Friday 25th July 2014Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 674 Page 1

Published at:First Floor, Town Council Offices,

Civic Hall Square, Shildon, DL4 1AH.

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

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

Town Crier

Shildon & District At the heart

Friday 25th July 2014Issue 674

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

Eight community groups benefit from fans fund

Eight local commu-nity groups, including the Shildon Town Crier, col-lected cheques for £100 each from Shildon AFC Sup-porters’ Club at a recent pre-season friendly match at Dean Street.The Supporters’ Club

founded a weekly lottery in 2013 to raise funds for the club and to provide grants to small projects in the local area. Each of the local groups sent representatives to the Shildon v Stranraer friendly match last Friday in order

to pick up their cheques.As well as the Crier, which will use the money to purchase new delivery bags, money has also been granted to two local jazz bands, the 4th Shildon Brownies, the Shildon People's Centre, Shildon Railway CC Under 13s and the New All Saints BP Scouts Group. The Supporters’ Club lottery is drawn every week on Sunday evenings and has a minimum £400 jackpot, which rises by £50 per week until it is won. To win, players must match the six numbers drawn on the night. Each week the draw is not won, the total numbers reduce by one. So far, the lottery has paid out over £2000 in grants to fifteen groups and over £4,500 in prize money. A spokesperson for the lottery committee said, “We are delighted to have been able to assist these community groups in achieving their funding targets and we look forward to distributing more funds in the future.”Details on how to take part in the Lotto are available at facebook.com/safcsclotto.

The national Change 4 Life campaign, which aims to get us all moving more and eating better, is coming to Shildon with its ‘Park Life’ initiative.Using local parks as a hub, ‘Park Life’ aims to get more people and their families (14+) participating in sport. Priority sports/activi-ties have been identified through consultation and will be delivered to target groups at weekly sessions throughout the project. Sports will include archery, tennis, jogging, table tennis, exercise classes/boot camps and dance. The programme will also include a series of monthly ‘come and try’ family taster days.The sessions will get underway on Saturday 2nd August with a launch event, between 12 noon and 3pm, when you can go along and try your hand at a range of activites, including football, spinning, tennis,

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The six local organisations attended the Shildon v Stranraer friendly match, where they were presented with their cheques.

Join in the fun at Hackworth Park

ultimate frisbee, archery, rounders and much more.There will also be a Teddy Bears Picnic for 2 - 5 year-olds (take along a picnic and a teddy bear), as well as arts, crafts and face painting.Following the launch event, activities will be taking place in the park every Monday - Thursday until 30th October.• Every Monday; Pilates

Prep, 6.15 - 7.15pm, £2.• Every Tuesday; Beginners

Jogging, 7-8pm, £2.• Every Wednesday;

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Friday 25th July 2014 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 674Page 2

Passed Away Birthdays

ClassifiedsAll about local people...

Foster

Funeral Tuesday July 29th.Would friends please meet

for service in Neville Parade Methodist Church at

1.30pm followed by private interment. Flowers may be sent c/o Whitehouse Funeral Service, Surtees

House, Hilton Road, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6EN

Betty Calvert, aged 80 years, suddenly at home on July 17th, of Priestman Road,

Newton Aycliffe

Dearly loved Mam of Alan, Agnes Ann & Shirley, dear Mother-in-Law of Carol,

Derek & Phill and a loving Gran & Great-Gran

Birthday Memories

Ronald Brown

Your loving Wife Doreen

Thinking of you today Which would have been

your 80th Birthday

27.7.1934

You left behind beautiful memories

Your love is still my guideAlthough I cannot see you You are always by my side

God bless

In our thoughts always,Trish & Matt

Theda Bannister

Steph & Barryx

22.7.14No card to give, just

Birthday wishes sent with love

Hannah Mottram

Love Mam & Dadxxx

Happy 18th Birthday Hannah

18!

