Saturday 23rd December 2017 The Bishop Press Issue 226 Page 1 Published at: First Floor, Town Council Offices, Civic Hall Square, Shildon, DL4 1AH. Telephone: 01388 775896 Duty journalist: 0790 999 2731 www.bishoppress.com email: [email protected]B I S H O P P R E S S T h e of our wonderful community At the heart Saturday 23rd December 2017 Issue 226 Fully archived online at bishoppress.com email us at: [email protected]Continued on page 2 The official launch dates for Auckland Tower, a new Tower and Castle opening dates announced visitor welcome centre, and the re-opening of Auckland Castle have been announced by The Auckland Project. The public will be able to climb the 29-metre high Auckland Tower taking in the views, as well as explor- ing inside the new ticket hall from Saturday, 21st July 2018, when it officially opens to the public. Auckland Tower is The Auckland Project’s purpose built welcome centre, designed by award-winning architects, Niall McLaughlin. The ground floor contains a reception and ticketing desk and the first floor, which features a beauti- fully stencilled ceiling, will hold information on the Project, Castle and Prince Bishops. Visitors can enter the viewing tower from either floor before taking the lift or stairs to see the amazing views. This is an innovative and challenging building to construct as David Cox, Project Director, explains: Architect’s drawing of Auckland Tower. Image: NIall McLaughlin Architects, courtesy of The Auckland Project. 47-49 Main Street, Shildon, DL4 1AF Tel: 01388 772671 30-31 Bondgate, Darlington, DL3 7JJ Tel: 01325 463303 web: www.hackettandbaines.co.uk ELECTRIC RISE RECLINERS by Sherborne and Celebrity with 5 years warranty OVER 20 IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY Manual recliners & settees to match Park outside and shop at leisure or a selection can be brought to your door, free of charge We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the support we’ve received from readers, contributors and advertisers throughout the year. To our advertisers, thank you for your loyal support, without which we would be unable to survive. Thanks to everyone at MT Print in Darlington for their fantastic service throughout the year. But, as always, it is our readers and contributors to whom we are most appreciative; without your news and information, continued support and demand for The Bishop Press, we simply could not exist. Our greatest pleasure comes in passing on contributions from local groups to the communty and in messages of support, letting us know that our paper makes a difference. Next year we look forward to bringing you a fresh new look for the paper and a brand new website! Look out for the launch of our daily news service, www.swd.news on 2nd January and the new look Bishop Press on Friday 5th January. We hope you enjoy them! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Jeff, Steph, Archie and Les at The Bishop Press. Merry ChristMas From The Bishop Press
Transcript
Saturday 23rd December 2017The Bishop Press Issue 226 Page 1
Fully archived online at bishoppress.com email us at: [email protected]
Continued on page 2
The official launch dates for Auckland Tower, a new
Tower and Castle opening dates announced
visitor welcome centre, and the re-opening of
Auckland Castle have been announced by The Auckland Project.The public will be able to climb the 29-metre high Auckland Tower taking in the views, as well as explor-ing inside the new ticket hall from Saturday, 21st July 2018, when it officially opens to the public.Auckland Tower is The Auckland Project’s purpose built welcome centre, designed by award-winning architects, Niall McLaughlin. The ground floor contains a reception and ticketing desk and the first floor, which features a beauti-fully stencilled ceiling, will hold information on the Project, Castle and Prince Bishops. Visitors can enter the viewing tower from either floor before taking the lift or stairs to see the amazing views.This is an innovative and challenging building to construct as David Cox, Project Director, explains:
Architect’s drawing of Auckland Tower. Image: NIall McLaughlin Architects, courtesy of The Auckland Project.
