfall. The payments follow a year- long campaign by West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood

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Man's lake rescue leads to warnings over waterways

FIRE chiefs have issued a warning to people about the dangers of swimming in inland waterways after a man became trapped on an island. Cleveland Fire Brigade recently bought a water rescue vehicle for its station in Thornaby, and the specialist team there

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Roman past uncovered by archaeologists

PROFESSIONAL archaeologists, scholars and amateur historians have teamed up to uncover the mysteries of a community's Roman roots. Digging near Sedgefield, County Durham, had a high-profile launch three years ago when celebrities from Channel 4's Time

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No ducking out for vicar

WITH ducks not featuring largely in the Bible, Father Gary Nicholson was short of heavenly guidance for his Sunday afternoon task. The Coundon vicar struggled to control the 600 wayward plastic yellow birds he floated down the River Gaunless near the

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Traders call for action after vandals attack their shops

TRADERS are demanding that security is stepped up in a town after vandals attacked shops and businesses. A number of shops in Willington High Street have had windows smashed or graffiti daubed across their walls in the latest attacks. Several shops in

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Yellow Brick Road leads to a wizard day out

YOUNG and old alike stepped out in fancy dress to help raise money for a North-East children's charity yesterday. The 14th Yellow Brick Road Walk was reason enough for young walkers to don appropriate Wizard of Oz costumes. Outfits included everything

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Hub for park unveiled

A NEW building which is to become the hub of community activities in a popular park was opened at the weekend. The building in Woodhouse Park, Peterlee, will initially act as a base for the gardening group at the nearby Shinwell Centre - a day service

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Barbara jumps to it for charity

A COUNCILLOR's parachute jump raised £1,000 for the Heart Research charity. Redcar and Cleveland borough councillor Barbara Harpham did the 13,000ft tandem jump with the Red Devils. She said: "I've had great support from my council colleagues. I think

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Pub revives ancient game

A GAME from the past is helping build for the future at a North Yorkshire pub. The Travellers Rest at Skeeby, near Richmond, has reintroduced quoits, a game that can trace its roots back to the 1300s. When Michael and Joyce Robinson took over the pub

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Success of hanging basket scheme

COMMUNITY leaders are hoping to expand a project aiming to encourage residents to spruce up part of Darlington. The Green Streets scheme, run by Northgate Community Partnership, was launched last year. It has seen bird boxes and hanging baskets installed

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Mains work will interrupt water supply

VILLAGERS have been warned of disruption while work is carried out to improve water supply to a largely rural community. Northumbrian Water is to renew about 19 miles of water mains, serving Esh Winning and neighbouring areas of the Deerness Valley, west

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Marton maintain challenge after run feast

Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Division One: Marton maintained the pressure on leaders Thornaby with a near-200 run victory at Bedale. A first-wicket partnership of 171 between Chris Lane (101 not out) and Graham Shaw (117) laid the foundations

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Residents' ideas come to fruition

A TOTAL of £200,000 is to be spent on projects improving public open spaces in Middlesbrough. The seven projects will include tree and wildflower planting and the installation of benches, bins and information boards at Pallister Beck Valley and the creation

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Vigilance needed over cold calls

COLD callers wrongly claiming to offer security services as part of a Government-backed scheme are targeting residents in Teesside. Stockton council's trading standards unit has warned people to be vigilant after a spate of calls to residents in Billingham

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Esh edge victory in thriller

The Readers Durham County League: Esh Winning lost for only the third time on Friday night. One of those defeats was against Hylton early season and although they gained revenge on Saturday, it was a mighty close call, writes Malcolm Pratt. At the end

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Bingo hall customers urged to consider fire safety checks

FIRE brigade officers visited a bingo hall to promote free home safety checks. Safety officers from Cleveland Fire Brigade went to the Majestic Bingo Hall, in Longlands Road, Middlesbrough. The visit was part of a long-term campaign to cut house fires

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Ryan feeling Champion leading Evolution

CASTLETON'S Ryan Champion leads the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge following victory in round five of the series, the Jim Clark Memorial Rally last weekend. The 30-year-old North Yorkshire driver, and co-driver Craig Thorley, finished the event

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Gift is part of the furniture

A MUSEUM'S French connection has been strengthened by the gift of 18th Century furniture from an art charity. Built in the style of a chateau, Bowes Museum, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, has been given two carved giltwood settees and six armchairs

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Dutchman offered contract after classy first-half show

ON trial defender Shelton Martis may have had less than 45 minutes to impress at the weekend, but the Dutchman may have done enough alreadyto earn a permanent move to Darlington. While Saturday's bomb scare at the Williamson Motors Stadium may have brought