Anniversaries

Karen & John Atkinson

All our love always,Mam, Dave, Adam, Jacob,

Tanya, Mark & Les

Congratulations to a wonderful couple on your

Silver Wedding

FoundT-Shirt

Found in Hackworth ParkContact the Crier

Pair of GlassesFound in Primitive Street

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Family left stunned at surprise weddingGuests at a seemingly normal family christening were left stunned, when the grandparents of the children being baptised tied the knot in a surprise ceremony! Tina Peacock and Gary Proudfoot, from Coltmans Yard, Shildon, have been together for 28 years and have four children and four grandchildren. They were attending the baptisms of four of their grandchildren at St John’s Church on Sunday 20th July, when the attention quickly turned to them. The couple had been planning their surprise nuptials with the help of their daughter, Terri Marie Proudfoot, and were wed in front of their closest family and friends, who were all astonished at the surprise.Revd. David, who per-formed both services com-mented, “They wanted to surprise and delight their families. The look on everyone’s faces when they realised the baptism service for the grandchil-dren was turning into a wedding service for the grandparents went from shock, through amazement and into broad smiles.“It was such a happy service and everyone joined in with real enthu-siasm, ending in a standing ovation as Gary and Tina exited the Church as man

and wife.”Tina commented, “It was fantastic, everyone was stunned. And it was lovely because our Grandchildren became our flower girls and page boys because they were already dressed up!”The children baptised were Millie Jamie Fieldson and Jamie-Junior Fieldson, along with their cousins Elliemay Proudfoot-Freeman and Ceejay-Gary Proudfoot-Freeman. Their

parents; Abbie Proudfoot, Jamie Fieldson, Terri Marie Proudfoot and Christopher Freeman looked on proudly as their Godparents took their vows. As well as being God-parents to each other’s children, the others taking on the role were; Jaylee Proudfoot, Lee Montgom-ery, Danny Collingwood, Samantha Vickers, Wayne Taylor, Natalie Marshall, Ann Vickers, Lee Bendelow and Natasha Wood.

Tina Peacock and Gary Proudfoot stunned their family and friends when they married in a surprise wedding.

This week in History

30 July 1966

Crowds of 600,000 people filled the streets of London to catch a glimpse of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer on their wedding day.

England won football’s World Cup for the first time since the tourna-ment began in 1930.

July 1981

Hundreds of thousands of people were feared dead following an 8.3 magnitude earthquake in China.

July 1976

The birth of the world’s first “test tube baby” was announced in Man-chester.

July 1978 July 1951

Walt Disney’s 13th animated film, Alice in Wonderland, premiered in London.

The Labour Govern-ment announced the most radical re-organi-sation of the NHS since it was founded in 1948.

July 2000

2928

25 26 27

Friday 25th July 2014Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 674 Page 3

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Saint John’s Church dem-onstrated its generosity once again last week as members held a collection in support of the creativ-ity of the young people of Shildon. Jubilee band stalwarts Natalie and Nichola

Jackson were delighted to receive the cheque from Revd. David, with the money going towards the cost of uniforms. Revd David commented, “Young people are not just our future but our present, we want them to know that

our community is proud of them and a great way of showing that is by sup-porting their hard work. The church wants every member of our community, young and old, to flourish and if we can help that in some way, we will.”

PACT members express concernsAt a recent Byerley and Sunnydale PACT meeting, there was discussion re-garding dogs being let off their leads in Hackworth Park. Residents voiced concerns over some dogs which they consider to be vicious and at times fight with other dogs that are on leads. Members also stated that the owners of these dogs verbally abuse them if they are challenged about their dogs not being under control.

“This is clearly unac-ceptable,” said a police spokesperson. “We will pay particular attention to the park to identify anyone who is not keeping their dogs under proper control. The Dog Legislation Act and Public Order Act cover a number of offences which can be used if dog walkers are not keeping their dogs under control and who are being verbally abusive to members of the public. “Be warned because we will be watching.”

