| Date | Subject of Talk - Speaker |
|---|---|
| Wed 5th November 2025 | The Model Shop:an illustrated talk By Michael Murphy/ Pat Lutman / Ron Price |
| Wed 3rd December 2025 | Xmas quiz, quiz and Mince Pies! |
Minutes for meeting of Mid &North Northumberland branch of NDFHS 3.9.25
Attendees: 20; Apologies: 7
Business: A reminder given about October meeting- Church, Chapel & Community
Meeting: Migration & Mining – Michael Murphy gave a most interesting and well
researched interpretation of the data he had extracted from our group work for NDFHS
50th Anniversary Conference based on evidence gathered from the 1911 Census returns
presented by so many members. Each member was given a handout copy of the
research findings, including detailed tables.
Next meeting:
Our October meeting will be a members’ forum based around the theme of Church,
Chapel & My Community.
It will be interesting to learn how these institutions affected our communities and what
part they played in our family’s lives. If you have pictures, memorabilia and memories
these will add to the session. As always there will be no compunction to take part,
listening and maybe interjecting (I am using long words this morning!) if a memory is
sparked by another’s contribution is always valuable and interesting.
Minutes for Mid & North Northumberland branch of NDFHS 2.7.25
Attendance:21 Apologies:7
Business:
*Information re Langley Castle – arrive by 12pm for a brief talk and tour followed by afternoon tea
*On August 6th members should meet at the Maritime Centre in Newbiggin prior to a tour of the Rocket House.
Meeting: ‘Memories of WW2 and our family’s part in it’.
Members brought items linked to this period of history recalling how these were related to their family. These made an interesting display to be perused during the break. Michael Murphy led a fascinating discussion with his 97 year old friend, Ellen Mercel, who had lived through WW2 losing 2 brothers in action at sea and on land. Her remembrances were illuminating and emotional bringing ‘the dead to life’.
Members enjoyed a splendid buffet with lots of chat.
The meeting closed at 3:45.
Next week will be the visit to Langley Castle. Please arrive at the venue by 12pm.
The next branch meeting will be a visit to Newbiggin Maritime Centre and Rocket House led by Barry Mead on August Please arrive at Maritime Centre by 1:30.
During yesterday’s meeting Stuart Lawson showed a volume of work related to the end of WW2 in the North-East. This can be accessed online at:www.genuki.org.uk
Mid & North Northumberland branch of NDFHS meeting 4.6.25
Attendance:18; Apologies: 10
Business:
*The visit to Langley Castle on July 9th will be from 12pm – 4pm. If anyone needs a lift please contact Michael Murphy
* If you have any allergies do let us know before the event
* The July 2nd Members’ Forum will be about memories of WW2. This will include a question and answer session with a 96 year old friend of Michael’s who lived through WW2 – ‘Ellen Mercel Remembers the War’. If you have any items such as photos , medals, letters and reminiscences please bring them to the meeting to create a display. We may need to have another Forum around this topic depending on the number of people who would like to contribute.
* Michael Murphy gave a brief resume of meetings coming up for the rest of 2025
* Results of the groups work for the 50th Anniversary will form a display and talk at the September meeting
Meeting:
Julian Harrop, from Beamish Museum gave a most interesting and informative talk entitled Snooping on Snaps. We learnt about the museum’s photographic collection; how it is stored; the range of contents; facilities for and results of enhancement.
Meeting closed at 3:30
The next meeting will be a members’ forum related to our family’s part in WW2. A ‘sumptuous’ buffet will round off the meeting and celebrate our successful 2024 – 2025 season.
Minutes from Mid & North Northumberland meeting 7.5.25
Attendance:25; Apologies: 5
Business:
*Michael Murphy reported on progress of the 1911 Census project
*Name badges for group members agreed
*The visit to Langley Castle should go ahead as we seem to have at least the minimum required
* Members were asked to bring items for the Members’ Forum, ‘Remembering World War 2’ in July
Meeting:
Liz Finch gave an excellent talk about the Northumbrian Jacobites which was a wonderful preparation for the visit to Langley Castle in July
Minutes for Mid & North Northumberland Branch of NDFHS 2.4.2025
Attendance: 18; Apologies : 3
Business:
· The visit to Langley Castle will be Wednesday July 9th.( This is the week after our regular meeting which will still take place).The group will contribute £10 pp towards afternoon tea.
