Friday 2nd December 2011Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 539 Page 1

Published at:First Floor, Town Council Offices,

Civic Hall Square, Shildon, DL4 1AH.

Telephone/Fax: 01388 775896Duty journalist: 0790 999 2731

www.shildontowncrier.comemail: crier@talk21.comof our wonderful community

Town Crier

Shildon & District At the heart

Friday 2nd December 2011Issue 539

Fully archived online at www.shildontowncrier.com email us at: crier@talk21.com

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Working together; Claire Chapman and Abbie Thompson from The Original Factory Shop with PCSO Blackwood of the Shildon Beat Team.

The much-anticipated Shildon Shopwatch scheme was officially launched last week, when retailers received their brand new radios.The scheme involves retailers becoming part of an information-sharing

network, which is co-ordi-nated by Retailers Against Crime North East (RACNE)and is supported by the Police.The twenty four businesses which are signed up for the project are now able to contact each other via

their radios, meaning any problems relating to shoplifting can swiftly be communicated throughout the town. Similar projects have already proven to be extremely successful in towns such as Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe.PCSO Dan Blackwood, of the Shildon Beat Team, commented, Shopwatch is a fantastic scheme for the retailers of Shildon. It enables them to be aware of who the local criminals are in order to protect their livelihoods.“It also means the shops are now working more closely with police RACNE to make shopping a safer experience for the people of Shildon.”The Original Factory Shop is one of the stores in the town which has been affected badly by shop-lifting. Manager Claire Chapman commented, “We have signed up as we have been getting hit a lot by shoplifters.“Hopefully, through this we will get to know who is out and about and we can target them.”

Shoplifters beware!

The town’s annual Kings and Angels Chistmas Procession will be taking place on Friday 2nd December.The parade will leave Morrison’s car park at 4.15pm led by Santa Claus and the Snow Queen. They will make their way to the Town Square where the Christmas Tree lights will be turned on and Timothy Hackworth School Choir will perform carols.

Following the procession at 5pm, Santa will be in his workshop at the Civic Hall, where there will also be free entertainment from Mr Twister, as well as a children’s disco, face painting, a table top sale and a cups and saucer ride.“Please come along and join in the procession dressed as Kings and Angels,” said a spokesperson for Shildon Town Council, who have organised the event.

Kings & Angels procession

The Shildon branch of The Co-operative Funeralcare will be holding its annual Christmas Memorial Service on Tuesday 6th December. The service will be held at Woodhouse Close Church in Bishop Auckland at 7pm and Shildon residents who have lost family or friends are invited to an evening of carols, readings and prayers in remembrance of their loved ones. They can

also place a written tribute on the Christmas tree in church. Refreshments will be available after the service. The Shildon office also has a Memorial Tree on display for Christmas. Please feel free to call in at the Shildon office between 10am and 2pm on weekdays to leave a card on the tree in memory of friends or relatives.

Memorial service

Friday 2nd December 2011 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 539Page 2

Birthdays Birthdays Birthdays Congratulations

ClassifiedsAll about local people...

Town Crier Shildon & District

Driving Lessons

Friendly, patient and professional tuition.

Learn to drive in one week or take your time with weekly lessons

Tel: (01388) 772545or 0796 705 1643

www.121driving.net

‘pop man’Quality soft drinks

in glass bottles delivered to your doorChoice of 20 Flavours

Only 65p per bottle

07525 264861Call Kevin on

Est 10 years

Passed Away

Barrie Hutchinson

Darling Husband of Alice, devoted Dad & Grandad to David, Jade, Holly & Cole.

Will be greatly missed.

Died Monday 28th November at home in Magnolia Way

Aged 73

In memoriam

Lilian Horner

Never more than A thought away

Loved and rememberedEvery day

5.12.2011

Sadly missed, Hazel, John, Graeme, Tracy

& Benjamin

Jean Ascough

Memories of a much-loved Sister, today and forever

(nee Cooper)1st December 2003

Eric & Margaret

Birthday Memories

Irene Patterson

As the years go byYou’re always with meIn my heart and in my

Thoughts you always will be

3rd December10 Years today

Love forever,Billy Hopwood

Birthdays

Debra Nicholson

Happy 50th Birthday Sis4th December

Love from all the familyx

50!

