Your local interest & advertising magazine | November 2018 | Edition 35 Tow Law, Sunniside, Stanley Crook, Billy Row, Crook, Willington, Wolsingham & surrounding areas
OUT&ABOUT Magazine outandaboutmagazinenortheast
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Years gone by - pages 8 & 18 • Crook Xmas Parade - pages 12 & 13 • Robert Nichol Bigley - page 16
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If you’re lucky enough to be planning your wedding have you thought about how you are going to get to your venue? Check out Weardale Vintage Buses on page 9, they have 2 fantastic vintage buses to choose from. On page 10 we have the newly refurbished Billy Row Green who are back under old management with Craig & Stacey back behind the bar, look out for their Christmas Fayre menu.
Monthly advert price 1/8 Page £25 Quarter £45 Half Page £85
One for the children, on page 11, The Wear Valley Community Action Group are holding a Christmas Fayre at Stanley Crook Village Hall on Saturday 1st December complete with a visit from Santa.
Full Page £150 Double Page £250 Front Page £150 Inner Front Page £180 Back Page £200 Reduced price on 3 month block bookings 1/8 Page £66 (£22 per advert) Quarter £126 (£42 per advert) Half Page £246 (£82 per advert) Full Page £405 (£135 per advert) Double Page £640 (£220 per advert)
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Welcome to the November edition of Out & About Magazine, your friendly local interest & advertising magazine.
This year sees the return of the Crook Christmas Parade, you can get all of the details of this on pages 12-13, this is a fantastic free event, let’s make sure it’s well supported. Lastly on page 19 we have Top Choice Property Developments who can make sure your house is ready for the Winter weather. Don’t forget to quote Out & About when replying to adverts & lastly we hope you enjoy this month’s edition, thanks for your support!
BOOK YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE TODAY THE DEADLINE FOR THE DECEMBER EDITION IS FRIDAY 23RD NOVEMBER AT 4PM. No design fees if you don’t have your own artwork • Discounts on 3 month bookings • No VAT • Debit & credit cards can be taken in person at Ritchie Coatsworth Photography or over the telephone. Please note: Payment is due at the time of booking. Call us on 01388 417 337 or 07963 635 568 or email us at ads@outandaboutmagazinenortheast.co.uk DISCLAIMER - Whilst we take every care to ensure accuracy in this magazine, we regret that we cannot accept responsibility for any incorrect information. All adverts are accepted in good faith as to their accuracy. The copying of any material within this publication is strictly forbidden without the publishers consent.
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THOMAS WRIGHT HOUSE ACCOM MODAT ION & R ESTAU R A N T
Join us over Christmas
Monday 26th November to Saturday 5th January 2019* (Excluding Sundays)
Two Courses £21.95 • Three Courses £24.95 Served from 12pm–8:30pm • Function room available for private dining Stay overnight from £32.50 per person including a traditional cooked breakfast (subject to availability) SEE THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO *Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day
Restaurant with Guest Accommodation (Visit England 4 Star & Silver Award) in quiet rural setting close to Durham and Bishop Auckland. We serve food daily from noon: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with a la carte options, and Sunday Lunches in the ground floor restaurant. Families enjoy eating in the Garden room with patio, lawn and climbing frame; and popular as an afternoon tea venue is our first floor bar with its panoramic views. Stay over with a choice of eight individually designed ensuite rooms, like luxury Aquila with private patio, outdoor hot tub and ‘in room’ dining or Phoenix, a ground floor suite with walk in shower. Ample car parking and free wifi.
Find Us On Facebook: @ThomasWrightHouse High Street, Byers Green, County Durham, DL16 7PF | 01388 664716 www.thomaswrighthouse.com | enquiries@thomaswrighthouse.com
DAY TOURS Saturday 10th November Carlisle Christmas Shopper £14.00 Sunday 11th November Classic Car Show Birmingham £25.00 (Entry not included Saturday 17th November Leeds Christmas Shopper £14.00 Saturday 24th November Doncaster Market/Shopper £14.50 Sunday 25th November Mystery tour £12.50
Monday 26th November Santa’s special lunch at Green’s Hotel & a visit to Gretna Outlets. (Includes full Xmas lunch) £29.00 Thursday 29th November Ripon market/Harrogate £13.50 Saturday 1st December Leeds Christmas Shopper £14.00 Sunday 2nd December Skipton Yuletide Festival £16.00 Saturday 8th December York Christmas Shopper £13.50 Sunday 9th December Mystery tour £12.50
CASTLE HOWARD CHRISTMAS £15
Monday 3rd December (Entry not included) Enjoy this beautiful stately home lit by candles and savour the warmth of roaring fires. Lavishly decorated giant Christmas trees adorn the house.