47-49 Main Street, Shildon, DL4 1AF Tel: 01388 772671 30-31 Bondgate, Darlington, DL3 7JJ Tel: 01325 463303
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We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the support we’ve received from readers, contributors and advertisers throughout the year.To our advertisers, thank you for your loyal support, without which we would be unable to survive.Thanks to everyone at MT Print in Darlington for their fantastic service throughout the year. But, as always, it is our readers and contributors to whom we are most appreciative; without your news and information, continued support and demand for The Bishop Press, we simply could not exist. Our greatest pleasure comes in passing on contributions from local groups to the communty and in messages of support, letting us know that our paper makes a difference.Next year we look forward to bringing you a fresh new look for the paper and a brand new website! Look out for the launch of our daily news service, www.swd.news on 2nd January and the new look Bishop Press on Friday 5th January. We hope you enjoy them!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Jeff, Steph, Archie and Les at The Bishop Press.
Merry ChristMasFrom The Bishop Press
Saturday 23rd December 2017 The Bishop PressIssue 226Page 2
Auckland Castle is set to open in time for next Christmas. Photo: Graeme Peacock, courtesy of The Auckland Project.
Tower and Castle opening dates announced
“The architects have created a beautiful but complex building. At the outset we had earmarked a spring opening, but progress to the build was delayed earlier this year. “The construction of the lift shaft and erection of the timber frame has taken longer than expected. This is because of material delays and the need to be safe working at height in stormy weather.“The Auckland Project and VEST Construction are both eager to deliver this complex design to the architect’s detailed speci-fication. To ensure that all of the intricate features are executed accurately, the build period has been extended until May 2018.”Meanwhile, Auckland Castle will re-open to the public in time for a Christmas celebration in 2018. To coincide with the annual Christmas Market and festival holiday period, the historical home of the Prince Bishops of Durham will re-open its doors to the public on Saturday, 1st December 2018, following
a multi-million pound con-servation programme.The launch had always been scheduled for 2018, however due to a number of fascinating finds and a few unexpected challenges, the Castle re-opening has been moved from summer 2018 to 1st December.During the initial phases of construction work, carried out by Meldrum Construc-tion Services Ltd and sup-ported by Archaeological Services Durham Univer-sity, previously unknown historical features were revealed. These exciting finds have shone new light on the history of the Castle and the important role it has played over the centuries. Many of these features date back to the Tudor period, including a beautifully engraved serving hatch from 1500, discovered in the old kitchen, which features carved details matching those in the Buttery at Durham Castle.Also uncovered within this space, are historic window and door openings, which are thought to have been constructed in the Tudor period, but have later been
decorated with elaborate cusp mouldings from the mid-17th century, likely during the episcopate of Bishop Cosin (1660–1672). Upstairs a Tudor Fireplace decorated with the coat of arms of Bishop Ruthall (1509–1523), has been uncovered, together with significant historic wallpa-pers dating from the 1720s through to the 1830s.David Maddan said: “When working with historical buildings, one is never sure what to expect until you begin to scrape behind the surface layer.“The main section of the Castle dates back to the late medieval period, and we have been very for-tunate that the surprises uncovered have been both exciting and relatively simple to resolve. This has had an impact on our timescales, and the con-servation programme was altered to accommodate the exploration, research and documentation of these findings.”More details regarding the public opening events pro-gramme for both Auckland Tower and Auckland Castle will be released in 2018.
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From page 1
Rudolph and friends will be brightening up homes and gardens this Christmas, thanks to Durham County Council.Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland was struggling to find the logs it needs to make the min-iature wooden Reindeer it sells each festive season to raise much needed funds.Aware of recent tree work carried out by the council in the area, the hospice wrote to the author-ity’s chief executive Terry Collins asking if it could donate some logs.Taking up the story, Terry said: “We always try to help when charitable organisations come to us and we are aware of the really important work the hospice does, so when we got the letter asking if we could donate some logs, we were only too happy to assist.”The reindeer are made by retired Bishop Auckland resident Ian Clark, who has volunteered at the hospice for the last ten years. He started making them three years ago.In a letter to Terry, his wife Dorothy, who also volun-teers at the site, wrote: “My husband and I make reindeer to sell to our sup-
porters in the Christmas period to help raise money for our hospice.“As we are finding it diffi-cult sourcing the logs which we need, I wondered if we may ask to have some from the recent ‘tree felling’ please.“We would really appreci-ate this… yours respectfully and hopefully.”Ian said: “There are so many people in need of the kind of support provided by the hospice these days and that is why it is so impor-tant that funds are raised to allow it to continue its good work.“I’m really grateful to the council for donating the logs and in turn helping the hospice.” Helen Kirby, fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Ian and Dorothy are very dedicated volunteers who help us on a regular basis with projects and events.“Everyone seems to love the reindeer and we’d like to thank both the Clarks and the council for what they’ve done for us.”The reindeer have proved so popular that they have sold out. However orders can be placed for Christ-mas 2018 by contacting the hospice’s fundraising team on 01388 603003.
