Out & About Magazine (North East) September 2021 Edition 63

Your FREE local interest & advertising magazine • September 2021 • Edition 63 Tow Law, Sunniside, Stanley Crook, Billy Row, Crook, Willington, Wolsingham & surrounding areas

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Inside this month’s edition: Years gone by • Spotlight on St. Thomas’ Church

20 - 22 Church Street, Crook Telephone: 01388 765 259

30% OFF ALL CANVASES: WHEN USING YOUR OWN PHOTO

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Studio: 01388 417 337 • Mobile: 07963 635 568 Email: studio@rcphoto.co.uk

Family run business in Willington, supplying and installing high quality kitchens throughout the North East at the best price for you.

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f: @NEKitchenSolutions email: northeastkitchensolutions@outlook.com T: 01388 365 500 • 45 High Street, Willington DL15 OPF

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Welcome to the September edition of Out & About Magazine, your friendly local interest & advertising booklet.

This month we shine the spotlight onto St. Thomas’ Church in Stanley Crook, due to a lack of funds the church is likely to close at some point in 2022. They are looking for help to keep them going until Christmas, check out their feature on pages 14 & 15.

If you are looking for an electrician take a look at Transform Electrical Solutions & Testing on page 6, Kevin offers a range of domestic and commercial electrical services. On page 8 we have The Knitting Gift Shop based on Low Willington Industrial Estate who stock a range of wools and knitting accessories.

If you are at a loose end St. Catherine’s Community Centre in Crook are holding a range of activities including bingo sessions, line dancing, various workshops, dog training sessions plus much more, their latest advert is on page 11. Her’s & Sir’s Hair & Beauty are running a discount campaign throughout September & October, their 15% off voucher is on page 12.

Don’t forget to quote Out & About when replying to adverts & lastly we hope you enjoy this month’s edition.

BOOK YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE TODAY THE DEADLINE FOR THE OCTOBER EDITION IS MONDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 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.

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Call us on 01388 417 337 or 07963 635 568 or email us at studio@rcphoto.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.

Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.

Getting Married?

2022 & 2023 dates are going very fast. So get in touch today!

Call us on 01388 417 337 or 07963 635 568 or visit www.rcphoto.co.uk for up-to-date pricing.

80 Hope Street, Crook, County Durham DL15 9HT

CCCCC 5 star rated wedding & portrait photographer

“Would 100% recommend to everyone who is looking for a photographer. Ritchie is friendly, professional and gets all those quality relaxed shots as well as tailoring around individual requests. We got some great shots of our wedding that we will treasure for the rest of our lives! Fantastic service from booking to receiving our photos.”

Rebecca & Chis Bradburn, married in June 2021.

Studio Opening Hours: Monday: Appointment Only • Tuesday: 10am - 4pm • Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10am - 4pm • Friday: 10am - 4pm • Saturday: Appointment Only

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Fully qualified time served electrician with over 25 years experience, Part P registered with NAPIT.

Tel: 01388 767 513 Mob: 07977 575 134 E: kevin@test-electrical.co.uk www.test-electrical.co.uk

Contact your local Slimming World Consultant and join a warm and friendly group today!

Contact your local Slimming World Consultant Tuesday and join a warm and friendly group today!

Crook Masonic Hall 8:30am, 10:00am, 5:30pm & 7:00pm Tel: Christine 07494 253 429

Thursday

Wolsingham Masonic Hall 8:30am & 6:00pm Tel: Barbara 07931 790 758

Saturday

Willington WMC 8:30am & 10:00am Tel: Lynn 07922 877 901

#SWtastethefreedom slimmingworld.co.uk #SWtastethefree dom slimmingworld.co.uk

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Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.

• Kitchen Sink Fitting • Radiator Installation • Oil Boiler Installation • Replace your Old Bath with a Shower • Oil Tank Installation • Full Bathroom Installation

We specialise in new bathroom & wetroom installations • Power flushing • Vented & unvented cylinders • Replacement of taps, cold water tanks, showers & ball valves.

Call us on 01388 762 291 or 07583 124 830 Email: stevennorrisplumbing@gmail.com

VIKING INK CROOK Tattoo Studio

34 Hope Street, Crook, DL15 9HU Come and join us for a truly unique Viking themed Tattooing experience.

u Hand Dyed Wool u Knitting Gifts u u Knitting Kits u Knitting Accessoriesu

All styles of tattoos • FREE consultation

vikinginkcrook 07724 641 340 vikingink666@gmail.com

K.B. DECORATING SERVICES 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 607 258 or 07973 284 999 or email kbdec1@gmail.com

Unit 8 Brockwell Court, Low Willington Industrial Estate, Willington County Durham DL15 0UT www.theknittinggiftshop.co.uk open 10.30am - 3.30pm Monday - Friday 10.30am - 12.30pm Saturday but please contact us if you would like to visit at other times.

SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS WARD TIMBER LTD, ROGERLEY SAWMILL, FROSTERLEY, COUNTY DURHAM DL13 2QE Call us on 01388 528 362 or email sales@wardtimber.co.uk

Collection only 8

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Years gone by...

Gabriele’s Ice Cream vans were once a common site in the area (Year unknown).

Eric Sharp at Roddymoor Colliery.

Image supplied by Jean Hemingway.

A vintage bottle showing J. Nicholson of the Miner’s Arms in Billy Row.

Bill Blackmore, Norman Fairer & Peter Hemingway.

Image supplied by Jean Hemingway.

Workers at Bankfoot Coke Works. Image taken by Percy Jackson.

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? Please email any old photos to: studio@rcphoto.co.uk or drop into Ritchie Coatsworth Photography, 80 Hope Street, Crook.

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Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.

St. Catherine’s Dog Friendly Community

Cafe

WEDNESDAYS THE £1 Menu

10.30am - 2.00pm

Soup & Bun, Chips, Pizza, Hot Dog, Fish Finger Sandwich, Baked potatoes, Toasted Sandwiches, Biscuits & Cakes, Hot & Cold Drinks and Much Much More.

Subject to availability, menu changes from week to week

Why not come along for a bite to eat and stay for BINGO

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

OPENING HOURS Monday

9am - 1pm

Tuesday

8am - 1pm

Wednesday 10am - 2pm Thursday

10am - 2pm

Mondays THE BIG BREAKFAST Served 9am - 1pm

From a simple egg sandwich to a St. Catherine’s Big Breakfast at unbelievable prices

TUESDAYS

Mini Market 8am - 1pm Come on down and GRAB Yourself a BARGAIN Hand Crafted Cards and Goods, Collectables, Tombola etc., etc.

BINGO

Craft Workshops 1pm - 3pm

a selection of hot & cold food and drinks available

Wednesdays 5.30pm - 7.30pm

6 games 50p per game = (£3.00 book of 6)

Fun Dog Obedience Training

Shake Those Balls!

Eyes down 2.30pm

ROOMS FOR HIRE From £12 per hour 2 Meeting Rooms plus Main Hall

There will be various types of crafts throughout the workshops.

£3.50 per dog per 1 hour

group session

Fridays 1pm - 3pm

Line Dancing For further details contact Margaret or Doreen

Tel: 01388 765182 or email: info.stcaths@gmail.com MARKET PLACE- CROOK

OFSTED REGISTERED CHILDMINDER Did you know that for working parents 30 hours funding can be split between a nursery setting and private childminder?

2 year old funded places available.

07445 289 457

Call in and see us at New Road, Crook to see how much we can save your business.

01388 762 662 or 07920 764 699

Email: info@svarleyaccountancyservices.co.uk

PILATES SESSIONS 15% off full head colour or foils with this voucher during Sept/Oct

B-INSPIRED B-ACTIVE Monday

Family ran business for over 30 years

(Spaces need to be pre-booked)

19 Wolsingham Road, Tow Law | Telephone: 01388 730 930 Email: hersandsirshairdressing@gmail.com

St. Cuthberts Centre, Church Hill, Crook: 6pm - 7pm

Monday 5pm - 7pm Gents Night (walk in haircuts) Tuesday 10am - 2pm • Wednesday & Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm Friday 9:30am - Late & Saturday 9am - 2pm

Ideal for back pain, pre & post natal.

SPOT CASH

FURNITURE & ELECTRICAL GOODS WANTED Household goods bought & sold suites, beds, wardrobes, tables, fridge freezers...etc

Call us on 07814 117 437

Lee’s Guttering & Facia Cleaning Services Before

Before

After

After

Tel: 07958 592 302 12

Personal training available for rehabilitation either as 1-2-1 or in small groups.

Find out more by contacting Russ on

07951or 782 657 email

russturner40@gmail.com

Covid restrictions will apply, please call for further details.

Bespokepilatesuk

The Travellers Rest OKTOBERFEST Saturday 2nd October 2021 from 3pm - 8pm Tickets £7 & includes a free pint & a frankfurter.

Come and try our Outdoor Stables Bar & Marquee.

Main entrance via the Garden.

If the gate is open, we are open.

The place to relax, unwind & enjoy 97 Wheatbottom, Crook DL15 9HB • Tel: 01388 762474

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Saving St. Thomas’ Church, Stanley Crook This month we shine the spotlight on St. Thomas’ Church in Stanley Crook who sadly are fighting to stay open, after being hit by dwindling attendances and the Covid 19 pandemic. Parochial Church Council Secretary Jonathan Kindleysides answers our questions.

I’ve seen lots of people comment on how sad they are to hear of the church’s plight, how can people help?

Hello Jonathan, tell us a little bit about the plight of the church?

As with so many community buildings the Pandemic has had a massive effect on the finances of the church. The service we had on August 15th was the first Sunday service we have been able to hold since March 2020. The only other services held were two funerals.