Revd. David shows pride in town’s youth

Revd. David Tomlinson presents a cheque to Natalie and Nichola of the Shildon Jubilees Jazz Band. Locomotion – The National

Railway Museum at Shildon, is the venue for a Vintage Bus Rally organised by Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society on Sunday 27th July.The North East of England was ‘the cradle of the railways’ in the nineteenth century, and soon a vast network of lines covered the whole of Britain. From the 1890s, the cities and larger towns were able to expand rapidly by the development of electric tramways, providing frequent and cheap local

travel on a scale never seen before.But out in the countryside, there were few convenient local links between villages and small towns, and the early motor bus was devel-oped to meet this need.See a variety of vintage buses which serviced this region with types of classic bus, coach and double-decker on display.Approximately 15 classic buses are expected to attend the event, which is open to visitors from 10am to 5pm, and parking and admission are free.

Vintage Bus Rally this weekend

The following were due before the District Judge at Newton Aycliffe Magis-trates’ Court recently.John Kirkwood, of Stanley Street, Close House, faces a charge of shop theft.It is alleged that on 19th June, the 31 year-old stole a watch, valued at £59.99, from Frames and Engrav-ers, in Newton Aycliffe.

Brian Joseph Wilson, of Station Street, Shildon, who is subject to a curfew from 9pm until 7am, faces a charge of burglary. It is alleged that, on 11th June, the 39 year-old entered as a trespasser, the 68 Café at Toft Hill and stole two charity boxes and confectionary valued at £60.

Due in court

Brownies complete final centenary challenge for charity

Members of the 4th Shildon St John’s Brownies with their knitted blanket.Members of the 4th Shildon St John’s Brownies are celebrating 100 years of the Shildon Guiding Movement.In celebration, the group have been working towards 9 centenary chal-lenges in three sections;

‘you’, ‘community’ and ‘world’. Challenges are structured to help young-sters understand and carry out the new words of a new promise before they can proudly wear the 100th birthday badge. Recently, St John’s Brownies

have completed their last challenge; ‘Knit a square and turn it into a blanket’.“Well done everyone,” said a spokesperson from the group, adding, “The blanket will be given to a charity, although we are not sure which one yet.”

Friday 25th July 2014 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 674Page 4

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Shildon Library will be running a series of Craft Sessions over the Summer Holidays. These sessions will take place on a Tuesday and Thursday from 2.15pm – 3pm and are suitable for ages 5 years and over.

There are limited places so booking is essential.On Thursday 24th July there will be mermaid col-ouring and decorating and making a collage. Children under 8 years-old must be accompanied by a respon-sible adult.

Shildon Library is respond-ing to popular demand with the installation of a prayer box. Not only will regulars be able to browse the internet and explore fact and fiction through the eyes of count-less authors, they will now be able to make a spiritual connection as well. The box has been given to the library by Saint John’s

Church and library users are able to write on slips of paper what they would like to see prayed for. The slips are then placed in the locked box, ensuring they remain confidential, and are taken to Saint John’s church once a week. The church is then com-mitted to praying for the requests made. Revd David, delivering the

box to the library, com-mented that “spirituality is a part of all of us and Saint John’s is a church there for the whole community, not just those that come to services. All the prayer requests will be kept con-fidential and we believe that this is something that can make a real difference in the hearts and lives of those prayed for.”

Tools stolenOvernight between Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June, three electric drills and an electric plainer were stolen from an unsecured garage on Albert Street.Shildon police must stress

Dog attackedAt approximately 10.20pm on Sunday 6th July, a dog was attacked in St Paul’s Terrace, Shildon, by an un-supervised Japanese Akita which then ran off. The dog required veterinary treatment following the incident.

The Akita was described as being 3ft tall and having white fur with very dark brown, almost black, patches on its back. If you know the identity of the Akita you are urged to call 101 and ask for PC 2612 Williamson.

