Our Aussie Christmas 2024
"Thanks to the team that made this event such fun"
Ann Huntley
"Thank you to all concerned in the organisation of the Aussie Christmas celebration. It was a huge success and enormous fun"
Well done to everyone. Laraine
For more fun and action from the event please see our Aussie Christmas Gallery...taken by our photographers Anne & Ian
Burnopfield to Kibblesworth Railway Walk - 15th August 2024
A perfect day…last Friday with Geoff as our guide, the sun shining, a gentle breeze blowing, and off on an adventure walking through County Durham for nigh on six miles. We followed the route of the Bowes Railway pretty well from Burnopfield to Kibblesworth…Bowes Railway probably the second oldest railway in the world. We were well and truly bathed by trees which lined our path, saw remnants of gardens where cottages had once stood, marvelled at the size of wagons and carriages stored, perhaps to be renovated, for the renationalization of British Rail, spotted a Rip Van Winkle, felt as if we were part of Trumpton from the bridge overlooking Tanfield Railway signal box and platform….all we needed was a steam train to come chuffing along to complete the picture. Interestingly, we also found a Waymarker carved by Gilbert Ward, in 1995, of foliage unfurling on all four sides….we could have been in Kiwi-land…
Then we found a Secret Garden, at Birkhead, on the site of the Railway Engineer’s house and we enjoyed toasties, cake and coffee in that very garden. Scrumptiousness abounded and a jolly good time was had by all… Margaret
Keep on Dancing - July 29th 2024
Many thanks to Linda and Margaret for organising the disco in the club, it was great - enjoyed by all x
At North Biddick Club a few photos that actually turned out! Sorry Angela I tried, Hilary
Angela Burn
Beningbrough Annual Trip - July 2024
Our annual trip was a mixture of history, culture, socialising and friendship. The history of the Bourchier family down the ages was fascinating. Special mention must be made of the seal that was used by Sir John Bourchier for the death warrant for King Charles 1st in 1649.
The weather was very kind to us which made the visit even better. The gardens were a delight. Fabulous day with good friends. Thank you everyone for making the day such a pleasure. Sally
Bowes Railway Museum - Talk and Walk Friday 17th May 2024
An interesting and informative walk around Bowes Railway Museum area with our guide Geoff who is a volunteer there. Followed by a lovely cuppa made by Barry the Visitor Officer.
We saw parts of the oldest track in the area and the haulage wagonway system designed by our own George and Robert Stephenson. This brought the coal from collieries along a fifteen mile stretch of rail track from Dipton and Springwell to Jarrow docks for transportation. This included the steep 'Bowes Incline' which needed engines to haul the coal trucks. We also visited one of the winding houses which was originally powered by steam, but converted to electricity by NCB in the 1950's. Hilary
Our area was very important in producing coal to fuel the industrial revolution and afterwards. It's good to remember how valuable our heritage is. Hilary
The Great Tapestry of Scotland Visit - 24th April 2024
Our coach outing to Galashiels to visit this wonderful exhibition of skill and imagination created by communities all across Scotland. Great history and to top it all we had sunny weather!
Thank you Dorothy for organising such an interesting and informative trip to see this wonderful set of tapestries depicting Scotland's history from the ice age to the present day.
Photos of the The Great Tapestry of Scotland Visit from Peter B.
Floors Castle Annual Outing - July 5th 2023
What a wonderful day we had last week at Floors Castle. The weather behaved itself and we even saw some sunshine. The tour round the Castle was a delight. So many beautiful treasures to see and history to hear about. It is the family home of the Roxburghe Family and is still used as their family home today.
It was so good to walk around the estate and walked garden with our friends from Wessington u3a.
Thank you to Chris our coach driver for looking after us so well and for the beautiful comfortable coach.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it such an enjoyable day. Sally
North East Mining Institute/The Common Room - Organised by Margaret Welsh - May 2023
The Common Room/North East Mining and Mechanical Engineering Institute in Neville St just down from Newcastle Central Station, There were 14 attenders and we were guided around the wonderful building by Christine, an articulate and well-informed Newcastle City Guide. The Lecture Theatre has photos of all the Presidents and they, I’m pleased and slightly astonished to note, include a current member of Wessington u3a – up there on the wall with Lord Armstrong of Cragside and Sir Nicholas Wood, to name but two! Exalted company!
The building was originally opened in about 1870 at a cost of £20,000 which had taken some time to collect, coal owners of the North East being notoriously hard-up…
If you want to see a chandelier made out of miners’ lamps this is the place for you…if you like coal mining maps…if your heart soars at the sight of minerals…if you want to see a lego representation of the building you are in…
The Wood Hall, upstairs, has a barrel roof, wonderful stained glass, bookshelves full of mining and mineralogy books ….and the Tyne River God and a current member of the Wessington u3a keep an eye on all of it...so you’ll be OK. Pop in, have a look, it’s open to all for just a wander around and then have a think about the Lit and Phil next door – different building but better loos (Gents) and even more books...
A very interesting, enlightening and enjoyable experience. Please check out their website:
