Houghton - Down Your Way

Houghton Rotary President Ashley Burland (left) with Len Aitchison, the sports winner.

Circuit Superintendent Methodist Minister the Reverend Alf Waite will provide the programme at Houghton Older People’s Enterprise in the Methodist Church at 1pm on Thursday,, when All will be revealed.

The next Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast by Churches Together in Houghton will be in the Methodist Church from 8am to 9.30am on Saturday. All denominations are welcome.

Ron Young organiser of Houghton Rotary Club's sport night with the winners trophy.

The regular monthly craft fair held in the Welfare Hall of the sports complex will be from 10am to 2pm on Saturday. Admission is free and refreshments are available.

Houghton and District Rambling Club will be walking around Birtley on Sunday with leader Dennis Borley. Phone 0191 492 0029 for details of time and meeting place.

The speaker at Houghton and District Local History Group in Kepier St Michael’s Hall will be Linda King on To the workhouse Born. The meeting is at 6.45pm on Thursday, February 23. Admission is £2, including light refreshments.

The Sunderland Group of the Ramblers’ Association will be walking the Fence Houses Circular, about eight miles, on Wednesday, February 22. Meet in the Legion car park, Britannia Terrace, at 10.30am. Leader will be John Conder, ring 07714 718253 for further details.

Gilpin WI secretary Win Warren, singer Samantha Holden and president Marian Ferguson.

Sunderland Historian Phillip Curtis will speak to Shiney Row St Oswald’s Ladies’ Club at 7.30pm on Wednesday, February 22, about Fashions in Sunderland. Visitors are welcome.

Ros Pickersgill, a reader at St Michael and All Angels’ Parish Church, spoke to Sunniside Methodist Women’s Fellowship about links being made throughout the world with Christians of common faith and the use of appropriate music.

Maureen Simpson, from Murton Methodist Church, spoke to Houghton Methodist about the significance and meaning of the beatitudes.

Houghton-le-Spring University of the Third Age (U3A) arranges activities for people who are retired or semi retired. Monthly meetings are held every third Tuesday in the month from 2pm to 4pm at Houghton Welfare Hall, Brinkburn Crescent. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 21, when Richard Stevenson will give a talk on The Great Fire of Newcastle/Gateshead. Admission is £2 including tea and biscuits. Further details from Bill Milburn on 0191 584 4677.

On Thursday, February 2, Gilpin WI held its meeting in Kepier Hall. After reports from the president, secretary and treasurer, member Margaret Sinclair, gave a mini demonstration on the many fashionable ways of tying scarves. After refreshments members enjoyed a superb performance by Samantha Holden, whose programme included songs from the shows and songs made popular between the 20s and 50s. Samantha gave an entertaining and fascinating insight into the music and the times as she went along. Gilpin’s next meeting will take place at 1.30pm on Thursday, March 2, in Kepier Hall, when the speaker, Bill Sillett, will talk about Heritage Railways. Visitors are welcome.