Debra NicholsonHappy 50th Birthday Debra

Love Dadx

Charlotte Foster

From Mam, Kirsty, Gran & Grandad

5th December

Lots of love Charlotte on your 18th Birthday

Hope you have a happy and successful future

18!

Daniel Parker

Love Dad & Clairexxx

27.11.11

Happy Birthday son

21!

CeejayHappy 1st Birthday

little bruvLove you loads,

Elliemayx

Collingwood

Happy 13th Birthday Amie3.12.11

Lots of love,Mam & Bex

xx

Ceejay Proudfoot Freeman

Love you loads,Mammy & Daddy

xx

Happy 1st Birthday little man

Ceejay Gary Proudfoot Freeman

Happy 1st Birthday

Love you,From Aunty Abbie, Uncle

Fitzy & big cus Milliexxx

Ceejay Proudfoot Freeman

Happy 1st Birthday to our special Grandson

Love you loads,Nana & Granda

xx

Ceejay Proudfoot Freeman

Happy 1st Birthday to a special Nephew

Love you loads,Wuzzy & Jaylee

xx

Anna Munford

Happy 18th Birthday AnnaAll our love, have a

good one!

2nd December

Love Mam, Dad, Luke & family

18!

Brad Stewart

Love & best wishes,Nana & family

xxx

29th November

Happy 18th Birthday Brad

18!

Brad Stewart

Lots of love,Mam, Dad & kids

x

18

Happy 18th

18!

Need to contact The Crier about a Classified?T: (01388) 775 896E: crier@talk21.com

Congratulations

Brad StewartWell done Brad on passing

your driving test

Love Mam, Dad & kids

Brad StewartWell done Brad on passing

your driving test

Love Nana & family

xxx

Stephen YoungCongratulations on achieving your B.A. Honours in Graphic Design Illustration

Lots of love, Mam, Dad, Christopher, Ann & Terry

Found

MOVING A THING?From £12.50. Call Phil.Phone 01325 321084

or 07790 509925

Need AN Old scrAP dOMesTIc APPlIANce

reMOVING??? cAN'T wAIT fOr THe cOuNcIlrING 01325 321678

Key with Body shop key ringFound on Byerley Road, opposite

Timothy Hackworth School. Contact The Crier

For Salestatic caravan for sale

Beach site, Redcar. Very good condition.

Site fees paid to March 2012. Insurance paid to August 2012.

Phone 01388 773767

Funeral to be held on Wednesday 7th

December, 12.30pm at St John’s Church,

then Wear Valley Crematorium

Local Light RemovalsCheap rates

07588027060

Services

The Deadline for Classified Adverts is noon each Tuesday. Call 01388 775896 for more information or email crier@talk21.com

Friday 2nd December 2011Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 539 Page 3

D-A TAXIS4 - 8 - 12 - 16 SEATERS

TEL: 01388 777262WE ARE OPEN ALL OVER CHRISTMAS

INCLUDING CHRISTMAS DAYBOOK EARLY TO AVOID

DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE HOLIDAYS

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A QUICK SALE?WANTED 2-3-4 Bed Houses to buy or sell & rent back in

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Preparations are currently under for celebrations which will mark Hackworth Park’s centenary.Saturday 22nd September, 2012, will be a day of fun to celebrate 100 years since the opening of the park.To mark the occasion there will be a variety of enter-tainment ranging from song and dance through the ages,

Shildon Methodist Church is inviting residents to an Advent Coffee Morning with cake stall, which will be held between 10am and 11am on Thursday 8th December. All proceeds are in aid of a pharmacy in Kenya, with which the

Advent coffee morning

church is partnered.Gwen, a representative from a local charity will also be in attendance.“Please support our local charity by bringing a pair of new, clean socks for a homeless child or adult,” said a spokesperson.

