Shildon & District Town Crier

25/09/2025

Shildon AFC bounced back from defeat to league leaders, Whitley Bay by progressing in the FA Vase and following that by getting back on track with a late winner in their midweek league encounter at Birtley Town.

25/09/2025

From Friday 26 September, a replica Locomotion No.1, complete with carriage and wagons, will start a three day journey.

25/09/2025

Dear Editor,

The Stockton and Darlington Railway bicentenary is upon us, none more excited than good Shildon folk.

Mind, I’d be even happier were it possible to shift a few more copies of All Change, my book reflecting upon all that’s altered hereabouts between my post-war childhood in and around Albert Street and at Timothy Hackworth school and the town of today.

Aimed squarely at the bicentenary, the large format book took more than a year to research and to write – time spent with numerous Shildon organisations ranging from scouts to Shildon Alive and from cricket club to a successful bingo evening at the Jubilee Fields community centre. I’ve spent the winnings.

The town’s schools were greatly helpful and greatly encouraging, the future of retail and licensed trades worrying, the Wagon Works reunion vividly memorable.

All Change was published in the summer, enjoyed wonderful launch events at St John’s Church and at the Railway Institute but, truth to tell, boxes of books still take up rather more space in our garage than is good for the car or for the bank balance.

I hope to be around the town a great deal this week in the lead up to the bicentenary events but particularly – of course – on September 26 and 27.

For those who don’t remember me, I’ll be the big chap with the bulging rucksack, the worried look and the bailiffs in close attendance.

The book costs £13, plus £3.50 postage for those who prefer to buy it that way.

Alternatively it’s available from the Forgot Me Not floristry school in the former HSBC Bank at the top of Main Street or from the equally brilliant George Samuel brewery cafe in the former Wagon Works canteen at the bottom of Byerley Road.

Further details from me at [email protected] – and, who knows, book buyers might even earn themselves a drink.

Yours sincerely,
Mike Amos MBE, Middleton Tyas, Richmond

24/09/2025

The story of the world’s first passenger railway will be brought to life through dance, compelling narratives and striking visuals during a celebratory picnic this weekend.

22/09/2025

Dear Editor,

The absence of any feeling of heritage or aesthetic obligation to one’s own town is perhaps the saddest change in Shildon today.

We have allowed and sat by while almost all current publications have dropped the word “COMPANY” from the Stockton and Darlington Railway Co., implying it was the start and finish of the line. Not just a company name!

How many times do we have to complain about the derelict buildings and lack of care around the town - Commercial Inn, Armitages Corner, Forsters Main Street, Adamson House - to name just a few? Safety barriers broken and not fit for purpose at the King William and Hancock’s Chemist corner. The full hedge planted along Middleton Road not cared for - alas only three scraggly bushes remain. I could go on.

The new hall of the Locomotion Museum is sadly more of a shed. A museum should be fun, imaginative and thoroughly absorbing. A little background sound of steam engines working with posters and photos on the walls would go a little way to improve it.

Should we turn over the running of Shildon to the Busy Bees for more effort and commitment?

To settle for what we have is to embrace stagnation.

Regards
Keith Tweddle, Shildon

21/09/2025

📷 PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📷

This week's Photo of the Week was taken by Addie Elloway and is titled 'Forever Spinning'.

Early August on a trip to Beamish Museum, Addie was struck by the colourful lights and vibrant colours of the carousel, inspiring the image to be captured.

Thanks to Addie, and to everyone for your continuing submissions.

For a chance to see your own photos featured and to enter our Photo of the Year competition, submit your images here - https://swd.news/photo-submission/

Our Photo of the Year competition is sponsored by Bondgate Gallery.

20/09/2025

Black Gold – A Pictorial Study is the latest paperback book from local author Mia Thomas. The book contains some excellent images relating to the coal mining industry, aspects of which focus mainly on the North East and the local area.

Black Gold – A Pictorial Study is the latest paperback book from local author Mia Thomas.

20/09/2025

Thousands of children and young people in County Durham have benefited from a scheme that provides free activities with healthy meals and snacks over the school holidays. This summer, more than 3,000 children attended almost 40,000 sessions as part of Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme. Funded by the Department for Education, the programme funds clubs and enriching activities to help ensure that some of the county’s most vulnerable children can socialise, have fun and tuck into healthy meals or snacks on every day of the school holidays. A total of 175 projects were funded in County Durham, with […]

Thousands of children and young people in County Durham have benefited from a scheme that provides free activities with healthy meals and snacks over the school holidays.

19/09/2025

AGLOW, one of the North East’s must-see experiences, will once again dazzle visitors to Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland this festive season, with one of the tallest Christmas trees in the North, one of the longest outdoor light tunnels in the country, as well as dozens of other breathtaking light installations.

AGLOW, one of the North East’s must-see experiences, will once again dazzle visitors to Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland this festive season.

19/09/2025

Shildon Railway CC 1st XI ended their season on a high with a commanding 8-wicket victory over Middlesbrough CC 2nd XI.

19/09/2025

Youth services in 42 areas in England, including County Durham, are being urged not to miss out on a share of the Government’s £30.5 million Better Youth Spaces grant funding, with the deadline for applications at the end of this week.