Friday 31st March 2017Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 811 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.com

Town Crier Shildon & District

of our wonderful communityAt the heart

Friday 31st March 2017Issue 811

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

Phil Hedley

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Residents in Shildon and the surrounding villages are being reminded that they must be on the elec-toral register in order to vote in the upcoming elec-tions.County and Parish Council elections will be held on Thursday 4th May 2017. Anyone who is not reg-istered is encouraged to apply online via www.gov.uk/register-to-vote by Thursday 13th April.Poll cards will be delivered to those who are already registered between Friday 31st March and Monday 3rd April, and will contain information on where to vote.Voters who are listed on the electoral register can request a postal or proxy vote.The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm

on Tuesday 18th April and the deadline for proxy vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 25th April.To request a paper copy of either application form, contact electoral services by phone on 03000 261212 or via email electoralser-vices@durham.gov.uk.The Notice of Election for the Durham County and Parish Council elections has also now been pub-lished online.The Notice of Election gives details of the county divisions and parish ward areas where an election could take place.It also states that nomi-nations are now being accepted for those divi-sions and parish ward areas.The Notice can be viewed online at www.durham.gov.uk/elections.

Residents urged to register to vote

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SHILDON TOWN COUNCILWe are looking to recruit a Bar and Catering Assistant at the Shildon Civic Hall. The post holder is expected to take on additional supervisory duties in the absence of the duty manager at an enhanced rate of pay.

The post holder will be contracted to 20 hours per week, flexible working to include days/ evenings and weekends. The hourly rate of pay is £7.78Application forms are available from Shildon Town Council, Council Offices, Civic Hall Square, Shildon, Co. Durham DL4 1AH. Tel (01388) 772563. Email: council@shildon.gov.uk or from the Council website www.shildon.gov.uk Closing date for receipt of applications: Wednesday, 12th April, 2017.

Continued on page 6

Shildon’s Deputy Mayor recently went along to meet Harold and Olive Walker of Central Parade and present them with a wonderful

Shildon couple celebrate landmark anniversary

bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Town Council, in recognition of 70 happy years together. The couple were married at

St. John’s Church on 29th March 1947. They met at the age of 16 at the Hippodrome Picture House, some 75 years ago. Harold is a local lad born in Dent Street and his wife Olive was born in St. Helens, but moved to Busty Terrace when she was very young, later moving to The Oval. Harold, 91, left school and started work with his dad on their coal wagon ‘Walkers’, spending over 50 years delivering, during which time he became one of the leading coal mer-chants in the town.Olive, 92, nee Martin, took her first job at the Co-op in Shildon, then worked at El-liott’s Bakery. She was an Aycliffe Angel during the war and later worked at Paige’s Clothing Factory before leaving to assist Harold in the family business.After their marriage they lived in Dent Street for five years before moving across the road into Albert Street and finally to their current

Harold and Olive Walker received a visit from Shildon’s Deputy Mayor on their 70th wedding anniversary.

Friday 31st March 2017 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 811Page 2

In Memoriam Birthdays

ClassifiedsAll about local people...

CLASSIFIED FORM:

Post or hand this form into:3-4 First Floor Offices, Town Council Building, Civic Hall Square, Shildon, DL4 1AH. Please note: All prices include VAT at standard rate of 20%

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

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Total number of words = ............Amount x 0.42p, (includes VAT): ..........................Photograph included? (£7.20) Yes No(if yes, please include a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your picture returning)

Total (inc. photo): ..........................................Name: ........................................................................................Address: ........................................................................................................................................................................................Contact number: ........................................................................

Town Crier

Shildon & District

Gibson's Funeral Services

Established over 140 years.

Association Street, Shildon.Contact us to arrange an appointment on

01388 77224424 hour on call service.

John Smith1.4.2008

Nine years since you passed away

Sadly missed by all at the Town Crier

Moira Hunter29.3.2000

Time passes along life’s way,Sadly missed every day

By Susan, Derek & family

Birthday Memories

Kevin Pedelty28th March

Always in our hearts and minds

Missing you,Judith, Glen, Heather

& family

For a loving Brother

Birthdays

2.4.17

We love you loads,Jane & Pieter,Forrest & Mia

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Selwin Lundy

Happy 70th Dad

70!

Happy 65th Birthday Joan

Joan Hall

Love and best wishes, From all the family

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(nee Amos)

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Wife

Joan Hall

Love from Geoffxxx

(nee Amos)30.3.17

Happy 65th Birthday Mam

Joan Hall

Love from Craigxxx

Birthdays

Happy Birthday Grandma

Joan Hall

Love from Tylerxxx

Neil Stokoe30.3.17

Happy 70th Birthday Neil

Love from Barbara, Debbie, Andrew & Kelly-Anne

70!

