Wheatley Hill History Club
Past Projects
Local History Day 2007 and Book Launch
The launch of "Around Wheatley Hill" took place at our local history day on 30 June. The launch speech was given by Julie Hawthorne, the Community Heritage Officer for Durham County Council.
We were celebrating the Edwardian era on the day, and had a stunning Old Time Music Hall, barrel organ as well as a display by Beamish Museum. In the following photographs, the gentleman at the rostrum is dressed at Peter Lee, a prominent member of the village in the early twentieth century.
Wheatley Hill Burial Index
Transcription of the burial index for Wheatley Hill (1907-1961) is now complete. It provides a fascinating insight into village life over the years and is available in The Heritage Centre for genealogical purposes. As far as we know the Wheatley Hill Burial Book is the only one in the County that remains in the hands of the Parish and is not in the County Records Office. As such, it is the property of the Wheatley Hill Parish Council and cannot be copied or removed.
Local History Day 2006 and Book Launch
Yet another successful book launch. Almost 300 people through the doors and over £2000 raised.
The book was certainly a major attraction to the day but the living history group, The Heugh Battery from Hartlepool also added to the authenticity - their camp on land next to the WMC was excellent.
Inside the Club, Peter's vast collection of original WW1 memorabilia raised a few eyebrows! He had a most impressive selection of clothing and other equipment.
Elsewhere Nurse Mary Walker was very efficient in her treatment of the sick and the North East War Memorials Project was kept busy throughout the day. Our singer, Christine Milburn with her collection of wartime songs added to the atmosphere throughout the morning.
Local History Day 2005 and Book Launch
Our Local History Day in 2005 launched the third book in our coal company series which brought readers to 1947 and the onset of Nationalisation. As a result, the theme of our day was Nationalisation - these photographs show Alf Watson, our colliery manager and Mary Walker his clerk in their mock colliery office set up for the day with the help fo Beamish Museum and Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre. Beamish also provided the gate sign put up in 1947 to announce NCB ownership.
Alf Watson and Mary Walker in the Mock Colliery Office
The Mock Colliery Office
The 1947 National Coal Board Gate Sign