All visitors are welcome
| Date | Subject of Talk - Speaker |
|---|---|
| Tue 7th October 2025 | North Shields 800 By Keiran Keilty |
| Tue 4th November 2025 | Members Forum |
| Tue 2nd December 2025 | Christmas Lunch |
A welcome return after our Summer break seen 18 attendees to our meeting in Whitley Bay library. One of NDFHS members Ken Wilson gave a an emotional, well presented and researched talk on his grandparents Harold and Dorothy, entitled From Lyndale to Yokohama. The talk covered the family’s WW2 experience from a rural English community to the depth and depravity suffered by a prisoner of war in a Japanese camp. We could highly recommend Kens presentation to all local branches looking to book future speakers.
Our next branch meeting will be on Tuesday 7th Oct, in Whitley Bay Library at 1.30pm on the topic of North Shields which is celebrating 800 years of history, delivered by Keiran Ann Keilty. All members welcome.
Our March meeting was well attended with 20 members ( including two visitors from other branches).
Newcastle City Guide Tony Stephenson returned with an excellent talk this month on the topic of Seaton Delval village together with the family history of the DeLaval’s. The talk included the industrial history of the area, with particular focus on the changes which took place in the harbour.
Our Chair Susan Lynn informed us that our branch was to have a stall in May at North Sheilds library to promote the society at a local history event marking the 800th year anniversary of the town. Volunteers will be needed to help out but this will be arranged nearer the time.
Our next meeting will be at Whitley bay library on 1st April starting at 1.30pm, when our guest speaker will be Christopher Tipple on the subject of Northumberland Schools, all welcome.
We had 17 people in attendance with 3 apologies received.
The topic this month was a members forum on The Workhouse and Poor Law Reform Act 1834. The Chair opened with an introduction to the Poor Law and the history prior to its existence, the Secretary then gave a brief overview of the local Preston Union workhouse situated in North Sheild built in 1836 following the reform act. Several members followed on with sharing stories and information regarding their ancestors unfortunate stay in such institutions.
Our December meeting is our annual Christmas luncheon, this year held in an Italian Restaurant in Tynemouth Station on Dec 3rd. There will be no meeting in January 2025 but normal service will resume in February when we will return to Whitley Bay library.
Our Oct meeting was attended by 11 members and we had 7 apologies.
Those in attendance were entertained by our Chair Susan Lynn who gave a very interesting talk on the history of Pressgangs on the river Tyne. A splendid presentation illustrated with PowerPoint.
Our November meeting will be a Members Forum, the discussion will be Workhouses/ Parish Relief, all members with any family history, contributions or stories on this topic will be welcomed. First Tuesday of the month, 1.30 pm in Whitley Bay Library.
Please note: Our December gathering will be at an Italian restaurant in Tynemouth Station for Christmas Lunch.
At our September meeting we had 18 members and 4 visitors, apologies from 3 members.
One of our members Val Anderson gave a wonderful presentation regarding her interesting local family history. Her Grandfather, Tot Anderson, was a Gateshead and Newcastle publican held high esteem across many pubs across Tyneside, a council member and philanthropist. Two of her uncles Hughie Gallagher and Will Curly were two mid century sporting heroes. Val gave a fascinating and honest account of her memories growing up in this high profile family.
