North East Women’s Football
The women’s football scene, right here in the north-east, has never been so vibrant and competitive, so full of both clubs, and the characters that come with them, from as high as Durham and Sunderland in the Barclay Women’s Championship, down to the likes of Sunderland University, Wear United et al, in the Durham County FA League Two.
Now, with cup draws having been made, league fixtures also announced, and the comingsand-goings of pre-season in full swing, trust us, the words ‘silly season’ do spring to mind, so we took the opportunity to catch up with a few clubs for a chat.
At Alnwick we speak to Peter Hately, Bedlington Belles is Lau -
ra Hepple, Bishop Auckland is Emma Sewell, Chester-le-Street is Mark Kelly and a long-overdue chat with the legendary, Brogan Prudhoe, and at Spennymoor we catch up with Billy Shackleton.
ALNWICK TOWN LADIES (NE Regional League Premier Division) Interview with manager Peter Hately, who effectively is on his fourth stint in charge at St. James’ Park, but it’s been a summer to contend with for him after numerous players headed to newly-formed Berwick Rangers.
“I took over after Stephen Gibbard left at the end of last season; he did a fantastic job last term with the team finishing second in the NERWFL Premier Division. The players were terrific after a tough season in the FAWNL. Although it was a tough year they all came out of
it as better players, even if some don’t perhaps realise it fully and this was reflected in their performances last season.”
“A summer of chance no doubt. We knew we would lose one or two to Berwick. One or two came as a surprise as well but we wish all our departing players well.”
“It may well be a transitional season but one that had to come at some point. We will be putting faith in some talented youngsters, some from outside the club and some brought through the ranks. Even though I expect the division to be strong this season I’m really looking excited by the squad we are pulling together and looking forward to getting the season underway on the 20th August when we entertain Gateshead in the League Cup.” (Images, Michael Cook)
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BEDLINGTON BELLES (Northumberland League Division One)
Interview with captain Laura Hepple, who, having started playing football at school, helped form Tynedale Ladies when she was 18-years-old. After a dozen years, and some success, that team folded with Laura, along with her twin sister, eventually moving to Bedlington after some time away.
“I joined Bedlington around three years ago as myself, and my twin sister, missed playing football so we came to watch our friends playing at Bedlington and ended up signing for them. We liked the idea of playing for a new team and meeting new people, there’s less pressure as Bedlington and we’re playing at a lower level so we just wanted to get fit and enjoy a kick around really.”
“Bringing new players in, of different abilities, and learning to gel with them would be a challenge; however, we’ve attracted some great people who are all willing to learn and give it their all for the Belles. We’ve strengthened our team over the past few years and managed to keep a hold of some valuable players, with new players coming in, they’ve all stepped up and worked hard on and off the field to improve themselves.”
“The manager and coaches, and especially Rowan (Edwards) are fantastic at this club. They’re very caring and understanding and they go above and beyond for this team, Tom and Dicka have a lot of knowledge and experience and Rowan is an all-rounder who will literally do anything for this club it means a lot to him.”
“The whole team know this season is going to be challenging as we’ve joined a higher league and there’s some tough competition. We were fairly comfortable in the lower league and managed some big victories, this season will be different though but we’re confident we can work together as a team and, like previous seasons, stick together and give it our all - that’s all we can do. We’ve brought in some new faces at
training so we’re hoping to have a big squad ready for the season starting and who knows what’ll happen; I think we should always be ambitious and always back ourselves as long as everyone’s enjoying the football, that’s the main thing.
“I think it’s great that we’ve been accepted for the FA Cup, it’s a fantastic competition that we’ve always wanted to compete in. Myself and a few others have been lucky enough to play in it with Tynedale, and even managed to reach the First Round Proper, which was a huge achievement. The players here will absolutely love the experience, the build up to the game, waiting for the draws to take place, is all very exciting. As a team though, we’re really looking forward to this and buzzing that Bedlington will be in the draw, so bring it on.” (Images, Belles Socials)
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BISHOP AUCKLAND LADIES
(NE Regional Division One North) interview with joint-manager Emma Sewell, who recently completed her UEFA C Coaching certificate, and has been a qualified football coach since the 2018-19 season. In the League Cup, Bishops have drawn Ponteland United, the winner of which faces the winner of the Gateshead vs. Alnwick Town, ties to be played later this month.
“I’ve actually been with Bishops since playing here, then moving into managing the reserves side, so I’ve worked my way up, which is great. I stopped playing because of injury, so the club has been really supportive.”
“There’s been a rhythm within the squad, and some really good talent through from Bishop Auckland Girls, then the Reserves, and into the Firsts – yes it’s tough, which we’ve found out, but it shows that it works and there’s a consistency.”
“Last season, the rhythm we had was upset early on, but luckily Zak (Hutchinson) and John (Payne) came in and they stabilised things; we had a tough end to the season so now, hopefully, with all of us pushing in the same direction, the changes are beneficial.”
“Pre-season, it’s gone well, and the fitness levels I can say, was a surprise, but players have embraces my arrival into the first team set-up. This season, we want some stability, and to see where we are after what, five games.”
“We do have a couple of younger players coming through, but we’re open to anybody really, and, if you’re good enough, you’re good enough and, although we’re a good squad, it’s the fundamentals, stability, and pushing on throughout the season.” (Images, Joe Gorman)
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CHESTER-LE-STREET TOWN
LADIES (FA Women’s National League Division One North) interview with manager Mark Kelly, and captain/long-serving player, Brogan Prudhoe; Mark had joined the club mid-way through the previous season as the Cestrians suffered relegation and, with all that went with it, bounced back at the first attempt, as league champions, and cup finalists.
Mark Kelly: “It’s not a team here, it’s a family, and they’re really connected outside of football as well; myself, and Phil (Hubbard) agree that, you need to create an environment first and the rest follows.”
“We were delighted that the girls stayed on (following relegation), we just needed to create some stability, set standards as to what we’re trying to achieve and, if we can do that, it becomes a knock-on effect, hence why we’ve bridged the gap with the Development side, because we don’t want them left out of the equation – we’re all part of the same club.”
“Although I’ve been here since pre-covid, at one point there
was just myself; relegation was a horrid time for then but, to be fair, the girls rallied around each other – Phil, he’s been a massive help for me, and with Michael, and now Mo here as well.”
“Following relegation, we needed to rebuild confidence, which picked up the more we won games and, when we beat (South) Shields, we knew we’d hit the turning point and could win the league; the season was a fantastic one (bar the Alnwick result) and we got back to where we belong, need to be.”
“Losing Dom (Dominyka Podziute), when that happened, the girls were devastated. It took a lot for them to even go back out
there and play again; it was a difficult period, some dark times and training was pretty much non-existent – last pre-season (2022) was needed in order for the team to pick themselves back up again.”
“We start the new season against Durham Cestria, who we also faced pre-season, and we think that we can go out there and compete. We’ll be alright if we do what we say we can; survival, pushing mid-table, that would be great, and anything more is a bonus.”
“Facing (Notts) County in the League Cup, here, will be great, and is a game that we can win, but we’ll see where we are after the opening league games for there’s a tough season ahead, but we’re looking forward to it.” Brogan Prudhoe meanwhile, she’s been around for an age and, barring a spell away at university, is a Cestrian throughand-through having joined the club in her early, teenage years.
“It’s certainly getting harder now, especially over the past 18 months and I’ve noticed that I’m getting slower.”
“The standard at our level
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has shot up since covid, it’s improved massively whether better coaching, younger players. On the field, before the past few seasons, things were alright, but they could have been much better as well, we weren’t there tactically and, although we did well, with a good, footballing team, it was harder more with the team.”