Council ‘logs’ support for hospice
Council workers handing over logs to Ian Clark (red jacket) watched by representatives from the hospice.
Saturday 23rd December 2017The Bishop Press Issue 226 Page 3
Six free, weekly sessions are being offered at Coundon Library to help improve your wellbeing.During the sessions you will learn about the five ways to wellbeing, and get creative by losing yourself in adult colouring. This is a great opportunity to have fun and meet new
people while discovering a new hobby. Support will be available from a health trainer throughout the sessions, which start on Monday 8th January from 9.30am - 11am.To book your place or for more information contact Dawn Roe on 07827 981 736 or [email protected].
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A Christmas Message fromThe Mayor of Bishop Auckland
As Mayor of Bishop Auckland Town Council I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all residents and businesses at this special time of year.
Throughout 2017, Bishop Auckland has continued to host many key events and activities. I am proud to have witnessed the tremendous community spirit of many of the wonderful community groups of volunteers and organisations that give their time and talent freely in order to enhance the town.
I hope you were able to support the Remembrance Service at the war memorial in the Market Place, which is seeing attend-ance grow year on year.
I would like to thank the Royal British Legion for their support and guidance along with King James Women’s Institute who decorated the Town Hall balcony with a cascade of hundreds of hand knitted poppies to mark this commemoration service.
Christmas offers us a chance to reflect back on the year, but most of all to take a step forward for the future of the town, which is already looking positive for 2018!
Finally I would like to send my most sincere thanks to all who have supported my nominated charity, in aid of The Great North East Air Ambulance. The team operate 365 days a year flying three essential life saving helicopters across our region. Without your charitable support sadly they would never be airborne.
I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas, and may 2018 bring good health and prosperity.
Warm Wishes,
Councillor Adam Zair
Meals and services at Woodhouse Close ChurchWoodhouse Close Church, situated on Proudfoot Drive in Bishop Auckland is holding its annual popular Christingle Service for all the family on Christmas Eve at 6pm. The Christmas Day service will take place at 10am.The church also offers a Meals on Wheels service, which has been running for over 25 years and is very much appreciated espe-cially for those living alone or are poorly.A spokesperson for the
service said: “As the weather is now getting very cold, we can provide a freshly cooked two course meal and deliver it to the Bishop Auckland and West Auckland areas on Tuesdays and Thursdays for just £3.80.“We also offer a three course meal, freshly prepared and served in our centre on Proudfoot Drive on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon.“And we also have a busy food bank operating from
the centre and we wish to thank people and organisa-tions for the many dona-tions of cash and food. “Unfortunately, partly due to the new benefit changes being introduced in our area over the next weeks, we are seeing an increased demand for our help.”For more information about any of the services offered by the church, contact their centre on 01388 450838 or find out more online at www.wood houseclosechurch.org.
