Gordon Terrace West,
Stakeford,
Northumberland, NE62 5UD
Contact: Phyllis McGraw (Secretary)
Email: mid-north-northumberland@ndfhs.org.uk
Meetings on 1st Wednesday in the month at 1.30 pm
(No meeting in August)
Non-members are always most welcome to attend the meetings and the coffee and chat afterwards
| Date | Subject of Talk | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 7th May 2025 | Jacobites in Northumberland | Liz Finch |
| Wed 4th Jun 2025 | Beamish – Snooping on Snaps | Julian Harrop |
| Wed 2nd Jul 2025 | Members’ Forum – ‘Remembering the end of WW11 and my families part in it’ | – |
| Wed 9th Jul 2025 | A visit to Langley Castle including afternoon tea | – |
| Wed 6th Aug 2025 | Visit – Newbiggin Rocket House& Maritime Museum | – |
| Wed 3rd Sep 2025 | 1911Census:a review of the work, information and results presented at NDFHS 50th Anniversary | – |
| Wed 1st Oct 2025 | Members’ Forum: The Church & Chapel in my Community | – |
| Wed 5th Nov 2025 | The Model Shop:an illustrated talk | Michael Murphy/ Pat Lutman / Ron Price |
| Wed 3rd Dec 2025 | Xmas quiz, quiz and Mince Pies! | – |
Reports of meetings
April 2025
Minutes for Mid & North Northumberland Branch of NDFHS 2.4.2025
Attendance: 18; Apologies : 3
Business:
· The visit to Langley Castle will be Wednesday July 9th.( This is the week after our regular meeting which will still take place).The group will contribute £10 pp towards afternoon tea.
· The visit to the Rocket House at Newbiggin will be on August 6th
· Michael Murphy gave thanks to everyone who had submitted 1911 Census information which he is compiling and analysing for NDFHS’s 50th Anniversary presentation
· Phyllis McGraw made reference to our planned WW2 Commemoration to be held on July 2nd(further details to follow)
Meeting:
This was a members’ forum with the theme off A Piece of Paper. Several members had brought along items which had been vital to forwarding their family history research. Some had found surprising information with results that the group found interesting.
The next meeting will be a talk on the Northumbrian Jacobites given by Liz Finch on Wednesday May 7th. Liz gave us a most entertaining talk about Seaton Delaval Hall and the Delaval family so this will be one to look forward to.
I will forward details of the revised 2025 programme and details about our WW2 Commemoration.
March 2025
Minutes from NDFHS Wansbeck Branch meeting 5.3.2025.
Attendance:21 including 2 visitors
Apologies: 8
Business:
* A proposal was made to change the branch name from ‘Wansbeck’ to ‘Mid & North Northberland’ to reflect recent parliamentary and Local Authority boundary changes. Further information will be given after consultation with Trustees
* Plans were discussed for a summer branch visit to Langley Castle & possibly Dilston Hall to act as a memorial to Wendy Stafford, our recently deceased branch founder (further discussion & organisation to take place). Afternoon tea has been proposed too!
* So far 71 research questionnaires on the 1911 Census have been submitted as part of our branch contribution to the NDFHS 50th Anniversary in June (analysis of this work will be presented at a future Members’ Forum)
Meeting:
Kim Bibby – Wilson gave an illuminating talk on the history of the Northumbrian Pipes. She demonstrated the construction of the pipes and played a range of music. One of our members, Ron Price, had brought along 2 beautiful sets of pipes that he had made for his daughter.
Next meeting:
Wednesday April 2nd will be a Members’ Forum linked to the theme of , ‘A Piece of Paper’. Do bring along any item of paper work which may have led your family history research forward, solved a problem or even created one!
As always there will be no compunction to take part. Listening and interjecting are equally valid.
January 2025
Minutes for Wansbeck Branch meeting 08.01.2025
Attendance:21
Apologies: 3
Details of the AGM have been passed to the Secretary of the Society.
Meeting: a Members’ Forum based on information collected from the 1911 Census which will be used as a display for NDFHS 50th Anniversary.
The discussion produced interesting information relating to our origins.