“The season before last, that was a horrible one for us and, although we didn’t lose every game, it was still horrible to go through – nobody expected us to do as badly as we did, and we continued to play in an attacking manner so Mark (Kelly) bless him, he was thrown in at the deep end, a baptism of fire.”
“After relegation, we lost a couple of players (moving on), but, in keeping players here, the core group, keeping them together instead of falling apart, we just had to take it one game at a time. Personally though, I had no idea how things were going to go and we ended up having a good enough season, only dropping points after we’d won the league – taking nothing away from Alnwick, but our mind-set just wasn’t in it.”
“It’s hard to say what my best season has been, as they’ve all been really similar in a way, although it’s been a while since we won the County Cup. If we’d won that last season, as well as the league, I’d have said that, but, overall, I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had at the club.”
“In tier four though, it’s a lot harder now so we have to have a lot of quality players, like an Anna Winter before she left for Durham, because the other teams have quality in depth at this level, and above. For us, I’d say survival has to be the main aim, although we’ve kept the majority of the squad that was relegated playing in local derbies though, they’re always hard and, with us coming in as the promoted side, will be harder.”
“Facing (Notts) County, in the League Cup, I’m looking forward to it, and it’ll see what the standard of football in the Midlands is like. We’re happy it’s at home though, and whatever happens, happens – it’s a challenge, and we’ll take it all one game at a time.” (Images, Chester-Le-Street Ladies socials)
SPENNYMOOR TOWN LADIES (NE Regional League Premier Division) interview with manager Billy Shackleton, who saw his side promoted as runnersup in his first season in charge, and led them on an 18-match, unbeaten run.
“Last season was pretty much all-systems go what with coming in, changing the culture, the structure, and that’s something which has really helped us this summer; the players we have here, they’re good, we just needed to make things more professional.
“I would have been happy with a top four finish, having finished sixth the season before, but, by Xmas, we knew that we wanted to finish top. The run
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we had though, that was incredible, and we didn’t know what was happening until we were a dozen unbeaten. Ourselves, like Wallsend BC (who finished top), we just went about our business.”
“This summer has gone as well as, if not better, than it could have, and I’ve got the signings in we wanted. It’s just unfortunate that some players have had to move on. As for the new season, we won’t be focussing on what other clubs are doing and will aim to finish as high as we possibly can. I’d like a top five, if not higher, but we’ll just embrace it, enjoy it, and see what happens.” (Images, Dave Nelson)
“I do have history with Hartlepool though and they, along with Alnwick Town and Bradford, are the ones to watch.”
It’s quite easy not to see the number of football clubs there are, in any region of the British Isles, really, but here, in the north-east, so long a hotbed of
football, and where women’s football is flourishing, clubs are aplenty.
Between Levels Two and Six of the women’s footballing pyramid, there’s around thirty clubs or so, across six, different divisions. They are –
LEVEL TWO Barclays Women’s Championship, the established duo of Durham and Sunderland, managed by lee Sanders and Melanie Reay respectively, and who finished seventh and eleventh in the league standings last time around.
LEVEL THREE FA Women’s National League Northern Premier, newly-promoted Newcastle United, managed by Becky Langley, and heading into their biggest ever season.
LEVEL FOUR FA Women’s National League Division One North, Chester-le-Street Town return to the National League and will play against fellow, north-east clubs Durham Cestria, Middlesbrough, Norton &
Stockton Ancients, and York City (other clubs in the division are Barnsley, Chorley, Doncaster Rovers Belles, FC United of Manchester, Hull City, Leeds United, and Stockport County).
LEVEL FOUR North-East Regional League Premier Division, local clubs beginning to stack up the lower down the pyramid you go. In here we’ve Alnwick Town, Hartlepool United, Redcar Town, South Shields, Spennymoor Town, Sunderland West End (managed by ex-Sunderland legend, Gary Bennett), Wallsend BC (other clubs are Barnsley, Bradford City, Harrogate Town, Hull United, and Wakefield).
LEVEL FIVE North-East Regional League Division One North, Blyth Town, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street United, Consett, Gateshead, Hartlepool Youths, Norton & Stockton Ancients Reserves, Ponteland United, Sunderland U23s, Thornaby, Wallsend BC Reserves, Washington.
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LEVEL SIX North-East Regional League Division One South, Ripon City, York City Development, York City Railway Institute.
Whilst beneath level six of the pyramid there’s that of the regional feeders, going as deep as level ten, and taking in Durham County, Northumberland, East Riding, and North Riding FAs; in addition, clubs at levels one through five are primarily eligible for entry into the Vitality Women’s FA Cup competition. Speaking of the national cup competition, only two northeast sides have made the showpiece final – Cleveland Spartans (now Middlesbrough) lost 2-0 against Lowestoft Ladies back in 1982, the Teessiders were managed by Frank McMorrow and included long-serving Marrie Wieczorek, who’d spend more than 35 years at the club as both a player (1976-1996), and manager (1996-2012); whilst the
other club, Sunderland, were runners-up as recently as 2009, losing 2-1 to record winners, Arsenal, Kelly McDougall netting for the Wearsiders and were managed by Mick Mulhern. Included in that Sunderland squad of ’09, some big names of the women’s game in Siobhan Chamberlain (50+ caps, England), Lucy Bronze (100+ caps, England), Jordan Nobbs (70+ caps, England), Jess Fishlock (130+ caps, Wales), and Demi Stokes (70+ caps, England). Fixtures, they’re now all out (check with respective clubs, or via the FA Full-time website), cup draws meanwhile have seen both Durham and Sunderland, drawn into the same Conti (League) Cup group….
GROUP A: - Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Durham, Sheffield United, Sunderland
Whilst the opening round of the Vitality FA Cup (10 September; First Qualifying Round), north-
east clubs have been drawn as follows…..
Guisborough Town vs. Chesterle-Street United; Prudhoe Town vs. Bishop Auckland; Chester-leStreet Amazons vs. Ripon City; Bedlington Belles vs. Darlington; Cramlington United vs. Hebburn Town; Gateshead Rutherford vs. Thornaby; Carlisle United vs. Hartlepool Youths; Horden Colliery Welfare vs. West Allotment Celtic; Northallerton Town vs. Washington; Gateshead Leam Rangers vs. Birtley Town; Lower Hopton vs. York Railway Institute
The second qualifying round has also been drawn, and scheduled to be played on 1 October 2023; as for the FA Women’s National League Cup sees, on 27 August 2023, Chester-le-Street Town host another newly-promoted side in Notts County, and Newcastle United welcome Burnley.
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12 Rounds With Chris Goodall
Hi Chris, welcome to NE, can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi NE, my name’s Chris, I was born in South Shields but bought my first home in Boldon where I live with my wife Rachel, son Myles, best pal Jim (French Bulldog) and soon, a new addition to the family as we are expecting our second child in September.
You run Box Clever events, but for those that may not know, what exactly is Box Clever Events? Box Clever Events was set up in 2013 to help fundraise for local charities. I have been involved with boxing for as long as I can remember, and Box Clever Events aims to get others involved in the sport. We recruit people to participate on our shows and provide them with 8 weeks free training before allowing them to box on a professional show within the North East. The unique thing is,
participants can choose which charity they’d like us to fundraise for, meaning we’ve supported literally hundreds over the years.
So how did it all come about? A good friend of the family had received a lot of support from a local hospital who we then heard were struggling with fundraising. We set out with the aim of raising £1000 to help them to buy some
necessities for their children’s ward.
You’ve just hit a pretty massive milestone, tell us a bit more about that?
