Out & About Magazine (North East) September 2017 Edition 21

Your local interest & advertising magazine | September 2017 | Edition 21 Tow Law, Sunniside, Stanley Crook, Billy Row, Crook, Willington, Wolsingham & surrounding areas

OUT&ABOUT Magazine outandaboutmagazinenortheast

Spotlight on Mick’s Boxing Gym - page 6

Years gone by pages 10 & 20

West Road Horror 2 with local amateur historian Aaron Cowen - page 16

The Fir Tree Hotel Returns - pages 12 & 13

Crook’s new leisure centre is open for business, see page 9 for details.

20 - 22 Church Street, Crook Telephone: 01388 765259

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.

OUT&ABOUT Magazine This month’s Out & About is dedicated to friend of the magazine, Danny Simpson, who sadly passed away in August.

outandaboutmagazinenortheast

Advertising Prices

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

On page 4 we have Luke Liddell Personal Trainer who can help you get in shape. Also on page 4 we have Crook based CS Computer Solutions who can help with all of your computer repair needs including upgrades and setup of Apple Macs.

Monthly advert price 1/8 Page £25 Quarter £45

On page 7 we have Trevor Burn Fencing who can help you with all of your fencing needs, they also supply lots of the materials for you to build your own if you are feeling confident.

Half Page £85 Full Page £150

Back Page £200

On page 8 we have The Pantry who are on Tow Law High Street, they do fantastic sit down meals, as well as many takeaway items.

Also on page 8 we have Annmarie’s Childminding who can advise you on how to take advantage of the new 30 hours free child care for all working parents. We welcome Crook’s newest estate agent Rise to the town on page 11.

Reduced price on 3 month block bookings

DXPS of Crook are on page 23, Andy offers a range of large format printing at competitive prices as well as designing websites for a number of local companies.

1/8 Page £66 (£22 per advert)

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

Quarter £126 (£42 per advert)

BOOK YOUR ADVERTISING SPACE TODAY THE DEADLINE FOR THE OCTOBER EDITION IS FRIDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER @ 4PM

Double Page £250 Inner Front Page £180

Half Page £246 (£82 per advert) Full Page £405 (£135 per advert) Double Page £640 (£220 per advert)

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 7963 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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THE JOHN PATTISON

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ALL ASPECTS OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE 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

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Luke Liddell Certified Personal Trainer All Aspects of 1-2-1 personal training & small group sessions specializing in: • Weight loss • Cardiovascular fitness & endurance • Muscle gain • Sports conditioning Call 07825 775 952 or email l.liddell@hotmail.co.uk

• IT services & sales • PC & Mac repair • System restore & reset • Backups & data transfers • Device setup & personalisation • Windows password recovery • Networking & Internet security • Virus, spyware & malware removal • Hardware/Software installation & upgrades • Data recovery • Laptop screen replacement We are Apple specialists and can do everything from set your system up to RAM & hard drive upgrades.

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Tel: 01388 205 255 or 07472 553 342

81 Hope Street, Crook, Co. Durham DL15 9HT www.cscomputersolutions.co.uk

M CSComputerSolutionsUK

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CONTACT

Spotlight on Mick’s Boxing Gym. This month we shine the spotlight on Mick’s Boxing Gym, which has taken Crook by storm since opening in February.

So Mick you’ve been up and running since February 2017 what made you decide to open a boxing gym?

I don’t really, this is a good question, I suppose it’s because boxing massively helped me get through some really tough times, when my alopicia started I really struggled to deal with it. I was so embarrassed I completely stopped training and couldn’t even answer the door to the takeaway man without putting a hat on first, my life changed so quickly, I got really

will tell you. Look no further than the kids class I set up, loads of happy kids enjoying some simple basic boxing skills drills mixed with a bit of fitness and confidence boosting, the kids love it. Everyone is welcome in the gym, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never had a pair of gloves on in your life, get yourself down and train with us, if you don’t enjoy it I’ll give you your money back no problem.

I heard that you are looking to move to new premises, can you tell us what sort of premises you are looking for?