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Big guns set for Irish battle

Derby hero Motivator will have his next start in the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes, setting up a fascinating clash with Saturday's brilliant King George winner Azamour. Harry Herbert, racing manager to Motivator's owners the Royal Ascot Racing Club, has

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Police seek man in hoax bomb call case

Detectives hunting the hoax caller who sparked the mass evacuation of a North-East football stadium have issued a description of a man they want to question. The friendly match between Darlington and Middlesbrough, at the Quakers' Williamson Motors Stadium

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Pollution blamed as thousands of fish are killed

ENVIRONMENT chiefs confirmed last night that a river had been polluted, causing the deaths of thousands of fish. Up to 3,000 minnows, as well as trout and dace, were discovered in the River Skerne, between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe, County Durham

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Return to hurdles will suit Plenty Courage

NO problems about recommending a banker bet at Sedgefield because Plenty Courage (3.00) has the ideal profile to take the John Wade Selling Handicap Hurdle. It's easy to forgive Plenty Courage's latest flop over fences at Perth seeing as the diminutive

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25/07/05

WRONG MOVE: THE "A Town On The Move" campaign is of importance to us all and it is right that Darlington Council should keep the people informed about what is happening. I was, however, shocked to receive a letter bearing a second class stamp telling

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Comment from The Northern Echo: Making the Tube a safer place

OUR thoughts go out to the family of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent young man gunned down as a suspected suicide bomber. And our thoughts too, are with the brave under-cover officer who pulled the trigger. How he must feel today now knowing

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Saltburn title charge draws to a halt at Richmondshire

Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League Premier Division: Battling Richmondshire drew a halt to Saltburn's charge towards the championship when they held their illustrious rivals on Saturday, writes Malcolm Pratt. The Seasiders, in outstanding

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Singer to star in charity

OPERA singer Suzannah Clarke will top the bill at a fundraising concert for the British Red Cross later this year. The Teesside-born star, who has sung at leading opera houses round the world, has agreed to perform in the show at the Gala Theatre, in

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Inquiries continuing into disgraced former surgeon

DETECTIVES have confirmed that the second investigation into disgraced surgeon Richard Neale is continuing as it reaches its first anniversary. The inquiry, involving a six-strong team of detectives and support workers, was started in July last year.

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A new captain on the scene

The Shield (five); Hitler's Children (C4): THE rule with TV cop shows is that the new captain must be an outsider, who'll offend officers that have been passed over and come in like a new broom to clean up any dirty business in the department. The potential

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Food festival cooks up a spicy treat for museum visitors

COOKERY, culture and crafts drew thousands of visitors to a museum over the weekend. Crowds at the Teesdale Food and Craft Festival at Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, sampled the best of the region's farm-fresh food, pickles, preserves, cheeses

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Kids blamed for fires at old stadium

Children have been blamed for lighting fires at a derelict football stadium. In recent weeks, fire crews have been called out regularly to put out fires at Feethams in Darlington. The latest incident happened yesterday afternoon at the former home of

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Storm edges closer to Seve Trophy after superb finish

GRAEME Storm did his chances of sneeking into the Seve Trophy team no harm at all by claiming another £70,000 at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Hamburg. Storm finished fifth at Gut Kaden after an outstanding final day when he shot eight under par for

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Call box clue in hunt for hoaxer

POLICE were last night continuing the hunt for the hoax caller whose bomb threat sparked the evacuation of thousands of fans from a football stadium. The friendly between Darlington and Middlesbrough, at the Quakers' Williamson Motors Stadium, was cut

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Veteran turned water chief dies, aged 86

A WAR veteran who later became responsible for the water supply for hundreds of thousands of people has died at the age of 86. Cy Read, a former chief engineer with York Waterworks, served in the Royal Engineers with the Eighth Army and saw action at

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Phoenix crash to third defeat after mauling by Bears

Yorkshire Phoenix crashed to their third consecutive Totesport League defeat when they were comprehensively outplayed by Warwickshire Bears who beat them by seven wickets at Scarborough yesterday. It was a particularly disappointing display in front of

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Holidaymakers tell of bomb blast terror at Red Sea resort

A NORTH-EAST couple whose Egyptian hotel room was 100 yards from the terror blasts that killed at least 63 people were back home safe and sound last night. The couple, from South Shields, South Tyneside, took a mercy flight with other tourists who spoke

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Grateful newly-weds help hospital

