Partying
Fundraising at St Mary's
There was an other unusual fund raising event at the end of the century which involved the Vicar and the Church warden of St. Mary The Virgin, abseiling down the church tower to raise money, again for repairs to the church.
Dunston Millennium Festival held in Dunston Park, June 2000.
Celebrations of 25 years at Washingwell School - 1999
Present staff and former staff and pupils reunited with special guest, illustrator Chris Mabbotts, a former teacher at the school, to celebrate 25 years of Washingwell School.
Children's Week 1987 - Let's Make a Circus
The children's week was based on the theme of 'Let's make a circus'. It was run by Captain David Girt and David of the Church Army team together with the vicar and several members of the congregation .
The children played games, sang songs and listened to stories told by Jolly Jack with the help of his puppet friends.
Then they had refreshments followed by the making of masks and puppets based on characters in the the stories.
The morning ended in church with the singing of songs and The Lord's Prayer.
The whole week was a lot of fun with the helpers having just as good a time as the children. Many thanks to Jolly Jack and David.
Front Street Primary School Sports Day, Chase Park 1986
Nativity Play, Front Street School, 1984
Queen's Jubilee, 1977
An Evening to Remember! 1973
86 guests attended a Social Evening held, for present and past Councillors of the Urban District, to mark the end of the Council due to Local Government Reorganisation
Council Year Books dating back to 1931 were available and these provided the names and addresses of all Councillors from that date.
Many of the guests had not seen each other since their Council days and took the opportunity to reminisce and to engage in lively debate just as they had done long ago in the Council Chamber.
Whickham West End Methodist Church
On August 24th 1968 the Whickham West End Methodist Church held a fund raising Open Day in Chase Park, Whickham.
In addition to the sideshows and stalls usual to such an occasion, there were competitions for youngsters.. For the girls a Skipping Endurance competition was one of the main events and prizes were awarded to the girls in each age group who could skip for the longest time without stopping.
Another major event was the Soap Box Race. Entries were received from schools, scout troops and boys who felt that they could make a Soap Box Car to beat all-comers in the races or win a prize for the best model.
The Dunston Band (1968)
Dunston Band had a successful trip to Heererween, Holland, where they took part in an International Music Festival and Contest. In addition to the Festival, they also played in various Dutch towns and conveyed to the Mayors greetings from Councillor C.B. Westgarth, the Chairman of the Council.
November 5th Celebrations 1960
The Wallace family and friends celebrating Guy Fawkes with a bonfire at the top of Park Avenue, Beech Avenue, Whickham.
Coronation of Elizabeth The Second 1953
People joined together to celebrate the Coronation of the Queen. Unfortunatly on coronation day it rained so heavily that street parties were impossible. Noel Tate give the use of his new barn to the people of the council houses and Matty Lowdon gave the use of his garage to the residents of Beech Street and the surrounding area.
Christmas Time is Party Time 1952
Dunston Junior school pupils acted two little plays at Christmas. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Who Killed The Giant."
Party games were in full swing at Byermoor Infants School Christmas Party.
Children at Whickham Infants School Christmas Party took time off from party games to sing carols.
Santa Claus was a popular visitor to Swalwell Infants School Christmas Party.
The League of Friends of Dunston Hill & Whickham Cottage Hospitals
The League held its annual dance on Saturday, March 29th in the Recreation Hall of the hospital. Evening Dress optional. Licensed Bar. Tickets 10/6d. Buffet Refreshments included.
A Grand Draw was held. The prize a day trip to Paris for two people. Tickets 1/- each.
Stay at home holiday August 1946 by Dorothy Douglas
Whickham's grand Holiday at Home Week opened on Friday with a fancy dress ball in the Miners Welfare Hall, and on Saturday the 'Queen' Miss Lavinia Ackerley was crowned by, the Mayor of Gateshead, Ald. H. Kegie. The Mayor was accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs Kegie, and was introduced by the chairman of the Entertainments Committee, Coun. N. Gill.
The 'Queen' was attended by two little girls Miss Judith Heywood, (chosen from the Parochial School), and Miss Dorothy Charlton, (chosen from the Front Street School).
After the crowning there was a parade headed by Felling Brass Band, around the village to the recreation field.
In a children's fancy dress competition the winners were
- William Charlton
- Rita Bradley
- Winifred McKenna
The chief attraction on Monday was cycle racing, which was given under the auspices of the British League of Racing Cyclists.
In addition there were sports, music, a Punch and Judy Show and many sideshows.
Westway VE Street Party 1945.
Swalwell Victory Celebrations. by Sheila Carver
On the night that peace was declared, the whole family went to Trinity Church for the thanksgiving service.
On VE day all of my family went to Holy Trinity Church for the Thanksgiving Service. All the church bells were ringing out at the same time. Before we left home for church Grandma gathered, all the family together. She said it would be a nice gesture if we would all climb on the bus and wish the Germans well. We all did with one exception, Auntie Betty. Grandma told her she was ashamed of her because her son was being returned safely to her. Grandma had always been kind to the prisoners, often giving them apples from the orchard. Most of them got out of their seats and embraced her, it was a moving sight.
The night all the bon-fires across England were lit my mother came and got me out of bed to watch from the window.
Later a Victory Day Celebration took place on the old cricket ground and my cousin Laura was the beauty queen. My Uncle George and my Grandfather did all the horses tails with ribbons.
I can remember a contest for lovely hair, a baby contest, fancy dress, tug of war and lots of others. I can still remember who won the prizes!
Golden Wedding
In 1944 George and Hannah Oxley of Mill Farm Swalwell celebrated their Golden Wedding, and while they had a party the real party was held when their two grandsons George and Tom came back from the war in 1945. Their cousin Sheila was scared of George when he came home because he looked so dark having spent his war in North Africa, Italy and Greece. For some time, she would have nothing to do with him.
Whickham's 1937 Coronation Celebrations
Sunniside Carnival 1930
Victory Street Party, Athol Steet Dunston, 1918
The adults, then the children, enjoying the celebrations.
Armistice at Whickham
After the Armistice on November 11th 1918, a victory bonfire took place on ground behind Spoor Memorial Chapel, maybe late November. Timber baulks and pit props were supplied by Axwell Park Colliery, and built in crows nest fashion approx. rising from base to 25'-30' column with an apex of 10' diameter, tar and oil was poured over, with straw placed around the base, built by workman from Axwell Park Colliery.
When the oldest inhabitant, Mr W. Buckhurst, who was invited to light the fire, walked forward with his torch, a paraffin rag on a broomstick, the fire blazed up fiercely in 30' flames. Two officials dragged the 92 year old clear.
A large gathering witnessed that great fire.
Celebrating the Coronation of King George 5th at High Marley Hill 1911
The bonfire was built by local people. The boy in the centre holding the kite is Bob Craig who lived in Prospect Terrace, Sunniside. He married Lily Douglas one of the Lingey Fine triplets.
Party Down the Pit
April 6th 1900: There was an unusual event of a social gathering down Axwell Park Colliery. The occasion was to raise funds to refurbish the Chancel of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Whickham. Supper was partaken in the 5/4 seam.