Houghton - Down Your Way

At the Rotary Club congratulations were expressed to member and past president Graham McGrath on achieving his ambition to climb Ben Nevis on his 75th birthday on July 10. Thanks also to his colleagues and friends for the sponsorships which, to date, have raised over Â£2,600 for the club's community service funds with still some donations to come. Speaker was member Michael Gough on 'All Change', proving that change is a process and not an event, with some remarkable statistics about the rapid progress in life and technology, which will accelerate even faster in the next few years.

Some of the staff at Kepier's fundraising event.

Tax, Care and Toy Boys will return to Houghton Older People’s Enterprise in the Methodist Church hall at 1pm on Thursday.

Houghton and District Ramblers’ Group will be walking around “Rookhope” on Sunday. Details of time and meeting place from leader K Hardy on 5842073 or secretary John Conder on 3856551.

Michael Gough spoke to Houghton Rotary Club.

St Michael and All Angels’ Parish Mothers’ Union will be having a strawberry tea, with entertainment by singer Claire Louise in Kepier Hall at 2pm on Monday, July 25. Admission is £5.

The Sunderland Group of the Ramblers’ Association will be walking around Burnhope on Wednesday, July 27, meeting leaders Gillian and Bill Darbyshire at 10.30am in the village car park. Further details from secretary Bill on 4172797.

East Rainton Friendship Club celebrated its ninth birthday with a catered in meal in Hetton Community Hall, followed by entertainment by Steve Dae, from Sunderland, with humour and song. The club is now closed for the summer break and resumes activities on September 13.

Members of the Inner Wheel Club meeting in the Rainton Meadows Information Centre enjoyed a talk and demonstration of making Hooky Mats by Carol Dale.

Kepier’s first Summer Fair was opened by Steph Bannon, SAFC Ladies’ Captain, and held on July 10. As well as a car boot sale and stalls selling a wide range of goods including shoot outs; skills challenges; a classic car show; book sale and tombolas. Kepier’s catering manager Gary Herbert and his staff prepared and sold ‘street food’ which was hugely popular. The event raised just under £1,000. Many thanks to all those who supported the event.