The Boldons

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= The Boldons
map_type= Tyne and Wear
latitude= 54.9447
longitude= -1.4409
population = 191,151 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=276795&c=gateshead&d=13&e=16&g=366743&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=75 Census 2001 Neighbourhood Statistics] ]
metropolitan_borough= North Tyneside
metropolitan_county= Tyne and Wear
region= North East England
constituency_westminster=
post_town= BOLDON COLLIERY
post_town1=EAST BOLDON
postcode_area= NE
postcode_district= NE35
postcode_area1= NE
postcode_district1= NE36
dial_code= 0191
os_grid_reference= NZ361615

The Boldons are a group of three villages in England - East Boldon, West Boldon and Boldon Colliery - bordering the north of Sunderland and the south of South Shields.

Until 1974 the area was administered by Boldon Urban District Council in County Durham but since then has been part of the borough of South Tyneside.

Boldon Colliery was once a mining village. The mine closed down in 1983 but more jobs became available when an ASDA supermarket opened in 1986. Further recent developments included Boldon Business Park. Boldon Colliery also has its own multi-screen cinema (currently operated by Cineworld), a McDonald's and a Frankie & Benny's restaurant. A Pizza Hut restaurant is now open next to the Cineworld Cinema. The main school in the area is Boldon School (formerly Boldon Comprehensive School). There is also a junior and infant school (East Boldon Juniors and East Boldon Infants) which are two separate buildings/schools but the infants is a feeder school to the juniors. The infants is a large Victorian building; the junior school isn't as big but is a newer building.

Housing and environment

The Boldons form part of the suburban fringe of South Tyneside and are completely surrounded by green belt.

There are conservation areas at East Boldon and West Boldon villages.

Given the relatively small geographical area, there is a significant number of older buildings considered as being of architectural merit including churches, public houses and former country houses, as well as modern additions.

The area includes a wide range of housing styles, from Edwardian villas to Victorian terraces, pre-war housing to modern developments. The first street built in Boldon Colliery was Fenwick Street, in 1871, which was constructed initially to house local miners and their families. Several years later, other major housing projects were started and terraced housing such as that at Arnold Street and Charles Street were built.

When the colliery closed in 1983, the former industrial land lay derelict for many years. In 2000 Colliery Wood was created and over 2,500 trees planted. The wood is popular with the local community and provides a habitat for animals such as pheasants, squirrels, woodpeckers and otters. Colliery Wood provides six new paths, which are also suitable for cycling and link to East Boldon, Brockley Whins and Whiteleas in nearby South Shields.

Another site important for nature conservation is Boldon Flats, which contains an area of damp pasture. The flats are flooded from each October to March and attract a wide array of bird life and a large population of common frogs.

The River Don traverses Boldon and is the last stronghold of water voles in South Tyneside.

Development

In the last 30 or so years, since the decline of traditional industries such as coal mining, Boldon has developed dramatically. At the same time, the historic cores of the old colliery town and East Boldon and West Boldon villages have retained their traditional character and appeal.

Recent/proposed projects include:
* the introduction of the Metro light rapid transit system connecting Boldon to the rest of Tyne & Wear
* the new state-of-the-art senior school
* major housing developments
* an expansion to the ASDA WalMart superstore - the largest in north east England
* a new Pizza Hut restaurant at the leisure park
* the growth of the business park
* road/cycleway improvements
* a new skate park with one ramp, and
* community woodland projects

The new £17.5 million Boldon School opened on 6th November 2006. It has been funded by a Private Finance Initiative and was constructed by Gleeson Building Company as well as other small businesses. The new school boasts a £750,000 theatre, top-of-the-range arts facilities, a four-lane 25 metre swimming pool and other new sports facilities such as five-a-side football pitches gymnasium. Computerised technology has been incorporated into the school's meals service, with school pupils using an electronic card system to purchase meals.

The recently-built Quadrus Centre at Boldon Business Park houses entrepreneurial businesses and acts as a gateway to South Tyneside on the main A19 trunk road. The building features a modern designFact|date=June 2008 within its lakeside setting. The building is illuminated at night in a range of colours and has won many awards for its iconic design, local people however regard the building as visual pollution.Fact|date=June 2008.

port

Boldon has produced many notable sports personalities, one of which was former Newcastle United footballer Wes Saunders. Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Sam Bartram, their record appearance holder, who played 800 games for the London club, was signed from Boldon Villa in Sept 1934 and played in four successive Wembley cup finals from 1944 to 1947. Full back Jack Shreeve moved from the Villa to Charlton in 1935 and was a colleague of Bartram's in their 1947 FA Cup winning team. A Sam Bartram Memorial Cup competition was introduced at Boldon in February 2008 aimed at inspiring current footballing youngsters in the Boldon area. Another two notable sportsmen from Boldon are cricketers Christopher Churchill and current England rugby youth player Robert Bell, Darlington Striker Sean Reay and Sunderland Reserve player Jamie Chandler.The main youth football team in the area is Boldon Colts C.A. based at Boldon Community Centre.

There are private tennis and golf clubs at Dipe Lane as well as other pursuits on offer within local schools, community centres and parks.

Politics

East Boldon and Cleadon is currently the only ward in South Tyneside to elect three Conservative councillors. Boldon Colliery usually elects three Labour councillors.

The Boldons are within the Jarrow constituency, which also includes Hebburn and Whitburn. The local MP is Stephen Hepburn of Labour Party.

References

External links

* [http://www.hypohypa.com South Tyneside Young Diabetics website]
* [http://www.Boldonschool.com Boldon School]
* [http://www.theboldons.co.uk Boldon Colliery Information site]
* [http://www.theboldons.co.uk Info on East Boldon, West Boldon and Boldon Colliery]