Yeah, so as I just mentioned we originally set out to raise £1000 for the local hospital. We somehow managed to raise a lot more. We handed over just short of £5000 which as you can imagine felt pretty amazing. Word spread and several other charities got in touch with us. We decided to attempt to hit £10,000 which then became £50,000... £75,000... £100,000... last week we just hit £300,000!
Did you ever think you would hit that amount when you first started?
Never in a million years! It’s crazy to think that a local lad and a small boxing club in South Shields has now raised almost a third of a
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million pounds!
What has been the hardest thing about hosting the events?
A couple of things really. Obviously being able to help so many amazing charities feels extremely rewarding but it also opens you up to some heart wrenching things. It certainly makes me feel appreciative every day in regards to how fortunate I am. This leads on to the second most difficult thing which is no doubt the same for anyone who organises events; it can be very time consuming.
Thankfully I have an amazing wife and family who are supportive and allow me to crack on with any of the crazy event ideas that pop in to my head at all hours of the day.
And the best thing?
Being reminded each day of how amazing the people of South Tyneside are.
In all of the events you have done, what have been the top three moments you have had?
In no particular order. We’ve received praise from a number of high profile boxers who have sent video messages, signed gloves, and even on a number of occasions visited and trained with our participants. Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, Andrew Selby and Ricky Hatton have all been very supportive over the years. One of the top moments though would be having former World Champion David Haye
along to our gym the day of our first ever show. He came to visit all of the participants doing our first ever show and spent hours
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offering advice, taking photos and putting the boxers at ease.
The relationships that we’ve made along the way. Having everyone pull together is an amazing feeling and not only have we raised a ton
of money but we’ve had couples meet on our shows who have went on to have kids together and just last week, one of our participants got married on the morning of the show before heading to the venue to box for the very first time in front of his new wife, family and wedding party guests. He also went on to raise over £1000 for MacMillan Cancer.
Being Shortlisted for pride of Britain when we hit £100,000 was a surreal feeling. None of us at Box Clever Events got involved with the charity work for awards but it’s an amazing feeling when the work is recognised and shows we’re doing something right!
If someone is thinking of competing at a future event what advice would you give them? Just go for it! Everything fun comes when you leave your comfort zone. It’s an amazing way to get fit, you’ll improve your confidence and meet some fantastic people. Safety is paramount too
and we’re yet to speak to a participant who hasn’t loved the occasion!
How can they get involved? Facebook is where we do the bulk of our recruiting. Give us a like and a follow @Box Clever Events.
When you are not busy putting on events what do you get up to in your free time?
I love to travel with the family but with expecting another little one in September we’ve not been away this year. When I’m home I can usually be found watching Newcastle United, having a coffee
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somewhere or watching a film at our local cinema.
Tell us three random facts about yourself?
For fans of The Sopranos, I took my wife to the Bada Bing in New Jersey for our wedding anniversary! I think I enjoyed it more than she did!
I go to the cinema at least 100 times a year. The most visits being 148.
My best pal in the world is my French Bulldog, Jim.
Where can people follow you and keep up to date with events?
They can’t go wrong with Facebook. For info on our shows @Box Clever Events and for our boxing and fitness classes @Harton & Westoe Boxing and Fitness Club.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Just a massive thanks to everyone
who has supported us over the years and to all of the event staff, coaches, medical team, DJs, MCs, photographers and so on. You guys are appreciated and the work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing you at the next event. Thanks, see you there!
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The Straightener Show hit the Walker Dome with a Bang! You seriously wouldn’t have thought it was the very first ever show from promoters Michael Terrill, Andy Davison and Mark Bailey, judging by the production, how well it was organised, ran and of course from its action packed fight card featuring MMA, Kivkboxing, Boxing, Hybrid Boxing and a crazy 2 Vs 2 fight that had the whole of the Walker Dome going crazy!
Michael Terrill is well known on the fight scene, seeing as he has competed in Thai Boxing, Amateur Boxing, K1 and Bare Knuckle Boxing, where he has held many of their titles including BKB World Champion. Andy Davidson (the King of Walker) is a well-respected boxer who has fought on
many promotions, but now spends his time coaching. Both used to coach the lads at the infamous The Manor Gym, which has produced some of the best fighters in the North East, though the Manor is no longer going, they now coach at O’Tooles Gym still churning out incredible fighters. Mark Bailey is a huge supporter of the north east fight scene sponsoring several fighters and shows, always giving back to the community. He runs the Computer Clinic in Washington Galleries and provided the full merchandise selection available at the show, which went down great with the crowd as they got to take home branded t-shirts, bucket hats, caps and more.
Veteran MC Wayne Groves was the voice of The Straightener Show introducing all of the fighters and announcing the winners, though this time he was joined by social media star Jack Bart who hyped the crowd up and entertained them with his usual antics.
The real stars of the show were of course the fighters, who all
brought their A-game and left it all in the cage. With a good mix of up and coming talent to guys who have been on the scene for years, the crowd were not disappointed by the action they saw in the cage. If you missed the show you really did miss a great night, but don’t worry as the videos will be coming to youtube and the social channels soon, but we highly suggest you get your tickets to the next show which has been confirmed for Saturday 2nd December where they intend the up their game and really finish the year with a bang!
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We have double the fun now as we have teamed up with Cineworld Boldon and the new Cineworld Dalton Park to give you a quick run down on a few films that are coming soon and really have got us excited.
Plus make sure you check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with their daily competitions and updates. Boldon and Dalton Park
Blue Beetle
18 August 2023
Running time: 127 minutes
From Warner Bros. Pictures comes the feature film “Blue Beetle,” marking the DC Super Hero’s first time on the big screen. The film, directed by Angel Manuel Soto, stars Xolo Maridueña in the title role as well as his alter ego, Jaime Reyes. Recent college grad
Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future, only to find that home is not quite as he left it. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab
suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE.
Cast: Elpidia Carrillo, George
Lopez, Susan Sarandon, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Bruna Marquezine, Raoul Max Trujillo, Xolo Maridueña, Belissa Escobedo, Harvey Guillén, Becky G.
Director: Angel Manuel Soto
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS OR WATCH THE TRAILER
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The Equalizer 3
01 September 2023
Running time: 120 minutes
Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.
Cast: David Denman, Dakota Fanning, Denzel Washington, Gaia Scodellaro
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CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS OR WATCH THE TRAILER
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Kraven The Hunter
30 August 2024
Running time: 120 minutes
Russian immigrant Sergei
Kravinoff is on a mission to prove that he is the greatest hunter in the world.
Cast: Russell Crowe, Alessandro Nivola, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Abbott, Levi Miller,
Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger Director: J.C. Chandor
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER
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The Expendables 4
22 September 2023
Running time: 120 minutes
The Expendables will square
up against: an arms dealer who commands the might of a massive private army.
Cast:
50 Cent, Megan Fox, Andy Garcia, Tony Jaa, Sylvester
Stallone, Jason Statham, Iko Uwais, Dolph Ludngren, Randy Couture Director: Scott Waugh
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS AND WATCH THE TRAILER
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Some you win, and some lose, that is how I occasionally feel when reading books.
I can persevere with the best of them, if I don’t like it, I give it up, if I do then I’ll either give it a chance, or come back to it again at a later date; that’s how I felt with one of the books I’ve read recently. Since the last Book Tales, when I discussed, primarily, the 1950s David Attenborough now in my possession, I’ve gone back to reading thrillers, and added in something new and different, with differing outcomes.
Thrillers are thrillers, there’s no other way around them really and,
more often than not, they’re based on serial killers, or something as equally depraved, and that’s where the first two offerings emanated from.
