DOWN YOUR WAY
Every Tuesday in your Echo
GRANGETOWN AND ASHBROOKE Ring Chris Dixon on 0191 551 7090/07950828272 or email cmdixon@hotmail.co.uk
Groundwork North East, with funding from the East Area Committee of Sunderland Council, organised a very successful community clean-up in St Michael’s Ward last week, around the streets and back lanes of the terraced properties close to Park Lane. Lots of rubbish was collected and then taken away. There was an excellent turn-out with great support and enthusiasm from the residents and staff of the nearby Auton Residential Children’s Care, Thornhill Park, Thornholme Resident’s Association with Chairman Paul Baker and members, plus local residents. Ward Councillors Michael Dixon, Robert Oliver and Peter Wood also attended. Pictured above left to right are: Julia Bentley, (Groundwork), Peter Wood, Pauline Gray (Secretary Thornholme Resident’s Association) and Michael Dixon. Rotary Club members from Sunderland joined many members of Rotary Clubs in the North East at Hetton Lyons Club to celebrate Hetton Festival and Dragon Boat Race. Volunteers staffed the car park and manned stalls raising money for charities. The combined event is now in its second year and organisers saw bumper crowds in the fine sunny weather. The winners of the Dragon Boat Race were Hartlepool Round Table with local Rotary Club SR1 declared runners-up. Local bands and singers entertained the crowds and there were numerous stalls providing street food, artisan food, drinks, crafts, and information. Friends of Backhouse Park and Barley Mow Park met recently, with Claire Wayman in the chair. Members were joined by St Michael’s Ward Councillors, Michael Dixon and Peter Wood.Various issues were discussed including the next litter picks in the parks, the Himalayan Balsam in Backhouse Park, the recent VCAS funding fair and several future events later in the year. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 12, at 6.30pm at the Back-on-the Map Building. St Michael’s Councillors Michael Dixon, Robert Oliver and Peter Wood hold their next ward surgery tomorrow at the Community Centre, Stannington Grove, from 11am to noon. St Michael’s Residents’ Association meets tomorrow at Auckland Homes, Hill View Road, at 6.30pm. The local Community Police Officer and ward councillors will be in attendance and everyone is welcome. ICOS is holding its next community clean-up session in Backhouse Park tomorrow, starting at 10.30am. For any residents and their children who may wish to join in, meet at the Ryhope Road entrance towards the play area. Gloves, bags and litter-picks will be provided.
SEAHAM Ring Elizabeth Armes on 0191 581 0419
The time is fast approaching to organise this year’s Poppy Appeal, request orders for poppy wreaths and to enlist volunteers to distribute and collect supplies, man stalls etc. To offer your help and/ or for further information, contact Elizabeth, Seaham’s Poppy Appeal Organiser, on 0191 581 0419. The ancient Church of Saint Mary’s, Old Seaham, will be open to pilgrims and visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 2pm and 4pm this month and mid-September. There is ample parking in the cliff top Seaham Hall car park if the road to the church itself is full. Sunday services for the Joint Benefice of Christ Church and St Andrew’s, Daltonle-Dale, are: Celebration of Holy Communion at Christ Church at 10am and St Andrew’s at 6pm. Evening prayer will be held at 6pm at Christ Church. Every Wednesday, at 10am, Holy Communion is celebrated at Christ Church. Everyone welcome to join in the friendship and fellowship. Vestry is held on Mondays between 7pm and 7.30pm for the arrangement of Baptisms and weddings. For information about