Revd. David presents the prayer box to Shildon Library.

Shildon Library on its kneesonce again the importance of keeping your belongings secure at all times,” com-mented a spokesperson. If anyone has any informa-tion regarding this incident they are asked to contact police on 101.

Holiday craft sessions

Mountain bike stolenDuring the early hours of Thursday 17th July, a shed was broken into on Byerley Road. A men’s Voodoo Bizango mountain bike with yellow and black stripes

was stolen. Anyone who has informa-tion regarding this incident is urged to contact police on the non-emergency number, 101.

PACT MEETINGSPolice & Communities Together

Thickley WardThursday 31st July, 6.30pm, Jubilee Fields Community Centre

Byerley Ward & Sunnydale WardWednesday 13th August, 6.30pm, Shildon Civic Hall

Previous issues - Anti-social behaviour in Sunnyside Avenue, especially near to the old bakery steps.

Previous issues - Drug related activity in Hackworth Street, St John’s Road and the Black Path. Concerns over ‘vicious’ dogs off their leads in Hackworth Park.

Eldon, Close House, Coronation and Auckland ParkWednesday 30th July, 1.30pm, One Stop Community ShopPrevious issues - Individuals are flytipping and setting fires on the allotments known as Clayhole. Access can be gained via Randolph Street.

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MiddridgeMonday 1st September, 6pm, Middridge Village HallPrevious issues - Vehicles travelling through Middridge Village above the signposted 30mph limit

Friday 25th July 2014Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 674 Page 5

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Families can enjoy outdoor fun at refurbished play area

Families visiting Locomo-tion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon this summer will not only be able to enjoy seeing the fantastic locomotives on display but also spend some time in the fresh air follow-ing refurbishment of the museum’s popular play and picnic areas.Over the past two months the museum has been making improvements to existing facilities at the free entry museum, in-cluding refurbishment of existing play equipment and the introduction of a new balancing beam in the play area, as well as the addition of new picnic tables (made from recycled plastic bottles) in the cherry tree orchard adjacent.George Muirhead, Museum Manager said, “We have lots of things for families to see and do this summer and the improvements really enhance the family offer. The improvements to the outdoor family areas mean that local families can make the most of their visit whatever the weather - either by enjoying time in

the open air or indoors. “However on a rainy day there is still lots for families to see and do inside the museum build-ings in addition to enjoying the displays. We have in-troduced popular activities such as giant games, wag-on-plate rubbings and free arts and crafts, which will once again play a major part in the museum’s pro-gramme for the summer”. Over the holidays there will be free family arts and crafts activities at the museum, themed around the Commonwealth Games; railway posters, mosaic art sessions (based on block world computer games) holiday postcards; Loco bands (using loom band and crazy band tech-niques); making leaf signs; design your own train; animal masks and animals and the railways. The arts and craft sessions have different themes on dif-ferent days – see the full programme on www.nrm.org.uk/locomotion to find out when specific activities are available or call 01388 771439. In addition there will be

many special events to enjoy throughout the holidays, including live per-formances from a competi-tion winning brass band at part of BRASS 2014 (www.brassfestival.co.uk).Go and see guest vintage buses which would have served the local area at the Vintage Bus Rally on 27th July. On 10th August you can rock up and enjoy the Bikes and Trikes Rally with many motor cycles on display.Throughout August The Beach sand play area will be available for seaside fun (weather permitting) and keeping with the seaside theme go along and enjoy Pirate ‘Train’ING! During the Bank Holiday weekend (24th and 25th August) you can listen to stories from notorious pirate Captain Raggybeard. Storytelling sessions are available on both days. Become a real pirate and hunt for treasure in the giant sand-pit (if you find a gold doubloon you will get an official pirate certificate). Pirate costumes are also welcome at port Locomo-tion!