Rev. Geoff Lawes

Also, having an aging congregation means that some members of the congregation are no longer able to play an active part in the life of the church. This means that everything from fundraising, building maintenance and cleaning is left to a smaller and smaller group of people.

Is it likely that even if you make it to Christmas the church will eventually close after then?

Unfortunately yes. Every parish church is responsible for its own fundraising and finances.

There is no support from the central Church.

The fundraising we doing at the moment will, just about, help us pay bills like insurance, power and water. The building is now in need of quite a lot of maintenance work. Although grants are available for building work most of these have to have some match funding. However, with the current state of the finances we would be unable to provide any match funding.

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Without people it is only a building. It is the people, or congregation, that make the building a ‘Church’. In the same way that a school without children would close and Church without a congregation has little future.

Over the past 20 years we have tried a number of different things. Holding concerts, exhibitions, a weekly charity shop. All of these help with income but only ever attract a limited number of people. Pubs, post offices, schools and shops all say ‘use it or lose it’ and the same goes for Churches.

It’s been good to see the church linking up with Stanley school again for special services, as a child I always remember Rev. Teasdale who was the vicar at the time coming to conduct Harvest Festivals and other special assemblies.

What are your memories of the church?

Yes, my earliest memories are of those same services with Rev. Teasdale. It was on a school trip, arranged by him, that I first went into the building.

In those days the building was in a much worse state of repair.

The amazing work of Dave

Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.

Dave Ayre

and Doris Ayre has kept the building alive. Dave, single handed, between 1998 and 2000 raised the money to have the building re-wired, re-plastered, a toilet and kitchen added, wheelchair access installed and 12 new windows!

We have had some great events over the years.

The Crook and Weardale Choral Society and the Bearpark and Esh Colliery Band have been amazing supporters of the Church and have staged some amazing events.

Lastly what are your long term hopes for the future?

If we are able to raise enough money to keep things going we will keep the building open as long as we can.

However, if the money runs out and we can’t pay the bills there would be no other option than to close.

If the building does have to close the Church Commissioners are responsible for finding a new use for the building. This generally means the buildings are sold, often for residential use.

If closure is unavoidable the Parish Council is really keen to insure that any new use of the building is beneficial to the community. There are many options, and there will be community consultation before any final decision is made.

Some suggestions, so far, have been finding other community uses or possibly even conversion into social housing.

Whatever happens our aim is to try and ensure the building continues to make a positive contribution to the community.

Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.

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Opening Hours: (Booking a table is recommended) Monday: 10am - 3pm • Tuesday - Saturday: 9am - 4pm • Sunday: Closed

All of our food is homemade Despite the easing of restrictions we are still sticking to the wearing of face masks, social distancing and good hand hygiene for the foreseeable future. Members of staff will also be taking regular lateral flow tests to make sure that our environment is as safe as possible.

We request customers to wear a mask when entering/leaving and when moving around.

Available for private bookings for Afternoon Tea or a Buffet.

You can book the whole Teashop and outside area for your party from 3pm any day. We offer gluten free options on many of our dishes.

Daily lunch time special served everyday from 12 noon.

DISABLED ACCESS • FREE WIFI DOG FRIENDLY • OUTSIDE SEATING Restaurant GURU “Best Café in Crook 2019”

AVAILABLE 16

5/6 Commercial Street, Crook, County Durham Telephone: 01388 768 754 Email: bluestoneteashop@gmail.com thebluestoneteashop BTeashop

M

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Years gone by...

Our Lady Immaculate & St. Cuthbert’s Church in the 1970s.

Image supplied by Brian Coote.

An old postcard showing the subject of our spotlight, St. Thomas’ Church, Stanley Crook.

A view of Willington pit heap in the 1960s.

Image supplied by Jean Hemingway.

A view from the top of Hope Street, Crook in 1991 showing Robinson’s Top y.

Shop still open & Lally’s Barbers up for sale. Image supplied by Jean Hemingwa

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? Please email any old photos to: studio@rcphoto.co.uk or drop into Ritchie Coatsworth Photography, 80 Hope Street, Crook.

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Don’t forget to quote Out & About Magazine when responding to adverts.

Call in and view the full range of flooring available and enquire about our free measuring and estimating service.

Laminate, solid wood, engineered wood, vinyl, luxury vinyl tile, artificial grass, carpet and rugs.

FRANK’S PRICE PROMISE If we can’t offer you a better like for like deal we’ll give you the flooring free.

20 - 22 Church Street, Crook Telephone: 01388 765 259

Government Intervention into Funeral Directors Charges

On 16th September 2021 the Competition & Marketing Authority (CMA) will bring into law that all Funeral Directors will display prominently in their premises and on their websites a standardised price list as laid out by the CMA. Should be interesting!!

Crook 01388 765 069 www.hardysfunerals.co.uk Willington 01388 747 747