ABERDEEN & ROYAL DEESIDE £305
SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS WARD TIMBER LTD ROGERLEY SAWMILL FROSTERLEY COUNTY DURHAM DL13 2QE Call us on 01388 528362 or email sales@wardtimber.co.uk Collection only
Thursday 25th - Monday 29th April 2019 Visit some of Royal Deeside, popular with the Royal family since the days of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Includes 4 nights dinner and B&B plus entry into the House of Dun and excursions on 3 days.
TO BOOK CALL 01388 528 235
Good living for later living Tow Law, County Durham
1 bedroom apartments available now
Stunning views
To find out more about our older people’s support service, call 0300 131 7985 or 07834 656 575 | www.homegroup.org.uk 6
Don’t forget 180816.Towlaw advert134x95mm.indd 1 to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.
17/08/2018 09:09
STEVEN NORRIS Plumbing & Heating We specialise in new bathroom installations • Wet rooms • Power flushing • Radiators replaced • Showers fitted • Gas & oil boiler installations & servicing • Outside taps fitted
Call us on 01388 762 291 or 07583 124 830 Email: thermalenergy@mail.com
Years gone by...
Snow piled up on Crook Market Place December 1990. Image supplied by Dave Parker.
Can you spot anyone you know?
Can you spot anyone you know? Image supplied by Roy Irvine.
Ronnie Emmerson, Joe Moore, Dickie Lane, Jake Butterfield and Jasper Fargreaves. Image provided by Brenda Flynn.
The Station Hotel, Tow Law, which also doubled up as Wheatley’s Garage (Year unkown).
We URGENTLY need your old photos!! We are running low on old photos of places & people from years gone by and would love to keep the feature going. Can you help? Email any old photos to: ads@outandaboutmagazinenortheast.co.uk or drop into Ritchie Coatsworth Photography, 80 Hope Street Crook. 8
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Weardale motor services is a family run business established in 1926 and are proud to operate a fleet of luxury coaches
After being restored to the
highest standard, our 1949 Leyland Double Decker seats 65 and is affectionately known as:
The London route master is a 1960 model fully restored, seats 64 and is known as: Both buses are stunning and make a wonderful addition to a very special day.
Our buses are decorated with cream flowers & ribbons, a colour accent can be added to match the theme of your wedding at no extra cost and the destination board can also be personalised with bride and grooms names
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01388 528 235
Fax 01388 526 080
ian@weardalemotorservices.co.uk
ROOFING & HANDYMAN SERVICES
PILATES SESSIONS
NEW FLAT ROOFS IN RUBBER BOND, ROOF REPAIRS, RIDGES & CHIMNEYS POINTED, FASCIAS & GUTTERING SUPPLIED & FITTED, GUTTERS CLEANED OUT, PAINTING & DECORATING, EXTERIOR PAINTING 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Monday: St. Cuthberts Centre, Church Hill, Crook: (BEGINNERS) 12 noon - 1pm & 6.15pm - 7.15pm
ALL ASPECTS OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
0744 304 2814 / 01388 329 932 MOBILE (anytime)
AFTER 5pm
B-INSPIRED B-ACTIVE Wednesday: Crook Cricket Club, Dawson Street: (BEGINNERS) 12pm - 1pm Thursday: Tow Law Community Centre, Ironworks Road: 10:30am - 11.15am Toft Hill Community Centre: 6.30pm - 7.30pm
sarahs mystical tarot Psychic Tarot Readings Personal 1 to 1 Readings Telephone & Group Readings
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For more information call Sarah
Tel: 07491116957
Early Bird Menu 2 FOR £13
Ideal for back pain, pre & post natal. Find out more by contacting Russ on
Tarot Cards • Oracle Cards Crystal Ball • Spiritual Readings
118 Dans Castle, Tow Law, DL13 4AZ www.sarahsmysticaltarot.co.uk
Friday: Hamsterley Village Hall: 6.15pm - 7.15pm
12pm - 1pm classes are ideal for mature clients & beginners. Readings are for entertainment purposes only
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Newly refurbished with a new menu coming soon Home cooked food & Sunday lunches Parties & Funerals catered for Live Music & Quiz Nights Warm fire & a warm welcome Open every day except Monday
WE STOCK A VARIETY OF
Cask Ales
NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS FROM OUR NEW CHRISTMAS MENU
TO BOOK CALL 01388 764 511 The Green Billy Row, Billy Row Green, Billy Row, Crook, County Durham DL15 9TA