Saturday 23rd December 2017 The Bishop PressIssue 226Page 4
A new project aimed at challenging hate crime through literacy will be rolled out in a number of schools across County Durham, including Bishop Barrington in Bishop Auckland.The Heartstone Odyssey project uses an epic ad-venture story to raise and discuss social issues around identity, challenge stereotypes and promote tolerance within schools.Children in years five, six and seven will be involved in the project, which is being delivered by Heartstone, a non-profit national organisation which uses stories to raise social and environmental issues with children and young people.The project, which is being part funded by Education Durham, can be incorpo-rated into the curriculum to help build greater communication and under-
standing across different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds and see past stereotypes and prejudice.Staff from the schools have taken part in a training day at Durham Leader-ship Centre, with another planned for January, and will also receive on-going support from Education Durham and the Heart-stone team. Kathryn Henderson, learning resources co-ordinator at Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted that the Heartstone project is coming to Durham and I know those who took part in the training day are now looking forward to getting started with their pupils.“Promoting tolerance in our schools is more important than ever and projects which help in-corporate these messages into the curriculum are of real benefit to our pupils.”
Literacy project tackles hate crime
Children from Cockton Hill Infants School sang Christmas carols at Bishop Auckland General Hospital which were broadcast live across the hosptial radio.
Community cheer at Cockton Hill Infants’ School
The children at Cockton Hill Infants’ School have been very busy spreading Christmas cheer through singing in the community.Children have been sharing their songs from the Nativity and Christmas Carol concert to bring a smile to people throughout the area this Christmas season. A selection of Year 2 pupils sang at Bishop Auckland General Hospital where they were broadcast on the hospital radio.A group of children from the reception classes sang at Lady Eden House and were given a very warm welcome. Shoppers have enjoyed hearing the singing at Tesco supermarket and members of the com-munity at the March Hare listened to the children singing while eating their delicious food. A group of boys and girls also sang at Woodhouse Close Library.The school have also been part of the Advent Window initiative and were at
the reveal of the window display at Bondgate Art Gallery. The art work was based on Come and Join the Celebration, which is one of the children’s favourite songs and puts the true meaning of Christmas at the heart of the activities.A spokesperson said: “Children and staff have appreciated the opportu-nity to spread community cheer throughout the town and we would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas.”Meanwhile, over the last few weeks, pupils have been working with the
police on a special project called ‘The Mini Police’ learning about anti-social behaviour. Fifteen Year 5 and 6 pupils, aged 9 – 11 years have been involved over the weeks, making posters, working as a team on activities and identifying different types of anti-social behaviour.They have also carried out a litter pick identify-ing community hotspots around the back streets in Cockton Hill. On Friday 8th December, the pupils performed their policing skills in front of the whole school, their parents and local police.
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Do you need any help and advice on housing, benefits, debt & finances, education or accessing groups? If so, why not go along to one of Gateway’s free drop-in services where trained staff will be there to give you help and support. No appointment is needed.
The outreach service is available on Tuesdays at Woodhouse Close Commu-nity Centre from 10am until 12 noon. The service is also avail-able on a Tuesday at The Well, West Auckland from 1pm until 3pm. For more information contact Gateway on 08000 731837.
Free drop in services
The Four Clocks Centre’s Memory Club has been busy fund raising in recent weeks, with a head shave collecting £60 for Children In Need. Then, on 14th December, a Christmas Party was held for members of the club, which supports local people in the community who
suffer with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their carers. The party was funded by a donation from Bishop Auckland Town Council.Coordinator, Mrs Pauline Roe said: “A big thank you to the council and all who attended. We wish everyone a Merry Christ-mas and happy New Year.”
Memory Club funds
Bishop Auckland Method-ist Church at Cockton Hill Road is inviting readers to their range of Christmas events and services. On Christmas Eve, Sunday 24th at 10.30am, there will be a Pop up Nativity for all ages.Old and young are encour-aged to go along dressed as their favourite Nativity character.
Later, at 6pm, a quieter service will include Holy Communion at South Church Methodist.Then, on Christmas Day, there will be a service at 11am, followed by BAFCC Christmas Lunch for anyone who lets the church know they are going.To inform the church call Audrey on 01388 607907 as soon as possible.