Celebrations mark park’s centenary

a history marquee featuring the History Recall Club, the Meccano Society, proddy mat making, lace making and much more.There will also be table top sales, Punch and Judy, face painting, arts & crafts activities and a fun fair. As part of the day, organisers would like to showcase old photographs of Shildon and

Hackworth Park will celebrate its centenary in 2012.

its community since 1912. If anyone has old photo-graphs they would like to share, you can take them along to the Shildon Town Council Offices in Civic Hall Square where they will be scanned and returned im-mediately. These will then go on display at the event for everyone to remember and enjoy.

Two youths were recently arrested and dealt with for the theft of wheelie bins that occurred at the

A wheelie silly offenceend of October. One youth was cautioned and the other was bailed by police to work with the youth

offending service. Both youngsters admitted to their parts in the bin thefts.

Town Crier

Shildon & District

CLASSIFIED FORM:

Post or hand this form into:3-4 First Floor Offices, Town Council Building, Civic Hall Square, Shildon, DL4 1AH.

OCCASION: (Please tick) Birthday Obituary Anniversary For Sale Birth To Let Congratulations Services Appreciations Other (state): Memoriam .....................

Number of separate messages:..............Message(s): Please write in clear BLOCK CAPITALS and continue on a separate piece of paper if necessary

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

Total number of words = ............Photograph included? (£6) Yes No(if yes, please include a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your picture returning)

Amount (x35p): ..........................Total: ..........................................Name: ........................................................................................Address: ........................................................................................................................................................................................Contact number: ........................................................................

Dave LeysBuilder & Joiner

Floor & Wall TilingUpvc Fascias & Soffits

Free Estimates(01388) 77275907979 035 558

Friday 2nd December 2011 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 539Page 4

For Sale / Rent

07799800079

2 Bedroom Bungalow, potential to convert to

3 or 4 bedroom. Good area of Shildon.

Tenant wanted for initial 6 month contract. Reduced

rent for right tenant. Please call for details. Bond & Ref required.

Two teenagers have subjected a local woman to a torturous routine in her own home, described in court at “demeaning, degrading and horrifying” at a hearing last week.On Friday 25th November, Josh Stobbs and Daman Roberts, both 17 years-old, were sentenced to eight year detention orders by Durham Crown Court.The court heard how their victim is registered as having mild learning difficulties and some physical disabilities, and is now terrified of being home alone and wants to move from the property where she was subjected to a six-hour long horrific ordeal.Prosecutor Peter Schofield told how the teenagers were with three other girls who called at the woman’s home in Shildon in the early hours of May 28th, after she had gone to bed. The girls were known to the woman and she answered the door to them, but Stobbs and Roberts followed them in to the house.Mr Schofield continued to tell how they then put the cooker on, used the frying pan, broke the fire alarm, sprayed body cream all

Local teens terrify womanover the walls, damaged furniture and poured washing up liquid into the kettle. Contents from drawers and furniture were thrown around the house and they refused to leave.The householder was obviously hugely distressed and when she tried to go back to bed she was taken into the living room.There she was threatened with kitchen knives, made to “go on all fours” on the floor as Stobbs and Roberts told her they were going to cut off various body parts. She begged them to stop but the teenagers then tied her to a chair with flex and escalated the torment further. Over the next 20 minutes she was tortured by putting knives to her eyeballs and throat, repeatedly threatened that she would “get stabbed” and endured horrible derogatory comments.The pair even filmed their acts on a camera phone, the judge telling them he believed they even enjoyed their activities when they were heard to say they were “loving it”, but refused to play the video in court due to the disturbing nature of the footage.

Stobbs, of West Chilton Terrace in Chilton, and Roberts, of Silverdale Place in Newton Aycliffe admitted false impris-onment and damaging property. Stobbs admitted making threats to kill and Roberts admitted to theft of a kitchen knife. Defence barristers for the teenagers said they did not know the victim had disabilities before accom-panying the other girls to her home.Judge Christopher Prince, who lifted reporting re-strictions to allow the defendants to be named said, “This was heartless, it was cruel and sustained. You both clearly derived pleasure from your torment of her. It was deliberately demeaning, degrading and horrifying.” He said that if they were adults, he would have jailed them both for 15 years.After the hearing, Detective Inspector Victoria Fuller said, “The severity of the sentence reflects the appalling nature of this crime. It will give them the opportunity to reflect on their actions and prevents them from subjecting anyone else to such a horrific ordeal.”