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The Travellers Rest FREE Pool every Monday & Tuesday evening & Saturday 5pm-7pm Buskers Night - Friday 16th November We now serve Cask Beer & Cider
The place to relax, unwind & enjoy
97 Wheatbottom, Crook DL15 9HB • Tel: 01388 762474
K.B. DECORATING SERVICES
RD ENERGY SERVICES LIMITED
• Plumbing and Heating Engineer • Domestic Gas and Oil, LPG • Boiler Installations, Servicing and Repairs • Full Vented and Unvented Heating Systems • Bathroom Installations • Central Heating Power Flushing
Call us on 01388 213 255 or 07581 195 396
Quality decorating at affordable prices with over 20 years experience. All trade materials supplied and all work guaranteed. No job too big or small • Free estimates Call Keith on 01388 747 234 or 07973 284 999 or email kbdec1@gmail.com
www.rdenergyservices.co.uk
CHRISTMAS FAYRE SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER STANLEY VILLAGE HALL, 10AM—2PM Cake stall, candle stall, Christmas gifts, tombola, face painting, waxes & bathbombs, raffle, wooden signs, knitted toys, Christmas sweets, hair accessories, refreshments & much more... SANTA FOR FREE GIFT FROM EEN 11am—12pm CHILDREN BETW nta are limited) (Gifts from Sa
THIS EVENT IS ORGANSED BY THE WEAR VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP. THANKS FOR YOU SUPPORT Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.
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Crook Community Christmas Event & Winter Light Parade Get ready to get festive, as this November the ever-popular Crook Community Christmas Festival and Winter Light Parade returns, bigger, brighter, and better than ever! The event will be held for the first time in Glenholme Park, Crook and kicks off on Saturday evening, 24th November with a night time, musical entertainment offer in the festival marquee. Tickets will be made available online in advance. Please visit our Facebook page “Crook Community Christmas Event” for more information. The Traditional Christmas Event will follow on Sunday 25th November and will feature a range of Community Stalls, Christmas Fayre, Funfair rides, Santa’s Grotto, Police Interceptors, Fire Brigade, music and festive entertainment.
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The grande finale will feature the ever popular Winter Light Parade which commences at 4.00 pm from the Glenholme Centre. The enchanting procession will see the streets of Crook transformed into a Folk Tale Winter Wonderland, with dancers, performers, live music, lanterns, and large-scale illuminated puppets. The parade will end outside the Civic Centre at 5pm, ready for the big Christmas Light ‘Switch On’ at 5pm. The project aims to showcase local talent by bringing together professional artists and community members of all ages and abilities. Jack Drum Arts are delivering a series of creative workshops that include Lantern
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Making, Arts and Crafts, Music, Dance, and Circus Skills. The event builds on the success of Crook Community Christmas events 2015-17 and is supported by Cllr Andrea Patterson and Stanley Events a local not for profit community events company. The Winter Light Parade is produced by Crook based professional arts organisation, Jack Drum Arts and funded by Northern Heartlands. We still need volunteers to help out behind the scenes with stewarding, marketing and much more. Please get in touch if you’re interested by calling 01388 765002 or email info@jackdrum.co.uk.
that transform people’s understanding of the heritage, landscapes and places they live in, building their confidence and ability to influence policy and decision-making.’ www.northernheartlands.org Crook Community Christmas Festival and Winter Light Parade would like to say a big thank you to everyone at I. C. Davison, Crook, who have very generously provided a space for the large-scale puppet creation to take place, Stanley Events, Cllr Andrea Patterson, the team from Northern Heartlands, our artists and performers and all our volunteers.
Jack Drum Arts ‘is a sustainable, locallybased community arts organisation, providing cultural opportunities for people of all ages in County Durham through a range of workshops, courses, touring theatre, music events and cinema.’ www.jackdrum.co.uk Northern Heartlands ‘deliver cultural activities
Crook Winter Light Parade starts at 4pm Sunday 25th November Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.
