The Boldons

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Boldons

Coordinates: 54.9447° N 1.4409° W The Boldons shown within Tyne and Wear
Population	191,151 ^[1]
OS grid reference	NZ361615
Metropolitan borough	South Tyneside
Metropolitan county	Tyne and Wear
Region	North East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BOLDON COLLIERY
Postcode district	NE35
Post town	EAST BOLDON
Postcode district	NE36
Dial code	0191
Police	Northumbria
Fire	Tyne and Wear
Ambulance	North East
European Parliament	North East England
List of places: UK • England • Tyne and Wear

The Boldons are a group of three villages - 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 used to be a mining village. The mine shut down in 1983, but more jobs became available when an ASDA opened in 1986, and recently through the development of Boldon Business Park. Boldon Colliery also has its own multi-screen cinema (currently operated by Cineworld) and a Frankie & Benny's and McDonald's drive-thru restaurant. The main school in the area is Boldon Comprehensive School.

1 Environment
2 Housing
3 Development
4 Sport
5 Links

[edit] Environment

When the pit in Boldon was closed in 1983, the land lay derelict for many years until the year 2000, when the Colliery wood was planted. Over 2,500 trees were planted, which are now popular with the local community, and provide a home for many wild animals such as pheasants, squirrels, woodpeckers and even some otters, which were living in some of the many lakes surrounded by reeds. Now the colliery wood provides six new paths, which are used for walking and are suitable for cycling, and link to East Boldon, Brockley Whins and the Whiteleas Estate. One of the top wildlife sites in the Borough, Boldon Flats, is an area of damp pasture which is flooded from October to March to attract a spectacular show of bird life and a large population of Common Frogs.

[edit] Housing

The first street built in Boldon Colliery itself was Fenwick Street, built in 1871. This street was built initially for miners who would quite possibly find it easier to live closer to the pits. Several years later, other major housing projects were started, and estates such as Arnold Street and Charles Street were built. The River Don which runs through Boldon Colliery is the last stronghold of water voles in the borough of South Tyneside.

[edit] Development

In the last 30 or so years, Boldon as a whole has developed dramatically. Current construction projects in the area include a new 17.5 million pound school, major new housing developments and the production of a brand new children's park on old farm land which has lay derelict for some years now.

The arrival of the new Boldon School became imminent, as a delay of over a year already damaged construction timing. The consruction process was funded by mega-million pound development company Mighty PFI and constructed by Gleeson Building company and other small businesses. On the 6th of November 2006, Boldon School finally opened, boasting facilities such as an 1 million pound Theatre open to the public, top-of-the-range Arts facilities, 4 lane swimming pool, Brand new sports facilities such as 5-a-side football pitches and gym, and computerised technology incorporated into the schools meals service, with school children now using a card system to buy meals from the school.

[edit] Sport

Boldon has, in the last 50 years or so, produced many notable sports personalities. One of which was former Newcastle United footballer Wes Saunders, and current England U'18 and Sunderland youth, Jamie Chandler. Another notable sportsman from boldon is current England rugby youth, Robert Bell. The main youth football team in the area is Boldon Colts C.A., ran through Boldon Community centre and the local surrounding areas.