Houghton - Down Your Way

At the Rotary Club annual dinner in the Chilton Country Hotel, President Ashley Burland welcomed visitors from other neighbouring Rotary Clubs, including North East District Governor Peter Chandler, from Stokesley Club, Houghton members and friends. Among the guests was Kevin Reilly, from Houghton Pipe Band, who was surprised to be presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship, which is named after the American founder of the Rotary movement and give in recognition for service to the community. Kevin was recognised for his work with handicapped children, his leadership of the Pipe Band, which now brings prestige to the town by ranking as high as many of the famous Scottish bands, and his organising and compering of the annual opening ceremonies of Houghton Feast. The proceeds of the large raffle of excellent prizes donated by members amounted to Â£470 for the club's community service and charity account funds.

The eagerly waited annual CAMEO (Come and meet each other) Christmas fair will be held at the Bethany Christian Centre on Hetton Road on Saturday. Coffee and mince pies will be served from 9.30am and there will be seasonal stalls from 9.30am to 11am. There will also be a carol concert from 11.15am to 12.30pm.

The next surgery by Shiney Row councillors Anne Lawson, Mel Speding and Geoff Walker will be held in Trinity Methodist Church hall from 10am to 11am on Saturday. Residents are welcome to raise and discuss any relevant topics.

The next walks by the Sunderland Group of the Ramblers’ Association are: Sunday, Broompark Circular, about eight miles, meeting in the picnic area off A6302 (DH7 7RJ) at 10.30am with leader John Routledge. Phone him on 5286966 for details. Wednesday, December 7, Hesleden Circular, about eight miles, meeting in the small car park near the railway line in Hesleden off B1281 (TS27 4PR) at 10.30am with leader Jim Birkett. Phone him on 07474 666119 for details.

The Christmas draw at St Aidan’s Worship Centre, New Herrington, will be at the coffee morning at 10am on Saturday.

Circuit Superintendent Methodist Minister the Reverend Alf Waite spoke to Houghton Methodist Tuesday Fellowship about the significance and meaning of Advent now leading up to Christmas.

Bill Hiley will be holding a stamp collectors fair in Dairy Lane Bowling Club with opportunities for valuations and sales from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. For further details, ring Bill on 3855225.

Shiney Row St Oswald’s Carol Night and Christmas Draw will be at 7.30pm on Monday, December 5.

Speaker at Houghton Methodist Women’s Fellowship was Keith Howell, from Sunniside, on hymn writer John Newton, who composed Amazing Grace and the support he gave William Wilberforce in his campaign to abolish slavery.

At the Rotary Club regular weekly meeting, due to the unavoidable absence at short notice of the speaker, member Colin Hill stood in with a humorous talk on National Service in the RAF in the 1950s, afterwards progressing through various jobs up the country until be established his business as an estate agent in Houghton.

Sunniside Methodist Men’s Fellowship held a general discussion night ranging from politics to the fortunes of Sunderland Football Club.