The first, JA ‘Jack’ Kerley’s No One Will Hear (Her Last Scream) was a rollercoaster ride in itself, and about a serial killer who’d infiltrated a secret, underground network, used for saving women who’d suffered with domestic violence. A number of heroes in this as an undercover newbie goes deep into the system, following the network, to protect, serve, and deliver. Then there was the addition of a new author to my very short,
distinguished list of favourites, so much so that I’ve already got another of his books upcoming – Chris Carter, one who’s mind knows no bounds and I’m hoping that his other reads, deliver just as much as Genesis, truly did.
An Xmas present from a few years back, it was shelved as one to read later; again, although about a serial killer, it’s depraved in its descriptiveness, makes you wonder in the real world so much so that, at one point, I actually did stop to check under my bed – you can’t get under my bed, it just felt all too real.
Genesis certainly keeps the reader
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gripped from first to last, throws in a few curveballs along the way, and finishes with a final twist that you’d probably not see coming, I certainly didn’t; oh, and crossed legs for some lobsters, jeez!! I then decided to mix things a little bit, recalling that my grandfather used to read westerns, I thought I’d give them a try and, although a good read, my first choice, Dane Coolidge’s The Soldier’s Way, wasn’t all that for me, however, and although I was wary going straight into another one, I wasn’t disappointed by Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse, by Robert
Knott.
A brilliant, enjoyable read which saw lawmakers, renegades, and kidnappings, on the American Railroad on its way through the Choctaw Nation – a Native American Indian tribe which was recognised in the 1780s and established some fifty years later. Then, the most recent read, and again something different for me –I’ve read fantasies, and the occasional horror and sci-fi, but never delved into the ghost world, and more so one based on true events, stories.
“Some stories are never finished.
Some voices demand to be heard, even after death....”
Neil Spring’s The Lost Village, what a read this was, and highly recommended as well. It caught me by surprise and is a ghostly tale based in, and around, the lost village of Imber, in the Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire; how the British Army took the village to help the war effort, and never gave it back to its people, who are allowed back in once a year, to honour their dead.
Now, moving forward, there’s a few temptations to read, although I will say that one of next issue’s looks will be at another, Chris Carter offering – I can’t wait….
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Writing books can take on many different forms, for people from different walks of life, and there’s no written rule, per se, as to who does what, and when – if there’s interest, write it.
The same can be said about when you write a book, and have it published, be it early, or late in life – if it’s achievable, the do it, that’s what people like north-east writer, Haydn Watson, has done.
Having already lived a life, first in engineering, then teaching, and now retired, Haydn writes books, and is soon to have his third offering, via The Memoir Club, published, entitled ‘What Have We Done?’ it following that of ‘A Life
Navigated,’ and ‘Garn Yem.’
“I began writing some ten years ago,” began Haydn, as he chatted about entering a literary world.
“It all started as a personal tale of my younger life and resulted in a set of stories based on my teenage years.
“I had no inclination to have them published at that stage and just printed a few of them for friends and relatives.
“Then I remembered the life of my late father-in-law, Fazel Rehman.
“His life was quite a tale that included trekking from his village in Afghanistan aged 11, with a camel train to Karachi.
“Then, at 16 he joined the Merchant Navy and sailed in
the Atlantic Conveys.
“He was torpedoed twice and survived twice, and would go on to spend two years in the United States, finally arriving in the UK, meeting and marrying my late mother-in-law in South Shields.
“I decided to write his story which led to ‘A Life Navigated,’ which was published in 2020 (Diadem Books).”
With ‘A Life Navigated; being the biographical tale of a man witnessing many harsh and dangerous experiences throughout life, overcoming many challenges, ‘Garn Yem,’ the second offering from Haydn Watson, and this via The Memoir Club, is something different indeed.
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A selection of stories penned near a decade ago now, and brought together to form one piece of prose, it focusses on the author’s earlier life, with friends, and set during the seventies.
“It has factual incidents within the book and I’ve changed the names of the characters, so that I would not create any concerns for the individuals in the narrative,” explained Haydn about his most recent release.
“There are some individuals who agreed to have their names included and the book has a lot of humour alongside a little sadness; the 70`s though, it was a period where political correctness was a vision for the future and the book overall is dedicated to friendships formed during that time.”
Whether writing fiction, or non-fiction books, an element of research is needed, more with the latter of the two, literary types.
For Haydn, his offerings are, perhaps, a combination of the two, but on the main, biographical in nature, whereas is next offering is perhaps his greatest challenge, especially when you consider the topic in question.
“It is a fictional story about the Holocaust,” continued Haydn.
“I have created characters and a storyline that follows a father and son on a perilous journey.
“It’s a story of hope and determination, in the face of terrible persecution.
“The title is a question that reflects a statement asking why us? And secondly, what did we do to stop it?
“For anyone reading my books, they should expect to see honesty, and detailed research.
“The research element has fascinated me and I learned so much working on ‘A Life
Navigated.’
“’Garn Yem’ was a joy to write and many people have enjoyed the settings and locals I have created.
“It being a local narrative with many places and venues named in the North East.
“From a personal perspective, writing has given me so much pleasure, and I am indebted to many people including my partner Christine, my friends David Bartley, Ian Braun, Mel Paterson, and Ray Innerd, whilst my children, Layla, Emma, Geoff, Adam, and Philippa, have been wonderfully enthusiastic throughout.”
Haydn Watson’s two publications, ‘A Life Navigated,’ and ‘Garn Yem,’ can be purchased from that of The Word Shop, South Shields; Featherbed Books, Houghton le Spring; and The Accidental Bookshop, Alnwick and direct from the author via haydnwatson@ sky.com
Alternatively, ‘Garn Yem,’ and his upcoming release, can be ordered via Lynn Davidson at The Memoir Club via memoirclub@ msn.com and read more about his second book via https://thememoirclub. blogspot.com/ search?q=haydn+watson
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Wholehearted congratulations this month are extended to a pair of extremely talented, County Durham musicians, Jo Harrop and Paul Edis, who, this month, claimed a prestigious, All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group award.
The Chester-le-Street born pairing, who reside in London, are magical musicians of a high order and the success, it came as much the surprise for the duo, it being for the December 2022 release ‘When Winter Turns To Spring,’ the ninetrack masterpiece earning the ‘Album of the Year’ award.
Jo last appeared in these pages back in April 2022 (Issue #56), when she was on her ‘The Heart Wants’
tour, and has since appeared in the region at the recent, Hexham Jazz Festival.
The track listing for ‘When Winter Turns to Spring’ is as follows – Umbrellas in the Rain; Winter Love Affair (One Day Soon); A Perfect
Winter’s Day; New Year, New You; Breathing; In The Bleak Midwinter; Only Spring Will Decide; When Winter Turns To Spring; Spring Put The Swing In My Step
The pair said of the album –“Most of the songs on this record seem to be about the circle of nature and the cycle of life reminding us that all is not lost,” explained Harrop. “Winter is temporary, as is loss, and spring and love will come again.”
“There are songs about love and loss as well as new life and new hope,” added Edis. “From the romantic album opener, Short Story, which begins in autumn, through to the rather dramatic November scene of a windswept Soho in Umbrellas In The Rain, weather is a common lyrical theme running through
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these songs, but they are about so much more than they initially appear to be.”
Appearing alongside vocalist, Jo Harrop, and pianist/co-writer/ composer/arranger Paul Edis, on ‘When Winter Turns To Spring,’ are the following, other musicians, drummer Adam King, bassist Peter Adam Hill, trumpeter Freddie Gravita, trombonist Rory Ingham, saxophonist/flutist Emma Rawicz-Szczerbo, and the Debs White Strings Quartet, produced by Jamie McCredie at Gorilla Studios, on Lateralize Records.
