DOWN YOUR WAY
HETTON
Ring Sam Blacklock on 07715416213 or email samblacklock1997@gmail.com A commemorative memorial statue is beginning to take shape following three years in the making in Hetton le Hole. The Ray Lonsdale Sculpture is a tribute to and a reminder of the hard life and sacrifice made by the men and women who built our coal mining community. It will be a permanent reminder of Hetton’s proud and not to be forgotten heritage. This sculpture will be a lasting memorial to our past, to our fathers and grandfathers who worked under horrendous conditions, to the wives and families who lost loved ones killed in the mines around this area. It will also revive an interest and pride in Hetton’s history, which belongs to all of us and which should never be forgotten. The Culture for Hetton Group has worked hard over the last three years looking at the celebration of Hetton and the history of the mining community. The statue cost £34,000 to produce along with additions, and the group have been supported by almost all the businesses in Hetton, along with the hard work of the committee hosting a range of events have managed to raise £48,000. The committee would like to thank all who have donated and supported the group and any more donations are welcome. For more information and to see the statue visit Culture for Hetton Group on Facebook. Easington Lane Independent Methodist Church’s Sunday JAM Club is recommencing following its summer break on Sunday. This is for local children up to the age of 16. The children will be part of what it is hoped will be a growing group on a Sunday morning. They will be able to mix with other young children and also learn about Christianity in a fun way. Go along and join to change children’s perception and teach them what is right in a friendly and fun filled surrounding. The JAM Club session is on from 10.30am to 11.30am every Sunday.
GRANGETOWN AND ASHBROOKE
Ring Chris Dixon on 0191 551 7090/07950828272 or email cmdixon@hotmail.co.uk Sunderland Rotary Club member Phil Tweddell is the grandson of a former Roker lighthouse keeper and chairs the Roker Heritage Group that is now responsible for tours of the lighthouse and the tunnel. A new entrance structure now opened allows safe access to the interior tunnel. Phil recently welcomed Carmen Higgs, a great, great granddaughter of Henry H Wake, the designer and builder of Roker Pier. Mr Wake was born in Monkwearmouth in 1844 and became chief engineer to the River Wear Commissioners in 1868, he was responsible for a number of port projects including enlarging Hudson Dock, construction of deep water quays and new staithes and jetties. He died at home, 14 Thornhill Gardens, in 1911.
The Friends of Backhouse Park and Barley Mow Park next meet tonight, Tuesday, at the Back-on-the-Map building, (formerly Hendon branch library), beginning at 6.30 pm. Sunderland Floral Art Club holds its ‘Proms’ in the Afternoon with Julie and Chris, who will be leading the singing of traditional songs such as Jerusalem and Rule Britannia. The date is today, Tuesday, commencing 2pm, at St Cecilia’s Church Hall, Ryhope Road. Tickets are £5 and include afternoon tea following the concert, with pre-booking essential by ringing Pam on 0191 522 7832. St Michael’s Residents’ Association, with Coun Michael Dixon in the chair, met last week at Auckland Homes, Hill View Road. A very good attendance of ward residents discussed police matters with the local community police officer. In addition, Coun Peter Wood gave a comprehensive report on the many ward issues he and colleagues were currently involved in, including parking, litter, roads, planning, traffic and Backhouse Park. Coun Robert Oliver also gave a citywide report specifically on the Vaux site and the future of the Civic Centre. The next meeting is at 6.30pm on Wednesday, October 10, in the same venue. St Michael’s councillors, Michael Dixon, Robert Oliver and Peter Wood, hold their next ward surgery tomorrow, Wednesday, at St Timothy’sLutheranChurch, Queen Alexandra Road, from 1pm to 2pm. Universal Credit support sessions for residents of the east of Sunderland, funded by East Sunderland Area Committee, are currently available through Blue Watch Youth Centre until July 2019. Sessions are available within the centre and at other outreach venues within St Michael’s Ward. In addition, home visits can be considered if you are unable to attend venue sessions. Support available includes assisting in making online applications to Universal Credit and preparing for interviews at the Jobcentre. Other support includes budging advice, setting up a bank account, advice on appeal processes, job search, access to computers/internet and IT support if you have limited computer skills. You can contact Blue Watch Youth Centre to find out when and wheredrop-insessionsarebeing held or to arrange a home visit. Contact Denis Crompton – senior worker at Blue Watch Youth Centre on 0191 521 4060 or email bwyc.deniscrompton@gmail.com
SILKSWORTH AND RYHOPE
Ring Olive Thompson on 0191 521 4960 or 07758439449 email olive16thompson@hotmail.com Jennifer Vincent, president of Tunstall WI, is looking forward to welcoming members and visitors back after the August break. The meeting is on Thursday at 7pm in North Street Methodist Church, Silksworth. There will be a talk on ‘Fraud Awareness’ and the competition is any item of jewellery made from vegetables. All welcome. AdramaticreadingofMark’s Gospel with actor Adrian Palmer will take place at St Paul’s Church, Ryhope, this Saturday at 7pm. Adrian Palmer is a professional actor with wide experience of performing on stage and for the camera. He has played a great variety of parts from Shakespearean classics to comedy and musicals. He has also worked extensively in theatre, education, corporate drama and cabaret. This event is free, all welcome. For more details contact Rev David Chadwick on 0191 523 7884. The Silksworth IM Church (behind Blind Lane) Detonate Youth Club resumes tomorrow, Wednesday, from 6pm to 7.30pm. Year 3 to 6 schoolchildren are welcome. Activities, crafts and tuck shop. A Bobby Thompson tribute night will be held at Silksworth Royal British Legion this Saturday at 7pm. Go along and have a great night with bingo and raffles. No