LettersHave your say...

Dear Editor,

I live at Thornhill Gardens. One side of the street is totally zig-zagged due to the school, the other side where the residents live is totally full from one end of the street to the other with staff from the school. This could be from 8am till around 5pm, so if you leave the house before this time and arrive home before the school closes you stand no chance of getting near your property.

Also you have the usual visitors all day who all like to get parked right near the gates, and the mass of parents trying to drop off and collect children. Yes, I'm quite aware this is a public road and everyone pays road tax etc etc, but so do the residents in this street who struggle during the week to do simple things like bring shopping home.

Why has this school not got an adequate car park big enough to house all the staff? Parking in front of someone’s house for up to 9 hours a day seems a little unfair.

Also what doesn't help the situation is the amount of dropped curbs in the street, serving no purpose at all. These dropped curbs were put in place (according to Durham County Council) for coal men to attend the rear of the property! Can I ask why, in 2011, these dropped curbs are still in place, as they are in between properties which makes it shared land? Yet I might add that the police still put parking tickets on cars with the words ‘blocking residents’ entrance’. I think it is about time these dropped curbs were replaced, making more car spaces badly needed in this street and probably streets nearby.

Yours faithfully, an annoyed resident.(Name and address supplied.)

DoorRepair

Specialist

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24 HOUR CALL OUT

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A man was arrested in Shildon on Thursday 24th November after being wanted on warrant for a number of weeks. The male attempted to

Man locked himself in house

evade capture by locking himself in a house. Officers forced entry and the male was appre-hended. He is currently in custody.

Terrier killed in Church StreetJust before midnight on Friday 18th November, a terrier dog was run over and killed on Church Street - across the road from The Red Lion pub.The driver responsible did not report the incident

to police and they have not yet been identified. Officers are in the process of reviewing CCTV footage, however if you know who may be responsible, please call Shildon police on 0345 60 60 365.

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St John’s Church Hall (Upstairs) Every Monday

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yourself plenty of time)

Grey Horse Over 40s F.C.Sponsored by Barrier Energy

Presents BLACK SUN plusRoger’s 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Disco

On Saturday 10th December 2011 at Shildon Railway Institute

Tickets £5 available at the Grey Horseor on 01388 773555

Sat 3rd December

West Auckland WMC

Alexander’s Palace

Sat 17th December

TOnY JOhnSOn’SALL SOULED UP

Xmas Show

Friday 2nd December 2011Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 539 Page 5

FREE TRIAL DRIVING LESSONWith Local Driving Instructor

Stephen DunnDiscounts on First Five LessonsDiscounts for Block BookingsIntensive & Semi-Intensive Courses

Gift Vouchers Available

Tel: 01388 604 628Mob: 07976 363 776

Email: sdunn@uwclub.net Web:www.ba-dia.co.uk/stephendunn

gibson's Funeral services

Established over 140 years.

Association street, shildon.Our office hours are

Monday to Friday 10.00am until 2.00pm.or by appointment on

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Furnace Industrial Estate, Shildon

The Salvation Army on Cross Street, Shildon, is holding a Christmas Coffee Morning with various stalls

on Saturday 3rd December, between 10am to 12 noon. Admission to the event is free.

Coffee morning

Shildon police appealsPolice are appealing for witnesses and information regarding the following incidents;- Two windows were smashed in Church street over the weekend. A window at Lorenzos was broken on Friday night, (25th November), while Fudge Hair Design had their window smashed the following night.- A brass handle was stolen from the rear gate of an address on Auckland Terrace overnight on Wednesday 23rd

Lately Timothy Hackworth Primary School has been involved in the Salvation Army and ITV Daybreak’s Donate a Coat Campaign. The campaign aims to help provide homeless people or those in need with a warm coat for winter.

