Ethan Moffatt-Oliver - Boldon Independent

31/10/2026

Admittedly, I am not the best at face paint, but the last time I tried this was the result. 💀

Happy Halloween everyone 🎃 Never to old to get involved 😁 (stay safe)

30/10/2026

Now doesn’t that look great!!

Absolutely amazing work by the Boldon Colliery Heritage Group. They deserve the recognition. I have been following along for some time. It’s refreshing to see hard work and dedication actually pay off. 👏🏻

And truthfully, I think it really sets off the area.

28/10/2026

🏏THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT BOLDON COLLIERY CRICKET CLUB! 👀

Have you seen what’s being planned at Boldon Colliery Cricket Club? There’s some exciting plans ahead.

Plans have been drawn up for a new enclosed, two-lane cricket practice facility at the Welfare Ground, giving players a dedicated space to train, practise and develop their skills.

Swipe through the screenshots to see the proposed plans, pictures of the site and examples of what the new practice nets could look like😀

The plans also include a habitat management, monitoring and biodiversity delivery plan as part of the proposed development.

It’ll be interesting to see how things progress and what the finished facility could look like!

Refreshing to see plans being developed to improve local cricket facilities and support the game in our community.

What do you think of the plans?👍

28/10/2026

I cant get along due to work, but hope all goes as planned. This group has put in A-LOT of effort, that’s eventually paid off. 👏🏻

⛏️ GRAND REVEAL - BE PART OF HISTORY 🕰️

After five years of hard work, the Boldon Colliery Memorial is ready to be revealed!

Join us as North East Granite unveils the memorial for the first time.

📅 Friday 30th October
⏰ 3pm

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Everyone welcome - bring the kids and be part of local history!

🌐 BoldonCHG.org

Our village. Our people. Our heritage. 💚

26/10/2026

🏥 Our local NHS faces another demanding year but what could it mean for us in South Tyneside?

A recent Shields Gazette report has highlighted the financial challenges facing South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, which runs South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital.

I’ve ready through the actual report on the NHS website to make sure the info is accurate.

The warning comes from the Trust's Executive Director of Finance, Hayley Wardle, whose comments appear in the Trust's 2025/26 Annual Report and Accounts.

Looking ahead to 2026/27, she describes another demanding year, with significant risks and difficult decisions ahead.

So what does this mean for local residents?

- The Trust says it is working to improve efficiency, control spending and live within its budget, with the aim of breaking even by the end of March 2027.

- The finance director has acknowledged that financial decisions have real consequences for patients, staff and services. The challenge is to make savings without undermining the quality of care people rely on.

- The Trust has highlighted the need to change how care is delivered, work with clinical teams and make better use of resources. How these decisions affect staffing and the day-to-day experience of patients is something residents should be able to scrutinise.

What happens next? The Government's 10-Year Health Plan is driving wider changes across the NHS. Locally, we need clear information about how those changes will affect access to treatment, waiting times and the services available to our community.

It's important to be clear that this report does not announce the closure of particular departments or confirm specific service cuts. But it does make clear that difficult decisions lie ahead.

Our local NHS is something many of us depend on, whether for emergency treatment, planned operations, outpatient appointments or care for our families. Financial targets matter, but so does the experience of the people who use these services and the staff who provide them.

I'd like to see continued transparency about what these financial pressures mean in practice for South Tyneside residents.

What would you most like the Trust to prioritise as it works to balance its budget protecting existing services, reducing waiting times, supporting staff, or improving access to care?

I'd be interested to hear your experiences and views so I can voice what we really need. 🙂👍

26/10/2026

🚨Large branch hanging off close to the old day care.

I’d advise giving it some distance if you pass, also let any children know who may play or pass through that area.

26/10/2026

A reminder to our volunteers - we are meeting outside the Shack tonight Monday 26th October at 6pm to put the poppies up around the Colliery.

25/10/2026

Be mindful when using the cut at Kipling Avenue leading onto and from the burn.

Side fencing appears to have been blown over from an empty property, obstructing the path.

25/10/2026

Had a walk around the ward today to see the damage caused by the recent weather.

Thankfully I didn’t seem to come across too much in west boldon. I did however pick up a lot of wheelie bins and came across a broken bin door that has been reported on the way to the colliery end.

Roadside barriers blown over obstructing paths.

Nearly reverted to my childhood days and had little bounce on the not 1 but 2 large trampolines between Arnold and Charles Street.😅

A few broken trees throughout the burn close to West Boldon Primary School, but nothing major.

It was also great to see a lot of tidy and clean lanes, which were becoming a repetitive issue. Or maybe the wind has blown everything away, still great to see😁.

25/10/2026

🚨No Emergency Council Number Causing Residents Concern. (0191 455 6111) I also called 3 times on their behalf, but to only hear the same repeated automated response.

This highlights an issue currently causing concern among local residents across South Tyneside. I have been given permission to share this situation to raise awareness and ask some important questions.

A vulnerable tenant has been left with damage to an electrical item in their home, due to the severe weather we are seeing, leaving exposed wires open to the elements coming inside. On top of this, freezing air is blowing through the property, leaving the resident facing extremely uncomfortable conditions as the colder weather sets in.

The temperature may say 10°C, but the weather app right now reportedly feels like -2°C. Imagine trying to stay warm and safe in your own home under these circumstances.

Is this acceptable?

Should vulnerable residents be left in these conditions, worrying about their safety, warmth and wellbeing? And should anyone have to feel isolated, with no clear form of contact or communication about what is being done to resolve the situation?

Where are residents supposed to turn when they need help? Who is making sure vulnerable tenants are safe, warm and kept informed?

This isn't just about repairs. It's about basic living conditions, safety, dignity and making sure vulnerable people aren't left feeling forgotten.

Residents deserve clear communication, appropriate support and timely action when issues like these arise.

What do you think? What should happen when a vulnerable tenant is left facing these conditions, and what support should they be able to expect?

Please keep the discussion respectful, but let's not shy away from asking the questions that matter. People deserve to feel safe in their own homes.