To mark the end of the Summer holidays, a final day out was organised for families across the town by Shildon Alive. Four coaches were filled with over a hundred and fifty families and volunteers for a beautifully sunny day’s trip to South Shields.
Families packed their buckets and spades, packed lunches and shorts for an idyllic day at the beach. After an early start, each child was handed a bag of treats to eat during the day, though it was noted most ate it all before arriving!
Children sang their hearts out to Pink and George Ezra on the journey and spilled out at the dunes with parents and carers in tow, where they were free to visit the nearby South Marine Park with its model railway and duck pond, take a trip to the shops, visit the two pence machines or hit the rides at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, or simply paddle and lie on the soft sands of the beautiful beach.
After a day of sunshine and fun the band of happy families wearily made their way home, with the children and adults playing traditional I Spy to pass the time on the coach ride home, all sharing tales of what a wonderful day they had enjoyed.
One of the families who attended told the Crier: ”We really enjoyed the day, we couldn’t really afford to go on holiday or do much with the children this summer holiday due to finances, so we are grateful we could go on this trip.
“We had a blast on the beach and the kids got to paddle and make sandcastles and of course the weather helped because it was so sunny. Thanks Shildon Alive!”
Paula Nelson from Shildon Alive spoke highly of the trip: “It was just a lovely day from start to finish,” she said. “We are so grateful of the various funding we received, from local councillors through their neigbourhood budget, Shildon Alive volunteers through a table top sale, livin and Shildon Town Council to make sure we could run this day out for our local community.
“It was great to see the smiling faces of the families who came, from babies to grandparents with grandchildren, mums and dads, a full mix of cultures enjoyed the trip and we also had many of the volunteers who have worked so hard in the kitchens, craft and food clubs and running the shop serving our wonderful Shildon.
“Definitely a day full of great memories.”
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