Charity CD by Local Duo
“Sentimental Journey”
Sentimental Journey’s Christmas album “In my Mother’s eyes” is available from the following shops priced at £3. 1. TOW LAW CHEMISTS Tow Law High Street 2. CATHY'S Tow Law High Street 3. HERS AND SIRS HAIRDRESSERS Wolsingham Road Tow Law
£3
4. ERICA THORPE TOW LAW LUNCH CLUB Tow Law Community Centre
Each
Recording artists Ronald White & Beryl Smith otherwise known as “Sentimental Journey” have produced a Christmas album of ten songs. A mix of Christmas & easy listening recorded at Wear Jammin Studio, Tow Law. All proceeds from the sales will go to the following divided equally between Derwentside Mind, St. Andrew’s Church Dawson Street Crook & Tow Law Lunch Club.
5. RITCHIE COATSWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY Hope Street Crook (Please have the correct change) 6. THE BLUESTONE CAFE Commercial Street Crook 7. ST. ANDREWS CHURCH DAWSON STREET Crook 8. DERWENTSIDE MIND CONSETT (Next to Consett Library) For further information call Ron on 01388 730 424.
Local Football Fixtures
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eNL2 = Ebac Northern League Division 2 LC = League Cup AC = E Armstrong Memorial Cup
Tow Law Town AFC
Crook Town AFC
Willington AFC
The Addison Chartered Surveyors Stadium, Ironworks Road, Tow Law, County Durham, DL13 4EQ Tel: 01388 731 433
The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground, West Road, Crook, County Durham, DL15 9PW Tel: 01388 762 959
Hall Lane, Willington, County Durham, DL15 0QG Tel: 01388 745 912
Friday 16th November (eNL2) (A) Willington
Saturday 10th November (eNL2) (A) Durham City
Saturday 10th November (eNL2) (A) Billingham Town
Saturday 24th November (eNL2) (A) Redcar Athletic
Saturday 17th November (eNL2) (A) Heaton Stannington
Friday 16th November (eNL2) (H) Tow Law Town
Saturday 1st December (eNL2) (H) Birtley Town
Saturday 24th November (eNL2) (H) Easington Colliery
Saturday 24th November (eNL2) (A) Thornaby
Saturday 8th December (eNL2) (A) Jarrow
Saturday 1st December (eNL2) (A) Willington
Thursday 29th November (eNL2) (A) Easington Colliery
Saturday 15th December (eNL2) (H) Billingham Synthonia
Saturday 8th December (eNL2) (A) Redcar Athletic
Saturday 1st December (eNL2) (H) Crook Town
Saturday 22nd December (eNL2) (A) Washington
Saturday 15th December (eNL2) (H) Birtley Town
Saturday 8th December (eNL2) (A) Heaton Stannington
Saturday 29th December (eNL2) (A) Northallerton Town
Saturday 29th December (eNL2) (A) Bedlington Terriers
Saturday 15th December (eNL2) (H) Easington Colliery
Saturday 5th January (eNL2) (H) Ryton & Crawcrook Albion
Saturday 5th January (eNL2) (H) Billingham Synthonia
Saturday 22nd December (eNL2) (A) Durham City
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M.R. LOGS FIREWOOD SUPPLIER All our logs are dry hardwood ready to burn. Delivery is available 7 days a week at a time that suits you.
Tel: 07946 090 979
GROUNDS GARDENING SERVICES For all your gardening needs
DEBBIE GROUNDS
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TRADITIONAL MOLE TRAPPER Covering the County Durham area.
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Fully insured & qualified, 15+yrs experience for domestic, equine, local authorities & commercial customers throughout County Durham.
Call Martin on 07900 412 905 or email greengrassmolecontrol@gmail.com
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Looking at Robert Nichol Bigley Story by Aaron Cowen
Since it is November and 100 years since the end of World War I, I have decided to write about my Great Grandfather, Robert Nichol Bigley born 19th October 1881 in Jarrow, County Durham. Since the 100th anniversary has reignited many people’s interest in how their ancestors may have been involved, I thought this article may help or encourage people to learn more. My Great Grandfather has always been for me an interesting individual to research. But most interesting of all was his time in World War I. Perhaps it is because Robert’s records were among many destroyed by bombings in World War II. Those which survived are known as the burnt records. To top it off, the man, like many others never spoke of his experience of War. Horrid memories best buried and assigned to the past. Many look up their ancestor and finding that their service records are completely lost give up. However, if you are persistent enough you can glean many a clue from little snippets here and there. So where does one start. Oral evidence, if it is available. However, memories are like Chinese whispers. The more people hear a story, the more the story changes, into something perhaps entirely different.