Donate a coat

“If you have a warm coat that does not fit you or is not needed anymore, please can you bring it along to Timothy Hackworth Primary School and we will pass these on to the Salvation Army,” said a spokesperson. If you are unable to get

November.- The rear windscreen of a vehicle was smashed when an unknown person threw half a brick at it, sometime during the afternoon or evening of Wednesday 23rd November.- Between 4pm and 8.30pm on Saturday 19th November, a child’s Power Rangers bike with sta-bilisers was stolen from the back yard in Windsor Terrace.Anyone with information is urged to call police on 0345 60 60 365.

As part of their Using Technology sessions, Sunnydale Community College is offering a workshop that covers how to use the internet to send electronic cards and postcards, and how to use the many card creation websites that exist on the internet to create your own unique cards. The websites can also be used for other greetings.The next workshop is on

Tuesday 13th December, between 9.30am and 12 noon and the cost for the session is £5. After completing the workshop if you are interested in learning more or getting additional practice, there are oppor-tunities for you to do so with tutor support.To book a place onto the above workshop contact Susie Bird or Joanne Harwood on 01388 772526.

Electronic Christmas card workshop

your coats to the school, you can also take it to any of the Salvation Army clothes banks at Morrisons, Sainsburys or Asda. This campaign will help people to get through the winter and stay warm in case the snow comes.

This week in History

December 1976

Fidel Castro became President of Cuba replacing Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado.

3 December 1976

An assassination attempt was made on Bob Marley.

4 December 1791The first edition of The Observer, the world’s first Sunday newspaper, was published.

December 1933

Prohibition in the United States ended.

6 December 1897

London became the world’s first city to host licenced taxicabs.

7 December 1869

American outlaw Jesse James committed his first confirmed bank robbery.

2

5

Advertise in The CrierCall Jeff on

01388 7758960790 999 2731

ERIC’S FISH BAR22 Dean Street, Shildon, Tel: 01388 776549

Don’t Forget....

The BUY ONE GET ONE FREE Cod & Chips offer is on EVERY TUESDAY

and will continue for the foreseeable future.No voucher required, just call in or use our full delivery service.

Friday 2nd December 2011 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 539Page 6

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Contact Jeff Ridley for details on 01388 775896or 0790 999 2731

Shildon Methodist Church will be hosting a Nativity Festival on Friday 9th December at 7pm.There will be a display of different Nativity scened from different countries, as well as a Carol Concert by Cockerton Vintage Band.Admission costs £2 which includes a programme and refreshments.The church will also be open on Saturday 10th

December, between 10am and 2pm, for those wishing to see the Nativity displays. Admission is again £2, including a programme and refreshments, and there will also be a cake stall.“Come and see the first Christmas, shown in many and varied Nativity Displays,” said a spokes-person.Also taking place at The

Methodist Church, at 6pm on Saturday 17th December, is a play which will be performed courtesy of the Searchlight Theatre Company entitled ‘The Most Wonderful Time of Year’.Tickets cost £5 for adults, £2 for children or £10 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children.) To purchase tickets, call 01388 772898.

See the first Christmas

Parish meetingA meeting of Dene Valley Parish Council will take place on Monday 12th

December from 6pm in the Prince Bishops Primary School, Dene Valley.

Jubilee Fields Community Centre is holding its annual Christmas Carol Concert on Friday 9th December, between 6pm and 8pm.There will be performanc-es from Jubilee Fields Junior Club, Timothy Hackworth Primary

Christmas concertSchool, Thornhill Primary School and The Tearaways Theatre group. Tickets cost £2 per adult and £1.50 per child, which includes refreshments.Tickets are on sale now at the Centre or from either of the mentioned schools.

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Valley Wrought Iron

A Shildon teenager has been given an eight month conditional discharge after he shouted racist abuse at a police officer.Eighteen year-old Dax David Harbottle, of Glaisdale Gardens, was found fast asleep on the top deck of a bus at Darlington’s depot in November.When he was woken, he subjected the police officer to a tirade of racist abuse and foul language.

Harbottle pleaded guilty to racially - aggravated harrasment, alarm or distress and said that he did not remember the incident as he had been on an all-night drinking session.The court heard how he fell asleep on the bus and missed his stop in Shildon.As well as the conditional discharge, magistrates ordered him to pay £85 in court costs.