Methodist events
Saturday 23rd December 2017The Bishop Press Issue 226 Page 5
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MONDAYBarnard Castle WMC Galgate, Main Car Park7:30pm Katy: 07946 103437
NEW GROUP NEW CONSULTANTTHURSDAYWoodhouse Church Community CentreProudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland7.30pmLauren: 07769 940322
MONDAYWear Valley Christian Centre South Church Road, Bishop Auckland5:30pm & 7:30pmStevie: 07825 666357
TUESDAYWear Valley Christian Centre South Church Road, Bishop Auckland3.30pm, 5:30pm & 7:30pmRochelle: 07883 812469
TUESDAYBarnard Castle WMC Galgate, Main Car Park9:30am, 11.30am, 5pm & 7pm Louise: 07730 064214
WEDNESDAYSt Helen’s Parish CentreMiddlewood Ave, St Helen Auckland5:30pm & 7.30pmGillian: 07962 270486
SATURDAYWest Auckland Memorial HallDarlington Road, West Auckland8.30am & 10.30amRochelle: 07883 812469
Saturday 23rd December 2017 The Bishop PressIssue 226Page 6
Santa and his helpers took time out of their busy schedule to meet and greet parents and children at the Community Festive Fair.
Great support for return of Community Festive Fair
Around 1000 hardy souls braved the freezing tem-peratures to visit the Community Festive Fair on Sunday 10th December at Bishop Auckland College.They weren’t disappointed either as the weather only added to the festive feel of the day. Ice Queen and sister Anna opened the event, organ-ised by County Durham’s Wellbeing for Life service, followed by an impressive display from Spidey.Spectators were able to browse over seventy stalls selling unique handmade gifts or informing people about local services avail-able to them to improve their wellbeing.People also took part in robot building, arts and crafts, healthy festive food demonstrations, cycling to Santa and men were taking advantage of free hair and beard cuts from the Man
Cave.Santa was a big delight too; Julie Cockburn attended with her family and said: “We just wanted to say a huge ‘well done’ to Well-being for Life on such an amazing fair. “There was something on for everyone, it was a won-derful day. A lot of hard work and dedication was put into the event so thank you from me and my family. By the way, Santa was amazing, so friendly and welcoming considering his busy schedule this month! Thank you for putting this event on, and thank you Santa for coming along.” Two local choirs brought the event to a close. The Bishop Auckland Choral Society beautifully sang some classic carols and Wellbeing for Life’s singing group The Weardale Warblers entertained the last of the crowds with
their first ever public per-formance of some family favourites. Wellbeing for Life aims to help people to live well and maintain good health for themselves and those around them. The aim of this large scale event was to celebrate Christmas as a community and to share all the good things that happen locally, as well as to inform local people that Wellbeing for Life are around to support them to live well this winter.Additional photos and videos from the event can be viewed on the Wellbeing for Life Facebook page: @CountyDurhamWellbeing-ForLifeService. For further information on the Wellbeing for Life service, contact freephone 0800 8766887 or visit www.wellbeingforlife.net and follow then on twitter @WBFL_Durham.
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Do you struggle to dispose of your real Christmas tree in January when the fes-tivities are over?If you don’t want a car full of needles, a tree recy-cling service is available in Bishop Auckland, Crook, Willington and their sur-rounding villages.The service is a joint project between But-terwick Hospice and the Rotary Clubs of Bishop Auckland and Crook. Bill Robson from Bishop Auckland Rotary Club said: “We hope to have a bumper year as we have expanded our collection areas to include Crook and Willing-ton. “I’d like to thank G. W. Holmes for use of their
van for collections as we couldn’t do it with them.”Please note that you must book this service in advance. Anyone wishing to use the service is asked to leave your real tree outside the front of your property clearly visible to our col-lection teams by 8.30am on 6th January 2018.The Christmas trees will be delivered for chipping by All Season Arborists in Spennymoor. The trees are being collect-ed for a minimum donation of £5 in aid of Butterwick Hospice. To book a collection or for more information call 01388 603003 or visit www.butterwick.org.uk/xmas treecollection.
Tree recycling service available
A successful real Christmas tree recycling service, raising funds for Butterwick Hospice, will operate again this year.
