Boldon - Down Your Way

A 90th birthday party in honour of Jack Oliver was held at the end of November in Boldon Golf Club. Seventy family members and guests travelled from across the country to honour to congratulate and celebrate his amazing life over 90 wonderful years. Jack was born and raised in Boldon Colliery and lived in West Boldon Village and in Scott's House until the 1980s when he moved to the south west coast of Scotland to farm. From the beginning of the 1950s until his move to Scotland, he set up various businesses in the area, creating a great deal of local employment. Some may just still remember Jack and his wife Gladys in Old Hall Nurseries, which was next to Boldon Hall, when they started out in business in West Boldon in 1950 and in their fruit and vegetable shops in the 50s around the area. Some of his other business interests, which were also run from Boldon over the following 30 years included Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Merchant, National Haulage and owner of the Boldon Electric Palace Cinema building, which he and his brother Tom turned into Boldon's first bingo hall in 1960 in response to public demand. Jack is still at work seven days a week at the age of 90, running his Nurseries and Garden Centre in Wigtownshire on the south west coast of Scotland.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Dec 2016, 09:45 BST
Updated 6th Dec 2016, 11:41 BST
Jack at his party with his cake iced as a garden centre with greenhouse.Jack at his party with his cake iced as a garden centre with greenhouse.
Jack at his party with his cake iced as a garden centre with greenhouse.

St Nicholas Church on Rectory Bank in West Boldon will hold Eucharist in the church followed by a Faith Supper tonight at 7pm to celebrate their Patronal Festival on the Feast of St Nicholas.

This Saturday, you are invited to go along and join in the fun at the Boldon Independent Methodist Church on North Road in Boldon Colliery. The celebration event, entitled ’15 Days to Christmas’, will support St Clare’s Hospice and ‘Bright Red’ (support for patients with cancer at the Freeman Hospital) will be open from 10.30am to 12.30pm. All the usual attractions and refreshments will also include a bran tub, Christmas craft activities, games for the kids, toasties, cakes etc and tea and coffee.

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The East Boldon Folk Club. with resident band Seganainm. will be held at the cricket club on Sunderland Road in East Boldon on Thursday, from 7.30pm. This is a free event. The band will also be playing on New Year’s Eve at the Travelling Man in West Boldon. Tickets for this event, which includes hot and cold food, cost £8 and are available from either the Travelling Man or band members.

An ultimate comedy tribute at The Quality Hotel will be held on Friday, January 27, from 7pm to 11pm with Lee Lard (complete with wheelchair and attitude) as Peter Kay. Lee brings the popular Brian Potter character to the stage where no one escapes his sharp tongue and quick wit. Admission £17, which includes a two-course dinner and entertainment. Contact 0191 519 1999 for tickets.

Hedworth Lane Boldon Colliery Primary School Children’s Choir will entertain at the annual OAP’s Christmas Party at Boldon School this Thursday. The school’s Christmas parties / disco will take place from December 9 to 15 in school, and the reception class Nativity is at 9.30am on December 9. The school choir will lead a Christmas Concert on December 14.

West Boldon Karate Club is held in St Nicholas Parish Hall in West Boldon every Tuesday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and Thursdays 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The club is for all ages and abilities, so if you are interested, pop along during club time or contact 077514 65386.

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The Boldon’s History Society were given an interesting and entertaining talk and presentation by Geoff Philips at the end of November on ‘The History of Radio’, followed by some festive refreshments. The next meeting will take place in the function room of The Grey Horse in East Boldon on Tuesday, January 31, at 7pm. The society does not meet in December.

West Boldon Residents’ Association holds its popular Christmas Festival ‘Carols Around the Tree’ on the green beside the village sign and Christmas Tree on Addison Road in the centre of West Boldon village on Wednesday, December 14, starting at 6.30pm. The carol singing will be accompanied by The People’s Mission Silver Brass Band and the children’s choir from West Boldon Primary School will also take part. Santa has promised to pay a visit with a small gift for the children, and hot soup will be served at the end of the programme of carols, kindly provided by the Red Lion. Everyone is invited to go along and join in this wonderful annual community Christmas event, which is supported by South Tyneside Council’s Jarrow and Boldon Community Area Forum. Don’t forget to wrap up warm and take a torch if possible.