Teenager racially abused officer

Christmas SocialThe Masonic Hall on Middleton Road in Shildon is hosting the annual Christmas Social on Saturday 3rd December.

The event will run from 10am till 12 noon and will have bottle stalls, a tombola, plant stalls, mince pies, tea and coffee

and Santa will also be appearing for the children. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

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Friday 2nd December 2011Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 539 Page 7

ATTENTIONFIRST TIME BUYERS & TENANTS

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Walk with meCome take my handI’ll lead you through

This wonderland

Crisp virgin snowCrunched under foot Cold winters nightBy frozen brook.

Frost crystal shapesOn panes of glassThe air so cold

My lungs contract

My eyes do weepWith cold night airMy nose so numbMy cheeks so rare

You lay with meOn bed of snow

Make angel wingsBefore we go

Our minds then mixedAs in a trance

Stare into spaceA fine romance!

Our thoughts then flowWithin dark skies

Amidst a million twinkling eyes

Look to the futureSoon the past

Trust Gods our makerOf universe vast.

Poetry CornerA winter romance

By Lou WhensleyPolice in the area are alerting people about counterfeit currency in circulation. Although these instances are rare businesses and members of the public are advised to be vigilant, particularly if they receive £20 notes.The counterfeits are readily identifiable. There are a number of security features on genuine bank notes and which are either absent or poorly imitated in the counterfeit version.The Bank of England provides the following guidance on features to look out for when checking banknotes.• Check the feel of the paper and the raised print: if you run your finger across the front of a banknote, you will feel raised print in areas such as the words "Bank of England" on the top. On £20 notes there is also raised print in the bottom right corner around the number 20.

Police warn against counterfeit notes

• Check the metallic thread embedded in each note. This appears as silver dashes on the back of £5, £10 and £20 notes. If you hold the note up to the light, the thread will appear as a continuous dark line.• Check the watermark: if you hold the note up to the light, you can see an image of the Queen's portrait. On £20 notes the watermark also contains a bright £20.• Check the foil features; on £5 and £10 notes there is a hologram on the foil patch. When the note is tilted the images change between a brightly coloured picture of Britannia and the numerical value of the note. There is a foil strip on £20 notes containing alternating holographic images. One shows a multi-coloured image of Adam Smith and the other changes between a multi-coloured £ sign and the number 20.• Check the ultra-violet

(UV) features: all notes except the £50 note contain UV features. If you put the note under a good quality UV light its value appears in bright red and green numbers, whilst the remainder of the note appears dull. On the £20 note bright red and green flecks are also visible on both the front and back of the note.PC Graeme Hopkirk said, “We are aware that fake £20 notes are circulating in the Darlington area. However the issue may not be restricted solely to this value.“To identify counterfeit currency, people should check the note against one that is known to be genuine; the difference will be obvious.“If anyone comes into possession of counterfeit notes they should contact the police on 0345 60 60 365 and note details of the description of the person involved and any car they may be using.”

Friday 2nd December 2011 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 539Page 8

SportLocal leagues, competitions and events...

The gale force winds over the weekend were no match for the gutsy perfor-mances put in by athletes from Shildon AC at Blaydon cross country. Saturday 26th November saw the runners compete in the Start Fitness North East Harrier League, and the Under 15 boys and Ladies teams are maintaining their domination within the Grand Prix. Henry Johnson (U15) led his team around the twisting course, and showed how to tackle the numerous hills. He battled against Winkler from Morpeth who just beat Johnson by 3 secs on the line. Johnson’s time was over 30 sec quicker than last year. Johnson is currently leading the Grand Prix U15 boys. Jake Findlay ran well in the fast pack, and crossed the line in 9th position his time of 9.51 was

One of Bishop Auckland St Mary’s football teams has been able to purchase a brand new strip recently,

after Kelly Sparke of Fudge Hair Design in Shildon kindly sponsored the team.

