By Georga Spottiswood

The dad of a soldier killed in Afghanistan has climbed the highest peaks in the country to raise money to help build a memorial wall.

Tom Cuthbertson, whose son Nathan, 19, was killed in a suicide attack in June 2008, tackled Ben Nevis, in Scotland, Scafell Pike, in Cumbria, and Snowdon, in Wales, in 24 hours.

He was joined by 17 members of the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), who battled against blizzards to raise money for five charities, including Brothers in Arms, which aims to build a memorial wall in Sunderland to honour those killed in service.

Mr Cuthbertson, an emergency care support worker for the ambulance service at Ryhope, said: “I’m still in pain now. The weather was horrendous. It was like being in the Arctic. You literally couldn’t see in front of your face.

“All I kept thinking about was Nathan and the good times we had. He would have thought I was as daft as a brush for doing it.”

The group had 24 hours to complete the challenge.

Mr Cuthbertson added: “There was three of us who completed the Three Peaks, but we didn’t get all the way to the top of Scafell Pike as we were told we had to stop as it was too dangerous.

“I collapsed into a heap when I finished.”

Peter Stoddart, operational manager for the NEAS for the South of Tyne and Wear, which includes Sunderland, was a driver for the group.

He said: “It rained from start to finish, but we didn’t let it dampen our spirits.

“Everybody gave it 100 per cent. The charities all lie close to the hearts of our members, who did a fantastic job.”

The money will also go to Facing All Cancer Together – after the ambulance service lost paramedic Judith Lightfoot to the disease 18 months ago – as well as the British Kidney Patients’ Association, National Autistic Society and Unison, the public service trade union which supports ambulance workers’ welfare.

A charity night will be held on July 16 at the Dubmire Royal British Legion Club, Fencehouses, where the group will see how much they have raised.

Brian Dodds, an advanced technician based at Pallion ambulance service, said: “Hopefully, we’ll have hit the £5,000, and maybe more.

“But every penny counts. A massive thanks to Was UK, Bells Truck and Van and the NEAS for their kind donations, such as the cars for our transport, and everyone one who supported us.”

Another old coke worker from the early 60,s, Stuart Hunter, 64 yrs old, passed away last year, not many left now.

Posted by Norman Sweeting

The novels are not consciously auto-biographical. But they certainly gave me a way of writing about a region I knew intimately, for I was born on the Durham coalfield in 1947 and grew up in the mining village of Fencehouses. Also, like Bob Henderson, I am an academic, having worked in universities for over thirty years, the last few of them as Professor of Politics in the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Therefore, and unlike Bob, I am not a professional philosopher, although I do have a strong interest in philosophical ideas.

My father worked as an overman in Lambton colliery and was a fanatical supporter of Sunderland Football Club, a pastime to which he introduced me aged eight. This means that I have been suffering from red-and-white eyeballs for fifty-two years. It also means, I suppose, that I am a ‘Mackem’ – although that word was unknown during all the years I was standing in the Roker End of Roker Park.

This was taken directly from Gavin’s website check it out

www.gavinkitching.com

Another excellent photo that has been found and this is probably better than most for its detail. Thanks to Geoff Robinson

 The repairs to the wall of both the signal box and the station shed can clearly be seen where the accident damaged them when the trucks came adrift (I think you have the very poor picture of this already).  The signaling is interesting and the gates are old.  In the distance a steam train is about to shunt the guards van back into the sidings on the left (out of sight) and then push the empty coal hoppers up to Blackyboy for collection.

I cannot remember taking this photo – any idea of the date?

Hi There,

Just came across your website for the first time and am very impressed.

I don’t know whether the attached is of any interest to you or whether any of your readers might be of help to me in researching my father’s WW1 army service history.

As will be seen from the attachment, there is obviously a Fencehouses/Burnmoor/Lambton Estates connection and any information or help anyone is able to provide would be greatly appreciated. I have lots more documentation on the subject ( too much to attach to an e mail) but I would be happy to discuss this with anyone who is interested.

Eric Bloomfield

Has anyone got any photos, I have asked around and had no luck. I wouldn’t care I used to work there I was one of those students who always turned up for the summer, The money was great no tax.

Published Date:
07 January 2010

By Fiona Thompson

Theatre bosses have already started taking ticket bookings for their next pantomime as they celebrate their most successful festive show.
The Gala, in Durham, has just finished its second in-house panto, Dick Whittington, which has broken a record as the venue’s most financially successful show of its own making.

Gala Director Simon Stallworthy said: “Two years ago, when we took the decision to bring our pantomime in-house, we had no idea how it would fare.

“I’m delighted that Dick Whittington has continued the trend that Aladdin started last year, and panto is now thriving at Gala.”

The 2010 pantomime, Cinderella, has already sold hundreds of tickets.
The Gala has confirmed that Fence Houses actor Donald McBride will return as one of the ugly sisters.

The team hopes to make more announcements soon about familiar faces who will make up the cast.

Mr Stallworthy added: “We’ve developed the relationship with our audience over the last couple of years and they know they’ll get a high quality show at affordable prices.

“We hope that Cinderella will deliver even more, and we promise magical and spectacular scenery, incredible transformation scenes and maybe even some live animals.”

Cinderella will run from Wednesday, December 1, to Saturday, January 8.
Ticket prices will remain at 2009 levels. To book, call the box office on 332 4041 or visit the website at www.galadurham.co.uk

www.sunderlandecho.com

This photo is of Lambton D Pit in the back ground you can see the Coke works next to the pit head in the foreground this was the canteen and miners baths. I can remember shining my shoes on a machine which was just in the door way of the canteen on my way back from Lambton baths (after been chucked in by Mr Murtagh.) Happy days.

Photo supplied by Geoff Robinson. Cheers Geoff