December 2024
Minutes for Wansbeck Branch of NDFHS December 4th 2024
Attendance:25
Apologies: 4
Business:
· members were reminded of the email sent re NDFHS 50th Anniversary
· Michael Murphy gave a brief introduction of the theme linked to the 1911 Census which is to be prepared by our Branch for the 50th Anniversay. Pro formas were given to members in readiness for the January Members’ Forum when the theme will be developed
Meeting: Phyllis McGraw gave a talk about the history and development of commercial bingo rounded off with a game of bingo.
Members enjoyed a Xmas buffet.
Meeting closed at 3:30
Next meeting will be on JANUARY 8th. This will be a members’ forum linked to the 1911 Census
October 2024
Attendance: 28, Apologies: 6
Business:
*Acting Chair welcomed members with particular reference to those who had suffered some health issues recently
*January’s Forum was introduced briefly
*Reminder that New England House is ready for use
Meeting:
‘Pails, Nails & Smails’ by Robert Young, a great grandson of the original founder of Smails the well known Morpeth ironmongers store which closed in 2016.
We were treated to a fascinating talk about the history of the family and iconic store. This was illustrated with a wonderful collection of photos and enhanced with amusing anecdotes which brought many memories flooding back.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday NOVEMBER 6th. This will be, ‘The Rise & Fall of Seaton Delaval Hall’ by Liz Finch
September 2024
Minutes for Wansbeck Branch of NDFHS meeting September 4th 2024
Attendance: 12, Apologies: 12
Meeting: Unfortunately the planned meeting had to be cancelled and was replaced with a Members’ Forum based around the theme of ‘A Mystery Object’.
This was a most successful sessions with many interesting items brought in by members leading to fruitful discussions amongst those present.
August 2024
Minutes for Wansbeck Branch meeting 7.8.24.
18 members and friends were able to attend the summer visit to Cresswell Pele Tower and Walled Garden. This was a most successful afternoon led by Steve, a most knowledgeable, interesting and entertaining guide. We all learned a great deal about the history of the Pele Tower and enjoyed strolling in the delightful garden.
Our next meeting will be ‘Birtley Belgium’s’ led by Valerie Greaves on September 4th.
Michael would like to pass on his thanks for all of the best wishes sent to him. He is making steady progress and the orchid is flourishing!
July 2024
Minutes for Wansbeck Branch of NDFHS 3.7.2024
Apologies: 7
Attendance: 17
Business:Due to the sad news that our Chairman, Michael Murphy, has had to withdraw from his role in the Society and Branch, this meeting became an Extraordinary GM. All members expressed their very best wishes to Michael and his family.
Phyllis McGraw will be Acting Chair; Veronica Lisle will be Trustee and Christine Westerback will take on the role of Meetings’ Organiser. The new officers will work to support each other in these new roles so ably undertaken by Michael.
The meeting closed at 2:30 The next meeting will be August 7th at 1:30 meeting at the entrance to Cresswell Pele Tower.
June 2024
Minutes from NDFHS Wansbeck Branch meeting 5.6.2024
Attendance: 21
Apologies: 5
Business:
· Chairman reminded members of the NDFHS AGM to be held on Saturday July 13th in The Learning Room of South Shields Museum. (Further details will be available)
· Discussion took place about a possible topic to celebrate NDFHS’s 50th anniversary in 2025
· Information given about the 5 topics covered in the NDFHS videos
· August 7th meeting will now be a visit to Cresswell Pele Tower and Walled Garden starting at 1.30
· Group member Geoff Glass supported by his wife Marjorie gave a highly illustrated and interesting talk about his life as an underground miner and Deputy in the Northumberland coalfield
· We wish Geoff well for his upcoming operation
Next meeting is Wednesday
July 3rd
A workshop session’Using the 1939 Register’
May 2024
Attendance: 22
Apologies: 6
Business: No outstanding matters
Meeting: A talk with the title, ‘Locating Records in a a Family History Trail’ was given by Michael Murphy. This was a well prepared, fascinating and insightful account of the origins and location of records looking for reasons and patterns in a life’s passage. The links to the life of Michael Porter, with clear handouts brought the subject to life and will be most useful aids to many members.
The meeting closed at 3:30
Last updated 7th April 2025
