Gordon Terrace West,
Stakeford,
Northumberland, NE62 5UD
Contact: Phyllis McGraw (Secretary)
Email: wansbeckbranch@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 |
|---|---|---|
| 5th February 2025 | Happy Days – digging up Northumberland’s past | Barry Mead |
| 5th March 2025 | The History of the Northumbrian Pipes | Kim Bibby – Wilson |
| 2nd April 2025 | Members’ Forum – A Piece of Paper | – |
| 7th May 2025 | A History of Blyth | Alan Fryer |
| 4th June 2025 | Beamish – Snooping on Snaps | Julian Harrop |
| 2nd July 2025 | Members’ Forum – ‘Remembering the end of WW11 and my families part in it’ | – |
| 6th August 2025 | Visit ( possibly Newbiggin Rocket House& Maritime Museum) | – |
Reports of meetings
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
April 2024
Attendance: 18 members braved the awful weather!
Apologies: 3
Business: Durham County Records Office will reopen on Friday June 14th at Mount Oswald, a short drive from Durham City. DLI Museum will be housed there too.
NDFHS Head Office will be relocating to New England House which is near the Haymarket.
Health & Safety was refreshed for new members
Meeting:
This members’ forum, My Family & the Military, produced much interesting, and often previously unknown, information throwing up several requests for support in investigating this area which will be addressed in future meetings. Members produced a range of artefacts, photographs, military documents and information which fleshed out the theme leading to animated talk during refreshments.
The meeting closed at 3:30
Next meeting:
Wednesday May 1st will be, ‘Locating Records in a Family History Trail’: using the life of Michael Porter’s life as a case study. This talk will be led by Michael Murphy
March 2024
Meeting 6th March 2024. Attendance: 28, Apologies: 2
Business:
A reminder was given about a talk to be given at Morpeth Literary Festival on March 24th by Dr Dan Jackson about the history of Northumberland. Tickets can be booked online.
Talk:
Hilton Dawson gave a most interesting and informative talk about The Newbiggin Genealogy Project which he helped to initiative in 2010 and is now thought to have created ‘the world’s largest family tree’ involving a record of almost everyone who has lived in Newbiggin and is still growing with contributions from people around the U.K. and wider world.
The meeting closed at 3:30
February 2024
Meeting held on February 7th 2024
Attendance: 26
Apologies: 4
Business:
* The annual financial report was presented. Finances are in a healthy condition
* The death of Michael Porter at the age of 102 was reported. A history and celebration of his life, demonstrating how to find and use a variety of records, will be presented by Michael Murphy later in the year
* The proposed move of headquarters from MEA House to Sutherland House will not now take place. A permanent site is being sought and more details will follow
Talk:
We were fortunate to have an excellent, erudite, informative and witty talk about Cresswell Pele Tower & Walled Garden given by Barry Mead. Barry and a group of volunteers began the hard work of raising funds to restore the Pele Tower, a listed building and scheduled monument, in 2014 which was brought to fruition in 2021. A fascinating afternoon.
Last updated 10th January 2025