The only bus service to operate on Boxing Day in South West Durham is the Go North East X21 from Bishop Auckland to Durham, continuing to Newcastle as Service 21. It departs Bishop Auckland hourly from 8.41 until 18.39 and departs Newcastle as Service 21 from 9.55
hourly until 16.55 and from Durham to Bishop Auckland from 9.00 hourly until 18.00. The service runs via Spen-nymoor, Durham New Inn, Durham North Road (bus station is closed), Chester-le-Street and Gateshead interchange to Newcastle Eldon Square.
Boxing Day buses
Saturday 23rd December 2017The Bishop Press Issue 226 Page 7
Children from Woodhouse Close Primary School with Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Adam Zair, ahead of the Festival of One Thousand Lights in the Market Square.
Festive cheer as first Advent Window unveiled at Town Hall
Bishop Auckland Market Place was turned into a winter wonderland on 1st December when the town celebrated the beginning of advent.Bishop Auckland Town Council, together with St Anne’s Church, The Auckland Project, Advent Windows and the Town Hall, organised the town’s celebrations to mark the beginning of the festive period. The weather played its part by supplying snowfall the previous evening making the Market Place look very Christmassy.The whole event was in danger of being cancelled because of the icy condi-tions, but Durham County Council’s Green and Clean team came to the rescue doing a fantastic job in clearing the market place. The event was opened by the Rt Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, who blessed the celebrations and the 1,000 plus strong crowd.
Children from local schools led Christmas carols from the stage.The first of the town’s advent windows was unveiled at the Town Hall by the Mayor, Adam Zair. This year Advent Windows in association with the Town Team have obtained funding to hold an advent window project in the town centre. Twenty-four businesses have joined with twenty-four local schools to turn the town centre into a giant living advent calendar. Each day throughout December until Christmas Eve a window has been unveiled, which has been decorated by a local school on the theme of a Christmas carol or song.The first window, located in the Town Hall, was decorated by children from Woodhouse Primary School who sung Now Light One Thousand Christmas Lights as their artwork was unveiled.
To coincide with the theme of 1,000 lights St Anne’s Church, in conjunction with The Auckland Project, had created lantern templates which had been distributed to local schools for them to decorate and bring along to the event.Santa Claus’ sleigh broke down on the way to the event, but the Police Inter-ceptors came to the rescue by delivering him to the Town Hall with blue lights flashing and sirens sounding just in time for him to turn on the Christmas tree lights.The event also included performances from Belle, star of Beauty and the Beast and Friends, a Santa’s grotto, children’s fairground rides and street food.Bishop Auckland Mayor, Cllr Adam Zair said: “The event worked really well and I am particularly pleased by the way the community organi-sations worked together to make this a lovely festive evening for everyone.”
Throughout December the Bishop Auckland Town Team have been unveiling a decorated window at various shops around the town centre. Local schools and commu-nity groups have designed and created each of the windows under the direc-tion of David and Pam Pott.Over the last few weeks at the unveilings there have been visits from Father Christmas and the Bishop Auckland Pipes and Drums have performed along with the school band from St John’s Catholic School.As they bring to a close the Bishop Auckland Advent Windows on Saturday 23rd December, the Town Team is inviting everyone to join in with a Christmas Carol
singing walk to all the shops and businesses which have been part of this year’s event.The walk will start at 9.30am outside HairHaus Hair & Beauty where the song will be I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, and will finish at 11am where the final window will open at the O2 phone shop at No.1 Newgate Street where the carol will be the Twelve Days of Christmas.Once the final window is unveiled, everyone is invited to enjoy refresh-ments at St Anne’s Church.For a full list of times and carols to be sung visit the Town Team facebook page or their website at www.bishopaucklandtownteam.org.
Christmas carol singing walk
Local groups and school children have been unveiling their Advent windows across the town throughout December. The project will conclude with a carol singing walk to each window on Saturday 23rd December.
Bishop Auckland Heart Foundation store at 85 Newgate Street is asking members of the public to help with donations. In particular, the store
urgently needs ladies jumpers and coats. “If anyone has unwanted items, we would be very grateful for your donation,” said a spokesperson.