Overnight between Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July, several cars parked on Station Street in Shildon were damaged.“This mindless damage has caused great distress to the residents and I request any

A youngster enjoys the newly-refurbished play area at Locomotion.

information regarding the suspect for this damage to be passed to myself,” com-mented PC Michael Banks.Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to call 101 and ask for PC 652 Banks.

Cars damaged

Coffee morningSt John’s Church will be hosting a Coffee Morning on Saturday 26th July, between 10am and

11.30am.There will be the usual cake stall and all are welcome to attend.

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Friday 25th July 2014 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 674Page 6

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Couple wed at Auckland Castle

Mr & Mrs Roe on their special day.

A Shildon couple, who now live in West Auckland, tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the historic Auckland Castle on Saturday 19th July.Emma McMahon and Curtis Roe, both 28, were engaged for three years after Curtis popped the question on Christmas Day, 2011. Emma looked dazzling in her timeless ivory taffeta gown, as she walked down the aisle attended by her bridesmaids Danielle Robson, Gillian Bradley and Jodie Dunn, as well as flower girls Charlie Threadgill and Charlotte Roe.Accompanying Curtis, who looked handsome in his grey suit, were his Best Men Paul Roe and Chris Wilson, Ushers James Winter, Ryan Threadgill and Chris

Hughes, and Page Boys Joseph McMahon, Daniel Roe and William Roe.The happy couple will

enjoy the honeymoon of a lifetime when they travel to Australia for four weeks at the end of the year.

Locomotion recently hosted a two day training exercise for the regional emergency services, giving the different teams the op-portunity to communicate and plan together around a simulated incident.The training sessions saw the ‘rescue’ of a man

‘Crash victim’ rescued at Locomotion

Emergency crews ‘rescued’ a man who was trapped inside a car following a collision with a train.

who was trapped inside a vehicle following a colli-sion with a train.The event took place on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July in what was a joint Emer-gency Services Interoper-ability Programme training session for fire crews,

police and ambulance teams.The idea behind sessions like this is for different emergency service teams to work together and learn about each other’s expertise, so that they can improve how they jointly deal with an emergency.

After recently completing another successful produc-tion, local youth theatre group, The Tearaways are about to commence rehearsals for their next production, ‘The Disney Pantomime’, which will take place in January 2015. A spokesperson said, “This production will be large and very colourful, and will include many famous Disney characters on the stage at one time, such as Queen Elsa, Snow White,

Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Cinderella, Captain Hook, The Ugly Sisters, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Maleficent, Woody, and many more. The group is looking for young people aged 10 to 19 years who can, or would like to sing, dance or act in this production.” Anyone interested in being a part of this production should ring 01388 774838 or 07747826324, or visit www.tearaways-shildon.co.uk.

Seeking new Tearaways

Thanks to funding from Councillor Henry Nichol-son, Jubilee Fields Com-munity Centre is holding a 6 week free Summer Street Dance Camp every Thursday throughout the school holidays, for children aged 5 to 16 years.

The sessions will run from 1pm until 3pm from Thursday 24th July and every week thereafter. If your child would like to attend the sessions contact the centre staff on 01388 775425 to reserve their place.

Summer street dance camp

Find the creepy crawlies!Kids in the Garden is encour-aging youngsters to ‘Find the Creepy Crawlies’ on Wednesday 6th August.All ages can join in and become a bug detective

and have fun with a nature colour bingo, as well as taking a look around the farmyard bus. The event will take place between 1pm and 3.30pm in Hackworth Park.

