Shildon, St John's Church c.1960

Photo ref: S704303

apparently there were 2 crashes.. an RAF mosquito crashed near the reservoir and an rcaf (Canadian) stirling got too close to aycliffe and was shot down near the elephants trunk by our own guns... oops - also a bus was attacked by a German plane in the same area

I was in the Shildon Operatic Society about 1970 to 1974. I really enjoyed it. We did such shows as Oliver, the Sound of Music and South Pacific. I was sorry to hear that they are no longer performing. I do not live in Shildon any more. I live in Idaho, USA. I like it but I miss Shildon alot. It will always be home. All of my family are still in England, some in Shildon still, of course I miss them more than I can say.

I was born in Byerley Road, Shildon, just up from the picture-house - Hippodrome I think. The male population worked either in the pits or on the railways, you could tell the time by the shift-ends when the men either went to work or returned home. I went to Timothy Hackworth School till I was eleven, then I went to Bishop Auckland.When we went on holiday, never more than a week, it was to visit relatives and we went by ...see more

From 1976 to 1981 I was a member of Shildon Operatic Society. How I loved to be part of this talented, enthusiastic team. I started as a dancer and enjoyed taking part in "Carousel" and "The King and I" then small speaking parts in "The Pajama Game" and various pantomimes. We played in the Civic Theatre, Darlington in those days. What a thrill! I left only because I moved from the area. It was a great ...see more