New strip for team

only 21 sec behind Johnson. Joseph Bell continues to develop his speed endurance and finished the difficult course in 10.27. Completing the team was Jack Wade with 12.54. Mathew Coulthard battled around the course to show that his stamina and hill training have paid off. Running with the fast pack, Matty had to wait 2.40 min before storming around the hilly course. He completed the route in 21.15 and 10th place over the line. Dan Hardy ran with senior men, and although there appeared to be a record number of competitors, Dan ran through the masses like a knife through butter! His time of 29.39 placed him 9th over the line out of 420 men. The Shildon ladies and girls also enjoyed success at Blaydon. Lizzie Cramb, U13

had the 4th fastest time, with 11.36. Rosie Findlay U15, was 13th over the line with 11.34. The Under 17 girls continue to thrive on team spirit and Amy Ether-ington ran an amazing race to finish first over the line despite a 2 min handicap for competing in fast pack. She romped around the course to cross the line 30 sec ahead of 2nd place, in 16.41. Zoe Hewitson was hard on her heals and just lost a little ground towards the end to finish 3rd with 17.29. Etherington and Hewitson are placed 5th and 4th respectively with 3 cross countries to go in the Harrier League. Elizabeth Wood finished 4th U20 in 19.42 and Natalie Owens finished in 23.37. The ladies are leading the Grand Prix Teams with 19 points with second place, Gateshead with 32 points.

Shildon’s Blaydon racers Grey Horse take on ConsettWith another large squad to choose from and more players becoming available for selection after injury, the Shildon side are on their best run of league results so far this season.The blustery wind made conditions difficult in their match against Consett, and when a high ball was played into the Grey Horse box the defence had problems clearing it. With only five minutes on the clock the home side took the lead when the Consett player prodded the ball home.The response by Shildon side was immediate and, as the ball was played across the midfield, Nev Brass played in Dave Bulleyment who from 30 yards out hit a vicious shot that dipped and swerved and flew past the keeper, giving him no chance to make it 1-1.The away side started getting the upper hand, keeping the ball down and playing some nice football. Before half-time they took the lead.

Dougie Grant ran through onto goal but, as the keeper came out and narrowed the angle, he looked up to find an unmarked Ian Bainbridge who had the simple task of tapping the ball home for a 2-1 half-time lead.Manager Dougie Grant brought all five substitutes on at the beginning of the second half, and within ten minutes one of them, Malcolm Anderson, had extended the lead as a deep cross by Pat Bowtell was met at the back post to give a 3-1 lead.Dougie Grant himself scored the 4th goal, clinically finishing as he was given too much space by a tired looking Consett defence.The home side pulled a goal back to make it 4-2, but right at the end another substitute, Dave Gillies, finished things off leaving a final score of 5-2 to the Grey Horse.Next game home to Hartlepool Woodcutter.

Railwaymen draw against Newcastle BenfieldShildon AFC welcomed Newcastle Benfield to Dean Street on Saturday 26th November, in a league game which ended level at 2 - 2.On a very windy afternoon there were four goals in the first 15 minutes.Benfield were ahead after only three minutes, when a wind-assisted long range 30 yarder from Micky Chilton left Keith Finch stranded.It was 1 - 1 on seven minutes, when Lee Chapman squared to Justin Keegan who found Chris Hughes whose brave header went in through a crowded goalmouth.

Shortly afterwards the visitors were in front when Ross Peareth fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.Five minutes later it was level pegging again, this time an Ian Watson cross from the left was headed into his own goal by No 6 Kevin Boyle.It was end-to-end stuff, with a Wayne Gredziak header cleared off the line by Benfield's Mark Turnbull. Shildon piled the pressure on in the second half with corner after corner, and long effective throw-ins from Chris Hughes

and Wayne Gredziak, causing Benfield's defence problems.On 64 minutes another Gredziak shot was cleared off the line. Chris Hughes then had two good efforts from six yards well stopped by the keeper.On 74 minutes the best chance of the game fell to Gredziak, but he blasted over from five yards with the goal at his mercy.Despite the Railwaymen totally dominating the whole half, Benfield hung on and earned a useful draw.Final Score: Shildon 2 Newcastle Benfield 2.

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