In addition to the success with the ‘Album of the Year’ award, Jo Harrop was also nominated for the ‘Vocalist of the Year’ (image, John Lyons) alongside Emma Smith, Georgia Cécile, and eventual winner, Elaine Delmar; the Album success saw them see off the challenge of both Ubunye ‘Ubunye,’ and Trish Clowes: ‘A View with a Room.’
Continuing the regional connection, North-East MP, Chi Onwurah, is the Deputy Chair of APPJAG, and she was quoted as saying after the event, held at the PizzaExpress Live Holborn, in early July –
“This has been another really strong year for the Parliamentary Jazz Awards in terms of talent and nominations.
“The well-deserved recipients are a veritable who’s who of names that have made a real impact on the music and helped make the UK one of the world’s leading jazz territories.”
Congratulations to Jo, and Paul, on your continued,
and deserved success –keep up-to-date with what the pair have going on via their respective websites: Jo Harrop https://www. joharrop.com/ and Paul Edis https://www.pauledis. co.uk/
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Text or WhatsApp 07831279886, messenger, or by email enquiries@yycnortheast.org www.yycnortheast.org Come with us to learn our superpowers! They truly are the secret to a more contented life, we run free to attend stress busting group sessions weekly, drop in and meet us!
It’s been a long time since Northumberland outfit, Wallington FC, won the Northern Alliance Premier Division title, 46 years and counting in fact, but, last season’s third place finish, their best since then, affords high hopes as the club moves towards its 150th anniversary.
Back then the club was managed by Stuart Leason, and coached by Brian Main, fast forward near half-a-century and, although that weight doesn’t bare down on their shoulders, far from it, current manager Trevor Baston, and captain Kris Willis, are continuing the tradition that club has within.
“There’s no pressure to win here, at Scots Gap,” stated captain Willis, who has been with the Greens for around five years now.
“Everybody is with you, be they committee, management, the supporters; it’s the beauty of playing for a club like this, it’s just, well, business as usual.”
Over their two spells in the Alliance, Wallington have amassed more than 45 years now, their first spell coming between the midsixties, and early-eighties, and was topped off with that title-winning season, edging Carlisle City by a solitary point.
Other than that, their best finish had been the two, fourth place finishes, either side of the title win, in 1976 and 1978, the league at the time running just the one division; Wallington back then, they were actually perhaps more accustomed to finishing at the other end of the table.
Finishing in the bottom four on some nine occasions, three times they’d finish last, back-to-back
in 1971 and 1972, behind Marine Park, and Throckley Welfare respectively, and again in their last season, in 1982, a point behind Alnwick Town, and two off both Stobswood Welfare and Wallsend Town.
The Greens returned to the Alliance in the mid-nineties, slowly returning to the top table, at the end of the day, it is a walk (maybe a steady jog), not a sprint, and at
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that point there was three divisions, Wallington finishing tenth, of fourteen sides, in Division Two. It would be the turn of the millennium that would witness the upsurge in fortunes of the Greens and, in 2001, they lifted the Division Two title, finishing three points ahead of Shankhouse Black Watch, going on to spend a little more than a decade in Division One.
During that 2001 title-winning campaign, the Greens would also find themselves runners-up to Wallsend Town in the Amateur Cup final, whilst in 2008 it would be Walker Central that would beat them to the punch in the League
Cup – the one trophy which has alluded manager, Trevor Baston. Back-to-back last place finishes in Division One were witnessed in 2004 and 2005, but, with no relegations, the club carried on, eventually gaining promotion to the Premier Division in 2013 having finished a point ahead of Red House Farm.
During this time the Greens also lifted the Northumberland FA Minor Cup (2012), were League Cup runners-up (2013), Challenge Cup winners (2014), and twice lifted the Clayton Cup (2012 and 2015), going on to also lift the first of two, Northumberland FA Benevolent Bowl’s, in 2015.
Newcastle Chemfica were Wallington’s victims in the Minor Cup final with long-serving Green, Kyle Reardon, attributing their success to Sam Lough.
“I’ve always been happy at Oakford Park, and it’s been a very competitive place to be,” explained Reardon, who has been at the club since the start of 2007.
“The catalyst for the success here (between 2012 and 2019), was mainly due to the arrival of Sam Lough, the season of our first trophy.
“He’s sadly passed away now but, in that first season, he implemented a new training regime, and we all just hit it off straight away.
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“We went on to defeat Chemfica in the Minor Cup final, who went on to win the Division One title the following season.
“Red House Farm meanwhile, who were runners-up that season, we had some good battles with them; we then lifted the Challenge Cup in what was Trevor (Baston) last season playing, and winning the Bowl, just topped it all off.”
He’s a household name at Wallington in Trevor, just like their chairman, and former everything else as well, Alex Slack – they seen the bad times, and rolled in the good times, that’s for sure, but that spell, for any club really, will always ignite happy memories.
“I’ve played, captained, managed, and now the de-facto chairman at Wallington, and have been here around twenty years,” divulged chairman, Alex Slack.
“It is remarkable that we’re still going, but we’re as determined as ever and that’s despite the increasing challenges we face.
“We’re in good shape though, had a decent pre-season, and happy that we can go again for another season.
“The first year in which I was manager we lost the first five and still finished in fourth place, so
there’s been a pattern at this club for a while now (alluding to the notorious, slow-starting Greens).
“That season in which we won the Alliance though (1977), and having spoken with those involved at the time, the club went all out that season for it, with it having been our centenary year.
“It’s not a ghost, or a demon, that needs to be exorcised though, far from it, but we are a pretty good cup team, and often seen as being the underdogs.
“Our aim though, it’s always to finish as high as we can, and have a good, ten-year average in the league, but we’re a humble bunch, and we know that other clubs don’t like coming here.”
That past decade has seen the club
in the Alliance Premier Division, they getting better and better as the seasons plough on, they’re like a vintage wine now, surely….
The Challenge Cup and Benevolent Bowl successes of 2014 and 2015 (against and Whitley Bay Reserves respectively) though proved to be the last silverware the club lifted for a while, and, as the 2010s ticked into the 2020s, fans were perhaps wondering when the next would arrive.
Consecutive, fourth place finishes in the league arrived in 2018 and 2019, before a great start to the covid-wiped season stopped them in their tracks, albeit briefly. That’s the best start Wallington have had to a league campaign in some time and manager Trevor Baston, who had two spells at the club as a player before initially becoming Slack’s assistant, said: “Winning the league was so long ago that there is no pressure on us, I just want to win a cup again.
“I’d love for us to win the league title though, but we do need to get through that first month or two first.
“When we won Division One, now that was hard, it’s a tough ask getting out of that division; overall though, I’d love for us to win the Bowl again because winning that, and finishing third last season, has been the highlight of my time here.”
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If finishing third last time around was a highlight for those at the club, not having any real cup success would be the low point. The season before on the otherhand, the 2021-22 campaign, that was a different story indeed, and, for one week late in the season, the club would finish as runners-up to Killingworth in a barnstormer of a final with Killingworth, the opponents winning on penalties following a 4-4 draw, before edging, just days later, rivals Alnwick Town in the Benevolent Bowl final, the
Greens’ second in seven years.
“The five years in which I’ve had here, so far, have been amazing,” continued captain, Kris Willis. “It’s been great seeing players grow, flourish, into what they are now, and it’s been an interesting journey in which to be on.