Neil StokoeHappy Birthday Granda

Lots of love, Liam & Rachel

Happy 60th Birthday

Norma Jordan

Love from loving Husband Kevin, Sons Ryan & Daniel, Daughter-in-Law Jade and

Grandaughter Lillyxx

30.3.57

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Friday 31st March 2017Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 811 Page 3

Brothers Ellis, Rhys and Devon will take on one of Britain’s toughest challenges to raise funds for a local Breast Cancer Unit.

Entire family to scale UK’s highest mountainBrothers Rhys (13), Ellis (11) and Devon (8), along with their parents, Thomas and Catherine Louden, have undertaken the challenge to scale Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, standing at 1,344 metres high.The Shildon boys are taking on the enormous feat in order to raise funds for their local Breast Cancer Unit at North Tees Hospital in Stockton, a place which became close to their hearts when their Nana, Wendy Lambert, 52, was treated there last year.Catherine commented, “The staff there were amazing and really looked after her during her stay, so we would like to give something back.”Several of the brothers’ aunties and uncles will also be joining them on their climb; Zoe and Lee Wales, Samantha Lambert, James O’Sullivan, Megan Lambert and Alex Bestwick.The boys are aiming to make as much money as possible over the next three months and are hoping that Town Crier readers will show their support. They are currently hosting an Easter Egg Hamper Raffle, to be drawn on 4th April. Tickets cost £1 and can be purchased by calling Catherine on 07825 047 147.

They will then be hosting a Coffee Afternoon at the Methodist Church Hall on Monday 10th April when there will be tea, coffee and cakes on sale, as well as a tombola, bouncy castles and crafts table to entertain the children. In May the family will be raffling off a classic vintage-style child’s metal

ride-on car for £2 a ticket.Their fundraising efforts will come to a close on 24th June when they will take on their physical chal-lenge.Anyone who would like to donate to the cause can do so by visiting their Just Giving page at www.just-giving.com/crowdfunding/zoe-lambert.All winning raffle tickets will be drawn by and an-nounced by the Town Crier.

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Greenfield Community College PE Department recently held their annual ‘Plank’ challenge for both pupils and staff, to see who could hold the fitness related plank position for the longest amount of time. The competition ran throughout January and up to the February half-term as part of a new year fitness related challenge. It also coincided with the PE department’s health related fitness units that pupils were involved in. Several staff members got involved and this only proved to spur pupils on to want to beat their teachers even more. This year the competi-tion was held across both campuses with the final ‘Plank Off’ on the last day of term. It was a huge success with competitors being cheered on by a packed audience. With well over 200 watching, over 40 pupils and staff lined up to try and take the Greenfield

‘Plank Off’ crown for 2017. Pupils from all year groups took part with teachers such as Mrs Browbank, Mrs Lumsdon, Mr Hindhaugh, Mr Davies, Mr Tarn, Mr Smith and Mr Allison in at-tendance. With so many students and staff taking part, the competition had to be set over a number of rounds with the winners from each round showcasing their time. The record from last year was well and truly beaten by two competitors from the Sunnydale campus, with times of 23 minutes and 20 seconds (Lewis) and the overall winning time of a staggering 23 minutes and 42 seconds (Abbie). A teacher from the school commented, “Absolutely amazing effort by these two pupils, and we all will need to get some serious training in ready for next year if we are to challenge these times! Well done to everyone who took part from all of Greenfield PE Department.”

Greenfield annual ‘plank’ challenge

Friday 31st March 2017 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 811Page 4

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon will be hosting a rally for the Northern Bygones Society on Sunday 9th April.Around 40 classic and vintage vehicles are expected to be on display in the outdoor events area at the museum, with a

small display of models and other collectables on show inside the main museum building.The Northern Bygones Society meets monthly in Newton Aycliffe – for more information, visit www.northernbygones.org.uk.For more information, call 01388 777999.

Northern Bygones rally

Shildon Spiritualist Church is pleased to welcome Joanne Rowland and Clare Wallace as guest speakers on Monday 3rd April. The service starts at 7pm and refreshments will be offered afterwards.International medium Billy Cook will also be at the church on Friday 31st

March at 7pm. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased on the door.April 9th is the church’s Easter Fun Day with loads of activities for the kiddies and spirit readings and healing for the adults. Admission is £3 for adults and children are free.

