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

It was after Hazel married and left her job working at Binns in Sunderland that the idea of starting up an Avon round came to her.

“There was a lady called Mrs Nicholson covering the area at the time,” she said. “I decided I’d like to have a go and started it up in the September.

“I really enjoyed it and decided to keep it on and here I am 45 years later.”

Hazel, 66, who also works at Hopes chemist in Houghton, has kept the same round covering Fence Houses all those years, and she has vowed to carry on serving her customers for years to come.

“I love meeting people and doing the work I do,” she said. “I’ve built up good friendships and got to know my customers over the years.

“In the time that I’ve been working there have been several changes.

“The product range has got wider. When I first started it was mainly just perfumes for sale with some make-up.

“Now, you’ve got all sorts. There’s underwear, jewellery, handbags, hats and scarves and a lot of children’s products. There’s a very wide spectrum now.”

To mark Hazel’s dedication to the company, she was invited to an exclusive lunch with 19 other long-serving Avon reps at Rushton Hotel, Northamptonshire.

Hazel said: “When I first started my Avon business I would never have expected to have been chosen to attend such a special event.

“Avon has been a big part of my life and I’m really proud to be here today knowing that I have been part of the company’s success.”

Hazel’s coup comes just weeks after the Echo revealed dynamic duo Debbie Davis and Dave Carter raked in a whopping £5.5million and were crowned Avon’s top earners for the fourth year running.

The two Avon senior executive sales leaders, of Leechmere Grange, have 2,500 people working for them up and down the country after spending five years building up their Avon empire.

Sunderland Echo

MY great-great-grandfather was George William Winter Honey, postmaster at Fence Houses in the 1870s. Although born in Plymouth in 1846 he arrived in the North East in the late 1860s. I know he is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Houghton – as is his wife Mary and mother Rebecca. He had several children while living in Fence Houses.
I’ve recently been given various original documents/paperwork etc relating to him and the post office which are now treasured with his handwritten geography book from 1862 that I’ve had for some years. This followed the death of a cousin who also lived in Wiltshire!
Has anyone got any other information/old photos of the old post office – I did find the “new” one in June while on a trip north – or any other information on the Honey family. Can anybody in the area help me?
Pat Goodship,
Melksham,
Wiltshire
Telephone: 01225 345306
Email: bedpanpat@hotmail.com

You may have seen a letter in the Sunderland Echo reference the Honey family – George William Winter Honey was postmaster in Fencehouses in the 1880’s/90’s.

A cousin of mine died in January this year and I’ve inherited a lot of family documents & photos, mostly to do with the Honey family. (or possibly the Hunter family from Bournmoor as this is where Mary Jane Hunter – my grandmother – came from)

I’ve attached a photo of an old football team – haven’t a clue who is on it belonging to the family or when it was taken, but I’m 99% sure it’s to do with your area.

I’ve also attached a photo of a John Hunter who I think may be one of the team.

Hope you may be able to help identify it – or people on it. Definitely a memory jogger!.

Pat Goodship (Melksham)

Click on the Image’s to Enlarge

Paul Tait (THE KING) & Robert (BOB) Peverley attending someones wedding……

Can you help?

The Image was taken at the the Burnside Club, does anyone know whos wedding it was as they were to drunk to remember?

People we know is in the photo Joe Wilson Top right, George hardman, Evan Liddle, Wilfy Renyolds, Franky Hope and his wife, Tosh Storey, little terry allison with his bucket and spade (Terry is 63 years young)

HIs Dad Billy Allison and his Mother.

Mr Jackson

Shaftmen Mr Jackson on the left and Billy Allison the last shaftman at the colliery