“Lifting the Bowl (2022) as captain, that’s been the highlight of my senior career as I’d never lifted anything before that.
“We should actually have won both cups that season and the Killingworth game (League Cup),
that was probably the best in which we’d played all season; we were pretty much non-stop for the entire game and, but for Michael Baxter’s cameo showing, we’d have actually won it.
“Last season though, now that was intense, and we especially felt pressure from mid-season on when we saw the games in hand but, like with Alnwick, we started clawing them back, clicked at the right time, and picked up some big results.
“As always though, we just took it all one game at a time.”
Come publication, Wallington, like the rest of the Alliance, and non-league as a whole, will have had their opening games of the 2023/24 campaign, the Greens hosting Premier Division newcomers, Hebburn Town Reserves, on the opening day.
Mid-August is an interesting one for them and, with little success in the George Dobbins League Cup down the years, they’ll play host to Blyth Town Reserves.
“Recent years here, at Scots Gap, have been fantastic,” beamed Slack.
“I recall when we went a spell without any success, then, when
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I got the captain’s band, we won a few trophies.
“It is nights like those, and what we’ve had recently, that means a lot for the lads – but we always end up kicking every ball as well; for me though, our success is having a side, surviving, and entering the league every season.”
Alongside Slack and Baston, and the long-serving Reardon, the club also has the likes of Justin Millican, John Paxton (300+), Jordan Nellis (200+), Michael Angus (150+), Aaron Carr (150+), Thomas Truscott (150+) knocking out appearances – a long way behind them are this summer’s new arrivals in Jack Cooper, Ethan Page, Curtis Williamson, Sheldon White, and Danny Roberts Strengthening the defensive options more than anything, Baston’s only headaches (they hope) this coming campaign, will be those of the selection kind, having the rare commodity of more than 25 squad members in which to choose
from.
“This season, we have to be seen to be challenging for the league title,” admitted their captain.
“Everybody loves a good cup run, and we’d hoped to get at least the Bowl back here last time out, and were expected to after winning it the season before – but that’s the beauty of football.
“The league though, that has to be the bare minimum, as well as getting to a cup final.
“It would be amazing, truly, to be able to lift the league at this club, it would be something else.”
The last word though, that’ll belong to club chairman, Alex Slack; after two decades with the Greens, in any and every capacity, there’s a deserving nature to that, surely. And for him, like pretty much anyone who knows the club, truly, the atmosphere in which it brings is something else indeed.
“I do what I do, because I love it here,” Slack concluded.
“It forms who you are and, when
I was made captain, it shaped me into a better person.
“There’s a lot of pride in seeing our players brining their families along on match-days, to club events, etc, and we’re very lucky to have the volunteers that we do.
“People like Hayley Mitchell; what a star she is, and with it probably the most community-orientated individual we know.
“It’s all about the volunteers at our level, and a club like Wallington works because of the proud people we have, people like Hayley.” Keep up-to-date with all things Wallington FC via their socials on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100036783717282 and Twitter https://twitter.com/wallington1877
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Thursday 12th October 2023
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PREME QUEEN become one of the most respected bands of their genre anywhere on earth.
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Hypnotherapy, but what is Viking Hynotherapy?
Viking Hypnotherapys’ business motto is having “The Strength to Conquer Anything”. Wherever
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physical conditions.
Have these comedy hypnotist shows, where they put you under and then get you to do silly things
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The highly anticipated news comes on the back of last weekend’s sold out two hour set in Hull to launch their 40th anniversary edition vinyl and video for number 1 indie hit “Good Technology”.
The Good Technology 2023 Tour takes in 12 UK dates, and the band are delighted that support for all dates (except Sheffield) will be Liverpool based band The Room.
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Red Guitars are vocalist Jeremy Kidd, lead guitarist Hallam Lewis, drummer Matt Higgins, rhythm guitarist John Rowley and Lou
Duffy-Howard on bass. Initially cutting their teeth playing benefit shows for a series of left-wing causes in the early ‘80s, Red Guitars quickly built a loyal following, before launching an assault on the charts with a series of singles via their own Self Drive Records label that would see them earn a nationally renowned status.
Proving an instant hit with their debut single, the quintet shifted an impressive 60,000 copies of their self-released “Good Technology” single, before going on to top the Independent Charts with consecutive No.1s with the classic cuts “Marimba Jive” and “Steeltown”.
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LONDON 100 Club
OXFORD The Bullingdon
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Forging their own sound with a unique mix of infectious rock and African rhythms, the band quickly earned support from the tastemaker titles of the time including cult 1980s Channel 4 music TV show The Tube and the BBC’s Whistle Test, through to a number of memorable sessions for BBC Radio legend John Peel. The band were notably enjoyed by thousands when supporting The Smiths on their breakthrough tour.
Releasing their seminal debut album ‘Slow To Fade’ in 1984, frontman Jeremy Kidd announced his departure soon after and Red
Guitars ultimately disbanded completely two years later.
Fast forward to 2022 and Red Guitars returned with their complete and original line-up for their first tour since their ‘80s prime. The tour was a great success, with sell out shows and the band’s loyal followers turning out in force.
Now, as “Good Technology” turns 40 this year, the band are set to hit the road again this September. Shedding light on why the time is now right for the return of Red Guitars and what fans can expect from the upcoming live shows,
Lou Duffy-Howard of the band says:
“We were contacted out of the blue by Steve Homer, CEO of worldwide events promotion company AEG Presents. He asked if we’d be up for a tour. We thought about it and the answer was ... yes!.... We had such a great time with fantastic audiences that we’re doing it again. As well as all the singles and favourites from our first album we’ll be revealing one or two new songs before we start recording the new album. We’re delighted that our friends from Liverpool based band The Room will be our support for the tour.”
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TEENAGE FANCLUB RELEASE NEW SINGLE: “BACK TO THE LIGHT”
On 22nd September TEENAGE FANCLUB will release their new album ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ via their own label PeMa in the UK / Europe and Merge in the US.
“Back To The Light” was written by Norman Blake who says:
“I liked the idea of using being in a band as a metaphor for a personal relationship. They are not entirely dissimilar experiences. Like a few
others on the album, this song has saxophone on it. The first time we’ve had that since Songs From Northern Britain. Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo) played those parts; we really like the richness it brings to the song. Steve will be with us when we head out on tour in October in Europe.”
The track follows lead single “Foreign Land” and album highlight “Tired Of Being Alone”.
Following the upcoming release of ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, Teenage Fanclub will be also embark-
ing on world tour throughout the Autumn and into 2024. Tickets for their November UK shows are selling fast.
Teenage Fanclub UK tour dates:
03 November – Belfast - Queen’s University - Mandela Hall
05 November - Glasgow - Tramway Theatre
06 November - Aberdeen - Tivoli Theatre
07 November - Edinburgh - Assembly Rooms
08 November – Leeds – Brudenell
09 November - Gateshead - Sage
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Hall 2
11 November - ManchesterRNCM Theatre
12 November - Sheffield - Leadmill
13 November - Bath - Komedia
14 November - BirminghamTown Hall
17 November - London – EartH
18 November – London – EartH
Sweet Baboo will support on all Nov 2023 dates.
The first sound you hear on ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is a sustained feedback note that hangs in the air with the grace of a dragonfly before an acoustic riff spirals out of it, soaring upwards. It’s blissful and sun-soaked, like a late summer haze blurring out all the details on the horizon. When voices join the music, they arrive perfectly locked together, honed in on a single melody. “It’s time to move along / and leave the past behind me...” The message is simple. Don’t look back, only forward.