Spiritualist Church events

Students from Bishop Auckland College helped plant produce for the local community.

College students Kickstart spring planting

Volunteers at Waverley Terrace community garden in Shildon, sup-ported by Shildon Town council, recently welcomed students from Bishop Auckland college. After a gardening warm up exercise session deliv-ered by Elliot Snowball, local health trainer for Health Express, the group

of Kickstart students worked with members of the garden to tidy and plant produce for the community. They also set away vegetables for local school children to plant over the coming months.Paula Nelson, project manager for Shildon Alive! A Saint John’s Church Community

Project, funded by the Big Lottery, thanked the students and their tutors and commented, “The students have been a pleasure to work with, their efforts will make a huge difference to our gardening with young people this year. They are welcome back anytime to volunteer in the future.”

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This week in History

Social critic and proponent of women’s rights, Mary Wol-lstonecraft marries radical reformer William Godwin. She would die six months later giving birth to her daughter Mary, author of Frankenstein.

29 March 1797

The Alexander Kielland, a floating platform for oil workers in the North Sea, housing 208 men, 235 miles east of Dundee, col-lapses in stormy weather, drowning 123 people.

30 March 1980

The first monthly install-ment of The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, by 24-year-old writer Charles Dickens, is pub-lished under the pseudo-nym Boz.

31 March 1836

Marvin Gaye, the Prince of Motown, is shot and killed after an argument by his own father, one day short of his 45th birthday.

April 1984

Red Rum wins a historic third Grand National championship after taking home victory in 1973 and 1974 and finishing second in 1975 and 1976.

2 April 1977

Because it lacked suf-ficient funds to build a strong navy, the American revolutionary Continental Congress gives privateers permission to attack any and all British ships.

3 April 17761

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Friday 31st March 2017Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 811 Page 5

Andrew Farlow, Heather Siddle and grandson Finlay.

Congregation celebrates Mother’s Day

A lively congregation filled Saint John’s Church on Sunday morning as families from across the town gathered to celebrate Mother’s Day. The service began as four young people lit four candles, each symbolising the way those who care for others light up the world. Rev’d David then lit a fifth candle and the church was silent as each person thought of the tragedy that had occurred in London earlier in the week.

“We are here today to cele-brate being shaped by love, hope, and opportunity,” said Rev’d David. “There are those who would see us shaped by hatred, anger and division, but we will not be”. The service then moved on to thinking about all those whose nurturing role allows the individual to flourish. Around 80 candles were lit as folk recalled the mothers, grandmas and people loved no longer with us whilst others wrote

prayers and thoughts down to be displayed in the church. A group of children then told everyone about their own experiences of being cared for Rev’d David concluded by reminding everyone that “God was our heavenly Mother as well as Father, the nurturer, lover and origin of all things.” Bunches of daffodils were then distributed and everyone enjoyed a cup of tea whilst chatter and laughter floated around the church.

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Stay entertained this holiday with creative work-shops designed for young people and families.Greenfield Arts’ will be offering a free Easter holiday activity pro-gramme, including Crazy Crafts in Shildon, Star of the Show and Story Makers in Newton Aycliffe. See how you can create brilliant inventions from recycled items found at home, with artist Dawn Belshaw, or join Laura Degnan to learn how to direct and record your own short film. Jan Hodgson will be return-ing with her wonderful Family Cooking sessions

and Sharron Bates will be creating short stories based on enchanting ‘Mechani-mal’ creatures.Activities are suitable for all ages and families. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Bookings are now open and can now also be made online. To find out more about what’s on offer through the school term and holidays, visit www.greenfieldarts.co.uk, call 01325 379048, email info@greenfield-arts.co.uk or pop in and speak to a member of staff.Greenfield Arts is based on the Newton Aycliffe campus of Greenfield School.

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Shildon Football Club is set to celebrate St George’s Day with a Fun Day and Ale Festival on Sunday 23rd April, at the football ground on Dean Street from 12 noon.As well as a Cask and Real Ale Festival in the club-house bar, there will be a barbecue, sweet cart, chil-

drens’ fun rides and bouncy castles on the football field as well as a table top sale.Anyone wishing to hire a table top, at a cost of £5 per table, should contact Russell on 07538 789464. The event will also include a raffle of football memo-rabilia with tickets avail-able to buy on the day.

St George’s Day Festival at Shildon AFC

Friday 31st March 2017 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 811Page 6

Stephen William King is serving back-to-back custodial sentences for motoring offences.