KIND-HEARTED newly-weds Bob and Caroline Stirling used their nuptials to raise more than £2,000 for a North-East hospital. The pair asked wedding guests for donations instead of presents and the money went to the cardiothoracic unit at James Cook University

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Floral tribute for war's 60th anniversary

A FLORAL display marking the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War was officially unveiled at a prominent gateway to a city centre yesterday. The colourful display depicting the Ministry of Defence floral badge was created by parks and gardens

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Countryside comes to town

THOUSANDS of visitors flocked to a North-East park this weekend to see the countryside come to town. Stewart Park, in Middlesbrough, hosted the annual Cleveland Show, an agricultural event featuring farm animals and horticulture of all descriptions. The

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Speedway may return to Teesside

The roar of the speedway track could be making a long awaited return to Teesside. Redcar and Cleveland Council is in talks with promoters to bring the sport back to a new track on the South Tees Motorsports Park at South Bank. Officers and representatives

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Call for a smoke-free workplace

REGIONAL health bosses have urged the Government to introduce a total ban on smoking in the workplace. Under current proposals, a ban would not include pubs where pre-prepared food is served and private clubs. But regional experts have told the Government

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New blood needed before Shearer can take back seat

ALWAYS one to voice his frustration when named as a substitute in the past, Alan Shearer is ready to accept the support role on a more frequent basis this season. The problem with his admission is that Newcastle have no-one to fill the talismanic captain's

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Cheers for William, a royal star

TALL Ships fever reached a peak on the Tyne as some of the biggest vessels taking part in the race arrived on the river yesterday. Thousands lined the banks of the Tyne to cheer as several spectacular ships sailed along the river, completing the leg from

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Sea sounds celebrate race

A PROJECT devoted to the North-East's musical heritage has produced a DVD and a CD to celebrate the Tall Ships Race. The Northumbria Anthology, which has issued a series of discs of folk and music hall songs, tells the story of the region's maritime history

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New tests could pinpoint killer

One of Britain's foremost forensic experts has been called in to lead a new series of laboratory tests that could pinpoint the killer of housewife Ann Heron. Mrs Heron's body was found at her Aeolian House home, on the edge of Darlington, in August 1990

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Praise from on high for Bowyer

NEWCASTLE UNITED'S manager and captain have joined forces to back Lee Bowyer's bid to make amends for past mistakes at St James' Park. Bowyer had looked set to move this summer after chairman Freddy Shepherd granted the player permission to speak to Birmingham

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Roman past uncovered by archaeologists

PROFESSIONAL archaeologists, scholars and amateur historians have teamed up to uncover the mysteries of a community's Roman roots. Digging near Sedgefield, County Durham, had a high-profile launch three years ago when celebrities from Channel 4's Time

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Tree protection group shares award honours

A COMMUNITY group working to halt the decline of Teesdale's native trees has shared one of the top honours in a programme of conservation awards. Trees for Cotherstone, which has planted more than 100 field trees on four sites around the village, was

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Magistrate marks his last day

A SENIOR magistrate from the North-East has marked his retirement at a ceremony. David Irwin, who was appointed as a JP shortly before the local government shake-up in 1974, has stepped down from his role. Mr Irwin, who lives in Darlington, served as

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War memorabilia wanted for display

ORGANISERS of a nostalgic event paying tribute to the Aycliffe Angels are appealing for help to stage a wartime display. Lucy Thompson and Ann Symons, from Coundon, were given £7,850 from the Home Front Recall Lottery fund to put on an afternoon tea party

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Canoeists' rapid path to qualification

STUDENTS from Darlington College of Technology took the plunge when learning about white water safety and rescue on the River Tees. Five young canoeists successfully negotiated the treacherous dog leg at Salmon Leap Falls, before venturing over the top

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Elderly care in the spotlight

OLDER people in County Durham have the chance to say how they think the care services provided for them should develop. All Our Tomorrows, at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Carrville, Durham, on Thursday, will bring together users, carers and professionals to

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Council to buy extra refuse wagon

WEAR Valley district councillors have agreed to add an extra refuse wagon to their fleet. The £25,000 vehicle is needed because the council's spare wagon is already used by its wheelie bin collection service and hiring in cover costs £1,100 a week. Brian

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Opportunity to snap at

DURHAM teenagers are to get a lesson in digital photography from a photographer featured on television. Neil Atkinson, presenter of Tyne Tees TV's A Moment in Time, is to give a lesson to about a dozen 16-year-olds from local schools at the Durham branch

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Library opens after £30,000 refurbishment

A £30,000 refurbishment has brought a new look and name to part of Darlington's main library. The children's area, part of Crown Street Library, has undergone major changes and, from today, will be known as The Word. Different zones have been created