I’m looking for somewhere big enough to hold a boxing ring and around 10 punch bags so that there is enough space so everyone can train comfortably without feeling on top of each other.

Since opening what has been your proudest moment?

depressed and shut myself off from everyone, I can’t describe how hard I found it. I soldiered on for a few years until my old training partner, and now my coach Chris Thirkell talked me round into going training again, just me and him. Chris the master and me the student, back to school, I loved it and started feeling human again. I owe a lot to Chris, so I guess I know first hand how boxing can help you get your confidence back. Boxing is great for everyone, the proof is in the pudding as anyone who’s ever had a pair of gloves on and bust a sweat in the gym 6

It’s really hard to say what my proudest moment is because there’s so many. Aydan Bowers was the first fighter to fight out of the gym and he won, followed by another win by TKO from Carl Dawson then Graeme Henderson boxed a draw, I was over the moon with them all. There’s 2 younger lads in particular in my gym that when they first walked through the doors had very little confidence and zero boxing ability. Now both Liam Dally and Nathan “Little Manny” Hodgeson have come on leaps and bounds, they often have a few rounds sparring and watching them is a really proud moment.

Girls have came walking in the gym with no

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experience and took to it quickly, the Potts sisters Donna Marie Smith and Steph Potts can both smash the pads. Kim Bell, Reb Lee, Hels Golledge, little Inch, there’s loads of them pushing on and improving that make me proud. 2 brothers Denham Gardner and Joe Piggot training together and improving each week makes me proud. Far too many proud moments to say honestly.

How can people get involved and what does it cost?

The adult sessions are £3 and the kids class

is £2, we are based in Professor Graham Tomaskos ju jitsu gym on Grey Street, Crook DL15 9EB, we also have a group on Facebook called “Mick’s Boxing Gym” that has loads of photos and timetables of training sessions.

Lastly, where do you see the boxing gym going over the next 18 months?

The sky’s the limit for us, we going from strength to strength every week, the support we getting from our local community is unreal there’s no stopping us now.

PILATES SESSIONS B-INSPIRED B-ACTIVE Monday: St. Thomas’ Centre, Rectory Lane, Wolsingham: 10am - 11am St. Cuthberts Centre, Church Hill, Crook: (BEGINNERS) 12 noon - 1pm & 6pm - 6.45pm 7pm - 8pm Tuesday: Tow Law Community Centre, Ironworks Road: 9.15am - 10am Wednesday: Crook Cricket Club, Dawson Street: (BEGINNERS) 1.30pm - 2.30pm Thursday: Toft Hill Community Centre: 6.30pm - 7.30pm Friday: Hamsterly Village Hall: 5.00pm - 6.00pm

Find out more by contacting Russ on

07951 782 657 or email

russturner40@gmail.com

Free trial session available please ask for details.

Bespokepilatesuk

GARDEN FENCING Countryside • Farms • Houses • Gardens Knee Rails • Tree Guards WOOD GATES METAL GATES METAL FENCING Railings • Bow Top • Mesh • Wire Estate Security Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 8am to 5pm Saturday: 8am to 11am Sunday: Closed Low House Farm, Etherley, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 0LZ Tel/Fax: 01388 833358 Mobile: 07774 756484 Email: tburnfencing@aol.com www.trevorburnfencing.co.uk

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Sharp

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner Affordable quality deep-clean and sanitized services for homes and commercial offices, pubs & restaurants.

Mobile: 07720 112 500 Freephone: 08081 080 688 OFSTED REGISTERED CHILDMINDER

Annmarie’s Childminding Did you know that for working parents 30 hours funding can be split between a nursery setting and private childminder?

We have spaces available now.

07445 289 457

The Pantry

43 High Street, Tow Law, DL13 4DH Telephone: 01388 730 033

- Tow Law -

Freshly made food & traditional favourites. Weekly specials from £1, Pensioners meal £3. Eat in or take away.