Donations needed
Saturday 23rd December 2017 The Bishop PressIssue 226Page 8
SportLocal leagues, competitions and events...
Bishop press The
St Mary’s still managed seven games last weekend despite the bad weather.The U16 Kings had a great 3-0 win over Redcar to stay unbeaten and top of their league with goals from Joel England, Louis Jones and Harry Doyle. The U14 Aces also went top with an exciting 2-1 win over Seaton Carew with goals from Kai Dobson and Josh Gill. The U12 Kings went joint top with a 2-2 draw against North Ormesby with goals from Scott Jones and Adam Wilson. The U11 Kings had a great 2-1 win over Stockton Town with goals from Dan Walton and James Whales. The U9 Kings had a great game against Stockton with goals from Joel Carline, Jake Wilkinson and Connor Scaife. The U8 Kings had an excel-lent win against Newton Aycliffe with goals from Joe Petch (3) and Bobby Ebdon (2). The U7 Aces played
Stockton Town in an excel-lent game, with both teams playing well. It was a great end to the year with the U12 Kings, U14 Aces, both U15s, U16s, U18s and the U23s all either top or second in their leagues. St Mary’s also had the combined Xmas draw with BAFC and BA Ladies last Saturday and the £1,000 1st prize went to Hayley from the Plumb Center with 53 more prizes and a massive thank you to all who bought tickets. This was followed by an excellent Xmas party for all the younger players with Santa giving out presents.Club Chairman, Steve Coul-thard said: “Massive thanks to Debbie Woods and Catherine Pearson along with Dave Simpson and Will Blacklock as officials over the last year, as well as all our volunteer managers, coaches and secretaries.“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our players and parents at St. Mary’s Juniors FC.”
St Mary’s Juniors beat the freeze
BA Cumberland Arms have scored a shirt sponsorhip deal with new local self storage company, MyLockup.com.
BA Cumberland Arms in safe hands with shirt sponsorship
Two Blues slip after winning start to DecemberBishop Auckland Football Club began their December games with two victories over Heaton Stannington in the League Cup and Jarrow Roofing in the League.Unfortunately, the good start came to an end on Friday 15th when the team lost 3-2 to a last-minute goal at Ashington after dominating the second half of the game. After going 2-0 down in the first half, goals from Priest-ley Griffiths and Thomas McAloon levelled the score and despite putting Ashington under severe pressure and going close on numerous occasions, they were unable to get that vital goal to win the game and Ashington sealed the points with a breakaway goal in the final minute.
BA Cumberland Arms FC were celebrating after scoring a shirt sponsor-ship deal with new local self storage company MyLockup.com.Kevin Doyle, MD of Mylockup.com said: “As a new local company it’s im-portant for us to integrate into the local community, and a shirt sponsorship
Bishops have signed Niall McGoldrick on a month’s loan from Whitby Town and have put defender Daryll Hall on the transfer list.At the game against Jarrow Roofing the club opened its new catering hut, pur-chased with funds from the Colin Rowell bequest. The hut was built and fur-nished by John Bayles of JB Caravans of Shildon and will provide refreshments for spectators attending matches at Heritage Park.Bishops play Seaham Red Star on Saturday 23rd at Heritage Park and travel to Penrith on Boxing Day (26th) with a 12 noon kick off before ending the month against second placed Marske United at Heritage Park on Saturday 30th December.
with a local football team is ideal. “We hope that this part-nership will help us both to achieve our goals in the coming years.“It’s not always easy finding funds for kit and we try and help a local football team in each town where we have a facility.”The company, which has
The club sends Christmas greetings to all its volun-teers who help on match days, supporters, sponsors and advertisers.
expanded into Bishop Auckland, has other fa-cilities in Topcliffe, North-allerton and Scarborough.BA Cumberland Arms manager, Lee, never one to use a cliché, says that he’s “over the moon” that Mylockup have given support to his team and that “at the end of the day it was a team performance.”
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Santa visited St Mary’s Xmas party last week and gave presents to all the young players.
