Sir Bobby’s old club is relaunched for the next generation of footballers From The Northern Echo

 

THE junior football club where a young Sir Bobby Robson learned his skills, has been re-launched after 20 years on the touchline.

Lady Elsie Robson, widow of the former Newcastle and England manager, attended the official opening of Langley Park Hotspurs FC on Saturday.

A football tournament was held for the new young teams who now play at Langley Park Sports and Social Club during the day, followed by an evening disco.

Sir Bobby played for Langley Park Juniors from the age of 11, before signing for Fulham aged 17.

The club is run on a voluntary basis and parents have raised cash over recent weeks by doing lots of fundraising events such as sponsored cycle rides.

Club fundraiser Joy Freeman said: “It was fab day. It was brilliant. The weather was definitely on our side.

“They are still working out the money, but quite a lot was raised.

“Lady Elsie was great. She was talking about how great it was to have football back in the village.

“She said she was born in house opposite the football club and wished the boys a lot of luck.

“She gave a speech and did the official opening and the lads bought her a cake and some flowers to say ‘thank you’.”

via Sir Bobby’s old club is relaunched for the next generation of footballers From The Northern Echo.

Gold rush for Deerness Gymnastics Academy gymnasts

Eight gymnasts from Deerness Gymnastics Academy, Ushaw Moor  in County Durham have returned home as world champions after they all took Gold in their age group competitions this weekend while competing for Great Britain.

They competed in the FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics World Age Group Competitions in Paris.

READ MORE Gold rush for North East world champ gymnasts | Tyne Tees – ITV News.

New housing scheme for Ushaw Moor approved From The Northern Echo

A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to build 167 new homes on the edge of a village has been approved despite a recommendation by council officials that it be rejected because of the potential for increased traffic congestion.

Durham county councillors unanimously endorsed the plans for land north of Ladysmith Terrace, Ushaw Moor, near Durham, following an impassioned plea from community leaders for new development in the village.

Taylor Wimpey has won permission to construct the £13m housing estate on a 5.5-hectare greenfield site. Thirty three dwellings will be “affordable” two or three bedroom homes, while the others will be three or four bedroom detached houses.

Recommending refusal, planning officers said traffic generated would add to already saturated junctions on the A167 and A690 at peak times and would lead to “severe cumulative impacts upon the transport network”.

Speaking in favour of the scheme, Phil Stoddart of Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council, said: “This development will improve the visual image of our village and will help support schools, shops post office and jobs and local transport. It will also give the village the kickstart it needs.”

Ward councillor Jean Chaplow added: “This will help generate houses and bring families into Ushaw Moor. We have capacity in our three schools for extra children.”

Objector Sally Dixon, speaking on behalf of residents of Ladysmith Terrace, said their homes would be directly overlooked by the new housing and she agreed with concerns raised by the highways officers.

Monsignor John Marsland, president of landowners Ushaw College, which closed as seminary in June 2011, said: “The financial receipts generated from the scheme will provide much-needed funds for Ushaw College and will contribute toward the new future of this important asset.”

via New housing scheme for Ushaw Moor approved From The Northern Echo.