DOWN YOUR WAY
GRANGETOWN AND ASHBROOKE Ring Chris Dixon on 0191 551 7090/07950828272 or email cmdixon@hotmail.co.uk
Are you worried about money? Struggling with debts or paying bills? If so, then Citizens Advice, Sunderland, can help. It provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to everyone living in Sunderland and Washington. As a local, independent charity it works with clients to resolve any debt issues they may have. It can provide budgeting advice, negotiate with creditors, handle both emergency and non-emergency debts and identify suitable strategies for the next steps. For more information, pop into one of the offices or call the debt line on 0191 415 8998. The office can be found at 5a Waterloo Place. Sunderland Floral Art Club is offering flower arranging classes on the following Tuesdays: February 26 and March 5, 12 and 26. They are to be held at St Cecilia’s Church hall, Ryhope Road, from 1.45pm to 3.30pm. The course tutor is Mrs Karl Brunton and the cost is £18. Booking is essential as places are limited. Contact Pam on 0191 5227832 if you are interested. St Michael’s Residents’ Association, with Coun Michael Dixon in the chair, held a well-attended meeting. Members heard a report from the local police on the crime statistics, which for the November to December period were very low for the areas covered. Members also received reports from both St Michael’s Councillors, Peter Wood, ward issues, and Robert Oliver, citywide, followed by questions and discussion. The next meeting is once again in the community centre, Stannington Grove, on Wednesday, February 27, at 6.30pm. St Michael’s ward Councillors, Michael Dixon, Robert Oliver and Peter Wood, will hold their next ward surgery on Monday, February 18, in St Cecilia’s Church hall, Ryhope Road, from noon to 1pm. Thornholme Residents’ Association, with Paul Baker in the chair, met in the Ashbrooke Sports Club. A very well-attended meeting saw members presented with a report by the local Community Police Officer of the most up-to-date crime figures for the locality. Also at the meeting were St Michael’s ward Councillors, Michael Dixon and Peter Wood, plus Ian Redford, headteacher at Thornhill School. Various issues were discussed including planning, parking, litter, future speakers and city-wide topics. The next meeting will be on Monday, March 4, same venue, at 6pm There was a special service, evening prayer in Epiphany season, held at St Nicholas Church on Sunday, January 27, to mark the Commissioning of the Rev Dr Andrew Dowsett, of Sunderland Minister, authorised also to oversee St Nicholas, Bishopwearmouth, as Interim Minister. The sermon was delivered by the Venerable Bob Cooper, Archdeacon of Sunderland.
HOUGHTON Ring Ron Young on 0191 584 2692
The dates of the past Round Tablers ‘41 Club’ eight annual Beer Festival in the Welfare Hall of the sports complex has been confirmed as Friday, May 10, evening, and Saturday, May 11, evening and afternoon. Anyone wishing to advertise in the souvenir programme or requiring further details, should contact Peter Merrie on 0191 5840728 or email peter.merrie@sky.com The next walks by the Sunderland Group of the Ramblers’ Association are: Sunday, Tudhoe Circular, about eight miles, meeting near the Green Tree pub in Tudhoe village (DL16 6LE) at 10.30am. Contact leader John Todd on 0191 5171935 for further details. Wednesday, February 13, Dalton Park Circular (SR7 9HU), about eight miles, meeting on Dalton Park car park on the south side at 10.30am. More details from leader John Routledge on 0191 5286966. The regular coffee mornings with book sale continue at St Matthew’s Church hall, Newbottle, on Thursdays from 9.30am to 10.30am. There are many excellent bargain book. The lunch club, where a good, hot meal can be taken, is also on Thursdays from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. Visitors are welcome. At Houghton Methodist Church, the speaker at the Tuesday Fellowship was member Judy Tasker, with another of her many interesting talks, and at the Ladies’ Fellowship, Circuit Deacon Esther Longe spoke about the significance of the Bible story of Elijah. The regular Coffee mornings continue on Thursday and Fridays with a short 20-minute service for shoppers in the town on Tuesdays. Speaking at the Rotary Club was 17-year-old Washington Scout Emily McDonald, with an illustrated talk about her forthcoming attendance in July/August at the 24th World Scout Jamboree in Pennsylvania, USA. This will include time in New York, Washington and across the border into Canada. About 45,000 people will be involved in the event. As part of her fundraising activities to fund the cost of £3,500, she was presented with a donation of £150 from the Rotary Club President Graham McGrath with best wishes for an amazing experience and a promise to return to the Rotary Club to tell all about it.
SEAHAM Ring Elizabeth Armes on 0191 581 0419
While plastering work on the interior works is being carried out at St Andrew’s, Dalton-le-Dale, services will be held in Christ Church, New Seaham. Holy Communion will be held on Sundays at