Opening times: Monday - Friday 8am - 3pm

sarahs mystical tarot Psychic Tarot Readings Personal 1 to 1 Readings Telephone & Group Readings Tarot Cards • Oracle Cards Crystal Ball • Spiritual Readings For more information call Sarah

Tel: 07491116957 118 Dans Castle, Tow Law, DL13 4AZ www.sarahsmysticaltarot.co.uk

Readings are for entertainment purposes only

JB CLEANING SERVICE YOUR LOCAL FRIENDLY RELIABLE SERVICE CALL JACKIE ON

Specializing in oil boiler installations & servicing, luxury and disabled bathrooms

07703 289 436 TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS or EMAIL jburdis29@gmail.com

All aspects of plumbing & heating, fully insured, free quotations.

Tow Law Mowers Formerly Jack Clegram Horticultural Engineer

Unit 3A, Tow Law Industrial Estate, Dans Castle, Tow Law, County Durham DL13 4BB

Call us on 01388 762 291 or 07583 124 830 Email: thermalenergy@mail.com

Tel: 01388 730 577 Mob: 07714 169 191

Email: thenortheastslawnmowerman@hotmail.com

Sales, service, repairs and spares for all makes of lawnmowers.

Agents for Briggs and Stratton, Champion, Sovereign, Atco, Lawn King, Stiga, Hayter, Mountfield, Qualcast, Bosch, Grillo, Rally and Tecumseh

RIDE ON LAWNMOWERS & CHAINSAWS REPAIRED 8

20% OFF all oil boiler servicing with this advert.

Only £80 instead of £100.

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BRAND NEW LEISURE CENTRE NOW OPEN! At Crook Community Leisure our aim is to provide an inclusive environment for all of the community through a range of different activities & events.

Gym with 25 pieces of state of the art life fitness machines Functional training area with kettlebells, medicine balls, powerbags & TRX 80 classes per month Personal training available Outdoor facilities including full sized football pitch & running track Function room available for hire Bar/CafĂŠ area Open for over 90 Hours every week

Telephone: 01388 744 300 Email: info@crookleisurecentre.co.uk www.crookleisurecentre.co.uk

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Follow us on: Crook Community Leisure Crookleisure

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d Crookleisure

Years gone by...

We want your old pictures!!

Send us your old photos of places & people from years gone by and we will publish them.

Email them to: ads@outandaboutmagazinenortheast.co.uk

ph. se for a photogra Stanley Miners po son. nd mu Ed an Je Photo sent in by

A copy of the programme for the Crook Women’s Institute in 1946. Supplied by Harry Sewell.

an? ognise this gentlem Does anyone rec the Elite when it in nd fou s wa This photo ished. was being refurb

A trip to Blackpool in the early 50s of mostly residents of Billy Row including Dema Wright, Bertha Johnson, Jimmy Binks, Percy Vipond, Margaret Vipond, Pauline Vipond, Maude Edminson, Nancy Edminson and Rita Edminson. Can you recognise any others? Photo sent in by Peter Johnson.

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An old poster advertising the Wool ey Terrace Methodist Church in Stanl ey Crook. Supplied by Harry Sewell.

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

a new light in estate agency is coming soon... to Crook.

Built on a record of selling success and great customer feedback, Durham’s number 1 rated estate agent is pleased to announce the opening of their new office in Hope Street, Crook.

If you are thinking of selling, find out what makes us different.

Call today for a FREE, no obligation market appraisal

01388 435 014

info@riseestateagents.co.uk www.riseestateagents.co.uk

ADVERTS FROM £22 PER MONTH

YOUR ADVERTISE ENU M CHRISTMAS OUT & N & EVENTS I AZINE ABOUT MAG BUTED RU WHICH DIST OMES TO 10,000 H TH. EVERY MON

Local Football Fixtures

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eNL2 = Ebac Northern League Division 2 LC = League 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

Saturday 9th September (FA Vase) (H) Crook Town

Saturday 9th September (FA Vase) (A) Tow Law Town

Saturday 16th September (eNL2) (H) Jarrow

Saturday 16th September (eNL2) (A) Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