Prison for unqualified driver who led police on Shildon chaseAn unqualified driver who led police on a pursuit through Shildon and sur-rounding villages has been handed a 20 month sentence in a young offend-ers’ institution.Stephen William King, from Howlish View, Coundon, was spotted by officers in a patrol car driving a Vauxhall Astra containing four passengers, at around 11.40pm on 16th July last year. He was turning from Scott Street onto Redworth Road when the pursuit began.During prosecution the court heard how during the five minute chase, King exceeded 50mph on 30mph residential roads, reaching almost 80mph on Eldon Bank before taking the hazardous crossroads ‘blind’.The pursuit was only drawn to a close when the Astra was driven over a police-deployed stinger device and ultimately blocked by another vehicle.The 20 year-old was then detained after trying to flee from the car.On the day of his trial at Durham Crown Court, King changed his plea to the charges of danger-

ous driving, driving whilst disqualified, while under the influence of drugs and without insurance.The court also heard that while on bail for the offence, he committed further motoring offences, for which he received a 12 week custodial sentence.Judge Christopher Prince

sentenced him to a further 20 months, to begin follow-ing his current sentence, and also banned him from driving for 22 months.Judge Prince commented, “You put the lives and welfare of others, includ-ing your passengers, at risk by driving off in the manner you did.”

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Men’s Social Afternoon – CREE Club

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Supported by

address in Central Parade in 1973. The sprightly couple have three daughters, Ann born in 1948, who married Robert Golightly and is the current Mayor of Bishop Auckland; Margaret in 1957, who married Robert Hirst and Beverley in 1966, who married and divorced two Pauls! They have eight grand-children and seven great grandchildren.In earlier times they loved touring in their caravan with the family. One of their best holidays was to the south of France.Harold played cricket for Shildon Town and also enjoyed a game of golf. He went out every night of the week at 9pm for a tipple,

normally to The Red Lion, The Three Tuns or The Albion. Olive is an excellent dress-maker, actually making her own wedding dress and those of her bridesmaids. Later, when her daughter Ann got married, Olive did the same for her.When the family left home Harold and Olive enjoyed their holidays abroad, trav-elling the world to places including America, Canada, Russia and Thailand. They celebrated their wonderful occasion with a family get together at their home, their youngest daughter arriving from Doncaster. They are planning a Car-ibbean cruise with the family later in the year to celebrate their platinum achievement.

From page 1

From coal to platinum

Harold and Olive Walker on their big day at St John’s Church, back in 1947.

Friday 31st March 2017Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 811 Page 7

Police praise drivers for listening to their messagesOfficers from the Cleve-land and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) issued a total of 46 fixed penalty notices for mobile phone use while driving, in a campaign which started on Wednesday 1st March. The week of action coin-cided with new legislation that sees anyone caught using their mobile phone at the wheel issued with a £200 fine and six penalty points on their licence. The new legislation could have a huge effect on new drivers in their probation-ary period. The probationary period for someone who has just passed their driving test is two years. In this time if a new driver receives six points their licence will be revoked.Of those caught, 23 were driving in the Cleveland Police area and 23 in County Durham and Dar-lington and three people were summonsed to court.The number is down from

when a similar week of action took place in January where 131 drivers were caught (61 in Cleve-land and 72 in Durham) and two drivers summonsed to court.However, road policing chiefs say the relatively low figures suggest most motorists are taking on board the repeated warnings regarding the dangers of mobile phone use. Inspector Harry Simpson from CDSOU, said: “We use both marked and unmarked cars during our opera-tions and all are equipped with on-board cameras to record any offences.“While I believe the vast majority of drivers on our roads are behaving sensibly, we still caught 49 drivers who were putting themselves and others at serious risk. “These people will now have to deal with the con-sequences of their actions.“There are clearly some

people who feel the law doesn’t apply to them.“Even though our week of action is over they will discover our officers are making this offence a priority and that we have a zero-tolerance approach.”The initiative was in support of a national awareness campaign and backed up by various messages on police social media accounts.Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg, recently welcomed the new penalties for drivers who use a mobile phone whilst driving. He said: “I am pleased to see the results of this campaign, and that the number of people flouting the law has reduced. “That being said, there are still those who persist on using their phones when it is clearly illegal to do so. “I urge drivers to be sensible before they cause unnecessary injury, or death, on our roads.”

Dear Editor,

On Thursday 16th March 2017 I noticed the electric boxes on the Shildon Town Centre Arch were hanging away from the re-enforced concrete bases, along with the electric lighting cables. Fuses out.