· The visit to the Rocket House at Newbiggin will be on August 6th
· Michael Murphy gave thanks to everyone who had submitted 1911 Census information which he is compiling and analysing for NDFHS’s 50th Anniversary presentation
· Phyllis McGraw made reference to our planned WW2 Commemoration to be held on July 2nd(further details to follow)
Meeting:
This was a members’ forum with the theme off A Piece of Paper. Several members had brought along items which had been vital to forwarding their family history research. Some had found surprising information with results that the group found interesting.
The next meeting will be a talk on the Northumbrian Jacobites given by Liz Finch on Wednesday May 7th. Liz gave us a most entertaining talk about Seaton Delaval Hall and the Delaval family so this will be one to look forward to.
I will forward details of the revised 2025 programme and details about our WW2 Commemoration.
Minutes from NDFHS Wansbeck Branch meeting 5.3.2025.
Attendance:21 including 2 visitors
Apologies: 8
Business:
* A proposal was made to change the branch name from ‘Wansbeck’ to ‘Mid & North Northberland’ to reflect recent parliamentary and Local Authority boundary changes. Further information will be given after consultation with Trustees
* Plans were discussed for a summer branch visit to Langley Castle & possibly Dilston Hall to act as a memorial to Wendy Stafford, our recently deceased branch founder (further discussion & organisation to take place). Afternoon tea has been proposed too!
* So far 71 research questionnaires on the 1911 Census have been submitted as part of our branch contribution to the NDFHS 50th Anniversary in June (analysis of this work will be presented at a future Members’ Forum)
Meeting:
Kim Bibby – Wilson gave an illuminating talk on the history of the Northumbrian Pipes. She demonstrated the construction of the pipes and played a range of music. One of our members, Ron Price, had brought along 2 beautiful sets of pipes that he had made for his daughter.
Next meeting:
Wednesday April 2nd will be a Members’ Forum linked to the theme of , ‘A Piece of Paper’. Do bring along any item of paper work which may have led your family history research forward, solved a problem or even created one!
As always there will be no compunction to take part. Listening and interjecting are equally valid.
Minutes for Wansbeck Branch meeting 08.01.2025
Attendance:21
Apologies: 3
Details of the AGM have been passed to the Secretary of the Society.
Meeting: a Members’ Forum based on information collected from the 1911 Census which will be used as a display for NDFHS 50th Anniversary.
The discussion produced interesting information relating to our origins.
Minutes for Wansbeck Branch of NDFHS December 4th 2024
Attendance:25
Apologies: 4
Business:
· members were reminded of the email sent re NDFHS 50th Anniversary
· Michael Murphy gave a brief introduction of the theme linked to the 1911 Census which is to be prepared by our Branch for the 50th Anniversay. Pro formas were given to members in readiness for the January Members’ Forum when the theme will be developed
Meeting: Phyllis McGraw gave a talk about the history and development of commercial bingo rounded off with a game of bingo.
Members enjoyed a Xmas buffet.
Meeting closed at 3:30
Next meeting will be on JANUARY 8th. This will be a members’ forum linked to the 1911 Census
Attendance: 28, Apologies: 6
Business:
*Acting Chair welcomed members with particular reference to those who had suffered some health issues recently
*January’s Forum was introduced briefly
*Reminder that New England House is ready for use
Meeting:
‘Pails, Nails & Smails’ by Robert Young, a great grandson of the original founder of Smails the well known Morpeth ironmongers store which closed in 2016.
We were treated to a fascinating talk about the history of the family and iconic store. This was illustrated with a wonderful collection of photos and enhanced with amusing anecdotes which brought many memories flooding back.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday NOVEMBER 6th. This will be, ‘The Rise & Fall of Seaton Delaval Hall’ by Liz Finch
