In 2016 the Society received a bequest of £191,700 from a longstanding member to be known as the The Joyce Wakenshaw Bequest. There are restrictions on what the bequest can be used for, and it cannot be used for day-to-day running costs. A copy of the Will is held at our Research Centre and is available for members to examine.
The first grant from the bequest has been paid to the library at Blyth to pay for the refurbishment of the Family and Local History Room. This was opened on Wednesday 12th October 2016 by Councillor Alan Sambrooke, Civic Head of Northumberland County Council, jointly with our Chairman, Joyce Jackman. The plaque records the name of Joyce Wakenshaw whose generous bequest funded this much improved resource.
During her membership she contributed two articles to the Journal.
Drama in the Theatre
NDFHS Journal Volume 15 Number 4 (Winter 1990) Page 94
The Last of The Old Miners Representatives
NDFHS Journal Volume 17 Number 3 (Autumn 1992) Page 62
Miss Joyce Wakenshaw died on 26th July 2014.
Disbursements
In her Will Joyce Wakenshaw made some bequests. The primary one was for the refurbishment of Blyth library. The residue came to the Society and has been disbursed as follows.
| year end | disbursement | balance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bequest | 191683 | |
| 31st December 2016 | Refurbishment at Blyth Library | 33538 | 158145 |
| 31st December 2017 | Disbursements | 3390 | 154755 |
| 31st December 2018 | Disbursements | 3472 | 151283 |
| 31st December 2019 | Disbursements | 15535 | 135958 |
| 31st December 2020 | Disbursements | 1725 | 134233 |
| 31st December 2021 | Disbursements | 9670 | 124563 |
| 31st December 2022 | Disbursements | 6638 | 117925 |
| 31st December 2023 | Disbursements | 16671 | 101254 |
| 31st December 2024 | Disbursements | 19408 | 81846 |
[Last updated: 9th September 2025.]