Stanhope is a tranquil market town at the heart of the Durham Dales surrounded by moorland in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It lies on the River Wear between Eastgate and Frosterley, in the north-east of Weardale. (population:around 1,600)
The village plan is probably of Saxon origin though there were Bronze Age settlers whose huge hoard discovered at Heatheryburn Caves is now in the British Museum. The 18th-century Stanhope Castle in the town centre stands on the possible site of a medieval castle. It was built in 1798 by Cuthbert Rippon, MP for Gateshead.
Stanhope is the current terminus of the Weardale Railway, a heritage line operating mainly during holiday periods from Bishop Auckland, with stations at Frosterley, Wolsingham and Witton-le-Wear. Stanhope Station stood in for the fictional Partlington Station in an episode of the criminal drama series Vera. The town is a popular stopping off point for ramblers and cyclists and is pronounced locally as “Stanip” and not “Stan Hope”.
Heedhopper
27 mile drive door-to-door
English Non-League grounds visited - 533
I took the scenic route to Stanhope, driving up to Consett then along the B6278 through the picturesque Weardale. This leisurely drive was twice interrupted, firstly by a flock of sheep strolling along the road, then just before I reached the town a random bird flew into my windscreen. As I was attending another match kicking off at 5.30pm I took the Wolsingham/Lancaster/Stanley route back home as a precaution.
Bondisle football ground
Bondisle Way
Stanhope
Co. Durham
DL13 2YS
The ground lies in the shadow of the train station, in .jpg)
between the railway line and the river. The changing room facilities are at the Stanhope Sports & Social Club which is just up the road on Front Street. The club play in the Crook & District League Division One and are currently top of the league. As a general rule of thumb, I tend not to watch matches at this level but I made an exception with it being a Durham Minor Cup tie against a higher ranked club.
Stanhope Town Sports & Social Club 6(Green 22,45pen Peadon 39, 55,75 Price 48)
Wearmouth CW 3(#11 11,26 #9 76)
Durham FA Minor Cup 1st Round
1.30pm ko
Att.35hc
The Wearside League side took an early lead when a free kick from the right wing found the net unaided, but the hosts soon drew level when a corner was met by Sam Green who fired in at the far post. The Wearmouth number 11 again put his team ahead, but by half time they were behind with Ian Peadon following in to net the rebound after the ‘keeper parried a shot, then Sam Green made it 3-2 at the break from the penalty spot.
The next goal of the game was crucial and it was Stanhope who grabbed it with Matthew Price capitalising on a defensive mix up just 3 minutes into the second half. Moments later the visitors were reduced to ten men when the #7 childishly kicked out at the keeper and the hosts took full advantage, with another two goals from Peadon to complete his hat-trick and a consolation from the Wearmouth number nine made it 6-3 at the final whistle.
According to some of the locals I was lucky to witness such a great game at Bondisle (as they reckon it's a rarity) . I really enjoyed it and I wish them all the best in the next round of the Durham Minor Cup.