Saturday 16th September (eNL2) (A) Blyth AFC

Friday 22nd September (eNL2) (A) Esh Winning

Saturday 30th September (eNL2) (A) Bedlington Terriers

Saturday 23rd September (eNL2) (H) Whickham

Saturday 30th September (eNL2) (H) Northallerton Town

Friday 6th October (eNL2) (H) Crook Town

Saturday 30th September (eNL2) (H) Durham City

Saturday 7th October (eNL2) (A) Hebburn Town

Saturday 14th October (eNL2) (A) Whickham

Friday 6th October (eNL2) (A) Tow Law Town

Wednesday 11th October (LC) (A) Brandon United

Tuesday 17th October (LC) (H) Jarrow

Saturday 14th October (eNL2) (H) Thornaby

Saturday 14th October (eNL2) (H) West Allotment Celtic

Saturday 21st October (eNL2) (H) Durham City

Wednesday 18th October (LC) (H) Newcastle Benfield

Saturday 21st October (eNL2) (H) Heaton Stannington

Saturday 28th October (eNL2) (A) Blyth AFC

Saturday 21st October (eNL2) (A) Jarrow

Saturday 28th October (eNL2) (A) Easington Colliery

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West Road Horror (Part 2) Story by Aaron Cowen

In the August issue of Out & About I talked about a disturbance at the house of Joseph Edward Wailes which caused the Maid, Margaret Ann White to flee to neighbour Thomas Carrs house....

Thomas in turn called Mr Sydney Wailes who was the brother of Joseph.

It was Sydney that called the Police.

On arriving at the house Sydney Wailes, P.C. Lamb and P.C. Sowerby looked through the window of the iles Joseph Edward Wa dining room, but there was no sign of anyone there. They went around the back and found the door slightly ajar. On entering the kitchen they found a scene of disorder.

The mats were twisted and torn and the furniture displaced. They searched the downstairs rooms, but found nothing.

Sydney heard a groan from upstairs and shouted “Where are you Joe?” There was no answer, so again he shouted and this time heard his brother answer “I am here in the Breakfast Room”. But he was not there. Instead they found him upstairs. His voice seemed normal but a little husky.

Sydney said “Come down I want to see you”, he replied, “put on the light I cannot see”.

Sydney and the police officer climbed the stairs and turned on a light to the bedroom usually occupied by his brother and wife. He found Mrs Wailes lying injured in bed. At first he thought she was dead. In an adjoining room he found Douglas lying dead in his bed with a gunshot wound to the forehead.

Sydney went to the back room and was met

by the police who said “Your brother is in here”. Upon entering the bedroom usually occupied by Margaret, Sydney found his brother, Joseph sitting on a box ottoman.

There was a wound to his head and he was semi-conscious. He never spoke. In the bed was Margaret, the daughter shot dead with a wound to the right side of her forehead.

Dr. Caldwell was called and a revolver was found in the bed of Mrs Wailes. Husband and Wife were taken to Dryburn hospital at around 6am.

Joseph Edward Wailes however died the following night on Tuesday 9th January 1934. 10 days later Mrs Wailes also died.

The official verdict was that Joseph Edward Wailes had shot his wife and children before shooting himself.

Joseph and his children’s funeral took place first and the streets of Crook were lined with hundreds of people as the 3 coffins made their way from West Road to the Methodist Church and finally onto the cemetery.

Meanwhile Robert William Bradwell of High Street, Tow Law, who worked at the Inkerman Colliery at Tow Law which Wailes was part proprietor, was killed by a fall of stone.

Robert was to attend Joseph’s funeral but it was not to be.

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.

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We’re

Outstanding www.parkside.org.uk

Open Evening

Thursday 21st September 2017 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Portrait, wedding & christening photography • passport photos • graphic design • business photography • signage & vehicle graphics • t-shirt printing • canvases • personalised wall art • event photography with instant prints

Creating memories for you to cherish for years to come.

Ritchie Coatsworth Photography was established in 2010 as a part time business and finally made the jump to full time with the opening of our fantastic family friendly studio on Hope Street, Crook in September 2016. Ritchie holds both a BA (Hons) in Illustration & Design and a FDA in Applied Photography both attained through the University of Sunderland in 2001 and 2012 respectively.

