Prof Gavin Kitching

RESEARCH will take a back seat when an acclaimed academic comes from Down Under for the Wear-Tyne derby.

Gavin Kitching is normally 10,400 miles away, in his role as Professor of Politics at the University of South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

The internationally-renowned political scientist has written books on revolutionary philosophers, economic history and Third World development.

But when he retires, Prof Kitching plans to write about his first love –football.

Fan rivalries will be one of the central themes he intends to study, in particular between Sunderland and Newcastle.

On Sunday, Prof Kitching will be at the Stadium of Light with his son, Sam, a student.

But any thoughts of first-hand research into derby-day animosity will be put to one side, as the professor gets caught up in the fever-pitch agenda – namely, the Black Cats getting revenge for the 5-1 thrashing at St James’s Park in October.

For Prof Kitching was brought up to support SAFC by his dad, an overman at Lambton Colliery, and the Fence Houses-born author is hopeful of a red-and-white victory at the weekend.

“I think Sunderland will win,” he said. “Not 5-1 though. Probably by the odd goal.”

Prof Kitching has not been to a Tyne-Wear derby for 30 years.

“I used to go a lot in the 50s and 60s,” he said. “At St James’s Park, we used to stand in the Leazes End, surrounded by Newcastle fans.

www.jarrowandhebburngazette.com

First New Year baby in Sunderland was Georgia Ann Henry, pictured here with parents Allan Henry and Hannah Wood. SURPRISE arrivals gave parents double cause for New Year celebrations as their newborns were delivered on Wearside. The first 24 hours of 2011 were busy for Sunderland Royal Hospital’s maternity unit, with nine births on the ward. The first to make an appearance on New Year’s Day was Georgia Ann Henry, who was born at 10.35am, to mum Hannah Wood, 18, and Allan Henry, 20, of Fence Houses. Hannah’s due date had been Thursday, but Hannah went into labour at 5.30am, and Allan’s stepdad Jeff Wilkinson drove the couple to the hospital. Allan, who works for Tacle car seating company, which supplies Nissan, said: “It was a bit of a shock. “It all happened quite quickly and we thought she was going to have her in the back of the car. “It’s definitely a good way to start off the New Year. “It’s like a late Christmas present.” Jeff added: “Hannah was in pain and I could tell from the noises in the back the contractions were getting closer and closer and as much as I didn’t want to break the speed limit, I was like a bat out of hell.” Georgia, the couple’s first child, takes her middle name from Allan’s grandmother, who is suffering from cancer and plans to make the trip from her home in Liverpool to see the new arrival as soon as she can. Among the first visitors to see the 6lb 5oz baby was Hannah’s soldier brother David, 27, who feared he would miss the birth because he was due to return to his army base in the south of the country after his festive leave. The second arrival on the ward was Sophie Bell, who was born at 12.06pm to parents Stacey Tough and Jonny Bell, both 22 and from High Barnes. She weighed in at 8lb 4.5oz. She joins the couple’s daughter Chloe, who will mark her third birthday in a fortnight – just a day after her mother’s due date for Sophie. The family had been planning to spend their New Year away from Wearside to relax ahead of the birth, but Jonny decided against the trip to the cottage in Staindrop at the last minute in case their baby did decide to make an early appearance. Stacey said: “I wasn’t happy when he cancelled it, but I’m glad he did. “Because we were stopping, I said to him he may as well go out an do some taxiing to make some money and he dropped off one of his friends and then I had to call him to ask him to come back at about 6pm. “Chloe absolutely loves her, she can’t wait to take her home. “Everyone was joking beforehand, saying the baby would here in time for the New Year and the midwives were saying she might be a New Year baby and would she be the first, but I was the second. “All the family are over the moon and they’ve been celebrating.” The last of the nine births – who have the birth date of 1/1/11, was Alfie Liam Glaisder at 9.45pm, with the tot weighing 6lb 8.5oz. He is also the first child for Kimberley Carroll and Liam Glaisder, both 20, and from Dawdon. Kimberley, who was due to give birth on New Year’s Eve, said: “I had to be induced because my waters had gone, so they didn’t want to leave him in. “I came in at 8.30am and her came not long after 9.30pm. “He’s gorgeous and this makes it even more special.” South Tyneside’s first new arrival of 2011 was Oliver Jacob Ellison, who checked in at 2.15am on Saturday and weighed 7lb 8oz. He is a little brother for three-year-old Rhys. Mum Lori Crozier, 24, from Boldon, said: “When Rhys saw Oliver, his first words were ‘I love him’. “He always knew he was having a little brother and has been really excited to meet him. “I spoke to him in the morning before he came to see us, and he said ‘Mammy, I’m coming to meet my little brother’. “I’m happy Oliver was born on Saturday. It’s a nice date of birth – 1/1/11. “I was due on December 30, so I always knew there was a chance of him coming on New Year’s Day. “He’s been no bother at all.” As most people were phoning friends and family to wish them a happy new year, proud dad Craig Ellison, 28, was calling around to let everyone know the wonderful news of the new arrival. And 2011 will not only mark the year Oliver was born, but will be an extra-special one for the family as Miss Crozier and fiancé Mr Ellison are due to tie the knot. Miss Crozier added: “Craig and I have been together for five-and-a-half years, and engaged from about a year in, but we knew we wanted to have our family before we got married. “I think it’s lovely both our boys will be at our wedding.”