Friday 25th July 2014Shildon & District Town Crier Issue 674 Page 7

Model railway enthusiasts visiting Locomotion on Tuesday 29th July will be the first to find out about the next model railway product in the National Railway Museum’s “National Collection in Miniature” series, sold exclusively through Loco-motion online enterprise locomotionmodels.com. The website will be working with world class model railway manufactur-ers Bachmann Europe PLC to produce the next Exclu-sive Edition in the National Railway Museum’s own “National Collection in Miniature” model railway series.Visitors to the museum are invited to go and meet members of the product development and design

teams from Bachmann and representatives from locomotionmodels.com, including new members of the locomotionmodels.com team Alison Denham (Financial Officer) and Simon Kohler (Senior Managing Consultant from KOHLERcoms) as part of a launch day for the new product.The new model is to be revealed on Tuesday 29th July. It is the fifth 00 gauge model to be commissioned in the National Railway Museum’s “National Col-lection in Miniature” model railway series.During the launch event there will be opportunities for visitors to photograph one of the National Railway Museum’s locomotives on display outside at the front

of the Collection building. Visitors will be treated to special access to loco-motive cabs on selected vehicles on display at the museum as part of the launch. Visitors will have the opportunity to view previous examples from the “National Collection in Miniature” series that have been produced and view the new model railway displays that have been recently installed at the museum.The name of the new model will be announced at 12.30pm on Tuesday 29th July in the Collection building.For more information about the event, contact the museum on 01388 77 7999.

Sneak preview for model railway enthusiasts

Concerns are growing for a 30 year-old Shildon woman who has been missing from home for over a week.Helen Martin was last seen in the West Corn-forth area on the evening of Monday 14th July and police are especially worried because she left her two children in the care of friends when she disappeared.Helen is described as white, around 5ft 6ins tall and of medium build. She has dark hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion and was last seen wearing a grey sweater, black jacket and wedge sandals.

Inspector Jon Rowland from Bishop Auckland police said, “Helen has been missing for over a week now, and under-standably her friends and family are growing increasingly concerned about her. “We believe that she may be somewhere in the Bishop Auckland area.“If anyone has seen Helen or has information that could put us in contact with her we would appeal to them to get in touch.”Anyone with information that might help police searching for Helen is asked to contact Durham Constabulary on 101.

On Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July, Timothy Hackworth Primary School held a two day Hula Hooping event, when a company from Gateshead called ‘Kidz R Fit’ went along to teach

the youngsters that keeping fit can be fun.Each of the 14 classes in the school received a half hour fun session on using a hula hoop, after which the children were able to

spin the hoop around them-selves.A member of staff at the school said, “As well as having fun they gained valuable exercise at the same time.”

Children enjoy Hula Hooping fun

The Timothy Hackworth pupils learned how to become Hula Hooping pros thanks to ‘Kidz R Fit’.

Concerns grow for missing mother

Helen Martin has been missing for over a week.

As part of Operation Aries, officers from Shildon Neigh-bourhood Policing Team carried out patrols, target-ing underage drinking and the associated anti-social behaviour on Friday 18th July.Police found no large

groups of youths consum-ing alcohol in any of the hotspot areas around town and there was just one alcohol seizure during the evening. This was a single crate of lager being consumed buy two youths on the Civic Bank.

Operation Aries

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Friday 25th July 2014 Shildon & District Town CrierIssue 674Page 8

SportLocal leagues, competitions and events...

Athena Gymnastics Academy, which is based at Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre and Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, is currently enjoying one of its best years since it formed only a short time ago. This year the Academy has won many medals, not only on a regional level but also on a national level, against the best gymnasts in the country. The group has just began training for the 2014 Gym-fusion Northern, which will once again take place in November at Newcastle University.The school summer holidays have just begun and the Academy is offering varied gymnastic classes in August at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. Each 1.5 hour session covers a dif-

ferent key skill.The classes are as follows;• Monday 4th August,

10.30-12, rolls, 12.30-2, flics.

• Tuesday 5th August, 10.30-12, cartwheels, 12.30-2, aerials.

• Monday 11th August 10.30-12, walkovers, 12.30-2, pedestals.

• Tuesday 12th August 10.30-12, balances, 12.30-2 walkover varia-tions.

• Wednesday 13th August, 10.30-12, round-offs, 12.30-2, somersaults.