One of the recurring themes on
‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is light, as both a metaphor for hope and as an ultimate destination further down the road. Although the band’s songwriters Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley found themselves touching on similar themes, it was pure coincidence.
Raymond: “We never talk about what we’re going to do before we start making a record. We don’t plan much other than the nuts and bolts of where we’re going to record and when. That thing about light was completely accidental; we didn’t realise that until we’d finished half the songs. The record feels reflective, and I think the more we do this thing, the more we become comfortable with going to that place of melancholy, feeling and expressing those feelings.”
While the vocals and the finishing touches on ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ were recorded at Raymond’s place in Glasgow, the music was recorded in an intense ten-day
period in the bucolic Welsh countryside at Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in late August. You can hear the effect of that environment on the record - it’s full of soft breeze, wide skies, beauty and space. The band that recorded ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ - Blake, McGinley along with Francis Macdonald on drums, Dave McGowan on bass and Euros Childs on keyboards - arrived at the residential studio without a fixed plan. Their confidence and ease with working together meant the record came together incredibly quickly.
Looking for positives while faced with the grim realities of the 21st century, Teenage Fanclub’s latest album finds their ability to effortlessly turn melancholy into glorious, chiming harmony very much intact. A force for good for over three decades and counting, they will release their new album ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, via their own PeMA label on 22 September 2023.
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Through A Lens With Denise Angel
In this, the first of two parts, NE Online’s Senior Writer, Peter Mann, gets up-close-and-personal with a local artist and photographer, a fashion designer by trade, who enjoys the finer things in life, living each day to its fullest, County Durham’s Denise Angel. The mother of two, grandmother of one – don’t let that fool you, has certainly built a resume on which to match the work in which she does, both her art, and photographic work beginning back in her teenage years. We’ll delve a little into both, but
in this, first part, is a look into Denise in the world of wildlife photography, and that of her very recent, photographic escapade, to Northern Spain, and the retreat of ‘Hides de Monegros.’
“Photography, it’s like art to me,” began Denise.
“It’s something in which I can easily get lost in, caught up in, the moment just takes over.
“I actually used to do a little photography back when I was at school, then again as part of my foundation course in art & design; although with cameras now integrated into mobile phones, I do tend to take pictures all of the time.
“I only really learnt how to take (proper) photographs when I got my NIKON camera, about a
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decade or so ago, and I’ve a good friend who’s been mentoring me also.”
As you’ll see in part two, in our October issue, Denise tends to be just as critical about her photographic skills, her eye for detail, as she is with her artistic abilities; seeing though is very much believing and the proof, it’s very much in the pudding where Denise and her work is concerned, with what she produces on a regular basis. “Yes, I’m very critical about my work, and do tend to get rather upset with it as well,” continued Denise.
“I’m pretty much the definition of a perfectionist though, but, unfortunately, I don’t get out nearly enough because of all the art I do, as well as teaching, among other things.
“That’s why, well, one of the reasons anyway, I jumped at the opportunity of the recent excursion
to Northern Spain.” Amongst her family and friends, Denise is well-known for her stunning work; although doing what she has, for as long as she has done, it’s surprising that she, and her work, is not known much further afield – it deserves to be. Images taken across the region alone are stunning enough, visibly
so, and as she continues to grow, the spread in which she achieves will also expand. Images taken in Northern Spain certainly affords more weight to that fact, and was a chance worth taken, even if the trip itself was as tiring as they come.
“We were up at 5am, out by 6am, and in the hides for like, five hours
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a time, every day we were there,” explained Denise.
“No matter it being in the mountains, or on barren lands, it was repetitive until 930/10pm, dusk, every night.
“So sleep, it was minimal, we weren’t getting to bed until gone midnight, then starting early again.”
Going off early images alone, the wildlife in which Denise was presented with, leaves little to the imagination, with birds of differing kinds aplenty – they’re a topic of Denise’s stunning repertoire. “It was an incredible experience and I learnt so much from it,” beamed Denise over a steaming latte.
“I was invited to attend, and it was something completely differ-
ent, but I certainly enjoyed every second of it.
“I’d spoke to a few friends who’d done similar, but even that doesn’t
actually prepare you for the experience itself – it’s intense, and there’s a lot for you to do.”
The wonder of wildlife, it can do a lot to a person, there’s so much out there, a lot of which is still untouched, and for Denise to get even a glimpse of that, continues to show how far she’s come.
“Seeing so many different types of wildlife though, that was an incredible experience in itself,” smiled Denise.
“There was so much happening all at once and there was two-tofour of us, locked in a hide, for five hours at a time, although there was also a few people who did solo sessions as well.
“The bee-eaters were just incredible; I’ve never seen them before and they dive just like the kingfisher does, just beautiful in movement, and in colour.
“The turtle doves were stunning, and the lighting at the time, just changes the shot completely; there were also eagles and vultures, marsh harriers, kites, it was endless.
“The vultures, they are huge, and there’s definitely a hierarchy, a pecking order, but, overall, I had so many enjoyable experiences out there.
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“The whole lighting, the beauty of it all though, that’s what excited me the most.”
And then there was that culture shock of returning home, in Northern Spain, temperatures were at a searing, 36+, and on a daily basis; upon coming home, back to Durham, we all know what the north-east weather can be, and is like. That and the sleep deprivation really caught up with her, fortunately though, Bracken, her everloving springer spaniel, hasn’t suffered too much – although you’d think so with his canine reactions
when she went to collect him upon her return – that however, is a different story completely. Now though, with plenty of both photographic, and artistic ideas filling her beautiful mind, Denise is excited for what the near future at least, holds and, as she continues to flex her artistic mind, in any form, you can check out her works via her ‘Iridescent Moon Gallery’ https://www.facebook.com/petportraitsbydenise Meanwhile, in our next issue, we go back to Denise in what is a stunning, end-of-year twoparter, to talk about her life in
art, and maybe give our readers ideas aplenty for the upcoming Christmas rush – her work is most certainly worth it. cials on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/profile.
php?id=100036783717282 and Twitter https://twitter.com/wallington1877
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Comedian and television presenter Leigh Francis steps on stage with his iconic characters, including Keith Lemon, for his first ever live tour!
Thursday 28th March 2024
Leigh Francis, former host of Celebrity Juice (2008-2022) and hilarious sketch show creator is embarking on his first ever live tour. The comedian is coming on stage as himself, but will be joined by fan favourite characters, such as Keith Lemon, in what is set to be an incredible 18-day tour.
The BAFTA-Award winning comedian will come to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Thursday 28th March 2024. The Yorkshire-born star is infamous for his portrayal of various characters and celebrity impersonations. From Keith Lemon, Bear and Avid Merrion to ‘David Dickinson’, ‘Ant and Dec’ and Myrtle, this tour will be packed full of hilarious sketches with buckets of audience interaction. Leigh Francis has work that has spanned decades of entertainment, ranging from Channel 4’s sketch comedy show, Bo’ Selecta!
(2002-2009) to ITV’s Celebrity Juice (2008-2022) and Through the Keyhole (2013-2019). His character Keith Lemon proved to be popular and has been the attention of several spin-off shows and even a full feature film, Keith Lemon: The Film which was released in 2012. Francis has become a family name in the comedy scene and is expected to be popular on tour. As his first-ever live tour, fans will not want to miss the experience to see his hilarious antics in-person. For the highest price-ticket band, dedicated
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fans can even exclusively meet Leigh Francis, alongside having a photo opportunity.
