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Notices and information for upcoming activities are at the top, followed by News of Recent and forthcoming events and activities. There is also a Previous Events page.

Family History Group visit to 'Redhills' in Durham City.

Thursday 26th February 2026

Redhills Durham Miners Hall and Offices is an Edwardian Baroque – styled building, now a Grade II listed building, built in 1915 to equal the grand houses of the mine owners, built  to be the HQ of the Durham Miners’ Association. At the peak of coal production in Durham County in 1913, it looked after the interests of 250,000 pitmen and 400 pits.

BROTHERHOOD-SOLIDARITY-JUSTICE-COMMUNITY ENDEAVOUR-BELONGING

Words, values, principles that defined and guided the formation of Durham Miners Association (DMA) members in the past and will support the building of a new future for Durham mining communities.

An excellent tour with Brian our guide.

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More photos and information on the Family History Group Page

Family History Group Page

Digital Photography Group

Image of the Year 2025 Winner

Ian Wardlaw

For more images of our winning images click on the following link to our Digital Photography Group page.

January 2026 Monthly Meeting

Thanks to John for talking about Family History – 40 Generations ago his relative was William the Conqueror who lived in this (see attached) castle, I think he said.

Thanks also to all your ancestors who didn’t die young, found a hetero with whom to copulate and have a baby – I feel like we all owe Velda, Helena, Katrine, Ursula, Xena, Jasmine and Tara a debt. And un-named a man/men.

Thanks to Laraine for doing the Coping and the Duffying, thanks to Ann for doing the Invictus thing (not too different from Kevin Barry’s recipe for life – do your feckin bit while you can) thanks to Margaret for hammering Hamnet, thanks to Sharon for telling some bad jokes as well as they can be told and thanks to Edith – who is now to be nicknamed Rocky. Thanks to Hilary for reminding me how Newcastle United Broke My Heart (and that of Michael Chaplin) and for Leading us in a remembrance of the lead miners... Peter

Also thank you to Ian for the impromptu photographic show and judging competition...looking forward to seeing the official judge's results!

Christmas Event: "Mad hatters - Fun of the Fair"

Monday 8th December at North Biddick Club

Great activities...Skittles, knockout pudding football, the jam jar challenge and the photo booth. A fabulous turn out of hats and the book swap was very successful. The raffle was very thrilling and the buffet was very filling!

Thanks to everyone who organised the raffle, games, activites, music and the buffet too. And a big thank to Marilyn for donating and making up the hamper for the raffle.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone...

Review comments:

I would like to thank everyone involved in making this party a huge success. It was a blast...Canada Ann

News and Recent Events

Newby Hall Trip September 2025

Twenty members of the Gardens Group spent an excellent day at Newby Hall on the 3^rd of September, despite unpromising weather. We were welcomed very cordially by the Head of the Group Visits Team, then given maps and directions to the splendid coffee shop cum restaurant. By the time we’d refreshed ourselves from the journey, the rain had cleared and we joined the two guides who showed us around the magnificent house that has been featured in a couple of TV programmes recently. It is certainly one of the most impressive houses the group has visited. The web site hardly does it justice.

The gardens were still looking good despite the September weather and there were plenty of other points of interest to keep us entertained: The Dolls House Museum, The Teddy Bear Exhibition and dozens of sculptures scattered all over the estate – some for sale if you had a few thousand pounds to spare.

Altogether, a great day out amongst friendly faces. John

For more reviews and photos please the Gardens Group page...

Our August Monthly presentation 2025: Scams - 'Resilience Against Fraud' by Andy Hampson and his colleague Megan from the Regional Organised Crime Unit Network (ROCU) North East Area.

This was very informative talk and was tailored to Wessington u3a which highlighted the background to fraud and scams, and how to project ourselves from possible scam attacks. The advice included the 'the four doors' the areas where sammers can attack - by post, in person or doorstep, via telephone, and through the internet. The talk also encouraged members to report fraud and scams to the police as well as your provider/internet company where the attack happened.

Andy has provided us with some documents and valuable information from his organisation which covers the advice given during his presentation. Please have a look...

Strength & Balance Class - 15th July 2025

It was a really good turnout for Tuesday’s pop-up strength and balance class with the lovely Emma. Everyone enjoyed it and fun was had by all. Emma showed us some very useful exercises which we can all practice at home and reap the benefits from. Sue F.

Gardens Group Visit Wednesday 7th May 2025

Whalton Manor Private gardens near Morpeth

The ‘manor’ or grounds of this magnificent house and gardens have been on record since the 15th Century. The present house and gardens are the result of substantial alterations by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll in 1908. The lovely Head Gardener, Barbara, gave us a potted history of Whalton and led us on an introductory tour before going off to continue her never ending work. She is assisted by two volunteers who come in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She also sets up the teas and coffees. Read more and see all the photos on the Gardens Page...

Gardens Page

Keep on Dancing - 31st March 2025

An energetic and musical time was had by all today at our "Daytime Disco" and it was great to see so many friends from our Network u3as.

Unfortunately Linda Willis was unable to attend but thanks for organising the event and also to Brenda and linda Wilson for stepping into the breach!

Racing Pigeon Post - March 2025

Thanks to everyone who made a pigeon/bird for our March monthly meeting...’pigeon racing was a top sport of the working classes 1850s to 1900s and of interest to Washington people as part of a local heritage project' We have attempted to replicate the action in the allotment following the March monthly meeting. Particular mention must go to Sue F. who mobilized the origami troops last week into a production line to rival Nissan! Thanks Sue…and I wonder who made the French hen…C’est magnifique et merci! Margaret.

A further note of thanks must go to Gill G, for her knitted homing pigeons in glorious technicolour…thanks Gill  and to Paul for his gannet.

The other side of the sport was a different kind of competition 'PIGEON FANCYING' - pigeons flaunting their good looks and ruffling feathers…

Here are the first entries in this class…there are six more waiting to be decorated…any volunteers? thanks go to Catherine, the best next door neighbour anyone could wish for…thanks Catherine x, Margaret