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Cycle training instruction centre set up

ASPIRING cycle instructors will soon be able to receive their training in Darlington. The borough council's road safety team has been working towards national accreditation as a cycle instructor training centre for the past year. It is now the only authority

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Fans get a chance to quiz FA officials

FOOTBALL supporters can quiz FA officials at a forum in the North-East tomorrow. The event should prove of interest to England fans hoping to travel to the World Cup in Germany next summer. Two representatives from FA headquarters will be guest speakers

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Food festival cooks up a spicy treat for museum visitors

COOKERY, culture and crafts drew thousands of visitors to a museum over the weekend. Crowds at the Teesdale Food and Craft Festival at Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham, sampled the best of the region's farm-fresh food, pickles, preserves, cheeses

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Rider crushed under horse vows to repay her rescuers

A KEEN horsewoman is back in the saddle only months after a potentially life-threatening fall. Now, Marian Coutts is keen to repay the North-East Air Ambulance Service, which she believes probably saved her life. Miss Coutts astounded doctors by her speedy

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Yellow Brick Road leads to a wizard day out

YOUNG and old alike stepped out in fancy dress to help raise money for a North-East children's charity yesterday. The 14th Yellow Brick Road Walk was reason enough for young walkers to don appropriate Wizard of Oz costumes. Outfits included everything

Date

Gift is part of the furniture

A MUSEUM'S French connection has been strengthened by the gift of 18th Century furniture from an art charity. Built in the style of a chateau, Bowes Museum, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, has been given two carved giltwood settees and six armchairs

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Cheers for William, a royal star

TALL Ships fever reached a peak on the Tyne as some of the biggest vessels taking part in the race arrived on the river yesterday. Thousands lined the banks of the Tyne to cheer as several spectacular ships sailed along the river, completing the leg from

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Grace makes her name in Navy onboard christening ceremony

A LONG-STANDING Royal Naval tradition was performed amid the excitement of the impending Tall Ships Festival on the Tyne, at the weekend. While most attention was paid to the spectacular tall ships arriving on the river, a customary Navy christening was

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Popular teacher retires

A POPULAR teacher has said farewell to the school he has served for 33 years. David Pattinson, the assistant headteacher of Alderman Leach Primary School, in Darlington, has retired. A special assembly was held on Friday and included a short play written

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Special needs housing opens

A NEW housing development designed for people with learning disabilities opens this week. Tyne Tees TV weatherman Bob Johnson is to perform the honours at the opening of Shelley Close, a supported housing scheme, in Stanley, County Durham, on Thursday

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Attractions under study

SEASIDE attractions on the Yorkshire coast are to come under the spotlight as part of an efficiency drive by Scarborough Borough Council. The aim, says director of operations David Archer, is to get the best value for council taxpayers. The project will

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Training puts managers on track for success

RAILWAY managers are on the right track for success after being awarded management qualifications designed improve their business performance. Thirty-six managers with GNER graduated this month with certificates or diplomas in management studies from

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Rape claim prompts appeal over taxis

ADVICE has been issued to travellers using taxis following an allegation of rape. Hartlepool Borough Council said the report of a woman being raped by a cabbie in Newcastle last week should serve as a reminder to residents to use bona fide taxis. Karen

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Whitburn cut Lyons lead at the top to seven points

Foster's Durham Senior League: Whitburn and Eppleton retained a strong interest in the championship race when both of them emerged victorious, writes Bob Gidney. With Hetton Lyons only managing to draw they find themselves just seven points ahead of Whitburn

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War veteran relives army past

An 86-year-old war veteran has said tanks for the memories to soldiers who let her relive her army past. Former Auxiliary Territorial Service corporal Belle Beaty turned tank commander - 60 years after she drove Shermans in the Second World War. Pensioner

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Grassland scheme handed extra cash

FUNDING has been extended to enable a grassland project to continue in the North-East. The Magical Meadows scheme, overseen by Durham Wildlife Trust, aims to conserve and expand magnesian limestone grassland areas. Two-thirds of the country's 680 acres

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Guilding the Lillians

A guild of theatre producers is giving a voice and platform for women's talents in the North-East. Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings reports. THE lights are on in Northumbria University's Lipman Theatre, illuminating swathes of green and blue fishermen's

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No change to police 'shoot to kill' policy

Senior police officers said yesterday there would be no change to a controversial shoot-to-kill policy after an innocent man was gunned down. Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Ian Blair apologised to the family of Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes

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Man who saved ancient cheese recipe dies

A businessman who rescued an ancient cheese recipe and turned it into a successful business has died, aged 46. David Reed, managing director of the Swaledale Cheese Company, died suddenly at his home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday. The father-of-two

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Scott confident Brown can be big hit at Pool

MARTIN Scott admits he doesn't mind missing out on Michael Bridges, because he has already has a new striker at Victoria Park. The emergence in pre-season of 18-year-old James Brown means Scott's strikeforce is complete. Brown netted in Saturday's comfortable

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No change to police shoot-to-kill tactics

Senior police officers said yesterday there would be no change to a controversial shoot-to-kill policy after an innocent man was gunned down. Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Ian Blair apologised to the family of Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes

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Stunning ships 'have put town on the map'

TOURISM chiefs last night hailed the Tall Ships visit to Hartlepool as "a wonderful occasion which has put the town on the map". An estimated 200,000 people flocked to the seaside town over the weekend and brought a huge boost to the economy. Roads were

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Woods shines on Cats' tour

SUNDERLAND return to the North-East from a tour of North America this morning and manager Mick McCarthy has labelled Martin Woods as the 'surprise package'. Woods, who spent a short spell on loan at Hartlepool last season, was a free transfer signing

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Sunderland still looking for a win

Foster's ECB North East Regional Premier League: Richard Waite was in magnificent form but Stockton just failed to inflict a fourth consecutive defeat on championship hopefuls Sunderland. Waite's outstanding contribution of 135 together with half-centuries

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Liddle's anger as bomb hoax ruins testimonial

ONE of the region's stalwart football stars last night told of his sadness and anger over the bomb scare which ruined his testimonial match. Long-serving former Darlington captain Craig Liddle said he was shocked by the abandonment of an emotional friendly

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Donation helps company rebuild lives

CONSTRUCTION group MMP has been given £30,000 towards its appeal to help survivors of the Boxing Day tsunami disaster. A donation from builders' merchants Jewson took the total raised by the County Durham company to more than £132,000. Staff at the Newton

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Film's Oz adventure spans the centuries

A NORTH-EAST film-maker has taken his history of the region's ironstone mining industry on a tour of Australia. For Craig Hornby, it is a big leap from selling out workingmen's clubs and the UCG cinema, in Middlesbrough, to playing opposite Sydney Harbour

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The actress and her water baby

Jennifer Connelly has two very important roles in her life at the moment - as mother to the baby she's had with actor Paul Bettany, and as a mother determined to save herself and her daughter in the chiller thriller Dark Water. Steve Pratt reports. OSCAR-winning

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Hero to zero for Goodchild

PART of the Ushaw Moor Cricket Club reunion, Tuesday's column had cause to mention former Sunderland forward Johnny Goodchild, who also batted with distinction. We missed the real story, as usual. It was Johnny, now 67, who scored a hat-trick at Leeds

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School Closure Debate: Campaigners to keep up pressure over school

EDUCATION campaigners have vowed to keep up the pressure on council chiefs after a high-profile demonstration. Parents battling to keep Hurworth School in its village location, just outside Darlington, have formed an action group to fight borough council

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Lewis gets call after Noffke blow

DURHAM have recalled Victoria seamer Mick Lewis for their match against Somerset starting at Taunton tomorrow. But he will again be only a short-term deputy for Ashley Noffke. Lewis, who played a prominent part in Durham's win at Old Trafford and the

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Singer to star in charity concert

OPERA singer Suzannah Clarke will top the bill at a fundraising concert for the British Red Cross later this year. The Teesside-born star, who has sung at leading opera houses round the world, has agreed to perform in the show at the Gala Theatre, in

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Rider crushed under horse vows to repay her rescuers

A KEEN horsewoman is back in the saddle only months after a potentially life-threatening fall. Now, Marian Coutts is keen to repay the North-East Air Ambulance Service, which she believes probably saved her life. Miss Coutts astounded doctors by her speedy

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Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League

Ashington moved into pole position when they defeated Lanchester and Swalwell lost to Leadgate. Ashington skipper David Rutherford claimed six wickets for 18 runs and Lanchester were back in the pavilion for 161, which included 66 by opener Trevor Fabien

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Fish stocks recover

Fish stocks in a North-East river are recovering after a pollution outbreak. Thousands of fish in the River Skerne were reported dying last Friday between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe. Many of the fish were found in a 100 metre stretch near the Hallgarth

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Man's lake rescue leads to warnings over waterways

FIRE chiefs have issued a warning to people about the dangers of swimming in inland waterways after a man became trapped on an island. Cleveland Fire Brigade recently bought a water rescue vehicle for its station in Thornaby, and the specialist team there