To celebrate our first year in Hope Street we will be offering...

HALF PRICE PORTRAIT SITTINGS THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER ON PRODUCTION OF THIS ADVERT* *Newborn photogarphy is not included in this offer.

80 Hope Street, Crook, County Durham DL15 9HT Studio: 01388 417 337 Mobile: 07963 635 568

As featured in North East Wedding Magazine

Creative wedding storytelling packages starting from only £349.

Ritchie photographed our Blanchland wedding in April and we couldn’t recommend him enough. From consultation to ordering our album he was great to liaise with. We are over the moon with his service and our photos are wonderful. Ritchie offers a professional and friendly service at a very reasonable price. We always felt that Ritchie had everything in hand which is great when you have so much to think about. He arrived early on the day and put us all at ease through the nerves. Ritchie is really down to earth and easy to like. We were both a little self conscious being photographed and he made it a lot easier, remembering my ‘best side’ requests. The mixture of colour and black and white shots are lovely and we have just the right amount of natural and staged shots. All in all he captured our special day wonderfully and would definately recommend him.

Ian and Victoria Dargue, Wolsingham

Email: prints@ritchiecoatsworthphotography.co.uk www.ritchiecoatsworthphotography.co.uk | Find us on Facebook

Years gone by...

We want your old pictures!!

Send us your old photos of places & people from years gone by and we will publish them.

Email them to: ads@outandaboutmagazinenortheast.co.uk

for a photo in the iside School pose Pupils from Sunn

1950s.

A little boy poses in the gardens of Stanley School. Does anyone recognise him?

in the before demolition Sunniside School

Tow Law Carnival (date unknown).

20

1960s.

Stanley Carnival, does anyone recognise any faces here?

Photo sent in by Jean Edmundson.

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Here at Walkers Opticians we have been providing ophthalmic services to the people of Crook, Durham and Weardale for almost 60 years. We provide NHS sight tests, private sight tests and Contact Lenses.

We are happy to see patients of all ages and all ophthalmic requirements and give a warm welcome to patients returning to us or those new to our services.

We also provide home visits when required (subject to NHS eligibility).

We have spectacle frames in all price ranges from those which are FREE of charge with an NHS voucher to the luxury Tiffany brand which now has a 50% discount.

Walkers Opticians, 21 Hope St, Crook DL15 9HS Telephone 01388 762 119 FREE standard single vision lenses* or free upgrade to Anti Glare scratch resistant lenses on presentation of this voucher when purchasing any new complete pair of spectacles.

*Terms and conditions apply, offer valid until 30th September 2017.

Sunday 22nd October 2017 Crook Golf Club, Low Jobs Hill, Crook, 11:30am - 3.30pm

p

Entertainment provided by Jak Hope* Free Entry Exhibitors include bridal & menswear, event dressing, photography, a photobooth, sweet ferris wheels, flowers, post boxes, wedding cakes, stationery, hair, beauty & nails, vintage buses, plus more to be confirmed. *Performance times for Jak Hope are to be confirmed nearer the time.

HARDY’S FUNERAL SERVICE Dedicated to Crook - Willington and The Wear Valley All funeral arrangements are tailored to your exact requirements We guarantee no hard sell and no pressure We know we offer the best value for money Our pricing is transparent and our small size and low overheads mean there are no unnecessary costs to pass on to you Funeral prices start from Service in church followed by cremation at Durham Crematorium £2740.00

Service & cremation at Durham Crematorium £2570.00

Service in church followed by burial in Durham County Council cemetery £2725.00

The above prices include, all funeral arrangements, funeral director, hearse, bearers,coffin, Church/ministers fees, doctors fees where applicable, crematorium/cemetery fees.

But do not include optional fees such as the hire of a limousine, a floral tribute and a press notice. This could potentially add approximately a further £370.00 to the above costs.

We also offer a simple funeral service direct to crematorium or cemetery for £1005.00 plus all third party fees.

Belle Vue, Crook Tel. 01388 765 069

www.hardysfunerals.co.uk

Commercial Street, Willington Tel. 01388 747 747