Houghton-le-Spring

Local History

The Coordinator of this group is Maureen C. The group currently meets at The Wild Boar on the first Wednesday of the month from 6.0pm to 7.30pm.

This group is interested in the history of people and places across the North East.

The purpose of the monthly meeting is to plan and discuss visits and to view and share resources, information and memories. The group also shares information about forthcoming events, so that members can attend if they wish.

The cost is £1 per person, per session.

Planned visits to places of interest are on the third Thursday of the month in the afternoon or an earlier start if required. Events of interest are also added to the diary.

For more information please contact Maureen at the U3A monthly meeting or

  • Click the link to the right to send a message.
Dates for your Diary
Wed Apr 3rd Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.

Payments due please:
Preston Park Strawberries and Prosecco on Thursday 20 June. £5 please in cash in an envelope with your name, name and date of event and amount.
Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum on Tuesday 4 June. £8 please in cash in an envelope with your name, name and date of event and amount.
Thu Apr 18th Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton YO17 6RT. Local History Group and Gardening Group Joint Event.

Second World War history related museum. It occupies a former POW site with 33 huts each with a different theme. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front as well as the Front Line. The huts have been re-equipped to tell the story of The People’s War, the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945. Realistic tableaux, with moving figures, authentic sounds and smells have been created to “transport you back in time”.
Each hut covers a different aspect of the war, starting with the rise of the Nazi Party, Hitler and The Outbreak of War. Other topics include: Rationing, the Utility Scheme, ‘Save It’ Campaigns, Evacuees, Propaganda, Home Guard, Home Front, The Blitz, Air Raid and Gas Precautions, Animals at War, The Street at War, Women at War, The Land Army and Timber Girls, The Munition Factories, The Observer Corps, The Auxiliary Fire Service, The WVS, The Red Cross, Civil Defence, The Rescue Services, The Bevin Boys, etc.
Group Rate is £14 each.
Café and shop on site. Café serves sausage and bacon baps, fish finger butty, burgers, chips, sandwiches, salads, toasted teacake.
9.30am from the church arch and before that at Margaret’s house. Pay for the bus on the day. Likely to be about £18/£19 each depending on final numbers.
Wed May 1st Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.
Tue May 7th May Day Party. Westlife / Boyzone / Take That Tribute Act THR33. Cherry Tree Bistro, Orchard Place DH5 8GY. Local History Group and Gardening Group Joint Event.

2.30pm to 5.30pm. Hot beef sandwich and chips. Bingo and raffle. Performance by Westlife / Boyzone / Take That Tribute act called THR33. Currently performing to sell out audiences. £16 per person.
Thu May 16th Alnwick Castle or Gardens and Alnwick Town NE66 1NQ. Local History Group and Gardening Group Joint Visit.

EITHER Castle self-guided walk through the State Rooms and self-exploration of the grounds and museums. Guides in every room to answer questions.
OR Gardens include such as the grand cascade, rose garden, cherry tree garden, poison garden, serpent garden, Tree House.
Lilidorei magical kingdom is an additional price.
Pay admission directly to venue on the day.
1pm bus pick up at each venue to go into Town - shops cafes and restaurants. 4pm pick up in town then castle and gardens for anyone who wanted to spend the whole day there.
Pay £15 for the bus in advance. Large coach booked. Non refundable unless someone can take your place.
Tue Jun 4th Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum, Howick NE66 3LB. Local History Group and Gardening Group Joint Event.

House and gardens of the Earl Grey tea family. North of Alnwick. Featured on Robson Green’s Weekend escapes 2024 series. Ground floor open to the public with Visitor Centre and Tea Rooms. Family lives in the West Wing. Discounted group admission is £8 per person payable at our April meetings and includes a free guided tour of the gardens. 1 hour 30 minutes, about one mile.
11am Refreshments on arrival in Earl Grey Tea House
12.00 Group Tour of the gardens ( 2 groups in opposite directions)
1.30pm lunch in Earl Grey Tea House
Look around St. Michael’s Church on site
9.30am from the church arch and before that at Margaret’s house. Pay for the bus on the day. 4pm return.
Wed Jun 5th Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.
Thu Jun 20th Preston Park Museum, Victorian Street and Garden and Butterfly World, Stockton, TS18 3RH. Strawberries and Prosecco! Local History Group and Gardening Group Joint Event.

Back by very popular demand! Strawberries and prosecco provided on arrival. £5 per person please payable at April meetings. Please feel free to additionally bring your own picnic food and drinks if you wish. Please bring your own folding chairs. We will set up our picnic camp on the grass, beside a lovely tree for some shade, just in front of the car park so we don’t have to carry things too far and leave it up for the duration, taking it in turns to mind the camp. It is nice to have somewhere to keep returning to for a rest and a chat.
In the event of bad weather we have booked a room for our camp in the main house which we will only need to pay for if we decide to use it. About £2 each.
Entry to Museum House, walled garden and Victorian Street which includes a café is £3.00 for over 60s. Pay at the venue. Tickets are valid for one year from date of purchase. History of the families who lived at Preston Hall and the life in surrounding area, displays and exhibitions. Last admission 3.30pm. Closes 4pm.
Optional entry to Butterfly World which is in the grounds £4.00 for concessions. Pay at the venue. Closes 4.30pm.
Coach at church arch 11am and before that at Margaret’s house. Pay for the coach on the day. We have booked a coach with plenty of storage. 4pm return.
Wed Jul 3rd Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.
Wed Aug 7th Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.
Wed Sep 4th Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.
Sat Sep 21st Grassington Forties Event 21st / 22nd September overnight stay.
Wed Oct 2nd Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.
Wed Nov 6th Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.
Wed Dec 4th Meeting at the Wild Boar 6pm to 7.30pm.

Click on a picture below to see it full-size with more details.

Visit to Preston Park Museum

 

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