www.sunderlandecho.com

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

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

By Danielle Beeton

 Singer Shaun Foster-Conley has been swamped by fan mail since becoming a star of the small screen.
The 36-year-old, who lives in Fence Houses and is originally from Red House, Sunderland, has also been constantly stopped in the street since his first appearance on the hit show Benidorm last month.

Shaun, who made his name in clubs in the North East, said: “I have had a fantastic reaction. It has been phenomenal. It’s been like a whirlwind trip.”

Shaun, who performs in Benidorm for up to seven months in a year, was chosen to be part of the ITV show by writer Derren Litten.

He plays himself and says he has enjoyed every minute of it.

The former shipyard worker, who took to the stage when he was only five with his dad Peter and his band The Apaches, said: “Derren offered to send me a copy of the show in the post but I decided to sit and watch it with my family like everybody else.

“My wife Angela was poking me and smiling and the kids were just giddy.”

Shaun, who has two children Robyn, 12, and Fraser, 11, has received emails from fans around the world, including the Al Martino appreciation society, who are big fans of Shaun’s rendition of Here In My Heart.

“They want me to go to America,” Shaun said. “I would love to go, but it’s like everything else, I’m just taking one step at a time.”

Shaun has been singing professionally for the last 16 years and has wowed audiences around the globe.

He was named North East male vocalist of the year in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and topped the bill in a “One Night In Vegas” theatre production.

He has also been named an ambassador for the city by Sunderland Council.
Shaun’s four-episode TV appearance in Benidorm will end this Friday, but Wearsiders may see him in the show again.

He said: “I cannot really say, but I’m excited.”

Tune in to ITV this Friday at 9pm to watch Shaun in action, and log on to www.sunderlandecho.com to see footage of him in the show

A singer who made his name in the clubs of Sunderland is set to become a star of the small screen tonight.

Entertainer Shaun Foster-Conley will appear in ITV’s award-winning show Benidorm and is set to appear in three more episodes.

The 36-year-old, who performs at the popular resort for up to seven months in a year, revealed that writers had been planning to include him in the script from the start.

Shaun, who lives in Fence Houses but is originally from Red House, Sunderland, said: “They approached me three years ago and said they wanted to write me into the script.

“They have written me into the third series, and I went out and filmed it and it was a great experience.

“I sing five songs in the show and I do have speaking parts.”

Shaun first took to the stage when he was only five with his dad Peter, who was in a band called The Apaches.

And for the last 16 years, the former shipyard worker has been wowing audiences all over the world with his vocal talents.

He was named North East male vocalist of the year tin 2003, 2004 and 2005, and topped the bill in a “One Night In Vegas” theatre production.

And he was crowned an ambassador for the city by Sunderland City Council – putting him alongside the likes of Eurythmics star Dave Stewart and Kate Adie.

But the dad-of-two says appearing in Benidorm is definitely the highlight of his career so far.

Shaun, who is married to Angela and has two children Robyn, 12, and Fraser, 11, said: “It was a great experience to see professional actors at work.”

Viewers can tune in to ITV tonight at 9pm.

Published Date: 09 October 2009 www.sunderlandecho.com

FINDING yourself one on one in a cage with someone who wants to cause you severe pain would be most people’s worst nightmare.

But in that cage – and with that someone – is where arguably the North East’s most successful martial artist feels most at home.

Four months ago, Ross Pearson swept all before him in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s “Ultimate Fighter” event in Las Vegas, to earn a six-figure UFC contract.

Today, though, he is loosening up for a day’s training in a chilly, no-frills gym in his native Sunderland which more than lives up to its name: Spartan.

The surroundings also bear out Ross Pearson’s nickname. Never mind the glitz and gloss of Vegas, this guy really is the “Real Deal”.