Robert, but clues can be given from uniforms. Robert’s name is slightly more unusual, which does makes searching for him a little easier. For those killed in action or because of war, the first starting point is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Medal cards can also hold clues. Generally, nearly every soldier in WWI will have been awarded at least one service medal. Robert’s card told me that he had two service numbers. 90609 Royal Field Artillery and 200846 Royal Garrison Artillery. He joined on 9th September 1914 and was a Gunner. He was awarded the 1914 (Mons) Star while in the 83rd Battery, Royal Field Artillery. This medal was awarded to those who saw service in France and Flanders between 5th August 1914 and 22nd November 1914. He did not receive a clasp to go with this medal which tells us during this time he did not come under fire. He was also awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Collectively these 3 medals became known as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
Family had told me that he was in the army. They remembered a photograph where he held a bearskin hat under his arm. “Oh! He must have been a guard at Buckingham Palace” I thought. But one should never make assumptions. Also, recollections of a German sword that hung on the wall, picked up from the battlefields of WW1. So next step is to begin looking for any records which may survive. Initially I did not have any photos of 16
Robert Nichol Bigley during WWI.
Another interesting note from the Medal Card is that it states Mrs. H. J. Bigley applies for 1914 Star due to her late husband? He did not die until 1934 and so does this mean he was at one time missing in action? Looking at the medal rolls Robert disembarked for France on 14th September 1914 and transferred from the R.F.A. to the R.G.A. on 13th February 1917. Another source is the Electoral Rolls which in 1918 gave details of those absent to vote. On this record it tells us that Robert was in no. 2
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Ritchie Coatsworth Photography Portrait, wedding & christening photography • passport photos • graphic design • signage & vehicle graphics • t-shirt printing • canvases • personalised wall art 80 Hope Street, Crook, County Durham DL15 9HT
Tel: 01388 417 337 or 07963 635 568 | Email: prints@ritchiecoatsworthphotography.co.uk www.ritchiecoatsworthphotography.co.uk | Find us on Facebook
Anti-Aircraft Section R.G.A. So, armed with this information, we may be able to trace some steps using war diaries to tell us where he was during this time and what battles he may have fought in. However we must also remember that soldiers got moved around often and so we cannot assume this is a precise method as a replacement for those lost service records. Later I would receive a photograph of my Great Grandfather wearing his WWI uniform. The cap badge appears to be that of the Royal Field Artillery. And luckily, I came across an interesting newspaper article in the Jarrow Express on 23rd October 1914 which states the following: JARROW MAN AT THE FRONT “Mrs. Bigley who lives in 290, High Street, Jarrow has received a letter from her husband, R. Bigley, who is a gunner of the Royal Field Artillery, in
which he says that he is safe and well. This is the first letter or communication of any sort that has been received from Gunner Bigley since he went to the front. Prior to the order for mobilisation, Gunner Bigley was employed at the Jarrow Gasworks of the South Shields Gas Company. In his letter he asks them to send him some tobacco and pipes. He also has two brothers on active service, and the other day, while bathing, unexpectedly met one of them.” I also learned that he had done 3 years service from 1905 to 1908 in the Durham Royal Garrison Artillery Militia. He was 5 feet 8¾ inches tall with light Brown hair and hazel eyes with a fresh complexion. So just because their service records are lost, do not give up!
Aaron is a keen amateur historian and one of the admins of the Crook Town and District History Group Facebook group, he is also Chairman of the Empire Electric Palace group. Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.
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Years gone by...
This photo was taken outside of St. Thomas’ Church, Stanley Crook. Can you spot anyone you know? Another snowy day in Tow Law with the long demolished Cattle Mart pub in the background (year unknown).
Union Officials (year Wooley Banner with . plied by Dave Parker unknown). Image sup
A view across Crook Market Place in the early 1990s. The old library and old TSB building are still there.
We URGENTLY need your old photos!! We are running low on old photos of places & people from years gone by and would love to keep the feature going. Can you help? Email any old photos to: ads@outandaboutmagazinenortheast.co.uk or drop into Ritchie Coatsworth Photography, 80 Hope Street Crook. 18
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For every funeral plan taken out in November and December Hardy’s Funeral Service will donate £25 to The Royal British Legion. For more details or to arrange an appointment please call our offices: Crook: 01388 765 069 Willington: 01388 747 747
www.hardysfunerals.co.uk