Leigh Francis exclaimed that “I’m doing my first ever tour! Never done one before. It’s gonna have masks in it! The Bear, Avid Merrion, Amanda Holden’s Gran, not her actual gran but me playing her. I’ll also be playing Keith Lemon; I look just like him! It’s me doing all the characters I do that hopefully have the intent to provoke hilarity!” Tickets are priced between £38.50-£26, or £86 for a VIP meet and greet ticket, plus fees. These can be bought from: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/portfolio/leighfrancis-my-first-time-tour/
Please note that this show is for audiences 16+.
Britain’s Got Talent Winner Viggo Venn set to shine in his hi-vis jacket at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Friday 2nd February 2023
Impatient Productions are thrilled to announce that recent Britain’s Got Talent winner, and newly anointed national treasure, Viggo Venn, will embark on his debut UK tour with brand-new show British Comedian. After blowing away the UK and judges alike, Viggo is asking audiences to don their hi-vis vests one more time as he heads across the country, performing at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Friday 2nd February 2024.
From balloons to clowning, Viggo has captured the nation’s hearts with his joyful and spirited performances and his upcoming show promises to delight and inspire audiences night after night.
Norwegian clown Viggo Venn
moved to this country with one dream: to be a British comedian. The rest, you already know about. After blowing away the competition in an explosion of hi-vis jackets, balloons, and joyous idiocy, Viggo became the most talked-about new entertainer in the country by winning Britain’s Got Talent in June 2023. Don’t miss him as he staggers bewildered into Newcastle for his first national tour.
Viggo Venn is a Norwegian clown and comedian who won the sixteenth series of the ITV talent show Britain’s Got Talent this year. In 2022, Venn won the New Act of The Year Show in London and was runner-up in the Leicester Square Theatre’s ‘New Comedian of the Year’. His solo show Pepito was nominated for Best Comedy at Fringe World in Perth and Brighton Fringe in the UK in 2017. He trained at French clown school École Philippe Gaulier and for
four years he toured in a double act ‘Zach and Viggo’ with Zach Zucker (of Stamptown). The duo won the Best Comedy Award at the 2016 Brighton Fringe. But all he wanted was to be… a British comedian. And here we are.
Viggo exclaimed, “I have been receiving thousands of videos on Instagram from young and old dancing around in hi vis vests and nothing makes me happier! So excited to bring a show full of fun, quirkiness and surprises for everyone! Can’t wait to meet people and go on a highly visible UK tour! (I will bring Viggo-vests with me, if you forget yours!)”
Tickets cost £21 plus booking fees and can be bought from: https:// www.tynetheatreandoperahouse. uk/portfolio/viggo-venn-britishcomedian/
Please note that this show is recommended for audiences 12+
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Love Island narrator Iain Stirling brings his stand-up show Relevant to the Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Friday 26th May 2024
The BAFTA-winning comedian, ‘national sensation’ (Evening Standard) and ‘extremely funny’ (Daily Telegraph) Iain Stirling is bringing his intuitive razorsharp humour back on tour with a brand-new stand-up show for 2024. He will be taking to the stage at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House on Friday 26th May 2024, after previously performing a very successful show in 2022. As the iconic voice of Love Island, Iain Sterling has become infamous for his witty one-liners and sassy dialogue. The Scottish comedian is set to bring audiences to tears with his hilarious new stand-up show, featuring an hour of all-new material. After previously performing at The Stand, The Comedy Store, Off the Kerb and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Sterling is a wellseasoned comedian with many years under his belt. Iain Sterling is also a star and writ-
er of the sitcom Buffering on ITV, and with his own stand-up special, Failing Upwards, on Prime Video. Fans of Gogglebox may recognise the comedian as a regular on Celebrity Gogglebox, where he has been a cast member since 2020. It’s hard to avoid the witty Iain Sterling on the small screen, and now he’s set to be in Newcastle live for one night only.
Iain hits the road once more with a brand-new hour (of jokes) in his biggest tour to date! (It’s called RELEVANT if you’re interested).
Theatre Director Jo Johnson commented: “We are thrilled that Iain is stopping at our Theatre as part of his new stand-up tour. His previous show had our audience laughing out loud and we can’t wait to hear his new material for 2024!”
Tickets are priced at £23.50 plus fees and can be bought from:
https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/iain-stirlingrelevant/
Please note that this show is for audiences 14+.
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Podcast stars Two Mr P’s return to Newcastle with The Show and Tell Tour
Wednesday 1st November 2023
Join the Two Mr Ps as they take their award-winning podcast on the road again with the ultimate show and tell lesson.
As well as sharing their own experiences and stories from the classroom, the two Mr Ps will be telling some of the most embarrassing, cringey and downright hilarious stories from teachers all over the UK. Audiences can also submit their own tales to be read anonymously to the rest of the class… Mr P has been a primary school teacher for over 14 years. He still works part-time in school and leads training in schools all over the UK and beyond. From sharing ideas and funny insights into life in the classroom he has now become the most followed teacher on social media in the UK. 3 years ago, alongside his younger brother (who also works in school) he started the award winning podcast – Two Mr Ps in a Podcast. In a year, it has been the number one education podcast and amassed over 4 million listens. Their debut book – Put a Wet Paper Towel on it: The Weird and Wonderful World of Primary Schools is a Sunday Times Best
Seller.
Theatre Director Jo Johnson commented: “The Two Mr P’s got a great reception last time they
visited us, and we’re sure their new show will be as much as a treat as that! We’re excited that we’re hosting more and more podcasters at the theatre, as historically we’ve been a forum for conversation and debate.”
Tickets are priced at £22.50 and can be bought from: www. tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/ events/two-mr-ps-in-a-podcastlive-the-show-and-tell-tour/ Please note this show is strictly 16+.
To check out more recently announced shows, head over the Tyne Theatre & Opera House website: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whats-on/
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South Tyneside Adult Recovery Service (STARS) offers a service for adults affected by substance misuse who live in South Tyneside. North-East-based charity Humankind leads the new service, working in partnership with Spectrum Community Health CIC.
They are doing some amazing things in the region working with other groups, charities and organisations to try and get the info out there so that people understand
the issues behind drug use and all of the after affects it causes. As well as hosting regular drop ins and events, they are really trying to push the SMART Family & Friends Programme (F & F) which has used the four key points of SMART Recovery and adapted these to suit the needs of family & friends of people with a drug and/ or alcohol addiction.
Rather than focusing on the loved one, the F & F Programme invites participants to spend time con-
centrating on themselves and their goals, an area they may have been neglecting for some time.
The F & F programme explores ways participants can look after themselves better; even in difficult and stressful circumstances, and establish healthier relationships with their Loved One.
Taking steps to make changes in life requires considerable courage. Participating in a supportive environment, comprised of people
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sharing similar experiences, will hopefully lessen feelings of isolation and instil a sense of hope.
For more info please visit https://smartrecovery. org.uk/smart_family__friends/
You can also follow STARS on facebook and keep up to date with the various drop ins and events at https://www.facebook.com/SouthTynesideAdultRecovery
As well as the website http://stadultrecoveryservice.co.uk/
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MTB Brickwork was set up in march 2023, myself Michael and my business partner Lee. Having both been working in the building trade for 20 years, working together building houses for the past few years, we decided to take a risk and set up our company. MTB BRICKWORK Ltd was formed.
We earned an excellent reputation working across various new build housing sites in the north east, winning an NHBC pride in the
job award in the process.
We both wanted a fresh challenge and are adapting well to the different daily routine of pricing work and dealing with customers.
We offer all aspects of building work and while we may not do every part of the work, we over see each project to make sure any trades we bring in, meet our own very high standards. Our reputation is built on quality, and trust.
For more info please drop us an Email to Mtbbrickwork@outlook.com
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