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Stanley, County DurhamStanley 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. The town has no definate 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. 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. 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. 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'. 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. 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. The town centre is due to receive refurbishment in coming years, as the bus station is relocated to the current Mary Street car park, with improved access to Front Street. Work is scheduled to start early in 2005. The C2C Cycle Route bypasses Stanley. Places of interest Famous People from Stanley External link
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