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'''Crawcrook''' is a village close to the western border of the [[metropolitan county]] of [[Tyne and Wear]] in [[England]]. Traditionally an independent village in [[County Durham]] it has since been incorporated into the [[Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead]].
==Geography==
Crawcrook lies midway between [[Prudhoe]] in [[Northumberland]] and [[Ryton, Tyne and Wear|Ryton]], also in Tyne and Wear. Within a mile of the village there is rich countryside.
Crawcrook shows a lot of characteristics that are common to [[Northern England|northern English]] villages. A strong mining heritage has been replaced with tertiary industries and a commuter economy.
Crawcrook has several areas of natural beauty such as Sled Lane and the meadows between Crawcrook and Wylam, as well as the rural farming landscape to the west of the village.
The area between Crawcrook and [[Greenside]] offers good views of the [[Tyne Valley]].
==History==
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===Development===
Crawcrook has a strong [[coal mining]] heritage, and many of the old miners' homes still exist around the surrounding area.
===Recent years===
In balance, Crawcrook has undergone a number of changes in recent years. Like many villages of its kind it has become suburbanised and is now popular as a commuter village for young professionals. This has arguably led to the loosening of the close community, which is in line with many villages across the nation. Equally, it is arguable that people who have been forced to move out of Newcastle due to high housing prices there, are bringing up young families in Crawcrook, adding variety and a new lease of life to the area. {{fact}}
==Parkland==
Crawcrook Park, located in the Garden House Estate area of the village, has suffered from council neglect during the years{{fact}}. However, the Streetlights Detached Youth Project, a registered charity whose purpose is to develop the well-being of young people through leisure activities, is active in campaigning for better funding of the park. Recent improvements have been made to the park and it is beginning to regain much of its original beauty. However, play equipment is still absent from much of the park, and this is an issue which should be addressed in the coming years.
Recent decisions by Gateshead Council, including locating landfill sites in the West of Gateshead (in which Crawcrook is situated), remain controversial topics{{fact}}. One proposed area, Path Head Quarry (located just outside Crawcrook), has recently had amendments to planning permission dating from 1989 granted, despite the opposition of local residents and councillors. Path Head is home to a diverse range of fauna and flora, and it is believed that the quarry may have a detrimental effect on wildlife and contribute to air pollution. This contradicts Gateshead Council's assertion that communities should "live in and contribute to a clean, pollution free, attractive and sustainable environment" (Towards 2010 - a vision for Gateshead).
==Amenities==
Crawcrook several pubs, three social clubs and several smaller shops such as a baker's, butcher's and greengrocer's. There is also a local [[post office]], a gent's barber and a hairdresser.
==External links==
* [http://www.stefancarlton.net/index.php?menu=pic&pF=1&picType=nature-scenery Website containing many good views of the surrounding areas]
[[Category:towns in Tyne and Wear]]
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