Sessions are £4.50 each to Athena members or £5 for non members. To book a place call 01388 605946 or 07800 847 527. Alternatively, email athe-nasportsacademy@gmail.com.

Sad weekend for Cricket ClubThe highlight of Shildon Railway Cricket Club’s weekend was on Friday evening, when long term player and committee member, John Young, represented the club at Shildon A.F.C’s game against Stranraer, when he received a £100 cheque from the football club’s lottery fund, which will help with the purchase of equipment for the Under 13s team. The cricket club was delighted to receive the generous donation and say ‘we will certainly put it to good use’. From that point onwards, sadly, it was mainly downhill. The Shildon Locos, “the boys in pink” were well

beaten by visitors Mains-forth on Friday evening, in the Durham Cricket League F15 tournament, follow-ing a particularly abject batting performance. On Saturday both senior sides’ games were weather interrupted, with the 2nd team’s game at the Sports-field eventually being abandoned at around 4pm with Shildon on 54 for 5. However, the 1st team match went ahead, on what Shildon players de-scribed as a “dodgy track” and having being put in to bat, the Railwaymen’s innings were constantly in-terrupted by stoppages for rain, before the side was all out for a paltry 63. Hosts, Seaham Park, then batted in a period of much better

weather and managed to reach a winning score, by almost 7 o’clock, losing three wickets along the way, thus ending a miser-able afternoon for Shildon.However, the saddest news of the weekend was the announcement of the death of Ken Stainthorpe. Ken was a stalwart of the Shildon B.R. side of the 1950s and 60s and was a generous supporter of the club and an Honorary Vice President.“Ken was a lovely man, who kindly continued to take an interest in our club, all these years after he had finished playing. Our condolences go to his family, who were with him at the end on Friday night,” said a club spokesman.

Shildon AFC will take on Hamilton Academical of the Scottish Premier League at Dean Street this weekend, in what is being billed as a Community Friendly.Instead of paying the usual amount for tickets, fans are instead being asked to pay what they can afford. Club officials are hoping to attract a large crowd by making the game afford-able for all.A club spokesperson said, “If all you can afford is 50 pence, you will still be able to gain entry to this match against prestigious opposition. We would like as many people in the com-munity as possible to come along to Dean Street and

enjoy this match against a side playing at the very top level in Scotland. It is not often games like this come along and we would like as many people in the com-munity as possible to have the opportunity to see this match”.Hamilton Accies created a sensation in Scotland last season when they famously relegated Hibernian in an end of season playoff, con-signing the Edinburgh club to the Scottish Champion-ship alongside their city rivals Hearts.Having lost the first leg of the match 0-2 at New Douglas Park, Hamilton travelled to Edinburgh and Easter Road with a monu-

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mental task ahead of them.An early goal from Jason Scotland gave the visitors hope, but as the clock ran down, it looked like Hibs would survive. Then, in the last ten seconds of normal time, up popped Anthony Andreu to level the aggre-gate scores and take the match to extra time. With no further score in the tie, the match went to penalties and it was Accies who prevailed, winning the shootout 4-3.Kick off at Dean Street is scheduled for 1pm and the club hopes that with a pay what you can entry fee, the community will turn out in numbers to support the Railwaymen.

Learn key gymnastic skills

Homing SocietyThe birds of Old Shildon Homing Society were liber-ated from Peterborough at the weekend, 154 miles from home.They were released at 9.30am and the first bird

arrived back home at 12.33pm and belonged to Smith, Alderson & Sparks.Second place were the Gray Brothers, while Mr & Mrs Peacock and Brown & Brown shared 3rd and 4th place.

SHILDON AFC Pre-SeASON FrIeNDLIeS

Friday 25th JulyHome v Tayport FC

(Scottish Junior Club)

Saturday 26th JulyHome v Hamilton Academical

Wednesday 30th JulyHome v Heaton Stannington

Saturday 2nd AugustAway v Seaham Redstar