Stanley, County Durham

Stanley is a former mining town in County Durham, centred on a hill top between Chester-le-Street and Consett. It is the second largest town of Derwentside after Consett and lies next to the border with Gateshead.

Related Topics:
County Durham - Chester-le-Street - Consett - Derwentside - Gateshead

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The town has no definite end and stretches right into what were formerly neighbouring villages and towns, this caused a lot of confusion in the past over which part of the council was responsible for certain areas especially around the Durham-Gateshead border.

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In recent times 'old Stanley' has all but died with many local shops and pubs closing and Stanley is fast becoming a suburb of Newcastle and Durham. It still maintains some importance in the local area however due to being the location of a large ASDA supermarket.

Related Topics:
Newcastle - ASDA - Supermarket

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Stanley used to be divided into three — the main town of Stanley and the mining villages of East Stanley and South Stanley. However, with the expansion of all three they have blended into one town and East and South Stanley are no longer officially used town names (although they are recoginsed colloquially). The village of South Moor was historically referred to as West Stanley.

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Stanley was first mentioned in 1211; however, some neolithic and Roman remains have been found in the area, its name is also Saxon for 'Stoney Field'.

Related Topics:
1211 - Neolithic - Roman - Saxon

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One of the worst coal mining disasters in British history took place in Stanley at West Stanley Colliery on February_16 1909 when over 160 people were killed in the Burns Pit Disaster.

Related Topics:
Coal mining - February_16 - 1909 - Burns Pit Disaster

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The main shopping area, Front Street, is pedestrianized, housing independent shops along with large chains Boots and Woolworths. A market is held on Front Street on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Related Topics:
Boots - Woolworths - Market

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The town centre is being refurbished, as the bus station is relocated to the former Mary Street car park, with improved access to Front Street. Work began in 2005.

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The C2C Cycle Route bypasses Stanley.

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Primary schools that are in Stanley include:

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St. Josephs RC

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South Stanley infants and Juniors

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Greenland Infants and Juniors (in South Moor)

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St. Marys RC (in South Moor)

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East Stanley Infants and Juniors

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Tanfield Infants and Juniors (in TAbfield Lea)

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Burnside Primary (in South stanley)

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and others

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Senior schools include:

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Stanley School of Technology (in South Stanley - connected to South Stanley Infants and Juniors)

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Tanfield Senior School (in Tanfield Lea (Connected to Tanfield Infants and Juniors)

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Also

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St. Bedes Catholic school and 6th form collage.

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Not in Stanley but is the feeder school to St Mary's and St. Joseph's. In Village near Consett known as Lanchester.

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