My worry was the cables being cut and the lighting not being operational after painting and rebuilding as promised by DCC.

I reported them to the clerk in Shildon Town Council Offices, who said she would contact Durham County Council. I remarked, “I wonder whether it was caused by the youngsters or the Durham and District Councillors?”

On Saturday 18th March they were gone, and no sign of the cables. I was right, Durham District Councillors.

Ken Bowes,Regent Street,Shildon

LettersHave your say...

Friday 31st March 2017 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 811Page 8

SportLocal leagues, competitions and events...

Town Crier

Shildon & District

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Adam Burnicle celebrates after scoring the Railwaymen’s second past ex-Shildon keeper Kyle Hayes in the 2-0 home win against North Shields. Photo: Tom Clegg.

Shildon have their say in title race with defeat of leaders

The reigning champions may now be mathematical-ly unable to defend their trophy, but the Railway-men showed on Saturday (25th March) that they still have a big say in the final destination of this season’s title race with a 2-0 defeat of league leaders North Shields at Dean Street.Shildon took the lead on the stroke of half time when a penalty award also resulted in a second yellow card for Shields defender, Michael McKeown.Matty Robson despatched the spot kick, leaving the visitors with a double half time deficit of a goal and a player down.North Shields almost took the lead in the eighth minute when Dan Wilson’s shot rebounded off the Shildon upright, but from

then the champions domi-nated, determined to show they were not only the current holders, but that they still have much to contribute to this season’s competition.Shildon dominated the play for the whole of the second half. On 49 minutes Adam Burnicle should have scored while Sam Hodgson, Micky Rae and Billy Greu-lich-Smith all went close.With ten minutes remain-ing, Adam Burnicle fired into the bottom corner to make the result safe and blow the title race between the North and South Shields rivals wide open.The defeat brought to a halt a 15-match winning run in the league and brings the leaders into the sights of their local and

main title rivals, who are themselves on a lengthy winning run of 27 matches in all competitions.Shildon, meanwhile, have slipped to fourth in the table after Morpeth’s 4-2 away win at Consett on Tuesday 28th March.Morpeth are the only other side still capable of replac-ing Shildon as champions and with the top three still to play each other it remains to be seen whether the Highwaymen can steal the title from under the noses of the Shields clubs.The Railwaymen will be mathematically guaranteed fourth spot - their most likely finishing position in this season’s competition - should they defeat 16th placed Penrith, who visit Dean Street on Thursday 30th March.

In the latest Shildon AFC Supporters’ Club lottery draw, the numbers drawn out of the bag were: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10. There was no winner of the jackpot which now rises to £800. The consolation prize of £25 was won by N Smith.This week, players should

choose 6 numbers from the remaining 12.Tickets for the lottery can be bought from Rakeesh Convenience Store on Main Street, Main Street News, the One Stop Shop on Byerley Road, Elm Road Club and the football ground on match days.

Latest lotto result

Shildon AFC Support-ers Club’s next meeting will take place on Friday 21st April at the football ground social club. The meeting, which is

open to all Shildon AFC fans and anyone who would like to join the sup-porters club, will provide an update on the latest work of the committee.

Supporters Club next meeting

Three Tuns AFC, who secured promotion from the Wear Valley Sunday League Third Division recently, have confirmed the details for their Division Three League Cup final against Darlington RA. The match will take place at Newton Aycliffe FC’s Moore Lane on Friday 7th April, kicking off at 6.30pm.

Admission is just £2 with concessions £1.With both sides having beaten each other in their league encounters, it bodes well for a tense and entertaining cup final.Manager Stephen Jones and his assistant, Stu Veneers said they were both very proud of the whole squad for the very good season they have had.

Three Tuns cup final details confirmed

Spectrum Roller Skating Club has received a funding boost after a donation of £300 was provided from Durham Lions. “We are so pleased and thankful to Durham Lions for their support,” said Spectrum coach, Tracy Stevens. “The donation will allow us to buy equip-ment for our skaters.” The Artistic Roller Skating Club travel around the

country to attend national competitions. Anyone wanting to learn how to roller skate can bring their skates along to Darlington Dolphin Centre, on Saturdays from 4pm-5pm, Shildon Sun-nydale on Sundays from 2.30-3.30pm or Willington Spectrum Leisure Centre from 4.30-5.30pm on Wednesdays. Each session costs £4.

Spectrum celebrate funding support

Spectrum Roller Skating Club have received a £300 dona-tion towards equipment from Durham Lions.