At 25, Pearson is a relatively young fighter in UFC terms, but he came of age in winning the ninth series of The Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas in June, overcoming fellow Brit Andre Winner in the final.

Having started fighting at the tender age of six when his mam took him to Taekwondo lessons, he has never looked back.

So much so that Pearson is one of the biggest names of the fastest growing martial arts sport in the world – if not the biggest physically.

For while the Fencehouses lad may pack a punch, he is officially a lightweight in the ultra-competitive, fast-growing world of UFC.

And, having cracked America, he is understandably delighted with his progress.

“To get into the UFC was a dream alone but to win The Ultimate Fighter, as prestigious as what it is, was massive for me. It was an awesome feeling to fight on a live stage in Las Vegas and a dream come true for me. Vegas is the fight capital of the world and to fight there is amazing.”

Pearson, who was an amateur boxer throughout his teens in Sunderland, became only the second Brit in the history of The Ultimate Fighter to be crowned champion and to earn the lucrative UFC deal.

The Wearside scrapper first started mixed martial arts as an 18-year-old and his dedication and desire for success has seen him reach great heights at such an early stage in his career.

After turning professional in December 2004, Pearson has claimed victory in nine of his 12 competitive fights, two of which were by knock-outs.

And Pearson currently finds himself in an intense training programme back in his home town as preparation for his next fight against American brawler Aaron Riley in Manchester on Saturday, November 14.

Riley has a wealth of experience, with 40 competitive fights under his belt, and Pearson knows he will have to be at his best to win what he describes as “the toughest fight of my career”.

“Aaron Riley is a tough competitor and is known for being able to take a beating and still come back and win. He gets in there and makes it messy and on paper it’s a very tough fight,” he added.

Pearson is putting all his efforts into November’s clash, training five hours a day, six days a week.

And although victory is his main focus, he also wants to show the fighting world exactly what he is capable of.

“I’m looking to win this fight and win this fight impressively. I’m just starting my career in UFC and I’m looking to improve and impress,” he said.

Victory would complete a fantastic year for Pearson, but he is keeping his feet on the ground, wanting to be a role model for younger kids and encouraging young fighters to stick in and follow their dreams.

“I feel like a bit of an inspiration to younger kids, and if you’ve got a dream go ahead and follow it. I just found something that I love doing and stuck at it.”

Catch Ross Pearson at UFC 105 at Manchester’s MEN Arena on 14^th November.

Tickets available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or watch it live on ESPN from 8pm.

http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport

At the grand old age of 81 barber Alf Roxby is still cutting it.
And while grandad Alf is probably the oldest crimper in the country, he is also one of the cheapest.

Customers never complain about his prices. The pensioners’ rate is 70p and others range from £1.50 to £2.

He has been in the trade for 68 years and is still working four days a week.
Alf started as a hairdressing apprentice in 1936 and has no plans to retire.

He says: “When people ask me when I’m going to pack it in, I tell them `When I’m old!’”
Widower Alf has only had one break from cutting hair – the five years he spent fighting for his country.
Born in 1922, he was the youngest of five sons and, at 14, started work as an apprentice.

He has been in his present shop, in Front Street, Fence Houses, near Houghton-le-Spring, since 1946.
The only time he thought of packing it in was when Mary, his wife of 41 years, died in 1988 at the age of 66.

Alf considered moving to Hertfordshire where his son, Peter, 52, lives with his wife and three children.
But he decided to stay. Alf said: “I still enjoy what I do and my customers are my friends. I like a laugh and a joke with them all.

“I’m still in good physical condition and my mind is still there, so why should I pack it in?”
“My work keeps me in touch with people and what’s going on in the world. I’ve got no intention of retiring.”

Alf will be 82 on December 20 and says: “I used to tell my mother I was the best Christmas box she ever had!”

He served as a naval gunner for five years during the Second World War and was aboard HMS Webster when she was sunk by a German torpedo in the Mediterranean.

He said: “I never cut anyone’s hair during the five years I was in the war. I enjoyed the break, but I was glad when I got back to it.”

Most of his customers are pensioners but when younger men ask for more than the usual short-back-and-sides he’s prepared for them.

He said: “I can do anything they want – even the fancy stuff they ask for these days.”
Alf has hung up his scissors a couple of years ago now, he is retired and living with his son down South.

What a man.

Aug 25 2007

Evening Chronicle

For three decades Donald McBride has been a stalwart of Newcastle’s Live Theatre, meeting many famous faces along the way. Here he talks to GRAHAM ROBSON

IT was apt that actor Donald McBride won a part in the award-winning film Billy Elliot, based as it was on a story about a miner’s son beating the odds, and emerging a star in the world of arts.

Just like Billy, Donald is the son of a miner, and instead of following his dad down the pit, forged for a career in acting.

But as Donald points out: “Some of the best jobs are the one’s you don’t do but you still get paid.”

Donald had been due to play Billy’s friend’s father.

But due to lack of filming time, his part was reduced to his voice being heard on screen.

“But I was paid, as I signed a contract,” he explains.

This month, the 54-year-old from Fencehouses, County Durham, is celebrating 30 years of treading the boards.

Along the way, Donald has acted with such luminaries as Sean Bean, Pete Postlethwaite, Michael Kitchen, Jimmy Nail, Robson Green and Tim Healy.

He’s appeared on our screens in Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Our Friends In The North and Spender. He’s done an 18-month stint with the Royal Shakespeare Company, but mostly he’s been a stalwart of the Live Theatre.

He first discovered a love of acting when he was at school with friend and fellow actor David Whitaker.

“In my village, people viewed acting as little more than a pastime. Being an actor just wasn’t something you aspired to be. Of course, David and I had a great interest in acting, but we never said while at school, ‘we want to be actors’. It just happened,” recalls Donald. And while his mother Eva and dad Bob were not thespians, they did inspire him.

“My mother used to attend the Bankhead Methodist Chapel and do readings. I’d watch her and study the way she told those religious stories.

“Dad used to sing me those beautiful, old nursery rhymes, which had such gorgeous imagery. Some actors say, ‘oh, so and so is my biggest inspiration’, but for me it has to be religion and a stable family life.”

His father, who was a coal miner for 37 years and “quite stuck in his ways”, believed that acting would be a precarious profession and unsuitable for bringing up a family.

“That was absolutely fine,” says Donald, who never married.

“When I’m at work, the company and the show come first. Sometimes I wake up and wish I’d had children, a wife and the white picket fence, but then I look at what I’ve achieved in the theatre. Could I have done that with three children and a wife to satisfy? I don’t think so.”

While at school, Donald remembers his English teacher, Miss Anderson, directing him.

He fondly recalls how the cast had to bring props from home.

“My poor mother must have thought I was a kleptomaniac” he jokes. “Oh, but it was great fun, we dived right in. Nowadays the innocence of theatre is lost. The blockbuster and bigger budgets have killed it.”

After school, Donald enrolled at the University of Hull to study English and Drama. He’d considered moving to London to study, but his heart was in the North and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Which might explain why he still lives in the house in which he was brought up.

After university it was time to register his name with Equity.

“They said I’d need to choose another name because Donald Reed (his real name) was already taken.”

Inspired by a song, Donald opted for McBride.

But then he later learned that the actor who had supposedly taken his name had actually opted for the name Dom Reid.

So there had been no need to change his name after all. But back to the career. Thanks to a recommendation from pal David Whitaker, he auditioned for the Live Theatre and landed his first job.

Over the decades, Donald has had parts in Shakespeare plays, comedies, drama and panto.

“Pantomime was hilarious. To perform for children was just amazing. And they didn’t care if I died on stage.” he laughs.

At Hexham one year he had to step into the shoes of actress Val McLane and had a weekend to learn the lines of the Oscar Wilde character, Mrs Bracknell.

He recalls with joy a play staged at the Live Theatre called Kiddar’s Luck in which he played a variety of characters alongside Denise Welch and Robson Green.

“We all played mothers, fathers and children. I gave a memorable performance as Mrs Buchan, who made her entrance with a jug of beer under her pinny.

“There’s nothing like hearing an audience laugh. That’s a feeling you can’t buy and hearing them clap and knowing you’ve done a good job.”

Donald’s next job is in October when he takes to the stage in Swan Song, part of the Live Theatre’s Bite Size season at Apartment in Newcastle. “It’s an excellent play and I urge people to come and see it.” he says. In the play, he takes the role of a drag queen, who does a fair imitation of Ethel Merman. So will this mark his personal swan song?

“Retirement? I hope not. I still hope to be performing in 20 years time.” he says.”

Swan Song opens at Apartment, Newcastle, at 1.30pm on October 30, and runs until November 2. It is repeated on the November 2 at 7.30pm at Queen’s Hall, Hexham. Tickets are £10, £8 concession and include a meal at Apartment performances. Telephone (0191) 232 1232 for the Apartment box office or 01434 652 477 for Queen’s Hall.

Now doing a grand job at Sunderland